The Threefold Structure of Parrhesia and Its Ecclesiological Implications for the Missional Church

Key Points

• To explore why missional church discourse does not translate into community structure changes, focusing on theological language deficiencies.
• Analyzing parrhesia as a practice of public speech rather than merely psychological courage or rhetorical directness.
• Reviewing Greek-Roman public discourse and Foucault's interpretation of parrhesia as a heuristic background.
• Examining key New Testament instances of parrhesia to reveal its threefold structure.
• Repositions New Testament parrhesia within a framework of public testimony, worshipful approach, and ethical responsibility.
• Finds that effective missional church participation requires a transformation in speaking, standing before God, and living responsibly.
• Suggests that a missional church is characterized by its mode of communication and accountability to God's mission rather than just increased activity.