Preface
This statement is published in English by the Temple Society Australia (TSA) and in German by the Tempelgesellschaft in Deutschland e.V. (TGD).
It is the first joint statement of its kind since, some fifty years ago the TGD and the TSA were constituted as the Temple Society's two autonomous Regions which continue to be linked by their common religious faith, aim and concerns.
The statement is the result of TSA/TGD teamwork, and was formulated in close cooperation between the President of the Temple Society and the Elders in both Regions.
The statement embodies the essence of the Temple Society's identity, beliefs and practical concerns in current times. It is intended to serve as an agreed frame of reference and clear guide for our own members, and also as a useful point of departure for discussions and for exchanges of view with adherents of other Christian denominations or of other faiths. In addition, it is meant to provide a focus for the pastoral work of Templer Elders, and a sound base for the preparation of more detailed guidelines relating to specific aspects of their services to our Communities and beyond.
For this statement to remain relevant and continue to truly reflect a consensus of Templer views, values and practices in years to come, it will need to be reviewed from time to time, taking cognizance of new knowledge, and of new perceptions and insights gained in the course of our unfolding faith journey .
Dietrich P. Ruff
President
May 2000
1. Identity
The Temple Society is an independent, non-dogmatic Christian Society, embracing the values embodied in the teaching of Jesus of Nazareth.
We are open to diversity in religious and spiritual matters, and we recognise a bond with all who share our concerns.
The word Temple in our name is derived from the concepts of the Christian Community as described in the letters of the New Testament. Specifically we refer to 1 Cor. 3:16
Surely you know that you are God's temple, where the spirit of God dwells.
and to 1 Peter 2:5a
You also, as living stones, must be built up into a spiritual temple...
Moreover, the word Temple, to us, has two closely interrelated meanings:
We seek to do justice to this challenge, both individually and as a community, by striving to put into practice in everyday conduct what Jesus taught.
2. Beliefs
(a) God
We see God as the source of life and centre of all being a transcending spiritual reality, acting within and beyond this world.
To us God is also personal in so far as individuals can commune with him, knowing that they are responsible to God and are accepted by him.
We are conscious that the true nature of God is beyond human comprehension, and we acknowledge the limitations of statements about God.
(b) Jesus
Contrary to the present teaching of many other Christian denominations, Jesus is, to us, a human being, divinely inspired and as close to God as very few others, if any, have been. He taught us and showed us by his example the essential guidelines we should use for our lives: striving for the Kingdom of God by trust in God and love of neighbour.
Equally, we recognise him not as God become man, saving us through his sacrificial death. We see him as a saviour because of his vision of a loving God whose presence can be met without fear in the depths of one's own being. Jesus' preparedness to die expresses his dedication to his task and his trust in God.
Jesus' resurrection is, to us, above all a spiritual event. We acknowledge it as a manifestation of a spiritual existence and its effective working beyond death, potentially possible for all human beings.
This we see as bringing into focus the importance of the Gospel reports that Jesus' resurrection appearances to his disciples enabled them to experience this spiritual existence, and, in a life transformed awakened in them a totally new confidence in their faith and a new sense of mission.
(c) Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God is the core of Jesus' message. It involves a continuing perfecting of humanity and the world a closer relationship of people to God and to each other. It includes earthly reality but is not confined to it.
We see this Kingdom not as a cataclysm coming at the end of time but as a continuing development in which we are expected to participate now, even if its full realisation is beyond our understanding. To us, it remains essential and obligatory to focus on striving for this perfection.
Therefore our motto is Matthew 6:33
Set your mind on God's kingdom and his justice before everything else, and all the rest will come to you as well.
(d) Mankind
Through God's creative powers we are given a free will, albeit limited, and tendencies toward good and toward evil.
We are called to work on ourselves and the world of which we are part and for which we share responsibility.
(e) Bible
The Bible contains the basic teaching of Christianity. We recognise and respect biblical writings and regard them as a rich source that records human experiences with God. We believe, however, that the books of the Bible were not "literally dictated" by God, and should therefore not be followed blindly.
In order to understand the true meaning of Jesus' teaching and its influence on subsequent religious developments, we consider it necessary to read these writings thoughtfully and without prejudice, and to apply to them the same critical standard as is usual for other historical works. Moreover, we must decide which of the traditional words and stories are tied to specific times, and which continue to be relevant for us; the criterion must be the essential guidelines taught by Jesus.
3. Community
Templers regard the formation and cultivation of communities as essential, because Christianity can best be practiced in communal life. Although the task of working towards God's Kingdom relates to everything around us, it is most effectively accomplished in a community of like-minded people working cooperatively. We therefore ask our members to share in the community's work and to take part in community life.
4. The Templer Philosophy
or, how we practice our beliefs
Our aim is to work toward balanced development, in harmony with our environment, thereby enhancing the quality of life and contributing toward the growth of the Kingdom of God in the world.
We consider that practicing an active Christianity of trust in God and compassion for our neighbour, as expressed in the twin commandments of love, Matthew 22: 37-39:
Love God with all your being, and love your neighbour as yourself
is more important than the mere affirmation of particular creeds and specific articles of faith. We therefore do not require of our members an obligatory profession of the beliefs outlined above. What is important is the willingness to affirm our aim and participate in working towards it in daily life.
We acknowledge that such work is also the goal of other Christian denominations, though possibly with a different priority. It is also the goal of other religions, even if under different names and assumptions. Whether some of these ways are better than others is not for us to judge.
Accordingly, we permit dual membership with respect to other Christian denominations as well as other religions, if the individual's conscience allows this.
We regard personal responsibility and integrity of the individual in religion as indispensable. That is why one becomes a full member of the Temple Society by one's own declaration of intent.
We use rituals whose purpose is to lend depth to a religious service. However, we do not believe that rituals have an intrinsic value of their own, and we reject rituals of a sacramental nature which are claimed to bestow salvation, e.g. baptism.
So we have no consecrated places for our divine services, no ordained priests and no full-time clergy. The religious leadership and guidance of each community is in the hands of several Elders from within the community.
Further information may be obtained from
TEMPLE SOCIETY AUSTRALIA
152 Tucker Road
Bentleigh, Victoria 3204
Australia
Tel (03) 9557 6713
Fax (03) 9557 7943
Internet : http://wwwv.vicnet.net.au/~tempsoc ; or www.templers.org