Accident: A circumstance or attribute that is not essential to the nature of something.
Over the past week or so, I’ve unpacked three properties of essential ecclesiology: whatness, whoness, and whyness. Beginning next week, I turn to three properties of accidental ecclesiology: where, how, and when.[1] Before diving in more fully, I”d like to brainstorm a bit.
Where.
- geography
- culture
- neighborhood
- city
- dictionary [2]
- place
- situation,position, or circumstance
- in what respect
- at which part, stage, or passage
How.
- manner
- means
- dictionary
- manner or way
- means or process
- extent or degree
- measure or quantity
- state, condition, or plight
When.
- calendar
- weekly gatherings
- historical location
- now
- until
- dictionary
- at what time
- in what circumstance
- at which time
- during which
What would you add, modify, or specify?
[1] “Essential properties refer to the very nature of a thing, making it what it is. Accidental properties are non-essential (for example, the redness of an apple). A thing remains what it is even when the accidental properties change.” (Quoted from Whatness).
[2] dictionary definitions are from Merriam-Webster 7.0 for Windows Mobile, (c) 2004-2007.
