Abstract

Metaphors of the Church have a potentiallty to renew the Church, which is grounded on their linguistic structure and their semiotic functions. In this article the question is posed which kind of Church renewal is brought about by 'People of God' and 'Church of the Poor'. The bachground of both metaphors is found in the Second Vatican Council. 'People of God' is fully received in european theology and liberation theology, 'Church of the Poor' in latinamerican and, in its own accentuation, asian theology. The different reception of both metaphors does arrive at the conclusion that 'People of God' is stimulating a renewal which innovates modern heritage, concentrated in consciousness of autonomy, individuality and democraty, within the Church, and that 'Church of the Poor' stimulates the Church to look at itself from the perspective of the poor and to become aware of its contextuality.