Church, Paperback/Ephraim Radner

Descriere

This is an introduction to thinking theologically about the Christian church--what is known as ecclesiology. The book covers background questions of conception, history, differences among separated Christian churches, and several modern approaches to the study of the church. It also introduces readers to a specific scriptural way of thinking about the church centered on mission, that takes into account problems associated with past approaches, and sensitive to contemporary concerns with the reality of Judaism and other national identities in a global context. "Ephraim Radner has already earned a reputation as one of the most incisive, prophetic theologians of the Anglican Communion. This book solidifies his status as a pastoral teacher as well. With the warmth of a seasoned catechist, he takes dense, challenging theology and demonstrates its necessity, urgency, and beauty. I plan to sing the praises of this book to clergy and laity alike, to my theological colleagues as well as my beginning students." --Wesley Hill, assistant professor of Biblical Studies, Trinity School for Ministry, Ambridge, Pennsylvania "Church is vintage Ephraim Radner: generous of spirit, learned, rooted in Scripture and centered on Christ, engaged with ecclesial life as it really is, provocative in its thesis. The reader will find more than a little influence of his teacher George Lindbeck--along with his interests in sociology and an 'Israel-like' ecclesiology, here conjoined with professor Radner's sustained interest in history. He rightly worries, with the aid of both theology and philosophy, about how we in our time can truly think of the church as a 'we.' This remarkable book succeeds both as an introduction for a general audience and a monograph for professionals, and I enthusiastically commend it to both." --George R. Sumner, Episcopal bishop of Dallas "In this impressive volume, written with subtlety and conviction, Ephraim Radner demonstrates how one can love the church without