Who Is the Church?

An Ecclesiology for the Twenty-First Century

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Theology, Christianity, Church
Cover of the book Who Is the Church? by Cheryl M. Peterson, Fortress Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Cheryl M. Peterson ISBN: 9781451426380
Publisher: Fortress Press Publication: May 1, 2013
Imprint: Fortress Press Language: English
Author: Cheryl M. Peterson
ISBN: 9781451426380
Publisher: Fortress Press
Publication: May 1, 2013
Imprint: Fortress Press
Language: English

Many congregations today are beset by fears, whether over loss of members and money, or of irrelevancy in an increasingly pluralistic society. To counter this, many congregations focus on strategy and purpose—what churches “do”—but Cheryl Peterson submits that mainline churches need to focus instead on “what” or “who” they are—to reclaim a theological, rather than sociological, understanding of themselves.

To do this, she places the questions of the church’s identity and mission into a conversation with the primary ecclesiological paradigms of the past century: the neo-Reformation concept of the church as a “word event” and the ecumenical paradigms of the church as “communion.” She argues that these two paradigms assume a context of cultural Christendom that no longer exists—focused on the church that is gathered—rather than the missional church that is sent out.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Many congregations today are beset by fears, whether over loss of members and money, or of irrelevancy in an increasingly pluralistic society. To counter this, many congregations focus on strategy and purpose—what churches “do”—but Cheryl Peterson submits that mainline churches need to focus instead on “what” or “who” they are—to reclaim a theological, rather than sociological, understanding of themselves.

To do this, she places the questions of the church’s identity and mission into a conversation with the primary ecclesiological paradigms of the past century: the neo-Reformation concept of the church as a “word event” and the ecumenical paradigms of the church as “communion.” She argues that these two paradigms assume a context of cultural Christendom that no longer exists—focused on the church that is gathered—rather than the missional church that is sent out.

More books from Fortress Press

Cover of the book Onesimus Our Brother by Cheryl M. Peterson
Cover of the book The Homebrewed Christianity Guide to the Holy Spirit by Cheryl M. Peterson
Cover of the book Deviant Calvinism by Cheryl M. Peterson
Cover of the book Augustine on War and Military Service by Cheryl M. Peterson
Cover of the book Rupturing Eschatology by Cheryl M. Peterson
Cover of the book History of New Testament Research by Cheryl M. Peterson
Cover of the book Learning Interreligiously by Cheryl M. Peterson
Cover of the book The Historical Writings by Cheryl M. Peterson
Cover of the book Paulos Mar Gregorios by Cheryl M. Peterson
Cover of the book The Babylonian Captivity of the Church, 1520 by Cheryl M. Peterson
Cover of the book Sun of Righteousness Arise by Cheryl M. Peterson
Cover of the book Altar Guild and Sacristy Handbook by Cheryl M. Peterson
Cover of the book Third Article Theology by Cheryl M. Peterson
Cover of the book The Executed God by Cheryl M. Peterson
Cover of the book Connecting Like Jesus by Cheryl M. Peterson
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy