An Introduction to Ecclesiology

<P><B>What is the church? Why are there so many different expressions of church throughout time and space and what ties them all together?</B></P><P>Ecclesiology-the doctrine of the church-has risen to the center of theological interest in recent decades. In this text theologian Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen provides a wide-ranging survey of the rich field of ecclesiology in the midst of rapid developments and new horizons. Drawing on Kärkkäinen's international experience and comprehensive research on the church this revised and expanded edition is thoroughly updated to incorporate recent literature and trends. This unique primer not only orients readers to biblical historical and contemporary ecclesiologies but also highlights contextual and global perspectives and includes an entirely new section on interfaith comparative theology. <I>An Introduction to Ecclesiology</I> surveys</P><ul><li>major theological traditions including Eastern Orthodox Roman Catholic Reformed and Pentecostal</li><li>ecclesiological insights from Latin American Africa and Asia</li><li>distinct perspectives from women African Americans and recent trends in the United States</li><li>key elements of the church such as mission governance worship and sacraments</li><li>interreligious comparison with Jewish Islamic Hindu and Buddhist communities</li></ul><P>As the church today encounters challenges and opportunities related to rapid growth in the Majority World new congregational forms ecumenical movements interfaith relations and more Christians need a robust ecclesiology that makes room for both unity and diversity. In <I>An Introduction to Ecclesiology</I> students pastors and laypeople will find an essential resource for understanding how the church can live out its calling as Christ's community on earth.</P>