Church

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 Radners 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 ignoring her frailties. Building upon the seminal insights of George Lindbeck Radner focuses upon the churchs identity as an expanded Israel engaged in mission to all the peoples of the earth. In keeping with the biblical figure of Israel this is also a people which endures the purifying fire of divine judgment. Radner helps us see the church as it is in reality and to love her in the midst of the fire. --Mark S. Kinzer author of Searching Her Own Mystery: Nostra Aetate the Jewish People and the Identity of the Church There are books about the church that begin on the day of Pentecost and scarcely mention the Old Testament ignoring the fact that Peters sermon that day is saturated with Scriptural argument. I have scanned others recently that have no references for mission in the index (except see evangelism). In this historically informative and theologically stimulating study Ephraim Radner avoids both deficiencies. He takes with utmost exegetical and theological seriousness the implications of the New Testament identity of the church as Israel in the body of the Messiah Jesus and then digs deeply into the ecclesial and missional implications of the calling and role of church-as-Israel as a nation among the nations for the sake of the nations. Steering critically clear of the varied sad sunderings of anti-semitism (ancient and modern) dispensationalism and supersessionism he challenges us with thought-provoking reflections that are richly biblical ecumenical and missional. Foremost among them for me is Radners perception of the church like Israel as Gods repentant missionary standing simultaneously under Gods judgment as a sinful people like all the nations and yet still summoned by Gods grace to be the agent and model of Gods mission among the nations. With such a biblically-rooted missional ecclesiology we can avoid the extremes of arrogant triumphalism and paralyzing despair. --Christopher J. H. Wright Lan