The Anointed Church

<p>The phrase <b>Third Article Theology</b> is used in two senses: first to characterize a methodological approach that intentionally starts with the Spirit and second as the theological understanding that emerges from this approach. Over recent decades Spirit Christology has utilized the approach of Third Article Theology to gain significant insight into the person and life of Christ.</p><p><b>The Anointed Church</b> extends this work providing the first constructive and systematic ecclesiology developed through the approach of Third Article Theology. Gregory J. Liston argues that a pneumatological lens irreducibly informs the connection between other theological doctrines and ecclesiology. Utilizing this insight the Church is examined <b>from</b> the vantage points of Christology and the Trinity <b>through </b>such a pneumatological lens.</p><p>The constituent features of a Third Article Ecclesiology developed in this manner are compared and contrasted with critical evaluations of ecclesiological understandings developed through alternative approaches particularly those of Barth Zizioulas and Volf. Arguing that the immanent identity of the Spirit is reprised on a series of expanding stages (Christologically soteriologically and most pertinently here ecclesiologically) Liston concludes that the Church can be characterized as existing in any and all relationships where by the Spirit the love of Christ is offered and returned.</p>