Ascension and Ecclesia: Ascension
Subtitle: On the Significance of the Doctrine of the Ascension for Ecclesiology and Christian Cosmology
Publisher: T. & T. Clark Publishers
Published: October 1999
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 352
ISBN-13: 9780567086761
Subjects: Biblical studies, criticism & exegesis; The historical Jesus
Description: "Recent theology offers few attempts to come to grips with the meaning and implications of the ascension of Jesus. Professor Farrow begins with a discussion of the biblical treatment of the ascension and eucharistic celebration, from which emerges the unique ecclesial world view. There are chapters on the treatment of these ideas by Irenaeus, Origen and Augustine, and on developments up to the Reformation. He explores the link between ideas of the ascension, cosmology and ecclesiology. Farrow goes on to examine the difficulties faced by the doctrine of ascension in the modern scientific world. In a final chapter he calls for an ecclesiology which does not marginalise the human Jesus. Praise for Ascension and Ecclesia "A beautifully written, challenging, informative, tenaciously argued, meticulously documented and provocative book. This book will affect all future discussions of the ascension and ecclesiology."--Scottish Journal of Theology "Don't be put off by a title on the 'Ascension': there are big issues at stake in this book that warrant serious attention and cannot easily be dismissed. And even if one still has not palate for this doctrine in particular, the issues of the relationship between Christ and the church that Douglas Farrow here explores is of such obvious importance to Christian theology that his book remains insightful and valuable anyway. Even those who think that the doctrine of the Ascension is doomed to failure should therefore read this book."--Reviews in Religion and Theology "A key study of an important but neglected topic. Farrow demonstrates admirably how much in theology depends upon a right approach to the ascension."--Professor Miroslav Volf, Yale University "This is a most important book. Professor Farrow's meticulous scholarship and penetrating theological judgement will together guarantee this study a long life and widespread influence."--Professor Colin E. Gunton, Kings College London "By reclaiming the ecclesiological and sacramental significance of the ascension this book takes a great step forward in the recovery of the full breadth of the economy of salvation. It is nothing less than a theological breakthrough."--Professor Ellen Charry, Princeton Theological Seminary "This book spurs both hope for its promised successor and re-examination of the whole tradition of theology and church history with the fresh insight of its vision."--Theology "There is no doubt that this book is a major achievement in theological thought, and that it will be the natural starting point for future discussion of the subject. If it succeeds in putting the Ascension back on the theological map, so much the better. The church has much to thank Dr Farrow for, and we can only hope that this book will enjoy a long life and wide influence which it so clearly deserves."--Churchman "The thesis of this learned and ambitious book is difficult to state briefly, but it embraces the significance of the Ascension of Christ for Christology ..., eschatology ..., and the character of the church ...This is a fine book, but not for the fainthearted."--Anvil."--Bloomsbury Publishing

Recent theology offers few attempts to come to grips with the meaning and implications of the ascension of Jesus. Professor Farrow begins with a discussion of the biblical treatment of the ascension and eucharistic celebration, from which emerges the unique ecclesial world view. There are chapters on the treatment of these ideas by Irenaeus, Origen and Augustine, and on developments up to the Reformation. He explores the link between ideas of the ascension, cosmology and ecclesiology. Farrow goes on to examine the difficulties faced by the doctrine of ascension in the modern scientific world. In a final chapter he calls for an ecclesiology which does not marginalise the human Jesus. Praise for Ascension and Ecclesia"A beautifully written, challenging, informative, tenaciously argued, meticulously documented and provocative book. This book will affect all future discussions of the ascension and ecclesiology." --Scottish Journal of Theology "Don't be put off by a title on the 'Ascension': there are big issues at stake in this book that warrant serious attention and cannot easily be dismissed. And even if one still has not palate for this doctrine in particular, the issues of the relationship between Christ and the church that Douglas Farrow here explores is of such obvious importance to Christian theology that his book remains insightful and valuable anyway. Even those who think that the doctrine of the Ascension is doomed to failure should therefore read this book." --Reviews in Religion and Theology "A key study of an important but neglected topic. Farrow demonstrates admirably how much in theology depends upon a right approach to the ascension." --Professor Miroslav Volf, Yale University "This is a most important book. Professor Farrow's meticulous scholarship and penetrating theological judgement will together guarantee this study a long life and widespread influence." --Professor Colin E. Gunton, Kings College London "By reclaiming the ecclesiological and sacramental significance of the ascension this book takes a great step forward in the recovery of the full breadth of the economy of salvation. It is nothing less than a theological breakthrough." --Professor Ellen Charry, Princeton Theological Seminary "This book spurs both hope for its promised successor and re-examination of the whole tradition of theology and church history with the fresh insight of its vision." --Theology "There is no doubt that this book is a major achievement in theological thought, and that it will be the natural starting point for future discussion of the subject. If it succeeds in putting the Ascension back on the theological map, so much the better. The church has much to thank Dr Farrow for, and we can only hope that this book will enjoy a long life and wide influence which it so clearly deserves." --Churchman "The thesis of this learned and ambitious book is difficult to state briefly, but it embraces the significance of the Ascension of Christ for Christology.., eschatology.., and the character of the church..This is a fine book, but not for the fainthearted." --Anvil