Why the church?
By: Robert W. Wall ; edited by Joel B. Green
Contributors: Green, Joel B., 1956- editor
Series: Reframing New Testament theology; Reframing New Testament theology
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Published: 2015
Place of publication: Nashville, Tennessee
Language: eng
Number of pages: 186
ISBN-13: 9781426759383
Subjects: Theology; Bible; Church
Description: Given the way many in the West have read the New Testament in the last century, the church might be regarded as an afterthought at best. But at the worst, it can be viewed as an unnecessary, perhaps even problematic, institutionalization of genuine faith especially in our post-denominational context. These perspectives fly in the face of the robust ecclesiological concerns and commitments of the New Testament documents when read as witnesses from, to, and for congregations of God's people. For Wall, the problem is spiritual because fewer go to find God in church. Why the church? Because this peculiar fellowship of saints, whose loving communion is with the risen One, has been appointed by the triune God as God's herald. With its sacred vocation, every demonstration of the church's oneness, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity -- each eschatological mark enabled and brought to maturity by God's grace -- is the concrete means to address our theological crisis. This book will contribute to New Testament studies but also serve related discussions in theology and church history.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
Table of contents: title: Why the church?; title: The fourfold gospel; title: The Acts of the Apostles; title: The Pauline letters collection; title: The Catholic epistles collection; title: Apocalypse of John; title: Why the church?