A Book Summary from Books At a Glance
About the Editors
Kendell H. Easley is professor of Biblical Studies and director of the School of Theology and Missions graduate programs at the Stephen Olford Center at Union University in Memphis, Tennessee.
Christopher W. Morgan is dean and professor of Theology of the School of Christian Ministries at California Baptist University in Riverside, California.
Introduction
This book contains nine essays by recognized scholars on the nature and purpose of the church. Although each individual contribution has a unique focus, the book as a whole presents a coherent theology of the church that is grounded in biblical studies and theological reflection. Ecclesiology is examined from its Old Testament foundations through the teaching of the New Testament, and then analyzed theologically. Implications for practice and mission are considered. This book looks at what the church is and what the church is supposed to be doing to glorify God in the world. It is both doctrinal and practical. The ecclesiological position is baptistic, but the contributors are respectful of other traditions, even in disagreement.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 God Walks with His People: Old Testament Foundations
Chapter 2 The Church According to the Gospels
Chapter 3 The Church in Acts and Revelation: New Testament Bookends
Chapter 4 The Church in the Pauline Epistles
Chapter 5 The Church in the General Epistles
Chapter 6 The Church in History: Ecclesiological Ideals and Institutional Realities
Chapter 7 Beyond Mere Ecclesiology: The Church as God’s New Covenant Community
Chapter 8 The Church and God’s Glory
Chapter 9 The Church in the Mission of God
Summary
Chapter 1
God Walks with His People: Old Testament Foundations
A major Old Testament theme concerns the calling and formation of a special people who belong uniquely to God. Human beings are specially created by God. Even though they fall into sin and rebel against him, God has mercy on them and establishes covenant relationships in which to bless them. Exodus 19:1-6 teaches
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