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by Gerald Bray (Preface by)
Renowned evangelical theologian Gerald Bray provides a clear and coherent account of the church in biblical, historical, and theological perspective. He tells the story of the church in its many manifestations through time, starting with its appearance in the New Testament, moving through centuries of persecution and triumph, and discussing how and why the ancient church broke up at the Reformation. Along the way, Bray looks at the four classic marks of the church--its oneness, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity--and illustrates how each of these marks has been understood by different Christian traditions. The book concludes with a look at the ecumenical climate of today and suggests ways that the four characteristics of the church can and should be manifested in our present global context.
This accessible introduction to the church from an evangelical perspective explores ecclesiology through the lenses of church history and doctrine to reveal what it means for us today. Bray discusses the church as a living reality, offering practical ways churches and individuals can cooperate and live together.
Back Jacket
Solid, shrewd, and most thorough, this superlative survey of God's people on earth past and present will be a boon not only for seminarians but also for many more of us besides. It is a truly outstanding performance.
--J. I. Packer, Regent College
--Timothy George, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University; general editor, Reformation Commentary on Scripture "Weaving together the diverse manifestations of the Christian church over twenty centuries, this book is an ecumenical panorama of the church's interaction with high and low theology, renewal and intransigence, politics and secular culture. Bray proves to be not only irenic and charitable but also sober and sensible in his assessments. Anyone who wonders whether ecclesiology matters--or even where it came from, in all its present diversity--should read this book."
--John L. Thompson, Fuller Theological Seminary "Comprehensive in scope, ecumenical in tone, orthodox in confession, and insightful from beginning to end, this book sets a new benchmark for textbooks on ecclesiology. Dr. Bray's warm heart for the church comes through on every page, making the book spiritually enriching as well as intellectually informative. Part history, part theology, part prescriptive wisdom from a senior churchman--this book does it all. I suspect it is destined to become the go-to classic for an overview of Protestant ecclesiology."
--Bryan Litfin, Moody Bible Institute "I know of almost no one else who could write a book like this. Gerald Bray's unique global-mindedness and catholic awareness are put on full display in this analysis of the development of the church throughout the ages and across the continents. I fully expect that members of various Christian traditions will better understand their place in God's family by leaning into this narrative and thematic analysis."
--Michael Allen, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando
Author Biography
Gerald Bray (DLitt, University of Paris-Sorbonne) is research professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama; distinguished professor of historical theology at Knox Theological Seminary; and director of research at Latimer Trust, Oak Hill College, London. A prolific author, he has written many books, including "God Is Love," "God Has Spoken," "The Doctrine of God," and "Biblical Interpretation: Past and Present." Bray is a minister in the Church of England and serves as editor of the Anglican journal "Churchman."
