What is a church? This can be a difficult question to answer and Christians have offered a variety of perspectives. Gregg Allison thus explores and synthesizes all that Scripture affirms about the new covenant people of God, capturing a full picture of the biblical church. He covers the topics of the church’s identity and characteristics; its growth through purity, unity, and discipline; its offices and leadership structures; its ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper; and its ministries. Here is a rich approach to ecclesiology consisting of sustained doctrinal reflection and wise, practical application.
About the Foundations of Evangelical Theology series : Biblical truth doesn't change, however the issues that the church faces with each generation do. As theology addresses both the truths of Scripture and contemporary issues, a need arises from time to time to review and revise systematic theology. The Foundations of Evangelical Theology series proposes to incorporate insights from Scripture, historical theology and philosophy in order to produce an up-to-date work in systematic theology. Embracing the historical orthodox doctrines of the church, the series attempts to discuss broadly based evangelical theology. Alternate evangelical and non-evangelical options are discussed as well. To ensure that these works of systematic theology go beyond just understanding to true life application, the doctrines presented will be given practical application to everyday life.
This series brings the best in scholarship to the advanced user, but is accessible to the beginner in theology as well. Technical terms, when used, will be defined.
Gregg R. Allison (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is professor of Christian theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is secretary of the Evangelical Theological Society, a book review editor for the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, an elder at Sojourn Community Church, and a theological strategist for Sojourn Network. Allison has taught at several colleges and seminaries, including Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, and is the author of numerous books, including Historical Theology; Sojourners and Strangers; and Roman Catholic Theology and Practice.
