Introduction Paul M. Collins Denomination as Ecclesiological Category: Sketching an Assessment Barry Ensign-George (Reformed/Presbyterian)Anglican 'Denomination: An Anglican Appraisal' Paul Avis Baptist: 'The Ecumenical Dimensions of Baptist Denominational Identity' Steven R. Harmon Lutheran: 'The Lutheran Church: Church, Confession, Congregation, Denomination' Gesa Thiessen Methodist: 'United Methodism: Its Identity as Denomination' Russell RicheyOrthodox: 'The Orthodox Church on Denomination' Elena Vishnevskaya Pentecostal: 'The Denomination in Classical and Global Pentecostal Ecclesiology: A Historical and Theological Contribution' Wolfgang Vondey Quaker: 'Denomination beyond the North Atlantic Ecclesial World' Ann Riggs Reformed/Presbyterian: 'Presbyterianism and Denomination' Amy Plantinga Pauw Is there a future for denominationalism? Reflections from the perspective of Roman Catholic ecclesiology and from the perspective of the future of the ecumenical movement Peter de Mey Afterword: A Global Perspective Kirsteen Kim
An assessment of a key term in contemporary ecclesiology by representatives of all major Christian denominations.
An assessment of a key term in contemporary ecclesiology by representatives of all major Christian denominations.
Revd Dr Paul M. Collins, formerly Reader in Theology at the University of Chichester, Parish Priest on Holy Island, Northumberland, UK. Barry Ensign-George is a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA), which he serves as Associate for Theology in the denomination's Office of Theology & Worship.His reaserch is focused on ecclesiology, particularly on formulating a theological assessment of denomination as an ecclesiological category.
With the collapse of classical ecumenism and the emergence of new
divisions in the church, the time is ripe for a fresh theological
look at the contentious issue of denominationalism. This volume
tackles the thorny issues cleanly and forthrightly. Both those who
are repelled by the whole idea of denominationalism and those who
want to retrieve and fix it will find this splendid volume
invaluable in thinking through their positions.
*William J. Abraham, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist
University, USA*
What is a denomination? Does it differ from a convention,
fellowship, synod, or church? Is it primarily a sociological or a
theological term? Denominational consciousness stands for
particularity relative to the whole church. The premier
ecclesiologists who discuss the nature, function, and relevance
this term in an ecumenical age display the diversity of their
denominational points of view. As denominations wane in the West
and never quite take hold in cultures that do not share the history
that generated them, will the gifts that each preserves for the
whole church be lost? These analysts throw distinctive light on
these issues and by so doing relativize the narrowness of
denominational consciousness and help expand the vision of the
larger church in which the denominations participate. This topic
and these superb treatments of it provide a unique entrée into the
ecumenical vision that people from all the denominations will
appreciate. As a whole the book represents a quiet, conversational
but brilliant essay in comparative ecclesiology that no course in
ecumenism can neglect.
*Roger Haight, S. J., Scholar in Residence, Union Theological
Seminary, USA*
An important collection... looking at the issue of
denominationalism from theological, ecumenical and sociological
perspectives... Highly recommended.
*Church of England Newspaper*
As the blurb states, this book will indeed be a text for my next
course on "Unity in Division". It offers challenging perspectives
on bringing theological perspectives to the social realities which
shape many churches in today's western world -- and beyond.
*One in Christ*
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