Harvest West Bible College
Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Ministry
2001 Syllabus For
PS-E203 CRITICAL ISSUES IN ECCLESIOLOGY 2001
(CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AND MINISTRY IN THE THIRD MILLENNIUM)
Course Coordinator: Mark Walker, M.Th
Dates:Tuesdays 20th February to June 17th 2001
Summary:
Objectives:
The student will possess the following practical skills:
Content:
Main Lecturer: Ian Packer, B.A. (Hons), M.Phil cand.
February 20, 27; March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; June 5, 12, 17
This subject helps the student to develop a Biblical understanding of the nature and mission of the Christian Community, leading to critical appraisal and constructive service, and to improve his or her ministry and leadership.
The student will have acquired a good grasp of the following areas of knowledge:
Topics covered in the lectures include:
Lecture Outline:
Prescribed Textbook:
Assessment:
Essay Topics:
1. How binding are the ecclesiastical structures and functional styles of the ancient Christian community on the Christian community of today? Do changing circumstances and different cultures allow the Christian community freedom of operation and innovation? Discuss what you think are some absolutes and non-absolutes in the functioning of the Christian community today.
2. Discuss the relationship between preaching of the gospel and social action. Explain what is meant by "social action" and how the Christian community could get involved in the wider community. What relationship should there be between evangelism and the social gospel? How much social action is involved in evangelism or are they two separate areas of ministry? Include in your answers the teaching of the Old and New Testaments on the subject of social injustice and how the Christian community can apply these lessons today.
3. Discuss the issues and major areas of debate over the Protestant and Roman Catholic beliefs regarding the sacraments. What are the reasons behind each stand? What are the strengths and weaknesses of both sides of the debate? Should we hold to a two sacrament theology? Why or why not?
4. Outline the major styles of Christian community government that have been practised in the Christian community. Identify your local Christian community and denomination: what style does it come under regarding Christian community government? Is it the most 'biblical' model, and does it need to be? How does this model relate to issues of ecclesial ethics and moral accountability? In what ways is it susceptible to being moulded by contemporary Western culture? Give a detailed response.
5. Outline the role and function of the five-fold ministry gifts given to the Christian community in Ephesians 4:11. Does the meaning Paul give to "Apostles" here apply to the Christian community today or is it restricted to the early Christian communities of the New Testament era? What role and authority does Paul give to Prophets? Did these two ministries 'fade away' after the First Century? If so, why? Does Paul suggest that the office of the Pastor and Teacher are separate or is he describing one office? Use Scripture references. Include in your answers some historical background and your own findings.
Attendance:
TUTORIALS
Wk 4 Tutorial - Christian Community
In light of the New Testament description of the purpose and form(s) of the ekklesia as described so far in this course, provide a typology of local congregations such as "Caterer, Club or Community" ---- or some other typology you see as appropriate.
Where appropriate, make positive suggestions for reorienting Christian community life.
Required Readings:
Wk 5 Tutorial - ‘Church’ vs Israel?!
Give an account of New Testament theology of Israel with special attention to Luke-Acts, John and Paul’s epistle to the Romans regarding the relationship between the People of God and Jews who have not accepted Jesus as the Messiah.
What positive account of Christian-Jewish relations can emerge from the New Testament when we drop a supersessionist "‘Church’ versus Israel" theological stance?
Required Readings:
Wk 6 Tutorial - Jesus, the Temple, and Worship
Give an account of the theology of Luke-Acts regarding the Temple (with support from other New Testament writers if you wish); comment briefly on forms of Christian gathering in the Acts of the Apostles; and draw some conclusions for the contemporary Christian community.
Required Readings
Wk 7 Tutorial - Children in the Christian Community
Required Readings
Wk 8 Tutorial - "Parachurch" Organisations and Local Community
Required Readings
Wk 9 Tutorial - Worship Wars?!
Develop a biblical theology of corporate worship, with special reference to the New Testament, that transcends the "worship wars", in the light of which answer the following questions:
Recommended Readings
Wk 10 Tutorial - Christian Community and Social Change
Required Readings
Recommended Readings
Wk 11 Tutorial - Abolishing the Laity
"I am now a sales manager for a major steel company. In the almost thirty years of my professional career, my church has never once suggested there be any type of accounting of my on-the-job ministry to others. My church has never once offered to improve those skills which could make me a better minister, nor has it ever asked if I needed any kind of support in what I was doing. There has never been an enquiry into the types of ethical decisions I must face, or whether I seek to communicate the faith to my co-workers. I have never been in a congregation where there was any type of public affirmation of a ministry in my career. In short, I must conclude that my church really doesn’t have the least interest whether or how I minister in my daily work." (Christianity and Real Life, p. v-vi quoted in Robert J. Banks, All the Business of Life: Bringing Theology Down to Earth. (Sutherland: Albatross, 1987) [U.S. Edition: Redeeming the Routines.])
Diehl’s complaint is common among thinking laypeople and it is increasingly leading to new movements to reconceive the task and substance of theology along the lines of a "theology of everyday life". What benefits does this reconception of theology bring? Are there any dangers or temptations associated with it - that is, in relation to currents in wider society?
What kind(s) of Christian gathering can encourage this "theology of everyday life"? What positive results can this have for Christian mission? How does it challenge our entrenched ‘clergy’-‘laity’ split?
Required Readings:
Recommended Readings:
Wk 12 Tutorial - Ordination and Anointing
Give a critical appraisal of the ideas of ordination and anointing, keeping in mind the following issues:
Wk 13 Tutorial - Why Preach? Why Listen?
Using the book of Acts and 1 Corinthians (and any other Scriptures you deem relevant), evaluate the role of other practices alongside, instead of, or transforming those of practices of teaching and preaching, giving attention to:
Recommended Reading:
Wk 14 Tutorial - Church Marketing?
"The new post-Christian situation has naturally resulted in a winnowing process... Whenever it becomes evident that Christian discipleship now entails new depth of thought - indeed, that it will plunge one into profundities that a people pursuing "happiness" instinctively avoids! - there is an exodus from the churches. Some of those who leave thinking churches make their way to other "sanctuaries" where incipient thought is assuaged at once with ready-made answers, or lulled by old familiar tunes. Thus religion continues to play, among us, its habitual role." (Thinking the Faith, p. 13.)
How does this approach to the disciple community compare with that of the 'Church marketeers'?
Provide a critique of the 'Church marketing' movement bearing in mind especially how it affects our understanding of the Christian community and its vocation and mission.
Recommended Reading:
Other Reading:
Wk 15 Tutorial – Postmodernity and Christian Community
Using some case examples (such as those mentioned above), highlight some important 'postmodern' themes, and explain why there may indeed be need for change from contemporary 'church' and give a critique of the extent of their promise or problems for rethinking Christian Community in the Third Millennium, and possible resistance to these changes.
Highly Recommended Readings:
Related Recommended Readings:
Wk 1 Introduction What is the "Ekklesia"? Peoplehood in Israel (1) Wk 2 Peoplehood in Israel (2) Jesus & the Kingdom (1) Jesus & the Kingdom (2) Wk 3 Early Christianity (1) Early Christianity (2) "Church and State" (1) Wk 4 Patristic/Constantinian Era "Marks of the Church" Tutorial - Christian Community Wk 5 Sacraments & Ecclesial Ethics Baptism Tutorial - ‘Church’ vs Israel?! Wk 6 Lord's Table (1) Lord's Table (2) Tutorial - Jesus, Temple, Worship Wk 7 Wealth and Possessions Tithing and Giving Tutorial - Children in Community Wk 8 Sabbath/Lord's Day Worship, Liberty & Liturgy Tutorial - "Parachurch" Wk 9 Discipline & Decision-Making Community Governance Tutorial - Worship Wars?! Wk 10 Ministry ("Laity") Evangelism & Social Concern Tutorial - Christians & Social Change Wk 11 "Church and State" (2) Ministry ("Clergy") Tutorial - Abolishing the ‘Laity’ Wk 12 Patterns of Leadership in NT Apostles and Prophets Tutorial - Ordination & Anointing Wk 13 Prophets and Prophecy Women and Teaching Tutorial - Why Preach? Wk 14 Buildings, Temples, ‘Sanctuaries’ ‘Churches’ in the Home Tutorial - Church Marketing? Wk 15 "Churches That Abuse" The Politics of Change Tutorial - Postmodern Community
Ferguson, Everett B. The Church of Christ: A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1996)
One tutorial presentation + 1,500-2000 word essay (25%) One 2,500 - 3,500 word essay (40%) One two hour exam (25%) Constructive Participation (10%)
One essay is to be selected from the following:
Attendance is 90% of class which is inclusive of Chapel (9:30 - 10:20 am) and the full three sessions.
Vernard Eller describes two models of the Christian community. The first model, based upon the New Testament, he calls a "caravan": a "group of people banded together to make common cause in seeking a common destination," a "community." The second model, influenced by the Constantinian alliance of ‘Church’ with empire, he calls a "commissary" (or caterer): an "institution which has been commissioned to dispense certain goods, services, or benefits to a select constituency." In our contemporary setting one might also think of certain Christian groups as "clubs". Do you see these three models expressed in contemporary ‘churches’ as you have encountered them?
Vernard Eller, The Outward Bound: Caravaning as the Style of the Church. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 198?)
Rodney Clapp, "The Church as Church" in A Peculiar People: The Church as Culture in a Post-Christian Society. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 199?)
Peter O’Brien, "Church" in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. ed. Gerald F. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1993)
Robert Banks, "Church Order and Government" in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. ed. Gerald F. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1993)
Following the Holocaust and the birth of the modern ‘secular’ state of Israel, many Christians as well as Jews have allowed discussion of Jewish identity and Christian-Jewish relations to be shaped largely by these realities. Mainstream Christians have been concerned to repudiate anti-Jewishness while Conservative Christians (especially Dispensationalist Fundamentalists) have been preoccupied with the modern nation-state of Israel. Thus Jewish identity is shaped by ethnic and cultural realities, perhaps moreso than the theological issues of the Exodus, the crucial event of the coming of Yeshua the Messiah, and the destruction of Herod’s Temple in 70 AD (as the Messiah prophesied).
Hays, Richard B. "Anti-Judaism and Ethnic Conflict" in The Moral Vision of the New Testament: Community, Cross, New Creation: A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament Ethics. (New York: HarperCollins; Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1996)
Chapman, Colin. Whose Promised Land? (Lion)
D’Costa, Gavin. "One Covenant or Many Covenants? Toward a Theology of Christian-Jewish Relations," Journal of Ecumenical Studies 27:3 (Summer 1990)
Goldberg, Michael. Why Should Jews Survive?: Looking Past the Holocaust Toward a Jewish Future. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1995)‡
Howard Snyder uses the account in Acts of the Jewish Christians meeting in the temple as well as their homes as a model for ‘big church – small groups’. But does this analogy fully appreciate the altered status of the Temple in the New Testament?
Evans, Craig A. "Jesus' Action in the Temple: Cleansing or Portent of Destruction?" Catholic Biblical Quarterly 51 (1989)
Newman, Carey C., ed. Jesus and the Restoration of Israel: A Critical Assessment of N. T. Wright's Jesus and the Victory of God. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1999)
Snyder, Howard. Community of the King. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 198?)
Wright, N. T. Jesus and the Victory of God. Christian Origins and the Question of God. (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996)
Wright, N. T. The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1999)
Among modern Evangelicals, children are seen sometimes as incorporated into the Christian community and at other times as ‘little heathens’ in need of ‘evangelism’. Develop a theology of children in the Christian community with attention not simply to the infant baptism controversy, but also to the treatment of children in the First Century, their relationship and role within the early Christian Community, and the significance of the whole household in Christian Community today.
Dawn, Marva J. Is It a Lost Cause?: Having the Heart of God for the Church's Children. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1997)
Strange, W. A. Children in the Early Church: Children in the Ancient World, the New Testament and the Early Church. (Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 1996)
Many Christians claim they find fulfilment in Christian organisations beyond the local congregation. Many local assemblies fear that these ‘parachurch’ organisations weaken commitment to local community. How should we evaluate the relationship between local congregation and parachurch’ organisations? Where should the commitment of believers be? How should we regard denominations in terms of a ‘parachurch’ understanding? Does membership in a denomination override local commitments?
Banks, Robert J. "Denominational Structures: Their Capacity for Reform"
White, Jerry B. Church and Parachurch. (Multnomah)
Contemporary worship has become a minefield of debate. There are those who claim that up-to-date music is required to renew the Christian congregation, or else to attract outsiders. Opponents often object to certain music styles but also to the "dumbing down" of content. "Organs or guitars? Hymns or choruses?" But these debates are too often conducted in pragmatic ways as questions simply of style or taste, with vague and sometimes dubious criteria such as "effectiveness" or "excellence." What theological issues are at stake?
Cullmann, Oscar. Early Christian Worship. trans. A. Stewart Todd and James B. Torrance. (London: SCM Press, 1959)
Dawn, Marva J. Reaching Out without Dumbing Down: A Theology of Worship for the Turn-of-the-Century Culture. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1995)
Dawn, Marva J. A Royal "Waste" of Time: The Splendor of Worshiping God and Being Church for the World. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1999)
Furr, Gary A. and Milburn Price. The Dialogue of Worship: Creating Space for Revelation and Response. (Macon, Ga.: Smyth & Helwys, 1998)
Kreider, Eleanor. Enter His Gates: Fitting Worship Together. (Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1990)
Martin, Ralph P. The Worship of God: Some Theological, Pastoral, and Practical Reflections. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1982)
Peterson, David. Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship. (Leicester: InterVarsity Press/Apollos, 1992)
O'Donovan, Oliver M. T. Liturgy and Ethics. Grove Ethical Studies No. 89. [With a Response by Michael Vasey] (Bramcote: Grove Books, 1993)
Ramsey, Paul. "Liturgy and Ethics," The Journal of Religious Ethics 7:2 (Fall 1979)
Saliers, Don E. Worship as Theology: The Foretaste of Glory Divine. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994)
Volf, Miroslav. "Worship as Adoration and Action: Reflections on a Christian Way of Being-in-the-World" in Worship as Adoration and Action. ed. D. A. Carson. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House; Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 1993)
Webber, Robert E. Worship Old and New. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 19??)
Willimon, William H. Worship as Pastoral Care. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1979)
??? Liturgy and Liberty. (Monarch, 199?)
??? Worship Wars. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 199?)
The Lausanne Covenant produced a revolutionary statement for Evangelicals concerning the relationship of evangelism and social concern. One criticism however, is that a notion of ‘balancing’ these two aspects of Christian mission fails to integrate them. This is exacerbated when we ask: How should the Christian community be involved in wider issues of social change or transformation? Looking at the models proposed by Ron Sider (especially the radical Anabaptist model and the variations of the Ecumenical model) and Lesslie Newbigin, present a biblical theology that integrates ‘word’ and ‘deed’ and answers this question bearing the following issues in mind:
Newbigin, Lesslie. The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. (Geneva: WCC Publications; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1989)
Sider, Ronald J. One Sided Christianity? (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1992) [Reprinted as Good News, Good Works. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 199?)]
Ellul, Jacques. The Presence of the Kingdom. trans. Olive Wyon. 2nd ed. (Colorado Springs: Helmers & Howard, 1989)
Hauerwas, Stanley, and William H. Willimon. Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1989)
Hunsberger, George R. Bearing the Witness of the Spirit: Lesslie Newbigin’s Theology of Cultural Plurality. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1998)
LeMasters, Philip. Discipleship for All Believers: Christian Ethics and the Kingdom of God. (Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1992)
McClendon, Jr., James Wm. Ethics: Systematic Theology. Vol. 1. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1986)
Mott, Stephen Charles. Biblical Ethics and Social Change. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1982)
Rasmussen, Larry L. Moral Fragments and Moral Community: A Proposal for Church in Society. (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993)
Scriven, Charles. The Transformation of Culture: Christian Social Ethics after H. Richard Niebuhr. (Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1988)
Stassen, Glen; Dianne Yeager and John Howard Yoder. Authentic Transformation: A New Vision of Christ and Culture. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994)
Wogaman, J. Philip. Christian Perspectives on Politics. (London: SCM Press, 199?)
Yoder, John Howard. For the Nations: Essays Public and Evangelical. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1997)
Yoder, John Howard. The Priestly Kingdom: Social Ethics as Gospel. (Notre Dame, Ind.: University of Notre Dame Press, 1984)
Yoder, John Howard. The Royal Priesthood: Essays Ecclesiological and Ecumenical. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1994)
‘Layperson’ William Diehl writes:
Robert J. Banks, All the Business of Life: Bringing Theology Down to Earth. (Sutherland: Albatross, 1987) [U.S. Edition: Redeeming the Routines.]
John McInnes, The New Pilgrims: Living as Christians in the Technological Society. (Sutherland: Albatross, 1980), pp. 7-15.
Rob Warner, "The Abolition of Human Religion" in 21st Century Church: Why Radical Change Cannot Wait. (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1994)
John Drane, Faith in a Changing Culture. (London: HarperCollins, 1996)
Howard Snyder, Liberating the Church. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press)
James Wm. McClendon, Jr., Ethics: Systematic Theology. Vol. 1. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1986)
William E. Diehl, Christianity and Real Life. (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1976)
________. In Search of Faithfulness: Lessons from the Christianity. (Minneapolis: Fortress Press)
________. Thank God Its Monday. (Minneapolis: Fortress Press)
Michael L. Budde, "How Global Culture Industries Undermine Christianity" in The (Magic) Kingdom of God: Christianity and Global Culture Industries. (Boulder, Col.: Westview Press, 1998) (Library Reader 1)
Stephen E. Fowl and L. Gregory Jones, Reading in Communion: Scripture and Ethics in Christian Life. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1991)
Bruce C. Birch and Larry L. Rasmussen, Bible and Ethics in the Christian Life. rev. ed. (Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1989)
The recognition of the contributions of all believers as a diversity of 'gifts' was one of the hallmarks of the early Christians. In Christian history, in the midst of the varied contributions of the many, there has often been specific recognition of a few as having special significance, particularly in roles of teaching or administering certain rites. For these few, specific rites of "ordination" have come into being, frequently expressed through the "laying on of hands", often connected with ideas of succession, delegation and authorisation, and also with a special gift of the Holy Spirit. In Pentecostal and Charismatic circles, this is often associated with the term "anointing".
In rejecting many of the practices of the Roman Catholic religion especially the Mass, the Reformers made the preaching of the Scriptures central to Christian gathering such that God's truth might triumph over superstition. The centrality of the pulpit has been a defining characteristic of subsequent Protestant congregations. While teaching is undoubtedly a vital aspect of Christian community life, does the actual practice of preaching as we practice it have unintended detrimental effects? Furthermore, do 'preachers' draw inspiration for their 'ministry' from dissimilar 'ministries' in the New Testament such as apostles and ignore other important practices such as the public reading of Scripture, the diversity of gifts, and the open meeting.
Brueggemann, Walter. The Creative Word. (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 199?)
Brueggemann, Walter. Finally Comes the Poet: Daring Speech for Proclamation. (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1989)
Muehl, Roger. Why Preach? Why Listen? (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 19??)
Van Harn, Roger E. Pew Rights: For People Who Listen to Sermons. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992)
Canadian theologian Douglas John Hall writes:
Kenneson, Philip D. "Selling [Out] the Church in the Marketplace of Desire," Modern Theology 9:4 (October 1993)
Kenneson, Philip D. with James L. Street. Selling Out the Church: The Dangers of Church Marketing. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998)
Owens, Virginia Stem. The Total Image: Or, Selling Jesus in a Media Age. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1980)
Webster, Douglas D. Selling Jesus: What’s Wrong with Marketing the Church. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1992)
Budde, Michael L. The (Magic) Kingdom of God: Christianity and Global Culture Industries. (Boulder, Col.: Westview Press, 1998)
Clapp, Rodney. A Peculiar People: The Church as Culture in a Post-Christian Society. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1996)
Dawn, Marva J. Reaching Out without Dumbing Down: A Theology of Worship for the Turn-of-the-Century Culture. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1995)
Dawn, Marva J. A Royal "Waste" of Time: The Splendor of Worshiping God and Being Church for the World. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1999)
Dyrness, William A. How Does America Hear the Gospel? (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1989)
Hall, Douglas John. Thinking the Faith: Christian Theology in North American Context. (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 199?)
Kavanaugh, John. Following Christ in a Consumer Culture: The Spirituality of Cultural Resistance. (Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1986)
Ogletree, Thomas. "Telling Our Story: Can Marketing Help Us?" Quarterly Review (199?) [Available from Ian]
Shelley, Bruce L. and Marshall Shelley. The Consumer Church: Can Evangelicals Win the World without Losing their Souls? (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1992)
Sine, Tom. Mustard Seed Versus McWorld. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1998)
Sine, Tom. Taking Discipleship Seriously. (Judson Press, 198?)
Amidst the contemporary discussion of cultural change, many Christians see the 'postmodern' world as an opportunity for change, or even necessitating 'radical' change including the shape and 'style' of Christian gathering. From Leonard Sweet's postmodern "Aquachurch" to Dave Tomlinson's postevangelical "Holy Joe's" meeting in a British pub, Christians are embracing postmodern ideas of flexibility, relationships, diversity/difference and 'community'. But do these 'postmodern' (broadly defined) emphases necessarily equate to biblical themes and practices?
Clapp, Rodney. Families at the Crossroads: Beyond Traditional and Modern Options. (Leicester: InterVarsity Press, 1993)
Clapp, Rodney. A Peculiar People: The Church as Culture in a Post-Christian Society. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1996)
Cray, Graham, ed. The Postevangelical Debate. (London: SPCK/Triangle, 199?)
Harvey, Barry A. Another City: An Ecclesiological Primer for a Post-Christian World. Christian Mission and Modern Culture. (Harrisburg, Penn.: Trinity Press International, 1999)
Riddell, Michael. Threshold of the Future: Reforming the Post-Christian West. (London: SPCK, 1998)
Ringma, Charles. Catch the Wind: The Coming Shape of the Church and Your Place In It. (Sutherland: Albatross, 1994)
Roxburgh, Alan. Reaching a New Generation. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1994)
Sine, Tom. Mustard Seed versus McWorld. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1999)
Smith, Christian. Going to the Root: Nine Proposals for Radical Church Renewal. (Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1992)
Snyder, Howard A. EarthCurrents. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995)
Stuart, Morris A. So Long, Farewell and Thanks for the Church. (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1992)
Stuart, Morris A. Does God Need the Church? (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1993)
Sweet, Leonard. AquaChurch: Essential Leadership Arts for Piloting Your Church in Today's Fluid Culture. (Group Publishing/Vital Ministries, 1999)
Sweet, Leonard. SoulSalsa. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2000)
Sweet, Leonard. SoulTsunami: Sink or Swim in the New Millennium Culture. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1999)
Tomlinson, Dave. The Postevangelical. (London: SPCK/Triangle, 199?)
Warner, Rob. Twenty-First Century Church: Why Radical Change Cannot Wait. (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1993)
Baker, Mark D. Religious No More: Building Communities of Grace and Freedom. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1999)
Banks, Robert J. Going to Church in the First Century. (Hexagon, 198?)
Banks, Robert J. Paul's Idea of Community: The Early House Churches in their Cultural Setting. rev. ed. (Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1994)
Birkey, Del. The House Church: A Model for Renewing the Church. (Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 19??)
Brunner, Emil. The Misunderstanding of the Church. trans. Harold Knight. (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1953)
Dawn, Marva J. The Hilarity of Community: Romans 12 and How to Be the Church. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992)
Eller, Vernard. The Outward Bound: Caravaning as the Style of the Church. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1980)
Ellul, Jacques. The Presence of the Kingdom. trans. Olive Wyon. 2nd ed. (Colorado Springs: Helmers & Howard, 1989)
Gish, Art. Living in Christian Community: A Personal Manifesto. (Sutherland: Albatross, 1979)
Guder, Darrell L. The Continuing Conversion of the Church. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 199?)
Guder, Darrell L., ed. Missional Church. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 199?)
Hauerwas, Stanley and Willimon, William H. Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1989)
Hauerwas, Stanley, and William H. Willimon. Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1989)
Hunsberger, George R. Bearing the Witness of the Spirit: Lesslie Newbigin’s Theology of Cultural Plurality. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1998)
LeMasters, Philip. Discipleship for All Believers: Christian Ethics and the Kingdom of God. (Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1992)
McClendon, Jr., James Wm. Ethics: Systematic Theology. Vol. 1. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1986)
Mott, Stephen Charles. Biblical Ethics and Social Change. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1982)
Rasmussen, Larry L. Moral Fragments and Moral Community: A Proposal for Church in Society. (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993)
Scriven, Charles. The Transformation of Culture: Christian Social Ethics after H. Richard Niebuhr. (Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1988)
Stassen, Glen; Dianne Yeager and John Howard Yoder. Authentic Transformation: A New Vision of Christ and Culture. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994)
Wogaman, J. Philip. Christian Perspectives on Politics. (London: SCM Press, 199?)
Yoder, John Howard. For the Nations: Essays Public and Evangelical. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1997)
Yoder, John Howard. The Priestly Kingdom: Social Ethics as Gospel. (Notre Dame, Ind.: University of Notre Dame Press, 1984)
Yoder, John Howard. The Royal Priesthood: Essays Ecclesiological and Ecumenical. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1994)
