The Primary Mission of the Church: Engaging or Transforming the World? (Bryan D. Estelle)
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This book argues for the separation of the church and the state. Additionally, Estelle claims that the historically reformed position is that Christ is ruler of all; however, he manifests his rule in different ways. These basic categories, i.e., that God rules the church as a redeemer (a spiritual kingdom) and rules the state and all other social institutions (the civil kingdom) as creator and sustainer, has been widely held by Reformed thinkers for centuries until the modern period. Estelle claims that without this bedrock truth, any attempt to describe the primary mission of the church will collapse.
This book has four parts. Part one gives the biblical basis for the primary mission of the Church. Part two of this book explores what the primary mission of the church is not. Part three of this book pivots toward a positive definition of what the primary mission of the Church is. Part four is more practical. In the final three chapters (part four) of the book, the discussion turns to several areas where the Scripture’s teaching about ecclesiology, specifically on the primary mission of the Church. The book now assumes a practical import for her practice: the nature and limitations of Church power, the mission of the Church and politics and education. Finally, the book concludes with the famous biblical passage in which Paul addresses Athenian citizens on the Aeropagus. This sublime sermon exemplifies Paul’s exquisite evangelism and ably pictures and embodies the positive principles in this book on the primary mission of the Church. Throughout Estelle argues that the mission of the corporate church is spiritual, which means that he describes those things that are properly of and properly belonging to the church.
Sample Chapter
The Primary Mission of the Church: Engaging or Transforming the World?
Endorsements
In this timely book Bryan Estelle offers a fresh restatement of the classical doctrine of the church: it is a spiritual kingdom with spiritual weapons for a spiritual calling. Citing important voices in the Reformed tradition, The Primary Mission of the Church is a careful and irenic engagement with recent challenges to the church’s spirituality. Estelle demonstrates how this doctrine, rightly understood, liberates the church from false hopes and alien agendas even while it equips believers faithfully to fulfill their callings in the world.
John R. Muether, Dean of Libraries and Professor of Church History, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando
Table of Contents
Series Preface 9
Acknowledgements 11
CHAPTER 1
The Primary Mission of the Church 15
Part One 45
CHAPTER 2
Old Testament, Genesis Foundations 47
CHAPTER 3
Joseph in the Court of a Foreign King 73
CHAPTER 4
The Book of Daniel 87
CHAPTER 5
The Primary Mission of the Church, New Testament 121
Part Two 147
CHAPTER 6
Kuyper, Dooyeweerd, and North American Neo-Calvinism 149
CHAPTER 7
Liberation Theology 187
CHAPTER 8
Reconstructionism, Theonomy, and the Church’s
Relationship to Civil Society 221
CHAPTER 9
Missional Creep, Newbigin, MLK, and Social Justice 237
Part Three 255
CHAPTER 10
Primary Mission of the Church and the Nature of the
Kingdom of God 257
CHAPTER 11
Primary Mission of the Church, Confessional Teaching 285
CHAPTER 12
Historical Studies 309
Part Four 347
CHAPTER 13
The Glorious King and Head of the Church: The
Nature of Church Power 349
CHAPTER 14
Primary Mission of the Church: The Nature of Church
Power and State Power and their Inter-relationship 379
CH APTER 15
Conclusion 395
Bibliography 411
Subject Index 433
Scripture Index 439
Product Details
Title: The Primary Mission of the Church: Engaging or Transforming the World?
Author: Bryan D. Estelle
Publisher: Mentor
Pages: 448
Binding: Paperback
Size: 21.6 x 13.8 x 2.2 cm
ISBN: 9781527107762