The Primary Mission of the Church: Engaging or Transforming the World? (Bryan D. Estelle)

Description

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