The Church: Sacraments, Worship, Ministry, Mission (Christian Foundations)
Overview
In this volume, Donald Bloesch explores with charity and balance the contours of ecclesiology. He forthrightly takes up the most controversial of issues ranging from matters of church authority, the sacraments and worship, the church’s place in the plan of salvation, the church and the kingdom of God, to the issue of church reunion. Evangelical in spirit, ecumenical in breadth and biblical in depth, Bloesch’s theology of the church calls for reformation and renewal according to the Word and Spirit of God.
Top Highlights
“Augustine’s theology of the sacraments has special significance in the development of the life and thought of the church. It was Augustine who defined a sacrament as ‘a visible sign of an invisible grace.’ A sacrament has two sides—the inner reality and the outward sign; these two come together through the power of the Holy Spirit. The sacrament has no efficacy in and of itself, but it must be linked to the word and to faith.” (Page 149)
“Peter Lombard, in the early and mid-twelfth century, postulated seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, penance, the eucharist, ordination, marriage and unction. This came to be the official position and was declared so at the Council of Florence (1439) and the Council of Trent (1545–1563). Reformation theology limited the sacraments to two—baptism and the Lord’s Supper—since only these had explicit biblical sanction.” (Page 148)
“From my perspective we should affirm the real presence of Christ but refrain from engaging in abstruse metaphysical speculation. Moreover, we should acknowledge his presence not simply in the elements but in the whole eucharistic celebration. An ontological change occurs, but it is in the hearts of those who believe, not in the elements.” (Page 161)
“Whereas originally in the church the sacraments were viewed as testimonies of the good news of redemption through Jesus Christ, they soon came to be seen as having sacred power in themselves. The priest was no longer first of all a herald or emissary but now a miracle worker. Baptism came to be regarded as a bath of regeneration—one that ‘effects it rather than the one which preaches and conveys it.’” (Page 148)
Product Details
- Title: The Church: Sacraments, Worship, Ministry, Mission
- Authors: Donald Bloesch
- Publisher: InterVarsity Press
- Publication Date: 2002
- Pages: 348
Reviews
2 ratings
Glenn Crouch
1/8/2016
In this penultimate volume of Bloesch's Christian Foundations series, he tackles the difficult concept of the Church. Whilst I am a big fan of Bloesch's work and have a very high regard for the first 4 volumes in this series, I do think this volume seems to lack something. There is a good range of topics covered, and the Author does a good coverage of historical and current viewpoints (as he does in all his works), with a special emphasis on the Reformation and special consideration for thinkers such as Forsyght and Barth. I think that it may be missing a consistent underlying theme. It sort of concluded without me even realising it :) Also the Authors seems a little harsh at times - for example when it comes to the Children's Sermon (we call it a Kids Talk in our Church) he basically declares that since it can be done wrongly it shouldn't be done :( Now I agree with the criticisms raised but that surely if it is done well (theologically and doctrinally speaking), it can be of benefit. The Author pointed out the "mistakes" that can be done in the Sacraments, but doesn't suggest we stop doing them. There were a few instance where I felt the arguments just were not developed as well as I am used to with this Author. Still the book has many good topics and discussions, and may be better used as "standalone chapters" :)
Tin
7/15/2013