Called to Be Church: The Book of Acts for a New Day
by Robinson, Anthony B., Wall, Robert W.
•Eerdmans 2006
Overview
Biblical scholar Robert Wall and pastoral leader Anthony Robinson join forces to bring the Acts of the Apostles forward to our time as a resource for congregational renewal and transformation. Featuring both careful exegetical study and exciting contemporary exposition, the 15 chapters of Called to Be Church interpret the text of Acts as Scripture and then engage Acts for today’s church. This text dives into many of the most vexing issues faced by the church then and now—conflict resolution, pluralism and multiculturalism, sexuality, money, church and state, the role of the Holy Spirit, and much more.
Enhanced by study questions at the end of each chapter, Called to Be Church is well suited to small-group study. Pastors, lay readers, and students alike can find helpful and inspiring insights.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
Want similar titles? Check out Eerdmans New Testament Studies Collection for more!
Key Features
- Interprets the text of Acts as Scripture and for today’s church
- Addresses many of the vexing issues faced by the church then and now
Contents
- Why Acts? Why Now?
- Introducing Acts to a Congregation of Faithful Readers
- Called to Be Church (Acts 1)
- Bold Witness: Preaching as If Something Is at Stake (Acts 2)
- Christian Community: Life and Death Together (Acts 4–5)
- Conflict Resolution and Decision Making within a Healthy Congregation (Acts 6)
- The Holy Spirit and the Life of the Church (Acts 8)
- Conversion and Transformation: The Case of Saul (Acts 9)
- The Gospel in a Multicultural World: The Case of Peter (Acts 10)
- The Challenge of Change in the Church (Acts 15)
- Resurrection Practices: The Marks of Discipleship (Acts 16)
- Spirituality: Its Lure and Danger (Acts 17)
- Leadership for the Church (Acts 20)
- The Uneasy Relationship of Church and State (Acts 25)
- Concluding Reflections
Praise for the Print Edition
This splendid book offers a readable, accessible, stimulating, and engaging reading of Acts for today’s students, preachers, and thoughtful laypeople. Anthony Robinson and Robert Wall illuminate passage after passage through the creative interplay between Wall’s lucid exegetical discussions and Robinson’s fresh reflections on hearing Acts for today’s church.
—Steve Walton, senior lecturer in Greek and New Testament studies and director of research, London School of Theology
The authors show the central place that the book of Acts occupies in the New Testament canon. They show that though Acts was originally Luke’s second volume, it played a far more important role as the pivot between the four Gospels and Paul’s letters . . . Following Irenaeus’ understanding of Acts, the authors sketch a view of ecumenism and catholicity that was not a uniformity of belief but a pluriformity of faith that reflected the high diversity among the early churches.
—James A. Sanders, professor emeritus, Claremont Graduate University
Robinson and Wall’s remarkably engaging interpretation of Acts ‘for a new day’ deftly combines expert scholarly exegesis with astute pastoral insight. Never settling for easy modern applications based on thin biblical analysis, the authors wrestle seriously with the book of Acts as living Scripture for today’s church and a prime resource for ecclesial renewal. This work represents a model bridging of biblical and contemporary horizons—an ideal text for seminary and Christian education classes.
—F. Scott Spencer, professor of New Testament, Baptist Theological Seminary
Product Details
- Title: Called to Be Church: The Book of Acts for a New Day
- Authors: Robert W. Wall and Anthony B. Robinson
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Publication Date: 2006
- Pages: 298
- Christian Group: Evangelicals
- Resource Type: Monographs
- Topic: Acts
About the Authors
Robert W. Wall is the Paul T. Walls Professor of Scripture and Wesleyan Studies at Seattle Pacific University. In addition to his commentary on Revelation, he has authored numerous journal articles and several books, including commentaries on Colossians/Philemon, James, Acts, and the Pastoral Epistles.
Anthony B. Robinson travels throughout North America as a speaker, teacher, preacher, consultant, and coach, serving congregations and their leaders. He is also president of the Seattle-based Congregational Leadership Northwest and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. His other books include the award-winning What’s Theology Got to Do with It? and Stewardship for Vital Congregations.
