Transforming Faith Communities: A Comparative Study of Radical Christianity in Sixteenth-Century Anabaptism and Late Twentieth-Century Latin America - Softcover

Bochenski, Michael Ian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0718894995 ISBN 13: 9780718894993

Publisher: Lutterworth Press, 2017

Synopsis

An examination of the parallels between liberation theology and 16th century Anabaptism and the transformative model they offer for the modern church.

Transforming Faith Communities draws upon a model for the church that combines congregationalism with a constructive approach to church-state relationships within a vision for a renewed Christendom, commended as a viable option for Christian mission in the twenty-first-century world. Michael Ian Bochenski uses two movements to make his case: sixteenth-century Anabaptism and late twentieth-century Latin American liberation theology. Each movement is held up as a mirror to the other in a vision for the transformation of church and society that resonates powerfully with contemporary culture. Outlining the development of radical religious communities, Bochenski examines some of the factors that create world-affirming Christian faith communities, and explores many examples of effective and constructive engagement with church and society across the centuries.

About this title

About the Author

Michael Ian Bochenski has had very wide pastoral and academic involvement. He has degrees from both Cambridge (Social and Political Sciences) and Oxford (Theology) Universities. He has been a local church pastor, committed to community praxis, for over thirty years. He has led two local homelessness charities, has been the President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, and for four years was the Rector of the Polish Baptist Seminary in Warsaw, Poland.

Review

"The experiences of the sixteenth-century Anabaptists and the advocates of liberation theology have not been compared in the systematic way evidenced here. The conclusions Bochenski reaches, with twenty-first-century mission in mind, are fresh and challenging. His work is a pleasure to read. It is rigorous in the way it pursues an argument, but at the same time it is thoroughly accessible." -Ian Randall, Senior Research Fellow, International Baptist Theological Seminary "Bochenski, in a way I count as inspired, brings two significant faith traditions together in this erudite work. In so doing he brings to light-by contrast and comparison - a series of insights of benefit to all who aspire to live faithfully in and as the community of Christ's followers. This book and its contents serve us well." -Nigel G. Wright, Principal, Spurgeon's College "Bochenski has produced a stimulating work exploring insights from early Anabaptist and Latin American base communities. Though separated by over four centuries of Christian life and development, they exhibit challenging parallels. ... The points of contact are vital in the search for the continuing reformation of the church." -Keith G. Jones, Rector, International Baptist Theological Seminary

Edition details

• Publisher: Lutterworth Press
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0718894995
• ISBN 13: 9780718894993
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 348