Decoding the Church: Mapping the DNA of Christ's Body - Softcover

Snyder, Howard A.; Runyon, Daniel V.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 080109142X ISBN 13: 9780801091421

Publisher: Baker Pub Group, 2002

Synopsis

While many models have been proposed for understanding the nature of the church, the primary biblical image is that of the body of Christ. Decoding the Church takes this organic metaphor and examines its DNA to find the key to church structure and mission. The authors suggest that the classical understanding of the church as defined by the Nicene Creed-one, holy, catholic, apostolic church-comprises only one strand of the church's DNA. They propose a more complex, living model for structuring the church and understanding its mission, and then explore how a biblically structured church can transform the world. Decoding the Church evaluates models based in hierarchy, psychology, and ecology, and stresses the biblical and contemporary reality of globalization. Includes discussion questions.

About this title

About the Author

Howard A. Snyder (Ph.D., University of Notre Dame) is professor of history and theology of mission at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He is the author of numerous books on church life, including The Problem of Wineskins. Daniel V. Runyon is professor of English at Spring Arbor University in Michigan and coauthor with Snyder of Foresight and The Divided Flame.

Reviews

Snyder (history and theology, Asbury Theological Seminary) and Runyon (English, Spring Arbor Univ.) argue that the essential nature of the church can be discovered by unpacking and reappraising the image of the body of Christ as having at its core an ecclesiastic DNA, or inborn Christian nature. Thus, the church's genetic heritage comes directly from Christ and, as such, entails a mission to the world. Theologically conservative and Protestant in perspective, the DNA argument serves only as a heuristic. The authors posit a fictional congregation to exemplify their arguments in each chapter, leading to their conclusion that a church can "discover its own unique DNA." The authors never truly plumb the depths of the organic nature of being, creation, selection, or randomness-fruitful metaphors usually associated with genetic images. However, readers familiar with these authors will recognize recurring themes-church as community, small-group processes (including questions for discussion and reflection), and biblical models of congregational leadership. Recommended only for seminary collections developing church leadership holdings.
Sandra Collins, Duquesne Univ. Lib., Pittsburgh
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Baker Pub Group
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 080109142X
• ISBN 13: 9780801091421
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 208