Beyond Sectarianism (Christian Mission & Modern Culture) - Softcover

Kenneson, Philip D.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1563382784 ISBN 13: 9781563382789

Publisher: Trinity Press International, 1999

Synopsis

The church in our post-Christendom era needs different models for conceptualizing its own identity and its relationship to the rest of society. Philip Kenneson sets forth a model that suggests that the church's role in contemporary society is to serve as a "contrast-society." In this model, the church is animated by a different spirit than that which animates "the world." Moreover, the "contrast-society" model has tremendous missional promise in that its embodied life in the world is its witness to the world.Kenneson acknowledges that this model is sometimes rejected by both Christians and non-Christians because it appears to be too "sectarian." He therefore asks, What are we claiming about a particular group when we call it sectarian? He argues that critics who regard a "contrast-society" church as sectarian often operate with untenable understandings of rationality, culture, politics, religion, and critique.In a concluding chapter, Kenneson offers reflections on how moving "beyond sectarianism" allows us to see afresh some of the missional promise of the church-as-contrast-society model.Philip D. Kenneson is Assistant Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Milligan College and author of Selling Out the Church: The Dangers of Church Marketing.

About this title

About the Author

Philip D. Kenneson is Assistant Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Milligan College and author of Selling Out the Church: The Dangers of Church Marketing.

Review

"well-written...This book would be a helpful addition to any church leader's library...it would also be useful as introductory or supplemental material in the class room for church history, theology, or sociology."— Lonnie R. Spencer, reviewing for Stone-Campbell Journal, Fall 2000 (Lonnie R. Spencer Stone-Campbell Journal)

"In this dynamic and succinct work, Philip Kenneson calls attention to one of the important questions facing Christians in our postmodern culture. How should Christians live, think, and do apologetics now that the church no longer enjoys privileged status? Kenneson's work may best be described as a handbook on doing theology from a postmodern, postliberal perspective." —David L. Phillips, Morton, Ill (David L. Phillips Restoration Quarterly)

"well-written...This book would be a helpful addition to any church leader's library...it would also be useful as introductory or supplemental material in the class room for church history, theology, or sociology."— Lonnie R. Spencer, reviewing for Stone-Campbell Journal, Fall 2000 (Sanford Lakoff Stone-Campbell Journal)

"In this dynamic and succinct work, Philip Kenneson calls attention to one of the important questions facing Christians in our postmodern culture. How should Christians live, think, and do apologetics now that the church no longer enjoys privileged status? Kenneson's work may best be described as a handbook on doing theology from a postmodern, postliberal perspective." —David L. Phillips, Morton, Ill (Sanford Lakoff Restoration Quarterly)

About this edition

• Publisher: Trinity Press International
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 1563382784
• ISBN 13: 9781563382789
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 134