Freedom in Covenant: Reflections on the Distinctive Values and Practices of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Cornwall, Robert D.

ISBN 10: 1498223230 / ISBN 13: 9781498223232

Published by Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2015

About this Item

Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.

Seller Inventory # G1498223230I3N00

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Freedom in Covenant: Reflections on the Distinctive Values and Practices of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers
• Publication Date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1498223230
• ISBN 13: 9781498223232
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
• Weight: 0.25 pounds

About this title

Synopsis

In an age of decreasing denominational loyalty, questions of identity have become important. Both church members and inquirers wonder what to make of a denomination's core values, mission, and common practices. Because the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was born as a movement of reform on the American frontier during the early nineteenth century, it is marked by the time and place of its birth. The message it offered at the time was one of Christian unity rooted in theological simplicity and freedom of belief and practice. This message influenced the way the tradition came to understand biblical interpretation, theology, the sacraments, ministry, and its eschatology. As the movement matured, many recognized that this message of freedom could lead to unfettered individualism and tended to undermine congregational life and cooperation beyond the congregation. In response, Disciples leaders turned to the biblical idea of covenant to balance the message of freedom and link congregations with other forms of church without creating hierarchical systems. If, as some have suggested, this is a movement whose time has come, then it will important to understand the movement's identity and core values, which have been formed within the fulcrum of the tension existing between freedom and covenant.

About the Author

Robert D. Cornwall is Senior Pastor of Central Woodward Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Troy, MI. He received his PhD in Historical Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and is editor of Sharing the Practice (Academy of Parish Clergy). His books include Religion, Politics and Dissent, 1660-1832, co-edited with William Gibson (2010), Faith in the Public Square (2012), and Unfettered Spirit: Spiritual Gifts for the New Great Awakening (2013).