Restore Unity, Recover Identity, and Refine Orthopraxy: The Believers' Priesthood in the Ecclesiology of James Leo Garrett Jr.

Doctrine divides! Not a few Christians dread doctrine, especially the doctrine of the church (ecclesiology) that allegedly causes much confusion, conflict, and controversy within the church. Many choose to avoid it, but James Leo Garrett Jr. Distinguished Professor of Theology Emeritus at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, is convinced that the much avoided and neglected ecclesiology is the place where the churches must begin to rediscover genuine unity, identity, and orthopraxy. Restore Unity, Recover Identity, Refine Orthopraxy examines Garrett's biblical notion of the universal priesthood. The priesthood concept, properly understood in a communal sense, integrates the mission, membership, ministry, and management of the church. This book is filled with intentional and direct conversations with more than twelve theologians or ecclesiologists from various Christian traditions (Reformed, Pentecostal, Roman Catholic, Mennonite, Baptist, and other Free Church) in order to shed light on Garrett's believers' priesthood doctrine, which eventually points toward a balanced, biblical, and baptist ecclesiology. An ecclesiology rooted in the biblical priesthood does not divide and extinguish but does unite and distinguish!

Peter L. Tie is currently Assistant Professor in Theology at Christian Witness Theological Seminary, San Jose, CA.

David S. Dockery is President of Union University in Jackson, Tennessee and a member of the board of 'Christianity Today, where he also serves as a consulting editor. In 2002, Dockery was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Grace Theological Seminary, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Texas Christian University, and he holds a Ph.D. in Humanities from the University of Texas system. Dockery's other books include 'Seeking the Kingdom: The Sermon on the Mount Made Practical' (co-authored with David E. Garland), 'Basic Christian Beliefs', and the 'Holman Guide to Interpreting the Bible' (co-authored with George Guthrie).