Resilient Faith

L. Sittser Gerald

Description

In our Western, post-Christendom society, much of Christianity's cultural power, privilege, and influence has eroded. But all is not lost, says bestselling author Gerald Sittser. Although the church is concerned and sobered by this cultural shift, it is also curious and teachable.Sittser shows how the early church offers wisdom for responding creatively to the West's increasing secularization. The early Christian movement was surprisingly influential and successful in the Roman world, and so different from its two main rivals--traditional religion and Judaism--that Rome identified it as a "third way." Early Christians immersed themselves in the empire without significant accommodation to or isolation from the culture. They confessed Jesus as Lord and formed disciples accordingly, which helped the church grow in numbers and influence.Sittser explores how Christians today can learn from this third way and respond faithfully, creatively, and winsomely to a world that sees Christianity as largely obsolete. Each chapter introduces historical figures, ancient texts, practices, and institutions to explain and explore the third way of the Jesus movement, which, surprising everyone, changed the world.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 15 octobre 2019
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781493419982
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 3 Mo

Extrait

Cover
Endorsements
“A clear and accessible account of the early church coming to terms with what happened in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus (what do we believe?) and the impact those events had on daily life (how do we live differently because of what we believe?). The early church lived as faithful Christ-followers in an empire hostile to their beliefs and behaviors, and as traditionally ‘Christian’ countries become more hostile to Christian faith, contemporary Christians would do well to go back to these early sources of faith. Sittser’s book takes an enormity of information about the early church and presents it in an inviting way. You will learn doctrine, church history, and formation practices, but most of all you’ll come away inspired by these first Christians and challenged to follow Jesus with the same level of devotion and sacrifice that they did.”
— Mary S. Hulst , college chaplain, Calvin College
“I wish I could make this exceptional new book by Gerald L. Sittser required reading for all contemporary Christians. With questions swirling about the relevance and contributions of the Christian faith today, Sittser presents a winsome picture of the many ways that the earliest Christians contributed to the world around them through their distinctive way of life. In the face of a crisis of discipleship and formation in the contemporary church, Sittser reminds us of all that we can learn from the ways the earliest Christians were formed into ‘improvisational disciples’ who could seek God’s kingdom every day, right where they were. Exploring the formative role of worship and the intentional process of formation that developed in the early church, Sittser helps us look back so that we can more faithfully move forward in our complex cultural moment, embodying our faith in ways that eschew both accommodation and separation. If you have appreciated the works of Alexander Schmemann, Jamie Smith, Kevin Vanhoozer, or Sam Wells, you will love this book.”
— Kristen Deede Johnson , Western Theological Seminary
“I have the privilege of knowing Jerry Sittser up close. For most of the past twenty years we have co-led reading groups for pastors. We met for lively discussion around applying the insights of ancient Christian sources to our lives and ministries. Jerry is a first-rate scholar who cares deeply about the church and its leaders. His passion is to reconnect the academy and the church. This book is a beautiful example of that synergy of scholarship and ministry application. Pastors will find it not only educational but helpful and practical as they consider how to make disciples in our post-Christendom setting. Jerry has done us a great favor, pointing us forward by helping us look back.”
— Joe Wittwer , lead pastor of Life Center, Spokane, Washington, and sending pastor of seventeen daughter and granddaughter churches
“In this stimulating book Gerald Sittser powerfully argues that the gospel message can reverse the continued decline and superficiality of Western Christianity. His constructive analysis demonstrates that the Christian faith is most resilient against culture when it is most deeply grounded in Jesus Christ. To counter current trends Sittser recovers the ancient practice of the catechumenate to transform stagnant believers into dynamic disciples. Anyone concerned about the contemporary health of the Western church will profit from this insightful study. This deeply researched and highly readable book is enriched by a wisely annotated collection of sources that can guide interested readers in further study. For weary and frustrated Christians, I highly recommend it!”
— Tom Schwanda , Wheaton College
“The mainline and evangelical church needs the refreshing hope Jerry Sittser’s book Resilient Faith provides. Historical. Applicable. Mind stretching. Christ centered.”
— Bob Bouwer , author, church coach, and senior pastor of Faith Church (RCA), a multiplying movement of six-plus churches
“Rat her than surrender to gloom and pessimism about the future of the church, Sittser fills this book with hope. Sittser uses the early church as the model, and he enthusiastically describes their ability to thrive, flourish, and expand in a hostile culture by thoroughly inculcating the tenets of the Christian faith into new believers.”
— Kay Warren , bestselling author and cofounder of Saddleback Church
“It’s hard to find a book that is both scholarly and accessible to a general reading audience. Gerald Sittser believes his vocation is to write this kind of book, and he’s done so in Resilient Faith .”
— Chris Hall , president of Renovaré
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
© 2019 by Gerald L. Sittser
Published by Brazos Press
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.brazospress.com
Ebook edition created 2019
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-1998-2
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations labeled NET are from the NET Bible®, copyright © 1996–2016 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Scripture quotations labeled NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Dedication
To James R. Edwards
Contents
Cover i
Endorsements ii
Half Title Page iii
Title Page v
Copyright Page vi
Dedication vii
Acknowledgments xi
Abbreviations xv
1. Then and Now 1
2. Old World and New World 19
3. Fulfillment 37
4. Map 57
5. Authority 77
6. Identity and Community 97
7. Worship 117
8. Life in the World 135
9. Crossing to Safety 155
Conclusion: Now and Then 173
Annotated Bibliography 179
Notes 197
Index 219
Back Cover 223
Acknowledgments
U sually the name of only one person appears on the cover of a book as its author. It is, of course, misleading, for many people contribute to the writing of it. I am deeply indebted to a community of people who encouraged me to write Resilient Faith and provided critical comments to improve it.
My wife, Patricia, never stopped championing this project. She believes in my calling—to serve as a bridge between the academy and the church—and reminds me often of its importance. She read the first draft and offered just the right comments. “Wordy!” “Boring!” “Tedious!” But also “Winsome!” “Lucid!” “Convicting!” This book is leaner and cleaner because of her sensibilities.
Two pastors, Scot Rees and Brian Keepers, read the manuscript with the church in mind, and three scholars, Jim Edwards, Adam Neder, and Rick Steele, with the academy in mind. This book is sharper and deeper because of their academic prowess, critical eye, and attention to detail.
A group of friends—Sarah Butler, Myra Watts, Krisi Sonneland, Krista Lack, Leslie McAuley, Julie Jones, Josh Bingle, Bob Brewster, Carter Hudson, John Carter—read a draft, too. We enjoyed an extraordinary evening of conversation about it. My brother-in-law, Jack Veltkamp, suggested that his small group read and discuss the manuscript during their weekly meetings. I joined them one Saturday and benefited from their comments. These friends remind me that professors and pastors should never forget that there are a lot of smart and serious Christians sitting in the pews every Sunday. They deserve our best.
Anna Irwin Applebach, Lilly Davis, Adam Blyckert, and Christopher Pieper served as research fellows for me while they were undergraduate students at Whitworth. Their research introduced me to literature I would have otherwise not had time to discover. This book is broader because of their careful work.
This is my first book with Brazos Press. A few years ago I met Robert Hosack over coffee when I was speaking at Calvin College. He invited me to submit a book proposal. Since that first encounter, Robert, James Korsmo, Jeremy Wells, and the rest of the team have operated according to the highest personal and professional standards. My relationship with them has been positive from beginning to end.
I am dedicating this book to my dear friend and colleague James R. Edwards, a scholar and teacher of unusual competence.
I arrived at Whitworth in 1989, a fresh University of Chicago PhD in hand. I spent the next two years teaching what seemed like an endless stream of new courses. Still, I found time to deliver two papers and revise my dissertation for publication ( A Cautious Patriotism: The American Churches and the Second World War ). My aspiration was to continue to specialize in twentieth-century American religion, focusing on the postwar era.
In 1991, tragedy changed those plans. I spent the next decade occupied not only with my academic responsibilities but also with domestic duties, which were far more important to me. Thrust into the role of being a single parent, I began to think more about the needs of people who do not make their living in the rarified world of high