The Church According to Paul: Rediscovering the Community Conformed to Christ

Amid conflicting ideas about what the church should be and do in a post-Christian climate, the missing voice is that of Paul. The New Testament's most prolific church planter, Paul faced diverse challenges as he worked to form congregations. Leading biblical scholar James Thompson examines Paul's ministry of planting and nurturing churches in the pre-Christian world to offer guidance for the contemporary church. The church today, as then, must define itself and its mission among people who have been shaped by other experiences of community. Thompson shows that Paul offers an unprecedented vision of the community that is being conformed to the image of Christ. He also addresses contemporary (mis)understandings of words like missional, megachurch, and formation.

Author: James W. Thompson
Publisher: Baker Academic
Published: 09/16/2014
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.00w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9780801048821
Award: Book of the Year - Winner

Review Citation(s):
CBA Retailers 08/01/2014 pg. 30
Christian Century 10/15/2014 pg. 23

About the Author
James W. Thompson (PhD, Vanderbilt University) is scholar in residence at the Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. His books include Pastoral Ministry according to Paul and Moral Formation according to Paul.