Christ, Church, and World: Bonhoeffer and Lutheran Ecclesiology after Christendom

The North American church is identified by three fundamental relationships: Christ-church-world, according to Theodore J. Hopkins. He establishes a framework for the church's mission in the world that flows from Christ's relationship to the church and the world, and illuminates the changing relationship between the church and the world in Bonhoeffer's works. Hopkins contends that the church is both distinct from the world and in solidarity with it in the dynamic of the crucified Lord Jesus, who is present in Word, Sacrament, and community as the Risen One. Preaching and teaching the Gospel identifies the church and calls it to faithfulness in Christ's mission.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 214 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

The North American church faces a significant challenge as it navigates the evolving landscape of a post-Christian society. In his book, "The Church in the Post-Christian Era," Theodore J. Hopkins offers a compelling argument that the church can be defined by three fundamental relationships: Christ-church-world. By delving into the Christological center of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's theology, Hopkins establishes a framework for the church's mission in the world that stems from Christ's relationship with both the church and the world. This Christological framework also sheds light on the evolving dynamics between the church and the world in Bonhoeffer's writings, as seen in the contrasting perspectives of Discipleship and Ethics.

According to Hopkins, the church stands apart from the world yet remains in solidarity with it through the dynamic of the crucified Lord Jesus, who took the form of a servant and is present in the Word, Sacrament, and community as the Risen One. He envisions the church as part of the broader story of Jesus, with preaching and teaching the Gospel serving as the means to identify the church and call it to faithful adherence to Christ's own mission.

Hopkins believes that the church is called to see itself and the world through the lens of Jesus, enabling it to follow Christ's mission of witness and service in the world. He emphasizes the importance of the church's identity as the body of Christ and its role in proclaiming the Gospel to a lost and broken world. By embracing this Christological framework, Hopkins offers a hopeful vision for the church in the post-Christian era, one that is rooted in its deep connection with Jesus and committed to serving him in all aspects of life.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978708600