The Death and Resurrection of the Church
- Church Leadership & Ministry
- Publisher: Cascade Books (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2021
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Publisher's Description
The church as we know it in North America is dying. Statistics make this overwhelmingly clear. And yet, despite this observation, the church remains a resurrection people. How might these seemingly contradictory observations hold true? Taking a cue from Romans 5, Rustin Brian suggests that resurrection necessarily implies death. The church is called to follow Christ. This is a call to come and die. The Christian affirmation is that death is not truly the end, though, but rather the beginning of new and unending life in him. And so the first statement must be tempered by stating that the church is going through death on the way to resurrection. This book is truly one of two halves, then. The first half examines the present death of the church. The second half examines the possibility of resurrection for the church. Throughout, key factors for decline are considered, such as: poor and destructive evangelistic practices, civil religion, moral therapeutic deism, and consumerism. In the end, Brian suggests that the church embrace its peculiarity--the things that make us, dare it be said, a religion. As we embrace our strange beliefs, therefore, and discontinue our obsession with growth and relevance, we just might discover the possibility for renewed and resurrected faith amidst the death that we are experiencing.
Endorsements (5)
“Amid the disequilibrium now commonly characteristic of the church in North America, Dr. Brian offers hope beyond our empty scheming and misplaced allegiances. Death is not the end. But resurrection demands a new perceptibility and recovery of ecclesial life and witness deeper than our culturally captive church paradigms and postures. Brian’s book is inviting, provocative, and inspiring for readers immersed in or just beginning to discover the seeds of our ecclesial discontent and seeking promise rooted in the gospel and sustaining work of God.”
“The Death and Resurrection of the Church is a hard-hitting book designed to make an indolent traditionalist—the person who simply assumes the correctness of the received forms of church—appropriately uncomfortable. But I think this is exactly the kind of prophetic medicine that a sick evangelical church needs right now. A bracing read!”
“The church in North America is in crisis. Civil religion, moral therapeutic Deism, and consumerism have co-opted the central narrative and testimony of the church. It appears to be dying. . . . Dr. Brian identifies and discusses these challenges and more. But ultimately, this is a hopeful book. It is ultimately about resurrection, the resurrection of the church in America. For Dr. Brian, this is nothing short of a rediscovery of historic Christian faith and what it means for the church to regain its faithful witness of the gospel.”
“Dr. Rusty Brian’s latest book, The Death and Resurrection of the Church, is a timely word for the church in North America, particularly its pastors and leaders. Dr. Brian is giving us helpful language and structure to discern our present moment and to see more clearly how to respond. This is a compelling, critical analysis of the North American church. As Rusty asserts in the book, ‘the church needs to be constantly re-awoken from its dogmatic slumber.’ This is a fearless diagnostic of our decline. However, Dr. Brian goes beyond naming what is wrong; he offers a robust theological and pastoral articulation of hope-filled confidence in the power of the gospel. It is as powerful and hopeful as resurrection!”
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