The Unity of the Church: A Theological State of the Art and Beyond (Studies in Reformed Theology, 18)

Hardcover, x + 350 pages, NOT ex-library. Fine internally, clean and bright throughout, with firm binding and unmarked text; free of inscriptions and stamps. Boards show creases along the lower edges, short scratches, a touch of shelfwear. Issued without a dust jacket. -- The book offers a comprehensive exploration of the concept of ecclesial unity within the context of Reformed theology. It delves into historical and contemporary theological discussions, examining the challenges and possibilities for achieving unity among diverse Christian traditions. Van der Borght addresses key theological issues, ecumenical dialogues, and the role of the church in fostering unity in a fragmented world. This scholarly work is essential for theologians, clergy, and students interested in ecumenism and the ongoing quest for church unity. -- Contents: The Unity of the Church and the Reformed Tradition: An Introduction / Eduardus Van der Borght; Part One: Framing Unity of the Church as a Theological Problem: 1. Communion: Responding to God's Gift / Lukas Vischer; 2. Church Unity, Territorialism, and State Formation in the Era of Confessionalisation / Wim Janse; 3. Parallel Coexistence of Churches. The Church in Transylvania: Its Unity and Disunity - A Contextualized Example / Juhasz Tamas; 4. "Is Christ Divided?": An Analysis of the Theological Justification of a Church Schism / J.H. (Amie) van Wyk; 5. Calvinus Oecumenicus: Calvin's Vision of the Unity and Catholicity of the Church / I. John Hesselink; Part Two: The Tools for the Unity of the Church: A Theological Analysis: 6. One Church and the Pure Preaching of the Word: Theses and Observations on the Theme / Alasdair Heron; 7. A Biblical Theological Hermeneutics, the Pure Preaching of the Word of God, and the Unity of the Church / Seung-Goo Lee; 8. The Medium and the Message: Sola Scriptura and (Dis)unity in the Reformed Tradition / Dora Bernhardt; 9. The Unity of the Church and the Pure Administration of the Sacraments / Lyle D. Bierma; 10. Confessions as Instruments of (Dis)unity? / Dirkie Smit; 11. Forms of Unity or of Disunity: The Confessions in the Recent History of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands / Henk van den Belt; 12. Gospel Discipline and Church (Dis)unity in the Reformed Tradition / Alan P.F. Sell; Part Three; Part Three: Ecumenical Explorations on the Unity of the Church: 13. The Healing of Memories: Finding One Another Again in Christ / Jeffrey Gros; 14. An Asymptotic Dialogue? A Response to Jeffrey Gros / Leo J. Koffeman; 15. Ecumenical Theology and the Unity of the Church: A Reformed Understanding of Ecumenical Engagement and the Unity of the Church / Setri Nyomi; 16. 'No Popery': A Blessing or a Curse? Ministry as an Instrument of Unity Within the Reformed Tradition / Eduardus Van der Borght; 17. Office as an Instrument of Unity / Allan Janssen; Part Four: The Theological Basis for the Unity of the Church: 18. One God and One Church: Considerations on the Unity of the Church from the Perspective of Biblical Theology / Abraham van de Beek; 19. One Savior, One Church: Reconciliation as Justification and "New Creation" / Philippe Theron; 20. The Reality of the Unified Church / Annette Mosher; 21. The Church as an Echo of the Triune God / Christiaan Mostert; 22. Is the Triune God a Model for the One Church? Reply to Christiaan Mostert / Paul Wells; 23. Trinitarian Ecclesiology and the Search for Unity: A Reformed Reading of Miroslav Volf / Gijsbert van den Brink; 24. The Church as Sacrament / Martien E. Brinkman; Index.…