The Christian Church

"This book is an introduction to the major traditions of the Christian Church. For each of the Churches represented here, a leading theologian explains something of their theology and structure. Each contributor sets out how their tradition sees their church and other churches, and what they mean by "church", both within that tradition and in relation to other traditions. Traditions presented here include Anglican, Baptist and Pentecostal, Lutheran, Methodist, Old Catholic, Reformed, and Roman Catholic. Questions considered by each contributor include: How do we see ourselves as Churches ... How much diversity in belief and practice do we find acceptable? How do we regard ecumenism? How committed are we to 'full visible unity'? This book brings into focus areas of convergence and divergence within the Christian Churches. It will be an important tool for all students of theology and ecclesiology, and an essential resource for those working in the field of ecumenism, or anyone wanting to understand something of the rich diversity of the Christian Church."-Back cover.

Beyond its central premise, the book can be read through the connected lenses of Nonfiction. Those themes offer useful points of attention as the characters, ideas, or world develop, especially where the book complicates the expectations of its primary category.