Description: Doctrine divides! Not a few Christians dread doctrine, especially the doctrine of the church (ecclesiology) that allegedly causes much confusion, conflict, and controversy within the church. Many choose to avoid it, but James Leo Garrett Jr., Distinguished Professor of Theology Emeritus at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, is convinced that the much avoided and neglected ecclesiology is the place where the churches must begin to rediscover genuine unity, identity, and orthopraxy. Restore Unity, Recover Identity, Refine Orthopraxy examines Garrett's biblical notion of the universal priesthood. The priesthood concept, properly understood in a communal sense, integrates the mission, membership, ministry, and management of the church. This book is filled with intentional and direct conversations with more than twelve theologians or ecclesiologists from various Christian traditions (Reformed, Pentecostal, Roman Catholic, Mennonite, Baptist, and other Free Church) in order to shed light on Garrett's believers' priesthood doctrine, which eventually points toward a balanced, biblical, and baptist ecclesiology. An ecclesiology rooted in the biblical priesthood does not divide and extinguish but does unite and distinguish! Endorsements: ""[This] book effectively presents Garrett's arguments for the importance of the priesthood of all believers in the formation of a biblical ecclesiology and his practical suggestions as to how the church could practice that doctrine in her leadership, mission, and other church activities . . . Tie shows himself not only as an unbiased describer of the essence of but also a critical evaluator of Garrett's arguments."" --Dongsun Cho Assistant Professor of Historical Theology Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary ""Peter Tie demonstrates that the doctrine of the church--when perceived through the Christian priesthood, the Trinity, and Christian discipleship--is both fundamental to theological discernment and fruitful for ecumenical discourse. Professor Tie draws upon the extensive theological corpus of James Leo Garrett Jr. in order to address the mission, membership, ministry, and management of the church. Christianity's various communions and their leading theologians should be richly rewarded through reading this important book."" --Malcolm B. Yarnell III Associate Professor of Systematic Theology Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary About the Contributor(s): Peter Tie is Lecturer of Theology at Melbourne School of Theology (Chinese Department), Australia.
