John Calvin's Ecclesiology: Ecumenical Perspectives(Ecclesiological Investigations)

Many events were staged and a plethora of new books appeared to mark the quincentenary of the birth of John Calvin, in 2009. But one area received considerably less attention in that anniversary year - namely, Calvin's ecclesiology. This study explores the development and fundamental legacy of Calvin's perspectives on and relationship with the church. Contributions are included which explore the later development and 'denominational variations' of Calvin's ecclesiology, along with ecumenical discussions/responses to and implications of Calvin's understanding of the church. There are further chapters which focus on particular aspects such as Calvin's ecclesiological method, understanding of ministry, the 'sacramental' principle, the 'invisible church' etc. Contributions on the use of Calvin's ecclesiology by later and modern/contemporary ecclesiologists also feature. This is a volume that brings together leading and emerging theological voices from Europe, North America and Latino America and from across the different theological sub-disciplines. Significantly, the book has a decidedly ecumenical perspective, with writers from several different denominational traditions contributing.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Paul Avis: Foreword 1. Gerard Mannion: Calvin and the Church - Trajectories for Ecumenical Engagement Today - Volume Introduction 2. Roger Haight S. J: John Calvin and Ignatius Loyola on an Ecclesial Spirituality of Social Engagement 3. Dennis W. Jowers: In What Sense Does Calvin Affirm, 'Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus'? 4. Sandra Arenas: The 'Vestigia Ecclesiae' in the Thought of Calvin and its 20th century Reception 5. Rose Beal: John Calvin and the Three Offices of Christ: A Bridge for Protestant and Catholic Ecclesiology? 6. Amy Plantinga Pauw: Practical Ecclesiology in John Calvin and Jonathan Edwards 7. Joshua Ralston: For Calvin Preaching Makes the Church: Recovering a Missing Ecclesial Mark 8. Alan Sell: Rectifying Calvin's Ecclesiology: the Doctrinal and Ecumenical Importance of Separatist-Congregational catholicity 9. John Halsey Wood: Making Calvin Modern: Abraham Kuyper's Vision for the Dutch Reformed Church 10. Stanley Maclean: Regnum Christi: Thomas Torrance's appropriation of Calvin's Ecclesiology 11. Rodney L. Petersen: The Spirit, the Church and the Decade to Overcome Violence: Trajectories in Reformed and Orthodox Theology 12. Eduardus Van der Borght: Calvin's Ecclesiology Revisited: Seven Trends in the Research of Calvin's Ecclesiology Index

About the Author :
Eduardus Van der Borght holds the Desmond Tutu Chair and is also Adjunct Professor of Systematic Theology at VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Gerard Mannion is Director of the Centre for Catholic Thought and Culture and Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of San Diego, USA.

Review :
This is an excellent book, offering a varied and original range of perspectives on the historical and contemporary interpretation of Calvin's ecclesiology. The book gives an exemplary introduction to some of the ways in which Calvin's ecclesiological ideas have been and might be appropriated and applied. The volume suggests that Calvin offers a theologically profound, Catholic, pastorally concerned and ecumenical ecclesiology. As a reformer, Calvin was concerned with the renewal of the face of the church as a whole, not with the founding of a new tradition. In this sense, his work is part of the inheritance of the all denominations; it is a rich resource for thinking about the Christian life, church-state relationships, ecumenical dialogue, church order, worship and many other of the issues that have been perennial challenges to the churches. It is to be hoped that this book will help Christians of all traditions to an appreciation of Calvin as a fellow pilgrim and a perceptive teacher who has much to say that is of continuing relevance. Much of John Calvin's life and work was dedicated to the upbuilding and unity of the Christian church in Geneva and elsewhere across Europe. Deriving from the quincentenary celebrations in 2009, these essays now provide us with a rich series of reflections on his ecclesiology. They offer a valuable point of reference for further work in this field.