Ecclesial Repentance
The Churches Confront Their Sinful Pasts
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Hardback
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Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ISBN: 9780567214324
Number of Pages: 352
Published: 27/01/2011
Width: 15.6 cm
Height: 23.4 cm
This is a theological reflection on churches repenting of events and convictions they have held in the past. Churches have been repenting, apologizing, and asking forgiveness for beliefs and practices they once justified. These often high-profile statements raise questions such as: Can a church repent for things that happened centuries ago? Is it possible for a church to sin or to be forgiven? What difference will repenting make? Is this just more church hypocrisy? In this book Jeremy Bergen tells the story of ecclesial repentance in recent decades and explores the theological issues its raises. He argues that because it is grounded in the doctrines of Christ and the Holy Spirit, ecclesial repentance requires the church to articulate in new ways its own nature and mission.
Introduction; Chapter 1: Division Among the People of God; Chapter 2: Western Colonialism and its Legacy; Chapter 3: Sexual Abuse, Violence, Injustice; Chapter 4: Day of Pardon; Chapter 5: The Communion of Saints; Chapter 6: Sin and the Holiness of the Church; Chapter 7: Forgiveness and Reconciliation; Conclusion; Bibliography; Appendix: Instances of Ecclesial Repentance; Index.
"'In this remarkable book, Jeremy Bergen displays a sure hand in addressing questions like these. It is not political correctness bids the church repent, he argues, but love of neighbour and fidelity to the Crucified. An important and timely study.' -Joseph Mangina, Wycliffe College, Toronto School of Theology, Canada."