When the Church Was a Family
Description
Spiritual formation occurs primarily in the context of community. But as the modern cultural norm of what social scientists call ?radical American individualism? extends itself, many Christians grow lax in their relational accountability to the church. Faith threatens to become an ?I? not ?us,? a ?my God? not ?our God? concern.
When the Church Was a Family calls believers back to the wisdom of the first century, examining the early Christian church from a sociohistorical perspective and applying the findings to the evangelical church in America today. With confidence, author Joseph Hellerman writes intentionally to traditional church leaders and emerging church visionaries alike, believing what is detailed here about Jesus' original vision for authentic Christian community will deeply satisfy the relational longings of both audiences.
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Content
- Intro
- Introduction
- Chapter One: The Group Comes First
- Chapter Two: Family in the New Testament World
- Chapter Three: Jesus' New Group
- Chapter Four: The Churches of Paul
- Chapter Five: The Church in the Roman World
- Chapter Six: Salvation as a Community-Creating Event
- Chapter Seven: Life Together in the Family of God
- Chapter Eight: Decision Making in the Family of God
- Chapter Nine: Leadership in the Family of God
- Conclusion
