An exploration of the identity of the Salvation Army as an ecclesial body in the light of Karl Barth's ecumenical and ecclesiological theology.In 1937, prior to the 1948 inauguration of the World Council of Churches, Karl Barth challenged the churches to engage in 'real strict sober genuine theology' in order that the unity of the church might be visibly realized. At that time The Salvation Army didn't aspire to become formally known as a church, even though it was a founding member of the WCC. Today it is globally known as a social welfare organization, concerned especially to serve the needs of those who find themselves at the margins of society. Less well known is that seventy years after Barth's challenge it has made its peace with the view that it is a church denomination. Accepting Barth's challenge to the churches, and in dialogue with his own ecumenical ecclesiology, the concept of the church as an Army is interrogated, in service to The Salvation Army's developing understanding of its identity, and to the visible unity of God's church.
David Taylor is a Salvation Army officer and, after thirty years of leadership ministry in a local congregation, currently serves as the Co-ordinator of Higher Education at The Salvation Army's William Booth College in London, United Kingdom.
Foreword by John H. Y. BriggsPrefaceIntroduction Part One: Emerging Salvationist EcclesiologyIntroduction1 The Origins of a "Christian Mission"2 The Establishing of The Salvation Army3 The Salvation Army as a ChurchPart Two: Salvationist Dialogue with Karl BarthIntroduction4 Electing the Christian Community5 Reconciling the Christian Community6 The Nature of the Christian Community7 The Form of the Christian Community8 The Marks of the Christian Community9 The Mission and Ministry of the Christian CommunityConclusionBibliographyIndex
This splendid study should be shouted from the rooftops!...this book deserves to be read by all Methodists, especially those who are deeply concerned about how we understand the nature of Church, as opposed to a movement within the Church ... This is a courageous undertaking, reinforcing our view that it should be widely read and reflected upon.