The Sociology of the Church: Essays in Reconstruction

by James B. Jordan

James B. Jordan

Genres: Theology, Ecclesiology, Sociology, Church, Christian, Cultural

350 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

James B. Jordan is a Calvinist theologian and author. He is director of Biblical Horizons ministries, a think tank in Niceville, Florida that publishes books, essays and other media dealing with Bible commentary, Biblical Theology, and liturgy.

Jordan was born in Athens, Georgia, and he attended the University of Georgia, where he received a B.A. in comparative literature and participated in Campus Crusade for Christ. He served as a military historian in the United States Air Force and attended Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi but ultimately earned an M.A. and Th.M. from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a master's thesis on slavery in the Bible. In 1993, he received a D.Litt. from the Central School of Religion for his dissertation on the dietary laws of Moses. From 1980 to 1990 Jordan was an associate pastor of a Presbyterian church in Tyler, Texas.

Reviews

[Jake Litwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong 4+ stars. Highly recommend when studying ecclesiology.

[Michael Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have probably come back to this book 30 times when I am facing practical issues related to the church.

If you don't mind reading on the computer, is available here:

http://www.biblicalhorizons.com/pdf/j...

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, if you can eat the meat and spit out the bones.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jordan is an interesting thinker and theologian. He has a unique, very insightful way of reading the Bible. He understands the Bible's symbolism in ways that most teachers miss, or at least don't articulate. I suppose some of his readings are fanciful, and I don't agree with everything. But more often than not, I am edified by his work.

The Sociology of the Church is a great work on ecclesiology--that is, what the church ought to do, and how it ought to be done. He is rigorously biblical, and unafraid of embracing unpopular practices, not to be a contrarian, but out of a desire to be faithful to Scripture.

The book is a series of essays, and he covers a lot of ground in the book. It is a work similar to his book "The Reconstruction of the Church" which is a collection of essays by Jordan and other writers.

In this book, Jordan covers things such as liturgy, worship music, preaching, communion, church architecture, church government, church and state interactions, a pastor's attire, the sacraments, revivalism, conversion, healing, the Sabbath, catholicity, denominationalism, the para-church, and others I'm sure I've missed.

I really enjoyed this and recommend it as a good work on strengthening the church and becoming a more faithful witness to our unbelieving world.

[Peter Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best by Jim Jordan. The essay on how the Church can be viewed from many different angles was great. In his essay on conversion, he showed how conversions of various kinds happen throughout the life of believer. All of these conversions should be given proper consideration in the Christian life, not just our initial conversion. His essays on worship were excellent. Finally, his essay on hospitality as evangelism was superb. He even has a liturgy of malediction. His observations on how the Church should relate to the state are scattered throughout the book and are thought provoking. For example, his argument that clergy should wear collars and robes is in part linked to making the Church visible to the state. Highly recommended advanced reading for those interested in the Church and how she should be reformed.

[Joe Hyink · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful book. Some parts are merely thought-provoking suggestions for protestant, evangelical Christianity. Other parts, however, are indispensable teaching of the Bible of the sort that is not often heard these days. For instance, Chapter 3, "The Sociology of the Church: A Biblico-Historical Approach" is the most helpful portion of the book. It demonstrates the incontrovertible reality that Biblical Theology is a story of ecclesiology. Definitely the parts of Jordan's book that grapple with the data of Scripture are most helpful, and those portions make the book exceedingly valuable. Other portions are of mixed and tenuous value.

[Chris Comis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one by Jordan. This should change your whole view of Mother Kirk and her relationship(s) to the world. Also, the chapter on how to be an effective church splitter should be read by every wannabe schismatic.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the content of this book, it was thought provoking as usual. It suffers from being a bit disjointed, a series of essays that aren't always tied together. Jordan is irenic and critical at the same time.

[Andrew Stout · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like most stuff of Jordan's, I wish that a good editor had gotten ahold of this. That being said, it is fascinating to see ecclesiological positions that are so thoroughly grounded in a deep reading of Scripture.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broadening. Typical Jordan: provocative thinking out loud.

[Douglas Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both theological and practical - this is an important and helpful book for both pastors and laymen.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! I have a whole lot to chew on now and I'm sure I will return to a few of Jordan's essays in this book from time to time.