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Christian Essentials Series
The Church: A Guide to the People of God
You belong to God's family. But do you understand what that means?
The Bible tells the story of God and his people. But it is not merely history. It is our story. Abraham is our father. And Israel's freedom from slavery is ours.
Brad East traces the story of God's people, from father Abraham to the coming of Christ. He shows how we need the scope of the entire Bible to fully grasp the mystery of the church. The church is not a building but a body. It is not peripheral or optional in the life of faith. Rather, it is the very beating heart of God's story, where our needs and hopes are found.
The Bible tells the story of God and his people. But it is not merely history. It is our story. Abraham is our father. And Israel's freedom from slavery is ours.
Brad East traces the story of God's people, from father Abraham to the coming of Christ. He shows how we need the scope of the entire Bible to fully grasp the mystery of the church. The church is not a building but a body. It is not peripheral or optional in the life of faith. Rather, it is the very beating heart of God's story, where our needs and hopes are found.
200 pages, Hardcover
Published October 23, 2024
8 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Brad East
7 books65 followersBrad East (PhD, Yale University) is assistant professor of theology in the College of Biblical Studies at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. He is the editor of Robert Jenson’s The Triune Story: Collected Essays on Scripture (Oxford University Press, 2019) and the author of The Doctrine of Scripture (Cascade, 2021) and The Church’s Book: Theology of Scripture in Ecclesial Context (Eerdmans, 2022). His articles have been published in Modern Theology, International Journal of Systematic Theology, Scottish Journal of Theology, Journal of Theological Interpretation, Anglican Theological Review, Pro Ecclesia, Political Theology, Restoration Quarterly, and The Other Journal; his essays and reviews have appeared in The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Comment, Commonweal, First Things, The Hedgehog Review, Living Church, Los Angeles Review of Books, Marginalia Review of Books, Mere Orthodoxy, The New Atlantis, Plough, and The Point.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 24, 2024
You can read my review of this book at Christianity Today, entitled “The Church Is the World’s Greatest Love Story”: https://www.christianitytoday.com/202...
September 3, 2024
The church. The Bride of Christ is so beautiful! Best devotional book ever.
December 5, 2024
In The Church, Brad East provides a thoughtful guide to the people of God. The book begins by using the figure of Mary to show how the church is chosen by God to share His Son with the world. This idea highlights the amazing truth that God has come close to us, becoming one of us. The church exists to spread this good news to everyone.
The Family of God
A key theme in the book is election, or being chosen by God. East explains that God’s choice is rooted in love, referencing Deuteronomy 7:6-8: “It is because the Lord loves you.” This emphasizes that the church is not just a group of people but a family brought together through the gospel of adoption. The message of Jesus invites us into a close, loving relationship with the Lord.
East also addresses the enemies of the church, introducing the “unholy trinity” of sin, Satan, and death. He portrays sin as a powerful force that controls our lives (Romans 3:9). This dark backdrop makes the church’s mission even more important, showing how it works to counter these forces through the gospel.
East likens the world to a stage, with a divine playwright telling a grand story. Each chapter invites readers to rethink their view of the church through the lens of grace. East points out that the church must live out the rest and peace that Christ offers. Every believer plays a part in being part of Christ’s bride.
The Bride of Christ
Holiness, East argues, needs to be visible in the life of the church. He connects ordination and anointing, noting that “the faithful shepherd is a slain lamb.” This phrase captures the sacrificial and humble calling of Christ, reminding us that true leadership reflects His example.
Throughout the book, East celebrates God’s powerful and unwavering love for His church. He discusses the unity and adoption that the church represents, highlighting its responsibility to uphold and share the Gospel.
The Church isn’t just a theological book; it’s a beautiful look at the church’s significance. This book is one of the most wonderful explorations of the church I’ve ever read. Engaging and thought-provoking – it left me with a deeper appreciation for the bride and a greater love for the bridegroom.
I received a media copy of The Church and this is my honest review.
The Family of God
A key theme in the book is election, or being chosen by God. East explains that God’s choice is rooted in love, referencing Deuteronomy 7:6-8: “It is because the Lord loves you.” This emphasizes that the church is not just a group of people but a family brought together through the gospel of adoption. The message of Jesus invites us into a close, loving relationship with the Lord.
East also addresses the enemies of the church, introducing the “unholy trinity” of sin, Satan, and death. He portrays sin as a powerful force that controls our lives (Romans 3:9). This dark backdrop makes the church’s mission even more important, showing how it works to counter these forces through the gospel.
East likens the world to a stage, with a divine playwright telling a grand story. Each chapter invites readers to rethink their view of the church through the lens of grace. East points out that the church must live out the rest and peace that Christ offers. Every believer plays a part in being part of Christ’s bride.
The Bride of Christ
Holiness, East argues, needs to be visible in the life of the church. He connects ordination and anointing, noting that “the faithful shepherd is a slain lamb.” This phrase captures the sacrificial and humble calling of Christ, reminding us that true leadership reflects His example.
Throughout the book, East celebrates God’s powerful and unwavering love for His church. He discusses the unity and adoption that the church represents, highlighting its responsibility to uphold and share the Gospel.
The Church isn’t just a theological book; it’s a beautiful look at the church’s significance. This book is one of the most wonderful explorations of the church I’ve ever read. Engaging and thought-provoking – it left me with a deeper appreciation for the bride and a greater love for the bridegroom.
I received a media copy of The Church and this is my honest review.
December 16, 2024
What a beautifully written book. East writes with wonderful prose, and he treats the broad topic of the church with concise yet incisive detail. He guides his readers through a portion of a liturgical prayer before each section, which allows the book to be read devotionally. I don't think anyone can walk away from this book without a greater sense of love and awe for Christ's church. Indeed, "The love God has for you is one and the same as the love He has for the Church. The love of Christ present in you is His love bestowed lavishly on His body and bride. you are in Him because you are in her; she is in Him, and He is in her" (3).
I can't think of a theological loci that Christians mistakenly think they have have a high view of than ecclesiology (the doctrine of the church). You'll be hard pressed to find a Christian that says they don't think that going and being involved in church is important, but beyond that, not many have a thorough understanding of our Lord's body.
One of the major strengths of this book is how much time East spends in the OT. The church is caught up in Israel's story that God began long ago. Even for Gentiles, we are able to call Abraham our father, because we have been united to Christ by faith and are apart of that very story.
Furthermore, though East's language regarding the sacraments may come across a little too "high-church" for his Protestant audience, it is a needed reminder that the church proclaims Christ in word and sacrament. He writes, "These [sacraments] are not empty symbols or rote rites. Nor are they secondary to preaching. The sacraments themselves preach the gospel; they speak to us where we are, as what we are. They bring Christ's own word to us, and when Christ speaks, his word is effective. He gets what he wants. He creates what pleases Him. When Christ says in baptism, that you are forgiven—you are, for He is scrubbing you clean Himself. When He says, in the Supper, that you have eternal life—you do, for He is placing on your outstretched tongue the very medicine of immortality" (140–141).
My one critique is that I think he could have spent more in time unpacking the church from Gen. 1–11, particularly Gen. 1–3. Though the people of God become more particular in Gen. 12 with the call of Abraham, they certainly don't start there. They appear with Adam and Eve and the promise of offspring (Gen. 3:15). Christ is surely the true Israel (Matt. 4:1–11), but he is also the second and last Adam (Rom. 5:14, 1 Cor. 15:45–47) which has implications for ecclesiology.
If you have been a Christian from childhood and want to invigorate your love for the church, read this book. If you just became a Christian and want to learn more about "the Jerusalem above... our mother" (Gal. 4:26), read this book. By doing so, Lord willing, you will be swept up into the reality of the church, which is a "world unto herself, for she is—in part—'the new world on the way,' the presence of the new creation in the midst of the old" (149).
I can't think of a theological loci that Christians mistakenly think they have have a high view of than ecclesiology (the doctrine of the church). You'll be hard pressed to find a Christian that says they don't think that going and being involved in church is important, but beyond that, not many have a thorough understanding of our Lord's body.
One of the major strengths of this book is how much time East spends in the OT. The church is caught up in Israel's story that God began long ago. Even for Gentiles, we are able to call Abraham our father, because we have been united to Christ by faith and are apart of that very story.
Furthermore, though East's language regarding the sacraments may come across a little too "high-church" for his Protestant audience, it is a needed reminder that the church proclaims Christ in word and sacrament. He writes, "These [sacraments] are not empty symbols or rote rites. Nor are they secondary to preaching. The sacraments themselves preach the gospel; they speak to us where we are, as what we are. They bring Christ's own word to us, and when Christ speaks, his word is effective. He gets what he wants. He creates what pleases Him. When Christ says in baptism, that you are forgiven—you are, for He is scrubbing you clean Himself. When He says, in the Supper, that you have eternal life—you do, for He is placing on your outstretched tongue the very medicine of immortality" (140–141).
My one critique is that I think he could have spent more in time unpacking the church from Gen. 1–11, particularly Gen. 1–3. Though the people of God become more particular in Gen. 12 with the call of Abraham, they certainly don't start there. They appear with Adam and Eve and the promise of offspring (Gen. 3:15). Christ is surely the true Israel (Matt. 4:1–11), but he is also the second and last Adam (Rom. 5:14, 1 Cor. 15:45–47) which has implications for ecclesiology.
If you have been a Christian from childhood and want to invigorate your love for the church, read this book. If you just became a Christian and want to learn more about "the Jerusalem above... our mother" (Gal. 4:26), read this book. By doing so, Lord willing, you will be swept up into the reality of the church, which is a "world unto herself, for she is—in part—'the new world on the way,' the presence of the new creation in the midst of the old" (149).
November 1, 2024
How do you write Beautiful Theology? I think it starts and ends with "seeing and again and again seeing."(Schlatter) East has seen and seen and seen again God's word, presence and people. You can tell because he's frequently overwhelmed with the breadth and depth the living God's love. It ekes out in on many pages: "Love is its own explanation. It is rock bottom. There is no more digging to do."(pg. 27) That was enough to make this Presbyterian stand up from his chair and raise a hallelujah.
This kind of seeing also means making the "familiar strange and the strange familiar." The affect is not performative but doxological: "We are the temple of His Spirit...how has God done such a marvelous thing?" (pg. 2)
There much more to say but "The Church" is clear, accessible, light on it's feet, and shot through with the love of God for his beloved. I'll be back to this book often.
This kind of seeing also means making the "familiar strange and the strange familiar." The affect is not performative but doxological: "We are the temple of His Spirit...how has God done such a marvelous thing?" (pg. 2)
There much more to say but "The Church" is clear, accessible, light on it's feet, and shot through with the love of God for his beloved. I'll be back to this book often.
November 23, 2024
This is easily one of my favorite books on the church. It is rich in theological depth yet very accessible, so much so that it reads almost like a devotional. East has a true gift for writing and he brings out the enormous beauty that is the Body of Christ, the church. He traces the story of Israel beginning with Abraham's call in Genesis 12, showing how the church is actually birthed in the beginning with the call of a people for the Lord. This is a book that should be read by pastors, ministry leaders, and engaged laypeople.
December 9, 2024
4.5 stars -- Drawing together the thoughts of the Church Fathers, the Reformers, modern theologians, and some good, solid Biblical Theology, Brad East has given us a wonderful little meditation on who the Church is and what God in Christ by the Spirit does in and through her. While you may not agree with everything he offers here, depending on your denominational background, he still paints a beautiful picture of the Church that is well worth reflecting on.
This is another great entry in the already stellar Lexham Christian Essentials series. Highly recommended!
This is another great entry in the already stellar Lexham Christian Essentials series. Highly recommended!
February 1, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. This book sets out to show that being a part of the church means being a part of Abraham’s family, and views that reality from different perspectives. Loved the wealth of voices and perspectives East draws upon, and I always kept a finger in the footnotes in the back to read his references. I will be combing back through that for other books to read. The style overall is very easy to read, and it’s not a long book at all. I would love to read this again, especially with another brother also desiring to know the church better.
October 17, 2024
This is solid. Holistically biblical and easy to read, and warmly ecumenical. It's really, really short, though! This could be good or bad, depending on what you're looking for. I think it's a great book for a membership class in a church (or something along those lines) or as a devotional/refresher-type read, but don't expect anything shocking or paradigm-exploding.
Full video review here: https://youtu.be/pi5LAgQf6Vw
Full video review here: https://youtu.be/pi5LAgQf6Vw
October 29, 2024
"The Church" is an important little book for believers of all Christian faith traditions. His love of the Church is felt throughout the book. It is a great reminder of the traditions of faith and how we as believers play a major role in the life of the Church.
December 19, 2024
Gorgeous. One of the best books I read this year. Rich and yet so easy to read.
May 12, 2025
Great, accessible overview of what the church is and why it's important.
October 2, 2025
Wonderful book!! And I’m not just saying that because Brad East is one of my favorite professors!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews