The Church's Social Responsibility

by Jordan J. Ballor (Editor), Robert J. Joustra (Editor)

The evangelical church has a social responsibility. But what is that responsibility and what does it look like in practice? This collection explores the nature of the institutional church’s responsibility, but also explores deeper questions related to the church’s social witness: Why is the church significant? How should it speak and act—and who should do the speaking and acting? And, how might various contexts affect the form that Christian responsibility takes?

An indispensable tool for answering such questions is the distinction between the church as organism and institution. A proper understanding of this distinction provides the means to appreciate the complexity of social life in the modern world and to invigorate the church’s witness and action with both the rigor of institutional authority and the vitality of conscientious action.

Edited by Jordan Ballor and Robert Joustra. Including contributions by:

Vincent Bacote * Jessica Driesenga * Kevin R. den Dulk * Kevin N. Flatt * Carl F.H. Henry * Mike Hogeterp * David T. Koyzis * Richard J. Mouw * J. Howard Pew * Stephanie Summers * Calvin P. Van Reken * Peter Vander Meulen * Michael R. Wagenman

Genres: Theology, Cultural, Christian

126 pages, Paperback

Published December 18, 2015

About the author

Jordan J. Ballor (Dr. theol., University of Zurich; Ph.D., Calvin Theological Seminary) is director of research at the Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy.

Reviews

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting little book on how the CRC wrestles with the organism and institutional nature of the church.

[Soren Dayton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was an interesting insight into how the Reformed and really Christian Reformed Church in particular think about the debates about social justice and the role of the church. That said, the audience (and it isn't labeled as such) is really that slice of the evangelical world.

Those are the only traditions recognized in the collection. Very little insight from outside North America. Nothing from the Black churches. Nothing from the Wesleyan or Baptist traditions. Nothing from the Pentecostals. Nothing from the Pietist and Anabaptist traditions. That's my biggest gripe.

[Blessing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful

After reading I was inspired and encouraged to think carefully about my role in my community and church. It also showed me that not all matters must be fought within the church. And the church exist as the guardian of truth. Good read highly recommended. Clear and concise thoughts.