The Integrity of the Church

by E. Glenn Hinson

195 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

E. Glenn Hinson is emeritus professor of Spirituality and John Loftis Professor of Church History at Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. In retirement he served as visiting professor at Lexington Theological Seminary, Louisville (Presbyterian) Seminary, Candler School of Theology (Emory University) and Baptist Seminary of Kentucky. His honors include the Cuthbert Allen Memorial Award for Ecumenism awarded by the Ecumenical Institute of Belmont Abbey/Wake Forest University.

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Reviews

[Nicholas Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike most theology books, this one doesn't really tell you what to think. It clearly has a thesis and conclusion like any good book, but it never gives a clear solution. It openly wrestles with the balance between tradition and present culture, social justice and respecting authority, Catholics and Protestants.

The main thread throughout is the way the Church has changed throughout its lifetime in reaction to the surrounding culture, even presenting that initial struggle of the Jewish basis of scripture adapting to the Hellenistic groups. The shows the good, the bad, and the uncertain. It shows what things are clearly defined in scripture, and which are up for debate (often using cultures as a reference point for real life examples of how churches interpreted these things).

Much food for thought. It gave quite a bit of clarity to many aspects of faith and community and how to brace myself (stay rooted) against a quickly changing world, while also opening up some areas I was too dead set on.