Making Sense of the Church: One of Seven Parts from Grudem's Systematic Theology (6)

by Wayne Grudem

With clear writing and a contemporary approach, emphasizing how each doctrine should be understood and applied by present-day Christians, Making Sense of the Church explores the community of all true believers for all time—the church. Topics include but are not limited to the invisible church—the church as God sees it; the visible church—the church as Christians on earth see it; the purity of church—the degree of freedom from wrong doctrine and conduct; the primary purpose of the church—ministry to God, believers, and the world; the power of the church—its God-given authority to carry on spiritual warfare, proclaim the gospel, and exercise church discipline; and spiritual gifts—abilities empowered by the Holy Spirit and used in any ministry of the church. Written in a friendly tone, appealing to the emotions and the spirit as well as the intellect, Making Sense of the Church helps readers overcome wrong ideas, make better decisions on new questions, and grow as Christians.

Genres: Theology

272 pages, Paperback

Published February 6, 2011

About the author

Wayne Grudem (PhD, University of Cambridge; DD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is research professor of theology and biblical studies at Phoenix Seminary, having previously taught for 20 years at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Grudem earned his undergraduate degree at Harvard University, as well as an MDiv from Westminster Seminary. He is the former president of the Evangelical Theological Society, a cofounder and past president of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, a member of the Translation Oversight Committee for the English Standard Version of the Bible, the general editor of the ESV Study Bible, and has published over 20 books, including Systematic Theology, Evangelical Feminism, Politics—According to the Bible, and Business for the Glory of God.

Reviews

[Kingsley Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part 6 of 7.
An excellent outline of ecclesiology.
Especially good are chapters 10 and 11 on Spiritual Gifts.

[Kyle Rapinchuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always liked Grudem's Systematic Theology, but understandably many shy away from reading any of it because it is so large. Zondervan has published his theology in seven parts so as to make each section more accessible. I like this approach also because it allows for a helpful companion text at a lower price for students in a specific course or study. I have used this book with college students on a ministry leadership team as we discussed various aspects of the meaning and purpose of the local church and our role in it. I highly recommend this book for any church or school related study on the church.