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Robert D. Cornwall

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in Los Angeles, The United States

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Religion & Spirituality, History, Politics

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Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Reinhold Niebuhr, [a:Keith Watkins|47 ...more

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Robert D. Cornwall is minister-at-large after his retirement as pastor of Central Woodward Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Troy, Michigan. . He holds a M.Div. and a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, and is a graduate of Northwest Christian University in Eugene, OR. He is the author/editor of several books including "Second Thoughts About the Second Coming: Understanding the End Times, Our Future, and Christian Hope" (Westminster John Knox Press) coauthored with Ronald J. Allen. Other books include the second edition of "Unfettered Spirit: Spiritual Gifts for the New Great Awakening" and "The Letters of John: A Participatory Study Guide" (Energion Publications), along with a wide variety of other books ...more

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Average rating: 4.35 · 122 ratings · 45 reviews · 35 distinct works • Similar authors

	Second Thoughts about the Second Coming: Understanding the End Times, Our Future, and Christian Hope by Robert D. Cornwall (Goodreads Author), Ronald J. Allen 4.16 avg rating — 25 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Ultimate Allegiance: The Subversive Nature of the Lord's Prayer by Robert D. Cornwall (Goodreads Author), David Allan Black (Editor), Allan R. Bevere (Goodreads Author) (Editor) 4.21 avg rating — 14 ratings — published 2010 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Worshiping with Charles Darwin 4.75 avg rating — 8 ratings — published 2013 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Unfettered Spirit: Spiritual Gifts for the New Great Awakening. Second Expanded Edition by Robert D. Cornwall (Goodreads Author), Bruce G. Epperly (Goodreads Author) (Foreword) 4.50 avg rating — 8 ratings — published 2013 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Freedom in Covenant: Reflections on the Distinctive Values and Practices of the Christian Church by Robert D. Cornwall (Goodreads Author), Mark G. Toulouse (Foreword) 4.13 avg rating — 8 ratings — published 2015 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Faith in the Public Square: Living Faithfully in 21st Century America it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 2012 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Called to Bless: Finding Hope by Reclaiming Our Spiritual Roots by Robert D. Cornwall (Goodreads Author), Grace Ji-Sun Kim (Foreword) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 2021 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Religion, Politics and Dissent, 1660-1832: Essays in Honour of James E. Bradley by Robert D. Cornwall (Goodreads Author) (Editor), William Gibson (Editor) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 2010 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Ephesians: A Participatory Study Guide it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2010 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Marriage in Interesting Times: A Participatory Study Guide it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Deconstruction, Reconstruction, & Being Called to Bless

We allknow about the slow decline of Mainline Protestantism. Over the years, the once-dominantdenominations have declined significantly in numbers. There are numerous reasonsfor it, but the truth is these traditional denominations, including the one inwhich I’m ordained, have failed to retain their children and draw in newmembers. Many of the children of older Mainliners e

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Robert D. Cornwall is currently reading

The First Thousand Years: A Global History of Christianity

by Robert L. Wilken

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Jan 14, 2026 08:31PM

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The Burning Bush: On the Orthodox Veneration of the Mother of God

by Sergius Bulgakov

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Jan 13, 2026 10:20AM

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The Rule of Faith: A Guide (Cascade Companions)

by Everett Ferguson

bookshelves: church-history, theology, currently-reading

read in May 2017

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Robert D. Cornwall said: " I am a member of the clergy of a non-creedal faith community. We have a tendency to recoil at anything smacks of a test of fellowship. Freedom is prized. But how much freedom is too much freedom? Is there a place for a rule of faith, a summary of bib I am a member of the clergy of a non-creedal faith community. We have a tendency to recoil at anything smacks of a test of fellowship. Freedom is prized. But how much freedom is too much freedom? Is there a place for a rule of faith, a summary of biblical theology that can guide us? As the early church expanded in the first few centuries, and as the New Testament itself was emerging, early Christian leaders laid out what has come to be known as the Rule of Faith. These rules took on different forms, but they all were understood to be summations of the Gospel, but they were not, necessarily, the same as creeds. So what are these rules and how did they come to be and get used?

Everett Ferguson has long been one of the leading scholars of early Christianity. He is Church of Christ, which is itself a non-creedal community, and a branch of the Stone-Campbell Movement, of which my denomination (Disciples of Christ) is part. Ferguson is Professor Emeritus of Bible and Church History at Abilene Christian University. In this brief book, Ferguson introduces us to the various forms the Rule of Faith took, defines its meanings, and shows how the Rule of Faith was interpreted, and studied (by scholars). He notes the functions that the Rule of Faith played. Finally, and perhaps most importantly for us, he suggests ways in which the Rule of Faith is relevant for today.

It is important to note here what Ferguson is attempting to do in this book. He wants to "clarify the relation of the rule of faith to Scripture and creed" (p. xi). Right from the beginning, Ferguson distinguishes the Rule of Faith from a creed. The former is a summation of what early Christian leaders like Origen, Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Augustine believed were essential beliefs. Creeds had more ecclesial authority and tended to move beyond summation to interpretation, as well are requiring adherence -- the presence of anathemas being key. His thesis then is "that the rule of faith was a summary of apostolic preaching and teaching, to be found most authoritatively in written form in the Scriptures." While in form they might look similar to baptismal confessions and creeds, they had a differnt function. (p. xi).

With that in mind, Ferguson proceeds to cover a vast amount of material with a brevity of words. He invites us to ponder the question of what Christians believe, noting that many are suspicious of any notions of orthodoxy. I know that to be true in my circles. But, as he suggests, when the label Christian becomes too elastic, then the Christian faith becomes almost meaningless (I'm putting that in gentler terms than does the author).

The book begins with an introduction to some of the more important rules of faith, beginning with that of Justin Martyr. While Justin doesn't use the term Rule, he includes many of the elements that would become important in the development of these Rules. Key to these are the emphasis on God the Creator and on the centrality of Jesus.

The word rule comes from the Greek kanon, which becomes in Latin regula, which speak of standards of belief and behavior. What we learn is that there was no fixed usage in terminology in the first few centuries. Some writers spoke of the rule of faith, others rule of truth, and others ecclesiastical rule, and more. But, there was a similarity of content, of what early Christians were discerning were essentials, long before Nicaea. Having an interpration of the rules and how they are used is helpful, as is the discussion of their function. He notes that these rules were used in several ways. They were used as guides to preaching and teaching --- "It represented the content of the proclamation fo the gospel and the instruction given to inquirers and potential converts." (p. 68). It provided the basis of catechesis or instruction of new converts. These rules, of course, were also used in refuting heresy. Consider that one of the chief sources of an early rule was to be found in Irenaeus' Against Heresies, which sought to refute gnostiicism. These rules were also used as guides to interpreting scripture, helping interpret difficult passages and providing some boundaries for interpretation. He notes that "authors allowed multiple interpretations provided they did not transgress the boundaries set by the rule of faith" (p. 78).

The final chapter of the book offers us a look at ways in which such rules might relevant today. A rule of faith can offer a succinct statement of core doctrine, without becoming a test of fellowship. Such statements can help inquirers know what the congregation believes and practices. It can help leaders know what to focus on and pass on to others. It can help Christians distinguish what is the center and was is the periphery. Such statements don't give an explanation, they simply lay out the core beliefs. They help us test the teachings given in our churches, and keep us focused on Christ. A rule of faith helps guide our interpretation of scripture. Ferguson notes that "Scripture is not 'flat'; not all of it is of equal importance (cf. Matt 22:36-40 AND 1 Cor 15:1-9). The rule of faith summarizes the most important facts of the gospel." (p. 88).

As I read through this, there were times when I found myself differing on points of what should be considered essential from Ferguson, but I found his emphasis on the importance of understanding a core set of beliefs compelling. If Christianity is nothing more than what as individuals define it to be, then doesn't it lose cohesion? Does it not lose meaning? As I like to point out to other members of my denomination that seek to free themselves from any particular beliefs, to be part of a community called "Disciples of Christ" suggests at the very least that Jesus fits in somewhere, otherwise the name is meaningless. One of the slogans of my tradition, and that includes Ferguson's branch, is "in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity (love)." The question that continually bedevils us is the definition of an essential. They may be few and they may be simple, but there must be some essentials upon which we unite. Ferguson suggests that the rule of faith could be of help in this work. That makes this book useful for us today. Indeed, it is not simply of historical interest. It is of contemporary relevance. ...more "

Jan 12, 2026 07:58PM · see review

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I am a member of the clergy of a non-creedal faith community. We have a tendency to recoil at anything smacks of a test of fellowship. Freedom is prized. But how much freedom is too much freedom? Is there a place for a rule of faith, a summary of bib ...more
Jan 12, 2026 07:59PM · 3 likes · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Rule of Faith by Everett Ferguson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Rule of Faith by Everett Ferguson <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Robert D. Cornwall is currently reading Reading the Bible on Turtle Island: An Invitation to North American Indigenous Interpretation by H. Daniel Zacharias	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 12, 2026 04:51PM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Reading the Bible on Turtle Island by H. Daniel Zacharias. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Reading the Bible on Turtle Island by H. Daniel Zacharias <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
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When I was but seven years old, my family stopped in Salt Lake City as we made our way to Denver to visit relatives. For some reason, our visit to Temple Square stuck with me through the years. By the time I was in high school, my fascination with Mo ...more
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“While All three Abrahamic religions offer a linear view of reality, in that all three assume that God is to be found not in the past but in the present and the future, all three traditions look back to founding principles that are enshrined in sacred texts. So, without giving up that eschatological vision, it behooves us to examine our roots so we can discover what is present in our spiritual DNA. Then we can proceed faithfully into the future, while we remain anchored in those founding visions present in our sacred texts.”
― Robert D. Cornwall, Called to Bless: Finding Hope by Reclaiming Our Spiritual Roots

tags: eschatology, scripture, spiritual-dna

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“Charity is today a 'political charity.'. . . it means the transformation of a society structured to benefit a few who appropriate to themselves the value of the work of others. This transformation ought to be directed toward a radical change in the foundation of society, that is, the private ownership of the means of production.”
― Gustavo Gutiérrez, A Theology of Liberation

tags: democracy, egalitarian, equality, freedom

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“I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.”
― Galileo Galilei, Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina

tags: bible, christianity, evolution, science

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“Faith and Reason are like two wings of the human spirit by which it soars to the truth.”
― Pope John Paul II, Fides et Ratio: On the Relationship Between Faith and Reason

tags: faith, reason, truth

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tags: eschatology, scripture, spiritual-dna

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