The Transformative Church: New Ecclesial Models and the Theology of Jürgen Moltmann
Throughout the course of his theological career, Jürgen Moltmann has been interested in the ecclesial and societal consequences of systematic theology. From his first major work, Theology of Hope, to his book Experiences in Theology, he has devoted substantive space to what each particular doctrine means for our life in this world, as individuals and as a community. The Transformative Church explores these concerns more deeply, looking at each of his major texts and highlighting themes relevant for a transformative ecclesiology. These themes are augmented by adding the perspectives of a contemporary church movement that reflects, in its practices, many of the same concerns. With these conversation partners, Patrick Oden constructs a more substantive transformative ecclesiology, one that is embedded in this world: we are to become in the church who we are to be in this world, becoming whole in Christ to be a messianic people in any context.
- Publisher Fortress Press
- Format Paperback
- ISBN 9781451474701
- eBook ISBN 9781451479928
- Dimensions 6 x 9
- Pages 274
- Emerging Scholars category Theology
- Publication Date February 1, 2015
Endorsements
"Patrick Oden’s way of weaving Moltmann's creative theological program into the tapestry of some of the most recent ecclesiological developments is transformative! It points into a new way of doing constructive theology. What a theological feast this book is."
—Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen
Fuller Theological Seminary and University of Helsinki
"Transformation takes not only a new way of thinking but a new way of living. For that reason, a transformative congregation needs not only the right theological vision but also the right practices to be conformed to the kingdom of God. Patrick Oden beautifully and thoughtfully brings together theology and practice in ways that should be read by every church leader. The church can't just think like a people of hope but must also learn to live as a community of hope in the world. The Transformative Church is a great place to start."
—T. Scott Daniels
Azusa Pacific University
Pastor, First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena
“Not unlike my journey and many other Evangelical theologians sojourning in a post-Christian world, Oden’s yearning to find and feast on the ‘words of life’ eventually became a quest to abide in Christ’s vision and mission for the church. My pursuit led me to focus on Dallas Willard. Oden’s path led him to Jürgen Moltmann. Both seek to understand, reimagine, and articulate the means and ends of Jesus’ gospel in and through holistic covenantal communities. Patrick has given us a wonderful gift. He helps us to develop eyes to see more clearly and ears to hear more distinctly how our lives, and our churches, can better manifest the transformative power of God’s love, hope, freedom, and grace in our world, without falling prey to the systems of our world.”
—Gary Black Jr.
Azusa Pacific University
“This is the book that we have needed. The explosion of emergent and missional churches is a global phenomenon, and it is exhilarating to watch. But too often these efforts lack serious theological and biblical foundation. This is just what Oden provides. In a dialogue with the thought of Jürgen Moltmann and many of the emergent leaders, he offers a Trinitarian framework for understanding these emerging forms as transformative sites where God’s kingdom purposes are exhibited and extended. Highly recommended.”
—William A. Dyrness
Fuller Theological Seminary
“Emergence comes of age! Here Moltmann’s theological depth (‘Who are we to be?’) meets the fresh expressions of faith in emerging Christian communities across America (‘How are we to become?’). Missional, emergent, and neo-monastic movements are the cutting edge of ecclesial innovation. It’s high time to see what they can learn from theology . . . and what they have to teach it.”
—Philip Clayton
Claremont School of Theology
—Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen
Fuller Theological Seminary and University of Helsinki
"Transformation takes not only a new way of thinking but a new way of living. For that reason, a transformative congregation needs not only the right theological vision but also the right practices to be conformed to the kingdom of God. Patrick Oden beautifully and thoughtfully brings together theology and practice in ways that should be read by every church leader. The church can't just think like a people of hope but must also learn to live as a community of hope in the world. The Transformative Church is a great place to start."
—T. Scott Daniels
Azusa Pacific University
Pastor, First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena
“Not unlike my journey and many other Evangelical theologians sojourning in a post-Christian world, Oden’s yearning to find and feast on the ‘words of life’ eventually became a quest to abide in Christ’s vision and mission for the church. My pursuit led me to focus on Dallas Willard. Oden’s path led him to Jürgen Moltmann. Both seek to understand, reimagine, and articulate the means and ends of Jesus’ gospel in and through holistic covenantal communities. Patrick has given us a wonderful gift. He helps us to develop eyes to see more clearly and ears to hear more distinctly how our lives, and our churches, can better manifest the transformative power of God’s love, hope, freedom, and grace in our world, without falling prey to the systems of our world.”
—Gary Black Jr.
Azusa Pacific University
“This is the book that we have needed. The explosion of emergent and missional churches is a global phenomenon, and it is exhilarating to watch. But too often these efforts lack serious theological and biblical foundation. This is just what Oden provides. In a dialogue with the thought of Jürgen Moltmann and many of the emergent leaders, he offers a Trinitarian framework for understanding these emerging forms as transformative sites where God’s kingdom purposes are exhibited and extended. Highly recommended.”
—William A. Dyrness
Fuller Theological Seminary
“Emergence comes of age! Here Moltmann’s theological depth (‘Who are we to be?’) meets the fresh expressions of faith in emerging Christian communities across America (‘How are we to become?’). Missional, emergent, and neo-monastic movements are the cutting edge of ecclesial innovation. It’s high time to see what they can learn from theology . . . and what they have to teach it.”
—Philip Clayton
Claremont School of Theology