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Many books--many fine books--have been published on the fruits of
the Spirit. But none are quite like Life on the Vine. Philip
Kenneson combines in this book rich, theologically grounded
reflection on Christian life and practice with stunning analysis of
contemporary culture. After a probing introductory chapter on the
necessity and complexity of cultural analysis, Kenneson takes up
each of the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. He
explores what each fruit means in its biblical context, then
investigates how key traits of late modern Western culture inhibit
the development and ripening of each fruit. Life on the Vine is
that rare book that will reward the reader on many levels. It may
be read as a biblical and theological study, as an inspirational
work on spirituality, as incisive cultural criticism and as a
practical guide to Christian discipleship.
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Selling Out the Church (Hardcover)
Philip D. Kenneson, James L Street; Foreword by Stanley Hauerwas
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R1,094
R870
Discovery Miles 8 700
Save R224 (20%)
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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Selling Out the Church (Paperback)
Philip D. Kenneson, James L Street; Foreword by Stanley Hauerwas
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R637
R519
Discovery Miles 5 190
Save R118 (19%)
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Description: Marketing the church is hot. For many church leaders,
marketing might even be the first article of their creed, which
goes something like this: ""We believe that our church determines
its identity and mission through the tactics of marketing
strategies."" Theologians Kenneson and Street offer a thoughtful
and provocative protest, with a foreword from Stanley Hauerwas. The
authors ""expose the theological presuppositions that inform the
marketing project. . . and help us to see that the marketer's
presumption that form can be separated from content of the gospel
betrays an understanding of the gospel that cannot help betraying
the gift that is Christ."" The authors propose an alternative,
constructive account of the church's mission and purpose that is
""not based on exchange of value but on reminding us that the
gospel is always a gift - a gift that makes impossible any
presumptions that there can be an exchange between human beings and
God that is rooted in the satisfaction of our untrained needs.""
The cross and resurrection challenge the world's understanding of
what our needs should be. Endorsements: ""A well-written and
thought-provoking work that provides a much needed corrective for
those of us involved in church planting and church growth."" Paul
S. Williams, President, ""'Go Ye'"" Chapel Mission, Inc., East
Islip, NY ""Kenneson and Street open our eyes to subtle dangers,
ambiguous terms, and hidden hazards that we might not have
recognized in marketing approaches to the gospel. I am very
grateful for their keen insight and biblical wisdom "" Marva J.
Dawn, Freelance Theologian for Christians Equipped for Ministry and
author of 'Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down' ""As Luther posted
his theses on the cathedral door, so have Kenneson and Street
posted their own point-by-point protest on the door of the
market-driven church. And they leave little room for doubt--the
issue is still the selling of indulgences. Take it from a pastor
who has carefully learned at the feet of some of the best and
brightest church marketers, this is the theological counterbalance
for which we have long waited."" James E. Baucom, Jr., Pastor,
Rivermont Avenue Baptist, Lynchburg, VA and Moderator of the
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia About the
Contributor(s): Philip Kenneson is Associate Professor of Theology
and Philosophy at Milligan College. He is the author of 'Life on
the Vine' and has contributed to 'Christian Apologetics in the
Postmodern World' and 'The Nature of Confession' (both IVP). James
L. Street is Pastor of North River Community Church, Lawrenceville,
Georgia.
The church in our post-Christendom era needs different models for
conceptualizing its own identity and its relationship to the rest
of society. Philip Kenneson sets forth a model that suggests that
the church's role in contemporary society is to serve as a
"contrast-society." In this model, the church is animated by a
different spirit than that which animates "the world." Moreover,
the "contrast-society" model has tremendous missional promise in
that its embodied life in the world is its witness to the world.
Kenneson acknowledges that this model is sometimes rejected by both
Christians and non-Christians because it appears to be too
"sectarian." He therefore asks, What are we claiming about a
particular group when we call it sectarian? He argues that critics
who regard a "contrast-society" church as sectarian often operate
with untenable understandings of rationality, culture, politics,
religion, and critique. In a concluding chapter, Kenneson offers
reflections on how moving "beyond sectarianism" allows us to see
afresh some of the missional promise of the
church-as-contrast-society model. Philip D. Kenneson is Assistant
Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Milligan College and author
of Selling Out the Church: The Dangers of Church Marketing.
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