This is an introduction to thinking theologically about the Christian church--what is known as ecclesiology. The book covers background questions of conception, history, differences among separated Christian churches, and several modern approaches to the study of the church. It also introduces readers to a specific scriptural way of thinking about the church centered on mission, that takes into account problems associated with past approaches, and sensitive to contemporary concerns with the reality of Judaism and other national identities in a global context. ""Ephraim Radner has already earned a reputation as one of the most incisive, prophetic theologians of the Anglican Communion. This book solidifies his status as a pastoral teacher as well. With the warmth of a seasoned catechist, he takes dense, challenging theology and demonstrates its necessity, urgency, and beauty. I plan to sing the praises of this book to clergy and laity alike, to my theological colleagues as well as my beginning students."" --Wesley Hill, assistant professor of Biblical Studies, Trinity School for Ministry, Ambridge, Pennsylvania ""Church is vintage Ephraim Radner: generous of spirit, learned, rooted in Scripture and centered on Christ, engaged with ecclesial life as it really is, provocative in its thesis. The reader will find more than a little influence of his teacher George Lindbeck--along with his interests in sociology and an 'Israel-like' ecclesiology, here conjoined with professor Radner's sustained interest in history. He rightly worries, with the aid of both theology and philosophy, about how we in our time can truly think of the church as a 'we.' This remarkable book succeeds both as an introduction for a general audience and a monograph for professionals, and I enthusiastically commend it to both."" --George R. Sumner, Episcopal bishop of Dallas ""In this impressive volume, written with subtlety and conviction, Ephraim Radner demonstrates how one can love the church without ignoring her frailties. Building upon the seminal insights of George Lindbeck, Radner focuses upon the church's identity as an expanded Israel engaged in mission to all the peoples of the earth. In keeping with the biblical figure of Israel, this is also a people which endures the purifying fire of divine judgment. Radner helps us see the church as it is in reality, and to love her in the midst of the fire."" --Mark S. Kinzer, author of Searching Her Own Mystery: Nostra Aetate, the Jewish People, and the Identity of the Church  ""There are books about the church that begin on the day of Pentecost and scarcely mention the Old Testament, ignoring the fact that Peter's sermon that day is saturated with Scriptural argument. I have scanned others recently that have no references for 'mission' in the index (except ""see evangelism""). In this historically informative and theologically stimulating study, Ephraim Radner avoids both deficiencies. He takes with utmost exegetical and theological seriousness the implications of the New Testament identity of the church as Israel in the body of the Messiah Jesus, and then digs deeply into the ecclesial and missional implications of the calling and role of church-as-Israel as a nation among the nations for the sake of the nations. Steering critically clear of the varied sad sunderings of anti-semitism (ancient and modern), dispensationalism, and supersessionism, he challenges us with thought-provoking reflections that are richly biblical, ecumenical, and missional. Foremost among them for me is Radner's perception of the church, like Israel, as God's 'repentant missionary,' standing simultaneously under God's judgment as a sinful people 'like all the nations,' and yet still summoned by God's grace to be the agent and model of God's mission among the nations. With such a biblically-rooted missional ecclesiology, we can avoid the extremes of arrogant triumphalism and paralyzing despair.""  --Christopher J. H. Wright, Lan