This Handbook Is A Comprehensive Resource For The Scholarly Study Of The Self-understanding Of The Church Through The Centuries--its Theological Identity. Nearly Thirty Expert Contributions Describe The Continuities And Discontinuities In The Changing Understanding Of The Church. The Scope Of Ecclesiology Is Defined By The Manifold Self-understanding And Action Of The Church In Relation To A Number Of Research Fields, Including Its Historical Origins, Structures Of Authority, Doctrine, Ministry And Sacraments, Unity And Diversity, And Mission, As Well As Its Relation To The State, To Civil Society, And To Culture. The Book Covers The Main Sources Of Such Ecclesiological Research And Reflection, Namely The Bible, Church History From The Apostolic Age To The Present, The Wealth Of The Christian Theological Traditions, The Experience And Practice Of The Churches Today, Together With The Information And Insights That Emerge From Other Relevant Academic Disciplines. Ecclesiology Has Also Been The Main Focus Of The Intense Ecumenical Engagement, Study, And Dialogue Of The Past Century And Is The Area Where The Most Intractable Differences Remain To Be Resolved. In Particular, Generous Space Is Allocated To The New Testament Sources Of Ecclesiology And To Some Of The Most Influential Shapers Of Modern Ecclesiology.-- Preface / Paul Avis -- Introduction To Ecclesiology / Paul Avis -- The Ecclesiology Of Israel's Scriptures / R.w.l. Moberly -- The Church In The Synoptic Gospels And The Acts Of The Apostles / Loveday C.a. Alexander -- The Johannine Vision Of The Church / Andrew T. Lincoln -- The Shape Of The Pauline Churches / Edward Adams -- The Church In The General Epistles / Gerald O'collins, Sj -- Early Ecclesiology In The West / Mark Edwards -- The Eastern Orthodox Tradition / Andrew Louth -- Medieval Ecclesiology And The Conciliar Movement / Norman Tanner, Sj -- The Church In The Magisterial Reformers / Dorothea Wendebourg -- Anglican Ecclesiology / Paul Avis -- Roman Catholic Ecclesiology From The Council Of Trent To Vatican Ii And Beyond / Ormond Rush -- Baptist Concepts Of The Church And Their Antecedents / Paul S. Fiddes -- Methodism And The Church / David M. Chapman -- Pentecostal Ecclesiologies / Amos Yong -- Karl Barth / Kimlyn J. Bender -- Yves Congar / Gabriel Flynn -- Henri De Lubac / Gabriel Flynn -- Karl Rahner / Richard Lennan -- Joseph Ratzinger / Theodor Dieter -- John Zizioulas / Paul Mcpartlan -- Wolfhart Pannenberg / Friedericke Nüssel -- Rowan Williams / Mike Higton -- Feminist Critiques, Visions, And Models Of The Church / Elaine Graham -- Social Science And Ideological Critiques Of Ecclesiology / Neil Ormerod -- Liberation Ecclesiologies With Special Reference To Latin America / Michelle A. Gonzalez -- Asian Ecclesiologies / Simon Chan -- African Ecclesiologies / Stan Chu Ilo. Edited By Paul Avis. Print Publication Date: Jun 2018. Published Online: Jul 2018. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes.