The Reality of the Church

Here is an attempt to define the reality of the church, to answer the question: Wherein does the church have its being? One of the central themes in this analysis is the relation of the church to Christ and the Holy Spirit. And this motif is set in the context of the wide variety of ways in which the New Testament describes the church, with Dr. Welch taking account of several oft-ignored elements. He seeks to view the church in the wholeness of its being, as an historical community of human beings existing in response to the creative and redemptive work of God. Fundamental features of such related problems as the Incarnation, the sacraments, the ministry, and church discipline are touched upon as well in this highly competent scholarly work.