The Church

What is the church? What does it mean to be the body of Christ? What is the role of the church in the world? What if the church messes up? What is the difference between clergy and laypeople? Brent Peterson discusses these topics and more in this volume of The Wesleyan Theology Series on The Church. In a three-part framework, learn about Jesus’s creation of and vision for the church, our role as Christ’s body in the world, and the political mission of the church in partnership with God. The church is a body that needs a diversity of parts working by the power of the Holy Spirit in order to function the way God intends. Christians are used to hearing theological language in the church but may not feel they have adequate resources to enhance their understanding of what certain terms or concepts mean. The Wesleyan Theology Series aims to discuss Christian doctrines in accessible language that states clearly what we believe and why. Each volume is written by an author with a particular expertise who also has the ability to simplify and clarify complex ideas. The Wesleyan Theology Series is written specifically for the theologically curious layperson, student, or pastor. Topics include: the Trinity, creation, eschatology, the church, the sacraments, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Scripture, sin, grace, salvation, sanctification, Christian ethics, and atonement.

Brent D. Peterson, PhD, is dean of the College of Theology and Christian Ministries and professor of theology at Northwest Nazarene University. He also serves as the pastor of liturgical formation at College Church in Nampa, Idaho. He is the author of Created to Worship, available from The Foundry Publishing, and he co-authored Postmodern and Wesleyan? and more recently The Back Side of the Cross. Brent is married to Anne, and together they have three kids, Noah, Alexis, and Sydney.