What is the church? Why are there so many different expressions of church throughout time and space, and what ties them all together?Ecclesiologythe doctrine of the churchhas risen to the center of theological interest in recent decades. In this text, theologian Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen provides a wide-ranging survey of the rich field of ecclesiology in the midst of rapid developments and new horizons. Drawing on Kärkkäinen's international experience and comprehensive research on the church, this revised and expanded edition is thoroughly updated to incorporate recent literature and trends. This unique primer not only orients readers to biblical, historical, and contemporary ecclesiologies but also highlights contextual and global perspectives and includes an entirely new section on interfaith comparative theology. An Introduction to Ecclesiology surveys- major theological traditions, including Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Reformed, and Pentecostal- ecclesiological insights from Latin American, Africa, and Asia- distinct perspectives from women, African Americans, and recent trends in the United States- key elements of the church such as mission, governance, worship, and sacraments- interreligious comparison with Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, and Buddhist communitiesAs the church today encounters challenges and opportunities related to rapid growth in the Majority World, new congregational forms, ecumenical movements, interfaith relations, and more, Christians need a robust ecclesiology that makes room for both unity and diversity. In An Introduction to Ecclesiology students, pastors, and laypeople will find an essential resource for understanding how the church can live out its calling as Christ's community on earth.

Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen (Dr.Theol.Habil., University of Helsinki) is professor of systematic theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, and docent of ecumenics at the University of Helsinki. He is ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and is also an expert on Pentecostal/charismatic movements. He has served as visiting professor in various schools around the world and has participated in numerous international theological, missiological, and interfaith consultations. His many books include The Trinity: Global Perspectives, An Introduction to the Theology of Religions, and the five-volume series A Constructive Christian Theology for the Pluralistic World.

Preface
Abbreviations
Introduction: Key Issues of Ecclesiology
Part One: Ecclesiological Traditions and Key Theologians
Orientation to Part One: Biblical, Historical, and Theological Roots of the Christian Community
1. The Church as an Icon of the Trinity: Eastern Orthodox Ecclesiology
2. The Church as the People of God: Roman Catholic Ecclesiology
3. The Church Around the Word and Sacraments I: Protestant Reformation EcclesiologiesLutheran Tradition
4. The Church Around the Word and Sacraments II: Protestant Reformation EcclesiologiesReformed Tradition
5. The Church as the Fellowship of Believers: Free Church Ecclesiologies
6. The Church in the Power of the Spirit: Pentecostal/Charismatic Ecclesiologies
7. Concluding Reflections on Ecclesiastical Traditions
Part Two: Contextual and Global Ecclesiologies
Orientation to Part Two: The Church Goes Global
8. The Power of Liberation and Base Communities in Latin America
9. The Ecclesiological Context and Conditions in Africa
10. Christian Communities on Asian Soil
11. The Church in Women's Imagination and Critique
12. The Mosaic of the American Church: An Ecclesiological Laboratory
Part Three: The Life and Mission of the Church
Orientation to Part Three: The Ministry of the Missional Church
13. The Church as Mission and the Tasks of the Missionary Church
14. The Ministry, Ministers, and Governance of the Church
15. The Worship and Liturgy of the Church
16. The Sacraments and Ordinances of the Church
17. The Unity of the Church and the Promise of the Ecumenical Movement
Part Four: The Christian Church Among Religious Communities
Orientation to Part Four: The Challenge of Religious Diversity
18. The Jewish Synagogue and the Church
19. The IslamicUmmah and the Church
20. Hindu Spiritual Life and Community
21. The BuddhistSangha and Spiritual Pursuit
Epilogue: Whither Ecclesiology in the Third Millennium?
Author Index
Subject Index