THE LOCAL CHURCH IN TRANSITION

This book would serve as a useful introduction, or further stimulant, for any readers concerned either with the present situation in the church or the task of Christian education, particularly in respect to the relation of theology to the practice of education. After a brief summary of the literature pointing to the need of a new image of the ministry, the author deals with the rise of Christian education, the relation to the Social Gospel and Liberal Theology of the late 19th century, and the situation in recent years. The basic problem is seen as the theological confusion and error traceable to the wide use of unexamined symbols. The new image of the ministry is that of the theologian-educator, with seminary faculties working closely with pastors to make the Gospel teaching important for our times.