THE RENEWAL OF THE CHURCH

Dr. Visser 't Hooft is the well-known General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, to which he has given vigorous leadership for many years. He writes from a long-held and deeply felt conviction that the Ecumenical movement of our day toward the re-union of Christendom is but the latest phase of the renewal of the church which has gone on in every age as it becomes necessary to remove by repentance all that obscures and denies the faith that the Body of the Church belongs to the living Christ, who is the Head. The church in any age is made up of sinners, and therefore needs constantly to pray ""Forgive us our sins"", as St. Augustine reminded the historic church of his own day. The author begins with a consideration of the Old Covenant, and its renewal, goes on to the New Covenant and the New Creation, calls attention to the old and the new in the early church, the renewal of the church in history, especially as exemplified in the Reformation, and concludes with a chapter on the new church in the old world, its survival power and its constant need for newness of life. Quoting the report of the Evanston Assembly of the World Council of Churches, he concludes ""God acts from moment to moment and from generation to generation, re-creating the church ever anew by the spirit who indwells it, renewing its faithfulness, its purity, its self-sacrifice, its courage"". An important book for all who are interested in making the church more relevant to the needs of our day.