The nature and story of the Christian church is immensely important to theology students and scholars alike. Written by an international team of distinguished scholars, this comprehensive book introduces students to the fundamental historical, systematic, moral and ecclesiological aspects of the study of the church, as well as serving as a resource for scholars engaging in ecclesiological debates on a wide variety of issues. It divides into six parts:



the church in its historical context
the different denominational traditions
global perspectives
methods and debates in ecclesiology
key concepts and themes
ecclesiology and other disciplines: social sciences, philosophy, literature and film.

Authoritative, accessible and easily navigable, this book is indispensable for everyone interested in the nature and history of the Christian Church.