Paul's idea of community : the early house churches in their cultural setting, revised edition

Robert Banks's widely read Paul's Idea of Community: The Early House Churches in Their Cultural Setting is once again available to laypeople, pastors, and scholars alike. In this extensively revised edition Banks has rewritten chapters for clarity, taken into account recent scholarship on Paul's writings, updated and expanded the bibliography, and added an index. This new edition retains, however, all the freshness and vitality of the original. Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Abbreviations Preface to the Original Edition A Note on the Second Edition Introduction 1. The Social and Religious Setting 2. The Arrival of Radical Freedom 3. Church as Household Gathering 4. Church as Heavenly Reality 5. The Community as a Loving Family 6. The Community as a Functional Body 7. Intellectual Elements in Growth 8. Physical Expressions of Fellowship 9. Gifts and Ministry 10. Charisma and Order 11. Unity in Diversity among the Members 12. The Contribution of Women in Church 13. Participation and Its Responsibilities 14. Service and Its Recognition 15. Paul and His Co-Workers 16. The Mission and the Churches 17. The Nature of Paul’s Authority 18. The Exercise of Paul’s Authority Conclusion Appendix: The Drift of the Pastorals Bibliography Glossary Index of Ancient Sources Notes Back Cover Evaluating Current Approaches to Leadership

This book offers a comprehensive evaluation of current approaches to leadership from a discerning Christian perspective. Combining expertise in leadership, theology, and ministry, the authors take a historical look at leadership and how it is viewed and used in today's context. The book is informed by both biblical and leadership studies scholarship and interacts with a number of popular marketplace writings on leadership. It also evaluates exemplary role models of Christian leadership. The second edition has been updated and revised throughout. This highly readable investigation of the early church explores the revolutionary nature, dynamics, and effects of the earliest Christian communities. It introduces readers to the cultural setting of the house churches of biblical times, examines the apostle Paul's vision of life in the Christian church, and explores how the New Testament model of community applies to Christian practice today. Updated and revised throughout, this 40th-anniversary edition incorporates recent research, updates the bibliography, and adds a new fictional narrative that depicts the life and times of the early church. -- Evaluating Current Approaches to Leadership This book offers a comprehensive evaluation of current approaches to leadership from a discerning Christian perspective. Combining expertise in leadership, theology, and ministry, the authors take a historical look at leadership and how it is viewed and used in today's context. The book is informed by both biblical and leadership studies scholarship and interacts with a number of popular marketplace writings on leadership. It also evaluates exemplary role models of Christian leadership. The second edition has been updated and revised throughout Leadership: an emerging academic discipline Biblical, historical, and denominational perspectives on leadership Spiritual and religious dimensions of leadership: the ethical foundation Faith-based approaches to leadership Practicing leadership through faithfulness, integrity, and service Leader development: leaving a legacy Governance: practicing faith-based leadership Christian leadership in action: some exemplary case studies The future of leadership. "The book draws fully upon the wealth of recent scholarly analysis of the New Testament churches, but in such a skilled way that the picture is not buried in learning but brought to life for present-day readers."--Edwin A. Judge, Macquarie University Provides a comprehensive evaluation of current approaches to leadership from a discerning Christian perspective. Now updated and revised throughout.