Product Description

One of America's leading theologians defines the basic functions of the Church, assesses its mission on Earth, and explores its many different roles in the lives of believers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22525 in Books
• Published on: 1991-08-01
• Released on: 1991-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

From the Publisher
One of America's leading theologians defines the basic functions of the Church, assesses its mission on Earth, and explores its many different roles in the lives of believers.

From the Inside Flap
One of America's leading theologians defines the basic functions of the Church, assesses its mission on Earth, and explores its many different roles in the lives of believers.

Customer Reviews

Outstanding overview of concepts in ecclesiology
Ecclesiology is the study and theory of what the Christian Church constitutes. Dulles presents several "models" which illustrate various aspects of the what Church is like. In one sense, it's an earthly institution, a formal organization of people with specific roles and responsibilities, lay and clergy. Complicating this picture is the reality that Christianity has fractured over the centuries into a variety of denominations, institutionally separate from each other.

In another sense, the Church is a mystical communion or fellowship of people with shared beliefs. In this model, the institution takes a secondary role, being formed to provide shape and support to this body of people. According to a third model, the Church is a sacrament, an instrument bridging the gap between earthly and divine, a conduit for divine grace to humanity. In a fourth model, the Church is a herald, charged with proclaiming the Christian message to the world, and reinforcing it among believers. In a fifth model, the Church is a servant, responsible for encouraging good works and helping those in need. Dulles says that many more models can be discussed, but he sees these as the most basic ones.

Dulles does not claim to write for the lay (in the sense of non-academic, rather than non-clergy) reader, but this book actually is in clear, concise, non-technical prose that nearly anyone should grasp. While Dulles himself is a Roman Catholic, he gives the perspectives of Protestant and Orthodox Christians a full and fair hearing; this book definitely is not a defense of an "official" Roman Catholic viewpoint. In fact, he points out how Rome's "official" views became increasingly more nuanced, even in the years befor Vatican II.

Avery Dulles, by the way, is the son of former Secretary of State (under Eisenhower) John Foster Dulles, was raised a Presbyterian, became an agnostic by his teens, turned into a religious "seeker" while an undergrad at Harvard, then entered the Roman Catholic Church and later the Jesuit order after graduating. This personal journey clearly lends some perspective to his work. Dulles recently was named a cardinal, in recognition of his work as a theologian. This is a most unusual honor for someone who is neither a bishop nor a key leader in church government.

An honest appraisal of 5 Church models
Just based on the number of sentences I've underlined, "Models of the Church" is one of the most logical and readable books about Catholic ecclesiology that I have every read. Cardinal Avery Dulles lays out the pros and cons for 5 model of the Church -- Church as Institution, Mystical Communion, Sacrament, Herald and Servant. Later he looks at the Church as a Community of Disciples. The models are evaluated on their basis in Scripture, their link to Catholic traditional teaching (including Vatican II) and their resonance with the modern world. Dulles' presentation is thoroughly sane and "unchurchy", describing the pros and cons of each model fairly and honestly. Dulles also examines each model in light of its approach to eschatology, revelation and its ecumenical fitness.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants an honest look at a variety of valid means for imaging the Church. Dulles is the kind of Catholic churchman who is certain enough of his faith that he is willing to judge his Church dispassionately, letting let the chips fall where they may.

Excellent resource on what it means to be Church.
Dulles' book offers keen insights into the various models of Church. It gives the reader permission to have a particular starting point and then assists the reader into broadening one's horizon. Excellent text for course work on the Church. Lay people should be able to comprehend much of the material. Excellent text for discussions on what it means to be church.