The Bible's Authority in Today's Church

Jacket Description/Back: How important is the Bible in today's church? This book provides the clear answer that the Bible is fundamental to the church's vitality and continuance. Ignoring the Bible or limiting its importance in the church is "the precursor to spiritual death and communal dissolution". Here, then, is a lively study, debate, and conversationparticularly within the Episcopal Church in the United Statesconcerning the authority and function of the Bible in today's church. A helpful leader's guide has been added to assist those who would use the book in adult study groups. Biographical Note: Frederick Houk Borsch is Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. He formerly taught at Princeton University where he was Dean of the Chapel and at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific where he was also Dean and President. Review Quotes: ."..this collection stands as concrete testimony to a church community s appreciation of its history, as a genuine celebration of its diversity, and as valuation of the dialogue process as a tool for conversion and faith formation." Pro Ecclesia--Sanford Lakoff "Pro Ecclesia "Marc Notes: Papers on the authority of scripture presented to the Episcopal House of Bishops.; Includes bibliographical references. Publisher Marketing: This book represents a continuation of study, debate, and conversation, particularly within the Episcopal Church in the U. S., concerning the authority and function of the Bible in the church. The content of the debate and conversation, however, will be of interest and benefit also to members of other church bodies. A helpful study guide appears at the beginning of the book to assist individuals and group to work through the various contributions and to draw their own conclusions regarding the Bible's role in today's church. The literal and plain sense of the scriptures, the matter in which the Bible is to be regarded as incarnate in history and human limitations, and the degree to which it is subject to historical conditions-these and a host of other critical issues provide the focus of the book. Special attention is directed to the issue of the growing biblical illiteracy in society, leading one of the contributors to warn that "biblical illiteracy is the precursor to spiritual death and communal dissolution." The main chapters include" "The 'Official position' of the Episcopal Church on the Authority of Scripture: Historical Development and Ecumenical Comparison" (J. Robert Wright); "Holy Book, Holy People: A Study of the Authority and Use of the Bible" (Charles P. Price); "'For Freedom Christ Has Set You Free': The Interpretation and Authority of Scripture in Contemporary Theologies of Liberation" (Ellen K. Wondra); "Reading the Bible as the Word of God" (Stephen F. Noll); "The Scriptures in the Life of the Church" (Richard A. Norris, Jr.). The editor, Frederick Houk Borsch, is Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.