Apostolicity Then and Now - by John J Burkhard (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Apostolicity Then and Now explores apostolicity from its origin to today. Apostolicity is a fundamental mark of the church, referring to Jesus' faith given to, carried on, and taught?unaltered?by a continuous line of apostles. This book primarily focuses on how apostolicity pertains to the church as a whole and views apostolic succession in light of how apostolicity is applicable to the church. Scriptural, historical, theological, and ecumenical contexts provide a thorough study that includes worldviews and their impact on apostolicity.

Chapters are "Who Were the Apostles?" ?Why the Early Churches Understood Themselves as Apostolic, ? ?Apostolicity in History, ? ?Apostolicity and the Theologians, ? ?Apostolicity and the Classical and Modern Worldviews, ? ?Apostolicity in a Postmodern World, ? ?Apostolicity in Ecumenical Dialogue, ? and ?Apostolicity in an Ecumenical Church.?

Review Quotes

. . . a very able guide to the contemporary scholarly discussion of the concept of apostolicityTheology Today

. . . provides excellent understandings of: apostle, apostolicity itself, including apostolicity of the church's origin, doctrine, life, history, and apostolicity as understood by contemporary theologians. Of special value is his review of the treatment of apostolicity in some recent ecumenical dialogues and the value of the developed understanding on many church-dividing issues, including that of ministry.Emmanuel

In his excellent study, Apostolicity Then and Now, John Burkhard recounts the origins of the notion of apostolicity, how the concept evolved in history, what contemporary theologians and ecumenical experts have made of it, and what apostolicity means in our postmodern world.Commonweal

Professor Burkhard's study of Apostolicity is a pioneering work that embraces the past, is relevant for the present, and reaches out into the future. His primary source is our common Christian Tradition, his working horizon, however, embraces the vast field of our contemporary intellectual movements. He is eminently erudite, he is balanced in his judgments, he is pastorally concerned?a rare combination of qualities. He fills a gap in theological investigations: I know of no recent study on Apostolicity that would equal his work in depth and breadth.Ladislas Orsy, S.J., Professor of Canon Law at Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C.

. . . a welcome addition to an upper level seminar focusing on the intricacies of ecclesiology. Moreover, it should be mandatory reading for seminarians in all Christian denominations, and for those members of the laity who envision a life of ministerial service.Horizons

[T]his book sheds important light on apostolic succession in Lutheranism, on the question of the recognition of ministry, and on the notion of the church as fundamental sacrament. I strongly recommend it for those who want their theological muscles to have a bracing workout.Scottish Journal of Theology

A very informative study of the church's apostolicity.Worship