I have received very interesting endorsements for Jeremy M. Bergen’s book and thought I could share these with you. ‘Ecclesial Repentance. The Churches Confront Their Sinful Pasts’ is being worked on as I am posting this and this book won’t be published for quite some time, however, following my usual routine with the manuscript I have asked people to read and to endorse it. I’ve been pleasantly surprised when all of them have agreed to write reviews for this work. Right now I am pleased even more as three endorsements have come to my inbox and it is great to see that Jeremy’s book has been received so warmly! This book offers a very topical debate on recent events regarding the Church that we are all, to some extent, familiar with.
So, without further ado, here they are:
‘This is a wonderful example of systematic ecclesiological inquiry that is disciplined both by faithful dialogue with the doctrinal tradition and by critical engagement with what churches and church people are actually doing. In the first part of the book, Bergen present an immensely helpful analytic description and assessment of a wide range of concrete examples of acts of apology and repentance performed in recent years by churches, governments and other groups, together with their varied receptions. Reflecting upon this material in the second part, he constructs a bold yet deeply thoughtful ecclesiological proposal that deserves careful consideration, not least for its ecumenical benefits. Particularly significant is his proposal that the Church’s continuity over time derives not from claims about some ideal or institutional element. Rather, he reworks the creedal ‘communion of saints’ – and sinners! – to argue that it is these practices of repentance and forgiveness, enabled by the Holy Spirit, that enable us both to appropriate our churches’ pasts and be drawn up in Christ into the life of God. It is thus ‘through repentance the Church may be granted a share of its own continuity in God’s triune life’, and thus truly be the Church.’ – Nicholas Healy, St. John's University, NY, USA.
‘In a context in which churches, as well as national governments, are increasingly offering public apologies for past acts of injustice and failure, this book represents an important contribution. Rather than seeing ecclesial repentance as undermining the Church’s reputation, or functioning as a self-serving public relations strategy, Bergen offers a theological account of how they help the Church be faithful to its mission. The discussion is attentive to both concrete historical failures of churches, as well as to the richness of the Christian theological tradition’s treatment of reconciliation. The result is a sensitive reflection on the complexities and perils of public apologies, as well as a thoughtful appreciation for their potential to facilitate the healing of past wounds.’ - Christopher Craig Brittain, University of Aberdeen, UK.
‘Should the church—can the church—repent? How can the living be held responsible for the faults of past generations? If the church is constantly “apologizing” for everything imaginable, does she not risk trivializing herself? In this remarkable book, Jeremy Bergen displays a sure hand in addressing questions like these. It is not political correctness bids the church repent, he argues, but love of neighbor and fidelity to the Crucified. An important and timely study.’ - Joseph Mangina, Wycliffe College, Toronto School of Theology, Canada.
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