The Sociology of the Church: Essays in Reconstruction by James B. Jordan

The Sociology of the Church: Essays in Reconstruction Reviews

• 
  Jake Litwin

  Strong 4+ stars. Highly recommend when studying ecclesiology.
• 
  Michael Jones

  I have probably come back to this book 30 times when I am facing practical issues related to the church.
  
  If you don't mind reading on the computer, is available here:
  
  
  http://www.biblicalhorizons.com/pdf/j...
• 
  Daniel

  Great book, if you can eat the meat and spit out the bones.
• 
  John

  Jordan is an interesting thinker and theologian. He has a unique, very insightful way of reading the Bible. He understands the Bible's symbolism in ways that most teachers miss, or at least don't articulate. I suppose some of his readings are fanciful, and I don't agree with everything. But more often than not, I am edified by his work.
  
  The Sociology of the Church is a great work on ecclesiology--that is, what the church ought to do, and how it ought to be done. He is rigorously biblical, and unafraid of embracing unpopular practices, not to be a contrarian, but out of a desire to be faithful to Scripture.
  
  The book is a series of essays, and he covers a lot of ground in the book. It is a work similar to his book "The Reconstruction of the Church" which is a collection of essays by Jordan and other writers.
  
  In this book, Jordan covers things such as liturgy, worship music, preaching, communion, church architecture, church government, church and state interactions, a pastor's attire, the sacraments, revivalism, conversion, healing, the Sabbath, catholicity, denominationalism, the para-church, and others I'm sure I've missed.
  
  I really enjoyed this and recommend it as a good work on strengthening the church and becoming a more faithful witness to our unbelieving world.
• 
  Peter Jones

  One of the best by Jim Jordan. The essay on how the Church can be viewed from many different angles was great. In his essay on conversion, he showed how conversions of various kinds happen throughout the life of believer. All of these conversions should be given proper consideration in the Christian life, not just our initial conversion. His essays on worship were excellent. Finally, his essay on hospitality as evangelism was superb. He even has a liturgy of malediction. His observations on how the Church should relate to the state are scattered throughout the book and are thought provoking. For example, his argument that clergy should wear collars and robes is in part linked to making the Church visible to the state. Highly recommended advanced reading for those interested in the Church and how she should be reformed.
• 
  Chris Comis

  Another great one by Jordan. This should change your whole view of Mother Kirk and her relationship(s) to the world. Also, the chapter on how to be an effective church splitter should be read by every wannabe schismatic.
• 
  Joel

  I loved the content of this book, it was thought provoking as usual. It suffers from being a bit disjointed, a series of essays that aren't always tied together. Jordan is irenic and critical at the same time.
• 
  Andrew Stout

  Like most stuff of Jordan's, I wish that a good editor had gotten ahold of this. That being said, it is fascinating to see ecclesiological positions that are so thoroughly grounded in a deep reading of Scripture.
• 
  Jerry

  Broadening. Typical Jordan: provocative thinking out loud.
• 
  Douglas Hayes

  Both theological and practical - this is an important and helpful book for both pastors and laymen.
• 
  Ryan

  Fantastic! I have a whole lot to chew on now and I'm sure I will return to a few of Jordan's essays in this book from time to time.
• 
  Trice

  online:
  http://www.biblicalhorizons.com/pdf/j...