(Part 1)

JBTM Book Reviews
142
some gaps. He does not deal with the relationship between Israel and the church in Romans
9–11, for example. The Israel-church question is mentioned in several other chapters, so the
absence here is magnified. Finally, Ray Van Neste surveys the General Epistles. He surveys
each letter, though more selective focus might have been helpful given the scant material in
several of these books. In addition, the parallel doctrinal categories for many of the books
potentially diminishes the diverse voices of these books. Nevertheless, he points in an overall
helpful direction.
Before describing the remainder of the book, a few general comments on the biblical
theology section seem warranted. The biblical-theological methodology varies, which makes
for some inconsistency across the chapters. There is also sometimes a lack of clarity in
distinguishing between the individual and corporate. If the church were simply an aggregate
of saved individuals, then a lack of distinction would be appropriate. But if there is something
unique about our corporate identity and life (that is, if there is really a distinct doctrine of
the church), then it might be helpful to keep the individual and corporate more discrete. In
American contexts, especially, where our individualistic culture pushes in that way already,
the corporate dimensions of the biblical witness are too often muted. My preference would
be to highlight this corporate reality more consistently.
The remaining chapters cover other perspectives, though it is worth noting that the
chapters on biblical theology outweigh these remaining four chapters. James Patterson
provides a nice survey of the doctrine of the church in history. While history is not normative
(nor does he appeal to it in that way), historical issues provide a helpful context for
contemporary discussions.
Steve Wellum’s contribution is primarily an exposition of the Progressive Covenantal
understanding of ecclesiology. For those familiar with Kingdom Through Covenant (coauthored
with Peter Gentry), this chapter offers a reprise of some of that work’s argument.
Wellum argues for this third way, situated between Covenant and Dispensational theologies.
Because the chapter does not emphasize eschatology, the implications of his position are
especially used to defend regenerate church membership in contrast to Covenant Theology.
Although this was the only systematic contribution in the book, the direction of the chapter
meant a number of topics were never addressed from a systematic perspective (e.g., church
government, polity, the ordinances, discipline, and the church’s relationship to culture).
Perhaps another chapter should have been included to develop more fully a systematic
doctrine of the church.
Christopher Morgan focuses on “The Church and God’s Glory.” After preliminary
discussion of God’s glory in general, he ends with an encouraging reminder that the church
has a cosmic and eternal role in bringing glory to God. He encourages the church today to
glorify God by exhibiting unity, holiness, truth, and love. The final chapter by Bruce Riley
Ashford connects the church to the mission of God. This is a chapter from which almost