Ecclesiology in the Trenches

Sune Fahlgren is Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Stockholm School of Theology. He is the author of Shalom Inshallah: Encountering Jews, Christians, and Muslims.. Jonas Ideström is a researcher at Church of Sweden Research Unit. He is the editor of For the Sake of the World: Swedish Ecclesiology in Dialogue with William T. Cavanaugh.

"This outstanding collection of consistently high-quality essays brings the reader deep into the exciting discussions at the intersection of ecclesiology and its material, and social forms and conditions. The book convincingly displays the fruitfulness of constructive ecclesiology when it attends to these conditions. Those unfamiliar with the essential work in this area in Scandinavia will find it especially enlightening."Nicholas M. Healy, PhD, Professor, Theology and Religious Studies, St. John's University, New York"This volume succeeds in being not just another collection of essays, but a compelling report of ecclesiology 'under construction'. The editors skilfully gather and introduce a variety of approaches to ecclesiology, enabling the reader to see them from a complementary standpoint. Bridging divides, integrating doctrine and empirical research, truly interdisciplinary and sensitive to ethics and worship, this book is an indispensable tool for making an ecclesiology for today, and is a tribute to the clear vision of the editors."Paul S. Fiddes, Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Oxford"There are noteworthy advances examplified by each essay in the volume. .... Ecclesiology done 'in the trenches' broadens beyond the confines of surface-level doctrinal questions."-Clement Yung Wen, Expository Times, Vol. 128, No. 7, April 2017'There is no doubt that the transdisciplinary approach of this book to ecclesiology represents a unique and remarkable contribution to the field..[I] would warmly recommend this book to anyone interested in studying ecclesiology. It is not just the innovative perspective that makes this volume an important accomplishment, but also the gathered variety of methodologies and ecclesiological loci which it presents.'-Petre Maican, Reviews in Religion and Theology, Volume 25, Issue 1, January 2018

• Foreword: The Point of Ecclesiology / Gerard Mannion1 Ecclesiology Under Construction: A Report from a Working-Site / Sven-Erik BroddPart One: Systematic Ecclesiology under Construction2 Ecclesiology as Juxtaposition of Social Theory, Hermeneutics, and Theology: Learnings from a Dissertation on Afrikaner Theology / Hans Engdahl3 Systematic Ecclesiology as Primary Ecclesiology / Michael Hjälm4 To Compare or Not to Compare, That is the Question: Some Thoughts on Comparative Method in Ecclesiology / Tiit Pädam5 Reflections on Understanding Ecclesiology / Harald HegstadPart Two: Empirical Ecclesiology under Construction6 Studying Fundamental Ecclesial Practices / Sune Fahlgren7 The Active and Concrete Church: Operative Ecclesiologies in the Visitation of the Sick in the Middle Ages and Reformation / Stina Fallberg Sundmark8 Implicit Ecclesiology and Local Church Identity: Dealing with Dilemmas of Empirical Ecclesiology / Jonas Ideström9 Reflections on Particularity and Unity / Clare WatkinsPart Three: Embedded Ecclesiology under Construction10 Ecclesiology in Liturgical Texts: In Search of a Method / Karin Oljelund11 Church Floor Plans as Ecclesiological Texts / Gunnar Weman12 (De)gendering Ecclesiology: Reflections on the Church as a Gendered Body / Ninna Edgardh13 Reflections on The Church at Worship and the 'Lieutenant Nun' / Teresa BergerBibliography