Paul's Idea of Community

Robert J. Banks (PhD, University of Cambridge) is honorary professor at Alphacrucis College in Sydney, Australia, and adjunct professor at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Charles Sturt University, Canberra, Australia.

• ContentsPreface to the Third EditionPreface to the Second EditionPreface to the First EditionIntroduction1. The Sociocultural and Religious Settings2. The Gospel of Other-DirectedFreedom3. Church in Family Business Residences4. Church as Present Heavenly Reality5. The Community as a Loving Household6. The Community as an Organic Harmony7. Mutual Learning and Testing of Faith8. Common Meals and Signs of Fellowship9. The Sharing of Gifts and Ministry10. The Interplay of Grace and Order11. Unity and Diversity among the Members12. The Contribution of Women in Church13. Abolishing Religious Distinctions between Members14. Defining Leadership by Function, Not Position15. The Role of Visiting Missioners16. The Link between Mission and Church17. The Nature of Paul's Authority18. The Exercise of Paul's InfluenceConclusionAppendix 1: The Drift of the PastoralsAppendix 2: Going to Church in the First CenturyGlossaryIndexes