Church, Community and Power

By Roy Kearsley

Book Overview

In the era of 'post-Christendom', how can church as a sociological reality be switched on to the destructive dangers, yet constructive possibilities, of 'power' flowing in and around its community? Attuned to the current distrust of church power, this book creatively works out responses that could turn painful censure into a re-visioning of church power relations, helped by neglected critical studies. The approach exposes a complexity to power, and filters that insight into a theology of church. Much attention is paid in the book to the relevance to a religious community of post-modern philosopher Michel Foucault and of recent feminism. The topic of power has universal importance in the study of religion, though the response to analysis and critique in this book is drawn specifically from Christian sources. Kearsley concludes with an exploration for a future renovated, self-critical, authentic and growing community, sensitive to power while remaining in line with classic Christianity.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0754663450
• ISBN13: 9780754663454
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 1.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.2"