Disciples and Theology: Understanding the Faith of a People in Covenant

By Stephen V. Sprinkle

Book Overview

Despite consciously avoiding formal creeds, throughout the history of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), adherents have formulated their thought in distinctive theological ways. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a denomination that has recognized the need for clearer self-identification and a deeper understanding of its theological convictions. Despite traditionally characterizing themselves as indifferent to theology and avoiding the use of theological terms, Disciples of Christ have always been theological in nature. The challenge lies in articulating their distinctive theological thought and acknowledging its practical implications. A more recent period of fruitful theological thought since 1977 has paved the way for the development of a written theology that takes responsibility for covenant theology within the Disciples of Christ tradition.

The final chapter offers a constructive proposal for ongoing theological reflection that identifies current trends and focuses on the theme of a people in covenant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0827206240
• ISBN13: 9780827206243
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Chalice Press
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A development of history

This book was read because of the enjoyment of reading "Disciples and the Bible" by Boring. Boring's books was a insightful commentary of the hermetical develop within the restoration stream of theology. "Disciples and Theology" was written with the idea of tracing the development of theology within the Stone-Campbell movement. I did not read the entire book, but just the first three chapters. After the first three chapters the book rows down the "Disciples of Christ" movement and leaves the churches of Christ thought completely. The first few chapters were interesting because of the Campbell thought and the developments of the first and second generation disciples. The book was interesting but not completely thought provoking. Most of the material was already known.

A developing theology...

As the text itself states, to put together the denomination of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the subject of theology is somewhat contradictory and out-of-place. Disciples have traditionally avoided the subject of theology in systematic forms as it comes too close to the idea of doctrines, dogmas and creeds that must be adhered to, quite antithetical to the 'no creed but Christ' idea of Disciples formation, and problematic to the overall ideal of Christian unity. However, as the Disciples have matured over time into a denomination with a strong identity, the ministers, educators and laypersons in the church have found need of explaining and clarifying their own beliefs. Author Stephen Sprinkle identifies four primary periods in the development of a general Disciples theological framework -- the Campbellite/foundation period, from 1804 - 1866; the Milliganite synthesis, from 1867-1899; the Liberal synthesis, from 1900 - 1957; and finally, the current period, from 1958 to the present, which Sprinkle describes as the Ecumenical synthesis. From the very beginning, the term 'theology' was avoided by the founders, but the actual practice and development of theological thought was not. This was because 'theology' at the time represented grand systems of doctrines and creeds, often attached to the very denominations the early Disciples meant to distinguish themselves from in their identity. Still, the early Disciples, as with every succeeding generation, have had ideas of Christology, ecclesiology, eschatology, soteriology and the other classic divisions within systematic theology. That these ideas tends to be less rigourous than other contemporary systems does not negate their value; indeed, Disciples would argue exactly the opposite, in the quest for congregational freedom and greater Christian unity. Historians and theologians will find Sprinkle's early chapters of interest, but general readers and ministers will probably want to concentrate on the final chapters, which look at the Ecumenical synthesis and the future of theological development in the Disciples context. The Disciples practically embody the ecumenical ideal in the twentieth century -- this has in turn been of great importance in developing Disciples ideas. Sprinkle looks at key persons (Garrison, Robinson, Blakemore, and Osborn), as well as the current situation that involves persons such as Clark Williamson and Larry Bouchard, writing in ways to strengthen the ideas of covenant and community. Sprinkle also highlights the newest expressions of theology, including those that take race, gender, and social context into consideration as foundation or interpretation issues. Sprinkle's book is a good introductory survey, accessible to laypersons, seminary and college students, as well as useful for ministers and scholars as a guide. The bibliography is useful - I might have included a few more texts that were not included, but as a beginning bibliography, it pr

Important Theological History for Disciples of Christ

Steve Sprinkle, educated at Atlantic Christian, Yale, and Duke, on the faculty at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, has authored a wonderful book about the theology of the Disciples of Christ. I read it for a doctoral level independent study on "Disciples' Ethos" at Lexington Theological Seminary and found it to be a great narration of Disciples' theology from a historical perspective. Don't be put off by the fact that I read it for school. It is well written and quite easy to read. I would recommend it for any Disciple or anyone who wants to travel through Disciples' history to gain a better understanding of this denomination and its way of thinking theologically