The Glorious Body of Christ: A Scriptural Appreciation of the One Holy Church
ISBN: 9781800404830'Glorious' is probably the last adjective most modern writers would use to describe the Christian Church. Yet R. B. Kuiper chose his title, The Glorious Body of Christ, advisedly, for he wished to emphasize what he believed to be a sadly neglected aspect of the subject, that the Church of Christ is glorious.
Dr. Kuiper, who died in 1966, was for many decades a teacher of theology, and his great concern was for the popular presentation of Christian doctrine. His own books went far to meet that need, including his God-Centred Evangelism and For Whom Did Christ Die? on the extent of the atonement.
In addition to his vigorous and clear style, Kuiper is also noted for the comprehensive way in which he treats his subject. The Glorious Body contains no less than fifty-three chapters, and among the aspects of the subject dealt with are unity, the marks of the Church, the offices of the Church, its responsibilities and privileges, and the Church and the world.
Although this book is worthy of the widest possible circulation, it may be particularly commended as a manual for office-bearers in the Church.
Author:
Rienk Bouke Kuiper was born in January 1886 in Garrelsweer in the Netherlands. His family moved to Grand Haven, Michigan in 1891 when his father accepted a call to be minister of the Christian Reformed congregation there. He was educated at the University of Chicago (A.B., 1907), Indiana University (A.M., 1908), Calvin Theological Seminary (diploma, 1911), and Princeton Theological Seminary (Th.B., 1912).
Kuiper became one of the founding faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia (1929-30), as Professor of Systematic Theology. The Synod of the Christian Reformed Church then persuaded him to accept the presidency of Calvin College in 1930, in which capacity he served until being called back to Westminster in 1933 as Professor of Practical Theology.
Retiring from Westminster in 1952, he returned to Grand Rapids and then accepted the presidency of Calvin Theological Seminary for four years. He passed away in April 1966, at the age of 80.
Endorsements:
'Kuiper, in 53 very short, very readable chapters gives you a Biblical overview of the fact that the church is not a stuffy institution - it's the glorious, living, radiant body of Christ. Here's a book to remind you that you're actually in a good place. It is not what it ought to be, yet, but this is what it is heading towards.'
--MARK JOHNSTON
'He taught men to preach only Scripture and Scripture in its entirety. The labour of his life exalted the Bible as the infallible word of God. His lectures were filled with Scripture and his sermons opened the word with reverence and simplicity. In this single-minded task he found no restraints, no confinement. Rather he found in Scripture the inexhaustible fountain of the whole counsel of God centering in Jesus Christ as Lord.'
--EDMUND P. CLOWNEY, one of Kuiper's students, at his former teacher's funeral
Additional Information:
| Cover: | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages: | 397 |
| Publisher: | Banner of Truth Trust |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |