Rienk Bouke Kuiper (1886–1966)

Caveat: I haven't finished it; I got to chapter 13 of 53.

This book seems to be a collection of essays on various aspects of the Church, focused on showing us how it is a wonderful, glorious thing, even though it so often doesn't seem that way. But it is, and it's because it belongs to Christ.

There are a few places where Kuiper quite bluntly gives his opinion on various secondary and tertiary doctrinal issues (eg he is very much for Calvinism). While I agree with him, I find -- and this is probably *wrong* and me inheriting a 21st century "your opinion is as good as mine" sentiment -- I find myself cringing a little for other readers when he describes competing ideas.

Honestly, though, I got a bit bored with this. I might come back to it another time.… (más)

Has many lovely and challenging words. But not sure I agree that Israel was the church in OT and that the church has superseded Israel. Surely Gods promises to Israel are irrevocable.

Quote of the book for me was:

"In many lands today the church finds itself utterly at the mercy of a state whose mercy often proves cruelty, whilst in others the notion is rapidly gaining ground that the church exists and operates at the states permission. Now, if ever is the time for the church to assert its sovereignty over against encroachments by the state. the church is in sacred duty bound to rise up in majesty and proclaim to the world that it enjoys freedom of worship, not by the grace of the state, but as a God-given right and that it preaches the Word of God, not by the grace of human governments, but solely at the command of the sovereign God and its sovereign King, seated at God's right hand."
(The Glorious Body of Christ, RB Kuiper)… (más)