Book news - Prof Scott Cowdell

04 Oct 2024 - by Liz Jakimow

Congratulations to CRES adjunct scholar, Professor Scott Cowdell, on the publication of his new book, Why Church? Christianity as it was meant to be. The book provides an argument for the centrality of the Eucharistic church in an increasingly tribal world. Prof Cowdell wrote most of the book while Dean's Scholar at Virginia Theological Seminary in early 2023.

As Western culture has secularized, the church has increasingly become marginalized and is seen as providing support and optional resources, rather than indispensable to the Christian life. In this volume, theologian Scott Cowdell argues for a recovery of the church as the proper context for Christian faith, life, and mission. In Why Church? Cowdell considers how we have arrived at this moment, examining how perceptions of the church have changed in response to increasing individualism and institutional failings. Suggesting that the Eucharistic Church embodies Christ’s desire to draw humankind to him, Cowdell shows how the Christian life depends on Christian community.

Written with adult formation in mind and from a perspective of generous orthodoxy, Why Church? makes a provocative case for the centrality of the church to Christian life. Discussion questions at the conclusion of each chapter offer provocative conversation starters for any adult education group.

Why Church? Christianity as it was meant to be is available from Amazon.