Turning Around the Mainline How Renewal Movements Are Changing the Church

Where is mainline Protestantism headed?Today's mainline Protestant denominations seem as theologically liberal as ever. But the real story of change in the mainline today is how confessing and renewal movements are crossing denominational lines to infuse new life into these traditions.Turning Around the Mainline carefully chronicles the roots and history of these evangelical and orthodox renewal movements. Thomas Oden lays out the current issues and major themes of each movement and addresses the concern many confessing churches are facing today: what property rights they have in disputes with their denominations."Appearing at a time of church crisis on many fronts, this book is an indispensable resource for all involved--one of the most important achievements of Thomas Oden's long career."--J. I. Packer, professor of theology, Regent College"This is more than history. It is a kind of canon of the confessions of the movement, a vision for unity, and a platform for an evangelical, orthodox ecumenism."--Maxie D. Dunnam, chancellor, Asbury Theological Seminary"This book will attract anyone interested in the future of American Christianity."--J. Budziszewski, author, What We Can't Not Know"A robust commentary that will cheer the fainthearted, strengthen the resolve of the committed, and give pause to the critics of orthodoxy."--William J. Abraham, Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley Studies, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University"Turning Around the Mainline is an important contribution to the discussion of the witness, unity, and future of the mainline Protestant churches in North America."--Timothy W. Whitaker, resident bishop, the United Methodist Church, FloridaThomas C. Oden (Ph.D., Yale University) is an executive editor of Christianity Today and the Henry Anson Buttz Professor of Theology and Ethics Emeritus at Drew University. He is the author or editor of many books, including The Rebirth of Orthodoxy and is the general editor of the acclaimed Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture series.Oden, Thomas C. is the author of 'Turning Around the Mainline How Renewal Movements Are Changing the Church', published 2006 under ISBN 9780801065767 and ISBN 0801065763.