A Generous Ecclesiology with Myles Werntz episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 28, 2026 · 54 MIN

A Generous Ecclesiology with Myles Werntz

from Mere Fidelity · host Mere Orthodoxy

Send Us A Message Hosts Derek Rishmawy and Brad East are joined by Myles Werntz to discuss his Christianity Today Award of Merit-winning book, Contesting the Body of Christ: Ecclesiology's Revolutionary Century. Rather than systematic argument, Werntz uses narrative case studies examining how diverse Christian communities—from African Pentecostals to Korean Presbyterians—have embodied and contested the classical marks of the church. His starting premise: assume the Holy Spirit is at work in churches confessing Christ, then investigate what's happening. The conversation tackles tough questions about theological boundaries, ecumenical charity, and faithful disagreement when salvation is at stake. — Mere Fidelity is a podcast from Mere Orthodoxy and is listener-supported. If you would like to support this work, become a Mere Orthodoxy Member today at http://mereorthodoxy.com/membership. Get 40% of the Baker Book of the Month, Reading The Psalms As Scripture by James Hamilton and Matthew Damico, by using the promo code MEREFIDELITY at checkout. Get the book here: https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781683597766_reading-the-psalms-as-scripture — Key Topics Why the 20th century was revolutionary for the church (Vatican II, Pentecostalism, decolonization, ecumenical movement) Contestation as intrinsic to ecclesial life, not a bug but a feature Theological guardrails: the Nicene Creed, Scripture, faith-hope-love Limit cases: when does disagreement become denial of God's work? How to argue faithfully in a non-Roman Catholic ecclesiology Guest Myles Werntz, Professor of Theology at Abilene Christian University A podcast from Mere OrthodoxyMere Fidelity is a podcast from Mere Orthodoxy and is listener-supported. If you would like to support this work, become a Mere Orthodoxy Member today at http://mereorthodoxy.com/membership.Get 30% off the Baker Book of the Month by going to: http://bakerbookhouse.com/pages/mere-fidelity

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Send Us A Message Hosts Derek Rishmawy and Brad East are joined by Myles Werntz to discuss his Christianity Today Award of Merit-winning book, Contesting the Body of Christ: Ecclesiology's Revolutionary Century. Rather than systematic argument, Werntz uses narrative case studies examining how diverse Christian communities—from African Pentecostals to Korean Presbyterians—have embodied and contested the classical marks of the church. His starting premise: assume the Holy Spirit is at ...

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Summa Theologica, Pars Prima by Saint Thomas Aquinas Loyal Books More than nine hundred years after it was first written, this unfinished work of a scholar saint still has the power to move our minds and hearts and set us thinking on the really important questions of life.Summa Theologica or simply the Summa as it is known, was written some time between 1265-74. It is a work that has had a profound and enduring influence on Western thought and literature. Designed to provide answers to Catholic theologians about the teachings of the Church, Thomas Aquinas' book instead goes far beyond its stated purpose.The most famous tenet that the book contains is the Five Ways or Five Arguments for the Existence of God. This in spite of the fact that this tenet is contained in a mere five pages out of the total three thousand five hundred plus pages of the Summa! Such is the power of some of the ideas contained herein.Thomas Aquinas was a deeply learned Dominican monk, philosopher, teacher and scholar. His path-breaking ideas encompassed sources as diverse Awake Us Now Awake Us Now Ministries Awake Us Now is a body of believers who:WORSHIP the Triune God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Praise Him with joy and thanksgiving for He is God and He is good;WALK by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the clear teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and the clear declaration of the Scriptures. Such a daily walk is a far cry from mere religion or "church as usual;"WITNESS to Jesus Christ our Savior in daily life situations. Take seriously His call to make disciples. Be alert to the opportunities God provides to encourage and mentor others in the Christian life. Utilize the developing technologies to reach a new generation with the timeless Gospel of Christ.

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