Book Announcement: A Gathered People
Author: Bobby Valentine | Filed under: A Gathered People, Bobby's World, Books, Church History, Hebrew Bible, Hermeneutics, Restoration History, Worship
Book Announcement: A Gathered People: Revisioning the Assembly as Transforming Encounter by John Mark Hicks, Johnny Melton & Bobby Valentine (Leafwood Press, 2007)
I can now officially announce my book project that John Mark, Johnny and myself have been working on for the better part of a year. A great deal of thought, prayer and even sweat went into the writing of this book. A Gathered People focuses primarily upon the theology of corporate worship that Christians engage in together. The book examines (in a lively style I hope) in considerable detail the sweep of biblical teaching on worship in the canon: Hebrew Scriptures and Greek. We argue that worship is not something that is compartmentalized but rather encompasses all aspects of the disciple. However we also argue that there is something unique in the Christian experience about the Gathering of God’s People.
There is a sweeping view of Christian gatherings from the second century through the Reformation and then a deep look at how assembly has been understood within the Churches of Christ for a century and a half. The book closes with some critical reflections on contemporary application of what we have learned … and what does it mean to have assemblies shaped by the Gospel.
Here is a quick look at the chapter titles:
Introduction: ‘Sacramental’ Encounter?’
1) A False Dichotomy: Life and Assembly in God’s Story
2) Assemblies in Israel: We Shall Assemble on the Mountain
3) Christian Assemblies: Gospel, Word and Communal Table
4) Assembly in Christian History: Word and Table as Historic Liturgy
5) Assembly among Churches of Christ: Our Formative History
6) Gathered to God: Divine Presence in the Assembly
7) Contemporary Gatherings: Assembling Worthy of the Gospel
Epilogue: “Why Didn’t You Talk About …?”
I believe this book has something important to say and that is why we wrote this book together.
There will be some, no doubt, that hate the book with a passion, there will be some that read it carelessly and reject it out of hand. Some are hesitant to do any theological reflection and thus miss some thing that are quite important we believe. I pray that both the Five Acts folks and the Edification Model folks will read with an open heart and open mind. In the future I may offer a tidbit here and there about the book.
The book will not be physically available until September but Leafwood has put it on prominently on page 3 of their new catalog for 2007-08. The book can be preordered directly from the publisher at www.leafwoodpublishers.com or 1.877.816.4455
I look forward to future dialogue based on the argument of A Gathered People.
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
June 5th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
I’m looking forward to reading it. I still need to get copies of the books by brother Hicks on baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
So much to read, so little time….
June 5th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Hey Bobby,
Great to hear that the next book is in the process of getting to the shelves. Beginning in July I’m going to have a lot more influence on the shape of our worship gathering. A priority of scripture, and one that I will take seriously, is that of cultivating the presence of God.
BTW, I posted a review of Kingdom Come early this morning at my blog. Stop by and interact with any comments it generates.
Ben
PS. Would you be kind enough to send John Mark a note about the review so that he can check it out too. I don’t have his e-mail address.
June 5th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
I don’t know his email address, but I think he blogs at ProfessingProfessor.Blogspot.Com.
Nick
June 5th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
I sent John Mark an email about the review. Thank you been for sharing your thoughts regarding the book. I found them to be well seasoned.
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
June 5th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Congratulations Bobby! Thanks for sharing so much of yourself with others. I also look forward to purchasing a copy and reading it!
June 5th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Like the others, I’m looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for your ministry of study and writing.
June 6th, 2007 at 1:41 am
To celebrate your new book you’re giving out copies to all your blogging friends, right? 🙂
June 6th, 2007 at 3:20 am
Bobby,
I can’t wait to get it.
Sounds great!
June 6th, 2007 at 3:26 am
Bobby,
A question I have for you, that I have thought about for quite a while is do you think the old generation is afraid of change because we aren’t explaining to tham that we aren’t changing “doctrine” but we as a younger generation will change and still love the Word of God, Worship maybe a different than other generations in the past but still have a love for GOd, His word and a deep desire to know Him? Are we communicating that to the older generations. Does this book communicate that? Does it connect Bibical changes to what we are changing today?
June 6th, 2007 at 3:29 am
Come on Bobby, can’t I have one to write a review on? Remember the last book? Come on…
This one sounds even better. Come on..would ya please?
June 6th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
This is a timely addition to the discussion in our fellowship about what we either do or don’t do on Sunday morning, or how we do it.
Thanks to you guys for putting in the effort. If you move just a few folks toward truth and away from error, great job!
I add my name to the list of those who want to read the book. Thanks
Grace to you,
Royce Ogle
June 6th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Bobby, you can count on having at least one sale in Searcy!! 🙂 I will get the word out in this community, and I am really looking forward to reading it.
Thanks for your efforts on this, along with the other guys.
In HIM,
DU
June 7th, 2007 at 1:46 am
Will order a copy and look forward to it.
June 7th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Thanks for the work on this title. Personally, read all of Hick’s books and enjoyed everyone, also enjoyed learning from him in School. Thanks for checking my blog out also. Come by any time.
http://www.matthewsblog.waynesborochurchofchrist.org
P.S. Anyway, I can get an autographed copy?
June 7th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Matthew the real question is did you read Hicks best effort yet? What book is that you say? Kingdom Come of course, 🙂
Check out Ben Overby’s review of the book on his blog.
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
June 7th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Bobby,
Does it come with a study guide for small groups?
June 7th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
There is not a study guide per se. However every chapter comes with a series of questions to facilitate use in a class situation.
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
June 9th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Cool dude! I can’t wait to purchase it and read it. I have read Dr. Hicks’ books on the Lord Supper and Baptism and loved them. I have Kingdom Come now too. Haven’t read it yet, but it is high on my “to do” list. Is your new book ready to be purchased through Leafwood already? God’s richest blessings be on you dear brother! Be blessed.