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Theopolis Fundamentals #4
Theopolitan Mission
In Theopolitan Mission, Peter J. Leithart explores the meaning of human "making" and the model of two biblical makers, Noah and Jesus, to identify the church's mission as the calling of man: to build God's temple in the world, then to remodel the world after the pattern of the sanctuary.
Jesus is the Carpenter of Nazareth, the new and greater Noah, who builds a living ark from the crooked timber of humanity. Through us, the remade humanity, Jesus fulfills His second task, remaking the creation. Like the first godly maker in Scripture, Jesus builds an ark to preserve the treasure of the old world, which are materials for a new world.
Theopolitan Mission concludes its meditation on making, mis-making, and right-making by attending to the book of Acts, the great missionary narrative of Scripture.
Theopolitan Mission is a companion to Leithart's Theopolitan Liturgy, part of a meditation on the relationship between liturgy and culture.
The Theopolis Fundamentals Series introduces the Biblical Horizons / Theopolis outlook and agenda to a new generation. The early volumes of the series summarize our convictions about biblical interpretation, liturgical theology and practice, and the church's cultural and political mission. The Fundamentals will be followed by a collection of Theopolis Explorations volumes that will examine Scripture, liturgy, and culture in more depth and detail.
Jesus is the Carpenter of Nazareth, the new and greater Noah, who builds a living ark from the crooked timber of humanity. Through us, the remade humanity, Jesus fulfills His second task, remaking the creation. Like the first godly maker in Scripture, Jesus builds an ark to preserve the treasure of the old world, which are materials for a new world.
Theopolitan Mission concludes its meditation on making, mis-making, and right-making by attending to the book of Acts, the great missionary narrative of Scripture.
Theopolitan Mission is a companion to Leithart's Theopolitan Liturgy, part of a meditation on the relationship between liturgy and culture.
The Theopolis Fundamentals Series introduces the Biblical Horizons / Theopolis outlook and agenda to a new generation. The early volumes of the series summarize our convictions about biblical interpretation, liturgical theology and practice, and the church's cultural and political mission. The Fundamentals will be followed by a collection of Theopolis Explorations volumes that will examine Scripture, liturgy, and culture in more depth and detail.
104 pages, Paperback
Published May 4, 2021
1 person is currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Peter J. Leithart
130 books364 followersPeter Leithart received an A.B. in English and History from Hillsdale College in 1981, and a Master of Arts in Religion and a Master of Theology from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in 1986 and 1987. In 1998 he received his Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge in England. He has served in two pastorates: He was pastor of Reformed Heritage Presbyterian Church (now Trinity Presbyterian Church), Birmingham, Alabama from 1989 to 1995, and was founding pastor of Trinity Reformed Church, Moscow, Idaho, and served on the pastoral staff at Trinity from 2003-2013. From 1998 to 2013 he taught theology and literature at New St. Andrews College, Moscow, Idaho, where he continues to teach as an adjunct Senior Fellow. He now serves as President of Trinity House in Alabama, where is also resident Church Teacher at the local CREC church. He and his wife, Noel, have ten children and five grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 24, 2024
Excellent.
“Nothing is small in the kingdom of Jesus.”
“Nothing is small in the kingdom of Jesus.”
June 30, 2021
Every book in the theopolitan fundamentals series has been pure gold
December 27, 2021
I really had to intentionally not give this five stars because of a slow first couple chapters, though the last 40 pages deserve them all. Theopolitan Mission is a beautiful public theology and public exhortation steeped in every part of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, ideal for any Christian layperson who wants a basic philosophy for Christian action.
Leithart excellently summarizes his and James Jordan's five part sequence of creation and covenant making while applying it to us, his church, typologically. It is a rare thing to find a short guide to missions and culture that constructs a strong biblical theology of creation which can be applied to such a wide range of public issues.
My one concern is that in his dynamic and offensive vision of the church, he may inadvertently repeat the 19th century error of collapsing the church into the state. I think the second half of the book offsets that, or at least balances the scales somewhat, but it's a continual hesitation in the back of my mind as I engage postmillennials (though modern amillennial left-Kuyperians may also fall into the category, suggesting this is a greater danger for Reformed Protestantism writ-large).
Leithart excellently summarizes his and James Jordan's five part sequence of creation and covenant making while applying it to us, his church, typologically. It is a rare thing to find a short guide to missions and culture that constructs a strong biblical theology of creation which can be applied to such a wide range of public issues.
My one concern is that in his dynamic and offensive vision of the church, he may inadvertently repeat the 19th century error of collapsing the church into the state. I think the second half of the book offsets that, or at least balances the scales somewhat, but it's a continual hesitation in the back of my mind as I engage postmillennials (though modern amillennial left-Kuyperians may also fall into the category, suggesting this is a greater danger for Reformed Protestantism writ-large).
December 31, 2024
Helpful. Some key typological connectionw between the church and the ark, Christ and Noah, and a good place to get a light sketch of Leithart's vision of church/state relations and the mission of the church.
September 5, 2022
Vastly important book for anyone involved in church leadership/planting/etc… I happened to be reading this as I am studying/researching for a current Sunday school class I’m teaching in Acts, and I found this book (as well as the whole Theopolitan series so far) to be just as important and beneficial as any of the commentaries and articles I’ve been reading.
May 1, 2025
We are makers, made in the image of The Maker to make for Him, and in Him, and through Him.
So, what is God up to with His Church? What are we doing here? We are the new ark, being (self-)constructed by Christ, the new Noah, for salvation. In our making, we will save the world.
What can I say? Every single book in this series has been excellent, and this one is no exception.
So, what is God up to with His Church? What are we doing here? We are the new ark, being (self-)constructed by Christ, the new Noah, for salvation. In our making, we will save the world.
What can I say? Every single book in this series has been excellent, and this one is no exception.
November 19, 2021
The Theopolitan Essentials series has become a great and comprehensive instruction into Christian Life and theology. This book is no exception, and a great addition. Leithart’s words are rich and deep, yet practical.
June 28, 2021
The 4th in the theopolitan series. Excellent as always.
December 24, 2023
Series ends with a bang. Challenging and encouraging.
September 24, 2024
This series from Leithart has not disappointed up to this point. And I'm pretty confident it isn't about to. On to Theopolitan Reading!
May 30, 2025
Wondered at times if I was reading a preview of Acts Through New Eyes.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews