Ascension & Ecclesia : On the Significance of the Doctrine of Ascension

by Douglas B. Farrow

Recent theology offers few attempts to come to grips with the meaning and implications of the ascension of Jesus. ASCENSION AND ECCLESIA promises to refocus attention on this crucial Christian doctrine. Douglas Farrow begins with a discussion of the biblical treatment of the ascension and eucharistic celebration, from which emerges a unique ecclesial worldview. Succeeding chapters explore the link between the ascension, cosmology, and ecclesiology and examine the difficulties faced by the doctrine of ascension in our modern scientific world.

Genres: Theology, Church

340 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and thought-provoking. A strange and wonderful book that will forever reshape the way you think about the meaning of the ascension in relation to Christology, the church, the Eucharist, and eschatology.

The book is an extended reflection of the paradox of Christ being both present and absent. Farrow surveys the theology of the ascension in Irenaeus, Origen, John of Damascus, Maximus, and then through the Middle Ages, and through the Reformation into modern times. He traces the theme of the ascension through modern philosophers and theologians beginning with Kant and continuing through Schleiermacher, Hegel, Kierkegaard, de Chardin, Rahner, and finishing with Karl Barth.

Having examined the various poles around which these theologies have developed and been in dialogue, Farrow finishes the book with an appeal to return to Irenaeus theology of recapitulation, and so to, through the Holy Spirit, ground the paradoxical existence identity of the church in the continuing life and history of the real God-Man, Jesus Christ who shares our flesh and who already inhabits the world to come.

[Jared Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the few books dedicated to the doctrine of Christ's Ascension and how it shaped the church in the first century. This is one of the most neglected (i.e. taken for granted) doctrines of Christian dogma and one might construct a very convincing case that this negligence is one of the key factors which accounts for the disrepair we find in American evangelicalism today.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tremendous theological and biblical survey. It's thorough and detailed.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some important insights, but the book was a bit patchwork in quality. Zi struggle to see where Farrow wanted to take the argument, or precisely what point was being concluded at times. Nevertheless, an important contribution to a doctrine of theology that hasn’t been sufficiently addressed in the last 20 years of Christian reflection.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

[Joel Zartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary and extraordinarily difficult.

[Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best theology books I have read in the last few years. Not only does highlight the central importance of the Ascension for the church's present existence, but the guy writes in a very enjoyable style.

[Phillip Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well researched and thought provoking treatment on the ascension. One of the better theology books I have read in recent years. It includes biblical theology of ascension, historical examinations of Iraneaus, Origen, and Augustine. It concludes with ecclesiological applications for the church today. This book is quite the accomplishment.