The Calling of the Church in Times of Polarization

In many societies all over the world, an increasing polarization between contrasting groups can be observed. Polarization arises when a fear born of difference turns into 'us-versus-them' thinking and rules out any form of compromise. This volume addresses polarizations within societies as well as within churches, and asks the question: given these dynamics, what may be the calling of the church? The authors offer new approaches to polarizing debates on topics such as racism, social justice, sexuality and gender, euthanasia, and ecology and agriculture in various contexts. They engage in profound theological and ecclesiological reflection, in particular from the Reformed tradition. Contributors to this volume are: Najib George Awad, Henk van den Belt, Nadine Bowers Du Toit, Jaeseung Cha, David Daniels, David Fergusson, Jan Jorrit Hasselaar, Jozef Hehanussa, Allan Janssen, Klaas-Willem de Jong, Viktória Kóczián, Philipp Pattberg, Louise Prideaux, Emanuel Gerrit Singgih, Peter-Ben Smit, Thandi Soko-de Jong, Wim van Vlastuin, Jan Dirk Wassenaar, Elizabeth Welch, Annemarieke van der Woude, and Heleen Zorgdrager. The content and subject matter of this book in no way represents or reflects the opinions or beliefs of any person that owns, works for, is associated with, or is under contract with 2165467 Ontario Inc. or any of its trade name companies. These trade name companies include any that ceased operation before the publication of this book, companies operating at the time of the publication of this book, or any new trade name companies operating after the publication of this book. This book has been publsihed solely for the purposes of academic research to further understand the defences and critiques of theological positions and/or any theological opponents.