Ascension and Ecclesia: Ascension

By Douglas B. Farrow

Book Description

In a theological landscape where the ascension of Jesus often receives minimal attention, Douglas B. Farrow presents a profound exploration of this pivotal Christian doctrine and its far-reaching implications for understanding the church itself. This scholarly work demonstrates how the ascension connects intimately with eucharistic worship, revealing a distinctive vision of ecclesial life that has shaped Christian thought for centuries.

Farrow traces the development of ascension theology through the writings of influential early church fathers including Irenaeus, Origen, and Augustine, following these ideas through the Reformation period. His investigation reveals surprising connections between beliefs about Christ's ascension, cosmological understanding, and the nature of the church community. The author skillfully navigates the tension between traditional ascension doctrine and modern scientific worldviews, addressing the challenges contemporary believers face in embracing this ancient teaching.

The work culminates in a compelling call for an ecclesiology that maintains the centrality of Jesus in his full humanity rather than diminishing his human nature. Through rigorous scholarship and theological insight, Farrow illuminates how proper understanding of the ascension fundamentally shapes our comprehension of salvation, eschatology, and the church's identity.

This substantial study offers both academic depth and spiritual significance for readers seeking to understand the interconnected nature of Christian doctrine and its practical implications for faith communities today.