Ebook
Christian doctrine, McClendon tells us, is no laundry list of propositions to be believed, but is rather an essential practice of the church. Doctrines are those shared convictions which the church must teach and live out if it is to be the church. The author rejects the prevailing assumptions stemming from the rationalism of the Enlightenment, and redefines theology as a discipline within the context of particular religious beliefs and practices of concrete believing communities. McClendon ties the reading of Scripture to the community's understanding of itself and its own mission.
“The problem this basilica fixation presents is not one of architecture but of theology. Good architects are more than willing to translate the church at worship (e.g., the churchyard baptismal gathering described above) into architectural enclosure. Yet until the church can say and show more clearly the shape of its worship, why it meets as a fellowship of the Spirit, even the ablest architect cannot adequately enclose its space.” (source)
“If I do (or did) not consent, there is no authority over me; I alone am ultimate authority” (source)
“in parts of the world where this liberal test has not been invoked” (source)
“the church teaches by what it is and by what it does” (source)