Vintage Church: Timeless Truths and Timely Methods. By Mark Driscoll and
Gerry Breshears. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 2008. 335 pp. $21.99.
Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears have added another fine
volume to their on-going collection. Their study of the person
and work of Christ, Vintage Jesus was followed last year by
Death by Love, a study of the atonement. And now Crossway
Books has published their examination of the church of Jesus
Christ. As has been their pattern in their previous books, Mark
is the major contributor to the chapters while Gerry provides
answers to common questions related to the chapter topics.
The subject of the church is a very relevant topic for 21st
century Christians. Many believers have thrown off the old
forms and traditions and are exploring new ways of presenting
the good news of salvation through Christ. Some of these
attempts are faithful to the Gospel message while others
compromise the message in their striving to be contemporary
and relevant. Mark and Gerry’s book is like a plumb line which
helps Bible believing Christians evaluate what is happening
in the church today by thetimeless truths of Scripture.
Since Christians make up the church, Vintage Church begins by answering the
question, “What is the Christian Life?” Here readers find a crystal clear presentation of
the good news of new life in the Spirit through faith in Christ. In chapter two, the
authors describe a true church as one characterized by a regenerated membership,
qualified leadership, preaching and worship, rightly administered sacraments, Spirit
unity, holiness, the great commandment to love, and the great commission to
evangelize and make disciples. In the “question and answers” section, the relationship
of the church to Israel and to the kingdom of God is carefully and succinctly addressed.
In the chapter on church leadership, Driscoll insists that Jesus Christ is the Senior
Pastor. Two church offices are recognized and discussed. Elders are male, “not just
anatomically male, but manly men” (p. 65). Deacons are “servants of the church” who
care for God’s people in ministries apart from teaching and preaching. A convincing
case is made for female deacons based on the context of 1 Tim. 3:11 mentioning
“women.” The question of whether a divorced person can serve as an elder is addressed
briefly. I believe that the nature of this subject requires more than a page and one half
of serious inquiry. References to other resources on this subject would be helpful at
this point.
Driscoll is a strong preacher and his chapter, “Why Is Preaching Important?” was quite
consistent with his own commitment to biblical proclamation. This chapter should be
read by every person who aspires to a ministry of preaching the Word. The chapter on
baptism and communion are helpful. They authors believe that these “sacraments” (I
prefer the term “ordinances”) may be administered by godly leaders, not just by elders
or ordained ministers.
The chapter on church discipline presents an excellent summary of the procedures,
theology and purpose of church discipline. Driscoll comments, “Perhaps church
discipline is so under-practiced because it is so under-taught” (p. 176). Mars Hill
Church not only teaches church discipline, but includes a statement on church
discipline in their membership covenant (included in the appendix, pp. 311-315).
Chapter nine addresses the question, “What is a missional church?” Here the authors
explore the implications of the Great Commission. They conclude that a missional
church is biblical, practices and preaches repentance, goes into the culture,
contextualizes the gospel, loves singles and couples, trains Christians as missionaries,
is supernatural, is countercultural, multiplies, and is messy!
Two chapters are devoted to the issues of a multi-campus church and the use of
technology. Objections to the video and multi-campus models are carefully addressed.
A strong case is made for the use of technology and principles are presented to guide
church leaders in making decisions regarding the use of the Internet, PowerPoint
and new technology.
Vintage Church is a contemporary, biblically based study of the church, both in theory
and in practice. I personally found this book both encouraging and helpful in clearing
up some of my own questions. I only wish the authors had included references to
additional resources at the end of each chapter for those interested in further study. I
highly recommend Vintage Church to all followers of the One who said, “I will build my
church.”
J. Carl Laney
Gerry Breshears. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 2008. 335 pp. $21.99.
Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears have added another fine
volume to their on-going collection. Their study of the person
and work of Christ, Vintage Jesus was followed last year by
Death by Love, a study of the atonement. And now Crossway
Books has published their examination of the church of Jesus
Christ. As has been their pattern in their previous books, Mark
is the major contributor to the chapters while Gerry provides
answers to common questions related to the chapter topics.
The subject of the church is a very relevant topic for 21st
century Christians. Many believers have thrown off the old
forms and traditions and are exploring new ways of presenting
the good news of salvation through Christ. Some of these
attempts are faithful to the Gospel message while others
compromise the message in their striving to be contemporary
and relevant. Mark and Gerry’s book is like a plumb line which
helps Bible believing Christians evaluate what is happening
in the church today by thetimeless truths of Scripture.
Since Christians make up the church, Vintage Church begins by answering the
question, “What is the Christian Life?” Here readers find a crystal clear presentation of
the good news of new life in the Spirit through faith in Christ. In chapter two, the
authors describe a true church as one characterized by a regenerated membership,
qualified leadership, preaching and worship, rightly administered sacraments, Spirit
unity, holiness, the great commandment to love, and the great commission to
evangelize and make disciples. In the “question and answers” section, the relationship
of the church to Israel and to the kingdom of God is carefully and succinctly addressed.
In the chapter on church leadership, Driscoll insists that Jesus Christ is the Senior
Pastor. Two church offices are recognized and discussed. Elders are male, “not just
anatomically male, but manly men” (p. 65). Deacons are “servants of the church” who
care for God’s people in ministries apart from teaching and preaching. A convincing
case is made for female deacons based on the context of 1 Tim. 3:11 mentioning
“women.” The question of whether a divorced person can serve as an elder is addressed
briefly. I believe that the nature of this subject requires more than a page and one half
of serious inquiry. References to other resources on this subject would be helpful at
this point.
Driscoll is a strong preacher and his chapter, “Why Is Preaching Important?” was quite
consistent with his own commitment to biblical proclamation. This chapter should be
read by every person who aspires to a ministry of preaching the Word. The chapter on
baptism and communion are helpful. They authors believe that these “sacraments” (I
prefer the term “ordinances”) may be administered by godly leaders, not just by elders
or ordained ministers.
The chapter on church discipline presents an excellent summary of the procedures,
theology and purpose of church discipline. Driscoll comments, “Perhaps church
discipline is so under-practiced because it is so under-taught” (p. 176). Mars Hill
Church not only teaches church discipline, but includes a statement on church
discipline in their membership covenant (included in the appendix, pp. 311-315).
Chapter nine addresses the question, “What is a missional church?” Here the authors
explore the implications of the Great Commission. They conclude that a missional
church is biblical, practices and preaches repentance, goes into the culture,
contextualizes the gospel, loves singles and couples, trains Christians as missionaries,
is supernatural, is countercultural, multiplies, and is messy!
Two chapters are devoted to the issues of a multi-campus church and the use of
technology. Objections to the video and multi-campus models are carefully addressed.
A strong case is made for the use of technology and principles are presented to guide
church leaders in making decisions regarding the use of the Internet, PowerPoint
and new technology.
Vintage Church is a contemporary, biblically based study of the church, both in theory
and in practice. I personally found this book both encouraging and helpful in clearing
up some of my own questions. I only wish the authors had included references to
additional resources at the end of each chapter for those interested in further study. I
highly recommend Vintage Church to all followers of the One who said, “I will build my
church.”
J. Carl Laney
