Author Interview: Jennifer M. McBride on The Church for the World: A Theology of Public Witness

Posted on December 29, 2015 by PLT Staff

Interview with Jennifer M. McBride about her book, The Church for the World: A Theology of Public Witness. She explains the central arguments of her book and Bonhoeffer’s proper place as a central figure in it. Borrowing ideas like  “religionless Christianity,” McBride challenges the audience to commit to Christ’s calling to the church to be an active witness through lived experience.

Excerpt: “Bonhoeffer asks a question in prison that addresses this, not the white privilege but the ways the church has come to see itself as specially favored by God, a question that is central to my book: what does it mean, he asks, for the church to see ourselves not as privileged but as belonging wholly to this world? Bonhoeffer sees the church as called out–chosen for a particular mission–but not specially favored, be it morally or in terms of eternal destiny. If Christians are chosen, it is important to ask: chosen for what? Bonhoeffer’s answer is this: chosen to carry on the work of the incarnate and crucified God in the world, that is, chosen to be in solidarity with others, to suffer with and for others, as participation in God’s redemptive work in this world.”

  • Interview Information
  • Interviewee: Jennifer M. McBride
  • Interviewer: PLT staff
  • Date of Interview: October 30, 2012
  • PDF: Download File »
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