Abstract
The Church: God’s Pilgrim People explores the formation, purpose, and nature of the global community of faith called the Christian Church. In contemplating the global church, David Zac Niringiye asks several crucial questions, including, “Was or is the church Jesus’ idea? [And], did Jesus have in mind the birth of a community that would be identified as church?” (17). To answer these questions, Niringiye follows the metanarrative of God’s people as it unfolds throughout the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament. Drawing from extensive experience serving the Church of Uganda, Niringiye combines his biblical analysis with contemporary examples, providing a poignant appraisal of the current challenges facing the global church today. Thought-provoking and engaging, this text invites the reader to examine the story of God’s people with fresh eyes and to ask new questions pertinent to the future of the church.
The text is divided chronologically following the biblical narrative of God’s people. Beginning with God’s revelation to Abraham and Moses, the text considers the covenant people of Israel and the fulfillment of God’s covenantal promise in Jesus. The theme of God’s kingdom is also emphasized as first embodied by Christ and later embraced by Jesus’ disciples and the early church. The author then follows the development of the missional church community as it expands throughout the world. In the final chapter, the author explores the central identity of the church as God’s pilgrim community.
A noteworthy contribution of this text is its narrative approach, which interweaves theological exposition and contemporary application with the retelling of the biblical narrative. Emerging from the author’s “restlessness” due to the discrepancy between the numerical success of many contemporary churches and their lack of positive societal impact (11), the text highlights the critical need for the church to reexamine its biblical origin and purpose. Written with a tone of humility, Niringiye’s gentle correction of the global church is balanced with a sense of renewed hope in what the church can be through Christ. In writing this narrative-based theology, Niringiye conveys deep biblical truths and asks pressing questions, which have the potential to impact the global church as a whole.
The Church: God’s Pilgrim People is a vital text for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of the Christian church. Ideal for graduate, undergraduate, and Bible school curriculum, this text is an invaluable resource for mission practitioners, pastors, and church leaders alike.