Perhaps no other doctrine has more tangible impact on Christians than their doctrine of the church. In a cultural climate where the very word 'church' sounds a tone of dull irrelevance, the 'doctrine of the church' has suffered studied neglect. The persistent demands to market and grow the church threaten to quench serious theological reflection on its abiding nature and mission. But few activities bear greater promise for renewing and reshaping the church than the work of theology. Edmund Clowney addresses these issues from decades of thinking and teaching. Biblical, historical, systematic and Reformed, 'The Church' is a timely reflection on the life, order and purpose of the household of God.