Author: Benjamin D. Giffone
240 pages
Publication date: April 12, 2025
Publisher: Libertarian Christian Institute
240 Pages
Publication date: April 12, 2025
The purpose of this book is to help the church revive and thrive in the wake of the COVID crisis. It is directed mainly at the Western (North American and European) evangelical church, though much of what it contains can be broadly applicable beyond those communities. The book focuses specifically on the importance of the church gathered for corporate worship, and the clash between that value and the concerns during the pandemic. The pandemic was not only a crisis in itself, but also revealed weaknesses in the church and society that need to be addressed. Using the theme of flawed leadership and accountability in the book of Ezekiel, Giffone argues that church leadership erred during the pandemic in three specific domains. The root causes of these failures are twofold:
However, church leadership can be restored and lead the church back to flourishing, through repentance.
As an attempt to apply theological principles derived from the Bible to current social issues, this book does constitute a unique and innovative academic contribution to the field of theology. (Secondary fields include media ecology and political economy.) However, the book is written in a readable style, aimed at pastors, church leaders, and educated lay people.
There is no similar book that focuses specifically on how the Western church handled the COVID crisis, and prescribes a remedy for the divisions that remain.
Other theological books published during the crisis focused generally on the problem of evil or enduring hardships in the Christian life, not on divisive issues within churches. Other books about the social damage of the COVID crisis and responses have a broad scope, not specifically focusing on churches and Christian communities.
The book is informed by deep academic study and teaching of the Old Testament, which is not common among books written for a lay audience or on social issues.
Rev’d Benjamin D. Giffone (PhD Old Testament, Stellenbosch) is the author and editor of several books and over a dozen peer-reviewed articles. He has served as a missionary, a music director, a seminary and university professor, and a pastor. He currently serves as a hospice chaplain, as transitional pastor at a small church in Erie, PA, and on the faculty of a graduate seminary in Chennai, India. His wife, Corrie, is a music teacher, and they have two children. Prior to moving to Western PA, they served for six years at LCC International University in Klaipeda, Lithuania, supported as missionaries by individuals and local congregations.
Current Affiliations: Visiting Associate Professor, Hindustan Bible Institute & College; Research Associate, Stellenbosch; Transitional Pastor, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Erie, PA; Chaplain, Gentiva Hospice Services. (The views expressed in this book are those of the author only, not of any affiliated organization.)
Benj is available for interviews to discuss A House Divided. Please click on the form below to book an interview: