Precocious and sometimes marginalized Klaus Bockmuehl's insights regarding the Spirit's agency in Christian Ethics, and therefore in our daily Christian experiences, have renewed import, now. This is an exceptional book, it introduces us for the first time to a much-neglected thinker. It also equips us with an understanding of how the Church can live ethically in power, through its relationship with the Father. In both respects it has much to offer its reader and the wider contemporary church.

With passion, and insight, Pete Briscoe addresses central matters of belief in this intelligent exploration of the Apostles' Creed. Hundreds of thousands of churches across the world recite this Creed Sunday by Sunday. Its origins can be traced to the second century AD. This declaration of belief has stood the scrutiny of time. The Creed remains a tool that brings vibrancy and clarity to belief. It condenses vast amounts of theological power into a single statement. Thoroughly biblical, it gives a framework for core teaching. This book will allow readers to explain every major theological issue of their faith from memory; to find supporting Bible passages; to discuss the details of their faith with sceptics; and to explore more deeply the wonderful mysteries of their faith.

Despite the burgeoning literature on Karl Barth, his doctrine of the Holy Spirit continues to be under-appreciated by his friends and critics alike. Yet, while Barth's commitment to the doctrine of the procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son (Filioque) is well-known, many scholars dismiss his stand as ecumenically untenable and few have bothered to subject his stance on the Filioque to close theological analysis. For those interested in this long-standing ecumenical point of contention between Eastern and Western trinitarian theology, this book will show how Barth's doctrine of the Filioque may still have something to contribute to the debate. The work traces the origin of Barth's commitment to the Filioque in his early career (particularly in Romans and the GAttingen Dogmatics), and then analyzes how the doctrine functions throughout the Church Dogmatics. Guretzki concludes that Barth's doctrine of the Filioque, while clearly standing within the Western trinitarian tradition, is atypical in that he refuses to speak of a "double-procession" in favour of a "common procession" of the Spirit"a position that has more affinity with the Eastern position than many of Barth's critics may have thought

Trusting Others, Trusting God is an investigation of the concepts of moral and religious trust. The question of why or how it is rational to trust anyone has been the typical focus of philosophers, with an underlying assumption that trust must be justified. In most cases, trust (even - or perhaps especially religious trust) is portrayed as irrational. Sheela Pawar argues that a grammatical investigation of the concept of trust can help rectify this mistreatment.

The Blackwell Companion to Christian Ethics presents a comprehensive and systematic exposition of Christian ethics, seen through the lens of Christian worship. * An innovative exposition of Christian ethics, seen through the lens of Christian worship* Challenges conventional approaches to the subject* Restores a sense of the integral connection between Christian ethics and theology* Stanley Hauerwas is one of the most influential figures in Christian ethics around the world* Embraces contributors from the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, Mennonite and Pentecostal traditions* Designed to be accessible to introductory students* Will have a major impact on the discipline of Christian ethics

Rather than viewing the Apostle Paul's many references to peace and non-retaliation as generalized ethical principles drawn from Paul's background, Jeremy Gabrielson argues that peace and non-retaliation should be understood in relation to Paul's history of being a violent persecutor of Jesus' followers. After his 'Damascus road' experience, Paul zealously announced the gospel and abandoned his violent ways. His apostolic vocation included calling and equipping assemblies of people whose common in life was ordered by a politics characterized by peaceableness. This political dimension of Paul's gospel, in continuity with the earliest evidence we possess regarding Jesus and his disciples, stands in stark contrast to the politics of both the contemporary Roman imperial power and those who would seek to replace Rome by violent means.

Jean-Pierre de Caussade, a French Jesuit spiritual director and writer born in the late seventeenth century, is best known for his belief in the sacredness of the present moment, or the "eternal now." His masterpiece, "Abandonment to Divine Providence," has been celebrated by spiritual writers as diverse as Richard Foster and Alan Watts for its ability to invoke the mystery of eternity in the now--a tenet of spirituality that resonates across faith traditions.

Accompanied by the probing, expert commentary of Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R., this exemplary edition of de Caussade's "Abandonment" offers newcomers to mysticism and spiritual direction a clear, compelling path to entering into God's presence.

Torrance's vision of Theosis (deification/divinisation) is explored through his doctrine of creation and anthropology, his characterisation of the incarnation, his accounts of reconciliation and union with Christ, and his theology of church and sacraments. Myk Habets' study distinguishes Torrance's Reformed vision of theosis from other possible accounts of salvation as divinisation as they are found, for instance, within patristic thought and Eastern Orthodoxy. This book presents the first critique of the theology of T.F.Torrance to focus on theosis, and examines a model of theosis within the realm of reformed theology built upon Western theology.

"Please fix my kid." In their work as Christian apologists, father and son Stuart and Cameron McAllister have heard many variations on this theme from concerned parents. It's a sentiment lots of Christian parents can relate to-a deep and fearful sense of their own inadequacy to raise their children in the faith amid a seductive culture that's often hostile to Christianity. In Faith That Lasts, the McAllisters reflect on their own experiences of coming to Christian faith-Stuart from a life of crime on the streets of Glasgow, and Cameron in the context of a loving Christian home. Together they outline three dangerous myths that we all too easily buy into: that fear can protect our children, that information can save them, and that their spiritual education belongs to the experts. They reconsider each myth in the light of the Christian faith and their own experiences. When our confidence is rooted in the good news of Jesus, our homes can be places of honest conversation, open-handed exploration, and lasting faith.

Disciplining the Divine offers the first comprehensive treatment of the Social Model of the Trinity, exploring its central place within much theological discourse of the past half century, including its relation to wider cultural and political concerns. The book highlights the manner in which theologians have attempted to make the doctrine of God relevant to modern issues and outlooks and it charts the conditions that have necessitated such a reconfiguration of theological analysis. While interrogatory in tone and intent, Disciplining the Divine nevertheless provides a critical reconstruction of a Christian theology and practice which might be undertaken within the political and cultural contexts of the new millennium.

According to cherished church tradition and popular belief, early Christians were systematically persecuted by a brutal Roman Empire. In The Myth of Persecution, Candida Moss reveals that the "Age of Martyrs" is a fiction--there was no sustained three-hundred-year-long effort by the Romans to persecute Christians. While there were some martyrs, most of these stories were pious exaggerations and even forgeries designed to marginalize heretics, inspire the faithful, and fund churches. Moss encourages modern Christians to get the history of persecution right and embrace the consolation, moral instruction, and spiritual guidance that these martyrdom stories provide.

Christianity has always been a "creedal" religion in that it has always been theological. It was rooted in the theological tradition of ancient Israel, which was unifi ed by its historical credos and declaratory affi rmations of faith. No pre-theological era has been discovered in the New Testament or in the history of the Christian community. From the beginning Christianity has been theological, involving men in theological refl ection and calling them to declarations of faith. A non-theological Christianity has simply never endured, although such has been attempted, for instance, by individual seers in the sixteenth century and also by collaborators with totalitarian ideologies in the twentieth century.

The creeds presented here range from the ancient faith of the Hebrews and the creed-like formulas of the New Testament to the Barmen declaration of 1934 (framed by the Christians in Germany who faced the threat of Nazism) and the Batak Creed of 1951 (in which Indonesian Christians gave authentic expression to their religious belief in the idiom of their own culture. All the creeds are in some sense "offi cial," and every major division of Christendom is represented, including the Younger Churches. The volume ends with the messages of the most important assemblies dealing with the Ecumenical Movement.

This single volume, containing all the major theological affi rmations of the Christian community, is a source book for the study of Christian theology. It comprises a record of the Church's interpretation of the Bible in the past and an authoritative guide to its interpretation on the present. Indeed, it is a guide to an understanding of the Christian interpretation of life.

"John H. Leith" was Pemberton Professor of Theology at Union Theology Seminary. He was a member of numerous societies including The Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, New Hope Presbytery and the American Society of Church History. He is the author of numerous books including "The Best of Times and the Worst of Times for Religion, Especially Christian Faith, John Calvin's Doctrine of the Christian Life," and "An Introduction to the Reformed Tradition."

Challenging the dominant Van Tillian approach in Reformed apologetics, this book by a leading expert in contemporary Reformed theology sets forth the principles that undergird a classic Reformed approach. J. V. Fesko's detailed exegetical, theological, and historical argument takes as its starting point the classical Reformed understanding of the "two books" of God's revelation: nature and Scripture. Believers should always rest on the authority of Scripture but also can and should appeal to the book of nature in the apologetic task.

Should Christianity's theological face remain largely European and North American in the twenty-first century in the wake of the expansion of Christianity in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America? The question about the "theological face" of Christianity cannot be ignored. For too long African, Asian, and Latin American theologians have been left out of mainstream theological discussions. Few standard textbooks on Christian theology acknowledge the unique contributions theologians from these continents have made to global Christianity. Introducing Christian Theologies: Voices from Global Christian Communities is a two-volume textbook that alters the predominantly European and North American "theological face" of Christianity by interacting with the voices of Christian communities from around the globe. Introducing Christian Theologies explores the works of key theologians from across the globe, highlighting their unique contributions to Christian theology and doctrine.

The Ten commandments form one of the "classics" of Western culture, authoritative in both Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. They come to us from a distant past, and Thorwald Lorenzen offers thoughtful reflections on their meaning in today's tumultuous world. He contends that it is important to hear God's invitation to an alternative lifestyle: "you shall not kill," "you shall not commit adultery," "you shall not covet," as God "speaking" ten words to liberate His people from oppression. Grounded in God's liberating "yes," the Commandments are neither laws nor rules, but elements in a culture of freedom in which people are invited to celebrate life. "Combining exegetical acumen with sharp theological insight, Lorenzen has produced a fresh and deeply profound meditation on the Ten Words of the Torah. Filled with historical and contemporary illustrations, Lorenzen proves that the Decalogue is as relevant, practical, challenging, and disturbing today as ever. Highly readable yet informed by a lifetime of scholarly study, Lorenzen's book will be valuable to pastors and the laity and would make an excellent supplemental classroom text." - Kent Blevins, Professor, Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy, Gardner-Webb University "Here is the most careful and relevant study of the Ten Commandments available. Biblically grounded, theologically astute, Lorenzen's penetrating treatment of each commandment results in a mature, global ethic for Christians." - D. Dixon Sutherland, Professor of Religious Studies, Director, Christian Ethics Institute, Stetson University " 'Toward a Culture of Freedom' is a superb ethical treatise based on the Ten Commandments. Deeply grounded in scriptures and equipped with an expansive and compassionate experience of today's world, Professor Lorenzen will help readers to discern some solid rocks to stand on in an era when all human foundations seem to be quivering." - E. Glenn Hinson, Professor Emeritus, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond Thorwald Lorenzen is Professor of Theology at Charles Sturt University, Canberra; a guest lecturer at St. Mark's Theological Centre and Whitley College, University of Melbourne; and a Principal Researcher within the Public and Contextual Theology Strategic Research Centre, Charles Sturt University. He is author of 'Resurrection and Discipleship: Interpretive Models, Biblical Re?ections, Theological Consequences' (1995 and 2003) and 'Resurrection - Discipleship - Justice: Af?rming the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Today' (2003).

Hailed by Albert Camus as 'the only great spirit of our times', Simone Weil was one of great essayists and activists of the twentieth century. Her writings on the nature of religious faith and spirituality have inspired many subsequent thinkers. Wrestling with the moral dilemmas entailed by commitment to the Catholic Church, Letter to a Priest is a brilliant meditation on the perennial battle between faith and doubt and resonates today as much as when it was first written. This edition also includes one of her most inspiring and celebrated essays, 'Human Personality', where Weil offers a moving and unorthodox account of the preciousness of human beings. With a new foreword by Raimond Gaita.

In his creative and original book, Paul S. Chung interprets Karl Barth as a theologian of divine action. Chung appreciates Barth s dogmatic theology as both contextual and irregular, and he retrieves neglected aspects of Barth s thought. The book clarifies Barth s early interest in social and political thought. It also explores the political dimension in his later dogmatic writings, particularly in relation to his theology of Israel and issues of theologia naturalis and religious pluralism. Barth s theology can only properly be understood through his social commitment, and Chung, drawing together German and Anglo-Saxon theology shows how Barth s political ideas relate to his theology. Chung portrays Karl Barth as a radical theologian with a convincing aptitude. I personally appreciate the kinship this independent reading has with my own footsteps, identifying Barth as a resisting theologian.

This book started as a series broadcast on The God Channel. Rob pulls together input from expert witnesses on ten key topics. The tone is passionate, personal and committed. How should we Do the Right Thing: By the Environment - If Christians worked together we could greatly reduce global warming In a Multicultural Society - achieving racial harmony In a Sex-Mad Society - Restoring value to sex in a world of porn By the Unborn - Right to life; abortion; thresholds In Death - Dying well; euthanasia; longevity By the Poor - Justice; relief v development In the Media - Who controls TV? Does anyone? In Genetics - responding to the new science? In a Politically Correct Age - What are the truths we dare not name? In Society - how can we play our full part?

Anselm's Proslogion has sparked controversy from the time it was written (c.1077) to the present day. Attempts to provide definitive accounts of its argument have led to a wide and contradictory variety of interpretations. In this book, Ian Logan goes back to basics, to the Latin text of the Proslogion with an original parallel English translation, before tracing the twists and turns of this controversy. Helping us to understand how the same argument came to be regarded as based on reason alone by some and on faith alone by others, as a logically sound demonstration by its supporters and as fatally flawed by its opponents, Logan considers what Anselm is setting out to do in the Proslogion, how his argument works, and whether it is successful.

The Routledge Companion to Religion and Film brings together a lively and experienced team of contributors to introduce students to the key topics in religion and film and to investigate the ways in which the exciting subject of religion and film is developing for more experienced scholars. Divided into four parts, the Companion:

• analyzes the history of the interaction of religion and film, through periods of censorship as well as appreciation of the medium
• studies religion-in-film, examining how the world 's major religions, as well as Postcolonial, Japanese and New Religions, are depicted by and within films
• uses diverse methodologies to explore religion and film, such as psychoanalytical, theological and feminist approaches, and audience reception
• analyzes religious themes in film, including Redemption, the Demonic, Jesus or Christ Figures, Heroes and Superheroes
• considers films as diverse as The Passion of the Christ, The Matrix, Star Wars and Groundhog Day

This definitive Handbook provides an accessible resource to this emerging field and is an indispensable guide to religion and film for students of Religion, Film Studies, and beyond.

The Radical Orthodoxy Reader presents a selection of key readings in the field of Radical Orthodoxy, the most influential theological movement in contemporary academic theology. Radical Orthodoxy draws on pre-Enlightenment theology and philosophy to engage critically with the assumption and priorities of secularism, modernity, postmodernity, and associated theologies. In doing so it explores a wide and exciting range of issues: music, language, society, the body, the city, power, motion, space, time, personhood, sex and gender. As such it is both controversial and extremely stimulating; provoking much fruitful debate amongst contemporary theologians. To assist those encountering Radical Orthodoxy for the first time, each section has an introductory commentary, related reading and helpful questions to encourage in-depth understanding and further study.

Philosophy begins with wonder, according to Plato and Aristotle. Yet Plato and Aristotle did not expand a great deal on what precisely wonder is. Does this fact alone not raise curiosity in us as to why this passion or concept is important? What is wonder's role in science, philosophy, or theology except to end thinking or theorizing as soon as one begins? The primary purpose of this book is to show how seventeenth- and eighteenth-century developments in natural theology, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, aesthetics, and the philosophy of science resulted in a complex history of the passion of wonder-a history in which the elements of continuation, criticism, and reformulation are equally present. Philosophy Begins in Wonder provides the first historical overview of wonder and changes the way we see early modern Europe. It is intended for readers who are curious-who wonder-about how modern philosophy and science were born. The book is for scholars and educated readers alike.