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Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Christian theology
As a writer and prophet Dostoevsky was no academic theologian, yet
his writings are deeply theological: his life, beliefs, even his
epilepsy, all had a role in generating histheology and eschatology.
Dostoevsky's novels are riven with paradoxes, are deeply
dialectical, and represent a criticism of religion, offered in the
service of the gospel. In this task he presented a profound
understanding and portrait of humanity. Dostoevsky's novels chart
the movement of the human into death: either the movement through
paradox and Christlikeness into Christ's cross (a soteriology often
characterized by the apophatic negation and self-denial; what we
may term 'the Mark of Abel') leading to salvation and resurrection;
or, conversely, the movement of those who refuse Christ's
invitation to be redeemed, and continue to fall into a self-willed
death and a selfgenerated hell ('the Mark of Cain'). This
eschatology becomes a theological axiom which he unceasingly warned
people of in his mature works. Startlingly original, stripped of
all religious pretence, Dostoevsky as a prophet forewarned of the
politicized humanistic delusions of the twentieth century: a
prophet crying out through the wilderness.
A unique interreligious dialogue provides needed context for deeper
understanding of interfaith relations, from ancient to modern times
Freedom is far from straightforward as a topic of comparative
theology. While it is often identified with modernity and even
postmodernity, freedom has long been an important topic for
reflection by both Christians and Muslims, discussed in both the
Bible and the Qur'an. Each faith has a different way of engaging
with the idea of freedom shaped by the political context of their
beginnings. The New Testament emerged in a region under occupation
by the Roman Empire, whereas the Qur'an was first received in
tribal Arabia, a stateless environment with political freedom.
Freedom: Christian and Muslim Perspectives, edited by Lucinda
Mosher, considers how Christian and Muslim faith communities have
historically addressed many facets of freedom. The book presents
essays, historical and scriptural texts, and reflections. Topics
include God's freedom, human freedom to obey God, autonomy versus
heteronomy, autonomy versus self-governance, freedom from
incapacitating addiction and desire, hermeneutic or discursive
freedom vis-a-vis scripture and tradition, religious and political
freedom, and the relationship between personal conviction and
public order. The rich insights expressed in this unique interfaith
discussion will benefit readers-from students and scholars, to
clerics and community leaders, to politicians and policymakers-who
will gain a deeper understanding of how these two communities
define freedom, how it is treated in both religious and secular
texts, and how to make sense of it in the context of our
contemporary lives.
In recent decades a new movement has arisen, bringing the
conceptual tools of analytic philosophy to bear on theological
reflection. Called analytic theology, it seeks to bring a clarity
of thought and a disciplined use of logic to the work of
constructive Christian theology. In this introduction to analytic
theology for specialists and nonspecialists alike, Thomas McCall
lays out what it is and what it isn't. The goal of this growing and
energetic field is not the removal of all mystery in theology. At
the same time, it insists that mystery must not be confused with
logical incoherence. McCall explains the connections of analytic
theology to Scripture, Christian tradition and culture, using case
studies to illuminate his discussion. Beyond mere description,
McCall calls the discipline to a deeper engagement with the
traditional resources of the theological task.
This collection of papers, first published in 1992, grew out of a
concern for the perduring nature of the thought of John Henry
Cardinal Newman. Although Cardinal Newman died over one hundred
years ago, his influence on today's thinking is still strong.
Newman put forward an ideal of society and life which has a
recognizable relation to the lasting possibilities open to
humankind. The editors and contributors of this volume have been
brought together by a common interest in a man for whom the
continual search for truth is paramount.
In order to draw out the relationship between publicly-oriented
Christianity and education, this book demonstrates that education
is an important method and prerequisite of public theology, as well
as an urgent object of public theology research's attention.
Featuring work from diverse academic disciplines-including religion
education, theology, philosophy, and religious studies-this edited
collection also contends with the educational challenges that come
with the decline of religion on the one hand and its transformation
and regained public relevance on the other. Taken together, the
contributions to this volume provide a comprehensive argument for
why education deserves systematic attention in the context of
public theology discourse, and vice versa.
Over 100,000 Copies Sold Worldwide! Preaching Survey of the Year's
Best Books for Preachers Why is God love? Because God is a Trinity.
Why can we be saved? Because God is a Trinity. How are we able to
live the Christian life? Through the Trinity. In this lively book,
we find an introduction to Christianity and the Christian life that
is from start to finish rooted in our triune God--Father, Son and
Spirit. Not only do we understand the person and work of Christ
through the Trinity, but also prayer, the church and every aspect
of our faith. With wit and clarity, Reeves draws from church
history down to the present referencing a wide range of notable
teachers and preachers. Here is a rich and enjoyable portrayal of
the basic beliefs of Christianity that opens up the profound and
life-changing truths of our faith.
The author is a world authority on Orthodox thought. This
introduction is written in lively, non-technical language for
readers of all religious backgrounds.
Much has been written on the centenary of the First World War.
However, no book has yet explored the tragedy of the conflict from
a theological perspective. Life after Tragedy fills that gap.
Taking their cue from the famous British army chaplain Geoffrey
Studdert Kennedy, seven central essays, all by authors associated
with the cathedral where Studdert Kennedy first preached to troops,
examine aspects of faith that featured in the war, such as the
notion of 'home', poetry, theological doctrine, preaching, social
reform, humanitarianism, and remembrance. Each essay applies its
reflections to the life of faith today, thus representing a highly
original contribution to the history of the First World War in
general and the work of Studdert Kennedy in particular. They
provide wider theological insight into how, in the contemporary
world, 'life' and tragedy, likewise God and suffering, can be
integrated.This book will accordingly be of considerable interest
to historians, both of the war and of the church; to communities
commemorating the war; and to all those who wrestle with current
challenges to faith.
These study guides, part of a set from noted Bible scholar, John
MacArthur, take readers on a journey through biblical texts to
discover what lies beneath the surface, focusing on meaning and
context, and then reflecting on the explored passage or concept.
With probing questions that guide the reader toward application, as
well as ample space for journaling, "The MacArthur Bible Studies"
are invaluable tools for Bible students of all ages. This work on
Romans 9-16 is part of a New Testament commentary series which has
as its objective explaining and applying Scripture, focusing on the
major doctrines and how they relate to the whole of the Bible. This
volume is a study of chapters 9-16 of the Book of Romans.
In recent years, keen interest has arisen among scholars regarding
the connection between rhetoric and religion. This phenomenon could
be due to the idea of universality that underlies these two topics
or simply because of the crucial relevance they hold for the human
condition. Biblical rhetorical criticism has been particularly
active since 2009. The debate serves as a foundation for Eloquence
Divine, which is grounded in a moderate and detached point of view
that becomes helpful in seeing God as a 'mere' agent. In this
fascinating study, God and Jesus are intended as rhetoricians who
applied their own rhetoric tools in order to influence humanity's
behaviour, acts and decisions. As an agnostic English teacher,
Philip Arrington traces paths across different episodes of the
Scriptures with the aim to explore basic issues, such as
identifying the difference between God's rhetoric and human
persuasion, as well as the effectiveness that divine eloquence
demonstrates in the narration of the Bible.
In beginning this book, Michael Amaladoss states that images are
important in helping us grasp who Jesus was and is. Following that
insight, he unfolds the way in which nine images from Asian
literature, culture, and religion open new horizons on the Founder
of Christianity. The images are: Sage, Way, Guru, Satyagrahi
(witness to truth), Avatar (incarnation of the divine), Servant,
Compassionate One, Dancer, and Pilgrim. Amaladoss helps us read the
New Testament with new eyes. Not only does a Jesus more familiar to
the peoples of Asia emerge, but we see how the East has helped the
entire world Christian family gain a richer perspective on the man
from Galilee.
The theme uniting the essays reprinted here is the attitude of the
medieval Church, and in particular the papacy, toward the Jewish
population of Western Europe. Papal consistency, sometimes sorely
tried, in observing the canons and the principles announced by St
Paul - that Jews were to be a permanent, if disturbing, part of
Christian life - helped balance the anxiety felt by members of the
Church. Clerics especially feared what they called Jewish
pollution. These themes are the focus of the studies in the first
part of this volume. Those in the second part explore aspects of
Jewish society and family life, as both were shaped by medieval
realities.
The book provides a clear account of the sacraments of the
Christian Church and of the general idea of sacramentality. It will
reach out to a wide audience and present solid academic theology in
an accessible and popular manner. The approach is distinctively
Anglican, Thomist and on the conservative side of 'liberal
catholic'.
Craig Blomberg's award-winning Jesus and the Gospels prepares
readers for an intensive study of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and
the events they narrate. Blomberg considers the historical context
of the Gospels and sheds light on the confusing interpretations
brought forth over the last two centuries. This second edition
incorporates new scholarship, debate, critical methods, and the
ongoing quest for the historical Jesus, and ensures the work will
remain a valuable tool for exploring the life of Christ through the
first four books of the New Testament.
This collection of papers grew out of a concern of several at
Creighton University for the perduring nature of the thought of
John Henry Cardinal Newman. Although Cardinal Newman died some one
hundred years ago, his influence on today's thinking is still
strong. Like Sir Thomas More with his Utopia, Newman put forward an
ideal of society and life which has a recognizable relation to the
lasting possibilities open to humankind. First published in 1992.
Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa
company.
In his introductory essay to this selection from the writing and
preaching of C.H. Spurgeon, Helmut Thielicke - himself among the
best preachers of the twentieth century - expresses his surprise
and delight at his discovery of the great Victorian preacher. He
draws out those qualities which made Spurgeon one of the most
influential ministers of his day, and explains what it was that
attracted him to the self-educated Baptist preacher. They share a
recognition of the urgency of their message: 'We stand in need of
the simple way in which Spurgeon dares to say that what really and
ultimately counts is to save sinners.' Warmth, immediacy and
directness are Spurgeon's hallmarks; qualities which Thielicke's
own remarkable sermons share but which he felt much preaching of
his day lacked. It is still a convincing testament to Spurgeon's
continuing vitality and relevance that Thielicke, one of the
greatest modern preachers, should say, 'Sell all that you have
...and buy Spurgeon.'
In recent Barth studies it has been argued that a key to
understanding the theologian's opposition to natural theology is
his rejection of substantialist ontology. While this is true to an
extent, this book argues that it is a mistake to see Barth's
'actualistic ontology' as diametrically opposed to traditional
substantialism. Probing into Barth's soteriological hamartiology in
Church Dogmatics, III-IV, a largely neglected aspect of these
volumes in recent debates on his understanding of being and act, it
shows how his descriptions of sin, nature, and grace shed light on
the precise manners in which his actualistic ontology operates on
both a substance grammar of being and a process grammar of
becoming, while rejecting the metaphysics underlying both grammars.
Looking at issues such as original sin, universal salvation and
human will, Barth is shown to be radically redefining the
relationship between humans, their actions and the divine. This
book argues that human 'nature' is the total determination of the
human being 'from above' by God's grace in Christ, while the
existential dimension of the human being is also totally determined
'from below' by the Adamic history of sin. This serves to
demonstrate Barth's endeavours in eliminating the vestiges of
natural theology within the Western tradition handed down from
Augustine. By exploring these issues this book offers a fresh
insight into Barth's relationship with his theological forbears. As
such, it will be vital reading for any scholar of Barth studies,
the problem of evil, and theological ontology.
Discover your spiritual gifts, personal style, and God-given
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in a box includes a leader's guide; a participant's guide; a DVD
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any size group, from small groups of 4 to 12 to large groups of 15
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sessions of forty-five minutes each; or one- two- or three-day
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