An examination of the doctrine of God in the theological construction of Stephen Charnock, exploring his use of reason and his commitment to experiential faith. This study explores Charnock's doctrine of the knowledge of God to discover his contributions to the Restoration English Puritan understanding of a balance of head and heart. Charnock paved a distinctive trail in the midst of diverse paths the Restoration Puritans were taking, but he also maintained certain characteristics, which were common to the Puritan way.

We live, eat, sleep and dream travel - it's become a booming industry, a top conversation topic and, frankly, an obsession. But are we really free to roam the world as we wish? What does God say about travel? Shouldn't we instead be doing evangelism? Where is the clear missionary purpose in all this? The author knows all too well what it is to have caught the wanderlust bug. He skilfully interweaves his, and others, travelling experiences as he applies the Bible's teaching on this vital subject. Marvel with him at the generosity of our creator God who has given us this amazing world. And learn how to make the most of your travels.

Interaction between Peter Singer and Christian ethics, to the extent that it has happened at all, has been unproductive and often antagonistic. Singer sees himself as leading a 'Copernican Revolution' against a sanctity of life ethic, while many Christians associate his work with a 'culture of death.' Charles Camosy shows that this polarized understanding of the two positions is a mistake. While their conclusions about abortion and euthanasia may differ, there is surprising overlap in Christian and Singerite arguments, and disagreements are interesting and fruitful. Furthermore, it turns out that Christians and Singerites can even make common cause, for instance in matters such as global poverty and the dignity of non-human animals. Peter Singer and Christian ethics are far closer than almost anyone has imagined, and this book is valuable to those who are interested in fresh thinking about the relationship between religious and secular ethics.

Stresses the importance of the canonical context of the book of Revelation

Our world is hungry for salvation, but we don't always know how to talk about it. Christians agree that God cares about people's lives both in this world and into eternity. But the ways we describe salvation often separate the spiritual from the material. Many groups emphasize one at the expense of the other, limiting the picture of what God has to offer. Mark Teasdale works to bridge the gaps by taking up Jesus' language of abundant life. This life is something Jesus invites us to participate in-to seek both for ourselves and for others. It's rich and multidimensional, not splitting spirits and minds from bodies and material needs. By connecting biblical perspectives of holistic salvation to contemporary concepts of well-being, Teasdale also shows how Christians can both better communicate in secular settings as well as partner with all people regardless of their faith to seek the common good. Incorporating concepts of material standard of living and subjective quality of life, Teasdale argues, gives Christians common language to share the promise of abundant life with those who hold to secular commitments. Yet we must also boldly present Jesus' invitation to eternal life and discipleship. For churches, ministry leaders, and laypeople Teasdale offers ideas to improve and measure methods of promoting all dimensions of salvation for the good of others.

In the present ecological crisis, it is imperative that human beings reconsider their place within nature and find new, more responsible and sustainable ways of living. Assumptions about the nature of God, the world, and the human being, shape our thinking and, consequently, our acting. Some have charged that the Christian tradition has been more a hindrance than a help because its theology of nature has unwittingly legitimated the exploitation of nature. This book takes the current criticism of Christian tradition to heart and invites a reconsideration of the problematic elements: its desacralization of nature; its preoccupation with the human being to the neglect of the rest of nature; its dualisms and elevation of the spiritual over material reality, and its habit of ignoring or resisting scientific understandings of the natural world. Anna Case-Winters argues that Christian tradition has a more viable theology of nature to offer. She takes a look at some particulars in Christian tradition as a way to illustrate the undeniable problems and to uncover the untapped possibilities. In the process, she engages conversation partners that have been sharply critical and particularly insightful (feminist theology, process thought, and the religion and science dialogue). The criticisms and insights of these partners help to shape a proposal for a reconstructed theology of nature that can more effectively fund our struggle for the fate of the earth.

From 2006 to 2011 researchers at Heythrop College and the Oxford Centre for ecclesiology and Practical Theology (OxCEPT, Ripon College Cuddesdon) worked on a theological and action research project: "Action Research - Church and Society (ARCS). 2010 saw the publication of Talking About God in Practice: Theological Action research and Practical Theology (SCM), which presented in an accessible way the work of ARCS and its developing methodology. This turned out to be a landmark study in the praxis of Anglican and Catholic ecclesiology in the UK, showing how theology in these differing contexts interacted with the way in which clergy and congregations lived out their religious convictions. This book is a direct follow up to that significant work, authored by one of the original researchers, providing a systematic analysis of the impact of the "theological action research" methodology and its implications for a contemporary ecclesiology. The book presents an ecclesiology generated from church practice, drawing on scholarship in the field as well as the results of the theological action research undertaken. It achieves this by including real scenarios alongside the academic discourse. This combination allows the author to tease out the complex relationship between the theory and the reality of church. Addressing the need for a more developed theological and methodological account of the ARCS project, this is a book that will be of interest to scholars interested not only Western lived religion, but ecclesiology and theology more generally too.

This book defends a startling idea: that the age-old theological and philosophical problems of original sin and evil, long thought intractable, have already been solved. The solution has come from the very scientific discovery that many consider the most mortal threat to traditional religion: evolution. Daryl P. Domning explains in straightforward terms the workings of modern evolutionary theory, Darwinian natural selection, and how this has brought forth life and the human mind. He counters objections to Darwinism that are raised by some believers and emphasizes that the evolutionary process necessarily enforces selfish behavior on all living things. This account of both physical and moral evil is arguably more consistent with traditional Christian teachings than are the explanations given by most contemporary "evolutionary" theologians themselves. The prominent theologian, Monika K. Hellwig, dialogues with Daryl Domning throughout the book to present a balanced reappraisal of the doctrine of original sin from both a scientist's and theologian's perspective.

Do you long to know what a truly transformed life really feels like? Do you want to? Every reference to transformation and a healthy spiritual life in Scripture is dependent on putting God first, so what's the problem? Often times our human struggle is rooted in our priorities and where Jesus lands on our laundry list of considerations. Regardless of what we know to be true, our actions do not reflect the truth and virtue that Christ promises when we choose to put him first. Author, Bible teacher, and ministry leader Lisa Whittle challenges us to put Jesus over everything- from simple to complex circumstance, heart to head understanding, in everyday application and see what really happens. Because only when He is first do we know what a truly transformed life feels like. Lisa puts practical language to our universal difficulties, offering hope and direction for the future ahead. Jesus Over Everything is a compelling picture of what Jesus followers both crave and struggle to define as we seek to give God His rightful place in our everyday lives. In this six-week study, women will learn the tools to live with spiritual consistency, break damaging thought patters, find greater motivation to take care of the same things that break Jesus' heart in their everyday lives, gain applicable insight into everyday issues and responses, and have a clear understanding of how much better life is when God is the priority, right now. This pack contains one study guide and one DVD.

Heaven or hell?Over a period of forty days, God gave Mary K. Baxter visions of hell and commissioned her to tell all to choose life. Here is an account of the place and beings of hell contrasted with the glories of heaven. It is a reminder of the need each of us has for the miracle of salvation.

This volume on cultural anthropology presents a Christian perspective for Bible school students of conservative evangelical backgrounds. The hope is that a sympathetic approach to the problems of cultural diversity throughout the world will help young people overcome typical North American cultural biases and bring understanding and appreciation for the diversities of behavior and thought that exist in a culturally heterogeneous world. Grunlan and Mayers take the position of "functional creationism"; and though they discuss some of the problems implied in traditional interpretations of the age of the world and especially of the creation of the human race, they do not attempt to deal with either physical anthropology or the origins of man. They do, however, attempt to deal meaningfully with the problems posed by biblical absolutism and cultural relativism, and their practice. Concluding chapters with a series of thought-provoking questions should prove to be of real help to both the professional and nonprofessional teacher of anthropology.

Why did God tell Hezekiah he would die, then add fifteen years to his life?
If God knows certain people will go to hell, why does he create them?
Does God foreknow the outcome of every decision we will ever make?
In this accessible but provocative book, Gregory Boyd responds to the traditional answers to these questions with an alternative open view of the future. Combining a theologian's intellect with a pastor's heart, he approaches his topic with grace toward his opponents and enthusiasm for the way this new thinking has revolutionized his life.

A truly relevant and insightful volume, 'Jesus: A Gospel Portrait' satisfies our longing for a closer understanding of Jesus, while it unlocks the fresh and amazing beauty of the gospels that remain powerful to this day.

This companion study to Confronting Jesus is perfect for individuals, small groups, and churches, and helps readers go deeper into the Gospels to learn more about the person and work of Christ.

There were radical changes in the Order of Mass promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1969. Beyond the use of the vernacular, these included a more dialogic format of the Mass, the transformation of the offertory rite to a preparation of gifts, a complete revision of the lectionary, new eucharistic prayers, and Communion under both forms. In Eucharistic Adoration after Vatican II, Edward Foley examines the relationship between Vatican II, liturgical prayer, and contemporary eucharistic adoration and devotions.

This book challenges the popular use of 'Valentinian' to describe a Christian school of thought in the second century CE by analysing documents ascribed to 'Valentinians' by early Christian Apologists, and more recently by modern scholars after the discovery of codices near Nag Hammadi in Egypt. To this end, Ashwin-Siejkowski highlights the great diversity of views among Christian theologians associated with the label 'Valentinian', demonstrating their attachment to the Scriptures and Apostolic traditions as well as their dialogue with Graeco-Roman philosophies of their time. Among the various themes explored are 'myth' and its role in early Christian theology, the familiarity of the Gospel of Truth with Alexandrian exegetical tradition, Ptolemy's didactic in his letter to Flora, the image of the Saviour in the Interpretation of Knowledge, reception of the Johannine motifs in Heracleon's commentary and the Tripartite Tractate, salvation in the Excerpts from Theodotus, Christian identity in the Gospel of Philip, and reception of selected Johannine motifs in 'Valentinian' documents. Valentinus' Legacy and Polyphony of Voices will be an invaluable and accessible resource to students, researchers, and scholars of Early Christian theologies, as well as trajectories of exegesis in New Testament sources and the emerging of different Christian identities based on various Christologies.