Arianism has been called the "archetypal Christian heresy" - a denial of the divine status of Christ. In his examination, now augmented by new material, Rowan Williams argues that Arius himself was a dedicated theological conservative whose concern was to defend the free and personal character of the Christian God. His "heresy" grew out of the attempt to unite traditional biblical language with radical philosophical ideas and techiniques, and was, from the start, involved with issues of authority in the church. Thus, the crisis of the early 4th century was not only about the doctrine of God, but also about the relations between emperors, bishops and ascetical "charismatic" teachers in the church's decision-making. Williams raises the wider questions of how heresy is defined and how certain kinds of traditionalism transform themselves into heresy. With a fresh conclusion, in which the author reflects on how his views have changed or remained the same, and a new introduction, this book is suitable reading for students of patristics, doctrine and church history.

In this book on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, author Sabine Dramm examines the twentieth century's best-known German pastor and theologian. This is a book about Bonhoeffer's vibrant Christian faith and his profound yet very practical theological thinking. Although Dietrich Bonhoeffer's passionate life and dramatic death are familiar territory, this book examines his life and the death he accepted in resistance to Hitler in the context of his faith and thought, as found in his own writings. Dramm explores Bonhoeffer's sermons, letters, articles, and books. She offers her readers an outstanding introduction to the breadth of his writing and the depth of his theological thinking, and traces how Bonhoeffer's beliefs and understandings led him to active resistance to the Nazi regime: to the establishment of alternative church groups, to espionage, and ultimately to conspiracy to overthrow the government by assassinating Hitler.

When he talked about the Kingdom of God, Jesus was speaking about an utterly different way of relating to human society as we know it. He lays out a blueprint for this new life in his best-known teaching, the Sermon on the Mount. From the Beatitudes onward, the Sermon on the Mount overturns conventional wisdom and traditional power structures, offering a plan for an alternative way of being. Richard Rohr explores the implications of this vision in Jesus' Alternative Plan. Going through the teachings of the sermon, he explains the historical and cultural context of each verse, and offers guidance for what the sermon means for Christians today. The result is a clear, yet challenging look at the alternative plan laid out by Jesus for all to see. This updated edition of Jesus' Plan for a New World will inspire Christians who long for a transformative understanding of Jesus' teachings as they seek the true heart of their faith.

This fresh study from an internationally respected scholar of the Reformation and post-Reformation eras shows how the Reformers and their successors analyzed and reconciled the concepts of divine sovereignty and human freedom. Richard Muller argues that traditional Reformed theology supported a robust theory of an omnipotent divine will and human free choice and drew on a tradition of Western theological and philosophical discussion. The book provides historical perspective on a topic of current interest and debate and offers a corrective to recent discussions.

More than twenty-five years have passed since the publication in 1979 of "Brothers and Sisters to Us," the U.S. Bishops' statement against racism, and during this time white Catholic theologians have remained relatively silent on this topic. In this hard-hitting study, prominent Roman Catholic theologians address white priviletge and the way it contributes to racism. They maintain that systems of white privilege are a significant factor in maintaining evil systems of racism in our country and that most white theologians and ethicists remain ignorant of their negative impact.

One of the most powerful forces in the twenty-first century is the increasing phenomenon of globalization. In nearly every realm of human activity, traditional boundaries are disappearing and people worldwide are more interconnected than ever. Christianity has also become more aware of global realities and the important role of the church in non-Western countries. Church leaders must grapple with the implications for theology and ministry in an ever-shrinking world.
"Globalizing Theology" is a groundbreaking book that addresses these issues of vital importance to the church. It contains articles from leading scholars, including Tite Tienou, Kevin Vanhoozer, Charles Van Engen, M. Daniel Carroll R., Andrew Walls, Vinoth Ramachandra, and Paul Hiebert. Topics covered include the challenges that globalization brings to theology, how we can incorporate global perspectives into our thinking, and the effect a more global theology has on a variety of important issues.

From devastating natural disasters to deadly highway accidents, tragedies occur every day around the world and in our own lives. As we face death, grief, loss, we become angry and our faith is tested as we ask, "Is God really in control?"Navigator author Jerry Bridges helps answer that question positively in this topical Bible study, offering comfort and hope by exploring the greater purposes and character of God.- Includes discussion questions- Can be used by men, women, and teens