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.

Two thousand years ago the Lady Mary, the sacred 'Rose in the Heart', made pilgrimage to the mystical British Isles, with the boy Jesus, Naomi her daughter and Joseph of Arimathea. Her Holy Mission as designated by the Masters, was to reactivate the Cosmic Light at ancient Druidic sites, some which held an Atlantean Temple in the Etheric Realm. As 'instructed' by Mary and with Divine guidance, Caroline Harris has followed in her footsteps, travelling through ancient Dummonia - Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, performing sacred Ceremonies to revitalize that Light, and earth the ancient Temples. Intuitively received inspirational messages for the Aquarian Age, are offered from the Masters, Angelic Messengers and those from the Devic Kingdom. Among many subjects explored are: Britain - the New Jerusalem; Atlantis, Hyperborea and Lyonesse; the Ancient Wisdom; the Immaculate Conception; did Jesus die on the Cross?; the Lost Goddess; the Holy Grail; Celtic Christianity; Arthurian Tales; the Crystalline Grid; Ley Lines; Reincarnation; Unicorns; the Essenes; the Egyptian Mysteries; Aboriginal Wisdom, Thought Travel, plus Visions of Glastonbury. You will find this fascinating story, absorbing, enlightening and thought provoking, whatever your persuasion, and it will be of special interest to the dedicated Pilgrim and Light Worker.

Arguably the most respected Catholic systematic theologian in the English-speaking world, David Tracy's growing influence internationally and on persons of other Christian traditions and his ability to communicate with representatives of the secular academy stem from the unique quality of his voice. Still, Tracy's views on Catholicism, the mission of the church, and how plurality of worldviews and hermeneutics affect the church mission are largely unknown. Containing both new material and articles written over the past decade for Concilium, the international journal of progressive Catholic theology, these essays reveal dimensions of Tracy's thought on these topics foreshadowed in his books and philosophical theological reflections. In addition, On Naming the Present shows the best of the spirit of Concilium and its project of fostering a critical and prophetic yet world-welcoming Christian future rooted in a troubled present.

Africa is a continent of striking contrasts, with remarkable diversity and beauty of landscape and peoples. At present, it is a region where the Christian faith shows unprecedented growth and vitality. Yet it is also a place of unparalleled suffering. African believers must grapple with the awesome transformation presence of Christ and the frequently devastating conditions in which he appears. Their efforts to reconcile this seeming incongruity have initiated important theological discussions that have resonated around the globe. This book provides an ideal introduction to the wealth of African theologies and the major questions they raise. Topics range from biblical interpretation to spirituality and ethics, from Pentecostalism and African Instituted Churches to evil and suffering, from feminist theory to Christian identity and ethnicity. The broad range of reflections includes seminal essays by prominent theologians as well as new material written specifically for this volume. All the contributions have been shaped to be accessible at an introductory level. Study questions at the end of each chapter are designed to stimulate original thought to allow the reader to reflect personally on contemporary ideas and participate in discussion.

Essential Expositions of the Psalms is a collection distilled from the 6-volume set in the Works of Saint Augustine. As the psalms are a microcosm of the Old Testament, so the Expositions of the Psalms can be seen as a microcosm of Augustinian thought. In the Book of Psalms are to be found the history of the people of Israel, the theology and spirituality of the Old Covenant, and a treasury of human experience expressed in prayer and poetry. So too does the work of expounding the psalms recapitulate and focus the experiences of Augustine's personal life, his theological reflections and his pastoral concerns as Bishop of Hippo.

Up until the second half of the 20th century, the American Presbyterian creed has been the confessional tradition of the Westminster Assembly (1643-48). Presbyterians in America adopted the Westminster Confession nd Catechisms in 1729 through a compromise measure that produced ongoing debate for the next hundred years. Differences over the meaning of confessional subscription were a continuing cause of the Presbyterian schisms of 1741 and 1837. The Presbyterian Creed is a study of the factors that led to the 19th-century Old School/New School schism and the Presbyterian reunions of 1864 and 1870. In these American Presbyterian reunions, American Presbyterians finally reached consensus on the meaning of confessional subscription which had previously been so elusive.

How much do you know about the end of the world? In The 50 Final Events in World History, beloved and respected pastor Robert J. Morgan takes readers on a journey through end-times prophecy, walking step-by-step through the end of the world to the dawn of the new kingdom of heaven. Heard of worldwide pandemics? Weapons of mass destruction flashing through the air? Global water and air contamination? The nation of Israel restored after 2,000 years, encircled by hostile nations and buffered by the nation of Jordan? Air evacuations with machines having two wings? Threats from Russia and Asia? Extremism in Turkey? Clamor for globalization? Hand implants for commerce and security? The gospel penetrating unreached places? Violent persecution? Cascading wickedness? The world falling apart? All of this is predicted in the book of Revelation. If you find yourself baffled and maybe even a little intimidated by end times and the book of Revelation, The 50 Final Events in World History will be a comprehensive yet easy-to-understand overview of the book of Revelation, resource you can turn to again and again, helpful tool that translates the events of Revelation both literally and sequentially, and guide to interpret present circumstances as well as future events. Revelation is the Bible's final words on the world's last days. The key is understanding its simple sequence of events-one after another, clearly laid out -the fifty final events in world history. This is information we need to know now since we might soon be on the doorstep of event #1.

This ninth volume in the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible offers a theological exegesis of Numbers. This commentary, like each in the series, is designed to serve the church--through aid in preaching, teaching, study groups, and so forth--and demonstrate the continuing intellectual and practical viability of theological interpretation of the Bible. "The Brazos Theological Commentary exists to provide an accessible authority so that the preacher's application will be a ready bandage for all the hurts of life. The Brazos Commentary offers just the right level of light to make illuminating the word the joy it was meant to be."--Calvin Miller, author of A Hunger for the Holy and Loving God Up Close

Representing over 20 countries and numerous Wesleyan denominations, the Global Wesleyan Dictionary of Theology is a collaborative achievement of more than 100 Wesleyan scholars. Its global and denominational diversity is reflected in more than 360 articles encompassing a broad range of topics. Designed for clergy, laypersons, university students, and church teachers, this work is arranged for ease in cross-referencing and to assist in further study.From aesthetics to Zionism this dictionary provides definitions of major theological themes and, as appropriate, a Wesleyan assessment of each. It contains a comprehensive statement of Wesleyan theology and tradition, as set within the broader framework of classical Christian faith and practice. An outstanding resource, this book mirrors the global character of the church, highlighting throughout its wide-ranging coverage the theme of the church in mission.ReviewsI recommend this book for teachers and learners alike, whether one is a follower of the Methodist way or a curious interlocutor.-Amy Laura Hall, Associate Professor, Duke UniversityThis remarkable book will compel many thoughtful readers throughout the world to look afresh at their own understanding of ministry and spirituality. The book has both insight and foresight.-Beauty R. Maenzanise, Dean, Faculty of Theology, Africa University

Looks at the history of Black theology, discusses its relationship to white and liberation theology, and identifies new directions for Black churches to take in the eighties.

Despite the differences of their subject matter, science and theology have a cousinly relationship, John Polkinghorne contends in his latest thought-provoking book. From his unique perspective as both theoretical physicist and Anglican priest, Polkinghorne considers aspects of quantum physics and theology and demonstrates that the two truth-seeking enterprises are engaged in analogous rational techniques of inquiry. His exploration of the deep connections between science and theology shows with new clarity a common kinship in the search for truth.
The author identifies and explores key similarities in quantum physics and Christology. Among the many parallels he identifies are patterns of historical development in quantum physics and in Christology; wrestling with perplexities such as quantum interpretation and the problem of evil; and the drive for an overarching view in the Grand Unified Theories of physics and in Trinitarian theology. Both theology and science are propelled by a desire to understand the world through experienced reality, and Polkinghorne explains that their viewpoints are by no means mutually exclusive.

When the seventeenth-century English Puritan-dominated parliament became embroiled in a conflict with Charles I, the members of the Long Parliament sought military assistance from the Scots. The Scots, however, also desired to see a united Reformation of church and society and proposed a covenant to institute a greater religious uniformity in the three kingdoms. The English parliament established the Westminster Assembly to prepare the documents for that uniformity. One of those documents, the Westminster Confession of Faith, addressed the major theological disputes of the day; one of which centred on whether God still revealed His will outside of the Bible. The book concludes that the Westminster divines believed that God still directed people in all of life, though revelation which come immediately from God had ceased now that the church had the completed Scriptures. In the opening chapter of the Confession, the divines of Westminster included a clause which implied that there would no longer be any special immediate revelation from God. Means by which God had once communicated the divine will, such os dreams, visions, and the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, were said to be no longer available. However, many of the authors of the WCF accepted that 'prophecy' continued in their time, and a number of them apparently believed that disclosure of God's will through dreams, visions, and angelic communication remained possible. How is the 'cessationist' clause of WCF 1:1 to be read in the light of these claims? This book reconciles this paradox in a detailed study of the writings of the authors of the Westminster Confession of Faith. 'Garnet Milne presents us with a much-needed study .... He builds his case by presenting judicious and thorough evidence from a large number of both primary and secondary sources. lt is a fascinating and groundbreaking book ... and clarifies a remarkable amount of profound, theological detail.' Joel R. Beeke, from the Foreword 'Connecting the past to the present is always a difficult but necessary task for the responsible Christian theologian. Dr Milne's work is a good example of how modern questions can be sensitively engaged in a manner which gives due respect to the great formulations of the past without either imposing Procustean criteria on such historic discussions or simply historicising such to the point of irrelevance.' Carl R. Trueman, Professor of Church History and Historical Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, USA 'Scholars in puritan studies are increasingly alert to the variety of the movement's theology and spirituality. Garnet Milne's carefully-argued conclusions will provide a major resource for the reassessment of the most critical of puritan doctrines - the sufficiency of Scripture.' Crawford Gribben, Long Room Hub Senior Lecturer in Early Modern Print Studies, Trinity College, Dublin

A Concise, One-Volume Guide to Spirit-Empowered Theology Many Spirit-filled believers, even those intimately familiar with Scripture, sometimes struggle to express theology in clear terms. Charles Carrin, esteemed Spirit-empowered evangelist and scholar, can help. In this one-volume reference, he explores the core areas of theology--including the Bible, God, creation, sin, salvation, church, last things--from a Spirit-empowered viewpoint. He also specifically addresses key topics for charismatic and Pentecostal believers, including * baptism of the Holy Spirit * functions of the spiritual gifts, including the controversial gift of tongues * healing and deliverance ministry * angels, demons, and the supernatural miracles of God * God's plan for Israel This comprehensive work by a respected Spirit-filled pastor will help you grow in understanding about what you believe--and confidence about why.

Is Christianity for those who can't get a life? What use is a dying God? Why is the Church so naff? If you've faced questions like these and felt tongue-tied, this is the book for you. It will help you talk more confidently with your friends about the hope that keeps you going. And during those times when you find that you are questioning your faith, the answers and ideas here may help you come to a deeper understanding of what you really believe. The user-friendly format of each chapter begins with a 'What they say' section. The author then identifies the key issue, before suggesting (in reassuring detail) how you might respond. All through the book you will find stories, as well as inspiring, poignant and witty quotes to work into your conversations whenever the opportunity may arise!

C. S. Lewis here offers wisdom and lessons that illuminate our private dialogue with God―prayer―in this collection drawn from the breadth of his writings.

The revered teacher and bestselling author of such classic Christian works as Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis here offers wisdom and lessons that illuminate our private dialogue with God―prayer―in this collection drawn from the breadth of his writings.

C. S. Lewis’s insights on Christianity and his reflections on Christian life continue to guide us more than fifty years after his death. How to Pray showcases Lewis’s enduring wisdom on prayer and its place in our daily lives.

Cultivated from his many essays, articles, and letters, as well as his classic works, How to Pray provides practical wisdom and instruction to help readers nurture their spiritual beliefs and embrace prayer in all its forms. While many people would like to speak to God, they often don’t know how to begin. Lewis guides them through the practice, illuminating the significance of prayer and why it is central to faith.

A welcome addition to the C. S. Lewis canon, How to Pray offers a deeper understanding of our personal tradition of prayer, our faith, and what is means to be a Christian.