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Books > Christianity > Christian theology
Christianity, and its theological and spiritual underpinnings, does not fulfil the needs of people living in a rapidly changing world. For all its good intention, the Catholic Church has failed to provide the necessary religious tools to its congregants and wider Catholic community to confront the ecological and environmental problems that confront mankind. This book sets out the required parameters of spirituality within an evolutionary world context, linking the theological with the practical, under the aegis of the Jesuit Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. His writings promote a concept of God at the centre of the world we live in - a Christian way of living, fully engaged. At the heart of Teilhard's world view are creation, evolution, and the environment. He provides the spiritual tools to understand a God that is, in real effect, our evolving world and our actions toward it. In looking after God's world through our daily commitment we meet the needs of the whole of creation. And this makes Christian faith truly meaningful and of direct relevance to our living in the world. Indeed, the second encyclical of Pope Francis (Laudato si') with its care for our common home message, is Teilhardian in its outlook. Likewise the Pope's sacrament of the brother teaching. Because of the inextricable link between human activity and the creative work of God, Teilhard saw all human endeavour as holy. Herewith the Ignatian theme of 'finding God in all things', coupled with a cosmic approach to redemption and the notion of ongoing divine creativity. Teilhard's vision is a template for understanding our place in the world, our intimate relationship to the whole of creation and our responsibilities to the environment and to each other. Teilhard asks us to face the challenges of a rapidly changing world as co-creators with God - a tremendous privilege but also an awesome responsibility. An Appendix lists all of Teilhard's writings and their publication sources, divided into five main sections, and further subdivided by topic - an indispensable resource tool for Teilhard scholars, and for readers familiar with The Divine Milieu and The Human Phenomenon.
Are we able to identify and compare the philosophical perspectives and questions that must be postulated as having been somehow present in the language, ideas and worldviews of the Biblical authors? This book sets out an approach to something that has been generally considered impossible: a philosophical theology of the Old Testament. It demonstrates and addresses the neglect of a descriptive and comparative philosophical clarification of concepts in Old Testament theology, and in so doing treads new ground in Biblical studies and philosophical theology. Recognizing the obvious problems with, and objections to, any form of interdisciplinary research combining philosophical and Biblical theology, this study presents itself as introductory and experimental in nature. The methodology opted for is limited to a philosophical clarification of concepts already found in Old Testament theology, while the findings are presented via the popular thematic approach found in analytic philosophical theologies; with no attempted justification or critique of the textual contents under investigation. These approaches are combined by primarily looking at the nature of Yahweh in the Old Testament. This book offers a new vision of Biblical and philosophical theology that brings them closer together in order that we might understand both more broadly and deeply. As such, it will be vital reading for scholars of Theology, Biblical Studies and Philosophy.
Given the foundational importance of circumcision in the OT and its prevalence in numerous debates in the NT, it is surprising that so little detailed work has been done on establishing a biblical theology of circumcision. This lack is even more surprising given that circumcision forms the background for some of the most hotly contested writings of the apostle Paul. The biblical material on circumcision seems to present vastly different and even apparently contradictory pictures of what circumcision means. The two key biblical concepts of righteousness and faith are closely linked to circumcision in debates carried on in Paul's letters and the early church. Karl Deenick shows that these two concepts are central to both the NT understanding and the developing OT understanding of circumcision. They are held together by the unfolding promise of a blameless 'seed of Abraham' through whose sacrifice the promised righteousness will finally come - a righteousness which will be enjoyed by those who trust in God's promise. Physical circumcision signified the goal of walking blamelessly before Yahweh, but it also represented the hope that Yahweh would provide a blameless seed through whom he would bring about that blamelessness in those who were not blameless/righteous. Circumcision of the heart is the appropriation of that promise by faith. It is the willing allegiance to Yahweh and the trust that Yahweh both forgives and makes righteous through the promised seed of Abraham.
The Jesus Puzzle: Challenging intellectual uncertainty about Jesus shares the question of knowledge of the historical Jesus, in order to refute sceptics who consider that we can know very little about Him - and to encourage Christians to have more confidence in relating to what is said about Jesus in the gospels.
What is really going on inside the Church of England? God's Church for God's World offers essays and testimony from Evangelical Anglicans ahead of the Lambeth Conference 2022, that explore both the current state of Anglicanism and the future of Anglicanism in the UK. Featuring contributions from the likes of Andrew Goddard, Esther Prior, a number of serving bishops and many more, this collection offers a unique window into recent Anglican history that has often be tumultuous, and the workings of the Anglican Communion today. With a rare blend of theological reflection and timely storytelling, each essay offers something fresh - with no easy answers. Combining critical reflection with good news stories, they explore topics such as church planting and mutual flourishing, and encourage all of us to think through what faithfulness might look in our own context. God's Church for God's World brings together voices drawn from all major Anglican evangelical networks in the UK, demonstrating a commitment to the Gospel being proclaimed and a unity both throughout and beyond the Church of England. With a number of young contributors, it also offers a glimpse of possible futures for the Anglican Church. An honest, behind-the-scenes look at the Church of England in the twenty-first century, God's Church for God's World is a book for anyone looking for insight into the Anglican Communion from an evangelical perspective, and to understand what might lie ahead for the church.
Why the call to Love Thy Body? To counter a pervasive hostility toward the body and biology that drives today's headline stories: Transgenderism: Activists detach gender from biology. Kids down to kindergarten are being taught their bodies are irrelevant. Is this affirming--or does it demean the body? Homosexuality: Advocates disconnect sexuality from biological identity. Is this liberating--or does it denigrate biology? Abortion: Supporters deny the fetus is a person, though it is biologically human. Does this mean equality for women--or does it threaten the intrinsic value of all humans? Euthanasia: Those who lack certain cognitive abilities are said to be no longer persons. Is this compassionate--or does it ultimately put everyone at risk? In Love Thy Body, bestselling author Nancy Pearcey goes beyond politically correct slogans with a riveting expos of the dehumanizing worldview that shapes current watershed moral issues. Pearcey then turns the tables on media boilerplate that misportrays Christianity as harsh or hateful. A former agnostic, she makes a surprising and persuasive case that Christianity is holistic, sustaining the dignity of the body and biology. Throughout she entrances readers with compassionate stories of people wrestling with hard questions in their own lives--their pain, their struggles, their triumphs. "Liberal secularist ideology rests on a mistake and Nancy Pearcey in her terrific new book puts her finger right on it. In embracing abortion, euthanasia, homosexual conduct and relationships, transgenderism, and the like, liberal secularism . . . is philosophically as well as theologically untenable."--Robert P. George, Princeton University "Wonderful guide."--Sam Allberry, author, Is God Anti-Gay? "A must-read."--Rosaria Butterfield, former professor, Syracuse University; author, The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert "An astute but accessible analysis of the intellectual roots of the most important moral ills facing us today: abortion, euthanasia, and redefining the family."--Richard Weikart, California State University, Stanislaus "Highly readable, insightful, and informative."--Mary Poplin, Claremont Graduate University; author, Is Reality Secular? "Unmasks the far-reaching practical consequences of mind-body dualism better than anyone I have ever seen."--Jennifer Roback Morse, founder and president, The Ruth Institute "Love Thy Body richly enhances the treasure box that is Pearcey's collective work."--Glenn T. Stanton, Focus on the Family "Essential reading . . . Love Thy Body brings clarity and understanding to the multitude of complex and confusing views in discussions about love and sexuality."--Becky Norton Dunlop, Ronald Reagan Distinguished Fellow, The Heritage Foundation "Pearcey gets straight to the issue of our day: What makes humans valuable in the first place? You must get this book. Don't just read it. Master it."--Scott Klusendorf, president, Life Training Institute
Approved by the bishops of England and Wales for their dioceses. 300 questions and answers on all aspects of the Faith. Excellent basic class text and short summary of Catholic teaching for everyone. An official catechism. (5-2.00 ea.; 10-1.75 ea.; 25-1.50 ea.; 50-1.25 ea.; 100-1.00 ea.).
A stunning reexamination of one of the essential tenets of Christian belief from one of the most provocative and admired writers on religion today "A scathing, vigorous, eloquent attack on those who hold that that there is such a thing as eternal damnation."-Karen Kilby, Commonweal "[A] provocative, informative treatise. . . . [Hart's] resounding challenge to orthodox Christian views on hell and his defense of God's ultimate goodness will prove convincing and inspiring to the open-minded."-Publishers Weekly (starred review) The great fourth-century church father Basil of Caesarea once observed that, in his time, most Christians believed that hell was not everlasting, and that all would eventually attain salvation. But today, this view is no longer prevalent within Christian communities. In this momentous book, David Bentley Hart makes the case that nearly two millennia of dogmatic tradition have misled readers on the crucial matter of universal salvation. On the basis of the earliest Christian writings, theological tradition, scripture, and logic, Hart argues that if God is the good creator of all, he is the savior of all, without fail. And if he is not the savior of all, the Kingdom is only a dream, and creation something considerably worse than a nightmare. But it is not so. There is no such thing as eternal damnation; all will be saved. With great rhetorical power, wit, and emotional range, Hart offers a new perspective on one of Christianity's most important themes.
Jeremiah was an Old Testament voice, but he still speaks to our day.
Alone and living in a time of chaos, he was a prophet and Levitical
priest whose fellow priests and prophets wanted him dead. In fact,
everyone wanted him dead—the political leaders, his neighbors, and even
his family.
This book is a clarion call to all believers. We need to see the bigger picture: it is not about us but about God’s heart and God’s kingdom. God is looking for warriors who are about advancing His kingdom by storming the gates of hell and setting His sons and daughters free from the clutches of the greatest narcissist of all time. Mark Biltz unpacks two books of the Bible written by the prophet Jeremiah: the Book of Lamentations and the Book of Jeremiah. Biltz has uncovered fascinating Hebraic codes within Lamentations, making this a truly unique message for readers. This book will encourage you to persevere in your faith despite cultural shifts and pressures, much like what the prophet Jeremiah did
Platonism and Christian Thought in Late Antiquity examines the various ways in which Christian intellectuals engaged with Platonism both as a pagan competitor and as a source of philosophical material useful to the Christian faith. The chapters are united in their goal to explore transformations that took place in the reception and interaction process between Platonism and Christianity in this period. The contributions in this volume explore the reception of Platonic material in Christian thought, showing that the transmission of cultural content is always mediated, and ought to be studied as a transformative process by way of selection and interpretation. Some chapters also deal with various aspects of the wider discussion on how Platonic, and Hellenic, philosophy and early Christian thought related to each other, examining the differences and common ground between these traditions. Platonism and Christian Thought in Late Antiquity offers an insightful and broad ranging study on the subject, which will be of interest to students of both philosophy and theology in the Late Antique period, as well as anyone working on the reception and history of Platonic thought, and the development of Christian thought.
The crucifixion of Jesus: a dreadful mistake? A tragic failure? Irrelevant? Absurd? An embarrassment? The cross of Christ is, in fact, at the centre of God's plan for men and women. This book explains why. With freshness and clarity, Mark Meynell explores the Bible's teaching, to show how God himself 'cross-examines' us in the death of Jesus. At the cross, God exposes our deepest need, meets it fully and enables us to live transformed lives. This revised and expanded edition includes new chapters on union with Christ and leadership.
Amid the crisis of authority in our modern and postmodern era, Christians need to be able to point to God's revelation in the natural world in addition to defending God's unique revelation in the Bible and in the person of Jesus Christ. Classical apologetics takes a two-step approach to commending the Christian picture of reality. First, arguments for the existence of God, such as those of natural theology, are employed to create common ground with people outside the household of the Christian faith and to provide intellectual support for Christians. Second, classical apologetics defends key items of Christian revelation, including the reliability of the Bible, the identity of the historical Jesus, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In the Knowledge of God in the World and the Word Workbook, designed to be used alongside the Knowledge of God in the World and the Word textbook by authors Douglas Groothuis and Andrew I. Shepardson, students are guided through learning exercises that introduce them to classical apologetics and to innovative defenses of natural theology.
Numerous useful books on Old Testament theology are now available. However, they often give too much information - or too little. Some can seem large, and daunting to the ordinary student or pastor, and because of their layout, information may be hard to access. Others take a more introductory approach and do not deal with many of the theological issues and questions that the Old Testament raises. Robin Routledge's aim is to bridge this gap. He provides a substantial overview of the central issues and themes in Old Testament theology in the main body of the text, with more detailed discussion and references for further reading in the footnotes. His purpose is to examine the theological significance of the various texts in their wider canonical context, noting unity and coherence within the Old Testament (and to some extent between the Old and New Testaments), whilst also being aware of diversity. A brief outline of the relationship between exegesis and biblical theology within the overall task of interpreting and applying biblical material is given in the first chapter. His hope as a Christian minister is that, while this volume has grown out of a teaching context, and is intended for students, it will also be of benefit to others who want to take the theological content of the Old Testament seriously, and to apply its message to the life and ministry of the church today.
Along with his Confessions, The City of God is undoubtedly St. Augustine's most influential work. In the context of what begins as a lengthy critique of classic Roman religion and a defence of Christianity, Augustine touches upon numerous topics, including the role of grace, the original state of humanity, the possibility of waging a just war, the ideal form of government, and the nature of heaven and hell. But his major concern is the difference between the City of God and the City of Man - one built on love of God, the other on love of self. One cannot but be moved and impressed by the author's breadth of interest and penetrating intelligence. For all those who are interested in the greatest classics of Christian antiquity, The City of God is indispensible. This long-awaited translation by William Babcock is published in two volumes, with an introduction and annotation that make Augustine's monumental work approachable. For all those who are interested in the greatest classics of Christian antiquity, The City of God is indispensible. Books 1 - 10 contain Augustine's critique of the Roman religious, political, and intellectual tradition and prepare the way for the great vision of the two cities that he sets out in Books 11-22.
For a long time, Christians have tried to bridge the divide between Christianity and secular liberalism with philosophizing and theologizing. In The Priority of Christ, Bishop Robert Barron shows that the answer to this debate--and the way to move forward--lies in Jesus. Barron transcends the usual liberal/conservative or Protestant/Catholic divides with a postliberal Catholicism that brings the focus back on Jesus as revealed in the New Testament narratives. Barron's classical Catholic post-liberalism will be of interest to a broad audience including not only the academic community but also preachers and general readers interested in entering the dialogue between Catholicism and postliberalism.
Are Christians at risk of demonic invasion?
Just because you go to church doesn't mean that you are exposed (or exposing others) to the gospel explicitly. Sure, most people talk about Jesus, and about being good and avoiding bad, but the gospel message simply isn't there--at least not in its specificity and its fullness. Inspired by the needs of both the overchurched and the unchurched, and bolstered by the common neglect of the explicit gospel within Christianity, popular pastor Matt Chandler writes this punchy treatise to remind us what is of first and utmost importance--the gospel. Here is a call to true Christianity, to know the gospel explicitly, and to unite the church on the amazing grounds of the good news of Jesus ANNOUNCEMENT Matt Chandler is going on tour with Shane & Shane from April 16th - 21st to share the explicit gospel. Learn more at: The Explicit Gospel Tour
An intriguing introduction to Christian doctrine from an African perspective. Using a framework of excerpts from Chinua Achebe's well-known novel, Things Fall Apart, the author introduces the major themes of Christian doctrine: God, Trinity, creation, grace and sin, Jesus Christ, church, Mary, the saints, inculturation, and spirituality. While explaining basic Christian beliefs, Theology Brewed in an African Pot also clarifies the differences between an African view of religion and a more Eurocentric understanding of religion. Very accessible and engaging, each of the eleven short chapters ends with three discussion questions followed by one or two African prayers |
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