The grammar of Christian redemption cannot live solely in the future tense. Despite confidence about the effects of Jesus' resurrection in the present, Christians are tempted to depict salvation as a future accomplishment, rather than a present reality. No doubt this failing is well founded, for most Christians know all too well that the power of the pastaparticularly past sufferingashapes the present. But as Mindy Makant argues in The Practice of Story: Suffering and the Possibilities of Redemption , such reserve may cede too much to suffering and grant too little to redemption. Makant admits the horrors of suffering: that suffering damages and destroys, that past suffering renders one unable to live in the present, and that profound suffering can make it altogether impossible to imagine a future. Yet in the very midst of this impossibility, Makant shows how suffering, even extreme and profound suffering, does not have the final word. God does. The story of suffering is not the defining narrative. Redemption wields ultimate power to shape human identity. God has given the church giftsaspecific ecclesial practicesanecessary to bear witness to the story of God's redemptive activity in the world. These practices constitute the practices of story. They re-order the lives of Christians and make future redemption present despite the destructive power of the past.

For half a century Leander Keck thought, taught, and wrote about the New Testament. He first served as a Professor of New Testament at Vanderbilt Divinity School and Emory University's Candler School of Theology before becoming Dean and Professor of Biblical Theology at Yale Divinity School. Keck's lifelong work on Jesus and Paul was a catalyst for the emerging discussions of New Testament Christology and Pauline theology in the Society of Biblical Literature and the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas. Keck wrote a staggering number of now industry-standard articles on the New Testament. Here, they are all collected for the first time. In Why Christ Matters and Christ's First Theologian , readers will discover how Keck gave new answers to old questions even as he carefully reframed old answers into new questions. Keck's work is a treasure trove of historical, exegetical, and theological interpretation.

Science fiction imagines a universe teeming with life and thrilling possibility, but also hidden and hideous dangers. Christian theology, often a polemical target for science fiction, reflects on the plenitude out of which and for which the universe exists. In Science Fiction Theology , Alan Gregory investigates the troubled relationship between science fiction and Christianity and, in particular, how both have laid claim to the modern idea of sublimity. To the extent that science fiction has appropriatedaand reveledain the sublime, it has persisted in a sometimes explicit, sometimes subterranean, relationship with Christian theology. From its seventeenth-century beginnings, the sublime, with its representations of immensity, has informed the imagining of God. When science fiction critiques or reinvents religion, its writers have engaged in a literary guerrilla war with Christianity over what is truly sublime and divine. Gregory examines the sublime and its implicit theologies as they appear in early American pulp science fiction, the horror writing of H. P. Lovecraft, science fiction narratives of evolution and apocalypse, and the work of Philip K. Dick. Ironically, science fiction's tussle with Christianity hides the extent to which the sublime, especially in popular culture, serves to distort the classical Christian understanding of God, secularizing that God and rendering God's transcendence finite. But by turning from the sublime to a consideration of the beautiful, Gregory shows that both Christian and science-fictional imaginations may discover a new and surprising conversation.

In this fully revised and updated second edition of his accessible account of systematic Christology, Gerald O'Collins continues to challenge the contemporary publishing trend for sensationalist books on Jesus that are supported neither by the New Testament witness nor by mainline Christian beliefs.
This book critically examines the best biblical and historical scholarship before tackling head-on some of the key questions of systematic Christology: does orthodox faith present Jesus the man as deficient and depersonalized? Is his sinlessness compatible with the exercise of a free human will? Does up-to-date exegesis challenge his virginal conception and personal resurrection? Can one reconcile Jesus' role as universal Saviour with the truth and values to be found in other religions? What should the feminist movement highlight in presenting Jesus? This integral Christology is built around the resurrection of the crucified Jesus, highlights love as the key to redemption, and proposes a synthesis of the divine presence through Jesus. Clear, balanced, and accessible, this book should be valued by any student reading systematic theology, anyone training for the ministry in all denominations, as well as interested general readers.

This is an introduction to African Christian ethics for Christian colleges and Bible schools. The book is divided into two parts. The first part deals with the theory of ethics, while the second discusses practical issues. The issues are grouped into the following six sections: Socio-Political Issues, Financial Issues, Marriage Issues, Sexual Issues, Medical Issues, and Religious Issues. Each section begins with a brief general introduction, followed by the chapters dealing with specific issues in that area. Each chapter begins with an introduction, discusses traditional African thinking on the issue, presents an analysis of relevant biblical material, and concludes with some recommendations. There are questions at the end of each chapter for discussion or personal reflection, often asking students to reflect on how the discussion in the chapter applies to their ministry situation.

Rose Philippine Duchesne: A Dreamer and a Missionary tells the story of Rose Philippine Duchesne, who was born in France and did mission work in both St. Charles, MO, and Kansas. The biographies in this new series help the young reader develop an understanding of our real-life heroes, the saints and introduce children ages 4-9 to the concept that saints are people who live all around us, and who can inspire us to become more like Christ. Rose Philippine Duchesne is one of 6 saints in the Saints of North America set, part of the Saints and Me series.

Human disability raises the hardest questions of human existence and leads directly to the problem of causality--the underlying intuition that someone, divine or human, must have been at fault.

Christian theology has responded with almost singular attention to Providence, the expression of divine will in the world as the cause of all things. This preoccupation holds captive the Christian imagination, leaving the Church ill equipped to engage the human reality of disability. Theological reflection, argues Hans Reinders, can arise only as a second-order activity that follows after real attention to the experience of disability.

Disability, Providence, and Ethics offers a more excellent way to address this difficult subject. Reinders guides readers away from an identification of disability with tragedy--via lament--to the possibility of theological hope and its expression of God's presence. In particular, Reinders reconsiders two of the main traditional sources in Christian thought about Providence, the biblical text of Job and the theological work of John Calvin. Throughout the book, first-person accounts of disability open up biblical texts and Christian theology--rather than the other way around. In the end, a theology of Providence begins with the presence of the Spirit, not with the problem of causality.

Endlessly cunning, elusive, and playful--the Bible consistently unsettles even as it assures. Walter Brueggemann reveals exactly how Scripture exposes the inadequacy of the assumptions and habits that shape our lives. He finds inside Israel's ancient poetry, prophecy, narrative, and legal covenants new words that create new peoples. In so doing this book provokes a theology of transformation--one that compels new social, economic, and political practices. Brueggemann's reading reveals that we are not fated to live a life of greed, anxiety, and violence, but instead can embrace a shared life of well-being grounded in an investment in the common good. Brueggemann shows the endless ways by which the Bible provokes new life for transformed peoples.

This wonderful book looks at the person and work of Christ, from his preexistence and eternal Sonship, through his incarnation, life, death, resurrection and ascension, to his return. It considers and applies the theological significance of all this, looking especially at how all our salvation is found in Christ. That is, it considers soteriology and the Christian life with and through the lens of Christology. Written in an accessible and devotional manner, with frequent references to historical theologians and their insights, Christ Our Life follows on from the huge success of the author's bestselling work, The Good God (Paternoster, 2012). COMMENDATIONS "Michael Reeves' new and riveting book takes us to the heart of the Gospel in presenting the person of Jesus Christ as our life and our all. With deft and engaging style Reeves demonstrates the love of God in Jesus and we realize again how much we owe to grace. A great sequel to The Good God, this fresh and accessible look at Jesus will warm hearts of faith and will turn seekers to the living God, revealed most clearly in his Son, Jesus Christ. Lively and stimulating - I recommend it warmly." - Michael Parsons, Commissioning Editor, Paternoster; Associate Research Fellow, Spurgeon's College, London

The chief aim of this volume is to construct a trinitarian theological description of eschatology that is at once systematic, generated from the theological interpretation of Scripture and yet sensitive to essential elements for Christian practice. While there is no shortage of books on `the end-times,' too few combine systematic theology with a theological interpretation of Scripture and Christian living. Regrettably, many arise out of incoherent or superficial readings of the Bible that detract from, or even ignore, the `once and for all' achievements of God through the death and resurrection of Jesus. The cost to the church is an eschatology that is insufficiently Christian despite its claim to be `biblical.' Alternatively, many other books fail to consider how God reveals himself through the Lord Jesus and by the power of his Spirit and are therefore not genuinely Christian, despite the claim to be `theological.' Sadly, too many works on this subject fail to distinguish between the actual hope provided by the gospel and the aspirations of Western culture. David Hoehne offers a reading of the Bible that is shaped by the gospel, informed by the history of Christian thought, and dedicated to serving the church in a world that is at once frustrated by sin, death and evil, and yet longing for the return of our Lord and Messiah.

The book series Key Concepts in Interreligious Discourses (KCID) brings together academic studies of essential concepts and discourses in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It offers a new approach to the study of these religions by investigating the original understandings and major developments of the central concepts responsible for shaping each one of these traditions. It also pays attention to the ways in which these concepts are related to one another. The aim of the series is to establish an archeology of religious knowledge, which can enable a new understanding of religious concepts as evolving products of living discourses that emerge under diverse historical and cultural circumstances. The series intends to create a new conceptual platform capable of engendering further interreligious discourses and fruitful interreligious exchange. https://www.kcid.fau.de/

This highly successful and popular book is now available in a thoroughly expanded and updated new edition. Alister E. McGrath, one of the world's leading theologians, provides readers with a concise and balanced introduction to Christianity as it has been interpreted by many of its greatest thinkers and commentators, from its beginning to the modern day. Theology: The Basic Readings, 3rd Edition comprises sixty-eight readings spanning twenty centuries of Christian history. To help readers engage with the material, each reading is accompanied by an introduction, comments, study questions, and a helpful glossary of terms used by its author. Readings are drawn from a broad theological spectrum and include both historical and contemporary, mainstream, and cutting-edge approaches Uses the Apostles' Creed as a framework to introduce readers to writings on key issues, such as faith, God, Jesus, creation, and salvation Represents two thousand years of sustained critical reflection within western Christianity Encourages readers to interact with each text and to engage with primary sources Serves as an ideal companion to the bestselling, Theology: The Basics or as a standalone text Theology: The Basic Readings, 3rd Edition is an essential guide to the topics, themes, controversies, and reflections on Christianity as they have been understood by many of its greatest commentators.

This Doctrine, while it lays man's pride low, gives him an anchor of hope sure and steadfast, drawing him to Heaven; for his hope is founded not in the weakness, folly, and fickleness of his human will, but in the eternal love, wisdom, power of almighty God.

For most Bible readers, the book of Revelation is a riddle that fascinates and frustrates. Scholars and teachers have proposed different keys to its interpretation. However, neither the `futurist' nor the historical-critical approach adequately demonstrates the ongoing, vital relevance of the Apocalypse for the contemporary church.Brian Tabb stresses the importance of the canonical context of the book of Revelation. He argues that it presents itself as the climax of biblical prophecy that shows how various Old Testament prophecies and patterns find their consummation in the present and future reign of Jesus Christ, who decisively defeats his foes, saves his people and restores all things. Tabb considers key themes in the book: the triune God; Christ's followers and foes; God's plan for salvation, judgment and restoration; and God's word. He also shows how the book's symbolic visions shape believers' worldviews around what is true, good and beautiful according to God's revealed standards, and motivate them to live obediently and counter-culturally in the world as faithful witnesses to Jesus.

The natural successor to the King James Version. The ESV is an essentially literal Bible translation that combines word-for-word precision and accuracy with literary excellence, beauty and readability. If you are thinking of changing from your existing Bible translation, the ESV with its timeless quality and enduring relevance could be a great choice. This new ESV edition with British text and words of Christ in red is ideal for individuals and churches and makes a perfect gift.Features* The words spoken by Christ highlighted in red text* 32 pages of full colour illustrations and maps, illustrated in precise accurate detail - bringing a fresh insight and in-depth understanding to the sites and events of the Bible* The rich and elegant writing of the King James version - but in its most readable and modern form* A comprehensive concordance* British text Endorsements"The ESV has transformed my personal reading of Scripture. My private Bible study has been so much better since I changed over to the ESV. Readable, theologically accurate-the ESV is surely the Bible for our times."Christopher CatherwoodAuthor and Speaker, Cambridge, England"The ESV is my translation of choice. I use it both for my personal study and when I preach and teach...It is the primary translation we use in the worship services at our church...I love it because of the translators' commitment to accuracy and it's very readable...My walk with the Lord and my ministry have been enriched and blessed through this wonderful translation."Dr. Crawford W. Loritts, Jr.Author, Speaker, Radio Host, Sr. Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church, Roswell, Georgia

In the march of modernity and the opening of global boundaries, the face of the world changed. How we understood the world, and our place in it, changed. And with that great shift, our concept of the Holy Spirit also changed. Now the third person of the Trinity became a diffusive power in a universalizing attempt at resolving the expansively harsh realities of human existence. In A Profound Ignorance , Ephraim Radnertraces the development of pneumatology as a modern discipline and its responses to experiences of social confusion and suffering, often associated with questions linked to the category of theodicy. Along the way, study of the Spirit joined with natural science to become study of spirit, which was at root study of the human person redefined without limitation. Radner proposes that the proper parameters of pneumatology are found in studying Israel and her historical burdens as the Body of Christ, showing how the Spirit is the reality of God that affirms the redemptive character of Christ, the Son. The traumas of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries have brought to the fore the problematic distance between earlier and more modern approaches to the Spirit. Drawing on writers from Paracelsus to John Berryman, and including theologians and philosophers like Anne Conway and John Wesley, as well as literary figures from d'AubignA (c) to Duhamel, Radner attempts to locate modern pneumatology's motives and interests within some of the novel social settings of a rapidly globalizing consciousness and conflicted pluralism. It is by following Israel into the Incarnation of Jesus, Radner contends, that humans find their unresolved sufferings and yearnings redeemed. The Holy Spirit operates in deep hope, the kind of hope that is inaccessible to simple articulation. Finally, Radner argues for a more limited and reserved pneumatology, subordinated to the christological realities of divine incarnation: here, creaturely limitations are not denied, but affirmed, and taken up into the life of God.

How do Christians account for the widespread presence of goodness in a fallen world? Richard Mouw, one of the most influential evangelical voices in America, presents his mature thought on the topic of common grace. Addressing a range of issues relevant to engaging common grace in the 21st century, Mouw shows how God takes delight in all things that glorify him--even those that happen beyond the boundaries of the church--and defends the doctrine of common grace from its detractors.