Contrary to our perception of the centrality of the churches in English life in the nineteenth century, the disappointing results of the 1851 Religious Census led religious leaders to seek a variety of ways to increase religious allegiance as the century progressed. The apparent apathy and lack of interest in formal religion on the part of the working classes was particularly galling, and the various denominations tried hard to attract them through evangelical missions as well as social and charitable ventures which sometimes competed with religious concerns, to the latter's detriment. This book traces the motivations, concerns and efforts of the churches, particularly in the period between 1870 and 1920, and the ambivalent responses of ordinary people. The Education Act of 1870 led to the churches losing their hold on the education of the young, a consequence foreseen by many church leaders, but unable to be prevented. By 1920 it was apparent that the churches' optimism regarding an increased role with a war-weary population would not be fulfilled. The focus is on the city of Leeds, representative of the industrialised urban areas with burgeoning populations which proved to be such a challenge to the churches, at the same time stimulating them to ever-greater efforts.

Poverty and dependence constitute the two sides of the same coin. Both can be seen as a result of the 'terrors of nature' or the 'horrors of history.' They are obstacles to maturity and personal responsibility; they rob their victims of their sense of inner worth and dignity. And they instill in them the unhealthy feelings of inferiority and inner worthlessness that lead to greater poverty of the mind and powerlessness. This book is a study in Christian social ethics within the context of communio ecclesiology. It deals with the entrenched systems of domination that create and maintain material poverty and systemic dependence on the part of the Churches in Africa. The image of the umbilical cord depicts this form of life-or-death dependence on external structures and resources. Having identified the 'terrors of nature' and the 'horrors of history' responsible for the African predicaments that result in acute poverty and shameless dependence, this study sees the principles of the social order in their diverse understandings as the criteria capable of effectively blazing the trail of Self-reliance for the Churches in Africa.

This study of Santa Maria del Gualdo Mazzocca, a Benedictine priory, and then abbey, directly dependent upon the papacy, offers a remarkable glimpse into the nature of monastic life in the middle ages.

This book demonstrates through methodological reflections and carefully chosen case studies a new way to conduct study of religion. It focuses on how social actors negotiate what counts as "religion" and how discourses on religion are part of the way in which contemporary societies organise themselves. The present volume draws on examples from judicial processes, media discourses, and scholarly debates related to Wiccans, Druids, and Jedi knights, among others. By analysing discourses on religion and building on, rather than rejecting, genealogical critiques of religion, Teemu Taira argues that the study of religion can be constructive and socially relevant.

Frankfurt/M., Berlin, Bern, Bruxelles, New York, Oxford, Wien. Studies in the Intercultural History of Christianity. Vol. 125. Edited by Richard Friedli, Jan A. B. Jongeneel, Klaus Koschorke, Theo Sundermeier and Werner Ustorf When German missiologists started to re-import their dream of a dominant Christianity to central Europe, there were more similarities between the missionary and the national socialist utopias than the post-war consensus would like to admit. Fascism to many missiologists became the desired breaking point of modernity, a revival of the Volk's deep emotions and a breakthrough of the archaic spirituality they had long been waiting for. Upon this tide they wanted to sail and conquer new territories for Christ. This study, therefore, will address the issue of mission and Nazism primarily in the light of the struggle of Christianity for a place or a home within and vis-a-vis the culture of the West as it was approaching the end of modernity. Contents: Christian missionary thinking in its broad historical context - Explicitly missionary but non-Christian movements in Germany at the time (Hitler's missiology and Hauer's neopaganism) - Attempts in the US, in Britain and the wider ecumenical movement (William Hocking, Joe Oldham, the Oxford conference of 1937) at rethinking Christianity.

This book considers how Early Modern England was transformed from a turbulent and rebellious kingdom into a peaceable land. By considering the history of Taunton, Somerset, the most rebellious town in the kingdom, it is possible to see how the emerging features of the Enlightenment - moderation, reason and rational theology - effected that transformation. The experience of Taunton in the seventeenth century was marked by economic fluctuations of the cloth trade and military struggles in the Civil War, the Monmouth Rebellion and the Glorious Revolution. The primary motivation for the citizens was zealous Puritanism. It inspired support for Parliament and rebellion against James II. But in the final quarter of the century a new rational and moderate Protestantism emerged from the largest Nonconformist congregation in the country and form a distinguished dissenting academy. The study shows that both the militancy of the seventeenth century and the enlightened moderation of the eighteenth century were principally inspired by religious rather than secular values. This book contributes to our understanding of England's transformation and of the religious factors that stimulated it.

Enormous growth of violent escalation among youth in every country and culture is alarming. Moreover, aversion to violence is rapidly diminishing and many young people regard violence as an effective and only means to achieve anything in life. Concepts like redemptive violence; just war, holy war, etc. evoke positive resonance. The situation of the youth in India is no exception to the general trend in the global community. Youth violence is indeed a challenge to pastoral care and many involved in youth ministry are trapped in a helpless situation. With the help of pastoral reflection and an interdisciplinary approach this book deals with theory and praxis of youth ministry in the context of violence and aggression among the youth in order to discern relevant strategies for an effective pastoral care.

This companion volume to Lutheran Worship examines the roots of Lutheran worship practices and critiques.