The Bible suggests that unbelievers are a crop ready for harvest. When harvested, they are taken to the threshing floor, where husks and chaff are removed to reveal the precious seed (Matt. 3:11-12; 9:35-38). This book develops the concept of 'Threshing floor' by simple reference to a typical sub-urban town-house or mansion with nine floors, each of them being a 'Threshing Floor'. For various reasons, many Christians are uncomfortable to approach someone else for counselling. Fatally wounded by fellow Christians, whether leaders or not, they quietly withdraw from the Church. Alternatively, they stay put, but deeply wounded and hurt, they limp along and remain in the Church. They become religious. This book offers a new, innovative, 'D.I.Y' approach to Christian Counselling, whereby one approaches others only in the event of failure of the D.I.Y. process. Touching on various character and behavioural attributes, the Bible is explored to clinically analyse scriptures, offering chances for the wounded and those who wound others to get 'self-threshed' by the Word of God on different theoretical 'floors' in the 'House God' (Psalm 23:6). When fully threshed, they serve in God's house with a sweet spirit, agape love, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

In recent years there has been a bold revival in the field of natural theology, where "natural theology" can be understood as the attempt to demonstrate that God exists by way of reason, evidence, and argument without the appeal to divine revelation. Today's practitioners of natural theology have not only revived and recast all of the traditional arguments in the field, but, by drawing upon the findings of contemporary cosmology, chemistry, and biology, have also developed a range of fascinating new ones. Contemporary Arguments in Natural Theology brings together twenty experts working in the field today. Together, they practice natural theology from a wide range of perspectives, and show how the field of natural theology is practiced today with a degree of diversity and confidence not seen since the Middle Ages. Aimed primarily at advanced undergraduates and graduate students, the volume will also be of interest to researchers in philosophy, theology, biblical studies, and religious studies, as an indispensable resource on contemporary theistic proofs.

Through a series of fascinating essays "Creation's Diversity" examines the concept of environmental engagement in the context of religious convictions."Creation's Diversity" opens with a substantial introduction by Willem B. Drees, exploring how to relate environmental engagement in the context of religious convictions. Daniel Ciobotea, Metropolit of Moldavia and Bucovina (Romania) speaks from the Orthodox tradition in arguing for the compatibility of science and faith in appreciating the rationality and mystery of the universe.In the first part of the book, 'A Diversity of Visions of Creation', six essays address various views of creation. Anna Primavesi is inspired by the gaia-theory that presents the whole biosphere as intimately intertwined. Regina Kather takes her point of departure in a philosophical analysis of human beings as biological products and producers of culture. David Goodin concerns the Biblical narratives regarding the Leviathan, as a sea monster to be destroyed and as one of God's impressive creatures, to be played with. Christopher Southgate mines the religious tradition, especially the idea that God limits 'himself' (kenosis) so as to create room for a free response and genuine responsibility on the side of creatures such as we. Two more chapters, by Alfred Kracher and Tony Watling analyze the mythical roles of nature and technology and of cosmologies inspired by science (e.g. the gaia-theory) and by religious traditions (e.g., creation narratives).The second part of the book, 'Sustaining Creation's Diversity', analyses critically the concept of sustainability, given the dynamic character of natural reality as unveiled by the sciences (Sam Berry, Jan J. Boersema). This is followed by some reflections on ethical and theological considerations regarding the idea that we ought to sustain diversity (Chris Wiltsher, Peter P. Kirschenmann). Zbigniew Liana considers diversity in a more cultural context, as the diversity of ideas, while the concluding chapter by Dirk Evers reflects on the task of theology in sustaining diversity in a situation of growing religious pluralism.

This book is the first greater attempt to construct a dialogical theology from a Jewish point of view. It contributes to an emerging new theology that promotes the interrelatedness of religions in which encounter, openness, hospitality and permanent learning are central. The monograph is about the self and the other, inner and outer, own and strange; about borders and crossing borders, and about the sublime activities of passing and translating. Meir analyses and critically discusses the writings of great contemporary Jewish dialogical thinkers and argues that the values of interreligious theology are moored in their thoughts. In his view interreligious dialogue supposes attentive listening, humility, a critical attitude towards oneself and others, a good amount of self-relativism and humor. It is about proximity, dialogical reading, engagement and interconnectedness.

Evangelicals have reached a critical impasse. Advocates of more traditional roles for women say the heart of the matter is biblical authority. Those supporting more open roles say the crux is not biblical authority but biblical interpretation and application. What are the real issues in this controversy? How can we make sense out of key passages in 1 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians and 1 Timothy? How can legitimate change be encouraged in the church? How can we keep in mind that the decisions we reach affect living, breathing human beings? The twenty-six evangelical leaders represented here, all participants in the Evangelical Colloquium on Women and the Bible, ask the hard questions about women's roles. Not all of them agree on everything. But they do agree that we must begin with the question, "What does the Bible teach?" They also agree that too often poor exegesis has been used to advocate positions on either side. Here support for women's ministry allies itself with scholarly rigor in the effort to break new ground. Essential reading for all concerned about women in the church.

Based on a constructive reading of Scripture, the apostolic and patristic traditions and deeply rooted in the sacramental experience and spiritual ethos of the Orthodox Church, John Zizioulas offers a timely anthropological and cosmological perspective of human beings as "priests of creation" in addressing the current ecological crisis. Given the critical and urgent character of the global crisis and by adopting a clear line of argumentation, Zizioulas describes a vision based on a compassionate and incarnational conception of the human beings as liturgical beings, offering creation to God for the life of the world. He encourages the need for deeper interaction with modern science, from which theology stands to gain an appreciation of the interconnection of every aspect of materiality and life with humankind. The result is an articulate and promising vision that inspires a new ethos, or way of life, to overcome our alienation from the rest of creation.

The church disagreed with Galileo. That set off a controversy that rages on today. The passion remains but the issues have changed and the arguments have become more complex. Do miracles conflict with scientific laws? How did the universe begin? Does the creation story in Genesis conflict with evolution? Hummel sets these controversies in historical perspective by telling the fascinating stories of Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo and Newton. Through their eyes we see how science flourished and floundered under the influence fo the church, setting the scene for modern conflicts. Then Hummel turns to the Bible, discussing its relationship to science, the place of miracles and the biblical account of the origin of the universe. His treatment of modern controversies is respected and fair-minded. Yet he does not hesitate to criticize the views of others and argue for his own.

A Profound and Stirring Call to Action in Our Troubled World from One of America's Great Religious Leaders

"Conscience may be understood as the hidden inner compass that guides our lives and must be searched for and recovered repeatedly. At no time more than our own is this need to retrieve the shards of broken conscience more urgent." from the Introduction

This clarion call to rethink our moral and political behavior examines the idea of conscience and the role conscience plays in our relationships to government, law, ethics, religion, human nature and God and to each other. From Abraham to Abu Ghraib, from the dissenting prophets to Darfur, Rabbi Harold Schulweis probes history, the Bible and the works of contemporary thinkers for ideas about both critical disobedience and uncritical obedience. He illuminates the potential for evil and the potential for good that rests within us as individuals and as a society.

By questioning religion's capacity and will to break from mindless conformity, Rabbi Schulweis challenges us to counter our current suppressive culture of obedience with the culture of moral compassion, and to fulfill religion s obligation to make room for and carry out courageous moral dissent."

How can a Jewish approach to social justice offer positive change for America?

"Ancient texts offer significant wisdom about human nature, economic cycles, the causes of inequality, and our obligations to each other. These insights can inform our own approaches to current issues, challenge our assumptions, and force us to consider alternative approaches. The conversation between our texts and our lives can enrich our experience of both." from the Introduction

Confront the most pressing issues of twenty-first-century America in this fascinating book, which brings together classical Jewish sources, contemporary policy debate and real-life stories.Rabbi Jill Jacobs, a leading young voice in the social justice arena, makes a powerful argument for participation in the American public square from a deeply Jewish perspective, while deepening our understanding of the relationship between Judaism and such current social issues as:

Poverty and the Poor Collection and Allocation of Tzedakah Workers, Employers and Unions Housing the Homeless The Provision of Health Care Environmental Sustainability Crime, Punishment and Rehabilitation

By creating a dialogue between traditional texts and current realities, Jacobs presents a template for engagement in public life from a Jewish perspective and challenges us to renew our obligations to each other."

At every critical juncture in Jewish history, Jews have understood a dynamic theology to be essential for a vital Jewish community. This important collection sets the next stage of Jewish theological thought, bringing together a cross section of powerful new voices from all movements in Judaism to inspire and stimulate discussion both now and in the years to come. Provocative and wide-ranging, these invigorating and challenging insights from a new generation's thought leaders create a coherent and inspiring picture of Jewish belief. Together, they explore the breadth and depth of contemporary Jewish theological thinking:

Foundation of belief: How is it informed by sacred texts? How does it inform life experience?

Limits of Jewish belief: What can a Jew believe and still call Jewish theology?

The subject of this book is the relationship and the difference between the temporal everlasting and the atemporal eternal. This book treats the difference between a temporal postmortem life and eternal life. It identifies the conceptual tension in the religious idea of eternal life and offers a resolution of that tension.