The Sacred Santa is an inquiry into the religious dimension of postmodern culture, seriously considering the widespread perception that contemporary culture witnesses a profound struggle between two antithetical systems -- a collision of two worlds, both religious, yet each with vivid visions of the sacred that differ radically with regard to what the sacred is and what it means to human life and social endeavor.

Does sexual difference matter for marriage? Are there good theological reasons why the two main characters in a marriage should be a male and a female, or is marriage a more flexible covenant, which any two people can keep? Creation and Covenant analyzes latent but under-examined beliefs about sexual difference in the theology about marriage which has been dominant for centuries in the Christian west. The book opens by studying patristic theologies of marriage, which rested on mostly implicit and often incompatible beliefs about sexual difference. However, Roberts argues that Augustine developed a coherent theology of sexual difference, according it a shifting significance from creation to eschaton. Roberts traces how Augustine's theology influenced and was developed by subsequent theologians, such as Bernard of Clairvaux, Luther, Barth, and John Paul II. Finally, Roberts engages today's debates about gay marriage. Before becoming an academic, Dr. Roberts was a journalist. On behalf of PBS television, he covered both the Lambeth Conference in England and the World Council of Churches in Zimbabwe. During those years, he was disappointed by both the liberal and conservative arguments on homosexuality. Left-wingers seemed more interested in privacy, autonomy, and experience than in theology, and right-wingers seemed to have lots of prohibitions but little good news. In the final chapters, this book tries to do better, inviting liberals to improve the standard of their arguments, and explaining what is beautiful and persuasive about the traditional case.>

This book critically engages contemporary environmental ethics and provides Christians with a theological foundation for appropriately relating to the world they call God's creation - a creation ethic. It is refreshingly and thoroughly Scriptural. However, what the Bible says may shock many people who often read Scripture with conservative or liberal presuppositions already in mind. Author Data Gale Heide grew up on a farm/ranch in Montana giving him insight into the beautiful and sometimes forceful movements of God in creation. He also learned a great deal during the three years he worked for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Montana. These insights have been honed through his education in theology and ethics at Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, Duke Universtiy, and Marquette University. He is currently Professor of theology and Biblical Languages at Montana Bible College.

Contending that the rejection of God and spirituality is the root cause of our deepest social ills, White offers a personal vision for the future from the perspective of one who has tasted both the pleasures and perils of superstar celebrity status. 8-page photo insert.

Living in a world inundated with sexual images and messages, we're tempted at every turn. While most people are familiar with the Bible's clear admonitions concerning sexual practices such as adultery and fornication, less attention is given to biblical guidance in regard to the sexual activity exercised between husband and wife. What does the Bible have to say about the way we practice our sexuality? "Is God In Your Bedroom? Discovering the Joy of Sanctified Sexuality" is a startling plunge into the Word of God, revealing plain instruction from the Bible concerning God's creative expression of unconditional love toward man-the gift of sexuality. Learn the elements that define sacred sexuality, how to protect your marriage from sinful practices, and strategies to help restore relationships afflicted by infidelity. God created the institution of marriage to be a living, vibrant representation of the unity and oneness of God. Sexuality is a gift stemming from that unity, allowing the sanctity of sexual expression to be expressed within the covenant of marriage. Adhering to the desire and will of God in sexual intimacy, our relationships will bear the mark of God's favor and blessing. Find out how you can experience God's choice blessing for your love life.

How can we make decisions that are consistent with our basic values? We must first, J. Philip Wogaman says, identify basic moral presumptions that can guide our thought as we face moral dilemmas. These basic moral presumptions include equality, grace, the value of human life, the unity of humankind, preferential claims for the poor and marginalized, and the goodness of creation. The burden of proof, he argues, must be borne by decisions that are contrary to such presumptions. He pulls into the conversation difficult ethical issues such as divorce, sexuality, abortion, political choices, economic justice, affirmative action, homosexuality, nuclear disarmament, economic globalization, global warming, international security, environmental policies, and military power. In the process, he provides a smart and helpful guide to Christian ethical behavior.

Tracing attitudes toward wealth from the Old Testament to the New Testament, Jacques Ellul discusses both societal and individual responsibilities related to the use of money and power. 173 pages, paper

Description: In response to the confluence of moral uncertainty with the increase of human power to alter nature, and through critical integration of the philosophical naturalism of Hans Jonas and the critical religious naturalism of James M. Gustafson, The Tangled Bank argues for an ecotheological ethics of responsible participation. By making the case that the moral pressures of our time call for a vision that is as deeply naturalistic as it is deeply theological, a critical perspective is advanced that is attuned to human embeddedness within nature as well as to human distinctiveness. In support of this, a moral anthropological method is deployed as a creative new way to integrate the comparative, critical, and constructive tasks of theological ethics. The insights of Hans Jonas and James M. Gustafson, interpreted comparatively for the first time, are critically drawn together to suggest new directions for scholarship and teaching in theology and religion and science studies. Endorsements: ""In this elegantly written book, Michael Hogue insightfully compares two leading figures dedicated to reconstructing ethics in the light of our environmental situation, the philosopher Hans Jonas and James M. Gustafson, a Christian theologian. . . . This book is a welcome addition to religious and philosophical reflection on ecology and ethics. I heartily commend it to anyone and everyone engaged with the pressing moral challenges we all now face."" --William Schweiker Author of Theological Ethics and Global Dynamics ""Michael Hogue takes the interaction between environmental and Christian ethics to a new and satisfying level. . . . He writes with clarity, grace, depth, and humor."" --John Opie Author of Nature's Nation ""Michael Hogue breaks down the usual stereotypes about the value of philosophy and theology and challenges his readers to expand our ideas about how to live on Earth. Scholarly yet lucidly written and engaging, this book charts new territory in environmental thinking."" --Jerome A. Stone Author of The Minimalist Vision of Transcendence About the Contributor(s): Michael S. Hogue is Assistant Professor of Theology at Meadville Lombard Theological School (Chicago, IL). He is the author of Varieties of Religious Ethics and the Vulnerability of Life (2009).

This book presents a new examination of ethical dictum 'The Golden Rule' exploring its formulation and significance in relation to the world's major religions. The Golden Rule: treat others as you would like to be treated. This ethical dictum is a part of most of the world's religions and has been considered by numerous religious figures and philosophers over the centuries. This new collection contains specially commissioned essays which take a fresh look at this guiding principle from a comparative perspective. Participants examine the formulation and significance of the Golden Rule in the world's major religions by applying four questions to the tradition they consider: What does it say? What does it mean? How does it work? How does it matter?Freshly examining the Golden Rule in broad comparative context provides a fascinating account of its uses and meaning, and allows us to assess if, how and why it matters in human cultures and societies.

Stephen Long opens his erudite discussion of theology and ethics with the insistence that moral critique must emerge from a particular location, rather than from the fluid values of any "neutral" observer. Long sets out to put theology and ethics-as well as the church-in proper relation to one another. Ethics must be based in theology, not the other way around. Our "finite participation in the infinite make possible participation in a goodness beyond us." That goodness comes to us in the flesh of Jesus Christ, and the church is indispensable in drawing all people toward God's goodness. The church, a social ethic in itself, gives purpose and order to other social institutions, including family, government, and the market. "'The goodness of God'--such a simple phrase, such a profound (and maybe even distruptive) concept if we dare explore its implications. Not only does Steve Long lead us skilfully and smoothly through potentially difficult matters of theology and philosophy, he also brings home how our lives might be different if we really took the goodness of God to heart. "From matters of violence and economics to sexuality and family, Long takes his readers through a thicket of competing ideas, and leads them out the other side into greater clarity of vision, unity of purpose, and passion for God's good kingdom. Seminaries and Sunday schools alike will benefit from this scholarly but accessible volume." --Michael Budde, DePaul University D. Stephen Long is assistant professor of theology at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and codirector of the Center for Ethics and Values. He is the author of Divine Economy, a volume in Routledge's Radical Orthodoxy series.

Benedict de Spinoza was one of the great rationalists of 17th century philosophy, he helped lay the groundwork for the 18th century Enlightenment and modern biblical criticism. His correspondences help shed light on his ethical opinions and positions. Required reading for those who wish a deeper understanding of the writings of Benedict de Spinoza.

Little known historical background and compelling humor combine to make this an unusual look at the role the Ten Commandments should play in the life of today's Christian. Reflection questions make it perfect for study groups and classes.

The Call to Care: Charity in Ancient Christianity asks and answers pointed questions about charity, using ancient Christian literature immediately after the New Testament until the early 4th century. How important is charity to the Christian faith? What are the limits to Christian charity? Should poor Christians be treated differently than poor unbelievers? How should wealthy Christians view themselves, and how should they be viewed by others? These questions were popular in the ancient world, and the ancient Christian church voiced a unified answer to each. In the end, the reader will find those answers to be just as relevant today as they were centuries ago.

Description: Green Witness is a work in theological ethics, addressed primarily to theologians and seminarians, but also to clergy and church study groups. Yordy approaches the topic of Christian environmental work not from the perspective of a global crisis that must be solved, but from the perspective of God's promise of the Kingdom. She argues that Christians can and should work for the wholeness of the biophysical environment whether or not their efforts bear immediate visible fruit, because God always welcomes and makes good use of faithful discipleship. This is good news to religious environmentalists who have grown weary of struggling to ""make a difference"" amid ever-louder announcements of environmental destruction. The eschaton is clearly a realm of interspecies peace, abundance, and diversity, and part of the church's mission is to demonstrate these aspects of God's plan for the world, although only God can and will consummate the Kingdom. Endorsements: ""Often confronted by the so-called 'environmental crisis, ' many are led to despair that nothing can be done. Drawing on profound theological insights, Laura Yordy helps us see that something can be done because Christ's redemption is sure and good. Hopefully this book will find its way into many congregational discussions of how we can better live as witnesses to God's glorious creation."" --Stanley Hauerwas, Duke Divinity School ""Yordy encourages us to think the meaning of creation in terms of the in-breaking Kingdom of God. With this eschatological reading of our environmental troubles she invites us to a more exacting and merciful discipleship that is patterned on the Trinitarian God who brings all creation into being and sustains it until its final redemption in Christ. Yordy's views will challenge established patterns of thinking, and inspire churches to be more faithful witnesses to the healing presence of God in our world."" --Norman Wirzba, author of The Paradise of God: Renewing Religion in an Ecological Age About the Contributor(s): Laura Ruth Yordy is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Bridgewater College in Virginia.