"Why do so many preachers make the most exciting news in the world sound so boring?" That is the question driving this unusual book. In a series of honest, personal, and humorous letters the author also answers the question. "What will it take to inspire great preaching for the 21st century?" Ronald Boyd-MacMillan rejects the modern fixation with form in current homiletics and advocates a return to the practice of eight fundamentals for great preaching. The insights from 2,000 years of preaching history and twenty years of personal preaching experience across three continents are applied to the needs of the 21st century. This is a humorous yet hard-hitting guide to explosive modern preaching.

Barrett's book consists of a complete revision of the four chapters, of the Didsbury Lectures, given at the British Isles Nazarene College, Manchester. The chapter titles indicate the content: From Jesus to the Church; Ministry; Sacraments; and The Developing Community. Barrett properly points out that "the church is at the same time central and peripheral." Likewise, the church is provisional, temporary, penultimate-an interim solution for the time between the resurrection/ ascension of Jesus and the heaven of the church. He also correctly notes the possibility and danger of an ecclesiological as well as christological Apollinarianism. Consequently, he emphasizes the human nature of Christ and human dimensions of the church.

In recent years the term "religious pluralism" has come to be used not only in a descriptive sociological sense but also as theologically prescriptive. Within this new paradigm traditional Christian understandings of Christ, conversion, evangelism, and mission have been radically reinterpreted. The Recovery of Mission explores the pluralist paradigm through the work of three of its most influential Asian exponents - Stanley Samartha Aloysius Pieris, and Raimundo Panikkar - subjecting each to a theological and philosophical critique. On the basis of biblical, patristic, and contemporary theological writings Vinoth Ramachandra argues for the uniqueness and decisiveness of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. Ramachandra seeks to show that many of the valid concerns of pluralist theologians can best be met by reappropriating the missionary thrust at the heart of the gospel. The book ends with suggestions, challenging to pluralists and conservatives alike, as to how the gospel needs to be communicated in a multi-faith world.

The nature of the authority of the Bible is crucial. In this outstanding study, the author first considers various theories of the nature of inspiration. This leads to a consideration of the 'entire trustworthiness' of the Bible, the inerrancy debate, and the place of biblical criticism. From determining the original meaning of the text, Professor Marshall turns to the Bible's contemporary significance and meaning before finally presenting the authority of Scripture for today. 'The Bible is precious to the Christian believer, not because it is regarded as some kind of magical oracle but because here one hears and receives the message of a gracious God who, having revealed himself supremely in this Son Jesus Christ, continues to reveal himself and through the pages of Scripture'

From time to time in the study of theology it becomes necessary to evaluate what Scripture has to say on certain crucial doctrines of the faith. Leon Morris, one of this generation's most respected evangelical scholars, here offers a survey of the vast subject of atonement as it is presented in the New Testament. The Cross in the New Testament explores in turn Matthew and Mark, and Lukan writings, John, the Pauline epistles, Hebrews, the catholic epistles, and Revelation, showing what each New Testament scripture contributes to our understanding of atonement. Atonement for Morris is not merely expiation i.e. a covering over of sins but propitiation i.e. also a turning aside of wrath, this was the contention he had with his doctoral supervisor C.H.Dodd. While Morris emphasizes the need to appreciate the many strands woven into this doctrine, he criticizes the views of modern scholars that do not square with the biblical teaching. At the heart of the doctrine of atonement is the idea of substitution, Morris believes, and his thorough examination and defense of substitutionary atonement make this volume a theological apologetic of great significance. Trusted as an exhaustive and reliable work of scholarship for the past thirty-five years and available now in this new paperback edition, The Cross in the New Testament remains an invaluable text for serious students of the Bible.

As Dr. Wenham states early in his introduction, "The story of Jesus' resurrection is told by five different writers, whose accounts differ from each other to an astonishing degree." Wenham begins by setting the scene of Jerusalem and its environs, going on to describe the main actors in the events with particular attention to Mary Magdalene and the five writers themselves, and then examining in detail all the biblical narratives from Good Friday through Easter Day to the Ascension. He concludes that the various accounts as they stand can be satisfactorily reconciled to provide a trustworthy record for the church. Valuable appendices elucidate Wenham's response to the technicalities of gospel criticism.

This book is a collection of 52 inspirational stories that illustrate the strength of Christianity in China that will both encourage and inspire you.Drawn from his experiences as a missionary in China, Luke Wesley shares stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, motivated by their love of God. It also enables us to learn about the church in China - its struggles and its remarkable victories. We catch a glimpse of what life is like for the millions of Chinese Christians!Stories from China will move you to make the most of every opportunity as you share in the lives of those you'd never have the opportunity to meet.

A milestone in the history of popular theology, 'The Screwtape Letters' is an iconic classic on spiritual warfare and the power of the devil. This profound and striking narrative takes the form of a series of letters from Screwtape, a devil high in the Infernal Civil Service, to his nephew Wormwood, a junior colleague engaged in his first mission on earth trying to secure the damnation of a young man who has just become a Christian. Although the young man initially looks to be a willing victim, he changes his ways and is 'lost' to the young devil. Dedicated to Lewis's friend and colleague J.R.R. Tolkien, 'The Screwtape Letters' is a timeless classic on spiritual conflict and the invisible realities which are part of our religious experience.

Hannah Dunnett's beautiful artwork, interweaving Bible verses and images, has inspired many people. From sailing boats bobbing on the river and lighthouses standing tall, to majestic trees and soaring mountains, to welcoming cottages and cosy kitchens, Hannah paints pictures that help us understand scripture and reflect on God's word in a fresh way. In this book, Hannah has chosen twenty-four of her favourite pictures and tells the story behind each one. As she draws out key verses and their meaning and offers questions to reflect on, readers will gain new insight and understanding. This collection of beloved artwork is divided into four sections: The Wondrous Cross, Father God, Teach me Your Ways, and Let Your Light Shine, and will take individual readers, or small groups, on a journey further towards the heart of God.

Many have asked thequestion "Can I findmeaning in life" This isbecause we as humanbeings need to feel thatour lives count forsomething that they aresignificant. It is linked toour selfesteem. To feel unimportant is to feelinadequate and this is a difficult burden to bear.Enjoying a meaningful life is therefore a preciousthing and something that is worthwhilesearching for. However if our existence isultimately meaningless if there's no God to obeyand no immortality to enjoy then our individualactions become utterly futile. This book is apersonal apologetic that is thoughtprovoking forboth Christians and nonChristians.

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The magnificent series of biblical commentaries known as Black's New Testament Commentaries (BNTC) under the General Editorship of Professor Morna Hooker has had a gap for far too long - it has lacked an up to date commentary on the Fourth Gospel.
Professor Andrew Lincoln now fills this gap with his excellent new commentary. The key questions for scholars are gone into thoroughly- questions of historicity, the use of historical traditions and sources, relationship to the Synoptics, authorship, setting, first readers and Professor Lincoln makes his own position on these issues abundantly clear.
The Fourth Gospel raises a number of problems generally known as The Johannine Question. According to tradition the Gospel was written by St John the Apostle. The authenticity of the tradition is examined in the introduction but the textual issues are examined within the commentary itself. For example one problem is that Chapters 15 and 16 seem in early versions to have preceded chapter 14. Chapter 21 must have been a later addition. The purpose of the Gospel as stated in Chapter 20 v 31 is to strenghten the reader's faith in Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God. But even the celebrated prologue has given rise to much speculation, whereas most commentators believe it is the key to the Gospel as a whole.
These issues are meat and drink to scholars but in Professor Lincoln's expert hands they are extremely interesting and highly pertinent to our contemporary understanding of the Gospel.

In light of modern changes in attitude regarding homosexuality, and recent controversy surrounding Government legislation, Orthodox Rabbi Chaim Rapoport, Chief Medical Advisor in the Cabinet of the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, explores the Jewish stance on homosexuality. values with a balanced, understanding perspective that has, arguably, been lacking among many in the Orthodox Jewish establishment. great deal of debate, not to mention prejudice and discrimination. It will undoubtedly be a vehicle for future discussion and will serve as a brick in the wall of an increasingly harmonious World Jewish Community. exhaustive endnotes for all those who wish to explore the issue further.

Explore the haunted history of the RMS "Queen Mary."

In light of modern changes in attitude regarding homosexuality, and recent controversy surrounding Government legislation, Orthodox Rabbi Chaim Rapoport, Chief Medical Advisor in the Cabinet of the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, explores the Jewish stance on homosexuality. Rabbi Rapoport combines an unswerving commitment to Jewish Law, teachings and values with a balanced, understanding perspective that has, arguably, been lacking among many in the Orthodox Jewish establishment. This work represents a milestone in understanding an issue at the heart of a great deal of debate, not to mention prejudice and discrimination. It will undoubtedly be a vehicle for future discussion and will serve as a brick in the wall of an increasingly harmonious World Jewish Community. The book combines clearly written prose for instant and easy access with exhaustive endnotes for all those who wish to explore the issue further. Judaism and Homosexuality is the first word on Orthodox att

Massachusetts's historic graveyards are the final resting places for tales of the strange and supernatural. From Newburyport to Truro, these graveyards often frighten the living, but the dead who rest within them have stories to share with the world they left behind. While Giles Corey is said to haunt the Howard Street Cemetery in Salem, cursing those involved in the infamous witch trials, visitors to the Forest Hills Cemetery in Jamaica Plain enjoy an arboretum and a burial ground with Victorian-era memorials. One of the oldest cemeteries in Massachusetts, Old Burial Hill in Marblehead, has been the final resting place for residents for nearly 375 years. Author Roxie Zwicker tours the Bay State's oldest burial grounds, exploring the stones, stories and supernatural lore of these hallowed places.

A reissue of this inspiring and heartbreaking memoir about family, empathy and the stories we tell about ourselves and others Gifts come in many guises. One summer, Rebecca Solnit was given three boxes of ripening apricots, fruit from a neglected tree that her mother, gradually succumbing to memory loss, could no longer tend to. In this courageous, heartbreaking memoir, Solnit draws from this unexpected inheritance, weaving her own story into fairy tales and the lives of others. Encompassing the Marquis de Sade and Mary Shelley, explorers and monsters, a library of water in Iceland, and the depths of the Grand Canyon, The Faraway Nearby is a meditation on family, empathy, and the art of storytelling from a writer of limitless talent and imagination.

The Night Life of Trees is an exquisite hand-bound and screen-printed book of paintings by three of the finest artists of the Gond tribal art tradition. The Gonds, a tribe of central India, are traditionally forest dwellers. They believe that trees are hard at work during the day providing shelter and nourishment to all. Only when night falls can they finally rest, and their spirits reveal themselves. These luminous spirits are captured in The Night Life of Trees, a fascinating and haunting foray into the Gond imagination. Each painting is accompanied by its own poetic tale, myth or lore, narrated by the artists themselves, which recreate the familiarity and awe with which the Gond people view the natural world. Screen-printed by hand on black paper, every page of this book is an original print. Each book in this limited second edition of 1,000 is individually numbered.