When tragedy strikes a community, it is often unexpected with long-lasting effects on the people left in its wake. Too often, there aren't adequate systems in place to aid those affected in processing what has happened. This study uniquely combines practical theology, pastoral insight and scientific data to demonstrate how Christian congregations can be helped to be resilient in the face of sudden devastating events. Beginning by identifying the characteristics of trauma in individuals and communities, this collection of essays from practitioners and academics locates sudden trauma-inducing tragedies as a problem in practical theology. A range of biblical and theological responses are presented, but contemporary scientific understanding is also included in order to challenge and stretch some of these traditional theological resources. The pastoral section of the book examines the ethics of response to tragedy, locating the role of the minister in relation to other helping agencies and exploring the all-too-topical issue of ministerial abuse. Developing a nuanced rationale for good practical, pastoral, liturgical and theological responses to major traumas, this book will be of significant value to scholars of practical theology as well as practitioners counselling in and around church congregations.

When tragedy strikes a community, it is often unexpected with long-lasting effects on the people left in its wake. Too often, there aren't adequate systems in place to aid those affected in processing what has happened. This study uniquely combines practical theology, pastoral insight and scientific data to demonstrate how Christian congregations can be helped to be resilient in the face of sudden devastating events. Beginning by identifying the characteristics of trauma in individuals and communities, this collection of essays from practitioners and academics locates sudden trauma-inducing tragedies as a problem in practical theology. A range of biblical and theological responses are presented, but contemporary scientific understanding is also included in order to challenge and stretch some of these traditional theological resources. The pastoral section of the book examines the ethics of response to tragedy, locating the role of the minister in relation to other helping agencies and exploring the all-too-topical issue of ministerial abuse. Developing a nuanced rationale for good practical, pastoral, liturgical and theological responses to major traumas, this book will be of significant value to scholars of practical theology as well as practitioners counselling in and around church congregations.

In this book, Christopher Southgate proposes a new way of understanding the glory of God in Christian theology, based on glory as sign. Working from the roots of the concept in the Hebrew Bible, Theology in a Suffering World: Glory and Longing shows that 'glory' is not necessarily about beauty or radiance, but is better understood as a sign of the unknowable depths of God. Southgate goes on to show how John and Paul transform the concept of glory in the light of the cross. He then explores where glory may be discerned in the natural world, including in situations of pain and suffering. In turn glory is explored in the poetry of R. S. Thomas and the writings of the Jewish mystic Etty Hillesum. Finally, the book considers what it might mean for Christians to be 'transformed from one degree of glory to another': that might mean becoming a sign of the great sign of God that is Christ, and conforming their longing to God's longing for the Kingdom to come.

A remarkable, wide-ranging attempt to read the Pauline literature from an ecological perspective, Greening Paul, the first book of its kind, traverses carefully between extremes claiming to present Paul's narrative world and simply subjugating the Bible to a contemporary set of ethical values. Skillfully the authors craft their reading of Paul according to the cutting-edge insights of narrative criticism and tackle burning questions which assail Christians in the present ecological crisis: Does the biblical tradition inculcate an anthropocentric worldview that gives humanity license to exploit the earth for our benefit? Does biblical eschatology imply that the earth is of only passing significance for the elect? Greening Paul is a timely and adroit re-reading of the apostle Paul that provides a potentially very fruitful ecological vision, all the while staying true to the biblical text.

A Gash in the Darkness explores the companionship of faith and doubt, the savour of love lost and found, the pain of grief, and the double-edged gift of memory. Southgate's most arresting, and disturbing, exploration yet.

In this book, Christopher Southgate proposes a new way of understanding the glory of God in Christian theology, based on glory as sign. Working from the roots of the concept in the Hebrew Bible, Theology in a Suffering World: Glory and Longing shows that 'glory' is not necessarily about beauty or radiance, but is better understood as a sign of the unknowable depths of God. Southgate goes on to show how John and Paul transform the concept of glory in the light of the cross. He then explores where glory may be discerned in the natural world, including in situations of pain and suffering. In turn glory is explored in the poetry of R. S. Thomas and the writings of the Jewish mystic Etty Hillesum. Finally, the book considers what it might mean for Christians to be 'transformed from one degree of glory to another': that might mean becoming a sign of the great sign of God that is Christ, and conforming their longing to God's longing for the Kingdom to come.

This is the third edition of a standard textbook in Religion and Science - which is already a classic! "God, Humanity and the Cosmos", first published 1999, revised and expanded edition 2005, remains the only full-length textbook of the science-religion debate. It is divided in five 'books'. The first covers overarching issues in the history of the science-religion interaction, the theology of creation and the philosophy of science. The second looks in depth at the three most prominent areas of interaction - physics, evolutionary biology, and psychology. The third looks at contemporary theological resources for engaging with the science-religion interaction, both within and outside the Christian tradition, and at God's action in the world as a test-case for scientifically-informed theology. The final book considers areas of particular topical concern - how science and religion interact in secondary education, what issues are raised by 'the new atheists', what particular issues are raised by science for Islamic thinking, what challenges are thrown up by the human use of technology, and specifically by climate change. The final, brief 'book' consists of a short set of predictions about the future development of the field.

Leading scholars reflect critically on the kinds of appeal to the Bible that have been made in environmental ethics and ecotheology. "Ecological Hermeneutics" reflects critically on the kinds of appeal to the Bible that have been made in environmental ethics and ecotheoloogy; engages with biblical texts with a view towards exploring their contribution to an ecological ethics; and, explores the kind of hermeneutic necessary for such engagement to be fruitful for contemporary theology and ethics. Crucial to such broad reflection is the bringing together of a range of perspectives: biblical studies, historical theology, hermeneutics, and theological ethics. The thematic coherence of the book is provided by the running focus on the ways in which biblical texts have been, or might be, read. This is not a volume on ecotheology; but rather on ecological hermeneutics. Indeed, some essays may show where biblical texts, or particular approaches in the history of interpretation, represent anthropocentric or even anti-ecological moves. One of the overall aims of the book will be to suggest how, and why, an ecological hermeneutic might be developed, and the kinds of interpretive choices that are required in such a development.

Leading scholars reflect critically on the kinds of appeal to the Bible that have been made in environmental ethics and ecotheology. "Ecological Hermeneutics" reflects critically on the kinds of appeal to the Bible that have been made in environmental ethics and ecotheoloogy; engages with biblical texts with a view towards exploring their contribution to an ecological ethics; and, explores the kind of hermeneutic necessary for such engagement to be fruitful for contemporary theology and ethics. Crucial to such broad reflection is the bringing together of a range of perspectives: biblical studies, historical theology, hermeneutics, and theological ethics. The thematic coherence of the book is provided by the running focus on the ways in which biblical texts have been, or might be, read. This is not a volume on ecotheology; but rather on ecological hermeneutics. Indeed, some essays may show where biblical texts, or particular approaches in the history of interpretation, represent anthropocentric or even anti-ecological moves. One of the overall aims of the book will be to suggest how, and why, an ecological hermeneutic might be developed, and the kinds of intepretive choices that are required in such a development.

Pain, suffering, and extinction are intrinsic to the evolutionary process. In this book Christopher Southgate shows how the world that is very good is also groaning in travail and subjected by God to that travail. Southgate then evaluates several attempts at evolutionary theodicy and argues for his own approachan approach that takes full account of Gods self-emptying and human beings special responsibilities as created cocreators. Christopher Southgate is Honorary University Fellow in Theology at the University of Exeter, England, and Visiting Scholar at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. Originally trained as a biochemist at the University of Cambridge, he is the general editor and principal author of God, Humanity and the Cosmos (3rd ed.).

Contributors include: Christopher Southgate, John Hedley Brooke, Celia Deane-Drummond, Paul D. Murray, Michael Robert Negus, Lawrence Osborn, Michael Poole, Jacqui Stewart, Fraser Watts, David Wilkinson, This fully revised and updated edition of God, Humanity and the Cosmos includes new chapters by John Hedley Brooke, Paul D. Murray and David Wilkinson. In addition to a systematic exploration of contemporary perspectives in physics, evolutionary biology and psychology as they relate to theological descriptions of the universe, humanity and consciousness, the book now provides a thorough survey of the theological, philosophical and historical issues underpinning the science-religion debate. Contributors also examine such issues as theological responses to the ecological crisis and to biotechnology; how science is treated and valued in education; and the relation of science to Islamic thought. Dr Christopher Southgate is Lecturer in Theology at the University of Exeter.'

With the aim of envisioning new horizons for a theology of glory, this book offers fresh biblical, theological, and scientific perspectives on the subject of divine self-revelation and human response to the manifestations of divine presence. The first four chapters explore the biblical origins of divine glory within the nation of Israel, the glorious encounter between Moses and God, and the Christological dimensions of glory in Johannine and Pauline writings. These chapters demonstrate how the biblical text inherently weaves aspects of creation, calling, covenant relationship, revelation, Christology, ecclesiology, and eschatology into a remarkable tapestry of divine glory. Five theological essays cover the role of the Holy Spirit and the worshipful response of believers to the glory of God, as well as expositions on the glory-themed writings of Jonathan Edwards, Karl Barth, Oscar Romero, and Etty Hillesum. These theological writers provoke challenging questions by emphasizing how the theme of glory paradoxically encompasses both otherworldly perfection and worldly sinfulness. This book concludes with two chapters that focus on the natural and physical sciences, revealing how God's glory is displayed in the heavens and on earth. The chapters in this book demonstrate the importance of the subject of divine glory in the study of the nature of the triune God.

As a spiritual director, theologian, teacher and chaplain, Christopher Southgate's poetry resonates deeply with human experience and has received wide recognition. Here he collects together new and some of his most popular poems that touch on spiritual themes. A number of commissioned poems feature in this collection, including one on the King James Bible, quoted by Rowan Williams at the 400th anniversary service in Westminster Abbey. Other poems are drawn directly from biblical narratives, or reflect on the person of Jesus. Also included are poems focusing on places of spiritual significance: Iona, Lindisfarne, Patmos, and the site of 9/11 in Manhattan, as well as poems about suffering and grief including the popular work `Coming to Terms', featured on BBC Radio 4.

This work is a fully updated new edition of this best-selling textbook in science and religion. This fully revised and updated edition of "God, Humanity and the Cosmos" includes new chapters by John Hedley Brooke, Paul D. Murray and David Wilkinson. In addition to a systematic exploration of contemporary perspectives in physics, evolutionary biology and psychology as they relate to theological descriptions of the universe, humanity and consciousness, the book now provides a thorough survey of the theological, philosophical and historical issues underpinning the science-religion debate. Contributors also examine such issues as theological responses to the ecological crisis and to biotechnology; how science is treated and valued in education; and the relation of science to Islamic thought.

This is the third edition of a standard textbook in Religion and Science - which is already a classic! "God, Humanity and the Cosmos", first published 1999, revised and expanded edition 2005, remains the only full-length textbook of the science-religion debate. It is divided in five 'books'. The first covers overarching issues in the history of the science-religion interaction, the theology of creation and the philosophy of science. The second looks in depth at the three most prominent areas of interaction - physics, evolutionary biology, and psychology. The third looks at contemporary theological resources for engaging with the science-religion interaction, both within and outside the Christian tradition, and at God's action in the world as a test-case for scientifically-informed theology. The final book considers areas of particular topical concern - how science and religion interact in secondary education, what issues are raised by 'the new atheists', what particular issues are raised by science for Islamic thinking, what challenges are thrown up by the human use of technology, and specifically by climate change. The final, brief 'book' consists of a short set of predictions about the future development of the field.