Talking about ethics tends to involve talking about what we should or, more often, shouldn't do. We talk about setting limits on actions that, for whatever reason, we think are either wrong or somehow harmful to ourselves or others. The aim of this book, however, is to explore Christian ethics within a wider, more positive framework - one that that views Christianity's moral resources as part of the good news that it proclaims to all creation. Ethics, says Hovey, need not be characterized primarily by negative prohibitions, limits, and tiresome hand-wringing. Rather, it's about a joyful and worshipful way of living, which flows naturally out of the abundant goodness God's life and character, as revealed in Jesus.

Interest in political theology has surged in recent years, and this accessible volume provides a focused overview of the field. Many are asking serious questions about religious faith in secular societies, the origin and function of democratic polities, worldwide economic challenges, the shift of Christianity's center of gravity to the global south, and anxieties related to bold and even violent assertions of theologically determined political ideas. In fourteen original essays, authors examine Christian political theology in order to clarify the contemporary discourse and some of its most important themes and issues. These include up-to-date, critical engagements with historical figures like Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and Immanuel Kant; discussions of how the Bible functions theopolitically; and introductions to key movements such as liberation theology, Catholic social teaching, and radical orthodoxy. An invaluable resource for students and scholars in theology, the Companion will also be beneficial to those in history, philosophy, and politics.

Interest in political theology has surged in recent years, and this accessible volume provides a focused overview of the field. Many are asking serious questions about religious faith in secular societies, the origin and function of democratic polities, worldwide economic challenges, the shift of Christianity's center of gravity to the global south, and anxieties related to bold and even violent assertions of theologically determined political ideas. In fourteen original essays, authors examine Christian political theology in order to clarify the contemporary discourse and some of its most important themes and issues. These include up-to-date, critical engagements with historical figures like Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and Immanuel Kant; discussions of how the Bible functions theopolitically; and introductions to key movements such as liberation theology, Catholic social teaching, and radical orthodoxy. An invaluable resource for students and scholars in theology, the Companion will also be beneficial to those in history, philosophy, and politics.

Description: In its various forms, speech is absolutely integral to the Christian mission. The gospel is a message, news that must be passed on if it is to be known by others. Nevertheless, the reality of God cannot be exhausted by Christian knowledge and Christian knowledge cannot be exhausted by our words. All the while, the philosophy of modernity has left Christianity an impoverished inheritance within which to think these things. In Speak Thus, Craig Hovey explores the possibilities and limits of Christian speaking. At times ethical, epistemological, and metaphysical, these essays go to the heart of what it means to be the church today. In practice, the Christian life often has a linguistic shape that surprisingly implicates and reveals the commitments of people like those who care for the sick or those who respond as peacemakers in the face of violence. Because learning to speak one way as opposed to another is a skill that must be learned, Christian speakers are also guides who bear witness to the importance of churches for passing on a felicity with Christian ways of speaking. Through constructive engagements with interlocutors like Ludwig Wittgenstein, George Lindbeck, Jeffrey Stout, Stanley Hauerwas, John Howard Yoder, Thomas Aquinas, and the theology of Radical Orthodoxy, Hovey offers a challenging vision of the church--able to speak with a confidence that only comes from a deep attentiveness to its own limitations, while also able to speak prophetically in a world weary of words. Endorsements: ""Craig Hovey offers us a book of Christian manners. Just as manners are the skills and practices we require to be equally at home in many social contexts, so Hovey shows how the gospel equips us to be equally at home wherever the mission of God takes us, because we are always at home with the Lord. Hovey maintains Christians have not been told what to say, but have instead been shown how to speak. In this book he continues his emergence as one of the most profound and penetrating scrutinizersof what it means to speak, witness, and confess to the Christian faith. To read this book is a masterclass in learning to speak simple truth amid a cacophony of contemporary cleverness."" --Reverend Canon Dr. Sam Wells Dean of the Chapel, Duke University; Research Professor of Christian Ethics ""Hovey's finely crafted collection of essays --both persuasive and contentious--manages to combine great clarity with nuance. Apparently opposed positions are exposed as sharing common presuppositions, with Hovey frequently being able to provide an alternative positive conception or perspective. In an un-showy but impressive way, Hovey's writing is richly informed by the tradition and practices to which he is committed. The voice that emerges is passionate, urgent and wry."" --Christopher Insole, Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University About the Contributor(s): CRAIG R. HOVEY (PhD, University of Cambridge) teaches religion and ethics at the University of Redlands and Fuller Theological Seminary Extension in Southern California. He is the author of To Share in the Body (2008).

This title presents a look at how Nietzsche's most generative and provocative ideas are also deeply theological and continue to have relevance in teaching Christians how to be Christians in the world today.Over a century ago, Nietzsche famously declared the death of God, but this has hardly kept Christian theologians from making positive use of this 'master of suspicion'."Nietzsche and Theology" displays how his most generative and provocative ideas are also deeply theological and continue to teach Christians how to be Christians in the world in which they find themselves. Hovey highlights the constructive contributions that can emerge from receptively meeting Nietzsche as modernity's philosophical other. Unchained from resenting Nietzsche's 'philosophical hammer', such encounters will surely reward those who journey into the far country of Nietzsche's Christianity."Nietzsche and Theology" is ideally suited to students in theology and professional theologians who have a working knowledge of philosophy and philosophical theology, but who have not faced Nietzsche in theological debate or grappled with him as a specific resource.

This title presents a look at how Nietzsche's most generative and provocative ideas are also deeply theological and continue to have relevance in teaching Christians how to be Christians in the world today.Over a century ago, Nietzsche famously declared the death of God, but this has hardly kept Christian theologians from making positive use of this 'master of suspicion'."Nietzsche and Theology" displays how his most generative and provocative ideas are also deeply theological and continue to teach Christians how to be Christians in the world in which they find themselves. Hovey highlights the constructive contributions that can emerge from receptively meeting Nietzsche as modernity's philosophical other. Unchained from resenting Nietzsche's 'philosophical hammer', such encounters will surely reward those who journey into the far country of Nietzsche's Christianity. "Nietzsche and Theology" is ideally suited to students in theology and professional theologians who have a working knowledge of philosophy and philosophical theology, but who have not faced Nietzsche in theological debate or grappled with him as a specific resource.

Understanding America's Gun Culture focuses on building understanding of some of the issues associated with U.S. gun culture and the contemporary debate about the availability and use of guns. This edited volume is unique in that it draws on a wide variety of disciplines and presents perspectives on both sides of the debate. Contributors hail from the academic disciplines of history, social work, criminal justice, sociology, religion, and theological ethics as well as policy agencies. Some chapters examine the issues social-psychologically to help readers better understand dynamics within the debate. Others pose important ethical and philosophical questions about gun culture. Still others address practical policy solutions for enhancing gun safety and minimizing gun violence, even bringing in international perspectives. This second edition includes literature published in the last two years and two new chapters, one focusing on gender within gun culture and another that features a conversation between the editors and an ethnographic researcher with broad expertise in gun culture and research and policy trends. Together, the chapters create a thought-provoking compilation that offers insightful findings, considers theoretical and practical implications, and invites further exploration of the topic.

Understanding America’s Gun Culture focuses on building understanding of some of the issues associated with US gun culture and the contemporary debate about the availability and use of guns. This edited volume is unique in that it draws on a wide variety of disciplines and presents perspectives on both sides of the debate. Contributors hail from the academic disciplines of history, social work, criminal justice, sociology, religion, and theological ethics as well as policy agencies. Some chapters examine the issues social-psychologically to help readers better understand dynamics within the debate. Others pose important ethical and philosophical questions about gun culture. Still others address practical policy solutions for enhancing gun safety and minimizing gun violence, even bringing in international perspectives. Together, the chapters create a thought-provoking compilation that offers insightful findings, considers theoretical and practical implications, and invites further exploration of the topic.

Understanding America's Gun Culture focuses on building understanding of some of the issues associated with US gun culture and the contemporary debate about the availability and use of guns. This edited volume is unique in that it draws on a wide variety of disciplines and presents perspectives on both sides of the debate. Contributors hail from the academic disciplines of history, social work, criminal justice, sociology, religion, and theological ethics as well as policy agencies. Some chapters examine the issues social-psychologically to help readers better understand dynamics within the debate. Others pose important ethical and philosophical questions about gun culture. Still others address practical policy solutions for enhancing gun safety and minimizing gun violence, even bringing in international perspectives. Together, the chapters create a thought-provoking compilation that offers insightful findings, considers theoretical and practical implications, and invites further exploration of the topic.