Christian universalism has become a subject of fierce debate in recent years. Numerous works have been published on the topic, and it can be difficult for readers to recognize the breadth of possible approaches. While universal salvation is often boiled down to (and dismissed as) a single idea--that God saves all people--this oversimplification masks the variety of theologies that reach this conclusion in ways that are not always compatible. Christian universalism is actually an umbrella of different theological interpretations of the idea that all people will be saved. In this book, leading experts on universal salvation--David W. Congdon, Tom Greggs, Morwenna Ludlow, and Robin A. Parry--provide a concise guide to four distinct approaches: patristic, evangelical, post-Barthian, and existential. The contributors, who have each written extensively on Christian universalism, highlight distinct approaches that emphasize different theological values. The book will be useful as a textbook for students of theology, especially those training for ministry, and as a resource for anyone seeking a more well-rounded understanding of Christian universalism.

'No true Christian could vote for Donald Trump.' 'Real Christians are pro-life.' 'You can't be a Christian and support gay marriage.' Assertive statements like these not only reflect growing religious polarization but also express the anxiety over religious identity that pervades modern American Christianity. To address this disquiet, conservative Christians have sought security and stability: whether by retrieving 'historic Christian' doctrines, reconceptualizing their faith as a distinct culture, or reinforcing a political vision of what it means to be a follower of God in a corrupt world. The result is a concerted effort 'Make Christianity Great Again': a religious project predating the corresponding political effort to 'Make America Great Again.' Part intellectual history, part nuanced argument for change, this timely book explores why the question of what defines Christianity has become, over the last century, so damagingly vexatious - and how believers might conceive of it differently in future.

Karl Barth was an eminently conversational theologian, and with the Internet revolution, we live today in an eminently conversational age. Being the proceedings of the 2010 Karl Barth Blog Conference, Karl Barth in Conversation brings these two factors together in order to advance the dialogue about Barth's theology and extend the online conversation to new audiences. With conversation partners ranging from Wesley to i ek, from Schleiermacher to Jenson, from Hauerwas to the Coen brothers, this volume opens up exciting new horizons for exploring Barth's immense contribution to church and world. The contributors, who represent a young new generation of academic theologians, bring a fresh perspective to a topic--the theology of Karl Barth--that often seems to have exhausted its range of possibilities. This book proves that there is still a great deal of uncharted territory in the field of Barth studies. Today, more than forty years since the Swiss theologian's death, the conversation is as lively as ever. "This book is an exciting and important contribution to Barth studies. It breaks open the potential cul-de-sac of Barth scholarship to new conversation partners and thinkers. The result is a fascinating collection of essays that brings out new accents on Barth's work and offers constructive insights for the future of theology. . . . Let us hope this book sets an agenda for the future." --Tom Greggs, Professor of Historical and Doctrinal Theology, King's College, University of Aberdeen, Scotland "In this welcome collection of colorful and stimulating input from young scholars, we get to eavesdrop on some new 'conversations' surveying a diverse range of themes, and in the wake of the fresh questions raised, we are invited to hear again what Barth and others have heard and misheard." --Jason Goroncy, Dean of Studies, Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership, New Zealand "This is a fascinating and instructive set of essays by a group of talented young theologians. These studies offer fresh perspectives on the thought of Barth and his dialogue partners and suggest new pathways for further exploration. Here we see both the ongoing power of Barth's theology to stimulate new conversations and the creative potential of a new generation of Barth scholars." --Adam Neder, Associate Professor of Theology, Whitworth University, Washington W. Travis McMaken, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Religion at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. He is the author of The Sign of the Gospel: Toward an Evangelical Doctrine of Infant Baptism after Karl Barth (Fortress, 2013). David W. Congdon, ABD, is Associate Editor of Academic Books for IVP Academic. His research plumbs the relationship between Karl Barth and Rudolf Bultmann.

Building on the work and legacy of Darrell L. Guder, Converting Witness: The Future of Christian Mission in the New Millennium constructively explores key questions and new possibilities in the field of missiology in light of the context of world Christianity. The conversation around missional theology and the missional church sought to address the gap between theology and mission and foster renewal within North American Christianity, but the growing consciousness around world Christianity has forced theologians and missiologists to give greater consideration to global cultural diversity. Many of the classic categories and methods-such as church planting, catholicity, and even the term "world Christianity" itself-are in need of fresh examination and thoughtful analysis. The contributors to this volume address a range of important missiological topics, including globalization, interfaith dialogue, integral mission, intercultural hermeneutics, and church practices.