Synopsis: John Goldingay is an internationally renowned biblical scholar, teacher, and theologian whose writings have impacted Christians across the globe. In Conversations at the Edges of Things, Francis Bridger and James Butler bring together a wide-ranging collection of essays from John's friends and colleagues throughout his career and around the world in honor of his seventieth birthday and his lifetime's service to the church and the academy. Contributors: Roger Bowen Francis Bridger Colin Buchanan James T. Butler Graham Buxton George Carey Christopher Cocksworth Vivienne Faull Kathleen Scott Goldingay Sarah Goldingay Athena Gorospe Philip Jenson Robert King Anne Long Nancey Murphy Gordon Oliver Tom Smail Marianne Meye Thompson Stephen Travis Endorsements: "This rich volume is for those prepared to marry rigorous, modern, and questioning intellect with an open-hearted and passionate commitment to following the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." --H. G. M. Williamson, Professor of Hebrew, University of Oxford "These lively and wide-ranging essays reflect the engaging qualities of John Goldingay's own work, and suggestively roam across conventional scholarly boundaries. A stimulating read " --Walter Moberly, Professor of Theology and Biblical Interpretation, Durham University "John Goldingay is arguably our most compelling point person at the interface between evangelical faith and critical study. These essays in his honor reflect the breadth and depth of his influence and offer suggestive reflections on text and culture. They will serve to summon serious evangelicals to think well and critically . . . The outcome is a fitting tribute and welcome read." --Walter Brueggemann, Professor of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary Author Biography: Francis Bridger is Ecclesiastical Professor of Anglican Studies and Executive Director of the Center for Anglican Communion Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. Among his publications are Counselling in Context and Christian Counselling and the Challenge of Postmodernism. James Butler is Associate Professor of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the coeditor of Understanding the Word: Essays in Honor of Bernhard W. Anderson.

In this enlightening look at J.K. Rowling's phenomenal bestsellers, a Christian minister illuminates the powerful, positive message Harry Potter and his magical world bring to readers of all ages.

Potter fever has swept the world and shows no signs of abating. the books and the recent movie have attracted millions of followers and fans, all of them eagerly awaiting the next installments. Along with the widespread enjoyment and appreciation of Harry Potter and his friendships, however, criticism of the series has also emerged. The opposition has focused on two issues; the darkness of the novels and their apparent endorsement of witchcraft and the occult. In A Charmed Life, Francis Bridger, a theologian and pastor, argues that far from promoting the dark arts, the Potter books are firmly based in Christian values, and offer valuable insights into our characters, our relationships, our priorities, and our spirituality.

Taking readers on an entertaining tour of Potterworld, Bridger shows that each adventure presents new ways of expressing and exploring key spiritual issues, from the meaning of justice, to the need to confront fears, to the debilitating effects of evil. As Harry and his friends deal with one another, face their enemies, cope with their variously dysfunctional families, and experience the common problems o fgrowing up, Bridger domonstrates, it is their intrinsic human goodness, love, and friendship--not wizardry or magic--that allows them to triumph over evil.