Christ came to save us from sin and death. But what did he save us for? One beautiful and compelling answer to this question is that God saved us for union with him so that we might become "partakers of the divine nature" (1 Pet 2:4), what the Christian tradition has called "deification." This term refers to a particular vision of salvation which claims that God wants to share his own divine life with us, uniting us to himself and transforming us into his likeness. While often thought to be either a heretical notion or the provenance of Eastern Orthodoxy, this book shows that deification is an integral part of Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and many Protestant denominations. Drawing on the resources of their own Christian heritages, eleven scholars share the riches of their respective traditions on the doctrine of deification. In this book , scholars and pastor-scholars from diverse Christian expressions write for both a scholarly and lay audience about what God created us to be: adopted children of God who are called, even now, to "be filled with all the fullness of God" (Eph. 3:19).

Sport is a major preoccupation of the modern world. It consumes the time and energies of millions of people around the globe. In fact, for many participants, it operates much like a functional equivalent of religion, giving them a way to interpret and understand the world. Sports stadiums are the cathedrals of our time. Sports stars are the saints or demi-gods through whom we access the transcendent. Members of the sports media serve as religious scribes, and sports fans are the worshiping faithful. What is true of sport is also true, more generally, of play. Nevertheless, and quite remarkably, Christian theologians and religious historians have been surprisingly slow to recognize the spiritual and cultural significance of sport and play, or to engage in the study of these concepts. This book attempts to redress that neglect by integrating sport and play with Christian faith and practice. In Sports and Play in Christian Theology, ten Christian scholars and practitioners explore sport and play from theological, biblical, historical, and pastoral perspectives. This rich collection of wide-ranging reflections and focused case studies will help readers locate sport and play within Christian faith and practice.

The Christian gospel compels humanity to embrace deeper ways of being human together that will overcome false divisions and exclusions in search of flourishing and graced communities. Presenting both short narratives emerging out of theological reflection on experience and analytical essays arising from engagement in scholarly conversations Theology and the Experience of Disability is a conscious attempt to develop theology by and with people with disabilities instead of theology about people with disabilities. A mixture of academic, professional, practical, and/or lived experience is brought to the topic in search of constructive multi-disciplinary proposals for church and society. The result is an interdisciplinary engagement with the constructive possibilities that emerge from a distinctly Christian understanding of disability as lived experience.

Forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian Gospel. It goes hand in hand with love, mercy, and grace, the fundamental theological virtues. However, forgiveness is easier to define than it is to embody. This unique collection of essays brings together theologians, ethicists, and ministry practitioners into a constructive dialog which explores the complex and crucial concept of forgiveness: what it is, where it is to be found, and how it might be practiced. These essays reflect the perspectives of those from various traditions who nonetheless take the Christian Scriptures seriously, believe that forgiveness is central to living out the Gospel, and are creative in the ways in which forgiveness can be practiced. Forgiveness is an art and not simply a science; as such it requires trust, skill, and hope alongside love, mercy, and grace if it is to be embodied. This volume offers a unique window into the art of forgiveness and the faithful and innovative ways in which it is to be understood, embodied, and cultivated.

Torrance's vision of Theosis (deification/divinisation) is explored through his doctrine of creation and anthropology, his characterisation of the incarnation, his accounts of reconciliation and union with Christ, and his theology of church and sacraments. Myk Habets' study distinguishes Torrance's Reformed vision of theosis from other possible accounts of salvation as divinisation as they are found, for instance, within patristic thought and Eastern Orthodoxy. This book presents the first critique of the theology of T.F.Torrance to focus on theosis, and examines a model of theosis within the realm of reformed theology built upon Western theology.

Torrance's vision of Theosis (deification/divinisation) is explored through his doctrine of creation and anthropology, his characterisation of the incarnation, his accounts of reconciliation and union with Christ, and his theology of church and sacraments. Myk Habets' study distinguishes Torrance's Reformed vision of theosis from other possible accounts of salvation as divinisation as they are found, for instance, within patristic thought and Eastern Orthodoxy. This book presents the first critique of the theology of T.F.Torrance to focus on theosis, and examines a model of theosis within the realm of reformed theology built upon Western theology.

Karl Barth was undoubtedly one of the most outstanding theological thinkers of the twentieth century. Referred to by some as the 'father' of the Church, his influence upon the doctrine of the Trinity continues to be a commanding presence. Barth understood that it is from Trinitarian teaching that Christian dogmatics derives what it has to say about the relationship between God and humanity. Most fundamental is the role of the Holy Spirit in our knowledge of God and His being as a trinity in unity. Barth's work, the popularity of which has seen resurgence in recent years, has occasioned appreciation, critique and rejection. These essays testify to this conflict, the accessibility of Barth's doctrinal conventions and the 'inexhaustible resourcefulness' of his theologies. 'Trinitarian Theology after Barth' draws together scholars who engage in the doctrine of the Trinity and the related themes. Barth's thought allows for a variety of interpretations, and it is this that gives such vibrancy to the essays in this volume, written by seasoned Barth scholars and voices new to the debate. Myk Habets is Lecturer in Systematic Theology, and Director of the R.J. Thompson Centre for Theological Studies at Carey Baptist College and Graduate School, Auckland, New Zealand. His publications include 'Theosis in the Theology of Thomas Torrance' (2009) and 'The Anointed Son' (2010). Phillip Tolliday teaches Anglican Studies and Systematic Theology at St Barnabas' College, School of Theology. He has been co-editor of 'Dialogue Australasia', and is currently the series co-editor for volumes on the interface between philosophy and theology. 'This exciting new volume is a distinctive and important addition to Barth studies. The essays are noteworthy for their interpretative rigor and constructive ambition; they supply a vivid sense of what it means to think with, after, and beyond Barth in the present day. Highly recommended'. Paul Dafydd Jones, Assistant Professor of Western Religious Thought, University of Virginia

The Christian gospel compels humanity to embrace deeper ways of being human together that will overcome false divisions and exclusions in search of flourishing and graced communities. Presenting both short narratives emerging out of theological reflection on experience and analytical essays arising from engagement in scholarly conversations Theology and the Experience of Disability is a conscious attempt to develop theology by and with people with disabilities instead of theology about people with disabilities. A mixture of academic, professional, practical, and/or lived experience is brought to the topic in search of constructive multi-disciplinary proposals for church and society. The result is an interdisciplinary engagement with the constructive possibilities that emerge from a distinctly Christian understanding of disability as lived experience.

Third Article Theology (TAT) is the name given to a new movement in constructive theology utilizing a distinctly pneumatological approach to dogmatics. Trinitarian in its foundation, pneumatological in its impetus, and comprehensive in its scope, TAT specifies both a method and a theology. Thinking through the theological loci of the tradition in relation to the Holy Spirit opens up new vistas and a deeper vision of the task of theology, revealing ways of thinking hitherto eclipsed by the tradition. Drawing upon the trinitarianism of the Great Tradition, theologians from across the theological spectrumbring their voices to bear upon central and defining theological issues of today in order to present a new form of systematic theology-a pneumatological dogmatics-capable of representing the faith in a contemporary mode. For students, scholars, and clergy, the volume unfolds the classic articles of systematic theology in this new register. Each doctrinal article is written by a leading theologian in the field, with essays from Amos Yong, Eugene Rogers, Veli-Matti Karkkainen, Joel Green, Marc Cortez, Frank Macchia, Myk Habets, and others.

The volume presents a range of theological standpoints regarding the filioque. With some contributors arguing for its retention and others for its removal, still others contest that its presence or otherwise in the Creed is not what is of central concern, but rather that how it should be understood is of ultimate importance. What contributors share is a commitment to interrogating and developing the central theological issues at stake in a consideration of the filioque, thus advancing ecumenical theology and inter-communal dialogue without diluting the discussion. Contributors span the Christian traditions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, and Pentecostal. Each of these traditions has its own set of theological assumptions, methods, and politics, many of which are on display in the essays which follow. Nonetheless it is only when we bring the wealth of learning and commitments from our own theological traditions to ecumenical dialogue that true progress can be made. It is in this spirit that the present essays have been conceived and are now presented in this form.

The story of evangelicalism in New Zealand is almost as old as the history of European contact. The essays in this volume exhibit much of the breadth and depth of this evangelical witness, divided as it is into two sections: historical and theological. As David Bebbington says of the historical essays in this volume, "what is most striking about the members of the evangelical bodies depicted in this volume is their variety. These people were not uniformly anything, let alone joyless or humourless. The evangelicals of New Zealand were by no means monochrome, and least of all black." Derek Tidball says of the theological essays in this volume, that they exhibit four hallmarks: they are evangelical, contextual, creative, and courageous, before concluding: "These papers show skilled evangelical theological acrobats in action, not for the entertainment of us all but for the instruction of us all."

Synopsis: In this exciting volume, new and emerging voices join senior Reformed scholars in presenting a coherent and impassioned articulation of Calvinism for today's world. Evangelical Calvinism represents a mood within current Reformed theology. The various contributors are in different ways articulating that mood, of which their very diversity is a significant element. In attempting to outline features of an Evangelical Calvinism, a number of the contributors compare and contrast this approach with that of Federal Calvinism currently dominant in North American Reformed theology, challenging the assumption that Federal Calvinism is the only possible expression of orthodox Reformed theology. This book does not, however, represent the arrival of a "new Calvinism" or even a "neo-Calvinism," if by those terms are meant a novel reading of the Reformed faith. An Evangelical Calvinism highlights a Calvinistic tradition that has developed particularly within Scotland, but is not unique to the Scots. The editors have picked up the baton passed on by John Calvin, Karl Barth, Thomas Torrance, and others, in order to offer the family of Reformed theologies a reinvigorated theological and spiritual ethos. This volume promises to set the agenda for Reformed-Calvinist discussion for some time to come. Endorsements: "This valuable collection illustrates the diversity of the Reformed tradition . . . By concentrating on its evangelical center, particularly with respect to the love of God enacted in the person and work of Christ, these essays offer internal criticism of some aspects of the tradition, while also revitalizing some of its core themes. The volume is set to stimulate a vigorous discussion of the meaning of evangelical Calvinism." --David Fergusson, coeditor of The Cambridge Dictionary of Christian Theology " This is] a challenging treasure trove of material mined from Calvin and examining, in the light of moderns such as Torrance and Barth, his essential legacy historically, theologically, and pastorally. This is a book to be read and re-read for the vital contribution it offers to deepening and reinvigorating evangelical Calvinism today." --Robert T. Walker, coauthor of Atonement: The Person and Work of Christ Author Biography: Myk Habets is Lecturer in Systematic Theology, and Director of the R. J. Thompson Centre for Theological Studies at Carey Baptist College and Graduate School, Auckland, New Zealand. His publications include Theosis in the Theology of Thomas Torrance (2009), The Anointed Son (Pickwick, 2010), and Trinitarian Theology after Barth, edited with Phillip Tolliday (Pickwick, 2011). Bobby Grow is a PhD candidate in Systematic Theology at South African Theological Seminary, a theologian-at-large, and runs several theological blogs. He lives with his wife and two kids in Vancouver, Washington.

Description: The most outstanding theological thinker of the twentieth century is proving to be the most pivotal theological figure of the twenty-first century as well. It is no wonder some have referred to Karl Barth as a ""Father"" of the Church. Karl Barth, widely acknowledged as the most influential theologian of the modern era, continues to provoke and inspire Christian theological reflection in a distinct and enduring way. His work has occasioned appreciation, critique, and rejection, but however one responds to Barth, one must reckon with him in pursuing the theological task. This volume draws together scholars whose essays exhibit work ""after Barth"" in engaging the doctrine of the Trinity and its related themes. Barth's thought, as evidenced amongst his most expert commentators, allows for a variety of interpretations, the details of which are being hammered out on the pages of academic journals and volumes such as this one. It is this variety of responses to and interpretations of Barth's theology that gives such vibrancy to the essays in this volume by seasoned Barth scholars and voices new to the conversation. Contributors include: Ivor J. Davidson, Bruce L. McCormack, John C. McDowell, Paul D. Molnar, Murray A. Rae, and a Foreword by John B. Webster. Endorsements: ""This exciting new volume is a distinctive and important addition to Barth studies. The essays are noteworthy for their interpretative rigor and constructive ambition; they supply a vivid sense of what it means to think with, after, and beyond Barth in the present day. Highly recommended."" --Paul Dafydd Jones Assistant Professor of Western Religious Thought University of Virginia ""What might it mean to construct a 'post-Barthian' doctrine of the Trinity? Despite significant points of divergence, this international panel of theologians agrees: Future trajectories of Trinitarian theology ignore Karl Barth only to their detriment. Consequently, this rich collection of constructive essays on the Trinity in conversation with Barth deserves wide distribution and careful reading by scholars and students, by Barth's friends and foes alike "" --David Guretzki Dean of the Seminary and Associate Professor of Theology Briercrest College and Seminary, Caronport, Saskatchewan ""If anyone still doubts that Barth's theology served to re-ignite interest in the doctrine of the Trinity not seen since the patristic era, he or she needs to read this book. One will discover that serious consideration of the doctrine of the Trinity can still hardly afford to go around Barth but can only go through him. Yet Trinitarian Theology after Barth makes clear that far from everything being nailed down, Barth's theology is truly theologia viatorum, theology on the way."" --Richard Burnett Professor of Systematic Theology Erskine Theological Seminary About the Contributor(s): Myk Habets is Lecturer in Systematic Theology, and Director of the R. J. Thompson Centre for Theological Studies at Carey Baptist College and Graduate School, Auckland, New Zealand. His publications include Theosis in the Theology of Thomas Torrance (2009) and The Anointed Son (Pickwick, 2010). Phillip Tolliday teaches Anglican Studies and Systematic Theology at St. Barnabas' College, School of Theology. He has been co-editor of Dialogue Australasia, and is currently the series co-editor for volumes on the interface between philosophy and theology.

Description: Questions related to the issue of gender remain insufficiently acknowledged and explored in contemporary theological literature. These issues form the basis of significant unresolved tensions among evangelicals, as evidenced in debates over the nature of the Trinity, Bible translation, church practice, choice of language, mission leadership, decision-making in homes, and parenting, to name but a few examples. The essays in this volume are not meant to provide a monolithic evangelical theology of gender, but rather to provide evangelical perspectives surrounding the topic of gender. To further this aim, each of the main essays is followed by a formal response with an attempt at a concise and lucid perspective on the essay and pointers to further areas for investigation. Some contributors are complementarian while others are egalitarian, although who is what is left to the discerning reader. Regardless of one's position on the issue, all will benefit from the contributors' commitment to the further exploration of gender issues from the perspective of a broadly conceive evangelicalism. Endorsements: "The book engenders a deep yearning to read further such dialogical volumes from Trinitarian scholars, Biblical scholars, and others. It overall avoids caricatures of much polemical confrontation seeking true dialogue between human persons both male and female. The prologue establishes a theological foundation for the discussion to continue between persons in relationship with each other as imaging something of who the Creator is. I hope the dialogue will continue in further volumes particularly in the context of New Zealand and Australia." --Mary Fisher Pastor, Sydney Chinese Alliance Church About the Contributor(s): Myk Habets is Director of the R.J. Thompson Centre for Theological Studies, Carey Baptist College, New Zealand. He is the author of Theosis in the Theology of Thomas Torrance (2009), and The Anointed Son (2010). Beulah Wood makes her base at South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies in Bangalore, India, and in Auckland, NZ. A lecturer in preaching, communication, and a biblical view of family and gender, she is also an editor, and author or co-author of over thirty books and booklets, including Families in the Plan of God: A Theology for South Asia (2010).