A constructive approach from a theological perspective about the category of religion in Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Karl Barth. What does it mean to speak of Christianity as a religion? What are the implications of this to relations with secular bodies? If Christianity is identified as a 'religion', how does it relate to other similar human phenomena with which it might loosely be grouped? How should these others be understood in relation to Christianity from the perspective of a Christian theology of religion (as a prior engagement before a theology of the religions)? What makes, for example, Hinduism, Judaism and Islam theologically distinctive as entities from other communities or organizations such as trade unions, political parties or large non-governmental organizations? How should Christianity relate to a complexly pluralistic, religious and secular world? This book considers the question of how to understand religion theologically. The category of 'religion' is one which continues to be used politically and generally, and this book seeks to consider this category theologically, rather than sociologically, ethnographically, philosophically or anthropologically. In order to answer these questions, this book draws constructively on Bonhoeffer and Barth's theologies of religion/religionlessness.

In this exciting edited collection, Tom Greggs challenges us to think afresh about evangelical theology: where it is today, and where it is headed. Bringing together an outstanding group of young theologians to engage critically and constructively with traditional evangelical theology, the book seeks to open up the field and encourage ?good practice? in its study.

New Perspectives in Evangelical Theology addresses some of the major themes within evangelical theology including election, the Holy Spirit, eschatology, and sanctification. It examines the Bible and the Church, and has chapters on worship and the sacraments. The final section investigates the interaction of evangelicalism and society, considering politics, sex and the body, and other faiths such as Judaism and Islam. Framed by a foreword from David F. Ford and a postscript from Richard B. Hays, the book is an invaluable collection of new thinking.

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.

This volume uncovers Barth’s and Bonhoeffer’s influences on one another and reads them side-by-side, revealing the insights both theologians bring to today’s secular and religious context. Greggs addresses the meaning and the extent of salvation, God’s relation to time and eternity, sin and confession, and inter-faith dialogue for a church that critiques its own practice of religion. This is a lively exploration of the implications of two great theologians' work for a completely secular and religious world.

In this collection of essays, Tom Greggs explores the nature of the church in a world of many religions. Greggs’ writings on the Church and on other religions emphasize the importance of attentiveness to Christ and the Holy Spirit, and both are simultaneously generous and particularist. The first part of the book addresses the Church as it is brought into being by the Spirit in glorifying God, celebrates the sacraments, respects the authority of the creeds, is generously Catholic, and critiques its own religion. The second part looks at the church in a pluralist context as it engages in inter-faith dialogue, expresses both particularism and universalism, speaks of Christ with many names, and reads scripture and understands the many covenants found there. Greggs offers a programmatic conclusion, setting an agenda for theologies of the church and of other religions and their simultaneous relationality.

In this exciting edited collection, Tom Greggs challenges us to think afresh about evangelical theology: where it is today, and where it is headed. Bringing together an outstanding group of young theologians to engage critically and constructively with traditional evangelical theology, the book seeks to open up the field and encourage good practice in its study.

New Perspectives in Evangelical Theology addresses some of the major themes within evangelical theology including election, the Holy Spirit, eschatology, and sanctification. It examines the Bible and the Church, and has chapters on worship and the sacraments. The final section investigates the interaction of evangelicalism and society, considering politics, sex and the body, and other faiths such as Judaism and Islam. Framed by a foreword from David F. Ford and a postscript from Richard B. Hays, the book is an invaluable collection of new thinking.

Barth, Origen, and Universal Salvation offers a bold new presentation of universal salvation. Building constructively from the third- century theologian, Origen, and the twentieth-century Swiss theologian, Karl Barth, Tom Greggs offers a defence of universalism as rooted in Christian theology, showing this belief does not have to be at the expense of human particularity, freedom, and Christian faith.
Examining Barth's doctrine of election and Origen's understanding of apokatastasis, Greggs proposes that a proper understanding of the eternal salvific plan of God in the person of Jesus Christ points towards universal salvation. The relationship between the work of the Spirit and the Son in salvation is central to this understanding. Universal salvation is grounded in the person of Christ as himself historic and particular, and the Spirit makes the reality of that universal work of Christ present to individuals and communities in the present. The discussion includes creative suggestions for the political and ecclesial implications of such a presentation of salvation.

Explore the question of the extent of Christ's atonement: to whom will grace be extended in the end? Will only professing Christians be saved? Or does the Bible suggest that the breadth of Grace is greater? And, if so, what does that mean for the Church? These are questions of great importance for the Christian faith and to our understanding of Scripture. This volume of the clear and fair-minded Counterpoints series elevates the conversation about atonement to include a range of contributors who represent the breadth of Christian tradition: Traditional Reformed: Michael Horton Wesleyan: Fred Sanders Roman Catholic: Matthew Levering Eastern Orthodox: Andrew Louth Barthian Universalism: Tom Greggs This book serves not only as a single-volume resource for engaging the views on the extent of the atonement but also as a catalyst for understanding and advancing a balanced approach to this core Christian doctrine.

All too often, the Christian understanding of salvation has been one-dimensional, reducing all that God has done for us to a single conception or idea. Tom Greggs, one of today's leading theologians, offers a brief, accessibly written, but theologically substantive treatment of the doctrine of salvation. Drawing on the broad tradition of the church and the Christian faith in explaining the Christian understandings of salvation, Greggs challenges the contemporary church to be captured afresh by the immeasurable height, depth, and breadth of God's saving actions.

Generous Ecclesiology seeks to present a positive theological response to the issues raised by Mission-Shaped Church and For the Parish. The former reminds us that the church is to engage in creative and imaginative ways with our missionary calling. The latter affirms the place of inherited patterns and structures which cannot simply be discarded. Alert to the danger that discussion about tradition and innovation can become polarized; the editors recognize that living in relation to a generous God shapes our ecclesiology. This vocation is formed by a double constitution of worship and mission. This vocation is for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Generous Ecclesiology takes as its basis the uniqueness of the church's calling in God's world, a world embraced by the generosity of his love. This collection is a contribution to an ongoing conversation; to this end, it engages with a rich range of dialogue partners, historically, ecumenically and culturally as well as theologically. It seeks to offer a rigorous theological resource - inspiring us to drink deeply of the wells of our tradition and inherited patterns. Whether implicitly or explicitly, these essays reflect on or are shaped by the ordinary concerns, challenges and opportunities of ministry.

This title gives a constructive approach from a theological perspective about the category of religion in Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Karl Barth. What does it mean to speak of Christianity as a religion? What are the implications of this to relations with secular bodies? If Christianity is identified as a 'religion', how does it relate to other similar human phenomena with which it might loosely be grouped? How should these others be understood in relation to Christianity from the perspective of a Christian theology of religion (as a prior engagement before a theology of the religions)? What makes, for example, Hinduism, Judaism and Islam theologically distinctive as entities from other communities or organizations such as trade unions, political parties or large non-governmental organizations? How should Christianity relate to a complexly pluralistic, religious and secular world? This book considers the question of how to understand religion theologically. The category of 'religion' is one which continues to be used politically and generally, and this book seeks to consider this category theologically, rather than sociologically, ethnographically, philosophically or anthropologically. In order to answer these questions, this book draws constructively on Bonhoeffer and Barth's theologies of religion/religionlessness.

In this collection of essays, Tom Greggs explores the nature of the church in a world of many religions. Greggs' writings on the Church and on other religions emphasize the importance of attentiveness to Christ and the Holy Spirit, and both are simultaneously generous and particularist. The first part of the book addresses the Church as it is brought into being by the Spirit in glorifying God, celebrates the sacraments, respects the authority of the creeds, is generously Catholic, and critiques its own religion. The second part looks at the church in a pluralist context as it engages in inter-faith dialogue, expresses both particularism and universalism, speaks of Christ with many names, and reads scripture and understands the many covenants found there. Greggs offers a programmatic conclusion, setting an agenda for theologies of the church and of other religions and their simultaneous relationality.

This volume uncovers Barth's and Bonhoeffer's influences on one another and reads them side-by-side, revealing the insights both theologians bring to today's secular and religious context. Greggs addresses the meaning and the extent of salvation, God's relation to time and eternity, sin and confession, and inter-faith dialogue for a church that critiques its own practice of religion. This is a lively exploration of the implications of two great theologians' work for a completely secular and religious world.