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Book SynopsisA major new biography of Huldrych Zwingli—the warrior preacher who shaped the early ReformationTrade Review“Uncovers and examines the complexities of Zwingli’s life and legacy. . . . Gordon is sensitive to the challenges of explaining Zwingli’s sixteenth-century world to modern readers.”—Amy Nelson Burnett, Times Literary Supplement“Gordon’s engagingly readable new life aims to give the half-remembered Zwingli his due. It is appropriately empathetic, but never hagiographical. . . . Gordon succeeds wonderfully in locating Zwingli within a network of personal and theological relationships, and within the culture and values of the world he inhabited.”—Peter Marshall, Literary Review“Gordon . . . keeps an admirably balanced and encompassing perspective on the man who, when we consider the great figures of the Reformation, seems fated to remain in the second tier.”—Diarmaid MacCulloch, London Review of Books“Zwingli shaped the reformed tradition just as much as the better-known Calvin, and yet we know so much less about him. The first of the Reformers to marry, he famously died on the battlefield—as Luther gloated, a man of God slain by the sword. This powerful biography brings Zwingli to life. It sets him amongst his contemporaries, placing us alongside the dilemmas he faced. Gordon shows us a remarkable man and a Reformation driven by friendships, yet riven by hatreds.”—Lyndal Roper, author of Martin Luther: Renegade and Prophet“Gordon’s absorbing portrait of Huldrych Zwingli successfully removes the varnish of centuries to reveal the contrasting colours of the often-ignored Swiss Reformer. God’s Armed Prophet, he fought his opponents and found the arguments for religious changes whose radicality would indelibly mark the Protestant Reformation, with lessons for our own age.”—Mark Greengrass, author of Christendom Destroyed“This brilliant biography makes Zwingli come alive, and sets his life in the larger context of the Protestant Reformation with verve, highlighting his larger significance while never losing sight of the details that make him unique. A masterful blend of narrative and analysis, based on painstaking research, especially in Zwingli’s correspondence, this biography breaks new ground expanding and deepening our understanding of one of the most significant figures in early modern history.”—Carlos Eire, author of Reformations“Many of us have waited a long time for a new biography of Zwingli and this book by Bruce Gordon has made it well worth the wait. It is both a sensitive and informative telling of his life and work but it is more than that. It is full of details that enliven the story and bring out the humanity and commitments of the Swiss Reformer. His importance for the reformation can no longer play second fiddle to Calvin.”—Scott H. Hendrix, author of Martin Luther

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Book SynopsisMormonism is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. For those who have wondered in what specific ways Mormonism differs from the Christian faith, Mormonism 101 provides definitive answers, examining the major tenets of Mormon theology and comparing them with orthodox Christian beliefs. Perfect for students of religion and anyone who wants to have answers when Mormons come calling.

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Book SynopsisA magisterial and masterful addition to the tradition of South African narrative non-fiction, Christa Kuljian's Sanctuary offers a welcome woman's voice in a genre distinguished by Jonny Steinberg, Antony Altbeker and Anton Harber.Table of ContentsHow did this happen?: Friday night refugee meetings - 2010; A tour of the building - 2010; The police raid - January 2008; "A clear voice to take on the powers" - 1952-1987; "An unexpected thunderstorm" - May 2008; The rise and fall of central hall - 1886-1975; Reverend peter storey and the apartheid city - 1976-1980; Offering political refuge at central - 1980-1991; The Methodist church in crisis: the saga of Stompie Sepei - 1988-1992; "Son of Soweto" - 1992/1993; Reverend Mvume Dandala and the quest for peace - 1992-1996; Reverend Paul Verryn appears before the truth commission - 1997; Changing city; changing congregation - 1997-2002; The first residents arrive - 2002-2005; A murder in the church - 2006; A ray of hope - 2006-2007; The thunderstorm left behind more than a flood. What should be done about all this?: "A hostile, complex situation" - January-March 2009; Death threat comes for the bishop - April-June 2009; Arrested for loitering - July 2009; "Sexual favours for a toothbrush" - 2009; "The horror that we saw" - October-December 2009; The debate over the children - November/December 2009; "The former bishop of the central district, Paul Verryn, has been suspended" - January 2010. Resolution?: Findings of the curatrix - February 2010; The suspension is set aside, but ... - April-September 2010; Ann Skelton to the rescue - 2010; Building communities of diversity and peace - 2010; The spirituality of the poor - 2010/2011; "Is this boat going to sink?" - 2010; Conflict within the Methodist church - 2010; Life (and death) goes on inside central - 2011; Evans Kuntonda - 2011; On the street - 2011; Taking a closer look at the moth building - 2011; The axe and the tree; The man in brown - 2011; Reymond Mapakata's arrests; Some healing and some nuptials in the sanctuary; Sjamboks at Marabastad home affairs; Friday night refugee meetings.

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Book SynopsisThomas Green examines the Scottish Reformation from a new perspective the legal system and lawyers. Green covers the Wars of the Congregation, the Reformation Parliament, the legitimacy of the Scottish government in 1558-61, the courts of the early Church of Scotland and the legal significance of Mary Stewart's personal reign.

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Book Synopsis'A heavenly book, elegant and thoughtful. Get one for yourself and one for the church-crawler in your life!' Lucy WorsleyChristianity has been central to the lives of the people of Britain and Ireland for almost 2,000 years. It has given us laws, customs, traditions and our national character. From a persecuted minority in Roman Britannia through the 'golden age' of Anglo-Saxon monasticism, the devastating impact of the Vikings, the alliance of church and state after the Norman Conquest to the turmoil of the Reformation that saw the English monarch replace the Pope and the Puritan Commonwealth that replaced the king, it is a tangled, tumultuous story of faith and achievement, division and bloodshed.In If These Stones Could Talk Peter Stanford journeys through England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland to churches, abbeys, chapels and cathedrals, grand and humble, ruined and thriving, ancient and modern, to chronicle how a religion that began in the Middle East came to define our past and shape our present. In exploring the stories of these buildings that are still so much a part of the landscape, the details of their design, the treasured objects that are housed within them, the people who once stood in their pulpits and those who sat in their pews, he builds century by century the narrative of what Christianity has meant to the nations of the British Isles, how it is reflected in the relationship between rulers and ruled, and the sense it gives about who we are and how we live with each other.'There is no better navigator through the space in which art, culture and spirituality meet than Peter Stanford' Cole Moreton, Independent on SundayTrade ReviewSomeone new to both church history and church-crawling (when he or she can find a church open) would learn a good deal from this agreeably written book. -- Lucy Beckett * TLS *I have long found the books of Peter Stanford to be always entertaining and stimulating. This rich and varied text . . . ought to be enjoyed by a wide audience as it describes and comments on nearly 2000 years of religion among the many cultures that have come and gone in that time. -- Peter Costello * Irish Catholic *'Setting out to relate the history of Christianity on these islands through a selection of churches or monasteries may seem a bold or even foolhardy undertaking. However, Stanford pulls it off with flair and conviction.' * The Irish Examiner *A compelling read. * The Scottish Catholic *It explores the history of Christianity through its sacred buildings and delves into the stories that are part of our landscape... I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. * Jumoke Fashola - BBC Radio London *Stanford romps engagingly through the centuries in what he describes as an "ordering and assembling of Christian history as told by a selection of 'crawled' churches. * The Church Times *Setting out to relate the history of Christianity on these islands through a selection of churches or monasteries may seem a bold or even foolhardy undertaking. However, Stanford pulls it off with flair and conviction. * The Irish Examiner *In this rich and beguiling book, Peter Stanford gets old stones to tell us about the turbulent history of Christianity in the British Isles. * Richard Holloway *"Stanford romps engagingly through the centuries in what he describes as an "ordering and assembling of Christian history as told by a selection of 'crawled' churches... highly engaging... I thoroughly recommend this book as an excellent and eminently readable overview of that history." * The Church Times *It explores the history of Christianity through its sacred buildings and delves into the stories that are part of our landscape... I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. * Jumoke Fashola - BBC Radio London *A compelling read * The Scottish Catholic *

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Book SynopsisUncover the ways the Christian church has changed in recent years-from the decline of the mainline denominations to the mega-churchification of American culture to the rise of the Nones and Exvaneglicals-and a hopeful reimagining of what the church might look like going forward.The United States is in the middle of an unprecedented spiritual, technological, demographic, political and social transformation- moving from an older, mostly white, mostly Protestant, religion-friendly society to a younger diverse, multiethnic, pluralistic culture, where no one faith group will have the advantage. At the same time, millions of Americans are abandoning organized religion altogether in favor of disorganized disbelief.Reorganized Religion is an in-depth and critical look at why people are leaving American churches and what we lose as a society as it continues. But it also accepts the dismantling of what has come before and try to help readers reinvent the path forward. This book looks at the future of organized religion in America and outline the options facing churches and other faith groups. Will they retreat? Will they become irrelevant? Or will they find a new path forward?Written by veteran religion reporter Bob Smietana, Reorganized Religion is a journalistic look at the state of the American church and its future. It draws on polling data, interviews with experts, and reporting on how faith communities old and new are coping with the changing religious landscape, along with personal stories about how faith is lived in everyday life. It also profiles faith communities and leaders who are finding interesting ways to reimagine what church might look like in the future and discuss various ways we can reinvent this organization so it survives and thrives. The book also reflects the hope that perhaps people of faith can learn to become, if not friends with the larger culture, then at least better neighbors.

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Book SynopsisThere remains a lack of knowledge and understanding about trans people in the church, and trans people who are religious can experience bias in their faith communities. With the help of their many years of experience working with trans people negotiating their relationships with religious institutions, the authors (one of whom is trans) have created this accessible, valuable guide that will educate and improve churches' relationship with trans people.Combining first-hand interviews, the authors' own experiences and scripture analysis, this thought-provoking guide uses this combination of ancient and contemporary stories to outline a theology that welcomes and includes all people whatever their gender identity or sexual orientation. Written from this inclusive Christian perspective, the book answers questions about trans people that are specific to church communities.Trade ReviewHere is an invitation, written with honesty, openness and sensitivity, to walk with those on their gender journey, of hurts and hope, misunderstandings and truth, rejections and affirmation, to discover together the love of God, the identity we each have in Christ, and shared support of a Faith community around us. -- Revd Kevin Watson, former Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed ChurchThis Guide should be mandatory reading for anyone in church leadership. It tackles head on many of the myths that have existed around trans people with searing honesty and courage, and sets out practical steps about how to pastorally support a community that is sadly so often under fire. I pray that this book will break our hearts and help us see how best to love such a precious part of Christ's body. -- Jayne Ozanne, Director of the Ozanne FoundationThrough stories of lived experience, the use of Scripture, and insightful commentary on contemporary discourse on gender, Tina and Chris have written a resource that challenges and encourages the reader on a timely and necessary journey towards a truly Trans inclusive theology and practice. -- Luke Dowding, Executive Director of OneBodyOneFaithTable of ContentsAcknowledgements; The Authors; Foreword by Dr Susannah Cornwall; Introduction; 1. Understanding who trans people are; 2. What the Bible really tells us about trans people; 3. The culture wars and the Christian community; 4. Loving someone trans; 5. Towards a transgender inclusive liturgy; 6. How to be a transgender affirming congregation; Appendices A: A suggested outline syllabus on trans awareness for a clergy continuing ministerial development/continuing professional development day; B: The Genderbread Person; C: Useful Organisations & Networks; D: Poem - Grave Robbers by Peterson Toscano; References

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