Christianity Books

Book SynopsisIn this book, Elaine Graham argues that Western society is entering an unprecedented political and cultural era, in which many of the assumptions of classic sociological theory and of mainstream public theology are being overturned.Trade ReviewThis timely book provides a thorough and helpful overview of where we are and where we might be going. Recommended reading for anyone interested in Christian public engagement. -- Elizabeth OldfieldThis is a ground-breaking work. Graham, the British doyen of public theology, recasts the whole Christian theological enterprise in the public context of post-secular societies internationally. She thus reinterprets Christian apologetics, and indeed Christian existence, in the multi-religious context of the global community. For any concerned with the James HaireChurch’s future, this is a seminal study. -- James Haire ACGraham offers us an extraordinary resource for equipping religious leaders and laypersons as public practical theologians in a post-secular age. Her analysis is at once wide-ranging and incisive. Her proposals for a Christian apologetics of presence in public life richly articulate an understanding of theology as a vocation whose end is transformative, articulate practice that seeks justice and well-being for all humanity. -- Nancy RamsayElaine Graham has done a great service to all who are seeking for, or committed to, a faith-based, intellectually defensible vision, able to guide our thoughts and actions in this globalizing era. She offers a discerning survey of the fields that have to be cultivated if theology is to speak effectively to the complexities, conflicts, and world views we face today. She identifies the most promising bodies of religious, philosophical, and social scientific literature, carefully sorts the gold from the dross in them, and weaves a challenging and inviting, often compelling vision of a revitalized church guided by a public theology for a cosmopolitan civil society. Key to this vision is the significance of resurgent movements that supersede the presumed rock of Christendom and the emptiness of those movements that attempt to establish systems of knowledge, communities and empires on secular bases that deny faith a public voice. Instead she sees new possibilities in the fresh dynamics of belief and in the new dialogues of religion and science. Between the rock and the hard place she finds fields of meaning that, rightly treated, could serve as fertile ground for civilization-building. This is the most significant volume of its kind I have seen in the last two decades. -- Max L. Stackhouse

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Book SynopsisPresents an introduction to mission studies - the history, theology and issues of mission. This book also offers a theological framework for mission, which applies both globally and locally, to help the reader discern the movement of the Spirit of Christ among the many other spirits of this world.Trade ReviewKirsteen Kim's lively study is both accessible and scholarly. This book affirms mission as the work of the Spirit and, rejecting traditional Euro-centric approaches, insists that local mission is most effectively viewed through the lens of the world church. The joy of this book is that the reader is introduced to fresh voices not usually heard in such studies: the challenge is responding to them. Brian Castle, Bishop of Tonbridge and Co-chair Mission Theology Advisory Group.

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Book SynopsisThis word for word record of a seminar in the University of California has been recognized by many reviewers as the easiest approach to Paul Tillich's often complex thought.

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Book SynopsisJohn Macquarrie's classic study of existentialism and the work of two of its most important representatives: Martin Heidegger and Rudolf Bultmann.

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Book Synopsis'This book is among the most promising and most important in its particular field to be published within recent years. Indeed, there is no other in which men trained in the school of philosophy dominant in England today have sought as they do here to come to terms with Christian theology.' (British Weekly)

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Trade ReviewThis is a warm, helpful and deeply practical book. Those already engaging in qualitative research as well as those just beginning their journey, will find much wisdom and guidance. An important contribution to a growing area for theological reflection. -- John SwintonAll those researching practice in ministry and mission, and all of us who supervise them, should be deeply grateful to Helen Cameron and Catherine Duce for this timely, clear, personal, and practical book which is indeed a ‘companion’. This is a book rooted in real-world research and in the real-world problems of research students contending with real-world time-management problems. But it is not just a pragmatic ‘cook-book’; it engages with the underlying issues raised by research in practical theology. I shall be recommending it without fail to all my Masters and doctoral students doing empirical research in practical theology– and to their supervisors. -- Zoë BennettAccording to Cameron and Duce, research projects come in two types – perfect projects and finished projects. Researching Practice in Ministry and Mission is written to help research candidates plot a path to finish. It is an excellent companion guide for beginning or experienced practical theology researchers, those responsible for training and supervising them, and church leaders who read or consider the lessons learned from their research. -- Darren Cronshaw, Associate Professor of Missiology & Head of Discipline - Research

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Book SynopsisDr Bultmann makes his position sharply clear in response to criticism that he is abandoning the essence of Christianity. For all who ask how Christianity can be restated without the 'myths' of the first century, the appearance of this short book is a help and an encouragement.

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Book SynopsisA profound study of infant baptism in the early church by one of the twentieth century's leading New Testament scholars.

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Book SynopsisChurches today face unique challenges as they seek to help young people engage with the Christian faith and youth workers, whether employed or volunteer, play a key role in supporting this process. This book provides a comprehensive overview of Christian youth work, drawing together practice, theory and theology in a format which is both engaging and informative. Serving as both a text and workbook, it brings together key youth ministry thinkers and grass-roots practitioners to explore significant themes and issues. It will be invaluable to those thinking about youth work at a strategic level as well as youth work practitioners. Each of the sixteen chapters is followed by a response written from a different perspective, modelling reflective practice and theological reflection. Topics covered include mission, church, adolescent identity, appropriate relationships, spiritual practices, youth culture, pastoral care, work with families, education, leadership and management, inclusive youtTrade ReviewA highly theoretical & yet deeply practical book. I cannot recommend this highly enough to anyone engaged in, or caring about, youth work in the UK. Get hold of your copy today. -- Gavin CalverOne of the biggest challenges facing the church today is how to connect with a generation of young people who have no prior experience of any sort of faith. The particular strength of this book is its combination of theological reflection with insights from the social sciences, and all of it grounded in the experience of practitioners working in diverse cultural contexts. -- John DraneTable of Contents1. Being a Christian Youth Worker: Finding Ourselves by Losing Ourselves Nick Shepherd 2. Being a Reflective Practitioner and Lifelong Learner: Pursuing Wisdom and Fruitfulness Sally Nash 3. Youth Culture: A Theoretical Examination for the Sake of Ministry with Young People Andrew Root 4. Theological Inquiry in Christian Youth Work Jeremy Thompson 5. Christian Youth Work and the Kingdom of God Graeme McMeekin 6. Inclusive Youth Work Andrew Smith 7. Adolescent Identity Development Amy Jacober 8. Appropriate Relationships: 'Like a Friend' Sam Richards 9. The Church Matt Brain 10. Spiritual Practices and Faith Formation Jo Whitehead 11. Holistic Pastoral Care Karen Jones 12. Mission Terry Linhart 13. Education and Curriculum Simon Davies 14. Working with Families Colin Bennett 15. Ethical Dilemmas and Practice Paul Nash 16. Leadership and Management Liz Dumain

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Trade ReviewHonest to God not only got people talking about their beliefs, it helped a whole generation relocate and rediscover God in some of their deepest experiences. Whatever theological reservations there might be about its theological framework, it proved hugely pastorally helpful-and could do so again today. -- Professor Lord Harries of Pentregarth, former Bishop of OxfordIf, as Harold Wilson said, a week is a long time in politics, then this book proves that half a century is a short time in theology and what goes around comes around. John Robinson challenges us again to be bold and honest in confronting the forces of fear and reaction that have hijacked religion in our day. -- Richard Holloway * Formerly Bishop of Edinburgh *Honest to God changed the face of British Christianity, which during the 1950s had become formal, sleepy, complacent and over-respectable. John Robinson's probing book led some to abandon their faith, some to accept it for the first time and many to dig deeper. 50 years on it has the same impact. -- Canon Angela Tilby * Christchurch Catherdral, Oxford *

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Book SynopsisThese 18 sermons on the central themes of the Gospel were first published in 1961, with an introductory essay by Dr. John Marsh, Principal of Mansfield College, Oxford. 'Most of these sermons were in fact preached to inmates of Basel Prison, where the great theologian is a visitor.

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Book SynopsisDr Barth's exposition of Philippians, first published in German in 1927, was not available in English before this translation by Dr James Leitch. It has important differences in procedure from the famous Romans, and should not be missed by any student of Dr Barth's development.

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Book SynopsisAgainst the Stream? offers a timeless selection of some of Karl Barth's most important shorter essays and sermons from the period immediately following the Second World War.

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In 1963 'Honest to God' by Dr John Robinson, Bishop of Woolwich, caused an immense discussion by its call for a revolution in Christianity, selling more quickly than any other new book of serious theology ever published. In this book David Edwards writes about the debate and its background.

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Book SynopsisThis dictionary attempts to give direct access to the development of Christian Spirituality. It is a series of pieces written by experts to provide instant, accurate and thought-provoking information of high scholarship.

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Book SynopsisIn this magisterial volume the author examines more than a dozen Gospel writings from the first two centuries. These Gospels include more than the standard canonical Gospels, covering also such writings as the Gospel of Thomas, the Apocryphon of James, the Gospel of Mary and others.

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Book SynopsisAn introduction to the development of critical theology in the seventeenth century.

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Book SynopsisThe "dry bones" of the title are the critical equipment of the Christian scholar, wrestling with Bible and tradition; and the "life" they may or may not be capable of is the enriching of that Christian perspective on things which transforms and renews the possibilities of action and imagination.

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Book SynopsisIn 1937 there was a reunion of the clergy who two years earlier, under the leadership of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, had established the seminary of the Confessing Church in Finkelwalde, near Stettin, and had finished the first course. Dietrich Bonhoeffer introduced each day with a Bible study on Temptation and his manuscript survived.

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Book SynopsisThis important and substantial study may well prove to represent a breakthrough in the study of the people of Israel during the formative period which preceded the monarchy. Countless illuminating insights are presented in a text which is accessible even to the non-specialist reader and which is notable for its clarity and readability.

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Book SynopsisRobert Song’s book advances a theological account of marriage and sexuality which appeals to the central biblical theme of the fulfilment of creation in Christ, but is also open to the possibility of same-sex relationships.Trade ReviewRobert Song knows he has written a book that will make no one or any side of the debates about gay marriage happy. But then, that is why this is such a good and necessary book. Song will make you happy because drawing on the wisdom of the Christian tradition he frames the arguments about gay relationships in a way that makes us think hard about why, for example, Christians do not have to have children to be Christian. Song, with wit and clarity, has opened up a new space for discussions and questions surrounding the erotic that we so sorely need. Hopefully, after reading Song, those who are sure they know what side they are on will be a little less sure. -- Stanley HauerwasRobert Song’s timely and helpful contribution to ecclesial discernment about faithful, lifelong relationships is truly scholarly in that it brings into the room a cloud of witnesses that offer light and hope, deeply pastoral in that it never loses the good shepherd’s heart for those in danger of being lost, rejected, or consumed by their own righteousness, appropriately prophetic in that it believes the question is not what scripture says but what scripture requires us now to say, and wonderfully wise in its judgements and proposals. If our prayer in the midst of conflict is not that ‘our’ side will ‘win,’ but that articulating tensions thoughtfully will bring out the best in all of us, then that prayer has been answered in this reverent, responsible and seriously thoughtful book. -- Sam WellsThis is a rare phenomenon: a genuinely fresh contribution to a well-worn debate. With rich theological insight, Robert Song reframes the issues, placing the key Christian distinction not between heterosexual and homosexual but between procreative and non-procreative relationships. This is provocative, beautifully argued, and a must-read for all seeking a way out of our present theological quagmire. -- John BarclaySong comes to support same-sex marriage but by a rather complicated route. Readers who follow his argument will find it intellectually stimulating. -- Paul Richardson * Church Newspaper *Whether one agrees with Song's argument or not, this volume is an elegant irenic, creative, and accessible work that is as valuable for the way it addresses its issues as much as, if not more than, for its specific conclusions. it is a model of how such debates should be carried out. -- Robert MacSwain * Anglican Theological Review, 98.2 *

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Book SynopsisThis is the credo and seminal text of the movement which was later characterized as liberation theology. This powerful, compassionate and radical book attracted criticism for daring to mix politics and religion in so daring a manner.

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Book SynopsisFreed from the weight and onus of Christian doctrine or Jewish animus, Jesus here appears as a vividly human, yet profoundly misunderstood, figure, thoroughly grounded and contextualized within the intellectual and cultural cross-currents of his day.

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Book SynopsisThis book reflects on one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the current and historical relationships that exist between the faith-traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Kessler’s writings shed light on common purpose as well as how to manage difference.Trade ReviewThese essays by one of Europe's foremost Jewish scholars of Jewish-Christian and Jewish-Muslim relations provide many keen insights into developments in interreligious relations over the past fifteen years. But that is not all! In addition, Edward Kessler points ahead to important future tasks. He calls for "exegetical relativity" in interpreting scriptures; for bringing dialogue into the mainstream of Jewish concerns; for reckoning with the impact of globalization on interreligious relations; for greater study of the mutual influence the Abrahamic traditions have had on each other; for explorations of how Judaism might serve as an intermediary between Christianity and Islam; and, above all, for all three communities to remember the past for the sake of their common future. -- Philip A. Cunningham, Ph.D.,This volume represents another highly readable, topical contribution by Kessler. The subjects covered include helpful overviews of generational shifts, global changes, and institutional statements, as well as a range of insightful biblical studies and explorations of the place of Islam within interfaith dialogue. Altogether, this collection of essays offers a fascinating window onto the developing world of Abrahamic Faith studies. -- Daniel LangtonThis volume from one of the UK's leading practitioners of, and reflectors on, relations between and among the Abrahamic religions, provides valuable insights into many different aspects of their inter-relationship, including their texts, both scriptural and contemporary, and the dynamics of the relationship between them on a community level, both in the West and in the Middle East. -- Hugh Goddard

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive study on the history and theology of the Eucharist. Aimed at undergraduate and graduate theology students, clergy and theologically literate laity.Trade Review“Bryan Spinks’s book is an outstanding new manual on the historical development of the Eucharist. It is excellent not only because it connects liturgical texts and rituals with Eucharistic theologies, but also because of its wide range, varying from the New Testament data to current practice in East and West; from the early Anaphoras to present-day Dutch Table Prayers and internet liturgies; and from the ancient Ethio-Eritrean tradition to contemporaneous Pentecostalism. Bryan Spinks displays great scholarship, investigating the primary sources in many regions, languages, and eras. This will be a ‘classic’, a standard work on Eucharistic liturgies and theologies for many years to come.” -- Prof. Dr. Basilius J. Groen

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Trade Review"This is an important book about increasingly significant issues for Christian communities and their leaders today. Best practice, proper care and unwavering focus on vision and purpose combine to great effect, providing and essential and rich resource for those engaged in contemporary Christian ministry." -- Martyn Atkins, General Secretary, Methodist Church of Great Britain"I strongly recommend this book as a resource for pastoral educators in a variety of disciplines: spiritual direction, field education, and clinical pastoral education." -- Carrie L. Buckner, Journal of Formation and Ministry"Pastoral Supervision: A Handbook is a textbook full of practical wisdom which would be of value to anyone who accompanies others as they seek to develop and review their practice of ministry. Moreover, each chapter ends with a series of related reflective exercises; trying some for myself I realised what a gem this book is for any engaged in this kind of work." -- Anne Tomlinson, Principal, Scottish Episcopal Institute"Leach and Paterson not only demystify what pastoral supervision may or may not be but they have also crafted a handbook which taps into the wellspring of their own reflective practice and is all the more grounded and relevant for it. -- Ewan Kelly, Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy

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Book SynopsisSpiritual Life Writing sets out various ways of reflecting upon spiritual experience when writing from everyday life. It draws upon the history of spiritual autobiography as well as more recent forms of creative nonfiction and provides a worked example drawn from the author’s own spiritual life writing.Trade ReviewIn writing about the self ..., stitching things together from the ragbag of a life ..., you become the author of your own life', Heather Walton inspiringly tells us. She gives her own spiritual life-writing story as example, showing how, 'if we take moral control of our narratives', including 'employing fiction to tell the truth', we can gain not only insight, but also authority. -- Gillie BoltonOur life on earth is not heaven, 'not Eden'. Yet, as Walton’s beautiful prose reveals, we are here to till the garden, and even though there maybe blight and bindweed, there are also hidden rootbuds and blood-red roses. In many ways, this book is an exercise in memory and asks, along with Augustine, 'In which part of my memory are you present?' Walton shows that God is in every part of our memory, in every part of our life, and she does so, rarely needing to even mention the word, 'God'. This is spiritual life writing at its best from a leading practitioner. -- Terry A. VelingTable of ContentsPart 1 For This World: The Challenges of Spiritual Life Writing Part 2 Not Eden: A Work of Spiritual Life Writing

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Trade ReviewIf you ever thought that theologians should stay in their ivory towers, safely out of harm’s way, and that those who want to change our world for the good should be left to get on with the job at hand…. think again! Justin Thacker combines a deep theological understanding with a strong knowledge of economic theories of poverty relief, and a clear compassion for our struggling planet and its people, to provide a brilliant theological analysis that will inform and challenge all of us who long to bring about a better world. He shows that some of the best efforts to alleviate poverty are being done precisely by those who are grounding their work most closely in a well thought-out theological understanding of what they’re doing. This is a superb book and I encourage you to read it -- Ruth ValerioAt last - a thorough, graceful, nuanced and compelling theological engagement with capitalism and development. Avoiding easy stereotypes, false certainties, and cheap point-scoring, Thacker's book looks at global poverty through the lenses of Creation, Fall, Israel, Redemption and Consummation, to produce what he terms a 'symphonic account' of the theology of poverty. While Christians all over the world have intuitively been responding to poverty in many of the ways Thacker suggests, now we will be able to do so with renewed focus and strength, armed with this robust primer on why it is a theological imperative that we do so with urgency. -- Eve PooleDr Justin Thacker has produced a resolutely theological, rather than pragmatic, analysis of global poverty. Justin's writing is steeped in theological and biblical study, but he is also at home in the currents of contemporary political and economic discussion, and the interaction between these things means the book is also full of practical insights as to what we can - and should - do." -- Sean DohertyThacker is not only a very capable theologian, he also has extensive practical experience of aid work. 'Global Poverty' contributes to practical debates about aid, and includes some cutting critiques of the approaches adopted by major Christian development agencies. This is a must-read for anyone involved in aid work and for those who contribute to it. -- RC * Christianity magazine, July 2017 *This book is readable, resolute and profoundly relevant to the concerns and pains of a divided world. It could help most of us to think more deeply, care more persistently, and look at the needs of God's world with fuller insight and humility. I commend it with conviction. -- John Proctor * Reform Magazine, June 2017 *Thacker's excellent book is a challenge to rethink poverty and to better understand its causes so that our response can be more effective. I highly recommend it- it puts overseas aid into its proper context and invites us to respond in ways that could make a real difference. -- Marion Gray * The Reader, Winter 2017 *Table of ContentsPart 1: Creation 1. The image of God and the dignity of humanity 2. The problem of paternalism 3. The nature of poverty Part 2: Fall 4. The nature, depth and breadth of sin 5. Sin, taxes and debt - who owes whom? 6. Structural sin - are we really guilty? Part 3: Israel 7. Israel's mission 8. Exodus 9. Jubilee 10. Laws 11. Prophets Part 4: Redemption 12. The gospel and salvation 13. Secular theories of development 14. Theologies of development Part 5: Consummation 15. New heavens and new earth 16. The poor always with you 17. The problem of aid utopianism 18. So why should we bother? 19. Conclusion: the question of equality Epilogue - What does this mean in practice?

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Trade Review'A wonderful book, bringing people into honest conversation with the Bible and the world.' -- David Holgate, Canon for Theology and Mission and Sub-Dean, Manchester Cathedral, and co-author of the SCM Studyguide to Biblical Hermeneutics (2006)

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Trade ReviewJason Boyd has engaged in a radical examination of his preaching practice, not as mere upskilling but as rigorous and reflective theological inquiry. In doing so he has explored and reframed what it is to do theology in the practice of his preaching and, thereby, contribute to the field of practical theology...What is innovative about this work is how he has brought theological inquiry and action research together, not in an isolated or theoretical way only but in conversation with members of his congregation in the reality of his Sunday preaching. His creation and realisation of the notion of the Word Café is an innovative contribution to both fields. -- David CoghlanJason Boyd offers a fresh and compelling model of preaching as democratic hermeneutics and everyday liberation. It encourages preaching as an event that is at once both orthodox and existential, and allows for the meaning making and wisdom to be shared horizontally, not vertically, as a means of equipping the body of Christ to attain a deeper relevance and desire for discipleship in today's complex world. -- Chris Baker

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Book SynopsisThis studyguide offers newcomers a step by step introduction to understanding what theological reflection is and helps them to explore which of the methods introduced best suits them and their particular situation. Practical in emphasis, it provides students with a wide variety of worked examples and opportunities to carry out their own exercises.

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Trade Review“I offer a health warning life will be much simpler for you if you don’t read this book. But if you do you will quickly realise that things have got to change in our Church and this change will have to go deep and will turn long held assumptions upside down. I am struggling to think of a more important book that will be published this year. Ruth Perrin’s research is quite simply a game changer. “ -- Pete Ward, Durham University, UK"The literature on millennials and GenZ can only be summed up as divergent. Some herald these coming and arrived generations as the most important, talented, and reflective people the western world has yet to produce. Others, with the same amount of letters behind their names and CVs populated with the same number of publications, call them the sign of the apocalypse, those bringing a death to our culture and even more dire assertions. It’s into this environment that Ruth Perrin offers her insightful (and very well researched) Changing Shape: The Faith Lives of Millennials. This is a book that promises to help all pastors, parents, and others looking for a balanced and faithful description of these younger generations. It's a helpful resource all interested in young people should study." -- Andrew Root, Professor of Youth and Family Ministry Luther Seminary and author of 'The Pastor in a Secular Age.'Table of ContentsIntroduction: Millennial Faith in Britain ix Part 1 Setting the Scene – Being an Emerging Adult 1 Bucking the Trend: Emerging Adults Who Resist the Secularization Narrative 3 2 The Privilege and Pressure of Emerging Adulthood: Economics and Health 26 3 Relational Realities: Friends and Family 61 4 Relational Realities: Romance and Parenthood 81 Part 2 Changing Shape – How Emerging Adult Faith Develops 5 Emerging into Adult Faith: What Shapes Millennial Belief? 121 6 Losing Faith: ‘I Don’t Call Myself a Christian Anymore’ 156 7 The Disenchanted 176 8 Reshaped Faith 205 Conclusion 9 What Now? 233 Bibliography and Further Reading 248 Index of Names and Subjects 251

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Trade Review"Now that mental health has become a matter of public concern, with some high-profile personal testimony and increasing acknowledgement of the social costs, this book brings to bear the skills of an experienced philosopher to expose and combat the theological background of the most damaging assumptions of the causes of mental illness — such as the lurking fear that it is all your own fault, or that you are possessed by an evil spirit: in pellucid and accessible style this book is an illuminating and often moving contribution to liberating us from the secret grip of such irrational myths." -- Revd Dr Fergus Kerr, OP"This is an exciting, erudite, and important book, one that exhibits deep philosophical and theological insight. The central theme is Christian interpretations of depression, but the relevant issues are linked more generally to philosophical problems of experience, interpretation, and explanation, and the theological reflections are fascinating and original. It is beautifully and sensitively written, accessible to the general reader, and a ‘must’ for mental health practitioners, philosophers, theologians, and all those who have struggled with depression and sought to make philosophical and theological sense of it." -- Fiona Ellis, Professor of Philosophy, University of Roehampton"Tasia Scrutton has given us an excellent and engaging book about how to understand depression. Is depression most fundamentally caused by personal sin or bad personal choices? Is it just a biological illness? Scrutton convincingly argues that these ways of spiritualizing or individualizing depression are not just false, but actively harmful. She instead offers a nuanced—and wholistic—understanding of depression that takes seriously biological, psychological, social, and religious factors. And since, as Scrutton also shows, our lived experiences are shaped by our interpretations of it, how we understand the nature of depression can shape how people experience it. This is an extremely practical book that will benefit not only those who face depression themselves, but also their loved ones, therapists, and religious communities. Redemptive and worthwhile." -- Kevin Timpe, Calvin University, USA

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisBy listening carefully to the lived experiences of people with severe mental health problems, Finding Jesus in the Storm will open up new understandings and perspectives that challenge current assumptions and draws out fresh perspectives for care, healing, recovery and community.Trade Review"John Swinton has clearly become the premier pastoral theologian of our time" -- Stanley Hauerwas“John Swinton has listened well to Christians who have struggled with the unrelenting storms of severe mental health challenges. He has heard them tell of their experiences of the presence of God, and of the seeming absence of God, and of faith that grapples with the tensions between the two. 'Finding Jesus in the Storm' provides a ‘thick’ description of Christian experiences of depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Drawing on the author’s experiences as mental health nurse, minister, and practical theologian, these accounts are engaged in conversation with both professional and Christian perspectives, scanning the horizons of mental health care, Christian Scripture, tradition, and church life. This book provides a unique, and hard won, account of journeys through deeply troubled waters. It is essential reading for all who are dissatisfied with superficial and second-hand Christian accounts of mental illness.” -- Christopher CH Cook, Durham University, UK“In this remarkable book, John Swinton not only takes the spiritual lives of those living with mental health challenges seriously, he weaves together a beautiful, reflective theology of the cross and resurrection in the light of these experiences. This important and timely book is a must read for all of us who seek to live faithfully in the world today.” -- Paula Gooder, Chancellor, St Paul's Cathedral“Finding Jesus in the Storm is a masterful, wise, clear, and compassionate look at the experience of those struggling with mental health challenges such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, and the thin ways these are often described by mental health professionals, Western culture, and the church. Helped by refreshing philosophical insights, we are invited to listen to thicker descriptions of who these people are in relation to a theological, as well as a clinical horizon, and to better understand biblical healing—finding joy in Jesus while suffering. This book should be widely read.” -- John R. Peteet, MD, Harvard Medical School“Finding Jesus in the Storm first of all listens deeply, or, as John Swinton says, ‘thickly,’ to people with mental health challenges and helps a reader see, broaden, and reconstruct both the ways that people of faith might walk with people with mental challenges as well as help people with mental health challenges explore the spiritual dimensions of their own journey. As someone who has both worked with others and my own mental health challenges, this felt very real. Using insights from psychology, sociology, theology, and other disciplines, Swinton once again breaks past multiple forms of stigma and unexamined assumptions to help readers enter a space where we can once again see each other as children of God—pilgrims—doing the best we can to live into the embrace of God’s love.” -- Bill Gaventa, author of 'Disability and Spirituality: Recovering Wholeness'

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Book SynopsisDrawing on resources from political theologies, and in particular conversation with Graham Ward and Romand Coles, 'Interrupting the Church's Flow' challenges our lazy understanding of receptivity, digging deep to uncover a rich theological seam which has the potential to radically alter how theologians think about what we draw from urban places.Trade ReviewThis book offers us a renewing and challenging vision of how to be human in unsettling times. It renews political theology as a discipline, building on (rather than rejecting) the movements of recent years; and it renews the Church whose pathway to the life of resurrection is argued to be via a radically receptive way of living. -- Anna Rowlands, St Hilda Associate Professor of Catholic Social Thought and PracticeTable of ContentsAcknowledgments vii Foreword, Professor Mike Higton and Dr Sanjee Perera xi Introduction 1 Part One – Church on the Edges of the Public Square 1 Locating the drama 17 2 Public Theology 33 3 Liberation Theologies 43 4 Ecclesial political theologies 58 Part Two – Engaging Graham Ward: theologian of the postmodern city 5 The postmodern city 75 6 Church as ‘alternative erotic community’ 96 7 Interrupting the church’s flow: Ward’s ‘schizoid’ christology, and repressed ‘others’ 123 8 Tracing Ward’s retreats 138 Part Three – Engaging Romand Coles as post-liberal ‘theologian’ of receptivity 9 A tension-dwelling ‘visionary pragmatism’ 161 10 A ‘christeccentric’, ‘radically insufficient’ church 201 Part Four – Developing a radically receptive political theology 11 Engaging critical white theology: dis-locating the (privileged) theologian 225 12 A radically receptive political ontology: returning to the flow(s) 243 13 Practising radically receptive political theology 254 14 Returning 264 Appendices 276 Bibliography 301 Index of Names and Subjects 325

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Trade Review“Truly well-observed, this rare study lifts the veil on the subtle workings of vocational discernment in the church. ‘Who would you trust with your spiritual life?’ Paying careful attention to each aspect – ecclesial and personal, evidential and intuitive, professional and spiritual – McChlery develops a finely textured portrait of a uniquely searching process. The application of Ignatian wisdom to this delicate decision-making responsibility brings real depth and authority to her research. Her book will be of real service to all involved in vocational assessment in the church.” -- Margaret Whipp

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Trade Review"The second edition of this incredible commentary has new voices which add even wider perspectives to a work which originally broke many conventions in its first incarnation. The first edition was published in 2006 and laid the foundations for an explosion of queer hermeneutical works by showing queer folk that they too could comment on biblical texts and that their queer eyes would open the texts to greater understanding and a wider readership, queer and straight. The Bible was no longer seen as a set of texts that were simply condemnatory but rather there was a way to read from experience which brought the texts alive to a diverse range of people. This second edition continues to generate questions about the stability of gender and the correct form of sexuality while it also brings into focus the colonial past of biblical interpretation and moves towards decolonial readings. Each author is placing before us justice seeking and inclusive ways to read the texts and the work is reaching out to global communities in the hope of empowering them to queer texts in their own way. This is a commentary that needs to be in every church, bible believing home and seminary as it is a work of liberation for queer and non-queer alike." -- Prof Lisa Isherwood, University of Wales, Trinity St David"A bumper volume of queerness and biblical commentary! The landmark first edition has been updated, with cutting-edge contributions exploring faith, gender, sexuality, bodies, activism and LGBTQ+ rights. New additions in this second edition bring a fresh outlook to ancient texts, as they are read through contemporary eyes. This volume is the prestigious go-to text for faith groups and academics." -- Chris Greenough, Edge Hill University, UK"This book lives up to its title of being queer—daring, non-binary, and myth-busting. Unveiling heterosexist readings and challenging imperial logic, this book with international contributors broadens our moral and theological imagination. No one will read the Bible the same again after reading this book." -- Kwok Pui-lan, Dean’s Professor of Systematic Theology, Candler School of Theology, Emory University"The Queer Bible Commentary but this extended “second edition” contributes so much more to the lived-out experience of living out the Bible in a queer context. The writers, once again bring to life ancient passages in a context that is relational to our modern understanding and reading. The voices are diverse and offer a perspective that makes this “commentary” an essential addition to anyone’s collection of Biblical thought and theology. While not a “commentary” in the traditional understanding – a verse by verse interpretation, the Queer Bible Commentaries offer so much more, in my opinion. They offer a broader, real experience of a text that is lifted off the page and into the lives of those who preach it, live it, and embody it into their everyday, queer experience. Bravo!" -- The Reverend Dr. Neil G. Thomas, Senior Pastor of the Cathedral of Hope, Dallas"Massive in scale and monumental in significance, QBC has long been the primary resource for queer biblical interpretation and proclamation. Now substantially revised and updated, QBC is yet more valuable even as ever new configurations of queerphobic politics, secular and ecclesial, render it yet more necessary." -- Stephen D. Moore, Edmund S. Janes Professor of New Testament Studies, the Theological School, Drew University

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Trade Review"The question of what bad theology is and what it looks like should certainly concern us more than it often does. It does seem strange that we practical theologians tend to think of theology as inevitably good, when it is often obvious that this is not inevitably the case. In this book Leah Robinson takes us on an important journey into the nature of practical theology and what happens when theology moves from good to bad, and importantly, what we should do about it. This is a fascinating and important book that serves as an important reminder that theology can have a dark side." -- John Swinton"Leah Robinson has crafted a deceptively clever and simple book - namely to outline the major characteristics that define 'Bad theology'. Numerous scholars and academics (yours truly included) have invested a great deal of time and effort crafting what we believe is 'good theology'. Not many writers have spent time alerting us to the very real dangers of 'bad theology'. 'Bad Theology' is a bold and necessary exploration of the dangers of the kind of theologies that have caused misery, mayhem and even death. It is for this reason, the real consequences on real people in the world, that this book is a must read!" -- Anthony G. Reddie"What do the leaders of the KKK, Jonestown, apartheid South Africa, & the Massachusetts Bay Colony have in common? A Christian theology they lived out. It may be ugly, repulsive, and vile, but it was theology nonetheless. In this timely and poignant new book, Leah Robinson refuses to set aside these oppressive visions of God as theological exceptions. They must be addressed! As a practical theologian, she reminds us that all theology, the good and the bad, the oppressive and the salvific, is a human work and has consequences. By expanding the narrow boundaries of practical theology as a field, she pioneers new ground and demonstrates how stimulating this new vision can be." -- Tripp Fuller

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Trade Review"Creative repair deserves to be in the vocabulary of every person in a helping profession. Anne Holmes skilfully distills insights from theology, therapy, and lived experience in offering creative repair to many others. This is a vitally important text in such challenging times." -- Alistair Ross“Creative Repair will be a lifeline and a source of strength and healing to clergy and their families and to all who support them. The pandemic and the lockdowns have deepened the needs in Church and Society for ways to mend and heal and overcome distress. This book provides deep wisdom for that task” -- Steven Croft"Particularly with regard to clergy, but relevant to all people, [this is] a book which advocates ways to healing and wholeness of life through creativity, and balance in giving and taking...With a reference to the ‘ordered life’ of monasticism with its balance of work, prayer and recreation, which frees us all to be more whole." -- Sister Paula"This beautifully and clearly written book will be a rich resource for all those engaged in spiritual and pastoral care. Its wisdom comes out of many years' experience of and reflection on human and theological realities, always with practical outworking in mind. The concept of 'creative repair' offers new avenues for practitioners that go beyond talking therapy to a holistic and embodied approach to the human person." -- Joanna CollicuttTable of ContentsForeword Acknowledgements 1 Introduction 2 The Concept of Creative Repair 3 Why Self-care? 4 Individual Creative Repair 5 Group Creative Repair 6 The Creative Repair of Things 7 Regular Habits or a Rule of Life 8 Resilience and Creative Repair 9 Towards a Theology of Creative Repair 10 Creative Repair in Pastoral Practice Appendix A: Questions to Think About Appendix B: Informal Audit and Questions for Creative Repair Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThroughout history, we have exalted and theologised about men like Adam or David to the point where we have become oblivious to the fact that they are far from perfect role models for Christian manhood. Failing to read scripture properly, we have used it to shape a distorted understanding of masculinity. Stretching from issues of violence, emotional and sexual abuse, the desire for power, homophobia, and the suppression of emotions, Will Moore draws from scholarship, personal stories, and popular culture to offer an honest and accessible insight into the toxic myths which frame how w e read scripture. Only when we expose these myths, he argues, can we start to see the authentic men staring straight back at us from the pages of our bibles, and be able to reshape the way in which we produce Christian men today, tackling the violence that is being done by men to themselves and others.Trade Review"The cult of masculinity in certain parts of the global church has resulted in much personal, familial and structural harm. Will Moore is one of the important voices in the emerging generation of British pastor theologians. For both of these reasons, the argument he presents in this his first book, Boys Will Be Boys, deserves careful attention and a wide audience." -- Helen Paynter, Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence"In this open, accessible book, Will Moore aims to shed light on the ways in which portrayals of men in the Bible have fed into accounts of masculinity in present-day church and society. Rich with examples from contemporary media and recent events, the book does not assume familiarity with scholarly literature in either biblical studies or critical masculinity studies, and will thus be of service to readers newer to these areas. Moore's self-reflexive openness to change and challenge invites the same of those who read his work." -- Susannah Cornwall, University of Exeter, UK"This is a deeply personal and honest piece of theological work engaging with voices from the Hebrew Prophets to Womanist Scholars, to Christian Rappers such as Guvna B! What Will Moore has done with success is draw our attention to masculinity, and it is this attention that is the beginning of what will set men, and all people free. Calling us to be attentive to our own complicity in violence and power, our reluctance to intimacy, gentleness and openness as men, Will Moore enables us to plumb the depths of masculinity, and to do so with an attentiveness both to ourselves and to our God. A much needed piece of writing!" -- Jarel Robinson-Brown, Author of 'Black, Gay, British, Christian, Queer'Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgements vii 1. Boys Will Be Boys: Introduction 1 2. Men Are Built Better: Adam 31 3. Men On Top: Moses 51 4. Violence Is Manly: David 76 5. Men Know Best: Job 100 6. Boys Don’t Cry: Jeremiah 113 7. Men Are Unbeatable: Jesus 131 8. Men Don’t Doubt: The Disciples 160 9. Bottle It Up: Paul 177 10. A Manly God: Conclusion 195 Bibliography 207 Further Reading and Resources 216 Glossary 220 Bible References Index 225 Names and Subject Index 228

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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