Christianity Books

Book SynopsisAn excellent overview of Christianity, suitable for students (and teachers!) embarking on the new GCSE and A'-Level Religious Studies specifications.Written in the same clear and engaging style as the bestselling Puzzle of Ethics and Puzzle of God, this book covers key content common to all the new specifications including: Jesus: His incarnation, life, ethical teaching, crucifixion and resurrection, saving importance for Christians and relationship with God; The development of Christianity through from the Early Church to contemporary Global Christianity; The similarities and differences between different types of Christianity in terms of beliefs, teachings and practices; The use and authority of the Bible and other sources of authority within the Churches as well as how the Bible shapes Christian Ethics; Christian responses to science, feminism, secularism, philosophy and the new atheism as well as crises in social justice.Most importantly, Vardy places these themes in context and hTrade Review‘This book is a “must read” for all students of Religious Studies. If we are honest, in a postmodern world, most teachers have only a shallow understanding of Christianity. Fortunately, Peter Vardy comes to the rescue with this masterpiece. It is clear and absorbing.’- Peter Mothersole, Head of R.E., Truro High School for Girls ‘An essential requirement for all those engaged with the new GCSE and A-Level Religious Studies. I defy any student or teacher not to be gripped by this book!’- Jacinta Bowe, Head of R.E., St Mary’s Shaftesbury ‘A clear, intelligent, accessible, informed and balanced account of the puzzle of Christianity.’- Fr Frank Brennan SJ, Professor of Law, ACU ‘A mini-encyclopedia of the Christian faith, which will be of enormous help not only to those studying in schools, but also to adult readers.’- Archbishop Peter Carnley, former Anglican Primate of Australia

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Book Synopsis“The Gospel in Brief lives at the center of Leo Tolstoy’s thinking about the meaning of life. ... Beautifully translated by Dustin Condren. ... Although little known, this book remains hugely important.” --Jay Parini, author of The Last Station: A Novel of Tolstoy''s Last YearThe most celebrated novelist of all time, the author of Anna Karenina and War and Peace, retells the greatest story ever told, integrating the four Gospels into a single twelve-chapter narrative of the life of Jesus. Based on his study of early Christian texts, Leo Tolstoy''s remarkable The Gospel in Brief—virtually unknown to English readers until this landmark new translation by Dustin Condren—makes accessible the powerful, mystical truth of Jesus''s spiritual teaching, stripped of artificial church doctrine. If you are not acquainted with The Gospel in Brief, wrote the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, whose life was profoundly influenced by it, then you cannot imagine what an effect it can have upon a person. “A fresh translation destined to introduce a new generation to a fuller understanding of Tolstoy’s mind.” --Kirkus Reviews“Dustin Condren captures, in this fresh idiomatic translation, the dazzlingly audacious achievement of The Gospel in Brief, Tolstoy’s daring synthesis the New Testament accounts of Jesus.” --Edward E. Ericson, Jr., editor of The Solzhenitsyn Reader“Newly translated by Dustin Condren, Tolstoy’s Gospel in Brief offers us a Jesus stripped of the overlay of Christian dogma and ancient metaphysics: his Jesus confronts readers with a real challenge and a call to change their lives.” --George Pattison, Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity, University of Oxford, and canon of Christ Church CathedralTrade Review"Dustin Condren captures, in this fresh idiomatic translation, the dazzlingly audacious achievement of The Gospel in Brief, Tolstoy's daring synthesis the New Testament accounts of Jesus." -- Edward E. Ericson, Jr., editor of The Solzhenitsyn Reader "A fascinating and thoroughly unorthodox rewriting of the Gospels and restatement of Christianity." -- Booklist "This is the first English translation in more than a century; Condren worked from Tolstoy's original version and restored material deleted in previous translations. The result is not unlike Hermann Hesse's 'Siddhartha' - the story of a life that illustrates a path." -- Los Angeles Times "Newly translated by Dustin Condren, Tolstoy's Gospel in Brief offers us a Jesus stripped of the overlay of Christian dogma and ancient metaphysics: his Jesus confronts readers with a real challenge and a call to change their lives." -- George Pattison, Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity, University of Oxford, and canon of Christ Church Cathedral "The Gospel in Brief lives at the center of Leo Tolstoy's thinking about the meaning of life. ... Beautifully translated by Dustin Condren. ... Although little known, this book remains hugely important." -- Jay Parini, author of The Last Station: A Novel of Tolstoy's Last Year "A fresh translation destined to introduce a new generation to a fuller understanding of Tolstoy's mind." -- Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisDeVon Franklin, New York Times bestselling author of The Wait and prominent Hollywood producer, reveals that secular and spiritual success are not opposites. To have one, you need the other.Are you tired of living a life paralyzed by fear? Are you anxious to break free of the “beware mentality” that has kept generations of well-meaning people living beneath the fullness of their calling?You’re unfulfilled because you’ve been convinced that you would lose your faith if you pursued the secular ambitions God has put in your heart. However, until you pursue those ambitions you will miss out on the fullness of God and the success you were created to have.For too long there’s been a line drawn between the spiritual and the secular, and we have been conditioned to believe that if we cross this line in either direction, we will have gone too far. It’s time to brea

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Book SynopsisAfter the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars of south-west France in 1208, a Spanish monk - later canonized as St Dominic - took up the cudgels by establishing a kind of secret police to ferret out heresy - thus began the infamous Inquisition. Baigent and Leigh tell the whole extraordinary story, taking it on into the nineteenth century and showing how after the Doctrine of Papal Infallibility in 1870 the Vatican attempted to establish new authorities that were an intellectual equivalent of the Inquisition. The Inquisition offers a fascinating narrative account of one of the most influential and horrifying movements in the history of western Europe.Table of ContentsA fiery zeal for the faith; origins of the Inquisition; enemies of the Black Friars; the Spanish Inquisition; saving the New World; a crusade against witchcraft; fighting the heresy of Protestantism; fear of the mystics; Freemasonry and the Inquisition; the conquest of the papal states; infallibility; the Holy Office; the Dead Sea Scrolls; the congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; visions of Mary; the Pope as the problem.

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Book SynopsisThis selection of writings from the sixth and seventh century AD provides a powerful insight into the early history of the Christian Church in England and Ireland. From Bede's Life of Cuthbert and Lives of the Abbots of Wearmouth and Jarrow to the anonymous Voyage of St Brendan - a whimsical mixture of fact and fantasy that describes a quest for paradise on earth - these are vivid accounts of the profoundly spiritual and passionately heroic lives of Christian pioneers and saints. Both vital religious writings and a revealing insight into the reality of life at a formative time for the church, they describe an era of heroism and bitter conflict, and the rapid spread of the Christian faith.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Table of ContentsThe Age of Bede IntroductionBede: Life of CuthbetEddius Stephanus: Life of WilfridBede: Lives of the Abbots of Wearmouth and JarrowThe Anonymous History of Abbot CeolfrithThe Voyage of St. BrendanFurther ReadingMap of the British IslesMap of Western EuropeIndex

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Book SynopsisThe twenty-first century has seen so many advancements-in technology, research, healthcare and education. We are now more connected through technology than our ancestors have ever been, yet we are more isolated and lonely than our ancestors ever were. The ease with which things are available to us has led to a fast-paced lifestyle. That lifestyle, accompanied by a bad diet and lack of exercise, can sometimes lead to dysregulated thoughts. Awareness of this anomaly, acceptance to change and finally, embracing tools to regulate our feelings, are required to ensure we lead balanced lives that centre our thoughts and emotions. In Ancient Chants for Modern Times, Aatmanika Ram harnesses the wisdom of some of the ancient beliefs and practices of her Indian roots, and suggests tools to help overcome any stressful situations that may arise. These suggestions are global in nature and are easy to follow irrespective of where you live.

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Book SynopsisFor a book that has consistently topped the best-seller lists since the invention of the modern printing press, the Bible remains wildly misunderstood. Inconsistencies and unexplained impossibilities are often set aside, with readers picking and choosing aphorisms and slogans at will. Such a pick-and-choose mentality is concerning, given the fact that the Bible remains influential in people's private lives and in public policy and discourse. Kristin Swenson's newbook seeks to remind readers of the oddities and complications in the Bible, suggesting that those uncomfortable spots can offer remarkable opportunity for spiritual growth.Trade ReviewKristin Swenson sets out to complexify the Bible for her readers and, in a certain sense, she is successful. We are treated to something like a catalogue of the Bible's oddities, idiosyncrasies, and contradictions, all written in a readable, accessible style * Rory J. Balfour, Durham University, Durham, UK, Journal of Reformed Theology *there is much good and well-informed discussion on particular texts or topics that would serve its intended readers well * KEITH BEECH-GRÜNEBERG, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament *a remarkable piece of work ... Do read this book, generously and openmindedly. You will not regret it. * Nicholas King SJ, The Way *Writing in an engaging style and with a palpable love of Scripture... Swenson offers a helpful guide especially to both those who reject the Bible as nonsense and those who insist on literalist interpretation. * A.J. Levine, CHOICE *Kristin Swenson's latest book on the Book tackles the complex and surprising dimensions of the Bible and offers readers a way of understanding the Bible they may not have considered. * Nick Mattiske, Journey *Rather than dismiss the Bible as an outlandish or irrelevant relic of antiquity, Swenson leans into the messiness full throttle. Making ample room for discomfort, wonder, and weirdness, A Most Peculiar Book guides readers through a Bible that will feel, to many, brand new. * Church Times *Alongside the many controversial issues and complexities that the Bible poses, Swenson has herein brought everything to within a very fine appreciation of transparent proposal and the most utmost of appeal. * David Marx Book Reviews *Rigorous [and] stimulating... Both religious and secular readers will benefit from Swenson's illuminating analysis of the Bible's contradictions and oddities." * Publishers Weekly, Starred Review *Do you think you know the Bible? Wait till you read Kristin Swenson's new book. What if you don't know the Bible at all? Even better. A Most Peculiar Book is a deeply informed, completely accessible, and endlessly fascinating explanation of what scholars know about the Bible and lay people, as a rule, do not. Read this book and prepare to learn! * Bart D. Ehrman, author of Heaven and Hell: A History of the Afterlife *One can only truly love and respect the Bible if one is willing to embrace its complexities, problems, messiness, and just plain weirdness. Whether you are looking to deepen your relationship with sacred scripture or are coming to the Bible for the first time, Kristin Swenson will help you appreciate — even love — the Bible as it is. * Peter Enns, author of The Bible Tells Me So and How the Bible Actually Works *A stimulating and challenging book, which questions all simplistic 'Bible-believing' theories about the authority of Scripture by showing how complex and contradictory it often is. Kristin Swenson tackles the problems head on while still making good her claim to love the Bible. * John Barton, author of A History of the Bible: The Story of the World's Most Influential Book *This book explores what is weird, difficult, and disconcerting both about and in the Bible, seeking to show how those qualities can enrich one's relationship, religious or not, to the text...Swenson, formerly professor of religious studies at Virginia Commonwealth University and now a full-time writer, observes that the Bible demands interaction and even argument, and therefore in this book she has shared questions that both make her love the Bible and make that love complicated. * New Testament Abstracts *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1 - A Problematic Book Chapter 2 - God Chapter 3 - Angels, Demons, and a Talking Ass Chapter 4 - Good People Behaving Badly Chapter 5 - Impossibilities, Normalized Chapter 6 - Misconception, Misapprehensions Chapter 7 - And General Befuddlements Chapter 8 - Arguments Behind Closed Doors Chapter 9 - Biblical (Im)morality Chapter 10 - But in the Original... Chapter 11 - The Perennial Bestseller Chapter 12 - Ten Commandments for [Best Word Here] the Bible In Conclusion, Sola Scriputra Notes Index

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Book SynopsisThe Oxford Handbook of the Bible in Orthodox Christianity investigates the various ways in which Orthodox Christian, i.e., Eastern and Oriental, communities, have received, shaped, and interpreted the Christian Bible. The handbook is divided into five parts: Text, Canon, Scripture within Tradition, Toward an Orthodox Hermeneutics, and Looking to the Future.The first part focuses on how the Orthodox Church has never codified the Septuagint or any other textual witnesses as its authoritative text. Textual fluidity and pluriformity, a characteristic of Orthodoxy, is demonstrated by the various ancient and modern Bible translations into Syriac, Coptic, Ethiopian, Armenian among other languages. The second part discusses how, unlike in the Protestant and Roman-Catholic faiths where the canon of the Bible is closed and limited to 39 and 46 books, respectively, the Orthodox canon is open-ended, consisting of 39 canonical books and 10 or more anaginoskomena or readable books as additions to Septuagint. The third part shows how, unlike the classical Protestant view of sola scriptura and the Roman Catholic way of placing Scripture and Tradition on par as sources or means of divine revelation, the Orthodox view accords a central role to Scripture within Tradition, with the latter conceived not as a deposit of faith but rather as the Church''s life through history. The final two parts survey traditional Orthodox hermeneutics consisting mainly of patristic commentaries and liturgical interpretations found in hymnography and iconography, and the ways by which Orthodox biblical scholars balance these traditional hermeneutics with modern historical-critical approaches to the Bible.Trade ReviewThis exceptional handbook, edited by Eugen J. Pentiuc, will appeal broadly to Biblical scholars as well as non academics, both Orthodox and non-Orthodox, looking to understand Orthodox Christian (Eastern and Oriental) approaches to reading the Bible...Those interested in encountering Orthodox views on Text, Canon, Scripture within Tradition, and Hermeneutics in a forward looking way will find this handbook a source of considerable guidance and a most worthwhile read. * Sophia Theodoratos, St Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College, Phronema *Whether or not readers are familiar with Orthodox Bible interpretation, this volume is bound to become a go-to treasure chest of jewels on the subject. * Hywel Clifford, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament *Whether or not readers are familiar with Orthodox Bible interpretation, this volume is bound to become a go-to treasure chest of jewels on the subject. * Hywel Clifford, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament *This volume reflects a variety of views...this book does not attempt to impose one approach. * Hans Boersma, Church History *Specialists and nonspecialists alike will find much of interest in this volume, especially those concerned with the creative tension between modern historical-critical methods and reading practices of the past and convinced of the need for a "recontextualization of Tradition." * Religious Studies Review *The volume strikes an admirable balance between the rigor of specialized studies and the accessibility of a general introduction. * Michael Legaspi, The Catholic Biblical Quarterly *

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Book SynopsisThe traditional edition of the English Hymnal, this volume includes the very best hymnody from medieval plain chant to the early twentieth-century classics. The hymns are grouped according to theme and contain material suitable for any festival or occasion in the life of a church.

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Book SynopsisThe traditional edition of the English Hymnal, this volume includes the very best hymnody from medieval plain chant to the early twentieth-century classics. The hymns are grouped according to theme and contain material suitable for any festival or occasion in the life of a church.

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Book SynopsisThis book contains detailed examinations of seven biblical narratives that depict a possible world in which there is a good for suffering human beings that outweighs their suffering and that could not be gotten without the suffering, not even in a world without the Fall.

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Book SynopsisSince it first appeared in 1917, this edition of the Scofield Study Bible has been regarded by evangelical Christians as a classic work in its field. Its page by page framework of notes, cross-references, subject chain references, definitions, and comprehensive outlines help the reader to explore in depth the passages of Scripture. Now for a new generation of users, Oxford has re-set the Bible using the Authorized King James Version alongside Scofield''s complete study notes. This style uses a red-letter text for the New Testament, and in addition to all the normal features of Scofield Bibles, it also incorporates full colour Oxford Bible Maps.

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Book SynopsisMormonism is frequently described as the most successful indigenous American religion. Mormon beliefs arouse curiosity because they depart from normal Christian doctrine, leading to the question: Are Mormons Christian? This introduction will include the history of the contemporary Mormonism, and an analysis and emphasis of Mormon beliefs, beginning with Joseph Smith, the founding prophet. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade Review"Written by the dean of Mormon studies, Richard Bushman...this book -- a Berlitz guide of sorts to the complex world of modern Mormonism -- is probably the most efficient way to grasp what it means to be a Mormon today."--Samuel Morris Brown, The Wall St. Journal "An elegant, even-handed introduction."--Catholic Herald "Engaging...Bushman s latest work may indeed be very short, but it simultaneously provides eloquent and sophisticated answers...deftly makes many aspects of Mormonism comprehensible." --BYU Studies

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Book SynopsisIn 1614 the shogunate prohibited Christianity amidst rumors of foreign plots to conquer Japan. But more than the fear of armed invasions, it was the ideological threat--or spiritual conquest--that the Edo shogunate feared the most. This book explores the encounter of Christianity and premodern Japan in the wider context of global and intellectual history. M. Antoni J. Ucerler examines how the Jesuit missionaries sought new ways to communicate their faith in an unfamiliar linguistic, cultural, and religious environment--and how they sought to re-invent Christianity in the context of samurai Japan. They developed an original moral casuistry or cases of conscience adapted to the specific dilemmas faced by Japanese Christians. This volume situates the European missionary enterprise in East Asia within multiple geopolitical contexts: Both Ming China and Warring States Japan resisted the presence of foreigners and their beliefs. In Japan, where the Jesuits were facing persecution in the midst of civil war, they debated whether they could intervene in military conflicts to protect local communities. Others advocated for the establishment of a Christian republic or civil protectorate. Based on little-known primary sources in various languages, The Samurai and the Cross explores the moral and political debates over religion, law, and reason of state that took place on both the European and the Japanese side.Trade ReviewThe monograph successfully resets the history of the Jesuit enterprise in Japan in its conflicts and challenges, leading to a significant reassessment of how their efforts, decisions, and strategies are understood...The Samurai and The Cross is an excellent guide for those interested in the intellectual work of Jesuits in Japan. * Rômulo da Silva Ehalt, Journal of Early Modern History 27 *Those who are taking their first steps into the Jesuits' history in early modern Japan will find The Samurai and the Cross a pleasure to read and most rewarding... In The Samurai and the Cross, a rich historical record replete with valuable references awaits the readers. One of the strengths of Ucerler's book lies in the care taken to provide in the endnotes bibliographical data not only on the primary sources discussed (especially frequent of the Archivum Romanum Societatis Iesu (ARSI) collections), but also to include - where available - their critical editions or translations in several languages (in most cases Spanish or Portuguese). * Sophie Takahashi, Contemporary Japan *

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Book SynopsisInformative... Reliable... AccessibleFirst published more than a quarter century ago, The Catholic Bible: Personal Study Edition has long served readers eager for a reliable, accessible guide to lead them into the biblical text. Thumb-indexed for convenience, this third edition is fully revised and augmented with new study aids such as in-text essays on topics that enhance one''s reading of the text. The Reading Guides that come before the text of the New American Bible Revised Edition -- the translation used in the great majority of U.S. Catholic parishes -- provide a concise, accessible overview of each individual book of the Bible, leading readers through the backgrounds, characters, and messages of all the books and their implications for our lives today. Lay people -- individuals or members of study groups -- students, and general readers will all find essential information in a form that is easy to use and organized for quick reference.

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Book SynopsisA groundbreaking new collection, Christianity and Constitutionalism offers a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives on the relationship between Christian thought, history, and practice, and constitutional law and its related fields.Trade ReviewScholars of the American founding have long noted the influence of Reformed Protestant Christianity on the background assumptions of the framers—both about language and the nature of republican government—but this collection of essays provides more depth and insight on that topic than ever before. I highly recommend this book for both academics and general readers interested in the connections between Christianity and the Constitution. * Michael W. McConnell, Richard & Frances Mallery Professor, Stanford Law School; Director, Stanford Constitutional Law Center; Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution *The relationship between religious thought and constitutionalism is the focus of this book...the contribution it makes to an understanding of the important connections between religion, specifically Christianity, and constitutionalism, are worthy of attention. * Commonwealth Lawyers' Association and Contributors *Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty. * Choice *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Contributors Contents INTRODUCTION 1 INTRODUCTION: Christianity and Constitutionalism Nicholas Aroney and Ian Leigh Part I: The Historical Influence of Christianity 2 OLD TESTAMENT: Torah and Constitutionalism Jonathan Burnside 3 NEW TESTAMENT: "But our constitution is in heaven": New Testament sketches on the people of God between divine law and earthly rulers Dorothea H. Bertschmann 4 ANTIQUITY: Constantine and Constitutionalism Peter Leithart 5 PATRISTIC ERA: Augustine's Constitutionalism: Citizenship, Common Good, and Consent Mary Keys & Colleen Mitchell 6 MIDDLE AGES: Canon Law Constitutionalism? Richard Helmholz 7 REFORMATION: The Protestant Reformation of Constitutionalism John Witte Jr. 8 MODERNITY: Understanding Law and Constitutionalism in Modernity: The Critical Contribution of English Reformation Public Theology Joan Lockwood O'Donovan Part II: Christian Perspectives on Constitutionalism 9 SOVEREIGNTY: Dual, Plural and One Joel Harrison 10 RULE OF LAW: The Sacred Roots and Secular Shoots of the Supreme Law Li-ann Thio 11 DEMOCRACY: Self-Government and the Kingdom of Heaven Richard Ekins 12 SEPARATION OF POWERS: Biblical Foundations of the Separation of Powers and the Catalytical Judicial Role Carlos Bernal 13 RIGHTS: Christian Constitutional Rights? Julian Rivers 14 FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE: Freedom of Conscience Assessing the Christian Contribution Ian Leigh 15 FEDERALISM: A Legal, Political and Religious Archaeology Nicholas Aroney PART III: Christian Theology and Constitutionalism 16 REVELATION: Scripture and Covenant David VanDrunen 17 TRINITY: Against Leviathan: The Implications of Trinitarian Theology for Constitutionalism David McIlroy 18 JUSTICE: Justice the Constitution and the Purpose of the Political Community Jonathan Chaplin 19 CHRISTOLOGY: Christology and Constitutionalism Tracey Rowland 20 NATURAL LAW: Natural Law and Natural Right Revisited John Milbank 21 SUBSIDIARITY: Origins and Contemporary Aspects Iain T. Benson 22 ESCHATOLOGY: The Greater Operation of Liberty Douglas Farrow

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Book SynopsisA bracing examination of a force that imperils American democracyMost Americans were shocked by the violence they witnessed at the nation''s Capital on January 6th, 2021. And many were bewildered by the images displayed by the insurrectionists: a wooden cross and wooden gallows; Jesus saves and Don''t Tread on Me; Christian flags and Confederate Flags; even a prayer in Jesus'' name after storming the Senate chamber. Where some saw a confusing jumble, Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry saw a familiar ideology: white Christian nationalism.In this short primer, Gorski and Perry explain what white Christian nationalism is and is not; when it first emerged and how it has changed; where it''s headed and why it threatens democracy. Tracing the development of this ideology over the course of three centuriesand especially its influence over the last three decadesthey show how, throughout American history, white Christian nationalism has animated the oppression, exclusion, and even exterminatiTrade ReviewThough the book classes as religion, it will be important reading for students of sociology and political science as well as students of religion, given its sophisticated survey work. It will also interest nonacademic readers struggling to understand the impact of this movement on American politics. * A. W. Klink, CHOICE *Deeply researched and immensely clarifying, The Flag and the Cross offers a sobering account of the history of white Christian nationalism and the threat it poses in our present moment. Anyone who cares about the fate of American democracy should read this book. * Kristin Kobes Du Mez, New York Times bestselling author of Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation *White Christian nationalism is the key concept to understand the authoritarian American right today. In this exceptional investigation, drawing on sociology, social psychology, philosophy, and history, Gorski and Perry show how the various apparently incoherent strands of libertarianism, racism, and authoritarianism combine to make a toxic moral and political stew. This book makes a vital contribution to our understanding of the current moment. * Jason Stanley, author of How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them *For anyone concerned about the future of religion and democracy in America, Gorski and Perry's The Flag and the Cross is essential reading. This book helps us understand how white Christian nationalism divides Americans along racial and religious lines. * Anthea Butler, author of White Evangelical Racism *Gorski and Perry make sense of the seemingly senseless January 6 uprising. Built on powerful evidence, they show how white nationalism wove itself into the very fabric of modern conservative values. By making visible the creation of white nationalism, this book gives me hope that we can unmake it. * Beth Allison Barr, Professor of History at Baylor University and author of The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth *Particularly for those concerned with gaining a basic understanding of Christian nationalism in order practically to engage it, Gorski and Perry's book is a valuable resource...The Flag and the Cross is able to bridge the often-vexing divide between theory and practice...Gorski and Perry's work compliments that of scholars and activists concerned with the wider project of anti-racism by offering an account which is both critical and constructive, and importantly, relevant to all readers. * Nathan Dever, Modern Believing *Table of ContentsIntroduction: The Eruption Chapter 1: What is WCN? Mapping the Landscape Chapter 2: When did it Begin? Bedrock Foundations Chapter 3: How Does it Work? Seismographic Readings Conclusion: Where It's Going: Herrenvolk Autocracy or Multiracial Democracy?

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Book SynopsisThe Exorcist Effect is a fascinating historical study of the ongoing relationship between horror movies and Western religious culture, with a focus on the period from 1968 to the modern day. Taking its name from the 1973 film The Exorcist, which was widely understood to be based on a true story, this book outlines a cycle in which religious beliefs and practices become the basis of films that in turn inspire religious beliefs, practices, and experiences in response. Authors Joseph P. Laycock and Eric Harrelson draw heavily from archival research to shed new light on the details of this phenomenon, in addition to incorporating interviews with horror authors, film writers, and paranormal investigators.Drawing on psychology, sociology, and folklore studies, Laycock and Harrelson theorize how film informs religious experience and shapes religious culture. The Exorcist Effect examines the production and reception of Rosemary''s Baby (1968), The Exorcist (1973), and The Omen (1976) as seminal films in the genre; figures as Malachi Martin as well as Ed and Lorraine Warren, who inserted themselves directly into the spotlight, and the horror films that influenced and were inspired by their careers; and areas of culture where the influence of this cycle was most apparent-the Satanic Panic, religious exorcisms, and moral panic over heavy metal and the messages it was purported to spread. The final chapter considers the QAnon conspiracy theory and its numerous allusions to film as a contemporary manifestation of The Exorcist effect. Ultimately, The Exorcist Effect is a deftly researched and compelling volume that is sure to interest horror buffs, religious scholars, and historians alike.Trade ReviewIn The Exorcist Effect, Joseph Laycock and Eric Harrelson demonstrate how horror's fake blood seeps through the screen to stain our cultural and religious beliefs and habits. By combining film theory with religious history and cultural currents, readers find ways cinema is deeply imbricated with conspiracy theories, xenophobia, religious faith, racism, and our legal system. * S. Brent Rodriguez-Plate, Author of Religion and Film: Cinema and the Re-Creation of the World *This book rocks! A brilliantly researched exploration of the strange entanglements of religion and horror packed with cultural insights, nail-sharp arguments, and deep dives into the all-too-human angels and demons we meet along the way. As a longtime fan of The Exorcist, I was fascinated from page one. As a professional filmmaker, I can honestly say this book has impacted my very approach to the wonderfully dark art of horror cinema. * Owen Egerton, Novelist and director of Mercy Black *An excellent book, well thought-out and well presented, and takes seriously the power of popular culture in shaping the culture of religion in late modern society. It could serve as a model for other scholars to consider that relationship more carefully than has too often been the case to this point. * Douglas E Cowan, Professor of Religious Studies and Social Development Studies, Renison University College, University of Waterloo *With The Exorcist Effect, Joseph Laycock continues his forensic analyses of the intersection of Catholic practices and American media and popular culture. Here we find an intriguing investigation into the cultural developments that inspire the thriving practice of exorcism in North America. Countering the intuitive assumption that the rising demand for exorcists correlates to a rise in weird phenomena, Laycock and Harrelson trace the effects that media like The Exorcist have on perceptions and practices related to demonic possession. This is an engaging and enjoyable book for anyone interested in Catholicism, the supernatural, and religion. Laycock continues the work he has become known for-delivering top scholarship that is cutting edge and frankly, hard to put down. Highly recommended! * Diana Pasulka, Author of American Cosmic *Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Exorcist Effect Chapter 2: How Horror Movies Become Real Chapter 3: The Unholy Trinity Chapter 4: The Warren Cycle Chapter 5: The Martin Cycle Chapter 6: Exorcism Chapter 7: Satanic Panic Chapter 8: Heavy Metal Chapter 9: Conclusion Filmography Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewMarkofski has written an ambitious and wide-ranging book mapping new terrain in the study of American evangelicalism and marking future directions for that broad religious movement so critical to American and global society. The book's compelling argument will matter for the future of evangelical Christianity, for the future of democracy, and for how we understand 'public religion' generally. We need this book for meeting the current historical moment. * Richard L. Wood, Professor of Sociology at the University of New Mexico, author of A Shared Future: Faith-based Organizing for Racial Equity (with Brad Fulton) *Markofski's ethnography on multicultural evangelicalism is much needed, deeply nuanced, and highly accessible. A must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of race, politics, and evangelicals in America. * John Inazu, Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion, Washington University in St. Louis *This maybe the most important book in years on US evangelical Christianity, both for scholars concerned about anti-democratic trends and for students personally committed to evangelical religion. Morebroadly,this book will shape future conversations regarding public religion in the United States and globally, particularly the role religion can play in the defense and deepening of democracy. * Social Forces *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction: Collaboration for Common Goods: Evangelicals and Others Seeking Justice and Power Together Chapter 1: Good News? Common Goods? Multicultural Evangelicalism? Ethical Democracy? Chapter 2: Engaging Race and Inequality Chapter 3: Engaging Poverty and Inequality Chapter 4: Engaging Politics, Culture, and Religious Difference Chapter 5: Reflexive Evangelicalism: Learning from Experience and Scripture Chapter 6: Ethical Democracy and Four Modes of Social Reflexivity Conclusion: Multicultural Evangelicalism and Democracy in America Appendix: Multisite Ethnography and the Exceptional Case Method References

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Book SynopsisQuakerism began in England in the 1650s. George Fox, credited as leading the movement, had an experience of 1647 in which he felt he could hear Christ directly and inwardly without the mediation of text or minister. Convinced of the authenticity of this experience and its universal application, Fox preached a spirituality in which potentially all were ministers, all part of a priesthood of believers, a church levelled before the leadership of God. Quakers are a fascinating religious group both in their original ''peculiarity'' and in the variety of reinterpretations of the faith since. The way they have interacted with wider society is a basic but often unknown part of British and American history. This handbook charts their history and the history of their expression as a religious community. This volume provides an indispensable reference work for the study of Quakerism. It is global in its perspectives and interdisciplinary in its approach whilst offering the reader a clear narrativTrade Review[A] landmark achievement in its comprehensiveness and nuance. It demonstrates Quakerism to be a diverse and complex religion that is constantly changing and interacting with external pressures, and it shows Quaker Studies to be a cutting-edge and active field of scholarship. * Quaker Religious Thought *An indispensable resource for anyone interested in the academic study of Qakerism. Essential. * J. H. Sniegocki, Choice, *Table of ContentsI: HISTORY OF QUAKERISM; II: QUAKER THEOLOGY AND SPIRITUALITY; III: QUAKER WITNESS; IV: QUAKER EXPRESSION

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Book SynopsisDays after the assassination of his prime minister in the middle of Rome in November 1848, Pope Pius IX found himself a virtual prisoner in his own palace. The wave of revolution that had swept through Europe now seemed poised to put an end to the popes'' thousand-year reign over the Papal States, if not indeed to the papacy itself. Disguising himself as a simple parish priest, Pius escaped through a back door. Climbing inside the Bavarian ambassador''s carriage, he embarked on a journey into a fateful exile.Only two years earlier Pius''s election had triggered a wave of optimism across Italy. After the repressive reign of the dour Pope Gregory XVI, Italians saw the youthful, benevolent new pope as the man who would at last bring the Papal States into modern times and help create a new, unified Italian nation. But Pius found himself caught between a desire to please his subjects and a fear--stoked by the cardinals--that heeding the people''s pleas would destroy the church. The resultinTrade ReviewGrippingly written, pageturning and scholarly, this book is an immense achievement which few can hope to equal. This is a magni?cent book; analysis and narrative at their ?nest. * Ambrogio A. Caiani, Journal Of Ecclesiastical History *Table of ContentsProloguePart 1: The Beloved1: The Conclave2: The Fox and the Crow3: An Impossible Dilemma4: Papal Magic5: The Tide Turns6: Fending Off Disaster7: The Assassination8: The EscapePart II: The Reviled9: The Reactionary Turn10: Revolution11: Pressuring the Pope12: The Friendly Army13: The French Attack14: Negotiating in Bad Faith15: Battling For Rome16: The Conquest17: The OccupationPart III: The Feared18: Applying the Brakes19: Louis Napoleon and The Pope20: The Unpopular Pope21: "Those Wicked Enemies of God"22: Returning to RomeEpilogueNotesIndex

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Book SynopsisThe City of God, written in the aftermath of the Gothic sack of Rome in AD 410, is the most influential of Augustine's works, having played a decisive role in the formation of the Christian West. Gerard O'Daly's book is the most comprehensive modern guide to it in any language.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition An expert and well-judged study, and one long needed * Journal of Roman Studies *O'Daly's knowledge of Augustine bibliography is stunningly wide-ranging, always well-judged, and immensely helpful in guiding the reader to informed further research in any one of the multitude of themes and ideas which cluster together in the City of God. * Journal of Theological Studies *O'Daly intends to provide a detailed yet accessible reading of Augstine's vast and complex masterpiece, directed at a wide group of readers who are not necessarily specialists. By taking up this task O'Daly fills indeed a gap in scholarship that was long overdue, and he is a scholar most apt for this task. * Church History *Table of ContentsAbbreviated Titles: General Abbreviated Titles of Augustine's and Other Writings 1: Cities Real and Desired 2: The Making of the Book 3: The Apologetic Tradition 4: The Theme of the Two Cities 5: The Structure of the City of God, and a Summary of its Contents 6: `Where Were the Gods?': Books 1-5 7: Varro, Platonists, and Demons: Books 6-10 8: Creation, the Fall, and the Regime of the Passions: Books 11-14 9: The History of the Two Cities: Books 15-18 10: Final Destinations: Books 19-22 11: Influences and Sources 12: The Place of the City of God in Augustine's Writings Appendix A: The Title De Civitate Dei Appendix B: Manuscripts, Editions, and Reception Appendix C: 'Breviculus', 'Capitula', and 'Canon' Appendix D: The Chronology in City 18. 54 Bibliography Index of Selected Passages Cited General Index

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Book SynopsisAre natural rights ''nonsense on stilts'', as Jeremy Bentham memorably put it? Must the very notion of a right be individualistic, subverting the common good? Should the right against torture be absolute, even though the heavens fall? Are human rights universal or merely expressions of Western neo-imperial arrogance? Are rights ethically fundamental, proudly impervious to changing circumstances? Should judges strive to extend the reach of rights from civil Hamburg to anarchical Basra? Should judicial oligarchies, rather than legislatures, decide controversial ethical issues by inventing novel rights? Ought human rights advocates learn greater sympathy for the dilemmas facing those burdened with government? These are the questions that What''s Wrong with Rights? addresses. In doing so, it draws upon resources in intellectual history, legal philosophy, moral philosophy, moral theology, human rights literature, and the judgments of courts. It ranges from debates about property in medieval Christendom, through Confucian rights-scepticism, to contemporary discussions about the remedy for global hunger and the justification of killing. And it straddles assisted dying in Canada, the military occupation of Iraq, and genocide in Rwanda.What''s Wrong with Rights? concludes that much contemporary rights-talk obscures the importance of fostering civic virtue, corrodes military effectiveness, subverts the democratic legitimacy of law, proliferates publicly onerous rights, and undermines their authority and credibility. The solution to these problems lies in the abandonment of rights-fundamentalism and the recovery of a richer public discourse about ethics, one that includes talk about the duty and virtue of rights-holders.Trade Reviewa welcomed addition to the current discussion. Biggar's previous work on the ethics of war gives him a unique angle to approach cases of rights talk, focusing on specific instances such as torture and killing in war. He makes a strong case for making rights the conclusion of a process of moral consideration rather than a foundational starting point to which everything else must yield. * Todd A. Scacewater, Journal of Language, Culture, and Religion *This is a scholarly book worth reading and a critique worth constructively engaging with. * Ethna Regan, Studies in Christian Ethics *What's Wrong with Rights? is essential reading and an important contribution in the ongoing debates about the appropriate use of rights language in Christian theology and philosophy as well as the role of the courts in deciding questions of public morality. * David McIlroy, Queen Mary University of London, Oxford Journal of Law and Religion *Courageous ... What's Wrong With Rights? is a rich and challenging book. Not everyone will agree with Biggar's views, but anyone writing about human rights who wishes to be taken seriously will need to engage with his arguments. * Jonathan Sumption, The Times *I...commend this book for its clarity of reasoning and its engagement with fundamental issues with which we should all be discussing. * John Duddington, Law and Justice *A brilliant, provocative and intelligent book. * Simon Heffer, The Daily Telegraph *A thought-provoking work of scholarship... [a] compelling challenge to sloppy rights-thinking. * Craig Purshouse, Times Literary Supplement *This encyclopaedic study provides a marvellous survey of the complex field of rights and raises important questions as to the growing use of rights language. * R. Dean Drayton, International Journal of Public Theology *...A powerfully reasoned intellectual history of the sceptical tradition from the 1780s to the present day. [Biggar is] a discriminating guide rather than an anti-rights ideologist, and his analysis of these traditions is intricate, exacting and fair. While clearly Christian in his perspective, he keeps claims from authority, especially divine authority, firmly in their place * Michael Ignatieff, Literary Review *It is a rigorously reasoned argument and ... Biggar succeeds brilliantly in deflating the inordinate claims made for rights today...Along with being a profound study in moral and political philosophy, this is also a devastating and highly topical attack on the belief that ethical dilemmas can be resolved by 'an oligarchy of judges' expanding existing rights and conjuring up new ones...Over the past two decades, Biggar has produced a body of work of the highest intellectual quality which has made him one of the leading living Western ethicists. * John Gray, New Statesman *Quietly, cautiously, and with careful scholarly integrity, Professor Biggar has derailed a gravy train. Should the UK withdraw from the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights? Should it repeal or redraft the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010? The result would surely be petitions, denunciations, hostile crowds, the toppling of statues, the banning of speakers, self-righteous lawyers. But all this happens already; what is there to lose? Thanks to Biggar, we see how much there is to gain. It is time for philosophical arguments, won in the pages of this important book, to be translated into legislation. * Jonathan Clark, The Critic *This scholarly, but nonetheless most readable, book makes an important contribution to the debate about to be had when the UK Government takes forward its promised (some would say threatened) new Commission on the Constitution, Democracy and Human Rights. No stranger to controversy, Professor Biggar argues in effect that the assertion of human rights has got out of hand. He pulls no punches and takes no prisoners. This is a penetrating examination of the relationship between rights and responsibilities and reflects many of the concerns expressed in Jonathan Sumption's 2019 Reith Lectures. * Lord Simon Brown of Eaton-under-Heywood *What's Wrong With Rights? isone of the most remarkable scholarly achievements I know of:it deftly addresses a wide variety of theoretical and practical problems of great normative importance; it engages with a vast and complex legal, philosophical, and theological literature about the morality of rights; it articulates plausible assessments of the most important contributions to that literature; and perhaps most importantly, the topics it addresses are at the very heart of political discourse in contemporary liberal polities. I cannot recommend it more highly. * Christopher Eberle, Professor of Philosophy at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis *With the noble post-World War II human rights project increasingly imperiled by misunderstanding and manipulation, Nigel Biggar's new book is a major contribution to clear thinking about what we mean when we speak of rights. Whether or not they agree with his conclusions, friends of human rights everywhere should welcome this timely and informative analysis of what's wrong with rights and what needs to be done to put them right. * Mary Ann Glendon, Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard University and author of Rights Talk (1991) *Despite its eye-catching title, this book is neither a rejection of rights as such nor of natural morality, but a keen-eyed critique of natural rights in particular. In a discussion both dazzlingly wide-ranging and compellingly concrete, Nigel Biggar shows how natural rights talk undermines appropriate acknowledgement of the contingent, circumstantial character of political and ethical judgments. We do well to recognize that rights are paradigmatically legal and enrich ethical discourse by attending to virtues and duties as much as to rights. What's Wrong with Rights is the most significant Christian ethical contribution to reflection on rights since Nicholas Wolterstorff's Justice: Rights and Wrongs. * Jennifer Herdt, Gilbert L. Stark Professor of Christian Ethicsat Yale Divinity School *What's Wrong With Rights? is magisterial, combining theology, intellectual history, and detailed attention to particular cases and examples. Biggar is not afraid of making controversial judgements and works towards them in a manner that is honest and transparent, always commanding respect. At a deeper level, his book invites the reader to engage in debates about rights, maybe to disagree, but to do so from within a richer moral tradition, which gives more opportunity for insight, nuance, and dissent. The possibility arises of not only better judgements, but better disagreements. Both robust and generous, this landmark book represents a leading theological ethicist writing at the height of his powers. * Christopher Insole, Professor of Philosophical Theology and Ethics at Durham University *Rights talk has dominated public discourse for the past seventy years. But our political disagreements are worse than ever. Nigel Biggar not only explains what happened, he also proposes a comprehensive way forward. We need to move beyond "rights fundamentalism", and retrieve a richer public discourse that emphasizes duty, virtue, and the concrete challenges facing a political community. Crossing the boundaries of theology, philosophy, history, and law, Biggar's incisive analysis shows why talking about "natural rights" isn't helpful: defining, defending, and balancing rights always requires well-functioning legal institutions. * Cathleen Kaveny, Darald and Juliet Libby Professor of Law and Theology at Boston College *What's Wrong with Rights?is a finely crafted review of the history of rights and an insightful assessment of contemporary discussions across a range of disciplines and contexts. Nigel Biggar raises important basic questions for theology, ethics, and law, and this book will reshape our ways of thinking about rights in all three fields. * Robin W. Lovin, , Cary M. Maguire University Professoremeritusof Ethics at Southern Methodist University, Dallas *This is a critique of one of most fashionable and incoherent notions of our time, the idea that there are enforceable rights, 'natural' or 'human', that exist independently of collective human choice. It is original, thought-provoking, and carefully reasoned. Such rights have many supporters, and always will have. But they should not be taken seriously unless they are willing to engage with the ideas in this impressive book. * Lord Jonathan Sumption, QC, former Justice of the Supreme Court of the UK *What's Wong With Rights? is a timely, wide-ranging, and historically informed book that subjects the prevailing human rights culture, in its various manifestations, to a strong dose of Burkean scepticism. Philosophers will be provoked by his thesis that rights are paradigmatically the creatures of law and form no part of natural morality. Lawyers will be challenged by the vigorous criticisms of what Biggar views as the illegitimate employment of rights vocabulary as a mean of enforcing the moral and political views of an "oligarchy of judges". This is an iconoclastic book that deserves to be reckoned with in the serious conversation about the nature and limits of rights that we desperately need. * John Tasioulas, Yeoh Professor of Politics, Philosophy, and Law at King's College London *This is a cleverly titled, crisply written, and largely clear-eyed engagement with the history, concept, and limits of rights and right talk in the Western tradition and beyond.Nigel Biggar brings a big analytical mind and deft pen to the task — and a pair of sharp elbows too. He engages a substantial library of human rights scholarship and case law with critical acuity and philosophical originality, concluding with a cautious and conditional endorsement of rights. * John Witte, Jr, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Law and McDonald Distinguished Professor, Emory University School of Law, and Director of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion, Emory University *Biggar's method in discussing the intellectual history of rights is to distil the most notable expressions of the 200-year-old British tradition of scepticism about natural rights into a set of main objections. * Esther D. Reed, University of Exeter, Modern Believing *Biggar's method in discussing the intellectual history of rights is to distil the most notable expressions of the 200-year-old British tradition of scepticism about natural rights into a set of main objections. * Esther D. Reed, University of Exeter, Modern Believing *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction 1: Are there Natural Rights? 1: The Sceptical Tradition 2: Are there Natural Rights? 2: The Sceptical Critique and Rights before 1776 3: Are there Natural Rights? 3: The Sceptical Critique and Rights after 1776 4: Are there Natural Rights? 4: The Sceptical Critique and the modern Roman Catholic Tradition 5: Are there Natural Rights? 5: The Sceptical Critique and Contemporary Theories 6: What's Wrong with Subjective Rights? 7: Are there Absolute Rights? 8: Are Human Rights Universal? 9: What's Wrong with Rights in Ethics? 10: What's Wrong with (some) Judges? 1: Al-Skeini, Al-Jedda, Smith, and the Fog of War 11: What's Wrong with (some) Judges? 2: Carter and the Invention of a Right to 'Physician-assisted Dying' 12: What's Wrong with (some) Human Rights Lawyers? Conclusion Bibliography

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Book SynopsisIreland has long been regarded as a ''land of saints and scholars''. Yet the Irish experience of Christianity has never been simple or uncomplicated. The Rise and Fall of Christian Ireland describes the emergence, long dominance, sudden division, and recent decline of Ireland''s most important religion, as a way of telling the history of the island and its peoples. Throughout its long history, Christianity in Ireland has lurched from crisis to crisis. Surviving the hostility of earlier religious cultures and the depredations of Vikings, evolving in the face of Gregorian reformation in the 11th and 12th centuries and more radical protestant renewal from the 16th century, Christianity has shaped in foundational ways how the Irish have understood themselves and their place in the world. And the Irish have shaped Christianity, too. Their churches have staffed some of the religion''s most important institutions and developed some of its most popular ideas. But the Irish church, like the islTrade ReviewGribben the historian dons the mantle of a prophet, a good reminder that historical reflection can and should lead to wise action. * Michael A.G. Haykin, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, Brill *This is a book I will be reading again and no doubt referencing often. * Aaron Dunlop, The Krapf Project, Maghaberry, Northern Ireland, Evangelical Quarterly *Crawford Gribben has produced a fascinating history of Christian Ireland from its promising beginnings, in the age following the fall of the Roman Empire, to its dramatic decline in recent decades...the book pays considerable attention to the history of Ireland's more obscure Protestant communities. On the other hand, the book also gives ample attention to Ireland's pre Reformation era. * Piers Shepherd, Chronicles *Outstanding... Rarely have I found a book so compelling. * Jim Sayers, Evangelicals Now *a fascinating history, clearly communicated. It will no doubt fuel discussion and presage further illuminating analysis. * Brendan McNamara, Numen *the author's mastery of his subject... But the general reader should not to be intimidated, for the book is written in a very accessible style. * Raymond Blair, Evangelical Times *A remarkable book. * JP O'Malley, Irish Independent *An erudite, important and detailed account of the major developments in Irish religious history from the earliest times until the present day... This is an eminently readable book, and the author has a page-turning clarity which too few academics possess. * Alf McCreary, Belfast Telegraph *Admirable and scholarly. * Mary Kenny, History Ireland *A book of remarkable ambition... The attempt to tell the whole story from Celtic times through to the astonishingly rapid secularisation of today is what makes this book so special and important. * David Chillingworth, Church Times *A broad, sweeping, readable and concise history of the interplay of religion, politics and society in Ireland from pre-Christian times until the present. * David Quinn, Catholic Herald *A readable and impressive work of scholarship...The book is thought-provoking and rich in personalities and comment, which encourages the reader to return to the text. * Thomas Morrissey SJ, Irish Catholic *I'd recommend [the book] strongly to anyone who wants to understand recent upheavals on our island. * Ruth Dudley Edwards, News Letter *This fine volume, by a distinguished historian, meets a long-standing need for an overview of Christianity in Ireland... the book is written in a very accessible style. * Raymond Blair, Evangelical Times *Crawford Gribben's sweeping history surveys Ireland's grand past - and its importance for Western Christianity. * Jeremiah Rood, Foreword Reviews *A remarkable read... Gribben covers a vast amount of ground in a relatively concise text. His achievement is to provide much needed perspective on where Irish Christianity came from and where it may be headed. * Gladys Ganiel, Slugger O'Toole *[Gribben's] wide reading is very evident and anyone seeking a one volume survey of "Christian Ireland" will find this an admirable guide. * Dr Fergus O'Ferrall, Methodist Recorder *This thorough, explanatory and altogether credible book is a point-blank look and assessment of what its title purports to address...Vivid and readable, David Marx: Book ReviewsCrawford Gribben has produced an outstanding contribution to understanding the complex tapestry that is Ireland, and all its people, from earliest history to the present day... it's a book that anybody interested in the evolution of the island of Ireland and all its people national and international, should read and have on their bookshelf. * Enda Kenny, Taoiseach, Ireland, 2011/2017 *valuable and moving history... For anyone who wants to consider the role of Christianity in the West, the test case of Ireland is as fascinating as it is instructive. * Professor D. G. Hart, New Horizons in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church *If ever there was a lesson of church history, it may be that whenever an earthly state claims to be Christendom, the church will become repressive and corrupt. Ireland has long been heralded as the "land of saints and scholars," and indeed its role in the spread of Christianity in northern Europe was significant. Gribben argues that any form of "Christian Ireland" has clearly ended in the twenty-first century. This book offers a solid survey for a general reading public, and although it cannot cover all topics, it has clearly used the latest research when assessing many significant turning points and debatable areas. * John B. Roney, Sacred Heart University *The book's conclusion also includes Gribben's reflections on the future of Christianity in Ireland... this book is remarkably clear, comprehensive, balanced, and well-written. * David Carroll Cochran, Church History *Table of ContentsPreface Timeline Introduction 1: Conversions 2: Foundations 3: Reform 4: Revivals 5: Troubles Conclusion: Losing faith in Ireland? Bibliography

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Book SynopsisDeification in the Greek patristic tradition was the fulfilment of the destiny for which humanity was created - not merely salvation from sin but entry into the fullness of the divine life of the Trinity. This book, the first on the subject for over sixty years, traces the history of deification from its birth as a second-century metaphor with biblical roots to its maturity as a doctrine central to the spiritual life of the Byzantine Church. Drawing attention to the richness and diversity of the patristic approaches from Irenaeus to Maximus the Confessor, Norman Russell offers a full discussion of the background and context of the doctrine, at the same time highlighting its distinctively Christian character.Trade ReviewNorman Russell presents his subject with the assurance of a master... He displays not just understanding of the material, but also a clear awareness of the field of patristic studies... this is a masterpiece of what historical discussion of Christian doctrine should be: historically acute and theologically perceptive. * Andrew Louth, The Times Higher Education Supplement *The scope and precision of this book are beyond praise...the work is an admirable resource and could hardly be bettered. * Anthony Meredith, The Journal of Theological Studies *Table of Contents1. Introduction ; 2. Deification in the Graeco-Roman World ; 3. The Jewish Paradigm: From Ezekiel to the yored merkavah ; 4. The Earliest Christian Model: Participatory Union with Christ ; 5. The Alexandrian Tradition I: Christian Schools and Study-Circles ; 6. The Alexandrian Tradition II: The Imposition of Episcopal Control ; 7. The Cappadocian Approach: Divine Transcendence and the Ascent of the Soul ; 8. The Monastic Synthesis: The Achievement of Maximus the Confessor ; 9. Epilogue

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Book SynopsisThis book provides a full, contextual study of St Irenaeus of Lyons, the first great theologian of the Christian tradition. John Behr sets Irenaeus both within his own context of the second century, a fundamental period for the formation of Christian identity, elaborating the distinction between orthodoxy and heresy and expounding a comprehensive theological vision, and also within our own contemporary context, in which these issues are very much alive again. Against the commonly-held position that ''orthodoxy'' was established by excluding others, the ''heretics'', Behr argues that it was the self-chosen separation of the heretics that provided the occasion for those who remained together to clarify the lineaments of their faith in a church that was catholic by virtue of embracing different voices in a symphony of many voices and whose chief architect was Irenaeus, who, as befits his name, urged peace and toleration.The first chapter explores Irenaeus'' background in Asia Minor, as a disciple of Polycarp of Smyrna, his activity in Gaul, and his involvement with the Christian communities in Rome. The theological and institutional significance of his interventions is made clear by tracing the coalescence of the initially fractionated communities in Rome into a united body over the first two centuries.The second chapter provides a full examination of Irenaeus'' surviving writings, concentrating especially on the literary and rhetorical structure of his five books Against the Heresies, his ''refutation and overthrowal'' of his opponents in the first two books, and his establishing a framework for articulating orthodoxy.The final chapter explores the theological vision of Irenaeus itself, on its own terms rather than the categories of later dogmatic theology, grounded in an apostolic reading of Scripture and presenting a vibrant and vigorous account of the diachronic and synchronic economy or plan of God, seen through the work of Christ which reveals how the Hands of God have been at work from the beginning, fashioning the creature, made from mud and animated with a breath of life, into his own image and likeness, vivified by the Holy Spirit, to become a ''living human being, the glory of God''.Trade Review...In his usual lucid and succinct manner, B. organizes in a modest three chapters a volume that is profoundly researched and the product of mature thought about Irenaeus and his theological legacy. It thus admirably meets the series's goals to produce 'well-researched yet accessible books. * Theological Studies *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Irenaeus of Lyons: Ambassador for Peace, Reconciliation, and Toleration ; Vienne and Lyons ; The Christian Communities at Rome ; Irenaeus and Florinus, Eleutherus and Victor ; Polycarp and Irenaeus ; The Chronology of Irenaeus Life and Writings ; 2. Against the Heresies ; Structure ; Refutation and Overthrowal (haer. 1-2) ; 3. The Glory of God (haer.3-5) ; The Concise Word ; The Arc of the Economy ; The Work of God ; The Symphony of Salvation ; Living Human Beings, The Martyrs ; Conclusion ; Bibliography

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Book SynopsisJesus of Nazareth and the four New Testament gospels continue to fascinate people from many cultural and religious backgrounds. Who was Jesus? Are Christian claims about him supported by solid historical evidence? How reliable are the evangelists'' portraits of Jesus which were written some fifty years after his crucifixion? These questions can be explored only on the basis of a sound grasp of the intentions and methods of the four evangelists. Professor Stanton insists that the evangelists are concerned with both the story and the significance of Jesus of Nazareth. Part I of this book examines the distinctive emphases of all four evangelists and discusses the apocryphal gospels, with special reference to the Gospel of Thomas. Part II deals with the ways of assessing the evidence for Jesus and explores his teaching, intentions, and the reasons for his downfall.This book pays particular attention to appropriate methods for careful study of the gospels and the historical Jesus to provideTrade Review'Dr. Graham Stanton is a renowned exegete and expositor of the Gospels. His The Gospels and Jesus has been a standard teaching tool since it was first published in 1989. I am delighted to have received the updated, second edition. It is a rare achievement for any author to comprehend, digest, and present such a vast amount of scholarly research in a simple, clear, and readable format. From my own standpoint, I am especially happy to see how the recent debates about the historical Jesus are judiciously reflected in the expanded treatment of the subject in this second edition, which deserves as much dissemination and use as the first.' * John P. Meier, University of Notre Dame *Review from previous edition '...an excellent introduction to the present day study of the gospels. The style of the book is simple and attractive.' * Irish Biblical Studies *'The current updating of Graham Stanton's book will help it maintain its preeminent position as a valuable and authoritative introduction suitable for a wide readership.' * Keith Elliott, University of Leeds *'I continue to be impressed with how well the author has achieved the aim of covering so much material and so many issues within comparatively brief scope.' * US review of the proposed new edition *'Graham Stanton's book is well-known and highly regarded as an excellent introduction to the study of Jesus and the Gospels. The author is of course a well-known and established New Testament scholar, well-placed to introduce students to the discipline and subject matter. A lot has happened in the field of New Testament studies in the eleven years since the book was first published, and it would be of great benefiit for the book to be revised to take account of these developments.' * UK review of the proposed new edition *'an even better book than before, now presented in an enlarged and attractive format' * Morna D. Hooker,The Epwoth Review *'he has again produced a work that is remarkable for the clarity of its argument and the breadth of its scholarship' * J.E. Tollington, Journal of the STudy of the Old Testament *Table of ContentsPART I; 8. WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT JESUS OF NAZARETH?

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Book SynopsisThis fascinating dictionary gives concise accounts of every officially recognized pope in history, from St Peter to Pope Benedict XVI, as well as all of their irregularly elected rivals, the so-called antipopes. Each pope and antipope''s entry covers his family and social background and pre-papal career as well as his activities in office. Also, an appendix provides a detailed discussion and analysis of the tradition that there has been a female pope. This new edition reflects the very latest in papal research and contains additional information in the further reading sections of each entry, making the book an even more useful starting place for research into specific pontiffs. The entries are arranged chronologically making this a continuous history of the papacy over almost 2,000 years. It reveals how, for much of that history, spiritual and temporal power have been inextricably mingled in the person of the pope. A fascinating read for students of theology and history, as well as theTrade ReviewReview from previous edition invaluable and much needed * Guardian *well-researched, extremely well written, and a delightful exercise in its own right...an entertaining read for those of any religion or of none * Church Times *very much a book to read or browse in as well as one to consult * New York Times *ought to be on the reference shelf of any civilized person of any faith or none...not merely a dictionary but an agreeable bedside read * Hampstead and Highgate Express *Table of ContentsPREFACE; ABBREVIATIONS; NOTE TO THE READER; ALPHABETICAL LIST OF POPES AND ANTIPOPES; THE POPES; APPENDIX: POPE JOAN; INDEX

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Book SynopsisTrade Review'for its simplicity and clarity it is a joy to read' Bury Free Press'A very readable translation of a text that gives a substantial impression of life - especially monastic - in the 12th century.' Dr J. Hines, University of Wales, Cardiff'gives a precious insight into the soul of a mediaeval monastery ... It is difficult to choose between the delights of this piece. Diana Greenway and Jane Sayers are to be congratulated on a translation which is plain prose, on an introduction and notes which really present the text, and on sub-editing the text in a way which much increases its accessibility.' Peter Hackett, Month'The translation is clear and unfussy, up-to-date but not colloquial.' Edmund King, University of Sheffield, Journal of Ecclesiastical History

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Book SynopsisThis selection of writings from the most important moments in the history of Christianity has become established as a classic reference work. This new edition brings the anthology up-to-date with a new section looking at issues facing the twenty-first century churches.Trade ReviewSome documents have over generations been recognised as key to understanding Christian history; those will be found in this collection, as they have been since long ago Henry Bettenson first conceived of the project. Now they are helpfully enriched with sources which might have astonished Bettenson, but which testify to the extraordinary variety of the communities which call themselves Christian. * Diarmaid Macculloch *Great overview of both history of Christianity and contemporary issues. * Annika Hvithamar, University of Copenhagen *This is a new and improved version of a popular and accessible old classic ... which brings together some of the most significant documents and texts in church history. ... the updated Bettenson and Maunder remains a very useful repository of a broad range of standard texts from across the centuries. * Lee Gatiss, Churchman *Table of ContentsI: THE EARLY CHURCH (TO THE COUNCIL OF CHALCEDON, 451); II: FROM THE COUNCIL OF CHALCEDON TO THE PRESENT

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Book SynopsisThe Reformation was a seismic event in history, whose consequences are still working themselves out in Europe and across the world. The protests against the marketing of indulgences staged by the German monk Martin Luther in 1517 belonged to a long-standing pattern of calls for internal reform and renewal in the Christian Church. But they rapidly took a radical and unexpected turn, engulfing first Germany and then Europe as a whole in furious arguments about how God''s will was to be ''saved''.However, these debates did not remain confined to a narrow sphere of theology. They came to reshape politics and international relations; social, cultural, and artistic developments; relations between the sexes; and the patterns and performances of everyday life. They were also the stimulus for Christianity''s transformation into a truly global religion, as agents of the Roman Catholic Church sought to compensate for losses in Europe with new conversions in Asia and the Americas. Covering both PrTrade Review...a scintillating state-of-the-art survey of the Reformation... a marvellous collection of essays. * Henry A. Jefferies, Iris h Historical Studies *The Oxford Illustrated History of the Reformation is a beautifully presented single volume overview of the Reformation, including sections devoted to its medieval background and contemporary legacy. Its seven chapters, authored by leading reformation scholars, are lavishly adorned with reproductions of books, maps, paintings, statues, and relics that bring the text to life. The book is learned, although unencumbered by footnotes, being cognizant of the latest developments in reformation research, and sometimes challenging them...the resulting work is informative, readable, and authoritative. * Benjamin B. Saunders, Reading Religion *The illustrations are fascinating. * Robert Tanitch, Mature Times *Very well illustrated with vivid and relevant images. * The Irish Catholic *This is a fine book, beautifully produced, providing an easily accessible distillation of some of the best recent scholarship of the Reformation. A work of this kind is a vital resource for anyone concerned to understand what ideas, events and convictions compelled the sea changes in Christianity that took place in the sixteenth century, and, no less important, to understand the repercussions of these changes which are still felt today. * Anne Dillon, Times Literary Supplement *This short volume does a magnificent job in providing a birds eye view of the Protestant Reformation, including appropriate maps. and illustrations that grip the historical imagination. * Mark Greengrass, University of Sheffield, Huguenot Society Journal *This book does a fine job of unfolding the intricately decorated and richly textured fabric of this extraordinary era... a scintillating collection of essays that challenges conventional views of the Reformation. * Lucy Wooding, The Tablet *Expert essays * Theology, Diarmaird MacCulloch *An outstanding work of church history * Church of England Newspaper *Splendid book * Catholic Herald *Compelling collection...Brilliantly assembled by Peter Marshall * Literary Review, Paul Lay *it bears comparison with the very best studies and compendia... a a hearty 'bravo' is in order * Herald, Jonathan Wright *Wonderful... It's a huge achievement by Marshall, and by OUP, that cleverly gets the ball rolling head of the 500th anniversary of Luther's posting of his Ninety-five Theses * Oxford Today *This is a classic Illustrated Oxford History volume: its wealth of pictures forms an instructive rather than merely decorative complement to a text from some of the leading experts in the field, who present a fine panorama of current thinking on this formative era for the modern West. * Diarmaid MacCulloch, University of Oxford, and author of A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years *An outstanding work of church history. * Paul Richardson, Church of England Newspaper *Table of ContentsEditor's Foreword 1: Bruce Gordon: Late Medieval Christianity 2: Lyndal Roper: Martin Luther 3: Carlos Eire: Calvinism and the Reform of the Reformation 4: Brad S. Gregory: The Radical Reformation 5: Simon Ditchfield: Catholic Reformation and Renewal 6: Peter Marshall: Britain's Reformations 7: Alexandra Walsham: Reformation Legacies Further Reading Chronology Picture Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisThe Oxford Dictionary of Christian Art and Architecture explains a wide range of terms used in the study of the history of Christian art and architecture including subjects, topics, themes, artists, works, movements, and buildings. This long-awaited new edition of Peter and Linda Murray''s classic text continues to provide an invaluable, authoritative, and engaging guide to interpreting Christian Art both for students and teachers of the subject, as well as non-specialists or those without a formal education in Christianity.The new editor, the Reverend Tom Devonshire Jones, has been aided by over a dozen expert contributors, fully updating the text for the new century. Areas that have been expanded upon include the artwork, artists, and innovations of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries (such as the relationship between Christianity and film). Coverage includes art from around the world, with new entries upon the Christian art of North America, Latin America, Australasia, and of the nonTrade ReviewWhen art history moves in mysterious ways - as it so often does - this is the book of revelation. * Tim Marlow, Director of Exhibitions at White Cube, London *The editor and his editorial board are to be commended for their diligence and innovations in revisiting both this expansive topic and revising a classic. * Art and Christianity *This wonderful book explains and defines many of the terms used in the study of Christian art and architecture in an easy-to-read style and handy format. * Catholic Herald *Review from previous edition It is impossible to over praise this book. * Sister Wendy Beckett *Clear, succinct, and enthralling. * The Tablet *

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Book SynopsisAs part of the Christian Bible, the New Testament is at once widely influential and (especially among the young and the educated) increasingly unknown. Those who want to know the basics can find in this introduction the sort of information that locates these ancient writings in their historical and literary context. Those who want to learn why these compositions have had such impact can find here an appreciation for the religious experiences of the first Christians that forced them to reinterpret their Jewish and Greek heritage and reshape their symbolic world. In addition to providing the broad conceptual and factual framework for the New Testament --- including the process by which distinct compositions became a sacred book --- this introduction provides as well a more detailed examination of specific compositions that have had particularly strong influence, including Paul''s letters to the Corinthians and Romans, the four Gospels, and the Book of Revelation.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1. Approaching the New Testament 2. The New Testament and History 3. The Resurrection Experience 4. The Process of Interpretation 5. Literary Forms 6. The Synoptic Gospels 7. Paul and His Letters 8. Two Hidden Treasures 9. Johannine Literature 10. Becoming the New Testament 11. The Pertinence of the New Testament The Canonical Arrangement of the New Testament Chronology Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisJohn Paul Lederach explores the evolution of his understanding of peacebuilding by reflecting on his own experiences in the field. Peacebuilding, in his view, is both a learned skill and an art. Finding this art, he says, requires a shift in worldview. Conflict professionals must envision their work as a creative act - an exercise of what Lederach calls the "moral imagination."Trade ReviewToday the telecommunications and transport revolution has made the world a smaller place offering both an opportunity and challenge to the major leading countries to come together to shape the world, overcome violence and create a peaceful global community. John Paul Lederach presents a powerful case for the use of the moral imagination in rising to this challenge, thus creating authentic new possibilities. This book provides a valuable contribution to peacebuilding literature and I welcome it wholeheartedly. * John Hume, Winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace *This is a wonderful book it resonated, provoked and exhilarated me, challenging me to think very carefully and deeply about why peace builders do what they do. It also offers some profound compass points for direction which may help to keep many of us sane and focused in the midst of the chaos and violence that so often makes up our world. * Mari Fitzduff, Brandeis University *The Moral Imagination is an eloquent and personal meditation on the challenge of peacebuilding by one of the fields most insightful theorists and practitioners. Professor Lederach correctly observes that the years following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, represent a precious opportunity to address underlying cycles of violence and insecurity, locally and globally. It will take courage and creativity, but it is an opportunity we must not let pass us by. * Jimmy Carter, Chairman, The Carter Center *Much exists in the conflict resolution literature about method and technique, little about art and soul. John Paul Lederach, a theorist of great insight who also happens to be a practitioner of high skill, brings us deep into his own process of learning and the results are marvelous. He offers us a rich fare of insights, stories and metaphors that captivate the moral imagination this world so badly needs. Consider this book a precious treat! * William Ury, co-author of Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement without Giving In and author of The Third Side: Why We Fight and How We Can Stop *In its depth of wisdom regarding the dynamics of soul, spirit and society that lead good people to become effective practitioners of conflict transformation in war zones, The Moral Imagination could serve as the magnificent capstone to a life's work. The thrilling fact, however, is that Lederach stands not at the end but at the midpoint of a remarkable journey of conciliation, peacebuilding and ethical reflection. This book is a milestone in that journey; there is nothing quite like it in the literature of social change, peace and conflict studies, theology, ethics, and spiritualit? * for it weaves those disciplines together into a seamless, riveting whole.R. Scott Appleby, Professor of History and John M. Regan, Jr. Director of the Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame *Table of Contents1. On Stating the Problem and Thesis ; 2. On Touching the Moral Imagination: Four Stories ; 3. On This Moment: Turning Points ; 4. On Simplicity and Complexity: Finding the Essence of Peacebuilding ; 5. On Peace Accords: Image of a Line in Time ; 6. On the Gift of Pessimism: Insights from the Geographies of Violence ; 7. On Aesthetuics: The Art of Social Change ; 8. On Space: Life in the Web ; 9. On Mass and Movement: The Theory of the Critical Yeast ; 10. On Web Watching: Finding the Soul of Place ; 11. On Serendipity: The Gift of Accidental Sagacity ; 12. On Time: The Past That Lies before Us ; 13. On Pied Pipers: Imagination and Creativity ; 14. On Vocation: The Mystery of Risk ; 15. On Conclusions: The Imperative of the Moral Imagination

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Book SynopsisExamining Genesis in a philosophical light, this book presents it as the enduring story of humanity itself. It contains insights about human nature that "rival anything produced by the great philosophers." It explores the struggles in Genesis to launch a new way of life that addresses mankind's morally ambiguous nature by promoting righteousness.Trade Review"A learned and fluent, delightfully overstuffed stroll through the Gates of Eden.... Mix Harold Bloom with Stephen Jay Gould and you'll get something like Kass. A wonderfully intelligent reading of Genesis." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review "Throughout his book, Kass uses fruitful, fascinating techniques for getting at the heart of Genesis.... Innumerable times [he] makes a reader sit back and rethink what has previously been tediously familiar or baffling." - Washington Post "Extraordinary.... Its analyses and hypotheses will leave no reader's understanding of Genesis unchanged." - New York Times "It is important to state that this is a book not merely rich, but prodigiously rich with insight. Kass is a marvelous reader, sensitive and careful. His interpretations surprise again and again with their cogency and poignancy." - Jerusalem Post"

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Book SynopsisA magnificent history of doctrine.New York Review of BooksIn this volume Jaroslav Pelikan continues the splendid work he has done thus far in his projected five-volume history of the development of Christian doctrine, defined as 'what the Church believes, teaches, and confesses on the basis of the word of God.' The entire work will become an indispensable resource not only for the history of doctrine but also for its reformulation today. Copious documentation in the margins and careful indexing add to its immense usefulness.E. Glenn Hinson, Christian CenturyThis book is based on a most meticulous examination of medieval authorities and the growth of medieval theology is essentially told in their own words. What is more important, however, then the astounding number of primary sources the author has consulted or his sovereign familiarity with modern studies on his subject, is his ability to discern form and direction in the bewildering growth of medieval Christian doctrine, and, by thou

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Book SynopsisThis is the first part of Paul Tillich's three-volume Systematic Theology, one of the most profound statements of the Christian message ever composed and the summation and definitive presentation of the theology of the most influential and creative American theologian of the twentieth century.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"With unabashed frankness and unrelenting truth-telling, Corrigan offers much-needed clarity to the ongoing attempts to account for enduring racism and religious hatred that too often portray the coexistence of Christianity and racism as an unfortunate contradiction or oversimplify the relationship between ideology and violence. A game-changing study." -- Sylvester Johnson, Virginia Tech“Corrigan draws on a lifetime of research and writing about religion, race, and violence to offer insights where others have shrugged with befuddlement. White racial anxiety, he argues, is a feeling produced by the unsuccessful labor of forgetting the violence inherent to chattel slavery and Native dispossession. The result is a charged meditation on religious whiteness in the United States.” -- Jennifer Graber, University of Texas at Austin“Corrigan offers a nuanced look at America’s sorry history of racism, violence, and trauma from the colonial era to January 6 and beyond, taking on American Christianity’s proclivity for forgetting our society’s traumatic past. This is a wise and important book with the potential to reshape our national discourse." -- Randall Balmer, Dartmouth College“Through a sweeping critical review of interdisciplinary work on emotions, trauma, memory, and history, Corrigan carefully assembles a way to understand the intergenerational transmission of trauma among both victims and perpetrators of collective violence. A remarkable and courageous book.” -- William M. Reddy, Duke UniversityTable of ContentsIntroduction: Bad Memories Chapter 1: Colonial Legacies Chapter 2: Trauma Chapter 3: Emotion Chapter 4: Forgetting and Remembering Chapter 5: Anxiety, Erasure, and Affect Chapter 6: Race, Religion, and Nation Conclusion: The Feeling of Forgetting Acknowledgments Notes Index

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Book SynopsisThe first of three volumes exploring the development of the concepts of sin, grace and free will in Christian theology, beginning with the Church Fathers.Trade Review'[T]his is a brilliant first volume of an important new series. Clearly laid out, nicely written, and throughout comprehensive, this is an excellent introduction into what early church thinkers actually though about sin, grace and free will. I would recommend it to those studying in these areas, as well as to pastors thinking deeply about these issues or perhaps wrestling with them themselves. Matt writes from his own perspective, but lets the sources speak for themselves, and is keen for the readers to make their mind up. I look forward to the next volume, and the next phase of church history. Knell is an able and warm guide!' - Thomas Creedy, www.thomascreedy.com, December 2017 'Reading this book could be helpful for those who have not really studied the early fathers. This book will certainly expose them to a plethora of original sources and in this manner, Knell's book can be considered a success.' Herzer, Mark A. PhD, Pastor of Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church in Warminster PA. The Confessional Presbyterian, pg226, Volume 14, 2018 Knell Should be commended for his hard work in collecting the various quotations and passages contained within this volume. -Andrew C. Chronister, Theologische RevueTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction 1. Early Church Views 2. Irenaeus 3. Tertullian 4. Origen 5. The Greek Fathers on Sin 6. The Greek Fathers on Grace 7. The Greek Fathers on Free Will 8. Early Augustine 9. Late Augustine Epilogue: After Augustine Final Thoughts Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisAn innovative analysis of the role of the Church in the political disputes of Queen Anne's reignTrade ReviewRender Unto Caesar is a remarkable study of the religious politics of the reign of Queen Anne, rooted in a profound knowledge of manuscript sources. Barry Levis has revealed how central the Church was to the period of 'the rage of Party'. It is further evidence that the Church was a source of passionate controversy in the early eighteenth century. William Gibson, Professor of Ecclesiastical History, Oxford Brookes University. Using an impressive range of archival and printed sources, Levis details the high politics of ecclesiastical policy politics in the early eighteenth century. Render Unto Caesar offers a reliable guide to the complex debates about the relationship between church and state in post-revolutionary England. Brian Cowan, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Early Modern British History, McGill University'. R.B. Levis grounds this first deep-dive regnal analytical narrative of Queen Anne's struggle to rule with moderation in a thorough exploitation of the extant sources, making especially effective use of the surviving fragments of the diary and correspondence of Anne's figurative confessor, the embattled Anglican moderate John Sharp, Archbishop of York. The result is a definitive study of Church-State politics for Anne's reign for our times and, one anticipates, for many years to come. R.O. Bucholz, Professor of History, Loyola University ChicagoTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Introduction 1. Prologue, 1698-1702 2. The Tory Ascendancy, 1702-4 3. The Shifting Balance of Power, 1705-6 4. Strife in the North: A Case Study of Local Ecclesiastical Politics 5. The Whig Supremacy, 1706-9 6. The Sacheverell Trial, 1709-10 7. The Return of the Tories, 1710-14 8. Epilogue Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisEssays exploring the full conceptual range of Paul's treatment of sin and soteriology.Trade ReviewWith their IBR research group, Nijay Gupta and John Goodrich have spawned a miniature renaissance in the study of Pauline theology. Now with this book, and the series that it inaugurates, they are bringing that renaissance to readers everywhere. The subject matter of Sin and Its Remedy in Paul is grim, but there can be no making sense of Paul's letters without it. Matthew Novenson, University of Edinburgh The Pauline corpus represents 'sin' and 'sins' in complex ways that continue to inform and to challenge how we understand our flawed humanity. In this fine set of essays by high-quality scholars, the key texts are probed with searching questions and analyzed by means of a fruitful array of models and frames. This is a rich conversation that deserves the attention of all students of Paul. John M.G. Barclay, Durham University Despite its popularity in humanity as a whole, sin is something of a neglected topic among interpreters of the Apostle Paul. This collection of stellar essays by prominent scholars reveals the depth, breadth, and variety of the Pauline perspective(s) on sin/Sin, thereby helping us also to understand better the amazing sin-conquering, transformative grace of God revealed in Christ and experienced through the Spirit. Michael J. Gorman, St. Mary's Seminary & University, Baltimore Research into Paul's theology has recently unmasked the complexity as well as the profundity of the meaning of sin - sin as transgression against God's will, sin against one another, and sin as a cosmic power as an agent intent on leading humans to death. But, the apostolic vision is that sin has been defeated and can be defeated and is being defeated - in Christ's death that killed death and brought new life, in the Spirit of life that brings new life to God's people. This book, Sin and Its Remedy in Paul, is a constant reminder of the good power of God to overcome what most ails us. Scot McKnight, Northern SeminaryTable of ContentsContributors Preface Abbreviations 1. Sin in Context: ?µa?t?a in Greco-Roman and Jewish Literature Nijay K. Gupta 2. Sin and Soteriology in Romans Martinus C. de Boer 3. Sin and the Sovereignty of God in Romans Bruce W. Longenecker 4. Models for Relating Sin as a Power to Human Activity in Romans 5:12-21 A. Andrew Das 5. Letters from the Battlefield: Cosmic Sin and Captive Sinners in 1 Corinthians Alexandra R. Brown 6. Divine Generosity in the Midst of Conflict: Sin and Its Remedy in 2 Corinthians Dominika Kurek-Chomycz 7. Sin, Slavery, Sacrifice, and the Spirit: The Human Problem and Divine Solution in Galatians David A. deSilva 8. Dead in Your Trespasses: Sin as Infraction and Sphere of Power in Colossians and Ephesians John K. Goodrich 9. "But I Never Intended . . .": Implicit Hamartiology in the Thessalonian Correspondence Andy Johnson 10. Re-Ordering the Household: Misalignment and Realignment to God's ??????µ?a in 1 Timothy George M. Wieland Index of Modern Authors Index of Ancient Documents

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Book SynopsisFor the Christian faith, questions relating to God can essentially be viewed as centred on the person of Jesus Christ. In The New Testament Concept of Atonement, H.D. McDonald uses this key insight to examine mankind''s redemption, focussing on Christ''s atoning act as crucial in shaping God''s relation to humanity and the world. McDonald analyses elements which hold vital meanings and messages for the Christian doctrine of salvation. In the first six chapters he investigates single terms within the New Testament, such as ''tree'' or ''blood'' whose metonymical association with Christ''s redeeming act has often become obscured over time. Then, various biblical interpretations of the Calvary event are studied. In the final section, he analyses the importance of the findings in previous chapters and their implications for Christology. Detailed research underpins the text, in the tradition of Reformed biblical scholarship, with care taken to suggest further reading and trace sources.Trade Review"McDonald draws the reader back to the biblical concepts and understanding of the death of Christ thus avoiding the debates of today that have decided what God is like before listening to the apostles." Matthew D. Jensen, From the ForewordTable of ContentsForeword by Matthew D. Jensen Explanatory Preface Introduction: The Cruciality of the Cross Note on the Outline Chapter 1. The Cross Chapter 2. The Tree Chapter 3. The Cup Chapter 4. The Death Chapter 5. The Blood Chapter 6. The Body Chapter 7. A Lamb Slain Chapter 8. As a Passover Celebrated Chapter 9. As a Covenant Made Chapter 10. A Sacrifice Rendered Chapter 11. A Ransom Paid Chapter 12. A Propitiation Offered Chapter 13. A Reconciliation Effected Chapter 14. Actual Realisation Chapter 15. Christological Implications Bibliography Index of Biblical References

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Book SynopsisChristological terminology in its Biblical and Early Church contextsTable of ContentsAbbreviations Introduction Chapter 1. The Son of Man 1. Philological Problems and Problems connected with the History of Religion 2. The Son of Man Concept and the Preaching of Jesus 3. Words concerning the futre Action of the Son of Man 4. Words concerning the earthly Deeds of the Son of Man 5. Words concerning the Passion and Resurrection of the Son of Man Excursus I: The Idea of the Vicariously Suffering Servant of God in the Earliest Christianity Chapter 2. Kyrios 1. The Hellenistic and Old Testament Use of the Title of Lord 2. The Description of Jesus as Lord in the Palestinian Tradition 3. The 'Lord' who is to come again 4. The Exalted One as 'Kyrios' Excursus II: Psalm 110:1 and the Idea of the Exaltation of Jesus Chapter 3. Christos 1. The Background in teh Old Testament and Late Judaism 2. The Significance of the Messianic Concept in the Life of Jesus 3. The Messianism of Jesus in the Oldest Tradition 4. Jesus as Messiah in the Context of the Concept of Exaltaion 5. The Connection of the Passion-Tradition with the Christos Title 6. The Generalisation of the Christos Title and its Use as a Proper Name Excursus III: Analysis of Mark 8:27-33 Excursus IV: The Conception of the High Priestly Messiah and the Primitive Christian Tradition Chapter 4. Son of David 1. Jesus as Son of David in the Oldest Tradition 2. Jesus as Son of David in Hellenistic Jewish Christianity 3. JThe Davidic Sonsihip of Jesus in the Nativity Narratives of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke Chapter 5. Son of God 1. The Presumptions of the early Christian Title Son of God 2. Son of God as Designation of the Jesus who is to come again and of the Exalted One 3. The Son of God Conception in Hellensitic Jewish Christianity 4. Jesus as Son of God in Hellenistic Gentile Christianity 5. Jesus as 'the Son' Excursus V: Analysis of the Transfiguration and Baptism Narratives Retrospect Appendix: The Eschatological Prophet Index of Subjects Index of Biblical Passages

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Book SynopsisNathan Söderblom (1866-1931), was not only a profoundly influential figure in Swedish church history, but also one of the great pioneers of the modern ecumenical movement. Elected Archbishop of Uppsala, the head of the Lutheran church in Sweden, in 1914, he was a ceaseless advocate for peace during the first world war. His collaboration with George Bell laid the foundations for intercommunion between the Church of Sweden and the Church of England. Finally, in the year before he died, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.Despite this, until this landmark biography he was largely neglected by historians, the subject of only a few partial studies. In Nathan Söderblom: His Life and Work, Bengt Sundkler corrects this, with new analysis of Söderblom''s meticulously preserved correspondence and interviews with his family, friends and former students. The resulting image is of a man deeply committed to his leadership of ecumenical projects, most significantly his movement of ''Life and Work'',Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Foreword 1. The Student 2. Pastor and Scholar 3. Professor and Pastor 4. Swedish Archbishop 5. The Archbishop and the War 6. Finding the Way 7. Uppsala and Catholicity 8. His Stockholm Conference 9. Great European Some Important Dates Index

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