Religious social and pastoral thought and activity Books

Book SynopsisWhat is the place of Christian love in a pluralistic society dedicated to liberty and justice for all? What would it mean to take both Jesus Christ and Abraham Lincoln seriously and attempt to translate love of God and neighbor into every quarter of life, including law and politics? Timothy Jackson addresses such questions in Political Agape: Prophetic Christianity and Liberal Democracy.Jackson argues that love of God and neighbor is the perilously neglected civil virtue of our time and that it must be considered even before justice in structuring political principles and policies. To indicate the specific implications of civic agapism, he looks at such issues as the death penalty, Christian complicity in the Holocaust, the case for same-sex marriage, and the morality of adoption. The book concludes with Jackson's reflections on Martin Luther King Jr. as a Christian hero.

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Book SynopsisRita M. Gross offers an engaging survey of the changes feminism has wrought in religious ideas, beliefs, and practices around the world, as well as in the study and understanding of religion itself.

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Book SynopsisThe goal of the Symposium Toward Healing and Renewal which took place at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome from 6-9 February 2012, was to help bishops, religious superiors, and others in positions of special responsibility to make an honest examination of conscience, as requested by the Pope.

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Trade ReviewAngus Sibley, fluent in the language of Catholic social teaching, as well as that of finance and international economics, bares the dangerous allure of libertarian thought. He provides us a detailed yet accessible guide, rich in history, through the jungle to a new way of thinking about economics.Tom Roberts, Editor at large, National Catholic Reporter"This book should find its way into introductory courses as Catholic business schools throughout the U.S. and abroad. Sibley's familiarity with both the theory and praxis of the modern economy makes his critique especially telling, and his commitment to Catholic Social Teaching affords him a sound basis for that critique. The book is a tour de force against laissez-faire and should become a point of reference for anyone who thinks our new Gilded Age is a thing in need of repair and reform."Michael Sean Winters, National Catholic Reporter"I expected Sibley to be a little naïve about the conflicts of interests and distributional cleavages of today's world. . . In fact, his critique of modern capitalism is forensic and brutal, backed up by detailed and consistent sources drawn from all the Popes from Leo XIII to Francis. Sibley is scathing about individualism and libertarians who abhor regulation. Essential reading in these post-Brexit days."David Bregg, Doctrine and Life

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Trade ReviewSatterlee convincingly demonstrates that Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, was both a great thinker and a sensitive pastor. The mystagogical preaching as 'sustained reflection on the rites of initiation' that Ambrose employed in the fourth century is still applicable for the present age. In the final analysis, Satterlee becomes like the one he studied - a highly skilled mystagogical preacher. In a time when good preaching is desperately needed, this book is most opportune.Michael S. Driscoll, University of Notre DameMore than an excellent historical study, Satterlee's work makes Ambrose a contemporary teacher in the development of a model for mystagogy today. Indeed, Ambrose comes to life in these pages as bishop, theologian, liturgist, and, above all, as preacher and proclaimer of the Mysteries. Liturgists, catechists, and especially preachers will find this work stimulating, challenging, and highly useful in their work.Maxwell E. Johnson, University of Notre DameThis is a solid and useful study that serves more than academic interests.Theological StudiesAmbrose of Milan's Method of Mystagogical Preaching should appeal to all who are interested in the early church, especially the Latin-Western church, to preachers, ministers, seminary students, and those involved in all aspects of Christian formation. It is an especially good resource for those working in RCIA, since it provides many in-depth insights into the sacramental and historic background of the sacrament of initiation.Pro Ecclesia. . . demonstrates, with clear and engaging style, how cardinal this mystagogical period was . . .WorshipSatterlee's work is an excellent addition to historical studies on the practice of corporate discipleship and the preaching method in the early church. Satterlee's work is noteworthy for its unique contribution to patristics and homiletics. It should also stimulate significant discussion over the process of spiritual pedagogy as the church seeks to develop more effective ministries for the twenty-first century.Bibliotheca Sacra

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Trade Review"Living Mission Interculturally is a must-read for anyone who wants to live more fully and deeply our call as church and global citizens. Anthony Gittins's book comes out of years of engaging theologically and living practically the invitation, challenges, and possibilities of intercultural community living. Gittins explains with great examples the dimensions required to move us toward living mission interculturally, whether as religious congregations or as parish communities. He both gives us an understanding of what we mean by intercultural community and shows us how to open ourselves to growth in very pragmatic ways. In the midst of all this, he reminds us that thinking and acting differently require a radical conversion, which God longs to live in us. This book is for everyone who wants to participate in building the reign of God here and now!" Maria Cimperman, RSCJ, PhD, Director, Center for the Study of Consecrated Life, Associate Professor of Theological Ethics, Catholic Theological Union"Living Mission Interculturally: Faith, Culture, and the Renewal of Praxis is a treasure and seminal work on intercultural living as an expression of mission, an actual participation in God's mission. This book is essential reading for international congregations committed to intercultural living and willing to "do the work" necessary to make this a lived reality. The inclusion of questions for personal and communal reflection after each chapter and the appendices challenge the reader to move beyond the text and enter into a process that can lead to transformation. The freedom and openness to engage in a critique of culture is essential for the creation of a community of "radical welcome." The actual formation of intercultural community is crucial for the unfolding of religious life in a global context. Gittin's experience, wisdom, and profound insights are both gift and blessing for religious life and the Church. This is not reading for the fainthearted." Joan Marie Steadman, CSC, Executive Director, Leadership Conference of Women Religious"In Living Mission Interculturally, Fr. Gittins provides the most comprehensive resource to date integrating the gifts from sociology, cultural anthropology (intercultural studies), and theology as they apply to religious communities. In his multidimensional approach to the topic, he guides his readers on a multifaceted journey with clarity of definitions, on the one hand, and landmarks for personal and community commitment and transformation, on the other. If the complexity of intercultural living is like a sphere, then each chapter of this book is like a slice of the sphere offering opportunities for deeper understanding and exploration of what it means and what it takes to be a faithful missional intercultural community." Eric H. F. Law, Executive Director of the Kaleidoscope Institute, Author of The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb"Religious life has always had a prophetic role. In this book Gittins points out how it can maintain its prophetic edge by modeling how we can live fully and interculturally in an age of unprecedented migration. In almost every country we are in the birth pangs of a new way of being human. But migration and intercultural living are full of pain and possibilities. Living happily and productively in the future will involve learning not only how to respect cultural difference but the ability to enjoy living with difference. Gittins outlines the missionary and prophetic role religion can play and gives practical insights into culture, marginalization, and mission and the skills and attitudes required to live in such communities." Noel Connolly, SSC, Columban Mission Institute"Many of us in religious communities, dioceses, and parishes are looking for advice and resources to address the growing challenges and opportunities of intercultural living today. Living Mission Interculturally is an excellent resource for practitioners. Drawing on his social-science background and in-depth knowledge of the actual situations of mission/ministry, Anthony Gittins provides a very fine tool with relevant information and practical exercises that can be used by groups and individuals. And he does this with an insightful, concise, and clear writing style that we know well and appreciate from his other writing. In his own words, Gittins "attempts to offer ways of approaching the 'otherness' of other people and to stimulate readers into remembering their own 'otherness' in relation to those among whom they live and work" (xv). He has achieved this goal and left us with an excellent resource to respond to real-life situations." Roger Schroeder, SVD, Louis J. Luzbetak, SVD, Professor of Mission and Culture, Professor of Intercultural Studies and Ministry, Catholic Theological Union at Chicago"Gittins's mission-driven exploration of intercultural living is immensely practical, challenging, and solidly based on scholarship, lived commitment, wide dialogue, and prayerful reflection. Gittins has given us a great gift and incentive to live our unity in diversity from a stance of radical faith and heightened cultural awareness. I am eager to share this gift with my whole international community and all of our partners in mission." Mary Ann Buckley, SHCJ, American Providence Leader, Society of the Holy Child Jesus"Intercultural living represents a challenge wherever pursued, demanding self-awareness, patience, openness to new experiences, and willingness to endure discomfort. For those willing to embrace in faith the process of first adjusting to disturbingly different assumptions about time, leadership, communication, or myriad other taken-for-granted aspects of culture, and then incorporating them in more complete ways to live the Christian faith with missional integrity, Living Mission Interculturally represents a sterling resource."Paul Kollman, Mission Studies"If you wish to know why and how intercultural living is an act of faith, this is the bookyou should start with. A gracious invitation to grapple with the fundamental theological significance of culture and intercultural living. I heartily recommend it to students, pastors, and scholars alike."Abraham M. Antony, SDB, Mission Today"The Church’s evangelizing mission does not occur in a vacuum but in the midst of historical and sociocultural realities that change constantly. Living Mission Interculturally is an invitation to the ecclesial community to consider the complexity of the world in which we live as an opportunity to encounter God in the midst of diversity and to cultivate intercultural competencies to be effective missionary disciples. More than a mere guide with practical recommendations, Anthony J. Gittins shares a vision into which we are called to participate." Hosffman Ospino, PhD, Associate Professor of Theology and Religious Education, Boston College, School of Theology and Ministry"Living Mission Interculturally is arguably Anthony Gittins' most impressive and impactful work taken from among his several publications that have been well received in the academy and among pastoral agents in a constantly globalizing world. Gittins shows how the questions raised by the challenges faced by today's ministers require complex knowledge from several disciplines and answers that integrate the truths of faith with social science, especially cultural anthropology. Scholars of interculturality as well as teachers and pastoral ministers will find substantial food for thought and for action in Gittins' luminous volume in a readable and engaging style now available in both English and Spanish."Allan Figueroa Deck, SJ, Distinguished Scholar of Pastoral Theology and Latino Studies, Loyola Marymount University

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Book SynopsisAn important theologian and social critic argues for the involvement of the Church in social reforms.

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Trade Review"This collection of essays comes from the University of Bristol's Center for Comparative Studies in Religion and Gender in the U.K. Bringing together experts from a wide variety of disciplines, this is an interesting collection on some of the recent intellectual developments in the ever controversial field where gender, religion and diversity come together" -Conscience, Summer / Autumn 2004"Table of ContentsContributors and Editors; Preface and Acknowledgements; General Introduction - Ursula King, University of Bristol; Part I: Theoretical Perspectives; Introduction to Part I - Tina Beattie, University of Surrey Roehampton; 1. Where Have We Been? Where Do We Need to Go?: Women's Studies and Gender in Religion and Feminist Theology, - Rita M. Gross, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire; 2. Postcolonial and Gendered Reflections: Challenges for Religious Studies, - Morny Joy, University of Calgary; 3. Rethinking Subjectivity in the Gender-Oriented Study of Religions: Kristeva and the 'Subject-in-Process', - Sian Hawthorne, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London; 4. On Understanding that the Struggle for Truth is Moral and Spiritual, - Harriet A. Harris, Wadham College, Oxford; 5. Religious Identity and the Ethics of Representation: The Study of Religion in the Secular Academy, - Tina Beattie; 6. Raced and Gendered Perspectives: Towards the Epidermalization of Subjectivity in Religious Studies Theory, - Mary Keller, University of Stirling; Part II: Historical and Textual Perspectives; Introduction to Part II, - Tina Beattie; 7. From Women's History to Feminist Theology: Gender, Witness and Canonicity in the Religious Narration of the Holocaust, - Melissa Raphael, Gloucestershire University; 8. Rethinking Religion in Gender History: Historiographical and Methodological Reflections, - Sue Morgan, University College Chichester; 9. The Gendering of Missionary Imperialism: The Search for an Integrated Methodology, - Gulnar Eleanor Francis-Dehqani, Independent Scholar - formerly at the University of Bristol; 10. Gender Archaeology and Paleochristianity, - Diane Treacy-Cole, University of Bristol; 11. 'Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus': On the Relationship between Religion, Gender and Space, - Jorunn Okland, Universities of Sheffield and Oslo; 12. Biblical Gender Strategies: The Case of Abraham's Masculinity, - Deborah Sawyer, University of Lancaster; Part III. Cultural and Contextual Perspectives; Introduction to Part III, - Tina Beattie; 13. Who are the Muslims? Questions of Identity, Gender and Culture in Research Methodologies, - Anne Sofie Roald, University of Malmo, Sweden; 14. Reflexive Transformations: Research Comments on Me(n, Feminist Philosophy and the Thealogial Imagination, - Paul Reid-Bowen, Gloucestershire University; 15. Why Difference Matters: Lesbian and Gay Perspectives on Religion and Gender, - Sean Gill, University of Bristol; 16. Indian Dalit Women and the Bible: Hermaneutical and Methodological Reflections, - Monica Melanchthon; 17. Race, Gender, Class and the Theology of Empowerment: An Indian Perspective, - Mukti Barton, Queen's College, Birmingham; 18. An Asian Postcolonial and Feminist Methodology: Ethics as a Recognition of Limits, - Sharon Bong, University of Lancaster and Malaysia; 19. Whose Face in the Mirror? Personal and Postcolonial Obstacles in Researching Africa's Contemporary Women's Theological Voices - Carrie Pemberton, Independent Scholar (formerly at Cambridge University); Index.

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