Search results for ""christian faith""

My Theology: The world’s leading Christian thinkers explain some of the principal tenets of their theological beliefs. The Word within the words is a Poet’s Credo, in which Malcolm Guite describes how his Christian faith informs and underpins his poetry, and in turn how poetry itself, and more widely the poetic imagination, helps him to understand and interpret his faith. Illustrating his account with personal stories and poetry – both his own and classics from the canon – Guite explains a guiding theology of Christ as the Word, the essential logos that underlies all things, made flesh for us in Jesus. He then demonstrates how Scripture, Liturgy and Sacrament can each be understood as a poetry capable of transfiguring our vision and transforming our lives.

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This is a mighty book of Norths: northern geographies, histories, lights; a place of definition, frost and cold. There is an unfaltering Recusant spirit about these poems, a survival through defeat and a sense of underlying permanences. Each poem has an occasion: some of the occasions are personal meetings, conversations, which unlock shared scenes and themes; some are historical in origin, their past often one of early Christian faith or religious conflict. The poems abound in art, in specific lived detail, particulars of landscape, and in a harsh weather which is not unlike time itself in its effect on the living and ageing imagination. Each poem requires a different metre, a different pace; each form is carefully attuned to its occasion.

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For the Christian faith as well as its theology, the Easter confession of resurrection has always been the fundamental idea. Starting from this elemental perspective and following the notions of internal realism, semiotics and the postmodern paradigm, Petr Gallus reconstructs the central theological locus of Christology as ontological Christology. In so doing, the author examines the traditional Chalcedonian Christology, as well as many Christological concepts of the last decades, following it critically and proposing an original solution. The whole concept is based on the notion that consistent Christology is possible only against the backdrop of the Trinity, which is the necessary framework and, in some points, necessary unloading of Christology.

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From the pen of one of our greatest living theologians, here is a fresh and compelling introduction to the foundation story of the Christian faith. Full of illuminating theological insight and spiritual encouragement. Designed for use by individuals or groups, with questions for reflection or discussion at the end of each chapter. An ideal gift for anyone near the start of their spiritual journey or wanting to deepen their appreciation of the heart of the gospel. Part One: The meaning of the Cross 1. The sign 2. The sacrifice 3. The victory Part Two: The meaning of the Resurrection 4. Christ's resurrection then 5. Christ's resurrection now

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It has long been a cornerstone of Catholic belief that Christians can be intelligent and creative thinkers—inquisitive seekers after truth—as well as men and women of ardent faith. Catholics are entirely committed, then, to the claim that human rationality and religious faith are complementary realities since they are equally gifts of God.But understanding precisely how faith and reason cohere has not always been a smooth path. At times, theology has allowed philosophy to become the leading (and baleful) partner in the faith-reason relationship, thereby lapsing into rationalism or relativism. At other times, theology has been tempted by fideism, with philosophy now regarded as little more than a pernicious intruder corrupting Christian faith, life and thought. The essays in this volume display how Catholicism understands the proper confluence between philosophy and theology, between human rationality and Christian faith, between the natural order and supernatural grace. To illustrate these points, the book draws on a long line of Christian thinkers: Origen, Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas and, in our own day, Fides et Ratio of John Paul II and the Regensburg Address of Benedict XVI.How is theology always a "Jewgreek" enterprise—to borrow a term from Jacques Derrida—always a combination of the biblical (Hebraic) and philosophical (Hellenic) traditions? Why is one particular element of philosophy, metaphysics, essential for the intelligibility and clarity of Catholic theology? Why is this so much the case that John Paul II could state emphatically: "a philosophy which shuns metaphysics would be radically unsuited to the task of mediation in the understanding of Revelation"?But theology cannot simply be about dialogue with philosophers of yesteryear. Theology must constantly incorporate fresh thinking and remain in lively conversation with an extensive variety of contemporary perspectives. This book displays how reciprocity and absorption has been characteristic of theology's past and must represent its future as well.

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Be anchored in the faith “once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude v. 3) with timeless wisdom shared from church history. The Christian faith is founded upon unchanging, timeless truth. From the days of the early church until the day of Christ’s return, all of Christianity proclaims that “Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11). This is our unchanging and unceasing confession upon which all our hope and all our joy rests.The Timeless Truths Bible will encourage you through the always timely wisdom of those who came before us. Devotional notes and commentary from trusted theologians and pastors from the second century up to the twentieth will stir your affections. The ancient creeds and confessions of the faith will grow your understanding of what we believe—and have always believed. And artwork created throughout the history of Christianity will deepen your worship of the one we call Lord.Features include: The complete text of Scripture in the New English Translation Margin notes featuring devotional and theological commentary from notable figures throughout church history including Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Augustine, Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, Origen, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, John Bunyan, and John Calvin. Forty-six full-page biographies of church leaders The complete text of some of the creeds and confessions of the Christian faith that have shaped our beliefs for generations, including: The Apostles' Creed The Nicene Creed The Chalcedonian Definition The Athanasian Creed The Augsburg Confession The Belgic Confession The Westminster Catechism The Lausanne Covenant Book introductions for every book of the Bible Full-color tip-in pages of artwork from the history of Christianity Line-matched, single-column typesetting Clear and readable 9-point NET Comfort Print

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Dr. David Jeremiah's #1 best-selling study Bible in America now linked to the #1 translation.The clarity, accuracy, and literary grace of the NIV text alongside the teaching of Dr. David Jeremiah creates an interrelationship that is so essential to understanding the complete biblical message and what it says, what it means, and what it means to you. The result is a Bible that can be read and used by all Christians who want to grow in their faith by going deeper into God's Word. The type size is equivalent to Garamond 12. SPECIAL FEATURES:Book Introductions by Dr. JeremiahMore than 8,000 Study Notes and SidebarsWords of Christ in Red60+ Essentials of the Christian Faith ArticlesCross-References embedded in the Study NotesTeacher s Topical IndexConcordanceFull-Color MapsEasy-to-Read Full-Size Print

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Rebecca's father dies three days into her freshman year of college. At the young age of eighteen, she found herself plunged into a loss that challenged the hope she had always carried in her Christian faith. Like so many women, Rebecca, her mother, and her two sisters had fiercely loved this man who for so long did not walk beside them in faith, who finally reached out to God in his last days. Penned more than a decade after her father's death, BROKEN FOR GOOD is a daughter's beautifully written narrative about life with and without her father, and her journey through deep grief into the beginnings of hope. In these pages, she tells her uplifting story of waking up to the world, to new hungers, and to a far braver faith.

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Martin Luther's Bible, first printed in 1534, was not only a milestone for the printing press, but also a momentous event in world history. A UNESCO world heritage masterpiece, Luther's translation from Hebrew and ancient Greek into German made the Bible accessible to laypeople and gave printed reference to a whole new branch of Christian faith: Protestantism. In this meticulous two-volume reprint, TASCHEN presents a complete facsimile of the Luther Bible. Based on a precious copy of the original and printed in color, it reveals the multilayered splendor of this publication, showcasing the meticulous script, elaborate initials, and exquisite color woodcuts from the workshop of Lucas Cranach. In an accompanying booklet, Stephan Füssel, book scientist at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, adds his expertise to the publication with detailed des

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Is there enough evidence to believe Jesus rose from the dead, or must such a judgment be based only on faith? Can the resurrection story be considered a fact of history, or should it be viewed as an ahistorical account? Two renowned professors, atheist Carl Stecher and Christian Craig Blomberg, engage in a groundbreaking new debate on these very questions. Other experts on the resurrection, atheist Richard Carrier and Christian Peter S. Williams, comment on the outcome. Presenting new approaches to these centuries-old questions and taking into account the latest scholarly research, Resurrection: Faith or Fact? is a must-have not only for all those following the resurrection question—but also for those skeptics and Christians alike who are interested in determining for themselves the truth behind this foundational doctrine of the Christian faith.

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The life and work of John Henry Newman were dominated by questions concerning the nature of Christian faith and the way in which it comes to expression in history. In this collection of essays, eight leading scholars examine the theological, philosophical, historical, literary and spiritual dimensions of Newman's understanding of faith, and reflect on the way in which his thought relates to contemporary concerns and interests in their disciplines. The themes discussed include the relationship between faith and reason, Newman and postmodernity, the rights and limitations of conscience, the place of doctrine in Christian life, the believer in the church, and the autobiographical significance of Newman's treatment of faith in his novels. Like its predecessor, "Newman and the Word", this collection aims to provide a critical reflection on the relevance of Newman's thought for today.

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It’s the summer of 1933, and Oxford don Clive Staples Lewis, better known to his friends as Jack, is on a walking holiday with his brother Warnie and young friend Tom Morris. When Jack’s wallet is accidentally destroyed, they visit a bank to replenish their funds – and walk straight into the scene of an impossible murder. The victim is in the vault of the bank alone, cut off by brick and steel from the rest of the world. Yet he has been stabbed from behind and the murder weapon has vanished. A ‘locked room’ mystery – which would have baffled the cleverest sleuths of the Golden Age of detective stories – is tackled by the brilliant mind and larger-than-life personality of C. S. Lewis, beloved creator of Narnia and formidable defender of the Christian faith.

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Khaled Anatolios, a noted expert on the development of Nicene theology, offers a historically informed theological study of the development of the doctrine of the Trinity, showing its relevance to Christian life and thought today. According to Anatolios, the development of trinitarian doctrine involved a global interpretation of Christian faith as a whole. Consequently, the meaning of trinitarian doctrine is to be found in a reappropriation of the process of this development, such that the entirety of Christian existence is interpreted in a trinitarian manner. The book provides essential resources for this reappropriation by identifying the network of theological issues that comprise the "systematic scope" of Nicene theology, focusing especially on the trinitarian perspectives of three major theologians: Athanasius, Gregory of Nyssa, and Augustine. It includes a foreword by Brian E. Daley.

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The magnificent theme of the cross of Christ is treated in a readable and practical manner. In a wide-ranging exploration, Derek Tidball brings out its implications for Christian living, community and spirituality. Opening up key passages throughout the Bible, Tidball considers the anticipation of the Cross in the Old Testament, the experience of it in the Gospel accounts, its explanation and application in the New Testament letters and the Book of Revelation. He writes: 'Before the cross of Christ countless men and women of every generation and culture have stood in adoring wonder and humble penitence. The cross stands at the very heart of the Christian faith, manifesting the love of God, effecting salvation from sin, conquering the hostile forces of evil and inviting reconciliation with God.'

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This book explores an album of popular music with a remarkable significance to a violent wave of postcolonial tensions in the Netherlands in the 1970s. Several “actions” were claimed by a small number of first-generation descendants of ca. 12,500 reluctant migrants from the young independent state of Indonesia (former Dutch East Indies). Transferred in 1951, this culturally coherent group consisted of ex-Royal Dutch Colonial Army personnel and their families. Their ancient roots in the Moluccan archipelago and their protestant-christian faith defined their minority image. Their sojourn should have been temporary, but frustratingly turned out to be permanent. At the height of strained relations, Massada rose to the occasion. Astaganaga (1978) is a telling example of the will to negotiate a different diasporic Moluccan identity through uplifting contemporary sounds.

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Christianity and Constitutionalism offers innovative and thoughtful analyses of the relationship between religious thought and constitutional law. Part I features contributions from historians, recounting how the relationship between the Christian faith and fundamental ideas about law, justice, and government has evolved from era to era. Part II provides analyses from constitutional lawyers on the normative implications of Christianity for particular themes in constitutional law, including sovereignty, the rule of law, democracy, the separation of powers, human rights, conscience, and federalism. Part III rounds out the study with theologians focused on particular Christian doctrines, exploring their constructive and sometimes critical implications for constitutionalism. As a whole, Christianity and Constitutionalism breaks new ground by offering wide-ranging, interdisciplinary contributions to the study of the relationship between the Christian religion and constitutional law.

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Singing in a Strange Land is a book of imaginative journey, religious resources, and suggestions for action designed especially for North American Christians to pray with poor and marginalized, and to act for justice on their behalf. Its underlying theme is orthodox: that spirituality and action for justice are necessarily interconnected in the Christian faith. Seven imaginative narratives elicit a sense of the connections that both bind people socially and create and maintain conditions that foster poverty and marginalization. Biblical reflections and prayers from world religions provide a sound basis upon with readers can begin to pray with those who fall outside the mainstream.

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Historian Edward Grant illuminates how today's scientific culture originated with the religious thinkers of the Middle Ages. In the early centuries of Christianity, Christians studied science and natural philosophy only to the extent that these subjects proved useful for a better understanding of the Christian faith, not to acquire knowledge for its own sake. However, with the influx of Greco-Arabic science and natural philosophy into Western Europe during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the Christian attitude toward science changed dramatically. Despite some tensions in the thirteenth century, the Church and its theologians became favorably disposed toward science and natural philosophy and used them extensively in their theological deliberations.

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This clear and concise text helps readers grasp the doctrines of the Christian faith considered basic from the earliest days of Christianity. Ronald Heine, an internationally known expert on early Christian theology, developed this book from a course he teaches that has been refined through many years of classroom experience. Heine primarily uses the classical Christian doctrines of the Nicene Creed to guide students into the essentials of the faith. This broadly ecumenical work will interest students of church history or theology as well as adult Christian education classes in church settings. Sidebars identify major personalities and concepts, and each chapter concludes with discussion questions and suggestions for further reading.

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The market is chock-full of books and Bible studies for well-seasoned believers, but what about the woman who longs to know God but has never cracked open a Bible? Seek is a refreshingly real look at the fundamentals of the Christian faith, written for the woman who doesn't know Jacob from Job. Readers will discover answers to essential questions like Who is God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?, What does it mean to be a Christian?, and What is the Bible? in language they understand. Seek combines solid biblical teaching with engaging explanations to guide the spiritually curious woman on her journey to meet God.

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You read it. But do you understand it? While the Bible is the most famous book in history, it can be intimidating. Yet God's word is for us and all people. It is living and active and has the power to save, give life, and heal. Do we read the Bible attuned to the power of God's word? John W. Kleinig opens up the riches found in the Bible. He likens God's word to a lavish meal that nourishes and satisfies our souls. He shows us the centrality of Scripture to Christian faith--the word through which the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit speak with one voice to believers on Earth.

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Children spell love T-I-M-E. What if God spells love T-I-M-E?The brilliant new book by bestselling Christian writer, R. T. Kendall.Prayer is one of the most fundamental practices of the Christian faith, yet how many of us really commit adequate time to talking to God? As R. T. points out in DID YOU THINK TO PRAY?, God likes our company. We can only benefit from spending more time with him.This wonderful new book helps us to better understand what prayer is, why it is so important and how we can overcome the obstacles that seem to prevent us doing it.

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Some evangelicals perceive monasticism as a relic from the past, a retreat from the world, or a shirking of the call to the Great Commission. At the same time, contemporary evangelical spirituality desires historical Christian manifestations of the faith. In this accessibly written book Greg Peters, an expert in monastic studies who is a Benedictine oblate and spiritual director, offers a historical survey of monasticism from its origins to current manifestations. Peters recovers the riches of the monastic tradition for contemporary spiritual formation and devotional practice, explaining why the monastic impulse is a valid and necessary manifestation of the Christian faith for today's church.

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Despite the fact that Rosemary Haughton's work relating Christian faith and experience in today's world has been widely read and acclaimed, this is the first biography that has focused on her life and work in theology and spirituality. Familiar with the ordinary stuff of life, teething babies, family and financial crises, and elderly parents, Haughton has applied her understanding of the gospel to life as she has experienced i in her family, culture, work and church. As a lay Roman Catholic, she contributes to and exemplifies the development of the laity envisioned by the Second Vatican Council. In addition to the biographical sketch of Haughton, Ryan explores Haughton's theology, including her methodology and Christian anthropology. She also focuses on Haughton's expression of a contemporary Christian spirituality as it relates to a variety of significant issues.

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Father Brown, the fictional priest detective created by novelist G. K. Chesterton, is one of English literature’s most compelling characters. In 53 short stories, published between 1910 and 1936, Chesterton’s crime-solving cleric demonstrated a unique combination of humility and humour, razor-sharp sharp intellect, and devout Christian faith. This skilfully-curated devotional volume collects 365 episodes from the adventures of Father Brown, rich with the integrity, wit and deep spiritual wisdom of Chesterton’s cherished creation. Each extract is short enough to be read in a daily sitting, and is accompanied by an appropriate passage from the Bible and a prayer to aid personal reflection. The collection can be started at any point during the year, and will become a much-loved companion through your days, months and seasons.

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It was a tradition with the Hardy family, late on Christmas Eve, for the local singers and musicians gather together at the family home at Higher Bockhampton for a glass of cider and a warming by the log fire. Meanwhile, they prepared their music scores and candles, prior to setting out on foot to entertain the locals by serenading them with Christmas carols at their front doors. The musicians included Hardy’s father Thomas (violin), and his grandfather Thomas (cello). Hardy recreated this scene in his novel Under the Greenwood Tree (published in 1872), where ‘Hardy’ became ‘Dewy’, the cottage ‘Lewgate’, and the choir, the ‘Mellstock Quire’. Although Hardy had difficulty in embracing the Christian faith, he adored it’s joyous traditions, reliving them vicariously in Under the Greenwood Tree, and so may we!

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Christmas and Easter, Advent and Lent, each focus on the central beliefs of Christian faith – that in the Incarnation, God comes among us, and that in the Resurrection, death is defeated and creation is renewed. In this collection of seasonal reflections, Samuel Wells unpacks the substance of these key Christian doctrines, and explores their practical implications for living as Christians in the world: - Laid in a Manger: Reflections on the Nativity - The Word was Made Flesh: Reflections on Christmas - The Image of the Invisible God: Reflections on the Incarnation - Early on the First Day of the Week: Reflections on Easter Morning - I have Seen the Lord: Reflections on the Risen Christ An ideal resource for leading seasonal services or preaching at key festivals, this collection will keep giving from Advent Sunday to Easter Day.

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From the Latin word credo, meaning ‘I believe’, creeds are statements of personal belief. They have been used throughout the history of the church to helpfully condense the fundamental beliefs of the Christian faith. They are a valuable in that they – Summarize Christian truth – Testify to what the Church has always believed – Help us be precise in how we express truth – Guard us against heresy and error – Unify believers who share the same testimony In Christ & Creed Nate Pickowicz helpfully examines the early major ecumenical creeds, providing historical context and highlighting the distinctives in the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Definition of Chalcedon and the Athanasian Creed. He shows how these statements are still invaluable for the church today. It also includes a glossary of terms and recommended further reading.

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A study of identity politics through a biblical lens, looking at idolatry of the self and the elevations of sexual identity. Our culture is obsessed with identity and it has been the cause of tense interaction with (and within) the Church. Rather than being a new challenge to the Christian faith, however, the identity issue is a very old one; it is fundamentally one of idolatry. Who we are, who we think we are, and how God in Christ restores our knowledge of ourselves in covenant with him, are central Biblical themes. But these things will only appear with clarity if we have the courage to tackle the idolatries of our own age at the root, and stand true to our calling as Christians to worship God and him alone.

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Catechesis is not just about right teaching, it is a cultivation of a living faith within the community of the Church. Christian faith and theology are performed in the sacramental, communal, and missional life of the Church, and catechesis is an invitation into this lived reality. This book explores the nature of catechesis and how catechesis within our churches can shape the Christian community into an instrument of renewal in the world through the formation of holy living. It argues that the future of catechesis in the life of the Church is to be found in this holistic discipleship, and explores this holistic vision by examining catechesis in its relationship to Christian worship and liturgy, the teaching of doctrine, mission and social action, evangelism, preaching, communal life, and the sacraments.

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Vividly evoking the sights, sounds, smells - even the tastes - of the Holy land, Tom Wright takes us on a contemporary pilgrimage to help us respond to Jesus' call today. An ideal introduction to the Christian faith, The Way of the Lord aims to lead us into a greater knowledge and love of the One who journeys with us - whether our pilgrimage is physical, or merely of heart and mind. Capturing the real excitement of 'Come and see the place' it heightens out awareness that Jesus journeys with us as he calls us out into the wider world of discipleship. For, in the glorious message of Easter: 'He is not here - he is risen!'

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The Cross is the universal symbol of the Christian faith. But what does the Cross mean? Why did Jesus have to die? In this magisterial and best-selling book, John Stott unpacks the significance of Christ's cross and answers objections commonly brought against biblical teaching on the atonement. Stott will help you discover how Jesus himself understood the cross, and how 'Christ in our place' is at the heart of its meaning. Understand what the cross achieved, and learn what it means to live under the cross. This modern classic combines excellent biblical exposition, and a characteristically thoughtful study of Christian belief, with a searching call to the church to live under the cross.

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The issue of wealth and poverty and its relationship to Christian faith is as ancient as the New Testament and reaches even further back to the Hebrew Scriptures. From the beginnings of the Christian movement, the issue of how to deal with riches and care for the poor formed an important aspect of Christian discipleship. This careful study shows how early Christians adopted, appropriated, and transformed the Jewish and Greco-Roman moral teachings and practices of giving and patronage. As Helen Rhee illuminates the early Christian understanding of wealth and poverty, she shows how it impacted the formation of Christian identity. She also demonstrates the ongoing relevance of early Christian thought and practice for the contemporary church.

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Does God Heal Today? is a chapter from Nicky Gumbel's book, Questions of Life, and the fourteenth talk on Alpha. Nicky discusses how God can bring healing and transformation into our lives today. This booklet may be given to a guest who missed this Alpha talk. Alpha creates an environment of hospitality where people can bring their friends, family, and work colleagues to explore the Christian faith, ask questions and share their point of view.Alpha makes it easy to invite friends to have spiritual conversations which explore life's biggest questions in a safe and respectful way. Alpha's approach to hospitality, faith, and discussion is designed to welcome everyone, especially those who might not describe themselves as Christians or church-goers. Each session includes time for a large group meal, short teaching, and small group discussion.This resource is written in Spanish.

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Here Adam Neder offers an exploration of the concept of "participation in Christ" in Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics and what it means for understanding Christian faith. He clarifies Barth's claim that humanity as a whole, and human beings individually, participate in Jesus Christ--revelation, election, creation, reconciliation, and redemption all take place in Christ; and their meaning may only be comprehended in Christ. In these acts of inclusion and realization, the creature is incorporated into a fellowship that is nothing less than participation in the being of God.The Columbia Series in Reformed Theology represents a joint commitment by Columbia Theological Seminary and Westminster John Knox Press to provide theological resources from the Reformed tradition for the church today. This series examines theological and ethical issues that confront church and society in our own particular time and place.

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Christians usually focus on what Jesus has done (his life, death and resurrection) and what he will do (his second coming and eternal reign). While there has been something of a revival of interest in his ascension, studies of Jesus in his exalted state are relatively rare. However, the Christ that Christians trust in, relate to and love is not only the one who lived, died, rose and will come again: he is also currently seated at God’s right hand. Christian faith as well as theological reflection must take into consideration this significant aspect of Christ’s person and work. Peter Orr attends to this somewhat neglected topic in biblical theology. He explores the New Testament witness to Jesus as he is now, the exalted Christ, through the lenses of his identity, his location and his activity.

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The Street Philosopher and the Holy Fool presents the unexpected face of Syria. Based on five journeys, undertaken over as many years, Kociejowski's book is entirely concerned with the slow journey towards friendship. So we learn nothing about coups or conspiracies, iconic monuments or historic travellers. Instead we meet a chance handful of Syrians, such as Myrna, a Christian faith-healing stigmatic, Yasser, a Palestinian refugee and political activist, Abu al-Tahib, a prince of fools, a modern desert father, Paolo Dall'Oglio, and the street philosopher and the holy fool of the book's title. It was written during the era of conversation, before the use of mobiles, and long before the current civil war. Saluted as a travel classic on first publication (just 12 years ago) it is now in danger of becoming a testament to the last of the old Levant.

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This textbook updates the conversation about models of psychology and faith integration, helping students understand the range of options for Christian engagement. Drawing from themes developed in Paul Moes's well-received Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith (coauthored with Donald J. Tellinghuisen), Integrating Psychology and Faith develops a set of worldview dimensions that serve to organize a variety of psychology-faith integration models. Paul Moes and Blake Riek set forth principles and themes and establish historical context to help students explore where different views fit on a continuum of approaches to integration and understand the perspectives of other Christians in the field of psychology. In this way, students come to better understand the organizing principles for various views about psychology that they encounter. The book also shows how theological traditions and positions shape views on natural science, social science, and psychology.

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'This book will make you radically rethink what discipleship looks like' - Rachel and Tim Hughes'It is refreshing to read a Christian book that is powerful in its vulnerability, rawness, and ultimately, its hope. - Chine McDonald'Theologian Krish Kandiah had been a missionary, a youth worker and a pastor - but for all his Christian qualifications, he found himself lost in his relationship with God.That was until he rediscovered his Christian faith through a simple secret: he was adopted by God.Interweaving his personal story with theological insight, Krish shows us how the doctrine of adoption helps us to understand everything; it gives us purpose and power, perspective and peace.This book is for anyone seeking new depth and intimacy with the God by discovering the greatest secret woven throughout the pages of the whole Bible.

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The intimate link between Karl Rahner's theology and the everyday faith-lives of contemporary Christians is explored in this book in a convincing and comprehensive manner. What results is not only a surprisingly new angle from which to view Rahner's opus, but also an encouragement to risk the adventure of Christian discipleship in a world characterised by the apparent absence of God. It is not in the exceptional experiences - the spectacular visions and oracles - that Christian faith finds its distinctive form today. Rather, the spirituality of the future will be grounded in the acceptance and sanctification of everyday life, in its ordinary and even mundane character. God is discovered right at the heart of everyday life and not in some separate sphere. The author provides us with an invaluable orientation in this search. (Dr. R. Siebenrock - Karl-Rahner-Archives - University of Innsbruck)

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Get to know the beliefs and practices inspired by Jesus ChristDiscover what it means to be a Christian and follow the gospelCurious about Christianity? This friendly guide helps you understand the basic teachings of the Christian faith, exploring the common ground that all Christians share, the differences among the major branches, the key events in Christian history, the key theological issues, and the many ways Christians live out their faith in today's world. The Dummies Way Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun Discover how to: Express the core essentials of Christianity Appreciate the life and teachings of Jesus Understand why the Bible is central to the faith Respect the unique roles of the Trinity Explore controversial issues among the branches

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As we begin to think more deeply about the meaning of life, it's not long before we come across tough questions that deserve careful consideration. This book explores and discusses seven common objections to the Christian faith, including:- Why does God allow suffering?- What about other religions?- Is there a conflict between science and Christianity?Drawing on several years of talking through these issues with people looking for answers, Nicky Gumbel offers clear, accessible and reasoned responses to the questions that surround faith and Christianity in the modern world. He goes beyond the logic of each question and applies it to a wider understanding of God's identity and our own identity, with practical suggestions for dealing with these issues in everyday life.'Gumbel's combination of humour, anecdote, metaphysics, quotations from the Bible and complex theology are both persuasive and compelling.' - The Observer

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God & Money confronts the current dominant right wing Republican / evangelical Christian view that unfettered, market-driven capitalism and Christian faith and values are compatible. Drawing on such ethical luminaries as Reinhold Niebuhr, G.K. Chesterton, Peter Berger, and John Paul II, author Charles McDaniel shows that to reverse the current decline in public morality, capitalism must be balanced by enduring religious and moral values. Challenging the captivity of Christian culture by free market, global capitalism, McDaniel joins other Christian ethical visionaries in advocating a "redemptive economy," one that champions individual human dignity, true community, and the moral regeneration of cultural traditions in vital dialectic with the inevitable market capitalism of the contemporary world.

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The Cross is the universal symbol of the Christian faith. But what does the Cross mean? Why did Jesus have to die? In this magisterial and best-selling book, John Stott explains the significance of Christ's cross and answers objections commonly brought against biblical teaching on the atonement. Stott will help you discover how Jesus himself understood the cross, and how 'Christ in our place' is at the heart of its meaning. Understand what the cross achieved, and learn what it means to live under the cross. This modern classic combines excellent biblical exposition, and a characteristically thoughtful study of Christian belief, with a searching call to the church to live under the cross.

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Composed during a critical time in the evolution of European intellectual life, the works of Meister Eckhart (c. 1260-1327) are some of the most powerful medieval attempts to achieve a synthesis between ancient Greek thought and the Christian faith. Writing with great rhetorical brilliance, Eckhart combines the neoplatonic concept of oneness - the idea that the ultimate principle of the universe is single and undivided - with his Christian belief in the Trinity, and considers the struggle to describe a perfect God through the imperfect medium of language. Fusing philosophy and religion with vivid originality and metaphysical passion, these works have intrigued and inspired philosophers and theologians from Hegel to Heidegger and beyond.

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In this sequel volume to his Dark Passages of the Bible (CUA, 2013), author Matthew Ramage turns his attention from the Old to the New Testament, now tackling truth claims bearing directly on the heart of the Christian faith cast into doubt by contemporary New Testament scholarship: Did God become man in Jesus, or did the first Christians make Jesus into God? Was Jesus’ resurrection a historical event, or rather a myth fabricated by the early Church? Will Jesus indeed return to earth on the last day, or was this merely the naïve expectation of ancient believers that reasonable people today ought to abandon?In addition to examining the exegetical merits of rival answers to these questions, Ramage considers also the philosophical first principles of the exegetes who set out to answer them. This, according to Joseph Ratzinger, is the debate behind the debate in exegesis: whose presuppositions best position us for an accurate understanding of the nature of things in general and of the person of Jesus in particular?Insisting upon the exegetical vision of Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI as a privileged avenue by which to address the thorniest issues in contemporary biblical exegesis, Ramage puts the emeritus pontiff’s hermeneutic of faith into dialogue with contemporary exponents of the historical-critical school. Carrying forth the “critique of the critique” called for by Joseph Ratzinger, Ramage offers the emeritus pontiff’s exegesis of the gospels as a plausible and attractive alternative to the mainstream agnostic approach exemplified in the work of Bart Ehrman.As in the case of Benedict’s Jesus trilogy upon which he draws extensively, Ramage’s quest in this book is not merely academic but also existential in nature. Benedict’s scholarship represents the fruit of hispersonal quest for the face of Christ, a quest which involves the commitment to engage, critique, and learn from the most serious challenges posed by modern biblical criticism while affirming the foundations of the Christian faith.

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In You Are Free (Even if You Don’t Feel Like It) award-winning campaigner Hope Virgo opens up about her own journey with mental health and illness. With powerful honesty, she relates her experiences from being sexually abused in her youth group when she was just 13 and admitted to a mental health hospital with a failing heart at 17, to feeling like she was ready to end it all at 28 – when a new hope found her after a stranger told her about Jesus. Raw and relatable, this is more than a memoir, as Hope draws on her own story to offer advice and guidance to those living and struggling with their own mental health and wellbeing. Sharing what she has learned, Hope candidly lays out how she worked through her rage, hurt, disappointments and doubts to help others dealing with the ongoing stigma and shame that still follows mental health issues around. She also reveals the power that the Christian faith has had in her life, looking at how mental and spiritual care go hand in hand, especially in the face of confusion that sometimes God chooses not to heal us – or at least, not in the way we expect. Featuring interviews with Rachel Hughes, Matt Hogg, Zeke Rink, Jemimah Haley and many more, You Are Free (Even If You Don’t Feel Like It) is a thought-provoking and heartfelt self-help book that will speak to anyone who has struggled with their mental health, in the church and outside of it, and to anyone interested in how the Christian faith can offer hope even in the darkest of times. A testimony both to the resilience of the human spirit and to the power of God, Hope’s is an understanding voice for all those in the midst of their struggles, offering support and encouragement that they too will find their way on to the path towards healing.

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How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life? is a chapter from Nicky Gumbel's book, Questions of Life, and generally presented as the last talk of the Alpha weekend. This booklet may be given to any guest who missed this Alpha talk. Alpha creates an environment of hospitality where people can bring their friends, family and work colleagues to explore the Christian faith, ask questions and share their point of view.Alpha makes it easy to invite friends to have spiritual conversations which explore life's biggest questions in a safe and respectful way. Alpha's approach to hospitality, faith and discussion is designed to welcome everyone, especially those who might not describe themselves as Christians or church-goers. Each session includes time for a large group meal, short teaching, and small group discussion.This resource is written in Spanish.

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