Christianity and Transforming States : mapping varied Christian experiences and responses by
This volume examines what it means to live as a Christian minority: both in non-Christian societies and in societies where other forms of Christianity are predominant. Many Christians live in states where other religions have historically influenced national identities, or where secularism defines communal expectations. At the same time, some Christian minorities live among other, more prevalent Christian traditions and often experience marginalization as a result. This volume provides insight into the experiences of the many contemporary Christian communities throughout the world and how they are responding to their varied societal circumstances.
The God of Wild Places: rediscovering the divine in the untamed outdoors (2024) by
"A generation of Americans, disillusioned with organized religion, still longs for meaning and transcendence. In The God of Wild Places, theologian and former pastor Tony Jones traces his own journey out of the church and into the woods, guiding readers to reflect on their own experience of the divine in the wilderness"--
Gifts from friends we never wanted : biblical journeys of grace by
"Discover how unlikely friends can provide us with gifts beyond measure. Unwelcome guests are not generally greeted with gratitude but occasionally they become unexpected friends bearing gifts we never would have asked for. In Gifts from Friends We Never Wanted, Virginia Herbers introduces a sampling of these types of surprising guests in our lives-failure, disappointment, worry-and the gifts they offer us when they come visiting. Following the same pattern as her first book, Gifts from Friends We've Yet to Meet, Herbers chooses a gospel character to accompany us as we engage these uninvited 'friends.' Weaving together the stories of Jesus's contemporaries, his response to their foibles, and stories from her own experiences, Herbers invites us to join her on a journey of discovery, vulnerability, honesty-and hospitality. She asks if we dare to befriend the least appealing truths of ourselves to surrender them to a God who can enlighten even the greatest darkness? If we dare, then we will have truly understood the value of these'gifts from friends we never wanted.'"
From Force to Persuasion : process-relational perspectives on power and the God of love by
At the heart of process-relational theology in the tradition of Alfred North Whitehead (1861-1947) and Charles Hartshorne (1897-2000) is the rejection of coercive omnipotence and the embrace of divine persuasion as the patient and uncontrolling means by which God works with a truly self-creative world. According to Whitehead, Plato's conviction that God is a persuasive agency and not a coercive agency constitutes "one of the greatest intellectual discoveries in the history of religion." According to Hartshorne, omnipotence is a "theological mistake." What is behind these claims? Why do process-relational philosophers and theologians reject divine omnipotence? How have they justified a commitment to divine persuasion, and what kind of theoretical and practical implications are involved?Featuring contributions from key process-relational thinkers, this book situates a shift "from force to persuasion" across multiple thresholds of discourse, from philosophy and theology to spirituality and politics to pluralism, axiology, and apocalypse. It aims to reawaken attention to the operations of divine persuasion as ever-loving and inherently noncoercive, but always at risk in an open and relational universe.
Music and Spirituality: theological approaches, empirical methods, and Christian worship by
The composer Sir James MacMillan has often referred to music as 'the most spiritual of the arts', and for many people, regardless of religious affiliation, this rings true. In listening to music, we are drawn to dimensions of human experience beyond the material. This collection brings together leading scholars from various disciplines - including Christian theology, musicology, and psychology and neuroscience - to interrogate the intimate relationship between music and spirituality. Organised in three parts - theological approaches, empirical methods, and Christian worship - the volume covers a vibrant array of topics. From examining how the Covid-19 pandemic has reshaped the profile of contemporary worship to investigating the spiritual effects of bodily positioning in liturgical spaces, from exploring spiritual experience through heart and breathing activity, electrodermal activity, and saliva samples to comparing the spiritual experiences of British Methodists with Welsh sporting fans, these essays attend to the lived reality of people's perceived spiritual experiences through music. This collection will be an invaluable resource for scholars in the growing field of Christian theology and music, and will serve as a cornerstone for future research at the intersection of theology, music, and psychology and neuroscience. It will also appeal to anyone curious about why music consistently, across cultures, occupies a unique space bridging the material and spiritual dimensions of human life.
Faith : a very short introduction by
Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, InspiringWhat is faith? It usually means religious belief, and sometimes diverse religions are grouped together as 'faiths', with reference to 'faith leaders' or 'faith schools'. What we have faith in matters, and that involves our reason, involving claims to truths that affect everyone. Faith is not just a personal attribute, like tastes, but should be open to public examination and debate. In this Very Short Introduction, Roger Trigg argues that all faith needs reason. He puts contemporary discussions into historical perspective, particularly in the context of Christianity. The author argues that faith also involves a commitment to action and that matters for all social life. Because religion is typically directed at what is seen as of crucial importance for human life, faith should not be marginalized or privatized. It will permeate every idea of how people should behave, and has a role in the public square, however respectful it should be to competing views within a democracy. 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.
The Holy Ordinary: a way to God by
Locates mysticism as the essential experiential center of any Christian faith "Herein lies support for your deepest self. Mark illuminates for you that in the ordinary aspects of life there is an extraordinary way to live. Drink from these reflections and prepare to be awakened and transformed." --Phileena Nikole, author of Pilgrimage of a Soul The Holy Ordinary takes its inspiration from mystics, modern prophets, and saints, with surprising insights from Christian scriptures. "Mysticism is a stream of the experiential, flowing from the hearts of those who knew and know God," explains Mark Longhurst, demonstrating the availability to every person of a mystical life. Through topics such as "How to be contemplative and active" and "Live green like Hildegard of Bingen," Longhurst speaks to each person's need for transformation. This book is both profound and practical, a reflective guide for anyone--Nones, Dones, former Christians, and Christians open to learning from people of all backgrounds--seeking a vibrant, just, and inclusive spirituality. "For years, I've been wishing for a book that could introduce ordinary people to the spiritual life in a healthy, honest, accessible way. Mark Longhurst has written what I've been waiting for." --Brian D. McLaren, author of Faith After Doubt
Why Can't There Be Peace in the World? : children's questions for God by
Over a period of fifteen years, Johns Hopkins pediatrician Pat Fosarelli, MD, a professor at St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute, surveyed approximately 9,000 children, adolescents, and teens about their understand of God. This book reveals their answers to a single query: "If you could ask God a question, what would that question be?" The candid, unvarnished responses Fosarelli received from this racially and socioeconomically diverse group are hardly the precious, saccharine content of Hallmark cards. They are illuminating, profound, curious, and weighty, revealing how these children understand themselves and their existence. Some of their responses focus on the nature of God ("Who are God's parents?"); others focus on themselves ("Why can't friendships last forever?) and people around them ("Why are some people poor?"); some responses address suffering ("Why do people die?") and creation ("Why do some animals hurt people?") and heaven ("Will I see my mother?"). Fosarelli guides readers through children's stages of development, explaining how these stages correlate with the content and sophistication of their questions, and suggesting how parents and teachers can respond most effectively to questions children may ask about God. In the final chapter she explores how these children's questions can help parents, teachers, and other child/youth professionals better understand the dreams, concerns, anxieties, wishes, and fears of young people today.
A Quilted Life : reflections of a sharecropper's daughter by
"The autobiography of Catherine Meeks, describing her journey from the sharecropping fields of her father to the academy and beyond
Obitchuary : the big hot book of death (2024) by 
Another Day: sabbath poems 2013-2023 by
A companion to his beloved volume This Day and Wendell Berry's first new poetry collection since 2016, this new selection of Sabbath Poems are filled with spiritual longing and political extremity, memorials and celebrations, elegies and lyrics, alongside the occasional rants of the Mad Farmer, pushed to the edge yet again by his compatriots and elected officials. With the publication of this new edition, it has become increasingly clear that the Sabbath Poems have become the very heart of Berry's work.
Achieving a Good Death: a practical guide to the end of life (2024) by 
Judaism Is about Love: recovering the heart of Jewish life, by Shai Held (2024) by 
Imitating Christ : the disputed character of Christian discipleship (2024) by
BV4501.3 .J65. "Luke Timothy Johnson explores the history and theology of discipleship"-- Provided by publisher."Is discipleship about personal sanctification or social reform? There's a rift among Christians on a question central to our identity: what does it mean to follow Jesus? For centuries, imitating Christ meant the pursuit of holiness, conforming the self to Jesus through self-sacrifice in order to join him in eternal life. But some Christians today consider this model to be self-centered. Instead, true disciples ought to imitate Jesus in confronting corrupt social systems on behalf of the oppressed. In Imitating Christ, esteemed New Testament scholar Luke Timothy Johnson seeks the origin of this fissure. Surveying the New Testament, medieval mysticism, modern theology, and more, Johnson shows how the twentieth-century social gospel and liberation theology created a new model of discipleship. He then evaluates the theological implications of the two models and asks what we can learn from each. Inspired by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Thomas Merton, Johnson puts forward a vision of discipleship that can revitalize Christian witness in the world today. Replete with keen exegesis and devotional classics, Imitating Christ reorients Christian living toward pursuing sainthood. Pastors and interested lay readers alike will rediscover our rich spiritual heritage in these pages"-
Jesus for Everyone : not just Christians by
Why Jesus's historic and cultural influence makes him fascinating, provocative, and relevant for everyone, not only Christians. Two thousand years after his birth and death, Jesus of Nazareth continues to be of vital interest. Yet much of the scholarship around Jesus focuses on his religious significance. Jesus for Everyone examines his most famous teachings from a fresh perspective, exploring how they have continued to shape ethics and civilization in the West for two millennia. Even for those who reject faith, Jesus's life and his philosophy are important to study, writes renowned biblical scholar and author Amy-Jill Levine, because of the insights they hold for us today. Poring through scripture, analyzing what historical scholarship has revealed about Jesus's views on a number of subjects--including women--reveals surprising messages sure to be fascinating to all readers. Placing Jesus of Nazareth within his historical context, Levine brings him vividly into focus and invites everyone from faithful Christians, agnostics, and the most committed nonbelievers to appreciate his lasting impact on the modern world.
Letters to a Future Saint (2024) by
An invitation to the Christian faith for the bored, the distracted, and the spiritually hungry Dear future saint, Why is the gospel worth living for? Why is it worth dying for? In these letters, a fellow pilgrim addresses future saints: the bored and the distracted, the skeptical and the curious, the young and the spiritually hungry. Lively and readable, these bite-sized letters explain the basics of Christian life, including orthodox doctrine, the story of Scripture, the way of discipleship, and more. Interweaving Scripture, poetry, and theological writings, Letters to a Future Saint educates readers in the richness of the Christian tradition. But beyond that, this earnest and approachable volume offers young people-- who may be largely uninformed of the depths of faith despite having been raised in Christian homes --an invitation into the life of the church and into a deeper relationship with God
Becoming by Beholding : the power of the imagination in spiritual formation by
Becoming by Beholding restores the imagination to its central role in spiritual formation by recovering key works from the Christian tradition, enabling us to experience the formative power of the imagination for ourselves.
Bob Dylan: Prophet without God by
Throughout his career, Bob Dylan has always been more than a musician. Whether as an icon of the social movements of the 1960s, a convert to evangelical Christianity publicly wrestling with his faith, or simply a poet of genius, Dylan has occupied a position of moral leadership for more than half a century. Examining these roles collectively, the award-winning political philosopher Jeffrey Edward Green offers a vision of Dylan as a modern-day prophet, providing an overarching account of the significance of Dylan's political, religious, and ethical ideas. Green suggests Dylan is not a prophet of salvation, but rather a "prophet of diremption." Dylan speaks to the ideals that have animated earlier prophets--social justice, individual freedom, and adherence to God--but breaks from past tradition by testifying to the conflicts between these ideals. By considering Dylan's work across his career, Green shows how the humble folk singer from Minnesota who went on to win the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature has made novel contributions to the meaning of self-reliance, the quest for rapprochement between the religious and non-religious, and the problem of how ordinary people might operate in a fallen political world.
Engaging Jesus with Our Senses : an embodied approach to the Gospels by
Jesus took on flesh--he was embodied. And the Gospels use multisensory language to reveal that his teaching, ministry, and interactions with people engaged the senses. Consider the raging storm on the Sea of Galilee, the perfume filling the house as Mary anointed Jesus's feet, the significance of touch as Jesus healed people. Jesus even described himself in sensory terms--as the bread of life, the light of the world, the vine to whom his disciples are connected. Our physical senses are crucial to gaining knowledge of the world around us. Yet when it comes to Bible reading, we often reduce it to a mere cognitive experience, ignoring the Psalmist's invitation to "taste and see that the Lord is good." This book offers a fresh way to read the Gospels with an emphasis on embodiment, focused on a life abiding in Christ. The goal is a greater, more tangible knowledge of God. Jeannine Hanger points to the importance of engaging our physical senses in Bible reading, shows an approach to doing so with an emphasis on sparking the imagination, and looks at how utilizing our primary senses plays out in reading the Gospels. Each chapter includes sensory practices and questions for personal reflection. The book includes a foreword by Grant Macaskill.
Enlightened Self-Interest : individualism, community, and the common good by
Insights into a compassionate alternative to a ruthlessly self-interested capitalist culture Societally sanctioned competition for money, power, and fame promotes selfishness, personal alienation, and widespread inequality, especially in market-oriented economies. Yet many of those engaging in this competitive individualism--the competition for rewards and limited resources--yearn to act directly to promote a more civil, equitable, and sustainable society. Enlightened Self-Interest offers evidence-based insights into the societal and individual consequences of this cultural practice and an actionable alternative to it. This meticulously researched and empirically rooted reexamination of hypercompetition and zero-sum thinking presents inspiring examples of people who have reclaimed their own lives by contributing to a more civil, equitable, and sustainable society. They model the vision of enlightened self-interest, merging self-interest with other interests in pursuit of the common good, resulting in widely shared benefits. Enlighted Self Interest provides a compelling case for incremental change and a series of actionable recommendations to jump-start a personal transition and to become part of a collective radical evolution.
Beauty Is Oxygen: finding a faith that breathes (2024) by
"Wesley Vander Lugt shows readers how encountering beauty can revitalize their spiritual lives"-- Provided by publisher."Beauty is oxygen because it comes from the lungs of God. Isolating individualism, rank injustice, and everyday monotony threaten to suffocate our souls. But Wesley Vander Lugt shows how beauty can breathe life back into us. Written in a graceful cadence that invites readers to turn these pages slowly, Beauty Is Oxygen weaves together theological reflection, poetry, cultural criticism, and Scripture. Throughout, Vander Lugt shows how beauty can break us out of self-centered malaise, promote healing and hope for our broken world, and reenchant our lives. Beauty is about more than positive feelings or pleasing aesthetics. Beauty is as essential to our souls as oxygen is to our bodies. As readers encounter these traces of divine glory in Vander Lugt's finely crafted meditations, they will find how Christ will "make all things new.""-
Hope Ain't a Hustle : persevering by faith in a wearying world by
Sometimes hope can feel like a scam--a swindle, a hustle. You thought it was real, and you bought into it. But then the tables turn, and you feel like you've been hustled--like you've been had. As Christians, we often respond to the brokenness of life as if we do not actually have hope--as if the promises of God are not really certain. But Pastor Irwyn Ince assures us that not only do we have hope, but that hope cannot disappoint us because it is validated by God himself. Hope Ain't a Hustle is a clear and accessible exploration of the epistle to the Hebrews, urging us to place our confidence in the finished work of our great high priest, Jesus Christ, and showing how that confidence changes the way we live in the here and now. It's not that Christians don't face grief or anger, disappointment or deep sorrow. It's that we don't face them as those "who have no hope."
The Spirit of Our Politics: spiritual formation and the renovation of public life by
For those discouraged and exhausted by the bitterness and rage in our politics, Michael Wear offers a new paradigm of political involvement rooted in the teachings of Jesus and drawing insights from Dallas Willard's approach to spiritual formation. When political division shows up not only on the campaign trail but also at our dinner tables, we wonder: Can we be part of a better way The Spirit of Our Politics says "yes," offering a distinctly Christian approach to politics that results in healing rather than division, kindness rather than hatred, and hope rather than despair. In this profound and hope-filled book, Michael Wear--a leading thinker and practitioner at the intersection of faith and politics--applies insights taken from the work of Dallas Willard to argue that by focusing on having the "right" politics, we lose sight of the kind of people we are becoming, to destructive results. This paradigm-shifting book reveals: Why we need to reframe how we view our political involvement as Christians How as Christians we can reorient our politics for the good of others The crucial connection between discipleship to Jesus and political involvement A different way of talking about politics that is edifying, not stomach-turning How to navigate political strife in churches and small groups Why who we are in our political life is not quarantined from who we are in "real life" Why gentleness is entirely possible in our political discourse The Spirit of Our Politics is for readers of any political perspective who long for a new way to think about and engage in politics. That new approach begins with a simple question: What kind of person would I like to be
The 21st Century Christian: Following Jesus where life happens (2021) by 
Refilling the Reservoirs : spiritual care for the exhausted caregiver by
Life as a caregiver is hard. There are no easy answers, and hope can feel elusive. At their best, medical care providers, government support agencies, schools, and legal advisors may effectively meet concrete needs. But who cares for the caregiver's soul? Bos, a Lutheran pastor and a fellow caregiver, shares a spiritually grounded message of solidarity steeped in the conviction that God meets us in the hard places--even when it's difficult to see beyond our pain. Her deeply empathetic reflections remind us that it's okay to feel emotions ranging from grief to anger to searing loss. It's even okay to hope. Amid the loss of identity, the sense of chaos, and the double-edged knowledge of good and evil that comes with caregiving, we can lean into the God who is "unknowable, but trustworthy. Consistent and dynamic. Just like us. Just like life." And in those moments when we cannot believe? Bos reminds us "there are thousands of others--millions, if you count the communion of saints who have gone before us--who will believe on your behalf until you are able to experience God's closeness again." Bos offers readers the gifts of humor, solidarity, and faith rooted in the lived experiences of caregivers from all walks of life.
Faith, Spirituality, and PRAXIS : exploring dynamics in African grassroot theologies and churches by
African grassroots theologies and churches are expressions of the faith, spirituality, and praxis of African Christians who seek to articulate and live out their Christian identity and mission in their diverse and complex contexts. These include African Initiated Churches, black theology movements, liberation theology movements, and other forms of contextual and indigenous theologies and ecclesiologies that emerge from their experiences. In exploring the dynamics in African Christianity and theologies, the volume addresses the following questions: How do African grassroots theologies and churches reflect and respond to the challenges and opportunities of their socio-political, economic, cultural, and religious contexts? How do African grassroots theologies and churches engage with the historical and contemporary expressions of Christianity in Africa and beyond such as colonial and missionary Christianity, ecumenical Christianity, global Christianity, and interreligious dialogue? How do African grassroots theologies and churches develop and communicate their theological and ethical perspectives and practices on issues such as justice, liberation, reconciliation, healing, development, ecology, gender, sexuality, culture, and spirituality? How do African grassroots theologies and churches shape and challenge the forms and functions of the church in Africa such as worship, leadership, ministry, mission, evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, and social action This volume is important for those studying African studies, religious studies, African theologies, and African Christianity. This is also an important book for those professionals working in interfaith dialogues, missionary work, and community development within African contexts.
The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in Spirituality and Contemplative Studies by
This Handbook provides readers, practitioners, and policy makers methods and approaches which can facilitate a spiritual and contemplative stance in research activities, and is an essential resource for researchers and students of Religion, Spirituality, and Research Methods.
Becoming Fire: through the year with the desert fathers and mothers by
Revised edition of Tim Vivian's Becoming Firecontinues to inspire readers with ancient wisdom for modern Christian contemplation. The sayings of the desert monks of the fifth and sixth centuries continue to inspire readers with their wisdom, and those who read them as the ancients did, slowly and reflectively, still learn from the insights they offer. In this revised edition of Becoming Fire: Through the Year with the Desert Fathers and Mothers, Tim Vivian arranges these stories in short daily readings and invites readers to savor the monks' advice as guides to Christian living. This volume provides: sayings and stories for each day of the year to use for lectio divina. saints and revered persons from the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Episcopalian traditions. sayings from the Philokalia and the fourth-fifth century monastic writers Neilos of Ancyra and Hyperechios, among others. In addition, there is a glossary of important monastic terms with cross-references to the fuller glossary in volume two of The Sayings and Stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers (Cistercian Publications, 2023). Perfect for students and enthusiasts of the desert tradition and desert monasticism.
Doctor, Will You Pray for Me? : medicine, chaplains, and healing the whole person by
The modern world faces religious, spiritual and existential quandaries, as new technologies redefine the beginnings and ends of life. Excruciating choices arise about when to turn off the machines - whether and when we should "play God." The COVID-19 pandemic made these dilemmas ever more acute. Increasingly, however, public discourse on religion and spirituality is polarized, with evangelicals on one side and vehement atheists on the other.Psychiatrist and bioethicist Robert Klitzman explores how patients and families struggle to make sense of serious disease and threats of death and other medical crises, seeking hope, purpose and larger connections beyond themselves. Physicians and other clinical staff are frequently uncomfortable with these issues, and chaplains have been filling the void, developing valuable approaches and insights. Most Americans will die in hospitals or nursing homes, and face existential and spiritual quandaries. Many of their prior religious and spiritual beliefs will fall short, and chaplains will often be the ones to assist, partly by reframing narratives and understandings of illness and spirituality. Yet people often know little, if anything, about these professionals. Klitzman presents stories about the spiritual lives of patients and explores the role of chaplains - who they are, what they do and the challenges they face.Drawing on in-depth interviews and the author's personal experiences, Doctor, Will You Pray for Me? provides vital information that can assist in medical care decisions. Robert Klitzman argues that a better understanding of the relationship between these realms will enable more holistic and humane treatment of patients.
Grace and Social Ethics : gift as the foundation of our life together by
Angela Carpenter (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is the Leonard and Marjorie Maas Associate Professor of Reformed Theology at Hope College.
The Significance of the Trinity : a Thomistic reading (2024) by 
Atonement and the Life of Faith (2024) by
In this volume, an expert theologian addresses the key soteriological theme of atonement. Atonement and the Life of Faith provides substantive engagement with the doctrine of the atonement, including sections on the Apostles' Creed, Scripture, the history of the doctrine, constructive dogmatics, and Christian praxis. Focusing on the third part of the Apostles' Creed, it explores how atonement relates to the church, the Holy Spirit, and the Christian life. Each section offers a constructive departure from trends in contemporary works on the subject. This book shows students how to integrate theology into the life of faith and demonstrates how theological thinking is a part of Christian worship. Each unit begins with a brief section pointing readers to a familiar hymn, poem, or liturgy. The Soteriology and Doxology series consists of introductory textbooks that cover key topics in soteriology. Volumes provide substantive treatments of doctrine while pointing to the setting of theology in doxology. Series editors are Kent Eilers (Huntington University) and Kyle C. Strobel, (Biola University).
The Spiritual Soul : new Pentecostal insights on the human being by
What is the human soul? What does it do? How does it relate to the brain and body? What is happening in the soul when a person encounters the Holy Spirit? These are some of the questions addressed in The Spiritual Soul as it advances towards its overall goal of proposing a (re)new(ed) Pentecostal/Charismatic understanding of what constitutes a human being. In pursuing this overarching intention, Churchouse responds to the anthropology of two leading Pentecostal scholars, Amos Yong and Veli-Matti Karkkainen--specifically their theological models concerning what a human is constituted / essentially "made up" of--to offer an enhanced Pentecostal model in preference to their monistic view. Drawing upon the sources of biblical studies, the philosophy of mind, and upon the pneumatology that flows from Pentecostal spirituality, Churchouse advances a renewed understanding of the human soul--one illumined by the spirit and the Spirit--to engender his distinctive Pentecostal model of human constitution.
Living prayer : a book of hours for renewing creation by 
The Blurred Cross : a writer's difficult journey with God by
"Esteemed New Testament scholar Richard Bauckham offers profound theological reflection on Gods providence amid lifes difficulties"--
The God in us : how African spirituality ignited world religion and global civilisation by
This book traces the unitary source of all of the world's major religions. The book underscores the fact that there are many ways in which humanity has sought revelation of God, yet there is a common inspiration behind humanity's God concept. The author's analysis of world religions or faiths adopts a multi-interdisciplinary approach taking the reader through historical, anthropological, archaeological, and theological viewpoints to make juxtapositions. God in us is a rich resource that helps the readers understand the origins of human civilisation and how humans began to worship God, domesticate animals like sheep, invent astrology and create languages. Biko's research also delves deeper into unveiling African indigenous knowledge systems and science that predate the arrival of the colonisers on the African soil. Print edition not for sale in Sub Saharan Africa.
Discipleship for Every Stage of Life: understanding Christian formation in light of human development by
The field of life span development in psychology has much to offer those engaged in making disciples, and Chris Kiesling brings those insights to bear in this volume. He appropriates the most useful observations from this discipline in light of biblical teaching. Drawing on more than twenty-five years of experience teaching faith development topics in academic and local church settings, Kiesling assembles a toolkit that will help those in ministry think comprehensively about discipleship at every stage of life. Taking into account physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of human development from infancy through older adulthood, Kiesling guides readers in making practical use of these insights in churches and educational settings. Pastors, ministry leaders, and educators will benefit from this treatment, which brings cutting-edge findings from the social sciences into dialogue with Scripture, theology, and practical ministry.
Deep Reading : practices to subvert the vices of our distracted, hostile, and consumeristic age by
This book helps readers develop practices that will result in deep, formative, and faithful reading so they can contribute to the flourishing of their communities and cultivate their own spiritual and intellectual depth. The authors present reading as a remedy for three prevalent cultural vices--distraction, hostility, and consumerism--that impact the possibility of formative reading. Informed by James K. A. Smith's work on "the spiritual power of habit," Deep Reading provides resources for engaging in formative and culturally subversive reading practices that teach readers how to resist vices, love virtue, and desire the good. Rather than emphasizing the spiritual benefits of reading specific texts such as Dante's Divine Comedy or Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the authors focus on the practice of reading itself. They examine practices many teachers, students, and avid readers employ--such as reading lists, reading logs, and discussion--and demonstrate how such practices can be more effectively and intentionally harnessed to result in deep reading. The practices apply to any work that is meant to be read deeply.
Wayfaring : a Christian approach to mental health care by
A theologically and scientifically engaged exploration of modern mental health care The current model of mental health care doesn't see people: it sees sets of symptoms that need fixing. While modern psychiatry has improved many patients' quality of life, it falls short in addressing their relational and spiritual needs. As a theologian and practicing psychiatrist, Warren Kinghorn shares a Christian vision of accompanying those facing mental health challenges. Kinghorn reviews the successes and limitations of modern mental health care before offering an alternative paradigm of healing. Based in the theology of Thomas Aquinas, this model of personhood affirms four truths: We are known and loved by God. We are creatures made of earth who are formed in community. We are wayfarers on a journey. We are called not to control, but to wonder, love, praise, and rest. Drawing on theological wisdom and scientific evidence, Kinghorn reframes our understanding of mental health care from fixing machines to attending fellow wayfarers on the way to the Lord's feast. With gentle guidance and practical suggestions, Wayfaring is an essential resource for pastors and practitioners as well as for Christians who seek mental health care.
A Philosophy of Prayer: nothingness, language, and hope by
Exploring the silence of prayer in Post-Kantian philosophy and traditional spirituality A Philosophy of Prayer explores prayer within the perspective of post-Kantian philosophy. Against a background of traditional sources, including Augustine, The Cloud of Unknowing, and the seventeenth-century French school of spirituality, the book uses Schleiermacher, Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky, Heidegger, Berdyaev, Tillich, Marcel, Simone Weil, Emmanuel Levinas, and Jean- Louis Chrétien to provide an interpretation of what is meant by the passivity and self-annihilation of the praying self, suggesting an "apophatics of the personality." Pattison pays particular attention to the question of language and the implications of the role given to silence in traditional texts, arguing that language remains a defining element of the human-God relationship and that silence is not to be construed as the negation of language but as the revelation of the depth of language itself. The basic structure of prayer is shown to be implicitly eschatological, oriented toward a coming kingdom of justice and peace while, at the same time, expressing a deep desire for ontological homecoming, a tension manifest in, respectively, Levinas and Heidegger. On Pattison's reading, prayer calls for and develops a particular orientation of the self toward existence, corresponding to the virtue of humility, long understood as the basic Christian virtue. This is shown to be in tension with modernity's commitment to strong versions of autonomy. However, the choice of humility is not presented as the reinstatement of religious heteronomy but as a free choice of the praying self.
A godly contemplation : prayers and meditations by 
Humility: rediscovering the way of love and life in Christ by 
Eight Million Exiles : missional action research and the crisis of forced migration by 
Leading Faithful Innovation: following God into a hopeful future by 
Belonging: five keys to unlock your potential as a disciple by
Ministry leaders and other Christians find a deeply personal pathway to discern what discipleship means for them in Belonging by Karoline Lewis.What does it look like for you to belong to Jesus Christ? Not your colleague, or your professor, or your neighbor, or the leaders of your denomination, but you? How might your one-and-only life be patterned differently, to more truly align you with Christ? What pretense might you give up? What potential might open up for you as a leader and disciple?Belonging:5 keys to Unlock Your Potential as a Disciple helps readers to understand and live out Christian discipleship in a way that is most deeply authentic for themselves. It's for the leader who is exhausted from trying to live by other people's templates, who wants to figure out what it looks like to live & lead as only they can. It's for the student or layperson desiring to follow Christ with integrity, to be themselves fully as a disciple.This book is scholarly but accessible for pastors, students, ministry leaders, and laypersons. Karoline Lewis structures it around the story of the Samaritan woman and guides the reader to discover deep connection with biblical characters who lead to self-discovery. Questions for reflection throughout the book evoke deep insights about self, theology, and discipleship.Belonging is excellent for clergy development and ministry leader development in any setting and can be read and studied alone or in groups. Pastors and other congregational leaders can work their way through the book together, in order to lead the church with greater integrity.
