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Theology in Built Environments: Exploring Religion, Architecture and Design
by Sigurd BergmannBuilt space is both a physical entity as well as a socially and historically constructed place. It constantly interacts with human beings, affecting their behavior, thinking, and feeling. Doing religious work in a particular environment implies acknowledging the surroundings to be integral to theology itself. The contributors to this volume view buildings, scriptures, conversations, prayers, preaching, artifacts, music and drama, and built and natural surroundings as contributors to a contextual theology.The view of the environment in which religion is practiced as integrated with theology represents not just a new theme but also a necessity if one is to understand religion's own depth. Reflections about space and place and how they reflect and affect religious experience provide a challenge and an urgent necessity for theology. This is particularly important if religious practitioners are to become aware of how theology is given expression in the existential spatiality of life. Can space set theology free? This is a challenging question, one that the editor hopes can be answered, at least in part, in this volume.The diversity of theoretical concepts in aesthetics, cultural theory, and architecture are not regarded as a problem to be solved by constructing one overarching dominant theory. Instead, this diversity is viewed in terms of its positive potential to inspire discourse about theology and aesthetics. In this discourse, theology does not need to become fully dependent on one or another theory, but should always clearly present its criteria for choosing this or that theoretical framework. This volume shows clearly how different modes of design in sacred spaces capture a sense of the religious.
Theology in a Suffering World: Glory and Longing
by Christopher SouthgateIn this book, Christopher Southgate proposes a new way of understanding the glory of God in Christian theology, based on glory as sign. Working from the roots of the concept in the Hebrew Bible, Theology in a Suffering World: Glory and Longing shows that 'glory' is not necessarily about beauty or radiance, but is better understood as a sign of the unknowable depths of God. Southgate goes on to show how John and Paul transform the concept of glory in the light of the cross. He then explores where glory may be discerned in the natural world, including in situations of pain and suffering. In turn glory is explored in the poetry of R. S. Thomas and the writings of the Jewish mystic Etty Hillesum. Finally, the book considers what it might mean for Christians to be 'transformed from one degree of glory to another': that might mean becoming a sign of the great sign of God that is Christ, and conforming their longing to God's longing for the Kingdom to come.
Theology in the Age of Global AIDS & HIV
by Cassie J. E. H. TrentazTrentaz proposes an inclusive, complex framework for understanding the creation and maintenance of risk of contracting HIV & AIDS, takes a hard look at dominant theologies and proposes a new way of approaching a theo-ethical response to the pandemic within a communal ethic of 'risk-sharing,' privileging the voices of the marginalized.
Theology in the Public Square: Church, Academy, and Nation (Challenges in Contemporary Theology #9)
by Gavin D'CostaThis imaginative study rethinks the nature of theology and its role in universities. The author sketches out a fascinating project using examples from US and UK institutions, whereby theology becomes a transformative force within universities. Imagines what a Christian university, in which all disciplines have been theologized, would look like. Feeds into discussions about the religious identity of denominationally-linked colleges and universities. Forms part of a wider attempt to imagine a vital public role for theology that enables it to serve both the Church and the wider community.
Theology in the context of World Christianity: How the Global Church Is Influencing the Way We Think about and Discuss Theology
by Timothy C. TennentAs Christianity advances in the South and East, its universal truths face new questions and are expressed in new ways. Majority world theological reflection needs to be brought into conversation with Western theology. Doing so will uncover blind spots and biases and will bring a potentially revitalizing agent into the Western church.
Theology of Hope: On the Ground and the Implications of a Christian Eschatology (The Works of Jurgen Moltmann)
by Jurgen Moltmann James W. LeitchThe following efforts bear the title Theology of Hope, not because they set out once again to present eschatology as a separate doctrine and to compete with the well known textbooks. Rather, their aim is to show how theology can set out from hope and begin to consider its theme in an eschatological light. <p><p>For this reason they inquire into the ground of the hope of Christian faith and into the responsible exercise of this hope in thought and action in the world today. The various critical discussions should not be understood as rejections and condemnations. They are necessary conversations on a common subject which is so rich that it demands continual new approaches.
Theology of Ministry
by Thomas F. O'Meara"Parishes have since the 1960s fashioned a new model of parish: not that of pastor and assistants with sisters in the school but a model of circles of ministry around the pastor," states Thomas O'Meara. His Theology of Ministry, now revised and updated, brings readers up to date on this shift from biblical, historical, and theological perspectives. O'Meara presents a fundamental and cultural theology of ministry organized around the following subjects: <p>Ch. 1 The context of ministry <p>Ch. 2 The origins of ministry in the work of Jesus <p>Ch. 3 The metamorphoses of ministry through the centuries <p>Chs. 4-5 Ministry and ministers today<p> Chs. 6-7 Ideas on the sources and spirituality of ministry <p><p> Clearly written and packed with new material that makes it highly relevant for today's participants in ministry, both lay and clergy, this work is a must for seminaries, colleges, lay-ministry training centers, and diaconate training programs. Its broadly considered theology of ministry will make this a classic like its predecessor.
Theology of Money
by Philip GoodchildTheology of Money is a philosophical inquiry into the nature and role of money in the contemporary world. Philip Goodchild reveals the significance of money as a dynamic social force by arguing that under its influence, moral evaluation is subordinated to economic valuation, which is essentially abstract and anarchic. His rigorous inquiry opens into a complex analysis of political economy, encompassing markets and capital, banks and the state, class divisions, accounting practices, and the ecological crisis awaiting capitalism. Engaging with Christian theology and the thought of Carl Schmitt, Georg Simmel, Karl Marx, Adam Smith, and many others, Goodchild develops a theology of money based on four contentions, which he elaborates in depth. First, money has no intrinsic value; it is a promise of value, a crystallization of future hopes. Second, money is the supreme value in contemporary society. Third, the value of assets measured by money is always future-oriented, dependent on expectations about how much might be obtained for those assets at a later date. Since this value, when realized, will again depend on future expectations, the future is forever deferred. Financial value is essentially a degree of hope, expectation, trust, or credit. Fourth, money is created as debt, which involves a social obligation to work or make profits to repay the loan. As a system of debts, money imposes an immense and irresistible system of social control on individuals, corporations, and governments, each of whom are threatened by economic failure if they refuse their obligations to the money system. This system of debt has progressively tightened its hold on all sectors and regions of global society. With Theology of Money, Goodchild aims to make conscious our collective faith and its dire implications.
Theology of Reading: The Hermeneutics of Love
by Alan JacobsIf the whole of the Christian life is to be governed by the "law of love"-the twofold love of God and one's neighbor-what might it mean to read lovingly? That is the question that drives this unique book. Jacobs pursues this challenging task by alternating largely theoretical, theological chapters-drawing above all on Augustine and Mikhail Bakhtin-with interludes that investigate particular readers (some real, some fictional) in the act of reading. Among the authors considered are Shakespeare, Cervantes, Nabakov, Nicholson Baker, George Eliot, W. H. Auden, and Dickens. The theoretical framework is elaborated in the main chapters, while various counterfeits of or substitutes for genuinely charitable interpretation are considered in the interludes, which progressively close in on that rare creature, the loving reader. Through this doubled method of investigation, Jacobs tries to show how difficult it is to read charitably-even should one wish to, which, of course, few of us do. And precisely because the prospect of reading in such a manner is so offputting, one of the covert goals of the book is to make it seem both more plausible and more attractive.
Theology of Work: New Perspectives (Routledge New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies)
by Gregorio GuitiánTheology of Work: New Perspectives emerges from the necessity to continue theological reflection on work in light of the challenges posed by our contemporary world. The contributions offer a global perspective of the meaning of work, drawing from Trinitarian theology, theology of creation, eschatology, theological anthropology, and Christology. They shed light from the perspective of faith on the integration of different work dimensions, and consider how the theology of work is called to challenge social structures in light of revelation. The volume mostly develops the theology of work from a Catholic perspective, but Protestant and Orthodox approaches are also explicitly explored. The chapters cover different theological areas, such as biblical, dogmatic, patristic, and moral theology, to provide enriching and complementary perspectives. Offering fresh and valuable theological insights on work, this book will be of particular interest to scholars of theology and religious studies.
Theology of the Arts: Encountering God through Music, Art and Rhetoric
by Richard ViladesauThis book explores, in a timely and engaging manner, several aspects of the relations between theology and aesthetics, in both the pastoral and academic realms. The underlying motif of this work is that beauty is a means of divine revelation, and that art is the human mediation that both enables and limits its revelatory power. Although aimed at undergraduate theology students, it will certainly capture the interest of art students, pastoral ministers and anyone who appreciates the arts.
Theology of the Body
by Jean-Claude LarchetLarchet traces the contours of this complex subject using Scripture and the Church Fathers. He situates the meaning and purpose of our bodies in the cosmic drama of salvation, without losing sight of the everyday activities that use and honor—or dishonor—the human body.
Theology of the Body For Teens: Discovering God's Plan for Love and Life,Middle School Edition
by Jason Evert Brian Butler Colin Maciver Aimee MaciverThis book is meant for teens and talks about life, love and emotions. It includes lesson objectives, exercises, answer key etc.
Theology of the Body for Beginners: Rediscovering the Meaning of Life, Love, Sex, and Gender
by Christopher WestDivorce. Broken families. Sexual abuse. Addiction. Pornography. Same-sex "marriage." Gender issues. Everywhere we look, we find more and more confusion about the most fundamental truths of human life. As we lose our basic understanding of the meanings of man, woman, marriage, and sex, the question becomes ever more urgent: What does it mean to be a human being? Against this backdrop, St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body appears as a bright light in the darkness. His writings go straight to the heart of what it means to be fully human--but they are often difficult for most of us to grasp easily.
Theology of the Body for beginners: A Basic Introduction to Blessed John Paul II's Sexual Revolution
by Christopher WestBroken families, abortion, AIDS, Internet pornography, sexual abuse scandals, homosexual marriage, our Church and our world are in the midst of a profound sexual crisis. Is there a way out? For such a time as this have we been given Pope John Paul IIs Theology of the Body. Based on the words of Jesus, John Paul II's famous reflections on the body and sex take us to the root of the modern crisis and chart the path to an authentic sexual liberation. Yet the Pope's dense scholarship often intimidates the average person. In his book, Theology of the Body Explained, Christopher West offered a more detailed, six-hundred page commentary on John Paul II's Theology of the Body. Here, he provides a short and popular summary of the Pope's revolutionary teaching. What is the meaning of life? Why did God create us male and female? Why is there evil in the world and how do we overcome it? How do we attain true happiness on earth? What kind of joys await us in heaven? How can we experience the love we long for in the depth of our hearts? The first edition of Theology of the Body for Beginners (2004) quickly became an international best-seller. This freshly revised and expanded edition is based on Dr. Michael Waldsteins' much improved translation of John Paul IIs catechesis. New for this edition: All quotations have been updated with the new translation. Key insights discovered through Dr. Waldstein's access to the John Paul II archives have been incorporated. The outline of the text has been substantially reorganized to reflect the newly discovered outline of John Paul's original manuscript. John Paul's hidden and previously untranslated addresses are summarized.
Theology of the Body in Context
by William E. MayThe zenith of John Paul II's thought on the human person, marriage, and the family is found in his "theology of the body." For the first time, William E. May provides a comprehensive yet readable overview of this work in the context of several other key writings of Karol Wojtyla/John Paul II, providing rich insights into the development of the theology of the body.
Theology of the Cross: Luther's Heidelberg Disputation & Reflections on Its 28 Theses
by Chad Bird Caleb Keith Kelsi Klembara Cindy Koch Steven D Paulson Daniel Van VoorhisThe Theology of the Cross is one of the core elements of Martin Luther's theology. The development of this doctrine through the Heidelberg Disputation has been considered an essential element of Luther's breakthrough on justification, and crucial to his theological reforms and future split with the Roman Catholic Church. These statements by Luther, originally penned to be defended in debate, are counter-intuitive, contrary, offensive, and thrilling paradoxes, starting with the first and most astounding of them all: "The Law of God, the most salutary doctrine of life cannot advance humans on their way to righteousness, but rather hinders them." We hope the collection of interpretations that follow the theses in this book will help you to understand their impact.
Theology of the New Testament
by Frank S. ThielmanStudying the theology of the New Testament can be a daunting task, even to the knowledgeable Bible student or pastor. Each of the twenty-seven books, written by various authors, has its own theological emphasis and nuances. How do we elicit a coherent message from such theological diversity, especially given that some of the theological statements in the New Testament seem to be at odds with one another? Is such an endeavor achievable or even valid? Theology of the New Testament takes a balanced approach in response to these challenges. Frank Thielman presents a theology of the New Testament that is careful to take into account the cultural and historical circumstances surrounding each book and the New Testament as a whole. He not only examines each book’s theological content individually, but also in relation to the rest of the New Testament, particularly within each of the three theological units that comprise the New Testament: the gospels and Acts, the Pauline epistles, and the general epistles and Revelation. This canonical and synthetic approach honors both the theological diversity of the various books and the theological connections between the books. In the end, Thielman finds a unified theological vision of the New Testament, anchored in the centrality of Jesus Christ. Frank Thielman’s Theology of the New Testament is an outstanding achievement. The book is marked by scholarly depth, exegetical rigor, and theological profundity. Both students and professors will profit immensely from this lucid treatment of the theology contained in the New Testament documents. Thomas R. Schreiner Professor of New Testament, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary An accessible presentation of the key theological points of the New Testament books by an accomplished New Testament scholar and teacher. Its clear style, lucid organization, and sound theological insight make it a prime resource for serious students in both the academy and the church. Karen H. Jobes, PhD Associate Professor of New Testament, Westmont College
Theology of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute, Advocacy
by Walter BrueggemannBrueggemann focuses on the metaphor and imagery of the courtroom trial in order to regard the theological substance of the Old Testament as a series of claims asserted for Yahweh, the God of Israel. This provides a context that attends to pluralism in every dimension of the interpretive process and suggests links to the plurality of voices of our time.
Theology on Trial: Kierkegaard and Tillich on the Status of Theology
by John LoseeSoren Kierkegaard sought to clarify what it means to be a Christian. He concluded that a one-on-one relationship with God is required, to encounter the "Absolute Paradox," defined as an immutable being entering into and transforming human history. Kierkegaard's dim view of a systematic Christian theology includes a preoccupation with theological exposition that distracts from the essential task of achieving a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Alternatively, Paul Tillich's theology is based on a triadic relationship of being, nonbeing and Being-Itself (God), a doctrine of symbols, and a reinterpretation of the Incarnation. It correlates a culture's questions and concerns with the Christian message to certain criteria of acceptability that, to Tillich, must satisfy the "Protestant Principle," stipulating that a theological system both restates the present-time Christian message and acknowledges that this restatement cannot be the definitive, ultimate expression of that message. Theology on Trial presents and assesses whether, and to what degree, Tillich's theology satisfies his own criteria of acceptability. An acceptable theology must be logically consistent and free of equivocation. The concluding section of the book examines the views of each author from the standpoint of the other.
Theology on the Border: The Mediterranean, Minority Identity, and Migration (Routledge New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies)
by Daniela Lucia RapisardaFocusing on the Mediterranean, this book offers a theological hermeneutics from the perspective of the margin/border and a theological hermeneutics of the border. At the core is a case study of the Italian Protestant minority and its engagement with issues of migration. While much of current migration theology is built around the principle of sacralization of the migrant person or 'vertical' association between divinity (God or Jesus) and people on the move, this work offers a 'horizontal' perspective on humanization or recognition of the value of every human being, based on the principle of a shared humanity created in God’s image, and a sense of identification, first by people at the margins. This approach seeks to avoid essentializing migrantness and victimhood. Elaborations on the relation between identity and migration are often sustained by exclusionary logics that lead to repressive policies. The book proposes a contextual theological reflection on minority identity that is at its core inclusive. It offers a contribution to theology beyond confessional borders and is open to dialogue with other disciplines, particularly critical border studies.
Theology on the Menu: Asceticism, Meat and Christian Diet
by Rachel Muers David GrumettFood - what we eat, how much we eat, how it is produced and prepared, and its cultural and ecological significance- is an increasingly significant topic not only for scholars but for all of us. Theology on the Menu is the first systematic and historical assessment of Christian attitudes to food and its role in shaping Christian identity. David Grumett and Rachel Muers unfold a fascinating history of feasting and fasting, food regulations and resistance to regulation, the symbolism attached to particular foods, the relationship between diet and doctrine, and how food has shaped inter-religious encounters. Everyone interested in Christian approaches to food and diet or seeking to understand how theology can engage fruitfully with everyday life will find this book a stimulus and an inspiration.
Theology within the Bounds of Language: A Methodological Tour
by Garth L. HallettIn this wide-ranging work, Garth L. Hallett offers a guided tour through fundamental issues regarding the use of language in theology. His preliminary discussions—on language and thought, language and truth, the authority of language, making sense, the relationship between sense and possibility—prepare linguistic reflection on such topics as inference and argument, universal factual and moral claims, defining and saying what things are, verbal versus nonverbal agreement and disagreement, interfaith dialogue, theological language, and metaphor. Hallett employs a wealth of distinctly Christian examples in these considerations, including love, faith, God, religion, the Eucharist, the afterlife, divine law, evil, the Incarnation, the Trinity, the holy, and many others. In the course of this fascinating exploration, readers should learn to find their way more surely in a vast, complex terrain, and mystery will emerge both diminished and deepened. In addition, at the end of each chapter Hallett provides a series of intriguing quotations that invite further reflection.
Theology without Words: Theology in the Deaf Community (Explorations in Practical, Pastoral and Empirical Theology)
by Wayne MorrisThis book is a study of a Christian theology without words, focussing on theology in the Deaf Community. Deaf people's first and preferred method of communication is not English or any other spoken language, but British Sign Language - a language that cannot be written down. Deaf people of faith attend church on a regular basis, profess faith in God and have developed unique approaches to doing theology. While most Western theology is word-centred and is either expressed through or dependent on written texts, theology in the Deaf Community is largely non-written. This book presents and examines some of that theology from the Deaf Community and argues that written texts are not necessary for creative theological debate, a deep spirituality or for ideas about God to develop.
Theology's Epistemological Dilemma: How Karl Barth and Alvin Plantinga Provide a Unified Response (Strategic Initiatives in Evangelical Theology)
by Kevin DillertruthTheology's Epistemological Dilemma