Bücher veröffentlicht von Langham Publishing

Asian Christian Theology provides a survey of contextually reflective, robustly evangelical theology for students to engage with the core doctrines of Christianity and their outworking in different cultures across Asia. The contributors of the chapters come from all corners of Asia to systematically examine traditional doctrinal themes and contemporary concerns for the Asian church. Ideal for use as a companion textbook in Asian seminaries and institutions, this book will also provide excellent further reading for those outside of Asia seeking global theological perspectives, and for those in contexts of significant Asian diaspora. Many excellent books surveying theology exist, but this book is a major step forward for students and scholars seeking to understand the dynamic environment of evangelical theology in Asia.

Dr Marvin Oxenham expertly uses the genre of the epistolary novel to help the reader understand the nature of character and virtue education and their relationship to theological education. This book will help educators respond to the increasing demands for formational and transformational education and enact concrete virtue related practices. Dr Oxenham draws on a vast array of disciplines, from educational philosophy and political science to theology and andragogy, in this winsome story that explores how global theological education can better contribute to the formation of virtuous students.Written from the perspective of a seasoned educator from the Minority World who engages with correspondence from his friend and peer in the Majority World, this is the honest story of two friends who struggle with their challenges and dreams. Academics will find this book compelling reading that, like good works of fiction, they won't put down, and, like good reference works, they will return to again and again. This book offers a chance to rediscover an ancient tradition and explore a new frontier in theological education.

À travers les âges, la religion a toujours été un élément incontournable dans la quête de compréhension de la vie de l'être humain, de ses aspirations, de son histoire, de sa communauté, de sa culture et de sa destinée. En vue de faciliter cette compréhension de l'autre, il est utile d'observer ses modalités culturelles et de s'interroger sur les fondements de ses croyances. Tout cela aide à établir un dialogue.C'est tout l'objectif de cet ouvrage. Il retrace les origines de certaines religions afro-caribéennes et fournit une analyse descriptive et comparative de leurs croyances et de celles de la foi chrétienne (entendue ici comme l'ensemble des croyances maîtresses ancrées dans les Saintes Écritures qui forment l'essence de la conviction et de l'orthodoxie chrétienne). En utilisant l'approche de Paul avec les Athéniens lors de son voyage missionnaire évangélique, les auteurs nous invitent à nous informer sur les religions afro-caribéennes afin de mieux les comprendre et de présenter l'Évangile de Jésus-Christ avec courage et grâce. Ce livre est destiné à tout lecteur souhaitant mieux comprendre les religions afro-caribéennes et la manière dont elles se rapprochent ou se différencient de la foi chrétienne.

In this commentary on Jonah, Dr. Rosa Shao beautifully weaves together the story of the biblical text with narratives from the Asian (Chinese and Filipino) contexts and psychological insights. Testifying to how she was drawn to the book, Dr. Shao shares how this book has impacted her personally and demonstrates how others can hear the book's message in their own context. From better understanding the story of Jonah, readers will gain valuable insight for discerning God's divine call on their own lives.The Asia Bible Commentary series empowers Christian believers in Asia to read the Bible from within their respective contexts. Holistic in its approach to the text, each exposition of the biblical books combines exegesis and application. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the Body of Christ in Asia by providing pastoral and contextual exposition of every book of the Bible.

In this historical account, Dr Raymundo Go presents the arrival and growth of evangelicalism in the Philippines from 1898 to 2000, looking in particular at the formation of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) and the motivating factors of the founding members. Weaving together a narrative almost forgotten in the Philippines, Dr Go also brings unique insights on the impact that North American events and theological debates had on the nascent Philippine church. Through detailed explanation of the interaction and influence of the modernist/liberal, fundamental, and evangelical movements in shaping Philippine Christian history, this study addresses the historical reason for a lack of unity in the Philippine church.Dr Go applies Paul Hiebert's theory of bounded and centred sets to the divisions between key organizations and churches in the Philippines to analyze and understand the behaviours of the influential groups involved in shaping Protestantism in the Philippines today. This important work is not only needed to draw attention to the history of the church in the Philippines, but it is vital in showing the need to learn from a divided past when considering the potential for future reconciliation and unity in the body of Christ.

More than half the people in the world live in cities, including a growing number of megacities with populations exceeding ten million people. This trend means that an understanding of urbanization must be an urgent priority for Christian theology and mission across the globe. This updated edition of Seeking a City with Foundations, with an additional chapter, explores Christian responses to the city, ranging from rejecting the urban as evil, to embracing it as being central to God’s redemptive purposes.Drawing from a wide range of disciplines, including history, social science, urban planning, and the history of art, readers are given a detailed text which confronts the challenges that contemporary urbanization presents to world Christianity. Looking at urbanism as a theme throughout Scripture, culminating with the great vision of the New Jerusalem, David Smith explains that God’s own future is revealed as urban, highlighting the need to identify modern-day idols as we share the gospel in cities and acknowledge the impact of global economic forces. The book also explores the causes of what has been called the divided city and traces the urban theme through the Bible to present an alternative vision of the urban future – a future in which the injustices in ever-growing slums and a crisis of meaning among the privileged might be overcome through the power of the reconciling message of the cross. This timely book proposes a way forward for urban mission, highlighting that transformation of our cities must be the focal point of Christian mission and hope.

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14Kenya is a diverse nation, with many ethnic communities and cultural traditions. However, this diversity has led to deep divisions over the years, resulting in entrenched ethnopolitical tension and conflict. In this book, Dr David Kirwa Tarus advocates for a Christian theological response to the nation's divisions by presenting various theological perspectives on anthropology, society, and politics including those of John Calvin and John Mbiti, as well as other prominent Kenyan theologians. This work traces the history of ethnopolitical conflict in Kenya and the church's response from 1895 to 2013 and thoroughly examines how a reformed theology can provide a pathway to social cohesion in Kenya.David Tarus humbly yet boldly challenges Kenyans to pursue national unity and peace by interrogating their allegiances to their ethnic communities and political parties. This book carefully argues why it is only a Christian identity, commitment to humanity as bearing the divine image, and the triune God himself, that can heal the divisions in this land and in turn bring an end to other social evils such as corruption, intolerance, and violence. Ethnopolitical conflict is not confined to one nation, and this study will bear much fruit in other contexts where people yearn for social cohesion.

Baptists in Romania have developed a practice of suspicion when it comes to religious dialogue, especially with the Romanian Orthodox tradition, due to a history that is characterized by oppression. In this detailed study Dr Daniel Oprean paves the way for positive dialogue between the two traditions, highlighting that much can be gained and learned by acknowledging similarities and differences in key aspects of theology.Dr Oprean explores how existing theological resources can be used to enhance theological discourse between Baptist and Orthodox traditions in Romania through in-depth analysis of the thought of British Baptist theologian, Professor Paul Fiddes, and Romanian Orthodox theologian, Father Dumitru St¿niloae. Oprean in particular looks at their understanding of trinitarian and human participation through perichoresis, the Eucharist, Christian spirituality, and baptism and chrismation. Presented as a conversation between the two traditions this study is a model for how theological and religious dialogue can facilitate reconciliation, not just in the church but also in wider society.

Since the first interactions between Christians and Muslims, a central point of contention has been the nature of God in relation to the doctrine of the trinity and divine oneness. Yet the belief that God is one is vociferously upheld by Christians, Jews and Muslims alike.In this detailed historical study and subsequent analysis, Dr Michael F. Kuhn explores the teaching of two Arab Christian theologians from the Abbasid Era (750-1250), 'Abd All¿h Ibn al-¿ayyib and Iliyy¿ of Nisibis, and how they defended the Christian view of God as three-in-one in the Muslim milieu and in reference to the Islamic concept of taw¿¿d, God's absolute unity. The intellectual contribution of these two Christian thinkers can be seen in the concepts they articulated continuing to feature in Muslim-Christian dialogue to this day. Dr Kuhn shows the great lengths that Middle Eastern Christians went to explain their view of God's oneness in the Trinity and the divinity of Christ to their fellow Christians and to commend it to their Muslim counterparts. There is much to learn from the historical debates investigated in this book to help Christians today to uphold the truth of the Christian scriptures, both in the Muslim context and beyond. Readers will appreciate the review of Nestorian Christology in light of recent studies and the important theological background to contemporary Muslim-Christian engagement that is provided.This book also makes a significant addition to the Christian understanding of the Trinity by linking the eternal attributes of God, a common theme in Islamic thought, to the three persons of the God-head deepening our understanding of the inter-relations of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Anyone engaging intellectually or academically with Muslims with hopes to dialogue thoughtfully in the area of theology, spirituality and ethics will find this book acutely helpful.

The task of reconciliation with God, ourselves and others is an integral element of the mission of God that has been entrusted to his people and leads us to be peacemakers in our societies. Dealing with the grand vision of peace and reconciliation, this book unlocks the biblical story of reconciliation and challenges churches to widen their scope of mission and become a healing and restorative community. With a particular focus on case studies from the Philippines, this book gives insight on the work of reconciliation in different parts of the world. Dealing with themes such as repentance, forgiveness, partnership, and multiculturalism, How Long, O Lord? offers a thorough, academic investigation of the ministry of reconciliation that will be useful for pastors, counsellors, and scholars in various contexts.

Criminals in Hong Kong and China are often superstitiously religious. Ironically, both they and police officers worship the same folk god, Guan Gong, who represents righteousness! But their religiosity has no moral consequences - what both groups are seeking is protection from their opponents.Unfortunately, some Asian Christians have a similar model of religiosity. They want God's protection and blessings, but they do not want God to affect how they live. James will have none of this. He is convinced that our devotion to God must be reflected in the way we live, and so he writes a letter that is full of sound, practical advice. He exhorts us to control our tongues, he speaks against greed, envy, and wrong desires, and he gives wise advice about enduring suffering, praying for ailing believers, and restoring believers who are tempted to depart from the truth. Using Asian applications, this commentary of James highlights the relevance the triune God has in all contexts of life.The Asia Bible Commentary Series empowers Christian believers in Asia to read the Bible from within their respective contexts. Holistic in its approach to the text, each exposition of the biblical books combines exegesis and application. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the Body of Christ in Asia by providing pastoral and contextual exposition of every book of the Bible.

Since antiquity, many have come to view benefaction and patronage in a negative light, largely due to the increasingly immoral motives of those involved in systems that can be exploitative or corrupt. Dr Nathan Joshua provides a counter to this perception and instead draws attention to the goodness of godly benefaction and patronage from an African Christian perspective.Dr Joshua gives a detailed historical analysis of the Pastoral Epistles in the social context of benefaction and patronage in the first century AD, while offering a comparative study on how to carefully apply the values of benefaction and patronage in light of Paul's perspective in the Pastoral Epistles, in Christian life and leadership. This is a valuable resource addressing the need for leadership with integrity, and challenging the negative outlook surrounding benefaction and patronage today.

In the twenty-first century the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has faced many challenges - conflict, changes of governments, terrorism, trauma - yet new opportunities have opened up for local churches to demonstrate the love of God and bless their communities.This book provides a fresh look at the theology driving Christian mission and at emerging ministry models by addressing ten aspects of missio Dei in the Middle Eastern context. Subjects such as church planting, discipleship, media, and peace building are introduced with their historical background, and contemporary stories and case studies of transformative work in the MENA region. As the book examines these topics we see how mission in the Middle East is no longer "from the West to the rest" but is now characterized as "from everywhere to everywhere." All Christians will find in these contributions important biblical principles for their own context to follow Jesus Christ and bear witness to him.Readers are also reminded that hardship does not have to be an obstacle to the church living out the mission of God as salt and light, and there is much the global church can learn from the activities of Christians in MENA countries. While each chapter in this book focuses on a particular aspect of mission, churches must be holistic in transforming lives and to this end, societies, and this book is a gift from the MENA church to the rest of the body of Christ.

Asian Christians will identify with the context of the epistle to the Philippians; a church hemmed in on every side. The internal struggles of the community, personality conflicts among leaders, division within the church, and challenges from false teachers coupled with the violent threat from outside the church parallels the situation in many parts of Asia today. Paul's ethical exhortations to the believers in Philippi enrich, guide, and correct so that a vibrant body of Christ can be established. Philippians teaches all Christians to make it their goal to know Christ more and more each day, imitate his example above all others, and bear bold witness to God's offer of salvation to all, beyond every divisive border. This commentary on Philippians studies the text exegetically in its original dynamic context while seeking to hear the rhetorical thrust of the apostle's words in the present Asian context.The Asia Bible Commentary Series empowers Christian believers in Asia to read the Bible from within their respective contexts. Holistic in its approach to the text, each exposition of the biblical books combines exegesis and application. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the Body of Christ in Asia by providing pastoral and contextual exposition of every book of the Bible.

The laws and legislation in Pakistan related to religious offences are intended to protect all religious communities, but have also become a significant threat to communities of religious minorities who are vulnerable to false accusation, violent retribution outside of the judicial system, and erroneous convictions that sometimes even lead to the death penalty. What is not well known is how these laws came about; from originally being designed in Chapter XV of the Pakistan Penal Code, to safeguard all religions of British India. Dr F. A. Nazir places the discussion of offences relating to religion in the historical context of the south Asian subcontinent, the institution of penal codes in British India during the colonial period, and developments in legislation after 1947 independence and the creation of the state of Pakistan and in postcolonialism. Dr Nazir's historical and legal analysis demonstrates how these laws affect indigenous Christian communities and other religious minorities, including Muslim groups. Nazir's thorough and rigorous historical research brings important understanding and reflection to contemporary religious laws, religious rights and multi-faith society in Pakistan.

The history of the Philippines is a long and complex one but the stories and reflections in Dark Days of Authoritarianism, from remarkable individuals who were willing to stake their lives for freedom, shed light on life under the martial law instituted by President Ferdinand Marcos from 1972 to 1981, and up to the peaceful popular uprising of 1986. This book not only covers the social, economic and political conditions across the country during martial law but also how those conditions affected ordinary people personally and spiritually. Many of the contributions illustrate the strength and determination of Philippine women to create a better society despite being met by great adversity and the importance of Christian faith for sustaining the lives of those who suffered and survived this tumultuous period. This book provides important lessons for a new generation facing the menace of authoritarianism today, wherever they are, to fight for democracy and resist any attempts to diminish people's freedom.

Interpretation of Scripture occurs within one's worldview and culture, which enhances our understanding and ability to apply Scripture in the world. However, few books address Bible interpretation from an African perspective and no other textbook uses the intercultural approach found here. This book brings both an awareness of how one's African context gives a lens to hermeneutics, but also how to interpret texts with integrity despite our cultural influences.African Hermeneutics was born of Prof Elizabeth Mburu's frustration at only having textbooks that predominantly followed a Western worldview to teach her African students. Mburu's approach to hermeneutics is one that begins in Africa, moving from the known to the unknown as students learn to apply her 'four-legged stool model' to biblical texts, namely examining: the parallels to African contexts, the theological context, the literary context, and the historical and cultural context. This textbook will help students and pastors interpret Scripture with greater accuracy in their own context, allowing for faithful application in their local contexts.

In many communities across the world traditional beliefs and practices are passed down generations and are a feature of day-to-day life, despite the influence of outside sources. Focusing on Luo Muslims in Kenya, Dr Lawrence Oseje looks at the interaction of Islam and traditional Luo practices, especially those around death and burial.Dr Oseje's research with Luo Muslims in Kendu Bay investigates the impact of the traditional Luo conceptualization of death with their current views, and provides new understanding of fundamental issues that affect the lives of ordinary Muslims. From his observation of this community, Oseje encourages a celebration of traditions and customs, showing that an appreciation of traditions and beliefs can help develop ministry to local communities. Dr Oseje's findings result in a deepened understanding of cultures, how they develop from a blend of influences, and provides anthropological and missiological guidelines for cross-cultural ministry, particularly in times of bereavement.

For a long time African history has been dominated by western perspectives through predominantly male accounts of colonial governments and missionaries. In contrast, Dr Emily Onyango provides an African history of mission, education development and women's roles in Kenya. Based on archival research and interviews of primary sources this book explores the relationship of these areas of history with each other, focusing on the Luo culture and the period of 1895 to 2000.With the pre-colonial African context as the foundation for understanding and writing history, Dr Onyango uses gender to analyze the role of Christian missionaries in the development of women's education and their position in Kenyan society. The result of this well-researched study is not only a challenge to the traditional understanding of history, but also a counternarrative to the common view that to be liberated African women must disregard Christianity. Rather she looks at the importance Christianity plays in helping women establish themselves economically, politically and socially, in Kenyan society. This research is a vital contribution to women's history and the history of Christianity in Africa.

« Enracinés dans la Parole, engagés dans le monde », tel était le thème de la consultation internationale du Conseil International pour la Formation Théologique Évangélique (ICETE) en 2012, à Nairobi, au Kenya. Deux questions ont émergé de ce thème : Comment savoir si les formations de nos institutions théologiques contribuent bien à la croissance de l'Église ? Peut-on mesurer l'impact de la formation théologique sur l'Église et la société ?Pour répondre à ces deux questions fondamentales, l'ICETE a tenu une consultation triennale internationale en 2015. Des acteurs de la formation théologique issus de divers horizons mondiaux ont présenté le projet de « révision du programme d'études axée sur la recherche », destiné à améliorer la compréhension des besoins réels du ministère et à mieux préparer les étudiants à servir dans leurs propres contextes. Ce livre présente les réflexions et les expériences de divers auteurs, dans leur volonté de comprendre leur contexte pour améliorer la qualité et la pertinence de la formation théologique.

The ICETE Programme for Academic Leadership (IPAL) was officially established in 2010 and arose out of the need to provide training to theological institutions in different regions of the world. IPAL provides a three-year cycle of seminars for the professional development of evangelical academic leaders and administrators to help institutions in their pursuit of quality and excellence in theological education.This publication is the third and final volume intended to accompany and support the IPAL seminars as well as be an independent resource to aid theological institutions with faculty development.Faculty development is at the heart of theological education. This book lays the foundation for institutions to equip, train and release emerging academic leaders to advance their careers and improve the standards of their teaching and research. The contributors to this volume share the findings of research conducted at evangelical academic institutions in various contexts around the world so other senior administrators can enhance the quality of theological education at their own institution.

Reinhold Niebuhr is largely regarded as the leading twentieth-century theologian of sin. However, many feminist theologians criticize Niebuhr's view of pride as the primary sin, arguing that it fits only with men's experience. In this detailed study, Dr Luping Huang engages with Niebuhr and his feminist critics to provide a response to the feminist critique of Niebuhr's theology of sin.Dr Huang provides a thorough analysis and examination of both the Niebuhrian and feminist understandings of sin, highlighting the strengths and limitations of both arguments. While some aspects of the feminists' opposition to Niebuhr's doctrine of sin are valid, there are weaknesses and limitations within its own framework. Through her research and interaction with women's testimonies, Huang's argument bridges these two competing views of women and sin resulting in a more accurate understanding and application of the theology of sin, particularly in reference to women.

The Asia Bible Commentary Series empowers Christian believers in Asia to read the Bible from within their respective contexts. Holistic in its approach to the text, each exposition of the biblical books combines exegesis and application. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the Body of Christ in Asia by providing pastoral and contextual exposition of every book of the Bible.Set in Persia, the book of Esther seems to show little interest in the temple, the Promised Land, prayer or other signs of the Israelite religion. Most peculiarly for a book of the Bible, there is no explicit mention of God! Yet there are many similarities with the setting of Esther and situations in Asia today, which open ways for God to speak into present realities. This commentary examines the book of Esther in its original context, and considers how to interpret and apply it in light of the rest of Scripture - both the Old Testament and the New.

Comment savoir si nos programmes d'études théologiques contribuent bien à la croissance de l'Église ? Est-il possible de mesurer et d'évaluer le résultat et l'impact de la formation théologique, à la fois sur l'Église et sur la société environnante ? Comment s'assurer que nos formations préparent bien les diplômés à exercer leur ministère dans leur contexte ?Dans un monde pluraliste où les diplômés d'institutions théologiques exercent leurs ministères dans des contextes et cultures très différents, la pertinence de la formation théologique devient de plus en plus importante. L'impact d'une formation peut se mesurer à partir de l'efficacité des diplômés dans les contextes spécifiques où ils exercent leurs ministères. Par conséquent, le programme d'études théologique doit être relié aux contextes des diplômés. En clarifiant ce qu'elles cherchent à accomplir, les institutions théologiques pourront déterminer le modèle de formation théologique à suivre. Ce livre explore différents modèles de formation théologique et présente les étapes à suivre pour relier les études théologiques et le contexte.