Bücher veröffentlicht von William B Eerdmans Publishing Co

There is no doubt that ecumenism occupies a prominent place in the history of the church in the twentieth century: countless churches have been renewed through encounter with Christian sisters and brothers in other confessions and cultures. But it is not clear that this ecumenical impulse will continue to figure prominently in the church''s story. In this book Michael Kinnamon argues that the ecumenical movement, which has given such energy and direction to the church, needs to be reconceived in a way that provides renewing power for the church in this era -- and he shows how this might happen. He names the problems with ecumenism, identifies strengths and accomplishments upon which the church now can build, and suggests practical, concrete steps we can take in the direction of revitalization, especially at the local level.

"God revealed himself in Jesus Christ!" Christian faith has confessed and proclaimed this message for nearly two thousand years. But what does it really mean?In God the Revealed Michael Welker delves into this declaration and shows how it offers genuine insight into Christian faith. He asks "Who is Jesus Christ for us today?" and approaches the answer from five different angles -- the historical Jesus, the resurrection, the cross, the reign of Christ, and eschatology. Uniquely, Welker argues for the need to place historical Jesus research in a Christology and proposes a "Fourth Quest" for the historical Jesus.

Why is there such a deep divide between evangelical and liturgical churches, especially when it comes to worship? How did this unfortunate evangelical-liturgical dichotomy develop, and what can be done about it?In this book Melanie Ross draws on historical analysis, systematic theology, and the worship life of two vibrant congregations to argue that the common ground shared by evangelical and liturgical churches is much more important than the differences than divide them.As a longtime evangelical church member who is at the same time a teacher of liturgical studies, Ross is well qualified to address this subject, and she does so with passion and intelligence. Evangelical versus Liturgical? is an important addition to the scant literature explaining nondenominational worship practices to those from more historically established liturgical traditions.

For many, the historical-critical method has released a host of threats to Christian faith and confession. In Pandora''s Box Opened, however, Roy Harrisville argues that despite the evils brought upon biblical interpretation by the historical-critical method, there is still hope for it as a discipline. Harrisville begins by describing the emergence and use of the historical-critical method. He then attends to the malaise that has come over the method, which he says still persists. Finally, Harrisville commends the historical-critical method, though shorn of its arrogance. He claims that the method and all its users comprise a Pandora''s Box that, when opened, releases a myriad other pains, but hope still remains.

Describes and defends a long-standing tradition that maintains a proper balance between religious faith and human rationality Many of the early apologists, including Justin Martyr and Origen, presented a defense of the Christian faith that sought to combine the message of the Gospels with respect for the kind of rationality associated with Socrates and his followers. Michael Langford argues that, despite many misunderstandings, the term liberal theology can properly be used to describe this tradition. Langford''s Tradition of Liberal Theology begins with a historical and contemporary definition of liberal theology and identifies eleven typical characteristics, such as a nonliteralist approach to interpreting Scripture, a rejection of original guilt, and the joint need for faith and works. Langford then gives vignettes of thirteen historical Christian figures who personify the liberal tradition. Finally, he explores some contemporary alternatives to liberal theology -- fundamentalism, the Catholic magisterium, Karl Barth''s theology -- and presents a rational defense of the tradition of liberal theology.

Based on several years of teaching and careful observation in preaching classes, this book by Michael Brothers explores the benefits of distance in preaching -- and listening to -- sermons. Having noticed that sermon listeners generally want to be given room for their own interpretations and experiences, Brothers argues that critical and aesthetic distance as a hermeneutical tool is vital to hearing the gospel today and should be intentionally employed in sermon construction and delivery. He explains this distance in the field of homiletics, equips teachers and students of preaching to evaluate the function of distance in sermons, and encourages preachers to practice the use of distance in their preaching.

This volume presents an integrated collection of constructive essays by eminent Catholic scholars addressing the new challenges and opportunities facing religious believers under shifting conditions of secularity and post-secularity. Using an innovative keywords approach, At the Limits of the Secular is an interdisciplinary effort to think through the implications of secular consciousness for the role of religion in public affairs. The book responds in some ways to Charles Taylor''s magnum opus, A Secular Age, although it also stands on its own. It features an original essay by David Tracy -- the most prominent American Catholic theologian writing today -- and groundbreaking contributions by influential younger theologians such as Peter Casarella, William Cavanaugh, and Vincent Miller. CONTRIBUTORSWilliam A. Barbieri Jr.Peter CasarellaWilliam T. CavanaughMichele DillonMary DoakAnthony J. GodziebaSlavica JakelicJ. Paul MartinVincent J. MillerPhilip J. RossiRobert J. SchreiterDavid Tracy

All over the world Christian communities meet on Sunday morning for worship. But what really happens during a worship service? How do worshipers participate in the service? What does it mean to sing, pray, and celebrate the Lord''s Supper together? What do worshipers do when they listen to a sermon? In The Touch of the Sacred Gerrit Immink offers thoughtful theological reflection on the religious practice of worship services in the Protestant tradition. He develops a theology of worship with a clear focus on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as he explores the meaning of worship, the mystery of Christ, the sacraments, prayer, and preaching. Ultimately, he says, something dynamic happens when a church congregation speaks and acts: it is touched by the sacred, by a very encounter with the living God.

Russian political history and Russian church history are tied together very tightly. One cannot properly understand the overall history of Russia without considering the role of the Orthodox Church in Russia. Cross and Kremlin uniquely surveys both the history and the contemporary situation of the Russian Orthodox Church. The first chapter gives a concise chronology from the tenth century through the present day. The following chapters highlight several important issues and aspects of Russian Orthodoxy -- church-state relations, theology, ecclesiastical structure, monasticism, spirituality, the relation of Russian Orthodoxy to the West, dissidence as a frequent phenomenon in Russian church history, and more.

In an attempt to combat the widespread confusion regarding sexual issues, Dawn offers a clear biblical understanding of human sexuality. Her fresh perspectives will challenge and encourage readers and her engaging, non-preachy style will appeal to parents, ministers, youth group leaders, and others coping with life in our sex-saturated society.

The purpose of this book is to introduce the New Testament to those who have never read it. Ronald Allen offers a truly elementary guide to the New Testament''s world, its story, and its message. Reading the New Testament for the First Time walks readers through the New Testament, covering key topics like these: how to find one''s way around the New Testamenthow and when the New Testament was writtenimportant characters like Jesus, Paul, and the twelve disciplesbig ideas found in the New Testament such as love, righteousness, and the realm of Godhow to apply the New Testament to our lives todayand much more!

When was the last time you heard a sermon on the theological importance of play? What do rest, eating, studying -- and sex -- have to do with the Kingdom of God? Strangely, although these activities together take up much of our time, they seldom receive much discussion from a biblical point of view. In The Rest of Life Ben Witherington explores these subjects in the light of biblical teaching about the Kingdom of God and the Christian hope for the future. He shows why and how all the normal activities of life should be done to the glory of God and for the edification of others. Focusing as it does on practical, everyday matters in an accessible style, this topical study is ideal for both individual reading and small-group discussion.

An Eerdmans Reader in Contemporary Political Theology gathers some of the most significant and influential writings in political theology from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Given that the locus of Christianity is undeniably shifting to the global South, this volume uniquely integrates key voices from Africa, Asia, and Latin America with central texts from Europe and North America on such major subjects as church and state, gender and race, and Christendom and postcolonialism. Carefully selected, thematically arranged, and expertly introduced, these forty-nine essential readings constitute an ideal primary-source introduction to contemporary political theology -- a profoundly relevant resource for globally engaged citizens, students, and scholars. CONTRIBUTORS: Nicholas AdamsRafael AvilaKarl BarthRichard BauckhamDietrich BonhoefferWalter BrueggemannErnesto CardenalJ. Kameron CarterJames H. ConeDorothy DayMusa W. Dube Jean Bethke ElshtainEric GregoryGustavo GutiérrezStanley HauerwasGeorge HunsingerAda María Isasi-DiazEmmanuel M. KatongoleRafiq KhouryKosuke KoyamaBrian McDonaldJohann Baptist Metzv Virgil MichelNéstor O. MiguezJohn MilbankJohn Courtney MurrayChed MyersH. Richard NiebuhrReinhold NiebuhrArvind P. NirmalOliver O''DonovanCatherine PickstockKwok Pui-lanA. Maria Arul RajaWalter RauschenbuschJoerg RiegerChristopher RowlandRosemary Radford RuetherAlexander SchmemannCarl SchmittPeter Manley ScottJon SobrinoDorothee SolleR. S. SugirtharajahElsa TamezMark Lewis TaylorEmilie M. TownesDesmond TutuBernd WannenwetschGraham WardGeorge WeigelDelores S. WilliamsRowan WilliamsWalter WinkJohn Howard YoderKim Yong-Bock

This innovative collection seeks to build bridges between the theology of Karl Barth and contemporary American evangelicalism and provide the impetus for moving evangelical engagement with Barth to a new level. The scholarly insights offered here shed much light on current trends in Protestant theology and show how Barth's thought can enrich evangelical interaction with current theological movements.

This unique volume draws on the wisdom of Christian thinkers and preachers from across the ages to present a warm and informative collection of insights on the art of preaching.Gathering the writing of figures as diverse as Augustine, John Chrysostom, Jonathan Edwards, Gardner C. Taylor, and Barbara Brown Taylor, The Company of Preachers provides experienced advice on effective preaching, direct from the pens of those who have known it best. The book is arranged in seven divisions, each covering a central component of the preaching task. Editor Richard Lischer, himself a distinguished preacher and teacher, gives a brief introduction to each selection.Aptly presenting a theological and historical cross-section of the church's homiletics, this volume will be invaluable to preachers, students preparing for ministry, and others seeking models of powerful Christian speech."Features insights on preaching from: Augustine Karl Barth Dietrich Bonhoeffer Walter Brueggemann Rudolf Bultmann Horace Bushnell David Buttrick John Calvin John Cassian John Chrysostom, Fred B. Craddock C. H. Dodd Jarena Lee Jonathan Edwards Charles Grandison Finney P. T. Forsyth Harry Emerson Fosdick Gregory the Great George Herbert Martin Luther, Henry H. Mitchell John Henry Newman Phoebe Palmer Paul Ricoeur Oscar Romero Friedrich Schleiermacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon Barbara Brown Taylor Gardner C. Taylor John Wesley, and many more,"