Christianity and Marxism are often thought to be irreconcilable. This book argues that this is not the case. It looks at four central focuses of the alleged conflict—atheism, materialism, revolution, and ethics—and shows that in each case tensions can be dissolved. Not only that, but working through the alleged difficulties sheds new light on both Christianity and Marxism and demonstrates that each has something to say to the contemporary world.
Christians often find it difficult to talk or preach or engage with the possibility of climate catastrophe and an uninhabitable earth, for the questions are enormous. Faith in God needs to engage with the reality of the tragic loss of creation through anthropogenic impact.If we're living in the end times, then how should we live? Wracked with grief, anxiety and guilt, with foreboding deep as death? How is it possible to live hopefully, even as we face realistically the inevitability of the radical impact of an unpredictable climate, rising sea levels, the collapse of biodiversity? How do we remain faithful to God and loving to our neighbour, particularly if our neighbours are exiles and immigrants because their homes are no longer inhabitable? What do we tell our children and grandchildren, so they don't grow up completely overwhelmed by anxiety, such that mental illness levels continue to soar?Frances Wardattempts to think through some of these questions; to continue to have faith, hope, and love in response to God. It is a Christian response to eco-anxiety, a theological and contemplative reflection to sustain a fierce hope that hopes against hope. It is a deep lament that provokes a fierce hope to enable humanity to live life to the full, like there's no tomorrow.
The Church of England now supports more retired clergy than there are clergy engaged in active stipendiary ministry. Evidence suggests that in some areas it is retired clergy who are keeping ministry afloat (especially in some rural dioceses), while others feel their experience and expertise is no longer valued by a changing Church.In this stimulating (and at times disturbing) book, the editors have published for the first time the findings of a survey conducted among 784 religiously-engaged retired clergy. Then, against this background, they have drawn together the voices of fourteen retired clergy from across the breadth of the Church of England.Here are unique windows into who religiously-engaged retired clergy really are, how much they engage in the life of the Church, what they believe, and how they feel about the churches and congregations to which they continue to relate.
A collection of sermons that explore how we can learn to hear the voice of God in prayer, in the life of Jesus and in the human voice.
A new appraisal of the life and work of Juliana Horatia Ewing (1841-1885) as a writer of fiction and poetry for both children and adults.
Reflecting on the key places in Jesus' life, ministry and death, Following Jesus in the Holy Land is a study course on Christian discipleship that can be used by individuals and groups during the seasons of Advent and Lent. Each chapter considers one of the main locations of the Gospel story, including Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Judaean desert, Mount Tabor and the Sea of Galilee, and invites readers to reflect on the meaning of discipleship today. Each chapter includes questions for reflection, Bible readings and suggestions for worship as well as ideas for "things to do" as a disciple of Christ.
The first comprehensive study of the Jesus Prayer, and its origins and use, providing an overview of this ancient mystical prayer practice from the Christian East which is now also widely used in the Western Church.
A challenging and thoughtful reflection about the question of how a merciful God can allow evil.
A letter from a bishop to his newly-ordained son, revised for today's audience and with an epilogue by the original recipient (who is now Dean of Chelmsford) reflecting on ministry today.
In this ground-breaking theological appreciation of neo-Darwinism, David O. Brown argues that evolution is not the way that God creates, but is a consequence of creatures' imitating and participating in God. Theologians often claim that evolution is the way that God creates; however, this is not how biologists understand evolution. David O. Brownargues that a sober appreciation of neo-Darwinism understands evolution as a theory of preservation, not creation. Evolution is not a temporary process that will end in the completion of creation (or deification), but is a permanent feature of how creation is. In other words, evolution is a scientific theory of ontology, not a scientific theory of creation, and the point of connection between evolution and theology is ontology, not creation.This leads to two important implications:First, evolution cannot be the way that God creates and, further, shows that God cannot influence the universe. This leads to the idea that Christ is the sole agent of all divine activity; God creates through Christ. Second,there is a connection between the theological ontology of participation and imitation on one side and neo-Darwinism on the other. Evolution is simply imitation and participation at a biological level. Thus, causing participation is the divine act achieved through Christ, of which evolution becomes a necessary side effect. Evolution is not the way that God creates, but is a consequence of creatures' imitating and participating in God.
Pastoral care is central to Christian ministry, and it can take ministers to the edges of human life. Chaplains often work on the edge of institutions, and frequently on the edge of society. In this thoughtful and practical book, Rosie Deedes draws on her experience as a chaplain in prisons and hospices and reflects on the nature of pastoral care and the contribution chaplaincy can make to the life and ministry of the Church. Focusing particularly on the taboo subject of death and dying, she shows how ministers such as clergy and chaplains are called to go 'into the depths' of human life to share the love and compassion of God. Reflecting on a number of pastoral encounters, the book invites ministers to confront the depths of human life and to develop resilience that enables them to engage in depth with all they encounter.
Churches are intended to be inclusive communities of love, yet the reality is often different, and leaders find themselves needing to resolve conflict and ease tensions within the community, as they are attempting to facilitate change. David Robert Tomlinson draws on systems thinking and conflict resolution techniques originating in the Anabaptist tradition as well as on his extensive experience in ordained ministry and offers practical guidance and a vision for constructive church leadership that can indeed facilitate churches that are rooted and grounded in love and can embrace change with confidence and resilience."An immediately usable and understandable text that will enable many others to benefit from David's leadership insights."The Revd Canon Dr Roger Matthews, Dean of Mission and Ministry, Diocese of Chelmsford"This is both a wise and a practical book, calling us to bear hopeful witness as God's people in the world today."Liz Griffiths, Director of Training, Bridge Builders
This is a thoughtful and engaging companion for all who experience times of spiritual crisis.Having come to faith as a young adult, Sarah Parkinson had always had a strong sense of the presence and loving care of God in her life. Following a family bereavement, she found herself searching for a God who no longer seemed to be there. Movingly expressed in reflective prose, and poems written at the time, she describes how this experience led her to a more profound and mature relationship with God. The author tells her own story and in doing so enables others to search for and find transformation in their life of faith.
Matthew's Gospel seeks to show that the life, teaching and ministry of Jesus fulfils what was promised in the Old Testament and has long been expected by the people of Israel.In this accessible guide to the first book of the New Testament, Patrick Whitworth explores key texts and themes of the Gospel of Matthew, such as the Sermon on the Mount, the Passion Narrative, the story of the resurrection and the Gospel's finale in the Great Commission to "e;go into all the world and preach the good news"e;. Originally written as a manual for discipleship for Jewish-Christians, Matthew remains a challenging text for all who want to learn what it means to follow Christ today.
The Council of Jerusalem in 49 AD and recorded in the Acts of the Apostles is the beginning of the Church's mission to the Gentiles. In a close reading of the biblical texts about the Council, the author, a Roman Catholic Biblical Theologian, explores how the Council's hard-won decision to move from nationalism to universalism is not only the most important event in the history of the early Church but remains a constant challenge for the Church today if it wants to remain credible in the contemporary world and to its own members.
Call to the North was a unique initiative of Evangelism in the North East of England in the early 1970s. Against the background of increasing secularization of society and the gradual breaking down of historical barriers between denominations, it was of its time but also ahead of its time. Written by the Secretary to the group, this book is an important contribution to the study of the history of Christianity in England.
In Love in Thin Places, David Grieve, a chaplain at Durham Cathedral, invites us to join him as he walks around the greatest of the Northern cathedrals. In this building that has offered sanctuary, silence and space for prayer to many over the centuries, we meet not only saints like Cuthbert, Bede and Godric but are also confronted with the questions and concerns of today's pilgrims and visitors and not least the chaplain himself.The poems have been written over a period of thirty years, in some cases as a direct result of personal experiences or impressions received while at the Cathedral. The Cathedral is a Thin Place, where the distance between the close presence of God and the realities of life on earth seems to shorten. This is building with its many functions as a house of worship, music, art and other exhibitions, university graduations and all manner of events is itself a medium through which we can draw closer to God, speaking as it does of him.
“An intelligent and fresh exposition of what the Christian faith is.” — John GoldingayKingdom Come makes essential theological topics relevant and readable without diluting the Gospel message, drawing on the work of thinkers such as Augustine, John Calvin, George MacDonald, Karl Barth, C. S. Lewis, J. I. Packer and N. T. Wright.This book is essential reading for anyone in, or training for, church leadership: clergy, pastors, students, ordinands, preachers, and teachers.
This haunting and deeply personal collection of poems springs from the search for God in the pain and vulnerability of life, in the beauty of Creation, in the joy and sacredness of relationship and the pathos of loss, and in all the ordinary and challenging aspects of life. Lyn McCrave's poems, although personal, reflect our common longing for meaning in life, and our desire for union, for relationship.The poems provide a glimpse into the inner heart and sacred space of the writer, revealing in a raw honesty her vulnerability and openness, and the peace that comes from trust and self abandonment. There is compassion and empathy with the suffering of others when sometimes all that can be done is to stand by them. But there is also hope in seeing life beyond this life, an eternal purpose.
Prayer is a strange thing. Simple yet profound. How does it work? We don't know. But God hears and loves us to talk to Him and to sit in His presence. Even in the darkness of night, when all the world seems to rest but you, there is a cry from the heart to a listening and understanding Father.GASP! is a fervent and arresting response to a fast-changing world, the joy of creation and connection, and the goodness found in people. The poems ask pertinent and hard questions about life, relationships, suffering and inequality. Some of these questions are answered, while others remain mysterious, complex and concerning...
Does the Christian Bible seem somehow remote, inaccessible, or difficult to penetrate? This unusual book offers a way in to the Bible which has probably never been attempted before...It introduces the first six books of the Bible through a combination of poetry, conversation and commentary. The poems are written in a variety of styles, from sonnet to Haiku, reflecting the variety of writing in the Bible, and simply to enjoy the art of poetry as one of God's gifts to humankind.Sometimes humorous, often challenging, and always accessible, this is a book for anyone who doesn't know where to start with the Old Testament.
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