Instead of being passive observers of the drama of worship, these resources involve the congregation each week. By asking people to bring simple items or certain attitudes, Oliver involves church members in creating meaningful worship, included in each week's material is an introductory statement explaining how the item will be used, an order of worship, a sermon, and a prayer.

Much of the preaching and teaching today demands that people actively earn their relationship with God. This prevailing understanding runs counter to the theology of the brothers Thomas F. Torrance (1913-2007) and James B. Torrance (1923-2003), who promoted the radical notion that all of humanity has its true being in Christ. In The Claim of Humanity in Christ, Alexandra Radcliff refutes the Torrances' many critics, asserting the significance of their controversial understanding of salvation for the interface between systematic and pastoral theology. Radcliff then widens the scope of her argument, constructively applying the implications of the Torrances' work to a liberating doctrine of sanctification. The Christian life is conceived as the free and joyful gift of sharing by the Spirit in the Son's intimate communion with the Father, revealing the reality of who we are in Christ.

This compelling question is central to a debate taking place among evangelicals today. Michael Horton, a preeminent voice for reformation in the church, has drawn together a group of leaders in the evangelical church to answer this question once and for all. - W. Robert Godfrey - Michael Horton - Alister McGrath - Kim Riddlebarger - Rick Ritchie - Rod Rosenbladt - Paul Schaefer - Robert Strimple These writers draw on Scripture, theology, and church history to address the Lordship salvation issue. They explain their positions clearly, taking care to avoid promulgating legalistic rules people need to follow to be considered Christian. But neither do they convey the feeling that rules no longer matter.

In the tradition of Karl Barth, T. F. and J. B. Torrance, and Ray Anderson, this collection of essays articulates a theology of ministry based on the humanity of Christ. A Christian theology of ministry, it insists, can be nothing less than a theology for humanity.

This book is filled with a wide variety of relevant, action-centered resources to help young people better appreciate God's word in the Sunday Scriptures. The resources for each Sunday's lectionary reading of the C cycle include lectionary and Scripture citations, themes that relate to young people, a synopsis of the Scripture readings, a fully described and directed activity, and several activity ideas -- all aimed at engaging the participants with God's word. This is an excellent resource for youth ministers high school religion teachers, parish leaders, and liturgists working with youth.

The themes that shape these prayer services include self-identity and uniqueness, friendship, community, and outreach. They encourage young people to pray by offering them aesthetically beautiful experiences of prayer. Opening Doors of Truth and Love invites teenagers to pray in reverent yet contemporary ways based on sound theological principles.

This easy-to-use resource provides initiation ministers with the pastoral tools needed to lead dismissal sessions with adults preparing for Baptism. Through reflection and discussion, each dismissal session guide helps to develop the catechumen’s relationship with Christ, self, and neighbor by internalizing the Word, concentrating their prayer around the Scriptures, and becoming familiar with the teachings of the Church. The step-by-step format makes leading the dismissal an easy and prayerful experience.

Those of us hearing a "Well Told Story" may become more aware of the Implications of that story than by a mere recital of facts. The use of the "Story Form" of relating an event may be the best method of capturing the signifi cance of the actual event. In the understanding and presentation of the Christian faith, "Story" is considered as a "fundamental category of reality." It is the perfect vehicle for presenting the Good News of the Gospel." (John Paul Roth) The presentation of real events in story form preserves the remembrance of reality without limiting its implications to the mere recording of historical facts. The Gospel story carries us beyond the realm of human understanding into the higher realm of faith. The power of story assists us in bridging the gap between the inexplicable in the Gospel Story and the human experience, This holds true with the stories which accompany and support the underlying " Story of God in Jesus Christ." True stories, as is the Gospel Story, will take precedence over stories told only for entertainment or to serve a specifi c agenda, Yet even the stories of integrity and truth need to be told well and with skill. This is discussed in detail herein. As Theologians we must tell the Story with truth and understanding; as Evangelists with persuasiveness and tolerance, and as Preachers, or Witnesses, we must share the Story often, convincingly and with Love. "Loving God, loving each other and the Story never ends

How, from a theological standpoint, should we make sense of gratitude? This rich interdisciplinary volume is the first concertedly to explore theologies of gratitude from both Christian and Muslim perspectives. While the available literature has tended to rhapsodize gratitude to God and others as both a virtue and an obligation, this book by contrast offers something new by detailing ways in which gratitude is complicated by inequality: even to the point of becoming a vice. Gratitude now emerges as something more than a virtue and other than merely transactional. It can be a burden, bringing about indebtedness and an imbalance of power; but it may also be a resonant source of reconciliation and belonging. Topics discussed cover the personal and political dimensions of gratitude, including such issues as justice, multiculturalism, racism, imperialism, grief, memory and hope. The book assembles, from different traditions, some of the leading theologians of our times.

This commentary on Ephesians offers a somewhat different approach to its interpretation. God has a specific purpose in the believer's election, and the blessings he experiences as a result of believing are for a purpose. To fulfill this purpose, Paul, in chapters one through three, explains what the believer needs to know and in chapters four through six explains what he needs to do. The emphasis is on God's eternal purpose and His plan for accomplishing it. Understanding His purpose and experiencing His blessings and equipping ought to be plenty of incentive in getting personally involved.