This book follows the tide of reform and renewal in Church history, and demonstrates that reform has always been an essential element of Christianity. Indeed, Christopher Bellitto emphasizes that reform should not be perceived as limited to the Reformation or Vatican II. As one learns from the author's analysis, the history of Christianity is little other than the history of reform. This sweeping assessment of Church history is both remarkable and deep, but is also highly readable. Bellitto begins with an introduction to the subject of reform and follows that with chapters on the patristic period and Carolingian Renaissance, the High Middle Ages (1050-1300), Avignon to Trent, From Trent to Modernity, and Vatican II. He ends with a conclusion that draws together the recurring themes and patterns of reform activity in the Church. In short, this is a unique book on the subject of Church reform. Renewing Christianity is useful to both scholars and non-academics alike. It is written in a "learnedly popular style," and would appeal to clergy, seminarians, academics, graduate students or anyone interested in Church reform and renewal, Church history, or historical theology. +

For Rudolf Steiner, Christ's Incarnation and death on Golgotha were central events in earthly and cosmic history. Humankind, he said, would evolve in time toward a spiritual awareness of Christ's presence in creation and the individual would no longer need "institutionalized" religious beliefs. In this concise introduction to Steiner's ideas, the author also describes the Christian Community, which Steiner helped to establish as a movement for Christian renewal. The Christian Community--also called the Movement for Religious Renewal--is an independent church founded in 1922 in Switzerland with the help of Rudolf Steiner. The first American Congregation was founded in New York City in 1948. Further information can be found at the Christian Community website (www.thechristiancommunity.org). This is not only one of the best introductions to the Christian Community and its history, but an excellent introduction to the whole of Rudolf Steiner's worldview known as spiritual science, or Anthroposophy.

This book gives an overview of one-hundred years of Pentecostal history in Latin America and addresses the move of the Holy Spirit in nations such as Brazil, Columbia, Argentina Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Mexico, as well as the Caribbean.,

The growth of Spirit-empowered Christianity has been nothing short of phenomenal. From a handful of believers in the early twentieth century to a global movement today numbering over 600 million people in almost every culture and denomination, those who embrace the Holy Spirit and His gifts are now the fastest growing religious group in the world. This book is an authoritative collection from more than two dozen leaders in and scholars of the Spirit-empowered movement in Asia and Oceania. Focusing on the future of the movement, these world-renowned scholars address the theological and cultural challenges of the new century and share emerging insights on how the next generation will face them.

This book explores the changes underwent by the Orthodox Churches of Eastern and Southeastern Europe as they came into contact with modernity. The movements of religious renewal among Orthodox believers appeared almost simultaneously in different areas of Eastern Europe at the end of the nineteenth and during the first decades of the twentieth century. This volume examines what could be defined as renewal movement in Eastern Orthodox traditions. Some case studies include the God Worshippers in Serbia, religious fraternities in Bulgaria, the Zoe movement in Greece, the evangelical movement among Romanian Orthodox believers known as Oastea Domnului (The Lord’s Army), the Doukhobors in Russia, and the Maliovantsy in Ukraine. This volume provides a new understanding of processes of change in the spiritual landscape of Orthodox Christianity and various influences such as other non-Orthodox traditions, charismatic leaders, new religious practices and rituals.

Cultural expressions of Christianity show great diversity around the globe. While scholarship has tended to consider charismatic practices in distinct geographical contexts, this volume advances the anthropology of Christianity through ethnographically rich, comparative insights from across the Australia-Pacific region. Christianity, Conflict, and Renewal in Australia and the Pacific presents new perspectives on the performative dynamics of Christian belief, conflict, and renewal. Addressing experiences of cultural and spiritual renewal, contributors reveal how tensions can arise between spiritual and political expressions of culture and identity, opening up alternative spaces for spiritual realization and religious change. These local processes further mobilize responses of individuals and groups to state forces and political reforms, in turn, influencing the shape of translocal and transnational Christian practices. Contributors are: Diane Austin-Broos, John Barker, Alison Dundon, Yannick Fer, Kirsty Gillespie, Jessica Hardin, Rodolfo Maggio, Fiona Magowan, Gwendoline Malogne-Fer, Debra McDougall, Joel Robbins, Carolyn Schwarz, and John Taylor.

The Christian faith has the allegiance of one third of the human race. It has succeeded in influencing civilization to such a degree that we now take its existence almost for granted. Yet it might all have been so different. Christianity began with the words and deeds of an obscure village carpenter's son who died a shameful criminal's death at the hands of the Roman occupiers of his country: itself an insignificant outpost of the powerful ruling Empire. The feverish land of biblical Palestine, awash with apocalyptic expectations of deliverance from its foreign overlords, was hardly short of seers and prophets who claimed to be sent visions from God. Yet the followers of this man thought he was different: so different, in fact, that some years after his death and asserted resurrection they scandalously insisted not only that he was sent by God, but that he 'was' God. How a provincial sect, with its seemingly outrageous ideas, became first the sanctioned religion of the Roman Empire and then, over the course of 2000 years, the creed of billions of people, is the improbable story that this book tells. It is a story of freethinkers, friars, fanatics and firebrands; and of the lay people (not just the clerical or the powerful) who have made up the great mass of Christians over the centuries. Many introductions to Christianity are written by Christians, for Christians. This elegant textbook, by contrast, shows that the history of the religion, while often glorious, is not one of unimpeded progress, but something still more remarkable, flawed and human.

Christian Theology: An Introduction, one of the most internationally-acclaimed Christian theology textbooks in use, has been completely rewritten for the 6th edition. It now features new and extended material and companion resources, ensuring it retains its reputation as the ideal introduction for students. A new edition of the bestselling Christian theology textbook to celebrate its 25th anniversary Rewritten throughout for exceptional clarity and accessibility, and adds substantial new material on the Holy Spirit Features increased coverage of postcolonial theology, and feminist theology, and prodigious development of world theology Increases the focus on contemporary theology to complement the excellent coverage of historical material A new 2-color design includes more pedagogical features including textboxes and sidebars to aid learning