One of Professor Lash's great gifts is that of asking awkward questions and not allowing solutions of theological problems to pass as accepted answers simply because they sound plausible and are passed on without rigorous examination. This collection of recent studies, some previously unpublished, is eloquent testimony to that gift, but without ever losing sight of the fact that theology is not only on the way, but on the way to the consummation of the experience of Easter. Of the book Professor Lash writes: The story of the disciples on the way to Emmaus can serve as a parable for the task of Christian interpretation. Those disciples, like the rest of us, had some difficulty in 'reading' their history and the context of 'recognition', the occasion on which things began to make sense, was not some 'religious' event in a sacred space, but an act of human hospitality. The first two essays treat problems which confront all current theology: the tension between the constructive and critical responsibilities of the theologian, and the relationship between the theological diversity and the unity of faith. There then follows a group of four essays dealing with aspects of the relationship between scripture, theology, and the problems of Christian living, that is to say, of 'hermeneutics' or 'fundamental theology'. The next pair, which complement each other, are rather more philosophical or theoretical in character, and the final group considers more directly doctrinal questions concerning (respectively) religious experience and the doctrine of God, christology, resurrection, ecclesiology, and Christian hope.

Aimed at scholars and students of missiology, this book consider missions through the lens of ‘prophetic dialogue'. The authors try to to bring a fresh approach to the subject of mission– introducing some newer themes (identity, creation, migration) and offering a different perspective on some older themes by grouping them in this way.

In this work Paul Murray explores which style of rationality is most appropriate to Christian theology in the contemporary pluralist, postfoundationalist, postmodern context. At its heart is a fresh consideration of the American pragmatist tradition, focussing on the writings of Richard Rorty and Nicholas Rescher. Where Rorty correctly diagnoses the failures of foundationalist "objectivism", Rescher's "pragmatic idealism" is presented as healing the ills in Rorty's own neo-pragmatism. The significant resonance between Rescher's view of rationality and Christian understanding of the trinity is explored. In turn, Donald MacKinnon's influential writings are presented as exemplifying just such an approach to theology. Murray both articulates an enriched form of Christian postliberalism, committed to receiving and learning from other traditions of thought and practice and probes the claim that the dynamics of human rationality can be expected to reflect the Trinitarian dynamics of God's being. "Paul Murray presents us here with an exhaustive and insightful study of recent pragmatic theory, in which he sets up rhythms of healing and completion as well as interrogation... particularly remarkable is his exploration of Christianity as the deep and in some sense final interlocutor of pragmatic tradition. I strongly recommend this book." Olivier Davis, Professor of Christian Doctrine, King's College London. "This is a mature, wide-ranging work that by uniting the intellectual and the practical carries both rational and ethical conviction. It does equal justice to the classic teachings of Christianity and to the challenges to rethink them in dialogue with modern and postmodern approaches. The result is a conception of Christianity both generously orthodox and deeply engaged with contemporary life and thought. It is especially good to see the profound contribution of Donald MacKinnon understood and developed with such perception and relevance." David F. Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge. Paul Murray is currently Lecturer in Systematic Theology within the Department of Theology at the University of Durham, England. He has previously held posts at St Cuthbert's Seminary, Ushaw College, Durham and Newman College of Higher Education, Birmingham. Essays of his exploring issues in philosophical theology, science and theology and contemporary Roman Catholic theology have appeared in leading journals and edited collections. This is his first monograph.

In distinctive voice and tone, cultural commentator Glenn W. Olsen presents his latest work on the place of Catholicism in American history. Here he clarifies the meaning of American modernity for Catholics and shows the conflicts and tensions confronting the religious person today.

What is the primary purpose of Christian theology? What governs its deliberations and sets the standards by which its claims are evaluated? In Politics of the Theological, Barry Harvey argues that politics - the art and science of human life in community - provides the essential framework for answering these foundational questions. According to Harvey, the church is the community that models a new type of society to the world, ordered around the habits and relations of Christ. Theological inquiry helps the church to foster relationships that embody the divine offer of new life and challenge the dehumanizing practices of modern culture. The realization of this new society in the Christian community becomes for all creation the historical sign of God's peaceable kingdom.

this curricula is part of my personal journey. I poured my heart and spirit into it. It is not a pure theological essay, but a blend of experience and theology. The fathers of the Church throughout history underlined two important conditions in studying the Bible and writing theology: the first is to read the Bible communally within Christ’s body, the Church. The exegesis is an ecclesial task that takes place within the Church and for the Church. The second is to read the Bible within the context of practice of prayer, worship and spiritual formation. The fathers insisted on the connection between spiritual well being, life in the Church and commentary on the Church book. I have faithfully endeavored to follow the instructions of the fathers. My hope is that the reader of this book, or the group that will share this journey, will realize that this voyage is the culmination of almost 10 years of daily reflection and analysis of the problems that our teenagers face in their daily lives. It is the reply to many prayers and personal devotions. Its ultimate purpose is to help our youth build a personal and intimate relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Critically assessing Balthasar's interpretation of scripture in The Glory of the Lord: A Theological Aesthetics, Dickens demonstrates the extent to which his approach to scripture abides by certain pre-modern interpretive conventions.

In Explorations in Ecclesiology and Ethnography Christian Scharen and several other contributors explore empirical and theological understandings of the church. Like the first volume in the Studies in Ecclesiology and Ethnography series, this second volume seeks to bridge the great divide between theological research and ethnography (qualitative research). The book's wide-ranging chapters cover such fascinating topics as geographic habits of American evangelicals, debates over difficult issues like homosexuality, and responses to social problems like drug abuse and homelessness. The contributors together model a collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach, with fruitful results that will set a new standard for ecclesiological research. Contributors: Christopher Brittain Helen Cameron Henk De Roest Paul Fiddes Matthew Guest Roger Haight Harald Hegstad Mark Mulder Paul Murray James Nieman Christian B. Scharen James K. A. Smith John Swinton Pete Ward Clare Watkins

Group leadership is a skill that we never entirely master. This short guide offers practical, well-researched advice on how to set up and lead effective Emmaus Nurture and Growth courses. Laying a biblical framework for group leadership, it includes information and advice on the following issues: the role of the leader in the group; making newcomes to the group feel welcome; how to prepare for each session; leading Nurture and Growth groups; how to use shared meals and retreats to help a group grow. This second edition of Leading an Emmaus Group builds upon the experience of those who have used the Emmaus material since it was first published. Emmaus: The Way of Faith is a course designed to welcome people into the Christian faith and the life of the Church. It aims to involve the whole Church in evangelism, the nurture of new believers and ongoing Christian discipleship.

Emmaus: The Way of Faith is a course designed to welcome people into the Christian faith and the life of the Church. Growing as a Christian contains five short courses to encourage believers toward maturity in key areas of the Christian life: prayer, the Scriptures, church, worship, sacraments, and Christian hope.