Stanley J. Grenz and Roger E. Olson show what theology is, what tools theologians use, why every believer (advanced degrees or not) is a theologian, and how the theological enterprise can be productive and satisfying.

"Why Psychology Needs Theology" shows how Christian insights into human nature can be integrated with psychological theory and suggests ways that a basic understanding of faith might positively impact the therapeutic process. In the first part of the book, Nancey Murphy explores the core assumptions of psychology from the vantage point of her expertise in the philosophy of science. Psychology needs theology and ethics, she argues, to help it address the question of what constitutes a good life. Taking an Anabaptist, or Radical-Reformation, perspective that emphasizes Jesus' vulnerable love for his enemies and renunciation of power, Murphy challenges psychology to take seriously the goodness of self-renunciation. In the second part of the book, other scholars extend and challenge Murphy's model, discussing such topics as gender and culture. All those who work at the intersection of religion and psychology -- teachers, pastors, specialists, and professional care providers -- will find this exchange fruitful and valuable. Contributors: Mari L. Clements Alvin Dueck Cynthia Neal Kimball Cameron Lee J. Derek McNeil Alexandra E. Mitchell Nancey Murphy Kevin Reimer Frank C. Richardson Brent D. Slife

Can relligion and politics mix? Many voices reply, "No way!" Yet in this provocative and timely book, Brendan Sweetman argues against this charge and the various sophisticated arguments that support it. As we witness the clash of religious and secular worldviews he claims that our pluralistic democratic society will be best served when the faith elements of secularism are acknowledged and the rational elements of religious arguments are allowed to inform the momentous debates taking place in the public square. In fact, Sweetman contends that "politics needs religion if it is to be truly democratic, concerned with fairness among worldviews, equality and a vigorous public discussion."

This is a print on demand book and is therefore non- returnable. What is wrong with America? It has often called itself a Christian nation, yet its social and moral problems are legion. The increasing rates of crime, juvenile delinquency, teenage pregnancy, sexual promiscuity, and divorce are frequently linked to the declining importance of religious belief. But is there more than a presumed link between the strength of personal religiousness and moral behavior? Yes, says Guenter Lewy, and the large quantity of empirical data in existence which establishes that link ought to move people -- Christians and non-Christians alike -- to sit up and take note. In this trenchant analysis of the moral decline of modern America, Lewy describes the moral crisis caused by secular modernity and points to the role of religiousness -- especially Christian religiousness -- as a necessary bulwark against today's social ills. This work is all the more intriguing in that Lewy is an agnostic who has nonetheless concluded that a society that cuts itself off from the religious roots of its moral heritage is doomed to decline. Lewy traces the rise of secularism in Western society, focusing particularly on the cult of individualism, and describes the social consequences of the weakened role of religion. He demonstrates that the crisis of the family and the rise of the underclass in our inner cities are linked to the decline of traditional values and shows, on the basis of surveys and other empirical data, that genuine religiousness can ward off some of the corrosive effects of modernity. Lewy concludes by calling on Christians, adherents of other faiths, and true humanists to join forces in the struggle to reverse the current ethos of radical individualism that threatens the moral integrity of our society.

What role does religion play in modern societies? Is it merely an anachronism that hinders our economic growth? Is it a kind of superstition that people should be left to enjoy in private but should refrain from discussing in public? It is no secret that the Christian churches in Western societies have massive problems – quite apart from the recent scandals. Shrinking congregations are just one sign of their diminishing relevance. But what would happen to democracy if the resonance of religion were to fade entirely? Leading sociologist Hartmut Rosa addresses this fundamental question in a way that makes us think afresh about religion and the role it plays in our contemporary democratic societies. He argues that religion fosters a culture of dialogue, listening and reflection that allows us to form connections with others and experience the world as meaningful. This, in turn, helps citizens cultivate a democratic sensibility that can serve as an anchor in unstable times. With his characteristic clarity and insight, Rosa analyses our contemporary societies and dares to ponder what would happen if the centuries-old reservoir of wisdom embedded in religion were to be lost in an ultra-modern age.

In his book, poised to become a standard historical theology textbook, Roger Olson takes us on a journey of events ranging from the apostolic fathers to the Reformation to the present.

In this major revision and expansion of the classic 20th-Century Theology (1992), coauthored with Stanley J. Grenz, Roger Olson tells the full story of modern theology from Descartes to Caputo, from the Kantian revolution to postmodernism, now recast in terms of how theologians have accommodated or rejected modernity.

A theology that is real, readable, and relevant -- such is Paul Jewett's God, Creation, and Revelation. Writing from a distinctively evangelical and Reformed viewpoint, Jewett offers a general, systematic introduction to these doctrines of the Christian church: how we know God (revelation and Scripture); who God is (the divine nature); what God is like (the divine attributes); and what God has done (creation). / While upholding the historic Christian faith, Jewett's approach to Christian teaching is uniquely "neo-evangelical" in that he seeks to expound and clarify orthodox Christianity for twentieth-century Christians: Jewett purposely sets forth his systematic theology in light of scientific and social issues that confront the church in the contemporary world. Throughout the book Jewett also refers to literary masterpieces and to the church's hymns, giving the reader a greater appreciation for the theological treasures in our literature and our hymnody. / The culmination of nearly forty years of study and teaching, this book adeptly balances the philosophical efforts needed in systematic theology with the biblical material in which Christian doctrines are rooted, and it covers well the range of theologies -- from the early fathers to the Scholastics, from the Reformers to liberation and feminist theologians. Interspersed throughout the text are useful addenda and excursuses, which provide further detailed treatment of specific topics. / An unusual feature of God, Creation, and Revelation is Jewett's inclusion of eight sermons by Dr. Marguerite Shuster, a former student of his. Believing that theology and preaching must go together, Jewett has strategically placed these sermons throughout the book as creative examples of how to preach Christian doctrines.