Christian Theology of Place

John Inge, Bishop of Worcester, UK

Prize: Shortlisted for the Michael Ramsay Prize, 2005 'A wonderful book. I learned immensely from having read it.' Stanley Hauerwas, Duke Divinity School, USA 'This welcome book is a perceptive and helpful statement of why and how Christian faith needs to be embodied in places and activities.  It significantly enriches the understanding of faith, and provides important help in responding to those who question religious symbols and institutions today.' Daniel W Hardy, Cambridge, UK 'A study that I judge to be on target in powerful and compelling ways. The opening chapter on Hellenistic background is powerful, the development in sacramental directions is most helpful. The work on the Old Testament is sound and well articulated. The push toward a 'relational' understanding of place, and the appreciation of the distinction between place and space presented in this book, will prove of great value to a wide range of readers.' Walter Brueggemann, William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary, USA 'John Inge's book is a welcome addition to the small but growing volume of literature reflecting theologically on the fact that we are necessarily situated beings... I agree with Inge that a new respect for place is vital in a world remorselessly globalised by the big corporations and the new imperialism; and in that respect his book is especially timely and helpful.' The Church Times '... this is an excellent book. It makes a much needed contribution at a time when so much of the 'place' is derided, and all is movement and rootlessness.' Anvil 'The eleven-page bibliography shows the impressive breadth of his scholarship, and the footnotes [...] show the depth of his engagement with his sources... Readers approaching the book from an interest in Christian theology will find that Inge has made his case thoroughly and convincingly; they will not thereafter be able to ignore 'place' as a theological topic... Inge's approach is

• Contents: Introduction; Place in western thought and practice; Place and the scriptures; Place and the Christian tradition: a sacramental approach; Place and the Christian tradition: pilgrimage and holy places; A renewed appreciation of place: an offering to the world; Bibliography; Index.