J. Richard Middleton – författare

It is traditional to think we should praise Abraham for his willingness to sacrifice his son as proof of his love for God. But have we misread the point of the story? Is it possible that a careful reading of Genesis 22 could reveal that God was not pleased with Abraham's silent obedience?Widely respected biblical theologian, creative thinker, and public speaker J. Richard Middleton suggests we have misread and misapplied the story of the binding of Isaac and shows that God desires something other than silent obedience in difficult times. Middleton focuses on the ethical and theological problem of Abraham's silence and explores the rich biblical tradition of vigorous prayer, including the lament psalms, as a resource for faith. Middleton also examines the book of Job in terms of God validating Job's lament as "right speech," showing how the vocal Job provides an alternative to the silent Abraham.This book provides a fresh interpretation of Genesis 22 and reinforces the church's resurgent interest in lament as an appropriate response to God.

2014 Word Guild Award (Biblical Studies)Named a 2014 Jesus Creed Book of the Year (Theology)Best Theology Book of 2014, Englewood Review of BooksBest Book of Biblical Studies for 2014, Hearts & Minds BooksIn recent years, more and more Christians have come to appreciate the Bible's teaching that the ultimate blessed hope for the believer is not an otherworldly heaven; instead, it is full-bodied participation in a new heaven and a new earth brought into fullness through the coming of God's kingdom. Drawing on the full sweep of the biblical narrative, J. Richard Middleton unpacks key Old Testament and New Testament texts to make a case for the new earth as the appropriate Christian hope. He suggests its ethical and ecclesial implications, exploring the difference a holistic eschatology can make for living in a broken world.

What is Christianity? brings to life the beliefs and story of Christianity. This textbook provides a thorough overview and critical assessment of core beliefs, their origin, and how adherents of the world's largest religion practice their faith. In this unique textbook, the following questions are answered from the perspectives of theologians, historians, biblical scholars, and philosophers:1 What are the central beliefs of Christianity?2 Where do these beliefs come from?3 What are the major challenges to Christian belief?4 How do these beliefs inform Christian practice?Each chapter includes summaries, introductory reading, advanced further reading, and suggested internet resources. In addition, every contributor provides a short video lecture that expands on the themes discussed in their chapter. Together, these materials make this volume an ideal resource for students beginning their study of Christianity and Christian Theology, as well as for readers seeking a deeper understanding of the Christian intellectual and spiritual tradition.

What is Christianity? brings to life the beliefs and story of Christianity. This textbook provides a thorough overview and critical assessment of core beliefs, their origin, and how adherents of the world's largest religion practice their faith. In this unique textbook, the following questions are answered from the perspectives of theologians, historians, biblical scholars, and philosophers:1 What are the central beliefs of Christianity?2 Where do these beliefs come from?3 What are the major challenges to Christian belief?4 How do these beliefs inform Christian practice?Each chapter includes summaries, introductory reading, advanced further reading, and suggested internet resources. In addition, every contributor provides a short video lecture that expands on the themes discussed in their chapter. Together, these materials make this volume an ideal resource for students beginning their study of Christianity and Christian Theology, as well as for readers seeking a deeper understanding of the Christian intellectual and spiritual tradition.

What is Christianity? brings to life the beliefs and story of Christianity. This textbook provides a thorough overview and critical assessment of core beliefs, their origin, and how adherents of the world's largest religion practice their faith. In this unique textbook, the following questions are answered from the perspectives of theologians, historians, biblical scholars, and philosophers:1 What are the central beliefs of Christianity?2 Where do these beliefs come from?3 What are the major challenges to Christian belief?4 How do these beliefs inform Christian practice?Each chapter includes summaries, introductory reading, advanced further reading, and suggested internet resources. In addition, every contributor provides a short video lecture that expands on the themes discussed in their chapter. Together, these materials make this volume an ideal resource for students beginning their study of Christianity and Christian Theology, as well as for readers seeking a deeper understanding of the Christian intellectual and spiritual tradition.

What is Christianity? brings to life the beliefs and story of Christianity. This textbook provides a thorough overview and critical assessment of core beliefs, their origin, and how adherents of the world's largest religion practice their faith. In this unique textbook, the following questions are answered from the perspectives of theologians, historians, biblical scholars, and philosophers:1 What are the central beliefs of Christianity?2 Where do these beliefs come from?3 What are the major challenges to Christian belief?4 How do these beliefs inform Christian practice?Each chapter includes summaries, introductory reading, advanced further reading, and suggested internet resources. In addition, every contributor provides a short video lecture that expands on the themes discussed in their chapter. Together, these materials make this volume an ideal resource for students beginning their study of Christianity and Christian Theology, as well as for readers seeking a deeper understanding of the Christian intellectual and spiritual tradition.

For two thousand years, Christians have been intrigued by the somewhat enigmatic Imago Dei references in the book of Genesis. Much theological ink has been spilled mulling over the significance and meaning of these words: "Let us make humanity in our image, according to our likeness . . . "In The Liberating Image, J. Richard Middleton takes on anew the challenge of interpreting the Imago Dei. Reflecting on the potential of the Imago Dei texts for developing an ethics of power rooted in compassion, he relates its significance to the Christian community''s distinct calling in an increasingly violent world. The Liberating Image introduces a relevant, scholarly take on an important Christian doctrine. It will appeal to all Christians seeking to better understand what it means to be made in God''s image.

It is traditional to think we should praise Abraham for his willingness to sacrifice his son as proof of his love for God. But have we misread the point of the story? Is it possible that a careful reading of Genesis 22 could reveal that God was not pleased with Abraham''s silent obedience?Widely respected biblical theologian, creative thinker, and public speaker J. Richard Middleton suggests we have misread and misapplied the story of the binding of Isaac and shows that God desires something other than silent obedience in difficult times. Middleton focuses on the ethical and theological problem of Abraham''s silence and explores the rich biblical tradition of vigorous prayer, including the lament psalms, as a resource for faith. Middleton also examines the book of Job in terms of God validating Job''s lament as "right speech," showing how the vocal Job provides an alternative to the silent Abraham.This book provides a fresh interpretation of Genesis 22 and reinforces the church''s resurgent interest in lament as an appropriate response to God.

These essays--on matters biblical, theological, historical, and beyond--pay tribute to the multidisciplinary impact of Paul Livermore, founding faculty member and Professor Emeritus of Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, NY.

For two thousand years, Christians have been intrigued by the somewhat enigmatic Imago Dei references in the book of Genesis. Much theological ink has been spilled mulling over the significance and meaning of these words: "Let us make humanity in our image, according to our likeness . . . "In The Liberating Image, J. Richard Middleton takes on anew the challenge of interpreting the Imago Dei. Reflecting on the potential of the Imago Dei texts for developing an ethics of power rooted in compassion, he relates its significance to the Christian community's distinct calling in an increasingly violent world. The Liberating Image introduces a relevant, scholarly take on an important Christian doctrine. It will appeal to all Christians seeking to better understand what it means to be made in God's image.

The project of developing a contextual theology for the Caribbean was first articulated in the early 1970s in Trinidad and Jamaica. In the years since, many evangelical churches and theologians in the Caribbean have been ambivalent about the validity of this project, assuming that an emphasis on context was somehow antithetical to the pure gospel. But the crisis of the times, along with a more mature hermeneutic, has led to a re-evaluation of this assumption. Here a group of evangelical Caribbean theologians enter the discussion, with substantive proposals for how the gospel addresses the Caribbean context. They are joined by other theologians from mainline Protestant and Catholic traditions in the Caribbean. The result is an ecumenical dialogue on the diverse ways in which orthodox Christian faith may provide both challenge and hope for the Caribbean context. Half the essays in this volume were originally presented at the Forum on Caribbean Theology held in 2010 at the Jamaica Theological Seminary; the rest were invited especially for this volume.

The Advent of Justice was first published in 1993 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the CJL Foundation and Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ). Responding to God''s call for love, justice, and stewardship, the CJL Foundation and CPJ have been at the forefront of research and advocacy in areas such as poverty and unemployment, economics, and social justice, aboriginal rights, refugees, energy policy and the environment.The republication of The Advent of Justice celebrates more than 50 years of faithful witness for justice by CJL and CPJ.In this book of reflections, four friends come together to lead us more deeply into Advent as a time of profound hope for the coming of God''s good kingdom of shalom while also a time of lament and anguish in the face of injustice.