James Clarke – serie

An essay on the value of the sacraments. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are means of grace, representing spiritual realities by whose observance the Church and its members celebrate the life they are given in Christ. Upon this belief Professor Arndt examines the meaning of "sacramental theology" particularly in its relation to the whole of the Gospel of Christ. He believes that the "Font" and "Table" are symbolic events representing God's renewing action, and through them this "Community of faith and people of God becomes concrete in historical actuality". He does not claim that this essay provides a complete sacramental theology. He is primarily concerned with securing a perspective of sacramental practice in the hope of assisting in a "reconstruction of sacramental teaching, a more responsible ordering of practice and a more understanding participation in the sacraments of the gospel."

Since its first publication in German in 1959, Paul has been hailed as a major study of the apostle to the Gentiles, combining exceptional scholarship with an unusual approach. Schoeps interprets Paul's theology in the light of his Jewish background, which coloured and conditioned his Christological teaching. Paul's conception of Jesus differs from that of the Synoptics: what and how extensive the difference is and whence it is derived are among the questions Schoeps examines.After surveying major problems in Pauline research, the Author relates the apostle to primitive Christianity, discussing his eschatology and his teachings on salvation, the law, and saving history. The final chapter shows that Paul's distinctive doctrines result from two converging factors: that Paul never saw Jesus in the flesh, and the influence of Jewish teaching. The consequence was his concern with the resurrected Saviour of the world, the pre-existent and eternal Son of God. Schoeps shows that Paul betrayed a fundamental misconception of the law and the covenantal agreement between God and his chosen people. The result is a thought-provoking, and somewhat startling, study of the first, the greatest, and the most difficult of all Christian theologians.

The second series of van Leeuwen's Gifford Lectures examines the young Karl Marx's developing thought, of importance to those studying Marx and those involved in Marxist-Christian dialogue. The author examines the "transmutation" from the critique of heaven into the critique of earth. His thesis is that Marx's critique of religion is seen not in his opposition to "religion", but in his ideas on political economy. This thesis is undergirded with analysis of Marx's critique of political economy from 1842 to "Das Kapital". Marx's biography works itself out at three levels of critique: from religion via politics to political economy. "Das Kapital" sums up the whole of Marx's thought. The analysis of the "mystical character of commodities" is both the key to the critique of Christianity, "with its cult of abstract man", and the key to the critique of political economy, the fetishism of which "emerges clear as the noon-day, whenever it has to do with capital".

Under the overall title of "Critique of Heaven and Earth", this first series of van Leeuwen's Gifford Lectures examines the young Karl Marx's developing thought. It is intended for those studying Marx and those involved in Marxist-Christian dialogue, Christian philosophy occupied a key position in Marx's view of world history and his confrontation with it played an important role in his development as a thinker. Van Leeuwen has written a thoughtful account of this confrontation and of Marx's critiques of religion which was one of the major themes of his early thought. "It is not the religious situation as such which preoccupies him during these early years", van Leeuwen writes, "any more than it is the question of economics as such which will absorb his attention during the mature period of his life. The point at stake is an underlying problem, which lies at the root of the religious as well as the economic question", - how to alter radically a universal, though man-made, philosophical or economic system.Van Leeuwen's exploration of the encounter between the young Marx and Christianity is a reinterpretation of Marx's thought that points towards a new view of the religious and economic systems with which Marx was concerned.

The first series of van Leeuwen's Gifford Lectures examining the young Karl Marx's developing thought, of importance to those studying Marx and those involved in Marxist-Christian dialogue.

A rich and profound contribution to the debate on the position of the Christian faith in the modern world.

The meeting of Christianity and the non-Christian religions, the impact of East on West, and West on East, the clash of cultures and the movement of divine and human forces that are changing the pattern of man's life, form the basis of Kraemer's magisterial book.He deals historically with the world situation as he sees it because history determines the mood in which East and West approach this 'coming dialogue'. In a series of masterly chapters Kraemer surveys the position of the world's religions deeply enmeshed in socio-cultural systems that create both barriers to change but impetus towards evolution. The dialogue with the 'grand, elusive, Eastern systems of humanist thinking' demands searching thought, fundamental re-adjustment of methods and readiness to find fresh points of contact. It will, however, vindicate the personal conception of the living God as manifest in Jesus Christ. The 'key word of Oriental philosophies is Harmony, glossing over the glaring disharmonies of man's life.'This is, the heart of the dialogue that Kraemer discusses backed by his vast experience and learning. Kraemer provides a formative and fundamental tool for Christians and all who are aspire to an intelligent and penetrative understanding of the religious and cultural life of the world.

The meeting of Christianity and the non-Christian religions, the impact of East on West, and West on East, the clash of cultures and the movement of divine and human forces that are changing the pattern of man's life, form the basis of Kraemer's magisterial book.He deals historically with the world situation as he sees it because history determines the mood in which East and West approach this 'coming dialogue'. In a series of masterly chapters Kraemer surveys the position of the world's religions deeply enmeshed in socio-cultural systems that create both barriers to change but impetus towards evolution. The dialogue with the 'grand, elusive, Eastern systems of humanist thinking' demands searching thought, fundamental re-adjustment of methods and readiness to find fresh points of contact. It will, however, vindicate the personal conception of the living God as manifest in Jesus Christ. The 'key word of Oriental philosophies is Harmony, glossing over the glaring disharmonies of man's life.'This is, the heart of the dialogue that Kraemer discusses backed by his vast experience and learning. Kraemer provides a formative and fundamental tool for Christians and all who are aspire to an intelligent and penetrative understanding of the religious and cultural life of the world.

In these two essays two distinguished Reformed scholars accept the challenge of understanding and explaining the central meaning of the Lord's Supper. How did primitive Christianity understand this event? What relationship was Christ attempting to establish with mankind? Did He wish to establish a link other than the one of preaching His Word? What is the relationship of Word and Sacrament? These and other vital issues for the churches of the Reformation tradition are addressed. In the first essay, Oscar Cullmann proposes to investigate the true meaning of the Lord's Supper with which primitive Christianity invested the cultic act of the sacred meal, as it was practised in the communities of the first century. He examines the Breaking of Bread and the Resurrection Appearances and draws a connection between the Lord's Supper and the Death of Christ, and successfully combines the two in his conclusion. The second essay, by F.J. Leenhardt, provides an answer to the question: What relationship did Christ wish to establish with man? Or more precisely, since Christ wished His disciples to proclaim His Gospel, He established a link which is the preaching of His Word: "He that hears you, h

Glanmor Williams presents different views of Church History propagated by English writers during the Reformation. Williams introduces this topic by exploring the continental background, including Luther's arguments, the opponents and Luther's influence on important English authors of the sixteenth century. Almost as soon as Luther came to communicate his sensibilities to others he began to realise that defenders of orthodoxy would denounce them as an intolerably presumptuous threat on the part of a single misguided monk to fifteen hundred years of established authority in the Church. Quite apart from the counter-arguments such as those raised by the clerical controversialist, Eck, there was the obvious and very serious objection against criticism of the Church, voiced by the Emperor Charles V: "For it is certain", he protested, "that a single monk must err if he stands against the opinion of all Christendom. Otherwise Christendom itself would have erred for more than a thousand years." On October 31, 1517, the then obscure friar-professor, Martin Luther, pinned up his ninety-five arguments on the church door at Wittenberg. He was, unknown to himself, proclaiming doctrines which wer

A study of the role of miracles in the Bible and of the way in which changing concepts of faith and of revelation have altered the understanding of the miraculous. An important analysis of the theological views about miracle and revelation in the period from the disintegration of the medieval world view until the twentieth century. In doing so the Author illuminates other discussions, such as the relationship between religion and science.

A study of the role of miracles in the Bible and of the way in which changing concepts of faith and of revelation have altered the understanding of the miraculous.

A major companion to the Bible, presenting the background to the main theological concepts contained within it.

A major companion to the Bible, presenting the background to the main theological concepts contained within it.

Reissued after many years, this is an important contribution to the debate about the relationship between early Christian belief about Jesus and Jesus' own teaching, and the problem that the Gospels, while professing to record the teaching of Jesus do so through the eyes of early Christians.The study underlines the questions over the authenticity of the Gospel references to Jesus as the Son of Man and how the early church understood the concept.

Reissued after many years, this is an important contribution to the debate about the relationship between early Christian belief about Jesus and Jesus' own teaching, and the problem that the Gospels, while professing to record the teaching of Jesus do so through the eyes of early Christians.The study underlines the questions over the authenticity of the Gospel references to Jesus as the Son of Man and how the early church understood the concept.

This detailed and scholarly study of the theology of the Old Testament arranges its themes under classic headings: God, Man, Salvation. In part one, 'God', Koehler discusses the existence, nature, and designations of God, the scope of God's works, and explains the Old Testament teaching on Divine Revelation. Part two, 'Man', outlines of Old Testament concepts of the origin of nature and life of man, discussing the world of man, community, good and evil, sin, Satan, and 'the cult'. Part three, 'Salvation', covers law, disobedience, expiation, forgiveness, and salvation by judgement and redemption. Old Testament Theology is divided into 57 sections of convenient length. The student is guided quickly to the information he seeks through an analytical table of contents and comprehensive indexes; notes clarify specific points, directing the reader to other literature. In addition, the volume offers a veritable Old Testament theological wordbook, explaining key Hebrew terms of theological importance throughout the book. This book stands among the most significant works on the Old Testament.

This detailed and scholarly study of the theology of the Old Testament arranges its themes under classic headings: God, Man, Salvation. In part one, 'God', Koehler discusses the existence, nature, and designations of God, the scope of God's works, and explains the Old Testament teaching on Divine Revelation. Part two, 'Man', outlines of Old Testament concepts of the origin of nature and life of man, discussing the world of man, community, good and evil, sin, Satan, and 'the cult'. Part three, 'Salvation', covers law, disobedience, expiation, forgiveness, and salvation by judgement and redemption. Old Testament Theology is divided into 57 sections of convenient length. The student is guided quickly to the information he seeks through an analytical table of contents and comprehensive indexes; notes clarify specific points, directing the reader to other literature. In addition, the volume offers a veritable Old Testament theological wordbook, explaining key Hebrew terms of theological importance throughout the book. This book stands among the most significant works on the Old Testament.

The influence that disease has had on history has often been hidden behind the more 'glorious' exploits of individuals and monarchs. In Armies of Pestilence R.S. Bray offers a fresh contribution to the impact that illnesses have had on world history.The periods discussed span from the Biblical accounts of epidemics, through the Justinian plague (what was that deadly disease that has kept scientists in contention right through to the present day?), to the miscalculated 1976 influenza epidemic from which the American government took a long time to recover. Dr. Bray covers the Plague (the scourge of medieval Europe), malaria, yellow fever, smallpox, typhus and cholera.The author offers a comprehensive evaluation of many other works, both scientific and historical, which provide a vast basis for research on this subject. His vigorous style and timely injections of humour make this an absorbing and accessible book.

The first lasting schism in Christendom was that between Monophysite and orthodox Christianity. This well-established, integrated study examines the social historical background to this significant two hundred year period from the council of Ephesus in 431 to the expulsion of the Byzantines from the Monophysite provinces. Contemporary critics' views that Monophysitism can be considered as a 'quarrel about words' or as a symbol of the separatist movements in Syria, Egypt and Armenia are viewed as limiting in this authoritative survey, which moves beyond such criticisms. Frend asserts that regional identity does not have to imply separatism and examines this claim in detail. The work does not limit its scope to the history of the Christian doctrine either. The issues raised by the councils of Ephesus and Chalcedon affected all areas of life beyond the political sphere in the east Roman provinces in the fifth and sixth centuries. Through this study, the reader can uncover how religion was the medium through which the harmony between government and the governed was mediated in this period. Through nine extensive chapters - from The Road to Chalcedon, 428-451 through to Syria, A Long Farewell - Frend provides an examination of the doctrinal issues relating to the Early Church, which are essential to a deeper understanding of the history of the fifth and sixth centuries.

A pioneering study of the imagery of the New Testament, revealing a deeper understanding of the nature of the Christian Church.

The impact of Philip Melanchthon upon Lutheranism cannot be underestimated. Yet Melanchthon is often overlooked and he remains one of the most enigmatic figures of the Reformation. It is within Dr. Robert Stupperich's incisive portrayal of a man, acclaimed as 'the preceptor of Germany' in his lifetime, that the reader can uncover the secrets of a layman who directly influenced Luther. Melanchthon struggled with contemporary powers, yet his persistence and drive resulted in him becoming the chief architect of Germany's school system and also a chief negotiator between statesmen and theologians. Despite this success, almost no-one wholly accepted Melanchthon's religious views. Yet, few could have managed without the advances which Melanchthon precipitated in theology, education, natural science and even public affairs. This study of impressively broad scope begins by addressing the historical background which shaped Melanchthon's early life. The development of Melanchthon's inner humanist is investigated through an assessment of his childhood and adolescence.The second chapter examines the path which Melanchthon carved for himself in theology, where it is revealed how Melanchthon became a defender of Luther. Further chapters trace his life to its end, to allow the reader to see the full impact of a life which encourages the Reformation to be viewed in a new focus and depth.

Spirituality is a difficult subject in the modern world. Everywhere, from popular media to the university, from the bookshelf to the dinner table, religions are derided or marginalised and public figures, such as Richard Dawkins, set upon anyone who admits to a belief in God. The secular mind has been shaped by the Enlightenment legacy of Marx, Darwin and Freud, where disbelief has arisen from the twin impact of the rise of scientific rationalism and the revulsion against religious cruelty. In "Secularism", Mike King argues that the Enlightenment thinkers who initiated these arguments intended to improve, not to eradicate religion. Instead, a hidden factor is shown as the key to the origins of Western disbelief: the rise of a non-devotional spiritual impulse, best understood in Eastern terms.Its failure to be accepted, either by mainstream religion or the secular world, encouraged the expression of atheism. An uneasy detente developed between secular culture and faith tradition, which coexisted in a 'mutual ignorance pact' until the rude awakening of 9/11.King engages with a range of thinkers, including Pythagoras, Plotinus, Spinoza, Darwin and Freud, and, most importantly, incorporates detailed studies of a variety of spiritual leaders and Eastern thinkers, providing a perspective that readers are unlikely to have encountered before. A compelling case is made that the current antagonism between religion and science has no basis: the 'God' put forward on one side is too narrow a historical conception, and the science put forward on the other side is too limited to account for the variety of spiritual impulse.

Friedrich von Hugel's Mystical Element of Religion remains the authoritative study of the spirituality of Catherine of Genoa. First published in 1908, this seminal work develops the authorís major theory of the three basic elements of religion, institutional, intellectual and mystical. Von Hugel shows how Catherineís mysticism relates to her life and thought, making his comprehensive and masterly two-volume analysis a classic in the study of Western mysticism.

Friedrich von Hugel's Mystical Element of Religion remains the authoritative study of the spirituality of Catherine of Genoa. First published in 1908, this seminal work develops the authorís major theory of the three basic elements of religion, institutional, intellectual and mystical. Von Hugel shows how Catherineís mysticism relates to her life and thought, making his comprehensive and masterly two-volume analysis a classic in the study of Western mysticism.

This encyclopaedic work of reference covers an era in church history in which pagan ideas still existed and in which the symbiosis between Empire and Church was so close as to make them seem almost one, with the Emperor in the East often playing a dominant role in religious matters, while in the West the authority of the emperors had faded, allowing the papacy to assume increasing secular authority. The domination of the East: reflected in the triumph of Greek over Latin as the language of administration; meant that Rome itself and the Western provinces were seen as rather provincial. The East faced different challenges, most conspicuously the range of theological ideas. Nestorian and Monophysite doctrines had not been suppressed by the Council of Chalcedon. New disputes arose, and in particular differences over the value of imagery. In the 7th century, Islam became a major threat to the Empire, while Islamic ideas also carried weight in religious matters.In this, the fifth volume in a series, Angelo Di Berardino provides a highly detailed documentation of the writings of the later fathers of the Eastern Church. Each chapter is written by a sole specialist, which lends a unity not seen in previous volumes while permitting an impressively broad scope. The literature of the period can conveniently be divided linguistically and regionally, and significant areas covered include: Constantinople and Asia Minor; The Greek Literature of Syria; Palestinian Writers; Alexandrian and Egyptian writers; Syriac Literature; Coptic Writers; Armenian Writers; Greek Exegetical Catenae; and, Canonical and Liturgical Literature.The study is divided into nine chapters with an introduction and a table, which clarifies abbreviations used. Each chapter further contains an introduction, which helps acquaint the reader more readily with what can be a complex area of study. There are also lengthy bibliographies and an extensive index. This groundbreaking work offers the reader the opportunity to discover the fascinating literature of the fathers of the early Christian era, discussed by a leading expert in the field. Translated into English by Adrian Walford, this is a fundamental work of reference, and makes a major contribution to patristic scholarship.

In this creative and original book, Paul S. Chung interprets Karl Barth as a theologian of divine action. Chung appreciates Barthís dogmatic theology as both contextual and irregular, and he retrieves neglected aspects of Barth's thought. The book also clarifies Barth's early interest in social and political ideas, and explores the political dimension in his later dogmatic writings, particularly in relation to his theology of Israel and issues of theologia naturalis and religious pluralism. Barth's theology can only properly be understood through his social commitment, and Chung, drawing together the traditions of German and Anglo-Saxon theology, shows how Barthís political ideas relate to his theological position.

Descartes' attempt to ground the possibility of human knowledge in the existence of God was judged to be a complete failure by his contemporaries. This remains the universal opinion of philosophers to this day, despite the fact that three and a half centuries of secular epistemology which attempts to ground the possibility of knowledge either in the unaided human intellect or in natural processes has failed to do any better. Further, the leading twentieth century attempts at theistic epistemology reject both the conception of knowledge and the standards of epistemic evaluation that Descartes takes for granted. In this book - partly an interpretation of Descartes and partly an attempt to complete his project the author endeavours to show that a theistic epistemology incorporating Platonic and Aristotelian/Thomist elements can revitalize the Cartesian approach to the solution of the central problems of epistemology, including that most elusive of prizes the proof of the external world. This book is essential reading for students of epistemology, metaphysics and philosophy.