Böcker utgivna av Cascade Books

Historical Jesus research remains trapped in the positivistic historiographical framework from which it emerged more than a hundred and fifty years ago. This is confirmed by the nested assumptions shared by the majority of researchers. These include the idea that a historical figure could not have been like the Gospel portrayals and consequently the Gospels have developed in a linear and layered fashion from the authentic kernels to the elaborated literary constructions as they are known today. The aim of historical Jesus research, therefore, is to identify the authentic material from which the historical figure as a social type underneath the overlay is constructed. Anthropological historiography offers an alternative framework for dealing with Jesus of Nazareth as a social personage fully embedded in a first-century Mediterranean worldview and the Gospels as cultural artifacts related to this figure. The shamanic complex can account for the cultural processes and dynamics related to his social personage. This cross-cultural model represents a religious pattern that refers to a family of features for describing those religious entrepreneurs who, based on regular Altered State of Consciousness experiences, perform a specific set of social functions in their communities. This model accounts for the wide spectrum of the data ascribed to Jesus of Nazareth while it offers a coherent framework for constructing the historical Jesus as a social personage embedded in his worldview. As a Galilean shamanic figure Jesus typically performed healings and exorcisms, he controlled the spirits while he also acted as prophet, teacher and mediator of divine knowledge.""In this book, Craffert uses the metaphor of traveling to describe the task he has undertaken. Given the existence of the two prevailing pathways leading into contemporary ''historical Jesus'' study, Craffert leaves the century-and-a-half old Schweitzer Street (Schweitzerstrasse) and Wrede Road (Wredebahn) to do some ''bundubashing'' (South African: to travel off road through remote and rough terrain) to get to the social personage of Jesus the Galilean. His critique of prevailing historical Jesus study is insightful and incisive, while his description of Jesus as first-century Galilean shaman is masterful and accomplished. His rationale for and realization of a work of anthropological history is quite on the mark, enabling a reader to have an encounter with a first-century, Galilean shamanic Jesus that shouldproduce an appropriate culture shock in those unused to the radically different cultural and social landscape of Mediterranean antiquity.""--Bruce J. Malina, author of The New Testament World""Just when it seems that all has been said about the historical Jesus, Pieter Craffert offers a genuine paradigm shift in method and insights growing out of an ''anthropological-historical'' perspective. His interpretation of the public figure of Jesus using the social-type of a shaman opens up a new world view and encourages the inclusion of texts, events, and activities usually dismissed from discussions of the historical Jesus. His originality is matched by his meticulous research and the clarity he brings to a complex problem. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the historical Jesus, but especially for those who enjoy a genuinely new approach to an old problem.""--William R. Herzog II, author of Jesus, Justice, and the Reign of God""[This book] has the rare quality that it helps us to think ''otherwise'' about the Historical Jesus. We understand persons with the help of some category or model that suggests to us what they were like. The problem with categories used about Jesus is that they are either too distant historically to provide meaning to modern readers, or to modern to help us grasp the disturbing ''otherness'' about Jesus. Craffert''s use of ''shaman'' as a social model for Jesus makes sense of the otherness of Jesus in our own world, and also helps us grasp how the

New Testament theology ought to be both descriptive and constructive-this is the argument of New Testament Theology: Extending the Table. According to Isaak, New Testament theology is descriptive in that it deals with the accounts that people narrate of their experience with Yahweh, the God of Israel, in the light of Easter. It is constructive in that it joins the diverse testimonies of the New Testament writers into a textured and thick space within which contemporary followers of Jesus continue to be shaped by the ancient yet living Spirit of God. Isaak''s approach is historical, thematic, and theological in orientation. It explores the conversation taking place ""around the table,"" where the writers of the NT share their guiding vision of God''s saving work among them, and their passion for the Christian church engaged in God''s mission. The differing perspectives of the New Testament authors are held together without reduction, forming a deep and rich space within which ongoing community reflection and praxis can take place.""Isaak''s model is an invigorating invitation to an ongoing conversation about God''s activity in the world. We sit at a table with the NT writers, figures throughout history, and our own contemporaries. This is an intense, rewarding, and necessary discussion. Isaak is an adept moderator as we join others at the table.""--Greg A. CampDirector of Biblical and Religious StudiesFresno Pacific University""Isaak''s approach of listening to a biblical conversation is particularly accessible and engaging and brings the NT writers'' texts to life in a unique way. It addresses the realities of contemporary questions with a firm grip on the biblical text and orthodoxy. It also allows the text to function authoritatively while calling for the dynamics of the community hermeneutic valued in the Anabaptist movement.""--David WiebeExecutive DirectorCanadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches""Jon Isaak''s New Testament Theology is a fine introduction to the thought of the writings of the New Testament and to the larger themes that run through these writings. The book helpfully points out the diversity and unity of theology within the New Testament. Isaak offers a rich menu at the table. Some readers will be enriched by it, others may suffer indigestion.""--John ToewsProfessor Emeritus of New TestamentMennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary""With scintillating style, Jon Isaak sets forth a rigorously descriptive and constructive New Testament Theology from an Anabaptist-evangelical Christian perspective. Using Caird''s metaphor of a conference table, Isaak ''listens'' sensitively to the various historical-theological witnesses represented in the writings of the NT. Insightful diagrams, tables, and exercises focus the issues engaging the participants in conference table talk. I heartily recommend this fresh approach for classroom, group study, and personal enrichment.""--V. George ShillingtonProfessor Emeritus of Biblical and Theological StudiesCanadian Mennonite University""Finally, a robust New Testament theology that remains accessible to the non-specialist. Isaak offers a way forward in this sometimes-beleaguered discipline, eschewing narrow polemics and engaging polarizing topics both conversationally and respectfully. He remains self-aware of his theological and critical perspectives but acknowledges, ''there are other valid receptions and interpretive frameworks,'' an approach welcome in the context of theologically diverse classrooms.""--Michael J. GilmourAssociate Professor of New TestamentProvidence College (Canada)""Imagine a round-table discussion involving the writers of the New Testament. Each writer shares deeply held theological convictions. After each has spoken comes the convener''s constructive task of discerning common viewpoints among the diverse voices around the table. Isaak creatively utilizes this conference table image to craft this stimulating book. His readers will find th

Green Witness is a work in theological ethics, addressed primarily to theologians and seminarians, but also to clergy and church study groups. Yordy approaches the topic of Christian environmental work not from the perspective of a global crisis that must be solved, but from the perspective of God''s promise of the Kingdom. She argues that Christians can and should work for the wholeness of the biophysical environment whether or not their efforts bear immediate visible fruit, because God always welcomes and makes good use of faithful discipleship. This is good news to religious environmentalists who have grown weary of struggling to ""make a difference"" amid ever-louder announcements of environmental destruction. The eschaton is clearly a realm of interspecies peace, abundance, and diversity, and part of the church''s mission is to demonstrate these aspects of God''s plan for the world, although only God can and will consummate the Kingdom.""Often confronted by the so-called ''environmental crisis,'' many are led to despair that nothing can be done. Drawing on profound theological insights, Laura Yordy helps us see that something can be done because Christ''s redemption is sure and good. Hopefully this book will find its way into many congregational discussions of how we can better live as witnesses to God''s glorious creation.""--Stanley Hauerwas, Duke Divinity School ""Yordy encourages us to think the meaning of creation in terms of the in-breaking Kingdom of God. With this eschatological reading of our environmental troubles she invites us to a more exacting and merciful discipleship that is patterned on the Trinitarian God who brings all creation into being and sustains it until its final redemption in Christ. Yordy''s views will challenge established patterns of thinking, and inspire churches to be more faithful witnesses to the healing presence of God in our world.""--Norman Wirzba, author of The Paradise of God: Renewing Religion in an Ecological AgeLaura Ruth Yordy is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Bridgewater College in Virginia.

Depression and related illnesses threaten to wreck the lives of many teens and their families. Suicide driven by these illnesses is one of the top killers of these young people. How do teens become depressed? What does depression feel like? How can we identify it? What helps depressed teens? What hurts them? How do families cope with teen depression? In A Relentless Hope Gary Nelson uses his experience as a pastor and pastoral counselor to guide the reader through an exploration of these and many other questions about teen depression. Nelson has worked with many teens over the years offering help to those who find themselves confronted by this potentially devastating attacker. The author also uses the story of his own son''s journey through depression to weave together insights into the spiritual, emotional, cognitive, biological, and relational dimensions of teen depression. Through careful analysis, candid self-revelation, practical advice, and even humor, this pastor, counselor, and father reminds us that God''s light of healing can shine through the darkness of depression and offer hope. A Relentless Hope is written for teens, parents, teachers, pastors, and any who walk with the afflicted through this valley of the shadow of death.""Whether you are a youth struggling with depression, a family member of a depressed teen, or a pastor, counselor or teacher providing support and help in such circumstances, this book is a must read as the most informative and helpful volume available on the subject.""--Merle R. Jordan Professor of Pastoral Psychology Emeritus, Boston University School of Theology""This story of a family is an incredible gift of honest reflection. So many families deal with the issue of teen depression. . . As the dean of a theological school I am aware of the numbers of youth that my students deal with who are in this book. Depression, self-medication with alcohol and drugs, self doubt and even considerations of suicide as an answer--all are in our communities and probably in even a small church. This book is about an attitude that avoids denial, attempts to keep a sense of humor, and believes in the miracle of life. Thank you, Tom, for allowing your story to be told."" --Maxine Clarke Beach, Vice President and Dean, Drew Theological SchoolThis is a story of amazing grace! I love the challenge Gary gave the reader throughout the book: ""Never give up on loving!"" I was reminded in a very tangible way of the limitless capacity of God who loves us the same way--He never stops! What an incredible mantra for all of us: ""Never give up on loving. . . . Never!"" I wonder how different our world would be if we practiced this command?--Rev. Dale Seley, Pastor Downtown Baptist Church, Alexandria, VirginiaGary E. Nelson, DMin, is a United Methodist minister who for thirty years has worked with teens and their families as a local church pastor and as a pastoral counselor. He currently pastors a church in West Virginia.

A leading scholar of ascetical studies, Richard Valantasis explores a variety of ascetical traditions ranging from the Greco-Roman philosophy of Musonius Rufus, the asceticism found in the Nag Hammadi Library and in certain Gnostic texts, the Gospel of Thomas, and other early Christian texts. This collection gathers historical and theoretical essays that develop a theory of asceticism that informs the analysis of historical texts and opens the way for postmodern ascetical studies. Wide-ranging in historical scope and in developing theory, these essays address asceticism for scholar and student alike. The theory will be of particular interest to those interested in cultural theory and analysis, while the historical essays provide the researcher with easy access to a significant corpus of academic writing on asceticism.""In the context of belligerently hedonistic North American society, a society reduced to waging war to support our lifestyle, Richard Valantasis''s The Making of the Self has never been more relevant. Valantasis proposes that past and present can best be compared, not through ideas, but through analysis of practices and what they produce. This book asks, What did historical people seek to achieve through the ascetic disciplines they practiced? What do we seek? Could some of the ascetic repertoire of historical people be of practical use toward our goals? Valantasis describes a theory and practice of asceticism for secular twenty-first-century society. Both informative and inspirational, The Making of the Self should be required reading for everyone who seeks to make intentional choices that shape the self.""--Margaret R. Miles, Professor Emerita of Historical Theology, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, and author of A Complex Delight: The Secularization of the Breast, 1350-1750""A tour-de-force through the theory and practice of asceticism in late antiquity. Valatansis''s insightful focus on the transformative power of ascetic performance permits one to see asceticism through the ascetic''s eyes. His work compels us to reflect anew on the nature and role of asceticism in antiquity, and, in the process, to consider its meaning and relevance today.""--James E. Goehring, Professor of Religion, University of Mary Washington and author of Ascetics, Society, and The Desert""The Making of the Self: Ancient and Modern Asceticism opens up traditional Christian and Roman sources to a new kind of close reading, showing us what difference it makes to recast asceticism in a theoretically rich and provocative way. In undertaking this task, Richard Valantasis invites his readers to rethink the historical texture of ancient Mediterranean asceticism as well as the ongoing legacies of asceticism''s hardwiring of human society in any time and place where people resist the current order of things and dream of a new and better reality.""--Elizabeth A. Castelli, Professor of Religion, Barnard College at Columbia University and author of Martyrdom and Memory: Early Christian Culture Making""This wide-ranging collection of essays is a remarkably coherent and compelling presentation of Valantasis''s mature theorizing about a complex and fascinating phenomenon. Through his writings and through our conversations and collaborations over the years, Valantasis had already taught me much about asceticism. But this book I read as the capstone of his musings, playfulness, and hard work. It is Valantasis at his best--articulate, creative, witty, feisty, provocative, brilliant. All students of religion and culture will be enlightened and delighted and challenged by this book.""--Vincent L. Wimbush, Professor of Religion, Claremont Graduate University and editor of Ascetic Behavior in Greco-Roman Antiquity: A SourcebookRichard Valantasis is Professor of Ascetical Theology and Director of the Anglican Studies Program at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. He is the author of The Gospel of Thomas, Centur

In 1984 Evangelicals for Social Action founder Ron Sider posed the questions, ""What would happen if we in the Christian church developed a new nonviolent peacekeeping force ready to move into violent conflicts and stand peacefully between warring parties? . . . Everyone assumes that for the sake of peace it is moral and just for soldiers to get killed by the hundreds of thousands, even millions. Do we not have as much courage and faith as soldiers?"" Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) has been trying to answer those questions since 1986. CPT has responded to invitations from grassroots organizers on five continents who are using nonviolent strategies to confront systemic oppression. This book provides a glimpse into the mistakes and successes, the triumphs and tragedies, that teams have shared in with local co-workers in various nations. It also continues to pose the question, What would happen if CPT''s efforts were multiplied by millions of Christians with a radical commitment to Jesus''s nonviolent gospel?""In Harm''s Way is the remarkable story of Christian Peacemaker Teams: courageous groups of Christians willing to risk their own lives in non-violent actions that aim to advance peace and justice. Even those of us who are not pacifists will find this moving and honest story of work in such places as the Middle East, Haiti, and Central America compelling. It is a story that will push all Christians to serious thought about the cost of following Jesus in today''s world.""- C. Stephen Evans, University Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, Baylor University, and Jan E. Evans, Associate Professor of Spanish, Baylor UniversityKathleen Kern has worked for Christian Peacemaker Teams since 1993, serving on assignments in Haiti; in Washington DC; in the West Bank city of Hebron; in Chiapas, Mexico; in South Dakota; in Colombia; and in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kern''s articles and essays have appeared in Tikkun magazine and in the Baltimore Sun. Her chapter describing the work of CPT, ""From Haiti to Hebron with a Brief Stop in Washington, D.C.: The CPT Experiment,"" appeared in From the Ground Up: Mennonite Contributions to International Peacebuilding (Oxford University Press, 2000).

Youth ministry has increasingly lost touch with its origins in the way of Jesus and the social practices intrinsic to Christian discipleship, and has instead substituted layers of ""Jesus talk,"" middle class values, fun and games, and doses of ""warm fellow-feeling."" Awakening Youth Discipleship articulates the history of this domestication of youth and ministry. Mahan, Warren, and White tell a story of the ways in which our society has colluded to shape a domesticated adolescence. The authors believe a Christian response to this challenge must be multilevel, addressing the problem at three levels--society, church, and individual. The authors propose reclaiming practices of discernment that both engage congregations in social awareness and involve individuals in discerning fuller vocational opportunities than those allowed by popular cultural norms.""Awakening Youth Discipleship is a terrific, troublesome, hopeful book, offered with characteristic thoughtfulness by three prophets in our midst. Drawing from decades of teaching and research in youth ministry, Brian Mahan, Michael Warren, and David White make a provocative case for youth ministry that practices, as Daniel Berrigan puts it, ""the upside-down hermeneutics of Jesus Christ."" Awakening Youth Discipleship topples many of youth ministry''s most sacred cows, and offers strategies that help young people (and the rest of us) resist the deformative power of consumerism. These views are seldom voiced in youth ministry--but our ability to reflect Christ to and with young people absolutely depends upon hearing them.""--Kenda Creasy Dean, Associate Professor of Youth, Church, and Culture at Princeton Theological Seminary and author of Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church (Eerdman) and Youth and the Church of ""Benign Whatever-ism"" (Oxford) ""Brian Mahan, Mike Warren, and David White invite us to engage in an increasingly rare and dangerous spiritual practice: thinking. Why do we define teenagers by what they consume? Why does youth ministry feel like a finishing school for the middle class? Who profits from keeping teenagers nice? Where would Jesus shop? Like Jesus, the authors walk us up the steps of the sacred temples, tune our ears to the clink of the money-changers, and then show us how easily the tables are flipped. Awakening Youth Discipleship is a necessary read if youth workers are going to expose the sanctified greed, passionate advertising, and soulful materialism that keeps all of us, young and old, from entering the freedom of Jesus.""--Mark Yaconelli, author of Contemplative Youth Ministry""Brian, David, and Michael have given us a real gift, a pearl of great price. As a father, a teacher and a consultant, I only wish I had this book years earlier. If, as Rahner said, the church of this century would be a church of mystics, these three guides prove that they are the right people to help us navigate the ''culture tricks'' so that we''re mindful of pouring new wine into new wineskins. This book is a significant contribution for all interested in formation, Christian discipleship and everyday life. This book is also a great read! It made me smile often.""--Michael J. Downey, Australian Youth Minister, author of Digging Deep: Fostering the Spirituality of Young Men""For those of us in youth ministry, this book offers a mirror of sorts. And, as with any good mirror, it offers us an opportunity for reflection. To be honest, if you read it carefully and with an open mind, you will probably be forced to see some facets of the current youth ministry identity that aren''t very flattering. They write honestly, thoughtfully and without condescension, but in these straightforward essays I heard the sounds of some sacred cows being butchered, the tough questions of a thorough Cross-examination (yeah, that Cross), and what I believe were the sounds of my chair as I squirmed a bit. The writer of Proverbs reminds us that ''Faithful are the woun

For about the last fifteen years of his life, Thomas A. Langford pondered how grace is central to Christian theology. This book records his reflections and provides numerous gems of mature Christian insight. From beginning to end, the book is christologically focused. Grace is not something that God gives us; rather, it is the way God gives us himself. Grace is a person--God present to human beings. Grace is not a gift but rather a giver. Grace is Jesus Christ. The central contribution of this work is its personalization of grace, its sharp focus on God present in Jesus Christ. Because its focus on grace gives the reader such a clear and thematically developed entry point, this work is a great introduction to theology and the life of the church, the kind that pastors and parishioners would certainly benefit from confronting.""Who better to teach us grace than one who so genially embodied, personified, and incarnated grace? . . . [Langford] taught Christian grace in the manner of the great classical philosophers whom he so admired by embodying in his life that which he professed in his books, in the classroom, and in the pulpit. How appropriate that this manuscript was lying upon his desk when he died. What grace that we have it now. Grace, pure grace.""--from the foreword by William H. Willimon""Reflections on Grace looks at grace from every facet of systematic theology. Methodists and Wesleyans will want to read and ponder these pages carefully, but the work reaches out to all Christian communions--Catholic, Orthodox, and evangelical. This grace-filled book can help any faithful and thoughtful Christian think deeper about and live more boldly in the constant grace of the Triune God.""--Alan G. Padgett, Methodist minister and Professor of Systematic Theology, Luther Seminary""Tommy Langford exemplified what Methodism at its best should be. We can celebrate the publication of these last thoughts, as they demonstrate that Tommy was unafraid to change. May we learn from his example.""--Stanley Hauerwas, Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics, Duke Divinity SchoolThomas A. Langford (1929-2000) served the United Methodist Church and Duke University throughout his adult life. Langford was ordained a Methodist minister in 1952. He was the primary author of the United Methodist Church''s ""Our Theological Task"" (1988) and a member of the World Methodist Council bilateral theological discussions with the Roman Catholic Church, the World Lutheran Federation, and the World Reformed Alliance. He was the author or editor of fourteen books including Intellect and Hope (on the thought of Michael Polanyi), In Search of Foundations (on English theology and culture), and the widely read Practical Divinity (theology in the Wesleyan tradition). This current book, Reflections on Grace, is the work that he had been writing during the last years of his life.Philip A. Rolnick is Professor of Theology at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He is the author of Analogical Possibilities: How Words Refer to God and Person, Grace, and God (2007)Jonathan R. Wilson is Pioneer McDonald Professor of Theology at Carey Theological College. He completed his PhD at Duke in 1989 under the supervision of Thomas Langford.

Marketing the church is hot. For many church leaders, marketing might even be the first article of their creed, which goes something like this: ""We believe that our church determines its identity and mission through the tactics of marketing strategies."" Theologians Kenneson and Street offer a thoughtful and provocative protest, with a foreword from Stanley Hauerwas. The authors ""expose the theological presuppositions that inform the marketing project. . . and help us to see that the marketer''s presumption that form can be separated from content of the gospel betrays an understanding of the gospel that cannot help betraying the gift that is Christ.""The authors propose an alternative, constructive account of the church''s mission and purpose that is ""not based on exchange of value but on reminding us that the gospel is always a gift - a gift that makes impossible any presumptions that there can be an exchange between human beings and God that is rooted in the satisfaction of our untrained needs."" The cross and resurrection challenge the world''s understanding of what our needs should be.""A well-written and thought-provoking work that provides a much needed corrective for those of us involved in church planting and church growth.""Paul S. Williams, President, ""''Go Ye''"" Chapel Mission, Inc., East Islip, NY""Kenneson and Street open our eyes to subtle dangers, ambiguous terms, and hidden hazards that we might not have recognized in marketing approaches to the gospel. I am very grateful for their keen insight and biblical wisdom!""Marva J. Dawn, Freelance Theologian for Christians Equipped for Ministry and author of ''Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down''""As Luther posted his theses on the cathedral door, so have Kenneson and Street posted their own point-by-point protest on the door of the market-driven church. And they leave little room for doubt--the issue is still the selling of indulgences. Take it from a pastor who has carefully learned at the feet of some of the best and brightest church marketers, this is the theological counterbalance for which we have long waited.""James E. Baucom, Jr., Pastor, Rivermont Avenue Baptist, Lynchburg, VA and Moderator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of VirginiaPhilip Kenneson is Associate Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Milligan College. He is the author of ''Life on the Vine'' and has contributed to ''Christian Apologetics in the Postmodern World'' and ''The Nature of Confession'' (both IVP).James L. Street is Pastor of North River Community Church, Lawrenceville, Georgia.

""Care for creation has become marginalized in conversations concerning the quest for justice; nevertheless, our very lives depend on . . . respecting the earth. It is no accident that those most likely to be disenfranchised are those who depend the most on the earth for its survival. Hence, A Faith Encompassing All Creation is a crucial addition to the justice discourse. By gathering diverse voices, the reader is led to explore this crucial issue. Our only hope is that such elucidation leads to praxis.""--Miguel de la Torre, Iliff School of Theology, Denver, Colorado""This book gets our attention. It is prophetic. For those of us who have been soothed into ''let''s be nice to creation'' this is an altar call to conversion to a radical and responsible life. We must repent, not simply because all creation calls out to us but because God calls.""--Kyle Childress, Austin Heights Baptist Church, Nacogdoches, Texas""What could be more important for Christians today than to read A Faith Encompassing All Creation? We are in desperate need of a vision of Christian faith that can inspire commitment and action to save the biodiversity of our planet. This book brings together a vibrant diversity of voices, men and women, young and old, from various Christian traditions, all committed to love for the Earth and all its creatures as God''s good creation.""--Denis Edwards, Australian Catholic UniversityTripp York teaches in the Department of Religion at Virginia Wesleyan College. He is the author or editor of more than half a dozen books, including Third Way Allegiance, Living on Hope While Living in Babylon, and The Devil Wears Nada.Andy Alexis-Baker is a PhD candidate in Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics at Marquette University. He is coeditor of Theology of Missions, by John Howard Yoder.

In 68 CE, devout Jews left more than one thousand handwritten documents in caves northwest of the Dead Sea. The cave that most defined the beliefs and hopes of these Jews is Cave I. In it were placed many manuscripts, including two copies of the Qumran Psalter or Thanksgiving Hymns. In 1947, Bedouin shepherds found Cave I and retrieved scrolls, including a copy of the Qumran Psalter. It proves Jews created new psalms to complement the Davidic Psalter (the "Psalms" usually attributed to David). We learn for the first time how Jews prior to Hillel and Jesus imagined the universe, articulated unworthiness, and despite suffering were devoted to God's covenant. One author imagines that though his ear was inattentive to God's words he felt a message penetrate his being so that his stone heart palpitated. Throughout and especially in the Self-Glorification Hymn, the authors express transcendence, and a oneness with angels through God's continuing acts of compassion and acceptance. Though confessing unworthiness, the authors thank the Lord for forgiving those who turn from transgression; this theme is the keynote of the symphonic poetry. Jews, Christians, and all interested in spirituality will find insight and comfort studying these psalms and poems.

That the earliest followers of Jesus wrote poetry, hymns, and odes is evident already in the New Testament. This volume is a translation of The Odes of Solomon, a collection of early Christian hymns or odes; some are obviously Christian, others perhaps Jewish. The beauty of these poems is a tribute to the depth of spirituality in early communities of Christians, some of whom were perhaps also Jews or converted Jews. Professor Charlesworth offers an inviting introduction and a translation of this work that is both engaging and true to the original languages. The Index of Ancient Sources provides the reader access to the wide range of references in the notes.

Genesis ""was a political document of the state, and its major function was to exalt David and his monarchy, not only with his own people but also among the other states of that world. The scribes of the monarchy used many sources for this work, and certainly the literary criticism of the past has helped us to isolate many of these sources. However, the view presented here is quite different from the older criticism in that the sources that were used in this work must date from before the exile. This is obvious, if the sources were used by the scribes of the Davidic monarchy. None of this can be said with dogmatic zest, but we can at this point discuss some reasons why it seems possible to see Genesis in this way.""--from the Introduction""Loren Fisher applies what is perhaps the single most valuable method of biblical interpretation to the book of Genesis, the principle of ''multiple voices.'' Instead of forcing agreement between clearly distinct units and genres, he allows the differences to speak, and then brings them together to function as a royal epic of leadership and nationhood.""-Baruch A. LevineSkirball Professor Emeritus of Bible and Ancient Near Eastern StudiesNew York University""Loren Fisher has produced an elegant and eminently readable translation of the book of Genesis, with helpful literary and comparative notes throughout. The author does an exceptionally fine job of situating Genesis within the world of ancient Near Eastern literature. Both the casual reader and the advanced scholar of the Bible will gain many insights from this well-conceived project.""-Gary RendsburgDepartment of Jewish StudiesRutgers UniversityLoren R. Fisher retired as Professor of Hebrew Bible at the School of Theology at Claremont and as Professor of Semitic Languages and Literature at the Claremont Graduate University. He is the author of The Many Voices of Job, Tales from Ancient Egypt, The Jerusalem Academy, and the editor of Ras Shamra Parallels, vols. 1 and 2,

Too often the biblical passages governing sexual morality are interpreted in simplistic, proof texting ways that take no account of the cultural gap between ancient Israel and the modern world. And too often the official positions of churches are determined by opinion polls and majority votes rather than a sober theological and ethical assessment of the issues involved. A third way is called for that avoids the errors of both naive fundamentalism and the Bible-dismissing zeitgeist--a way that puts theological reflection at the forefront. This little book aims to provide a theologically informed, biblical approach to help Christians find a new way forward in their dialogue over questions surrounding homosexuality. It deconstructs the Augustinian theological tradition that has defined, evaluated, and regulated sexual behavior in the western Christian traditions. Kraus maintains that the doctrine of the creation (rather than the doctrine of sin) must be the framework for understanding sexuality and sexual desire. He argues that the basic justification for erotic physical intimacy is the fulfillment of God''s original intention for human community (shalom).Beginning with the definition of ""the image of God"" as a social symbol that mirrors the Trinity, Kraus calls the church to reflect that trinitarian image as it is seen in Christ. He argues that this stance at the very least calls the church to empathetic inclusion of the GLBTQ community in its ongoing discernment conversation, which, of course, means full participation in its life.""The relevance of this book reaches far beyond Mennonite circles. My brother and sister chaplains and Christians in the armed services, especially those troubled by the revocation of the ''don''t ask, don''t tell'' policy, will find challenge and wisdom from the biblical and theological reflections of Professor Kraus. In fact, this is a book for anyone struggling with same-sex issues in the real world.""-Kermit D. JohnsonChaplain (Major General), United States Army (Retired)""In this era of increasing agreement that sexual orientation is a natural disposition, yet also of vigorous disagreement over how we should live with our sexuality, Norman Kraus gracefully guides us through pertinent church history, biblical wisdom, and theological understanding. Given how readily we interpret Scripture to justify what we feel, Kraus''s crisp scholarship, and the pastoral reflections upon it, are timely.""-David G. Myerscoauthor of What God Has Joined Together: The Christian Case for Gay Marriage""The church''s dialogue on issues of sexual orientation has focused on biblical interpretation. Frequently neglected has been the broader theological overview that gives shape to that interpretation. In this timely contribution, C. Norman Kraus addresses that oversight by providing a thoughtful and concise theological reflection on sexual orientation, especially as it relates to humanity created in the ''Image of God.'' On Being Human is a must-read for church leaders looking for fresh ways to engage their congregations in this vital dialogue.""-Vic ThiessenMennonite Church Canada""Here is a useful and refreshing contribution to the church''s discernment about sexuality--mainly because what shines through is the author''s profound Anabaptist commitment to Scripture. But it is not a simple or conventional approach; rather, Kraus welcomes Scripture as a lively partner in discernment, trusting that engagement with the deep core of the biblical tradition along with critical examination of science and culture will yield the wisdom so desperately needed in today''s church.-Marlene KropfAssociated Mennonite Biblical SeminaryC. Norman Kraus is Professor emeritus at Goshen College in Indiana. He is the author and editor of numerous books and articles.

This book focuses on worship in the letters of Paul in an effort to shed some light upon this key theme and bring the various dimensions of its significance into the foreground of Pauline studies. Each of the thirteen New Testament letters attributed to Paul are treated exclusively from the aspect of worship, as understood in its most comprehensive sense in the biblical tradition, with the liturgical and the ethical facets of worship held in dynamic interrelationship. The result is a fresh way of reading and listening to the letters of Paul for a deeper appreciation of their original purpose and message.""When Heil calls the thirteen letters of Paul ''rituals of worship,'' he means that each is written as a script to be performed for a community gathered for worship over which Paul presides through the letter, thereby evoking and sharing in the prayer of his audience. Heil also explores how the language of the letters uses imagery from temple worship metaphorically, to interpret Christian life itself as worship. Heil manages to provide a fresh, pastoral reading of the Pauline corpus as a whole.""--Dennis Hamm, SJDepartment of TheologyCreighton University""This book offers a unique and much needed narrative on the way St. Paul understands liturgy from the inside and how he invites others to do the same. The major factor in Heil''s interpretation of the Pauline corpus is that he restores them to the context in which they were first received--as proclaimed in a liturgical assembly--and in which believers hear them today. This respects the letters not as literary output but as proclamations about the mystery of God as proclaimed in the liturgical and sacramental settings they were intended for. Highly recommended. Christian ''spirituality'' at its best.""--Kevin W. IrwinDean of the School of Theology and Religious StudiesThe Catholic University of America""The connection between communal worship and the NT is a fascinating topic. Understanding ''worship'' comprehensively, Prof. Heil is the first to focus on all the letters attributed to Paul. Prof. Heil appreciates the uniqueness of each letter but notes they all begin with a prayer-greeting for divine grace, include ritualistic and liturgical language, and refer to both the ethical and liturgical worship of the audience. His book is insightful, instructive, and, as always, excellent scholarship.""--Robert F. O''Toole, SJ, SSDGregorian University FoundationJohn Paul Heil is Professor of New Testament at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He is the author of Ephesians: Empowerment to Walk in Love for the Unity of All in Christ (2007).

The Shape of Participation is a work of constructive theology addressed to theologians, seminarians, and thoughtful pastors. Owens engages and deepens recent popular discussions of church practices by approaching practices from the church Fathers'' understanding of the church''s participation in God. Through a wide-ranging engagement with theologians, both ancient and contemporary--including Cyril of Alexandria, Maximus the Confessor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Herbert McCabe--Owens argues that the embodied practices of the church are the church''s participation in the life of God, making the church Jesus'' own continued, peaceable embodiment in and for the world. This book is for theologians, pastors, and anyone who wants a deeper understanding of how the visible presence of God''s church is extraordinarily good news in a violent world.""I''m grateful for this account of the church''s relationship to the life of God for refusing the hopelessness of so much contemporary ecclesiology. All of us who persist in preaching or hearing the Word and receiving God''s good gifts at the table will be strengthened and encouraged by Owens''s theocentric understanding of what the church is up to in the world.""--Beth Felker JonesWheaton College""A wonderful book--Owens takes the significant interest in ''practices'' that has emerged over the last decade, engages it theologically in rich ways with attention to specific ecclesial examples, and deepens it through insightful analyses of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Herbert McCabe, and Maximus the Confessor. Pastors and scholars alike will benefit from careful study of Owens''s significant argument.""--L. Gregory JonesDuke University""By reframing the church''s practices as a participation in Christ and, indeed, as Christ''s own practicing in and for the world, Owens has brought to the study of Christian practice new theological depth, shape, and creativity. Moreover, by doing this in dialogue with ancient as well as contemporary theological and philosophical sources and in a way that takes seriously the concrete, embodied church rather than remaining on the level of idealized and abstract ecclesiology, he has provided us a helpful new model for thinking about what it means to be the church.""--Bryan StoneBoston University School of TheologyL. Roger Owens is co-pastor with his wife Ginger Thomas of Duke Memorial United Methodist Church, Durham, North Carolina. His next book is So I Send You: An Introduction to the Missional Church (forthcoming in the Cascade Companion series of Cascade Books).

How is God sovereign with respect to creation? Does creation affect God? Does God suffer or change because of creation? If so, how is this related to Christology? Why have these questions been so controversial in evangelical theology, even costing some people their jobs?This book is a collection of lectures given to the Forum for Evangelical Theology at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Six theologians answer the questions above from a variety of perspectives. They draw on resources including the church fathers, Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin, Jurgen Moltmann, process theology, and open theism. In the process of answering the question, does God suffer? each theologian also illustrates how responding to this subject requires an examination of other crucial evangelical issues, such as how we read Scripture and what it means to proclaim that God is love. Although the writers answer these questions in a variety of ways, the hope is that engaging in this conversation together can help evangelicals and all Christians to speak more faithfully of our sovereign God.""Dante may have located the debate between divine sovereignty and human freedom in one of the circles of hell, but reading these sprightly and well-argued essays was, by contrast, a real pleasure. In an age where divine suffering is considered the ''new orthodoxy,'' it is most refreshing to hear what six theologians have to say about divine sovereignty. The main theistic positions--classical, open, process--all have able representatives as their champions, and the inclusion of responses allows the authors to do more than talk past one another. This book lives up to its title.""--Kevin J. VanhoozerResearch Professor of Systematic TheologyTrinity Evangelical Divinity SchoolD. Stephen Long is Professor of Systematic Theology at Marquette University. His most recent publications include Theology and Culture (Cascade, 2007), Calculated Futures, John Wesley''s Moral Theology: The Quest for God and Goodness, and Speaking of God: Theology, Language and Truth (forthcoming).George Kalantzis is Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College. His work has appeared in a number of theological and ecclesial journals, including Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses, Augustinianum, Studia Patristica, and St. Vladimir''s Theological Quarterly. His recent books include Theodore of Mopsuestia: Commentary on the Gospel of John (Early Christian Studies 7) and the forthcoming coedited volume, If These Stones Could Speak: Texts and Contexts.

Remembering the Future is a collection of poems, essays, and interviews that ask readers to see their world with double-vision-to imagine the redemptive consequences of engaging the world with a fastidious awareness of both the biblical tradition and the cultural moment. Remembering the Future is gathered from the first years of The Other Journal, an online quarterly positioned at the intersection of theology and culture. The Other Journal examines theology with fresh eyes, probing faith with passion, authenticity, and creativity; and this anthology represents the highlights of that endeavor, including content from some of the most important voices in the field of theology today. Remembering the Future offers readers an engaging, thought-provoking picture of what sound theological thinking can and must offer today''s Christians giving witness to Christ in our contemporary cultural landscape.""The Other Journal is intelligent, creative, wide-ranging, and thoughtful. It explores text, soul, and culture in ways that will do you good.""--Brian McLaren, pastor, speaker, and author of several books, including most recently Finding Our Way Again (2008)""Explorations among theology, culture, and politics are all the rage and subject to trendy, superficial, and predictable conversations. The Other Journal bucks this trend, offering substantive theological engagement that is often surprising but always illuminating. It surprises because it breaks down old walls of division. It is illuminating because it points in a direction that affirms Christian faithfulness with a genuine generosity. It is always worth reading.""--D. Stephen Long, Professor of Systematic Theology at Marquette University and author of Theology and Culture: A Guide to the Discussion (Cascade, 2008)""Other online and print resources explore the connection between theology and culture, but two things make The Other Journal stand apart. First, The Other Journal is more than just popular, but engages the best of cutting-edge academic theology and theologians. Second, no one seems to have more fun with theology than The Other Journal. The Other Journal is always an invigorating read.""--William T. Cavanaugh, Associate Professor of Theology at St. Thomas University and author of Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire (2008)""Recovering the classic sense of theology as a form of wisdom meant to aid the faithful in their love of God and neighbor, The Other Journal brings together some of the best contemporary theological insight on a broad range of disciplines and arts, issues and events, all for the sake of enhancing Christian engagement with the world and cultures of the twenty-first century. When I am asked about exciting developments in the North American church today, The Other Journal and the folks behind it are near the top of that list. It is a remarkable and remarkably hopeful achievement, from which I constantly learn, am frequently inspired, and always challenged.""--Daniel M. Bell, Jr., Associate Professor of Theological Ethics at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and author of Liberation Theology After the End of History (2001)""The Other Journal sets itself apart among online journals with its orthodox and edgy Christian perspective that is engaged with contemporary culture, theology, art, and politics. If you want to read interesting articles, written for an educated, lay audience, by the leading thinkers in their fields, I recommend putting The Other Journal at the top of your list of bookmarks and checking it regularly.""--Pamela D. H. Cochran, Lecturer in American Religious History in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia, Faculty Fellow of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture, and author of Evangelical Feminism: A HistoryChris Keller is the cofounder and Editor in Chief of The Other Journal. He is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice and a staff member of Mars Hill Graduate School.

Throughout the history of the church, monastic movements have emerged to explore new ways of life in the abandoned places of society. School(s) for Conversion is a communal attempt to discern the marks of a new monasticism in the inner-cities and forgotten landscapes of the Empire that is called America.This book invites us into a way of life that is simultaneously ancient and wonderfully new. By combining first-person accounts of the marks of Christ-formed communities with rich historical and biblical reflection, the various writers provide truthful and hope-filled descriptions of contemporary Christian community. Taking seriously the resources of the monastic tradition and the importance of preserving a relationship withthe wider church, the authors offer mature, wise, and gracious insight into the practices of faithful living. I heartily recommend this book to anyone yearning for evidence and promise of renewal in the church!Christine D. PohlProfessor of Social Ethics, Asbury Theological Seminaryauthor of Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition (Eerdmans, 1999)Whatever future God has for the church, I am convinced the essays in this remarkable book will help us discern that future. Monasticism has always been one of the main means God has used to renew the church. Through some strange miracle God now seems to be calling Protestants to consider what it might mean for them to live in communities that might look very much like monastic communities. Such a call might tempt many toward some kind of romanticism, but one of the remarkable things about these essays is their stark realism. Such a realism is unavoidable not only because of the challenges facing those who are about the formation of communities faithful to God but also because they have lived with one another enough to know this is not going to be easy. So these essays are full of good sense and they help us see the potential of this extraordinary movement. Moreover, each essayist never forgets to remind us that when it''s all said and done, it''s about God who makes it possible for us to live patiently and nonviolently in a world of impatience and violence.Stanley Hauerwas, Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics, Duke Divinity School""I believe the new monasticism represents a source of vital renewal from the margins and forgotten places of empire. It is my sincere hope that the new monasticism will grow so strong and healthy and widespread that every follower of Jesus in every church has the opportunity - if not to actually live in a new monastic community - to at least have enough proximity and relationship to be influenced by it. This book can help that dream and prayer come true.""Brian McLaren, pastor (crcc.org), author (anewkindofchristian.com)""In this vision of transformation, the prophets of a new monasticism have a single commitment. They want to realize together--in prayer, thought, and action--their total dependence on God by simply following Jesus. A book prompted by our civilization''s signs of death may not seem hopeful, but this one is. The new monasticism has seen the truth that in deepening darkness there is nothing so hopeful as embracing the cross.""Jim Douglass, author of THE NONVIOLENT COMING OF GOD and co-founder of Mary''s House Catholic Worker in Birmingham, Alabama.God is stirring something new...a new monasticism. This book will take you on an intriguing journey with a few followers of Jesus who are discovering some new ways to give expression to the monastic vocation in our troubled world. Must reading for those who want to take their faith seriously in community with others.Tom Sine, author of Mustard Seed vs. McWorld (www.msa.org)The Rutba House is a Christian community of hospitality, peacemaking, and discipleship in the Walltown neighborhood of Durham, NC.

The themes of these stories are profoundly human themes, capturing the persistent interaction between God and humankind. These narratives invite us to witness the manner in which God enters human community in all of its complexities, struggles, challenges, fears, and ultimately hope. As the narratives unfold, not only is it clear that God will not be restricted by societal and cultural conventions, but the human journey will be generated by faith and doubt, fear and hope, promise and fulfillment. Hemchand Gossai not only explores the various themes within a variety of texts, but maintains a constant eye on the implications for the church and contemporary readers. In this regard, some of the literal and particular experiences such as barrenness, wilderness, and wrestling with God are examined as metaphors for our experiences. The richness and texture of metaphors allow us to embrace these stories in a way that makes them our stories.""Hemchand Gossai has long been working on the stories of Abraham and Sarah with great clarity, literary sensitivity, and theological savvy. In this volume, he expands upon that journey with new studies regarding God, the human characters, and their interrelationships. Gathering the major themes from these narratives, Gossai presents them in such a way that Israel''s stories can speak once again into the complexities of our interreligious world. Students and scholars alike will benefit from his many insights.""--Terence E. Fretheim, Elva B. Lovell Professor of Old Testament, Luther Theological Seminary; author of Abraham: Trials of Family and FaithHemchand Gossai is Director of Religious Studies at Georgia Southern University. He is also the author of Social Critique by Israel''s Eighth-Century Prophets and River Crossings: Memories of a Journey--A Memoir.

Steven Lewis''s Landscape as Sacred Space: Metaphors for the Spiritual Journey invites new discussions about our spiritual journeys and allows seekers to rethink approaches to Christian spirituality and theology in light of postmodernity. Landscape metaphors provide a common and accessible language to articulate one''s spiritual journey. Spiritual mountains, deserts, and valleys are dominant landscapes on our journey through life. Most people have experienced the joy of a mountaintop spiritual experience, the pain of spiritual deserts, or perhaps the dreariness too often associated with spiritual valleys. There is a tendency, however, to highlight spiritual mountaintops, while avoiding spiritual deserts and ignoring spiritual valleys. This leaves many Christians ill-equipped either to deal with crises or to integrate God into ordinary life. Each landscape offers rich lessons that, when combined together, lead us toward a maturing faith and into a deeper relationship with God. Landscape as Sacred Space is intended to aid those who search for more meaningful ways to articulate their faith journey. The book grants permission to struggle with life''s landscapes, provides safe spaces to reflect on the journey, and introduces language that enables exploration and discovery.""Mountaintops, deserts, and valleys--physical spaces at once familiar yet strange and apt metaphors for moments in any person''s life. Steve Lewis employs these landscapes to help Christians consider the familiar and the strange, the welcome and the avoided dimensions of their own journeys of life and faith. Drawing on biblical resources and classic traditions in spirituality to develop these landscape metaphors, Lewis invites readers to a deeper appreciation of a disciple''s journey, a fuller sense of the myriad ways God invites a disciple into intimacy, and a more finely honed sensitivity to God''s actions in the world. A refreshing perspective on the spiritual journey.""--Patricia O''Connell Killen, Pacific Lutheran Universityco-author of The Art of Theological Reflection.Steven Lewis, PhD, is the Academic Dean at Bangor Theological Seminary in Portland, Maine.

The Integration of Faith and Learning: A Worldview Approach''provides students with the philosophical context and practical tools necessary for making the connections between Christian knowledge and the knowledge they will acquire during their undergraduate and graduate years in higher education. This book focuses on helping students understand how worldviews influence the interpretation of data and even what is judged to be knowledge itself. The worldviews of philosophical naturalism, postmodernism, and Christianity are compared and analyzed. Throughout the book, emphasis is placed on helping students develop the practical skills needed to evaluate knowledge claims and to integrate all knowledge into a unified whole through the touchstone of Christian truth.Harris'' book on the integration of faith and learning provides an insightful and systematic way for the university student to filter ideas through the grid of a robust Christian worldview and life. In a time when conceptual illiteracy and moral confusion abound, Harris provides a straightforward account of how to integrate one''s academic learning with faith. By applying the principles laid down in this book, a new Christian intelligentsia will emerge that is unabashedly Christian in their faith and learning.--Paul Gould, Christian Leadership Ministries'' Academic Initiative This is a much needed exhortation to all Christians who want to make an impact on today''s society--or need the tools to keep the faith in spite of today''s society. This is a well thought out journey into many fields and philosophies--its breadth is as encompassing as its depth. . . . This is a must read for students, teachers, and all lovers of wisdom! --Brett Peterson, President, Coastland UniversityWorldview survey books abound, but what sets this one apart and makes it essential is its treatment of how knowledge functions and is propagated ""in the real world."" It is insufficient to merely categorize thinkers or their views. Students need to reckon with how certain claims are advanced and accepted regardless of their merits. Harris'' book teaches a savvy form of skepticism that still exudes a love of truth and values the life of the mind. Highly recommended for home schoolers, youth workers, campus ministers, college students, professors, and anyone concerned with training Christian students in how to engage the world of ideas.--Patrick Rist, Christian Leadership Ministries'' Academic InitiativeRobert A. Harris has taught courses in writing, literature, and critical thinking at the college and university level for more than 25 years. He holds the Ph.D. from the University of California at Riverside.

The art of mentoring, like all great arts, is a grace to be received, a gift to be given, and a skill that can be learned and practiced. This book explores the practice and grace of that art. The pastors in these pages share their hard-won experience of mentoring and being mentored, their wobbles and successes, insights and wisdom harvested from years in the vineyard.""Mentoring happens. The only questions are whether we are aware it is happening and intentional about finding the right kind of mentoring. This insightful and stimulating book gives us the guidance that we need in getting clear about all of that. It is a must-read for leaders who want to be faithful and effective servants of the Gospel!""--Richard J. Mouw, President Emeritus, Professor of Faith and Public Life, Fuller Theological Seminary""Among the most important tasks of any leader is mentoring other leaders. Mentoring for Ministry is a great read filled with biblical examples of mentoring, inspirational stories from outstanding leaders, and concrete ideas for what mentoring can look like."" --Adam Hamilton, Senior Pastor, Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, KS; author of Speaking Well: Essential Skills for Speakers, Leaders and Preachers""This collection of essays is a gift to the whole church. The writers, all of whom have taught me a great deal about life, leadership, and ministry--in ways unknown to them--provide rich perceptions and inspiring insights. As several point out, mentoring is a mutual relationship of trust and growth, and the sharing of wisdom and practical skills. The reader will be mentored by the unique voices and experiences of each chapter and will, I would hope, become a mentor to equip the next generation of leaders."" --Larry M. Goodpaster, Bishop-in-Residence, Candler School of Theology, Emory UniversityCraig T. Kocher is University Chaplain and Jessie Ball duPont Chair of the Chaplaincy at the University of Richmond. He previously pastored churches in North Carolina and served as Associate Dean of Duke University Chapel.  Jason Byassee is the Butler Chair in Homiletics and Biblical Hermeneutics at the Vancouver School of Theology. Jason is a fellow in Theology and Leadership at Duke Divinity School and previously served as senior pastor of Boone United Methodist Church in Boone, North Carolina. James C. Howell is Senior Pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina. He was previously senior pastor of Davidson United Methodist Church and is the author of numerous books on faith and ministry.