This book argues that a primary purpose of theological discourses is to construct piety or spirituality. If this is the case, theologians need to constantly inquire into the kind of piety or spirituality which their work may construct. Drawing from some important moments in the development of Christian theology, such as the development of the Christian doctrine of God in the early church, the role of material things in the Christianity of medieval Europe, some elements of contemporary postliberal theology, and the theology of inculturation in Africa, the book argues that theological discourses that appear to be orthodox and innocuous may actually construct forms of piety that may diminish human flourishing. The book therefore calls for an ethics of theology intended to ensure that the theologies we construct help in developing a piety that is conducive to human flourishing in the modern world, especially for Africans, who have suffered and continue to suffer unspeakable dehumanization. The book proposes that a theology that may contribute to the flourishing of Africans in the modern world is one that constructs an interdisciplinary spirituality that takes both the spiritual and the scientific seriously.
This book contains two stories, but the first one is nested in the second one. The first part is Bruno Corduan's short autobiography, which begins with him as a boy in a family of rather limited means growing up in Germany during the Nazi era. Having come to trust Christ at an early age and carrying no illusions about the Nazis or their opposition to biblical Christianity and those who practiced it, one might wonder with what anxieties and uncertainties this boy must be struggling, particularly as he gets old enough to be compelled into military service. The surprising answer is ""none"" because he knows himself to be guided by God, who will protect him physically as well as spiritually. This unreserved trust becomes palpable in a number of instances that are worthy of being deemed miracles. As Bruno continues his life into adulthood in the new Germany, he never ceases to experience the guidance of God. Having grown up in poverty, we find him decades later as a diplomat for the German government and for NATO, negotiating multimillion dollar contracts, having achieved greater success than anyone could have predicted. Still Bruno never lost sight of who really was in charge of his life. Thus, simultaneous with his official duties, we always find him actively engaged in promoting the work of the Lord. He poured his life into this calling as much as into his professional vocation, serving as pastor, teacher, leader, and even church founder.And thus, we come to the second story. This one is much larger, cosmic in size, and Bruno sees his life as just one small instance thereof. In fact, when he finally consented to write out the story of his life at age eighty-two, he would only do so if he could also include this much larger story, namely the history of how God reached down to earth to establish a relationship with human beings through the life and death of his Son. What is it that makes it possible for someone to lead a life such as Bruno's? It is not human energy. What he insists on throughout his exposition is that neither is it piety or religiosity. It is the work of God who will awaken all people who believe in him from spiritual death and give them a life in which he will demonstrate that he is, indeed, the gracious and sovereign Lord of the universe. In short, the first part of this book is Bruno Corduan's autobiography. The second part is his exposition of the gospel and of Christianity, in which he is always reminding us that our salvation and walk with God are the consequences of God's gracious work, and not of our own religious efforts.
How do we live distinctively in communities embedded in the world around us? The Not-Very-Persecuted Church provides church leaders, pastors, and Christians interested in community development with principles for evaluating culture in light of mission. Since we are called to live in community, the processes that build group identity can help us understand how to live together well. Paul addressed some of the problems that can occur in not-very-persecuted groups in the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians, and he shows us the way suffering forms identity in that context. With discussion questions and stories from personal interviews, this book offers both fascinating glimpses into the world of the first century and practical applications for Christians today.
Having grown up in the shadow of the Bomb and having provided supportive care to post-Cold War generations of children and their parents (both in crisis), I have seen a lot of distrust and instability in people--individually and in communities. I have seen how the shadow of impending doom can rewrite a way that people live. This distrust and instability is not a personal issue. It is a sign and symptom of having lived in a time when the imagination can harbor not simply notions of tribal decay and destruction, but the decay and destruction of all tribes, in all places, and throughout all future time. We can wipe out everything that exists within the realm of our planet--in an instant. This changes who people are. This changes how people grow and develop. The current earth crisis is large. It looms overhead and in our homes. It is more visible and prevalent than the crisis of the Bomb. Everything we pick up and discard is a reminder that we have a problem. In many ways this crisis is more severe than the Bomb. In this crisis everyone has a button they can push to bring destruction. We have more madmen to worry about. Everyone. Everyone has an impact on global ecologic and climate issues.Here are poets' songs on the beauty of the earth, lest we forget.
God is already at work in your life--whether or not you recognize it. Most people are too busy to see or hear God and most Christians lack the intentional practice of listening to the stories of outsiders. In Echoing the Story, Brady Bryce provides a simple way for people to come together and tell the scattered stories of their lives in order to imagine them as part of a bigger story. His innovative, narrative approach invites curious skeptics, casual followers of God, and committed disciples of Jesus into community through listening to shared stories.If you are interested in exploring the entire story of the Bible, if you wonder how its stories fit together, or if you simply want to experience God in the ordinariness of your life, then this reliable guide can lead you in listening to the echoes of God. Part spiritual formation, part discipleship, part journey through the Bible--this guidebook is an experience in hearing the word of God in life. You can learn the skill of echoing the story through listening in this informative, experiential, and missional process. As participants in the story we can begin to imagine our everyday lives as stories oriented toward God.
'In the beginning God created The Country Church' has been written during the busy days of active growth of The Country Church in Marion, Texas. Several well known leaders in church growth requested that the history and events of The Country Church be recorded.Pastor Butch Ikels has attempted to carry this out with a three fold purpose. First and foremost, to exalt The Lovely Lord Jesus who made it all possible. Second, to inspire church planters in rural areas to trust the Lord and dare to minister outside the box. Thirdly, to encourage and edify those who serve in remote or ill-defined areas. Prayerfully, that through the pages of this book, they might see the miracle of I Corinthians 1:18-31 lived out in a congregation.
Description:An essential part of Christian orthodoxy is the belief that Jesus died at a particular point in human history. But it is not that Jesus died that has caused Christians to grapple with their understanding of faith; it is why he died that creates the struggle.For centuries Christian thinkers have wrestled with the concept of the atonement. How the death of Jesus would result in the reconciling of the world to God is no simple puzzle. Yet, this complex topic is often viewed through certain doctrinal filters that reduce the richness of the atonement into single concrete, culturally based images. The New Testament, however, offers multiple metaphors in describing the atoning work of God in Christ. Returning to the stories of the earliest witnesses to Jesus'' life, death, resurrection, and ascension--the ground zero of our faith--offers the opportunity to suspend, if only briefly, our doctrinal preferences and step into the shoes of those who saw Jesus die and later return to them as their resurrected Lord. In doing so, we open the possibility of seeing the atonement with fresh eyes, recognizing the broad reach of God''s love and learning to communicate that love in new ways.Endorsements:""Atonement at Ground Zero is a gift of the Spirit. McNichol''s imaginative narrative of the experiences and impressions of those who stood at ground zero wraps itself around you, unlocking cages and drawing you into the very heart of the atonement event. I couldn''t put the book down. In the diversity of emotions, longings, and fears that shape the narrative, we see ourselves, and are drawn into worship as we realize afresh that Jesus died for us.""--Graham Buxton, author of Dancing in the Dark""Theories and abstract doctrines invite mental assent. They give us something to argue about. An ongoing story invites our participation and our formation into that story. This is where Atonement at Ground Zero is at is best, causing readers to spread wide their mental arms to embrace the whole of the Jesus story as participants, not mere thinkers.""--Todd Hunter, author of Our Favorite Sins ""With all the current posturing and heated arguments over the nature of the atonement, this book is a welcome response and balm. McNichols invites us to explore again the depths of the cross, whilst ably guiding us through the views of the atonement. But most importantly, his navigation leads us not to more heated debate, but the ability to understand all sides with a renewed confidence in the atonement, and of how we might live and declare it to others.""--Jason Clark, coauthor of Church in the Present Tense""Without denying the helpfulness of theological constructions and metaphors to understand the atoning work of Christ, McNichols recalls us to the biblical narrative to rediscover the width, breadth, and depth of an atonement that extends far beyond what any one theory will hold. Through insightful retelling and sermonic illustration he takes us back two thousand years and re-members us to the original significance of what Christ has done.""--Dennis Okholm, author of Monk Habits for Everyday PeopleAbout the Contributor(s):Michael McNichols served for ten years as a pastor and is now Director of Fuller Theological Seminary''s Regional Campus in Irvine, California. He is the author of Shadow Meal: Reflections on Eucharist (2010) and The Bartender (2008).
Description:We yearn to be accepted and loved for who we really are. Unfortunately, we sabotage our efforts to develop successful relationships when we feel threatened. We play manipulative games with each other, protecting ourselves without realizing it. These subtle games are crippling our relationships.Let's Stop Playing Games addresses this issue with some serious fun, helping us:o expose our unhealthy games and why we play them;o enjoy humorous yet sad stories that show how these games work (or don't work) for us; o explore some game changers--practical, loving solutions to replace our games. In the end, we hope to be lovingly transformed in our relationships with our friends and family and even with God. We will be connected to each other, forming the authentic community we yearn for. What a great place to live! Endorsements:""I'm so grateful for Joe's honesty about the games we all play and the hope that, despite our hang-ups, there's a way to be real with one another.""-Jonathan Wilson-Hartgroveauthor of The Wisdom of Stability""Joe gives a personal glimpse of his journey that becomes a parable of our own. Knowing truth doesn't automatically keep us from thinking and communicating in ways that hide rather than reveal or that attempt to control rather than to grow. Gracefully dismantling guarded protections from too much light in the room, he shows us the way back. This book is a good window cleaning for the soul and a resource for rebuilding relationships. If you want authentic relationships that make for a full and rich life, this is a keepsake.""-Donald MannPastor, Teacher, and Marriage & Family Therapist""Does your heart long for community and communion? God made us this way but many things can hinder us along the way. In the pages of this book you can find out what some of these hindrances are and how they impact your relationships. Practical and insightful, this approach bridges the gap between spiritual and relational understanding. Drawing from biblical precepts as well as interpersonal insights, Lineberry's approach offers ideas and guidance that the reader can put to use immediately. With a heart for God and for relationships, he leads the reader toward relational healing and spiritual growth.""-Joseph VergaPsychologist and Executive Director of Associates in Christian Counseling""Readers everywhere are destined to relate to the common 'games' we play (even if subconsciously) and are likely to be disarmed and delighted by the author's conversational style, self-disclosure, and witty sense of humor . . . My husband and I have been looking for new, relevant material that we can share with a small group; our current search has now ended.""-Janet Smith-HillSVP of Human Resources, Novant HealthAbout the Contributor(s):Joe Lineberry is a business consultant who works alongside his wife, Beth, in ministry to those with broken relationships. They have organized Possibilities (www.exploringpossibilities.net), an umbrella organization for people of faith to tell their stories, exploring the possibilities of faith in their lives. Joe and Beth have led several interactive workshops and have coauthored the book ""Give Me Your Son"" and Other Reflections from our Journey.
Is it possible to find the revelatory, to find faith in a tiny blue berry? This is but one of the questions explored in this collection of engaging essays aimed at the intrinsically human intersection of memory and belief. Threaded throughout with an ever-changing cast of meadowland characters, not the least of which is a rambling barren of wild blueberries, these writings offer an intimate chronicle of one man's quest to understand what it means to believe. Again and again the author's words bring the reader from a particular geographical place to a location at once familiar and foreign, universal and unique: the landscape of memory. Whether grappling with the implications of adoption, or grieving over a lost family recipe; recalling a surprise encounter with an equally surprised red fox, or reconsidering the meaning of migration, Blueberry Fool is about the sheer fragility and strength of belief, the idiosyncratic light of memory, and the simple year-round pleasures of a wild meadow.
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