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* A brief and accessible introduction to Gnosticism

These studies on the prophetic texts from the Hebrew Bible cover a wide range of topics, challenging the reader to confront the issues of faithfulness, responsibility, and justice in an ever-changing world. Brueggemann explores how these prophetic traditions have the potential to continually resonate in our contemporary communities and individual lives. Rather than "dead words" to kingdoms no longer in existence, the Israelite and Judean prophets have an enduring impact on how God challenges our values, our perspectivesand our very lives. Brueggemann has become well known for providing fresh perspective on ancient texts, always in conversation with great thinkers and people of faith.

David K. Switzer presents a clear, illustrative and practical manual for pastoral caregivers that covers the entire range of pastoral care emergencies typically faced by clergy, pastoral counselors, and lay caregivers such as Stephen Ministers and Befrienders. The chapters deal with issues such as situational crises, hospital emergencies, ministry to the dying, bereavement, suicide, divorce, domestic violence, substance abuse, and psychiatric emergencies. The question of when and how to refer is discussed in the final chapter. The book is highly practical in approach, but still extremely sensitive to the theological issues at hand in ministering to those experiencing great emotional, mental, and physical distress.

A major challenge for religious communities today lies in harnessing the commitment and energy of religious people to address larger societal issues. Key to such efforts are people who are willing to live and learn ''at the boundaries'' where secular meets religious, public meets private, and subcultures meet each other. ''A way of life on the boundaries, lived in community and faith, finds a broad menu of possibilities, '' says Gunderson. Writing for clergy and lay people and other community groups, Gunderson employs his expertise from years of leading and coordinating work at the Carter Center and elsewhere to improve the quality of life in local communities. He discusses the five important traits leaders must cultivate, centered on knowledge, commitment, integrity, relationship, and the future.

Paul Sponheim's theme is transformation-personal, social, cultural, and global. He addresses the violence, environmental destruction, and lost sense of self that plague modern society. In response, he finds a genuine desire among Americans for both individual and social transformation. He suggests, however, that we may have lost sight of the Creator's call for us to join in the work of creation through direct partnership with others (not just with other Christians) in nurturing change. Sponheim claims the ecstatic power of religion for individual and social transformation, and explores how "the human status as creature entails responsibility to God in the drama that creation constitutes." In central chapters on Interruption, Calling, and Relationship, he clearly shows how transformation takes place though our participation in God's ongoing creative work.

A new proposal for a socially engaged theology.

Despite their near-scriptural status, the Lutheran Confessions are not widely used in Lutheran circles, the authors believe, because presentation of them has been too technical for non-specialists. Geared specifically for classroom and parish use, this concise and accessible introductory text includes the latest historical and theological research, sections on contemporary Lutheranism, and discussion questions.Gassmann and Hendrix expertly present the historical context for the Reformation, in its beginnings and development, as background to the emergence and gathering of the Confessions. Core chapters then explore (1) the structure of faith (Scripture as norm, law-gospel framework, the Trinity, and justification), (2) Christian community (the sacraments, ministry, the nature of the church), and (3) the Christian life (the two reigns, sin, sanctification, eternal life). A final chapter examines the role the Confessions play in today's ecumenical, pluralistic environment.