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Unqualified divine simplicity not only contradicts the central christological and trinitarian distinctions but it also renders implausible any positive relation between God and world, God and time.

These essays, only two of which have appeared previously in English, reflect Troeltsch's vast knowledge and deep insight into modernity, which led him to discern the radical implications of historicity for religion and theology. His thought remains a resource, a guide, and a prod in an ongoing theological quest.

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.

Commemorative Edition of The Notebook of a Colonial Clergyman marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania and celebrating the pioneer missionary spirit and work of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg.Henry Melchior Muhlenberg arrived in the American colonies in 1742-a 31-year-old Lutheran pastor-to take up missionary work among the German immigrants who were coming to the New World in search of a new life. His ministry spanned forty-five tumultuous years-years of political revolution, years that saw both the birth of a new nation and the establishment of the Lutheran Church on American soil. With the inception of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania in 1748, the Lutheran tradition took on an organizational structure that positioned the fledgling church to grow in the American context. The birth of the new nation and the growth of the new church are uniquely captured in this collection of Muhlenberg's journal entries.These excerpts from Muhlenberg's notebooks take you back to the colonial period with fascinating anecdotes and penetrating insights into the political, religious, and cultural realities of the time. Muhlenberg the man and Muhlenberg the missionary of the gospel of Christ come alive for later generations in these revealing journal entries.

This bold work culminates Hall's three-volume contextual theology, the first to take the measure of Christian belief and doctrine explicitly in light of North American cultural and historical experience.Hall is deeply critical of North American culture but also of sidelined Christian churches that struggle to gain dominance within it. "We must stop thinking of the reduction of Christendom as a tragedy!" he says. The disestablishment that the churches reluctantly enjoy can enable them to develop genuine community, uncompromised theology, and honest engagement with the larger culture. To a failed culture and a struggling church Hall shows the radical implications of a theology of the cross for the shape and practice of church, preaching, ministry, ethics, and eschatology.Hall's frank and prophetic volume is the trilogy's most practical, and the most sustained probe to date of Christian life in a post-Christian context.

In these outstanding studies, Phyllis Bird retrieves the identities of women in ancient Israel through penetrating investigations of Israelite religion, the creation stories in Genesis, harlots and hierodules, and the interpretation and authority of the Bible.

In this bold experiment in Christology, Ben Witherington develops a new, indirect method to discern Jesus' self-understanding.Using the evangelist's portrayals of Jesus' words, deeds, and relationships as avenues of insight, Witherington reveals a Jesus who both understood and disclosed himself in messianic terms, filling traditional terms-Son of man, Son of David, and Messiah-with new content.