It is strange, Stevan Davies points out, that while virtually all those engaged in research into the historical Jesus presuppose that Jesus was a teacher and that all his actions were part of a teaching ministry, they are also largely agreed that it is almost impossible to discover precisely what he taught. Moreover,many of these scholars are also themselves teachers. So might there not be a good deal of the 'Jesus in our image', which Albert Schweitzer brilliantly criticized, in their approach? Fully aware of the problems associated with the quest, he therefore ...

The central thesis of The Christlike God is that Jesus is the reflection in human life of the being of God. John Taylor begins by pointing out how few religious people-or non-religious people- ever stop and think about God, but tend to live with an unconscious stereotype. He discusses throughout the text how we acquire our idea of God, the nature of revelation experience, and the range of reflection on God both within and out-with the Christian tradition. Bishop John Taylor was one of the twentieth century's leading Anglican missionary statesmen. An ecumenist ...

Here is a brief and highly readable history of early Christianity. Etienne Trocme spares us references to the jungle of secondary literature and with a lifetime's experience of New Testament studies cuts short long discussions of might-have-beeps. With a sure eye to lines of development, he paints a fascinating picture of the world of the first Christians. Simply basing himself on the New Testament, he nevertheless shows how much experimentation and conflict there was to begin with. He emphasizes the initial close relations between Christians and Jews and ...

Almost everyone is directly affected by questions involving sex and sexual ethics - yet few are aware of the background to current views on topics such as sex before and after marriage, sex as procreation and fulfilment, homosexuality, sexual abuse, rape and contraception. This new edition offers added and up-to-date material discussion burning current issues in a thoughtful, reflective and challenging way.

Around the year 500 St Benedict wrote a short guide for a small community who wanted to live together the balanced life of body, mind and spirit. The Rule of St Benedict became not only the foundational guide for monastic life in the West, but remains a potent spiritual resource that speaks authentically to countless individuals today. Fr Laurence Freeman OSB has described the text as the most important document for Christian living after the Bible. In this reflective commentary, Esther de Waal recognises the profoundly scriptural emphasis of St Benedict's ...

"The Reformed epistemologists and Charles Taylor have been like ships passing in the night; neither has paid explicit attention to the other. In this very interesting book, Tayloring Reformed Epistemology, Deane-Peter Baker not only points out obvious affinities between these two bodies of work, but shows in detail how each holds out the promise of filling a lacuna in the work of the other. A creative and important contribution; it genuinely advances the discussion." Nicholas Wolterstorff, Noah Porter Professor Emeritus of Philosophical Theology, Yale University "In ...

One of the most engaging voices contemporary spirituality in is that of the Irish poet, Pádraig O'Tuama. This second poetry collection arises out of a decade of his hearing stories of people who have lived through personal and political conflict in Northern Ireland, the Middle East and other places of conflict. These poems tell stories of individuals who have lived through conflict: their loves and losses, their hope and generosity. One poem, 'Shaking hands' was written when Pádraig witnessed the historic handshake between Queen Elizabeth II ...

'Professor Hahn argues that there is real mission to the Gentiles in the Old Testament, in Judaism, in the teaching of Jesus, or in the activity of Peter. Jesus envisaged the gathering of the Gentiles at the end, and made some gestures to indicate what would happen.' J. C. O'Neill in Journal of THeological Studies