Christianity The Original And The Present Reality

The kingdom of God is not explained anywhere in the New Testament, yet it seems to be everywhere understood. No explanation was ever needed, and so none was given. In The Future Kingdom of God: A Present Reality and Our Blessed Hope, author Father Steven Scherrer presents an in-depth study of the kingdom of God as it appears in the scriptures. Based on an edited collection of original sermons and essays revolving around the New Testament doctrine of the kingdom of God, this thorough discussion provides a guide for those seeking insight into various aspects about the second coming of Jesus Christ. Some of the topics on which the essays reflect include the splendor of the kingdom of God now present, as seen in the Churchs Advent and Christmas liturgies; the millennial hope as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy; the enchanted expectation of the Parousia, as seen in the Churchs autumn liturgies; the longing to be found innocent in holiness at the coming of the Lord. Using the scriptures and examples from the Bible, The Future Kingdom of God demonstrates how Christians can, by faith, now live in the splendor of Gods kingdom present in their midst.

Giussani argues that if we accept the hypothesis that the mystery entered the realm of human existence and spoke in human terms, the relationship between the individual and God is no longer based on a moral, imaginative, or aesthetic human effort but instead on coming upon an event in one's life. Thus the religious method is overturned by Christ: in Christianity it is no longer the person who seeks to know the mystery but the mystery that makes himself known by entering history. At the Origin of the Christian Claim presents an intriguing argument supported with ample documentation from the gospels and other theological writings.

Is Christianity but a selection of stories, as some suppose, or is there more to it than that? Are its adherents guided by something real or simply following their own fancies? That there are communities of Christians is itself real enough, but is their mere existence its own justification? Events like the birth and death of Jesus are for the most part real enough, though they have been overlaid with stories that may at times be helpful symbolism but may also distract or distort. The very human way Jesus and his disciples followed during his ministry was also real enough, though again overlaid with interpretative material; however, the circumstances of his followers then varied, and those of Christian communities in succeeding generations differ still more. On the eve of his death Jesus sought to bind his followers together with one another and himself rather than offering them a way of otherworldly salvation. He may yet have expected such a salvation, as did the Apostle Paul, but it is more fruitful to follow the latter in seeing "life" to be gained in "death," in a "dying to sin," in this life.

The only introduction to Christianity which systematically compares its many different faces. From original sin to eternal life, the function of prayer to the role of the church, renowned theologian Keith Ward offers a comprehensive survey of the diversity of Christian thinking in this introduction to the world’s largest faith. By presenting three different interpretations for over fifteen key doctrines, he invites anyone interested in the contemporary spiritual landscape to consider the Christian faith from a new and refreshing perspective.

Josian Royce's late masterpiece, The Problem of Christianity, is based on a series of lectures he delivered at Manchester College, Oxford, in 1913. It presents his philosophical interpretation of Christianity's fundamental ideas--community, sin, atonement, and saving grace; shows their relevance to the current confluence of world religions; and grounds his position upon a personal transformation into genuine loyalty toward the community of the entire human family. The Problem opens up a mine of surprising treasures while its prophetic voice speaks to contemporary issues and current movements in ecumenics and inter-religious dialogue. Frank M. Oppenheim's new introduction highlights its relevance to some of the pressing problems of the new century. "A notable contribution to the interpretation of Christian ideas."--The Nation "Royce has contributed largely to the treasures of religious thought."--New York Times