Word Spirit Communal Revelationalism

This work first examines the theological streams of influence that constitute Brethren theology—Anabaptism and Radical Pietism—with particular focus given to key thinkers and leaders. It then explores the nuances of what came to be American Fundamentalism and Protestant Liberalism of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, which provide important context to the thought of J. Allen Miller (1866–1935), a central Ashland Brethren theologian of that period. Miller’s theology demonstrates sympathy with both poles of the theological spectrum but remains distinct as a thoughtful mediation between these two extremes. Miller’s theological approach, termed “Word-Spirit Communal Revelationalism,” consists in his particular theological epistemology and biblical hermeneutics. When Miller’s theological witness moves into conversation with American evangelicalism, it proves helpful for the Ashland Brethren as they engage with the contemporary American evangelical landscape. His witness assists Brethren and other American evangelicals in offering a corrective to several pathologies or distortions identified within American evangelicalism. His theological method assists the larger American evangelical movement with tools for mediation over against polarization.

This work first examines the theological streams of influence that constitute Brethren theology—Anabaptism and Radical Pietism—with particular focus given to key thinkers and leaders. It then explores the nuances of what came to be American Fundamentalism and Protestant Liberalism of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, which provide important context to the thought of J. Allen Miller (1866–1935), a central Ashland Brethren theologian of that period. Miller’s theology demonstrates sympathy with both poles of the theological spectrum but remains distinct as a thoughtful mediation between these two extremes. Miller’s theological approach, termed “Word-Spirit Communal Revelationalism,” consists in his particular theological epistemology and biblical hermeneutics. When Miller’s theological witness moves into conversation with American evangelicalism, it proves helpful for the Ashland Brethren as they engage with the contemporary American evangelical landscape. His witness assists Brethren and other American evangelicals in offering a corrective to several pathologies or distortions identified within American evangelicalism. His theological method assists the larger American evangelical movement with tools for mediation over against polarization.

The main thesis of 'Spirit-Word-Community' is that Christian theological reflection in a postmodern world starts with the experience of the Holy Spirit, but is at the same time post-foundationalist in terms of being formed by the word and being adjudicated by various communities of interpretation. Yet the book's hermeneutical and methodological proposals are not merely prolegomena to theology but already involve and assume theologically substantive claims derived from a pneumatological point of view. Hence, this is a pneumatological theology which illuminates the hermeneutical process precisely by showing how the Holy Spirit engages the human imagination to empower liberative practices in a world that remains graced by her presence and activity. 'Spirit-Word-Community' is meant in each of these senses to be a contribution to the formulation of a comprehensive theology of the Third Article for the twenty-first century.

What is education? How and why do educators do what we do? And, in what way can and ought education be distinctively Christian? These are a few of the probing questions for which this book seeks answers. Among other contributions, Currivean's book explores a biblical philosophy of Christian education with unprecedented breadth and depth. To accomplish this objective, it considers what education is (chapter 1), what philosophy of education is (chapter 2), and what the ultimate goal of education is (chapter 3). Additionally, this book provides a never-before, Christian overview of twelve philosophies of education (chapters 4-15). Each of those chapters provides an introduction of a particular philosophy of education and some of that philosophy's exemplars. Each of those chapters also contributes a constructive, Christian critique. Chapter 16 highlights a biblical philosophy of Christian education--featuring some people, some principles, and some priorities for a biblical philosophy of Christian education, viz. pursuing excellence for the glory of God.

"In Integrating the New Science of Love and a Spirituality of Peace, the contributors explore the intersection between the science of attachment theory and the vision of Anabaptism. What emerges is a deeper sense of what it means to be human and a hope for a different tomorow, inspired by the kingdom of God as preached by Jesus of Nazareth."

We live in a time when the most appalling social injustices and unjust human sufferings no longer seem to generate the moral indignation and the political will needed both to combat them effectively and to create a more just and fair society. If God Were a Human Rights Activist aims to strengthen the organization and the determination of all those who have not given up the struggle for a better society, and specifically those that have done so under the banner of human rights. It discusses the challenges to human rights arising from religious movements and political theologies that claim the presence of religion in the public sphere. Increasingly globalized, such movements and the theologies sustaining them promote discourses of human dignity that rival, and often contradict, the one underlying secular human rights. Conventional or hegemonic human rights thinking lacks the necessary theoretical and analytical tools to position itself in relation to such movements and theologies; even worse, it does not understand the importance of doing so. It applies the same abstract recipe across the board, hoping that thereby the nature of alternative discourses and ideologies will be reduced to local specificities with no impact on the universal canon of human rights. As this strategy proves increasingly lacking, this book aims to demonstrate that only a counter-hegemonic conception of human rights can adequately face such challenges.

The epic first novel in the million-selling Brethren trilogy. In the tradition of Bernard Cornwell, Conn Iggulden and Manda Scott, Brethren brilliantly evokes that extraordinary clash of civilizations known in the West as the Crusades. From the burning plains of Syria to the filthy backstreets of Paris and London, Brethren is the story of Will Campbell, coming of age in a time of conspiracy, passion, politics and war. Will longs to become a Knight Templar, but first he must serve as an apprentice to the foul-tempered scholar Everard, a man of dangerous secrets. Meanwhile, a new star is rising in the east. Amir Baybars has fought his way from slavery to become a fearsome commander, driven by an unquenchable desire to free the Holy Land from the European invaders. A stunning, epic novel of war, savagery and heroism.

Pointing the way toward a confessional theology for the twenty-first century, Donald G. Bloesch begins his seven-volume work, Christian Foundations, with this introduction to authority and method in theology.