Religious Propaganda and Missionary Competition in the New Testament World


Book Description

Religious Propaganda is a pivotal concept for the Hellenistic and Roman epochs in the History of Religions. The term refers to the various competing religious and philosophical movements and currents during those periods. Renowned scholars (H. Attridge, K. Baltzer, J. Collins, A. Dewey, H. Koester, A.T. Kraabel, D. Lührmann, J. Robinson, W. Schottroff, E. Schüssler Fiorenza, A. Yarbro Collins and others) interpret Pagan, Jewish, and Christian sources with a view toward elucidating the confrontation of Jewish and Christian groups with their respective social, economic, religious, and political contexts. The authors seek to demonstrate the significance of missionary and propagandistic themes as well as strategies for the self-understanding of Jews and Christians at the turn of the eras. The articles, 25 in all, draw upon the broad expanse of scholarly work in the History of Religions pertaining to this period: the authors discuss methodology and the state of research, and they forge ahead in the exploration of the intertestamental and New Testament writings.




A History of the Ecumenical Movement, Volume 2


Book Description

Volume 2 (1948-1968) first appeared in 1970. It covers the history of the World Council of Churches from its first assembly at Amsterdam to its fourth assembly at Uppsala, Sweden; analyzes the development of regional ecumenical organizations; and recounts the impact of the Second Vatican Council on the ecumenical witness of the Roman Catholic Church.




The Gagging of God


Book Description

The Gold Medallion Award-winning book that presents a persuasive case for Christ as the only way to God in light of contemporary religious pluralism. A great majority of social commentators attempting to define modern Western culture land on a common characteristic: pluralism. This isn't unique to secular culture. Many modern approaches to Christian hermeneutics, or biblical interpretation, have given credence to contemporary pluralism. What began as a refreshing restraint and humility in modern theology has fallen more and more into irresoluteness. It's no secret that the contemporary challenges to Christianity are complex and serious. Yet, far from simple fear-mongering, or cultural warmongering, The Gagging of God takes a hard look at the background and intricacy—of pluralism, postmodernity, and hermeneutics—and equips thoughtful Christians to have intelligent, culturally sensitive, and passionate fidelity to the gospel of Jesus Christ. In his contemplative, even-handed approach, Carson provides a structure of Christian thought capable of facing the philosophies of today and piercing their surface. It invites Christians to grapple responsibly with urgent questions of biblically-grounded theology, spirituality, and the defining lines of Christianity, along with its range of challenges from without and within. The Gagging of God offers an in-depth look at the big picture, shows how the many ramifications of pluralism are all parts of a whole, and provides a systematic Christian response.




Historical Dictionary of Ecumenical Christianity


Book Description

This historical dictionary covers the major trends in the 20th century ecumenical movement until today. It deals with developments in the realms of church unity, mission and evangelism, laity, women in church and society, and many other ecumenical subjects. It also covers many programs and activities of the World Council of Churches since its inception in 1948. The longer articles survey important theological themes while short articles provide quick reference on a precise question. The bibliography is not exhaustive-some 50,000 titles have been published since the beginning of this century-but very helpful for major bibliographical information. The dictionary is particularly strong in American subjects and includes a great number of ecuminical personalities which cannot be found in other reference works. This publication is not only an indispensible tool of research for university and seminary libraries but also for individual persons belonging to whatever Christian church who are interested in knowing more about reflections, relations, and activities in the several regions of the ecumenical world. A helpful description of the most important ecumenical assemblies and conferences is provided. To take stock of the past, to interpret the present, and to look forward into the third millenium of Christian existence are exciting and challenging enterprises.




Fake Prophecy and Polluted Sacraments


Book Description

During the four centuries of its existence (ca. 165–550), Montanism, an early-Christian prophetic movement, stirred up considerable controversy. Known to its adherents as the ‘New Prophecy,’ its opponents viewed it as a ‘fake prophecy’ with ‘polluted sacraments.’ Accused of introducing novelty and heresy into Christianity. Montanism, in the post-Constantinian era, was also persecuted by Christian emperors. This book identifies all known opponents of Montanism, analyzes and classifies the various charges leveled against Montanism, and describes the methods used to counteract and ultimately destroy the movement. Also described are the ways in which the Montanists reacted to the opposition against them, revealing that the picture painted of the New Prophecy by its opponents was grossly distorted. Fake Prophecy and Polluted Sacraments provides an insightful case-study of the treatment of a minority Christian movement by Church and State both before and after ‘catholic’ Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire.




The Ecumenical Review


Book Description




Orthodoxy & Western Culture


Book Description

Jaroslav Pelikan, the foremost church historian of the twentieth century, is honored by this collection of essays written by his colleagues and former students in honor of his 80th birthday celebration; Pelikan himself contributed an autiobiographical sketch, and the final lecture.







The Unbounded Community


Book Description

Presented to Jaroslav Pelikan by 12 of his former students in honor of his 70th birthday, this festschrift contains 10 papers drawn from an April 1994 conference at Yale University. Topics include Anglo-Saxon monasticism and the public suitability of the Rule of St. Benedict; Dante and the problem of Byzantium; and Thomas More and Vaclav Havel on social and personal integrity. Includes a bibliography of the professor's work. No index. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR