The Spirit Renews the Face of the Earth


Book Description

This collection of essays was first presented at the 37th annual meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, held jointly with the Wesleyan Theological Society at Duke University in March 2008, under the conference theme, "Signs, Sighs, and Significance: Pentecostal and Wesleyan Explorations of Science and Creation." Along with a companion volume of Wesleyan essays published also by Pickwick Publications, the twelve chapters here represent both Pentecostal reflections/responses to the science-religion discussion and Pentecostal contributions to the ongoing exchange by biblical studies specialists, historians, and theologians, among those trained in other disciplines. Together the essayists model an actual dialogue in which Pentecostal scholarly reflection is impacted by science-religion discourses on the one hand, while Pentecostals reach deep into their own tradition to explore how their pre-understandings and commitments might enable them to speak with their own voice into pre-existing conversations on the other hand. This volume thus represents one of the first-hopefully the first of many-in which Pentecostals register their perspectives on a major issue of our time. In a world dominated by science, and at a time when theologies of creation that encourage and require care for creation and the environment are proliferating, The Spirit Renews the Face of the Earth provides a set of Pentecostal perspectives on these important matters.




Living Liturgy


Book Description

"Homilies for Weekdays: Solemnities, Feasts, and Memorials" is a requested and welcome addition to the first two volumes of weekday homilies by Father Don Talafous, OSB. Here, he offers creative homily suggestions for solemnities, feasts, and obligatory memorials that fall on weekdays. Readers will deeply appreciate the faithful representation of the Scripture readings and their practical applications for Christian living. "Don Talafous, OSB, PhD, serves as alumni chaplain for Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He is author of "Homilies for Weekdays: Year I "and"Homilies for Weekdays: Year II."




Life as Spirit


Book Description

Paul Tillich is exceptional in modern theologians that his distinctive and abundant understanding of the concept of life and spirit has the potential to engage with other disciplines, such as biology, psychology, cosmology and social science; and that his ontological understanding of “life as spirit” which is so crucial in the ecological consideration, is so complex and subtle that enables powerful and critical inter-religious dialogue in environmental ethics. This book argues that, despite the fact that Tillich did not engage in ecological and environmental theology directly, his abundant personal experience of nature-mysticism and intellectual understanding of the idea of nature rooted in his Lutheran and German idealist heritages and, more importantly, his ontological-pneumatological holistic and multi-dimensional conception of unifying and differentiated reality, perfectly and organically coupled with the theonomous vision of theology of culture, nature and morality is profoundly ecologically oriented.







Living Liturgy


Book Description

Living Liturgy™ 2023 provides practical and engaging content from expert authors to enrich your communal prayer and ministry. A robust formation program, Living Liturgy™ offers the readings, plus insightful reflections, and contextual background information for Sundays, solemnities, and additional feasts of liturgical and national importance. This best-selling annual resource is ideal for parish ministers, liturgists, pastors, planning committees, adult faith formation groups, and anyone who wishes to explore the connections between liturgy and life. An entirely new resource created for each liturgical year, Living Liturgy™ gives your team the spiritual preparation they need to serve in their ministries, integrating daily living, prayer, and study in an inviting and easy-to-use format. Original art by Ruberval Monteiro da Silva, OSB, complements the text and invites further reflection on the gospel of the day. This indispensable guide deepens a liturgical spirituality and strengthens the worship experience for the whole parish. Featured Content Reflecting on the Gospel Preparing to Proclaim Psalmist Preparation Making Connections Between the Readings Homily Points Model Penitential Act Model Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful) Liturgy and Music Living Liturgy Prompts for Faith-Sharing




Earth Revealing; Earth Healing


Book Description

The damage human beings are doing to the atmosphere, the seas, the rivers, the land, and the life- forms of the planet is extreme and deadly. It constitutes a crisis that demands all of humanity's wisdom, ingenuity, and commitment. The whole human community needs to be involved in the response to this crisis - young and old, women and men, farmers, politicians, gardeners, teachers, planners, scientists, engineers, artists, builders, cooks, and theologians. In Earth Revealing - Earth Healing, the authors attempt to make clear the way in which Christian theology opens out into a theology of Earth revealing and challenges us towards a practice of Earth healing. Earth Revealing - Earth Healing offers a rethinking of theology as a significant part of the rethinking that the human community must do in its stance toward creation. Aware that some theological attitudes have contributed to exploitative attitudes and to disregard for the good of the planet, the contributors are also convinced that the biblical and theological tradition has resources that can be retrieved and developed as an ecological theology. Such a theology can contribute to the healing of our planet. The chapters of Earth Revealing - Earth Healing stretch across a number of theological sub- disciplines and related areas. Among the perspectives from the Christian theological tradition, there are reflections on the theology of the Trinity, Christology, Christian anthropology, the theology of the Holy Spirit, and contemporary feminist theology. There are also more general philosophical and cultural perspectives, including discussions of place and of landscape traditions. Finally there are practical perspectives, including discussions of globalization, the challenge of suffering and bioethics. Essays and contributors are The Landscape Tradition: A Broader Vision for Ecotheology," by Stephen Downs; *Globalization and Ecology, - by Christine Burke, IBVM; *'For Your Immortal Spirit Is in All Things': The Holy Spirit in Creation, - by Denis Edwards; *Enfleshing the Human: An Earth-Revealing, Earth-Healing Christology, - by Duncan Reid; *God's Shattering Otherness: The Trinity and Earth's Healing, - by Patricia Fox, RSM; *Embracing Unloveliness: Exploring Theology from the Dung heap, - by Lorna Hallahan; *Up Close and Personal: In the End, Matter Matters, - by Anthony Lowes; *The Relationship Quilt: Feminism and the Healing of Nature, - by Lucy Larkin; *A Timely Reminder: Humanity and Ecology in the Light of Christian Hope, - by Gregory Brett, CM; *Ecotheology as a Plea for Place, - by Phillip Tolliday; *Situating Humanity: Theological Anthropology in the Context of the Ecological Crisis, - by James McEvoy; and *Bioethics, Ecology, and Theology, - by Andrew Dutney. Denis Edwards is a senior lecturer in systematic theology at Catholic Theological College and in the ecumenical consortium at the Adelaide College of Divinity, Flinders University. He has written other books on theology and is a priest of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide. "




Pentecostal Theology


Book Description

Winner of the Pneuma Book Award 2018, from The Society for Pentecostal Studies. Pentecostalism is the most rapidly growing branch of Christianity since the 20th century, yet it does not lend itself well to a singular doctrine and there is, therefore, no single comprehensive account of Pentecostal theology worldwide. In this volume, Wolfgang Vondey suggests an account of Pentecostal theology that is genuine to Pentecostals worldwide while allowing for different adaptation and explication among the various Pentecostal groups. He argues that Pentecostal theology is fundamentally concerned with the renewal of the Christian life identified by the transforming work of the Holy Spirit and directed toward the kingdom of God. The book unfolds in two main parts illustrating the full gospel story and theology. Eleven chapters identify the spiritual underpinnings and motivations for Pentecostal theology, formulate a Pentecostal theology of action, translate, apply, and exemplify Pentecostal practices and experiences, and integrate Pentecostal theology in the wider Christian tradition.




The Routledge Handbook of Pentecostal Theology


Book Description

Research on Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity has increased dramatically in recent decades, and a diverse array of disciplines have begun to address a range of elements of these movements. Yet, there exists very little understanding of Pentecostal theology, and it is not uncommon to encounter stereotypes and misperceptions. Addressing this gap in current research, The Routledge Handbook of Pentecostal Theology is an exceptional reference source to the key topics, challenges, and debates in this growing field of study and is the first collection of its kind to offer a comprehensive presentation and critical discussion of this subject. Comprising over forty chapters written by a team of international contributors, the Handbook is divided into five parts: Contextualizing Pentecostal Theology Sources Theological Method Doctrines and Practices Conversations and Challenges. These sections take the reader through a comprehensive introduction to what Pentecostals believe and how they practice their faith. Looking at issues such as the core teachings of Pentecostalism concerning Spirit baptism, divine healing, or eschatology; unique practices, such as spiritual warfare and worship; and less discussed issues, such as social justice and gender, each chapter builds towards a nuanced and global picture of the theology of the Pentecostal movement. The Routledge Handbook of Pentecostal Theology is essential reading for students and researchers in Pentecostal Studies, World Christianity, and Theology as well as scholars working in contemporary Religious Studies.




Encouragement from the Psalms


Book Description

As James Brandon read and studied the Psalms over the years, he came to realize that the Lord was talking to our souls through these ancient songs. He was also struck by a book written in the 1800s by a man named Hawker, who after reading one of the Psalms would exclaim: “Oh my soul, what is this that thou hast found in the Holy Writ?” He would talk to his soul after reading the text. The author began to read the Psalms and reflect on what each one said to his soul. He has done that for fifty years. In this book, he focuses on the Psalms of Moses, which encompass Psalms 90 to 106. They may have been collected by “the men of Hezekiah” during the reign of King Hezekiah and/or by Ezra following the Babylonian Captivity. It was titled “The Numbers Book”—the Wilderness Sojourn and the Promised Land. (The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 8, 254; The Companion Bible, “Psalms,” 720). The Psalms are a wonderland of devotion. They have enlightened the author’s mind and encouraged his spirit. They can do the same for you—all while providing principles for living this life as you help others walk with the Lord.




Tongues and Trees


Book Description

This book develops a Pentecostal ecological theology (ecotheology) by utilizing key pneumatological themes that emerge from the Pentecostal tradition. It examines the salient Pentecostal and Charismatic voices that have stimulated ecotheology in the Pentecostal tradition and situates them within the broader context of Christian ecumenical ecotheologies (Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Ecofeminist). The author advances a novel approach to Pentecostal ecotheology through a pneumatology of the Spirit-baptized creation, the charismatic creational community, the holistic ecological Spirit, and the eschatological Spirit of ecological mission. Significantly, this book is the first substantive contribution to a Pentecostal pneumatological theology of creation with a particular focus on the Pentecostal community and its significance for the broader ecumenical community. Furthermore, it offers a fresh theological approach to imagining and sustaining earth-friendly practice in the twenty-first century Pentecostal church.