Though the Christian church has a well-developed theology of Godward-facing remorse about sin, it has paid little attention to the interpersonal implications of the remorse that people feel when they wrong one another. Since the nineteenth century, important work has been done by psychologists, anthropologists, philosophers, ethicists, scientists, and lawyers that has implications for the way theologians might think about remorse. This book draws on the biblical record in its ancient setti...

Many endorse the idea of personal forgiveness without fully understanding its complexity and subtlety. This book is a careful and detailed theological exploration of personal forgiveness. It sets forgiveness in its ancient and biblical context, as well as drawing on contemporary debates among philosophers, psychological therapists, and international relations theorists. Forgiveness is written in a clear, accessible style for both the specialist and the non-specialist, and even the most dif...

Anthony Bash offers new insights into forgiveness from a biblical perspective, taking into account important findings in philosophy, politics and psychology.The book explores what the Bible says about forgiveness so that we can better experience its regenerative and renewing effects. It also looks at what the Bible says in the light of two thousand years of thought about forgiveness. It does so in the belief that, if forgiveness is to be meaningful, it must be just...

Forgiveness has often been viewed as a religious obligation but is increasingly being advocated as a means of healing, release and promoting wellbeing. Forgiveness is variously viewed as a duty, virtue or cure, but when it comes to practising forgiveness in real life we find it is always caught up in the complexity of the situation. This book shines a light on how we tend to think about forgiveness in practice, including examples from social work, family therapy, chaplaincy and criminal ju...

Depressed by Winterval? Put 'Christ' back into Christmas with a fresh understanding of the Christmas story, based on daily Advent readings and meditations.If you are troubled by the noise, pressure and materialism of secular Advent with its emphasis on material and commercial rather than spiritual preparation for Christmas, this book will help you to read and think about Advent and Christmas in a new way.Co-authored by a New Testament specialist and a pract...

Vaughan Roberts explores seven of the difficulties Christians may have to endure and positive ways to deal with them.The Bible warns of a mixed experience in this life. We live in a fallen world and have to fight continually against earthly temptations, but we do so as heaven's citizens, already enjoying some of salvation's great blessings.Vaughan Roberts calls us to realism. Christians will struggle with battles such as image, lust and doubt. But he also urges us to seek s...

What does the Bible really say about women?Should women be allowed to preach or lead in church?What about what Paul said?In 'Women and the Kingdom' Roger and Faith Forster summarise a wealth of information about what the Bible has to say about the role, value and contribution of women in the purposes of God.As Jackie Pullinger-To says in her foreword, 'It reads like a thriller!'

The Acts of the Apostles tell the story of a disparate group of men who, against the odds, came to spearhead an international movement. Jane Williams examines the central messages of Acts and how and why they matter to us.The How to Believe series of ebooks explores the teachings, philosophies and beliefs of major thinkers and religious texts. In a short, easy-to-access format, leading writers present new understandings of these perennially important ideas.

Insightful Lectionary for Year C.Second in the series after the success of Journeying with Mark, this book gives fresh insight on Luke's Gospel as it is read and preached within the Church.Explore the Gospel of Luke in the lectionary year C. Giving background information allows the reader to get a good grip on a greater understanding, prayer and action inspired by the life and works of Jesus.Journeying with Luke pays special attention to the charact...

This book explores models for youth ministry from the life and ministry of Christ. This area of study has become fossilised because youth workers rely too heavily on the notion of 'incarnational' or 'relational' youth ministry. This leads them to believe that they must spend huge amounts of time with young people in order to 'earn the right' to share the gospel with them. The author argues that this foundation for youth ministry is inadequate and impractical and that it is not how Jesus hi...

Both outside and inside of the church, many people today are increasingly uncomfortable with hell. They wonder: How could it be fair to punish anyone for eternity? Will Jesus really condemn millions simply for not believing the right things about him? Isn’t God a God of love, not vengeance? The top-notch contributors to Is Hell for Real or Does Everyone Go to Heaven? tackle these and other questions with an even-handed survey of the Bible’s teaching on this difficult subject. Together, the...

The encouragement we crave—when we’re most in needOut of the deepest hurts of the human condition, Randy Alcorn brings into clear focus our most pressing questions about evil and suffering—including those that wrench our souls when we or someone we love is victimized by evil or assaulted by disease.He faces these questions with seasoned sensitivity, skillful insight, and a heart of compassion. He dodges none of the difficulties, and never lapses into platitu...