Books by Mark Ellingsen

"Go against the grain."This is what Mark Ellingsen wants your church to hear in A Rebellious Faith. It isn't merely odd or contradictory in the eyes of the world to live a Christian life. It is offensive.To go against the grain - by discounting our accomplishments, carrying no shame in the light of grace, considering no one outside of God's love - is to sometimes make people who worship hard work, the quest for perfection and exceptionalism deeply uncomfortable.And that is a very good thing.Ellingsen begins with the irrevocable truth that the ashes we put on our living bodies at the beginning of the Lenten season represent the death we all deserve. From there, he leads your congregation through the brazenly offensive, un-American ideas presented in the New Testament.Confession does not shame and isolate us, it liberates us. Bearing the cross of our sin is not a burden, but a blessing in the knowledge the Lord has paid the ultimate price for our sin. The Resurrection does not make anyone exceptional. It unites us all whether or not we are ready to enter Heaven together.A Rebellious Faith reminds us thatthe war is already won, and we are to live as brave sinners whose Savior cannot be overcome.Sermons include: Lent 1: "A Protestant (and Catholic) Way to Confess" (Romans 10:8b-13) Good Friday: "Look What Happened on the Cross! God Burns Away All Our Pettiness" (Hebrews 10:16-25) Easter: "Easter Makes Us One!" (Acts 10:34-43) The Ascension of Our Lord: "The Triumph of God's Grace" (Ephesians 1:15-23) Mark Ellingsen, a minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), has been a professor of Church History at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, since 1993. He graduated magna cum laude from Gettysburg College (Pennsylvania) and Yale University, from which he received three master's degrees in divinity, arts, and philosophy, as well as his Ph.D. He has authored eighteen books including Sin Bravely: A Joyful Alternative to a Purpose-Driven Life (Continuum) and The Integrity of Biblical Narrative (Wipf and Stock). He and his wife have three grown children. When he is not writing or teaching, Ellingsen enjoys discussing politics, sports, and playing guitar.

Description:This second volume of Reclaiming Our Roots carries readers on a whirlwind journey from the eve of the Reformation to developments in Christianity in the twentieth century. As in the first volume, Mark Ellingsen gives special attention to the history of Christianity in the southern hemisphere, the church among minority cultures in North America, and the role of women in church history.Ellingsen''s careful and critical eye ranges over the entire panorama of modern church history. He provides balanced theological analyses of major movements and figures as well as the interactions between them. Ellingsen presents church history as an opportunity to enter into a dialogue with the church''s richly diverse heritage. He sees the role of church history as:Community builder--teaching the faithful their heritage,Safety patrol--sensitizing church leaders to the errors of the past that they must still confront,Liberating instrument--learning to look at reality from the perspective of the other, no longer chained to one''s own suppositions and cultural biases, andSource of theological creativity--providing access to the stimulating insights of the great theological minds of the past.This thought-provoking book offers readers a sympathetic exposure to a variety of credible, scholarly interpretations of major figures and encourages them to make their own judgments with the help of suggested primary source readings. Ellingsen closes each chapter with questions that lead readers to ponder the deeper meanings of various events in the history of Christianity.About the Contributor(s):Mark Ellingsen is Associate Professor of Church History at the Interdenominational Theological Center.

Description:Reclaiming Our Roots, the most inclusive church history textbook on the market today, pays special attention to such matters as Christianity in the southern hemisphere, Eastern Orthodoxy, the church among minority cultures in North America, and the role of women in church history. It includes not just names, dates, and events in church history, but also sophisticated theological analyses of the issues that have made history, making it useable as a text for both history of Christian thought as well as introduction to church history courses.Readers are exposed to a variety of credible, scholarly interpretations of issues, events, and major figures, and encouraged to make their own judgments based upon the evidence and with the help of suggested primary source readings. Leading questions that open doors for group discussion and individual reflection on the core issues follow each section.Endorsements:""Here is a splendid introductory church history text, rich in detail and theological insight. Ellingsen writes clearly, is sensitive to context, and widens the horizons from standard texts by including Eastern Christianity, churches in Asia and Africa, women, and other traditionally marginalized groups. This is an excellent achievement! Enhancing the work are probing questions along the way, to show us what continues to be at stake in the church''s ongoing life and thought. A fine survey.""--Donald K. McKim, Memphis Theological Seminary""This is a book of inclusiveness. The text is down to earth and brings together essential findings of recent material in a fresh way for pastors and lay persons.""--L. K. Allen, Presiding Elder, Christian Methodist Episcopal ChurchAbout the Contributor(s):Mark Ellingsen is Associate Professor of Church History at the Interdenominational Theological Center.

In an inclusive reading of Augustine, Mark Ellingsen reveals a patterned conceptual richness in Augustine's thought. The Richness of Augustine is a wonderful introduction and a rich ecumenical and historical resource. It is the first introduction that places in focus the significance of Augustine's African cultural and ethnic...

One reason behind this is that the prevailing models for Theology have imposed logical and modern ways of thinking about faith that renders theology academic, and therefore largely irrelevant for daily life.

Demonstrates that awareness of sin is shown to lead to freedom and joy, as the pressure is removed to do and be good all the time. This book intends to clarify why the lifestyle of brave sinning and total dependence on God lead to happiness, with an emphasis on neurobiological research on happiness and brain function.