Books in the Current Issues in Theology series

This is a critical exploration of the theology of providence in the history of the church. Particular attention is devoted to the practical contexts of providentialism in politics, science and spirituality in the modern era. While critical of traditional formulations and uses, the volume aims to offer a chastened but constructive account.

This 2003 book is a loud reaffirmation of the triune God at the heart of a scripture-based Christianity, but it is written with intellectual rigour by a theologian who understands the currents of modern secular thought, and is able to work from them towards a constructive position on biblical authority.

Leading political theologian Oliver O'Donovan takes a fresh look at some traditional moral arguments about war. Christians differ widely on this issue. The book re-examines questions of contemporary urgency, including the use of biological and nuclear weapons, military intervention, economic sanctions, war-crimes trials, and the role of the UN.

Who would the Saviour have to be, what would the Saviour have to do to rescue human beings from the meaning-destroying experiences of their lives such as permanent pain or sadistic abuse? This book offers a systematic Christology that is at once biblical and philosophical, focusing on Christ as horror-defeater.

Are humans composed of a body and a nonmaterial mind or soul, or are we purely physical beings? In this clear and concise book, Nancey Murphy argues for a physicalist account, but one that does not diminish traditional views of humans as rational, moral, and capable of relating to God.

The doctrine of the Incarnation lies at the heart of Christianity. But the idea that 'God was in Christ' has become a much-debated topic in modern theology. Oliver Crisp addresses six key issues in the Incarnation defending a robust version of the doctrine, in keeping with classical Christology.

The theology of the Eucharist has long been the subject of heated debate; particularly since the Reformation. In this book, George Hunsinger explores ways in which Christians might resolve their differences in this area. He tackles three issues dividing the churches about the Eucharist: real presence, Eucharistic sacrifice, and ministry.

Through the intensely intimate relationship that arises between God and humans in the incarnation of the Word in Christ, God gives us the gift of God's own life. This simple claim provides the basis for Kathryn Tanner's powerful study of the centrality of Jesus Christ for all Christian thought and life: if the divine and the human are united in Christ, then Jesus can be seen as key to the pattern that organizes the whole, even while God's ways remain beyond our grasp. Drawing on the history of Christian thought to develop an innovative Christ-centered theology, this book sheds fresh light on major theological issues such as the imago dei, the relationship between nature and grace, the Trinity's implications for human community, and the Spirit's manner of working in human lives. Originally delivered as Warfield Lectures at Princeton Theological Seminary, it offers a creative and compelling contribution to contemporary theology.

Drawing on recent work in theology and philosophy of language, Hector develops an alternative account of language and its relation to God, demonstrating that one need not choose between fitting God into a metaphysical framework, on the one hand, and keeping God at a distance from language, on the other.

Places John Calvin in conversation with theologians such as Pascal, Kierkegaard, Barth, Ezra the Scribe and Julian of Norwich to examine our place in the immensity of the universe, our love of enemies, God's love for the Jews and our contemplation of the love and wrath of God.

Young offers a systematic theology with contemporary coherence, a method that engages in conversation with the fathers of the church and explores how their teachings can be applied today, despite the differences in our intellectual and ecclesial environments. The book covers key topics including Creation, Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology and Mariology.

This book examines Augustine and Spinoza, as well as today's theologians and biblical scholars, and explores the difference it makes to give explicit focus to the place of the theological reader. It will be of interest to students and scholars of theological and religious studies disciplines, as well as to some in Christian ministry.