Books in the Distinguished Dissertations in Christian Theology series

The theology of the cross is indisputably a trendy concept today. Numerous seminars, books, and dissertations tackle the topic. But The Theology of the Cross in Historical Perspective demonstrates that theology of the cross is no passing fancy. Theologies of the cross appear at the beginnings of the church, in the sixteenth-century reformations of the church, and in the more contemporary modernization of the church. Without theologies of the cross, what the church is called to be and to preach becomes unclear. So then, what is the theology of the cross?Anna Madsen surveys the theology of the cross in the thinking of Paul and Luther. She also outlines several important twentieth-century contributions to the subject. On the basis of her analysis, Madsen suggests that the theology of the cross reveals God to be found even in death. In death, after all, boundaries disappear. The theology of the cross assures Christians that God is present in the death of sin and in the realities of suffering and uncertainty. Given that it announces God's presence, the theology of the cross is ultimately a theology of grace, freedom, and trust.

Rewired begins with the claim that contemporary views of Christian spirituality, particularly in the American evangelical tradition, concentrate too exclusively on the interior and individual nature of spiritual experience. Paul Markham argues that a reexamination of the doctrine of religious conversion is needed within American evangelicalism and finds resources for such a model in the Wesleyan theological tradition and from philosophical and scientific insights into a "nonreductive physicalist" view of human nature. In considering "data" from theology and science, this book represents an integrated work in science and religion.

Indwelling the Forsaken Other is a critical reading of Jurgen Moltmann''s ethics of discipleship. While Moltmann''s notable turn to the inner life of the Trinity as a source for his reflections on the life of the church is influential, it is not without problems. The call emerging from Moltmann''s reflection upon Trinitarian life--to copy God in our relationships--may offer some general direction for our actions; however, it also raises several questions. Two important questions for this work are, In what way are we to copy God? and What conditions make it possible to copy God? Moltmann''s answers to these questions are insufficient, and consequently he fails to protect the difference between Creator and creation in his analogia relationis. As a result, the ethical direction of Moltmann''s work seems to be increasingly muddied and, at best, paradoxical.

Rewired begins with the claim that contemporary views of Christian spirituality, particularly in the American evangelical tradition, concentrate too exclusively on the interior and individual nature of spiritual experience. Paul Markham argues that a reexamination of the doctrine of religious conversion is needed within American evangelicalism and finds resources for such a model in the Wesleyan theological tradition and from philosophical and scientific insights into a ""nonreductive physicalist"" view of human nature. In considering ""data"" from theology and science, this book represents an integrated work in science and religion.""The amazing thing about the human nervous system is its plasticity--it is readily ''rewired'' by experience. Paul Markham offers a view of Christian conversion as an embodied process by which we are constantly and significantly rewired by our participation in a converting community--we are progressively becoming new creatures. In Rewired, Markham helps us hear the resonance between modern scientific views of human nature, biblical Christianity, and Wesleyan practical theology.""--Warren S. BrownProfessor of PsychologyGraduate School of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary""The importance of this new book by Paul Markham lies both in his constructive proposal concerning the nature of Christian conversion and in the process by which he achieves his proposal. Working at the interface of neurophilosophy and Wesleyan theology, he presses for a more fully integrated theological method at the same time that he demonstrates its fruitfulness. The resulting portrait of a fully embodied and ecclesially centered Christian conversion is a welcome contribution to our understanding of spiritual life.""--Joel B. Green, Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Fuller Theological Seminary""This is a timely book--where the question of what it means to be human stands alongside questions of conversion and Christian mission in contemporary culture.Paul Markham brings these questions together with a depth that takes seriously both modern neuroscience and pastoral sensitivity.A book for theologians in the field of science and religion, as well as a book for preachers, evangelists, and pastors.""--David Wilkinson, Principal of St. John''s College, University of Durham""It is frequently assumed by both Christian and non-Christian alike that science must be in conflict with religion and that religious conversion must be a matter of salvation of the ''soul.'' Paul Markham''s impressive work of interdisciplinary scholarship demonstrates the flaws in both these assumptions, showing how recent writing in cognitive science can be seen to point towards a more biblical picture of human beings and a more holistic understanding of Christian discipleship.""--Robert Song, University of DurhamPaul N. Markham is Assistant Professor at Western Kentucky University''s Center for Community Partnerships. He also holds adjunct faculty positions in WKU''s Department of Philosophy and Religion and at Asbury Theological Seminary.

About the Contributor(s):Margaret B. Adam is an Affiliate Research and Teaching Fellow at the University of Glasgow.

The theology of the cross is indisputably a trendy concept today. Numerous seminars, books, and dissertations tackle the topic. But The Theology of the Cross in Historical Perspective demonstrates that theology of the cross is no passing fancy. Theologies of the cross appear at the beginnings of the church, in the sixteenth-century reformations of the church, and in the more contemporary modernization of the church. Without theologies of the cross, what the church is called to be and to preach becomes unclear. So then, what is the theology of the cross?Anna Madsen surveys the theology of the cross in the thinking of Paul and Luther. She also outlines several important twentieth-century contributions to the subject. On the basis of her analysis, Madsen suggests that the theology of the cross reveals God to be found even in death. In death, after all, boundaries disappear. The theology of the cross assures Christians that God is present in the death of sin and in the realities of suffering and uncertainty. Given that it announces God''s presence, the theology of the cross is ultimately a theology of grace, freedom, and trust. Anna Madsen is Assistant Professor of Religion at Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She is an ordained ELCA pastor who completed her DPhil at the University of Regensburg, Germany.