Books published by Cascade Books

Hymns and the music the church sings in worship are tangible means of expressing worship. And while worship is one of, if not the central functions of the church along with mission, service, education, justice, and compassion, and occupies a prime focus of our churches, a renewed sense of awareness to our theological presuppositions and cultural cues must be maintained to ensure a proper focus in worship. Hymns and Hymnody: Historical and Theological Introductions is a sixty-chapter, three-volume introductory textbook describing the most influential hymnists, liturgists, and musical movements of the church. This academically grounded resource evaluates both the historical and theological perspectives of the major hymnists and composers who have impacted the church over the course of twenty centuries. Volume 1 explores the early church and concludes with the Renaissance era hymnists. Volume 2 begins with the Reformation and extends to the eighteenth-century hymnists and liturgists. Volume 3 engages nineteenth century hymnists to the contemporary movements of the twenty-first century.Each chapter contains these five elements: historical background, theological perspectives communicated in their hymns/compositions, contribution to liturgy and worship, notable hymns, and bibliography. The mission of Hymns and Hymnody is (1) to provide biographical data on influential hymn writers for students and interested laypeople, and (2) to provide a theological analysis of what these composers have communicated in the theology of their hymns. We believe it is vital for those involved in leading the worship of the church to recognize that what they communicate is in fact theology. This latter aspect, we contend, is missing--yet important--in accessible formats for the current literature. ""Covering three centuries that were 'the most momentous for the development of congregational hymnody,' these essays help us understand how hymns were finely tuned to the vernacular liturgies and denominational nuances that proliferated during this period. The editors have carefully planned the volume so that it is both comprehensible and useful. From the engaging prefatory explanation of hymns to the diverse range of first-rate contributors, this is an invaluable collection and is highly recommended for anyone interested in hymnology.""--Andrew Shenton, Boston UniversityMark A. Lamport is a graduate professor in the United States and Europe. He is coeditor of Encyclopedia of Christianity and the Global South (2 vols., 2018); Encyclopedia of Martin Luther and the Reformation (2 vols., 2017); Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States (5 vols., Selected: ""Notable Books of 2016""); Encyclopedia of Christian Education (3 vols., Winner, Booklist Editors' Choice: Adult Books, 2016).Benjamin K. Forrest is Professor of Christian Education and Associate Dean at the College of Arts and Sciences at Liberty University. He is coeditor of A Legacy of Preaching (2 vols., 2018), Biblical Leadership: Theology for Everyday Leaders (2017), and Biblical Worship: Theology unto the Glory of God (forthcoming). Vernon M. Whaley is Dean of the Liberty University School of Music. His publications include, Exalt His Name (2018), Worship Through the Ages (2012), The Great Commission to Worship (2011), and The Dynamics of Corporate Worship (2001).

There is no papal document that has generated as much interest, controversy, and debate in recent times as Pope Francis's Amoris Laetitia. This document, which came out of two very divisive synods of Catholic bishops and leaders in Rome in 2014 and 2015, will probably be the most discussed document ever produced by a pope in modern Catholicism on marriage and family life. This volume has gathered seminal commentaries on Amoris Laetitia by African Catholic theologians, social scientists, and pastoral workers. They offer African theological and pastoral responses to the principles and practices proposed by Pope Francis and the Synod on the family on such contested issues as same-sex relations, divorce and remarriage, and reception and denial of Holy Communion in the church, among other divisive issues. These important essays and commentaries show the strengths and weaknesses of this papal commentary and point out the missing link in the global conversation on marriage, family, and same-sex relations. Their argument for the inclusion of African perspectives and moral traditions in the search for a third way in finding an inclusive and integrated pastoral art of accompaniment is very compelling. The authors here also call for the inclusion of Africa's own unique challenges--like polygamy, childless marriages, and the impact of migration, civil conflict, diseases, ecological and population crises, and the rights of African women--in the global discussion on marriage and family life. They also challenge uncritical cliches in world Christianity that Africa's opposition to same-sex marriages (or Western propaganda about population or birth control and contraception) are conservative, while showing diverse African conversations on these topics in the search for abundant life on this beautiful continent.

Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices come together in this volume to discuss both the wounds of colonial history and the opportunities for decolonization, reconciliation, and hope in the relationship between the church and Indigenous peoples across the Americas. Scholars and pastoral leaders from Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, the United States, and Canada, and Indigenous peoples of Mapuche, Chiquitano, Tzeltal Maya, Oglala Sioux, Mi'kmaw, and Anishinaabe-Ojibwe reflect on the possibility of constructing decolonial theology and pastoral praxis, and on the urgent need for transformation of church structures and old theology. The book opens new horizons for different ways of thinking and acting, and for the emergence of a truly intercultural theology.""This fascinating book shows how intercultural politics and intercultural faith are being understood throughout the Americas. It brings together critical social thinking, narratives due to experience and daily struggle, and spiritual and theological insights. . . . It is a polyphonic volume that makes each reader grow with questions and convictions. It has a clear focus: within societies and churches, transformation happens 'from below,' and it includes prophetic paths in solidarity with indigenous communities.""--Diego Irarrazaval, Director (1981-2004) of the Aymara Institute in Peru""This book charts a new path for understanding the legacy of Western European and Anglo North Atlantic colonialism. Diverse Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars throughout the Americas reflect on how colonial projects have meant the destruction of Indigenous communities, peoples, cultures, and religious traditions, with Christianity playing a central role in their colonization. However, new networks of resistance and solidarity are emerging, reminding us that dialogue with Indigenous communities is essential to decolonize the Christian tradition.""--Nestor Medina, Toronto School of Theology""Hope-filled intercultural dialogue at its best! A solid foothold for the long and arduous climb into right relations! Essential reading for understanding and addressing the Christian call to be the liberating and transforming presence of Christ in this, our earth home. Expressing a new graced moment, it reveals the transcultural nature of the Good News of Jesus Christ and gives a taste of the voice and face of Christ in the Indigenous peoples of the Americas creating a hunger for more.""--Priscilla Solomon, CSJ, Anishinaabe, Member of Henvey Inlet FN, Faith and Justice Coordinator of The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie, ON, CanadaMichel Andraos is Associate Professor of Intercultural Theology and Ministry at Catholic Theological Union at Chicago. He lives in Quebec, Canada.

What does failure mean for theology? In the Bible, we find some unsettling answers to this question. We find lastness usurping firstness, and foolishness undoing wisdom. We discover, too, a weakness more potent than strength, and a loss of life that is essential to finding life. Jesus himself offers an array of paradoxes and puzzles through his life and teachings. He even submits himself to humiliation and death to show the cosmos the true meaning of victory. As David Bentley Hart observes, ""most of us would find Christians truly cast in the New Testament mold fairly obnoxious: civically reprobate, ideologically unsound, economically destructive, politically irresponsible, socially discreditable, and really just a bit indecent.""By incorporating the work of scholars working with a range of frameworks within the Christian tradition, Theologies of Failure aims to offer a unique and important contribution to understanding and embracing failure as a pivotal theological category. As the various contributors highlight, it is a category with a powerful capacity for illuminating our theological concerns and perspectives. It is a category that frees us to see old ideas in a brand-new light, and helps to foster an awareness of ideas that certain modes of analysis may have obscured from our vision. In short, this book invites readers to consider how both theology and failure can help us ask new questions, discover new possibilities, and refuse the ways of the world.""In this moment when theology is in danger of failing along with its traditional institutions, when politics threatens to fail us all along with the earth itself--these essays burst failure open from within. Vibrating with the art, the humility, and even the humor of our indelible inadequacies, this conversation enlivens a practice more important than success--an improvisational minding of failure that may indeed prove to be ''a condition of the possibility of theology itself.''"" --Catherine Keller, Professor of Constructive Theology, Drew University""''The scandal of the cross . . .''; ''. . . whenever I am weak, then I am strong . . .'' . . . Rather than being marginal theological slogans, Theologies of Failure reminds us that these and other similar motifs and themes are the deepest truths at the heart of the Christian story of redemption, and that they point to what is possible only on the other side of the misfortune, defeat, and loss that permeate every domain of creaturely and historical existence."" --Amos Yong, Professor of Theology & Mission, Fuller Seminary""Given the almost-irresistible temptation to which the Church regularly succumbs--to imitate the world''s obsession with glory and national greatness, success stories, triumphalism, celebration of the powerful and winners and denigration of losers--this book is a timely and perhaps timeless resource for resistance and renewal . . . It''s not clear what it means to construct a ''successful'' book concerned with Christianity and failure, but Sirvent and Reyburn have done it. --Michael L. Budde, Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology, DePaul UniversityRoberto Sirvent is Professor of Political and Social Ethics at Hope International University in Fullerton, California.Duncan B. Reyburn is Senior Lecturer at the Department of Visual Arts at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.