Books published by James Clarke & Co Ltd

The word 'mere' is used in the title of this book in its Middle English sense as an adjective 'nothing less than, complete'. This book is about schooling for a fair and vibrant society; it is about an education of hope, education that completes a person. In 'The Magician's Nephew' (1955), the first in C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia series, Digory and Polly are dragged back through time into a world that is "devoid of life and barren of vegetation". Such a world is not a safe place for children and young people. When C.S. Lewis wrote that the task of the modern educator is 'to irrigate deserts' he was making the point that it is teachers who 'inculcate just sentiments' (Lewis 1978/1943, p.13) and enable the moral sense of their students to flourish. Mark A. Pike supports C.S. Lewis’ belief in the role of educators and has written 'Mere Education' to show how we might go about it so that 'the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose' (Isaiah 35:1).

The importance of human knowledge and the consequences of error are constantly stressed within Scripture, which emphasizes the knowledge of good and evil: knowing that YHWH IS your God; knowing that Jesus is the Christ; and the goal of developing Israel into a 'wise and discerning people'. We, too, long for confidence in our understanding - the assurance that our most basic knowledge is not ultimately incorrect. Biblical Knowing assesses what Israel knew, but more importantly, how she was meant to know - introducing a comprehensive scriptural epistemology, firmly rooted in the Scripture's own presentation of important epistemological events in the story of Israel. Because modern philosophy has also made authoritative claims about knowledge, Biblical Knowing engages contemporary academic views of knowledge (e.g., Reformed Epistemology, scientific epistemology, Virtue Epistemology, etc) and recent philosophical method (e.g., Analytic Theology), assessing them for points of congruence or departure from Scripture's own epistemology. Additionally, Biblical Knowing explores what proper knowing looks like in the task of theology itself, in the teaching and preaching of the church, and in the context of counseling.

A selection of essays exploring the biblical tradition of lament in the face of tragedy, and its role in the life of the modern Church.

Douglas Dales provides a comprehensive study of the life of one of the most underrated figures of the early medieval Western Church. Alcuin left behind him a varied selection of correspondence and other documents which attest to his prominence as a statesman, theologian, poet, friend, and teacher. In this, the first study to fully examine the full span of Alcuin's life and the lasting effect of his actions, the author deftly weaves together the primary manuscript evidence to record Alcuin's transition from a precocious schoolboy of noble lineage in York to his involvement with Charlemagne, Offa, and the papacy in Rome.Alcuin was a conscious heir to the rich traditions of the English Church, and his skill as a poet of prayer, as well as an educator, marks him out as a seminal influence upon his own generation and those that came after him. This book examines his life and career in England and on the continent, and considers his legacy as a churchman and a leading political figure. While Dales places Alcuin firmly within his Christian cultural inheritance and historical context, he also traces from the surviving evidence the subtle and nuanced elements of Alcuin's personality and relationships.

How did Long John Silver Lose His Leg? is a wonderfully diverting tour through some of the best-loved classics of children's literature, addressing many of the unanswered questions that inspire intense speculation when the books are laid down. Could Bobbie's train really have stopped in time (The Railway Children)? Did Beatrix Potter have the 'flu in 1909, and did this lead to a certain darkness in her work (The Tale of Mr Tod)? Would the 'rugby football' played by Tom Brown be recognised by sportsmen today (Tom Brown's Schooldays)? Having established the cultural importance of children's books in the modern age, the authors also consider the more serious issues posed by the genre. Why are we so defensive of the idyllic worlds presented in children's books? Why have some of our best-loved authors been outed as neglectful parents to their own children? Should we ever separate the book from its creator and appreciate the works of writers convicted of crimes against children? A treat for any enthusiast of children's literature, this entertaining book provides rich detail, witty explication, and serious food for thought.

“On the way where a man follows Christ, the height of suffering is the height of glory.”So writes Kierkegaard, long considered the father of existentialism, in his comprehensive explanation of how suffering in all its forms is transformed into joy by faith in God. As an integral part of his ‘Edifying Discourses’, Gospel of Sufferings bears witness to Kierkegaard’s transition from a general religious and philosophical standpoint to a specifically Christian one, forming what is now considered a central plank in the structure of his mature thought. In this classic volume, the great Danish thinker brings together elements that show him to be at once a mystic and a theologian, confirming his status as a precursor of the existentialists and a brilliant philosopher in his own right.

A thoroughly engaging memoir of the filming of Arthur Ransome's classic children's tale, written by the actress who played Titty Walker.

Expertly researched and meticulously presented, this is the story of the 4th century Manichaean Codices of Medinet Madi, their discovery, acquisition and conservation.

The first book to explore the Philokalia of the Eastern Church from the perspective of contemporary psychology, offering new insight into the practice ofprayer and the nature of spiritual well-being.

In this informative and charming volume, Shirley Evans explores the lives of two of the most prominent designers of the nineteenth century; designers who have left their distinctive mark on buildings and gardens throughout the British Isles. William Andrews Nesfield and Eden Nesfield, father and son, were infatuated with the beauty and romance of the past, and both played an important role in the nineteeth-century revivals of the Jacobean, Renaissance and Gothic styles.The Nesfields produced horticultural and architectural designs for wealthy and influential landowners, later winning important public commissions at Kew Gardens and the Prince Consort’s Kensington museum complex. Shirley Evans considers the education of both men and the evolution of their aesthetic sensibilities in detail. William Andrews Nesfield’s early life in Durham, military training and travels in Canada and Europe fed his fascination with Renaissance proportion and the pre-Revolutionary French parterre-de-broderie, a design of intricate and highly artificial bedding that was to become his signature. His son flourished in the artistic milieu in which he was raised, but his main passion was for Gothic detailing. Both were highly accomplished painters, and Nesfield Senior’s watercolours were lauded by John Ruskin.This illustrated volume will be of great interest to enthusiasts of the remarkable work of the Nesfields in particular, or of Victorian design in general.

The first full-scale study of an often-discussed but little understood heresy, the Alumbrados or 'Illuminated Ones', whose heterodox and sometimes extreme practices of mysticism and piety resulted in their suppression by the Spanish Inquisition.

Starting from a series of questions about the nature of our speaking to God, the author draws our attention to what we mean by culture, and how we use this very complex term both in our everyday language and especially in the language of faith. Culture is an exceedingly complex term that nearly everyone uses, but no one is sure what it means. This work examines various uses of the term culture in theology today.

Still the standard critical work on the Anthroposophical movement, this penetrating study of Rudolf Steiner's esoteric legacy is an invaluable guide for both the student and the general reader.

An authoritative and handsomely illustrated guide to the 'living' medieval churches of the county of Suffolk, now available as a single volume.

An illustrated guide for collectors of antique pipes. Whether a pipe is a cheaply moulded clay or a carved meerschaum, its chief interest from the collector's point of view lies in the social or historical background responsible for its creation, rather than in its monetary value, and it is the former aspect that this book emphasises.

The best-selling Christian study of homosexuality, combining a psychoanalytical approach with an emphasis on the need for counselling and prayer.

The first monographic study of the innovative designer Henry Wilson and his significant contribution to early 20th century design and art education.

Prayers of thanksgiving selected from old and contemporary sources, delightfully illustrated. Ideal for children ages 2-4.

A controversial, detailed examination of the decisive events of the Falklands war, focusing on the Battle of Goose Green and questioning the media's presentation of the heroic victory for the British.

An account of how the spirit of Anne Boleyn returned through the medium of a clergyman with no previous experience of the psychic or paranormal. Join him on his personal journey across psychic channels to find the real Anne Boleyn; a journey, which beneath its psychic and historical drama, demonstrates religious purpose.

Examines in detail the particular needs and experiences of young adults, many of whom will be taking on fresh responsibilities, buying their own homes and starting families. At a time when life promises so much, a major bereavement can be devastating. Bereavement brings with it a multitude of different physical and emotional demands.

A collection of poems and meditations on the experience of God's presence in everyday life.

Originally published in 1922, this is the definitive account of the legends of St Joseph of Arimathea and his association with Glastonbury.