Books published by SCM Press

For two centuries and more our culture has been secular, and no religious doctrine plays a constitutive part in any established branch of knowledge. This title shows that a surprising amount of traditional Christian belief - including a Grand Narrative, and a non-metaphysical theology - is returning to us in secular form.

'Ghost Ship' explores the harrowing stories of institutional racism within the Church of England. Through conversation with clergy and campaigners in the Church of England, A.D.A France-Williams issues a stark warning to the church. Structural racism requires a wholesale dismantling and reassembling of the ship - before it is too late.

Offers an introduction to the area of theological study. Aimed at level one students, this work covers the main areas tackled in introductory New Testament courses, such as the contents and diversity of the New Testament, how the texts came to be written and collected, their relationship to Jesus of Nazareth, and the nature of the canon.

The generation known as 'millennials' are now emerging into adulthood. They face opportunities and challenges no generation has previously faced. For the church they are the 'missing generation'. Ruth Perrin's landmark study of emerging adults who as teenagers described themselves as Christians, reveals what has happened to this apparently "lost generation" - those who have lost faith altogether, those with a faith but who have withdrawn from the church and those with an ongoing active faith which is nonetheless now broader and deeper than previously. Considering the factors which help shape millennial belief, Changing Shape reflects on the challenges and opportunities that 'missing generation' bring to the Church, and considers what lessons the Church can learn from the Millennial mindset.

Christian theology has concentrated too much on issues around guilt and the needs of the perpetrator of sin, but ignored the strong biblical theme of shame and the needs of the sinned-against.This book seeks to address this lack of serious engagement with shame in scripture. Tracing the story of shame through the biblical story of creation, exodus and exile the author shows how key narratives in the Hebrew scriptures, such as those of David and Job can be read as offering commentary on shaming abuse of privilege and power. Ultimately, the book argues, the culmination of scripture is with the ultimate shaming moment ΓÇô that of God, on the cross.Provocative and timely, the book demonstrates a crucial lens through which to understand scripture, and is a vital resource for preachers and biblical scholars alike.

Stories are at the heart of how God's kingdom is revealed both in scripture and in contemporary church ministry. This volume draws on these kingdom stories to extend the conversation between practical theology and contemporary organisational studies.

Understanding Christian Leadership offers an examination of a distinctly Christian understanding of leadership offering a critical appraisal of insights from secular theories of leadership, exploring biblical and other theological insights into the nature and practice of leadership.Whilst arguing for a form of leadership which is widely dispersed and collaborative, the book seeks to explain the distinctive role of leaders within such a leadership economy. It also seeks to establish a proper relationship between sacred and secular leadership thinking, tackling some of the common philosophical and theological reservations to do with leadership discourse, whilst offering a critical framework for discerning the suitability for the Church of different sources of leadership thinking.Designed as core reading for leadership modules currently taught by the author across a large number of training contexts in the UK, this book is an indispensable text for those taking undergraduate or postgraduate-level qualifications in Christian leadership as well as those in other less formal leadership training contexts.

To mark the 150th anniversary of Keble College, this is a collection of essays from leading theologians reflecting on the work and impact of Austin Farrer.

What happens when evangelical Christians intentionally relocate into communities experiencing marginalisation?Within a changing social and political context, the role of the church in public life and the response of Christians to social issues has taken on renewed energy. Churches have entered enthusiastically into community engagement projects such as foodbanks and night shelters, with a broad understanding of this as mission.Reimagining Mission from Urban Places offers much needed reflection about the nature of mission and about expectations for missional outcomes. Using the stories of team members within the Eden Network (which emphasises an ''incarnational'' approach to urban mission) the book demonstrates that at its best, mission happens in a shared life rather than being about ''us'' telling the listening world.A timely and provocative call to churches, missional groups, those involved in ''Fresh Expressions and other creative models of community-based church and those training for ministry to reflect more deeply on their practice and theology, the book insists that mission is about difference, love, locality and long-term consistency and, at its best, is slow, complicated and messy.

1 Peter is a significant letter, seen by many scholars to be an ecumenical bridge and anchor. It is first and foremost about the transformative joy of faith in Jesus Christ. This commentary offers a close reading of the text from beginning to end, drawing on a multiplicity of voices and engaging in a number of foundational themes for the Christian community according to the apostolic author: hope, holiness, suffering, joy, witness, hospitality, exile, resurrection, leadership. Tackling the themes raised by the epistle including slavery, exile and refugees, patriarchy, hierarchy, oppression, gender justice, and the risk of hospitality, the book engages with these topics not only through commentary, but also through short excursuses which draw the reader more deeply into some of the difficult questions.Designed as the official commentary resource for the Lambeth Conference in 2020, and structured around the themes of the conference, the book offers a unique range of perspectives on an oft-overlooked epistle. With contributions from an impressive range of scholars including Paula Gooder, Emma Ineson, Paul Swarup, Musa Dube, Craig Keener, and Kwok Pui Lan, it will provide an important resource for anyone studying, teaching, or preaching from the letter.

Has the Church lost sight of her original vocation of living out her mission by serving the world? There is a prevailing ecclesiology of fatalism which suggests that it has, and that there is nothing to do be done about. This book argues however, that the church still has a role in bearing witness fruitfully and creatively even within a context of crisis. Leading thinkers offer theoretical, contextual and practical responses to encourage a renewed love for the church and renewed energy to bear witness appropriately and creatively.Chapters include: Richard Bauckham ΓÇô on New Testament perspectives on a church in crisisAlister McGrath ΓÇô challenging the narrative of declineRev Dr Carlton Turner ΓÇô on BAME Presence and the Witness of Diversity and InclusionDr Susie Snyder ΓÇô on attending to those on the margins

A substantial and definitive introduction to public theology by one of the leading experts in the field.A key text for third year undergraduate modules and MA courses in Social Ethics, Political Theology and Public Theology.

Resolutely aimed at those who come from traditions beyond the movement's traditional catholic heartlands but who seek to view their ministry through the lens of generous orthodoxy, "Love in Action" offers a deeply scriptural but accessible introduction to this vital approach to the church's ministry in the world.

A reissue of one of the classic works of New Testament scholarship in the English language in the twentieth century. It offers introduction by Michael Wolter and Robert Morgan.

With contributions from a variety of leading theologians including Miroslav Volf and Samuel Gregg, "Work" brings together biblical scholars, ethicists, economists representing a spectrum of theological voices. It will bring a new academic depth to the literature on the theology of work. .

This study guide will equip theology students to understand the culture-shaping beliefs that are driving the kinds of questions it brings to faith.

This work provides a judicious and balanced overview of the most important ecclesiastical issues, debates and developments of the modern era.

On the dangers of domesticating the Bible.