Books published by SCM Press

pologetic literature emerges from minority groups seeking to come to terms with the larger cultures within which they live. Its authors are not entirely at home in either thei r own groups or the larger society, and therefore their position is one with which many Christians today can sympathize. Professor Grant's new book looks at the first Christian apologists of all and the background to their message. After opening chapters discussing early Christian apologetic and its historical setting in the Roman empire, he looks in detail at Justin, Apollinaris of Hierapolis, Melito of Sardis, Athenagoras of Athens, Tatian, Theophilus of Antioch and other related figures including Celsus, Marcus Aurelius and the Gallican martyrs. He ends by tracing apologetic through the thi rd century and into the Middle Ages. Apologetic can be attractive to readers today, but the main theme of the book is that while there is a certain timeless character to the Christian apologists of the second century, they are deeply involved in the political and social struggles of their time and cannot be understood apart from the precise circumstances in which they are writing.

Written specifically for level 2 undergraduates, this textbook introduces readers to the extremely wide range of forms of religious thought, and the responses of religion to modern ideas, cultural phenomenon and events of the 20th century

In this controversial study, D'Costa examines the Christian doctrine of the Trinity as a cultural artefact. Because the church is made up of gendered persons, the author views the questions of gender and culture as crucial in his study.

Presents a picture of a theologian described by Jerome as the most important Christian thinker since the generation of the apostles. Arranged alphabetically by themes to aid accessibility, this book also provides an overview essay of the works of Origen and a short introduction spanning his life.

A summarized version of "David Hume's Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion", this text is designed to assist university and sixth-form students. With its adherence to Hume's text, it has brief biography of Hume, and examines the importance of the issues covered by the "Dialogues", and also has a comprehensive glossary of terms.

This text explores and assesses Dostoevsky's critique of modernity, showing us how his work can help us to remember who we are in this moment in which - as individuals and members of communities - we are required to make critical choices about the meaning of justice, history, truth and happiness.

This accessible reader is focused on a standard theme for introductory level university courses in systematic theology. The texts are selected from a variety of positions from across the country, and are designed to promote engagement with major theological debates.

Continues the survey of fifteen centuries of church history where volume 1 left off.

Claus Westermann's classic commentary on Deuteroisaiah.

In this text, Joachim Jeremias explores the variety of ways of interpreting the parables of Jesus, including their translation; the way different audiences altered the parables Jesus told; and the role of the New Testament writers in shaping their telling of the parables.

This work discusses the importance for theology of narrative and story. The central contention of the book is that, if Jesus' parables are taken as models of theological reflection, there is a form there that unites language, belief and life.

Asks how the term 'gospel' came to be used both for proclamation and narrative, and why the church in forming the canon of scripture chose to include four different and sometimes contradictory accounts of the life of Jesus.

According to the official view, held for almost two thousand years, early Christianity was marked by great harmony, and heresy only emerged at a later stage. This book, written in nontechnical language for interested non-theologians, argues that such a picture is wishful thinking.

This volume argues that theology and Christology are inseparably bound together: one can only talk about God when one talks about Jesus. The author develops that connection systematically and brings together dogmatics, biblical exposition and philosophical reflection.

Describes a systematic theology for our times, directed towards those many people who feel compelled to discard the Christian story, but who would nonetheless be spiritual persons. This reissue features a new introduction in which the author responds to a number of her critics.

First published in 1986 and reissued in 1999 in response to continued demand. Shows what kind of sources are available for reconstructing what happened in and around Palestine between the twelfth and the fourth centuries BC and how they can be used.

This text began in the 1860s as a phrase from Matthew Arnold's picture of the decline of religion as the retreat of the tide on Dover's beach. The book has had a significant impact, for its account of historical developments and its presentation of Christian non-realism.

A comprehensive introduction to the history and significance of hermeneutical thinking in theology. Discusses text interpretation throughout history and the significance of text linguistics in a modern and postmodern context.