Books published by Send The Light

The case presented in this book has significant implications for the practice of systematic theology, biblical exegesis, and Christian apologetics. Does traditional Christianity involve paradoxical doctrines doctrines that present the appearance (at least) of logical inconsistency? what is the nature of these paradoxes and why do they arise? What is the relationship between "paradox" and "mystery" in theological theorizing? And what are the implications for the rationality, or otherwise, of orthodox Christian beliefs? In Paradox in Christian Theology, James Anderson argues that the doctrines of the Trinity and the incarnation, as derived from Scripture and formulated in the ecumenical creeds, are indeed paradoxical. But this conclusion, he contends, need not imply that Christians who believe these doctrines are irrational in doing so. In support of this claim, Anderson develops and defends a model of understanding paradoxical Christian doctrines according to which the presence of such doctrines is unsurprising and adherence to paradoxical doctrines cannot be considered as a serious intellectual obstacle to belief in Christianity.

A proposal for a three-way conversation between theology, science and pastoral ministry.

Explores the theology and missiology of the influential contemporary theologian, Jurgen Moltmann.

Offers an exegetical study of the call of Moses, the second giving of the Law, the covenant, Paul's self-understanding as an apostle, and the prophetic understanding of the history of Israel.

After John Wesley's death in 1791, schisms from Wesleyan Methodism occurred regularly. These events were not unexpected and the authorities often accepted them with little obvious regret, even if they did not actually encourage them. The first major split occurred in 1797 when the Methodist New Connexion was formed, and in the following twenty years further significant schisms led to the establishment of the Primitive Methodists and the Bible Christians. Other offshoots arose that lasted for shorter periods. One of these was the Tent Methodists, a group that has been largely ignored by historians probably because it did not become a major national or regional body. Its significance has not, however, been sufficiently recognized. One tent, then two, capable of accommodating congregations of over 500, were used extensively by preachers in the Bristol Wesleyan circuit and further afield from 1814, in addition to their preaching plan commitments. They received varying degrees of support and hostility from the circuit hierarchy, and in late 1819 attempts were made to bring the work under the authority of the circuit superintendent. The local preachers involved refused to relinquish control of the tents, and a bitter dispute began which led to the effective expulsion of three leading local preachers. They, and others, formed the Tent Methodist sect that, for several years, made considerable progress in several parts of England and one small area of South Wales. Decline set in at the beginning of 1826, and by 1832 the tents had been disposed of, and all the chapels acquired by the sect had been sold.

The author argues that Baptist theologian James William McClendon Jr's articulation of the 'baptist' vision entails an account of the real presence of Christ's body and blood that is internally faithful to that vision. Furthermore, such an account of real presence suggests that the 'baptist' vision is itself a contribution of Baptists to ecumenical Christianity. The argument is set in the context of some contemporary Baptist engagement with ecumenical Christianity, particularly historic Catholic Christianity. COMMENDATION "Aaron James shows how an ecumenically minded Baptist theologian can take up this theme with creativity, grace, and an inspiring desire to lift up our hearts toward the wondrous "sacrament of unity" and "sacrament of charity". He powerfully reminds us why this may well be the most important conversation that Christians can have today." - Matthew Levering, University of Dayton, Ohio, USA

An examination of the sermons of John Flavel shows that the effectual call was absolutely central to Puritan preaching.

This work establishes the significance of the thought of Puritan William Ames (1576-1633) in deepening and systematizing established Reformation teaching on Christian doctrine and life in a way that ensured its subsequent development through the early modern period and beyond.

An accessible and academic reading of the doctrine of justification by faith.

An examination of the doctrine of God in the theological construction of Stephen Charnock, exploring his use of reason and his commitment to experiential faith.

Pbtm: The Triumph And Grace In Deuteronomy This book is a textual and theological analysis of the interaction between the sin and faithlessness of Israel and the grace of Yahweh in response looking especially at Deuteronomy chapters 13 810 and 2930. The author argues that the grace of Yahweh is determinative for the ongoing relationship between Yahweh and Israel and that Deuteronomy anticipates and fully expects Israel to be faithless. Does the Old Testament have an optimistic outlook for the people of God ancient Israel or is it pessimistic The strands of optimism and pessimism seem to be juxtaposed throughout. In this study of Deuteronomy a lynchpin book within the Old Testament the so called tensions between optimism and pessimism are slow to cohere theologically. Despite the faithlessness of Israel Yahweh's faithfulness to his promises results in the triumph of grace.

Jesus's words in John 17 represent one of the church's highest values "May they all be one as you and I Father are one." Yet divisions occur from the highest levels of the church to street level projects often neutralizing effectiveness and undercutting the credibility of Jesus's message. This book helps any believer turn the ideal of John 17 into reality. It provides solid grounding in the principles of partnership abundant case histories and empowering "how to" suggestions for lay person and ministry leader alike.

A look at the prophet Habakkuk on the subject of theodicy.

Discernment in the Desert Fathers is a study of discernment (Diakrisis) in the life and thought of the fourth- and fifth-century Egyptian Desert Fathers. Rich argues that their understanding of Diakrisis was based upon a practical application of biblical Diakrisis in general and not, as has been argued, primarily a development of the gift of "discernment of spirits." He begins with an examination of Scripture and goes on to consider the philosophical and theological background of the period as represented by Plotinus and Origen respectively. An examination of the works of the first "theologians of the desert," Evagrius and Cassian, who lived among these first Christian monks and nuns, provides an early interpretation of the sayings of the Desert Fathers or Apophthegmata Patrum. The Greek, Latin, and Coptic sayings that survive are then examined in detail, some of them translated into English for the first time. This indepth analysis (including the comprehensive list of cross-references which will be a valuable resource for scholars researching the subject in the future) provides many insights into the lives of these early Christians and demonstrates how Diakrisis touched every aspect of their inward and outward lives. Rich concludes that Diakrisis was a critical faculty and charism central to the spiritual and practical life of these early monks and nuns in their mystical search for God, for purity of life, and knowledge of him.

Research into the ancient world's view of disability - both literal and metaphorical.

This book argues that Owen's conception of Christ's priesthood in terms of Christ's united acts of oblation and intercession, performed in the context of his twofold state of humiliation and exaltation, lies at the heart of his atonement theology.

This book provides a comprehensive description of the character and preaching ministry of Hugh Latimer, arguably the most important preacher in England during the sixteenth century.

The narrative function of the Old Testament characters in the Gospel of John.

A comprehensive study of the theology, produced within the major Nonconformist traditions during the twentieth century.

From a historical point of view Sunday schools have immense significance. In the nineteenth century Sunday schools were part of general educational provision and represented the Christian philanthropic impulse to provide a basic education to the population at large and at low cost. In this book a range of experts assess different aspects of the history of the Sunday school movement. Contributors include Clyde Binfield Faith Bowers John Briggs Grayson Ditchfield Hugh McLeod Stephen Orchard Jack Priestley Geoffrey Robson and Doreen Rosman.

There has been a lack of serious historical investigation of the famous creedal statement 'Christ descended into hell' that was universally affirmed by the church for the first 1,500 years of Church history. This book is an in-depth investigation of the history of the doctrine of Christ's descent and how Revelation 1:18 alludes to Christ's descent. COMMENDATION "In The Battle for the Keys Justin Bass leads us through an exceptional exegetical, historical, and theological exploration of the question of both the whether and whither of the Christ's descensus ad infernos. Whatever doubters or believers choose to do with Dr Bass's competent and convincing evidence, arguments and conclusions, they cannot choose to ignore them." - Michael J. Svigel, Dallas Theological Seminary, USA

Experts in Reformation studies identify and elucidate areas of sixteenth century reforming activity in Martin Luther, John Calvin and other leading reformers to demonstrate the thoroughgoing nature of the Reformation agenda: doctrinal - Zwingli on the providence of God; radical grace in Martin Luther's doctrine of the Fall; Calvin's theology of the human body; Calvin and the patristic doctrine of deification; John Jewel's biblical doctrine of the royal supremacy; exegetical - interpretations of the Psalms quoted in Hebrews 1-2; Luther and Calvin's understanding of Isaiah 53; social/pastoral - Luther and Calvin on marriage; Calvin's circle of friends; Calvin's letters to contemporary martyrs; Calvin's preaching; historical - contributions of the Brethren of the Open Life to the Reformation; rethinking Marburg; and later studies - the gospel in early Reformed orthodoxy; Eucharistic debates in seventeenth century France. The book furthers our understanding of this turbulent, seminal period of history.

The book is a collection of twenty-one essays discussing how Baptists throughout the world have related to other Christians and to other institutions and movements over the centuries.

In the twenty-first century there are an increasing number of books in different fields that are evaluating critically aspects of life in the previous century. The Religious History of British people in this period is a significant part of that story. A Distinctive People will evaluate aspects of the history of one of the Christian denominations in Scotland looking at major themes such as Baptist attitudes to war and pacifism, the influence of the charismatic movement and their involvement in social action, their contribution to ecumenical relations in Scotland and relationships with fellow Baptists in other countries, together with the theological influences on Baptists, and a chapter on home mission. COMMENDATION "This thoroughly researched and engagingly written set of essays will be of keen interest, not to just to Scottish Baptists eager to know about their recent past, but also to all those concerned with the changing place of Christian belief and practice in twentieth-century Scottish society." - Brian Stanley, the University of Edinburgh, UK

The aim of the book is to explore some of the contributions made by Protestant Nonconformity to Christian missions. The occasion of the conference which gave rise to the volume was the centenary of the Edinburgh Missionary Conference of 1910, but the topics treated here deliberately range more widely, covering missions in Britain and the wider world from the eighteenth to the twentieth century. COMMENDATIONS "Martin Wellings is to be warmly thanked for gathering such an informative and stimulating collection of papers. They are scholarly and accessible, and deserve to be widely read." - Alan P.F. Sell, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, UK

In this study, Aaron O'Kelley argues that the 'new perspective' on Paul rests on a faulty hermeneutical presupposition, namely, that covenantal nomism could not have served as a foil for Paul in the development of a doctrine of justification that resembles that of the Reformation. COMMENDATIONS "Carefully researched and argued, Aaron O'Kelley's monograph offers a refreshing engagement of New Testament scholarship from the perspective of historical and systematic theology." - Kevin W. McFadden, Cairn University, USA

This book explores the impact of Romanticism on ealry nineteenth century British theology by examining the career of Church of Scotland Minister Edward Irving.

These important and incisive essays, spanning more than two decades of research and engagement, probe facets and episodes of infant baptisms' fortunes over twenty centuries. The story of paedo baptism is traced from its shadowy beginnings as a variant of faith-baptism, through inflated Reformation defenses as it monopolized baptismal thought and practice, to biblical and ecumenical reevaluations and hopeful contemporary rapprochements across divisive waters.