Books published by The Latimer Trust

How has it come to pass that our generation views gender and sexuality as open to endless permutations of change? How have obscure academic books by Queer writers influenced popular culture? What sort of freedom are Queer writers really pursuing? How can Christian ministers respond?These are some of the questions examined in this book. As they are explored, it becomes evident that Queer Theorists have successfully impacted our cultural consciousness at a profound level. Almost all people assume that sexuality and gender is plastic - capable of being changed and remoulded as desired. While the plasticity of gender is assumed by many to be self-evident, the intellectual origins of the view are rarely examined. This book takes a careful look at the views of leading Queer theorist, Judith Butler. Her ideas are explored and set in context of earlier thinkers such as Freud, Foucault and Kant.When we understand the goals and methods adopted by Queer writers, such as Butler, we can see better how they compare to Biblical views of gender and sexuality.Peter Sanlon holds theology degrees from Oxford and Cambridge Universities. His doctoral thesis is on Augustine's preaching. He is a regular speaker at university missions, is a member of the Latimer Trust Theological Work Group, and a board member of Christian Heritage. He blogs at www.grace-city.blogspot.com

This book is for you if you are a Christian who...has Muslim friends, neighbours or workmates....wants to understand how Muslims think about God....fi nds formulaic approaches to witnessing inadequate....feels under equipped to share your faith with Muslims."This small book is a goldmine of wisdom and experience gathered from Richard's many years of ministry. It invites us to break through simple stereotypes and invites us to think hard about what it is to understand and reach out to people who may be different from us in faith and culture. At the same time it encourages us to see that reaching out like this is not beyond any of us."Greg Anderson, Head of Mission Department, Moore Theological College, Sydney."Richard has provided a valuable service to those involved in outreach to Muslims. This book is a unique and insightful contribution to the fi eld. I thoroughly recommend it."Bernie Power, Lecturer, Centre for the Study of Islam and Other Faiths, Melbourne School of Theology.Richard Shumack has been involved in ministry among Muslim refugees in Melbourne for the last 12 years, and is completing a PhD thesis in contemporary Muslim philosophy at the University of Melbourne. He is currently a research fellow with the Centre for Public Christianity in Sydney, where he now lives with his wife Judy and their four boys.

In these days of spiritual ignorance in the country and doctrinal laxity in the church, many Anglicans look back to former times with a certain degree of wistfulness. One date lingers in the collective Anglican memory as suggestive of a golden era: 1662.Yet 1662 was not a good year for those to whom the gospel and a good conscience were more precious than the institutional church. Hundreds of ''evangelical'' puritan ministers were forced to leave the Church of England. Persecution of "dissenters" such as Richard Baxter, John Bunyan, and John Owen continued for a quarter of a century as they were banned from preaching and their like-minded congregations forbidden to meet.This study examines the reasons for the Great Ejection and Persecution, and the things modern day Anglicans and Free Churches can learn from these easily neglected events.Lee Gatiss is Associate Minister of St. Helen''s, Bishopsgate in the City of London and Editor of The Theologian: The Internet Journal for Integrated Theology at www.theologian.org.uk. Having read Modern History at New College, Oxford and trained for Anglican ministry at Oak Hill Theological College he completed a curacy in Northamptonshire before moving to London. He is a member of the Latimer Trust Theological Work Group and the Editorial Board of the journal Churchman.

Against the background of the current financial crisis and astonishing levels of personal debt, it would be impossible to argue that the practice of lending and borrowing money at interest is always morally acceptable. Is the biblical answer simply to say "No" to the practice of lending and borrowing money at interest? It would be fair to say that for the major part of church history the mainstream view has been strongly against it. However, something has clearly changed. Christians today happily take out mortgages and keep their money in banks which then lend at interest to others. Christians may even personally profit from the lending of money at interest. Is this change of attitude a humane ethical evolution, regardless of what the Scriptures say? And, if so, can the same principle then be applied to other ethical issues? Or should we attack the contemporary moral laxity of Christians on this issue, and call for a return to the prohibition?Or might there be a different answer?Ben Cooper is Minister for Training at Christ Church Fulwood in Sheffield. Before training for ordained ministry, he was a post-doctoral research fellow in economic theory at Nuffield College, Oxford. He is married to Catherine and has three children, Lizzy, Samuel and Naomi. He is author of Must God Punish Sin (Latimer Study 62, 2006) and Paul in 3D: Preaching Paul as Pastor, Story-teller and Sage (Latimer Study 68, 2008).

Why, since the Bible affirms that in Christ 'there is neither male nor female' (Galatians 3:28), do those who stress the importance of biblical orthodoxy in church life still object to the proposed women bishops legislation? This book was commissioned in January 2011 by a number of members of General Synod. Some are in favour of women priests and women bishops, some are not in favour, but all want to see the theological arguments being more fully explored, since these have not been adequately addressed in General Synod debates over the years. These Synod members also agree that a proper legal framework should be in place, to provide the security of an ongoing ministry in the Church of England for those who will not be able to accept the ministry of women bishops. So this book sets out the underlying theological arguments and presents the case for better, more secure provision. Contributors: Roger Beckwith, Sarah Finch, Michael Ovey, Charles Raven, Vinay Samuel, Chris Sugden and Anthony Thiselton

'It is no small injury which you do unto the word of God, to pin it in so narrow room.'Puritanism as a reform movement emerged slowly during the reign of Elizabeth I, but the early stages of the struggle to purify the Church of England from every last vestige of Antichrist are not well known. Using the Admonition Controversy (1572-77) as a lens to view early Puritanism, Andrew Cinnamond shows that the tension between Puritans and conformists must be seen within a shared Reformed theological framework, a 'Calvinist Consensus.' This shared heritage began to unravel as the opposing parties developed different perspectives on Scripture and tradition, the normative role of the Primitive Church, the correct interpretation of the Old Testament, and the continuing validity of the Mosaic Law. These disputes weakened the common bond of Anti-popery which existed between English Protestants and would ultimately inflame the divisions that precipitated civil war in the next century.Andrew Cinnamond is vicar of St. Lawrence, Lechlade in the Cotswolds. He had previously worked for an investment bank in the City of London before training for ordination at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. The past ten years were spent in urban parishes in south London, first Clapham then Wandsworth, where he was Ecumenical Borough Dean and Chair of Wandsworth Street Pastors. He is married to Kate and they have two children.

Puritan ministers saw themselves as ambassadors for God, called to proclaim his word and shepherd his people. They sought to pastor and lead people through the word clearly preached and the sacraments rightly administered, and by means of a godly church discipline. In this second compilation of recent St. Antholin's Lectures we see and hear the Puritans in action, and are encouraged to apply their godly wisdom in our own day.Peter Adam Word and Spirit: The Puritan-Quaker Debate. Wallace Benn Usher on Bishops: A Reforming Ecclesiology. Peter Ackroyd Strangers to Correction: Christian Discipline and the English Reformation. David Field "Decalogue" Dod and his Seventeenth Century Bestseller: A 400th Anniversary Appreciation. Chad B. Van Dixhoorn A Puritan Theology of Preaching. Peter Adam 'To Bring Men to Heaven by Preaching' - John Donne's Evangelistic Sermons. Tony Baker 1807 - 2007: John Newton and the Twenty-first Century. Lee Gatiss From Life's First Cry: John Owen on Infant Baptism and Infant Salvation. Andrew Atherstone Evangelical Mission and Anglican Church Order: Charles Simeon ReconsideredDavid Holloway Re-establishing the Christian Faith - and the Public Theology Deficit.The compilation is edited by Lee Gatiss, and opens with his introduction: The Grand Nursery of Puritanism: St. Antholin's as a Strategic Centre for Gospel Ministry.

The concept of deification, or union with God, is a distinctive mark of Orthodoxy and has a central role within the Eastern theological framework. Since among Western Protestants there has been a recent renewal of interest in Orthodoxy, it is not surprising that scholars are trying not just to rediscover deification, but also to identify deification in Western theology.In contrast, with regards to salvation, the Western Church has focused on the cross, and since the Reformation, more specifically on justification by faith. Although within this theological framework the doctrine of union with Christ is considered essential for gaining salvation, it has often been neglected or not taught in its full dimensions.This study examines these two key concepts in the Orthodox and Reformed traditions. Their comparison is worthwhile as it illuminates their weaknesses and strengths, which leads towards practical application for the teaching in Reformed churches as well as for dialogue with Orthodox Christians.Slavko E┼╛denci grew up in Serbia as an atheist. He became a Christian during the civil war. He studied for an MTh in Theology and World Missions at Oak Hill College, London. Slavko now works with the Baptist church in Belgrade, Serbia. He is married to Alison and they have a son.

¿Qué es lo que define a la Iglesia de Inglaterra? ¿Tienen los Treinta y nueve Artículos alguna relevancia hoy en día? El Anglicanisimo, según Jim Parker, posee "la más verdadera, más sabia y potencialmente la más rica herencia en toda la Cristiandad con los Treinta y nueve artículos en el centro de su corazón. Estos artículos captan la esencia y el espíritu del cristianismo bíblico magnificamente bien, y también proporcionan un modelo excelente de como confesar la fe en medio de una cristiandad dividida. En este estudio, Parker tiene como objectivo mostrar como los Artículos del siglo dieciséis deben ser vistos en el siglo veinte y uno, y como pueden enriquecer la fe de Anglicanos en general y en particular de Anglicanos evangélicos. Parker demuestra por qué los artículos una vez más deben tener una voz dentro de la Iglesia, no solo como una curiosidad histórica, sino como una declaración con autoridad doctrinal. Roger Beckwith ofrece diecisiete Artículos Complementarios, en un apéndice que stimula relección y discuten teológicamente asuntos que los ha llevado a un sitio de prominencia desde que los Artículos fueron originalmente compuestos. Este folleto, fué publicado por primera vez hace más de veinte años, se mantiene en mucha demanda y tan oportuna como siempre. Ha demostrado ser uno de los estudios más populares y perdurables publicados por The Latimer House, y es ahora publicado en una segunda edición, traducida aqui al español. Jim Packer está en la Junta Gobernadores, Categrático de Teología en Regent College, en Vancouver. Roger Beckwith fue bibliotecario y Director de Latimer House, en Oxford Inglaterra durante más de treinta años. What defines the Church of England? Are the Thirty-nine Articles of any relevance today?Anglicanism, according to Jim Packer, possesses "the truest, wisest and potentially richest heritage in all Christen¬dom" with the Thirty-nine Articles at its heart. They catch the substance and spirit of biblical Christianity superbly well, and also provide an excellent model of how to confess the faith in a divided Christendom. In this Latimer Study, Packer aims to show how the sixteenth century Articles should be viewed in the twenty-first century, and how they can enrich the faith of Anglicans in general and of Anglican evangelicals in particular. He demonstrates why the Articles must once again be given a voice within the Church, not merely as an historical curiosity but an authoritative doctrinal statement. A thought-provoking appendix by Roger Beckwith offers seventeen Supplementary Articles, addressing theological issues which have come into prominence since the original Articles were composed.This booklet, first published more than twenty years ago, remains much in demand and as timely as ever. It has proved one of the most popular and enduring Latimer Studies, and is now issued in a second edition, translated here into Spanish. Jim Packer is Board of Governors' Professor of Theology at Regent College, Vancouver. Roger Beckwith was librarian and warden of Latimer House, Oxford for more than thirty years.

"The Puritans agreed that Jesus Christ is Lord of the whole of life including the things of this age. So they were true secularists, being openly theistic secularists."In this lecture, David Holloway argues that we have a public theology deficit - the world has changed and presents new challenges that Christians have failed to think through. At the time of the Reformation and during the Puritan era, Christians had a deep concern for the total welfare of their fellow men. But this is something that seems to have been lost now.This study describes the current situation for the church in our culture and begins to suggest ways in which we might work to re-establish the Christian faith.David Holloway is Vicar of Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne. Having previously worked in the Sudan, Leeds and on the staff of Wycliffe Hall Theological College, Oxford, he was for many years a member of the General Synod of the Church of England and on its Board for Social Responsibility and Standing Committee. He is also a Trustee of Reform and The Christian Institute.

What motivated the men who gave us our Bible in English? Much of the answer lies in the turbulent religious history of the era, but there are clues which can be found in the prefaces published with each new edition. This collection of the prefaces to the main translations of the Bible into English between 1525 and 1611 has been prepared to coincide with the four hundredth anniversary of the first edition of the Authorised or King James Version. An introductory chapter delineates the key events, and this is followed by each of the texts, with notes indicating the sources of the various quotations and allusions. This collection therefore provides the historical and theological ancestry of a much loved translation, and readers can hardly fail to be challenged by the spiritual concerns of the translators.Gerald Bray is Director of Research for the Latimer Trust. Prior to this appointment he taught church history and historical theology at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University from 1993, having previously served as lecturer in theology and philosophy at Oak Hill College in London.

In June 2008, 1200 Anglican leaders, bishops, clergy and lay people, from 27 provinces of the Anglican Communion met in Jerusalem for the Global Anglican Future Conference. Their Statement, containing the Jerusalem Declaration, was received with enthusiasm by many in the Anglican Communion. While raising questions about some of the practical proposals, the Archbishop of Canterbury responded as follows: The 'tenets of orthodoxy' spelled out in the document will be acceptable to and shared by the vast majority of Anglicans in every province, even if there may be differences of emphasis and perspective on some issues.The GAFCON Primates' Council commissioned the Theological Resource Group to prepare a commentary on the Jerusalem Declaration. This commentary has been prepared by 40 theologians, from 14 countries throughout the Anglican Communion, with the purpose of drawing out the implications of the Jerusalem Declaration for the life and witness of the Anglican Communion today.The Jerusalem Declaration is being used increasingly to define Anglican identity for contemporary Anglicans in a way which is faithful to Scripture and to the Anglican formularies. The commentary is offered as a resource and also a study-guide for churches seeking to affirm their Anglican identity, practice and mission.

'Puritans', says J I Packer, 'saw themselves as God's pilgrims, travelling home, God's warriors, battling against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and God's servants, under orders to do all the good they could as they went along'. In this fi rst compilation of St. Antholin's Lectures we are brought face to face with those heroes of the past and are encouraged to apply their godly wisdom in our own day.* J.I.Packer: A Man For All Ministries: Richard Baxter 1615-1691* Geoffrey Cox: The Rediscovery and Renewal of the Local Church: The Puritan Vision* Alister E McGrath: Evangelical Spirituality: Past Glories, Present Hopes, Future Possibilities* Gavin J McGrath: 'But We Preach Christ Crucified': The Cross of Christ in the pastoral theology of John Owen 1616-1683* Peter Jensen: Using the Shield of Faith: Puritan Attitudes to Combat with Satan* J. I. Packer: An Anglican to Remember - William Perkins: Puritan Popularizer* Bruce Winter: Pilgrim's Progress and Contemporary Evangelical Piety* Peter Adam: A Church 'Halfly Reformed': The Puritan Dilemma* J.I.Packer: The Pilgrim's Principles: John Bunyan Revisited* Ashley Null: Conversion to Communion: Thomas Cranmer on a Favourite Puritan ThemeThe series is edited by Lee Gatiss, and opens with his introduction: To Satisfy the People's Hunger for the Word: St. Antholin's as the Prototype Puritan Lectureship.

The year 2014 will mark 200 years of Christian Mission in New Zealand. The mission began among Northern Maori of the Bay of Islands in 1814 with three 'settler' missionaries and their families. But it was not until 1825 that the first Christian convert was baptised, with the mission only finally flourishing in the 1830s. The role that the missionaries themselves played in bringing about the remarkable success of the New Zealand mission is often down-played by contemporary historians who tend to view their endeavours as simplistic or coercive. During this early period, the mission was directed by Samuel Marsden (Senior Chaplain to the penal colony in New South Wales) but from the mid 1820s a change in direction was initiated by Henry Williams, the leader of the local missionary committee in the Bay of Islands.This study identifies and explores the tension between the strategies adopted by Marsden and Williams and the implications of each for the conduct of the mission. What is revealed is an account of great tenacity in the face of many set-backs and an over-whelming confi dence that, under the providence of God, the Christian Gospel could indeed take root in the land of Aotearoa, New Zealand.Malcolm Falloon is the vicar of St Aidan's, Bryndwr, an Anglican parish within the Christchurch Diocese, New Zealand. He also serves as the Honorary Warden of the Latimer Fellowship of New Zealand, a fellowship of evangelical Anglicans established in 1946.

No issue is more important, more difficult, more controversial, or more divisive for Christian theology and practice today than that of other faiths.The subject raises large theological questions about the nature of other faiths and Christian participation in the worship of other faiths. The issue of the nature and practices of other faiths is of real relevance in the West given the presence of large other faith communities in the UK.This study examines these questions by focusing on Paul's discussion of other faiths in Corinth in 1 Corinthians 8-10. It presents a fresh look at Paul's view of the worship of other faiths. It sheds light on the theological and pastoral issues raised by 1 Corinthians 8-10, and, in particular, engages with the debate on inclusivism, and offers pastoral case studies.Rohintan Mody comes from an Indian Zoroastrian background to Christianity and is the Associate Vicar of Christ Church, Virginia Water. His PhD in New Testament from the University of Aberdeen discusses The Relationship between Powers of Evil in 1 Corinthians 8:4-5 and 10:18-22 in the Context of the Pauline Corpus and Early Judaism.