Books published by Westminster/John Knox Press,U.S.

In this important and timely book, Herbert Anderson and Susan Johnson examine issues pertinent to the successful rearing of children. Written to empower parents and others who care for and nurture our children, this book will also greatly enhance the ministry of the church on behalf of and for the sake of families with children and for our...

Marriage is a pilgrimage; a journey characterized by beginnings and endings as the life cycle of a particular family evolves. This timely and important book addresses how relationships need o be refocused when couples face changes such as the launching of young adult children, job change, the death of a parent or a child, the arrival of a...

Based on years of experience as a pastor and professor of theology, John Leith reflects on the dilemma of the church today as primarily "a crisis of faith." He states that renewal is found within Scripture and the tradition of a believing, worshiping community--in hearing the word of God, particularly in preaching, in teaching, in the...

This gift from one of the greatest twentieth-century Protestant theologians, Paul Tillich, is a collection of hopeful, realistic writings on peace from the years Tillich spent in America. Beginning in 1937, the book documents Tillich's pre-World War II hope of resistance to Hitler and moves to the time before his death in 1965, when Tillich...

Roger Betsworth introduces ethics by focusing on the cultural narratives that shape American images of self and world: the biblical story, the American gospel of success, the idea of wellbeing, and the global mission of America. These cultural narratives display the ways in which the sense of self and world, and therefore ethical vision, is...

This new and concise abridgement of Ford Lewis Battle's Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion is an easy-to-read introductory overview that will better acquaint the reader with Calvin. Consisting of thoughtfully chosen selections, this condensed edition of the Institutes helps fulfill the contemporary demand of scholars, ministers...

Richard Robert Osmer provides a strong understanding of the teaching office, which is a part of Reformation heritage. He discusses why the teaching office is important in mainline churches. This book in unique because it includes seminaries, representative bodies, theologians, and church leaders as part of the teaching...

Sermons on Suicide offers a variety of biblical texts, interpretations, literary references, medical insights, current statistics, personal illustrations, and practical suggestions by over a dozen preachers to help clergy deal with the challenging and important subject of suicide. This collection of sermons, from a broad spectrum of religious...

Based on the Common Lectionary, J. Barrie Shepherd presents a Lenten prayer diary with forty-seven days of morning and evening prayers. The prayers are derived from suggested lessons of the scripture. Themes include suffering, repentance, and joyful welcome of Christ's...

The meaning of compassion is more than just sympathy, empathy, pity, and concern. Compassion has a theological meaning. In this book, Andrew Purves sees compassion as the center of pastoral care, holding theology, spirituality, and ministry together. He examines how a renewed compassion gives ministry shape and content which "grows out of the...

In this book, James G. Kirk provides meditations to help Christians celebrate Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. After a synopsis of the recommended Bible passage, there is a reflection, written in understandable language with real-life examples, which provide insight and direction for making the day more meaningful. A closing prayer follows...

Interpersonal relationships and personal growth can be enhanced when you speak up for what you believe in. This book presents guidelines for deciding when and how to take stands and finding strength to do so. For those who have thought very much about taking stands or who shy away from stand taking in order to avoid conflict, Carolyn Stahl...

This problem-and-solution book looks at the positive values of solitude as well as the negative problems of loneliness. Integrating religious and psychological perspectives and a variety of personal experiences, this resource explores many of the factors that shape the ways we handle being...

Pastoral counselor J. Bill Ratliff shows that facing change in our lives doesn't have to be a traumatic experience--it can be a time of enlightenment. Ratliff describes the types of chosen and unchosen changes one is likely to encounter in life and then tells how to deal with endings, uncertainties, and new beginnings. If we listen for the...

Building on recent developments in biblical studies, David Rensberger explores new avenues of interpretation of the Fourth Gospel made possible by the rediscovery of its social and historical settings. He looks to the first generation of readers and considers the range of meanings the Gospel might have held for them. He sees that behind the...

The forty days of Lent represent a special time of preparation. James G. Kirk's meditations are meant to help Christians use this time well. Based on Scripture readings from the lectionary, his meditations lead individuals to center their attention on the Easter mystery. Daily, a biblical theme such as mercy, forgiveness, or judgment is...

Using images connected with the art and craft of weaving, Christine Smith discusses the special vision that women bring to the task of preaching. She looks at the significance of feminist theology, psychology, and philosophy in terms of their impact on the preaching of all men and women. Among other topics, she considers the authority of the...

This book represents a major contribution toward the development of a global feminist theology. The personal histories and experiences of women of African, Asian, Anglo-American, and Latin-American heritage recounted here make it possible to analyze the social and historical contexts of their Christian faith. Their insights into the lives of...

This volume in the Library of Early Christianity series presents primary documents that reveal insights about the ethics and morality of Greco-Roman culture. In so doing, this book provides a foundation for understanding the ethical contexts in which the New Testament was crafted.The Library of Early Christianity is a series of eight...

This volume in the Library of Early Christianity examines the ethics and morality of the earliest Christians.The Library of Early Christianity is a series of eight outstanding books exploring the Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts in which the New Testament...

This highly accessible book discusses how the early Jewish and Christian communities went about interpreting Scripture.The Library of Early Christianity is a series of eight outstanding books exploring the Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts in which the New Testament...

This volume in the Library of Early Christianity series explores the early Christian movement, especially as it is described in the book of Acts, and uses information about other religions being practiced during the same time period to fill in the story of religious confliect.The Library of Early Christianity is a series of eight outstanding...

In Christology in Context, Marinus de Jonge presents the varied response to Jesus of Nazareth by his first-century followers. A scholarly yet highly accessible work, this book provides a knowledge base for formal, systematic analysis of New Testament...

J. Philip Wogaman understands the uncertainty surrounding most moral questions. He believes, however, that religious faith makes a difference in one's ethics, that Christian character is fundamental to decision-making, and that it is possible to arrive at judgements on today's complex moral problems in light of Christian faith. This book...

Today, women are joining other oppressed groups in a search for liberation. Human Liberation in a Feminist Perspective--A Theology is an attempt to wrestle with this challenge by making a contribution to the Christian understanding of human liberation from the feminist...

In this valuable philosophy of Christian education for theologians, James Smart offers an excellent evaluation and redefinition of the goals of teaching ministry. Important topics addressed in this book include how to use the Bible in curriculum development and the relationship of the church to "secular"...

This book introduces the reader to both the content of the Bible and to the life, faith, and history of ancient Israel, early Judaism, and early Christianity. John Hayes begins this book begins with an overall introduction to the study of the Bible, including the techniques of Bible criticism. He then discusses the life, faith, and literature...

This devotional classic, written by William Law, an eloquent religious teacher of the eighteenth century, was designed to prod indifferent Christians into making an honest effort to live up to what they professed to believe. It has been appreciated in every succeeding generation because of its innate vigor and...

Mary Radford Ruether's book makes a significant contribution to our understanding of Mary's role in the vital doctrine of the contemporary church. In this unique study, she brings together much hard-to-find material. Her careful biblical scholarship enables us to reclaim a long-ignored part of our religious tradition. Useful for women's and...