What is Christian worldview? What are the practical applications and ethical implications of biblical truths? How can Christians influence society? These are the questions that the authors of this volume seek to answer, along with other issues that challenge biblical faith. Through theoretical reflection and suggested practical actions; looking at the early church, the Reformation, and historical experiences of poverty in Brazil; and with a commitment to piety and an integral mission practice, Christian Worldview and Transformation raises proposals and alternatives for a spirituality that can bring changes to society and social relations.
In the past, changes in behavior and in belief have been leading indicators for missionaries that Christian conversion had occurred. But these alone--or even together--are insufficient for a gospel understanding of conversion. For effective biblical mission, Paul G. Hiebert argues, we must add a third element: a change in worldview. Here he offers a comprehensive study of worldview--its philosophy, its history, its characteristics, and the means for understanding it. He then provides a detailed analysis of several worldviews that missionaries must engage today, addressing the impact of each on Christianity and mission. A biblical worldview is outlined for comparison. Finally, Hiebert argues for gospel ministry that seeks to transform people's worldviews and offers suggestions for how to do so.
Many people today would say that Christianity has done more harm than good to our world. Sharon James argues, however, in seeking to love their neighbour and reflect God's moral character the followers of Jesus have had a largely positive impact on our society. James takes a number of areas - education, healthcare, justice, human dignity - and traces the ways in which these benefits have spread with the gospel. Chapter Headings: Freedom Religious Liberty Justice Protecting Life The Dignity of Women Philanthropy Healthcare Education for All The Creation Mandate and the Value of Work History: The Triumph of Christ
When early Christians began to study the Bible, and to write their own history and that of the Jews whom they claimed to supersede, they used scholarly methods invented by the librarians and literary critics of Hellenistic Alexandria. But Origen and Eusebius, two scholars of late Roman Caesarea, did far more. Both produced new kinds of books, in which parallel columns made possible critical comparisons previously unenvisioned, whether between biblical texts or between national histories. Eusebius went even farther, creating new research tools, new forms of history and polemic, and a new kind of library to support both research and book production. Christianity and the Transformation of the Book combines broad-gauged synthesis and close textual analysis to reconstruct the kinds of books and the ways of organizing scholarly inquiry and collaboration among the Christians of Caesarea, on the coast of Roman Palestine. The book explores the dialectical relationship between intellectual history and the history of the book, even as it expands our understanding of early Christian scholarship. Christianity and the Transformation of the Book attends to the social, religious, intellectual, and institutional contexts within which Origen and Eusebius worked, as well as the details of their scholarly practices--practices that, the authors argue, continued to define major sectors of Christian learning for almost two millennia and are, in many ways, still with us today.,
"What is Christian Worldview? What are the practical applications or ethical implications of Biblical truths? How can Christians influence society? These are the questions which the authors of this volume seek to answer, along with other issues which challenge biblical faith. Through theoretical reflection and suggested practical actions; looking at the Early Church, the Reformation and historical experiences of poverty in Brazil; with a commitment to piety and an integral mission practice; Christian Worldview and Transformation raises proposals and alternatives for a spirituality which can bring changes to society and social relations."--Publisher.
Although Paul used language similar to the religions and cultures of his time, he had a unique understanding of the “mystery” of God. The once-hidden plan of God was revealed and fulfilled in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Saul of Tarsus experienced a fundamental change when he encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. This vision gave him new direction and purpose and profoundly changed his understanding of God’s plan for humanity. Paul often uses the phrase “in Christ” or its variations to describe this plan. Being in Christ results in transformation into Christ’s likeness of holiness and love through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Those in Christ form a new community that crosses ethnic barriers, is bound together in fellowship with the Triune God, and fulfills its purpose of holiness before him. Paul’s answer to the struggles people face is simple: when one is united with Christ by dying to the old self and committing to his supremacy, one will find victory over any force opposed to us in this world. This book explores one of the most profound claims in the New Testament that demands a response of its readers.
How People Grow reveals why all growth is spiritual growth and how you can grow in ways you never thought possible. Our desire to grow runs deep. Yet the issues in our lives and relationships that we wish would change often stay the same, even with our best efforts at spiritual growth. What does it take to experience increasing strength and depth in our spiritual walk, our marriages and family lives and friendships, our personal development--in everything life is about? And how can we help others move into growth that is profound and lasting? Unpacking the practical and passionate theology that forms the backbone of their counseling, Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend shatter popular misconceptions about how God operates to reveal how growth really happens. You'll discover: What the essential processes are that make people grow. How those processes fit into a biblical understanding of spiritual growth and theology. How spiritual growth and real-life issues are one and the same. What the responsibilities are of pastors, counselors, and others who assist people in growing What your own responsibilities are in your personal growth. Shining focused light on the great doctrines and themes of Christianity, How People Grow helps you understand the Bible in a way that will help you head with confidence down the high road of growth in Christ. Workbook also available.
The goal of many evangelical educators is to facilitate biblical thinking and the worldview transformation of their students. Yet, aside from upholding a set of moral behaviors or maintaining positions on issues perceived to be "Christian," the goals and aspirations of most evangelical young people differ little from their unbelieving peers. As George Barna has noted, "We have a generation coming up that . . . isn't looking at Christianity to answer spiritual concerns . . . We either change or we lose them." Worldview as Worship contends that the approach taken by most evangelical educators to the issue of worldview transformation has neglected to address two fundamental components of worldviews. First, that our initial worldviews are not philosophical systems but rather faith dispositions and that worldview transformation cannot simply present the biblical worldview as a more rational or logical system, but must address issues of the heart as well as the mind. Second, unlike philosophies that are individual, worldviews are communal and are learned and transformed within the context of community practice. Appealing to Paul's teaching in Romans 12:1-2, Worldview as Worship approaches the "renewing of your mind" as the result of the believer's presentation of themselves as a "holy sacrifice . . . which is your spiritual service of worship." The book advocates an approach to worldview transformation that focuses on believers as apprentices rather than simply as students--an approach that holds true to the biblical model of discipleship. As a result, worldview transformation works best when the application of faith to the issues of learning and life are modeled by the faith community and where students are given the opportunity to put faith into practice.
