This volume offers an interdisciplinary study of Reformed sanctification and human development, providing the foundation for a constructive account of Christian moral formation that is attentive both to divine grace and to the significance of natural, embodied processes. Angela Carpenter's argument also addresses the impressions that such theologies give; namely either solitude in the face of adversity, or sheer passivity. Through careful examination of the doctrine of sanctification in three Reformed theologians - John Calvin, John Owen and Horace Bushnell-Carpenter argues that human responsiveness in the context of fellowship with the triune God provides a basic framework for a theological account of moral transformation. Her relational approach brings together divine and human agency in a dynamic process where both are indispensable. Supplying an account of moral formation located within Christian salvation, while also being attentive to embodied human nature and the sciences, this book is vital to all those interested in spiritual formation and the human capacity for love.
"This volume offers an interdisciplinary study of Reformed sanctification and human development, providing the foundation for a constructive account of Christian moral formation that is attentive both to divine grace and to the significance of natural, embodied processes. Angela Carpenter's argument also addresses the impressions that such theologies give; namely either solitude in the face of adversity, or sheer passivity. Through careful examination of the doctrine of sanctification in three Reformed theologians -- John Calvin, John Owen and Horace Bushnell--Carpenter argues that human responsiveness in the context of fellowship with the triune God provides a basic framework for a theological account of moral transformation. Her relational approach brings together divine and human agency in a dynamic process where both are indispensable. Supplying an account of moral formation located within Christian salvation, while also being attentive to embodied human nature and the sciences,this book is vital to all those interested in spiritual formation and the human capacity for love."--
This volume draws together leading theologians and Christian ethicists from across the globe to critically engage with and reflect upon Gerald McKenny, widely acknowledged as one of the most original and important Christian ethicists working today. The essays highlight the significance of McKenny's interventions with a range of important debates in contemporary theological ethics, ranging from analyses of the Protestant conception of grace to bioethics and medicine. The Ethics of Grace is the first volume to facilitate critical engagements with a number of key themes in McKenny's work, not in the least his interpretation of Karl Barth. Among the contributions, Jennifer Herdt discusses McKenny's Barthian interest in the relationship between nature and grace; Angela Carpenter uses his Barthian understanding of grace and human action as a framework to discuss Jonathan Edwards; Stanley Hauerwas pushes McKenny's theology beyond Barth. Economic, political, and technological themes are also discussed in depth, for instance in Robert Song's chapter on the phenomenology of biotechnological enhancement. Reaching far beyond the work of Gerald McKenny, this multifaceted volume is a high-level resource for students and scholars of theological and philosophical ethics.
The Christian tradition offers a compelling vision of what it is for human life to be lived well. This collection articulates various aspects of that vision in ways that will deepen understanding of virtue formation. The contributors demonstrate that moral philosophy not only illuminates, but can also inspire the formation of virtue.
Know. Be. Live.® is a groundbreaking work that addresses cultural challenges and potential solutions to making disciples of Generation Z. Over the last few years, the literature on Generation Z has grown rapidly. However, there is little that directly addresses the destructive cultural challenges to proactive disciplemaking in this generation. Know. Be. Live.® offers a holistic 360-degree approach to discipleship in a post-Christian era. It combines expert thought on faith and culture to equip Christ-following parents of teenagers, college students, campus ministers, and pastors. Addressing the obstacles to deep discipleship and spiritual formation within Gen Z, Know. Be. Live.® approaches this subject matter from a comprehensive biblical perspective that ties together the intellectual (Know), character (Be), and calling (Live) elements of discipleship. Contributors: Philip Alsup, John Basie, Hunter Baker, Ed and Dana Bort, Stephanie Shackelford, Gene Fant, Nathan Finn, Melissa Pellew, Sean McDowell, J. P. Moreland, Jonathan Morrow, Jacob Shatzer, John Stonestreet, Kyle Strobel, and John W. White III. Praise for KNOW. BE. LIVE.® “With a focus on serious Christian thinking, whole life discipleship, spiritual formation, cultural engagement, and readiness for ministry, these timely and thoughtful essays will serve as a remarkable resource for readers.” — David S. Dockery, president, International Alliance for Christian Education and distinguished professor of Theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary • • • “Know. Be. Live. is a much-needed resource that will provide Christ-following business leaders, ministry leaders, and anyone who has the opportunity to develop Gen Z leaders with tools to disciple them in a transformative, biblically-faithful way.” — Cheryl Bachelder, board member at Chick-fil-A Inc. and US Food Holdings Corp., author, Dare to Serve • • • “When co-founding Impact 360 Institute fifteen years ago, my husband, John, and I were burdened to equip the next generation of Christlike believers to Know, Be, and Live out the Gospel. The Institute has far exceeded our vision to include multiple programs, resources, and now, the book you hold in your hand. For Christian leaders discipling the next generation, you’ll find this to be an excellent resource to challenge and inspire you to holistically develop Gen Z and beyond.” —Trudy Cathy White, Chick-fil-A ambassador • • • “Know. Be. Live. is for all who desire to live faithfully and for all those who want to encourage and equip the younger generation to do just that. Dig in; there is much wisdom in these pages.” —Samuel “Dub” Oliver, president, Union University • • • “Know. Be. Live. is an absolute treasure trove of insight for discipling Gen Z. An ensemble of experienced experts navigate readers through the conundrums of our strange and confused cultural moment with biblical clarity and conviction. If you care about seeing up-and-coming generations marked by a deep passion for the Great Commission, the Great Commandment, and the Cultural Mandate, then this is the resource for you!” — Thaddeus Williams, professor of Systematic Theology, Biola University/Talbot School of Theology, author, Reflect, Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth, and God Reforms Hearts.
Moving into the Ecumenical Future identifies some necessary “foundations” of any paradigm for Ecumenical Ethics. It emphasizes the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the teaching and example of Jesus, biblical foundations, and pastoral relationships in developing paradigms for Ecumenical Ethics. The book suggests that virtue ethics is an important paradigm that includes these elements. The text explores how the Faith and Order “Tool,” Receptive Ecumenism, Differentiated Consensus, Internal Polarities, and Spiritual Discernment can be used to move toward moral consensus. The author calls for a national or international task force to explore these foundations in greater depth.
Grace and Social Ethics demonstrates why the doctrine of grace has significant implications for social ethics and for Christian engagement with culture. The book reframes Christian social ethics by illuminating how grace shapes human identity and community. Angela Carpenter integrates theology and social science to articulate a vision of human persons as constituted by gift rather than merit. This graced anthropology compellingly bridges theology and contemporary research on human dependence and mutuality. Carpenter insightfully applies this graced identity to pressing issues in social ethics such as criminal justice, labor practices, and gun violence. Scholars and students of theological ethics as well as pastors seeking resources for moral formation will find illuminating perspectives in this integrative work, which situates social justice imperatives within God's gracious purposes.
Analyzing Prayer draws together a range of theologians and philosophers to deal with different approaches to prayer as a Christian practice. The essays included deal with issues pertaining to petitionary prayer, prayer as reorientation of oneself in the presence of God, prayer by those who do not believe, liturgical prayer, mystical prayer, whether God prays, the interrelation between prayer and various forms of knowledge, theologizing as a form of prayer, lament and prayer, prayer and God's presence, and even prayer and the meaning of life. The volume contains cutting-edge studies on a neglected topic of theological study that contributes to the broadening of themes tackled by analytic theology.
Evolution--or the broader topic of origins--has enormous relevance to how we understand the Christian faith and how we interpret Scripture. Four Views on Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design presents the current "state of the conversation" about origins among evangelicals representing four key positions: Young Earth Creationism - Ken Ham (Answers in Genesis) Old Earth (Progressive) Creationism - Hugh Ross (Reasons to Believe) Evolutionary Creation - Deborah B. Haarsma (BioLogos) Intelligent Design - Stephen C. Meyer (The Discovery Institute) The contributors offer their best defense of their position addressing questions such as: What is your position on origins - understood broadly to include the physical universe, life, and human beings in particular? What do you take to be the most persuasive arguments in defense of your position? How do you demarcate and correlate evidence about origins from current science and from divine revelation? What hinges on answering these questions correctly? This book allows each contributor to not only present the case for his or her view, but also to critique and respond to the critiques of the other contributors, allowing you to compare their beliefs in an open forum setting to see where they overlap and where they differ.
