Theology Books

Anthony Reddie creates a dynamic conversation between black theologies in the US and in the UK, comparing and highlighting divergences in the respective movements.

In this incisive work, distinguished theologian Peter Hodgson
reflects on the precarious yet vital role of theology today and its nearly
lost and sometimes discredited tradition of liberal thought, especially
liberal theology. Liberal theology has been the main thread of Christian
thinking over the last 200 years, but it threatens to be obscured by a
rising tide of conservative and even fundamentalist Christianity, on the
one hand, and a secular materialism, on the other.

This book is for anyone who would like to take faith seriously but finds their intelligence getting in the way. It outlines, in 37 short chapters, many of the objections raised to formal Christian religion, and suggests ways of dealing with them which do not compromise people's intellectual integrity.

39-page booklet introducing some of the issues of liberal theology.

Is the Church a box from which God has escaped? Are people finding spirituality and relating to God in ways that have nothing to do with the Church?
Men and women today have strong values and beliefs about caring for animals and for the environment, about tolerance for others of different beliefs and customs, and about how we each may live mature and fulfilled lives. They often feel that the Church’s moral teaching does not come up to their standards. In this book Richard Harries takes seriously their thoughts and criticisms.

In an age of terrorism and increasing Christian/Muslim conflict it's time for a new look at how different religions can be reconciled, and contribute to the peace of the world rather than its destruction.
David Hart finds the answer in the similarity of the philosophical traditions at the heart of each, rather than in the particular dogmas and doctrines that divide.
Dr David Hart is an Anglican priest and Hindu, living and working in South India. He is the India Secretary for the World Congress of Faiths.

This is a wonderful book. Ward is a philosopher as well as a theologian and he succeeds in presenting the sweep of mankind's religious and philosophical thought with style, reverence and a wry humour. He is to be congratulated in producing a book that avoids churchy claptrap, academic jargon, religious cliché and mushy spirituality.

A comprehensive and inspiring introduction to faith which is both honest and credible. Explores the nature of truth, religion and experience, followed by sections on Jewish and Christian scriptures, the life of Jesus, church history, belief today, and ethics.

There is a gap between the formulation of the ancient Creeds and the way we understand religious truths today. Scientific knowledge and Biblical studies have evolved. We no longer express an understanding of our world as our grandparents or even parents did.30 short chapters each of which offers a contemporary alternative to traditional expressions of belief.


HOME	About MCU	EVENTS	ISSUES		WORSHIP	LINKS
MCU Publications	Anglicanism	Theology	Social Ethics	Spirituality	Sexuality	Books reviewed in Modern Believing
Theology: General Theology: General ~ Interpreting the Bible
	The Future of Liberation Theology: An Argument and Manifesto (Paperback) by Ivan Petrella SCM 2006)	Petrella shows that liberation theology can be reinvented to bring its preferential option for the poor into the real world. The actualisation of historical projects is possible by adopting the methods developed by the Brazilian champion of critical legal studies, Robert Unger.
	Consuming Passion Simon Barrow, Jonathan Bartley (eds) (Darton,Longman & Todd Ltd 2005)	A series of thought-provoking studies of the atonement, challenging prevailing views amongst Christians about why Jesus died; uses the Mel Gibson film 'The Passion' as a cue for the discussion.			Being Human: Confessions of a Christian Humanist John De Gruchy (SCM Press 2006)	'If the incarnation provides the basis for Christian humanism by overcoming the dualism between the sacred and the secular, reconciling God and humanity and asserting human dignity, and if the cross roots such humanism in the reality of a suffering world and the struggle for justice, it is through the resurrection that the power of death is broken and human hope fulfilled'
	Heresies and How to Avoid Them Ben Quash; Michael Ward (SPCK Publishing 2007)	‘This is a deeply refreshing book, full of exciting ideas. It manages both to be generous to the heretics and also to show the beauty of orthodoxy. It is theologically profound while being immensely readable.’ Timothy Radcliffe, Former Master of the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans)			Black Theology and Transatlantic Dialogue: Black Theology in Transatlantic Dialogue (Hardcover) Anthony Reddie (Palgrave Macmillan 2006)	Anthony Reddie creates a dynamic conversation between black theologies in the US and in the UK, comparing and highlighting divergences in the respective movements.
	The Inclusive God: Reclaiming Theology for an Inclusive Church. Steven Shakespeare and Hugh Rayment–Pickard (London: Canterbury Press 2006. Pp.128.)	This short, accessible and compelling book argues that an inclusive vision of God lies at the heart of Christian theology. Since the 1960s liberal theology has been driven by social justice issues and an ethic of tolerance. This has not been enough to check the rise of neoconservative theologies that now predominate in the Churches. Liberal theology now needs to stake a claim for the very identity of Christianity itself, showing how mainstream and inclusive values have always been a central strand of Christian thinking and represent the majority view.	Forthcoming:		Liberal Theology: A Radical Vision Peter C. Hodgson (Augsburg Fortress May 2007)	In this incisive work, distinguished theologian Peter Hodgson reflects on the precarious yet vital role of theology today and its nearly lost and sometimes discredited tradition of liberal thought, especially liberal theology. Liberal theology has been the main thread of Christian thinking over the last 200 years, but it threatens to be obscured by a rising tide of conservative and even fundamentalist Christianity, on the one hand, and a secular materialism, on the other.
	The Old Creed and the New Don Cupitt (SCM Press 2006)	Cupitt sharply juxtaposes the traditional Apostles' Creed of Western Christianity and the emergent creed of modern radical theology. Side by side they look amazingly different, and Cupitt carefully explains what is happening and why. The main change is that the old creed situated the believer within a huge narrative cosmology, the central myth of a great religion-based civilization, whereas the new creed merely defines the bare outlines of a modern spirituality.			The God Problem: Alternatives to Fundamentalism Nigel Leaves (Polebridge Press 2006)
	Christianity with Attitude Giles Fraser (Canterbury Press Norwich 2007)	This book is a collection of articles written by Giles Fraser for The Guardian, The Church Times and Radio 4's Thought For The Day. They span five years and are often responses to events in the news at the time - it can be interesting to read some of them with the benefit of hindsight.			The Cost of Certainty: How Religious Conviction Betrays the Human Psyche Jeremy Young (Darton,Longman & Todd Ltd 2004)
	Why Liberal Churches Are Growing Ian Markham (Continuum T & T Clarke 2006)	This book examines why liberal churches remain appealing, where they are growing and why liberal theological approaches to ministry are more widespread than many assume to be the case.			The Thoughtful Guide to Faith Tony Windross (O Books 2004)	This book is for anyone who would like to take faith seriously but finds their intelligence getting in the way. It outlines, in 37 short chapters, many of the objections raised to formal Christian religion, and suggests ways of dealing with them which do not compromise people's intellectual integrity.
	Perfect Freedom Brian Mountford (O Books 2005)	Brian Mountford sets out a liberal Christian position that is biblical, open, liturgically conservative, traditional, ethical and concerned with Christian action. He believes in the reality of God but finds him 'in the wound rather than the bandage'. For those searching for a credible faith this book is the perfect introduction to the best that Christianity has to offer.	MCU members' discount from Lund Theological books: In the "Promotional Code" box on the 'Your Details' page of the order form type 'MCU' and then your membership number (like this: MCUxxx).	Avaliable via Lund Theological Books £2.70 Order	What is Best in Liberal Christianity Martin Camroux. (Free to Believe, no date, 39pp, New, pamphlet)	39-page booklet introducing some of the issues of liberal theology.
	Growing into God: Exploring Our Call to Grow into God's Image and Likeness Jean Mayland (ed.) (Church House Publishing 2003)	Did God really create us? Were we once perfect and then fell from perfection into sin? Should human life be cloned? These are just some of the questions and topical issues handled in this book, which comes in the form of a collection of essays. The book covers genetic engineering and cloning, feminist, womens' and gay issues, as well as racism and disabilities. It also discusses who we are and our calling to be like God.			The Contemporary Challenge of Modernist Theology Paul Badham (University of Wales Press, 1998)	The Modernists claim that core beliefs like faith in God, hope for life after death and respect for the teaching of the historical Jesus, could be freed from outmoded supernatural ideas like six-day creation, virgin birth, substitution atonement and Hell. They argue that for Christianity to survive it must be brought into line with the best of modern thought.
Avaliable via Lund Theological Books £5 Order	God Outside the Box: Why spiritual people object to Christianity. Richard Harries (SPCK, 2002, 192pp, New, Paperback. ISBN 028105522X)	Is the Church a box from which God has escaped? Are people finding spirituality and relating to God in ways that have nothing to do with the Church? Men and women today have strong values and beliefs about caring for animals and for the environment, about tolerance for others of different beliefs and customs, and about how we each may live mature and fulfilled lives. They often feel that the Church’s moral teaching does not come up to their standards. In this book Richard Harries takes seriously their thoughts and criticisms.	MCU members' discount from Lund Theological books: In the "Promotional Code" box on the 'Your Details' page of the order form type 'MCU' and then your membership number (like this: MCUxxx).	Avaliable via Lund Theological Books £5 Order	Trading Faith: Global Religion in and Age of Rapid Change David A. Hart (O Books, 2006, 260pp, New, Paperback. ISBN 1905047967)	In an age of terrorism and increasing Christian/Muslim conflict it's time for a new look at how different religions can be reconciled, and contribute to the peace of the world rather than its destruction. David Hart finds the answer in the similarity of the philosophical traditions at the heart of each, rather than in the particular dogmas and doctrines that divide. Dr David Hart is an Anglican priest and Hindu, living and working in South India. He is the India Secretary for the World Congress of Faiths.
	God: A Guide for the Perplexed Keith Ward (Oneworld Publications; Reprint edition 2003)	This is a wonderful book. Ward is a philosopher as well as a theologian and he succeeds in presenting the sweep of mankind's religious and philosophical thought with style, reverence and a wry humour. He is to be congratulated in producing a book that avoids churchy claptrap, academic jargon, religious cliché and mushy spirituality.
Avaliable via Lund Theological Books £4 Order	The Thoughtful Guide to Christianity: Toward an Honest and Open Faith. Graham Hellier (O Books, 2003, 360pp, New, but top edge not cut, Paperback. ISBN 1903816343)	A comprehensive and inspiring introduction to faith which is both honest and credible. Explores the nature of truth, religion and experience, followed by sections on Jewish and Christian scriptures, the life of Jesus, church history, belief today, and ethics.		Avaliable via Lund Theological Books £3 Order	Is Christianity the only true religion, or one among others? John Hick (Modern Churchpeople's Union, 2001, 18pp, New, pamphlet)
				Avaliable via Lund Theological Books £4 Order	Tomorrow's Faith: A New Framework of Christian Belief Adrian B. Smith (O Books, 2005, 128pp, New, Paperback. ISBN 1905047177)	There is a gap between the formulation of the ancient Creeds and the way we understand religious truths today. Scientific knowledge and Biblical studies have evolved. We no longer express an understanding of our world as our grandparents or even parents did.30 short chapters each of which offers a contemporary alternative to traditional expressions of belief.



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