Paternoster Theological Studies Collection (25 Vols.)

Alvin Plantinga and Christian Apologetics

• Author: Keith A. Mascord
• 236 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2005

This book draws together the contributions of the philosopher Alvin Plantinga to address the major contemporary challenges to Christian belief, highlighting in particular his ground-breaking work in epistemology and the problem of evil.

Plantinga’s theory that both theistic and Christian belief is warrantedly basic is explored and critiqued, and an assessment offered as to the significance of his work for apologetic theory and practice.

Keith A. Mascord lectures in Philosophy, Moore Theological College, Sydney, Australia.

A thorough and insightful analysis and critique…
—Graham Cole

This is an important work on one of the most important philosophers of our time. Keith Mascord has not merely written an excellent account of Alvin Plantinga's philosophy but also shown us how Plantinga has contributed to a much broader field of inquiry than academic philosophy. In addition, in the last three chapters Mascord provides his own critical and original response to Plantinga.
—Peter Forrest, University of New England, Armidale, Australia

An American Augustinian: Sin and Salvation in the Dogmatic Theology of William G. T. Shedd

• Author: Oliver Crisp
• 300 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2006

William Shedd's theology is arguably one of the richest resources in the American Reformed tradition yet, strangely, it has not received the attention it deserves. Oliver Crisp takes a step towards filling the considerable gap.

Shedd was a theologian unafraid to think for himself, even if his thinking meant he ended up with views that were not held by others with whom he had a natural affinity. His theology of sin and salvation illustrate well this creative innovation within a tradition. This book explores the relationship between sin and salvation in Shedd's theology, with an eye to both its philosophical and dogmatic significance for contemporary theology.

Oliver Crisp attended the Wimbledon School of Art and the University of Aberdeen before completing his Ph.D. at King’s College, University of London on the philosophical theology of Jonathan Edwards. He has taught at the University of St. Andrews, the University of Notre Dame, and Regent College. He is currently a Reader in Theology at the University of Bristol.

Check out Dogmatic Theology by William G. T. Shedd!

Oliver Crisp convincingly shows that William G. T. Shedd was a reformed theologian whose dogmatics has a philosophical dimension which merits serious attention. In doing so he reveals the same intellectual qualities in evidence in his books on Jonathan Edwards and on Christology: philosophical clarity and rigor, theological sensitivity, and excellent judgment.
—Paul Helm, King's College, London

I highly recommend this fine piece of philosophical theology (or, if one prefers, theological philosophy) and can only hope that it will stimulate renewed interest in Shedd—not only as an eminent theologian of great historical import, but as one who will now speak to the present generation.
—Alan W. Gomes, Talbot School of Theology

Beyond Salvation: Eastern Orthodoxy and Classical Pentecostalism on Becoming Like Christ

• Author: Ed Rybarczyk
• 380 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2004

At first glance eastern Orthodoxy and classical Pentecostalism seem quite distinct. This ground-breaking study shows they share much in common, especially as it concerns the experiential elements of following Christ. Both traditions assert that authentic Christianity transcends the wooden categories of modernism.

Ed Rybarczyk is Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology, Vanguard University, California.

An exceptionally well done piece of analysis.
—James Bradley

The Church and Deaf People: A Study of Identity, Communication, and Relationships with Special Reference to the Ecclesiology of Jurgen Moltmann

• Author: Roger Hitching
• 320 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2004

The Church and Deaf People examines Jurgen Moltmann's ecclesiology from the specific perspective of deaf people, who form a minority group within our society and who have been marginalized and effectively oppressed.

Inspired by his contact with deaf people (after his first wife became profoundly deaf) and mindful of the example of his deaf grandmother, Roger Hitching sensitively examines the history and present experience of deaf people in relation to Moltmann's radical ecclesiology.

Roger Hitching has an M.Th. from King's College, London (1991) and Ph.D. from London Bible College (2002). His concern for deaf people arose when his wife, Jackie, became profoundly deaf. He now provides mentoring services and advice on theological and pastoral matters.

Confronting the Will-to-Power: A Reconsideration of the Theology of Reinhold Niebuhr

• Author: Mark F. W. Lovatt
• 216 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2001

Confronting the Will-to-Power is an analysis of the theology of Reinhold Niebuhr, arguing that his work is an attempt to identify, and provide a practical theological answer to, the existence and nature of human evil.

Mark F. W. Lovatt is an information technology consultant, Nottingham, UK, and received his doctorate from the University of Nottingham, UK.

A constructive evaluation of Reinhold Niebuhr’s theology.
—Anthony C. Thiselton

The Crisis and the Quest: A Kierkegaardian Reading of Charles Williams

• Author: Stephen Dunning
• 272 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2000

Employing Kirkegaardian categories and analysis, this study investigates both the central crisis in Charles Williams' authorship between hermeticism and Christianity (Kierkegaard's Religions A and B), and the quest to resolve this crisis, a quest that ultimately presses the bounds of orthodoxy.

Stephen Dunning received his M.Div. and Ph.D. from Harvard University, and is currently Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of numerous books and articles, and is a member and past president of the Soren Kierkegaard Society.

An invaluable contribution to our understanding of this extraordinary man.
—Glen Cavaliero

The Deconstruction of Dualism in Theology

• Author: Gillian McCulloch
• 281 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2002

Jesus' words in John 17 represent one of the church's highest values: “May they all be one as you and I are one.” Yet divisions occur from the highest levels of the church to street level projects, often neutralizing effectiveness and undercutting the credibility of Jesus’ message. This book helps any believer turn the ideal of John 17 into reality. It provides solid grounding in the principles of partnership, using abundant case histories and empowering how-to suggestions for lay person and ministry leader alike.

McCulloch’s study has important implications not only for theology but also for ethics and spirituality. She explores the contemporary critique of Western dualism—mind/body, God/creation, subject/object, nature/culture—and maintains that the dual apprehension of divine transcendence and immanence must always be held in balance in theological reflection.

Gilliam McCulloch studied theology at the University of Aberdeen.

Deification in Eastern Orthodox Theology: An Evaluation and Critique of the Theology of Dumitru Stăniloae

• Author: Emil Bartos
• 370 pages
• Paternoster Press | 1999

In recent years, Eastern Orthodox thought has had an increasing influence on key aspects of contemporary Western Christian thought, particularly as regards the doctrine of the Trinity and mystical spirituality. However, the foundations and fundamental presuppositions of Eastern Christianity’s theological system have remained largely unstudied—and thus unknown—in the West.

In this important study, Emil Bartos examines the doctrine of deification which provides the conceptual basis for the way Stăniloae and other Orthodox theologians understand the major doctrines of the Christian faith. The idea that God became man and man became God sounds almost heretical to many Western ears, yet this affirmation is repeated countless times in the writings of the Eastern Fathers.

Beginning with the apophaticism that lies at the heart of Eastern theology, Bartos examines each of the key doctrines of anthropology, Christology, soteriology, and ecclesiology as they relate to deification in Stăniloae’s thought. Bartos’ study represents not merely a contribution to contemporary dialogue between Eastern and Western theologians, but also a much needed introduction to an aspect of Christian thought down the centuries which is largely neglected in the Christian West.

Emil Bartos is Dean of Theology at the Emanuel Bible Institute in Oradea, Romania, where he teaches systematic and comparative theology and the history of dogma. His doctoral research was carried out under the supervision of Orthodox bishop Kallistos Ware and the Catholic theologian Oliver Davies.

This book deals with a major topic of importance…
—Kallistos Ware

Disavowing Constantine: Mission, Church, and the Social Order in the Theologies of John Howard Yoder and Jurgen Moltmann

• Author: Nigel Wright
• 252 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2000

This book is a timely restatement of a radical theology of church and state in the Anabaptist and Baptist tradition. Dr. Wright constructs his argument in dialogue and debate with Yoder and Moltmann—major contributors to a free church perspective.

Nigel Wright (B.A., B.D., M.Th., Ph.D.) studied at Spurgeon College. He is a past president of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and currently serves on the Council, where is moderator of its Doctrine and Worship Committee. He is also a member of the Baptist World Alliance, where he chaired the Study Commission on Christian Ethics. Wright is the author of numerous books and articles, including Challenge to Change: A Radical Agenda for Baptists, New Baptists, New Agenda, and Free Church, Free State: The Positive Baptist Vision.

Wright performs an important function…
—Colin Gunton

Fixing the Indemnity: The Life and Work of George Adam Smith

• Author: Iain D. Campbell
• 250 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2004

When Old Testament scholar George Adam Smith (1856–1942) delivered the Lyman Beecher lectures at Yale University in 1899, he confidently declared that “modern criticism has won its war against traditional theories. It only remains to fix the amount of the indemnity.”

In this biography, Iain D. Campbell assesses Smith's critical approach to the Old Testament and evaluates its consequences, showing that Smith's life and work still raises questions about the relationship between biblical scholarship and evangelical faith.

Iain D. Campbell is Minister of Back Free Church of Scotland, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, UK. He is the author of Opening Up Exodus in the Opening Up Commentary and On the First Day of the Week: God, the Christian and the Sabbath in the Day One Biblical and Theological Studies Collection (24 Vols.).

A compelling study.
—Thomas R. Corts

God According to the Gospel: Biblical Narrative and the Identity of God in the Theology of Robert W. Jenson

• Author: Scott R. Swain
• 350 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2008

Robert W. Jenson is one of the leading voices in contemporary Trinitarian theology. His boldest contribution in this area concerns the use of biblical narrative both to ground and explicate the Christian doctrine of God. God According to the Gospel critically examines Jenson’s proposal and suggests an alternative way of reading the biblical portrayal of the triune God.

Scott R. Swain is Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida.

Is World View Neutral Education Possible and Desirable? A Christian Response to Liberal Arguments

• Author: Signe Sandsmark
• 182 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2000

This book discusses reasons for belief in world view neutrality, and argues that worldview neutral education will have a hidden, but strong world view influence. It discusses the place for Christian education in the common school.

Signe Sandsmark is a Board Member of the European Educators Christian Association.

The Justifying Judgement of God: A Reassessment of the Place of Judgement in the Saving Work of Christ

• Author: Justyn Terry
• 300 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2007

The argument of this book is that judgment, understood as the whole process of bringing justice, is the primary metaphor of atonement, along with other metaphors—such as victory, redemption, and sacrifice—which are subordinate to it. Judgment also provides the proper context for understanding penal substitution and the calls to repentance, baptism, Eucharist, and holiness.

Justyn Terry teaches at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, Ambridge, Pennsylvania.

Karl Barth and the Strange New World within the Bible

• Author: Neil MacDonald
• 403 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2000

The thesis of this book is simple: Barth believed the Bible anticipated the self-same concerns and challenges that the Enlightenment thought it was bringing to light for the very first time. One may put it this way: The Enlightenment spirit manifested in the optimistic, positive, not to say discriminating, demeanor of that period was one with which the Bible was very much in harmony. One might go so far to say that, since the Bible had got there first, historically, the Enlightenment was decidedly less original than its advocates thought.

Neil MacDonald (M.A., M.Th., Ph.D.) is a reader at Roehampton University in London, and previously taught systematic theology at the University of Aberdeen, the University of St. Andrews, and in Edinburgh. He is a member of the Center of Theology Inquiry at Princeton, the American Academy of Religion, the Tyndale Fellowship for Biblical and Theological Research, and the Society for the Study of Theology. He has written numerous articles in systematic theology and biblical hermeneutics, including Metaphysics and the God of Israel, available from Logos.

Brilliant and nuanced.
—Christopher Seitz, Professor of Old Testament and Theological Studies, University of St Andrews, Scotland

Anyone working in contemporary theology must read this book.
—Stanley Hauerwas, Gilbert T Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics, Duke University

Krsna and Christ: Body-Divine Relation in the Thought of Sankara, Ramanuja, and Classical Christian Orthodoxy

• Author: Steven Tsoukalas
• 326 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2007

This book provides a rigorous investigation of the comparisons often drawn between the Krsnavatara (Krsna in his avatara state) doctrines of Sankara and Ramanaja and the incarnation of Christ as represented by classical Christian orthodoxy.

Is the Christian doctrine of Christ's incarnation similar to a Hindu doctrine of Krsnavatara? Steven Tsoukalas maintains that the perceived similarities are actually superficial. He argues that more careful consideration of epistemologies and ontologies should be undertaken when comparing theologies and soteriologies pertinent to avatara and incarnation.

Steven Tsoukalas holds a Ph.D. in theology from the University of Birmingham, a Th.M. in world religions from Harvard University, and M.Div. from Gordon Conwell Seminary. He is the author of several books and articles, and has taught courses in world religions, theology, biblical studies, and cults and new religious movements.

A penetrating exploration of crucial differences between Christianity’s incarnation of Christ and certain Hindu traditions' doctrines of Krishna-avatar.
—Jerry L. Walls

Living the Word, Resisting the World

• Author: Andrew Goddard
• 378 pages
• Paternoster Press | 1996

Living the Word, Resisting the World offers a definitive study of both the life and thought of the French Reformed thinker Jacques Ellul (1912–1994). Last century, the extensive writing of French Reformed lay theologian shed a disturbing light on western society and challenged Christians to be faithful to God’s Word by resisting the world. This major study draws on both published and unpublished materials to provide the only available introduction to Ellul’s life and thought as a whole. Within the context of a detailed biography, it offers an original interpretation of both Ellul’s theological ethics and his personalist-inspired sociological analysis of our contemporary crisis of civilization. Details case studies of his writings on violence, law, the state, and politics then demonstrate that this prophetic Christian thinker remains of great significance for both the church and the world at the start of a new century.

Andrew Goddard is on the faculty of theology at the University of Oxford. His research interests include Christian ethics, political thought, sexual ethics, New Testament ethics, and Jacques Ellul.

The best introduction to Ellul’s life and thought…
—Alister McGrath

Methods in the Madness: Diversity in Twentieth-Century Christian Social Ethics

• Author: Anna Robbins
• 294 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2005

This study examines some key approaches to ecumenical social ethics in the past century, as expressed in the thought of Walter Rauschenbusch, Reinhold Niebuhr and the World Council of Churches.

The author argues that unless Christians are clear about the ways that theology and philosophy relate to one another and work themselves out in our practical commitments, we will lose the ability to discuss social ethics as individuals and churches, let alone reach effective arguments.

Anna Robbins is lecturer in Theology and Contemporary Culture at London School of Theology. After studying international politics in her homeland, Canada, she worked for the Red Cross. This raised many questions about social justice, so she studied theology and social ethics; she researches method in theology, ethics, and apologetics.

On Being a Christian in the Academy: Nicholas Wolterstorff and the Practice of Christian Scholarship

• Author: Andrew Sloane
• 296 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2005

On Being a Christian in the Academy offers a critical appraisal of Nicholas Wolterstorff's account of faith and knowledge in the light of the philosophy of science, and an application of his thought to the practice of Christian scholarship.

Andrew Sloane expounds Christian philosopher Nicholas Wolterstorff’s account of rationality and his understanding of the devising and weighing of theories. Wolterstorff steers a course between the modernist idea of the neutrality and universal power of reason, on the one hand, and the relativism of some postmodern philosophy, on the other. He presents a defensible person-specific but non-relativist criterion of theory choice. The role of control beliefs in scholarship and the place of Christian beliefs in the practice of Christian scholarship are also explored.

The book concludes by exploring the implications of these findings for theological scholarship, in particular Old Testament exegesis. The author suggests that Wolterstorff's notion of scholarly practice explains the practice of scholarship and is to be commended to Christian scholars as a cogent and challenging method of devising and appraising theories.

Andrew Sloane received his doctorate from Morling College in Philosophy and Old Testament, and has served as a lecturer in Old Testament and Christian Thought at Ridley College. In addition to his book on Nicholas Wolterstorff, he is also the author of numerous articles on Christian theology and philosophy.

[Andrew Sloane's] discussion throughout is accurate, meticulously researched, lucidly presented, and critically sympathetic.
—Nicholas Wolterstorff

Anyone interested in the recent resurgence of interest in the relationship between religion and higher education who has not already examined Wolterstorff's work will find here a lucid and helpful exposition.
—David Smith, Director, Kuyers Institute for Christian Teaching and Learning

Paradox in Christian Theology

• Author: James N. Anderson
• 344 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2005

How can Jesus be fully human and fully divine? How can God be three-in-one? James Anderson develops and defends a model of understanding paradoxical Christian doctrines according to which the presence of such doctrines is unsurprising and adherence to paradoxical doctrines can be entirely reasonable. As such, the phenomenon of theological paradox cannot be considered as a serious intellectual obstacle to belief in Christianity. The case presented in this book has significant implications for the practice of systematic theology, biblical exegesis, Christian apologetics and philosophy.

James N. Anderson is a Research Fellow of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

An accomplished engagement of important recent work in analytic philosophy of religion.
—David Fergusson

The Power of the Cross: Theology and the Death of Christ in Paul, Luther, and Pascal

• Author: Graham Tomlin
• 344 pages
• Paternoster Press | 1999

This book explores the theology of the cross in St Paul, Luther and Pascal. It offers new perspectives on the theology of each, and some implications for the nature of power, apologetics, theology and church life in a postmodern context.

Graham Tomlin is Vice-Principal of Wycliffe Hall and a member of the Theology Faculty of Oxford University. He is the author of Luther and His World, available from Logos as part of the Lion Histories Series (10 Vols.).

Here is the groundwork of constructive theology at its best.
—Stephen Williams

Revelation and the Spirit: A Comparative Study of the Relationship between the Doctrine of Revelation and Pneumatology in the Theology of Eberhard Jungel and of Wolfhart Pannenberg

• Author: Graham J. Watts
• 232 pages
• Paternoster Press | 1998

The theme of this study is the relationship between the doctrine of revelation and pneumatology. How can we conceive of the relation between the self-revelation of God and our knowledge of that self-revelation? This is an important question given the postmodern abandonment of any normative understanding of truth and the mushrooming of alternative forms of "spirituality." The task of Christian mission in the context of popular pluralism raises the question of the relationship between truth and experience.

The focus of the work is a critical comparison between two contemporary Lutheran theologians, Wolfhart Pannenberg and Eberhard Jüngel. By contrasting these influential writers clear distinctions are drawn between an approach based on metaphor and metaphysic. Both approaches are deemed to be deficient in their construction and it is argued that some of these problems emerge from a common Lutheran heritage. It is further argued that Trinitarian pneumatology might be better advanced by giving greater weight to the concepts of participation and communion. In doing so, some contribution is made towards long-standing pneumatological questions, including the personhood of the Holy Spirit and the distinction between God as Spirit and the Holy Spirit.

This is an invaluable resource for academics, students and theologically engaged ministers alike.
—Alan J. Torrance, Chair of Systematic Theology, St Mary's College, University of St Andrews, Scotland

A Theology of Work: Work and the New Creation

• Author: Darrell Cosden
• 208 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2006

A Theology of Work explores and investigates the theological implications of the nature, meaning, and value of human work. Through dialogue with Moltmann, Pope John Paul II, and others, this book develops a genitive “theology of work,” presenting a theological definition of work and a model for a theological ethics of work that shows work's nature, value, and meaning both now and eschatologically. Work is shown to be a transformative activity consisting of three dynamically inter-related dimensions: the instrumental, relational and ontological.

Darrell Cosden is Lecturer in Theology and Ethics at the International Christian College, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.

The Triumph of Christ in African Perspective: A Study of Demonology and Redemption in the African Context

• Author: Keith Ferdinando
• 450 pages
• Paternoster Press | 1999

This book explores the implications of the Gospel for traditional African fears of occult aggression. It analyses traditional approaches to suffering and biblical responses to fears of demonic evil, concluding with an evaluation of African beliefs from the perspective of the gospel.

Keith Ferdinando is Lecturer in Missiology, London School of Theology, UK.

I am excited by this book!
—R. T. France

The Words of Our Lips: Language Use in Free Church Worship

• Author: David Hilborn
• 44 pages
• Paternoster Press | 1998

Studies of liturgical language have tended to focus on the written canons of Roman Catholic and Anglican communities. By contrast, David Hilborn analyzes the more extemporary approach of English Nonconformity. Drawing on recent developments in linguistic pragmatics, he explores similarities and differences between "fixed" and "free" worship and argues for the interdependence of each.

David Hilborn graduated from Nottingham University, and was ordained in the United Reformed Church in 1989. He wrote a dissertation on contemporary linguistic approaches to liturgy. In 1997, he became head of theology for the UK Evangelical Alliance, and joined the Anglican Church in 2002. Since November 2007, he has served as director of studies at the North Thames Ministerial Course. He is author of numerous books and articles on theology, culture, hermeneutics, ethics, liturgy, and the history of evangelicalism.

A Potted Guide to Theology

• Authors: Tony Gray and Steve English
• 176 pages
• Paternoster Press | 2000

Innovative, educational and fun, this is an accurate and imaginative introduction to theology for today's Christian. Incorporating illustrations and diagrams, the reader is taken on a tour of famous theologians, along with their ideas and the controversies that they dealt with. All the important characters and issues are covered—from the early church to the present day. What made people tick, why they thought what they did, and why it matters to the church—all are explained in this easy to read and stimulating book. Snappy text and illustrations convey a wealth of valuable materiel that will appeal to and benefit even the most skeptical reader. Helpful sections explain difficult topics, and a timeline explains how theology ties in with history. This volume also includes bibliography and a basic glossary of theological terms, which offer additional help. A Potted Guide to Theology covers everything you wanted to know about theology but were too embarrassed or afraid to ask!

Tony Gray was educated at Exeter and Oxford Universities. He currently works with UCCF and is the author of many theological articles.

Steve English is a freelance illustrator who has published Peters Cat and Two by Two.