![]() ![]() Quotations from the Bible, unless otherwise stated, are from the New International Version. Rosemary Goring and Frank Whaling (Chambers, 1992) are invaluable, as are the relevant articles in the Encyclopaedia Britannica. John Bowker (Oxford University Press, 1997) Dictionary of Beliefs and Religions, eds. ![]() The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions, ed. John Macquarrie and James Childress (1986) all of which are published by SCM Press. Wakefield (1983) and A New Dictionary of Christian Ethics, eds. Alan Richardson and John Bowden (1983) A Dictionary of Christian Spirituality, ed. Davies (1986) A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, eds. Livingstone (Oxford University Press, 1977) A New Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship, ed. Various dictionaries are very useful, such as The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, ed. Hans Küng’s On Being A Christian (Collins, 1977) and Christianity, The Religious Situation of Our Time (SCM Press, 1995) are a mine of information. Rowley (Thomas Nelson and Sons, 1962), although dated, very useful. ![]() Those who wish to pursue biblical issues will find Peake’s Commentary on the Bible, ed. The available literature is, of course, enormous. I hope that the suggestions for further reading, at the end of each chapter, will enable readers to follow up topics in which they are interested. It is hard to know what to include in a short book and I am conscious of many omissions. I write from the standpoint of a Church of England parish priest and many of my examples are from that tradition, but I recognize that the Church of England is one church amongst many churches, just as Christianity is one religion amongst many world religions which are slowly learning to share with each other their spiritual treasures and to work together for peace, the relief of human need and the preservation of the planet. As we learn to live as citizens of one world, the history of the whole world-wide church becomes the inheritance of all Christians and a rich resource for the future. Instead of thinking in rigid terms that one view is right and another wrong or one belief is orthodox and another heretical, we are learning that different theologies, be they feminist, classical, black or liberation, can add to the fullness of our understanding of God’s revelation in Christ.Ĭhristians have also practiced their religion in a variety of ways and the expression of their service to the community has depended on particular historical, political and geographical situations. We are, however, beginning to recognize that truth is multi-faceted and that the True and Living God transcends all human description and language. Theological debate is as intense today as it has been in the past. Christians, over the centuries, have pictured Jesus in many different ways and have expressed their beliefs in a variety of doctrines. This is why I have included several quotations from hymns and prayers. It is difficult to convey the devotional heart of a faith. ![]() I also hope that Christians will learn more about the rich heritage which is theirs. I hope this book will help people of other religions and none to appreciate Christianity. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |