Praise Seeking Understanding sits at the intersection of three important fields in theology: theological exegesis, Augustinian studies, and contemporary church practice. Jason Byassee deftly brings the three together, revealing an important symbiotic relationship between them -- a relationship hitherto largely ignored.
Though current exegetical methods have swung away from a Christological reading of the Old Testament -- rejecting in particular Augustine's treatment of the text -- Byassee believes that is a mistake we must remedy. Using a recent translation of Augustine's...
Praise Seeking Understanding sits at the intersection of three important fields in theology: theological exegesis, Augustinian studies, and con...
Description: The Confessions of St. Augustine is one of the few Christian classics that is still widely read in the secular academy. Yet, oddly enough, it is not often read in the manner Augustine appears to have intended and in which the church read it for centuries: as a model of conversion, devotion, friendship, and the love of God. This book is a companion for any reader of the Confessions--whether in an academic, ecclesial, or devotional context--informed by the latest scholarship yet always directed toward pushing the reader, with Augustine, toward God. Endorsements: Augustine's...
Description: The Confessions of St. Augustine is one of the few Christian classics that is still widely read in the secular academy. Yet, oddly enough...
Description: The desert fathers wanted to get away from a church co-opted by empire and a Christian faith grown cold and listless. They retreated to the desert to do battle against demons and against their own worst desires. They had no intention of being famous; yet ironically their Sayings have inspired millions of imitators over the centuries. This guide is meant to accompany a reading of the Sayings of the Desert Fathers, in hopes that readers with lives quite different than those third- and fourth-century dwellers of the Egyptian desert might nevertheless come to imitate their lives of...
Description: The desert fathers wanted to get away from a church co-opted by empire and a Christian faith grown cold and listless. They retreated to t...
Dizzying changes have taken place in American religious life in the last half century. Yet in spite of that fact, taking a snapshot of a "typical" Christian church in America would reveal a surprising number of small-to-mid-sized congregations, rooted in a local neighborhood or community, tied to a specific denomination, where most of the members know each others' names, and hence are blessed (and cursed) with being the church together.
In this clear-eyed, humorous appraisal, Jason Byassee contends that the "church around the corner" occupies a particular place in the divine...
Dizzying changes have taken place in American religious life in the last half century. Yet in spite of that fact, taking a snapshot of a "typical" ...
About the Contributor(s): Jason Byassee is senior pastor at Boone United Methodist Church in North Carolina and a Fellow in Theology and Leadership at Duke Divinity School. L. Roger Owens is associate professor of leadership and ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
About the Contributor(s): Jason Byassee is senior pastor at Boone United Methodist Church in North Carolina and a Fellow in Theology and Leadership at...
Most people assume they know what they mean when they use the word "God." They mean a powerful old guy in the sky ready to obliterate us if we do wrong but basically benevolent, if a little senile.
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity shows us God is vastly more interesting. God is actually fleshed among us in Jesus, poured out on us in the Holy Spirit's intoxication of the church. God is three divine persons in perfect harmony and beauty--and God invites us into that unimaginable intimacy. We don't know this God, but we should. Trinity uses scripture, the Early Church...
Most people assume they know what they mean when they use the word "God." They mean a powerful old guy in the sky ready to obliterate us if we do w...
The Christian Century, the most respected magazine for mainline Protestants in the world, has helped Christians think critically and live faithfully since 1884. The publication's former editor and publisher, John Buchanan, has compiled a collection of biweekly editorials from the magazine that highlight events, issues, and questions that progressive Christians faced at the turning of this century.
A must-read for Christian Century fans, From the Editor's Desk examines ten key areas from the years 1999-2015, focusing on war and peace, civic engagement,...
The Christian Century, the most respected magazine for mainline Protestants in the world, has helped Christians think critically and live...
Clergy suffer from certain health issues at a rate higher than the general population. Why are pastors in such poor health? And what can be done to help them step into the abundant life God desires for them? Although anecdotal observations about poor clergy health abound, concrete data from multiple sources supporting this claim hasn't been made accessible--until now. Duke's Clergy Health Initiative (CHI), a major, decade-long research project, provides a true picture of the clergy health crisis over time and demonstrates that improving the health of pastors is possible. Bringing together...
Clergy suffer from certain health issues at a rate higher than the general population. Why are pastors in such poor health? And what can be done to he...
The art of mentoring, like all great arts, is a grace to be received, a gift to be given, and a skill that can be learned and practiced. This book explores the practice and grace of that art. The pastors in these pages share their hard-won experience of mentoring and being mentored, their wobbles and successes, insights and wisdom harvested from years in the vineyard.
""Mentoring happens. The only questions are whether we are aware it is happening and intentional about finding the right kind of mentoring. This insightful and stimulating book gives us the guidance that we need in getting...
The art of mentoring, like all great arts, is a grace to be received, a gift to be given, and a skill that can be learned and practiced. This book exp...
