Join Quentin U. Quackenbush, our quirky and quixotic minister, as he celebrates the coming together of Mr. Q (with "curly Q" horns!) and the lovely Miss U (as shy a ewe as ever there was!) in the bonds of alphabetic matrimony! And along the way enjoy his quest to quote as many Qu words as possible. There's even a quiz at the end! What the English language has joined together, let no misspelling undo!
Preaching's Preacher's Guide to the Best Bible Reference
The first eighteen verses of the Gospel of John make some of the most profound statements about the character and work of Christ in all of Scripture: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (1:1); "all things were made through him" (1:3); "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (1:14).
Reformation commentators ruminated on the meaning and implications of such claims for shedding light on doctrines like the Trinity, the divinity of Christ and his incarnation, but also for grasping the saving benefits of Christ's work in justification (for those "who believed in his name") and new birth (those born of God as his children, 1:12-13).
In this volume, Craig Farmer expertly guides readers through Reformation meditation on these themes and many others as they are unpacked in the first twelve chapters of the Gospel of John, from the Prologue to Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Here you will find a rich mosaic of reflection on the Gospel of John by a variety of significant well-known and lesser-known figures among the Reformed, Lutherans, Radicals and Roman Catholics. Farmer has done justice to the depth and nuance of the work of these Reformation-era pastors and scholars by drawing from a range of genres--extensive commentary, brief annotations, impassioned sermons, official confessions, and careful doctrinal and practical treatises.
Contemporary scholars will find this volume indispensable for understanding the significance of the "spiritual Gospel" for Reformation theology and practice, and pastors will discover here a consistently fruitful source for preaching, teaching and discipleship in the "grace and truth" that have come through Jesus Christ (1:17).
RELIGION, CONFLICT, AND DEMOCRACY IN MODERN AFRICA
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Synopsis: Spanning various regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, the authors of this volume come together to explore the complex relationship between religion and democracy in contemporary Africa. As a result of the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union, many African countries have come to the realization, however partial, that political and social change is inevitable in spite of government heavy-handedness and threats. It has also become evident that no political system that refuses to permit freedom of political expression and alternative systems of governance could continue to be sustained. It is in precisely this political climate that religious institutions have collaborated with other elements of civil society to call for political reforms, with the church often becoming the prominent voice against oppressive governments in countries such as Kenya and South Africa. It is the purpose of this book to assess how religion shapes political issues and to what extent religious forces influence the civil society. By acknowledging the role of the civil society, the essays recognize the resilience that comes out of Africa even when the sociopolitical situation seems unbearable. Endorsers: "This book is unprecedented and a major intellectual contribution. No one, in any academic field or government position, can be considered serious about Africa today if they have not read this book. This is one we have been waiting for!" --Dwight N. Hopkins Professor of Theology University of Chicago "This book is an effort by a series of scholars in religious studies to explore the role that religion has played, plays today, and can play in Africa. Though different studies touch on the positive and negative roles religion has played, the most important theme is a belief that religious communities are a major part of civil society and that religion can play an important role in dealing with many problems faced by African states." --Martin Klein University of Toronto Editor Biography: Samuel K. Elolia is a Professor of Christian Doctrine and World Christianity at Emmanuel School of Religion in Johnson City, Tennessee.
Marketing the church is hot. For many church leaders, marketing might even be the first article of their creed, which goes something like this: We believe that our church determines its identity and mission through the tactics of marketing strategies. Theologians Kenneson and Street offer a thoughtful and provocative protest, with a foreword from Stanley Hauerwas. The authors expose the theological presuppositions that inform the marketing project. . . and help us to see that the marketer's presumption that form can be separated from content of the gospel betrays an understanding of the gospel that cannot help betraying the gift that is Christ. The authors propose an alternative, constructive account of the church's mission and purpose that is not based on exchange of value but on reminding us that the gospel is always a gift - a gift that makes impossible any presumptions that there can be an exchange between human beings and God that is rooted in the satisfaction of our untrained needs. The cross and resurrection challenge the world's understanding of what our needs should be.
Western culture and many of its churches and pastors are enamored by the assumption that life's most difficult problems call for in-depth psychological treatment. This book offers a different model of care than the dominant perspectives of modern psychology to those who have the responsibility of pastoral counseling. While there are a number of models and training programs for Christian lay counselors, this work is original in its application of the Solution-Focused approach to training lay members. The fundamental value of this book is as a guide for ministers in equipping the members of their congregations to care for one another. It is in caring for and being cared for by others that we truly discover the joy of living in God's community. ""Speaking Hope is a theoretically sound and practical methodology for lay pastoral caregivers in the Christian faith community. Frankly, it can also inform local pastors in their caregiving as well. What seems most helpful to me is that Dr. Holland emphasizes beginning with a person's strengths, and that the person seeking help is the expert on his or her problem. This is a well written and very useful guide for lay people in the local church."" --Larry Easterling, retired United Methodist minister, ACPE Certified Educator ""Pastoral counseling in the church is often a sticky and complicated endeavor. In Speaking Hope, Dr. Holland gives a practical guide that navigates the challenges of theory, theology, and the ethics involved in pastoral counseling. This book is essential reading for anyone providing counsel and care in their church."" --Larry Albrecht, Administrative Minister, Crossroads Christian Church, Johnson City, Tennessee Jack Holland is the Russell F. and Marian J. Blowers professor of Christian ministries at Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan College. Jack frequently conducts workshops and seminars in lay-counseling, ministerial ethics, sexuality, grief, and other pastoral care issues.
How can managers and executives motivate workers to make them happier and more productive? How can employees find meaning and motivation in their careers? The classic Two Factor Theory--a simple, time-tested model for conceptualizing job satisfaction--is here re-imagined for a modern world, with relevant examples, and backed by dozens of academic studies that organizational leaders can draw upon to improve worker motivation. The Universal Dual-Factor Survey (UDS) is introduced, providing a means to assess workforce job satisfaction. Managers will be able to understand which factors need improvement, leading to more meaningful work. Employees, at all levels of business, government and nonprofit organizations, will be able to improve personal motivation, facilitating a more cohesive and thriving workforce.
Since ancient times, music has demonstrated the incomparable ability to touch and resonate with the human spirit as a tool for communication, emotional expression, and as a medium of cultural identity. During World War II, Nazi leadership recognized the power of music and chose to harness it with malevolence, using its power to push their own agenda and systematically stripping it away from the Jewish people and other populations they sought to disempower. But music also emerged as a counterpoint to this hate, withstanding Nazi attempts to exploit or silence it. Artistic expression triumphed under oppressive regimes elsewhere as well, including the horrific siege of Leningrad and in Japanese internment camps in the Pacific. The oppressed stubbornly clung to music, wherever and however they could, to preserve their culture, to uplift the human spirit and to triumph over oppression, even amid incredible tragedy and suffering. This volume draws together the musical connections and individual stories from this tragic time through scholarly literature, diaries, letters, memoirs, compositions, and art pieces. Collectively, they bear witness to the power of music and offer a reminder to humanity of the imperative each faces to not only remember, but to prevent another such cataclysm.
Contrary to popular belief, the biblical prophets do far more than predict the future. They speak truth to power, they tell the truth about the uncomfortable past, they indict empty religiosity, they advocate for poor people and working people while seeking justice--all at tremendous risk to themselves. In Walking in the Prophetic Tradition Jason Bembry argues that the prophets have too often been domesticated by cultural impulses that reduce the prophetic message to prediction about Jesus or the end times. This book highlights themes addressed by the Old Testament prophets and connects each theme to modern people who exemplify passion for those same ideals. In this sense the prophetic tradition comes to life in the lived testimony of Martin Luther King Jr., Dorothy Day, Myles Horton, Cesar Chavez, and Cornel West--moderns who stand courageously in this tradition. This book is a guide for all who seek a fuller understanding of the Old Testament prophets and who want to continue their work in the present. ""This powerful and insightful book lays bare how the prophetic fire is manifest in mortal and fallible human beings grounded in Christian faith and radical love! Bembry shows us why we need this courage and compassion more than ever in this Trump moment!"" --Cornel West, philosopher, political activist, and author of Democracy Matters ""This is the book you have been waiting for, whether you know it or not. In our troubled times (which times aren't) we are led to wonder if scripture can say anything that really matters. But in those parts of the Bible we often read the least, OT scholar Jason Bembry has found a treasure trove of riches that address our most vexing questions . . . But perhaps more important than the particular issues he addresses, he teaches us what a truly Biblical STANCE in our world might look like."" --Randy Harris, Abilene Christian University ""Professor Jason Bembry is a gifted scholar of the Bible and Biblical languages, and he also firmly believes that the trenchant voices of the Bible's prophets remain deeply relevant for our fractured modern world. Thus, Bembry describes the bravery of the Bible's prophets and then seamlessly weaves into his discussion courageous modern prophetic figures such as Rosa Parks, Myles Horton, Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., Dolores Huerta, and Cesar Chavez. This is a priceless volume."" --Christopher Rollston, George Washington University ""Bembry skillfully brings into conversation the Old Testament prophets and modern-day truth-tellers in ways that are mutually enriching, freeing these ancient voices from domestication while at the same time offering those who would dare speak truth to power in our day timely lessons from this oft-ignored Biblical tradition. An inspiring and challenging call to all who desire in our day to walk more faithfully in the way of justice and truth."" --Philip D. Kenneson, Milligan College ""If you've ever wanted to live in the spirit of the Hebrew prophets, heeding the call to 'enact justice and the love of mercy and to walk with your God humbly' (Mic 6:8), this book is a must. Be prepared to be challenged and emboldened by rarely told stories of the biblical prophets and their contemporary exemplars. Bembry unlocks the power of the prophetic tradition in a moment when the church so desperately needs it."" --Miriam Y. Perkins, Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan Jason A. Bembry is Professor of Old Testament at Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan College. He has also published Yahweh's Coming of Age (2011).