At a time when criminal justice systems appear to be in a permanent state of crisis, leading scholars from criminology and theology come together to challenge criminal justice orthodoxy by questioning the dominance of retributive punishment.This timely and unique contribution considers alternatives that draw on Christian ideas of hope, mercy and restoration.Promoting cross-disciplinary learning, the book will be of interest to academics and students of criminology, socio-le...

Is it possible to be both gay and Christian? This book explains, calmly and logically, that the two are not mutually exclusive. With the support of some of the finest scientific and theological minds, Dr Stuart Edser presents a compelling case for tolerance and acceptance, rejecting the traditional Christian view that gay people are either sick or sinful as a result of their sexual orientation. While shrill voices of prejudiced fundamentalism are raised from all sides of the Christian chur...

Does the criminal justice system actually help victims and offenders? What does justice look like for those who have been harmed? For those who have done harm? Twenty-five years after it was first published, Changing Lenses by Howard Zehr remains the classic text of the restorative justice field.Now with valuable author updates on the changing landscape of restorative justice and a new section of resources for practitioners and teachers, Changing Lenses offers a f...

Through a series of essays contributed by leading experts in the field, The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Practical Theology presents an introduction to practical theology as a major area of Christian study and practice, including an overview of its key developments, themes, methods, and future directions.The first comprehensive reference work to provide a survey, description and analysis of practical theology as an area of studyA range of leading scholars i...

Highlights the key elements of the Catholic moral tradition and lays the foundations for Christian ethics through experiential reflections of right action toward persons, communities, and personal choices.

For almost twenty years, Foundational Issues in Christian Education has been a key text for many Christian education courses. Its perceptive analysis coupled with clear writing make it a resource without peer.In the book, Christian education expert Robert Pazmiño guides readers through a comprehensive discussion of the interdisciplinary foundations of Christian education, calling all Christian educators to reevaluate the fundamentals of their discipline. "A careful explora...

Practical theology as a subject area has grown and become more sophisticated in its methods and self-understanding over the last few decades. This book provides a complete and original research primer in the major theories, approaches and methods at the cutting-edge of research in contemporary practical theology. It represents a reflection on the very practice of the discipline itself, its foundational questions and epistemological claims. Each chapter examines different aspects of the res...

With its remarkable ability to adapt to many different cultures, Pentecostalism has become the world’s fastest growing religious movement. More than five hundred million adherents worldwide have reshaped Christianity itself. Yet some fundamental questions in the study of global Pentecostalism, and even in what we call "Pentecostalism," remain largely unaddressed. Bringing together leading scholars in the social sciences, history, and theology, this unique volume explores these questions fo...

The primary aim of this book is to explore the contradiction between widely shared beliefs in the USA about racial inclusiveness and equal opportunity for all and the fact that most churches are racially homogeneous and do not include people with disabilities. To address the problem Mary McClintock Fulkerson explores the practices of an interracial church (United Methodist) that includes people with disabilities. The analysis focuses on those activities which create opportunities for peopl...

‘An incredible resource, earthed in academic rigour but packed to the gills with useful exercises that have been honed by reality and experience.’Black TheologyCommended as essential reading by reviewers, this insightful guide shows how Black theology makes a difference to Christian thought and practice. Full of Bible studies and practical exercises, here is a stimulating resource that encourages a new awareness of ourselves and oth...

The meaning of pastoral care in modern multicultural societies is challenged and reexamined from a pluralistic, global perspective in this book. Emmanuel Lartey stresses the importance of recognizing different cultural influences on individuals in order to effectively counsel, guide and empower them. He provides a clear and concise history of pastoral care and considers its relationship to different models of counseling and spirituality.This new edition has been updated to reflect ...

Named "One of the Top Ten Books for Parish Clergy" for the year 2006 by the Academy of Parish Clergy! Gentle Shepherding offers a rare balance in an introduction to pastoral ethics, one that identifies deeply with the pastoral vocation and brings it into conversation with a developed body of ethical theory. The goal of the book is to equip seminarians and pastors with conceptual resources for clarifying moral responsibility in the practice of ministry. This responsibility includes three le...