Cousins evaluates our present religious condition and reflects on the importance of tradition, spirituality, and mysticism in understanding ourselves and others.

Being Christian in the Twenty-first Century was written to help struggling and doubting Christians develop an understanding of Christianity that avoids literalism, creeds, and doctrines--all factors which seem to be driving people away from the church. The book is well suited for individual or group study, complete with a study guide and sample lesson plans. It responds to the call for theological reform advocated by many contemporary clergy and religious leaders. Being Christian does not restate orthodox positions or drift into fundamentalism or sentimentalism. Instead it draws from a broad base of historical, theological, archaeological, and sociological scholarship to place Scripture within its original context, yet present it within a perspective suitable for the twenty-first-century mind. Being Christian is scholarly, yet readable, interesting, and often provocative. One reviewer put it this way, "the book reminds me of a baseball pitcher with a long wind up and a hard fastball getting better in every inning." By building upon progressive thought available today and throughout history, it offers an important resource for Christians and would-be Christians seeking a more fulfilling and thoughtful faith journey.

The kingdom of God is the called out people of God (Col. 1:1314) from the world of darkness as the spiritual family of Christ. The kingdom of God is bound up in the age of grace and truth and is the fulfillment of Gods promise to Abraham to bless all nations of people. The kingdom of God in prophecy started during the Roman rule (Dan. 2:44) with the Jews at Pentecost in Jerusalem (ca. 33 AD) and then to the Gentile world to include our present age. Jesus reigns as Lord and Christ over His church / the kingdom of God in the twenty-first century and continues to call people of every nation to walk with Him by faith, repentance, and baptism in His name until the consummation of all things and His second return. The Christian Age is the eschatology (Last Day events) of Jesuss reign under the leadership of the Holy Spirit through the preached Word. The salvation of the Gentile nations is the final work of God to restore what was lost in heaven through Satan and his angels (Rev. 12:710). When Jesus appears, his reign ends, and the spiritual family and the church of Christ / kingdom of God will go home.

This tome of theological reflection is seasoned by Mark Thomsen's long years of engagement in mission and interfaith relations. Thomsen argues that the Lutheran tradition of the "theology of the cross" must be stretched in many ways as it responds to the needs of Christians in the third world and through dialogue with the other religions of the world.--From publisher's description.

Catholic theologians from around the world explore what it means to be a follower of Jesus of Galilee in the 12st century. The contributors include Pablo Alonso, M. Shawn Copeland, Mary Doak, Daniel Groody, and Francis Min.

Why Jesus? For some his name is a swear-word. For others his cross is a fashion accessory or a lucky charm. For many Jesus Christ is considered irrelevant in a world that has 'moved on'. Contemporary attitudes reveal much indifference and ignorance towards him. Why Jesus? Challenges that consensus. To trust and follow Jesus still makes perfect sense. Take a fresh look at the one who claimed to be the Son of God and Saviour of sinners.