Part One addresses 'Theological Foundations.' The five essays in this section deal with the Bible, Theology and Ecumenism. The subjects of theological methods, contextual hermeneutics, and appropriate curriculum are given special attention. Of course even foundational issues cannot be discussed in a vacuum and so each of the essays addresses these foundational subjects in the light of African realities. Part Two deals with 'Contemporary Issues.' It is particularly in this section that the traditional themes in African theology have been somewhat displaced by concerns which are today very pressing indeed. Three essays are devoted to the question of HIV/AIDS. This disease, which has devastated the African continent, demands a theological and practical response from those who claim to follow Jesus Christ. If the churches do not respond to this crisis with energy and determination we should not be surprised if the next generation wonders whether the Gospel has the power which we claim that it has. Two essays address the question of Islam and Muslim-Christian Relations in Africa. The resurgence of Islam in the world today is a concern of many. For those who believe in Jesus, this is a challenge which demands much wisdom and love. How should we respond to our Muslim neighbours? What are appropriate and thoughtful ways to share the love of Christ? Two further essays appear under the title of 'The Marginalized.' This could, of course, be a much large section. Those who suffer from AIDS could be included in this number, and one might have expected to see at least one essay on the place of women. In this volume, however, the 'disabled' and youth are highlighted. Both groups are clearly in need of the attention of the churches, and both groups are clearly misunderstood and neglected. The final section of Part Two contains essays, which focus attention on 'Theological Paedagogy.' All of the other contributions to this volume make suggestions and arguments about curriculum, resources, and issues of concern for theological educators. The causal aim of this book is that these essays may help us to reflect in an intentional way on the implications of contemporary realities for the future of theological education.

In contrast to the role traditionally fulfilled by secular rulers, the pope has been perceived as an individual person existing in a body subject to decay and death, yet at the same time a corporeal representation of Christ and the Church, eternity and salvation. Using an array of evidence from the eleventh through the fifteenth centuries, Agostino Paravicini- Bagliani addresses this paradox. He studies the rituals, metaphors, and images of the pope's body as they developed over time and shows how they resulted in the expectation that the pope's body be simultaneously physical and metaphorical. Also included is a particular emphasis on the thirteenth century when, during the pontificate of Boniface VIII (1294-1303), the papal court became the focus of medicine and the natural sciences as physicians devised ways to protect the pope's health and prolong his life. Masterfully translated from the Italian, this engaging history of the pope's body provides a new perspective for readers to understand the papacy, both historically and in our own time.

This Handbook of Theological Education in Africa is a fascinating witness to the explosive status quo of Theological Education. The historical and regional (inter alia) surveys open our eyes and ears to see and hear how fast it has taken root historically, geographically, and ecumenically. The landscape of African Theological Education has changed drastically during the final twenty to thirty years of the last century. There is very much to appreciate about it and what has been achieved. We have grounds to make us rejoice, and for which to thank the Lord. John Mbiti, Theologian and Philosopher, former Director of Bossey Ecumenical Institute The Handbook of Theological Education in Africa is unique, comprehensive and ambitious in its aim and scope. It is: - truly interdenominationally oriented, bringing perspectives from all major Christian traditions on the African continent - broad in geographical extension, collecting voices from all major regions of the vast African continent - life-centered and ecological in orientation, as voices are brought together on an impressive number of new key themes and contextual challenges for theological education in Africa - grounded in expertise, drawing on a pan-African unprecedented gathering of leading African theologians, men and women. We hope that this book, in its print and later digital versions, will make its way into the hands of African theological educators, will inspire students and will be a standard reference volume in all major African theological libraries, in both universities and church-related seminaries. Olav Fykse Tveit, WCC General Secretary The challenges of inclusiveness in African theological education are before us. The challenge to be ecumenical, meaning all Christians together; inclusiveness as serving a multi-religious continent with its islands is before ecumenical theological education. The challenges in terms of responding theologically to the issues that confront Africa - all of Africa - the religious, political, social, cultural issues and the challenges of people's spirituality and identity are to be on the radar of ecumenical theological education if theology is to be relevant in Africa. This Handbook of Theological Education in Africa has something for everybody. Mercy Oduyoye, Director of Institute of Women in Religion and Culture in Accra, Ghana This Handbook of Theological Education in Africa is a wake-up call for African churches to give proper prominence to theological education institutions and their programmes which serve them. We congratulate the editorial team for their magnificent work in bringing this Handbook together. This is a timely gift of the Church in Africa to the worldwide Church and will serve many generations of African theologians to come. Andre Karamaga, AACC General Secretary

This volume gathers studies and documentation on Bonaventura Vulcanius, a versatile philologist and writer who in 1581 settled in Leiden as a Professor of Greek and Latin. It includes many unpublished texts pertaining to this mysterious figure Dutch Humanism.