This book includes eight chapters on self-denial, based on Luke 9:23, and ten additional sermons. Watson teaches, Self-denial is the first principle of Christianity. He describes what self-denial is, then demonstrates the Christ-asserting nature of every self-denying act. The additional sermons in this volume are also valuable.

For the first time, Thomas Oden's Systematic Theology classic series (individually titled The Living God, The Word of Life, and Life in the Spirit) is available in one complete volume. A renowned theologian, Oden provides a consensus view of the Christian faith, delving deeply into ancient Christian tradition and bringing to the contemporary church the best wisdom from its past. In this magisterial work, Oden tackles the central questions of Christian belief and the nature of the trinity. Written for clergy, Christian educators, religious scholars, and lay readers alike, Classic Christianity provides the best synthesis of the whole history of Christian thought. Part one explores the most intriguing questions of the study of God—Does God exist? Does Jesus reveal God? Is God personal, compassionate, free?—and presents answers that reflect the broad consensus culled from the breadth of the church's teachers. It is rooted deeply and deliberately in scripture but confronts the contemporary mind with the vitality of the Christian tradition. Part two addresses the perplexing Christological issues of whether God became flesh, whether God became Christ, and whether Christ is the source of salvation. Oden details the core beliefs concerning Jesus Christ that have been handed down for the last two hundred decades, namely, who he was, what he did, and what that means for us today. Part three examines how the work of God in creation and redemption is being brought to consummation by the Holy Spirit in persons, through communities, and in the fullness of human destiny. Oden's magisterial study not only treats the traditional elements of systematical theology but also highlights the foundational exegetes throughout history. Covering the ecumenical councils and early synods; the great teachers of the Eastern church tradition, including Athanasius and John Chrysostom; and the prominent Western figures such as Augustine, Ambrose, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, and John Calvin, this book offers the reader the fullest understanding of the Christian faith available.

The Pursuit of Belief - Christian Classics Collection encapsulates an extraordinary confluence of theological inquiry, philosophical meditation, and literary artistry. This anthology traverses a vast temporal landscape, from the patristic period to the threshold of the contemporary, gathering a multitude of voices that have shaped Christian thought and the broader cultural legacy of humanity. It juxtaposes the divine comedy of Dante Alighieri with the existential musings of Friedrich Nietzsche, the transcendental reflections of Ralph Waldo Emerson with the spiritual allegories of John Bunyan, and the mystic insights of St. Teresa of Ávila with the practical Christianity of Charles M. Sheldon, showcasing an unparalleled range of literary styles and theological perspectives. The collection stands as a testimony to the enduring dialogue between faith and reason, individual belief and societal norms. The contributing authors and editors, drawn from varied epochs and geographies, reflect a rich tapestry of historical, cultural, and intellectual contexts. Figures like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Leo Tolstoy stand alongside St. Augustine and Martin Luther, exemplifying the anthologys alignment with significant historical and literary movements. This diversity not only illuminates the multifaceted nature of Christian thought but also demonstrates how these varied voices contribute to a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the anthologys central themes. Such an assemblage encourages readers to discern the intricate relationships between faith, culture, and personal conviction across different periods and places. The Pursuit of Belief - Christian Classics Collection is an indispensable volume for those interested in the intersection of faith, literature, and philosophy. It offers readers the unique opportunity to engage with a wide array of perspectives and themes, encouraging a comprehensive exploration of Christian belief as both a personal journey and a collective experience. This anthology is not merely a scholarly endeavor but a voyage through time and thought, inviting readers to ponder profound questions and explore the myriad ways in which the pursuit of belief shapes our understanding of the world and ourselves. As such, it is highly recommended for students, scholars, and anyone with a keen interest in the historical and philosophical dimensions of faith.

This clear and concise text helps readers grasp the doctrines of the Christian faith considered basic from the earliest days of Christianity. Ronald Heine, an internationally known expert on early Christian theology, developed this book from a course he teaches that has been refined through many years of classroom experience. Heine primarily uses the classical Christian doctrines of the Nicene Creed to guide students into the essentials of the faith. This broadly ecumenical work will interest students of church history or theology as well as adult Christian education classes in church settings. Sidebars identify major personalities and concepts, and each chapter concludes with discussion questions and suggestions for further reading.

This is a study of the religious culture of sixteenth-century England, centred around preaching, and is concerned with competing forms of evangelism between humanists of the Roman Catholic Church and emerging forms of Protestantism. More than any other authority, Erasmus refashioned the ideal of the preacher. Protestant reformers adopted 'preaching Christ' as their strategy to promote the doctrine of justification by faith. The apostolic traditions of the preaching chantries provided standards that evangelical reformers used to supplant the mendicant friars in England. The late medieval cult of the Holy Name of Jesus is explored: the pervasive iconography of its symbol 'IHS' became one of the attributes of moderate Protestant belief. The book also offers fresh perspectives on fifteenth- and sixteenth-century figures on every side of the doctrinal divide, including John Rotheram, John Colet, Hugh Latimer and Anne Boleyn.