Alister McGrath

Spirit of Grace by Lister McGrath is the fourth volume in this highly engaging series of study guides to the basics of Christian belief. Alister looks at the Holy Spirit, human nature, the doctrine of grace, and the place of the church in the Christian life. This easily readable and informative book is full of stories and helpful illustrations. His material has been tested out on congregations to ensure that it is enjoyable, useful, and easy to read and understand. Spirit of Grace follows on the author's well-received 'Faith and the Creeds' (February 2013), 'The Living God' (September 2013) and 'Lord and Saviour: Jesus of Nazareth' (April 2014). Next in the series, 'The Christian Life and Hope' is expected in April 2015.

The Christian Belief for Everyone series comprises five reliable, accessible and readable guides to the basic ideas of the Christian faith. Full of stories and helpful illustrations, these guides have been written primarily for ordinary churchgoers, but will also appeal to interested readers outside the Church. In this fourth volume of the series, we explore three interconnected themes: the activity of God in the world, as we experience the Holy Spirit infusing our lives with purpose and joy; the graciousness of God, who despite our constantly messing things up, loves us because God is loving; and the importance of the Church as the community of faith, in which we catch a glimpse - no matter how inadequate! - of the glory of heaven. The Spirit of Grace may be read as complete in itself, or with the other four titles in the series - Faith and the Creeds, The Living God, Lord and Saviour: Jesus of Nazareth and The Christian Life and Hope - to gain a thorough understanding of Christian belief. 'Highly recommended.' - Church of England Newspaper 'Again and again, Alister McGrath elegantly performs that central task of any teacher: to enable his students and readers, starting from the familiar ground of of what they already know, to go on to explore new territory, and begin to see an expanded horizon.' - Church Times

2011 Christianity Today Book Award winnerAlister McGrath, one of the most prominent theologians and public intellectuals of our day, explains how Christian thinking can and must have a positive role in shaping, nourishing and safeguarding the Christian vision of reality. With this in our grasp, we have the capacity for robust intellectual and cultural engagement, confidently entering the public sphere of ideas where atheism, postmodernism and science come into play. This book explores how the great tradition of Christian theological reflection enriches faith. It deepens our appreciation of the gospel's ability to engage with the complexities of the natural world on the one hand and human experience on the other.

Continuing his series of guides to the basics of the faith, Alister McGrath's 'The Living God' adds depth to his Christian Belief for Everyone collection of 5 helpful and informative guides setting out the basic ideas of the Christian faith with insightful stories and enlightening illustrations. Compiled with the ordinary churchgoer in mind the guides will prove readable and engaging to interested readers outside the church who may have questions about the faith of Christians in relation to their own lives world issues and other faiths The approach taken by accomplished author and communicator Alister McGrath is open to all denominations and a familiar parallel for readers of C S Lewis books such as Mere Christianity The series focuses on the life of faith as McGrath looks at why Christians believe what they do how these beliefs are best understood and how they impact on the way Christians think about themselves and their role in the world The first volume in the expanding series Faith and the Creeds concentrates on the nature of faith and the history and relevance of the creeds In a reflection on what Christians really mean when they say I believe This is excellent preparation for exploring the leading themes of the Creeds in four subsequent volumes The Living God Lord and Saviour Jesus of Nazareth Spirit of the Living God and The Christian Life and Hope.

This book comes out of years of reflection, failures, and some successes in the task of reaching out to others with the gospel. Many Christians think of the task of mission as an entirely verbal activity, when perhaps the best kept secret of New Testament teaching about mission is that it involves a whole range of activities that explicitly promote Christ to the world and draw others to him, and only a few of them involve speaking. Without diminishing or downplaying the importance of speaking the gospel, John Dickson shows that, on the other hand, downplaying the range of activities that promote Christ to the world has its own set of problems. It can make those who are not confident about speaking—of anything, let alone Jesus—feel inadequate and self-conscious in the task of reaching out to others. Equally, it can make those who do have a flair for speaking feel as though they are fulfilling Christ’s mission just by talking. But the reality is that the Lord wants our whole life, not just our lips, in the task of bringing the gospel to the world. Every facet of our lives can be used by God to promote the news of his power and mercy. In this practical guide to the biblical art of sharing your faith, John Dickson offers refreshing insight into the ways that all Christians can and should be involved in spreading the good news of Jesus. While not all Christians are called and gifted to become evangelists, we are all called to promote the gospel through a wide range of activities—prayer, financial partnership, good deeds, godly lives, public worship, daily conversation, etc.—with and without our lips. As readers engage with this book, grapple with its arguments and hear the stories of people coming to faith, they will be inspired to see the whole of life as significant for bringing the gospel to the world, and they will be liberated out of guilt and self-consciousness in evangelism into becoming perfectly natural promoters of Jesus Christ.

The Christian Belief for Everyone series comprises five guides to the basic ideas of the Christian faith. Full of stories and helpful illustrations, these guides have been written primarily for ordinary churchgoers, though they will no doubt also appeal to interested readers outside the church. The approach Alister McGrath adopts is non-denominational, very similar to the 'mere Christianity' advocated by C. S. Lewis. Indeed, the series may be seen as a guide to 'mere Christianity', focusing clearly as it does on the life of faith. We look at why Christians believe what they do; how we can best understand these ideas, and the difference they make to the way we think about ourselves and our world. The first volume, Faith and the Creeds, concentrates on the nature of faith and the history and relevance of the Creeds, in a thrilling reflection on what we really mean when we say 'I believe'. This is excellent preparation for exploring the leading themes of the Creeds in four subsequent volumes: The Living God, Lord and Saviour - Jesus of Nazareth, Spirit of the Living God and The Christian Life and Hope.

Kattava ja monipuolinen teos kokoaa yhteen kristillisen uskon peruskysymykset koko kristillisen historian ajalta. Klassikon asemaan noussut Kristillisen uskon perusteet on lukijaystävällinen ja selkeä yleisesitys kaikille niille, joita kiinnostaa nähdä, millainen ajatusseikkailu kristinuskon oppihistoria on ollut - ja millä tavoin sen kehitys jatkuu omana aikanamme. Teoksessa on kolme osaa: Ensimmäinen osa on kattava teologianhistoriallinen katsaus kirkkoisistä nykypäiviin. Esille nousevat kunkin aikakauden merkittävimmät teologiset kehityslinjat, ajattelijat, kiistakysymykset ja koulukunnat. Toisessa osassa kysytään, mitä teologia on ja tutustutaan syvemmin teologisiin peruskäsitteisiin, kuten ilmoitus, Raamattu, traditio ja järki. Kolmannessa osassa käydään läpi kristillinen dogma ja sen merkittävimmät tulkinnat.

A dynamic and constructive contribution to the discussion about faith and the new atheism. Apologetics is a key area of Christian theology, especially in an increasingly secular society. The authors explore what it means to do apologetics in an Anglican context.

The recent rise of the New Atheism has aroused great general interest, thrown up questions of fundamental importance, and started a fascinating conversation. Why God Won't Go Away invites us to join in. The volume opens with a survey of the main ideas of the New Atheism, as expressed in the works of Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens. We then examine the core views of the movement closely, making due reference to its 'virtual community' of websites and blogs. Subjects explored include: whether religion is delusional and evil, the belief that human beings are fundamentally good, whether we should have faith only in what can be proved through reason and science, the idea that the best hope for humanity is a 'New Enlightenment' The result is a lively and highly thought-provoking volume that poses a number of interesting questions. Why is religion experiencing a resurgence in the twenty-first century, when we are meant to have grown out of such a primitive fixation? Has the New Atheism's fascination with rationality led to a fatal underestimation of the longing of the human heart to adore? And if, as Christopher Hitchens writes in exasperation, religion is 'ineradicable', doesn't this tiresome fact suggest that dismissing belief in God as irrational and unscientific might just be a waste of time?

Why the Church must defend the truth. Our ongoing fascination with alternative Christianities is ondisplay every time a never-before-seen gospel text is revealed, an archaeological discovery about Jesus makes front-page news, or anew work of fiction challenges the very foundations of the church. Now, in a timely corrective to this trend, renowned church historianAlister McGrath examines the history of subversive ideas, overturningcommon misconceptions that heresy is somehow more spiritual orliberating than traditional dogma. In so doing, he presents a powerful, compassionate orthodoxy that will equip the church to meet thechallenge from renewed forms of heresy today.

Alister McGrath and Joanna Collicutt McGrath present a reliable assessment of The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, famed atheist and scientist, and the many questions this book raises--including, above all, the relevance of faith and the quest for meaning.

For thoughtful Christians and Agnostics alike. Are you looking to understand the role of Christianity in the making of the modern Western world? Will provide encouragement and stimulation to develop a 'discipleship of the mind'. In this inviting, accessible and exhilarating volume, Alister McGrath explores how the great tradition of Christian theological reflection can enrich our faith and deepen our engagement with the concerns and debates of the world around us. The first part of the book deals with the purpose, place and relevance of Christian theology. It provides a helpful introduction to: · the role of theology in transforming the way we see things; · how we might handle theological ambiguity; · the difference the Christian faith makes to our treatment of the natural world; · the link between theology and apologetics. The focus then switches to engaging with contemporary culture and concerns, including many issues raised by the new atheism. The second part of the work deals with the relation of the natural sciences and faith: here the core arguments of recent atheist writers are critically examined, including their demand for a ‘New Enlightenment’. In short, Mere Theology addresses matters of real importance for Christian life and thought. It will prove both encouraging and stimulating to all those concerned with developing a ‘discipleship of the mind’.

Never has there been such interest in heresy and the 'religious forbidden' But what is heresy? Why has it been sprinkled with stardust in recent years? How did it originally develop? Are heresies liberating ideas that were ruthlessly suppressed? Or are they flawed visions of Christianity, abandoned because of their inadequacies? In Heresy, worldrenowned historian and theologian Alister McGrath expertly reveals the surprising history of his subject, presenting a powerful, compassionate and deeply attractive orthodoxy that will equip the Church to meet the challenge from renewed forms of heresy today. ‘An extremely important book.’ Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life Alister McGrath helps us understand what heresy is and why it exercises a powerful attraction upon the human mind. This book is full of illuminating historical discussions and insights. Dallas Willard, author of Knowing Christ Today Not only a riveting story of ancient controversies, but also a much needed and timely correction to the commonly held notion that heretics were mostly freethinkers who challenged a narrow and closed orthodoxy. Justo L. Gonzalez, author of The Story of Christianity

Maailmankuulu tiedemies Richard Dawkins kirjoittaa kirjassaan Jumalharha: "Jos tämä kirja toimii tarkoittamallani tavalla, sen avaavat uskonnolliset lukijat ovat sen käsistään laskiessaan ateisteja." Teos on saanut - varsinkin maailmalla - laajasti näkyvyyttä, antanut vauhtia kiivaalle väittelylle sekä aiheuttanut paljon hämmennystä. Suomessakin se on saavuttanut ilmeisen suositun aseman varsin laajojenkin ihmisryhmien parissa ja sen vastaanotto on ollut innostunutta paljolti ateistisissa piireissä, joissa teoksen on jopa kuvattu antaneen "kipinän ateistien vahvalle esiinmarssille" ja johtaneen osaltaan "suorastaan ateistisen vallankumouksen" alkamiseen. - (Vapaa Ajattelija 3/2008) Alister McGrath, yhdessä vaimonsa Joannan kanssa on ideaali henkilö arvioimaan Dawkinsin ajatuksia. Oltuaan aikanaan itse ateisti, Alister suoritti tohtorintutkinnon molekyylibiofysiikassa ennen kuin hänestä tuli johtava kristitty teologi. McGrath alistaa Dawkinsin uskoa kohtaan esittämän kritiikin huolelliselle, tarkalle tutkiskelulle, ja tämä hänen vastauksensa Dawkinsille on ilahduttava ja huolellisesti argumentoitu. Dawkins-harha? auttaa ymmärtämään sekä osoittaa, minkälaisista asioista tässä "vallankumouksessa" on kyse, ja millaisella pohjalla se seisoo ja millaiselta pohjalta ponnistaa. Kirja ei käsittele pelkästään juuri kristinuskon ja ateismin suhdetta, ja sen yleisempi ote tekeekin siitä entistäkin tärkeämpää luettavaa myös muiden uskontojen edustajille, uskonnottomille, ja ylipäätään kaikille uskonnoista ja maailmankatsomuksista kiinnostuneille ihmisille - unohtamatta mainita niitä, joita kiinnostaa erityisesti yleinen kysymys uskonnon ja luonnontieteiden suhteesta. Samalla kirja ei toki ole vain jokaisen teologin kirjahyllyn "vakiovaruste," vaan kirja, joka jokaisella kristityllä on hyvä olla. Tiivistäen esityksessään kaiken tämän ohella Jumalharhan sanoman kaikkein oleellisimpaansa, Dawkins-harha? toimii myös hyvänä, lyhyenä johdatuksena edellisen kirjan maailmalla aiheuttamaan kohuun seurannaisilmiöineen - asian kuuluessa yleissivistykseen - säästäen samalla lukijan Dawkinsin tiiliskiven läpikahlaamiselta.

World-renowned scientist Richard Dawkins writes in The God Delusion: 'If this book works as I intend, religious readers who open it will be atheists when they put it down'. The volume has received wide coverage, fuelled much passionate debate and caused not a little confusion. Alister McGrath is ideally placed to evaluate Dawkins' ideas. Once an atheist himself, he gained a doctorate in molecular biophysics before going on to become a leading Christian theologian. He wonders how two people, who have reflected at length on substantially the same world, could possibly have come to such different conclusions about God. McGrath subjects Dawkins' critique of faith to rigorous scrutiny. His exhilarating, meticulously argued response deals with questions such as: Is faith intellectual nonsense? Are science and religion locked in a battle to the death? Can the roots of Christianity be explained away scientifically? Is Christianity simply a force for evil? This book will be warmly received by those looking for a reliable assessment of The God Delusion and the many questions it raises - including, above all, the relevance of faith and the quest for meaning.

We live in a culture that doubts everything as a matter of principle. In such an environment, how can even faith be immune to doubt? Can I really trust in the gospel? Does God really love me? Can I really be of any use to God? We are taught to doubt but commanded to believe. Somehow we think that admitting to doubt is tantamount to insulting God. But doubt is not a sign of spiritual weakness--rather it's an indication of spiritual growing pains. Alister McGrath, no stranger to a faith born of doubt, here offers good news to doubters: your faith can grow, and strengthen as it grows. It needs to take root in your experience of God, it needs to take in the nourishment of instruction in the words and ways of God, it needs to be stretched into greater obedience to the commands and calling of God--but it can grow beyond doubt into a thriving relationship.

The Cross is the universal symbol of the Christian faith. But what does the Cross mean? Why did Jesus have to die? In this magisterial and best-selling book, John Stott unpacks the significance of Christ's cross and answers objections commonly brought against biblical teaching on the atonement. Stott will help you discover how Jesus himself understood the cross, and how 'Christ in our place' is at the heart of its meaning. Understand what the cross achieved, and learn what it means to live under the cross. This modern classic combines excellent biblical exposition, and a characteristically thoughtful study of Christian belief, with a searching call to the church to live under the cross.

A comprehensive introduction to Christian belief. Today, in our increasingly secularized generation, there is a greater need than ever for clear explanation of the unique features of Christian belief. The Lion Handbook of Christian Belief (published in 1982) sold over 100,000 copies worldwide. The New Lion Handbook: Christian Belief follows in the footsteps of its predecessor but has completely new text, design and structure. It has been put together by an international team of consultant editors and contributors with the needs and interests of a new generation of readers in mind. Consultant Editors: Professor James Packer (Vancouver, Canada); Revd Dr Jo Bailey Wells (Cambridge, England); Professor Stephen Noll (Uganda); Professor Atsuyoshi Fujiwara (Tokyo, Japan); Professor Carver T. Yu (Hong Kong); Dr Rolf Hille (Tubingen, Germany).

A though-provoking study of the role of religion in the modern world argues that atheism cannot provide the moral and intellectual guidance necessary for coping with the complexities of modern life and that religion and faith will play a central role in the world, tracing the history of atheism, offering incisive portraits of influential atheists, and revealing the fundamental flaws at the heart of atheistic belief. Reprint. 10,000 first printing.