Reading for a change

By Simon Barrow

July 29, 2009

Our online book service partner, Metanoia has many compelling new books in stock for August - biblical studies, understanding Iran, Christ in the C21st century faith, Christian anarchism, Mennonite practice, and more.

If you purchase via the links below, a percentage of the proceeds helps Ekklesia's work. Or go to our bookshop pages and see the whole range at: http://books.ekklesia.co.uk/

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The First Paul: Reclaiming the radical visionary behind the Church, by Marcus J Borg & John Dominic Crossan £8.99

Uses the best of biblical and historical scholarship to present a new understanding of the apostle Paul and his influence on early Christianity.

For many, Paul has become a conservative icon whose letters have been used to justify systems of oppression – for example, endorsing slavery and subordinating women. But is this a true reading of Paul’s letters?

These highly respected authors turn the common perception of Paul on its head, and reveal him as a radical follower of Jesus whose core message is still relevant today.

ISBN: 9780281061587 (2009) 240pp
Publisher: SPCK

This product will be in stock on Saturday 1 August 2009

See and buy here: http://books.ekklesia.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=2416

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Isaiah: Believers Church Bible Commentary, by Ivan Friesen £27.50

This new commentary from the respected Anabaptist scholars' series explores how the interpretation of the book of Isaiah is carried out and lived out today in faith communities where the Bible remains the bedrock of faith and life, in an open and engaging way. Such an interpretation combines the concerns of pastoral care with the distress and uncertainty of prophetic action. The commentary groups the sixty-six chapters of Isaiah into six distinct but continuous parts. Each section may be explored as one might explore the room of a house. The 'furnishings' (themes) in each room are different, but the decor (structure) of the house combines to lend to the book an overall unity of purpose. The architecture of the book as a whole has distinct features that include words of judgment as well as words of promise announcing a new day dawning. In this new day dawning, there are strong elements of future hope.

ISBN: 9780836194401 (2009) 500pp
Publisher: Herald Press

This product will be in stock on Saturday 1 August 2009

See and buy here: http://books.ekklesia.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=2429

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Jesus Matters: Good News for the 21st Century, by James Kraybill & David W Shenk (Eds) £15.75

Jesus Christ is popular with many Westerners, but is it the Jesus of the Scripture whom we really honour? This book commends the Jesus of the Bible to contemporary Christians. Each author works with one or more young adults to consider the various ways Christians encounter and experience Jesus. Topics include Jesus and creation, Jesus and the cross, Jesus and salvation, Jesus and mission, and Jesus and the future. Authors include Stanley Green, Michele Hershberger, Mark Thiessen Nation, Willard Swartley, Jack Suderman and April Yamasaki. Foreword by Shane Claiborne. A forward-looking evangelical approach.

ISBN: 9780836194487 (2009) 250pp
Publisher: Herald Press

This product was added to our catalogue on Thursday 04 June 2009.

See and buy here: http://books.ekklesia.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=2428

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Living on Hope While Living in Babylon: The Christian Anarchists of the 20th Century, by Tripp York £12.95

Tripp York examines a number of twentieth century Christians who lived by powerful example in the face of 'the powers that be', including the Berrigan brothers, Dorothy Day, and Eberhard Arnold. These witnesses can be viewed as anarchical in the sense that their loyalty to Christ undermines the pseudo-soteriological myth employed by the state. While such Christians have often been labelled pilgrims, revolutionaries, nomads, subversives, agitators, and now, anarchists, they are more importantly seekers of 'the peace of the city' whose chief desire is for those belonging to temporal cities to be able to participate justly and equally in the eternal city — the city of God. By examining their ideas and their actions, this book attempts to understand how the politics of the church — an apocalyptic politics — is necessary for the church to understand her mission as bearer of the Gospel (good news) in the contemporary.

ISBN: 9781556356858 (2009) 138pp
Publisher: Wipf & Stock

This product was added to our catalogue on Tuesday 19 May 2009.

See and buy here: http://books.ekklesia.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=2413

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Practices: Mennonite Work and Worship, by John D Roth £11.95

John D Roth examines the traditions of Anabaptist-Mennonite worship. These practices, he argues, are part of an essential unity that transforms and renews 'the people of God' and calls them to lives of integrity embodied in discipleship, social mission and the announcement of the Christian message. Roth reflects on how distinctive Mennonite practices around baptism, communion, foot washing, and common meals extend beyond the church. Practices is Roth's third book on Mennonite life in the 21st century, following Beliefs: Mennonite Faith and Practice (2005), and Stories: How Mennonites Came to Be (2007). The full series is here: http://tinyurl.com/nf6cp4

ISBN: 9780836194272 (2009) 250pp
Publisher: Herald Press

This product will be in stock on Saturday 01 August 2009.

See and buy here: http://books.ekklesia.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=2426

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What is Iran?: A Primer on Culture, Politics, and Religion, by Laurie Bainton Pierce £11.95

Pierce offers readers an overview of the historical, religious, and political landscape of modern Iran. Written from a peace-building perspective and informed by almost two decades of Mennonite experience in Iran, she provides insight into a country that often makes the news but is rarely understood with any depth, sympathy or critical realism. The book also outlines Anabaptist involvement with Iran.

ISBN: 9780836194463 (2009) 96pp
Publisher: Herald Press

See and buy here: http://books.ekklesia.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=2424

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Now see the whole range at: http://books.ekklesia.co.uk/