The T & T Clark Blog

Excellent books deserve attention!

Some excellent (reprinted) books came into the office today. Three Guides for the Perplexed and one Personhood and Presence. So that's this weekend's reading sorted then!

 

Political Theology: A Guide for the Perplexed by Elizabeth Phillips

'This is one of the most lucidly composed and carefully constructed books on political theology ... I can't wait to use this book in the classroom!'

-Craig Hovey, Ashland University, USA

 

Christian Ethics: A Guide for the Perplexed by Victor Lee Austin

'Austin's Guide is a rare combination: a broad, sophisticated introduction to the vast universe of Christian ethics, but one that is energised by a constant stream of engaging prose and arresting examples.'

- David Cloutier, Mount St Mary's University, USA

 

The Historical Jesus: A Guide for the Perplexed by Helen Bond

'This is a gem! Bond manages to canvass an ocean of modern Jesus-scholarship in an impressively concise discussion ... it is, to my knowledge, the best general-reader-level introduction to the subject available.'

-Larry W. Hurtado, University of Edinburgh, UK

 

Personhood and Presence: Self as a Resource for Spiritual and Pastoral Care by Ewan Kelly

'It is a very long time since I have read a work of pastoral theology as rich, perceptive, and elegantly expressed as Personhood and Presence ... The way in which Kelly weaves together theological, psychological, and poetic insights is nothing short of brilliant.'

- Neil Pembroke, University of Queensland, Australia

Launch of the Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent Book: Looking through the Cross, by Graham Tomlin

All went well at the launch of the Archbishop of Canterbury's 2014 Lent book last night at Lambeth Palace. The book is by Graham Tomlin, and is entitled 'Looking Through the Cross'. Tomlin read a short extract from the book at the launch, which was both striking and moving, and showed how this book offers a bold way of reconnecting with the theology of the cross. It is perfect for Lenten reflection.

Commenting upon the book, Archbishop Justin Welby drew attention to the line in his preface which remarked that Tomlin's book 'reminds us that whilst many churches are cruciform in their architecture far fewer are cruciform in their spirit'. A profound insight.

Robin Baird-Smith, Publisher of Bloomsbury/Continuum praised the book, saying that [we as publishers] 'publish a great many books that we like, but very few that we love, this is one that we love'.

The book can be ordered here.

 

New out in Paperback from T&T Clark in February

T&T Clark are delighted to inform you that we now have the following titles available in Paperback:

Trinity, Freedom and Love by Piotr Malysz; Christianity and the Disciplines, edited by Mervyn Davies; The Unchained Bible by Hugh S. Pyper and Second Temple Studies IV by Alice Hunt.

'Piotr Malysz's aim in this work is in fact to re-examine some of the most basic questions in modern theology: how should we conceive of the life of the triune God, creaturely life, and the relations in which they are united? ... This work is creative, provocative, and well-written. It is highly recommended for both Jüngel scholars and those interested in contemporary conceptions of God's relationship to the world.' 

- Brian D Asbill, University of Aberdeen (in Theological Book Review 25:1)

 

'Finally, a book that takes on the difference Christianity might or should make for how the disciplines of the university are pursued. This is essential reading for Christian and non-Christian alike.'

- Stanley Hauerwas, Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics, Duke Divinity School, USA.

'There is a wealth of content in these pages ... Hopefully [it] will be read by many in the fields examined in this book, or even ones not directly addressed, and they will be inspired to think through their own approach as Christians as they present their subject to their students.'

- Andrew C. Palfreyman Journal of Education and Christian Belief 20131203

 

 

'Infused with his characteristic wry humour, Pyper's book seeks to provide a conscious engagement with these effects ... Through his varied examples of 'odd intersections between the Bible and popular culture' Pyper effectively demonstrates how attention to the cultural appropriation of the Bible can often aid understanding of the text.'

- Christine E. Joynes, Trinity College, Oxford, UK Journal of Theological Studies (Vol. 64.2)

 

'The book would be of interest to scholars keeping up with current issues in historiography, and general readers trying to grasp why biblical scholars seem to have such divergent views on the relationship between the Bible and history. The book's dialectic coverage stands directly on the main arteries of today's historiography issues in Second Temple studies.'

- Lindsey Arielle Askin, University of Cambridge Reviews in Religion and Theology

 

The Disciples' Call Book Launch 06/02/14

Last night Bloomsbury was host of the launch party for The Disciples' Call: Theologies of Vocation from Scripture to the Present Day. Attendees included some of the contributing authors, as well as guests from Heythrop College, St Mary's University College, the National Office for Vocation, and the Bishop's Conference. Anna Turton of T&T Clark gave a brief introductory speech for Father Jamison, who provided some inspiring words on what might come next in his research, and the importance of vocation in today's world.

Many thanks to all who came and made the night so very pleasant, despite the weather and the tube strikes. See below for pictures!

 

Guests at The Disciples' Call book launch at Bloomsbury 06/02/14

Guests at The Disciples' Call book launch

Books ready to be read at The Disciples' Call book launch

The Disciples' Call Book Launch

The Disciples' Call Book Launch Contributors

The Disciples' Call Editor Interview

The Disciples' Call: Theologies of Vocation From Scripture to the Present Day is a collection of essays which offers a theological anthropology of vocation. Read on for an illuminating interview with editor Father Christopher Jamison O.S.B.

T&T Clark: Hi Father Jamison, thank you for joining us. If you had to, how would you describe your book in one sentence?

Father Christopher Jamison O.S.B: Vocation is a central feature of Christian life and this collection of essays explores the many different meanings people have given vocation in the past and today.

T&T: When did you start researching for this book?

FCJ: When I was appointed Director of the Catholic Church’s National Office for Vocation in October 2010, I began to look more deeply into the meaning of vocation.

T&T: Which part of writing a book have you enjoyed most?

FCJ: The chapters of this book come from a seminar held in 2012. As the convener of the seminar and editor of the book, I’ve had the opportunity to invite a wide range of talented people to work together. Writing the introduction and conclusion to this shared work has been a very enjoyable experience.

T&T: Great! And how has the theme of Vocation, as explored by the contributors to this volume, illuminated and aided your own work at the National Office for Vocation?

FCJ: It has highlighted that vocation has a long and varied history, with different meanings in different eras. This explains some of the confusion that currently surrounds vocation and is helping us to clarify its meaning for today.

T&T: Do you have any tips for people reading the book?

FCJ: After reading the introduction, read any chapter that draws you as they are free standing and don’t need to be read in sequence. Hot tip: Dr Peter Tyler’s chapter on the psychology of vocation has already drawn plaudits from reviewers as the finest piece about this in living memory.

T&T: Great tip, that chapter is earmarked in my copy. How do you/ would you advise someone who believes they are being called but does not yet know whether they have the resources to commit?

FCJ: Firstly, be reassured that you are not alone. Secondly, go to www.ukvocation.org and you’ll find a range of people that you can contact and groups that you can join to ask for advice that has no agenda other than to help you discover God’s call in your life. Nobody can do this on their own.

T&T: Finally, where will your research go from here?

FCJ: The study of Christian vocation leads into consideration of the nature of Christian ministry. This is touched on in Fr Richard Lennan’s excellent chapter on the mission of the church. So I’m looking at the connections between mission, ministry and vocation, connections that Pope Francis has highlighted in his first major work ‘The Joy of the Gospel.’ 

T&T: Thank you Father Jamison, it has been a pleasure.