In Search of Christian Freedom

In Search of Christian Freedom
Author: Raymond Franz
Publisher: CreateSpace
Total Pages: 760
Release: 2013-04-05
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781484031476

Finding a proper balance between freedom and responsibility is a problem that has faced every serious Christian. For those raised in a highly structured religious environment, balancing loyalties to a religious organization, family, and personal conscience may raise difficult issues. Raymond Franz's first-hand account of the issues with which he struggled forms the theme of his first book, Crisis of Conscience. In Search of Christian Freedom, the sequel to Crisis of Conscience, provides even more comprehensive study. The issues and options discussed herein, although relating particularly to the structure of Jehovah's Witnesses, are not so very different from issues other Christians have faced and continue to face when they seek to reconcile considerations for conscience, loyalty, responsibility and freedom. This work will mover readers — of any religion — to consider seriously how much they value Christian freedom and to ask how genuine their own freedom is.

Christianity and Freedom: Volume 1, Historical Perspectives

Christianity and Freedom: Volume 1, Historical Perspectives
Author: Timothy Samuel Shah
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2016-04-26
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9781107124585

In Volume 1 of Christianity and Freedom, leading historians uncover the unappreciated role of Christianity in the development of basic human rights and freedoms from antiquity through today. These include radical notions of dignity and equality, religious freedom, liberty of conscience, limited government, consent of the governed, economic liberty, autonomous civil society, and church-state separation, as well as more recent advances in democracy, human rights, and human development. Acknowledging that the record is mixed, scholars document how the seeds of freedom in Christianity antedate and ultimately undermine later Christian justifications and practices of persecution. Drawing from history, political science, and sociology, this volume will become a standard reference work for historians, political scientists, theologians, students, journalists, business leaders, opinion shapers, and policymakers.

The True Bounds of Christian Freedom

The True Bounds of Christian Freedom
Author: Samuel Bolton
Publisher: Ravenio Books
Total Pages: 245
Release:
Genre: Religion
ISBN:

The True Bounds of Christian Freedom is a clear, scriptural exposition that explores the role of the law in the life of a Christian. It stands as one of the few works available that highlights the dangers of Antinomianism while also avoiding legalism. In this thought-provoking book, Bolton addresses questions such as whether Christian freedom exempts believers from all obedience to men and whether performing duties out of respect for reward aligns with true Christian liberty. A valuable resource for those seeking a balanced perspective on the relationship between grace, law, and Christian living.

The Freedom of a Christian, 1520

The Freedom of a Christian, 1520
Author: Timothy J. Wengert
Publisher: Fortress Press
Total Pages: 87
Release: 2016-11-14
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1506413528

Timothy J. Wengert skillfully provides a clear understanding of the historical context from which the treatise The Freedom of a Christian and his accompanying Letter to Pope Leo X arose. As controversy concerning his writings grew, Luther was instructed to write a reconciliation-minded letter to Pope Leo X (14751521). To this letter he appended a nonpolemical tract describing the heart of his beliefs, The Freedom of a Christian. Luthers Latin version added an introduction and a lengthy appendix not found in the German edition. The two editions arose out of the different audiences for them: the one addressed to theologians, clerics, and church leaders (for whom Latin was the common language), and one addressed to the German-speaking public, which included the nobility, townsfolk, many from the lesser clergy, and others who could read (or have Luthers writings read to them). This volume is excerpted from The Annotated Luther series, Volume 1. Each volume in the series contains new introductions, annotations, illustrations, and notes to help shed light on Luthers context and to interpret his writings for today. The translations of Luthers writings include updates of Luthers Works, American Edition, or new translations of Luthers German or Latin writings.

Christian Spirituality and Ethical Life

Christian Spirituality and Ethical Life
Author: Paul S. Chung
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 170
Release: 2010-06-02
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1630876976

Christian Spirituality and Ethical Life offers a helpful study of the place of the Spirit in John Calvin's theology. It also discovers a notion of the spiritual life in connection with ethical life. It thus overcomes the prevailing popular pictures about the theology of John Calvin in several significant ways, providing a refreshing alternative to the anemic spirituality so prevalent today. It can be stated confidently that Calvin was a theologian of the Holy Spirit in solidarity with the poor, standing in openness to others.

Paul, Grace and Freedom

Paul, Grace and Freedom
Author: Paul Middleton
Publisher: A&C Black
Total Pages: 275
Release: 2011-11-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0567321525

This collection of twelve essays will celebrate the distinguished contribution of Professor John Kenneth Riches to biblical interpretation. The international selection of contributors are all either former students or colleagues of Professor Riches and the focus of the essays all reflect (and extend) Professor Riches' particular research interests and contribution to biblical and theological studies. The essays in this volume are clustered around two closely related topics: historical and theological contributions to understanding the nature of Christian freedom and agency, and studies which investigate how Paul's thought has been interpreted in diverse settings. All the contributors have been asked to centre their thinking around the following issues: how does the grace of being 'in Christ' transform and restore those who receive it in faith; how far they are, as it were, responsible for that transformation; how far their is identity changed by their union with Christ; and how are they to make ethical decisions, are they to be guided (and goaded?) by the law, or are to be led by the Spirit and called to discern what is right and good in the law?There are four parts to this book. Part I explores grace and human agency by looking at texts both within and outside of the New Testament, highlighting the themes of ethical responsibility and freedom. Part II turns to look at how Pauline themes of grace and the Christian life have been interpreted at various points of Christian history. Part III reflects John Riches' substantial interest in and contribution to African biblical interpretation and includes essays that investigate how Paul is appropriated in African contexts. Part IV reflects John Riches' interest in the mutual engagement between theology and Scripture and includes contributions investigating the theological aspects of the Law and the Spirit, and transformation in Christ in the theology and ethics of P.T. Forsyth.