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FAITH STATEMENTS: DIALOGUES ON JESUS’ NATURE, WORK AND RESURRECTION
Many contemporary people dismiss the Christian religion based on many of its beliefs expressed in its scripture, the creeds, doctrines, literature, and sermons. Faith Statements builds a bridge from the origin of historical beliefs to our present day. It examines Jewish and Christian beliefs on resurrection. It also examines heretical and orthodox Christian beliefs on the person of Jesus, his work and his resurrection. These beliefs are examined within three worldviews—premodern, modern, and postmodern.
Controversies such as the Arian controversy and Gnosticism versus orthodox Christianity are discussed in some depth by seven participants in a group discussion. Each participant has a different theological position from the rest of the group. Each challenges the other’s beliefs. Edward is a scientist and a Protestant liberal. Diana is a Gnostic Christian. Mary is a faithful Roman Catholic. Milton is a philosopher from an evangelical Christian background. Sarah is a Jewish skeptic. Thomas is a non believer. Anita is a retired minister, the moderator and facilitator of the discussion.
Many Christians who study the Bible and early Christianity make a huge leap from that time period to today without understanding how the passage of time and new ways of thinking influenced or altered the original meaning of beliefs and doctrines. Faith Statements offers readers and discussion groups an opportunity to recover the history and beliefs of the Christian faith so that readers can arrive at their own answers to faith questions covered and a better understanding of God.
Comment
“I have read with interest the first five chapters of your book Faith Statements. I appreciate all the hard work that has been yours in seeking to reflect accurately the various points of view of those involved in the dialogue, and your being able to keep them all straight through the pages! My sense is that you are articulating a number of questions and addressing a number of issues of interest and relevance to folks in 2009, and that those who read your book will be able to find themselves in the dialogues…As is the case when the structure of dialogue is employed and there are multiple voices involved in the ongoing conversation, it sometimes is a little difficult to follow a particular line of reasoning from the various participants…but I found you handled this well, and I appreciated the questions, observations, wonderments expressed by the dialogue participants, and was able to 'keep up' fairly well.
“Your breadth and depth of knowledge in the topics covered in these first chapters, and your 'fairness' in listening to others in the conversation and explaining a number of issues succinctly allowed me to feel confident in your leading the dialogue…you are a trustworthy guide.”
The Rev. Robert B. Culp
The Round Hill Community Church
Greenwich, CT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 A Starting Point
Chapter 2 Some Contemporary Beliefs on Jesus’ Resurrection
PART I: RESURRECTION—PREMODERN VIEWS
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Chapter 3 Biblical Era and Premodern Era Jewish Views on Resurrection
Chapter 4 Early Christian Divergent Beliefs on Jesus’ Resurrection
Chapter 5 Christian Politics of Resurrection
Chapter 6 Premodern Christian Beliefs in Bodily Resurrection and Baptism
PART II: CHRISTOLOGY—PREMODERN VIEWS
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Chapter 7 Who’s in Charge? The Gospel of Judas, a Reference Point
Chapter 8 What is Jesus’ Relationship to God and the Holy Spirit?
Chapter 9 The Arian Controversy. What is It?
Chapter 10 Is Jesus Human or Divine or Both?
Chapter 11 The Atonement
Chapter 12 The Age of Reformation
PART III: RESURRECTION & CHRISTOLOGY--MODERN VIEWS
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Chapter 13 Survey of Modern Christian Thinkers on the Resurrection and Christology
Chapter 14 Survey of Late Modern and Postmodern Jewish Views on Resurrection
PART IV: RESURRECTION AND CHRISTOLOGY--LATE MODERN & POSTMODERN VIEWS
Anita Keire’s upcoming book, Faith Statements: Dialogues on Jesus’ Nature, Work, and Resurrection, targets educated lay people. To read the first two chapters of Faith Statements, enter your email address below in order to open them or download them. You will be notified by email when the book becomes available.