Zondervan Counterpoints Series Upgrade III (3 vols.)

by Brian J. Benestad; Robert Benne; Bruce L. Fields; Thomas W. Heilke

and

9 more

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2015–2016

Overview

Philosophy, politics, and homosexuality—these are some key areas of concern for many in the Church. With more than a dozen contributing authors from various theological backgrounds, the Zondervan Counterpoints series is an invaluable set of resources for Christians today, focusing on these topics and more.

Each volume lays out multiple views on a particular theological matter, letting you draw your own conclusions on these contested issues. Respected biblical scholars and theologians present their views based on years of extensive research—so you know you’re hearing the strongest possible case for each perspective.

The advantage of this approach is huge. The thought-provoking articles give you the tools to lay a sound biblical foundation. Whether you are a student, pastor, teacher, youth worker, or layperson, these volumes are a fantastic tool for understanding contemporary Christian issues in the light of solid scriptural truth.

Key Features

• Provides numerous perspectives on key areas of concern for the modern Church
• Compares and critique multiple distinct views
• Includes contributions from a diverse assortment of distinguished scholars and theologians

Product Details

• Title: Zondervan Counterpoints Series Upgrade III
• Series Editor: Stanley N. Gundry
• Series: Zondervan Counterpoints
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Volumes: 3
• Pages: 720
• Resource Type: Topical
• Topic: Theology

Five Views On The Church And Politics

• Editor: Amy E. Black
• Series: Zondervan Counterpoints
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication Date: 2015
• Pages: 240

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Few topics can grab headlines and stir passions quite like politics, especially when the church is involved. Considering the attention that many Christian parachurch groups, churches, and individual believers give to politics—and of the varying and sometimes divergent political ideals and aims among them—Five Views on the Church and Politics provides a helpful breakdown of the possible Christian approaches. Readers will find themselves equipped to think more deeply about the relationship between church and state in a way that goes beyond mere policy debates and current campaigns.

General Editor Amy Black brings together five top-notch political theologians in the book, each representing one of the five key political traditions within Christianity. Each author addresses his tradition’s theological distinctives, the role of government, the place of individual Christian participation in government and politics, and how churches should (or should not) address political questions. Responses by each contributor to opposing views will highlight key areas of difference and disagreement.

Thorough and even-handed, Five Views on the Church and Politics will enable readers to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the most significant Christian views on political engagement and to draw their own, informed conclusions.

Contents:

• “Christian Traditions and Political Engagement” by Amy E. Black
• “The Anabaptist (Separationist) View” by Thomas W. Heilke
• “The Lutheran (Paradoxical) View” by Robert Benne
• “The Black Church (Prophetic) View” by Bruce L. Fields
• “The Reformed (Transformationist) View” by James K.A. Smith
• “The Catholic (Synthetic) View” by J. Brian Benestad
• “Christian Witness in the Public Square” by Amy E. Black

Amy E. Black (PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is professor of political science at Wheaton College. She is the author of Honoring God in Red or Blue, Beyond Left and Right, and Helping Christians Make Sense of American Politics, as well as many articles, reviews, and commentaries that have appeared in publications such as Christianity Today, Books & Culture, and the Christian Science Monitor.

Four Views On Christianity And Philosophy

• Editors: Paul M. Gould and Richard Davis
• Series: Zondervan Counterpoints
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication Date: 2016
• Pages: 240

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Philosophy and Christianity make truth claims about many of the same things. They both claim to provide answers to the deep questions of life. But how are they related to one another? Four Views on Christianity and Philosophy introduces readers to four predominant views on the relationship between philosophy and the Christian faith and their implications for life. Each author identifies the propositional relation between philosophy and Christianity along with a section devoted to the implications for living a life devoted to the pursuit of wisdom.

General editors Paul M. Gould and Richard Davis explain the background to the discussion and provide some historical background in the introduction, as well as helpful summaries of each position in the conclusion. In the reader-friendly Counterpoints format, this book helps readers to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of each view and draw informed conclusions in this much-debated topic.

Contents:

• “Introduction to Christianity and Philosophy: Four Views” by Paul M. Gould and Richard Brian Davis
• “Conflict Model” by Graham Oppy
• “Covenant Model” by K. Scott Oliphint
• “Convergence Model” by Timothy McGrew
• “Conformation Model” by Paul K. Moser

Paul Gould is the assistant professor of philosophy and Christian apologetics at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a senior research fellow in Faith and Culture with the Land Center. He is the author of An Introduction to Philosophy and Stand Firm: Apologetics and the Brilliance of the Gospel, and coeditor of Four Views on Christianity and Philosophy.

Richard Brian Davis is professor of philosophy at Tyndale University in Toronto, Canada. He is the author or editor of four books, including Loving God with Your Mind: Essays in Honor of J.P. Moreland. He has published thirty book chapters or articles in such places as Australasian Journal of Philosophy, Religious Studies, Acta Analytica, Philo, The Modern Schoolman, Philosophia Christi, Heythrop Journal, The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, and Axiomathes.

Two Views On Homosexuality, The Bible, And The Church

• Editor: Preston Sprinkle
• Series: Zondervan Counterpoints
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication Date: 2016
• Pages: 240

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

No issue is more divisive or more pressing for the church today than homosexuality. Two Views on Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church brings a fresh perspective to a well-worn debate. While Christian debates about homosexuality are most often dominated by biblical exegesis, this book seeks to give much-needed attention to the rich history of received Christian tradition, bringing the Bible into conversation with historical and systematic theology. To that end, both theologians and biblical scholars—well accomplished in their fields and conversant in issues of sexuality and gender—articulate and defend each of the two views.

Unique among most debates on homosexuality, this book presents a constructive dialogue between people who disagree on significant ethical and theological matters, and yet maintain a respectful and humanizing posture toward one another. Even as these scholars articulate pointed arguments for their position with academic rigor and depth, they do so cordially, clearly, and compassionately, without demeaning the other.

The main essays are followed by exceptionally insightful responses and rejoinders that interact with their fellow essayists with convicted civility. Holding to a high view of Scripture, a commitment to the gospel and the church, and a love for people—especially those most affected by this topic—the contributors wrestle deeply with the Bible and theology, especially the prohibition texts, the role of procreation, gender complementarity, and pastoral accommodation.

The book concludes with general editor Preston Sprinkle’s reflections on the future of discussions on faith and sexuality.

Contents:

• “Homosexuality and the Bible” by William Loader
• “Journeying from the Bible to Christian Ethics in Search of Common Ground” by Megan K. DeFranza
• “Christ, Scripture, and Spiritual Friendship” by Wesley Hill
• “Listening to the Past and Reflecting on the Present” by Stephen R. Holmes
• “Conclusion: Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church” by Preston M. Sprinkle

Preston Sprinkle (PhD, Aberdeen) is a teacher, speaker, and New York Times bestselling author. He has written several books including People to Be Loved, Living in a Gray World, Charis, and Erasing Hell, which he coauthored with Francis Chan. Preston has held faculty positions at Nottingham University, Cedarville University, and Eternity Bible College. He and his family live in Boise, Idaho, and he currently helps pastors and leaders engage the LGBTQ conversation with thoughtfulness and grace.