Candida Moss unravels a common misperception: that Christianity faced murderous government-sanctioned persecution for its first three centuries, a period in which “the blood of the martyrs” supplied seed for the growing church. Grounded in ten years of research on martyr traditions, Moss’s basic position will surprise few historians.
Books
The Sacredness of Human Life
Why an Ancient Biblical Vision Is Key to the World’s Future
David Gushee’s attempt to define and defend the concept of the sacredness of life is a welcome reminder of why it is so important that we not take for granted the protections that surround our lives and the lives of others.
By book 10 of his Confessions, Augustine has completed the narration of his long, often tortuous spiritual journey from paganism to Christianity. He has not, however, found a resting place. Having gone through a cathartic conversion, Augustine might now be expected to provide his readers with insights into the nature of the Christian faith and the meaning of life.
Books
Retrieving Nicaea
The Development and Meaning of Trinitarian Doctrine
by Khaled Anatolios
iPod, YouTube, Wii Play
Theological Engagements with Entertainment
by D. Brent Laytham
The Economy of Desire
Christianity and Capitalism in a Postmodern World
by Daniel M. Bell Jr.
Spirit of Love
A Trinitarian Theology of Grace
by Amos Yong
A Key to Balthasar
Hans Urs von Balthasar on Beauty, Goodness, and Truth
By Aidan Nichols, OP
Walking Together
Christian Thinking and Public Life in South Africa
Retrieving Nicaea: The Development and Meaning of Trinitarian Doctrine, by Khaled Anatolios. This book makes for challenging reading, but its ambition of retrieving the systematic scope of Nicene trinitarianism for contemporary theology rewards the effort.
A group of paleontologists capped off a conference by visiting the Creation Museum in Kentucky. The museum’s mission is to “bring the pages of the Bible to life.” Some of the paleontologists present were Christians who were more saddened by what they saw than humored. “I think it’s very bad science and even worse theology—and the theology is far more offensive to me,” said Lisa Park, a Presbyterian who teaches at the University of Akron. She was particularly saddened by one exhibit that blamed wars, famine and natural disasters on belief in evolution. Daryl Domning, professor at Howard University said: “This bothers me as a scientist and as a Christian, because it’s just as much a distortion and misrepresentation of Christianity as it is of science” (AFP).
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