I grew up in an atheist household and have never read the Bible. I would like to tackle that beast and start wandering through various branches of Christian theology, with my main goal to start in on Barth's complete works.
Can you recommend a good Academic primer or companion to the Bible and general theology that doesn't try to convert me? I am interested in the topic in a scholarly/philosophic sense. I do have a good understanding of the Old World and its various empires and wars, but I am still in the shallow end as far as biblical knowledge is concerned.
posted by Think_Long
on Feb 4, 2013 -
24 answers
I am trying to find some reputable graduate schools that offer masters degrees in Christian theology which can be completed mostly or completely online.
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posted by michellenoel
on Nov 21, 2012 -
16 answers
I belong to a progressive congregation of the United Methodist Church, and we often host educational series exploring other religions/belief systems (our congregation isn't of the "one true path to God" variety). This fall, we're planning a series on Buddhism. Our adult education committee has tasked me with selecting a book to study.
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posted by girlbowler
on Jun 22, 2012 -
13 answers
I'm looking for a book that is essentially a mashup of behavioral economics, social psychology, neuroscience, wisdom/bible literature, and mythology.
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posted by Slacker Manager
on May 23, 2012 -
13 answers
Looking for recommendations for websites and books that explain gay theology. More specifically, pro-gay arguments explaining tough Bible passages that have respected scholarship. I'm tending to see all the usual conservative stuff instead.
posted by snap_dragon
on Jan 9, 2012 -
13 answers
I'm looking for short Christian/theological readings for a weekly group I'm facilitating this semester.
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posted by pecknpah
on Jan 15, 2011 -
12 answers
A couple years ago, I read a really intriguing essay that compared the American cultural ideal of "effortless cool" to the theological debate over the importance of grace vs. good acts. I believe that the writer identified the Puritans as coming down on the side of grace, and made a connection between their influence on early America and our cultural preference for grace (i.e. "effortless cool") over good acts (i.e. "trying too hard"). I would really love to cite this essay, but unfortunately, my Google-Fu is failing me. I remember that I read it online, and it was probably linked from a comment on The Blue. Any idea what I read or who wrote it?
posted by Afroblanco
on Sep 7, 2010 -
11 answers
I am interested in finding a layman's book about the Hellenistic influences of early Christianity. (Basically how Christianity either adopted or smuggled it in. Not sure which word to use.)
posted by snap_dragon
on Aug 19, 2010 -
10 answers
I'm looking for books, documentary, video, anything decently published on the topic of doubt and doubting in Christianity.
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posted by superiorchicken
on Jul 17, 2010 -
25 answers
I'm looking for philosophers, both classical and modern, who have constructed arguments for optimism.
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posted by MikeHarris
on Dec 12, 2009 -
33 answers
EpiscopalFilter: What
must one believe to be an Episcopalian? What do a significant majority of Episcopalians agree on? What (non-political) issues are members fairly evenly split on? What beliefs are left up to individual members?
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posted by Picklegnome
on Apr 16, 2009 -
8 answers
I'm trying to find a good atlas that shows all of the Roman Roads built throughout the Roman Empire for my pastor friend. I think there were some 53,000 miles of highway built by the Romans, and, as he is preaching through Acts and following Paul's journeys, he'd like to have a good atlas that shows the period Roman district names, cities, terrain features, and especially the roads. Do you have any idea where he might find something like that?
posted by snap_dragon
on Feb 6, 2009 -
5 answers
In Reformed Theology, what is the role of Satan? There is talk of foreordination and foreknowledge and absolute sovereignty of God so I don't understand Satan's creation and necessity in this theological framework. Can anybody explain the view or John Calvin's view?
posted by snap_dragon
on Nov 5, 2008 -
9 answers
Recommendations for books about religion & theology - phenomenology of, anthropological, sociological, etc.
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posted by raztaj
on Aug 3, 2007 -
15 answers
Are there strong theological explanations for why the current activity in miracles isn't quite what it used to be? No more pillars of salt, burning bushes, days being stopped etc... Doesn't he love us?
posted by wilful
on Jun 12, 2007 -
45 answers
I'm looking for a place to find a rare copy of a theological text as a present for a retiring professor.
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posted by Mali
on Apr 27, 2007 -
4 answers
My apologies for this vague description--I used to work in a bookstore where I'd pick up and browse through a number of books. One book included a letter written to God by a Jewish man (maybe a rabbi?) imprisoned during the Holocaust. Part of the letter involved him saying, essentially, "no matter what you do to me, God, or what suffering you send, you can't make me stop loving you. That is the form my free will takes." Does anyone know the author or title?
posted by piers
on Mar 30, 2006 -
4 answers
A tough one: I remember reading that during the Reagan years, as part of the campaign to convince the Russians that the US really would launch a second strike if faced with a preemptive Russian attack, Reagan turned to a religious figure or theologian who explained that a retaliatory attack, even if it resulted in the extinction of the human species, would be morally approvable and even required by God, and that it would serve the glory of God, despite the unfortunate consequences it might have for human beings.
I don't think I just imagined all this, so I wonder: who was the religious person that articulated this position? What source can tell me about this stuff? Many thanks for any clues.
posted by washburn
on Jan 15, 2006 -
7 answers
Who is the originator of the familiar literary trope that human beings are half lofty/angelic, half base?
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posted by ori
on Jun 7, 2005 -
12 answers
Why are Christians opposed to heterosexual pre-marital sex. I can find some
Paul diktats but is that the only problem?
posted by Pericles
on Dec 1, 2004 -
39 answers
