Christianity Today: An Introduction

Description

A series of case studies illustrate the contemporary issues facing Christianity in contemporary society. This new introduction aims to present Christianity through the lens of contemporary issues. Illustrated throughout with examples and case studies taken from lived religion, each chapter looks at Christianity in a modern context, and modern issues relevant to the religion. After an initial chapter providing an overview of the faith, its history and basic theological tenets, George Chryssides moves through key contemporary themes: sources of authority in Christianity, science and Christianity, fundamentalism, mission and ecumenism, ethics, and women and Christianity. This title concludes with a final section looking at the future for Christianity in the face of secularism, secularisation and materialism, and its relative growth and decline worldwide. These useful guides aim to introduce religions through the lens of contemporary issues, illustrated throughout with examples and case studies taken from lived religion. The perfect companion for the student of religion, each guide interprets the teachings of the religion in question in a modern context and applies them to modern day scenarios.

George D. Chryssides is Honorary Research Fellow at York St John University and the University of Birmingham, and was formerly Head of Religious Studies at the University of Wolverhampton.

"George Chryssides has performed a great service to students, their tutors and anyone interested in Christianity. Focussing on the principal Christian traditions of Roman Catholicism, Orthodoxy and Protestantism, Christianity Today is a thoughtful, learned, yet admirably accessible overview by a well-known scholar of religion. Carefully objective in its treatment of contested areas, the aim throughout is an unbiased presentation of the histories, teachings and practices of the different traditions without the privileging of any particular position. I warmly commend this lucid and engaging introduction." - Christopher Partridge, Professor of Religious Studies, Lancaster University, UK Reviewed in the Church Times 17th September (UK) 'This book is written for the intelligent undergraduate' Reviewed in the Methodist Recorder, 30th September (UK) 'Chryssides packs an enormous amount of information into a small space, while remaining as neutral and objective as possible in recording different views, both past and present' 'Offers a comprehensive overview of the main tenets of the Christian faith... An excellent primer.' -- Church of England Newspaper Christianity Today can be recommended as a brief introduction: excellent on history and biblical scholarship, and good on questions about the relationship between Christianity and science. -- www.thinkingfaith.org The breadth of knowledge and research is impressive. Despite its title, the book communicates the diversity of Christianity's history, as well as its contemporary circumstances, and in a non-judgmental manner...The sections on creationism and intelligent design provide fascinating detail and the following chapter on 'Modern Biblical Interpretation' an excellent introduction to that topic...it should leave the reader with a much better overview and sense of Christianity, and springboard for further investigations. I would recommend it not only for undergraduates, but also for the general reader. -- Rebecca Catto, Lancaster University * Modern Believing * Christianity Today serves its purpose of providing an overview of the religion, the significance of some of its creeds, sacraments, and ethical concerns in an easy to read fashion. This book best suits persons in search of Christianity's background, beyond mere assertions from religious services or propaganda. * Religious Studies Review *