Crisis, Covenant and Creativity deals with some of the most widely discussed issues in contemporary Jewish religious life. How do religious people deal with tolerance of different beliefs? How can devout living lead to a greater awareness of the mystery and beauty of life? What is the meaning of Jewish authenticity and identity in light of anti-Semitism?

This book presents and analyses two basic assertions Life in the 21st century is threatened by an unprecedented global crisis, which is the result of the exponential increase in the impact of human activity on the earth. Properly understood, the Christian concept of Creation and of human relationships based on Gods Covenant, off er the clearest light on the meaning and nature of, and eff ective response to, the crisis, and the most realistic Hope for the future. It owes much to James Lovelock, the originator of the concept of Gaia - the earth seen as a single coherent living interlocking system - who challenges those of faith to develop a theology of creation that could include Gaia. Recognise that human rights and needs are not enough; those with faith could accept the Earth as part of Gods creation and be troubled by its desecration. This book is written to accept that challenge. This Book owes much to the Churches Vision 21 Group in Scotland, both in its development and making, and in support for its publication. Rated Four Stars (out of Five) by Foreword Clarion Review If the news media is to be believed, science and religion can never agree about global warming and humanitys role in climate change. However, Kenyon Wright, who has spent decades studying both perspectives, points to some common ground in Cosmic Crisis and Creation: The Search for Meaning, a well-researched exploration of the issues Cosmic Crisis and Creation offers a rich tapestry of thought on how humanity has managed its relationships At once realistic and hopeful, this book can serve as an excellent starting point for productive discussions about Earths future. Foreword Clarion Review (The author) Wright has drafted an informative, emboldened call to action for unity in matters of reason and faith Wrights book is a fast, but important read. It serves as a fin introduction to the pattern of economic growth known as sustained development, which champions the fulfi llment of the needs of the current generation without damaging future generations Yet, while our present state may seem grim, Wright never falls into melodramatic pessimism. His message is optimistic. He believes wholeheartedly that the Christian faith can make all things new again... BlueInk Review, July 2012 Wright analyzes global ecological collapse from a Christian theological perspective. The link between the environmental movement and Christianity hasnt always been a strong one. But in his fi rst book, Wright traces the connection between Christian teaching on Creation and the commitment to environmental stewardship it implies. His brief, thoughtful argument for theological activism contributes to the growing voice of the Christian left... Kirkus Reviews, May 2012

Covenant Theology. From Noah to David, successive covenants are seen in the Old Testament as expressions of divine purpose. The argument for and against the close relation of these "terms of agreement" between humankind and God have, for the past fifty years, been at the heart of biblical studies. Old Testament scholar W. J. Dumbrell reaffirms one facet of this study--the theory of covenant--in Covenant and Creation. Where many have since tried to refute or seriously modify this covenant model, Dumbrell finds it at the core of Reformed doctrine.Covenant and Creation traces the background and content of each biblical covenant beginning with Noah and God after the flood, Abraham (the creation of Israel and its people), Mt. Sinai and Moses (the creation of the Law), and David (the creation of the monarchy). And what of the New Covenant? The effects of the Babylonian exile and the connecting themes in the books of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Isaiah are evaluated.The epilogue delves into theological implications of the postexilic period in Israel's history, and further developments by the major exilic prophets. Readers will find this a summary most helpful in understanding New Covenant theology that emerged in the early Christian era.

What is a person? What company do people keep with animals, plants, and things? Such questions—bearing fundamentally on the shared meaning of politics and life—animate Shakespearean drama, yet their urgency has often been obscured. Julia Reinhard Lupton gently dislodges Shakespeare’s plays from their historical confines to pursue their universal implications. From Petruchio’s animals and Kate’s laundry to Hamlet’s friends and Caliban’s childhood, Lupton restages thinking in Shakespeare as an embodied act of consent, cure, and care. Thinking with Shakespeare encourages readers to ponder matters of shared concern with the playwright by their side. Taking her cue from Hannah Arendt, Lupton reads Shakespeare for fresh insights into everything from housekeeping and animal husbandry to biopower and political theology.

When considering and confronting the problem of evil, we may be asking the wrong question: Why is there evil in the world if God is good and powerful? It may be wrong because it smuggles in an unbiblical premise: God can and should use his coercive power to relieve suffering since he is both good and able. But what if coercive power does not work to accomplish God's goals? This book is an investigation into the possibility that the noncoercive power of the Cross must be at the center of this issue, and that the Cross could reform this question. We could ask, instead, How is God destroying evil and suffering--and why is he taking so long? The answer to this reframed question might be: He is using evil and suffering to destroy evil and suffering for His People; this is how long it takes. While not a "solution" to the problem of evil, could this help us learn to delight in God in a world in which evil and suffering seem at times so relentless?