Kirjahaku

A fresh investigation into the Gospel news of heaven, by one of America's most prominent theologians. By focusing upon a rehearing of the Gospel news of heaven today, Christopher Morse invites readers to exercise a "post-modern permission" to listen to this testimony without either the usual modernist earplugs or an uncritical post-modern "make believe."Without attempting to retrace the history of images and interpretations of heaven, Morse seeks rather to draw upon this background to get to the heart of the issue of modern eschatological and apocalyptic discussion by proposing in the foreground a "thought experiment." If we hear of heaven as that which is now at hand and coming to pass, in contrast to what Paul calls "the form of this world that is passing away," how significant would the consequences be? Morse proceeds to conduct such a retrial of the news of heaven and its present day credibility by considering the influential legacy of a twentieth century trajectory of theology that responded to the provocative claims of Johannes Weiss.The Difference Heaven Makes is rewarding reading, both for those who may be well versed in this theological background, as well as for others who may be less so, but who nevertheless share equally an interest in giving fresh attention to the "So what?" question of heaven.

"Not Every Spirit" explores the notion of Christian faith as disbelief and how the task of 'testing the spirits' develops and comes to be understood within Christianity as a theological discipline called 'dogmatics'. This book is a fresh and timely dogmatic text that will take its place as a standard work on Christian teachings. To believe in God is not to believe everything. To trust everything without awareness of what is untrustworthy is not genuine faith in God. In a biblical understanding of faith in God, then, what is the role of the call not to believe every spirit? What disbeliefs does faithfulness require? Are there some things that Christian faith refuses to believe? If so, how do we come to recognize what they are?'The presence of faithful disbelief in the church', Professor Morse suggests, 'gives the church's teaching and practice its timeliness in every cultural situation'. Part One of his book therefore explores the notion of Christian faith as disbelief and how the task of 'testing the spirits' develops and comes to be understood within Christianity as a theological discipline called dogmatics. Part two focuses on uncovering disbeliefs of the Christian faith concerning the Word of God, the being of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, creation, salvation, humanity, the church, and the life to come.Here, then, is a fresh and timely dogmatic text that will take its place as a standard work on Christian teachings. 'Professor Morse's meticulous scholarship in this book convinces Christians to examine not only what they believe but also to give attention to what they are called to disbelieve. In today's world of turmoil, distrust, and violence, Morse's work challenges Christians to reflect seriously on what they are to believe and what they are to do' - Delores S. Williams, Union Seminary, NY. Christopher Morse holds the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair in Theology and Ethics at Union Seminary, New York, and is the author of "The Logic of Promise in Moltmann's Theology".

Is it possible to learn all you need to know about nonprofessional theatre in just 44 pages? Read this book and find out. Written by an award-winning playwright and community theatre veteran, this concise guide covers the most essential aspects of stage performance: movement, voice, engaging the audience, working happily with your director, and much more. The text leads the way from audition through the rehearsal process and onto the stage on opening night. Almost uniquely, this book also lets you in on what you really need to do (and avoid doing) to become a cherished and respected member of any acting company. Informative, funny, and refreshingly original, Acting for the Amateur Stage cuts away layers of acting school mystery and provides the insights that will let you move confidently through the world of live theatre.

In a laugh out loud series of misfortunes, Professor Schmoot struggles to find his way as a New Testament professor in a seminary seeking to promote itself as ""spiritual but not religious."" Unforgettable characters interact in a sequence of episodes in which postmodern aspirations are confounded by financial and academic deficits. ""Students and friends of Christopher Morse--often the same people --have long known that his theological erudition is equally matched by a brilliant comic wit. In this charming academic novella, Morse cleverly satirizes the world of seminary education, offering the reader a delightful plot filled with characters lost in the cynical power of sin and buoyed by the transforming power of grace. A book like this that evokes both laughter at the vanity of human failure and hope for the constancy of human faithfulness is a tonic for the soul "" --John E. Thiel, Professor at Fairfield University ""Reminiscent of David Lodge's satirical takes on British academic life, Christopher Morse drills relentlessly into the troubled industry of American theological education. Those who passed through this system in the '70s and '80s will readily recognize the cast of characters at Star-Cross Seminary, not least ourselves, as we fumble and bumble on the road to Emmaus."" --James F. Kay, Princeton Theological Seminary ""In this work of fiction, Christopher Morse accomplishes a seemingly impossible task: combining theology with humor. Most readers will occasionally find themselves the target of his satire, but his humor never resorts to cynicism, and he is never mean-spirited toward his characters. As profound as it is humorous, this book will appeal to anyone interested in the state of the church, theological education, and cultural attitudes toward religion."" --Nancy Duff, Associate Professor at Princeton Theological Seminary ""Crossed wires and cross purposes ensure that life at Star-Cross Seminary is never dull as the traditional school of theology transforms itself into a Pan-Pneumatic Spirituality Center. With deft send-ups of double-speak and institutional incoherence, Christopher Morse exposes the perils of such a star-crossed venture."" --Thomas Miller, Episcopal Priest and Writer on Religion and the Arts ""Morse's hilarious new work takes us into the inner workings of struggling Star-Cross Theological Seminary, a once staid but now reinvented postmodern institution, where faculty, administrators, trustees, and students attempt to further 'the Lord's work' while disagreeing every step of the way as to what this entails. Some potential readers may think the setting too parochial to be of interest, but don't make this mistake. This finely crafted work casts a brilliant and humorous light on modern society and how our institutions, political, religious, and otherwise, contort themselves to a place where meaning and facts no longer have definitional authority."" --Craig Berggren, Author of a study of The Ethics of Motivational Programs Within Today's Global Corporations Christopher Morse is a seminary professor and theologian whose previous writings include Not Every Spirit: A Dogmatics of Christian Disbelief (2009), and The Difference Heaven Makes: Rehearing the Gospel As News (2010). This is his first published fiction.