Ian S. Markham

Spanning all 3 years of the lectionary cycle, this book provides a welcome tool for the renewal of preaching from the gospel readings. In a concise, uniform, and simple format, the authors provide a thematic summary of the gospel, list several possible points for preaching, and offer a humorous story for the week that illumines the deeper meaning of the biblical text. Lectionary Levity also functions as a practical manual on how to use humor in preaching and allows the reader to view the gospel in a different light so as to enliven the worship experience. A treasure trove of biblical insights, homiletical helps, and just good humor!

This easy-to-use guide can be used as a confirmation resource, in a new member class, or adult study groups.Ian Markham, Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary, introduces both the Christian faith and The Episcopal Church to the seeker and Episcopal laity in this indispensable manual. Each page in Faith Rules is Episcopal wisdom set in concise, straightforward language for anyone in the 21st century.

How do people find faith? For centuries the focus of the church has been on providing arguments that might persuade a person rationally that faith is plausible. This book invites people to find faith through experience. By taking a great work of art, the reader is invited to meditate and pray through that art to God. Faith is primarily an experience of the heart, not an argument that appeals to the head. The book opens with a framing case for the centrality of the visual arts as a vehicle to experience the divine. Engaging with the literature, a distinctive case is made for a "spiritual theory of art," according to which art makes spiritual reality present to the seeker. Then there are twenty-two devotional reflections on art that show how properly reading a painting or a drawing can open up fresh ways of thinking about the divine that are compelling and powerful. Thus, we are guided towards seeing truly great art as a focus for prayer and meditation.

Skepticism about Christianity abounds. Building on the work of Charles Taylor, Ian S. Markham argues that contemporary skepticism is more a mood than an intellectual repudiation of Christian theology. In its attempt to accommodate science, the church too often opts for deistic responses that take the spiritual out of the material. Against this response, Markham argues for a rich, imaginative account of the world that is grounded in Christian revelation, and affirms spiritual causation, angels, and the reality of the saints. It is a clarion call for the Western church to learn from the church in the Global South and create a rich theology that lives up to its professed values as a genuinely inclusive church.

Leading with Love: Essentials of Church Leadership is a handbook, the distilled lessons of Terence Elsberry's thirty-plus years as an ordained minister. It challenges clergy of all denominations to apply his proven leadership skills and knowledge to the ministry God has called them to. Here you'll find a handbook of ministry-enhancing information in a helpful Q. and A. format. The answers focus on key areas of ministry and are the result of proven success. Warm, anecdotal, practical, and motivational, here's a book to help lead church leaders through the heartache, frustrations, and joys of church leadership while by God's grace remembering the underlying purpose of ministry: to share God's love with his people and, with them, and through them, to the world. As Terry says, ""The reason why church ministry is so satisfying is because there are so many people to love.""

Skepticism about Christianity abounds. Building on the work of Charles Taylor, Ian S. Markham argues that contemporary skepticism is more a mood than an intellectual repudiation. In its attempt to accommodate science, the church too often opts for deistic responses that take the spiritual out of the material. Against this response, Markham argues for a rich, imaginative account of the world that is grounded in Christian revelation, and affirms spiritual causation, angels, and the reality of the saints. It is a clarion call for the Western church to learn from the church in the Global South and create a rich theology that lives up to its professed values as a genuinely inclusive church.

• Practical guide to church community life Taking the approach of Michael Pollan’s Food Rules, Community Rules seeks to distill the basics of “good church” into a set of memorable rules. Working with three sections, the authors draw on their years of combined experience in academic and church administration to identify the basic Christian principles that underpin Episcopal community and then apply them to actions and relationships. The book seeks to explicate the best personnel practices, as well as good governance and communal life together, alongside a framing within the Christian worldview. The goal is to provide a text that can serve as a guide for any and all members of a parish, most especially those who serve on vestries or as volunteers.

The revised second edition of the accessible guide to contemporary ethical issues that are at the intersection of religion and morality The updated second edition of Do Morals Matter? offers an authoritative yet approachable guide to the current ethical issues that bridge the gap between religion and morality. This informed text examines today’s key ethical issues that range from making moral decisions in business and medicine, to the uncertainty of war and terrorism and the tenuous condition of our environment. This popular textbook embraces the dramatic changes that have occurred since the first edition was published such as changes in attitude towards the LGBT community as well as emerging ethical areas such as cyber ethics. In consultation with professors, the new edition includes sections at the beginning and end of each chapter that provide clear and succinct summaries of key issues, as well as reflective and discussion questions. This revised text: Sets out all the major ethical options in a balanced way inviting students to make their own mind upDeals with both moral philosophy and applied ethicsStarts every chapter with a thought-exercise to provoke discussionPlaces Brexit and President Trump in an appropriate ethical frameworkDevelops the concept of a Morally Serious Person. Written for students studying ethics in departments of theology and religion, Do Morals Matter? is the thoroughly revised and updated edition of the text that explores contemporary ethical issues.

Too often interfaith dialogue is generic and unfocused. Often it involves 'liberals' from each tradition coming together to criticize the 'conservatives' in their own traditions. This book provides a model for interfaith dialogue that challenges very directly the 'dialogue industry'. This book involves a Christian theologian in deep conversation with a Muslim theologian. Bediuzzaman Said Nursi (1877-1960) was born at the end of the Ottoman Empire and lived through the emergence of an aggressive secular state. He had to think through, in remarkably creative ways, the challenge of faith within a secular environment, the relationship of faith and politics, and the implications and challenge of diversity and difference. His entire project is captured in his magnum opus 'The Risale-i Nur'. In the first eight chapters of this book, we engage closely with the thought of Nursi and tease out insights that Christians can learn from and accommodate. Having established the method, the second section of the book examines the precise implications for the interfaith movement. The problem with the interfaith movement is that it is an act of western cultural imperialism - they are taking the individualist assumptions of modern America and imposing them on the conversation. The problems with John Hick's and Leonard Swidler's approach are exposed. Moving out from Islam, the book then demonstrates how the model of interfaith changes when Christians are in conversation with Hinduism in India. A new set of Dialogue Ten Commandments are suggested. The book concludes with an appeal for a commitment to include and reach the 'conservatives' in the major religious traditions.

The three chapters of Why Suffering? attempt to provide a gentle exploration of how we can respond to a complex issue that has baffled and bothered humanity throughout the ages: Why does a good, all-powerful, and loving God permit evil and suffering? The opening chapter examines the challenge in some depth, while the two additional chapters set forth a Christian response that is grounded in the disclosure of God in Christ on the cross.

The comprehensive and engaging introduction to contemporary Christianity, revised and updated The second edition of Understanding Christian Doctrine presents a completely updated and revised edition that builds on the most popular features of the first edition to offer a lively overview to the central beliefs of Christianity. Ian S Markham, a noted authority of Christianity, discusses the great thinkers of the Christian tradition and puts them in conversation with contemporary progressive theologies in a book that goes from Augustine, Aquinas, and Luther to Liberationist, Feminist, and Queer theologies. Designed to be a basic primer, the text is written in a manner that assumes the reader has no prior knowledge of theology or Christian doctrine. The book is designed to present the basic options in all the key areas of Christianity as well as information on how to make complex theological decisions. The author tackles all the key questions from creation to eschatology. Furthermore, Markham makes his own distinctive contribution: he argues that theodicy (traditionally seen as a major difficulty with belief) is actually a theme that links many aspects of Christian doctrine. The revised second edition includes a wealth of new information, including: A lively and comprehensive introduction to Christianity that assumes no prior knowledge of the faithAn overview to the great thinkers of Christian tradition that puts them in conversation with progressive liberationist theologiesSuggestions that help even the most skeptical to learn to understand and possibly embrace theological assertionsBreakout boxes that explain the significance of the text’s various philosophical ideas and positions The text is ideal for anyone interested in learning about the foundations of Christianity as well as new ideas about the faith. Christianity is presented in a manner that embraces the richness of the tradition and affirms the central claims of the historical creeds, while engaging with liberationist challenges to the tradition.

An Introduction to Ministry is a comprehensive and ecumenical introduction to the craft of ministry for ministers, pastors, and priests that make up the mainline denominations in the United States. Ecumenically-focused, It offers a grounded account of ministry, covering areas such as vocation, congregational leadership, and cultivation of skills for an effective ministry. Covers the key components of the M.Div. curriculum, offering a map and guide to the central skills and issues in trainingExplores the areas of vocation, skills for ministry, and issues around congregational leadershipEach topic ends with an annotated bibliography providing an indispensable gateway to further studyHelps students understand both the distinctive approach of their denomination and the relationship of that approach to other mainline denominationsAdvocates and defends a generous understanding of the Christian tradition in its openness and commitment to broad conversation

An Introduction to Ministry is a comprehensive and ecumenical introduction to the craft of ministry for ministers, pastors, and priests that make up the mainline denominations in the United States. Ecumenically-focused, It offers a grounded account of ministry, covering areas such as vocation, congregational leadership, and cultivation of skills for an effective ministry. Covers the key components of the M.Div. curriculum, offering a map and guide to the central skills and issues in trainingExplores the areas of vocation, skills for ministry, and issues around congregational leadershipEach topic ends with an annotated bibliography providing an indispensable gateway to further studyHelps students understand both the distinctive approach of their denomination and the relationship of that approach to other mainline denominationsAdvocates and defends a generous understanding of the Christian tradition in its openness and commitment to broad conversation

An accessible introduction to the Episcopal Church for general inquiries, use with new members, as a confirmation resource, and in youth and adult study groups. A simple Q&A provides a quick, easy, and non-threatening way to learn-perfect for today’s busy lifestyle. Yet, with Episcopal Questions, Episcopal Answers, we’re also dealing with some of the most central and compelling elements of the faith. Sample questions of the new work include: What do Episcopalians believe about the Bible? Why do Episcopalians practice infant baptism? Why does God permit evil and suffering? What are the sacraments of the Episcopal Church? Is it acceptable for a Bishop to question the Virgin Birth? Why is the Prayer Book so important to Episcopalians? What is the relationship between the Prayer Book and the Bible? What is the Anglican Communion? How did the Episcopal Church come to be? How are decisions made in the Episcopal Church?

As one might expect from such a consummate debater and thinker, Ian Markham offers an attractive and compelling range of sermons and papers that speak wisely to the issues of our day. This is a profound yet accessible book from one of the great Christian communicators and scholars of our age. Markham's book will cause readers to ask hard questions of themselves; but also to have some hope in the future. This is an excellent book, full of wisdom and insight.On October 22, 2010, a fire took hold in the 129 year old Immanuel Chapel at the Virginia Theological Seminary. The title of this collection of essays and sermons is taken from the words surrounding the altar window in that chapel. The author uses this tragedy as a gateway into reflecting on the nature of faith and the challenge of engagement. This important book includes the sermons preached after the chapel fire tragedy, as well as several unpublished articles on issues as diverse as 'Radical Orthodoxy' and 'Gay Marriage.'

As one might expect from such a consummate debater and thinker, Ian Markham offers an attractive and compelling range of sermons and papers that speak wisely to the issues of our day. This is a profound yet accessible book from one of the great Christian communicators and scholars of our age. Markham's book will cause readers to ask hard questions of themselves; but also to have some hope in the future. This is an excellent book, full of wisdom and insight.On October 22, 2010, a fire took hold in the 129 year old Immanuel Chapel at the Virginia Theological Seminary. The title of this collection of essays and sermons is taken from the words surrounding the altar window in that chapel. The author uses this tragedy as a gateway into reflecting on the nature of faith and the challenge of engagement. This important book includes the sermons preached after the chapel fire tragedy, as well as several unpublished articles on issues as diverse as 'Radical Orthodoxy' and 'Gay Marriage.'

Contemporary Islamic thinkers are often studied sociologically rather than as theologians. There are many accessible introductions to Christian theologians, but very few such studies of Islamic thinkers. This book, and this series, seeks to change this situation: offering new introductions to influential Islamic thinkers and engaging, at the level of ideas, with the rich depths of contemporary Islamic theology. This book introduces to the English-speaking world the leading modern Islamic thinker Said Nursi (1878-1960) - who has some nine million followers in modern day Turkey and around the world. After an opening chapter that provides an overview of his life, the next four chapters outline the theology of Nursi on God, the Qur'an, the West and Politics. The final section provides an invaluable resource of readings from Nursi's most important writings. Providing an introduction to a major form of Islam which is committed to non-violence, dialogue and constructive relationships with the West, this is the first student textbook to introduce a contemporary Islamic theologian in a systematic way.

Contemporary Islamic thinkers are often studied sociologically rather than as theologians. There are many accessible introductions to Christian theologians, but very few such studies of Islamic thinkers. This book, and this series, seeks to change this situation: offering new introductions to influential Islamic thinkers and engaging, at the level of ideas, with the rich depths of contemporary Islamic theology. This book introduces to the English-speaking world the leading modern Islamic thinker Said Nursi (1878-1960) - who has some nine million followers in modern day Turkey and around the world. After an opening chapter that provides an overview of his life, the next four chapters outline the theology of Nursi on God, the Qur'an, the West and Politics. The final section provides an invaluable resource of readings from Nursi's most important writings. Providing an introduction to a major form of Islam which is committed to non-violence, dialogue and constructive relationships with the West, this is the first student textbook to introduce a contemporary Islamic theologian in a systematic way.