James Crossley

What are the origins of Jesus' reputation for healings and exorcisms? Few questions in Jesus studies are more hotly contested or elicit more diverse responses. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach and in dialogue with recent scholarly literature, The Galilean Wonderworker offers a compelling account. Recognizing the reciprocal relationship between personal and communal well-being within Israelite faith, this study offers new insights into how sickness and healing were understood in first-century Palestine. This, in turn, supplies the backcloth for a fresh evaluation of the evidence for Jesus' healings and exorcisms, where the emphasis falls firmly upon the dynamics of personal encounter. Jesus emerges as a spirit-person, capable of engendering faith and exercising authority to the extent that sufferers experienced liberation from debilitating symptoms and oppressive behaviors, many of which reflected contemporary sociopolitical conditions. Further, by vesting theological significance in these outcomes, they simultaneously constituted manifestations of God's sovereign presence, signaling restoration of covenantal well-being. Acknowledging that Jesus expected his disciples to heal and exorcize, the investigation concludes with an overview of how this legacy was embraced by the early church--noting how exorcism becomes incorporated into Christian initiation while spiritual healing, though continuing, is eclipsed by pastoral care and conventional medical practice.

What are the origins of Jesus' reputation for healings and exorcisms? Few questions in Jesus studies are more hotly contested or elicit more diverse responses. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach and in dialogue with recent scholarly literature, The Galilean Wonderworker offers a compelling account. Recognizing the reciprocal relationship between personal and communal well-being within Israelite faith, this study offers new insights into how sickness and healing were understood in first-century Palestine. This, in turn, supplies the backcloth for a fresh evaluation of the evidence for Jesus' healings and exorcisms, where the emphasis falls firmly upon the dynamics of personal encounter. Jesus emerges as a spirit-person, capable of engendering faith and exercising authority to the extent that sufferers experienced liberation from debilitating symptoms and oppressive behaviors, many of which reflected contemporary sociopolitical conditions. Further, by vesting theological significance in these outcomes, they simultaneously constituted manifestations of God's sovereign presence, signaling restoration of covenantal well-being. Acknowledging that Jesus expected his disciples to heal and exorcize, the investigation concludes with an overview of how this legacy was embraced by the early church--noting how exorcism becomes incorporated into Christian initiation while spiritual healing, though continuing, is eclipsed by pastoral care and conventional medical practice.

This is the first book-length treatment of the life and thought of the Communist intellectual A. L. Morton (1903–1987) who pioneered studies of utopianism, radical history, and English national identity. Morton is now best known for A People's History of England (1938) and The English Utopia (1952), but his output was vast, and he was once widely read in socialist circles and beyond. He published on the English Revolution, Chartism, the emergence of the British labour movement, the legacy of utopianism in working-class movements, Arthurian legends, Shakespeare, the Brontë sisters, Robert Owen, William Morris, millenarianism, imperialism, and much more. Through extensive archival work (including recently released secret service files) and a close reading of Morton's publications, this book shows how Morton was a key influence on the famed generation of British Marxist historians associated with the postwar Communist Party Historians' Group, often anticipating their more celebrated findings. This book analyses the interrelated significance of Morton’s political work and his role within the Communist Party of Great Britain at crucial points in its history. The book further functions, then, as a story of English socialism and Communism during the Cold War.

What made the Jesus movement tick? By situating the life of Jesus of Nazareth in the turbulent troubles of first-century Palestine, Crossley and Myles give a thrilling historical-materialist take on the historical Jesus. Delivering a wealth of knowledge on the social, economic, and cultural conflicts of the time, Jesus: A Life in Class Conflict uncovers the emergence of a fervent and deadly serious religious organizer whose social and religious movement offered not only a radical end-time edict of divine reversal and judgment but also a promising new world order ruled in the interests of the peasantry. The movement’s popular appeal was due in part to a desire to represent the values of ordinary rural workers, and its vision meant that the rich would have to give up their wealth, while the poor would be afforded a life of heavenly luxury. Tensions flared up considerably when the movement marched on Jerusalem and Jesus was willingly martyred for the cause. Crossley and Myles offer a vivid portrait of the man and his movement and uncover the material conditions that converged to make it happen.

Functional training develops the attributes and abilities required to perform tasks, skills and activities useful and relevant to daily life. Functional Exercise and Rehabilitation serves as an accessible and visual guide providing the essentials of therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation, including mobilization, stabilization and myofascial release.This book begins by explaining functional training and the foundation of the STRIVE approach. Chapter 2 introduces functional anatomy and Chapter 3 explains the fundamentals of neuroscience. The final chapters discuss the STRIVE principles and apply them to exercise, program design and injury recovery. Each chapter includes key point boxes, illustrations and photos of exercises discussed. Written by an exercise specialist and osteopath, this practical guide is presented in an easy-to-read style. Functional Exercise and Rehabilitation is essential reading for all health professionals, sports therapists and trainers involved in exercise prescription.

Functional training develops the attributes and abilities required to perform tasks, skills and activities useful and relevant to daily life. Functional Exercise and Rehabilitation serves as an accessible and visual guide providing the essentials of therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation, including mobilization, stabilization and myofascial release.This book begins by explaining functional training and the foundation of the STRIVE approach. Chapter 2 introduces functional anatomy and Chapter 3 explains the fundamentals of neuroscience. The final chapters discuss the STRIVE principles and apply them to exercise, program design and injury recovery. Each chapter includes key point boxes, illustrations and photos of exercises discussed. Written by an exercise specialist and osteopath, this practical guide is presented in an easy-to-read style. Functional Exercise and Rehabilitation is essential reading for all health professionals, sports therapists and trainers involved in exercise prescription.

Jesus's Manifesto: The Sermon on the Plain is a historical analysis and exegesis of the Sermon on the Plain found in Luke 6:20-49. Going into the historical and literary context of the Sermon on the Plain, it examines how the message fits into the world of Jesus and his audience. Jesus's Manifesto demonstrates how the Sermon's ethical injunctions and eschatological message interacted with contemporary ideologies, and how these injunctions were meant to be taken as normative commandments by Jesus in light of his eschatological message. Many have attempted to dampen the ethical teachings of Jesus by trying to relativize them, or by trying to make them compatible with the wider culture and the dominant ideologies; however, when understood in its historical context, the Sermon's message was not only incompatible with the wider culture and the dominant ideologies, but it stood in opposition to them. Jesus's Manifesto provides the necessary historical and anthropological tools to fully appreciate the profound and seemingly radical message of the Sermon of the Plain. ""Roman Montero has adopted the position--outlandish for most Christians down the ages--of taking Jesus at his word on matters of wealth, poverty, justice, and political order. For those who would prefer a morality consisting chiefly in personal continence, but making no demands upon their comforts and privileges, nothing could be more subversive or threatening. And yet no unprejudiced reader of this book can truly doubt that it captures something essential to the moral beauty of the gospel."" --David Bentley Hart, University of Notre Dame ""Montero's book is not simply another exposition of the 'sermon' of Jesus, but an exploration of how Jesus' ethical teachings compare and contrast with those of major influential figures from the Greek world like Aristotle and Plato, as well as their connections to Israel's ethical traditions as articulated by figures such as Isaiah and the rabbis of the Mishnah. The result is a powerful historical portrait of Jesus as a teacher in conversation with his contemporaries (as well as the past and longstanding cultural values), offering a radical vision for a community that has love as the 'central organizing principle' of its values and its practices."" --James F. McGrath, Butler University Roman A. Montero is the author of All Things in Common: The Economic Practices of the Early Christians.

Jesus's Manifesto: The Sermon on the Plain is a historical analysis and exegesis of the Sermon on the Plain found in Luke 6:20-49. Going into the historical and literary context of the Sermon on the Plain, it examines how the message fits into the world of Jesus and his audience. Jesus's Manifesto demonstrates how the Sermon's ethical injunctions and eschatological message interacted with contemporary ideologies, and how these injunctions were meant to be taken as normative commandments by Jesus in light of his eschatological message. Many have attempted to dampen the ethical teachings of Jesus by trying to relativize them, or by trying to make them compatible with the wider culture and the dominant ideologies; however, when understood in its historical context, the Sermon's message was not only incompatible with the wider culture and the dominant ideologies, but it stood in opposition to them. Jesus's Manifesto provides the necessary historical and anthropological tools to fully appreciate the profound and seemingly radical message of the Sermon of the Plain. ""Jesus's Manifesto contributes to our collective knowledge of Christian origins by supplying a close reading of the Sermon on the Plain that proposes the Gospel writer Luke composed a faithful model of the historical Jesus's sermon. Montero's discussion of the Sermon's historical context is equally impressive and educative."" --Edgar G. Foster, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Philosophy, Lenoir-Rhyne University ""Roman Montero has adopted the position--outlandish for most Christians down the ages--of taking Jesus at his word on matters of wealth, poverty, justice, and political order. For those who would prefer a morality consisting chiefly in personal continence, but making no demands upon their comforts and privileges, nothing could be more subversive or threatening. And yet no unprejudiced reader of this book can truly doubt that it captures something essential to the moral beauty of the gospel."" --David Bentley Hart, University of Notre Dame ""Montero's book is not simply another exposition of the 'sermon' of Jesus, but an exploration of how Jesus' ethical teachings compare and contrast with those of major influential figures from the Greek world like Aristotle and Plato, as well as their connections to Israel's ethical traditions as articulated by figures such as Isaiah and the rabbis of the Mishnah. The result is a powerful historical portrait of Jesus as a teacher in conversation with his contemporaries (as well as the past and longstanding cultural values), offering a radical vision for a community that has love as the 'central organizing principle' of its values and its practices."" --James F. McGrath, Butler University ""Roman Montero, the author of All Things in Common: The Economic Practices of the Early Christians, now goes a step backwards in the history of Christianity. He turns to the core of Jesus's ethical teachings to investigate the purpose of these ethics within his eschatological horizon. Montero has researched his topic extensively and systematically attempts to dive into the contemporary major ethical systems of both Jewish and Greco-Roman worlds. He succeeds in making his book easy to read, while he provides the required bibliographical support for the more demanding reader."" --Pavlos D. Vasileiadis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Roman A. Montero is the author of All Things in Common: The Economic Practices of the Early Christians.

Personal Training: Theory and Practice, Second Edition, draws together in one unique volume the personal, practical and business skills central to becoming a successful personal trainer. This accessible book introduces you to the fundamentals of applied exercise prescription and programme design, as well as advanced concepts including nutritional intervention, postural analysis and the psychology of behaviour change. Key Features- updated to reflect advances in training methodology and techniques in line with requirements for professional qualification- key points boxes, chapter summaries and a glossary of scientific and technical concepts to aid understanding- full colour illustrations and photos to support visual learning- case studies and sample exercise plans to help you put theory into practice- supported by online resources such as self-assessment tests, downloadable forms and session sheets at www.routledge.com/cw/crossleyPersonal Training: Theory and Practice is the ideal companion and handy reference for those embarking on a career in personal training as well as experienced trainers. Reviews of the first edition: 'the ideal companion to turn you from an amateur into a professional sports trainer...the only title tailored to meet the needs of UK-based personal training.' Work Out'a gem of a book...clearly written and presented which makes it easy for both fitness professionals and lay people to understand. Definitely worth buying.' Health and Fitness

James Crossley holds a mirror up to English politics, examining how Christianity is often used to legitimise ideological positions and parties. From the paternalistic Christianity used to justify ever-intensifiying neoliberalism, to the ethnonationalist and economic protectionist Christianity of Theresa May and Brexit, and encompassing the socialist constructions of Christianity by Jeremy Corbyn and a resurgent Left, Crossley guides us through politics' love affair with Christianity. Drawing on interviews with politicians, leave and remain voters, activists, and revolutionaries, Crossley reveals how religion is linked to positions relating to class, capitalism and foreign policy: obfuscating potential causes of unrest, justifying military intervention and challenging dominant class interests.

James Crossley holds a mirror up to English politics, examining how Christianity is often used to legitimise ideological positions and parties. From the paternalistic Christianity used to justify ever-intensifiying neoliberalism, to the ethnonationalist and economic protectionist Christianity of Theresa May and Brexit, and encompassing the socialist constructions of Christianity by Jeremy Corbyn and a resurgent Left, Crossley guides us through politics' love affair with Christianity. Drawing on interviews with politicians, leave and remain voters, activists, and revolutionaries, Crossley reveals how religion is linked to positions relating to class, capitalism and foreign policy: obfuscating potential causes of unrest, justifying military intervention and challenging dominant class interests.