Does the Christian message have anything to say to a society marked by religious pluralism, ethnic diversity and cultural relativism?
Is it possible even to talk about truth in such a society?
Is Christianity a valid option for the 21st Century?
With a new introduction by leading Newbigin scholar, Paul Weston, this book brings together two of Newbigin's classic works: Discovering Truth in a Changing World and Living Hope in a Changing World. Together, they present the Christian story as a lens through which to view and understand God and the world, demonstrating that Christianity is a viable way to live one's life today, and that Christians need not retreat to a private world where faith is presumed to be 'mere opinion'.
With his unerring focus on placing the Christian faith squarely at the centre of public life and contemporary debate, Newbigin opens up the great themes of philosophy and scientific thought and critiques them in the light of Scripture to present the gospel as a public truth by which our society can find coherence and direction.
Chapters include:
Part 1 – Faith and the Trinity
- God the Holy Trinity
- Jesus the Incarnate Son
- Life Together in the Holy Spirit
Part 2 – Faith and Doctrine
- How do we know?
- Authority: Scripture, Tradition, Reason, Experience
- Creation: Things Visible and Invisible
- Salvation: Fall, Sin, Redemption, Atonement, Justification
- The Church: One, Holy, Apostolic
- The Last Things: The Kingdom of God
Part 3 – Faith in a Changing World
- Christian Faith in the World of Science
- Christian Faith Among the World Religions
- The Gospel in the Public Square
Forewords by Nicky Gumbel and Sandy Millar
Lesslie Newbigin (1909-98) was a missionary statesman, theologian, pastor, author and limerick writer. He volunteered for missionary service in India with the Church of Scotland, and went on to become a bishop in Madurai and Ramnad with the Church of South India, Assistant General Secretary of the World Council of Churches and Bishop of Madras. After his retirement, he taught theology at Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham and was elected moderator of the United Reformed Church. His teaching at HTB's School of Theology between 1994 and 1995 forms the basis of this book.
About the Editor: Paul Weston lectures in mission studies at Ridley Hall, Cambridge where he is an affiliated lecturer in the Cambridge University Divinity Faculty. He has taught at the HTB School of Theology and Chairs the UK 'Gospel and Our Culture' Network. He completed his PhD on Newbigin's later writings in 2001, and is the editor of Lesslie Newbigin, Missionary Theologian: A Reader (London/Grand Rapids, MI: SPCK/Eerdmans, 2006).
