The book begins by exploring a number of signposts in psalms' scholarship which alert us to the value of psalms as a form of prayer. The particular focus is lament psalms, and their potential as a form of prayer for people engaging with distressing experiences in life. What follows, is a discussion of lament as a process and the areas of potential change for someone who uses these psalms for prayer. The final section of the book includes stories of several people who prayed some of these psalms over a period of time. It explores their responses and reflections in an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of praying psalms such as these. The book culminates with a chapter which invites the reader to pray some psalms of distress themselves with notes suggesting an appropriate ritual to follow and some ideas for further exploration. 'David J. Cohen's book, Why, O Lord?, provides a wonderful, comprehensive view of the psalms of lament. It is an encouragement to all Christian traditions to look with fresh eyes on the psalms as prayer, and particularly the psalms of lament, as our suffering, and the suffering of many in our world, needs the language to cry out to God in times of darkness. The psalms express every human emotion and use a strong confidence that we can cry out to God, and that God will hear our suffering, and that transformation is possible. Bringing the psalms of lament into ritual, so aptly described by Cohen, brings a new dimension to worship, both personal and communal. This book is an excellent academic and pastoral addition to our knowledge of the psalms.' Angela McCarthy, lecturer in Theology at the University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, Australia: National President of the Australian Academy of Liturgy

Examines the regulation of sexuality, the family and unorthodox religious beliefs in classical Athens, by placing the question in a larger comparative and theoretical framework.

This is a volume of practical, scriptural, and contemporary essays exploring the idea of strength in weakness in the context of Christian life and ministry. Biblical scholars, theologians, and Christian ministry practitioners have thought about the biblical paradigm of strength in weakness within their own areas of expertise and interest. Biblical scholars encounter the idea of strength in weakness in both Old and New Testament passages that suggest human weakness and divine strength. The people of Israel, a community reliant on grace, exemplify this theme. Mark's portrayal of Jesus Christ indicates that it is in weakness that Christ saves. Paul's paradigm for ministry suggests the same. Theological chapters engage this teaching of strength in weakness as it surfaces in Luther's life, in Calvin's view of prayer, in Barth's theology, and ultimately in the divine dealing with the world. Pastoral theology demonstrates this theme's foundational significance for a suffering church in its mission to the world as well as the theme's importance for preaching the leading of God's people today. Drawing together scholars from fields of biblical studies, systematic theology, and pastoral theology, On Eagles' Wings questions an overemphasis on power in today's church. The authors propose various ways that ministry and mission may be best engaged with a biblical humility and with reliance on God's grace.

Drawing together scholars from fields of biblical studies, systematic theology, liturgics, and pastoral theology, In Praise of Worship questions an overemphasis on singing and music (alone) as worship in today's church. Whilst not minimizing moments of conscious and deliberate worship, the authors show that according to a close reading of Scripture and a clear understanding of theology, the whole of our lives is to be considered as worship-glorifying to the Lord who deserves such honor. Contributors: Nancy Ault Alastair Campbell David J. Cohen David G. Firth Travis Fitch Michael W. Goheen Stephen Haar Brian S. Harris Chris Jack Angela McCarthy Alan Niven John W. Olley Michael O'Neil Robin Parry Michael Parsons Michael J. Quicke

The Relief Teachers’ Survival Handbook Book 1 is the first in a series of three titles. It is written for the teacher who needs an emergency lesson and for the relief teacher who has been asked to cover for an absent regular teacher. As a relief teacher, there may be occasions where work is not set for the entire day, and teachers may be expected to fill these times with their own lessons. Relief Teachers’ Survival Handbook Book 1 covers every learning area, and though the lessons require minimal preparation, they are educationally meaningful, and can be adapted to suit particular lesson goals and abilities.

This exceptional book explores our understanding of the Psalter as a book of prayer in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It focuses in original and helpful ways on the genre of Lament as a text medium through which personal distress can be engaged with and processed in the action of prayer, and explores some of the psychodynamic shifts which can occur for people praying in this way, providing some actual case examples of the process at work. The author provides a thorough examination of the lament genre found in the Psalter from a theological perspective and also offers a practical working model which could be incorporated into work with people who are suffering from distress in a variety of forms.