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Is the universe ultimately meaningful, ordered to an end of transcendental value? Or is it merely the product of random interactions in which organization emerges only locally and by chance and is conserved only so long as rare and improbable conditions prevail? There can, in fact, be no more important question, for on the resolution of this question depends the significance of all our worldly labors. The Ultimate Meaningfulness of the Universe represents a new departure in this debate, arguing that because it describes rather than explains the universe, mathematical physics is radically incapable of addressing this question. The book argues for a new scientific research paradigm that while incorporating and building on the description of the universe supplied by modern mathematical physics, goes beyond it in a restored discipline of teleological explanation. The book sketches applications in the physical, biological, and social domains, and shows that powerful evidence already points toward the ultimate meaningfulness of the universe.

This book presents a dynamic picture of Jesus and relates this picture to Jesus' fundamental and underlying relationship with his Father through the Holy Spirit. The concrete expression of that relationship in Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection is presented in a unified manner, avoiding the pitfall of majoring on only one of these aspects. This holistic and dynamic picture of Jesus in intimate fellowship with his Father through the Spirit gives the readers a valuable glimpse into the mystery of the Trinity and invites them to reflect on what it means to follow Jesus as individuals and as communities in the context of the twenty-first century with its many challenges.

In his commentary on Hosea, H. W. Wolff proposed that the divine marriage metaphor is the central metaphor of the entire OT. In Hebrew prophetic books, the metaphor reflected the covenantal relationship between Yahweh and his people. No other metaphor reached as deeply into the heart of this relationship or better described the tragedy of a broken relationship between Yahweh and his people. No other metaphor expressed more fully the abundance of God's grace shown in the promise of covenant restoration and renewal in the eschaton. In this volume, Polish Reformed academic Sebastian Smolarz demonstrates that the divine marriage metaphor is also one of the leading NT metaphors used to describe God's restored covenant relationship with his people, especially in the Book of Revelation.Smolarz argues for continuity between OT and NT concepts and theologies in general, and for continuity between the Apocalypse and OT material in particular, showing that the Apocalypse has much in common with other parts of the NT. In doing so, he focuses on some Gospel parables and reads them against their OT background. He also examines instances of the divine marriage metaphor in Paul's theological reflections.The focus of Smolarz' volume is a covenantal reading of the Apocalypse. He argues that the metaphor helps to establish the Apocalypse's Sitz im Leben, which he relates to the main conflict between the faithful and the unfaithful within the people of God in the first century CE. His work establishes that the Apocalypse contains not only explicit instances, but also implicit references and many echoes of this covenantal metaphor.

Is the Christian message of Jesus Christ and his resurrection true? Using ten lines of historical evidence, Dr. Craig defends the probability that Jesus was resurrected following his crucifixion. He examines the origin of the Christian movement, and more provocative subjects, such as the Shroud of Turin, parapsychological phenomena and hallucinations.

How long will this planet go on? How long will the universe last? Scientists give projected answers based on knowledge of universal physical laws. They talk of billions of years. When Christians take part in worship they express belief in what are called the Last Things--Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell, concepts based on the Scriptures. Can these beliefs be held on to? Concerning future events the Bible presents diverse and even incredible ideas that are held by Christians. This book is an attempt to interpret the Bible in a credible way and to encourage faith in God's purposes.

This book is about the names given to Jesus by those followers responsible for putting his words and deeds into writing-the earliest ""Christian scribes."" In the first-century Mediterranean world, the first name of male person was his proper name. The second name indicated the family or clan to which he belonged, whereas the third name was an ""honorary title"" bestowed on him because of some achievement, good fortune, physical attribute, or ""special excellence.""Honorary titles were bestowed on Jesus mostly after his death. Such titles were often given to sages. The titles could either amplify Jesus' wisdom and empower people, or serve as instruments of power.This book aims to demonstrate the ideological and political mystification of Jesus in the transmission of the tradition about him. It illustrates the relevance of --The social history of formative Christianity;--The evolution of the Jesus traditions;--The genre of the gospels as biography; and--The institutionalization of charismatic authority.

Synopsis:Dust or Dew addresses the question of Israel's unique contribution to beliefs about afterlife in the Ancient Near East as hinted at in Psalm 49. Reading this obscure psalm separately from other diverse contexts is often unrewarding. Dust or Dew shows which other readings, from the literature of both ancient Israel and its neighbors, enriches our understanding not only of the psalm and but also of Israel's developing concepts of sheol and redemption for the righteous. The Korahite clan of Israel emerges from the historical shadows. Finally, new light on Genesis 1-3 enriches understanding of the Psalm 49, while a survey of the icons of ancient goddess worship informs our understanding of Genesis 1-3.Endorsements:"Janet Smith offers a fresh perspective on the difficult and complex question of death and 'life after death' in the ancient world of the Bible. She has in purview the large sweep of Ancient Near Eastern religion. But she goes about the issue in a proper way, focusing on texts (the Psalms and particularly Psalm 49) and on the sub-community from which these Psalms arose. She studies the 'Psalms of Korah,' a group whom she identifies as the 'custodians of the hope of a future redemption for the soul from sheol.' Her work leads her to conclude, against mythological speculation, that 'life after death' in ancient Israel concerns the victory of God in the world. Her careful reading of texts will serve well a rethinking of the 'this-worldly, bodily' form of Israel's faith in 'the God of life.' The last word, she affirms, belongs not to death, but to life!"-Walter BrueggemannColumbia Theological Seminary"Janet Smith skillfully collects bits of scattered information about Ancient Near Eastern beliefs in the afterlife and examines their connection to the theology of the ancient Hebrews. Her work uncovers new and significant discoveries that relate to the Psalms and the Hebrew theology of the afterlife. Janet's research is comprehensive, her arguments are convincing, and her conclusions are well supported. Dust or Dew makes a significant contribution to the field of ancient near eastern and biblical studies."-Lee Roy MartinPentecostal Theological Seminary, Cleveland, Tennessee"What was the early Hebrew concept of the afterlife? The Hebrew Bible is filled with references to sheol, but rather than offering a systematic understanding of the afterlife, these references are often contradictory. Drawing on the best scholarship, Smith focuses on Psalm 49, which she interprets in light of biblical and Near Eastern texts. She concludes that there is 'a clear sense of trajectory from the vaguest. . . . ideas of a grave-like sheol transitioning to a confidence that righteous individuals will be immediately taken from sheol.' This book is a must for all theological libraries and religious studies programs as well as biblical scholars interested in the biblical understanding of the afterlife."-D. William Faupel, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington DCAuthor Biography:Janet Smith is a former geologic draftsperson and illustrator. She holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible from Union Institute & University.

Synopsis:In this day of increasing uncertainty and fear, faith in God is needed more than ever before. In addition to its incalculable other benefits, faith in God brings peace, comfort, and overflowing joy to those who put their trust in God. But not any kind of "faith" can procure these benefits, only biblical faith can. When understood in its biblical authenticity, and then put into action, faith always leads to triumph in that it enables us to experience what God ordained for us to obtain, perform, and become. In light of this, it is extremely important that we-the people of God-possess a comprehensive, biblically-based, practical tool to aid us in achieving this understanding.Real Faith in Action is that tool! It presents an unconventional, multi-dimensional view of faith, revealing many aspects usually not discussed in other works, through nine principles that are clearly laid out by the Holy Spirit in what is unquestionably the most comprehensive reporting of the working of faith in all of Scripture-the roll call of faith in Hebrews 11. The principles are thus illustrated through the real life experiences of fellow humans who dared to believe God for the impossible. Accordingly, the book goes beyond explaining faith to demonstrating faith. It is designed to captivate and draw the reader into the world of the faith heroes of the past, thus inspiring him or her to do likewise. Furthermore, in that real life experiences are discussed, any thought of being incapable of doing the same should be vanquished, knowing that others succeeded in their accomplishments by utilizing the same faith to which we also have access. Endorsements:"Inspiring, informative, instructive, and pastoral are just a few words that describe Real Faith in Action. This body of work will prove to be an invaluable resource in the hands of believers, because the desired effect is to stir up bold faith in us that will enable us to trust God for all of His promises. For his scholarly work and contribution to the cause of Christ, I am godly proud of Pastor Hazell. I am also confident that readers will give thanks to God for him for being obedient and diligent in doing what the Holy Spirit inspired him to do in making this book available to us."-Dr. Roderick Caesar, Bishop of Bethel Gospel Tabernacle Fellowship International"This guide to faith is a gift to our spiritual disciplines, demonstrating anew the excellence of theological reflection, Biblical interpretation, and pastoral sensitivity and care that the author showed in his years of study at New Brunswick Theological Seminary. As readers, we will surely find this book helpful in discerning milestones on our own pilgrimage of faith-and as we get closer to the Heavenly Jerusalem, we are likely to discover that we are gaining a new friend in Curl Oral Hazell, as he accompanies us along the way." -Dr. Richard E. Sturm, Ph.D., Professor and Director, NBTS, New York ProgramAuthor Bio:Curl Oral Hazell is the Senior Pastor of Agape Fellowship Christian Center in Conyers, Georgia. He received his Master of Divinity from New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 2003.

Author Biography:Johannes Jørgensen (1866-1956) was a writer well known in his native Denmark for his poetry but best known in other countries for his biographies of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Catherine of Siena.

In this monograph, Adam Winn proposes that the ancient Greco-Roman literary practice of imitation can and should be used when considering literary relationships between biblical texts. After identifying the imitative techniques found in Virgil's Aeneid, Winn uses those techniques as a window into Mark's use of the Elijah-Elisha narrative of 1 and 2 Kings. Through careful comparisons between numerous pericopes of both respective narratives, Winn argues that the Markan evangelist has, at many points, clearly and creatively imitated the Elijah-Elisha narrative and has relied on this narrative as a primary source.

This book articulates a contextual pneumatology from a perspective of the Eastern idea of ch'i (ki in Korean). Rather than understanding the Spirit from a Westernized philosophical perspective, this book utilizes East Asian categories rooted in the I Ching and Asian religions in dialogue with such prominent Western theologians as Barth, Pannenberg, Moltmann and Harvey Cox. The result is an exciting interaction between the Bible, traditions of the West, and experiences of the Spirit rooted in East Asia. Yun argues that the formal dimension of the Spirit (sangjeok) is present and active in all cultures and religions while the material dimension of the Spirit (muljeok) is categorically revealed and embodied through the life of Jesus Christ, the event of Pentecost, and Charisms given to the church. In making his case, he mediates a creative balance between countercultural and exclusivist models on the one hand, and pluralistic and anthropocentric models on the other.

St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio's The Soul's Journey into God is a masterpiece of thirteenth-century Scholasticism. Unfortunately no comprehensive analysis of Bonaventure's seminal treatise exists that is accessible to contemporary audiences. Reinvigorating the medieval tradition of critical commentary for the twenty-first century, Peter Dillard's A Way into Scholasticism: A Companion to St. Bonaventure's The Soul's Journey into God introduces readers to basic Scholastic concepts and arguments by expounding and evaluating Bonaventure's speculative system. Dillard also highlights the relevance of Bonaventure's thought for contemporary philosophical theology. The book will appeal to a wide audience including seminarians, clergy, brothers and sisters of religious orders, students at the advanced undergraduate or graduate levels, professional scholars, and anyone seeking a better understanding of the Scholastic intellectual tradition.

Novatian of Rome and the Culmination of Pre-Nicene Orthodoxy is an overview of the development of Christology and Trinitarian doctrine, which reached a plateau with Novatian, the third-century priest of Rome. Here James Papandrea offers an enlightening and thorough treatment of the thought, historical context, and theological influences of Novatian. Included are an assessment of the alternative Christologies of the pre-Nicene period, a survey of Novatian's legacy, and concluding comments on the relevance of his theology and ecclesiology for the contemporary church.

The End of the Unrepentant stands as the most thorough exegetical analysis of the biblical teachings about the fate of the unrepentant ever written. Following up the author's acclaimed monograph, After the Thousand Years: Resurrection and Judgment in Revelation 20, this study makes use of the nexus of the Isaiah Apocalypse (Isa 24-27) and Revelation 20 as a paradigm or interpretive lens through which to understand the teachings of the Psalms, the Prophets, Jesus, and the NT about resurrection, judgment, and the divergent futures of the faithful and the unrepentant.The question of whether ""hell"" is everlasting has been a topic of interest for many decades now among evangelicals, and the controversy has only intensified in recent years. Many Christians feel uneasy about the idea of everlasting torment, but their belief in the authority of Scripture leaves them feeling that this doctrine is inescapable. The End of the Unrepentant is written for them. It mounts a unique, positive exegetical argument for annihilationism--an argument so thoroughly founded on the prophetic words of Jesus, Isaiah, and John that it shifts the exegetical burden of proof to those who would wish, for theological reasons, to affirm everlasting torment.

The emotional separation of boys from their mothers in early childhood enables them to connect with their fathers and their fathers' world. But this separation also produces a melancholic reaction of sadness and sense of loss. Certain religious sensibilities develop out of this melancholic reaction, including a sense of honor, a sense of hope, and a sense of humor. Realizing that they cannot return to their original maternal environment, men, whether knowingly or not, embark on a lifelong search for a sense of being at home in the world. At Home in the World focuses on works of art as a means to explore the formation and continuing expression of men's melancholy selves and their religious sensibilities. These explorations include such topics as male viewers' mixed feelings toward the maternal figure, physical settings that offer alternatives to the maternal environment, and the maternal resonances of the world of nature. By presenting images of the natural world as the locus of peace and contentment, At Home in the World especially reflects of the religious sensibility of hope.

Secular contemporary development discourse deals with the problems of societal development and transformation by prioritizing the human good in terms of vital and social values with the aim of providing the basic necessities of life through social institutions that work. While such an approach is profitable by promoting economic growth, it does not take note of other dynamics of social progress and development. Also, it fails to notice the consequences of development strategies on human flourishing, well-being, and happiness.Ogbonnayu argues for an integral approach to development by engaging in a fruitful dialogue between Bernard Lonergan's philosophical anthropology with contemporary development discourse, as represented in select theories of development, and in select principles of Catholic social teaching. It makes a case for social progress and transformation as emanating from human understanding. Also, it highlights the parts of Lonergan's theory that contribute to an understanding, specifically of his treatment of bias, and of the shorter and longer cycles of societal decline. In view of the reality of moral impotence and limitations, it considers the reversal of societal decline as possible through the supernatural solution of God's grace.

All over Canada, from coast to coast, there is new life in the Christian church. In spite of declining numbers, every Christian tradition has stories to tell of new ministries, fledgling Christian communities, and fresh expressions of church springing up, sometimes in unlikely places. Here, seventeen authors with experience in areas such as church revitalization, innovative ministry, evangelism, and church planting, reflect on what they are seeing and how the lessons they have learned can guide us into ways of health and vitality. They tell us about immigrant churches and indigenous ministries, about youth research and environmental concerns, about churches in the city and churches in the country, about leadership and spirituality. Scattered throughout the book are ten exciting stories of new ministries and new churches, from different traditions and different parts of the country, all seeking to engage their communities with the Gospel.Does the church in Canada have a future? The answer these authors give is a resounding yes--green shoots can grow out of dry ground--if we are prepared to rise to the challenge and follow where the Spirit of God leads. This book is timely, comprehensive, challenging, and deeply encouraging.

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'Vital'...pertaining to life; essential; of critical importance. 'Ministry'...the giving of service, care, or aid; the function of the Christian minister or pastor. 'Issues'...a point or matter, the decision of which is of special or public importance. A dictionary can define the terms, but the real issues of ministry are faced each day by pastors, teachers, missionaries, and Christian leaders. 'Vital Ministry Issues' explores a wide range of concerns and conflicts in contemporary ministry, from the nature and responsibilities of the pastoral role to the organization and leadership of the local church. Some of the chapters included in this volume are: The World's Challenge to the Church by John R. W. Stott Priorities for the Local Church by Raymond C. Ortlund The Place of the Small Church in Today's World by Kenneth O. Gangel Court Involvement in Church Discipline by Jay A. Quine Everyone involved in ministry - from the pastor to the lay church leader to the church staff member - will appreciate the insights and focus of 'Vital Ministry Issues'.

Donald Capps draws on Erik H. Erikson's life cycle theory, biblical narratives, and the Beatitudes to show how individuals can combat the deadly sins through cultivating saving virtues. This work is rooted in the Bible. Narratives of biblical figures provide vivid examples of the dynamics of sin and virtue. This book has broad implications for the practice of ministry and will be of particular interest to all who want to explore sin and virtue from a biblical, pastoral, and psychological perspective.

Author Biography:Alan P. F. Sell, a philosopher-theologian and ecumenist, is employed in research, writing, and lecturing in the United Kingdom and abroad. He has held academic posts in England, Canada, and Wales, and ecclesiastical posts in England and Geneva. He is the author or editor of over thirty books, of which the most recent are Convinced, Concise and Christian: The Thought of Huw Parri Owen (Pickwick, 2012) and Christ and Controversy: The Person of Christ in Nonconformist Thought and Ecclesial Experience (Pickwick, 2012).

Synopsis:In his autobiography Joseph Turmel (1859-1943) has left an intensely personal account of his struggles to reconcile his Catholic faith with the results of historical-critical methods as those impacted biblical exegesis and the history of dogma. Having lost his faith in 1886, he chose to remain as a priest in the Church, even while he worked to undermine its teachings. He did so initially in writings published under his own name and, as his conclusions became increasingly radical, under a veritable team of pseudonyms. He was excommunicated in 1930. His account of his life is less a discussion and defense of his ideas than it is a moral justification of his conduct. Turmel is associated with the left wing of Roman Catholic Modernism along with Albert Houtin, Marcel Hébert, and Félix SartiauxEndorsements:"Disillusioned as a young priest in his twenties by discovering the incongruity of Catholic dogma with serious critical scholarship on Scripture and church history, Joseph Turmel dedicated the rest of his life to destroying church authority by remaining a priest while at the same time pseudonymously publishing scholarly books and articles undermining church dogma. Only as an old man was he discovered and excommunicated."--Lawrence Barman, Saint Louis University"'Martyr to the Truth' is an important book that, for the first time, gives English readers direct access to one of the more intriguing characters involved in the modernist crisis. Turmel's account of his painful loss of faith, and his effort to justify his decision to remain in the Catholic Church under false pretenses, illustrate both the human dimension and the moral issues at stake in a controversy sometimes seen as purely intellectual."--Harvey Hill, UST School of TheologyAuthor Biography:C. J. T. Talar is Professor of Systematic Theology at the University of Saint Thomas, Houston. He has published extensively on Roman Catholic Modernism.Elizabeth Emery is Professor of French at Montclair State University. She has published works dedicated to nineteenth- and early twentieth-century European and American literature, art, and history.

People are moving to the margins of the Catholic Church. As one dialogue partner states, ""I left the Church to beat the rush."" Yet, another remarks, ""I just wonder. I have to ask, who's on the margins? I'm not sure."" Let Your Voice Be Heard details original practical theology research that endeavors to understand the dynamics on the margins of the Roman Catholic Church in dialogue with fifty dialogue partners from across the United States. Practical theology, the theology of marginality of Jung Young Lee, reciprocal ethnography, and the communication theory of Mikhail Bakhtin join in a cross-disciplinary dialogue.In conversation with dialogue partners, Joan Hebert Reisinger seeks the reasons why Catholics over the age of twenty-one who were once active and involved in the Catholic Church find themselves on the margins of the Church and how they understand their own marginality. The dialogue partners speak of new ways of being Church emerging on the margins. This emerging Church is marked by inclusive relationships that include dialogue that does not seek agreement or consensus, a critical and thoughtful recalling of memories and narratives of the Catholic faith tradition, and appropriation of these in new and creative ways.

Wonder has often occupied a place of unique importance across a variety of human practices and intellectual activities. At different times and historical periods, it has been hailed as the beginning of philosophy and as the end that philosophy should aspire to pursue; as the motive force of scientific quests and their fruit; as the aim of art and the means art uses to accomplish its aims; and as the religious experience par excellence and the hallmark of a deeper spiritual life. Yet despite the special relationship it has borne to many of our most highly valued intellectual and spiritual practices, wonder remains a neglected and understudied notion. This volume aims to redress this neglect, bringing together a collection of essays drawn from different disciplines to consider the sense of wonder from a number of complementary perspectives. What is wonder? What role has it historically played in philosophy, science, art and aesthetics, and the religious or spiritual life? Can wonder be dangerous? Is wonder an experience in which we should, or indeed could, aspire to dwell? Why, among human experiences, should it be prized?Contributors: Mary-Jane Rubenstein, Stephen Mulhall, Sylvana Chrysakopoulou, Derek Matravers, Michel Hulin, Alexander Rueger, Robert Fuller, David Burrell, Claude-Olivier Doron & Sophia Vasalou.

Volume 3 The Paul L. Holmer Papers: Selected Sermons, Addresses, and PrayersIn his teaching and his writing, Paul L. Holmer (1916-2004), Professor of Philosophy at the University of Minnesota (1946-1960) and Noah Porter Professor of Philosophical Theology at Yale Divinity School (1960-1987), not only made important contributions to recent American theology, but was also much in demand as a public speaker and preacher. Following his death, the Holmer family in 2005 donated his papers to the Yale Divinity School Library. In this, the third volume of The Paul L. Holmer Papers: Communicating the Faith Indirectly, the reader will see Holmer's deep concern with the problems and possibilities of the sermon, liturgy, ministry, and spirituality. Inspired by Soren Kierkegaard's reflections on ""indirect communication,"" and by Ludwig Wittgenstein, Holmer not only reveals his strenuous reflection on the sermon, but also gives concrete examples of his own efforts to communicate, enabling his hearers and readers to ""make sense"" of their lives. In the first part of this volume, Holmer reflects upon Kierkegaard's ""indirect communication,"" a communication not of knowledge but of human capacity. In other pieces Holmer turns to liturgy, ministry, and spirituality. In the second part of this volume, the reader sees Holmer's own challenging, uncompromising practice of religious and Christian communication, in a selection of his sermons, addresses, and prayers. For anyone concerned with sermons, liturgy, spirituality, and the challenges of ministry, Holmer's essays and addresses will prove indispensable.This is the third volume of The Paul L. Holmer Papers, which includes also volume 1, On Kierkegaard and the Truth, and volume 2, Thinking the Faith with Passion: Selected Essays.

The Greeks and Romans often exposed their babies, especially if the child was of the wrong gender, malformed or from the wrong father--or, more simply, when a child was not needed. It was lawful, but Jewish and then Christian teachers did everything to prevent the practice among their own groups. Most of the arguments used by Christians were borrowed from their Jewish predecessors. The unique value of every human being and God's commandments were emphasized in both religions. Above all, they considered a newborn child a person who was created and protected by her or his Creator.The book presents the most important texts, often dealing simultaneously with exposure and abortion. The texts are interesting, sometimes shocking. A world without Christian ethics could be very hard for a small child. The book helps every modern reader to take care that our societies treat gentler human lives in their earliest phases.

Sooner or later every person faces questions about death and whether there is anything beyond it. This little book consists of personal and sometime private letters between three brothers who realize their own lives may soon come to an end. The wisdom they offer is not only for their own families and friends left behind, but for others who have faced the loss of loved ones. Writing from different religious perspectives, the letters are nonetheless spiritual in the way they seek to wrest from a life lived in the face of death some wisdom for one another as well as others who have shared their struggles with life's deepest questions. When he was asked about the essence of his philosophy, Plato reportedly said, "Practice dying." These letters take his wisdom to heart in a series of heartfelt exchanges over the course of a year, concluding with each author's request for what his memorial service would be like.

Americans live their lives through institutions: government, businesses, schools, clubs, and houses of worship. But many Americans are wary of the control these groups--especially government and business--exercise over their lives.Flea Market Jesus provides an up-close look at the rugged individualism of those trying hardest to separate themselves from institutions: flea market dealers. Having spent most of his life studying American religious organizations, Art Farnsley turns his attention to America's most solitary, and alienated, entrepreneurs.Farnsley describes an entire subculture of white Midwesterners--working class, middle class, and poor--gathered together in a uniquely American celebration of guns and frontier life. In this mix, the character ""Cochise"" voices the frustrations of flea market dealers toward business, politics, and, especially, religion.Part ethnography, part autobiography, Flea Market Jesus is a story about alienation, biblical literalism, libertarianism, and deep-seated religious belief. It is not about the Tea Party, the Occupy movement, or the Christian Right, but it shines a light on all of these by highlighting the potent combination of mistrust, resentment, and personal liberty too often kept in the shadows of public discourse among educated elites.

Utilizing resources from Martin Luther and the Lutheran tradition, this study offers an understanding of the gospel as promise as key to addressing the challenge of relating the missio Dei to a generous, constructive approach toward the religious other. In its construction of a Lutheran missiology, it retrieves and reappropriates four resources from the Lutheran tradition: the gospel as promise, the law/gospel distinction, a theology of grace as promise of mercy fulfilled, and a theology of the cross utilizing the hiddenness of God. The law of God as accusing yet webbing humanity to its Creator; the gospel as the comforting promise of mercy; and the hiddenness of God as mystifying form the overarching framework within which the Lutheran missiology presented here seeks to engage the religious other by dialectically relating gospel proclamation and dialogue. Such a view of "mission shaped by promise" offers the paradox of God being both revealed and hidden in the cross as a distinctive contribution to an interreligious dialogue centered on the ambiguity and hiddenness of God.