James M. Houston

Jens Zimmermann

Building on Charles Taylor's Sources of the Self, this book explores lived Christian identity through the ages. Beginning with such Old Testament figures as Abraham, Moses, and Daniel and moving through the New Testament, the early church, the Middle Ages, and onward, 40 short biographical chapters illustrate how Christian identity has been formed by history, society, and God. Among the many historical subjects are Justin Martyr, Augustine, Julian of Norwich, Dante, John Calvin, Teresa of �vila and C. S. Lewis - all of whom boldly lived their Christian identities in the world. Sources of the Christian Self shows how Christian identity has evolved over time and, in so doing, offers deep insight into our own Christian selves today. Contributors include: Markus Bockmuehl, Gerald P. Boersma, Hans Boersma, Julie Canlis, James M. Houston, Jonathan Sing-cheung Li, V. Phillips Long, Howard Louthan, Elizabeth Ludlow, Eleanor McCullough, Stephen Ney, Ryan S. Olson, Steve L. Porter, Iain Provan, Murray Rae, Jonathan Reimer, Ronald T. Rittgers, Sven Soderlund, Janet Martin Soskice, Mikael Tellbe, Colin Thompson, Bruce K. Waltke, Steven Watts, Robyn Wrigley-Carr and Jens Zimmermann.

A Cultural History of Christian Identity

Sources of the Christian Self

Bruce K. Waltke

Two respected scholars explore the heart of the Psalms Following in the style of their companion volumes, The Psalms as Christian Worship and The Psalms as Christian Lament, Bruce Waltke and James Houston now explore the depths of Christian praise. Each volume uniquely blends verse-by-verse commentary with a history of Psalms interpretation in the church from the time of the apostles to the present. Since praise is the essence of the book of Psalms, Waltke and Houston have narrowed the focus to Book IV of the Psalter (Psalms 90-106), which magnify God and proclaim him king. To give voice to the psalmist, the authors (carefully) translate and explain each psalm and summarize its theological message. This is followed by listening to the voice of godly churchmen whose comments have stood the test of time. The Psalms as Christian Praise is ideal for anyone seeking to better understand the praise of Israel as found in the Psalms and how Christians also use these Psalms in worship.

A Historical Commentary

The Psalms as Christian Praise

Using Charles Taylor’s magisterial Sources of the Self: The Making of the Modern Identity as a springboard, this interdisciplinary book explores lived Christian identity through the ages. Beginning with such Old Testament figures as Abraham, Moses, and David and moving through the New Testament, the early church, the Middle Ages, and onward, the forty-two biographical chapters in Sources of the Christian Self illustrate how believers historically have defined their selfhood based on their relation to God/Jesus. Among the many historical subjects are Justin Martyr, Origen, Augustine, Aquinas, Julian of Norwich, Dante, John Calvin, Teresa of Ávila, John Bunyan, Jonathan Edwards, Christina Rossetti, Blaise Pascal, Søren Kierkegaard, C. S. Lewis, and Flannery O’Connor—all of whom boldly lived out their Christian identities in their varied cultural contexts. In showing how Christian identity has evolved over time, Sources of the Christian Self offers deep insight into our own Christian selves today. CONTRIBUTORS: Markus Bockmuehl Keith Bodner Gerald P. Boersma Hans Boersma Robert H. Bork Paul C. Burns Julie Canlis Victor I. Ezigbo Craig M. Gay Yonghua Ge Christopher Hall Ross Hastings Bruce Hindmarsh James M. Houston Sharon Jebb Smith Robert A. Kitchen Marian Kamell Kovalishyn Pak-Wah Lai Jay Langdale Bo Karen Lee Jonathan Sing-cheung Li V. Phillips Long Howard Louthan Elizabeth Ludlow Eleanor McCullough Stephen Ney Ryan S. Olson Steve L. Porter Iain Provan Murray Rae Jonathan Reimer Ronald T. Rittgers Sven Soderlund Janet Martin Soskice Mikael Tellbe Colin Thompson Bruce K. Waltke Steven Watts Robyn Wrigley-Carr Jens Zimmermann

Erika Moore

The Psalms as Christian Lament, a companion volume to The Psalms as Christian Worship, uniquely blends verse-by-verse commentary with a history of Psalms interpretation in the church from the time of the apostles to the present. Bruce Waltke, James Houston, and Erika Moore examine ten lament psalms, including six of the seven traditional penitential psalms, covering Psalms 5, 6, 7, 32, 38, 39, 44, 102, 130, and 143. The authors -- experts in the subject area -- skillfully establish the meaning of the Hebrew text through careful exegesis and trace the church's historical interpretation and use of these psalms, highlighting their deep spiritual significance to Christians through the ages. Though C. S. Lewis called the "imprecatory" psalms "contemptible," Waltke, Houston, and Moore show that they too are profitable for sound doctrine and so for spiritual health, demonstrating that lament is an important aspect of the Christian life.

The Psalms as Christian Lament

This collaboration by two esteemed evangelical scholars blends a verse-by-verse exposition of select psalms with a history of their interpretation in the church from the time of the apostles to the present. Bruce Waltke, who has been teaching and preaching the book of Psalms for over fifty years, skillfully establishes the meaning of the Hebrew text through the careful exegesis for which he is well known. James Houston traces the church's historical interpretation and use of these psalms, highlighting their deep spiritual significance to Christians through the ages. Waltke and Houston focus their in-depth commentary on thirteen psalms that represent various genres and perspectives or hold special significance for Christian faith and the life of the church, including Psalm 1, Psalm 23, Psalm 51, and Psalm 139. While much modern scholarship has tended to "despiritualize" the Psalms, Waltke and Houston's "sacred hermeneutic" listens closely to the two voices of the Holy Spirit ùheard infallibly in Scripture and edifyingly in the church's response. A masterly historical-devotional commentary, The Psalms as Christian Worship will deepen the church's worship and enrich the faith and life of contemporary Christians.

An Historical Commentary

The Psalms as Christian Worship

This book traces personal memoirs to encourage others in their personal sense of insecurity to be freed by God's grace, to become bold "in Christ." It binds memoirs of the inner self, with one's opportunities of public service. Two highlights are recorded: how three Soviet leaders as Christians negotiated with three American Christian leaders, to prevent a nuclear holocaust; and how crowds saying the Lord's prayer, as they marched into Romanian towns, overcame the dictatorship. The Western press has never recorded both of these events.

Memoirs of a Joyous Exile and a Worldly Christian

This book traces personal memoirs to encourage others in their personal sense of insecurity to be freed by God’s grace, to become bold “in Christ.” It binds memoirs of the inner self, with one’s opportunities of public service. Two highlights are recorded: how three Soviet leaders as Christians negotiated with three American Christian leaders, to prevent a nuclear holocaust; and how crowds saying the Lord’s prayer, as they marched into Romanian towns, overcame the dictatorship. The Western press has never recorded both of these events.

James M. Houston

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