A Snarl Theology

A Snarl Theology calls God a merciful creator, a big-picture divinity, bigger than anything imaginable. Scripture confirms that in the restoration of the world and all its environs, there will be a settlement between God and his creatures. A covenant to set animals and us back as we were meant to be. "I will make a covenant for them on that day, with the beasts of the field, with the birds of the air, and with the things that crawl on the ground." (Hosea 2:20) Redemption is the divine act of follow-through regarding covenant--washing away our faults, defects, and foibles and taking us into the arms of the divine. Are animals rewarded with redemption, like us--with a full restoration? To imagine that God will not reward these martyred creatures, who play a significant role in human redemption, weakens the concept and promise of paradise. Animals are sentient beyond our understanding, residents in a universe where God communicates with everyone. This animal kingdom theology implies that animals, too, hear God's voice. A Snarl Theology's hope for animals to be our redemptive allies shouldn't cancel doctrine, upset dogma, or countermand Christianity. It should increase our love of God.

A Snarl Theology calls God a merciful creator, a big-picture divinity, bigger than anything imaginable. Scripture confirms that in the restoration of the world and all its environs, there will be a settlement between God and his creatures. A covenant to set animals and us back as we were meant to be. “I will make a covenant for them on that day, with the beasts of the field, with the birds of the air, and with the things that crawl on the ground.” (Hosea 2:20) Redemption is the divine act of follow-through regarding covenant—washing away our faults, defects, and foibles and taking us into the arms of the divine. Are animals rewarded with redemption, like us—with a full restoration? To imagine that God will not reward these martyred creatures, who play a significant role in human redemption, weakens the concept and promise of paradise. Animals are sentient beyond our understanding, residents in a universe where God communicates with everyone. This animal kingdom theology implies that animals, too, hear God’s voice. A Snarl Theology’s hope for animals to be our redemptive allies shouldn’t cancel doctrine, upset dogma, or countermand Christianity. It should increase our love of God.

A Catholic writer imagines the answer to one of the most compelling questions people face in this world—and the next. Do animals get rewarded with eternal life? The life and death story of a mountain lion leaving his mother and brother to encounter predators and his next meal parallels the challenges of nearby humans attempting to steward both forest and wildlife. Where do their struggles lead them? When lives are lost, do animals join humans in heaven? Seen through the eyes of creatures great and small, Snarl takes the reader on an unforgettable journey where they have their eyes opened to startling new possibilities. Since the book frames our heaven shared with every willingly redeemed animal, not just those that we know and love, the author is compelled to substantiate his premise with evidence from Scripture and a mix of classic theologians. Follow this story for the possibility of our shared redemption.

Scholars have been arguing for years that Star Wars is more than light sabers, Wookies, Millennium Falcons, and troubling familial relationships. Star Wars is an exciting space fantasy that we can explore from multiple academic perspectives, such as philosophy and psychology. This volume adds to that conversation by asking, “what would it look like if we analyzed the Star Wars universe theologically?” In Theology and the Star Wars Universe, contributors from various theological traditions take on this task by exploring the nature of the Force, the spiritual role of the Jedi, nonviolent and liberationist readings of the Franchise, and the enduring power of hope. Written for the restless, curious academic but accessible to diehard fans, Theology and the Star Wars Universe is an exciting foray into the study of theology and popular culture.

The Companion to the Theology of John Mair explores the major theological themes present in Mair's commentary on the Sentences of Peter Lombard. Mair is often noted for his importance as a leading sixteenth-century Parisian intellectual. The essays in this volume explore his influence as a teacher and thinker in this critical place and time. The volume gives special consideration to his attitude toward humanism and his deep familiarity with the scholastic past. The book is divided into four sections. It explores Mair's attitude toward faith and theology, his theological metaphysics, his ethics and role in the development of moral casuistry, and his views on justification and sacramentology. The volume likewise includes a substantial appendix (including an edition of the table of questions for all four books of Mair's commentary) aimed to assists scholars in further exploration of Mair's Theology.

The Complete Works of George MacDonald: Novels, Short Stories, Poetry, Theological Writings & Essays (Illustrated) is a masterful collection showcasing the diverse talents of the renowned author. MacDonald's literary style is marked by profound spiritual insights, moral depth, and vivid imagery that captivate readers across generations. This comprehensive volume includes a wide range of genres, from fantasy novels like 'Phantastes' to thought-provoking theological essays, all enriched with MacDonald's distinctive blend of imagination and wisdom. His works, encompassing themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the power of love, continue to resonate with readers today. George MacDonald's influence on authors like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien is evident in the timeless quality of his writing. His profound understanding of human nature and spirituality is reflected in the depth of his narratives, making this collection a must-read for those seeking literature that both entertains and enlightens.

Is 'newer' really 'better'? We often assume so, but if we do treat the past as inferior, we will ignore the legacy of history, and thus will find ourselves stranded on the tiny desert island of our own moment in time. In particular, this applies to Christian theology, which should be thought, and lived, corporately by the church down through the ages. The remedy to 'chronological snobbery' is, as C. S. Lewis put it, 'to keep the clean sea breeze of the centuries blowing through our minds'. Such is the motivation behind Michael Reeves' introduction to a selection of influential or significant Christian theologians. This accessible and informative volume covers the Apostolic Fathers, Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, Athanasius, Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Owen, Edwards, Schleiermacher, Barth and Packer. Each chapter begins with a brief biography and some background, and then surveys each theologian's major work or works, gives a timeline for historical context, and ends with guidance for further reading. This book was previously available as two separate volumes (The Breeze of the Centuries and On Giants' Shoulders), but now repackaged together with a new chapter on J I Packer.

Whether you realize it or not, you are the beneficiary of centuries of careful study and reflection on God's Word. The writings and teachings of figures from the past are crucial to what the church believes today. But just like intriguing guests of honor at a dinner party, these theologians can be intimidating to get to know. Introducing you to the lives and thought of figures such as the Apostolic Fathers, Justin Martyr, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Karl Barth, and others, this book makes the writings of these significant theologians accessible and approachable—opening up for you the riches of church history and enlarging your vision of God and his plan for the world.

The present publication is an up-to-date, authentic and comprehensive dictionary of religion, which recognises that religion is a field in its own right and with its own language. It aims to provide clear, concise, and correct definitions and descriptions of the terms used in all world religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Shintoism, Confucianism, Zoroastrianism, Animism and so on. This work is designed to be a comprehensive reference tool for researchers, students, religious practitioners and all who are interested in religions and religious practices. It is earnestly hoped that it will be an authoritative source to which one can turn with confidence for meaning and knowledge of the common and specialised terms used in world religions.