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This study of Jesus and the Gospels considers not simply the historical figure of Jesus, but also the particular 'image' or 'images' of Jesus that are conveyed by these texts. <br/><br/>The four Gospels are the primary source of our knowledge of Jesus, but it is clear that many other factors influence our understanding of this intriguing figure. Indeed, though the evangelists record some biographical details, their task was not simply to record 'history', but to preach the Gospel. Our images of Jesus are formed by this interplay of faith and history, which is what the Gospels are all about.<br/><br/>This book looks at the portrayal of Jesus in the Gospels (including the apocryphal Gospels), using the tools of historical and literary criticism. It also shows how this material has been used by modern scholars such as Sanders, Wright, Crossan and Borg in their writings about Jesus. >

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Product Description: Methodism is suffering an identity crisis. With great uncertainty about the future, owing to declining numbers and a relationship with the Church of England which seems to be getting closer, a collection of the finest theological minds in contemporary Methodism have written a book which shows how recent Methodist theology can be a resource for the future...read more

Watching any film happens within a cultural context. Cinema and Sentiment critically examines the practice of watching movies in western culture. Clive Marsh demonstrates aspects of the religious function of film-watching by comparing watching movies to worshiping. Through a variety of case studies on the habit of going to the theater, Marsh's study shows how watching films as a regular practice can contribute to the shaping of human living. Engaging with social and religious behavior patters in western culture, Cinema and Sentiment suggests a need to recover a positive sense of sentiment, both in theology and film. Two concluding chapters locate the text in recent studies of theology and film, offering church leaders, students of theology and film studies, and all those with an interest in contemporary culture practical consequences of the work's findings.