Christianity

The Virgin Mary: A Very Short Introduction

Mary Joan Winn Leith

9780198794912
Paperback
November 2021

Very Short Introductions

This book describes the evolution of Marian thought from early Christianity to the present day. Covering the various Christian denominations, as well as the Islamic Mary, it considers medieval and renaissance doctrine and representations of Mary, as well as her involvement in debates over the Virginal body, race, anti-Semitism, and globalism.

The Bible: A Very Short Introduction

Second Edition

John Riches

9780198863335
Paperback
October 2021

Very Short Introductions

This Very Short Introduction explores how the Bible was written, the development of the canon, the role of Biblical criticism, the appropriation of the Bible in high and popular culture, and its use for political ends.

Blasphemy: A Very Short Introduction

Yvonne Sherwood

9780198797579
Paperback
August 2021

Very Short Introductions

This book considers the steady presence of blasphemy in our world today, even as society grows increasingly secular. Discussing some of the most famous cases of blasphemy, it looks at factors such as the increased visibility of religious and racial minorities, new media, and engines of surveillance, and the legacies of colonial blasphemy laws.

The Book of Common Prayer: A Guide

Charles Hefling

9780190689698
Paperback
January 2021

Religion: A Very Short Introduction

Thomas A. Tweed

9780190064679
Paperback
November 2020

Very Short Introductions

The Book of Common Prayer: A Very Short Introduction

Brian Cummings

9780198803928
Paperback
August 2018

Very Short Introductions

The Book of Common Prayer is one of the most influential books in history. Brian Cummings tell its fascinating story, charting its spread from England to reach the world, and showing how the book has divided conformity from non-conformity, in social terms as well as religious, from birth to marriage to death.

Jonathan Edwards and Scripture: Biblical Exegesis in British North America

David P. Barshinger, Douglas A. Sweeney

9780190249502
Paperback
May 2018

Monasticism: A Very Short Introduction

Stephen J. Davis

9780198717645
Paperback
January 2018

Very Short Introductions

Stephen J. Davis considers the phenomenon of monasticism from antiquity to the present day, addressing key questions about monastic spirituality and practice. Looking at Christian, Jainism, and Buddhist traditions of monasticism, Davis explores the life and beliefs of those in monasteries, and considers the role of monasticism in the modern world.

Miracles: A Very Short Introduction

Yujin Nagasawa

9780198747215
Paperback
November 2017

Very Short Introductions

From a chicken nugget shaped like Jesus, to Mohammad splitting the moon in two, to a Japanese doll whose hair grows, Yujin Nagasawa considers reported miracles in ancient scriptures and modern day life, and uses cutting-edge scientific research on belief formation to address some of our most fundamental questions concerning miracles.

Devoted to Death: Santa Muerte, the Skeleton Saint

Second Edition

R. Andrew Chesnut

9780190633332
Paperback
November 2017

Parish and Place: Making Room for Diversity in the American Catholic Church

Tricia Colleen Bruce

9780190270322
Paperback
September 2017

The Business Turn in American Religious History

Amanda Porterfield, Darren Grem, John Corrigan

9780190280208
Paperback
September 2017

Catholicism: A Very Short Introduction

Second Edition

Gerald O'Collins

9780198796855
Paperback
May 2017

Very Short Introductions

What are the origins of the Catholic Church? How has Catholicism changed and adapted over the centuries? What challenges does the Catholic Church face in the twenty-first century? Gerald O'Collins answers these and other questions, and in this new edition considers the impact of Pope Francis' leadership of the Church since 2013.

The Dead Sea Scrolls: A Very Short Introduction

Second Edition

Timothy H. Lim

9780198779520
Paperback
March 2017

Very Short Introductions

The Dead Sea Scrolls are one of the most important finds in biblical archaeology, and have profound implications for our understanding of Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity. Timothy Lim discusses the leading interpretations of the scrolls, and how they have changed the way we understand the emergence of the Old Testament.

Calvinism: A Very Short Introduction

Jon Balserak

9780198753711
Paperback
December 2016

Very Short Introductions

In this Very Short Introduction Jon Balserak explores major ideas and issues associated with the Calvinist system of thought. He looks at how Calvinist ideas and practices spread and took root, helping shape societies today. Much of contemporary thought - especially western thought - on everything from civil government to money, suicide, and divorce has been influenced by Calvinism. Balserak also combats common misconceptions about Calvinism, and explores the relationship between Calvinism and the modern world.

The Saints: A Short History

Simon Yarrow

9780198784388
Hardback
September 2016

The Saints examines the history, traditions, and cultural impact of the saints. Looking at their origins and the cultural definition of saints and sanctity, Yarrow moves on to consider interpretations of saints in literature and art, and the role gender plays in sainthood.

Irenaeus of Lyons: Identifying Christianity

John Behr

9780199214631
Paperback
February 2015

Christian Theology in Context

A full, contextual study of Irenaeus of Lyons, the first great theologian of the Christian tradition. John Behr sets Irenaeus both within his own context of the second century and our own contemporary context.

The Oxford Dictionary of Christian Art and Architecture

Second Edition

Tom Devonshire Jones, Linda Murray, Peter Murray

9780199695102
Paperback
September 2014

Oxford Quick Reference

This dictionary is a fascinating guide to the broad range of terms used in the study of the history of Christian art and architecture, including themes, artists, and movements. The long-awaited new edition includes entries by over a dozen expert contributors, and a fully revised online bibliography, bringing it up to date for the 21st century.

Christianity: A Very Short Introduction

Second Edition

Linda Woodhead

9780199687749
Paperback
September 2014

Very Short Introductions

In this Very Short Introduction Linda Woodhead explores the cultural and institutional dimensions of Christianity and its course over two millennia, including its geographical spread and struggles with modernity. This new edition is a candid portrait of Christianity's past and present, and its importance in the twenty-first century.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church

Third Edition

E. A. Livingstone

9780199659623
Paperback
September 2013

Oxford Quick Reference

Based on the highly acclaimed Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, this is an indispensable guide for both students and the general reader. This third edition contains over 6,000 entries, and has been revised and updated. This is essential reading for anyone with an interest in Christianity.