Dr. Mark R. Glanville is an Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Regent College, Vancouver, and an Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) scholar. His recent scholarship explores dynamics of kinship and ethics in the Old Testament. Glanville brings a unique perspective, having previously pastored for 14 years in both Canada and Australia, combining reflective, justice-seeking ministry with rigorous biblical scholarship. He is also a trained jazz pianist active on the Vancouver jazz scene.
Though the post-Christian cultural turn can be disconcerting, it is also a uniquely exciting time to reimagine churches. Building on the dynamic traditions of jazz music and Christian community, biblical scholar and jazz musician Mark Glanville unfolds a biblical, practical, and inventive vision for building the churches we long for.
Family provides community, identity, and shared values. In the book of Exodus, God frees Israel from slavery to Egypt. But they are not left as orphans. Rather, the redeemed are made into a new family--God's family. In Freed to be God's Family, Mark R. Glanville argues that the central motif of Exodus is community. God wants a healthy, dynamic relationship with the redeemed. As family members, Israel is called to learn God's ways and reflect God's character to the world. Freed to be God's Family is a concise and accessible guide to the message and themes of Exodus. Each chapter keeps the big picture central and provides probing questions for reflection and discussion.
Mark R. Glanville and Luke Glanville offer a new approach to compassion for displaced people: a biblical ethic of kinship. Challenging the fear-based ethic that often motivates Christian approaches, they demonstrate how this ethic is consistently conveyed throughout the Bible and can be practically embodied today.
Focusing on the theme of social integration, this book explores how Deuteronomy addresses the plight of displaced individuals, urging communities to embrace them as kin. Mark R. Glanville highlights the creative potential within communities to support and include vulnerable populations through social laws, judicial procedures, communal gatherings, and covenant renewal. By advocating for the inclusion of the stranger, Deuteronomy challenges modern nation-states to rethink their approach to displacement, emphasizing both opportunity and responsibility in fostering inclusivity.