Nicholas Taylor

Drawing on recent scholarship on the Pauline tradition within early Christianity, this book examines Paul s theology of baptism and highlights its practical application in ministry today. It considers what the rite represented and effected, in the light of the social and cultural milieu in which his letters were written, and of his strategies for mission and the formation and nurture of new Christian communities. The need to integrate recent scholarship with contemporary pastoral issues, and to do so in a theologically reflective way, is acute. Using a wide range of social scientific approaches to the ancient world and Christian origins, including identity, religious conversion, and ritual, the book explores the implications of this reconstruction for contemporary issues of baptismal practice, pastoral care and mission, aiming to bring the insights of specialists to those working on the frontline of pastoral practice.

"This investigation into Paul's relationship with the church of Jerusalem draws on the insights of sociology to complement the historical-critical method. Taylor argues that the church of Antioch was, for a significant part of Paul's career, not merely the base of his missionary activities but also the community from which he derived his identity. His relationship with the church of Jerusalem must be understood accordingly. Paul's alienation from the Antiochene church in the aftermath of his confrontation with Peter meant loss of apostolic commission and social identity. Galatians reflects the reconstruction of Paul's personal and apostolic identity to compensate for this loss."--Bloomsbury Publishing.

"LEGOfied: Building Blocks as Media offers a multi-faceted exploration of LEGO fandom, addressing a blindspot in current accounts of LEGO and an emerging area of interest to media scholars: namely, the role of hobbyist enthusiasts and content producers in LEGO's emergence as a ubiquitous transmedia franchise. This book examines a range of LEGO hobbyism and their attendant forms of mediated self-expression and identity (their "technicities"): artists, aspiring Master Builders, collectors, and entrepreneurs who refashion LEGO bricks into new commodities (sets, tchotchkes, and minifigures). The practices and perspectives that constitute this diverse scene lie at the intersection of multiple transformations in contemporary culture, including the shifting relationships between culture industries and the audiences that form their most ardent consumer base, but also the emerging forms of entrepreneurialism, professionalization, and globalization that characterize the burgeoning DIY movement."--

An aid to revision for doctors preparing for both Parts 1 and 2 of the Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists exam.