Point Series Published in Years 1980 - 1990

Point Series No. 15: Marriage in Melanesia: A Sociological Perspective. 1990, reprinted 1997
Point Series No. 14: Human Sexuality in Melanesian Cultures. 1990, reprinted in1996
Point Series No. 13: The Religion of the Yali in the Highlands of Irian Jaya. 1988
Point Series No. 12: Law & Custom in Melanesia. 1987,  reprinted in 1996
Point Series No. 11: Marriage in Melanesia: A Theological Perspective. 1987
Point Series No. 10: The Birth of an Indigenous Church. 1986
Point Series No. 9: Ethics and Development in Papua New Guinea. 1986
Point Series No. 8: Living Theology in Melanesia: a Reader. 1985
Point Series No. 7: An Introduction to Ministry in Melanesia. 1985
Point Series No. 6: An Introduction to Melanesian Religions. 1984, reprinted 1987 and 1996
Point Series No. 5: An Introduction to Melanesian Cultures. 1984, reprinted 1986 and 1996
Point Series No. 4: Religious Movements in Melanesia Today (3). 1983
Point Series No. 3: Religious Movements in Melanesia Today (2). 1983.
Point Series No. 2: Religious Movements in Melanesia Today (1).  1983.
Point Series No. 1: The Fish and the Cross. 1979, revised 1982.

Marriage in Melanesia: A Sociological Perspective

Edited by Jeanette Conway and Ennio Mantovani

This volume provides the reader not only with a picture of marriage and family life in a Papua New Guinean town today but gives a glimpse of some of the changes which in the not too distant future will affect the whole of Papua New Guinea.

This volume will challenge the churches, the government and society in general to asses the real needs in the area of Marriage and Family Life and enable them to plan appropriate strategies to meet them.

1990. xx+248 pages, 208X140 mm, hardcover, ISSN 0253-2913.

Human Sexuality in Melanesian Cultures

Edited by Joel Ingebritson 

This volume of the Point Series is about sexuality. The word sexuality is often misunderstood, misused, and can be mystifying when seen in print. Both Melanesian and Modern cultures have allowed themselves to become victim of this misunderstanding and mystique. The result has been a loss of the true meaning of sexuality.

1990. xx+263 pages, 212X139 mm, hardcover, ISSN 0253-2913, 

The Religion Of The Yali In The Highlands Of Irian Jaya

By Siegfried Zollner 

The volume also presents a selection of myths and stories, as well as the Yali tests of all formulae and songs. The original dissertation, written in German, has been welcomed as a classic study, but is now long out of print.  Through this synoptic translation published by the Melanesian Institute it becomes available to a wider audience, both in Irian Jaya and elsewhere.  

1988. x+207 pages, 210 x 140 mm, paperback, with photographs and maps, ISSN 0253-2913, 

Law And Custom In Melanesia

Edited by Bernard Narakobi , Ron Crocomb , John May  and Paul Roche .

This book by Melanesians on their region, and draws on the authors personal knowledge and experience of events that have shaped Melanesia. It is about the state of law in Papua New Guinea, and goes beyond custom to look at contemporary institutions.

Basic principles of English law are discussed and compared with the actual practices of law in Melanesia, and alternatives that would enable Melanesian countries to achieve a measure of harmony between classical and contemporary Melanesia are suggested.

1987. xxii + 208 pages, 210 x 140 mm, paperback, with illustrations; ISSN 0253-2913, 

Marriage In Melanesia: A Theological Perspective

Edited by Ennio Mantovani

This book which covers topics on Christian ideals of marriage, human sexuality, bride-price, marriage and remarriage, besides their pastoral applications, have been handled, bespeaks a depth and perception of the various issues involved, and the cultural ramifications at work.

1987. ix + 212 pages, 140 x 210 mm, paperback, with illustrations; ISSN: 0253-2912

The Birth Of An Indigenous Church

Edited by Gernot Fugmann. 

The Birth of an Indigenous Church presents letters, reports and documents authored by the Lutheran Christians of Papua New Guinea, some of them published for the first time. Autobiographical sketched of some early Melanesian Lutheran Missionaries and Pastors who had contributed significantly towards the growth of the church are recorded here. 

The CD documents the way the Church autonomy was envisioned, formulated and brought to fruition, culminating in the birth of a truly indigenous church.

1986. xv+276 pages, 210 x 140 mm, paperback, with illustrations; ISSN 0253-2913, 

Ethics And Development In Papua New Guinea

Edited by Gernot Fugmann

Ethics and Development in Papua New Guinea explores the sociological, economic and political developments in the country since Independence in 1975.  On the whole, the book is the most definitive attempt yet to grasp the complex interlinked processes on ethics and development that are operative within Papua New Guinea.

1986.  xxii + 229 pages, 210 X140 mm, paperback, with illustrations; ISSN 0253-2913, 

Living Theology in Melanesia

Edited by May D'Arcy John. 

Living Theology in Melanesia: A Reader was born of the need felt by the members of the Melanesian Association of Theological Schools for a representative selection of theological statements by Melanesian which would inspire theological/seminary students to express their Christian convictions in truly indigenous ways. It includes examples of oral and narrative forms of expression as well as scholarly articles. It builds on the foundation laid by Christ in Melanesia, a pioneering issue of Point in 1977, and ushers in a new phase in the development of indigenous theology in Melanesia.

1985. xvi + 310 pages, 210 x 140 mm, paperback, with illustrations; paperback, ISSN 0253-2913, 

An Introduction to Ministry in Melanesia

Edited by Brian Schwarz

This book explores the relationship between ministry and the Melanesian context. It examines the historical reality of the church's ministry and challenges the church worker with the opportunities and dangers presented by a serious dialogue with the traditional and modern Melanesian context.

1985. x + 304 pages, 210 x 140 mm, paperback, with illustrations; ISSN 0253-2913,

An Introduction to Melanesian Religions

Edited by Mantovani Ennio. 

The Melanesian Institute has been asked to provide a manual to assist church workers, particularly expatriates, to understand the cultures, religions and societies of Melanesia and the role and mission of the church in this context. It does not intend to answer academic questions about Melanesian religions. It plans to answer the questions Christian church workers ask when confronted by the various Melanesian religions. Those questions determined the topics of the various articles.

1984, reprinted 1987 and 1996. xii+306 pages, 210 x 140 mm, paperback, with illustrations, ISSN 0253-2913, 

An Introduction to Melanesian Cultures

Edited by Ennio Mantovani

An Introduction to Melanesian Cultures is the first in a series of three Point Series produced by The Melanesian Institute as basic handbooks for church workers in Melanesia. 

It has been written with the conviction that a thorough understanding of culture and society is a necessary prerequisite to effective ministry. It should open windows of understanding and insight and set the inquisitive reader on a path that will become more interesting and rewarding

1984, reprinted 1986 and 1996. xii+264 pages, 210 x 140 mm, paperback, with illustrations; ISSN 0253-2913 

Religious Movements In Melanesia Today (3)

Edited by Wendy Flannery & Glen W. Bays    

The third volume on Religious Movements vary in scope and content, showing no obvious coherent unity. Despite such diversity, the various approaches to the general subject material developed by the authors, set the sage for future fresh inquiries in relation to our religious quest for meaning, the search for the fullness of life or salvation, or the life in abundance. What is the nature of these religious movements and how are they related to the rest of the world - is the underlying subject of discussion in this last volume of this trilogy.

1983.  xx + 238 pages, 210 x 140mm, paperback, with illustrations; ISSN 0253-2913, 

Religious Movements In Melanesia Today (2)

Edited by Wendy Flannery & Glen W. Bays  

The second volume focuses on Holy Spirit Movements. 

As identification and interpretation of Holy Spirit Movements is a complex process, the Christian churches and social scientists see this as an important field of inquiry. The articles are comprised of personal testimonies, descriptions, assessments, reflections and experiences which would help the reader understand the impact Holy Spirit Movements have had in Melanesia.

1983. x+259 pages, 210 x 140 mm, paperback, with illustrations, ISSN 0253-2913. 

Religious Movements In Melanesia Today (1)

Edited by Wendy Flannery & Glen W. Bays 

This is the first volume of the three Point Series devoted to Religious Movements in Melanesia Today.

The movements appear to be firmly rooted in traditional culture and religion. The underlying ideology of the movements, if not their actual activities, can often be traced to considerable historical depth in Papua New guinea.

1983. xv + 204 pages, 210 x 140 mm, paperback, with illustrations; ISSN 0253-2913. 

The Fish And The Cross

By Donald E. McGregor

The Fish and the Cross confronts the complacency of all who claim to be Christian, not only that of the missionary working to bring the message of the Gospel to people of other cultures.

In the words of P.D. McKenzie, a reviewer of the first edition: 'This is an important book. I would go so far as to describe it as one of the most significant books on missionary work that I have read'.

1982. xi+139 pages, 190 x 130 mm, paperback, with photos and illustrations; ISSN 0253-2913. 

Point Series 2000 - 2007
Point Series 1990 - 2000