Aspects of religion Books

Book SynopsisThis collection of leading scholars presents reflections on both wisdom as a general concept throughout history and cultures, as well as the contested nature of the category of Wisdom Literature. The first half of the collection explores wisdom more generally with essays on its relationship to skill, epistemology, virtue, theology, and order. Wisdom is examined in a number of different contexts, such as historically in the Hebrew Bible and its related cultures, in Egypt and Mesopotamia, as well as in Patristic and Rabbinic interpretation. Additionally, wisdom is examined in its continuing relevance in Islamic, Jewish, and Christian thought, as well as from feminist, environmental, and other contextual perspectives. The second half of the volume considers Wisdom Literature as a category. Scholars address its relation to the Solomonic Collection, its social setting, literary genres, chronological development, and theology. Wisdom Literature''s relation to other biblical literature (law, history, prophecy, apocalyptic, and the broad question of Wisdom influence) is then discussed before separate chapters on the texts commonly associated with the category. Contributors take a variety of approaches to the current debates surrounding the viability and value of Wisdom Literature as a category and its proper relationship to the concept of wisdom in the Hebrew Bible. Though the organization of the volume highlights the independence of wisdom as concept from Wisdom Literature as a category, seeking to counter the lack of attention given to this question in the traditional approach, the inclusion of both topics together in the same volume reflects their continued interconnection. As such, this handbook both represents the current state of Wisdom scholarship and sets the stage for future developments.Trade ReviewThis volume of the Oxford Handbook series serves as an excellent entry into current conversations and debates surrounding wisdom and the wisdom tradition in the Hebrew Bible. Contributors come from a variety of vantage points, ranging from those who defend the traditional designation of wisdom as a genre to those who view this as an artificial designation imposed on disparate texts by modern scholarship. But the chapters are of consistently high quality while also still being highly readable. Scholars will come away from these chapters with much to debate, and students will gain a solid understanding of both the history and the current state of wisdom scholarship. * Brandon R. Grafius, Review of Biblical Literature *The Handbook contains a cornucopia of delights to readers, with such rich contentions as 'Proverbs invites its readers and learners to frolic in the pursuit of wisdom'. * John Jarick, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament *The Handbook contains a cornucopia of delights to readers, with such rich contentions as 'Proverbs invites its readers and learners to frolic in the pursuit of wisdom'. * John Jarick, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament *Table of Contents1. Wisdom and Wisdom Literature: Past, Present, and Future Will Kynes (Samford University) PART I. THE CONCEPT OF WISDOM IN THE HEBREW BIBLE 2. Advice: Wisdom, Skill, and Success Jacqueline Vayntrub (Yale Divinity School) 3. Epistemology: Wisdom, Knowledge, and Revelation Annette Schellenberg (University of Vienna) 4. Virtue and Its Limits in the Wisdom Corpus: Character Formation, Disruption, and Transformation William P. Brown (Columbia Theological Seminary) 5. Theology: Creation, Wisdom, and Covenant Raymond C. Van Leeuwen (Eastern University) 6. Order: Wisdom, Retribution, and Skepticism Ludger Schwienhorst-Schönberger (University of Vienna) PART II. THE CONCEPT OF WISDOM IN RELATED CULTURES 7. Wisdom in Egypt Joachim Quack (Heidelberg University) 8. Mesopotamian Wisdom Literature Yoram Cohen (Tel Aviv University) and Nathan Wasserman (Hebrew University) 9. Wisdom in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Early Jewish Interpretation Arjen Bakker (University of Oxford) 10. Wisdom in Dialogue with Greek Civilization Michael C. Legaspi (Penn State University) 11. Wisdom in the New Testament Mariam Kamell Kovalishyn (Regent College) 12. Wisdom in Patristic Interpretation: Scriptural and Cosmic Unity in Athanasius' Exegesis of Proverbs 8:22 Susannah Ticciati (King's College London) 13. Wisdom in Rabbinic Interpretation Amram Tropper (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) PART III. THE CONCEPT OF WISDOM IN THE MODERN WORLD 14. Wisdom in the Qur'an and the Islamic Tradition U. Isra Yazicioglu (St. Joseph's University) 15. Wisdom in Jewish Theology Jonathan Schofer (University of Texas-Austin) 16. Wisdom in Christian Theology Paul S. Fiddes (University of Oxford) 17. Personified Wisdom and Feminist Theologies Christine Roy Yoder (Columbia Theological Seminary) 18. Wisdom in Nature Norman Habel 19. The Pervasiveness of Wisdom in (Con)texts John Ahn (Howard University School of Divinity) PART IV. THE CATEGORY OF WISDOM LITERATURE 20. Solomon and the Solomonic Collection Katharine J. Dell (University of Cambridge) 21. The Social Setting of Wisdom Literature Mark Sneed (Lubbock Christian College) 22. Literary Genres of Old Testament Wisdom Markus Witte (Humboldt-University in Berlin) 23. The Chronological Development of Wisdom Literature Markus Saur (University of Kiel) 24. Theology of Wisdom Tremper Longman III (Westmont College) PART V. WISDOM LITERATURE AND OTHER LITERATURE 25. Wisdom Influence John L. McLaughlin (University of St. Michael's College) 26. Law and Wisdom Literature Jonathan P. Burnside (Bristol University) 27. History and Wisdom Literature Suzanna R. Millar (University of Edinburgh) 28. Prophecy and Wisdom Literature Mark J. Boda (McMaster Divinity College) 29. Apocalyptic and Wisdom Literature Bennie H. Reynolds III (Milsaps College) PART VI. TEXTS 30. Proverbs Samuel E. Balentine (Union Presbyterian Seminary) 31. Ecclesiastes Tova L. Forti (Ben Gurion University of the Negev) 32. Job Scott C. Jones (Covenant College) 33. Song of Songs Anselm C. Hagedorn (University of Osnabrück) 34. Wisdom Psalms W. H. Bellinger, Jr. (Baylor University) 35. Ben Sira Benjamin G. Wright (Lehigh University) 36. Wisdom of Solomon James Aitken (University of Cambridge) and Ekaterina Matusova (University of Tübingen) 37. The Pursuit of Wisdom at Qumran: Assessing the Classification

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Book SynopsisThis essential resource brings recognition to scrupulosity and moral perfectionism, an often overlooked and misunderstood subtype of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).Two to three percent of the global population suffer from OCD. Of that number, approximately five percent of OCD sufferers report having religious or moral obsessions. Scrupulosity, an often under-recognized subtype of OCD, leads those affected to mistake clinical OCD symptoms for committing sins, offending God, or being morally corrupt. Many people with scrupulosity or moral perfectionism turn to clergy for help rather than a mental health professional.This book, authored by a therapist among the most experienced in the world in dealing with this disorder, covers the symptoms, diagnosis, history, development, causes, and treatment of scrupulosity. Intended for students, mental health professionals, and clergy, this essential resource includes the latest theory, research, treatments, and case studies necessary toTrade ReviewLeslie Shapiro is a highly skilled mental health clinician and author who has treated hundreds of patients with OCD and related disorders. Her expertise in OCD, especially scrupulosity obsessions and compulsions, enables her to apply theoretical models and research findings to promote best practices for patients, family members, and community members. Her astute observations are evident in this important book. * Gail Steketee, Professor Emerita, Boston University *This book, written by an OCD expert with decades of experience, will be a valuable addition to any clinician's library. Leslie Shapiro has worked with patients with severe OCD in a residential setting at the OCD Institute at McLean Hospital since its inception and her sharing her insights garnered during her career is an invaluable addition to the field. If one wishes to go beyond the standard treatment guidelines towards even more real-world experience, this is the book for you! * Darin D. Dougherty, MD MMSc, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School *Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. Social, Cultural, and Historical Views on Religious Behavior: What Is and Is Not OCD 3 . Effects of Scrupulosity and Moral Perfectionism on Normal Stage Development . 4 . Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness: Getting Physically, Spiritually, Morally, and Emotionally Pure 5. Soul Purification: Confession, Prayer, Repentance, Reassurance Seeking, and Still No Mercy or Forgiveness 6.Obsessive Moral Emotions: Demand for Perfection 7. Righteous Eating 8.“Deadly” Sinning: Sexual Obsessions, Mental Adultery, Violence, and Death 9. Saving the Planet: Scrupulous Hoarding and Green Guilt 10. Created This Way: Neurobiology and Evolutionary Overview 11.Treatment and Relief: Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Strategies 12.Clergy Involvement: Soul Crushing or Saving? 13. Supplemental Strategies to Augment Treatment Outcome, Relapse Prevention, and Recovery Appendix Resources Index

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Book SynopsisReaders of Randy Alcorn''s bestseller The Treasure Principle encountered a revolution in material freedom and generosity that utterly changed their quality of life. In this companion Bible study, the principles become personally applicable and more real than ever, with a powerful combination of biblical concepts, practical quotations from the book, thought-provoking questions, group discussion starters, and short Scripture passages for meditation and memorization. Managing God''s investment in their lives will become a new delight, as Christians learn to put their resources to their most rewarding use.

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