Biography: religious and spiritual Books

Book SynopsisRafael Merry del Val (1865-1930) was a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who had one of the most dazzling careers in ecclesiastical history: he was a secret supernumerary chamberlain at the age of 21, a secret participating chamberlain at the age of 26, an apostolic delegate to Canada at age 31, president of the Academy of Ecclesiastical Nobles and archbishop at age 34, secretary of state for Pius X (1903-1914) and cardinal at age 38, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica and prefect of the Fabric of St. Peter at age 48, secretary of the Congregation of the Holy Office at age 49. In 1953, his beatification process was introduced to the Congregation for Rites.In this study, Philippe Roy-Lysencourt presents the life of this personage, his curial charges, his relations with the popes he served (Leo XIII, Pius X, Benedict XV, and Pius XI), his apostolate, his unexpected death and the furor it caused.The book includes an inventory of sources for understanding Cardinal Merry del Val’s life, a list of his published writings, as well as a bibliography of the works written about him.

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Book SynopsisSelected as One of the 100 Best Spiritual Books of the Twentieth Century, Paramahansa Yogananda''s Autobiography of a Yogi has been translated into over 50 languages, and is regarded worldwide as a spiritual classic. Autobiography of a Yogi remains the definitive introduction to yoga meditation, and is an absorbing exploration of the true meaning of life. Self-Realization Fellowship''s editions, and no others, incorporate all of the author''s significant revisions to the text of the 1946 first edition.This special, 75th Anniversary edition includes:More than 100 photos, in sepia duotone and full colourElegant moire fabric endsheetsGilded page endsA ribbon bookmarkLong-lasting Smythe-sewn bindingAcid-free archival paperOne book in particular stayed with Steve Jobs his entire life.Autobiography of a Yogi, the guide to meditation and spirituality that he had first read as a teenager, then re-read in India and had read once a year ever since. - Huffington Post review of the book Steve Jobs

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Yehudah Mirsky’s remarkable new intellectual biography . . . is a must-read as an elixir to the monochromatic times in Israel we are living through now."—Aubrey L. Glazer, The Times of Israel"Yehudah Mirsky’s superb new biography of the great 20th century Jewish philosopher and mystic is a huge achievement. He gives a gripping, panoramic narrative of the arc of Rav Kook’s life, from childhood in a small White Russian village to becoming the first Chief Rabbi of Mandate Palestine, against a vividly rendered backdrop of the tumultuous history of Kook’s times."—Julian Sinclair, Jewish Chronicle"Superb . . . gripping, panoramic . . . vividly rendered . . . Combines scholarly balance with wonder . . . All this in clear, elegant and at times beautiful English."—The Jewish ChronicleWon the Choice Award as runner-up for the 2016 Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature, given to the best work of Jewish nonfiction published within the past two years. The Rohr and Choice prizes are coordinated and administered under the auspices of the Jewish Book Council. The Choice Award is given biennially. The author receives $25,000.Finalist for the 2016 Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature“Moving, invaluable, and indispensable . . . As a biography, Rav Kook: Mystic in a Time of Revolution is literature in its own right; and as a historical document, it startles with revelation after revelation.”—Cynthia Ozick "I am overwhelmed. There is a complete-ness to this book, as if Yehudah Mirsky has been able to pour all his knowledge of Judaism into it. If anything can be called spiritual, it is the writing style of this book. It reads like a life work - not just of the subject but of the author. It reveals a beautiful soul."—Robert D. Kaplan, author of In Europe’s Shadow: Two Cold Wars and a Thirty-Year Journey Through Romania and Beyond "Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, was one of the most important Jewish religious thinkers of modern times - and indisputably the most influential in Israel - yet biographic studies of him in any language, and English studies in general, have been sorely lacking. Yehudah Mirsky’s volume instantly becomes the go-to life and thought of this revolutionary, conservative, radical, traditional, messianic, reality affirming, richly dialectical thinker. The book is written with authority and clarity and is a pleasure to read. Mirsky writes with literary grace and sensitivity, nuance and complexity without losing clarity and focus. Mirsky’s mastery of traditional texts enriches his deep reading of Kook's writings even as his rigorous academic method enables his scholarly lucidity, on Kook’s extraordinary life and oeuvre and the complex afterlife of his teachings. All this and more are captured by Mirsky with restraint, understatement, irony and wisdom."—Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg, theologian, past professor of Jewish Studies at City College of the City University of New York; President Emeritus of CLAL: The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership"Yehudah Mirsky’s lively and clarifying book presents this great-souled rabbi in all his startling richness, and responsibly introduces its readers to one of the most influential and misread figures in modern Jewish thought. This is a significant contribution to the history of Jewish ideas – and also to contemporary debates about the Jewish religion and the Jewish state, because the best and the worst of Israeli Judaism may be traced back to the dissonant strains, by turns tolerant and jingoist, in Kook’s profoundly original writings."—Leon Wieseltier"This volume is the most extensive personal and intellectual biography of Rav Kook in English—and, to use Rav Kook’s beloved imagery, it sheds a great deal of light. Rich in insights and studded with previously neglected or unknown historical details, the book moves through Rav Kook’s life and writings in a way that both makes his ideas accessible and provides a sorely needed context for the various stages of his thought. Mirsky does not shy away from critique. Both scholars and the general public will profit immensely from this book."—David Shatz, Professor of Philosophy, Yeshiva University, editor Torah u-Madda Journal

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Book SynopsisC. S. Lewis' Little Book of Wisdom offers more than 300 bite-size nuggets of inspiration and wisdom from the much-loved author, philosopher, and Christian theologist.Novelist, poet, critic, scholar, Christian theologist, and best-selling author of the Narnia series, C.S. Lewis wasa deep thinker and a beautiful writer. His works have become timeless classics for adults and children around the world.Here, in one concise and inspirational volume, is the essence of Lewis' thought. This distillation of his feelings on subjects ranging from love and faith, to ethics and morality, to myth and literature will throw open the windows of the soul and provide readers with bite-size nuggets of wisdom and inspiration from one of the best-loved writers of the 20th century.This lovely little gift book will provide sustenance, wisdom, and hope for believers, seekers, artists and thinkers. It will provide an entry point for those unfamiliar with Lewis' thought; an entry point that will make them want toTrade Review‘This charming volume of quotes from C.S. Lewis’s works includes his Christian apologia (Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, Surprised by Joy) and his fiction (The Chronicles of Narnia, The Space Trilogy). Editors Assaf and Leahy have selected brief quotations and placed them in thematic groupings relevant to modern Christians, such as “Living a Full Life with Christ” and “Recognizing Sin.” Quotes are mainly short but pack punches: “Gratitude looks to the past and love to the present; fear, avarice, lust, and ambition look ahead”; “As image and apprehension are in organic unity, so, for a Christian, are human body and human soul.” A complete Lewis bibliography is included for those interested in following up on works quoted. Also provided are several blank pages at the end of the volume for readers to jot their own thoughts. These well-chosen Lewis quotes will inspire readers and prompt them to make their own spiritual reflections.’ – Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Shannon Bream reminds us: when women of God speak, we’re wise to listen, take note, and learn. I’ve found it true in my own life, and Shannon’s book is a worthy reminder, revealing rich life lessons found in the lives of biblical women.” — Max Lucado, pastor and New York Times bestselling author “Women of the Bible have made significant contributions, and God used them to change the course for everyone. Shannon introduces us to the brave, noble, and sometimes vulnerable or broken women in the Bible. This book is a helpful tool to demonstrate—no matter what you are going through—that other women experienced the same and still came out on top.” — Ainsley Earhardt, New York Times bestselling author of The Light Within Me “In The Women of the Bible Speak, Shannon Bream offers valuable examples of how to live a faithful life. Through these warm and engaging stories, Shannon reveals how central women were to God’s story in the Bible. They were courageous queens, strong mothers, and wise prophets. They defended Israel and were the first Christian evangelists. There are lessons for all of us in this book” — Michael W. Smith, Grammy award winning singer-songwriter “Shannon takes us directly into the lives of women in the Bible and, more specifically, into their hearts through their very own words, emotions, and interactions. She reminds us that throughout history, God has valued women as part of His plan of salvation, even purposing one to bear the Savior of the world. With so much focus today on women trying to obtain worth and value, this book provides a clearer picture of the value God has always placed on each of us. We will never have to fight for what we already have.” — Missy Robertson, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Women of Duck Commander “Creative and colorful, captivating and compelling – here are the biblical accounts of sixteen women whose stories remain ever relevant to today’s cultural moment. Let Shannon enlighten and encourage you with these ancient lives that can bring us the courage and commitment we all need in these tumultuous times.” — Lee Strobel, best-selling author of The Case for Christ and The Case for Miracles “Shannon Bream is a strong, inspiring woman with a powerful impact...a world-changer! In ‘Women of the Bible’ she writes about Biblical women who were each world-changers in their own way - women whose powerful stories teach us truths we need today. Thanks Shannon for shining God’s light...through your book and your life!” — Rebecca St. James, Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter "Shannon Bream's book, The Women of the Bible Speak, flies in the face of 'cancel culture' with real stories from real women in biblical times who tackled some of the same problems we face today as a society. I recommend The Women of the Bible Speak for anyone to learn more about these pivotal players in history." — Kevin Sorbo, producer, director “Shannon Bream’s newest book The Women of the Bible Speak is a fascinating study of sixteen strong women who were instrumental in the history of Israel and the early church. Shannon doesn’t treat these characters as plaster saints but as flawed, but faithful, individuals God used mightily. Thanks, Shannon, for this fresh reminder of God’s willingness to offer a new beginning for anyone who asks!” — Dr. Robert Jeffress, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dallas, Fox News Contributor “In the pressures of contemporary life, we often fail to make time to learn from those who have gone before us. In The Women of the Bible Speak, Shannon Bream allows the reader to walk closely with sixteen women and learn from their struggles and successes. I highly recommend it to both female and male readers.” — Gary Chapman, Ph.D., author of The 5 Love Languages "The Women of the Bible Speak, by Shannon Bream, is a crash course for every woman seeking a closer relationship with the Lord. Through their stories and examples the reader is inspired with a renewed sense of the light the Lord shines through each of us in the midst of life's challenges." — Nona Jones, Nona Jones Ministris

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Book SynopsisFrom the moment Pope Francis stepped on to the balcony of St Peter''s Basilica for the first time, a global audience sensed that not only the Catholic Church but the world at large could be entering a new spiritual, political and social age. In the days following Pope Francis'' election, there would be further early signs of the simplicity worthy of the first apostles and the leader that inspired them. Not since John XIII appeared on the scene half a century earlier had a new Pope opened the windows of the Church in such a way as to let in some much needed fresh air. Nevertheless, for the excitement generated by the first Latin American Pope and a man who claimed to want to put the poor back at the centre of the Church''s social teaching, people could still only guess where it might be all be leading.Francis: Pope of Good Promise is neither an instant media job, nor a hagiography based on authorised interviews, but the product of diligent investigation across Trade ReviewBurns writes with colour and panache * The Scotsman *His [Burns] scenes and landscapes have a cinematic quality * Independent *His [Burns] experience as a successful international writer and broadcaster and wealth of Argentine and Catholic Church contacts makes him uniquely placed to provide a compelling account of an Argentine Jesuit, the first ever Latin American Pope, who has captured the imagination of the world.

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Book SynopsisIn this expanded revision, one of Inayat Khans disciples sketches from her experience several aspects of being in his presence. These Images of Inayat present a beautiful and revealing portrait of a major spiritual influence of the twentieth century. Sophia Saintsbury-Green was a dedicated student of Inayat Khan, earning a position of trust and responsibility in the order he founded. Her memories of her teacher are accompanied by a sketch of her own life and work.A Suluk Press title.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"[A] richly detailed portrait."—D.G. Hart, Wall Street Journal"Hendrix has written a scholarly but vivid portrait of a man who, in a spiritual crisis, peered deep into St. Paul’s words about the righteous living by faith, and thought he had found there a new purpose for himself, his friends, his country and all true Christians."—Michael Duggan, Catholic Herald"There is a plenty of detail in this well-researched study with its extensive cast of characters, and attention to matters as diverse as Luther’s ability to play the lute and his vulnerability to bouts of depression. . . . Luther’s very real humanity emerges in these accounts."—Martin Wellings, Methodist Recorder"Hendrix covers Luther’s life, outlines his thought and assesses his theology. Crucially though, theology is not allowed to dominate and we see Luther’s ideas against the background of his life and his personal relationships."—Paul Richardson, Church of England Newspaper"[Hendrix] has given us a Luther who is not only an extraordinary theologian, but also a firm friend, a demanding colleague, an energetic administrator, a mediocre politician, and a loving, if sometimes heavy-handed, husband and father . . . What keeps it together is Hendrix’s sharp insights, his easy style and his unfailing eye for telling facts or quotations."—Dr. Alec Ryrie, Church Times"Scott Hendrix is a veteran insider historian from the American Protestant tradition, with the worthy aim of tackling some of the complacent myths all families build up about their founding fathers… an efficient performance."—Diarmaid Mac Culloch, London Review of Books"Hendrix here offers not only a biography of Luther, but a history of the early Lutheran Reformation. This is indeed a good Luther biography. As 2017 approaches, it will be by no means the last, but the breadth and depth of insight of Hendrix’s biography will make it very difficult to match."—Charlotte Methuen, Theology“[Hendrix’s] intention in writing this volume, he says, was to provide a readable, up-to-date, comprehensive but not too long account of Luther’s life. . . he has certainly achieved this. . . A comprehensive account, and one which is likely to become a standard reference.” —Kenneth Austin, Huguenot Society Journal "One of the best things about this humane and sensitive biography is that it sets Luther in context. Rather than the tormented hero of romantic myth, we have a busy scholar, teacher, preacher and writer surrounded by colleagues, friends and family, responding to the myriad unforeseen challenges that his epoch-changing insights had brought down on him. Enlivening circumstantial details ensure that Scott Hendrix’s Luther truly inhabits his cultural, political and spiritual world."—Euan Cameron, author of The European Reformation"I did not expect to learn much from reading yet another Luther biography. But I was wrong. Scott Hendrix’s Luther is in many respects a primus inter pares—establishing a point of view that is not, in my opinion, the least of Hendrix’s achievements in this important biography."—David Steinmetz, author of Luther in Context

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Book Synopsis#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A lucid, intelligent page-turner” (Los Angeles Times) that challenges long-held assumptions about Jesus   Two thousand years ago, an itinerant Jewish preacher walked across the Galilee, gathering followers to establish what he called the “Kingdom of God.” The revolutionary movement he launched was so threatening to the established order that he was executed as a state criminal. Within decades after his death, his followers would call him God.   Sifting through centuries of mythmaking, Reza Aslan sheds new light on one of history’s most enigmatic figures by examining Jesus through the lens of the tumultuous era in which he lived. Balancing the Jesus of the Gospels against the historical sources, Aslan describes a man full of conviction and passion, yet rife with contradiction. He explores the reasons the early Christian church preferred to promulgate an image of Jesus as a peaceful spiritual teacher rather than a politically conscious revolutionary. And he grapples with the riddle of how Jesus understood himself, the mystery that is at the heart of all subsequent claims about his divinity.   Zealot yields a fresh perspective on one of the greatest stories ever told even as it affirms the radical and transformative nature of Jesus’ life and mission.   Praise for Zealot   “Riveting . . . Aslan synthesizes Scripture and scholarship to create an original account.”—The New Yorker “Fascinatingly and convincingly drawn . . . Aslan may come as close as one can to respecting those who revere Jesus as the peace-loving, turn-the-other-cheek, true son of God depicted in modern Christianity, even as he knocks down that image.”—The Seattle Times   “[Aslan’s] literary talent is as essential to the effect of Zealot as are his scholarly and journalistic chops. . . . A vivid, persuasive portrait.”—Salon “This tough-minded, deeply political book does full justice to the real Jesus, and honors him in the process.”—San Francisco Chronicle   “A special and revealing work, one that believer and skeptic alike will find surprising, engaging, and original.”—Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power   “Compulsively readable . . . This superb work is highly recommended.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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Book SynopsisThe extraordinary life and supernatural times of one of the UK''s top psychics - star of Psychic School, Street Psychic and Psychic Detective.Even as a child, Tony Stockwell knew that he was different and that he had been born to do something special with his life. His first out-of-body experience was when he was a baby and he met his first spirit person when he was seven. He has been working as a medium for 18 years and, in his hugely successful TV series Street Psychic, he used his astonishing gift to deliver accurate, deeply personal messages from loved ones in the world of spirit to randomly picked passers-by. Tony''s autobiography answers ageless questions like:`What happens to us after we die?'', `What happens to animals and pets?'', `Are there such things as evil spirits?'', `How can we overcome our fear of death?'' and `Can we all communicate with our loved ones in the life hereafter?'' With this fascinating insightTrade ReviewA psychic detective to be reckoned with. * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisThe only Vatican sanctioned illustrated biography of the beloved pontiff filled with rarely seen photographs and 50 removable document facsimiles.

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Book SynopsisLove is a Journey is the remarkable story of Albino Luciani, known to the world as Pope John Paul I, from his harrowing birth to his tragic death just 33 days into his 1978 pontificatethe shortest pontificate in history. After years of dedicated archival research, and after interviewing dozens of figures in the Catholic hierarchy, as well as Pope John Paul I's niece, author Mo Guernon explores Luciani's family history, personality, and character to reveal the very essence of the man who became known as the Smiling Pope. Guernon analyzes Luciani's major public pronouncements and his most significant writings, which shed considerable light on his fundamental beliefs and worldview. In the concluding chapters of the book Guernon assesses Pope John Paul I's legacy and journey toward sainthoodand the beguiling question of how the Catholic Church might have evolved had his pontificate endured through the 1980s and beyond. The events of Luciani's life are so compelling, so remarkable, so fast moving, that the narrative reads like a novel. Guernon paints a multi-dimensional portrait of the man that prominently displays his virtues and shortcomings, successes and failures, heroic deeds and personal doubts about his own courage. He highlights Luciani's progressive views of issues of his time, the crises in his personal and priestly life, his discomfort with the spotlight and his anxiety about succeeding the popular Pope Paul VI, the relative simplicity of his inauguration as pope, and the unprecedented power he wielded on those with whom he came into contact both personally and through the mass media. Above all, Guernon attempts to capture the pope's mysterious ability to engender love among people of all faiths, and nonbelievers too, with his inimitable humility and almost divine smile. A striking example of his influence came from punk rocker Patti Smith, who was so enamored of Luciani that she wrote a song about the pope and dedicated her 1979 album, Wave, to him. Pope John Paul I's impact on the world during his 33-day pontificate was simultaneously profound and perplexingand, until now, underappreciated. In little more than a month, the Luciani dazzled people of all ages, races, and nations while modernizing the papacy and establishing an ambitious agenda for promoting peace and dialogue among all peoples, a program subsequently carried out by his successors, particularly Pope Francis. And in fact Pope Francis established the Vatican Pope John Paul I Foundation in memory of his beloved mentor. Never has a world leader accomplished so much in so little time.

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Book SynopsisTHE TOUCHING TRUE STORY THAT WON THE HEARTS OF MILLIONS OF READERS AROUND THE WORLD!Anna was only four years old when Fynn found her on London's fog-shrouded docks. He took her back to his mother's home, and from that first moment, their times together were filled with delight and discovery. Anna had an astonishing ability to ask--and to answer--life's largest questions. Her total openness and honesty amazed all who knew her. She seemed to understand with uncanny certainty the purpose of being, the essence of feeling, the beauty of love. You see, Anna had a very special friendship with Mister God. . . .

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Book SynopsisIn The Public Universal Friend, Paul B. Moyer tells the story of Jemima Wilkinson and her remarkable church, the Society of Universal Friends. The life of the Public Universal Friend and the Friend's church offer important insights about changes to religious life, gender, and society in Revolutionary America.Trade ReviewThis is very thorough book. It has drama in terms of stories of sexual intrigue, attempted murder and legal battles over land, and as much detail on Wilkinson and her ideas as the evidence probably supports... [F]or anyone interested in Quakerism and revival offshoots or in this period of American religious history, the book is essential. -- Pink Dandelion, Centre for Research in Quaker Studies (University of Birmingham and University of Lancaster), Woodbrooke, England * Quaker Studies *Table of ContentsIntroduction1. Genesis2. Numbers3. Revelation4. Chronicles5. Exodus6. Acts7. JudgesEpilogueA Note on Sources Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisIn the Louvre museum hangs a portrait of a middle-aged man and he is dressed in the starched white collar and black coat of the typical Dutch burgher. The painting is now the iconic image of Ren Descartes, the great seventeenth-century French philosopher. This book offers an exploration of a celebrated philosopher's world and work.Trade Review"Steven Nadler has produced another gem of original research and lively and lucid writing."--Catherine Wilson, Times Literary Supplement "Riveting... In The Philosopher, the Priest, and the Painter, Nadler has ... written his most inviting book yet... Nadler's detective work makes for fascinating reading... [T]he resulting survey of Golden Age Dutch culture, Cartesian philosophy and art connoisseurship ... makes for ... very welcome intellectual entertainment."--Michael Dirda, Washington Post "[B]y situating him firmly in his time and place, [Nadler] makes clear what made Descartes the intellectual superstar of his day... [A]n original, intriguing set-up... [A]s an introduction to Descartes' philosophy, it is excellent."--David Wolf, Slate "As one would expect from a distinguished philosopher such as Nadler, the description of Descartes's philosophy, and in particular his Discourse (1637) and Meditations (1641), is flawless."--Jerry Brotton, Literary Review "Cartesian iconography centers around a widely known portrait of Descartes attributed to Frans Hals. In this book, Nadler uses the story of that painting's origin to present a study of Descartes and his philosophy that will be accessible to a wide audience... [T]his volume serves as a very good introduction to Descartes's philosophy in historical context."--Choice "[C]harming... Nadler, an American philosopher and author, has written an immensely readable introduction to Descartes."--Australian "[A] landscape (or at least a well-turned charcoal sketch) of religious, artistic, and economic life in the Netherlands during the first half of the 17th century... Nadler's book ... takes us back upstream a ways--beginning, rather than exempting us from, a dialog with the dead."--Scott McLemee, Inside Higher Ed "[A]bsorbing."--France Magazine "Nadler is appealing to a wider audience that is looking less for hard-nosed scholarship and more for a story to follow, some intrigue to pique the mind while telling the reader something interesting and informative about the life and work of Descartes. Insofar as the work is meant for a general audience, it accomplishes its aims well enough and should be well-received and enjoyed by those readers."--Aaron Massecar, European Legacy "Nadler gives us a remarkably accessible and historically rich picture of Descartes's life and thought. The book provides a reliable and lively introduction to Descartes for the general reader and for scholars a pleasant portrait of Descartes."--Peter M. Distelzweig, Journal of the History of PhilosophyTable of ContentsIllustrations ix Acknowledgments xiii Chapter 1 Prologue: A Tale of Two Paintings 1 Chapter 2 The Philosopher 8 Chapter 3 The Priest 36 Chapter 4 The Painter 55 Chapter 5 "Once in a Lifetime" 87 Chapter 6 A New Philosophy 111 Chapter 7 God in Haarlem 143 Chapter 8 The Portrait 174 Notes 199 Bibliography 219 Index 227

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Book SynopsisCollected together for the first time in one volume are the most important critical study of Pelagius to date and a selection of his letters.Trade ReviewA judicious survey of the literature surrounding Pelagius and the movement associated with his name. * CHURCH HISTORY *An important contribution to studies of Pelagius and the social and religious world of the late fourth and early fifth-century West. * THEOLOGICAL STUDIES *

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Book SynopsisFor centuries readers have comfortably adopted Julian of Norwich as simply a mystic. In this book, the author argues that this fourteenth-century thinker's sophisticated approach to theological questions places her legitimately within the pantheon of other great medieval theologians, including Thomas Aquinas, Bernard of Clairvaux, and Bonaventure.Trade Review"This is the best book I have seen on Julian, and one of the most energizing ventures in theology in the last several years."—John Wilson, Books and Culture -- John Wilson * Books and Culture *"The author writes with erudition, theological precision and flashes of humor. This is an enlightening book that makes an important and impressive addition to Julian scholarship."—Joan M. Nuth, America -- Joan M. Nuth * America *“The best theological exposition of Julian to appear so far....It shows why her thinking is still of value and how one might critically engage with it.”—Brian Davies, Commonweal -- Brian Davies * Commonweal *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewElliot R. Wolfson's new work is a masterful exposition of the phenomenology and ontology of Habad thought, particularly its bearing on messianic mysteries and consciousness. This study is an extraordinary integration of precise philology, philosophical comprehension, and the inner course of Habad theosophy as it flows through the discourses of its seven masters. Wolfson analyzes the climactic position of Rabbi Schneerson within this complex with exemplary and original insight. -- Michael Fishbane, Nathan Cummings Professor of Jewish Studies, University of Chicago Elliot R. Wolfson's dark brilliance is itself an open secret, unfolding mesmerizing rhythms of chiastic paradox. The relevance of his commentary cannot be confined to the study of a particular movement, religion, or discipline. In this philosophical meditation on a controversial strand of recent messianism, a profound historical kabbalism appears edged with a postmodern Kafkaesque irony--in the legacy of a 'future that is already present as the present that is always future.' -- Catherine Keller, Drew University, and author of Face of the Deep: A Theology of Becoming This highly original reading of Menachem Mendel Schneerson's messianic doctrine renders irrelevant much of the ongoing speculation and debate on the question of whether or not the Lubavitcher Rebbe, like the bulk of his following, believed that he was the Messiah. The book argues insightfully that beneath his well-attested endeavors to demonstrate the imminence the messianic advent, and his resort to the traditional language of Jewish messianic speculation, lays the paradoxical 'open secret' of a totally impersonal Messiah who, reflecting the nature of the infinite kabbalistic godhead itself, can be revealed in the world only by way of concealment. His advent is conceptualized as a universal expansion of spiritual consciousness, a nonevent that continuously occurs, has occurred, and will occur 'immediately, without delay, in actuality,' which effectively means beyond measurable time. -- Ada Rapoport-Albert, University College London Wolfson's spiritual quest is contagious, and the intrepid reader will brave the many difficult passages in order to follow him -- Lawrence Grossman Forward Every researcher or enlightened reader should be interested in this profound construction, in order to understand the most significant Jewish messianic phenomenon in the Jewish world of the last two generations. -- Alon Dahan H-Judaic Wolfson has not only produced an excellent study of Rabbi Mena?em Mendel Schneerson's views, but he has argued convincingly that this work will serve as a paradigm for Jewish philosophic thought. -- H.D. Uriel Smith Philosophy East and WestTable of ContentsPreface Note on the Transliteration Introduction: Behind the Veil Unveiled 1. Concealing the Concealment: The Politics of the Esoteric 2. A/voiding Place: Apophatic Embodiment 3. Semiotic Transubstantiation of the Somatic 4. Messianic Torah: Hypernomian Transvaluation 5. Female Encircles Male: Gender Transposition 6. Apocalyptic Crossing: Beyond the (Non)Jewish Other Postface: In an Instant-Advent of the (Non)event Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe Heavenly Man has been a publishing phenomenon. At least 350,000 have been sold in the Monarch edition alone. We are still printing in three locations worldwide to keep up with demand. At least 200,000 in Korean. 30 other languages to date. The book has provoked furious debate. To reach a different audience we have commissioned a graphic version from the same studio as produced "The Lion Graphic Bible". Artwork is being drawn and inked by Chinese illustrators to keep the idiom authentic. The book will be published in black and white as this was felt to be more in keeping with subject and likely market. We have opted for the same format as "The Lion Graphic Bible".

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Book SynopsisThe Renaissance popes were among the most enlightened and generous patrons of arts and letters in the Europe of their day. Commentaries, the only autobiography ever written by a pope, was composed in elegant humanistic Latin modeled on Caesar and Cicero. This edition contains a fresh Latin text and an updated translation.

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Book SynopsisGershom Scholem, the great humanist thinker and founder of modern Kabbalah, is all but forgotten today. But here, in a biography as daring and inquisitive as its subject, George Prochnik goes in search of Scholem, restoring the reputation of a vital intellectual and finding in his work a vision with the power to reinvigorate contemporary religious and political thought. Tracing Scholem's life from his upbringing in Berlin, where he experienced a close and transformative friendship with Walter Benjamin, Prochnik reveals how Scholem's frustration with the bourgeois ideology of Germany during WWI led him to discover mystic Judaism, Kabbalah, and, finally, Zionism. But having emigrated to what was to become Israel, Scholem again found himself a 'stranger in a strange land', ill at ease with a prevailing conservative form of Zionism. Prochnik follows Scholem to the modern Holy Land - only to find that he too is disillusioned by the state politics he encounters. But through his profound study of Scholem and his own experience of Jerusalem, Prochnik not only questions the ideological and religious constructs of Jerusalem, but finds an ethical way forward, showing how a new form of pluralism might energize Jewish thought.

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Book SynopsisThe Byzantine mystic, writer, and monastic leader Symeon the New Theologian is considered a saint by the Orthodox Church. The Life was written more than 30 years after Symeon’s death by his disciple and apologist Niketas Stethatos. This translation, based on an authoritative Greek edition, makes it accessible to English readers for the first time.

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Book SynopsisVen. Nyanatiloka, a pioneering European Buddhist monk, ordained in 1903, attracted many disciples and left a lasting influence through his scholarly work and translations of Pali scriptures. His autobiography and biographical postscript cover his life until his death in 1957.

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Book SynopsisSt. Joseph of Copertino began having mystical visions at the age of seven, but it was not until he began practicing his faith as a Franciscan priest that he realized the full potential of his mind's power over his bodyhe was able to levitate. Throughout his priesthood St. Joseph became famous for frequent levitations that were observed on hundreds of occasions and by thousands of witnesses, including many skeptics. Michael Grosso delves into the biography of the saint to explore the many strange phenomena that surrounded his life and develops potential physical explanations for some of the most astounding manifestations of his religious ecstasy. Grosso draws upon contemporary explorations into cognition, the relationship between the human mind and body, and the scientifically recorded effects of meditation and other transcendent practices to reveal the implications of St. Joseph's experiences and abilities.Trade ReviewGrosso, former humanities and philosophy teacher at Marymount Manhattan College, canvasses the spiritual awakenings of St. Joseph of Copertino, the 17th century Italian friar who was purportedly could levitate, dedicating ample space to his troubled childhood. After an introduction that grounds St. Joseph’s miraculous feats in contemporary arguments against strict scientific, materialist views on reality—particularly the work of philosopher Paul Feyerabend—Grosso guides readers through St. Joseph’s private and public life, detailing the many primary accounts of supernatural events that seemingly encircled St. Joseph: levitation, psychokinesis, poltergeists, inedia, and materialization. He asks the why and how questions of 'is it possible?' Readers who are interested in the mystery surrounding historical figures shunned by the church will discover tidbits of fascinating information regarding this oft-suffering soul. Grosso’s work here is thorough. * Publishers Weekly *A miracle, to quote St. Augustine,'does not occur contrary to nature, but contrary to what we know of nature.' So what happens when a miracle occurs, repeatedly, what can it tell us about the nature of the nature we inhabit and, more importantly perhaps, about its meaning? This is the subject of Michael Grosso’s searching, beautifully written and challenging book.... The Man Who Could Fly is not only an exemplary case study of a levitating saint but an agenda both for further research, search and reconfiguration of what it might mean to be human in a universe the knowledge of which remains enticingly and enjoyably uncertain, open and inviting. * Network Review *The Man Who Could Fly is a story of considerable interest to parapsychologists, and one which Grosso tells very well indeed, with the attention to relevant detail one expects from a well-informed philosopher. * Journal of the Society for Psychical Research *Provocatively, happily, Michael Grosso’s elegant book on the ecstasies and flights of Joseph does not leave the reader with an easy escape from the conclusion that St. Joseph of Copertino really was ‘the man who could fly.’ -- Jeffrey J Kripal, author of Authors of the Impossible: The Paranormal and the SacredGrosso’s enthralling study immerses us in the strange world of a levitating, seventeenth-century mystic, but does much more too. Above all, it invites us to question present-day assumptions about the dependence of mind on brain and, ultimately, the nature of reality. -- Paul Marshall, PhD, BSc, RGN, RMNThe Man Who Could Fly is a thrilling examination of our evolving understanding of consciousness and human abilities. Michael Grosso inverts the conventional dogma that matter makes mind by showing that mind shapes matter. Beautifully written and tightly reasoned, this book is a potent antidote to the suffocating, deadening effects of the materialist ideology of our time. The Man Who Could Fly is one of the most important explorations of consciousness thus far in the twenty-first century. -- Larry Dossey, MD, Author of Healing Beyond the Body, Reinventing Medicine and Healing Words

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Carter's story should inspire and disturb all of us as it challenges our cherished and comforting assumptions, our tightly held claims and possessions, our glib tropes, including those about about home, race, religion, self." Vincent L. Wimbush, Director, Institute for Signifying Scriptures"Carter tells the story of his interfaith pilgrimage with Daisaku Ikeda, and how Ikeda's challenge has led him to a new self-understanding, renewed hope, and a revitalized faith. This is the kind of book that can literally change a person's life." Lewis V. Baldwin, Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies, Vanderbilt University"Carter is a truly cosmopolitan global preacher and thinker. From his American, South Asian, and East Asian religious identity, he is a true disciple of Jesus, the most distant of all his mentors, carrying on Jesus' work in extraordinarily creative ways. Read this book!" Robert Cummings Neville, Professor of Philosophy, Religion, and Theology, and Dean emeritus of the School of Theology and Marsh Chapel, Boston University"This beautifully written memoir is a testament to the power of the inward journey toward existential discovery, a pursuit too often impeded by social barriers. Universal and immanent, truth beckons to us beyond the boundaries of geography, nomenclature, or faith tradition. It will draw us nearer, Carter teaches, if only we muster the intellectual courage to let it light our path." Larry O. Rivers, Associate Professor of History, University of West GeorgiaJenkins Group is proud to announce the winners of the Sixth Annual Illumination Book Awards. The awards are designed to honor and bring increased recognition to the year's best new titles written and published with a Christian worldview. winner, Illumination Book Awards, http://www.illuminationawards.com/13/2019-medalists

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Book SynopsisThe first biography of an influential writer, thinker and theologian, a priest of The Christian Community, alongside a selection of his writings.Trade Review'Kenneth Gibson provides a vivid biographical introduction putting him in the context of his times, including the strong religious traditions in his family and his lifelong friendship with Sir William Golding... Bittleston comes across as a man whom I would very much like to have met, erudite, humane and wide ranging in his concerns.'-- David Lorimer, Scientific and Medical Network Review, Winter 2010

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Book SynopsisA biography of a remarkable figure, whose politics prefigured today's social justice, ecology, and gender equality movements Ammon Hennacy was arrested over thirty times for opposing US entry in World War 1. Later, when he refused to pay taxes that support war, he lost his wife and daughters, and then his job. For protesting the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, he was hounded by the IRS and driven to migrant labor in the fields of the West. He had a romance with Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker, who called him a prophet and a peasant. He helped the homeless on the Bowery, founded the Joe Hill House of Hospitality in Salt Lake City, and protested the US development of nuclear missiles, becoming in the process one of the most celebrated anarchists of the twentieth century. To our era, when so much protest happens on social media, his actual sacrifices seem unworldly. Ammon Hennacy was a forerunner of contemporary progressive thought, and he remains a beacon for challenges thTrade ReviewChristian Anarchist shows how the many disparate elements from Hennacy’s family and cultural background—from Quakerism to the Baptist tradition to socialism, to dietary reform to a kind of spirit of independent yeomanry—informed his engagement with a world he was determined to change. Marling evokes Ammon Hennacy’s iconoclastic yet reverent life very faithfully. Will be an important contribution to the literature of the twentieth-century U.S. radicalism. -- James Fisher, co-editor, The Catholic Studies ReaderThought-provoking and rich, Christian Anarchist offers a close look at a deeply challenging and inspiring figure in US history, locating Hennacy in a squarely American context and providing an angle on a Catholic and otherwise religious and radical leftism that has often been overlooked in US intellectual and political history. Beautiful and profound, Marling presents a stark challenge to the definitions of radicalism, activism, and Catholicism. -- John Seitz, Fordham UniversityAmmon Hennacy’s lifetime of uncompromising commitment to Christian pacifist anarchism is long overdue for the rich examination Marling provides. Marling uncovers the leftist icon’s unsettled personal life, humanizing Hennacy’s Sisyphean search for real-life heroes and occasional mythmaking. Hennacy’s praxis of speaking truth and embodying his ideals are highlighted by Marling, who illuminates an extraordinary life that few dared to, or could, equal. -- Brian D. Haley, author of Ammon Hennacy and the Hopi Traditionalist Movement: Roots of the Counterculture’s Favorite Indians

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Book SynopsisA reexamination of the biblical David, legendary warrior, poet, and king, by one of America's most respected rabbis Of all the figures in the Bible, David arguably stands out as the most perplexing and enigmatic. He was many things: a warrior who subdued Goliath and the Philistines; a king who united a nation; a poet who created beautiful, sensitive verse; a loyal servant of God who proposed the great Temple and founded the Messianic line; a schemer, deceiver, and adulterer who freely indulged his very human appetites. David Wolpe, whom Newsweek called the most influential rabbi in America, takes a fresh look at biblical David in an attempt to find coherence in his seemingly contradictory actions and impulses. The author questions why David holds such an exalted place in history and legend, and then proceeds to unravel his complex character based on information found in the book of Samuel and later literature. What emerges is a fascinating portrait of an exceptional human being who, despite his many flaws, was truly beloved by God.Trade Review"This is an excellent study of the most fascinating character in the Old Testament."—Wall Street Journal"How can a man who murders his lover's husband in order to cover up an adulterous affair be fit to be king? . . . Wolpe gently and gracefully explores the many facets—king, sinner, father, lover, and husband, among others—that together create David's outsized personality . . . In the end, the author observes, contemporary readers identify with David so well because he is full of contradictions, and he is great because of this complexity, not in spite of it."—Publishers WeeklyFinalist for the 2014 National Jewish Book Awards sponsored by the Jewish Book Council in the Biography, Autobiography and Memoir category"A sensitive and utterly unsparing reading of the most attractive and least edifying character in the Hebrew Bible."—Jack Miles

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Book SynopsisIt is 1955 and a fifteen-year-old girl, seeking adventure, escapes the greyness of post-war London for the cobbles, sunshine and romance of an ancient Catalan city. When she falls in love with the place she also falls for its charismatic leader. As the years pass and the girl becomes a woman, she returns again and again to Girona and to her lover, the enigmatic José Tarres. She meets captivating characters and hears about visions, a strangely wealthy priest, a fabulous garden owned by a Frenchwoman… Cast as the detective in her own story, she finds herself caught up in a world she barely knew existed. The rich priest was none other than the Abbé Saunière of Rennes-le-Château, and the mysteries surrounding him are at the very heart of the modern Grail legend – the stuff of bestselling novels and movies, historical analysis and esoteric intrigue. The people she has known for so many years, including José, belong to a secret society that guards Saunière’s legacy. Now they ask her to be their messenger. It is time, they say, to present some of their closely guarded secrets to the world. The astonishing result is City of Secrets. Patrice Chaplin’s modern classic is a page-turning, true-life adventure, rich with photographs, remarkable letters and antique documents. This new edition features an Afterword in which Patrice reviews the impact of the book’s publication on her life, on Girona and its mysteries.

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