Christian Churches, denominations, groups Books

Book SynopsisAll Of Us Together In The End is a lyrical examination of transformation after loss, by a writer the New York Times calls "irresistible" and "utterly convincing."Vollmer’s family memoir shimmers with wonder and enchantment and begins with the death of his mother from early-onset Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Soon after, flashing lights and floating orbs appear in the woods surrounding his family’s home in rural North Carolina, where his widowed father lives. Formative memories of having been raised in the Seventh-day Adventist church resurge in Vollmer’s mind, hastening self-reexamination and reckoning.He corresponds with a retired geology professor about “ghost lights,” which supposedly occur more in North Carolina than any other American state. He scrolls TikTok. He contacts an eccentric shaman who lives in Spain to have transcendental psychotherapy administered over Zoom. And then Jolene emerges, a woman endeared for decades to Vollmer’s father, holding secrets to their family’s past.Amidst the turmoil and loneliness of the pandemic, All of Us Together in the End is a poignant and often humorous investigation into belief set in a time where it seems people will believe anything. It is an elegiac affirmation of the awesome, strange, otherworldly ways our loved ones remain alive to us, even when they are out of reach.Trade Review"This engaging what’s-in-the-woods puzzle elegantly probes the questions that characterize deep relationships and deeper mysteries." —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review"All of Us Together in the End is an unforgettable record of 'a purposeful journey' that became 'a collision with the ineffable.'" —Rebecca Foster, Foreword Reviews, Starred Review“If I had witnessed what Matthew Vollmer has seen, I think I would, like him, resist the mystery; that is, I, too, would think it was too good to be true, too good to be believed. The world owes us nothing yet gives us everything, the lights seem to proclaim, and yet. Vollmer restores the mortal body to its shine, existence to its sublime and brilliant mystery. All of Us Together in the End will make you reckon with your ghosts, and will teach you exactly what matters in the end. I am a more aware witness now of the brightness of this world, and I have to thank Vollmer’s spiritual memoir for allowing me to see it and, consequently, believe it.” —Jenny Boully, author of Betwixt & Between and The Body“All of Us Together in the End is Vollmer’s best work to date. The book showcases his keen awareness for the very present (pandemic, institutional racism, Zoom, TikTok,) and also his ability to gather the weird, mystical, and poignant threads of his life to tell the engrossing story of how loss can lead to transformation and how his family history comes to inform his path as a seeker. Vollmer can do funny and tender and mystical all at once in fluid prose that gets me thinking deeply about the tradition of American storytelling. Like Mark Twain, he collects narrative ephemera: the kooky, the folkloric, the lingua franca of the nation to narrate an elegiac story of a man evolving through grief by the gleam of a mysterious but vital light.” —Carmen Giménez, author of Be Recorder“Matthew Vollmer thinks too much. I’m glad, for I’m probably not thinking enough most days. All of Us Together in the End is an honest missive addressed to hope, regret, childhood, faith, truth, parenting, and the paranormal. And Love, with all its mysteries. It’s an insightful, beautiful memoir that I’ll remember forever.” —George Singleton, author of You Want More: Selected Stories“All Of Us Together in the End is a special book—part investigation, part memoir, part love letter to the mountains of western North Carolina. It engages my mind as well as my heart. Most of all, Matthew Vollmer's book makes me think about family—what we're born to, what we make—and the kinship we find in each other and in the places that call us home.” —Joni Tevis, author of The World Is On Fire: Scrap, Treasure, and Songs of Apocalypse“Vollmer delicately portrays his ‘unmoored’ state of mind and its evolving connection to radical changes to his family and the world.” —Kirkus Reviews“Throughout this journey, Vollmer invites readers into his world via detailed renderings of the places he’s called home. He recalls his childhood house with exquisite detail and recounts searching for the lights outside his father’s window so powerfully that readers can place themselves in the scene. And as he searches, Vollmer evokes a painfully universal experience: the process of moving forward with a life that doesn’t make sense after a loved one’s death.” —BookPage"A post-pandemic voyage for the spiritually adventuresome." —Library JournalAdditional praise for Matthew Vollmer“…irresistible…Expertly structured and utterly convincing, these stories represent the arrival of a strong new voice.” —Joseph Salvatore, The New York Times“Becoming conscious of the process by which we are produced may be the only available step to enabling our status as players rather than simply played, though it is no exit from the game itself. And that, to me, is what makes Matthew Vollmer’s fiction compelling at a much deeper level than the play of wit, sensibility, and intelligence in his craft.” —The Brooklyn Rail"Vollmer's writing is my new favorite example of what it must be like to see a life flash before your eyes." —Fiction Advocate

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Book SynopsisSt Paul is known throughout the world as the first Christian writer, authoring fourteen of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament. But as Karen Armstrong demonstrates in St Paul: The Misunderstood Apostle, he also exerted a more significant influence on the spread of Christianity throughout the world than any other figure in history. It was Paul who established the first Christian churches in Europe and Asia in the first century, Paul who transformed a minor sect into the largest religion produced by Western civilization, and Paul who advanced the revolutionary idea that Christ could serve as a model for the possibility of transcendence. While we know little about some aspects of the life of St Paul - his upbringing, the details of his death - his dramatic vision of God on the road to Damascus is one of the most powerful stories in the history of Christianity, and the life that followed forever changed the course of history.Trade ReviewArmstrong rescues her subject from two-dimensional caricature and helps us see just why generations have needed Paul to "think with", not just about God, but about the possible shapes of human community in the face of unthinking conformism and the powerful stupidity of empires. -- Rowan Williams * New Statesman *A compelling interpretation of the importance of this most prominent of early Christian figures... Absorbing and informative * Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisA 50th anniversary revised edition of the beloved classic, God is Red. First published in 1972, Vine Deloria Jr.'s God Is Red 50th Anniversary Edition remains the seminal work on Native religious views, asking new questions about our species and our ultimate fate. Celebrating three decades in publication with a special 30th-anniversary edition, this classic work reminds us to learn "that we are a part of nature, not a transcendent species with no responsibilities to the natural world." It is time again to listen to Vine Deloria Jr.'s powerful voice, telling us about religious life that is independent of Christianity and that reveres the interconnectedness of all living things.

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Book SynopsisWe may associate a number of images with the Eastern Orthodox church – ornate church buildings, services with candles and incense, men wearing embellished robes – but what does the Eastern Orthodox church actually believe? What are the similarities and differences between them and western evangelical churches? What is their history? In this short book Panagiotis Kantartzis introduces us to Eastern Orthodoxy from an Evangelical perspective and tells us what we need to know.Trade ReviewPastor Kantartzis covers the most important points with clear, concise and well–researched prose. If you want the best engagement with Orthodoxy from an evangelical perspective, look no further. -- Michael Horton (J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California, Escondido, California)Blessed with wide learning, acute theological insight, and pastoral experience from living in an Orthodox country, Dr. Kantartzis is outstandingly qualified for this task, which he does superbly. -- Robert Letham (Wales Evangelical School of Theology, Bridgend, Wales)Kantartzis offers a unique book that combines careful and sensitive analysis of Orthodox Christianity with a respectful and constructive engagement from the perspective of his own Evangelical faith. -- Aristotle Papanikolaou (Professor of Theology and the Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture, Fordham University, New York Co–founding Director, Orthodox Christian Studies Centre)… reminds us that the differences between Evangelical Protestantism and Eastern Orthodoxy are rooted in fundamental principles that touch on every aspect of theology. The presentation is clear and fair to both sides, making it a reliable resource for dialogue between these two very different Christian traditions. -- Gerald Bray (Research Professor, Beeson Divinity School at Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama)

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Book SynopsisAcclaimed teaching pastor Daniel Grothe speaks to the sense of loneliness that many feel in today''s age of hypermobility and noncommittal wandering, reminding us of the ancient vow of stability and teaching us how we can lead a richer life of friendship, community, and purpose.Unlike previous generations that had to stay put, many people today have unprecedented access to a lifestyle of mobility. We can explore and bounce from place to place, never settling down or making anywhere home. And while it feels freeing to be able to try something new whenever we want--whether it''s a new job, a new city, a new group of friends, or even a new church--somewhere along the way, we discover we''re missing something. We may be paying our bills and have a roof over our heads, but we''re lonely and unfulfilled, disconnected and unsatisfied. What''s that all about? What is the missing piece?In The Power of Place, pastor Daniel Grothe speaks to the human ach

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Book SynopsisProtestant orientations to work and economics have shaped wider American culture for several centuries. But not all strands of American Protestantism have elevated secular work to the highest echelons of spiritual significance. This book surveys the efforts of a religious movement within white Protestant fundamentalism and its neo-evangelical successors to make work matter to God.Today, bearing the name the faith and work movement, this effort puts on display the creative capacities of religious and lay leaders to adapt a faith system to the changing social-economic conditions of advanced capitalism. Building from the insights and theory of Max Weber, Andrew Lynn draws on archival research and interviews with movement leaders to survey and assess the surging number of new organizations, books, conferences, worship songs, seminary classes, vocational programming, and study groups promoting classically Protestant and Calvinist ideas of work and vocation. He traces these efforts back to eTrade ReviewIn these days when almost everything about American evangelicalism is controversial, this well-researched, fair-minded book about the evangelical 'faith and work' movement is a welcome contribution. Andrew Lynn has provided a great deal for supporters of the movement, its critics, and all who worry about the moral malaise present in the marketplace to ponder. * Robert Wuthnow, author of Why Religion Is Good for American Democracy *The faith at work movement is an ongoing and evolving social movement, not a flash in the pan or a passing fad. Andrew Lynn brings us a strong contribution to the growing number of scholarly studies of the surprisingly diverse nature of the faith at work movement. Lynn's provocatively titled Saving the Protestant Ethic focuses on and brings us fresh insights into the conservative evangelical Protestant wing of the movement, whose search for meaning and purpose drives their economic activity. * David W. Miller, Princeton University Faith & Work Initiative *This brief summary surely fails to capture the depth and breadth of Lynn's extraordinary descriptive project. He does a masterful job of separating the different theological threads that are woven together by the faith and work movement and contextualizing them in socioeconomic terms. Adherents of re-integrating theology will find the portrait of themselves and their views recognizable...What Lynn's book demonstrates above all is that the faith and work movement has not fallen far from the creative class tree...No one wants to go back to the fundamentalist work ethic. Everyone wants their Monday to matter to God. * Charlie Clark, FareForward *This book represents an impressive achievement, drawing on a multidisciplinary array of deft ethnographic interviews, attentive participant observations, profound understanding of emic group discourse, impressive historical primary sources, nimbly enhanced and refined sociological theory, and quantitative analysis. * Religious Studies Review *Saving the Protestant Ethic explores the faith and work movement within contemporary American Evangelicalism...Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. * Choice *Table of ContentsIntroduction Part One: The Rise of the Evangelical Faith and Work Movement Chapter One: More Than Toil Chapter Two: The Fundamentalist Work Ethic Chapter Three: The Making of a Movement Chapter Four: The Four Evangelical Theologies of Work Part Two: Contours, Contingencies, and Contending Interests Chapter Five: Whose Work Matters to God? Chapter Six: From the Christian Right to the Corporate Right Chapter Seven: From Culture Wars to Cultural Stewardship Chapter Eight: On Roads Not (Yet) Taken Acknowledgements Appendix A: Research Methods

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Book SynopsisJohn McGinley's accessible, inspiring, and visionary manifesto for the future of the Church in the Western world, demonstrates how ordained and lay leaders at all levels can navigate these changing times with a focus, not on the decline, but the rebirth of the Church.Trade ReviewI love this book! It has made me praise God, weep and pray with new passion. It will give you fresh thinking, but also impart fresh hope, fresh faith and fresh courage. Jesus intended his Church to work with him - rewriting the history of individuals, communities and nations. But in the West the Church has become increasingly irrelevant. The burning question is, "How can we become what God originally intended us to be?" Scripture, church history, the current worldwide work of God and John's long experience of church leadership contain vital answers. Everyone has a part to play. Here's your chance to fully play yours. -- Revd Canon John Coles, former leader of New Wine EnglandAs the age of Christendom closes, John McGinley doesn't believe that further decline and cultural irrelevance are inevitable. Instead, he anticipates a new reformation, urging followers of Jesus and church leaders to recover a fresh vision of church. Laced with helpful quotes, all eight chapters of The Church of Tomorrow describe a key mark of the future Church, with each ending with a powerful "personal response". This is a timely and prophetic book, and should be read by all concerned not just that God's future Church has a mission, but also that God's future mission has a Church. -- Revd Dr Matthew Porter, author and vicar of St Michael le Belfrey Church, YorkThis vital book is a clarion call in a time where we as individual followers of Jesus and the Church as a whole have a choice to make. It is hard to ignore the case John so powerfully makes to get ourselves ready for the pivotal season we are entering. Not only will this book sharpen your mind and stir your heart, it gives space for prayerful reflection and hugely practical steps to help us put what God is saying to us into action. Thank you, John! -- Sarah Belcher, leader of Kingdom Embassy ChurchAre you ready for change? We have entered a new era and how we "do" church needs a radical overhaul if we are to see the nations transformed by the power of God. John writes in a way that equips the Church to "be" the Church through understanding the shifts that are happening and then challenging us to respond in a faithfilled, uncompromising way. I believe if we can take this to heart and get to our knees, we could be part of seeing a great global harvest in our lifetime. -- Anne Calver, author and overseer of Unleashed ChurchThere was a deep ache in my heart as I read The Church of Tomorrow, but it was a pain accompanied by a louder song of hope. The ache was a profound longing for the renewal we are desperate to see, but this book is far from a lament of the current situation. It is bursting with crystal clarity, inspirational hope, biblical wisdom and evocative storytelling, leaving me with no doubt that not only is change possible, but here is the encouragement we need to get there. John is the real deal. The Church of Tomorrow is soaked in the wisdom, lived-out experience and prophetic imagination of its author. I pray that it leads to explosive growth and creativity in the Church and many coming to faith in Jesus. -- Phil Knox, author and head of mission to young adults at the Evangelical AllianceThis is a book I wish I had written! John has done a superb job in bringing together biblical, historical, ecclesial and prophetic insights and voices to help us glimpse something of the heart and power of the Church of tomorrow. From the unshakeable startingpoint confession and framework for our lives that "Jesus is Lord", to wonderful revelations about discipleship and the Church as a self-propagating, Spirit-led, planting community, John paints a hope-filled but challenging picture of this Church. The Church as a creative minority, no longer at the centre of culture, but on the margins of it is poised to have its greatest impact for 500 years. Read on and be inspired. Let's be the Church of tomorrow! -- Dr Nic Harding, author, director of the Kairos Connexion and Together for the Harvest, and founding pastor of Frontline ChurchReading The Church of Tomorrow filled me with fresh vision and hope for the future of the bride of Christ. Drawing on teaching from Scripture, lessons from history and a prophetic sense of what the Spirit is saying to the Western Church today, John McGinley presents a compelling diagnosis of the Church's current condition and gives an insightful, creative, much-needed prescription for renewed life and energy for the body of Christ. -- Becky Harcourt, part of the leadership team of All Saints Woodford Wells and New WineJohn describes this book as an invitation to hold the plumb line of Scripture, the Church in revival in history and the rapidly growing Church around the world up against the Church that you and I belong to in the West and to note the differences. And if that sounds as though it could only generate a troubling conclusion, then don't worry: yes, this book is honest and real, but it's also a hope-filled and inspiring read. This book is shot through with prayer and testimony. It will stretch your mind, warm your heart and feed your soul. -- Revd Canon John Dunnett, director of Strategy and Operations, The Church of England Evangelical CouncilThese truly are significant times of reforming both in and outside the Church. I am so encouraged by what John has written in The Church of Tomorrow. The message is prophetic, practical and filled with promise for a better future. The reader will understand "why" we must change but is also given the "how". I highly recommend this book. -- Steve Uppal, senior leader, All Nations ChurchI was on my knees in repentance and prayer within 15 minutes of reading this book. It is dynamite. John's ability to express how we have lost our way as the people of God and the years of displacement from truth and demonstrations of the power of God struck me deeply. Yet, pages later, tears wiped, hope had arisen. Hope for the emergence and wildness of a vastly improved Church, hope for our moving in God-given momentum...Let this book transform you; come to it with your heart open to the possibilities of what you could be if God wrestled you into the heart of his will. -- Emma Stark, director of Global Prophetic AllianceA masterful manifesto for missional church, simply identifying the "Signs of the Times" and exploring both the biblical means and methods already pointing to the breakthroughs we need. A must-read for anyone in church, lay and ordained, who recognizes the current challenges of moving into recently uncharted landscapes and is looking for a compass. John combines incisive honesty in analysing the radical challenges of our changed context with a disarming combination of loving sensitivity and merciful understanding. John has a proven track record of outstanding missional leadership in both Hinkley and multicultural Leicester. He brings all this experience to bear on the kingdom needs of our very challenging contexts. A must-read for lay and ordained leaders across the board. The best toolkit for this to become the "Church of Today"! -- Bob and Mary Hopkins, leaders of Anglican Church Planting InitiativesThe Church of Tomorrow is a prophetic acclamation, calling the body of Christ to dream again! John perfectly addresses the defaults and traditions that have kept our churches stuck in the twentyfirst century, inviting us into God's heart for a "new thing". John provides fresh revelation and practical insight into the cultural infrastructure needed to steward a new move of God in our churches, like multiplication and creativity. Those reading this book will experience fresh hope, faith and imagination for their church communities as the Holy Spirit reveals what's possible for the Church. -- Revd Wole Agbaje, senior pastor, Imprint ChurchIn this book, John sets out a big vision of what church could and should look like. He challenges us about our priorities and our procedures. He encourages us with reminders of all the ways in which God is at work in our world. And perhaps most importantly he asks us big questions about what we might need to do in the present in order that we can step forward into the Church of tomorrow. -- Revd Kate Wharton, vicar of St Bartholomew’s Church, Roby, Liverpool

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Book SynopsisThere is a definite and growing interest and awareness amongst the general public of the competing arguments around faith, God and society. The book is divided into two sections. Section One tackles issues of ultimate concern and the place of God in the modern world, whilst Section Two considers the role of faith in public life. The contributors bring a range of different voices both religious and secular to the conversation. Section One: Examining God - Richard Harries discusses the challenge to faith from atheism, whilst Dan Cohn-Sherbok thinks about God from a post-holocaust point of view, Daphne Hampson wonders how God might be reconceived in a post-patriarchal context. David Jasper reflects on the role of the arts in leading us to spiritual reflection, and Mona Siddiqui offers a comparison between Muslim and Christian notions of divine love.Section Two: The role of faith in contemporary society - James Jones argues for kingdom values' in public life, Catherine Pepinster advoc

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Book SynopsisRecent theological scholarship has shown increasing interest in patristic exegesis. The way early Christians read scripture has attracted not only historians, but also systematic and exegetical scholars. However, the Christian reading of scripture before Origen has been neglected or, more often, dominated by Gnostic perspectives. This study uses the writings of Irenaeus to argue that there was a rich Christian engagement with scripture long before Origen and the supposed conflict between Antioch and Alexandria. This is a focused examination of specific exegetical themes that undergird Irenaeus' argument against his opponents. However, whereas many works interpret Irenaeus only as he relates to certain Gnostic teachings, this book recognizes the broader context of the second century and explores the profound questions facing early Christians in an era of martyrdom. It shows that Irenaeus is interested, not simply in expounding the original intent of Table of Contents1 Reading Scripture in an Age of Martyrdom2 Creatio Ex Nihilo & the Freedom of Humanity3 The Recapitulation of All Things in Christ: 4 The Mosaic of Christ (AH 1.8-9, IV.33): Reading Scripture within the Eucharistic Gathering5 The Virgin Birth (AH III): A New Kind of Generation6 The New Fulfilling the Old (AH IV)7 Power Made Perfect in Weakness (AH V)8 Conclusion: Joining the End to the Beginning

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Book SynopsisThe German edition of Commentary on Luther''s Catechisms by Albrecht Peters has long been the gold standard of research on the catechetical texts of the great reformer. This translation makes the wealth of research available in English for both the researcher and the catechist. Separate volumes address the Decalogue, the Creed, the Lord''s Prayer, the Sacraments, and Confession with the Table of Duties, prayers, and the Marriage and Baptismal Booklets. This volume places Martin Luther''s exposition of the Apostles'' Creed in its biblical, historical, and systematic context, and more generally within the Reformer''s trinitarian teaching.Foreword by Gottfried SeebassTranslated by Thomas H. Trapp Books In This SeriesCommentary on Luther''s Catechisms, Ten CommandmentsCommentary on Luther''s Catechisms, CreedCommentary on Luther''s Catechisms, Lord''s

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Book SynopsisTwo nonprofit leaders show organizations how to stay true to their Christian mission, and offer tools for getting back on track if "drifting."

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Book SynopsisNoted theologian John Franke helps readers reenvision theology, showing that it flows from an understanding of the missional character and purposes of God.Table of ContentsContents1. Missional God2. Missional Church3. Missional Theology4. Missional Multiplicity5. Missional SolidarityEpilogueIndex

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Book SynopsisThis introductory guide offers a thorough overview of medieval biblical interpretation.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction1. The Age of the Fathers2. The Early Middle Ages3. The Schools of the Eleventh Century: From Bec to Reims4. The Monks of the Twelfth Century5. The School of St. Victor6. The Schools of the Twelfth Century: From Laon to Paris7. Exegesis in the Universities of the Later Middle Ages8. Applied Exegesis: The New Testament and the Medieval PapacyConclusion: Can Medieval Exegesis Speak to Us Today?Indexes

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Book SynopsisThe Cambridge History of Religions in the Ancient World provides a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the religions of the ancient Near East and Mediterranean world from the third millennium BCE to the fourth century BCE. Its essays, written by leading scholars, are accompanied by introductory essays by the General Editor and Volume Editor as well as maps, illustrations and detailed indexes.Table of ContentsIntroduction to Volumes 1 and 2 Michele Renee Salzman; Introduction to Volume 1 Marvin A. Sweeney; Part I. Mesopotamia and the Near East: 1. Sumerian religion Graham Cunningham; 2. Assyrian and Babylonian religions Tammi J. Schneider; 3. Hittite religion Gary Beckman; 4. Zoroastrianism P. Oktor Skaervo; 5. Syro-Canaanite religions: a construct of metaphors David Wright; 6. Ancient Israelite and Judean religions Marvin A. Sweeney; Part II. Egypt and North Africa: 7. Egyptian religion Denise M. Doxey; 8. Phoenician and Punic religion Philip C. Schmitz; Part III. Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean: 9. Minoan religion Nanno Marinatos; 10. Mycenaean religion Ian Rutherford; 11. Religion in the Greek world, c.750–400 BCE Emily Kearns; Part IV. The Western Mediterranean and Europe: 12. Etruscan religion Nancy T. de Grummond; 13. Archaic Roman religion through the Early Republic Jörg Rüpke; 14. Celtic religion in western and central Europe Dorothy Watts; Suggestions for further reading.

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Book SynopsisThis book examines Anglo-Italian political and cultural relations and analyses the importance of religion in the British 'Orientalist' perception of Italy. It puts religion at the centre of a harsh political and cultural war, one that was fought on international, diplomatic, and domestic levels.Trade Review“Raponi’s monograph improves our understanding of the British enthusiasm for the Risorgimento by exploring how religion and politics fused together when Italian affairs were on the agenda. … Raponi has consulted a very impressive range of sources. … The book is beautifully written, Raponi’s style being lively and engaging.” (Owain Wright, Journal of Religious History Literature and Culture Reviews, June, 2016)Table of ContentsIntroduction: Britain and Italy, Religion and Politics 1. Italy as the 'European India': British Orientalism, Cultural Imperialism, and Anti-Catholicism, c. 1850-1870 2. British Missionary Societies in Italy: Evangelising a Hostile Land, 1850-1862 3. Religion and Foreign Policy: From Unification to the 'Desperate Folly' of the Syllabus (1861-1864) 4. British Missionary Societies in Italy: Searching the Soul of the New Nation, 1862-1872 5. Protestant Foreign Policy and the Last Years of the Roman Question, 1865-1875 Conclusion: 'Great' because Protestant, 'Oriental' because Catholic

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Book SynopsisThe seventh volume in EUP's highly acclaimed Atlas of Global Christianity, which takes the analysis of worldwide Christianity to a deeper level of detail.Trade Review"This is an important book at a time when religion is undergoing a significant paradigm shift on levels of affiliation, doctrine and practice. Readers will certainly find here a wealth of insights and information here to reflect on." -Ilia Delio, Villanova University

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Book SynopsisThis is the first study to examine the rise and fall of a medieval religious group, the Order of Apostles, that began with orthodox support but ended in the fires of heresy. Originating in 1260 in Parma the group was founded by Gerard Segarelli who believed that a life of apostolic poverty was the true path of Christian devotion. Segarelli was initially supported by the Church but as his cohort grew in number and fame he was charged with heresy by the powerful Franciscans, was tried, and burnt as a heretic. The Order''s control was assumed by Fra Dolcino who led the Apostles into direct opposition to the Roman Church and was himself executed in 1307. This is an important study presenting new findings in the history of medieval heresy, as well as placing the Order of Apostles within the larger context of political, economic and social history. By examining the rise and fall of the Apostles Pierce shows the dramatic consequences of the transformation of European society during the high MTable of ContentsPrologue Introduction 1. Tell Fra Dolcino to Prepare Himself 2. Changing Society and Economy 1000-1250 3. Vying for Power: The Changing Political Landscape 4. Church Reform and its Aftermath 5. Gerard Segarelli's Vita Apostolica 6. Rivalry and Slander 7. Descent into Heresy 8. Apocalyptic Catastrophe 9. In the Valley of Heresy Epilogue Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe Reformation was the single most important event of the early modern period of Western civilization. In Reformation in the Western World, Paul Silas Peterson shows how the retrieval of the ancient Christian teachings about God's grace and the authority of Scripture influenced culture, society, and the political order.Trade Review"This is a remarkably balanced overview of Reformation thought and of the context in which it emerged and developed. The discussed issues are so evenhandedly presented that the serious reader is moved to rethink his or her own position and the reasons for it. No less impressive is the authors contribution to the interconfessional and interreligious dialogue that involves critical judgment about where and on what matters the respective traditions need corrections. The result is a very readable book, appealing not only to students and scholars but also to general readers." -- Emidio Campi, Professor Emeritus of Church History & former Director of the Institute for Swiss Reformation History, University of Zurich"Dr Peterson has pursued an ambitious and challenging goal in this relatively compact volume. He seeks to clarify the legacy of the Reformation, specifically its impact on the Western world. Because of its introductory and summary nature and its significant engagement with current scholarship, particularly in German and English, this volume invites further exploration, evaluation, reinterpretation, and nuancing, even as it offers keen insights, draws important conclusions, and provides helpful perspectives. It can, therefore, serve as a useful scholarly resource, both in survey courses and in more advanced seminar settings." -- Kurt K Hendel, Bernard, Fischer, Westberg Distinguished Ministry Professor Emeritus of Reformation History, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago"Paul Petersons Reformation in the Western World is an ambitious and wide-ranging attempt to rethink the place of the Reformation in the grand narratives of the Western world. It takes on big themes, from tolerance and intolerance to capitalism, secularism, and the rise of modernism, and yet it never loses touch with the history or the spirit of the age, equally at home in the Reformation discussions of repentance and justification as in the theories of the modern day. Thoughtful, provocative, and based on broad scholarship, this book will encourage readers to think about the Reformation in new ways." -- C Scott Dixon, Senior Lecturer, The Queens University of BelfastThis book is a useful introduction not only to current Reformation research but also to debates among contemporary theologians and cultural critics about the impact of Protestantism on western culture and Christianity's role in contemporary society more generally. -- Amy Nelson Burnett -- Lutheran QuarterlyPeterson's work is invaluable for those in the fields of Reformation studies or church history and is highly recommended for those interested in the interaction between theology, politics, and society in the Western world. -- Brian L. Hanson -- Reading ReligionTable of ContentsIntroduction: The Good and the Bad of the Reformation Chapter 1. The Western World and the Reformation Chapter 2. The Evils and Errors of the Reformers Chapter 3. Prehistory, Division, and Authority Chapter 4. Political Power and Tolerance Chapter 5. Modernity, Democracy, Capitalism, and Secularism Chapter 6. The Western World Today Chapter 7. The Reformation and Ecumenism Conclusion: The Future of Reformation

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Book SynopsisRevival history expert sorts fact from myth in the story of one of the best known revivals Scotland has played host to a vast array of religious revivals over the course of its history, but by far the best known of these is the Lewis Revival of 1949–52 (also known as the Hebrides revival). The stories around it are extraordinary, with the Spirit working in the lives of many people across this Scottish island. There have been, however, rumours and myths that have grown up around the stories of the Lewis Revival, that did not actually occur. Revival history expert, Tom Lennie, examines the eye witness accounts and sorts the amazing true story from the exaggerations that have become entangled. The story of the revival that truly occurred is based on overwhelming evidence. Its essence was powerful preaching, based on God’s word. It was a remarkable, life changing event for hundreds of individuals, and that still has an impact today.Trade ReviewIsland Aflame is, in essence, the most comprehensive and honest treatment of a movement which has been made famous in Christian circles throughout the world. It needs to be read by all who want to know and understand the true Lewis revival of 1949–52. -- Steve Taylor (Photographer; author, ‘Skye Ablaze: Spiritual Awakening on the Isle of Skye and the Maritimes’)Tom Lennie has accomplished a Herculean task in providing us with a comprehensive and searching examination of the evidence for the Lewis revival of 1949–52. The quality, depth and perception of his research shines through every page of this monumental study.Tom Lennie … has rightly focused on the revival of hungry hearts through the ministry of God’s word and the power of the Holy Spirit, and he has done an excellent job – providing a most accurate account. -- Donald John Smith (Ballantrushal, Isle of Lewis, Scotland)A must read for anyone seeking to understand genuine revival. I pray that ‘Island Aflame’ will set your own heart aflame. -- Shane Idleman (Lead Pastor, Westside Christian Fellowship, Leona Valley, California)Having lived through these thrilling days, we can say that Tom Lennie gives an accurate picture, the most accurate that we have seen. -- William and Margaret Macleod (Barvas, Isle of Lewis, Scotland)The beautiful thing that comes from Tom Lennie’s book is that, although some of the well–known stories may not have been entirely factual, many of them were true indeed! I was left being greatly edified and encouraged. -- R. T. Kendall (Previous minister of Westminster Chapel, London)This book contains careful research, fascinating history and, above all, a wonderful reminder of the mighty works done by God in the Outer Hebrides. -- Thomas Davis (Minister, Carloway Free Church, Isle of Lewis, Scotland)

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Book SynopsisThere are plenty of reasons to criticize, judge, and even walk away from the church. Many of us have been hurt and rejected. We may see church as insular and irrelevant. Despite this, Kevin Makins believes that the church still matters--perhaps more than ever. When Kevin was 23 and didn't know any better, he started a congregation with some friends who were on the edge of faith. Together they hoped to discover if the church was worth fighting for. In this brutally honest account, he shares their story of becoming a community of misfits, outcasts, and oddballs who would learn that, even with all its faults, the church is worth being a part of . . . and must be reclaimed for good. If you've been burned or burned out by the church, if you've been silenced or misunderstood, if you've left or never even joined in the first place, this candid, hopeful book is your invitation to consider what you miss out on when you give up on church--and what the church misses out on when it gives up on you.

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Book SynopsisAn authoritative account of the Coptic Papacy in Egypt from the coming of Islam to the onset of the Ottoman era, by a leading religious studies scholar, new in paperbackIn Volume 1 of this series, Stephen Davis contended that the themes of “apostolicity, martyrdom, monastic patronage, and theological resistance” were determinative for the cultural construction of Egyptian church leadership in late antiquity. This second volume shows that the medieval Coptic popes (641–1517 CE) were regularly portrayed as standing in continuity with their saintly predecessors; however, at the same time, they were active in creating something new, the Coptic Orthodox Church, a community that struggled to preserve a distinctive life and witness within the new Islamic world order. Building on recent advances in the study of sources for Coptic church history, the present volume aims to show how portrayals of the medieval popes provide a window into the religious and social life of their community.Trade ReviewPraise for The Popes of Egypt series:“Based on serious research . . . . [shows] how the Coptic papacy has survived and served the Church through many difficult periods. In the present uncertain times its resilience will surely help it to fulfil its mission of leading the largest Church in the Middle East.”—Michael L. Fitzgerald, Proche-Orient Chretien“Focusing on some of the most influential leaders, the books trace the social, economic, political, and religious trends they negotiated.”— Nelly van Doorn-Harder, The Montreal Review"Essential reading for historians of ancient Christianity and for all scholars of Coptic Egypt." —David Brakke, Ohio State University on The Early Coptic Papacy"A lucid, meticulous, and highly accessible account of papal institutions in early Egyptian Christianity. . . . A critical read for any student of Christianity in Egypt and the Middle East." —Febe Armanios, author of Coptic Christianity in Ottoman Egypt on The Early Coptic Papacy“An excellent introduction to its subject and the relevant literature.”— Christopher van der Krogt, Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations on The Coptic Papacy in Islamic Egypt, 641–1517"Reading this well-researched and beautifully produced book is both sobering and encouraging."— Michael L. Fitzgerald OBE, on The Coptic Papacy in Islamic Egypt, 641–1517“A comprehensive yet very readable review of the history of the Coptic leadership in the Middle Ages.”— David D. Grafton, International Bulletin of Missionary Research, on The Coptic Papacy in Islamic Egypt, 641–1517“Extremely useful”— Alastair Hamilton, Church History and Religious Culture on The Coptic Papacy in Islamic Egypt, 641–1517“Magdi Guirguis is one of the very few scholars who has actually tackled the archives of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate and of the Dar al-Warth’iq al-Qawmiyya in Cairo and has consequently produced a series of excellent studies in which he breaks entirely new ground.”— Alastair Hamilton, The International Journal of Middle East Studies on The Emergence of the Modern Coptic Papacy"Substantiates the Coptic Church as a subject in religious studies with its own history worthy of study." —Midwest Book ReviewTable of ContentsEditors’ Introduction Author’s Preface Technical Notes Acknowledgments Abbreviations 1. Continuity and ReinventionSuccession and Innovation Earning the “Crown of Exile” The Church in a “New World Order” Relationships with Rulers A Sacred Geography 2. Patient SufferersComing to the End-Time? Bearing Trials Patiently The Account of John the Deacon Patriarchs and Martyrdom Patriarchs and Sainthood 3. Crisis of CohesionSatan Hinders, but God Prevails Patriarchs and Political Authority in ‘Abbasid Egypt Trials from Without Trials from Within A Crisis of Cohesion?Hanging On Embattled Saints 4. Saints and SinnersBishop Michael’s Account: Warts and All Before the Fatimids Simony: “The Word of God Became as a Merchandise” Contrapuntal Saintliness Unexpected Saintliness Saints and Sinners 5. TransitionsLanguage Shift, Lay Concerns, and Ecclesiastical HistoryGabriel II ibn Turayk: An Attempt at ReformAfter the Reform Attempt6. Chaos and GloryA Strange Period Chroniclers The Person at the Center of the Story 1216–1217: Attempts at Making a Pope The Monk Da’ud Becomes Pope Cyril, Successor of Saint Mark Cyril’s Patriarchate A Failed “Great Man”? Or a Scholar among Scholars? 7. Marginalized PatriarchsInternal Rivalry, External Interference Scattered Portrayals, Incidental Mentions The Patriarch at the Center of the Story 8. A Burst of HolinessThe Patriarch as Saint and Holy Man An Orchestra of Holiness? The PrincipalsA Quartet and a Chorus? 9. Humility in Action After the Fireworks “Listless” and “Lacking in Blessing”? Diplomacy and Faithfulness Quiet Leadership in Difficult Times Epilogue: Survival Appendix: The Forty-Nine Martyrs during the Patriarchate of Matthew I (#87, 1378 –1408) Works Cited: Primary Sources Works Cited: Secondary Sources Notes Index

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Book SynopsisRenewable Wellbeing outlines the five ways of wellbeing asmodelled in Jesus and offers a manifesto of change to help create simpler andmore sustainable ways of being church in a world that desperately needs peace and hope.

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