History of religion Books

Book SynopsisCharts the development of progressive Christianity's engagement with modern science, historical criticism, and liberal humanismChristians who have doubts about the existence of God? Who do not believe in the divinity of Jesus? Who reject the accuracy of the Bible? The New Heretics explores the development of progressive Christianity, a movement of Christians who do not reject their identity as Christians, but who believe Christianity must be updated for today's times and take into consideration modern science, historical criticism, and liberal humanism. Drawing on three years of ethnographic fieldwork in North America, Rebekka King focuses on testimonies of deconversion, collective reading practices, and the ways in which religious beliefs and practices are adapted to fit secular lives. King introduces the concept of lived secularity as a category with which to examine the ways in which religiosity often is entangled with and subsumed by secular identities over and against religious Trade ReviewAn extraordinary work: engaging and insightful from cover to cover. King’s organizing concept of lived secularity makes an innovative contribution that scholars across disciplines will find useful. -- James Bielo, Miami UniversityKing deftly brings to life her concept of ‘lived secularity’ through vivid testimony and engaging scholarship. . . . The New Heretics furthers our understanding of contemporary Christianity. -- Ryan Cragun, The University of TampaAn eye-opening resource for religious studies, secular studies, theology, and sociology. * J. R. Shook, Bowie State University *

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Book Synopsis''Wonderful'' JOHN BARTON''A stupendous intellectual achievement'' ANDREW PETTEGREE''A stunning love song to the Bible . . . this will be a classic'' CHINE MCDONALDThe remarkable story of the most influential book in human history.The Bible is the world''s best-known text. Yet, it is a book that never was - its original form does not exist and probably never did. What we have is the inheritance of generation after generation of Christians who have sought to hear God speak. Available in over three thousand languages and taking innumerable forms, each version is a revelation, evolving as a reflection of its own culture and moment. Bruce Gordon traces the Bible''s astounding journey from its emergence as a codex in the second century, to the Reformation, to the spectacular growth of Christianity in the Global South today. For centuries a source of inspiration, it has also been a tool for violence and oppression, weaponised in the name of colonialism, and it has expressed hopes for freedom in the struggle for liberation. Found in desert monasteries and Chinese house churches, in Byzantine cathedrals and Guatemalan villages, it has been a book in motion from its very beginnings, a product of more than two thousand years of wandering, restlessness and change.Breathtakingly global in scope, The Bible is a sweeping history of this sacred book told through the stories of its diverse human encounters in search of the divine - revealing not a static text but a living, dynamic cultural force.

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Book SynopsisA captivating journey through the history of religious rituals in Western Europe.

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Book SynopsisThis book investigates the life and world of Bede (c. 673-735), foremost scholar of the early Middle Ages and 'the father of English history'. It examines his notable feats, including calculating the first tide-tables; playing a role in the creation of the Ceolfrith Bibles and the Lindisfarne Gospels; writing the earliest extant Old English poetry and the earliest translation of part of the Bible into English; and composing his famous Ecclesiastical History of the English People, with its single dating system. Despite never leaving Northumbria, Bede also wrote a guide to the Holy Land. Michelle P. Brown, an authority on the period, describes new discoveries regarding Bede's handwriting, his research programme and his previously lost Old English translation of St John's Gospel, dictated on his deathbed.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Boyhood and Monkwearmouth-Jarrow 2. Bede the Monk and Priest 3. Bede the Scholar and Scientist: Cosmos and Logos 4. Bede, Poetry and the Origins of Written English 5. Bede the English Patristic 6. Bede the Historian and Reformer 7. Bede the Scribe of Scripture and the Ceolfrith Bibles 8. Bede and Lindisfarne 9. Bede and His Legacy Appendix: Bede's CV References Bibliography Acknowledgements Photo Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisEusebius, Bishop of Caesarea from about AD 314, was the most important writer in the age of Constantine. His history of the Christian church from the ministry of Jesus to AD 324 is a treasury of information, especially on the Eastern centers.

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Book Synopsis'Timely and important' THE TIMES 'Considered and nuanced ... A must-read' The Rt Hon. Sajid Javid MP 'Compelling and moving' Tom Holland, author of Dominion __________________ Islam is the fastest-growing faith community in Britain. Domes and minarets are redefining the skylines of towns and cities as mosques become an increasingly prominent feature. Yet while Britain has prided itself on being a global home of cosmopolitanism and modern civilisation, its deep-rooted relationship with Islam – unique in history – is complex, threatened by rising hostility and hatred, intolerance and ignorance. There is much media debate about embracing diversity in our communities, but what does integration look like on the ground, in places like Dewsbury, Glasgow, Belfast and London? How are Muslims, young and old, reconciling progressive values – of gender equality, individualism, the rule of law and free speech – with literalist interpretations of their faith? And how is this tension, away from the public gaze, unfolding inside mosques today? Ed Husain takes his search for answers into the heart of Britain’s Muslim communities. Travelling the length and breadth of the country, Husain joins men and women in their prayers, conversations, meals, plans, pains, joys, triumphs and adversities. He tells their stories here in an open and honest account that brings the daily reality of British Muslim life sharply into focus – a struggle of identity and belonging, caught between tradition and modernity, East and West, revelation and reason.Trade ReviewTimely and important ... A compelling account -- Jawad Iqbal * The Times *Fascinating … Mr Husain makes a compelling case * Economist *Considered and nuanced, with the voices of Muslim communities across the country at its very heart. Among the Mosques is a must-read for anyone wanting to learn more about modern Britain's admirable Muslim communities -- The Rt Hon. Sajid Javid MPBracingly honest, often challenging, yet ultimately optimistic, Ed Husain goes on a road trip around Muslim Britain that is also a road trip into the country’s future. A compelling and moving read -- Tom Holland, author of DOMINIONEd Husain is a well-informed and sure-footed guide -- David Goodhart, author of HEAD HAND HEART

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Book SynopsisThe Renaissance and Reformation were exciting times of learning and discovery – they pushed the boundaries of accepted thought. The repercussions of this, however, were that they left in their wake a period of universal uncertainty. The centuries–old status quo had been turned on its head. Nothing was stable anymore. Conflict ensued.The fourth volume of 2,000 Years of Christ’s Power spans from the 16th to the 18th century. It presents a time from which English Protestantism, Scottish Presbyterianism, and French Catholicism, to name only a few, were birthed and refined. Perhaps few eras have had such a direct impact on the characteristics of our own period of history.Trade ReviewWhat makes the books so useful is that in a non-technical (but not simplistic) way, they bring out the main story line of the history of the church through the centuries. But in addition, and most helpfully, each chapter concludes with a selection of writings (translated of course!) from people discussed in the chapter. This means that we are not only told what certain people believed, but we are able to read some of their actual writings -- and this is often extremely illuminating. -- Martin K. Bussey (Lecturer in theology, Africa International University, Kenya)For many years now I have said: if you want a thorough, learned but accessible and well-written history of the church, read Nick Needham's 2,000 Years of Christ's Power. Now, with the fourth volume finally available, Christians have an excellent resource for improving their knowledge of the history of their faith. Highly recommended. -- Carl R. Trueman (Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies, Grove City College, Pennsylvania)Nick Needham's volumes on church history explain everything that someone new to the subject might not understand. At the same time, they achieve a depth of detail to interest those who already know something of the subject. We use them as standard texts at LTS and look forward eagerly to forthcoming volumes. -- Robert Strivens (Pastor, Bradford–on–Avon Baptist Church, Wiltshire, UK & former Principal, London Seminary)It is a brave historian who tackles the extremely challenging task of writing the 2,000-year history of the Church. Well, Nick Needham has more than risen to the challenge. This eagerly-awaited fourth volume has been well worth the wait and, not to pressure our brother scholar, we now look forward to the concluding volume! -- Michael A. G. Haykin (Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky)

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Book SynopsisEusebius''s account is the only surviving historical record of the Church during its crucial first 300 years. Bishop Eusebius, a learned scholar who lived most of his life in Caesarea in Palestine, broke new ground in writing the History and provided a model for all later ecclesiastical historians. In tracing the history of the Church from the time of Christ to the Great Persecution at the beginning of the fourth century, and ending with the conversion of the Emperor Constantine, his aim was to show the purity and continuity of the doctrinal tradition of Christianity and its struggle against persecutors and heretics.

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Book SynopsisKhadija was the first believer, to whom the Prophet Muhammad often turned for advice. At a time when strongmen quickly seized power from any female Muslim ruler, Arwa of Yemen reigned alone for five decades. In nineteenth-century Russia, Mukhlisa Bubi championed the rights of women and girls, and became the first Muslim woman judge in modern history. After the Gestapo took down a Resistance network in Paris, British spy Noor Inayat Khan found herself the only undercover radio operator left in that city. In this unique history, Hossein Kamaly celebrates the lives and achievements of twenty-one extraordinary women in the story of Islam, from the formative days of the religion to the present.Trade Review‘Here in all their gutsy glory are women whose voices have not received the prominence that is their due within the story of Islam… A History of Islam in 21 Women is an act of reclamation on several fronts. For Muslim women, it provides an empowering and exhilarating genealogy of strong forebears whom they can connect to their contemporary journeys of empowerment. For Western readers, it exposes the untruths that have characterized Muslim women as deferential beings in need of rescue.’ * New York Times *‘Resurrecting a history that has been repeatedly bludgeoned, exploited and buried.’ * Middle East Eye *‘Kamaly skilfully and sensitively negotiates the matrix of history, gender and language through the lived realities of 21 remarkable Muslim women. The result is a rich, vibrant and meticulously researched exposition that instinctively unpacks the intersectional context Muslim women have occupied from the sixth century to the present day.’ * Critical Muslim *‘[A] solid starting reference for those interested in women and Islamic studies, accessible and well-suited for both high school and college-level readers.’ * Library Journal *‘In the same format as author Jenni Murray’s similarly titled books on women in British and world history, Islamic studies scholar Kamaly presents capsule biographies of his choices of 21 women significant in the world of Islam…a straightforward history-in-portraits.’ * Booklist *‘With grace and erudition, Kamaly vividly captures key moments in the long and varied history of the Muslim world, bringing to life some of the extraordinary women…who made that history and transformed our world.’ -- Lila Abu-Lughod, Joseph L. Buttenwieser Professor, Columbia University, and author of Do Muslim Women Need Saving?‘In a highly readable and engaging book, Hossein Kamaly invites us to rethink the history of Islam by narrating the lives and achievements of twenty-one remarkable women, from the birth of the religion to the present. This is a much-needed corrective to conventional masculinist Muslim history.’ -- Ziba Mir-Hosseini, Professorial Research Associate, SOAS, University of London‘This book takes readers on a thrilling journey into the lives of twenty-one women in Islamic history. In tightly written, lucid, and highly readable chapters, Kamaly offers an informative and rich survey of some of the key women who crafted and shaped the history of Islam from its very foundations to our modern age. This book is a rich source for any reader interested in the history of Islam, and it should be required reading in any introductory course on Muslims and their religion or culture.’ -- Khaled Abou El Fadl, Omar and Azmeralda Alfi Distinguished Professor in Islamic Law, UCLA School of LawTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 Khadija (ca. 560–619): The First Believer 2 Fatima (ca. 612–633): Prophet Muhammad’s Flesh and Blood 3 Aisha (ca. 615–678): “Get Half of Your Religion From Her” 4 Rabia al-Adawiyya (ca. 717–801): The Embarrassment of Riches, and its Discontents 5 Fatima of Nishapur (ca. 1000–1088): Keeper of the Faith 6 Arwa of Yemen (ca. 1050–1138): The Queen of Sheba Redux 7 Terken Khatun (ca. 1205–1281): Doing Well and Doing Good 8 Shajara’-al-Durr (d. 1257): Perils of Power, Between Caliphs and Mamluks 9 Sayyida al-Hurra of Tétouan (ca. 1492 –ca. 1560): The Free Queen 10 Pari Khanum (1548–1578): A Golden Link in the Safavid Chain of Command 11 Nur Jahan (1577–1645): Light of the World 12 Safiye Sultan (ca. 1550–ca. 1619): A Mother of Many Kings 13 Tajul-Alam Safiatuddin Syah (1612–1675): Diamonds Are Not Forever 14 Tahereh (ca. 1814–1852): Heroine or Heretic? 15 Nana Asmau (1793–1864): Jihad and Sisterhood 16 Mukhlisa Bubi (1869–1937): Educator and Jurist 17 Halidé Edip (ca. 1884–1964): Author of the New Turkey 18 Noor Inayat Khan (1914–1944): The Anxiety of Belonging 19 Umm Kulthum (ca. 1904–1975): Lodestar of Union 20 Zaha Hadid (1950–2016): Curves in Glass and Concrete 21 Maryam Mirzakhani (1977–2017): The Princess of Mathematics Afterword Notes Further Reading Bibliography Acknowledgments Index

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Book SynopsisConflict or concord? Histories of Islam from its early seventh century beginnings in Arabia often portray its explosive growth into the wider Middle East as a story of struggle and conquest of the Christian people of Greater Syria, Palestine and Egypt. Alternatively these histories suggest that as often as not the conquerors were welcomed by the conquered and their existing monotheistic faiths of Christianity and Judaism tolerated and even allowed to flourish. In this short but in depth survey of the almost nine centuries that passed from the beginning of the spread of Islam up to the Ottoman Turkish conquest of Syria and Egypt beginning in 1516, Constantin Panchenko offers a more complex portrayal that opens up fresh vistas of understanding of these centuries focusing on the impact that the coming of Islam had on the Orthodox Christian communities of the Middle East and in particular the interplay of their Greek cultural heritage and experience of increasing Arabization.This work is drawn from the author's much larger work, Arab Orthodox Christians Under the Ottomans, being an updated and expanded version of the first chapter of that book which set the historical context for the period after 1516. It will deepen the readers understanding both of the history of the Middle East in these centuries and of how the faith of Orthodox Christians in these lands is lived today.Table of ContentsForeword The Arab Conquest: Christians in the Caliphate. The Late Umayyads: Pressure Mounts The Culture of the Melkites The ʿAbbasid Revolution The First Crisis of the Christian East The Dark Ages The Byzantine Reconquista Christians and the Fatimids Byzantine Antioch The Banishment of the Patriarchs The Kingdom of Jerusalem The Principality of Antioch Interregnum (1187–1250) Mongols and Mamluks The Century of Persecution The Second Crisis of the Christian East Middle Eastern Monasticism of the Mamluk Period The Melkites and Byzantium The Shadow of the West An Epilogue Glossary Timeline

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Book SynopsisThe World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors; Or, Christianity Before Christ is a book written by Kersey Graves. It presents a comparative analysis of various religious and mythological figures from different cultures who share similarities with the story of Jesus Christ. Graves argues that these figures, including Horus, Mithras, Krishna, and others, predate Christianity and share common elements such as virgin births, crucifixion, and resurrection. The book challenges the uniqueness and exclusivity of Christianity by suggesting that the narrative of Jesus' life and death is not entirely original but draws upon earlier mythologies and legends. Graves explores the possibility of a universal human need for a savior figure and suggests that the story of Jesus Christ is a continuation of a long-standing mythological tradition. The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors generated controversy and sparked debates upon its publication. While some scholars and critics question the accuracy and reliability of the comparative analysis presented by Graves, the book remains significant for its exploration of the historical and cultural context of religious stories and the influence of earlier traditions on Christianity.

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Book SynopsisA collection of stories that offers an important guide for readers interested in medieval art and literature and, more generally, in popular religious culture.Trade Review"[The Golden Legend] came to serve as the literary equivalent of wall-paintings and stained glass... For the translation of the work in its entirety into English we have had to wait 700 years for the energy and learning of a distinguished American academic, William Granger Ryan."--Gerard Irvine, Times Literary Supplement "Art historians depend on it. Medievalists should know it inside-out... [F]or the rest of us it remains a treasure-house of European culture, crammed full of the things which everyone, once upon a time, used to know."--Noel Malcolm, Sunday Telegraph "Princeton University Press's volume must rank as one of the most useful reprints of the year for church historians, art historians, and students of medieval and early modern literature."--Dr. Alison Shell, Church Times "[A]lthough this is a translation with a fine introduction, it also provides the reader with an understanding of the rich diversity of medieval culture. The text itself offers a glimpse of the imagination and dynamic life of Medieval Christian Europe and, therefore, has a real value for students of that era."--Donald J. Dietrich, European LegacyTable of Contents*FrontMatter, pg. i*Contents, pg. vii*Introduction to the 2012 Edition, pg. xi*Acknowledgments, pg. xxi*Prologue, pg. 1*1-24, pg. 4*25-54, pg. 105*55-89, pg. 225*90-119, pg. 350*120-149, pg. 484*150-169, pg. 616*170-182, pg. 709*Index, pg. 783

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A magnificent scholarly achievement, a compelling read, and not a page too long to defend a thesis which will provoke passionate debate."—Patricia Morison, Financial Times"Duffy wants to show the vitality and appeal of late medieval Catholicism; and to prove that it exerted a diverse and vigorous hold over the imagination and loyalty of the people up to the very moment of Reformation. He suceeds triumphantly."—Susan Brigden, London Review of Books"Deeply imaginative, movingly written, and splendidly illustrated."—Maurice Keen, New York Review of Books"[This book] at last gives the culture of the late Middle Ages in England its due, and helps us to see the period as it was and not as Protestant reformers and their intellectual descendants imagined it to be. . . . A monumental and deeply felt work."—Gabriel Josipovici, Times Literary Supplement"Sensitively written and beautifully produced, this book represents a major contribution to the Reformation debate."—Norman Tanner, The Times, London"A mighty and momentous book: a book to be read and re-read, pondered and revered; a subtle, profound book written with passion and eloquence, and with masterly control."—J. J. Scarisbrick, The Tablet "This book will afford enjoyment and enlightenment to layman and specialist alike. Duffy sweeps the reader along through its six hundred pages by a style which eschews both jargon and pedantry, by his lively and absorbing detail, his piercing insights, patient analysis, and his vigor in debate."—Peter Heath, Times Literary Supplement"Unfailingly temperate, judicious, and scholarly. . . . [The book] has a fascinating story to tell."—James Bowman, The Sunday Telegraph"The first serious attempt by a historian to restore Mary's reputation in more than four hundred years."—Simon Denison, The Sunday Telegraph"Duffy offers an unrivaled picture of late medieval parochial religion, with all its ritual symbolism and visual imagery."—Keith Thomas, The Observer"Anyone interested in the liturgy and buildings of the church, or in the vivid lay participation in religious life of the later middle ages, will find the book an inspiration, and should read it with the utmost care."—Dorothy M. Owen, Lincolnshire History and Archaeology

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Book SynopsisHow did Christianity become the dominant religion in the West? In the early first century, a small group of peasants from the backwaters of the Roman Empire proclaimed that an executed enemy of the state was God’s messiah. Less than four hundred years later it had become the official religion of Rome with some thirty million followers. It could so easily have been a forgotten sect of Judaism. Through meticulous research, Bart Ehrman, an expert on Christian history, texts and traditions, explores the way we think about one of the most important cultural transformations the world has ever seen, one that has shaped the art, music, literature, philosophy, ethics and economics of modern Western civilisation.Trade Review‘This is the work of a great scholar…a book full of learning and nuance.’ * Tom Holland, Spectator *‘Reading about how an entire culture’s precepts and traditions can be overthrown without anyone being able to stop it may not be heartening at this particular historical moment. All the more reason to spend time in the company of such a humane, thoughtful and intelligent historian.’ * New York Times Book Review *‘Ehrman handles splendid raw materials very deftly to produce an engrossing read.’ * Catholic Herald *‘Drawing on a wealth of ancient sources and contemporary historical research, Bart Ehrman weaves complex questions into a vivid, nuanced, and enormously readable narrative.’ -- Elaine Pagels, National Book Award-winning author of The Gnostic Gospels‘How did a small, provincial Jewish sect called Christianity convert the mighty pagan Roman Empire? Bart Ehrman answers this baffling question with the same wit, passion, and rigorous scholarship that have made him one of the most popular religion writers in the world today. The Triumph of Christianity is a marvellous book.’ -- Reza Aslan, New York Times bestselling author of Zealot‘Bart Ehrman is the leading expert on early Christian texts and here he takes the story on into the fourth century in a vivid and readable narrative that explores why Christianity “triumphed” as a world religion. The work is particularly valuable for its critical survey of the work of other scholars in the field.’ -- Charles Freeman, author of A New History of Early Christianity‘A lucid and convincing account of the growth of Christianity in the Roman world…[Ehrman’s] careful synthesis of existing scholarship creates an approachable study of the early church… Well worth reading.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘One of Christian history’s greatest puzzles after the age of the apostles is how a tiny band of mostly-illiterate outsiders converted the proud and massive Roman Empire in just three centuries – a historical blink of an eye. In The Triumph of Christianity, Ehrman brings impressive research, intellectual rigor, and an instinct for storytelling to this extraordinary dynamic.’ -- David Van Biema, former religion writer at Time and author of the forthcoming Speaking to God‘The value of Ehrman’s book, as is so often the case with his writings, is in his ability to synthesize complex material and distill it into highly readable prose.’ * Booklist *‘An accessible and intriguing…history of the growth of Christianity.’ * Kirkus *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Time Line Introduction Chapter 1 The Beginning of the End: The Conversion of Constantine Chapter 2 Back to the Beginning: The Conversion and Mission of Paul Chapter 3 The Religious World of Conversion: Roman Paganism Chapter 4 Reasons for the Christian Success Chapter 5 Miraculous Incentives for Conversion Chapter 6 The Growth of the Church Chapter 7 Christians Under Assault: Persecution, Martyrdom, and Self-Defense Chapter 8 The First Christian Emperor Chapter 9 Conversion and Coercion: The Beginnings of a Christian Empire Afterword Gains and Losses Appendix Notes Index

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Book SynopsisJoin a cold-case detective as he uncovers the truth about Jesus using the same approach he employs to solve real murder cases.Detective J. Warner Wallace was skeptical of the Bible''s claims about Jesus. But he''d investigated several no-body homicide cases in which there was no crime scene, no physical evidence, and no victim''s body. He wondered if the truth about the historical Jesus could be investigated in the same way.In Person of Interest, cold-case detective and bestselling author J. Warner Wallace describes his own personal investigative journey from atheism to Christianity as he carefully sifts through the evidence from history alone, without relying on the New Testament.In this book, you''ll: Understand like never before how Jesus—the most significant person in history—changed the world and why he still matters today. Learn how to think like a cold-case detective by using an innovative Table of ContentsIntroduction Part 1: Events Preceding Jesus 1. The prophecies predicting the coming of the Messiah 2. The first century expectations of a Messiah 3. The pre-existing mythologies that resemble Jesus Part 2: Facts Surrounding the Life and Ministry of Jesus 4. The historical reliability of his existence 5. The reliability of the gospel eyewitness accounts describing him 6. The nature of Jesus based on his statements 7. The nature of Jesus based on his actions 8. The nature of Jesus based on the response he received Part 3: Events Following the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus 9. The response of non-Christian authors in the first and second century 10. The response of the eyewitnesses and their students 11. The response of non-canonical authors 12. The rapid growth of the early Church 13. The continuing impact of Jesus in the lives of believers

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Book SynopsisAs the specter of religious extremism has become a fact of life today, the temptation is great to allow the evil actions and perspectives of a minority to represent an entire tradition. In the case of Islam, there has been much recent confusion in the Western world centered on distorted portrayals of its core values. Born of ignorance, such confusion feeds the very problem at hand.In The Heart of Islam one of the great intellectual figures in Islamic history offers a timely presentation of the core spiritual and social values of Islam: peace, compassion, social justice, and respect for the other. Seizing this unique moment in history to reflect on the essence of his tradition, Seyyed Hossein Nasr seeks to open a spiritual and intellectual space for mutual understanding. Exploring Islamic values in scripture, traditional sources, and history, he also shows their clear counterparts in the Jewish and Christian traditions, revealing the common ground of the Abrahamic faiths.Nasr challenges members of the world''s civilizations to stop demonizing others while identifying themselves with pure goodness and to turn instead to a deeper understanding of those shared values that can solve the acute problems facing humanity today. Muslims must ask themselves what went wrong within their own societies, he writes, but the West must also pose the same question about itself . . . whether we are Muslims, Jews, Christians, or even secularists, whether we live in the Islamic world or in the West, we are in need of meaning in our lives, of ethical norms to guide our actions, of a vision that would allow us to live at peace with each other and with the rest of God''s creation. Such help, he believes, lies at the heart of every religion and can lead the followers of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) as well as other religious and spiritual traditions to a new future of mutual respect and common global purpose.The Heart of Islam is a landmark presentation of enduring value that offers hope to humanity, and a compelling portrait of the beauty and appeal of the faith of 1.2 billion people.Trade Review"This is exactly the right book... to counter the demonizing stereotypes of Islam proliferated by the war on terrorism" -- Huston Smith, author of The World's Religions "Professor Nasr has put the beauty and appeal of Islam into clear and readable English." -- John Shelby Spong, author of A New Christianity for a New World "This sensitive, insightful and beautifully written book comes as a ray of sunshine." -- Mark Juergensmeyer, author of Terror in the Mind of God Mark Juergensmeyer, author of Terror in the Mind of God Mark Juergensmeyer, author of Terror in the Mind of God Mark Juergensmeyer, author of Terror in the Mind of God "Filled with challenge and insight...an indispensable text." -- Rabbi Michael Paley "A lasting, honest, and intimate tour of Islam's basic aspects..." -- The [New Jersey] Star-Ledger "A first-tier Islamic scholar ... it is hard to imagine a better introduction to the faith." -- Library Journal "[I]t is hard to imagine a better introduction to the faith." -- Library Journal "An illuminating new book that explores the spiritual and social values of the faith of one-fifth of humanity." -- Christian Science Monitor "The most important study of Islam in all its breadth and all its depth available in the English language." -- Gai Eaton, author of Islam and the Destiny of Man "Concise, clear, and eloquent, it has the crystalline ring of the voice of reason and cuts through layers of ignorance." -- The World & I

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Book SynopsisThis elegant Bible edition honors the beauty and richness of the New King James Version in a convenient portable size with essential study tools and traditional red-letter text for the Words of Christ.The New King James Version in the Sovereign Collection reflects the legacy and majesty of the King James Version Bible produced more than 400 years ago, but in language updated for today. This beautiful Bible, which contains design flourishes that pay tribute to the Bible produced in 1611, comes in a convenient portable size with essential study tools and traditional red-letter text for the Words of Christ.The Sovereign Collection continues Thomas Nelson''s long history and stewardship publishing Bibles, featuring elegant letter illustrations leading into each chapter combined with clear and readable Comfort Print®, connects you to the legacy of faith, and inspires your time in the Word to be enjoyable and fruitful.Features i

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Book SynopsisDom Gregory Dix (1901 1952) was an English monk and priest of Nashdom Abbey, UK.Trade ReviewLiturgy, for Dom Gregory Dix, is no branch of archaeological study; it is in all its stages and forms the living Body of Christ upon earth. His account of it is alive and absorbing. * Church Times *The Shape of the Liturgy changes not only the shape of liturgical study but also profoundly influenced worship itself. Half a century after its publication we are, perhaps, beginning to discover the debt we owe to Dom Gregory Dix. * Simon Bailey, Biographer *This 764 page work was first published in 1945 and has had seven reprintings, the latest being in 2015. This latest edition has been cited 558 times (Google Scholar). … The book is well worth reading. -- Winifred Whelan, St. Bonaventure University (emerita), USA * Catholic Books Review *Table of ContentsIntroduction. The Purpose of this Essay I. The Liturgy and the Eucharistic Action II. The Performance of the Liturgy III. the Classical Shape of the Liturgy - I IV. Eucharist and Lord's Supper V. The Classical Shape of the Liturgy - II VI. The Pre-Nicene Background of the Liturgy VII. The Eucharistic Prayer VIII. Behind the Local Traditions IX. The Meaning of the Eucharist X. The Theology of Consecration XI. The Sanctification of Time XII. The Development of Ceremonial XIII. The Completion of the Shape of the Liturgy XIV. Variable Prayers at the Eucharist XV. The Mediaeval Development XVI. The Reformation and the Anglican Liturgy XVII. 'Throughout All Ages, World Without End' Index

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Book SynopsisOne of a major new Classics series - books that have changed the history of thought, in sumptuous, clothbound hardbacks.The son of a pagan father and a Christian mother, Saint Augustine spent his early years torn between conflicting faiths and world views. His Confessions, written when he was in his forties, recount how, slowly and painfully, he came to turn away from his youthful ideas and licentious lifestyle, to become instead a staunch advocate of Christianity and one of its most influential thinkers. A remarkably honest and revealing spiritual autobiography, the Confessions also address fundamental issues of Christian doctrine, and many of the prayers and meditations it includes are still an integral part of the practice of Christianity today.

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Book SynopsisBorn in the Castilian town of Avila in 1515, Teresa entered the Carmelite convent of the Incarnation when she was twenty-one. Tormented by illness, doubts and self-recrimination, she gradually came to recognize the power of prayer and contemplation—her spiritual enlightenment was intensified by many visions and mystical experiences, including the piercing of her heart by a spear of divine love. She went on to found seventeen Carmelite monasteries throughout Spain. Teresa always denied her own saintliness, however, saying in a letter: There is no suggestion of that nonsense about my supposed sanctity. This frank account is one of the great stories of a religious life and a literary masterpiece—after Don Quixote, it is Spain's most widely read prose classic.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best Table of ContentsThe Life of Saint Teresa of Avila by Herself - Translated with an Introduction by J. M. Cohen Introduction[The Saint's Prepatory Note]1. How the Lord began to rouse her soul in childhood to a love of virtue, and what a help it is in this respect to have good parents2. How she came gradually to lose these virtues, and of the importance of associating in childhood with good people*3. How good company reawakened her desires, and how God began to shed some light for her on the illusions under which she laboured*4. How the Lord helped her to force herself to take the habit, and of the many illnesses which His Majesty began to send her*5. She continues to speak of the great infirmities that she suffered, of the patience which the Lord gave her, and of how she derived good out of evil, as will be seen from one incident which happened in the town where she went to be cured*6. Of her great debts to the Lord for making her resigned to her great trials, of how she took St. Joseph, the glorious, as her mediator and advocate, and of the great profit that she derived from this *7. How she began to lose the graces the Lord had given her, and of the evil life she began to lead. A description of the dangers arising from the lack of strict enclosure in convents*8. Of the great profit that she derived from not entirely abandoning prayer, for fear that she might lose her soul. She describes the excellence of prayer as a help towards winning back what is lost, and exhorts everyone to practise it. She tells what great gains it brings and how very beneficial it is even for those who may later give it up, to devote some time to anything as good*9. Of the means by which God began to rouse her soul, to give it light in its great darkness, and to strengthen her virtues, so that she should not offend Him*10. She begins to explain the favours which God gave her in prayer, telling the extent to which we can help ourselves, and how important it is that we shall understand the favours God is granting us. She begs those to whom this book is to be sent to keep the rest of it secret, since they have ordered her to describe in detail the favours that she has received from God*11. She explains why we cannot attain the perfect love of God in a short time, beginning with a comparison which sets out the four stages of prayer. Here she says something about the first, which is very profitable for beginners and for those who receive no consolations in prayer*12. More about the first state. She tells how far we can, with God's help, progress by ourselves, and speaks of the danger of seeking supernatural and extraordinary experiences until the Lord bestows them on us*13. She continues to speak of this first stage, and gives advice concerning certain temptations that the devil sends at times. This chapter is very useful*14. She begins to explain the second stage of prayer, in which the Lord already grants the soul more special consolations. These she describes in order to show that they are supernatural, and this is a most noteworthy chapter*15. Continuing the same subject, she gives certain advice on behaviour during the prayer of quiet. She tells how there are as many souls that advance to this stage, but few who pass beyond it. The matters touched upon here are most essential and profitable*16. She treats of the third stage of prayer, and continues to explain things of a very lofty nature, telling what the soul that has come so far can do, and what are the effects of such great favours from the Lord. This is a subject most likely to uplift the spirit in God's praise, and to give great comfort to those who have come so far*17. She continues to explain the third stage of prayer, and completes her account of its effects. She tells of the hindrances caused in this state by the imagination and the memory*18. She treats of the fourth stage of prayer, and begins an excellent explanation of the great dignity to which the Lord raises the soul in this state. This is meant to spur those who practise prayer to make efforts to reach this exalted state, which it is possible to attain on earth, though not through our merits, but only by the goodness of God. This chapter must be read with great care, since the argument is most subtle, and contains some most noteworthy observations*19. Continuing the same subjecct, she begins to describe the effects upon the soul of this stage of prayer. She earnestly exhorts those who have attained it not to turn back, even if they should afterwards fall, nor ever to give up prayer. She describes the harm that they would suffer if they did so. All this is most noteworthy and will be of great comfort to the weak and to sinners*20. She treats of the difference between union and rapture, and explains what a rapture is. She also says something about the good that a soul derives from being, by the Lord's goodness, brought to it. She speaks of its effects*21. She continues and concludes her account of this last stage of prayer, telling what the soul who has reached it feels when it returns to live in the world. She describes the light God throws on the world's deceits. All of this is good doctrine*22. She shows how safe a path it is for contemplatives not to raise their spirits to lofty things, and how the approach to the most exalted contemplation must be by way of Christ's humanity. She tells of an incident in which she was herself deceived. This is a very profitable chapter*23. She returns to the history of her life, and tells how she began to strive for greater perfection. This is profitable matter for those who have to direct souls engaged in the practice of prayer, and teaches them how to deal with beginners. She tells of the profit that she derived from this knowledge*24. She continues the same subject and tells how her soul went on improving, once she had begun to obey; also how little use it was for her to resist God's favours, since His Majesty went on giving them to her in more liberal measure*25. She treats of the means and manner whereby these words that God speaks to the soul are perceived without being actually heard, and of some possible descriptions in regard to them. She tells how false locutions are to be distinguished from true. This is a most profitable chapter for any who may have reached this stage of prayer, because the explanation is very clear and contains much teaching *26. She continues with the same subject, relating and describing certain events which rid her of her fears, and convinced her that the spirit which spoke to her was a good one*27. She describes another way in which the Lord teaches the soul and, without speech, makes His will known to it in a wondrous manner. She also speaks of a vision and of a great favour, which was not imaginary, that the Lord granted her. This is a most noteworthy chapter*28. She tells of the great favours that the Lord bestowed on her, and of His first appearance to her. She defines an imaginary vision, and speaks of the great effects and signs produced by one that is from God. This is a most profitable and noteworthy chapter*29. She continues, and describes some great favours which the Lord showed her, relating also what the Lord said to her, to reassure her and enable her to answer those who argued against her*30. She returns to the story o her life, and tells how the Lord greatly relieved her trials by bringing her a visit from that holy man, Friar Peter of Alcantara of the Order of the glorious St. Francis. She speaks of the great temptations and inner trials which she sometimes suffered*31. She speaks of certain outward temptations and appearances of the devil, and of the torments which she suffered from him, and also offers some excellent counsel to persons travelling the way of perfection*32. She tells how it pleased God to carry her in the spirit to a place in hell that she had deserved for her sins. She describes a tithe of what was shown her there, and begins to tell of the ways and means by which the convent of St. Joseph was founded on its present site*33. She continues her account of the foundation of the glorious St. Joseph's, telling how she was commanded to let it drop, how for a time she gave it up, and how she suffered various trials in the course of which she was comforted by the Lord*34. She tells how at this time she had to leave the town. She gives the reasons and tells of her superior's command that she should go and comfort a very great lady who was in serious distress. She begins to describe what happened to her there, and to tell how the Lord in His mercy made her the instrument whereby His Majesty roused a very important person to serve him in earnest, also to say how she afterwards found help and protection from Him. This is a very noteworthy chapter*35. She continues the story of the foundation of this house of our glorious father, St. Joseph, and of the way in which the Lord ordained that holy poverty should be observed there. She gives her reasons for leaving the lady with whom she was living, and describes several other things that happened to her*36. She continues with the previous subject, and describes ho the foundation of this convent of the glorious St. Joseph was concluded. She speaks of the great opposition and many persecutions which the nuns had to endure after taking the habit, of the great trials and temptations which she herself underwent, and of how the Lord delivered her victoriously from them all, to His own praise and glory*37. She describes the effects that remained with her after the Lord had granted her a favour, and gives much sound teaching as well. She speaks of the efforts that we must make to attain one more degree of glory, and of the high value we must set on it, allowing no trial to deprive us of a blessing that is eternal*38. She describes certain great favours that the Lord bestowed on her, by graciously revealing to her some of the secrets of heaven, and by vouchsafing her further great visions and revelations. She speaks of the effects which these had upon her and of the great benefit that they did to her soul*39. She continues with the same subject, and recounts the great mercies which the Lord has shown her. She tells of His promises to help those persons for whom she might pray, and some outstanding instances in which his Majesty has favoured her in this way*40. She continues her account of the great favours that God granted her, from some of which excellent lessons can be obtained. For instruction, as she says, after obedience and the recording of such favours as will be of profit to souls, has been her principal motive in writing. With this chapter the account of her life comes to an end. May it be for the glory of the Lord. Amen

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Book SynopsisHow can Christians engage meaningfully with history?In an age underpinned by the idea that life is about self-invention and fulfilment, contemporary Western culture holds that the past has little to teach us. We live in what this book terms the Ahistoric Age, in which we are profoundly disconnected from history.In the attempt to appear relevant, the church often embraces this ahistoric worldview by jettisoning the historic ideas and practices of Christian formation. But this has unintended consequences, leaving Christians unmoored from history and losing the ability to grapple with its ethical complexities.In Priests of History, Sarah Irving-Stonebraker draws upon her expertise, and her experience as an atheist who has become a Christian, to examine what history is and why it matters. If Christians can learn how to be priests of history, tending and keeping our past, history can help us strengthen and revive our spiritual and intellectual formation and equip us to communicate the gospel in a confused and rootless world.

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Book SynopsisEvangelicalism has rapidly become one of the most significant religious movements in the modern world. An umbrella term that encompasses many Protestant denominations that share core tenets of Christianity, evangelicalism is foremost defined by its disciples'' consideration of the Bible as the ultimate moral and historical authority, the desire to evangelize or spread the faith, and the value of religious conversion known as being born again.As the Evangelical movement has grown rapidly, so has its influence on the political stage. Evangelicals affect elections up and down the Americas and across Africa, provoke governments throughout Asia, fill up some of the largest church buildings, and possess the largest congregations of any religion in the world. Yet evangelicals are wildly diverse- from Canadian Baptists to Nigerian Anglicans, from South Sea Methodists to Korean Presbyterians, and from house churches in Beijing to megachurches in Saõ Paulo.This Very Short Introduction tells the evangelical story from the preacher-led revivals of the eighteenth century, through the frontier camp meetings of the nineteenth, to the mass urban rallies of the twentieth, and the global megachurches of the twenty-first. More than just a sketch of where evangelicals have come from, this volume aims to clearly examine the heart of evangelical phenomenon. Is there such a (single) thing as evangelicalism? What is its basic character? Where are the evangelicals going? And what in the world do they want?Trade Review"...an insightful primer for journalists, scholars, politicians and curious curious observers into one of the most vibrant, if often caricatured, social movements in the world today." * René Breuel, Times Literary Supplement *The media . . . continue to view evangelicalism through the distorting lens of current American politics and religion. John Stackhouse's brilliant introduction to the topic will help the general reader to correct the distortion and grasp the multiple yet still distinctive ways in which evangelicals both think about their faith, and negotiate the social and political challenges of the modern world. * Brian Stanley, Professor of World Christianity, University of Edinburgh *We now have an answer to 'Who is an evangelical?'John Stackhouse gives us the best summary of our history I've read: compelling, interesting, and critically helpful. In too many places recently, the label "evangelical" has been hijacked and abused. This book helps us rise above those skirmishes as Stackhouse knits together various strains, groups, movements, and moments in an ever-enlarging pattern, giving coherence and insight into this global Christian community. Evangelicals themselves should read this book, but everyone else who cares about understanding evangelicals will find it enormously helpful also. * Brian Stiller, World Evangelical Alliance *This lucid and snappy introduction to evangelicalism guides us from deep and tangled historical roots through the contradictions and complexity of the modern global faith. Stackhouse captures the diversity of evangelicalism without losing the 500-year plotline--an amazing feat. * Molly Worthen, Associate Professor of History, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill *As a Canadian not caught up in the United States' religious-political partisanship and as an expert historian-theologian, John Stackhouse is perfectly situated to explain the history, development, and contemporary relevance of "evangelical Christianity." This excellent introduction is especially strong in its careful definition of terms and in its treatment of evangelicals around the world. * Mark Noll, author of America's Book: The Rise and Decline of a Bible Civilization, 1794-1911 *This opening salvo sets the tone for the discussion of evangelicalism that follows, a discussion that provides much-needed historical depth and global breadth for frequently myopic North Americans. * Robert J. Dean, Providence Theological Seminary *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: Original evangelicalism Chapter 2: Evangelicalism defined Chapter 3: Evangelicalism expands Chapter 4: The challenges of modernity Conclusion References Further Reading

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Book SynopsisRumi is the greatest mystic poet to have written in Persian, and the Masnavi, written in six books, is his masterpiece. It conveys a message of divine love in entertaining stories and homilies. The focus of Book Four is with the mystical knowledge of the spiritual guide.Table of ContentsIntroduction Note on the Translation Select Bibliography Chronology The Masnavi: Book 4 Explanatory Notes Glossary

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Book SynopsisIn The Evolution of God, Robert Wright, award-winning author of the bestselling books Nonzero and The Moral Animal, takes us on a sweeping journey through religious history, from the Stone Age to the Information Age, unveiling along the way an astonishing discovery: that there is a hidden pattern in the way that Judaism, Christianity and Islam have all evolved.Through the prisms of archaeology, theology, evolutionary psychology and a careful re-reading of the scriptures, Wright''s findings repeatedly overturn conventional wisdom and basic assumptions about the great monotheistic faiths.Looking at the forces that have moved the Abrahamic faiths away from belligerence and intolerance to a higher moral plane, Wright finds that this previously unrecognized evolutionary logic points not toward continued religious extremism as the media would have us believe, but towards future harmony.Trade Review** 'Robert Wright is a riveting writer, compelling and compulsive. Once he gets a truly big idea going, he grabs you by the coat lapels and doesn't let you go. He is a master of lucid and persuasive prose * IRISH TIMES *** 'An important book * SUNDAY TIMES *

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Book SynopsisA classic NKJV Bible that looks and feels like the majestic heritage it comes from, with historically rich design details including elegant drop caps, line-matched text, and traditional covers.

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Book SynopsisEngland''s Second Reformation reassesses the religious upheavals of mid-seventeenth-century England, situating them within the broader history of the Church of England and its earlier Reformations. Rather than seeing the Civil War years as a destructive aberration, Anthony Milton demonstrates how they were integral to (and indeed the climax of) the Church of England''s early history. All religious groups parliamentarian and royalist alike envisaged changes to the pre-war church, and all were forced to adapt their religious ideas and practices in response to the tumultuous events. Similarly, all saw themselves and their preferred reforms as standing in continuity with the Church''s earlier history. By viewing this as a revolutionary ''second Reformation'', which necessarily involved everyone and forced them to reconsider what the established church was and how its past should be understood, Milton presents a compelling case for rethinking England''s religious history.Trade Review'Anthony Milton's magnum opus sets out a powerful reinterpretation of the politics of religion in seventeenth-century England. Instead of seeing Anglican conservatives pitted against Puritan revolutionaries, Milton depicts an era of Second Reformation, a contest between rival Reformers of the Church of England. A magisterial book.' John Coffey, University of Leicester'Remarkable for the breadth of its scholarship and depth of its analysis, the very best thing about Anthony Milton's magnum opus is the clarity of its exegesis and of its reimagining of the mid seventeenth century as a struggle for the re-formation of the Church of England by its engagement with contested pasts and challenging presents. This is intellectual, cultural and religious history of the highest order.' John Morrill, University of Cambridge'Anthony Milton is to be congratulated on this substantial work which reassesses the religious upheavals of England in the mid-seventeenth century.' Martin Cowper, Congregational History Society Magazine'… in this deeply scholarly book, Milton provides a significant re-framing of our own 'origin myths' and places the violent events of the mid-17th century as much, if not more, at the centre of a historical understanding of the nature of the Church of England as those of the mid-16th century ... The case for the scholarly importance of England's Second Reformation is without doubt …' Judith Maltby, Church Times'… This is a nuanced and subtly textured book … it is a deeply rewarding read that will challenge both new students and longtime scholars of the period to reimagine their past approaches.' D. Alan Orr, H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews OnlineTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. An Unresolved Reformation; 2. Situating the Laudian Reformation; 3. Responses to the Laudian Reformation; 4. The Abortive Reformation 1640–42; 5. The End of Episcopalian Reformation; 6. Reformation by Negotiation; 7. The Westminster Reformation and the Parliamentarian Church of England 1642–49; 8. The Royalist Church of England 1642–49; 9. Alternative Reformations 1649–53; 10. The Cromwellian Church; 11. Episcopalian Royalism in the 1650s; 12. Failed Reformations 1659–61; 13. The End of Comprehensive Reformation and the Caroline Settlement.

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Book SynopsisEver feel lost in translation? With the NET Full-notes Edition of the Holy Bible, you don’t need to be. Modern readers can find it challenging to connect with biblical writers'' ancient words and cultural contexts. This Bible offers a new solution: pairing a readable, everyday English translation with the largest set of translators’ notes ever created for a Bible. The NET’s nearly 60,000 notes bring complete transparency to every major translation decision and invite you to look over the translators’ shoulders, allowing you to deepen your understanding of the Scriptures. It is an indispensable resource for every Bible reader.The New English Translation (NET) is faithful to the text, clear to modern readers, and establishes an unparalleled accountability. Translated by a team of leading biblical scholars, the NET marries fidelity to original texts with everyday English clarity. Enrich your reading experience of Scripture with the NET: Faithful. Clear. Accountable.Trusted by Bible readers worldwide, the NET Full Notes has been recognized with the ECPA Bronze Award for selling over 100,000 copies.Features include: Faithful: The newest complete English translation based on the most up-to-date manuscript discoveries and scholarship Clear: Modern English for modern readers Accountable: A translation that explains itself—nearly 60,000 translators’ notes offer unprecedented transparency Durable Smyth-sewn binding lays flat in your hand or on your desk Notes are conveniently organized into Translation Notes (TN), Study Notes (SN) and Text Critical Notes (TC) Full-color maps show the layout of Israel and other biblical locations for better context Ribbon markers for you to easily navigate and keep track of where you are reading Easy-to-read 9-point NET Comfort Print®

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Book SynopsisEver feel lost in translation? With the NET Full-notes Edition of the Holy Bible, you don’t need to be. Modern readers can find it challenging to connect with biblical writers'' ancient words and cultural contexts. This Bible offers a new solution: pairing a readable, everyday English translation with the largest set of translators’ notes ever created for a Bible. The NET’s nearly 60,000 notes bring complete transparency to every major translation decision and invite you to look over the translators’ shoulders, allowing you to deepen your understanding of the Scriptures. It is an indispensable resource for every Bible reader.The New English Translation (NET) is faithful to the text, clear to modern readers, and establishes an unparalleled accountability. Translated by a team of leading biblical scholars, the NET marries fidelity to original texts with everyday English clarity. Enrich your reading experience of Scripture with the NET: Faithful. Clear. Accountable.Trusted by Bible readers worldwide, the NET Full Notes has been recognized with the ECPA Bronze Award for selling over 100,000 copies.Features include: Faithful: The newest complete English translation based on the most up-to-date manuscript discoveries and scholarship Clear: Modern English for modern readers Accountable: A translation that explains itself—nearly 60,000 translators’ notes offer unprecedented transparency Durable Smyth-sewn binding lays flat in your hand or on your desk Notes are conveniently organized into Translation Notes (TN), Study Notes (SN) and Text Critical Notes (TC) Full-color maps show the layout of Israel and other biblical locations for better context Ribbon markers for you to easily navigate and keep track of where you are reading Easy-to-read 9-point NET Comfort Print®

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Book SynopsisEver feel lost in translation? With the NET Full-notes Edition of the Holy Bible, you don’t need to be. Modern readers can find it challenging to connect with biblical writers'' ancient words and cultural contexts. This Bible offers a new solution: pairing a readable, everyday English translation with the largest set of translators’ notes ever created for a Bible. The NET’s nearly 60,000 notes bring complete transparency to every major translation decision and invite you to look over the translators’ shoulders, allowing you to deepen your understanding of the Scriptures. It is an indispensable resource for every Bible reader.The New English Translation (NET) is faithful to the text, clear to modern readers, and establishes an unparalleled accountability. Translated by a team of leading biblical scholars, the NET marries fidelity to original texts with everyday English clarity. Enrich your reading experience of Scripture with the NET: Faithful. Clear. Accountable.Trusted by Bible readers worldwide, the NET Full Notes has been recognized with the ECPA Bronze Award for selling over 100,000 copies.Features include: Faithful: The newest complete English translation based on the most up-to-date manuscript discoveries and scholarship Clear: Modern English for modern readers Accountable: A translation that explains itself—nearly 60,000 translators’ notes offer unprecedented transparency Durable Smyth-sewn binding lays flat in your hand or on your desk Notes are conveniently organized into Translation Notes (TN), Study Notes (SN) and Text Critical Notes (TC) Full-color maps show the layout of Israel and other biblical locations for better context Ribbon markers for you to easily navigate and keep track of where you are reading Easy-to-read 9-point NET Comfort Print®

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Book SynopsisReza Aslan is an internationally acclaimed writer and scholar of religions. He is also a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop. At Harvard, Aslan was elected president of Harvard's chapter of the World Conference on Religion and Peace, a UN organisation committed to global understanding. His is first book, No god but God: The Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam, has been translated into thirteen languages and named by Blackwells as one of the hundred most important books of the last decade. Currently teaching an introductory course on Islam at Iowa, Aslan is also at work on a novel.Trade ReviewA brief and lively history... Extraordinary. -- Alexander Waugh * Spectator *Aslan turns Genesis on its head. The extent of our divine anthropomorphism is fascinating. As an introductory biography of a figure who has good claim to be called the most influential of all time, it is interesting indeed. -- Catherine Nixey * The Sunday Times *Timely, riveting, enlightening and necessary. * Huffington Post *[Aslan’s] slim, yet ambitious book [is] the story of how humans have created God with a capital G, and it’s thoroughly mind-blowing. * Los Angeles Review of Books *Reza Aslan offers so much to relish in his excellent ‘Human History’ of God. In tracing the commonalities that unite religions, Aslan makes truly challenging arguments that believers in many traditions will want to explore further, and to mull over. This rewarding book is very ambitious in its scope, and it is thoroughly grounded in an impressive body of reading and research. * Philip Jenkins, author of Crucible of Faith *

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Book SynopsisWinner of The PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize 2022Shortlisted for The Wolfson History Prize 2022A The Times Books of the Year 2022Three thousand years ago, in the Southwest Asian lands we now call Israel and Palestine, a group of people worshipped a complex pantheon of deities, led by a father god called El. El had seventy children, who were gods in their own right. One of them was a minor storm deity, known as Yahweh. Yahweh had a body, a wife, offspring and colleagues. He fought monsters and mortals. He gorged on food and wine, wrote books, and took walks and naps. But he would become something far larger and far more abstract: the God of the great monotheistic religions.But as Professor Francesca Stavrakopoulou reveals, God’s cultural DNA stretches back centuries before the Bible was written, and persists in the tics and twitches of our own society, whether we are believers or not. The Bible has shaped our ideas about God and religion, but also our cultural preferences about human existence and experience; our concept of life and death; our attitude to sex and gender; our habits of eating and drinking; our understanding of history. Examining God’s body, from his head to his hands, feet and genitals, she shows how the Western idea of God developed. She explores the places and artefacts that shaped our view of this singular God and the ancient religions and societies of the biblical world. And in doing so she analyses not only the origins of our oldest monotheistic religions, but also the origins of Western culture.Beautifully written, passionately argued and frequently controversial, God: An Anatomy is cultural history on a grand scale.'Rivetingly fresh and stunning' – Sunday Times'One of the most remarkable historians and communicators working today' – Dan SnowTrade ReviewA learned but rollicking journey through every aspect of Yahweh's body. A book that will offend some but delight more. * Economist Best Books of the Year *Lively . . . [with] a wealth of scholarly detail and much gusto -- Rowan Williams * New Statesman *Rivetingly fresh and stunning . . . I rather like this inexhaustibly powerful, shouting, bearded giant of a God, a fiery, fierce and startlingly “pagan” God, alive to his very fingertips, laughing at human hubris and singing with unbridled joy. -- Christopher Hart * Sunday Times *A marvelous conspectus of references to the divine body in ancient southwest Asian texts. But more than this, it is about recalibrating our understanding of these difficult texts to better understand ourselves. -- Simon Yarrow * Literary Review *Professors of Theology are imagined to be dull, gentle souls. This book, however, is a great rebel shout . . . A book that aims to upend the notion of a cloudy, spiritualised creator . . . instructive, vivid and frequently hilarious. * Economist *Stavrakopoulou is no literalist — indeed, she’s an atheist — but she maintains that her reading makes far more sense than the traditional ones, and her confident tone never falters. -- Dan Hitchens * The Times *God: An Anatomy is a tour de force. Stavrakopoulou has created not just an extraordinarily rich and nuanced portrait of Yahweh himself, but an intricate and detailed account of the cultural values and practices he embodied, and the wider world of myth and history out of which he emerged . . . Stavrakopoulou has taken to heart the biblical injunction to seek the face of God, and what emerges is a deity more terrifyingly alive, more damaged, more compelling, more complex than we have encountered before. More human, you might say. -- Mathew Lyons * New Humanist *A detailed and scrupulously researched book . . . packed with knowledge and insight -- Karen Armstrong * The New York Times *Boldly simple in concept, God: An Anatomy is stunning in its execution. It is a tour de force, a triumph, and I write this as one who disagrees with Stavrakopoulou both on broad theoretical grounds and one who finds himself engaged with her in one narrow textual spat after another . . . A stunning book. -- Jack Miles * Catholic Herald *The sheer amount of primary evidence examined is staggering . . . Stavrakopoulou’s argumentation is intellectually penetrating, analytically robust, and sophisticated . . . Stavrakopoulou’s book, and her public-facing scholarship, demonstrate what makes an outstanding biblical scholar. * Church Times *Good Lord, Stavrakopoulou touches that sweet spot that is scholarly, funny, visceral and heavenly. A revelation. -- Adam Rutherford, author of A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived and How to Argue with a RacistOne of the most remarkable historians and communicators working today. -- Dan SnowIn both Judaism and Christianity God is conceived as non-physical. In God: An Anatomy Francesca Stavrakopoulou shows that this was not yet so in the Bible, where God appears in a much more corporeal form. This provocative work will surprise and may shock, but it brings to light aspects of the biblical account of God that modern readers seldom appreciate. -- John Barton, Emeritus Professor at Oriel College, Oxford and author of A History of the BibleIn Stavrakopoulou's stunning dissection of historical religious texts, the real back-story and context of the God of Judaism and Christianity is revealed . . . Where pious theologians have abstracted him into emptiness, Stavrakopolou gives him back his substance, and he’s so much more interesting in this bodily form! Both scholarly and accessible, and full of fascinating stories - I guarantee you’ll never think of this God the same way again. -- Professor Alice RobertsMarvelous and stimulating . . . scholarly and beautifully illustrated . . . an exciting read! * Methodist Recorder *This is an extraordinary book. It’ll rewire your thinking, and it’s so readable you won’t notice till it’s too late. -- Tim Whitmarsh, author of Battling the GodsWell-researched . . . A refreshing look at ancient Scripture and the people behind it, reminding readers that the concept of ‘God’ in the 21st century is a world away from that of the earliest people of Israel. A challenging, engaging work of scholarship that sheds new light on ancient Hebrew conceptions of the divine. * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book Synopsis''An absolute godsend ... Goodman has done both Jews and non-Jews a great service with this book, encapsulating most of Jewish thought over four millennia into one extraordinarily readable volume'' Julia Neuberger, Literary ReviewA panoramic history of Judaism from its origins to the presentJudaism is by some distance the oldest of the three Abrahamic religions. Despite the extraordinarily diverse forms it has taken, the Jewish people have believed themselves bound to God by the same covenant for more than three thousand years. This book explains how Judaism came to be and how it has developed from one age to the next, as well as the ways in which its varieties have related to each other.''A one-volume tour de force. Goodman meets the substantial challenge of charting the twists and turns, tributaries and backwaters of Judaism''s many streams over 2,000 years - and succeeds'' Harry Freedman, Jewish ChronicleTrade ReviewAn absolute godsend ... Goodman has done both Jews and non-Jews a great service with this book, encapsulating most of Jewish thought over four millennia into one extraordinarily readable volume -- Julia Neuberger * Literary Review *A History of Judaism is beautifully written and meticulously annotated, and includes maps and illustrations. Goodman holds the book with authority and impeccable even-handedness, engaging the reader with his erudition, but also seasoning the narrative with some of the great and most influential Jewish lives. I could hardly recommend it more. -- Charles Middleburgh * Church Times *

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Book SynopsisExamines the beginning of the Christian movement during the first centureis AD, and the explosive force of its expansion throughout the Roman world.Table of ContentsPart 1 From Jerusalem to Rome: the Jewish background; the earliest church; the Gentile Church; encounter with the Roman empire. Part 2 Faith and order: the bonds of unity; gnosticism; the ministry and the Bible; forms of the ministry. Part 3 Expansion and growth: causes of success; the geographical extension of the Church; the defence of the faith. Part 4 Justin and Irenaeus: Justin Martyr; Irenaeus. Part 5 Easter, the monarchian controversy, and tertullian: Easter; the monarchian controversy; tertullian. Part 6 Clement of Alexandria and Origen: Clement of Alexandria; Origen. Part 7 Church, state and society in the 3rd century: the pagan revival and the persecution of Decius; Cyprian; the great persecution and its consequences. Part 8 Constantine and the council of Nicaea. Part 9 The Arian controversy after the council of Nicaea: from Nicaea to the death of Constantine; the Church under the sons of Constantine; from Julian to Theodosius I. Part 10 The conflict of paganism and Christianity in the 4th century. Part 11 Church, state and society from Julian to Theodosius. Part 12 The ascetic movement. Part 13 The controversy about Origen and the tragedy of John Chrysostom. Part 14 The problem of the person of Christ: Diodore, Theodore, and Apollinaris; Cyril and Nestorius; the "Monophysite" council of Ephesus and reaction at Chalcedon; the search for reconciliation; the doctrine of one will. Part 15 The development of Latin Christian thought: Jerome and the beginnings of maturity; the conversion of Augustine; the Donatist schism and the problem of coercion; "The City of God" and the Pelagian controversy; the holy trinity. Part 16 The papacy. Part 17 The Church and the Barbarians. Part 18 Worship and art: liturgy; daily offices; early Church music; Christian art.

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Book SynopsisA History of Jerusalem should be read, not only by travellers and potential travellers in Jerusalem, but by all of us.' Stephen Tummin, Daily TelegraphJerusalem has probably cast more of a spell over the human imagination than any other city in the world.Held by believers to contain the site where Abraham offered up Isaac, the place of the crucifixion of Christ and the rock from which the prophet Muhammed ascended to heaven, Jerusalem has been celebrated and revered for centuries by Jews, Christians and Muslims. Such is the symbolic power of this ancient city that its future status poses a major obstacle to a comprehensive regional peace in the Middle East.In this comprehensive and elegantly written work, Karen Armstrong traces the turbulent history of the city from the prehistoric era to the present day.Trade Review‘A wonderful book: wise and compassionate, lucid and intelligent, balanced and fair.’William Dalrymple ‘A triumph’Ian Gilmour, London Review of Books ‘Splendid … essential reading for Jews, Christians and Muslims alike.’ John Ash, Washington Post ‘Deftly told … Armstrong is a knowledgable guide, and this is a sober and articulate tour of a complex subject and a city where, as she puts it, history is a dimension of the present.’ James Owen, Literary Review

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Book SynopsisFrom the Sunday Times bestselling author of A History of the Bible, this is the story of how the Bible has been translated, and why it mattersThe Bible is held to be both universal and specific, the source of fundamental truths inscribed in words that are exact and sacred. For much of the history of Judaism and almost the entirety of Christianity, however, believers have overwhelmingly understood scripture not in the languages in which it was first written but rather in their own - in translation.This book examines how saints, scholars and interpreters from ancient times down to the present have produced versions of the Bible in the language of their day while remaining true to the original. It explains the challenges they negotiated, from minute textual ambiguities up to the sweep of style and stark differences in form and thought between the earliest writings and the latest, and it exposes the bearing these have on some of the most profound queTrade ReviewThe joy of The Word isn't reaching its final conclusion, but the unexpected journey itself, told so well that it will engage those who have never set foot in churches as readily as the faithful in the pews -- Peter Stanford * The Sunday Times *A book bejewelled with insight and erudition and compassion .... Ought to be of interest to anyone interested in what we mean by our words -- Stuart Kelly * Scotsman *His learning shines through in every sentence -- Kathryn Hughes * Mail on Sunday *Scholarly intelligence, a readable style, and insights at every turn -- Cally Hammond * Church Times *

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Book SynopsisHelps you in understanding the history of late ancient and medieval Christianity and the history of Christian piety. This title reveals highly developed devotion to Mary's compassionate suffering at the Crucifixion, anticipating by several centuries an influential medieval style of devotion known as "affective piety".Trade Review“Shoemaker has provided us not only with the translation but also with a thorough introduction to the whole work . . . [an] important addition to the literature.”—Lawrence S. Cunningham, Commonweal -- Lawrence S. Cunningham * Commonweal *“Charming and indeed edifying . . . accessible . . . engaging.”—Bruce Foltz, Books and Culture -- Bruce Foltz * Books and Culture *“Shoemaker has done a great service . . . eminently readable . . . important.”—Jacob N. Van Sickle, Journal of Early Christian Studies -- Jacob N. Van Sickle * Journal of Early Christian Studies *

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Book SynopsisA fascinating reception history of the theological, ethical, and social themes in the letters of PaulTrade Review“A masterclass in the study of Paul’s thought and its reception, by one of the world’s leading New Testament scholars, this is a must-read for everyone interested in the development of Christianity: lucid, accessible, and packed with insight.”—Teresa Morgan, author of Roman Faith and Christian Faith“Collins’ wonderful book showcases the ways that Pauline thought has been adapted to respond to shifting questions and problems in a wide variety of contexts throughout the centuries. If we are to understand Paul’s influence on emerging Christianity—and on the Christianity of today—his transformation is a crucial piece of the puzzle. This is a master work of scholarship that confronts us with the fundamental dynamism of early Christian thought.”—Tobias Nicklas, University of Regensburg“Collins’ lucid presentation helps us to understand the changes between Paul and his followers, demonstrating how our understanding of Paul and his message are strongly shaped by later developments.”—Jörg Frey, University of Zurich“A comprehensive and balanced account of receptions of Pauline theology in the writings of the earliest Christians, from the pseudo-Pauline letters to the Nag Hammadi corpus, Justin Martyr to Augustine of Hippo, and beyond. Collins’s wide study illustrates the ingenuity of those who engaged with Paul, whether or not they explicitly mentioned either his letters or his person. Paul Transformed is a valuable resource for students and scholars alike.”—Jennifer Wright Knust, Duke University“With elegant clarity, Adela Yarbro Collins explores key aspects both of Paul’s letters and of their complex reception history. Paul’s literary, social, and theological afterlives, she shows, were no less protean than was the apostle himself. Paul Transformed beams bright light onto the tangled pathways of early Roman Christianities.”—Paula Fredriksen, author of Paul: The Pagans’ Apostle

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Book SynopsisA fresh look at how Christianity and Judaism became two distinct religions through the parting of their intellectual traditionsTrade Review“A groundbreaking study on the intellectual and cultural history of early Christianity, this book will serve as a new starting point for any study on the subject of the parting or never-parting of the ways.”—Brouria Bitton-Ashkelony, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem“In this thrilling book, Fiano’s arguments re-place the development of Christianity and its practice of establishing separation from something they call ‘Judaism’ in the very invention of theology as an intellectual discipline. This argument requires the Talmud skills of a Yeshiva student and the patristic knowledge of a monk. Fiano has both.”—Daniel Boyarin, author of Border Lines: The Partition of Judaeo-Christianity“This learned and adventurous book breathes new life into the Christian controversies of late antiquity. It shows how Jews and Christians created a dynamic view of intellectual endeavor itself as they each, in their different ways, struggled to tease out the mystery of their shared God.”—Peter Brown, author of Through the Eye of a Needle: Wealth, the Fall of Rome, and the Making of Christianity in the West, 350–550 AD“A significant contribution to the new intellectual history of late antiquity, at once generous and provocative. Fiano’s sociological framing of the issues gives his readings real traction.”—Mark Vessey, editor of A Companion to Augustine

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