History of religion Books

Book SynopsisWinner of The PEN Hessell-Tiltman PrizeShortlisted for The Wolfson History PrizeA The Times Books of the YearA fascinating, surprising and often controversial examination of the real God of the Bible, in all his bodily, uncensored, scandalous forms.'One of the most remarkable historians and communicators working today' – Dan SnowThree thousand years ago, in the 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 ideas about God and religion, but also cultural preferences about human existence and experience; our concept of life and death; attitude to sex and gender; habits of eating and drinking; the 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 TimesTrade 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 *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 *Lively . . . [with] a wealth of scholarly detail and much gusto -- Rowan Williams * New Statesman *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 *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 *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 *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 *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“Gretchen Starr-LeBeau’s Seven Myths of the Spanish Inquisition provides an excellent introduction to Habsburg Spain’s most reviled and misunderstood institution. Drawn from archival sources and modern scholarship, this concise study presents the long and tortured history of the Spanish Inquisition in an accessible format for readers interested in the intersection of religion and jurisprudence. Addressing common misconceptions about the procedures, effectiveness, and reach of the Inquisition, this work argues convincingly for an updated assessment encompassing change over time and variations across Spain and its empire. Students of the early modern period will benefit from the volume’s logical organization, glossary of terms, and suggestions for further reading.” —Benjamin Ehlers, University of GeorgiaTrade Review“Gretchen Starr-LeBeau has given us a deeply researched, wide-ranging correction of the various myths attached to the Spanish Inquisition. Her ability to track and explain the development of those myths over time is remarkable. The volume is wonderfully written and consistently accessible for a student audience. I learned a great deal from it and look forward to assigning it in my classes.” —Lu Ann Homza, William and Mary

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Book SynopsisA fresh, modern translation of key works of the apostolic fathers.The "Apostolic Fathers" wrote what has become some of the most important literature in the early church--letters and epistolary documents, homilies and theological tracts, documents on church order, and apocalyptic literature. In fact, some texts came close to inclusion in the New Testament canon. These translations by Rick Brannan are perfect for use by students, scholars, and everyday Christians interested in these treasures of the early church.Lexham Classics are beautifully typeset new editions of classic works. Each book has been carefully transcribed or translated from the original texts, ensuring an accurate representation of the writing as the author intended it to be read.This volume includes:The First Letter of Clement to the CorinthiansThe Second Letter of Clement to the CorinthiansIgnatius to the EphesiansIgnatius to the MagnesiansIgnatius to the TralliansIgnatius to the RomansIgnatius to the PhiladelphiansIgnatius to the SmyrnaeansIgnatius to PolycarpPolycarp to the PhilippiansThe Didache (The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles)Epistle of BarnabasThe Shepherd of HermasThe Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp (by the Bishop of Smyrna)Epistle to Diognetus

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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 SynopsisTo delegitimize the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم is to call into question the entire message. During his time, the Makkans called hima poet, a magician, and a madman, among other names. Today, he is insulted with other labels. The question of whether or not he sacrificed his principles in the pursuit of conveying his message successfully is one that requires an in-depth lookTable of ContentsIntroduction.....................................................................viii‘His Character Was the Qur’an’.................................................xA Blessing in Disguise............................................................. xiA Difficult Decade in Makkah............................................ 11. Let the Angels Respond.....................................................72. They are Misguided in Their Insults................................ 93. Praying for Guidance and Recognizing Their Potential....104. Sparing Them Divine Punishment..................................115. Showing Mercy On the Worst Day of His Life............... 126. More Hope in a Tribe Than Its Own Chief.....................147. Maintaining the Trust of His Persecutors........................158. Integrity in a Desperate Situation....................................16The Legacy Continues in Madinah.................................... 179. Refusal to Resort to Name Calling..................................2110. God Loves Gentleness..................................................... 2211. Abuse Only Increased Him in Grace.............................. 2312. The Quraysh’s Scout........................................................2513. Maintain Your Promise................................................... 2614. I Will Not Mutilate Him, Lest Allah Mutilate Me..........2715. Merciful Instincts............................................................ 2816. Feeding the Captives....................................................... 2917. Clothing the Captives..................................................... 3018. Lenience With the Ransom..............................................3119. Increased Opportunities for Freedom..............................3220. Introducing Prisoner Exchange........................................35v21. Keeping Captive Families Together................................. 3422. No Favour Forgotten........................................................3523. Averting War With Banū Qaynuqāʿ.................................3624. They Just Don’t Know Any Better...................................3725. Forgiving Treason.............................................................3926. God Informed Him of an Assassination Attempt........... 4027. Forgiving a Sorcerer..........................................................4128. A Blessed Woman............................................................ 4229. An Attempted Coup....................................................... 4330. ‘ Let Them Cool Off ’....................................................... 4431. ‘ Ignore Their Insults’........................................................4532. ‘ Do You Not Love that Allah Should Forgive You?’.........4733. Raided in Ḥudaybiyyah Valley........................................ 4834. Hosting the Insulting Ambassador................................. 4935. Eager for Peace................................................................. 5036. ‘ These Are Your Rights’....................................................5137. The Mother of His Companion.......................................5238. ‘ Who Will Protect You From Me?’................................... 5439. A Powerful Prisoner.........................................................5640. Sparing the Quraysh Again............................................. 5841. ‘ Did You Check His Heart?’.............................................5942. The Sword of Allah..........................................................6143. Islam Does Away With the Past....................................... 6244. Allah Loves Those Who Act Justly................................. 64Marching to Makkah: A Conquest Like No Other........... 6545. Abū Jahl’s Partner............................................................6746. ‘ Whoever Enters the Home of Abū Sufyān’.................... 6847. ‘ Today is the Day of Mercy’............................................. 7048. Access Granted................................................................ 73vi49. A Changed Man...............................................................7450. A Proud Heart Humbled.................................................7551. The One Who Mutilated His Uncle.................................7652. The Assassin.................................................................... 7853. A Promise of Security.......................................................7954. Curing the Heart of a Racist............................................8155. The Touch of Compassion.............................................. 8256. His Daughter’s Persecutor................................................8357. The Son of Abū Lahab.................................................... 8458. The Son of Abū Jahl.........................................................8559. A Change of Tune............................................................86A Flawless Finish................................................................ 8760. A Broken Chief.................................................................8961. The Man from Yā-Sīn.......................................................9162. Hypocrites at Tabūk........................................................ 9263. Ibn Salūl’s Death............................................................. 9364. The Man Who Had Him Stoned in Ṭā’if........................9565. A Christian Chief.............................................................9666. The Woman Who Poisoned Him 97 ................................صلى الله عليه وسلم67. Musaylamah’s Delegates.................................................. 98Incorruptible......................................................................9968. The Father of Extremism................................................10369. Help Him With His Debts.............................................10470. The Bedouin Who Suffocated Him...............................105A Mercy Misunderstood.................................................. 107

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Book SynopsisFOURTEEN CENTURIES AGO, the final revelation descended upon Muhammad (PBUH). This message, Islam, spread rapidly across Arabia to nearby lands, and across the world. Today, over a billion people believe in and follow his message. But who was Muhammad (PBUH) and how can we develop certainty that he was the true messenger of God?In this book, Sh. Mohammad Elshinawy shares the multitude of proof surrounding Muhammad’s  prophethood. There are abundant comprehensive rational pathways that lead to this one certain conclusion: Muhammad (PBUH) was indeed the final messenger of God to this world.Table of ContentsCONTENTSForeword viiPreface ixQuenching a Parched World ixThe Proof Within Us xiThe Multiple Forms of Proof xiv1 Humanity’s Need for Prophethood 11. The Spiritual Necessity of Prophethood 12. The Moral Necessity of Prophethood 43. The Historical Necessity of Prophethood 64. The Biblical Necessity of Prophethood 8i. A Gentile Prophet Like Moses 8ii. John the Baptist and the Awaited Prophet 10iii. God’s Servant Where Kedar Lives 10iv. Jesus and the Comforter 12v. Zamzam and the Flourishing City 132 The Prophet’s Character 171. His Honesty and Integrity 202. His Simplicity and Humility 243. His Mercy and Compassion 284. His Clemency and Forgiveness 315. His Bravery and Valour 356. His Generosity 377. His Perseverance and Trust in God 39iv The Final Prophet3 The Prophet’s Accomplishments 471. A Love Larger than Life 512. History’s Greatest Success Story 563. Restoring the Unity of God 604. Revolutionizing Human Rights 625. Molding a Model Generation 674 The Prophet’s Message 751. Pure Monotheism 772. Faith in Destiny 803. The Ritual Prayer (Ṣalāh) 834. Devotional Fasting (Ṣiyām) 875. Prohibiting Extramarital Relations 896. Prohibiting Interest-Based Lending 917. Prohibiting Alcohol Consumption 938. Healthy Eating and Personal Hygiene 979. Science and Medicine 1025 The Prophet’s Prophecies 1071. The Byzantines will Rebound 1082. The Abode of Abū Lahab 1093. The Globalization of Islam 1094. Undeterred by Time or Distance 1115. Six in Sequence 1126. Counting the Conquests 1137. Security will Prevail 1158. The Last Emperors 1169. A Whisper in His Daughter’s Ear 11610. The Longest Arm 11711. The Martyrdom of ʿUmar and ʿUthmān 11812. Inevitable Infighting 11913. Tensions Among the Prophet’s Household 12014. The Fate of ʿAmmār 12115. ʿAlī Suppressing the Khārijites 12216. Repairing the Rift 12317. Cycling Back to Virtue is Promised 124Contents v18. Asmā’ Sends a Tyrant Home 12419. Umm Ḥarām’s Date with Destiny 12520. Preempting the Questioner 12621. An Unforgettable Sermon 12722. The Emergence of Selective Textualism 12723. A Horrific Wildfire 12724. Prosperity and Hedonism Before the End Times 12825. Competing in Materialism 12926. The Unavoidability of Interest (Ribā) 13027. An Increase in Brutality and Killing 13028. The Plunge into Immorality 13229. Muslims Becoming Easy Prey 13330. The Immortality of His Nation 13531. Never Thought You Would Speak 1366 The Prophet’s Physical Miracles 1391. The Possibility of Miracles 1412. The Demonstrability of Miracles 1453. Specific Miracles Performed by the Prophet 148i. Splitting the Moon 149ii. The Night Journey 152iii. The Weeping Tree 155iv. The Talking Stones 156v. Increasing the Water Supply 158vi. Increasing the Food Supply 159vii. Answered Prayers 1637 The Inimitable Qur’an 1691. A Literary Masterpiece 170i. Muhammad or Shakespeare? 1732. Knowledge of the Inaccessible Past 178i. Pharaoh’s Body Will Survive 179ii. The Heavens Did Not Grieve for Pharaoh 180iii. Joseph’s King Wasn’t a Pharaoh 180iv. Was Muhammad Spoon-Fed Biblical History? 1833. Preserved as Promised 184vi The Final Prophet4. An Extraordinary Potency 1875. Echoes of a Prophet 192A Parting Word on the Journey of Faith 199Bibliography 203English Sources 203Arabic Sources 209Index 215

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Book SynopsisIn The Story of Christianity, acclaimed theologian David Bentley Hart provides a sweeping and informative portrait of a faith that has shaped the western world and beyond for over 2,000 years. From the persecutions of the early church to the papal-imperial conflicts of the Middle Ages, from the religious wars of 16th- and 17th-century Europe to the challenges of science and secularism in the modern era, and from the ancient Christian communities of Africa and Asia to the 'house churches' of contemporary China, The Story of Christianity triumphantly captures the complexity and diversity of Christian history.Trade Review'A theologian of exceptional quality - but also a brilliant stylist' Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury. * Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury *Table of ContentsIntroduction. The Abiding Glory: The People of Israel. Jesus Christ, Born of the Jews. The Death of the Messiah. The Easter Proclamation. The Church of the Apostles. The Growth of the Early Church. The Age of the Martyrs. The Gnostics. Alexandria in the Early Christian Centuries. Constantine the Great and the Birth of Christendom. Cities of the Desert: The Rise of Monasticism. Christianity in Armenia and India. Ancient Splendour: Christianity in Ethiopia. One God in Three Persons: The Earliest Church Councils. The Age of the Fathers. The Fall of Rome and the Rise of a New Western Christendom. Western Monasticism and the Preservation of Western Learning. Christendom. The Formation of Orthodox Christology. The Last Epoch of the United Christian Empire. The 'Church of the East': The Nestorian Missions. A New Power in the World: The Rise of Islam. Charlemagne. The Face of God: The Iconoclast Controversy. Franks and Byzantines: The Widening Gulf. The Conversion of the Slavs. The Great Schism. The Early Crusades. Byzantine Zenith and Nadir. The Holy Roman Empire in the Middle Ages. The High Middle Ages. Reason and Superstition: Medieval Contradictions. The Oriental Churches in the Later Middle Ages. Byzantine Twilight. The Last Caesar. Renaissance Christian Thought. Spain and its Inquisition. The Reformation Begins. The Growth of the Reformation. The Anabaptists and the Catholic Reformation. Schism and War: Early Modern Europe. Colonies and Missions. The Church and the Scientists. Deism, Enlightenment and Revolution. Eastern Orthodoxy in the Early Modern Period. The 19th Century: A Time of Radical Doubt. The 19th Century: A Time of Fervent Faith. The 20th Century in America. The Most Violent Century in History. The 20th to the 21st Century: The Rise of a New Christendom. Glossary. Further References. Index.

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Book SynopsisThe 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.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 works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanTrade Review"[Wills] renders Augustine’s famous and influential text in direct language with all the spirited wordplay and poetic strength intact." —Los Angeles Times "[Wills’s] translations . . . are meant to bring Augustine straight into our own minds; and they succeed. Well-known passages, over which my eyes have often gazed, spring to life again from Wills’s pages." —Peter Brown, The New York Review of Books"Augustine flourishes in Wills’s hand." —James Wood"A masterful synthesis of classical philosophy and scriptural erudition." —Chicago Tribune

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Book SynopsisThe Quakers are a fascinating religious group both in their origins and in the variety of reinterpretations of the faith since. Emerging from the social unrest of the English civil war, the Quakers have gone on to have an influence way beyond their numbers: be it their continued stance against war or their pioneering work against slavery. At the same time, Quakers maintain a distinctive worship method to achieve the direct encounter with God which has been at the heart of the movement since its beginning. This book charts the history of Quakerism and its present-day diversity, and outlines its approach to worship, belief, theology and language, and ecumenism.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1. Who are the Quakers? ; 2. The History of Quakerism ; 3. Worship ; 4. Belief ; 5. Theology and Language ; 6. Ecumenism ; 7. The Future of Quakerism ; Timeline ; Further Reading ; Glossary ; References

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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 SynopsisThis action-packed Bible invites children to join Bear Grylls on a journey into Scripture. Follow the brave men and women of the Bible as they venture through dry desert lands, brave persecution and cross seas to discover and share the life-changing message of God.Extra features help children engage with the epic stories found within the Bible text and encourage them towards a lifetime of exploring the world with God. A ''Terrain Guide'' sets the scene for each book. ''Landmarks'' and ''Signposts'' help readers understand historical context and how to find the trail leading to Jesus. ''Tricky Ground'' deciphers difficult passages that children may question, and ''Camp Fire Facts'' lighten the load along the way. Bear Grylls is a constant source of encouragement, pointing out the favourite verses that have fuelled his soul and body on many an adventure.16 pages of full colour inserts are interspersed throughout the Bible to encourage children to pause, take stock and

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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 SynopsisSt Boniface, the early 8th-century English cleric who became known as "Apostle to the Germans" was an important agent in the conversion of the North German tribes from paganism to Christianity. This text provides translations of his letters.

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Book SynopsisHow and why did the images of the crucified Christ and his grieving mother achieve such prominence, inspiring unparalleled religious creativity as well such imitative extremes as celibacy and self-flagellation? To answer this question, Fulton ranges over developments in liturgical performance, private prayer, doctrine, and art.Trade ReviewFulton's sophisticated analysis of medieval prayer and liturgy reexamines the medieval conceptions of judgement, passion and salvation, and presents valuable new insights into the developements of the cult of the suffering Jesus and the compassionate Virgin Mary. This is truly an important book. Choice This intellectual tour de force... paints in breathtaking strokes a gorgeous tapestry of the loyal devotion to the Man of Sorrows and the Mater Dolorosa. Publishers Weekly The book offers remarkable depth as well as breadth in a most commendable manner. Library Journal Fulton in this extraordinary book reconstructs the early history of devotion to the human and, ultimately, suffering Christ, from late antiquity through the age of Anselm of Canterbury, Peter Abaelard, Bernard of Clairvaux, and Peter Damian... A work of extraordinary erudition, this book revolutionizes our knowledge of medieval spirituality. International Review of Biblical Studies [Fulton's] magisterial book constitutes a distinguished contribution to the history of empathy. -- Karl F. Morrison Journal of Religion This is a courageous book. Fulton is party to no trend, faction, or fashion...I have not read a book in many years that taught me so much or moved me so deeply as this one. -- Thomas F. X. Noble Theological Studies Of interest to medievalists across the disciplines of history, art history, religious studies, and literature. -- Wanda Zemler-Cizewski, Marquette University Speculum Fulton displays an expert knowledge of a most impressive array of sources including theology, liturgy, hagiography, and religious art. -- Mary F. Thurlkill Religious Studies Review Fulton's clarity of thought and thoroughness of explication make her study as compelling as it is challenging. -- Marsha L. Dutton Catholic Historical Review One of the most subtle, moving, and important books in medieval religious history published over the last several decades. -- Kevin Madigan History of Religions A rich and stimulating study which stands in its own right and also offers potential avenues for future work. -- Sarah Hamilton History: The Journal of the Historical Society This is an important book that will continue to be read for very many years. -- Srah Jane Boss American Historical ReviewTable of ContentsPart 1. "Christus Patiens" 1. History, Conversion, and the Saxon Christ 2. Apocalypse, Reform, and the Suffering Savior 3. Praying to the Crucified Christ Part 2. "Maria Compatiens" 4. Praying to the Mother of the Crucified Judge 5. The Seal of the Mother Bride 6. The Voice of My Beloved, Knocking 7. Once Upon a Time... 8. "Commortua, Commoriens, Consepulta"

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Book SynopsisSuggests that Martyrs are produced, not by lived experience of particular historical individuals but by the stories that are later told about them. This work explores the central role of persecution in the early development of Christian ideas, institutions, and cultural forms and shows how the legacy of Christian martyrdom plays out in the world.Trade ReviewCastelli has written a masterful book about the way early Christians used martyrdom to construct a collective memory of religious suffering. Choice Castelli succeeds brilliantly in her aim to reveal the way martyrdom constructed a new ideology... that subverted Roman notions. -- Kimberly B. Stratton Biblical Theology Bulletin A required reading for anyone who studies and teaches on this problem from the past that remains distressingly present. -- Chris Frilingos Religious Studies Review Castelli's stimulating and provocative study is a creative contribution to this flourishing area. -- Judith Lieu Ecclesiastical HistoryTable of ContentsCollective Memory and the Meanings of the Past Performing Persecution, Theorizing Martyrdom The Martyr's Memory: Autobiography and Self-Writing in Ignatius, Perpetua, and Pionius Martyrdom and the Spectacle of Suffering Layers of Verbal and Visual Memory: Commemorating Thecla the Protomartyr Religion as a Chain of Memory: Cassie Bernall of Columbine High and the Contemporary American Legacy of Early Christian Martyrdom

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Book SynopsisMennonite German Soldiers traces the efforts of a small, pacifist, Christian religious minority in eastern Prussia-the Mennonite communities of the Vistula River basin-to preserve their exemption from military service, which was based on their religious confession of faith. Conscription was mandatory for nearly all male Prussian citizens, and the willingness to fight and die for country was essential to the ideals of a developing German national identity. In this engaging historical narrative, Mark Jantzen describes the policies of the Prussian federal and regional governments toward the Mennonites over a hundred-year period and the legal, economic, and social pressures brought to bear on the Mennonites to conform. Mennonite leaders defended the exemptions of their communities'' sons through a long history of petitions and legal pleas, and sought alternative ways, such as charitable donations, to support the state and prove their loyalty. Faced with increasingly punitive legaTrade Review“Jantzen emphasizes not only church and state dynamics but also tensions within the governing party, as well as those within the Mennonite community. The state increased its impact as the population became increasingly nationalistic. Jantzen also observes how theological developments among German Protestants influenced Mennonite pastors and thought leaders. Jantzen portrays an evolving Mennonite identity over a hundred-year period. His book makes a significant contribution to understanding the richness, diversity, and struggle in the Mennonite story.” —Mennonite Weekly Review“Mennonite German Soldiers offers a fascinating, carefully researched study of Prussian Mennonites during much of the nineteenth century. The author describes with exacting detail how persistent state and societal pressures coerced Mennonites into becoming ‘good German citizens.’ The book is organized into ten chapters, the last including observations on how profoundly the self-understanding of this Mennonite community changed, resulting in a culturally adapted Scriptural hermeneutic.” —Mennonite Brethren Herald“[A] fascinating analysis of how Prussian Mennonites adapted so thoroughly between 1772 and 1880 to German national identity and its attendant military responsibilities. . . . Jantzen deftly combines social, political, and family history along with the more traditional religious and political narratives to show us how Mennonites, as individuals, members of their communities, and family members, altered their religious identity. He also reveals the shifting attitudes and approaches taken by various levels and iterations of the Prussian government." —American Historical Review“This book deserves wide readership. The Mennonite experience in nineteenth-century Prussia/Germany is an intriguing example of the complex negotiations between a religious minority and the modern state. Jantzen’s analysis also holds valuable insights for the contemporary German Integrationsdebatte.” —German Studies Review“This is the first full-length study of a problem peculiar to Mennonites, but with implications for other minority religious groups and mainline churches: the issue of full political participation and enthusiastic military service in defense of shared national values. . . . This is a thoroughly researched work, graced by a broad view and written with a clear persuasive style that exhibits frequent poetic touches.” —The Mennonite Quarterly Review“In this engaging historical narrative, Mark Jantzen describes the policies of the Prussian federal and regional governments toward the Mennonites over a hundred-year period and the legal, economic, and social pressures brought to bear on the Mennonites to conform. . . . The public debates over their place in Prussian society shed light on a multi-confessional German past and on the dissemination of nationalist values.” —Canadian Mennonite“Jantzen’s study is highly recommended for anyone interested in Mennonite history. In addition to helping readers better understand the history of this important segment of the Mennonite past, it also sheds light on the character and identity of Mennonites from this community, who migrated to Russia and from there to North America and Latin America.” —Catholic Historical Review“With this highly informative volume, Professor Jantzen takes a major step in correcting the relative neglect, at least in English historical literature, of this period of Mennonite history in central Europe. While a number of German studies have addressed significant issues of this stressful century in German Mennonite history, none has done so with the analysis and Sitz im Leben perspective that Jantzen demonstrates.” —Journal of Mennonite Studies“In his remarkable study of Mennonites in the Prussian East, Mark Jantzen convincingly demonstrates how an examination of a seemingly marginal religious minority can make significant contributions to understanding larger historical processes, in this case those that shaped Prussia and Germany and the development of the modern state in Western Europe.” —Mennonite Life“This abundantly documented study explores the course of acculturation of the Mennonites, who from the sixteenth century on settled in the Vistula Delta and became Prussian subjects in the first partition of Poland. . . . That Jantzen’s discussion of the two literary works frames his social and political interpretation is also a welcome example of how productive it can be to combine one’s specialization with different approaches to history.” —Church History

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Book SynopsisDiscusses the "Book of Hours", unquestionably the most intimate and most widely used book of the later Middle Ages. This title examines surviving copies of the personal prayer books which were used for private, domestic devotions, and in which people commonly left traces of their lives.Trade Review"'Medievalists will welcome Marking the Hours' (Sarah Williams, BBC History Magazine) 'Eamon Duffy's Marking the Hours brilliantly opens up 'windows on men's souls' - as well as being this year's most beautifully produced work of history.' (John Adamson, The Sunday Telegraph) 'This is a glorious feast of a book. Yale University Press has, as always, devoted extraordinary resources to making it both beautiful and good... With Duffy as our guide, the apparently random scribbles of often nameless men and women start to sound like a clear message from the distant past.' (Kathryn Hughes, The Guardian) 'The most beautiful history book of the year' (Ruth Scurr, The Times) 'Once again, as readable and convincing as in The Striping of the Altars, Professor Duffy brings alive the daily life of English people in the two centuries before the Reformation, this time through the beautiful prayer books that they often annotated or defaced in a revealing way.' (Christopher Howse, The Spectator)"

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Book SynopsisOf all the men who have served the Catholic Church as pope, who were the ten most influential?Trade Review“Enlightening”—Mary Carroll, Booklist -- Mary Carroll * Booklist *“Not only is Duffy an elegant stylist; he is the best qualified person in the English-speaking world to write on [this] subject. You will not, therefore, be disappointed in these 10 sketches.”—John W. O’Malley, America -- John W. O’Malley * America *"First presented as radio broadcasts, these 10 insightful profiles from a world-class historian are well worth your time."—Dan Connors, Catholic Digest -- Dan Connors * Catholic Digest *"[Duffy's] introduction and very selective bibliography are worth the book’s price, and his essays are simply brilliant. Academic libraries should obtain this to prove to dubious students that scholarly writing need not be dry or obfuscating, and parish libraries will appreciate the book’sbrevity and delightful style. Most highly recommended."—Daniel Boice, Catholic Library World -- Daniel Boice * Catholic Library World *"[P]erceptive and persuasive . . . Duffy offers brief, lucid narratives and convincing interpretations of the considerable significance of each of the ten popes included."—W.L. Pitts Jr., Choice -- W.L. Pitts Jr. * Choice *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Steven Ozment’s Age of Reform remains provocative, magisterial, and incisive; the indispensable guide to the complex web of deep continuities and radical changes in the religious and intellectual history of medieval and Reformation Europe.”—Christopher Boyd Brown, General Editor of the American Edition of Luther’s Works“This new edition of Steven Ozment's work is crucial and timely. His expansive vision of the Reformation challenges us to reconsider how seismic changes in the sixteenth century influenced the development of religion in the West.”—Bruce Gordon, Yale University"The Age of Reform remains the go-to textbook for a masterful account of the religious and intellectual histories of Reformation Europe framed within their medieval context. Its penetrating insights, alongside its eloquence and clarity, make it an enduring treasure."—G. Sujin Pak, Duke Divinity School“Few historians have had the capacity to reach so large an audience with a study of such subtlety and originality. Steven Ozment brought to his work a restless search for truth and has given generations of students a window into a world undergoing a profound intellectual transformation.”—Andrew Pettegree, University of St. Andrews

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Book SynopsisThe life and legacy of one of Mohammad’s closest confidants and Islam’s patron saint: Ali ibn Abi TalibTrade Review“Ali was a hugely gifted thinker and speaker, one of the earliest scribes and something of a poet. But it is hard to be objective about him. The evidence is often contradictory and he is shrouded by accretions, pious and otherwise. In The Prophet's Heir, Hassan Abbas - an enthusiast for his subject, and an objective enthusiast - pursues Ali on the ground. Fantastic.“—Tim Mackintosh-Smith, author of Arabs“An erudite and accessible biography of Ali, one that tells his life story, and discusses his teachings and values, and how his legacy continues to loom large over Muslim world.”—Vali Nasr, author of The Shia Revival"This erudite but readable book shows why the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law Ali is central to Islam today, and should be both an inspiration and a figure for reconciliation."—John McHugo, author of A Concise History of Sunnis & Shi'is

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“It is a delight to see this beautifully smooth English translation of Against the Academics, with commentary that is both learned and engaging! Foley’s Augustine will reach students, scholars, and many others too.”—John C. Cavadini, University of Notre Dame“Michael Foley’s translations of Augustine’s dialogue Against the Academics is accurate and elegantly written, and his Introduction will provide both students and advanced scholars with a guide to Augustine’s early thinking on the Christian contemplative life.”—Brian Stock, University of Toronto and Collège de France“Foley’s text of Against the Academics is a valuable resource for students and scholars alike. The translation is accurate and readable, and the extensive commentary is full of insightful analysis.”—Blake Dutton, Loyola University ChicagoPraise for the series: “Foley’s exceptional labors now allow modern Anglophone readers to access the treasure of these dialogues, along with the related On the Immortality of the Soul. In each of Foley’s four volumes, an excellent translation is accompanied by a short introduction, then a commentary slightly longer than Augustine’s text, as well as hundreds of footnotes. Each volume stands on its own for classroom use.”—Daniel E. Burns, Review of Politics “Michael Foley’s orchestration of the Cassiciacum dialogues—a four-part translation, annotation, and commentary—renders Augustine’s most important voice, the voice of the seeker, readily available to a broad readership. These are perfect teaching texts, and they are equally compelling for experts. This welcome return of the dialogues, separate and yet intimately related in Foley’s handling of them, marks the most important literary event in Augustinian studies since Peter Brown’s biography.”—James Wetzel, Villanova University “Yale University Press has excelled in publishing these beautiful volumes. Michael Foley models good translation, deeply engaged with the intricacies of the Latin and yet flowing elegantly and readably across the page. Foley’s commentary introduces the reader carefully and invitingly into these important and complex texts from Augustine’s first years as a Christian writer. They belong on the shelves of all who value the wisdom of the early Christian tradition.”—Lewis Ayres, Durham University “A truly impressive undertaking.”—Marc D. Guerra, Assumption College “A consistent, faithful and elegant translation of the crucial but relatively neglected dialogues by Augustine of Hippo.”—Simon Oliver, Durham University “Michael Foley’s lively, precise new translation makes this dramatic dialogue accessible to today’s reader, adding yet another dimension to our understanding of the endless breadth of Augustine’s developing thought.”—Brian Daley, University of Notre Dame “Foley has provided a vital and long-needed service, giving us lively, engaging and accurate translations, and commentaries that are well-grounded without being overwhelming.”—Erik Kenyon, Bryn Mawr Classical Review “Michael P. Foley has given us a clear, compelling, and valuable resource in his new translation of Augustine’s inaugural work as a Christian convert. . . . Foley’s commentary and introductions somehow manage to be both informative and contextualizing without overshadowing the intricacies and insights of the text they are in service of.”—Zachary Thomas Settle, Augustinian Studies “Michael Foley’s new translation of Augustine’s Cassiciacum dialogues (of which the first two of a projected four volumes are now available) is clear, useful, and long overdue.”—Elizabeth Klein, Theological Studies “Foley is to be congratulated on providing a good critical edition and not least a readable translation of the text.”—Nicholas Paxton, Melita Theologica “Foley’s translation reads easily and is transparent. Literal translation and identical formatting in each volume contribute substantially to the reader’s insight into the plan of the Cassiciacum dialogues. Michael Foley’s reading and translation are convincing in many respects.”—Martin Claes, Augustiniana “Foley’s translations and commentaries on the Cassiciacum dialogues offer a smooth presentation of Augustine’s ear

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“It is a delight to see this beautifully smooth English translation of On the Happy Life, with commentary that is both learned and engaging! Foley’s Augustine will reach students, scholars, and many others too.”—John C. Cavadini, University of Notre DamePraise for the series: “Foley’s exceptional labors now allow modern Anglophone readers to access the treasure of these dialogues, along with the related On the Immortality of the Soul. In each of Foley’s four volumes, an excellent translation is accompanied by a short introduction, then a commentary slightly longer than Augustine’s text, as well as hundreds of footnotes. Each volume stands on its own for classroom use.”—Daniel E. Burns, Review of Politics “Michael Foley’s orchestration of the Cassiciacum dialogues—a four-part translation, annotation, and commentary—renders Augustine’s most important voice, the voice of the seeker, readily available to a broad readership. These are perfect teaching texts, and they are equally compelling for experts. This welcome return of the dialogues, separate and yet intimately related in Foley’s handling of them, marks the most important literary event in Augustinian studies since Peter Brown’s biography.”—James Wetzel, Villanova University “Yale University Press has excelled in publishing these beautiful volumes. Michael Foley models good translation, deeply engaged with the intricacies of the Latin and yet flowing elegantly and readably across the page. Foley’s commentary introduces the reader carefully and invitingly into these important and complex texts from Augustine’s first years as a Christian writer. They belong on the shelves of all who value the wisdom of the early Christian tradition.”—Lewis Ayres, Durham University “A truly impressive undertaking.”—Marc D. Guerra, Assumption College “A consistent, faithful and elegant translation of the crucial but relatively neglected dialogues by Augustine of Hippo.”—Simon Oliver, Durham University “Michael Foley’s lively, precise new translation makes this dramatic dialogue accessible to today’s reader, adding yet another dimension to our understanding of the endless breadth of Augustine’s developing thought.”—Brian Daley, University of Notre Dame “Foley has provided a vital and long-needed service, giving us lively, engaging and accurate translations, and commentaries that are well-grounded without being overwhelming.”—Erik Kenyon, Bryn Mawr Classical Review “Michael P. Foley has given us a clear, compelling, and valuable resource in his new translation of Augustine’s inaugural work as a Christian convert. . . . Foley’s commentary and introductions somehow manage to be both informative and contextualizing without overshadowing the intricacies and insights of the text they are in service of.”—Zachary Thomas Settle, Augustinian Studies “Michael Foley’s new translation of Augustine’s Cassiciacum dialogues (of which the first two of a projected four volumes are now available) is clear, useful, and long overdue.”—Elizabeth Klein, Theological Studies “Foley is to be congratulated on providing a good critical edition and not least a readable translation of the text.”—Nicholas Paxton, Melita Theologica “Foley’s translation reads easily and is transparent. Literal translation and identical formatting in each volume contribute substantially to the reader’s insight into the plan of the Cassiciacum dialogues. Michael Foley’s reading and translation are convincing in many respects.”—Martin Claes, Augustiniana “Foley’s translations and commentaries on the Cassiciacum dialogues offer a smooth presentation of Augustine’s ear

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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 SynopsisA New York Times bestselling scholar’s illuminating exploration of the earliest Christian narrated journeys to heaven and hellTrade ReviewNamed by the New Yorker as a Best Book of 2022 “[An] illuminating deep dive. . . . An edifying origin story for contemporary Christian conceptions of the afterlife.”—Publishers Weekly “When the late rapper 2Pac argued in song that we on earth are probably in hell already but don’t know it, and that a crackhead is right now suffering ‘eternal fire,’ he was grappling with weighty biblical and theological issues taken up by Bart D. Ehrman in his brilliant and provocative book Journeys to Heaven and Hell. Ehrman’s work richly informs us about how visions and tours of the afterlife shape our before-death existence—what we should do with our purse, our person, our proselytizing, and how we should view the power and politics of God. This wise and insightful tome by an erstwhile believer, and one of my absolute favorite biblical scholars, stimulates the mind and charges the spirit of a hopeful Black evangelical like me.”—Michael Eric Dyson, author of Entertaining Race: Performing Blackness in America “Bart D. Ehrman explores the Greco-Roman background of Christian afterlife and provides a much-needed reassessment of its Jewish apocalyptic roots. This is an extremely well-documented and well-written book, a real intellectual pleasure to read.”—Pierluigi Piovanelli, University of Ottawa and École pratique des hautes études “In a characteristically scholarly yet engaging style, Bart Ehrman shines new light on ancient accounts of visits by the living to the realms of the dead. This is an important contribution to the reevaluation of the rich literary heritage of early Christianity.”—Judith Lieu, University of Cambridge “In Journeys to Heaven and Hell, Ehrman examines a range of apocryphal texts related to the afterlife, but his examinations of such issues as the ethical problem of wealth, conversion, and universal salvation reveal how much the study of these journeys to other worlds can contribute to the study of a wide range of areas of interest in this world.”—Tony Burke, editor of New Testament Apocrypha: More Noncanonical Scriptures

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Book SynopsisIs the world better off without Christianity?Combining narrative with keen critique of contemporary debates, author and historian John Dickson gives an honest account of 2,000 years of Christian history that helps us understand what Christianity is and what it''s meant to be.To say that the Christian Church has an image problem doesn''t quite capture it. From the Crusades and the Inquisition to the racism and abuse present in today''s Church--both in Catholic and Protestant traditions--the institution that Christ established on earth has a lot to answer for. But the Church has also had moments throughout history when it has been in tune with Jesus'' teachings--from the rise of charity to the invention of hospitals.For defenders of the faith, it''s important to be able to recognize the good and bad in the church''s history and be inspired to live aligned with Christ. For skeptics, this book is a thought-provoking introduction to the idea that Chr

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Book SynopsisEarly Islam has emerged as a lively site of historical investigation, and scholars have challenged the traditional accounts of Islamic origins by drawing attention to the wealth of non-Islamic sources that describe the rise of Islam. A Prophet Has Appeared brings this approach to the classroom. This collection provides students and scholars with carefully selected, introduced, and annotated materials from non-Islamic sources dating to the early years of Islam. These can be read alone or alongside the Qur'an and later Islamic materials. Applying historical-critical analysis, the volume moves these invaluable sources to more equal footing with later Islamic narratives about Muhammad and the formation of his new religious movement. Included are new English translations of sources by twenty authors, originally written in not only Greek and Latin but also Syriac, Georgian, Armenian, Hebrew, and Arabic and spanning a geographic range from England to Egypt and Iran. Ideal for the classroom and personal library, this sourcebook provides readers with the tools to meaningfully approach a new, burgeoning area of Islamic studies.Trade Review"A marvel of concision and originality; best of all, it is readily accessible to the general reader. . . . A Prophet Has Appeared is one of the most readable and exciting books in Islamic history." * Middle East Quarterly *"Indeed, Shoemaker provides one of the most cohesive alternative visions to the emergence of Islam. A Prophet Has Appeared is a pivotal piece of this vision." * Reading Religion *"This sourcebook is a valuable contribution to reliable historical data concerning theologically based approaches to the rise of Islam." * CHOICE *"This is an excellent book and essential reading for anyone interested in the history of Islam during its formative period." * Journal of Near Eastern Studies *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1 The Teaching of Jacob the Newly Baptized 2 Synodical Letter, Homily on the Nativity, and Homily on Epiphany Sophronius of Jerusalem 3 A Syriac Fragment Concerning the Believers' Invasion of Syria 4 Letter 14 Maximus the Confessor 5 Chronicle Thomas the Presbyter 6 The Armenian Chronicle of 661 attributed to Sebeos 7 The Spiritual Meadow, Appendix to the Georgian Version John Moschus 8 Homily on the End-Times Ps.-Ephrem the Syrian 9 Letter 14C Ishoʿyahb III of Adiabene 10 Edifying Tales, Homily on the Lord’s Passion, The Hodegos, and Questions and Answers Anastasius of Sinai 11 The Khuzistan Chronicle 12 The Apocalypse of Rabbi Shimʿōn b. Yohai, The Secrets of Rabbi Shimʿōn b. Yohai 13 Pirqe de-Rabbi Eliezer 30 14 The Maronite Chronicle 15 On the Holy Places Adomnán / Arculf 16 The Apocalypse of Ps.-Shenoute 17 The Book of Main Points John Bar Penkaye 18 Fourth Letter to John the Stylite Jacob of Edessa 19 The Passion of Peter of Capitolias 20 Excerpts from a Lost Seventh-Century Greek Source, The Chronicle of Theophanes, The Chronicle of Agapius, The Chronicle of Michael the Syrian, and The Chronicle of 1234 Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Gardner is able to shed new light on rabbinic poverty relief, and to let rabbinic poverty discourse illuminate other, related areas in rabbinics research." * The Journal of Religion *Table of ContentsContents Acknowledgments Abbreviations and Conventions Introduction 1. The Wealth of the Early Rabbis 2. Harvest Allocations for the Poor 3. Charity Laws 4. Giving Mammon (Wealth) 5. Pay for the Giver 6. Charity as an Investment 7. Poverty Relief and the Anxiety of Wealth 8. Some Further Perspectives: Early Christian and Later Rabbinic Traditions Notes Bibliography Index of Ancient Sources General Index

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Book SynopsisThomas Berry is one of the most eminent cultural historians of our time. Here he presents the culmination of his ideas and urges us to move from being a disrupting force on the Earth to a benign presence. This transition is the Great Work -- the most necessary and most ennobling work we will ever undertake. Berry's message is not one of doom but of hope. He reminds society of its function, particularly the universities and other educational institutions whose role is to guide students into an appreciation rather than an exploitation of the world around them. Berry is the leading spokesperson for the Earth, and his profound ecological insight illuminates the path we need to take in the realms of ethics, politics, economics, and education if both we and the planet are to survive.

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Book SynopsisThis book discusses the history, topography, and urban development of Corinth with special attention to civic and private religious practices in the Roman colony. Expert analysis of the latest archaeological data is coupled with consideration of what can be known about the emergence and evolution of religions in Corinth.Trade ReviewIn summing up the contribution of this volume, adjectives abound: diverse, up-to-date, interesting, helpful, stimulating… The overall interplay of literary and cultural studies of ancient religious groups with research on site-specific material culture remains a promising venue for moving forward in our understanding of Greco-Roman religions… This volume is an essential resource for anyone working on any aspect of ancient Corinth, and methodologically of much interest and use to those working on religious communities during the Greco-Roman period. -- Richard S. Ascough * Catholic Biblical Quarterly *New Testament scholars will find this a very useful volume, especially for the archaeological discussions, which are full of details and illuminating evidence presented in maps and illustrations. -- Peter Oakes * Journal for the Study of the New Testament *

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Book SynopsisThis volume discusses the Bhaik?uki manuscript of the Candrala?kara, a twelfth century commentary based on the Candravyakara?a, Candragomin's seminal Buddhist grammar of Sanskrit. The detailed study of this codex unicus is accompanied by a facsimile edition and extensive tables of the script, a long-felt desideratum in the field of palaeography.

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Book SynopsisOn Morals or Concerning Education is a manual of proper living and ethical guidance and the importance of education by the prolific late-Byzantine author and statesman Theodore Metochites. This volume provides the full Byzantine Greek text alongside the first English translation of one of Metochites’s longest works.

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Book SynopsisThe philosopher Philo, born about 20 BC to a prominent Jewish family in Alexandria, was trained in Greek as well as Jewish learning. In attempting to reconcile biblical teachings with Greek philosophy he developed ideas that had wide influence on Christian and Jewish religious thought.

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Book SynopsisOn the City of God unfolds God’s action in the progress of the world’s history, and propounds the superiority of Christian beliefs over pagan in adversity.

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Book SynopsisOn the City of God unfolds God’s action in the progress of the world’s history, and propounds the superiority of Christian beliefs over pagan in adversity.

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