Religion Books

Book SynopsisThe decisive moments in life are those pivot points when we're called on to push past our fears and act with strength. With How We Learn to Be Brave, Bishop Mariann Budde teaches us to respond with clarity and grace even in the toughest times. Being brave is not a singular occurrence; it's a journey that we can choose to undertake every day. Bishop Budde explores the full range of decisive moments, from the most visible and dramatic (the decision to go), to the internal and personal (the decision to stay), to brave choices made with an eye toward the future (the decision to start), those born of suffering (the decision to accept that which we did not choose), and those that come unexpectedly (the decision to step up to the plate). Drawing on examples ranging from Harry Potter to the Gospel According to Luke, she seamlessly weaves together personal experiences with stories from Scripture, history, and pop culture to underscore both the universality of these moments and the particular call each one of us must heed when they arrive. How We Learn to Be Brave will provide much-needed fortitude and insight to anyone searching for answers in uncertain times.

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Book SynopsisSince its release in 1949, The Hero with a Thousand Faces has influenced millions of readers by combining the insights of modern psychology with Joseph Campbell?s revolutionary understanding of comparative mythology. In these pages, Campbell outlines the Hero?s Journey, a universal motif of adventure and transformation that runs through virtually all of the world?s mythic traditions. He also explores the Cosmogonic Cycle, the mythic pattern of world creation and destruction.As part of the Joseph Campbell Foundation?s Collected Works of Joseph Campbell, this third edition features expanded illustrations, a comprehensive bibliography, and more accessible sidebars.As relevant today as when it was first published, The Hero with a Thousand Faces continues to find new audiences in fields ranging from religion and anthropology to literature and film studies. The book has also profoundly influenced creative artists?including authors, songwriters, game designers, and filmmakers?and continues to inspire all those interested in the inherent human need to tell stories.

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Book SynopsisA Marriage Book with a Difference! A Revolutionary Message“I’ve been married 35 years and have not heard this taught.” “This is the key that I have been missing.” “You connected all the dots for me.” “As a counselor, I have never been so excited about any material.” “You’re on to something huge here.” A Simple MessageA wife has one driving need—to feel loved. When that need is met, she is happy. A husband has one driving need—to feel respected. When that need is met, he is happy. When either of these needs isn’t met, things get crazy. Love and Respect reveals why spouses react negatively to each other, and how they can deal with such conflict quickly, easily, and biblically. A Message That WorksBased on over three decades of counseling, as well as scientific and biblical research, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs and his wife, Sarah, have already taken the Love and Respectmessage across America and are changing the way couples talk to, think about, and treat each other. What do you want for your marriage? Want some peace? Want to feel close? Want to feel valued? Want to experience marriage the way God intended? Then why not try some Love and Respect.

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Book SynopsisOne of the most popular and beloved introductions to the concept of faith ever written, Mere Christianity has sold millions of copies worldwide.The book brings together C.S. Lewis's legendary radio broadcasts during the war years, in which he set out simply to explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times'. A brilliant collection, the book remains strikingly fresh for the modern reader and at the same time confirms C. S. Lewis's reputation as one of the leading writer and thinkers of our age.Rejecting the boundaries that divide Christianity's many denominations, Mere Christianity provides an unequalled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to absorb a powerful, rational case for the Christian faith.Trade Review‘He has quite a unique power for making theology an attractive, exciting and fascinating quest.’ Times Literary Supplement ‘Lewis seeks in Mere Christianity to help us see religion with fresh eyes, as a radical faith whose adherents might be likened to an underground group gathering in a war zone, a place where evil seems to have the upper hand, to hear messages of hope from the other side.’ Kathleen Norris

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Book SynopsisDo you feel like there's more to life than this? You're right. This book will help you discover and cultivate the countercultural practices to connect you with a vibrant lifelong faith.Trade Review"One of the most important books I have read in a decade . . . If we would all follow in this way, our lives would change and the world would change." -- Jennie Allen, author of Get Out of Your Head and Find Your People"I love John Mark Comer's vision for life-to be with Jesus, become more like him, and aspire to do what Jesus would do. This book can help us all in our own walk with Jesus." -- Nicky Gumbel, Pioneer of Alpha"In this spacious, eminently readable volume, John Mark Comer meditates on how Christian discipleship is, at its root, the radical task of becoming an apprentice of Jesus-to be with him, to become like him, and to do as he did. The deceptively simple call is to take Jesus at his word, to open ourselves fully to him, to organize our schedules, our routines, our study, our daily practices around him, and, by doing so, to become people who can do as he would in our day and our culture. Comer's experiences as a pastor, teacher, thinker, and an apprentice himself are helpfully on display here. Sit with this book slowly and let it be your guide into a life of apprenticeship to Jesus." -- Tish Harrison Warren, Anglican priest and author of Liturgy of the Ordinary and Prayer in the Night"In Practicing the Way, John Mark Comer offers us a portrait of following Jesus that is as profound and compelling as it is simple. Be prepared to take an honest look at your own life habits and prayerfully ask, What kind of person am I becoming and Is it more like Jesus or less? Here you will find a beautiful picture of the kind of life Jesus envisioned for his followers and a practical pathway to experience it for yourself." -- Tim Mackie, co-founder of BibleProject"This is the book that I want everyone in my church to read. It is an invitation deeper for the lifelong follower of Jesus, and the perfect primer for the new believer. Somehow, in a way only John Mark can do, he has plunged the depths of the gospel invitation in a way that is relatable, accessible, and readable for the everyday seeker." -- Tyler Staton, lead pastor of Bridgetown Church"Herein is a window to the meaning and significance of life that only Jesus affords. John Mark has given us the antidote to failed religion and generational hypocrisy. Read it slowly. Be changed deeply." -- Rev. Dr. Charlie Dates, senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago and Progressive Baptist Church, Chicago

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Book SynopsisIn this repackaged edition of his classic bestseller, Benny Hinn shares the story of his personal encounter with the Holy Spirit and the dramatic change it made in his life, as well as how it has touched the lives of others around the world.

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Book Synopsis“A ‘self-help’ book for Muslims, which seeks both to inspire Muslim women, but also to educate those outside the faith” – Dr Myriam FrancoisSince her conversion to Islam in 2002 Mathilde Loujayne has crossed paths with women from all walks of life on a common spiritual journey to discover Islam from a feminine perspective. Fuelled by a desire to find the right words to explain to her mother her choice to embrace Islam, this guide was born. Through Mathilde Loujayne's personal experiences - grief, high school, moving abroad, work, marriage, and motherhood - she addressses women's common concerns as they take the big, little steps towards finding a balanced lifestyle and a glowing heart in Islam.Trade ReviewBig Little Steps breaks down a woman's journey to Islam in big little pieces. — Grazia Middle EastThis is a book full of heart. New Muslims and those who are newly committed to their religion will find much useful information conveyed with common sense and compassion. — Dr. Ingrid Mattson, London and Windsor Community Chair in Islamic Studies at Huron University College (Canada)Big Little Steps is a holistic and feminine take on the ins and outs of Islam, written by a young French lady. It is an easy to understand and useful guide to anyone wanting to become Muslim, especially brave women! I wish I'd had a book like this when I embraced Islam in 1995. — Kristiane Backer, author of From MTV to IslamBig Little Steps is a heart-warming journey of an intelligent woman seeking the peace of Allah. Full of practical advice and insightful thoughts, this is one book that every Muslimah should be talking about. — Quake Books“Mathilde weaves her own personal story of conversion to Islam, into this accessible manuscript in which personal anecdotes mix with more formalistic descriptions of religious practise.” — Dr Myriam Francois, taken from the prefaceTable of ContentsIntroduction — Epiphany Chapter 1 — Faith Who is God? Understanding Islam The five pillars of Islam Chapter 2 — A Way of Life Fasting benefits for the body Natural medicine Praying: a physio-spiritual practice Beauty secrets Animal welfare ‘Bon appetit! Bismillah’ Mental health Chapter 3 — Womankind The creation of (wo)mankind The role of women in a muslim society Women’s rights Modesty Chapter 4 — Prayer The sweetness of faith Ablutions? Enlighten me The Mosque Get connected: special occasions Chapter 5 — Togetherness Soul sisters Citizens of the world Let the festivities begin! Death Love Leap of faith Terminology Notes References Index

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Book SynopsisThe Complete Grimoire is a magickal beginner’s guide to witchcraft practices and knowledge, written by Lidia Pradas, the creator of the beloved Instagram handle Wiccan Tips. A grimoire is a witch’s handbook filled with all the magickal information, rituals, and practices that a witch uses during their lifetime—a key tool of their craft. Elegantly designed, featuring a gold foil–embossed cover and beautiful illustrations, and written in Wiccan Tips’ trademark concise and practical style, The Complete Grimoire presents the key pillars of witchcraft, including: Procuring the proper tools and setting up an altar Harnessing your spells and magick Sabbats and the Wheel of the Year How to safely work with deities and spirits You’ll also learn fundamental spells and rituals, such as casting a circle, creating a sigil, and making moon water. Lidia is a reassuring and trusted guide on your witchcraft journey, addressing key questions and debunking common misconceptions. The Complete Grimoire is an informative, accurate resource the newly initiated and experienced witch alike can use in their daily craft.Trade Review“This concise but well-rounded guide is packed with excellent information and advice for the beginning and more experienced Witch alike. From core energy concepts to correspondences to working with crystals and herbs, Lidia Pradas blends the need-to-know basics with unique insights rooted in years of experience. I particularly love the ‘Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me’ sections at the end of each chapter. Readers are in good hands with this grimoire!” * Lisa Chamberlain, author of Runes for Beginners *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1 Witchcraft FAQs Chapter 2 First Steps Chapter 3 Altar and Tools Chapter 4 The Wheel of the Year Chapter 5 Crystals Chapter 6 Herbs Chapter 7 Divination Chapter 8 Working with Spirits and Deities Chapter 9 Correspondences, Rituals, and Spells Acknowledgments Disclaimer About the Author Index

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Book SynopsisJoin the millions who have learned how to take control of their lives by setting healthy boundaries with their spouses, children, friends, parents, co-workers, and even themselves—in order to live life to the fullest. Do you feel like your life has spiraled out of control? Have you focused so much on being loving and unselfish that you''ve forgotten your own limits? Do you find yourself taking responsibility for other people''s feelings and problems?  In Boundaries, Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend share the lessons they''ve learned in their years of practicing psychology and studying the patterns and practices that support clear biblical boundaries. You''ll learn the ins and outs of setting the boundaries that will transform your daily life.This updated and expanded edition of Boundaries, answers the most common questions on the science behind establishing boundaries:<Trade ReviewBoundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend is truly an “in case of (relational) fire---remove hammer, break glass” kind of book. If you need the pain to stop and the healing to start, read this life-changing book and follow its instruction to freedom. * Dr. James MacDonald, senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel and author of VERTICAL CHURCH and ACT LIKE MEN. JamesMacDonald.org *Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend continue to break the boundaries of incredible revelation in their new and revised edition of Boundaries. As the senior pastor of a large church, this message has not only changed my life, but the lives of my staff and congregation. If you want to learn how to have healthier relationships, you need to read this book! * Robert Morris, Founding Senior Pastor, Gateway Church, Dallas/ Fort Worth, Texas; bestselling author of THE BLESSED LIFE , THE GOD I NEVER KNEW, TRULY FREE , and FREQUENCY *I’ve been recommending Boundaries to friends, team members and radio listeners for more than twenty years. In fact, hardly a day goes by when I don’t use something that I learned from this book. The principles are timeless, and the updates in this version make Boundaries even more relevant to readers and their relationships. * Dave Ramsey, bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio show host *Now updated and expanded, this classic book is more timely and relevant than ever for today’s “always on, always there” culture. If technology and social media are intruding on your life and relationships, learn from the boundaries experts how to protect yourself and the people you love. This life-changing book is still the go-to guide for healthy relationships, personal growth, and true freedom in Christ. * Andy Stanley, pastor, author, communicator, and Founder of North Point Ministries *Of every book that I’ve read, Boundaries is the one I recommend most often. All of us can overcommit, become doormats, or find ourselves in codependent and dysfunctional relationships. Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend’s one-of-a-kind book helps guide the reader through a change in mindset that eventually leads to a change in actions. If you know you have some unhealthy patterns in friendships, at work, in your schedule, with technology or your family, this book will help you establish the boundaries you need to create the life you are supposed to live. * Craig Groeschel, pastor of Life.Church and NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author *

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Book SynopsisFrom one of America’s most brilliant writers, a New York Times bestselling journey through psychology, philosophy, and lots of meditation to show how Buddhism holds the key to moral clarity and enduring happiness.At the heart of Buddhism is a simple claim: The reason we suffer—and the reason we make other people suffer—is that we don’t see the world clearly. At the heart of Buddhist meditative practice is a radical promise: We can learn to see the world, including ourselves, more clearly and so gain a deep and morally valid happiness. In this “sublime” (The New Yorker), pathbreaking book, Robert Wright shows how taking this promise seriously can change your life—how it can loosen the grip of anxiety, regret, and hatred, and how it can deepen your appreciation of beauty and of other people. He also shows why this transformation works, drawing on the latest in neuroscience and psychology, and armed with an acute understanding of human evolution. This book is the culmination of a personal journey that began with Wright’s landmark book on evolutionary psychology, The Moral Animal, and deepened as he immersed himself in meditative practice and conversed with some of the world’s most skilled meditators. The result is a story that is “provocative, informative and...deeply rewarding” (The New York Times Book Review), and as entertaining as it is illuminating. Written with the wit, clarity, and grace for which Wright is famous, Why Buddhism Is True lays the foundation for a spiritual life in a secular age and shows how, in a time of technological distraction and social division, we can save ourselves from ourselves, both as individuals and as a species.Trade Review“A sublime achievement.” —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker“Provocative, informative and... deeply rewarding.... I found myself not just agreeing [with] but applauding the author.” —The New York Times Book Review“This is exactly the book that so many of us are looking for. Writing with his characteristic wit, brilliance, and tenderhearted skepticism, Robert Wright tells us everything we need to know about the science, practice, and power of Buddhism.” —Susan Cain, bestselling author of Quiet“I have been waiting all my life for a readable, lucid explanation of Buddhism by a tough-minded, skeptical intellect. Here it is. This is a scientific and spiritual voyage unlike any I have taken before.” —Martin Seligman, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and bestselling author of Authentic Happiness“A fantastically rational introduction to meditation…. It constantly made me smile a little, and occasionally chuckle…. A wry, self-deprecating, and brutally empirical guide to the avoidance of suffering.” —Andrew Sullivan, New York Magazine “[A] superb, level-headed new book.” —Oliver Burkeman, The Guardian“Robert Wright brings his sharp wit and love of analysis to good purpose, making a compelling case for the nuts and bolts of how meditation actually works. This book will be useful for all of us, from experienced meditators to hardened skeptics who are wondering what all the fuss is about.” —Sharon Salzberg, cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society and bestselling author of Real Happiness “What happens when someone steeped in evolutionary psychology takes a cool look at Buddhism? If that person is, like Robert Wright, a gifted writer, the answer is this surprising, enjoyable, challenging, and potentially life-changing book.” —Peter Singer, professor of philosophy at Princeton University and author of Ethics in the Real World“Delightfully personal, yet broadly important.” —NPR“Rendered in a down-to-earth and highly readable style, with witty quips and self-effacing humility that give the book its distinctive appeal and persuasive power.” —America Magazine“Beautifully written and persuasively argued, Why Buddhism is True is the most accessible book on some of Buddhism’s extraordinary, even radical, claims.... Powerful, eloquent, spiritual and scientific... A creative and compelling exploration of the Buddha’s mind.” —The Tribune (India)“[Why Buddhism is True] will become the go-to explication of Buddhism for modern western seekers, just as The Moral Animal remains the go-to explication of evolutionary psychology.” —Scientific American“Cool, rational, and dryly cynical, Robert Wright is an unlikely guide to the Dharma and ‘not-self.’ But in this extraordinary book, he makes a powerful case for a Buddhist way of life and a Buddhist view of the mind. With great clarity and wit, he brings together personal anecdotes with insights from evolutionary theory and cognitive science to defend an ancient yet radical world-view. This is a truly transformative work.” —Paul Bloom, professor of psychology at Yale University and author of Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion“[Written] with such intelligence and grace.” —Patheos“What a terrific book. The combination of evolutionary psychology, philosophy, astute readings of Buddhist tradition, and personal meditative experience is absolutely unique and clarifying.” —Jonathan Gold, professor of religion at Princeton University and author of Paving the Great Way: Vasubandhu's Unifying Buddhist Philosophy“Joyful and insightful... both entertaining and informative.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)“A light, accessible guide for anyone interested in the practical benefits of meditation.” —Vox“A well-organized, freshly conceived introduction to core concepts of Buddhist thought.... Wright lightens the trek through some challenging philosophical concepts with well-chosen anecdotes and a self-deprecating humor.” —Kirkus Reviews“[Wright’s] argument contains many interesting and illuminating points.” —The Washington Post“Amusing and straight-forward.... Anyone... can safely dip their toes in the water here.” —BookFilter“Regardless of their own religious or spiritual roots, many open-minded readers who accompany [Wright] on this journey will find themselves agreeing with him.” —Shelf Awareness

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Book SynopsisFinally sort out who’s who in Greek mythology—from gods, goddesses, heroes, monsters, and everyone in between!Greek mythology continues to appear in popular movies and books today but have you ever wondered about where these characters started out? Discover the origins of your favorite characters from Greek mythology with this collection of profiles to tell you who’s who in classical lore! In Greek Mythology, you will discover the backstories of the heroes, villains, gods, and goddesses that enjoy popularity in today’s shows and films. With comprehensive entries that outline each character’s name, roles, related symbols, and foundational myths, you can get to know the roots of these personas and better understand the stories they inspire today. With this character-focused, handy reference, you will never be confused about Ancient Greece!Trade Review“Albert gives a witty and unapologetic perspective on famous classical stories through a modern, feminist lens.” —Rachel Smythe, creator of the Lore Olympus Webtoon“This is not your grandma’s mythology primer. Liv Albert continues her work to bring Greek mythology into modern times with this refreshing, forward-thinking, and best of all, hilarious almanac. Paired with the stunning artwork by Sara Richard, the book feels like an heirloom created for our generation to pass down.” —Emily Edwards, author and host of the Fuckbois of Literature podcast“Beautifully illustrated and instantly absorbing, Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook tells the familiar stories in a fresh, entertaining way and also delves into more obscure myths, origin stories, and characters—leaving no corner of Greek mythology unexplored.” —Jenny Williamson, cohost of the Ancient History Fangirl podcast“Gripping, deftly executed, and beautifully told, Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook is at once a primer for those new to mythology and a compass for those looking to further explore the stories that still shape our world. Feminist and wise, this is a must-read for fans of Lore Olympus or Percy Jackson.” —Genn McMenemy, cohost of the Ancient History Fangirl podcast“I highly recommend reading this book if you want to know all the gossip straight from Mount Olympus. This will be a treasured book for any new or longtime Greek mythology obsessives.” —Mari Phillips, owner of MYTHSNTiTS, illustrator“Liv brings her trademark panache to this collection! This handbook is packed with connections between ancient myth and popular culture. It’s a wild ride accompanied by Sara Richard’s gorgeous illustrations, suitable for those who adore mythology and enthusiastic beginners. This book is a treat for anyone who likes their ancient past with a dose of humor. We know that we do!” —Dr. Rad and Dr. G, cohosts of The Partial Historians podcast“Brilliant, funny, and exciting….Greek mythology can be complex, and Liv has explained it in a way that is easy to digest, with some beautiful imagery alongside the stories.” —Jeff Murray, artist“A stylish new guide book for modern audiences.” —Mental Floss“A delightfully updated version of many of the most famous Greek myths.” —Memphis Flyer“There’s a lot of information packed in this impressive book.” —SciFiChick.com“A must-have guide to who’s who in Greek myth … the stunning illustrations are exquisite and breathtaking, making this book a beautiful piece of art as well as an excellent source of knowledge and entertainment.” —Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne“A beautifully illustrated and well-written introduction to the wide world of Greek mythology.” —A Universe in Words“Smart and witty.” —Hazlitt"A fun, engaging handbook with beautiful illustrations." —Rhea Classica Review

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Book SynopsisA SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER''A stunning blockbuster'' Robert Fisk''A brilliant tour de force of revisionist scholarship and thrilling storytelling'' Simon Sebag Montefiore''A compelling detective story of the highest order'' Sunday Times''Tom Holland has an enviable gift for summoning up the colour, the individuals and animation of the past'' IndependentIn the 6th century AD, the Near East was divided between two venerable empires: the Persian and the Roman. A hundred years on and one had vanished forever, while the other seemed almost finished. Ruling in their place were the Arabs: an upheaval so profound that it spelt, in effect, the end of the ancient world. In the Shadow of the Sword explores how this came about. Spanning from Constantinople to the Arabian desert, and starring some of the most remarkable rulers who ever lived, he tells a story vivid with drama, hTrade ReviewIt takes courage and intellect to confront such complexity and sensitivity. Written with flamboyant elegance and energetic intensity, Holland delivers a brilliant tour de force of revisionist scholarship and thrilling storytelling with a blood-spattered cast of swashbuckling tyrants, nymphomanaical empresses and visionary prophets... Unputdownable * The Times *A great achievement... A compelling detective story of the highest order, In the Shadow of the Sword is also a dazzlingly colourful journey into the world of late antiquity. Every bit as thrilling a narrative history as Holland's previous works, In the Shadow of the Sword is also a profoundly important book. It makes public and popular what scholarship has been discovering for several decades now; and those discoveries suggest a wholesale revision of where Islam came from and what it is * Sunday Times *Tom Holland is a writer of clarity and expertise, who talks us through this unfamiliar and crowded territory with energy and some dry wit... The emergence of Islam is a notoriously risky subject, so a confident historian who is able to explain where this great religion came from without illusion or dissimulation has us greatly in his debt * Spectator *This is a book of extraordinary richness... Tom Holland has an enviable gift for summoning up the colour, the individuals and animation of the past, without sacrificing factual integrity... He is also a divertingly inventive writer with a wicked wit... This is a history of history as it were... wonderfully hard-hitting analysis, elegantly tied into the unfolding narrative of events, with each religious establishment exposed in all its glory and treacherous realpolitik... a spell-bindingly brilliant multiple portrait of the triumph of monotheism in the ancient world * Independent *Holland's new book traces the process by which the world of the first millennium came to be dominated by one God, three religions and an innumerable succession of emperors -- Dan Jones * Daily Telegraph *It is difficult not to be bedazzled by a cast that includes ulcerated Christian holy men, Zoroastrian priests obsessed with dental hygiene, demonic emperors, barbarians with self-inflicted cranial deformities and Arab ambassadors stinking of camel -- Richard Miles * Financial Times *Sweeping and perceptive. His major achievement is to set out just how uncertain is our grasp on the immediate setting of Muhammad's life, and on the formation of the Koran. At this moment in world history above all, it should be required reading * Professor Sir Fergus Millar *Holland is a restless wanderer across the ancient world, both geographically and intellectually... A dazzling range of characters... Holland is a skilful and energetic narrator, and while he guides us along the more intricate twists and turns of the period, he also keeps our eyes on the bigger story -- Anthony Sattin * Observer *Holland leaves almost no aspect of the traditional story of Islam intact as he charts its rise to global power from the ashes of the Roman and Persian empires -- Bryan Appleyard * Sunday Times *A work of history, trying to tell the truth, as modern historians understand that fraught concept... A gripping, colourful book -- Charles Moore * Daily Telegraph *A handsome volume, tackling an important question from a novel perspective, backed by useful notes and written in an accessible and fluid style -- Michael Scott * Sunday Telegraph *A brave and valuable attempt to train the lens of popular history upon an exceptionally contentious field of study... elegant and entertaining... In the Shadow of the Sword stands as a useful, and sometimes provocative, starting point for anyone interested in approaching the birth of Islam from a historical, rather than devotional, perspective -- Thomas Ashbridge * Literary Review *Elegantly written and refreshingly free from specialist jargon... marshalling its resources with dexterity, it is a veritable tour de force -- Malise Ruthven * Wall Street Journal *Those unwilling to struggle through academic texts have long needed a guide to the story of Islam as it's understood by those with the fullest access to the latest linguistic and archaeological evidence. Now at last in Tom Holland's In the Shadow of the Sword, they finally have it -- David Frum * Daily Beast *A stunning blockbuster -- Robert Fisk * Independent *A compelling detective story of the highest order, In the Shadow of the Sword is also a dazzlingly colourful journey into the world of late antiquity. Every bit as thrilling a narrative history as Holland's previous works, [it] is also a profoundly important book -- Christopher Hart * Sunday Times *Written with flamboyant elegance and energetic intensity, Holland delivers a brilliant tour de force of revisionist scholarship and thrilling storytelling with a bloodspattered cast of swashbuckling tyrants, nymphomaniacal empresses and visionary prophets . . . Unputdownable -- Simon Sebag Montefiore * The Times *

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Book Synopsis''If great books encourage you to look at the world in an entirely new way, then Dominion is a very great book indeed . . . Written with terrific learning, enthusiasm and good humour, Holland''s book is not just supremely provocative, but often very funny'' Sunday Times History Book of the YearChristianity is the most enduring and influential legacy of the ancient world, and its emergence the single most transformative development in Western history. Even the increasing number in the West today who have abandoned the faith of their forebears, and dismiss all religion as pointless superstition, remain recognisably its heirs. Seen close-up, the division between a sceptic and a believer may seem unbridgeable. Widen the focus, though, and Christianity''s enduring impact upon the West can be seen in the emergence of much that has traditionally been cast as its nemesis: in science, in secularism, and yes, even in atheism. That is why Dominion will place the story of how we came to be what we are, and how we think the way that we do, in the broadest historical context. Ranging in time from the Persian invasion of Greece in 480 BC to the on-going migration crisis in Europe today, and from Nebuchadnezzar to the Beatles, it will explore just what it was that made Christianity so revolutionary and disruptive; how completely it came to saturate the mind-set of Latin Christendom; and why, in a West that has become increasingly doubtful of religion''s claims, so many of its instincts remain irredeemably Christian. The aim is twofold: to make the reader appreciate just how novel and uncanny were Christian teachings when they first appeared in the world; and to make ourselves, and all that we take for granted, appear similarly strange in consequence. We stand at the end-point of an extraordinary transformation in the understanding of what it is to be human: one that can only be fully appreciated by tracing the arc of its parabola over millennia.Trade ReviewTerrific: bold, ambitious and passionate -- Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk RoadsTom Holland is fun to read, monstrously erudite, wickedly joyful, and ahead of the established consensus, on average, by four years, three months, and two days -- Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of the Incerto (The Black Swan, Antifragile...)This extraordinary book is vintage Tom Holland: history boldly and elegantly retold, with fascinating interconnections traced to create a narrative that cannot fail to stimulate, for it leads to a never-ending question -- Diarmaid MacCullochHolland is an illuminating guide on a journey from Ancient Athens to 21st-century gay rights * History Revealed *Sustained with all the breadth, originality and erudition that we have come to associate with Holland's writing * Spectator *Fizzing with insights and challenges, this is one history book that is timely and important, as well as a feast of intellectual entertainment -- Christopher Hart * Sunday Times *Holland is an exceptionally good storyteller with a marvellous eye for detail * The Economist *An all-absorbing story * Literary Review *This book has ruffled feathers . . . lyrical, vivid * Evening Standard *It's not often that you come across a book that completely transforms your understanding of the world * Spectator *A rich and compelling history of Christendom . . . A masterpiece of scholarship and storytelling, Dominion surpasses Holland's earlier books in its sweeping ambition and gripping presentation -- John Gray * New Statesman *[Holland encapsulates] so much, so intelligently and entertainingly, in a book that's fizzing with ideas -- Andrew Lycett * Mail on Sunday *I love the sweep of it * Sunday Telegraph *Tom Holland's stupendous new book . . . There isn't a page of this magnificent book that does not contain somefascinating detail and the narrative is held together with a novelist's eye for character and theme -- Tim Stanley * History Today *A brilliant meditation on how Christianity in its Latin and Protestant forms entirely changed the way humans conceive life and their relationship to each other -- Helen Thompson * New Statesman *An absorbing survey of Christianity's subversive origins and enduring influence is filled with vivid portraits, gruesome deaths and moral debates . . . Holland has all the talents of an accomplished novelist: a gift for narrative, a lively sense of drama and a fine ear for the rhythm of a sentence -- Terry Eagleton * Guardian *If great books encourage you to look at the world in an entirely new way, then Dominion is a very great book indeed . . . Written with terrific learning, enthusiasm and good humour, Holland's book is not just supremely provocative, but often very funny * Sunday Times *A bravura swing through centuries of Western European history . . . a cornucopia of characters and information: almost everyone would learn from it something they didn't know . . . the range and unobvious sweep of his narrative are most impressive * Times Literary Supplement *An erudite and fascinating look at the enduring legacy of Christianity, which, as numbers of believers are dwindling * The Lady *Those who like their history with a dose of lessons about the present will be impressed by Tom Holland's ambitious Dominion * Telegraph *Definitely my book of the year -- Bernard Cornwell

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Book SynopsisTHE HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED BRAND NEW NOVEL IN THE #1 BESTSELLING RIVERS OF LONDON SERIESThere is a world hidden underneath this great city...The London Silver Vaults - for well over a century, the largest collection of silver for sale in the world. It has more locks than the Bank of England and more cameras than a celebrity punch-up. Not somewhere you can murder someone and vanish without a trace - only that''s what happened.The disappearing act, the reports of a blinding flash of light and memory loss amongst the witnesses all make this a case for Detective Constable Peter Grant and the Special Assessment Unit.Alongside their boss DCI Thomas Nightingale, the SAU find themselves embroiled in a mystery that encompasses London''s tangled history, foreign lands and, most terrifying of all, the North!And Peter must solve this case soon because back home his partner Beverley is expecting twins any day now. But what he doesn''t knowTrade ReviewThis gloriously eclectic mash-up of police investigation and supernatural insanity is as wise, witty and utterly absorbing as the rest of this glorious series. * Daily Mail *This might be Aaronovitch's greatest success yet. 5 stars! * The Sun *Aaronovitch has no peers [...] his plotting is still satisfyingly inventive and the continuing characters maintain their charm. * The Guardian *Ben Aaronovitch has created a wonderful world full of mystery, magic and fantastic characters. I love being there more than the real London. * Nick Frost *Fresh and original and a wonderful read. I loved it. * Charlaine Harris *A charming, witty and exciting romp through a magical world not all that far from our own. * The Independent *

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Book SynopsisThe author of The Green Witch, shows you how you can create your own green witch grimoire to record your favourite spells, recipes, rituals, and more. A grimoire is essential for any witch wanting to capture and record spells, rituals, and secret ingredients. And for a green witch, a perfect place to reflect upon the power of nature, and document the stones, plants, flowers, oils, and herbs used in her practice. The Green Witch’s Grimoire finally is a place for all your prized knowledge. Experienced witch Arin Murphy-Hiscock guides you on your path to creating your own personal book of your most cherished magic. Continue to hone your craft and grow into the green witch you’ve always dreamed of as you personalize your own Green Witch’s Grimoire.Trade Review“[This book] delivers. It. Is. Complete. … anyone can use this book.” —Magical Buffet“Easy to understand and takes you by the hand to get started on this magical path… a great companion book to The Green Witch.” —Facing North“A complete package… This is a book that you will want to spend time with.” —Pagan Pages “An incredible asset to any green witch’s library.” —Howling Libraries“A complete package of insight, guidance, knowledge and practicality.” —A Witch’s Sacred Journey"Arin has smashed another book out of the park… the perfect guide." —PrettyCore

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Book SynopsisInteract with magical fairy folk and incorporate them into your own witchcraft practice with this detailed account of the ancient wisdom and traditions of fairies and witchcraft.Fairies have long been a part of witchcraft traditions, especially Celtic and Norse witchcraft, paganism, and other traditions deeply tied to the earth. But these fairies aren’t the harmless creatures you’ve read about in children’s tales: they are magical creatures with their own culture and rules that you need to know before venturing into their territory. Now you can explore the world of the fairies and how their magic relates to your own witchcraft practice with The Modern Witchcraft Book of Fairies. This book provides you with all the information you need to know about the different types of fae folk and how you can safely interact with them to make the most of your witchcraft practice.Trade Review“Sure to reawaken you to the enchantments of nature and magick and full of the information every witch should know.” —Bust“Packed with information… broad and balanced… well-organized, concise, and powerful.” —Grove and Grotto

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Book SynopsisWoman's Own Book Club 2023 ‘A truly beautiful book. Rosie’s writing makes me want to close my laptop, step outside, and appreciate the magic that each season brings’ Jessica Elliot Dennison In her late-twenties, feeling utterly overwhelmed by the pace of modern city life, Rosie Steer found solace in the traditions she had been brought up with, influenced by her Scottish roots, that celebrated nature and observed the small steady shifts in the seasons. The Celtic Wheel of the year is an ancient seasonal cycle that aligns with solar events – the solstices, equinoxes and their midpoints. For each mini-season, Rosie shares nature notes for what we can look out for as the days get warmer or cooler, the nights longer or shorter, alongside activities, things to make, flowers or fruit to forage, seasonal recipes to enjoy and a modern take on the traditional celebrations. As the Wheel turns towards Imbolc on 1st February, we can make hand poured candles to welcome the return of the light, embrace the chill of a wintery walk with a flask of hot chocolate, and fill our homes with the scent of citrus making batches of marmalade. By slowing down and paying attention to the ebbs and flows of nature, we can find moments of calm whenever we need them.Trade ReviewSlow Seasons is a charming, thoughtful book that brings to life the importance of seasonal reflection. Rosie combines personal insight, craft and ceremony in a direct, approachable way that encourages us all to reconnect with nature across the year -- Mo Wilde, author of The Wilderness Cure‘A truly beautiful book. Rosie’s writing makes me want to close my laptop, step outside, and appreciate the magic that each season brings’ -- Jessica Elliott Dennison'A brilliant guide to embracing the wonder of nature, slowing down and celebrating simple everyday joys’ -- Willow CrossleyA reflective, inspiring guide to a life lived in harmony with the seasons. It is brimming with fascinating insights into the Celtic Wheel of the Year, as well as tempting recipes and practical projects. Slow Seasons is the perfect read for anyone who wants to connect with the natural world and live more intentionally. I loved Rosie Steer’s thoughtful suggestions for weaving together nature and home, and her gift for incorporating celebration and gentle ritual into everyday life. It is a beautiful, heartfelt, comforting book -- Laura Pashby‘A heart-filling book to keep close throughout the year. I love Rosie's pilgrimage through the Celtic wheel of festivals, showing us how to embrace seasonal joys and ancient rituals in our everyday. She shares her secrets for a slower life and encourages us to celebrate and marvel at the little things that shine light, even in the darkest times. A constant companion of wonderful stories, crafts and recipes’ -- Lucy Brazier, author of Christmas at River CottageSlow Seasons is a joyous invitation to embrace the present, observe the beauty enticed by each seasonal shift and celebrate with Rosie's stunning array of delicious recipes and rituals you'll want to revisit year after year -- Rachel de Thample‘Beautiful… a wonderfully calming read’ * Woman's Own Book Club *

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Book SynopsisGorgeous Collector's Edition. Many medieval writers, especially from France and Wales, wrote stories about the great British leader, King Arthur. Legends, folklore and myths from this period come together to paint a picture of who he was with some describing him as a great warrior, defending Britain from its enemies, while others suggest Arthur had magical qualities. Throughout this mystery, King Arthur has become an iconic figure, known for his court and knights and his chivalric adventures. This collection offers a selection of myths, featuring Arthur’s knights of the round table, his love for Queen Guinevere and of course the ultimate betrayal by his most trusted knight, Sir Lancelot. Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

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Book SynopsisColin Thubron is an acknowledged master of travel writing, and the winner of many prizes and awards. His first writing was about the Middle East - Damascus, Lebanon and Cyprus. In 1982 he travelled into the Soviet Union in an ancient Morris Marina, pursued by the KGB, a journey he recorded in Among the Russians. From these early experiences developed his classic travel books: Behind the Wall (winner of the Hawthornden Prize and the Thomas Cook Travel Award), The Lost Heart of Asia, In Siberia (Prix Bouvier) and Shadow of the Silk Road (all available in Vintage). In 2010 Colin Thubron became President the Royal Society of Literature.Trade ReviewThubron writes very well indeed... He carries with him the talisman of erudition combined with intuition * Sunday Times *Thubron knows the real Cypriots... He evinces a never unsympathetic observation and a respect for the incongruous that put him in the category of Kinglake and Edward Lear * Daily Telegraph *Purchased by blistered and bleeding feet, this picture is extraordinarily detailed and vivid... An accomplished linguist and historian, his passionate concern for antiquity in all its aspects - mythological, architectural, conceptual - lends weight and warmth to every chapter * Financial Times *Colin Thubron is in a class of his own * Scotsman *Most memorable and full of insight * Lawrence Durrell *

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Book Synopsis''This is a brilliant, shocking book ... also witty, painfully self-critical and humane ... it is a work of great literature'' Tim Whitmarsh, Guardian ''The Kingdom, already a huge bestseller in France, is thrilling, magnificent and strange'' Bryan Appleyard, Sunday TimesThe sensational international bestseller from one of France''s most fêted writers - an epic novel telling the story of Christianity as it has never been told before, and one man''s crisis of faith.Corinth, ancient Greece, two thousand years ago. An itinerant preacher, poor, wracked by illness, tells the story of a prophet who was crucified in Judea, who came back from the dead, and whose return is a sign of something enormous. Like a contagion, the story will spread over the city, the country and, eventually, the world. Emmanuel Carrère''s astonishing historical epic tells the story of the mysterious beginnings of Christianity, bringing to life a distant, primTrade ReviewBrilliant, shocking... also witty, painfully self-critical and humane... it is a work of great literature -- Tim Whitmarsh * Guardian *Emmanuel Carrère is said by many to be one of the best writers in France, if not Europe... The Kingdom, a huge bestseller in France, is thrilling, magnificent and strange -- Bryan Appleyard * Sunday Times *An utterly brilliant book... Carrère is a vivid guide and a knowledgeable one -- Catherine Nixey * The Times *A novelised memoir that vividly captures the drama of the Christian experience... A celebration of religious imagination - Catholic, French, Judaic, Hellenic - The Kingdom has been a runaway bestseller in France. In Britain, it may succeed as a relief and an antidote -- John Cornwell * Financial Times *There are few great writers in France today, and Emmanuel Carrère is one of them * Paris Review *

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Book SynopsisM. A. S. Abdel Haleem's acclaimed translation of the Qur'an is now published with the original Arabic text to give a greater appreciation and understanding of the holy book. The traditional Arabic calligraphic pages are displayed alongside the English translation; the text is accompanied by an invaluable introduction, notes, and an index.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition ''[Haleem] transforms the Holy Book's complex grammar and structure into smooth, contemporary English mercifully free from archaisms, anachronisms and incoherence. The result it both accessible and compelling...a remarkable achievement' (on the English translation)' * New Statesman *a refreshing, very useful and interesting new translation ...one of the best to have appeared in recent times. * Muslim News *[Haleem] has managed to transform the complex grammar and structure of the holy book into a form of modern English which reads easily and flows smoothly without taking liberties with the inviolable text. * The Economist *[Haleem] knows the text by heart, and his intimacy with it shows in the brevity and intuitive intelligence of his solutions. * Times Literary Supplement *accurate, sensitive, well-annotated English translation of the Qur'an. * Scotland on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisExamines the life and ministry of Jesus with attention to the Lord's Prayer, the Beatitudes, Jesus' relationship to women and Jesus' parables. This book reveals Jesus in the light of his historical and cultural setting.Trade ReviewBailey has a gift of clear, lively expression; he takes advantage of his personal experiences, interest in Hebrew poetic structure, and knowledge of Arabic to bring insights into NT interpretation. -- Ruth B. Edwards * Journal for the Study of the New Testament *A brilliant addition to Bailey's other works in which he sheds light on the biblical text from Middle Eastern culture. -- Roy B. Zuck * Bibliotheca Sacra *The work will yield a rich harvest of information, pastoral support, and insight for all who read it. -- Susan K. Hedahl * Currents in Theology & Mission *Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes is Bailey's most recent call to Western Christians who need to time-travel to the Middle East. On page after page, he identifies themes and reflexes assumed in the gospels that slip right past us. Stories like the Parable of the Woman and the Judge are given interpretations that should contribute to every commentary writer. And fourteen more parables are made alive again, each in its original context. -- Gary M. Burge * Books & Culture *The great strength of this work is the author's familiarity with Middle Eastern culture. He succeeds in shedding new light on well known Gospel stories from a cultural perspective. Another valuable contribution of this book is the introduction to, and interaction with, great Eastern commentaries long forgotten or largely unknown to Western Biblical Scholarship. A very readable book and will be profitable to various levels of readers. Anyone interested in understanding the New Testament from its own distinctive Middle Eastern cultural perspective ought to read this book. -- Mark Jason * Themelios *

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Book SynopsisAn examination of the rise of Islam, the life of Muhammad, and the Islamic principles of faith. Jonathan Bloom and Sheila Blair describe the golden age of the Abbasids, the Mongol invasions, and the great Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal empires that emerged in their wake.Trade Review“A timely study and important background to understanding the faith of more than one-fifth of the world’s population today.”—John L. Esposito, University Professor, Georgetown University and author of Islam: The Straight Path and editor of The Oxford History of Islam

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Book SynopsisIn this work, here presented in a complete English edition for the first time, the problem of knowing God is confronted in an original and stimulating way. Taking up the Prophet''s teaching that ''Ninety-nine Beautiful Names'' are truly predicated of God, Ghazali explores the meaning and resonance of each of these divine names, and reveals the functions they perform both in the cosmos and in the soul of the spiritual adept. Although some of the book is rigorously analytical, the author never fails to attract the reader with his profound mystical and ethical insights, which, conveyed in his sincere and straightforward idiom, have made of this book one of the perennial classics of Muslim thought, popular among Muslims to this day.This volume won a British Book Design and Production Award in 1993.

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Book Synopsis''What if, until now, you''ve never really prayed. Not like Jesus designed it, anyway.''Prayer is the source of Jesus''s most astonishing miracles and the subject of Jesus'' most audacious promises, and yet, most people - even most Bible-believing Christians - find prayer to be boring, obligatory, disappointing, confusing, or, most often, all of the above.If you''ve ever felt this way, Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools is your invitation to trade your conceptions and misconceptions about prayer for prayer in its purest form: a vital, sustaining, powerful connection with God that is more real and alive than you could have ever imagined. In these pages, Tyler Staton - author, pastor, and national director of the 24/7 Prayer movement - addresses common roadblocks to prayer and gives you the confidence to come to God just as you are.Through biblical teaching, powerful storytelling, and insights on historic Christian practices, Staton helps you .Trade ReviewThis is a book for our desperate times. My friend Tyler Staton is a world-class leader, a gifted pastor, an extraordinary writer, and, above all, a man of prayer. By reading this book, you will be learning from a master. * John Mark Comer *No book has ever left me wanting to pray more. In Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools, Tyler Staton opens our eyes and hearts to the beauty, mystery, and value of prayer in the life of every believer and skeptic. * Christine Caine *To know Tyler Staton is to encounter a man who is consumed by what it means to live like Jesus. And of course it is inconceivable to live like Jesus without doing what he spent so much of his time doing, which is prayer. Tyler has both given himself to this life-giving practice and provided us with a compelling vision for prayer in the life of the Christ follower. I emerged from this book with my heart stirred to talk to God more. * DR. BRYAN LORITTS, author of Saving the Saved *Tyler Staton is one of America's most inspiring and gifted prayer leaders today, and his brilliant new book flows from the deepest place of his own personal life. At times it feels like holy ground. I particularly appreciated the practical exercises at the end of each chapter, as well as the closing section about the lost art of praying for the lost. Tyler serves up the full menu of prayer-from deep contemplative practices to teaching about the power and necessity of intercessory prayer. There's something here for everyone. It's both an on-ramp for those new to faith who are seeking to grow in a conversational relationship with the Lord and a master class for Christians who are seeking to be stretched and inspired. This is a vital invitation into the highest calling of every person on the planet, flowing straight from the heart of a contemporary prayer warrior, a respected pastor, and a dear friend. * Pete Greig *

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Book SynopsisCombining the best and most recent evangelical Christian scholarship with the highly regarded ESV text, the ESV Study Bible is the most comprehensive study Bible ever published.

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Book SynopsisThe ESV Study Bible, Personal Size compresses the features of the award-winning ESV Study Bible into a smaller size for easier carrying.

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Book SynopsisWho are you becoming? That was the question nagging pastor and author John Mark Comer. By outward metrics, everything appeared successful. But inwardly, things weren't pretty. So he turned to a trusted mentor for guidance and heard these words: 'Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. Hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life.' It wasn't the response he expected, but it continues to be the answer he needs.Too often we treat the symptoms of toxicity in our modern world instead of trying to pinpoint the cause. A growing number of voices are pointing at hurry, or busyness as a root of much evil. Within the pages of this book, you'll find a compelling emotional and spiritual case against hurry and in favour of a slower, simpler way of life.Trade ReviewJohn Mark Comer is a hugely talented leader, speaker, and writer. You will find lots of wise advice here. * Nicky Gumbel, vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton *John Mark Comer is a hugely talented leader, speaker, and writer. You will find lots of wise advice here. * Nicky Gumbel, vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton *Like a tall glass of ice cold water on the hottest day of the year, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry is refreshing, revitalising, and a shock to the system. Beautifully and compellingly written by one of our foremost thinkers, it is a prophetic message for our time. * Pete Greig, founder of the 24-7 Prayer movement and senior pastor of Emmaus Rd, Guildford *Like a tall glass of ice cold water on the hottest day of the year, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry is refreshing, revitalising, and a shock to the system. Beautifully and compellingly written by one of our foremost thinkers, it is a prophetic message for our time. * Pete Greig, founder of the 24-7 Prayer movement and senior pastor of Emmaus Rd, Guildford *Living as a spiritually and mentally healthy follower of Jesus in our technological, calendar-driven culture is, it turns out, quite difficult. In this book John Mark Comer shares his story of discovering a different way of life that's inspired by the way and wisdom of Jesus. This is a practical, personal, and challenging call to imagine new ways that our lives can imitate Jesus. * Tim Mackie, cofounder of the Bible Project *Living as a spiritually and mentally healthy follower of Jesus in our technological, calendar-driven culture is, it turns out, quite difficult. In this book John Mark Comer shares his story of discovering a different way of life that's inspired by the way and wisdom of Jesus. This is a practical, personal, and challenging call to imagine new ways that our lives can imitate Jesus. * Tim Mackie, cofounder of the Bible Project *

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Book Synopsis The CSB Compact Bible, Value Edition is economically priced and features a convenient compact design that slips easily into a pocket, backpack, or purse. This Bible makes the perfect gift for a person ?on the go? who wants to keep the Word of God close, accessible, and convenient to read at all times. FEATURES: Convenient compact design Durable Smyth-sewn, lay-flat binding Two-column text format Topical subject headings 6-point type size Words of Christ in red Ribbon marker Concordance Bible Dictionary Presentation page for gift-giving Full-color maps 4.1875? x 6.3125? page size The CSB Compact Bible, Value Edition features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible (CSB). The CSB stays as literal as possible to the Bible?s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture?s life-transforming message and to share it with others.

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Book SynopsisChristianity Today 2019 Book Award Winner (Spiritual Formation) and Award of Merit for CT's Beautiful Orthodoxy Book of the Year Outreach 2019 Recommended Resource of the Year (Spiritual Growth) We live in a 24/7 culture of endless productivity, workaholism, distraction, burnout, and anxiety--a way of life to which we've sadly grown accustomed. This tired system of "life" ultimately destroys our souls, our bodies, our relationships, our society, and the rest of God's creation. The whole world grows exhausted because humanity has forgotten to enter into God's rest. This book pioneers a creative path to an alternative way of existing. Combining creative storytelling, pastoral sensitivity, practical insight, and relevant academic research, Subversive Sabbath offers a unique invitation to personal Sabbath-keeping that leads to fuller and more joyful lives. A. J. Swoboda demonstrates that Sabbath is both a spiritual discipline and a form of social justice, connects Sabbath-keeping to local communities, and explains how God may actually do more when we do less. He shows that the biblical practice of Sabbath-keeping is God's plan for the restoration and healing of all creation. The book includes a foreword by Matthew Sleeth.Table of ContentsContentsForewordProloguePart 1: Sabbath for Us1. Sabbath and Time2. Sabbath and Work3. Sabbath and HealthPart 2: Sabbath for Others4. Sabbath and Relationships5. Sabbath, Economy, and Technology6. Sabbath and the MarginalizedPart 3: Sabbath for Creation7. Sabbath and Creation8. Sabbath and the Land9. Sabbath and CrittersPart 4: Sabbath for Worship10. Sabbath and Witness11. Sabbath and Worship12. Sabbath and DiscipleshipIndex

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Book SynopsisThe selections made in this volume shed light on these esoteric doctrines revealing intimate conversations between Jesus and his Disciples. The Gospel of Mary Magdalene throws new light on his relationship with this favourite disciple. The Gospel of Thomas contains concentrated mini-parables, containing deep inward and symbolic meaning, many of which are not found in the New Testament. The texts chosen are relevant to many of the perplexities of contemporary life and deal with the questions of good and evil, sin and suffering and the path to salvation.

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Book SynopsisAN INDEPENDENT BEST BOOKS ON RELIGION 2014 PICK Few things provoke controversy in the modern world like the religion brought by Prophet Muhammad. Modern media are replete with alarm over jihad, underage marriage and the threat of amputation or stoning under Shariah law. Sometimes rumor, sometimes based on fact and often misunderstood, the tenets of Islamic law and dogma were not set in the religion’s founding moments. They were developed, like in other world religions, over centuries by the clerical class of Muslim scholars. Misquoting Muhammad takes the reader back in time through Islamic civilization and traces how and why such controversies developed, offering an inside view into how key and controversial aspects of Islam took shape. From the protests of the Arab Spring to Istanbul at the fall of the Ottoman Empire, and from the ochre red walls of Delhi’s great mosques to the trade routes of the Indian Ocean world, Misquoting Muhammad lays out how Muslim intellectuals have sought to balance reason and revelation, weigh science and religion, and negotiate the eternal truths of scripture amid shifting values.Trade Review‘Lucid, learned and engaging’ * Karen Armstrong, Sunday Times *'Brown possesses formidable knowledge of premodern Muslim scholars who sought to preserve accounts of Muhammad’s teachings and practices … Misquoting Muhammad sheds light on the considerable dynamism and sophistication within the Sunni tradition.' -- Washington Post‘Exhilarating ... Brown is among the most talented and productive scholars in the field of Islamic Studies today ... He is also a practicing Muslim who has the rare ability to sit at the feet of traditional scholars from Egypt to Malaysia for hours on end and translate that knowledge into something beneficial for his American audiences.’ * Los Angeles Review of Books *'Identifies and contextualizes the larger interpretive issues at stake in the global competition between diverse traditional and Salafi Sunni voices, and is written in such an engaging manner that the reader may find it difficult to put it down.' * Journal of Shi'a Islamic Studies *‘Superb… an essential read for anyone seeking to understand Islam and the Muslim world… fascinating’ * Tribune *‘Brown ably navigates the cutting edge of Hadith studies while offering his able insight, encyclopedic knowledge of Muslim textual traditions, and awareness of the political contentiousness of scholarship in Islamic studies… highly recommended’ * ALA CHOICE Magazine *‘Misquoting Muhammad is a book I wish I had the money to buy for all my friends and colleagues, because he presents readers with a guide to Islamic thought that portrays it not as a fixed entity but as a complex product of utterly human machinations... Ultimately, Brown teaches a simple, if vital, lesson: Authenticity is elusive in religion, and those who claim it tend not to be searching for the truth but grasping for power.’ * Pacific Standard magazine *'Misquoting Muhammad makes the important point that what many Muslims believe to be essential tenets of their faith are often nothing of the sort' * Independent, best books of the year *‘There aren't many books on Islam where the Prophet Muhammad and Martin Scorsese appear together… helpful for the lay reader’ * Independent *‘an inside view into how key controversial aspects of how Islam took shape’ * Asian Art Newspaper *‘Erudite and provocative… compelling’ * Literary Review *'Eminently qualified... Brown eloquently parses Islam's rich interpretive tradition.' -- Kirkus Reviews‘An accessible yet erudite intellectual history of how the sayings and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad have been preserved and interpreted in Islamic history… This book is one of the best places to start with when seeking to understand the Islamic intellectual tradition.’ -- Chicago Review of BooksTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Notes on dates, transliteration, abbreviations and citations 1 The Problem(s) with Islam A world full of God Taking Islamic scripture and its interpreters seriously 2 A Map of the Islamic Interpretive Tradition The word of God, the teachings of His Prophet and the mind of man Obey God and obey His Messenger The beginnings of the Islamic interpretive tradition Abu Hanifa and the Partisans of Reason Malik and the authority of custom The power of reason: the Greek legacy and Islamic theology Shafi‘i and the beginnings of Sunni Islam The collection and criticism of Hadiths Putting reason in its place in Sunni theology and law The great convergence of Sunni Islam Legal theory and its discontents Sufism and inspiration from God The iconoclasts and Islamic revival Twilight of an era 3 The Fragile Truth of Scripture A crisis of confidence Canons and reading scripture with charity The turning over of an era Reading scripture so it’s true The Islamic science of epistemology and interpretation (Usul al-Fiqh) The language of God and the rhetoric of His Prophet The Qur’an: valid for all times and places Hadiths and interpreting the life of the Prophet Changing times and the reasons behind scriptural law The interaction of the Qur’an and Hadiths in time Into the weeds: the case of raising one’s hands in prayer The summer of the liberal age 4 Clinging to the Canon in a Ruptured World Upstarts at the end of time The treason of interpretation Heresy acceptable: ruptures in canonical communities Slay the unbelievers wherever you find them: jihad and (re)interpreting scripture Women cannot lead: historicizing scripture versus God’s inscrutable law Sex with little girls: interpreting scripture amid changing norms The ulama, the state and Shariah authenticity without scripture The court must not be political – morality and truth in a ruptured world 5 Muslim Martin Luthers and the Paradox of Tradition The paradox of interpretive control The rule of interpretation in the conflict between Sunni and Shiite Islam Tradition as governor, scripture as subject Killing one’s children: tradition betraying scripture Reconsidering the penalty for apostasy: tradition redeeming scripture Women leading prayer: should scripture trump tradition? The ‘Qur’an Only’ movement No escaping tradition The price of reformation The guide of tradition: a necessary but thankless job 6 Lying about the Prophet of God The truth, what’s that? Noble Lies and profound truths The ulama as guardians Appealing to the flesh: using unreliable Hadiths in Sunni Islam A familiar habit: assisting truth in Western scripture and historiography Seventy-two virgins: pragmatic truth and the heavenly reward of martyrs The cost of Noble Lying Muslim objections to the Noble Lie Genre versus book: reviving an old approach to authenticating Hadiths The dangers of Noble Lying for Muslims today Pragmatic truth and the beauty of Noble Lying 7 When Scripture Can’t Be True The Qur’an and domestic violence Who decides what God means? Courts have the final word Saying ‘no’ to the text and the hermeneutics of suspicion Appendix I: Marracci and Ockley on Aisha’s Marriage to the Prophet Appendix II: Hadiths on a Parent Killing His Child Ratings of the Hadith by Muslim critics Examination of individual narrations My evaluation of the Hadith Citations for Hadith of a Father Killing His Child Appendix III: The Hadith of riba and Incest Ratings by Hadith critics My evaluation of the Hadith of Riba and Incest Citations for the Hadith Appendix IV: The Hadith of the Seventy-Two Virgins Overall rating Citations for the Hadith of the Seventy-Two Virgins Notes Select Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisEvery generation has an uncanny tendency to view themselves as more enlightened than those that have gone before. The Church certainly has made mistakes all through history – and yet, no insights which we possess would be possible without the efforts, and even some of the mistakes, of our ancestors. The first volume of 2,000 Years of Christ’s Power covers the period from the 1st Century AD to the start of the Middle Ages. From the works of Saint Augustine of Hippo to the first apologetic ever penned, this time in history established the foundations of what we take for granted today.Trade ReviewNick 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)What 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)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)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)

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Book SynopsisThe inspiring life of Jim Elliot, a missionary who was martyred in the jungles of Ecuador as he attempted to reach the Huaorani people with the gospel. Few books have had such a great impact as this life and testament of Jim Elliot written by his wife, Elisabeth. He was a man of passion and a man of prayer, an earthly man with a heavenly mind, whose story continues to inspire today. Shadow of the Almighty chronicles Jim's journey from childhood in Oregon and his college days at Wheaton to the mission field of Ecuador where he eventually gave his life, aged 28. Full of journal excerpts and personal letters, we are introduced to this great man, his struggles, his ambitions, his loves, his dreams and his all-consuming passion for Christ and his kingdom. Discover the extraordinary story of Jim Elliot and be challenged to give your life wholeheartedly to Christ. Content Benefits: Uncover the inspirational story of Jim Elliot, one of the great missionary heroes of the faith, and be challenged to trust your whole life to God, whatever the circumstances. Inspiring story of a man of faith who trusted God Demonstrates the upmost courage and devotion to Christ Riveting account of a missionary's life in Ecuador Part of the new Classic Authentic Lives Series An inspiring and fascinating look at one of the heroes of the faith Ideal reading for those who have read Through Gates of Splendour Perfect book to encourage someone in their faith Ideal reading for anyone who loves to see God at work in the world Great gift idea for any occasion Binding - Paperback Pages - 368 Publisher - Authentic Media

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Book SynopsisAl-Ghazali on Patience and Thankfulness is a translation of the thirty-second chapter of The Revival of the Religions Sciences (Ihya'' ''Ulum al-Din). This chapter falls in the section dealing with the virtues or what is conducive to salvation. Ghazali here presents definitions for patience and its different forms; the need for patience; the degrees of patience; and why patience is considered to be half of faith.The second part of this chapter deals with thankfulness, and again Ghazali gives us definitions for thankfulness, its nature and its blessings. In addition to the translation, Dr Henry Littlejohn provides an extensive introduction which illustrates the importance of the topics of patience and thankfulness in Islam throughout the centuries.In this new edition, the Islamic Texts Society has included a translation of Imam Ghazali''s own Introduction to the Revival of the Religious Sciences which gives the reasons that caused him to write the work, the structure of the whole of the Revival, and places each of the chapters in the context of the others.

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Book SynopsisHumanity stands at the threshold of a new phase of Earth's planetary evolution. Breathtaking possibilities - in tune with the evolutionary path of the universe - are now available. Yet the question arises: Does humanity have the ideas, foresight and potential for action that could create a culture that corresponds to the planet's transformation? In the midst of distressing ecological crises, Marko Pogacnik offers fresh hope. Having worked intensively in the fields of holistic ecology (geomancy) and Earth-healing for four decades, he now formulates a vision of a culture based on co-creation with Gaia (the Earth), her elemental worlds and beings from parallel evolutions. Creating Gaia Culture is also a workbook, featuring dozens of drawings and meditative exercises to help transcend mental obstacles by cultivating the quality of living imagination. Pogacnik - UNO Goodwill Ambassador and UNESCO Artist for Peace - presents numerous ways to collaborate with the process of creating Gaia culture. He allows us to look into the primeval source of the future by interpreting the ancient book of the biblical Apocalypse - a text that holds the secret of Earth changes in a coded vision of a new human civilization - and uses his experiences, visions, dream stories and communications with beings from parallel worlds to trigger pictures that can enable a new human culture become a tactile reality.Table of ContentsPart 1: Introduction - Exercises 1 with Gaia messages and imaginations - Part 2: Gaia Culture-Individual aspects - Exercises 2 - Part 3: Apocalypse as a matrix of the future culture - Exercises 3 - Part 4: Recreating Human Society - Exercises 4 - Part 5: Cooperation with parallel worlds - Exercises 5 - Conclusion: Arriving at the threshold of Gaia Culture - Gaia Culture Manifesto

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Book Synopsis"Wow, this devotional is meant for such a time as this! Grace is Enough is filled with daily truth to fight the lies of the world with God's truth, prayer and real-life encouraging messages to bring you into a life filled with His peace." - Sadie Robertson HuffFor days when you're feeling stressed, worried, or simply seeking inspiration, this beautifully written women's devotional will lift you up and help you find calm amid the chaos of life today.Grace Is Enough is a 30-day devotional for women who are seeking to build confidence and fight anxiety with the use of God's word. Through poignant personal essays and stories from the Bible, author Courtney Fidell shares inspiring messages to help you overcome your insecurities and find freedom and peace through the power of prayer.Grace Is Enough features:30 days of devotional passages featuring the author's personal essays and Bible stories to help you ease common anxieties and insecurities, like feeling unqualified, jealous, fearful, restless, or overwhelmedOriginal prayers and personal reflections to help you process your own thoughts and feelingsModern artwork and minimalist design

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Book SynopsisIn this ground-breaking approach to golf instruction, Dr Joseph Parent, both a noted PGA Tour coach and a respected Buddhist teacher, draws on this natural connection to teach golfers how to play with more consistency and less frustration, and consequently how to lower their scores.When body and mind are synchronized, we can uncover our inherent dignity and confidence. The ultimate goal is not just to help people become better golfers, but better human beings.'Zen Golf offers a fresh perspective for golf and for life. Instead of focusing on what''s wrong with us what''s broken, flawed or missing we can take the attitude that there is something fundamentally, essentially right with us.In chapters such as How to Get from the Practice Tee to the First Tee', You Practice What You Fear', and How to Enjoy a Bad Round of Golf', author Joseph Parent shows how to make one's mind an ally rather than an enemy: how to stay calm, clear the interference that leads to bad shots, and eliminate bad hTrade Review‘The lessons in Zen Golf make the mental game seem so simple’ Vijay Singh, current World No 1 Golfer ‘Soothing and enlightening, Zen Golf exposes us to the storm-tossed waters of the golfer’s psyche’ Golf Digest ‘In Buddhism, if you want to achieve enlightenment, you have to do it through meditation and self-improvement through the mind. That’s something my mother passed on to me: to be able to calm myself down and use my mind as my main asset’ Tiger Woods

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Book SynopsisIt all began in June 2005 when Bobby Henderson wrote an open letter to the Kansas School Board proposing a third alternative to the teaching of evolution and intelligent design in schools.Bobby is a prophet of sorts, the spiritual leader of a growing, world-wide group of followers who worship the teachings of The Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM).The FSM appeared to Bobby as a giant ball of spaghetti, with meatballs for eyes, and touched Bobby with His noodly appendage resulting in the revelation that the FSM is the real creator of the universe. The FSM faithful look to Bobby as their prophet and spiritual leader. Shortly after Bobby's revelation a website (www.flyingspaghettimonster.org) came into existence to promote the word. Then came the articles, which were worldwide: The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian (UK), Die Welt (Germany), Surprise (Austria), and many others chimed in to report the existence of the FSM. Bobby received letters of support from academics and Ka

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Book SynopsisA milestone in the history of popular theology, The Screwtape Letters' is an iconic classic on spiritual warfare and the power of the devil.This profound and striking narrative takes the form of a series of letters from Screwtape, a devil high in the Infernal Civil Service, to his nephew Wormwood, a junior colleague engaged in his first mission on earth trying to secure the damnation of a young man who has just become a Christian. Although the young man initially looks to be a willing victim, he changes his ways and is lost' to the young devil.Dedicated to Lewis's friend and colleague J.R.R. Tolkien, The Screwtape Letters' is a timeless classic on spiritual conflict and the invisible realities which are part of our religious experience.Trade Review‘The book is sparkling yet truly reverent, in fact a perfect joy, and should become a classic.’ The Guardian ‘Excellent, hard-hitting, challenging, provoking.’ The Observer

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Book SynopsisThis striking one-volume edition marks the 75th anniversary of Lewis's classic SF trilogy featuring the adventures of Dr Ransom on Mars, Venus and Earth. It includes an exclusive Foreword compiled from letters by J.R.R. Tolkien, who inspired Lewis to write the first volume.The Space Trilogy is a remarkable work of fantasy, demonstrating the powerful imagination of C.S..Lewis. This new one-volume edition marks the 75th Anniversary of the first publication of Out of the Silent Planet with an exclusive Foreword by J.R.R. Tolkien, on whom the main character of Ransom was largely based.OUT OF THE SILENT PLANETDr Ransom, a Cambridge academic, is abducted and taken on a spaceship to the red planet of Malacandra, which he knows as Mars. His captors are plotting to plunder the planet's treasures and offer Ransom as a sacrifice to the creatures who live therePERELANDRAHaving escaped from Mars, Dr Ransom is called to the paradise planet of Perelandra, or Venus. When his old enemy also arrives andTrade Review“Exciting, and highly approved.” J.R.R. Tolkien “This book has real splendour, compelling moments and a flowing narrative.” New York Times “An extravagant mingling of dream and realism…excellent and thrilling reading.” Daily Telegraph “Remarkable… a rare power of inventive imagination” Times Literary Supplement

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