Religion and beliefs Books

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Book SynopsisThis major sourcebook provides significant primary readings from the history of Christian theology on the topics of creation and humanity. Beginning with an extended introduction, McFarland fleshes out the topics of creation and humanity in sections such as "God as Creator," "The Human Creature," "Evil and Sin," and "Providence," and provides a...

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Book SynopsisFeaturing a selection from over 80 key texts, this anthology aims to help the reader to understand the common origins of religious expression and of literature. The texts included cover classical literature, the Bible, English and European classics and contemporary works.

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Book SynopsisIn an age obsessed with wealth, Christians seem to have forgotten that scripture encourages believers to give to the poor. Why do 1.3 billion people live in abject poverty? And what should Christians do about it?Despite a dramatic reduction in world hunger, 34,000 children still die daily of starvation and preventable disease, and 1.3 billion people around the world remain in abject poverty.Dr. Ron Sider, a professor of theology, examines the issues of poverty and hunger in modern society. While the Bible is full of instructions to care for the poor and warns against being seduced by riches, it’s been statistically proven that the richer countries become, the less they give. Finding that conservatives blame what they consider to be morally reprehensible individual choices, and liberals blame what they believe to be constrictive social and economic policy, Dr. Sider finds himself agreeing with both sides.First published in 1978, Rich Ch

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Book SynopsisGrowing out of two decades of teaching and practice, Finding God Again: Spirituality for Adults addresses, in an experiential and pastoral way, the need to re-envision God as we grow from an adolescent to adult spirituality. John Shea, a renowned pastoral counselor and teacher, shows how we can lose touch with religion, spirituality, and a belief in God because of times when our image of God is too narrow, unreal, or inadequate to make sense of our experience. Shea uses real life stories to illustrate and offer a life-changing challenge to leave behind the Superego God of childhood in favor of a Living God we can relate to as adults. By showing the reader how to revisit God as an adult, Shea provides the motivation and method to embrace a Living God and claim the independence and responsibility that accompany genuine adulthood.Trade ReviewIn our culture, so preoccupied with self-realization, human potential and spiritual practice, this book on spiritual transformation is both timely and solid. John Shea is extremely well-grounded in both psychology and spirituality. Using the wisdom of both, and with copious illustrations from the experience of real people, Shea offers a clear exposition of the inter-relationship between images of God's relationship to us and human maturity. This is not a simple self-help book. There are no easy fixes. What it offers is a penetrating and enlivening prospectus of why our images of God need to 'grow up', how this comes about and the impact such transformation has on our spiritual and psychological maturity and well-being. -- Philip Sheldrake, William Leech Professor, University of Durham, UKOur experience of things is shaped by our capacity to experience them. This is true of our image of God. As human beings grow and change and develop, so too does their way of understanding and relating to the infinite self-gift of God. With wisdom and insight drawn from both theology and counseling, John Shea leads us from a 'God' who is a (more or less) benign despot to the living God who is the source of all our creativity and energy and capacity to love. This is a book that will be of importance for all spiritual directors, counselors, religious educators, and pastoral ministers. Those they serve will be grateful that they read it. -- Rev. Michael J. Himes, Professor, Theology Department, Boston CollegeThis book is a wake up call: If we want to be truly religious, John Shea tells us that we must become adults capable of mutuality with God and others. We must move from the routine of religious practices to the engagement of a personal religion. -- Ana-María Rizzuto, training and supervising psychoanalyst, The Psychoanalytic Institute of New England, EastFor so many of us, our God is too small—the one we learned about in first grade, alongside Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, and Tooth Fairy. If we don't grow beyond this, our faith can falter and fail to sustain us, especially in difficult times. John Shea's book invites us to grow up and to bring God with us, to recognize that all of our symbols and language for the Divine falls far short of the reality and yet to know more deeply the Ultimate Mystery who loves us. This book will sustain, renew, or jump start again the reader's journey in faith. -- Thomas H. Groome, author of What Makes Us Catholic and director of the Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry at Boston CollegeTable of ContentsPart 1 Part I: The Superego God Chapter 2 Chapter 1:The Adolescing Self Chapter 3 Chapter 2: Imaging and Fettered Imaging Chapter 4 Chapter 3: Characteristics of the Superego God Chapter 5 Chapter 4: Adolescing Religion and Formal Religion Chapter 6 Chapter 5: Images of the Superego God Part 7 Part II: The Living God Chapter 8 Chapter 6: The Adult Self Chapter 9 Chapter 7: Unfettered Imaging and Religious Experiencing Chapter 10 Chapter 8: Characteristics of the Living God Chapter 11 Chapter 9: Adult Religion and Integral Spirituality Chapter 12 Chapter 10: Images of the Living God Part 13 Part III: Transformation: From The Superego God to The Living God Chapter 14 Chapter 11: Transformation and Why It Gets So Little Attention Chapter 15 Chapter 12: What Hinders Transformation Chapter 16 Chapter 13: What Facilitates Transformation Chapter 17 Chapter 14: Images of Transformation Chapter 18 Conclusion

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Book SynopsisKhaled Abou El Fadl is a classically-trained Islamic jurist, an American lawyer and law professor, and one of the most important Islamic thinkers today. In this updated and expanded edition of The Search for Beauty in Islam, Abou El Fadl offers eye-opening and enlightening insights into the contemporary realities of the current state of Islam and the West. Through a conference of the books, an imagined conference of Muslim intellects from centuries past, Abou El Fadl examines the ugliness that has come to plague Muslim realities and attempts to reclaim what he maintains is a core moral value in Islam-the value of beauty. Does Islamic law allow, or even call for, the gruesome acts of ugliness that have become so commonly associated with Islam today? Has Islam become a religion devoid of beauty, compassion and love? Based on actual cases, this book tackles different issues and problems in each chapter through a post-9/11 lens, discussing such topics as marriage, divorce, parental rights, the position of women, the veil, sexual abuse, wife-beating, terrorism, bigotry, morality, law, and the role of tradition. Abou El Fadl argues that the rekindling of the forgotten value of beauty is essential for Muslims today to take back what has been lost to the fundamentalist forces that have denigrated their religion.Trade ReviewEl Fadl attempts to offer interpretations that are humanistic and accommodating to modern values, yet simultaneously challenging for traditionalist scholars and preachers. -- An-Chi Hoh Dianu * The Library Quarterly *This highly original book is in part a dialogue with Muslim scholars in the past, and, in part, a hymn to an enthralling vision that 'beauty' is to bring life to the truth of the Prophet. The dialogue shows the enormous breadth of [the author's] reading in classic works of learning by Muslims, and his vision suggests a new spiritual esthetic, which is both inspiring and challenging. -- Roy Parviz Mottahedeh, Gurney Professor of History, Harvard UniversityKhaled Abou El Fadl is emerging as a major Muslim voice for the twenty-first century. Conference of the Books is an excellent introduction to the ideas, insights, and reflections of this important scholar of Islam and Islamic law, author, and poet. -- John L. Esposito, Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown UniversityDr. Khaled Abou El Fadl, the most important scholar writing on Islamic jurisprudence and its development in the American context today, sets a high standard here for legal discourse and practice among North American Muslims. -- Karen Leonard, Professor of Anthropology, University of California, IrvineEach independent essay may be read in any order, but collectively they illustrate richness and diversity. -- Charles C. Kolb, National Endowment for the Humanities, Religious Studies Review

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Book SynopsisMagic and Mysticism: An Introduction to Western Esoteric Traditions is a concise overview, from antiquity to the present, of all the major Western religious esoteric movements. Topics covered include alchemy, Gnosticism, Hermeticism, Rosicrucianism, Theosophy and many more.Trade ReviewArthur Versluis’ prolific writings on Western esoteric thought continue to shape and define the field. His current work, Magic and Mysticism, provides lucid insight into a scarcely known tradition that continues to exert a tremendous influence on the way we see our lives, and beyond. The breadth of his coverage alone is a reason to read the book. -- David Appelbaum, SUNY New PaltzMagic and Mysticism: An Introduction to Western Esoteric Traditions is an ambitious recasting of the gnostic insight that has inspired and influenced countless writers through the ages. Arthur Versluis, one of the generation's more prolific scholars of esotericism, has produced a volume that is both comprehensive in scope and exacting in detail. Moving beyond previous studies that separate mysticism and magic, Versluis argues that these two products of human imagination, which are not entirely reducible to rational analysis, need to be juxtaposed, as they help us define the larger spectrum of the esoteric. I have little doubt that this work will be of great interest to specialist and non-specialist alike, to historians of mysticism and esotericism in particular, and to students of comparative religion more generally. -- Elliot R. Wolfson, New York UniversityPersecuted throughout the ages by orthodox Christians and marginalized by scholars until recently, esotericism and esotericists have finally come into their own. In this succinct, deftly organized, and lucidly written account, Arthur Versluis presents a history of western esotericism from antiquity to the present. His book will appeal to anyone interested in the 'third' or 'gnostic' component of western thought, which provided and still provides a middle path between faith and reason for those striving for spiritual enlightenment. -- Alison Coudert, University of California, DavisA remarkably clear, erudite, and concise guide to a field that has been far too long neglected. Versluis manages to compress an enormous amount of research and insight into a short space. This will be an extremely useful tool for scholars and seekers alike. -- Richard Smoley, coauthor of Hidden Wisdom: A Guide to the Western Inner TraditionsVersluis brings a delightful balance between scholarly attention to detail and a warm understanding of the subject and the characters involved. Magic and Mysticism is joy to read and ideal for anyone who wants to understand the importance of esotericism on Western culture and why it is still important to us today. -- Mark Stavish, Institute for Hermetic Studies, author of The Path of AlchemyArthur Versluis has written a wonderfully concise overview and analysis of Western esotericism. The scholarship is wide-ranging and up to date, yet the tone is quite readable and not overly academic. -- Jay Kinney, former editor and publisher of GnosisThis newest work by an outstanding American scholar of Western Esotericism offers an integrative interpretation of three critical themes: gnosis, magic, and mysticism. Surveying the intertwined histories of these themes, the author provides a multitude of insights on the creative interactions between various historical schools, individuals, and historic periods, all set against the social dynamics of anti-esoteric and heresiophobic rhetoric. This is a crucial, transdiciplinary review that brings new definition and nuance to the study of Western Esotericism. In addition, the section on Theosophy give new scope and depths to that topic and shows its formative influence on contemporary esoteric thought and practice. Highly recommended. -- Lee Irwin, College of CharlestonTable of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Antiquity Chapter 3 Late Antiquity: Hermetism, Gnosticism, Jewish Mysticism, Christian Gnosis Chapter 4 The Medieval Era Chapter 5 The Renaissance Chapter 6 Early Modern Esoteric Currents Chapter 7 Modern Christian Theosophy Chapter 8 Western Esotericism Today Chapter 9 Conclusion

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Book SynopsisThe worldwide church of the 21st century

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Book SynopsisHow can we live on a daily basis with increasing integrity, wholeness and well-being?

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Book SynopsisChildren can suffer enormous emotional damage when their parents divorce, but there are ways to help them through the process .

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Book SynopsisThe enthralling story of how Christianity emerged in the first centuries AD

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Book SynopsisRecent incidents in the United States have drawn much attention towards Islam and its followers. Unfortunately, these incidents combined with the public''s lack of knowledge about Islam and its intellectual heritage have caused many to view Islam in a negative light. In Islam Beyond Terrorists and Terrorism, Dr. Iftekhar Mahmood provides readers with a brief introduction to the life and contributions of the most influential Muslims throughout history. Dr. Mahmood details the lives of various Muslim scholars, scientists, philosophers, writers, politicians, rulers, religious figures, and military commanders, in an effort to educate both Muslims and non-Muslims.Table of ContentsChapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Introduction Chapter 3 A Brief History of Islam Chapter 4 Khalid Bin Walid Chapter 5 Hasan al-Basri Chapter 6 Mohammad Bin Qasim Chapter 7 Abu Hanifa Chapter 8 Abd-ar Rahman I Chapter 9 Jabir Ibn Hayyan Chapter 10 Al-Jahiz Chapter 11 Ibn Hanbal Chapter 12 Al-Khwarizmi Chapter 13 Al-Mamun Chapter 14 Al-Kindi Chapter 15 Ibn Junayd Chapter 16 Al-Tabari Chapter 17 Al-Battani Chapter 18 Al-Razi Chapter 19 Al-Ashari Chapter 20 Al-Farabi Chapter 21 Al-Masudi Chapter 22 Abd-ar Rahman III Chapter 23 Firdowsi Chapter 24 Abu al-Wefa Chapter 25 Al-Haytham Chapter 26 Mahmud Ghaznavi Chapter 27 Al-Biruni Chapter 28 Ibnsina Chapter 29 Ibn Hazm Chapter 30 Nizam al-Mulk Tusi Chapter 31 Alp Arslan Chapter 32 Omar Khayyam Chapter 33 Al-Ghazali Chapter 34 Yusuf Ibn Tashfin Chapter 35 Ibn Tumart Chapter 36 Ibn Zuhr Chapter 37 Abd al-Mumin Chapter 38 Ibn Bajjah Chapter 39 Al-Idrisi Chapter 40 Ibn Tufyl Chapter 41 Ibn Rushd Chapter 42 Salahuddin Ayubi Chapter 43 Moinuddin Chishti Chapter 44 Fakhr al-Din Razi Chapter 45 Suharawardi Chapter 46 Altamsh Chapter 47 Al-Arabi Chapter 48 Saadi Chapter 49 Rumi Chapter 50 Baybars Chapter 51 Ibn Taymiyya Chapter 52 Mahmud Ghazan Chapter 53 Mansa Musa Chapter 54 Ibn Battutah Chapter 55 Hafiz Chapter 56 Ibn Khaldun Chapter 57 Timur Chapter 58 Jami Chapter 59 Mehmed II Chapter 60 Muhammad Askia Chapter 61 Babur Chapter 62 Suleyman the Magnificient Chapter 63 Akbar Chapter 64 Shah Abbas I Chapter 65 Shahjahan Chapter 66 Abd-al Wahhab Chapter 67 Siraj Ad-Dawalah Chapter 68 Tipu Sultan Chapter 69 Mirza Ghalib Chapter 70 Abd al-Qadir Chapter 71 Sir Syed Ahmed Khan Chapter 72 Muhammad Ahmad al-Mahdi Chapter 73 Mohammad Abduh Chapter 74 Jinnah Chapter 75 Iqbal Chapter 76 Ibn Saud Chapter 77 Ataturk Chapter 78 Sukarno Chapter 79 Khomeini Chapter 80 Faisal Chapter 81 Nasir Chapter 82 Sadat Chapter 83 Mujib ur-Rahman Chapter 84 Bibliography Chapter 85 Index

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsChapter 1 Prologue Chapter 2 Introduction Chapter 3 Christology: Underlying Principles of Christology; Underlying Principles of Servetian and Swedenborgian Christology Chapter 4 The History of the Trinity: The Earliest Christology and Concepts of the Trinity; The Arian Controversy; The Nicene Creed; The Athanasian Creed; The Divine and Human in Christ; The Resolution of the Council of Ephesus Chapter 5 Michael Servetus Chapter 6 On the Errors of the Trinity in Seven Books

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Book SynopsisMatthew 1-2 and the Virginal Conception examines early Palestinian and Hellenistic Jewish accounts of the birth of Israel's first redeemer, Moses. The author shows how these accounts provide the background of Mary's "virginal conception" of Jesus, Israel's final redeemer, in Matthew 1-2.Trade ReviewAs ever with Aus, there are always plenty of new things for the reader to learn, especially with his typically impressive array of rabbinic interpretations…Ultimately, there are few scholars who can match Aus's proficiency in both rabbinic sources and the NT texts, coupled with a genuinely critical attitude…Is it really worth the risk for historically and literary minded scholars to ignore Aus's profound expertise in such areas any longer? * Review of Biblical Literature *Perhaps the most systematic presentation available of all the possible connections between the [Matthean story and elements of haggadic midrash about the birth of Moses]. -- Wayne Meeks, Yale University * Review of Biblical Literature *Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction: The Septuagint; Ezekiel the Tragedian; Jubilees; Philo; Pseudo-Philo; Josephus; The Midrashim Chapter 2 Flight to Egypt Because of Mortal Danger, and Return from there at the Death of the Persecutor Chapter 3 Astrologers' Announcement to the King of the Birth of Israel's Savior, and the King's Dread Chapter 4 Search for the Newborn Child in Order to Destroy It, Up to the Age of Two, and Jer 31:15: Searching For; Destroying/Killing the Future Deliverer; Children Two Years and Under in the Region of Bethlehem: Children Two Years and Younger; The "Region Chapter 5 Mary, Miriam and the Holy Spirit, and the Infants Jesus and Moses as Future Saviors: Mary and Miriam; The Holy Spirit and Mary/Miriam; Mary and Jochebed to Bear the Savior of Israel Chapter 6 The Marriages of Joseph and Mary, and Amram and Jochebed: Joseph and Amram: Taking a Wife; Divorcing One's Fiancée/Wife; Being Righteous; Divine Assurance to Joseph and Amram in a Dream; Taking One's Wife Back; Quietly; Apparent Illegitimacy; Chapter 7 Summary Chapter 8 Other Parallels to the Virginal Conception from the History of Religions; Judaic Allegations of Jesus' Illegitimacy; Haggadah and the Historicity of the Virginal Conception Chapter 9 An Ecumenical Epilogue Chapter 10 Sources and References Works Chapter 11 About the Author Chapter 12 Index of Modern Authors

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Book SynopsisCourageous Conversations is designed to assist with the complexities of pastoral supervision in a variety of settings, such as local congregations, seminary programs of field education, clinical pastoral education, clinical training of spiritual directors and certified pastoral counselors, and more. The preparation and training of supervisors is diverse and often learned through on-the-job-training. This book draws on a wide variety of experienced supervisors in clinical pastoral education to seminary faculty members. The topics covered in the book address very pragmatic aspects of supervision, for pastors in local congregations who supervise seminary interns to well-developed theoretical aspects of supervisory education that are utilized in clinical pastoral education. Readers of this book will benefit from theoretical viewpoints as well as practical hands-on application to their ministry. Special attention is given to the task, purpose, and methods of pastoral supervision, and helpfuTrade ReviewThis diverse collection of substantive essays advocates for pastoral or spiritual supervision that is transformational, intersubjective, mutually vulnerable, improvisational, consistently empathic, trustworthy, and attentive to the particular and universal in every context. William DeLong has edited a much-needed update on the practice of supervision for ministry in settings that are increasingly pluralistic and influenced by postmodern perspectives. -- Herbert Anderson, Ph.D, editor of Reflective Practice: Formation and Supervision in Ministry and research professor in practical theology at Pacific LutThis book presents its editor's efforts to put together with his colleagues conversations capable of shaping pastoral supervision for the next 15 years. It is an excellent update for anyone doing supervision, particularly in the implications of postmodern thinking in their practice. Each contributor presents from a solid theoretical basis, a wealth of clinical experience, and a willingness to put their ideas on the line. Forthright discussions of sexuality, ethics, mutual self-disclosure, empathic participation in one another's lives, and spiritual experience approach the courage suggested by its title. -- David Steere, Ph.D., author of The Supervision of Pastoral Care, Spiritual Presence in Psychotherapy and Rediscovering ConfessionTable of ContentsChapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Preface Chapter 3 Acknowledgments Chapter 4 Chapter 1: Focusing Upon Skill Development Chapter 5 Chapter 2: Reflecting Theologically Chapter 6 Chapter 3: Pastoral Supervision and Field Education Chapter 7 Chapter 4: A Theological Anthropology for Tranformational Education Chapter 8 Chapter 5: Teología de conjunto: Not Just for Latinas/os Anymore Chapter 9 Chapter 6: Postmodern Theologies and Supervision Chapter 10 Chapter 7: From Object to Subject Chapter 11 Chapter 8: Power and the Supervisory Relationship Chapter 12 Chapter 9: Looking Toward the Future of Pastoral Supervision Chapter 13 Chapter 10: Supervising in a Modern and Postmodern Age Chapter 14 Chapter 11: Reconsidering Supervision as an Ethical Endeavor Chapter 15 Chapter 12: Sexuality in Clinical Supervision Chapter 16 Chapter 13: Expanding Dimensions of Spiritual Direction and Development Chapter 17 Chapter 14: CPE Supervision: Past and Present Chapter 18 Chapter 15: Pastoral Counseling Supervision: Self, Psyche, and Soul Chapter 19 Chapter 16: Supervising the Spiritual Self Chapter 20 Index Chapter 21 Contributors

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Book SynopsisCrazy Culture is a series of broadsides against many widely held misconceptions in both academe and the general public, who is often seen clustering under the politically correct banner of multiculturalism. Heinegg confronts the notion that all cultureespecially that of non-westerners and oppressed minoritiesis somehow good in itself and that outsiders have no right to criticize or condemn any cultures except their own. He also challenges the view that the term culture applies primarily to a handful of masterpieces, as opposed to the great bulk of artistic products and folkways, and that the proper attitude toward the vast spectrum of culture, past and present, is sentimental admiration. Surveying both the history and ideology of cultural realms such as our treatment of animals, religion, sexual norms, politics, economics, urban life, the arts, and athletics, Heinegg deftly identifies and explains ubiquitous traces of cultural sins by humanity.Table of ContentsPrelude Introduction I. The Primal Sin II. The Sexist Sins III. The Religious Sins IV. The Urban Sins V. The Sins of Technology VI. The Economic Sins VII. The Political Sins VIII. The Narcissistic Sins IX. The Artistic Sins X. The Ludic Sins Conclusion

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Book SynopsisQuestions and Answers on Conversion to Judaism is a unique, one-volume reference book on joining the Jewish people. Consisting of one hundred of the most commonly asked questions, this practical guide addresses every aspect of conversion in a clear and coherent manner.

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