Religion: general Books

Book SynopsisWitchcraft, astrology, divination and every kind of popular magic flourished in England during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, from the belief that a blessed amulet could prevent the assaults of the Devil to the use of the same charms to recover stolen goods. At the same time the Protestant Reformation attempted to take the magic out of religion, and scientists were developing new explanations of the universe. Keith Thomas''s classic analysis of beliefs held on every level of English society begins with the collapse of the medieval Church and ends with the changing intellectual atmosphere around 1700, when science and rationalism began to challenge the older systems of belief.Trade ReviewMonumental ... with a living treasure on each page, and probably the book that, in my whole life, I've pressed on other people most energetically. (Selected people, of course. They have to care for history, and they need a sense of wonder and a sense of fun.) -- Hilary Mantel * New York Times *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisAt a time when Christianity is flourishing in the Southern hemisphere but declining in much of the West, this Very Short Introduction offers an important overview of the world''s largest religion.Exploring the cultural and institutional dimensions of Christianity, and tracing its course over two millennia, Linda Woodhead provides a fresh, lively, and candid portrait of Christianity''s past and present. Addressing topics including the competition for power between different forms of Christianity, the churches'' use of power, and its struggles with modernity, this new edition includes up to date information on the growth and geographical spread of Eastern Christianity, reflecting the global nature of Christianity in our ever-shifting contemporary culture. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewLinda Woodhead has chosen to revise her 2004 book in the Oxford 'Very Short Introduction' series and this is well worth a read. * Adrian Alker, Modern Believing *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Jesus: the God-man ; 2. Christian signs and symbols ; 3. The spread of Christianity ; 4. Church and biblical Christianity ; 5. Mystical Christianity ; 6. Modern Christianity ; Conclusion ; Further reading ; Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisA New York Times bestseller that has sparked debate about the future of Christianity.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisExam board: OCRLevel: A-levelSubject: Religious StudiesFirst teaching: September 2016First exams: Summer 2018 Strengthen and refine the understanding and skills that your students require to excel in OCR A Level Religious Studies.Written by subject specialists with examining experience, this time-saving Workbook can be used flexibly for classwork or homework, throughout the course or for revision and exam practice.- Review knowledge with content summaries that will provide a concise overview of what students need to know for the exam- Develop exam skills with practice questions that check understanding and highlight common pitfalls- Build exam confidence as students work through the exam-style questions provided, giving them the chance to practise and perfect their technique- Save marking time and help students understand how to improve their responses by consulting the online answers supplied for all questions

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book introduces students to the so-called classics of the field from the 19th and 20th centuries, whilst challenging readers to apply a critical lens. Instead of representing scholars and their works as virtually timeless, each contributor provides sufficient background on the classic work in question so that readers not only understand its novelty and place in its own time, but are able to arrive at a critical understanding of whether its approach to studying religion continues to be useful to them today. Scholars discussed include Muller, Durkheim, Freud and Eliade. Fieldnotes in the Critical Study of Religion: Revisiting Classical Theorists therefore offers a novel way into writing both a history and ethnography of the discipline, helping readers to see how it has changed and inviting them to consider whatif anythingendures and thereby unites these diverse authors into a common field.Trade ReviewThis book represents the field’s historical richness and curiosities like no other. 13 modern scholars of religion are in conversation with a partner from the field’s past; the engagements are sometimes contrary, often celebratory, and always insightful. The volume is a model of how to read the founders and ancestors of the critical study of religion. * Willi Braun, Professor Emeritus of Religion, University of Alberta, Canada *This is a much-needed book. Those of us who teach theory and method courses face an annual dilemma: should we teach the classics in the field, and, if so, how best to do so? This book steers us ably through the shoals by offering approaches to these earlier works that both acknowledge their contribution but also dismantle their problematic, often colonialist, assumptions and approaches. * Adele Reinhartz, Professor of Religious Studies, University of Ottawa, Canada *We stand not on the shoulders of giants, but of people who asked many of the same questions that we do today. Fieldnotes in the Critical Study of Religion is a constructive reassessment of our scholarly forebears that shows us that even if their answers no longer satisfy, the issues they addressed are still topical. * David G. Robertson, Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies, The Open University, UK *Table of ContentsList of Contributors Preface: Taking Notes in the Field of Religious Studies: Critical Methods, Vaia Touna (The University of Alabama, USA) Introduction: Revisiting the Past…, Again, Aaron W. Hughes and Russell T. McCutcheon (The University of Alabama, USA) 1. Friedrich Max Muller, Brent Nongbri (MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Norway) 2. William James, Emily Clark (Gonzaga University, USA) 3. Edward B. Tylor, Mitsutoshi Horii (Shumei University, Japan) 4. Joseph Kitagawa, Christopher M. Jones(Washburn University, USA) 5. James Frazer, Krista Dalton(Kenyon College in Gambier, USA) 6. Wilfred Cantwell Smith, Edith Szanto (The University of Alabama, USA) 7. Sigmund Freud, Robyn Walsh (University of Miami, USA) 8. Gerardus van der Leeuw, Tenzan Eaghll (Mahidol University, Thailand) 9. Rudolf Otto, Martha Smith Roberts (Fullerton College, USA) 10. Carl Jung, Lauren Griffin 11. Bronislaw Malinowski, Brett Esaki(University of Arizona, USA) 12. Mircea Eliade, Joseph Winters (Duke University, USA) 13. Max Weber, Andrew Tobolowsky (College of William and Mary, USA) Afterword: Revisiting Classics and Plotting Futures for the Field of Religious Studies, Richard Newton (The University of Alabama, USA) Notes Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisBelievers from a variety of faith communities were asked to assess how the Covid pandemic has affected their faith. The anthology collects their responses to key questions, such as: How does your faith explain why such events occur? How has it affected your religious practices? What changes has it necessitated? What differences might we expect once the pandemic is over? What have we learned from it? Two exponents of each major religion and a number of minority faiths comment on these issues, combined with a concluding essay by the editors assessing the overall impact of the pandemic on religion worldwide. Faiths explored include Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, Shinto, Sikh Baha'i, Jain, African Traditional Religion, Zoroastrian, Unitarian, Jehovah's Witnesses and Christian Science.Trade ReviewFor religions of all kinds, the imperative to remember is of great importance. As we tentatively move into a post-Covid society, it is easy to forget the impact the pandemic had on our understanding and practice of faith and spirituality. This remarkable collection of reflections from a very wide range of traditions should serve as a multi-faceted reminder to the deep religious and ethical issues which Covid created, uncovered and amplified. * Michael Ipgrave OBE, Bishop of Lichfield, UK *By sharing experiences of the Covid Pandemic, people of different countries and beliefs will be better prepared to act together in the event of future global threats to peace and prosperity. * Marcus Braybrooke, Former President of the World Congress of Faiths, UK *George D. Chryssides and Dan Cohn-Sherbok have assembled an informed collection of contributors who provide a comparative window into how adherents of a wide variety of religious traditions responded to the global pandemic. Readers will learn not only how differently the religions understood and responded to the traumatic events, but also how united the human species is in drawing upon religion in times of need. * John W. Morehead, Director, Evangelical Chapter of the Foundation for Religious Diplomacy/Multifaith Matters, USA *A collection of insightful responses and reflections from a wide variety of religious voices that are valuable in themselves and, as Rowan Williams says in the foreword, “They suggest that the process of distilling what is to be learned from the pandemic will need spiritual insight, not just a superficial optimism about doing better next time." * David Steers, Editor of Faith and Freedom, UK *Table of ContentsNotes on Contributors Foreword, Rowan Williams, Former Archbishop of Canterbury Acknowledgements Table of Acronyms 1. Covid and Religion – Christopher Lewis, (Dean Emeritus, Christchurch Cathedral, Oxford, UK) 2. Pandemics and Jewish Responses – Oliver Leaman (University of Kentucky, USA) 3. Some Jewish Perspectives from the United States – David J. Zucker (Rabbi and Author, UK) 4. Covid, Communion and Christianity – Clare Amos (World Council of Churches, Switzerland) 5. We Can’t Forget: Conservative Protestants in the COVID-19 Pandemic – Camille Kaminski Lewis (Furman University, USA) 6. “What people's hands have earned”: Islamic perspectives on Covid – Usama Hasan (Al Quran Society, UK) 7. Glimpses into Islamic Perspectives and Practice – Farhana Mayer (University of Oxford, UK) 8. Turning to Medicine is Not Turning Away from God: Hindu Resilience in a Pandemic – Anantanand Rambachan (St Olaf College, Minnesota, USA) 9. Karma, Chanting, Love, and Zoom; Hindu Responses to a Pandemic – Shaunaka Rishi Das (Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, UK) and Utsa Bose 10. The Buddha’s Prescription for the World: How People Used Buddhism to Cope with the Pandemic – Bogodá Seelawimala (Head of the London Buddhist Vihara and the Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain, UK) 11. Covid and Theravada Buddhism – Peter Harvey (University of Sunderland, UK) 12. Fostering Everyday Culture at Shinto Shrines under Covid – Taishi Kato (Shinto Priest, Hattori Tenjingu Shrine, Osaka, Japan) 13. The Significance of Matsuri festivals in Shinto during Epidemics – Koji Suga (Kokugakuin University, Japan) 14. Covid and Sewa: Practising Sikhi during a Global Pandemic – Tejpaul Singh Bainiwal (University of Southern California Riverside, USA) 15. Sikh Scriptemics during Pandemic – Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh (Colby College, USA) 16. Navigating the Covid-19 Pandemic: Building Resilience: Reflections of a Bahá’í – Wendi Momen (University of Derby, UK) 17. World-Embracing Vision Against World-Threatening Pandemic – George Merchant Ballentyne (Leicester Council of Faiths, UK) 18. Jains and Covid-19 – Vinod Kapashi (World Congress of Faiths, UK) 19. Jain Perceptions of the Pandemic – Kumarpal Desai 20. African Religion – Vibrant amid Covid-19 in Eswatini – Hebron L Ndlovu (University of Swaziland, Swaziland) 21. Opening our eyes: Covid-19 and Indigenous Funeral Processes in African Traditional Religion – Nokuzola Mndende (Nelson Mandela University, South Africa) 22. Zarathustra’s Wisdom: Accepting Natural Consequences – Jehangir Sarosh (The World Council of Religions for Peace) 23. Transforming Challenges into Progress: A Zoroastrian Perspective – Karishma Koka (University of Cambridge, UK) 24. Unitarians and global catastrophe: a pandemic, a war and a climate emergency – Feargus O’Connor (World Congress of Faiths, UK) 25. Unitarian Universalists Face Covid: Challenges, Surprises, and New Pathways – Jay Atkinson (Starr King School, USA) 26. When ‘No Resident Will Say: “I Am Sick”’ – The Global Religious Response of Jehovah’s Witnesses to the Covid-19 Pandemic – Jolene Chu (Archivist, World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, USA) 27. How one Jehovah’s Witness community negotiated the ride of the ‘pale horse’ – Gary Perkins (Independent Scholar, UK) 28. Practising my Christian Science Faith during the Covid-19 Pandemic – Shirley Paulson (Formerly Head of Ecumenical Affairs, Christian Science Church, USA) 29. Personal Experiences of the Christian Science Faith during Covid – Susan Searle, (Jewish Christian Muslim Association of Australia, Australia) 30. Covid and Theology – Dan Cohn-Sherbok 31. What Have We Learned? – George D. Chryssides Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat is so special about spring water? How are wells holy? Why are so many known for 'the healing of eyes'? The ancient holy wells of the British Isles are amongst the most beautiful and magical places anyone can visit. Often untouched by all but the most delicate hands, and located in some of the most secret nooks and crannies of the country, their stories evoke a lost world of pagan gods, healing forces, second sight and holy visions. This beautiful book, beautifully illustrated throughout by the author, tells the story of the holy waters of the British Isles through hand-picked examples. A useful gazetteer at the back of the book catalogues further rewarding sites to visit. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMalise Ruthven tackles the polemic and stereotypes surrounding this complex phenomenon - one that eludes sim today, a conclusion impossible to ignore since the events in New York on September 11 2001. But what does ''fundamentalism'' really mean? Since it was coined by American Protestant evangelicals in the 1920s, the use of the term ''fundamentalist'' has expanded to include a diverse range of radical conservatives and ideological purists, not all religious. Fundamentalism could now mean both militant Israeli settlers as well as the Islamist radicals who oppose them, it can mean Christians, Hindus, animal liberationists, and even Buddhist nationalists. Ruthven investigates fundamentalism''s historical, social, religious, political, and ideological roots, and tackles the polemic and stereotypes surrounding this complex phenomenon - one that eludes simple definition, yet urgently needs to be understood. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewStimulating. * Roger Hardy, New Statesman *Review from previous edition 'Ruthven's careful analysis of the phenomena ... provides a much-needed mental map [from] one of today's most perceptive observers and historians of religion.' * Guardian *'...powerful stuff ... this book is perceptive and important.' * Observer *This is a gentle, civilised book, written with some style. I enjoyed reading it. * Sasthi Brata, Spectator 10/04/2004 *The first clear definition of this indispensable yet misused term. * Anoush Ehteshami, University of Durham *... an important contribution to the current political and cultural debates about Islam and the West, religious extremism, and the changing identity of supposedly secular societies. * R. Scott Appleby, University of Notre Dame *Table of Contents1. Family Resemblances ; 2. The Scandal of Difference ; 3. The Snares of Literalism ; 4. Controlling Women ; 5. Fundamentalism and Nationalism I ; 6. Fundamentalism and Nationalism II ; 7. Conclusion ; Further reading

Read more less

Book SynopsisRitual is part of what it means to be human. Like sports, music, and drama, ritual defines and enriches culture, putting those who practice it in touch with sources of value and meaning larger than themselves. Ritual is unavoidable, yet it holds a place in modern life that is decidedly ambiguous. What is ritual? What does it do? Is it useful? What are the various kinds of ritual? Is ritual tradition bound and conservative or innovative and transformational?Alongside description of a number of specific rites, this Very Short Introduction explores ritual from both theoretical and historical perspectives. Barry Stephenson focuses on the places where ritual touches everyday life: in politics and power; moments of transformation in the life cycle; as performance and embodiment. He also discusses the boundaries of ritual, and how and why certain behaviors have been studied as ritual while others have not. Stephenson shows how ritual is an important vehicle for group and identity formation; how it generates and transmits beliefs and values; how it can be used to exploit and oppress; and how it has served as a touchstone for thinking about cultural origins and historical change. Encompassing the breadth and depth of modern ritual studies, Barry Stephenson''s Very Short Introduction also develops a narrative of ritual''s place in social and cultural life. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of ContentsList of illustrations ; Introduction ; Chapter 1 Ritualization ; Chapter 2 Ritual and the Origins of Culture ; Chapter 3 Ritual and Society ; Chapter 4 Ritual and Transformation ; Chapter 5 Definitions, Types, Domains ; Chapter 6 Ritual as Performance ; Chapter 7 The Fortunes of Ritual ; References ; Further reading ; Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisHave you ever felt implicit pressure to ''go along'' with something you believe not to be true?Since Live Not by Lies was originally published in 2020 with a warning for America, many have seen in Europe and other Western nations an acceleration of ''soft totalitarianism'' in our societies. Whether it is the effects of cancel culture online because of progressive voices marginalising conservative opinions, or the unprecedented restrictions of civil liberties in response to Covid-19, people feel coerced to go along with the approved narrative on whatever topic, even if, secretly, we may believe the truth is somewhat different.Rod Dreher believe this represents a creeping ''soft'' totalitarianism, where ''safety'' is seen as paramount and technology is increasingly employed in its pursuit. As we sleepwalk through the erosion of our freedoms, we hasten the possibility of a corporate surveillance state that restricts our ability to make decisions about

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Honest, revealing insight into the bestselling book of all time.'Bear Grylls'A stimulating and accessible survey of history's most influential book.'Tom Holland, historian and author of Dominion'Personal and profound; informative and practical. If you want to experience the Bible as a rich source of guidance and hope, this book is for you.'Simon Thomas, former Sky Sports and Blue Peter presenterWhen we make sense of the Bible, the Bible makes sense of us.The political, social and cultural upheaval of our times can leave us feeling bewildered and wondering where to turn for trustworthy guidance. As unlikely as it may seem, could the Bible provide ancient wisdom that helps us flourish today?Join Andrew Ollerton as he explores the storyline of Scripture, connecting six major biblical events with six definitive human needs: for meaning, freedom, peace, community, love and for an ultimate home. In short, digestible chapters, Andrew reveals how the Bible story makes sense of our human story.Discover for yourself a limitless source of guidance and hope in the face of so much uncertainty.Underpinned by a depth of scholarship, the book is non-technical in style, making it accessible for the widest possible readership - including Christians and seekers interested in the Bible. The book will also provide a model for Bible communicators and church leaders wishing to engage more deeply with the relevance of the Bible in our cultural moment.Contains discussion questions for small groups, as well as suggested Bible readings and reflection questions to accompany each chapter. The structure of the book makes it ideal for a home group study. This book was chosen for the National Big Church Read in January 2022.Trade Review'A stimulating and accessible survey of history's most influential book.' -- Tom Holland, historian and author of Dominion'Honest, revealing insight into the bestselling book of all time' -- Bear Grylls, adventurer and Chief ScoutAndrew Ollerton provides an accessible outline and explanation of key biblical moments... he describes and explains the main biblical narratives with a gentle humour and considerable skill. * Christianity *'The Bible is the most influential yet most frequently misunderstood book in all of history. As modern culture clashes over which story we should live by, Andrew Ollerton gives us a timely reminder of why the Bible has provided a narrative that has made sense of life for billions of people for thousands of years. In the process he sketches out a remarkably accessible roadmap for those who want to trace the big story that scripture tells. For the believer, seeker, sceptic or just-plain-confused, this is an essential guide to understanding how the Bible continues to speak to modern life today.' -- Justin Brierley, Unbelievable? show host, Premier Christian Radio'Andrew offers us not just keys to understanding the Bible but also skilfully makes sense of our own purpose within the beautiful narrative. The wildest most wonderful thing any generation whispers to the next is that we are written into God's story - this book celebrates and embraces this essential truth.' -- Rachel Gardner, Director of Youthscape and author of The Girl Deconstruction Project'The Bible is the bestselling book of all time. Andrew Ollerton's marvellous overview of the story of the Bible, anchored around six major themes, enables us to see why. Beautifully written and full of poignant illustrations, even if you know little or nothing about the Bible, this book will lead you into and through the great story of the Bible and invite you to reflect on its relevance to your life today. Be prepared to be surprised and excited, even amid the challenging times through which we are living.' -- Prof. Craig Bartholomew, author and Biblical scholar'Someone has said that the Bible is the bestselling, least read book of all time. I think there is some truth to that. Why is that the case? For many people the Bible is seen as a "spiritual book" with very little to do with practical daily living. What people need to know is the Bible, as Andrew Ollerton says, is a story that makes sense of life. For over 40 years now, I have been reading, studying and teaching the Bible and I can attest to you, from my own experience and the experiences of thousands of others, that there is no book in the world like the Bible. After reading, The Bible: A Story That Makes Sense of Life, I think you'll agree.' -- Brian Brodersen, Director, Creation Fest UK and Senior Pastor, Calvary Chapel (California)'Andrew Ollerton has a gift of summing up in readable, insightful language the connection between the yearning of our hearts and our hope of encountering something that makes sense of it all. Communicating great depth in story-form, this book about the Bible immerses us into an account of life that makes sense and presents ideas for how we can find our way into that hope-fuelled life. Saturated with good news, it encourages us to grapple with the whole Bible as profoundly complex and as good and hopeful news for ourselves and others. Full of examples and stories, this book communicates in ordinary language some of the deepest truths of our lives. It's readable, but it's not overly simplified, instead, it provokes the reader to discover more and more of the nature of the Bible for themselves. This book will be great as a devotional resource or in a small study group of people hoping to encounter God again in our time.' -- Deidre Brower-Latz, Principal, Nazarene Theological College, University of Manchester'Practical, accessible and inspiring. This wonderful book highlights the relevance, power and necessity of the greatest book ever to the lives of all people.' -- Gavin Calver, CEO, Evangelical Alliance'In a market of too many books and too few of real calibre, Andrew Ollerton's The Bible: A Story That Makes Sense of Life stands out like a luminous gem. This is not simply yet another Christian book but an expertly written and user-friendly guide to the book of all books. The Bible is explored thematically using topics such as freedom, meaning and community, building a bridge between the world of the Bible and the one we inhabit. Andrew brings his gifts as a scholar and pastor to bear and has produced an amazing resource which is in-depth and illuminating but also practical and applied. I enthusiastically commend it.' -- Greg Downes, Director of Ministerial Training and Dean of the Wesley Centre, Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford'In recent years, many folk I've met have been surprised to discover how closely the Bible's story of reality matches the contours of their own lives. Andrew Ollerton's guided tour of the world's bestselling book will help both seasoned readers and those new to the Bible encounter the God who is able to meet our deep desires for meaning, freedom, peace, love, community and home.' -- Peter Dray, Head of Creative Evangelism, UCCF: The Christian Unions'The Bible is often misread or dismissed. In a remarkable achievement, Dr Ollerton not only opens up an accessible way to make sense of this complex, powerful book, but he also distils from it a lively, attractive account of Christian essentials, punctuated by vivid personal anecdotes.' -- Prof. David F. Ford, Emeritus Regius Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge'Ollerton is a master communicator - and here he manages to make something so vast so relatable. Drawing on science and philosophy, bringing a fresh, straightforward perspective, this book shines a new light on the Bible. Relatable, warm, wise... A very human, accessible read that will open your eyes and cause you to open your Bible. This is a great book, about the Good Book, and whatever your opinion of the Bible, from sceptical to evangelical, Ollerton will enhance your understanding. Highly recommended.' -- Paul Kerensa, comedy writer and stand-up comedian'This is a masterpiece. Andrew Ollerton takes the complexities and intricacies of the Bible and arranges them in an accessible and engaging way for all to see, whatever your age or stage of faith. Punctuated with great stories, carefully chosen metaphors, humour and insight, The Bible: A Story That Makes Sense of Life takes you on a journey that masterfully pulls together the threads of the greatest story ever known. I wholeheartedly commend it.' -- Phil Knox, Evangelical Alliance'A really helpful guide for those wanting to understand the world's most influential book.' -- Elizabeth Oldfield, Director of Theos'This very well-written, widely researched work conveys Andrew's great love for the Bible and his desire that we might know its divine author and his great plan for our lives. This excellent resource will be a blessing to many.' -- Dave Smith, Senior Pastor, KingsGate Church (Peterborough)'For many of us, the Bible feels inaccessible or outdated. This book brings it to life in a way that makes sense. Andrew explores the world of the Bible and relates it brilliantly to our contemporary lives today. Personal and profound; informative and practical. If you want to experience the Bible as a rich source of guidance and hope, this book is for you.' -- Simon Thomas, former Sky Sports and Blue Peter presenter'With clear readable prose, full of contemporary touch points, Andrew Ollerton brings the Bible to life in ways that make it highly accessible and show its relevance to our daily lives. There is no skirting over the difficulties or controversies of the Bible. But Ollerton skilfully disarms our modern confusion by revealing, in striking and simple terms, what it meant to its original audience and how surprisingly up to date this ancient text really is. We discover that it's not just about making sense of the Bible, but experiencing the Bible making sense of us. Strongly recommended!' -- Paul Williams, CEO, British and Foreign Bible Society'This is an important and timely book. I can't recommend it more highly. Like the very best of tour guides, Andrew Ollerton leads us through the Bible's plotline in a highly informative, compelling, and entertaining way. This book will enhance your experience of the Bible, no matter who you are or where you're at on your journey. Scholarly but personal and accessible, Andrew challenges us not only to know the Great Story, but live it - surely the most important Bible translation of all.' -- Paul Woolley, CEO, London Institute for Contemporary Christianity'Every now and again, a book comes along which makes such overriding sense and joins up so many figurative dots that you can hardly put it down. Few people succeed in expounding and communicating the complex spiritual truths of the Bible with such clarity and ease as Andrew Ollerton. Without question this eminently readable, cogent, and most timely book will compel readers not only to read more of the Bible but draw them closer to the God who both inspired and breathed it into life.' -- Siân Wyn Rees, Director, Evangelical Alliance (Wales)'In a world that feels increasingly uncertain, discovering meaning, peace and purpose is more challenging than ever. But the story of our lives today is remarkably similar to the stories of previous generations, whose experience will add wisdom and direction to our own journey. In this compelling book Andrew unlocks the big themes of life by exploring the Bible with a rare combination of passion and expertise. If you want to understand the story of your life I can think of no better place to start than in the pages of this book.' -- Pete Wynter, Director of HTB Leadership College Londonhighly acclaimed book * Reform *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWinner of the PEN/Ackerley Prize 2013.At the tender age of fourteen, Richard Holloway left his home town of Alexandria, north of Glasgow, and travelled hundreds of miles to be educated and trained for the priesthood at an English monastery. By the age of twenty-five he had been ordained and was working in the slums of Glasgow. Through the forty years that followed, Richard touched the lives of many people as he rose to one of the highest positions in the Anglican Church. But behind his confident public faith lay a restless heart and an inquisitive mind. Poignant, wise and fiercely honest, Leaving Alexandria is a remarkable memoir of a life defined by faith but plagued by doubt.Trade ReviewLeaving Alexandria is many things. It is a compelling account of a journey through life, told with great frankness; it is a subtle reflection on what it means to live in an imperfect and puzzling world; and it is a highly readable insight into one of the most humane and engaged minds of our times. It is, quite simply, a wonderful book -- ALEXANDER McCALL SMITHLeaving Alexandria is a profound, personal investigation of the virtues and flaws of religion and the most stirring autobiography I have read in a great many years. It is also a meditation on the nature of one's own identity -- JOHN GRAY * * New Statesman * *At a time when the world has urgently needed wise and compassionate leadership, this poignant memoir, written with the integrity, intelligence and wit that we expect from Richard Holloway, lays bare the ludicrous and entirely unnecessary mess we have made of religion -- KAREN ARMSTRONGA beautifully written and often funny, emotional and intellectual self-exploration by one of the most extraordinary churchmen of our time -- BRYAN APPLEYARD * * Sunday Times * *Candid and deeply moving . . . Nobody could fail to be intensely moved by the final chapters of his memoir . . . a deeply lovable man; and what a wonderful book he has written -- MARY WARNOCK * * Observer * *Richard Holloway's memoir is endlessly vivid and fascinating. It's the record of a mind too large, too curious and far too generous to be confined within any single religious denomination. His account of how a passionate, intelligent boy grew out of a poor and deprived background without ever losing touch with the humane values it gave him, will be a delight and inspiration to believers, non-believers, and ex-believers alike -- PHILIP PULLMANThis is a portrait of a formerly devoted Christian who, by confessing his faults and doubts to us, becomes exemplary, an Everyman, and a guide to how we too might lose faith without sacrificing our souls -- ALAIN DE BOTTAIN * * The Times * *Leaving Alexandria gives a profound sense of the benefits, as well as the difficulties, that accrue from taking a zigzag path through life . . . it summarises an argument that a lot of people will find sympathetic, as well as compelling * * Guardian * *Captures the bewildering range of churches within the Church . . . Holloway certainly throws down the gauntlet - with a quiet, elegiac passion - to Christians who arm themselves in certainty . . . They should read this wide, erudite book as a matter of urgency * * Sunday Telegraph * *This is a deeply moving and disturbing biography. Holloway, is a confident author, assured when recreating both the past and the feelings that moments evoked . . . A writer capable of considerable brilliance, an intellectual who can provoke thought, a genuinely good man trying to be better * * Herald * *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis controversial new book argues that Jesus, like many of his later followers, proclaimed that God was soon to intervene in human affairs and bring all of history to a screeching halt. Through a careful evaluation of the New Testament Gospels and other surviving sources, including the more recently discovered Gospels of Thomas and Peter, Ehrman shows why Jesus should be understood as an apocalyptic prophet who anticipated the destruction of evil, the end of the age, and beginning of a new world - not 2000 years after his lifetime, but in less than 30.Trade Reviewthis is a stimulating and worthwhile book that will not always convince but should serve to convey the excitement of New Testament studies to all to read it. * Bishop Paul Richardson, The Church of England Newspaper, Aug. 18th 2000. *this is a very readable book ... Ehrman ... does succeed in drawing attention to important points that are often overlooked. * Bishop Paul Richardson, The Church of England Newspaper, Aug. 18th 2000. *Table of Contentspreface 1: The End of History as We Know It 2: Who was Jesus? Why It's So Hard to Know 3: How Did the Gospels Get to Be This Way? 4: Looking about a Bit: Non-Christian Sources for the Historical Jesus 5: Looking about a Bit More: Other Christian Sources for the Historical Jesus 6: Moving on to the Past: How Can We Reconstruct the Life of Jesus? 7: Finding a Fit: Jesus in Context 8: Jesus the Apocalyptic Prophet 9: The Apocalyptic Teachings of Jesus 10: A Place for Everything: Jesus' Other Teachings in Their Apocalyptic Context 11: Not in Word Only: The Associates, Deeds, and Controversies of Jesus in Apocalyptic Context 12: The Last Days of Jesus 13: From Apocalyptic Prophet to Lord of All: The Afterlife of Jesus 14: Jesus as the Prophet of the New Millennium: Then and Now notes bibliography index

Read more less

Book SynopsisChristopher Hitchens's personally curated New York Times bestselling anthology of the most influential and important writings on atheism, including original pieces by Salman Rushdie and Ian McEwan

Read more less

Book SynopsisSam Harris is a neuroscientist and the author of the New York Times bestsellers The End of Faith and Letter to a Christian Nation. His writing has appeared in Newsweek, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Times, Nature and in many other journals. He holds a degree in philosophy from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA. He is a co-founder of Project Reason.www.samharris.orgTrade ReviewI was one of those who had unthinkingly bought into the hectoring myth that science can say nothing about morals. To my surprise, The Moral Landscape has changed all that for me... As for religion, and the preposterous idea that we need God to be good, nobody wields a sharper bayonet than Sam Harris -- Richard DawkinsSam Harris breathes intellectual fire into an ancient debate. Reading this thrilling, audacious book, you feel the ground shifting beneath your feet. Reason has never had a more passionate advocate -- Ian McEwanA tremendously appealing vision, and one that no thinking person can afford to ignore -- Steven Pinker, Harvard College Professor of PsychologyReaders are bound to come away with previously firm convictions about the world challenged, and a vital new awareness about the nature and value of science and reason in our lives -- Lawrence M. Krauss, Professor at Arizona State UniversityThis is an inspiring book -- John Lloyd * The Financial Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn recent years, there has been an astonishing revival of religious practices in China. Looking beyond numerical counts of religious practitioners, temples, and churches, anthropologist Adam Yuet Chau's vivid study explores how religion is embedded in contemporary Chinese lives and society, from personal devotion to community-wide festivals. Covering Buddhism, Daoism, and folk religion, as well as Christianity and Islam, this ethnographically rich book provides insights into the contemporary relevance of religious traditions in Chinese societies. By considering the ways in which Chinese people do' religion, Chau reveals how religious practice plays a critical role in establishing and maintaining a wide range of relationships: between people, spirits, and places; ritual service providers and their customers; the state and religious groups. He argues that relationality is the key anchor of religious lifeworlds, and this insight demands an entirely new way of approaching religion everywhere. This lively account will appeal to those studying or curious about Chinese or East Asian religions, and serves as a perfect gateway to understanding religious practices in China today.Trade Review"A wonderfully lucid and readable introduction to Chinese religious practices. Chau invites the reader to look at how Chinese people 'do' religion and presents an astonishingly wide spectrum of religious activities. A real treat!"—Peter van der Veer, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity "In this highly readable survey of popular religiosity in contemporary China, Chau clears the path to understanding religion not through the frequently superimposed categories of scripture and faiths, but through the effervescent and solemn ways in which Chinese 'do' religion."—Prasenjit Duara, Duke University "[A] rich recourse for both teaching and research on Chinese religion in years to come."—H-Net: Humanities and Social Sciences Reviews Online "Chau provides a fresh lens for understanding religious dynamics in China that […] focuses on the important social function of religion, regardless of confessional differences, in shaping and reshaping Chinese society. An excellent piece of serious academic work that opens new doors for the study of Chinese religion. It should not be missed by serious students of the field."—Pacific Affairs "[A]n immense success: Chau has an undeniable talent for ethnography and because of this is able to weave various narratives pertaining to lived religious experience in China that are certain to make the reader wish to delve deeper."—Religious Studies ReviewTable of ContentsMap Chronology Acknowledgements Notes on Orthography and Pronunciation Introduction: Relationality at the Heart of Religion in China 1. Understanding Religious Diversity: Five Modalities of Doing Religion 2. Interacting with Gods, Ghosts and Ancestors 3. Festivals and Pilgrimages 4. Ritual Service Providers and Their Clients 5. Communities and Networks 6. State--Religion Relations Conclusions Notes Suggested Further Readings References Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow does the study of religion in Latin American and Latino contexts of North America push against boundaries of nation, language, class, race, and culture?As an introduction to the field, this book gives an overview of the origins, traditions, cultures, and key developments in the study of Latin American and Latino religions in North America. Topics covered include the Bible and Latinxs, Latinx Catholicism in the United States, Muslims and Jews in the Latinx Americas, Catholicism in Mexico, Brazilian Migrational Christianity in North America, and more.Case studies include Oaxacan religious transnationalism, La Santa Muerte, Latinx Religious Nones, and Latinx conversions. With over 85 images throughout, each chapter contains suggested further readings and a glossary of key terms and concepts.The chapters in this book were first published in the digital collection Bloomsbury Religion in North America. Covering North America's diverse religious

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewFor those who know little about the Amish, this gentle but highly intelligent view is all that is needed to get a firm grasp. And for those who know much about these special people, including the Amish themselves, Kraybill has composed a paean to their best qualities that belongs even on the plainest of bookshelves.—Barbara Bamberger Scott, The Book Reporter NetworkTable of ContentsPreface: When Old Is New AgainAcknowledgmentsEssaysChapter 1. Riddles: Negotiating with ModernityChapter 2. Villages: Webs of Well-BeingChapter 3. Community: Taming the Big IChapter 4. Smallness: Bigness Ruins EverythingChapter 5. Tolerance: A Light on a HillChapter 6. Spirituality: A Back Road to HeavenChapter 7. Family: A Deep and Durable BondChapter 8. Children: At Worship, Work, and PlayChapter 9. Parenting: Raising Sturdy ChildrenChapter 10. Education: The Way It Should BeChapter 11. Apprenticeship: An Old New IdeaChapter 12. Technology: Taming the BeastChapter 13. Hacking: Creative BypassesChapter 14. Entrepreneurs: Starting StuffChapter 15. Patience: Slow Down and ListenChapter 16. Limits: Less Choice, More JoyChapter 17. Rituals: A Natural DetoxChapter 18. Retirement: Aging in PlaceChapter 19. Forgiveness: Pathway to HealingChapter 20. Suffering: A Higher PlanChapter 21. Nonresistance: No PushbackChapter 22. Death: A Good FarewellEpilogue: Negotiation Never EndsNotesFor Further ReadingIndexAuthor

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe gospels and ancient historians agree: Jesus was sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate, the Roman imperial prefect in Jerusalem. To this day, Christians of all churches confess that Jesus died 'under Pontius Pilate'. But what exactly does that mean? Within decades of Jesus' death, Christians began suggesting that it was the Judaean authorities who had crucified Jesus--a notion later echoed in the Qur'an. In the third century, one philosopher raised the notion that, although Pilate had condemned Jesus, he'd done so justly; this idea survives in one of the main strands of modern New Testament criticism. So what is the truth of the matter? And what is the history of that truth? David Lloyd Dusenbury reveals Pilate's 'innocence' as not only a neglected theological question, but a recurring theme in the history of European political thought. He argues that Jesus' interrogation by Pilate, and Augustine of Hippo's North African sermon on that trial, led to the concept of secularity and the logic of tolerance emerging in early modern Europe. Without the Roman trial of Jesus, and the arguments over Pilate's innocence, the history of empire--from the first century to the twenty-first--would have been radically different.Trade Review‘David L. Dusenbury’s The Innocence of Pontius Pilate is a model of intelligent, accessible and persuasive scholarship.’'[The Innocence of Pontius Pilate] contributes to a very interesting history of our disputed and entangled conceptions of secular power and spiritual kingdom and the nature and location of political sovereignty.' -- Catholic Herald

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisOutlines how, by observing the celestial bodies, people have engaged with the divine, managed the future, and attempted to understand events here on earthTrade ReviewCampion's Astrology and Cosmologyis an ambitious examination of cosmologies and astrologies from around the world. The diversity of cultures Campion includes is impressive. -- Jacqueline Feke * History of Astronomy *What is up in the sky has significance in almost every religion, and this book looks at Australia, Oceania, North America, South and Central America, Sub-Sahara Africa, Egypt, China, India, Babylon, Judaism, Classical Greece with Christianity, Islam, and 'Theosophical, New Age, and Pagan Cosmologies.' -- Gareth J. Medway * The Magonia Blog: Astrology and Religion *"This innovative study presents astrologies and cosmologies - broadly conceived - as counterparts and mirrors of human societies. Unlike most students of astrology, Campion transcends the limitations of the Western tradition to examine the nature and roles of astrological and cosmological concepts in cultures from all continents. His examples provide original insights into how cosmologies shape these cultures' artistic, intellectual, and religious activities. -- Stephen McCluskey,West Virginia UniversityThe book is crammed with information, occasionally punctuated by interpretation or analysis. Over 50 pages of notes and bibliography enable readers to check the author's exactitude for him or herself. -- L. De Danaan * CHOICE *Table of ContentsCosmology and Religion: Measurement and Meaning 2. Astrology: The Celestial Mirror 3. Australia: The Dreaming 4. Oceania: Navigating the Sky 5. North America: The Great Spirit 6. South and Central America: Salvation and Sacrifice 7. Sub-Saharan Africa: Heaven on Earth 8. Egypt: The Solar Society 9. China: The Celestial Offices 10. India: Ancient Traditions and Modern Practice 11. Babylon: Signs in the Sky 12. Judaism: Myth, Magic, and Transcendence 13. Classical Greece: Ascent to the Stars 14. Christianity: Influence and Transcendence 15. Islam: Faith and Reason 16. Theosophical, New Age, and Pagan Cosmologies: Nature and Transformation Notes Bibliography Index About the Author

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this uplifting and practical book, written in collaboration with his biographer, Austen Ivereigh, the preeminent spiritual leader explains why we must—and how we can—make the world safer, fairer, and healthier for all people now.   In the COVID crisis, the beloved shepherd of over one billion Catholics saw the cruelty and inequity of our society exposed more vividly than ever before. He also saw, in the resilience, generosity, and creativity of so many people, the means to rescue our society, our economy, and our planet. In direct, powerful prose, Pope Francis urges us not to let the pain be in vain.    He begins Let Us Dream by exploring what this crisis can teach us about how to handle upheaval of any kind in our own lives and the world at large. With unprecedented candor, he reveals how three crises in his own life changed him dramatically for the better.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis handsome new edition of the authoritative English translation of the Aramaic (Syriac) Old and New Testaments--the language of Jesus--clarifies difficult passages and offers fresh insight on the Bible's message.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn whose genetic image were we made? From his first book The 12th Planeton, Zecharia Sitchin has asserted that the Bible's Elohim, who said "Let us fashion The Adam in our image and after our likeness," were the gods of Sumer and Babylon - the Anunnaki who had come to Earth from their planet Nibiru. The Adam, he wrote, was genetically engineered by adding Anunnaki genes to those of an existing hominid, some 300,000 years ago. Then, according to the Bible, intermarriage took place: "There were giants upon the Earth" who took Adam's female offspring as wives, giving birth to "heroes of renown." With meticulous detail, Sitchin shows that these were the demigods of Sumerian and Babylonian lore. Are we then, all of us, descendants of demigods? In this crowning oeuvre, Zecharia Sitchin proceeds step-by-step through a mass of ancient writings and artifacts, leading the reader to the stunning Royal Tombs of Ur.Table of ContentsIntroduction: And It Came to Pass I Alexander’s Quest for Immortality II In the Days before the Flood III In Search of Noah IV Sumer: Where Civilization Began V When Kingship Was Brought Down from Heaven VI A Planet Called ‘Nibiru’ VII Of Anunnaki and Igigi VIII A Serf Made to Order IX Gods and Other Ancestors X Of Patriarchs and Demigods XI There Were Giants Upon the Earth XII Immortality: The Grand Illusion XIII Dawn of the Goddess XIV Glory of Empire, Winds of Doom XV Buried in Grandeur XVI The Goddess Who Never Left Postscript: Mankind’s Alien Origins--The Evidence

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt''s easy to get swept away with the demands of responsibilities, social obligations, and increasing distractions of this noisy world. Written by Christian life coach Helen Lee MSc., FINDING PEACE is a guided prayer journal for women featuring 52 weeks of prayer prompts and devotionals to anchor the anxious heart in God''s unwavering and unconditional love.FINDING PEACE features:52 weekly prayer prompts and devotionals: Heartfelt prayer prompts and bible devotionals to remind you of God''s guidance and love as you navigate through everyday stressorsSpiral binding and spacious beautiful design: Spiral-bound journal for ease of writing and spacious blank entries for personal prayers and private thoughts in one beautifully decorated journal to help combat ruminating and anxious thoughtsScripture verses for the anxious heart: Carefully selected biblical passages that specifically speak to worries, fears, and anxietyWeekly anxiety relief exercises: Action-oriented exercises paired with weekly devotionals to encourage and guide women through their anxiety and the challenges they may face dailyFaith-based and evidence-based techniques: Thoughtfully designed, these Christian therapy-based exercises are effective tools for anxiety relief.Certified Christian life coach: Author and life coach Helen Lee, MSc''s faith-based license and passion have helped many women to live courageously and experience spiritual growth.

Read more less

Book SynopsisNorse Mythology explores the magical myths and legends of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Viking-Age Greenland--outlining along the way the prehistoric tales and beliefs from these regions that have remained embedded in the imagination of the world. The book begins with an Introduction that helps put Scandinavian mythology in place in history, followed by a chapter that explains the meaning of mythic time, and a third section that presents in-depth explanations of each mythological term. These fascinating entries identify particular deities and giants, as well as the places where they dwell and the varied and wily means by which they forge their existence and battle one another. We meet Thor, one of the most powerful gods, who specializes in killing giants using a hammer made for him by dwarfs, not to mention myriad trolls, ogres, humans and strange animals. We learn of the ongoing struggle between the gods, who create the cosmos, and the jötnar, or giants, who aim to destroy it. In the enchanted world where this mythology takes place, we encounter turbulent rivers, majestic mountains, dense forests, storms, fierce winters, eagles, ravens, salmon and snakes in a landscape closely resembling Scandinavia. Beings travel on ships and on horseback; they eat slaughtered meat and drink mead. Spanning from the inception of the universe and the birth of human beings to the universe''s destruction and the mythic future, these sparkling tales of creation and destruction, death and rebirth, gods and heroes will entertain readers and offer insight into the relationship between Scandinavian myth, history, and culture.Trade ReviewThis book has a very good and thorough dictionary of names.... Its essays on time in Norse mythology and its summary of the historical background are extremely helpful and enlightening. * Nicholas D. Humez, Montclair State University *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Hebrew Bible, or Christian Old Testament, contains some of the finest literature that we have. This biblical literature has a place not only in the synagogue or the church but also among the classics of world literature. The stories of Jacob and David, for instance, present the earliest surviving examples of literary characters whose development the reader follows over the length of a lifetime. Elsewhere, as in the books of Esther or Ruth, readers find a snapshot of a particular, fraught moment that will define the character. The Hebrew Bible also provides quite a few high points of lyric poetry, from the praise and lament of the Psalms to the double entendres in the love of poetry of the Song of Songs. In short, the Bible can be celebrated not only as religious literature but, quite simply, as literature. This book offers a thorough and lively introduction to the Bible''s two primary literary modes, narrative and poetry, foregrounding the nuances of plot, character, metaphor, structure and design, and intertextual allusions. Tod Linafelt thus gives readers the tools to fully experience and appreciate the Hebrew Bible''s literary achievement.Trade ReviewLinafelt synthesizes a good deal of scholarly research in an accessible fashion and provides the lay reader with a helpful introduction to reading the narrative and poetic texts of the Hebrew Bible. * Kevin Scott, Reading Religion *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Biblical literature and the Western literary tradition ; 2. Reading biblical narrative ; 3. Reading biblical poetry ; 4. Narrative and poetry working together ; 5. Connections between texts

Read more less

Book SynopsisMormonism is frequently described as the most successful indigenous American religion. Mormon beliefs arouse curiosity because they depart from normal Christian doctrine, leading to the question: Are Mormons Christian? This introduction will include the history of the contemporary Mormonism, and an analysis and emphasis of Mormon beliefs, beginning with Joseph Smith, the founding prophet. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade Review"Written by the dean of Mormon studies, Richard Bushman...this book -- a Berlitz guide of sorts to the complex world of modern Mormonism -- is probably the most efficient way to grasp what it means to be a Mormon today."--Samuel Morris Brown, The Wall St. Journal "An elegant, even-handed introduction."--Catholic Herald "Engaging...Bushman s latest work may indeed be very short, but it simultaneously provides eloquent and sophisticated answers...deftly makes many aspects of Mormonism comprehensible." --BYU Studies

Read more less

Book SynopsisA bracing examination of a force that imperils American democracyMost Americans were shocked by the violence they witnessed at the nation''s Capital on January 6th, 2021. And many were bewildered by the images displayed by the insurrectionists: a wooden cross and wooden gallows; Jesus saves and Don''t Tread on Me; Christian flags and Confederate Flags; even a prayer in Jesus'' name after storming the Senate chamber. Where some saw a confusing jumble, Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry saw a familiar ideology: white Christian nationalism.In this short primer, Gorski and Perry explain what white Christian nationalism is and is not; when it first emerged and how it has changed; where it''s headed and why it threatens democracy. Tracing the development of this ideology over the course of three centuriesand especially its influence over the last three decadesthey show how, throughout American history, white Christian nationalism has animated the oppression, exclusion, and even exterminatiTrade ReviewThough the book classes as religion, it will be important reading for students of sociology and political science as well as students of religion, given its sophisticated survey work. It will also interest nonacademic readers struggling to understand the impact of this movement on American politics. * A. W. Klink, CHOICE *Deeply researched and immensely clarifying, The Flag and the Cross offers a sobering account of the history of white Christian nationalism and the threat it poses in our present moment. Anyone who cares about the fate of American democracy should read this book. * Kristin Kobes Du Mez, New York Times bestselling author of Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation *White Christian nationalism is the key concept to understand the authoritarian American right today. In this exceptional investigation, drawing on sociology, social psychology, philosophy, and history, Gorski and Perry show how the various apparently incoherent strands of libertarianism, racism, and authoritarianism combine to make a toxic moral and political stew. This book makes a vital contribution to our understanding of the current moment. * Jason Stanley, author of How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them *For anyone concerned about the future of religion and democracy in America, Gorski and Perry's The Flag and the Cross is essential reading. This book helps us understand how white Christian nationalism divides Americans along racial and religious lines. * Anthea Butler, author of White Evangelical Racism *Gorski and Perry make sense of the seemingly senseless January 6 uprising. Built on powerful evidence, they show how white nationalism wove itself into the very fabric of modern conservative values. By making visible the creation of white nationalism, this book gives me hope that we can unmake it. * Beth Allison Barr, Professor of History at Baylor University and author of The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth *Particularly for those concerned with gaining a basic understanding of Christian nationalism in order practically to engage it, Gorski and Perry's book is a valuable resource...The Flag and the Cross is able to bridge the often-vexing divide between theory and practice...Gorski and Perry's work compliments that of scholars and activists concerned with the wider project of anti-racism by offering an account which is both critical and constructive, and importantly, relevant to all readers. * Nathan Dever, Modern Believing *Table of ContentsIntroduction: The Eruption Chapter 1: What is WCN? Mapping the Landscape Chapter 2: When did it Begin? Bedrock Foundations Chapter 3: How Does it Work? Seismographic Readings Conclusion: Where It's Going: Herrenvolk Autocracy or Multiracial Democracy?

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Virgin Mary - a Jewish mother - is central to Christianity, a revered woman in Islam, and a person of persistent fascination for centuries. Marian worship and theology has inspired countless appearances in art, as well as religious philosophy and doctrine, while the concept of the Virgin herself has been involved in controversial discussions over the Virginal body, race, anti-Semitism, and globalism. This Very Short Introduction describes the evolution of Marian thought from early Christianity to the present day. Mary Joan Winn Leith focuses on the centuries between the rise of Christianity and the Counter-Reformation, the eras when most of the doctrinal issues, popular traditions, and associated conventions of Marian iconography developed, and covers Catholic, Orthodox, and other Christian denominations, as well as the Islamic Mary. Taking an interdisciplinary approach that includes art history, archaeology, and gender studies as well as doctrinal history, she considers some of the misunderstandings and unquestioned assumptions about the Virgin Mary that pervade past and present Christian consciousness and today''s secular world. Leith also discusses apparitions of Mary and representations of Mary in contemporary popular culture.Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewThe series focuses on providing a broad and detailed scholarly yet accessible background to the Virgin Mary. This the author accomplishes, engagingly and comprehensively. * Sheryl A. Kujawa-Holbrook, Ave: Magazine of the Society of Mary *The book, like other volumes in The Very Short Introduction series, is interdisciplinary and focuses on providing a broad,and detailed scholarly, yet accessible background to the Virgin Mary. This the author accomplishes, engagingly and comprehensively. While Leith's approach here is not devotional, her respect for her subject and devotees is apparent. The book is both detailed and informative and provides technical background helpful to teaching and preaching on Mary. * Sheryl A. Kujawa-Holbrook, AVE, the Magazine of the Society of Mary *Winn Leith provides an engaging and wide-ranging survey. [...] A particular strength of the books is that Winn Leith is able to depict devotion to Mary not only as a historical curiosity, but as a living tradition. * Edward Dowler, Church Times *Table of Contents1: Meeting Mary: The Surprising Virgin 2: Mary in the New Testament, History, and Earliest Christianity 3: Mary After the Gospels 4: Mary the Goddess? 5: Eastern Mary - Byzantium and Islam 6: Empress of Heaven and Hell: Mary in the Middle Ages and Renaissance 7: Modern Mary - Reformation to the Present Glossary References Further Reading Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom its obscure beginnings in Jamaica in the early 1930s, Rastafari has grown into an international socio-religious movement. It is estimated that 700,000 to 1 million people worldwide have embraced Rastafari, and adherents of the movement can be found in most of the major population centres and many outposts of the world. Rastafari: A Very Short Introduction provides an account of this widespread but often poorly understood movement. Ennis B. Edmonds looks at the essential history of Rastafari, including its principles and practices and its internal character and configuration. He examines its global spread, and its far-reaching influence on cultural and artistic production in the Caribbean and beyond. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Movement of Jah people: the history of Rastafari in Jamica ; 2. 'Rastatology' and 'livity': the principles and practices of Rastafari ; 3. Grounding, houses, and mansions: social formation of Rastafari ; 4. Rastafari international: the making of a global movement ; 5. Kingmen, queens, and dawtas: gender issues in Rastafari ; 5. 'The Head Corner Stone': Rastafari and Caribbean culture ; Further reading

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less