Religion Books

Book SynopsisA Zen-inspired “physical education” program for martial arts practitioners and anyone interested in mind-body transformation Using simple, clear language to demystify the Zen mindset, Ralston draws on more than three decades of experience teaching students and apprentices worldwide who have applied his body-being approach. More of a transformative guide than a specific list of exercises devoted to any particular physical approach, Zen Body-Being explains how to create a state of mental control, enhanced feeling-awareness, correct structural alignment, increased spatial acuity, and even a greater interactive presence. Exercises are simple, often involving feeling-imagery and meditative awareness, which have a profound and sometimes instant effect. Areas of exploration include: • Beginner’s Body-Being • Three aspects of body awareness • Five principles for an effortlessly effective body • Opening a door--five steps to transformation • Fourteen points on structural alignment Where similar guides teach readers what to do, this book teaches readers how to be.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA History of Zhang Zhung and Tibet, Volume One explores ancient Tibet''s Zhang Zhung kingdom and Bon religion that preceded the advent of Buddhism in the seventh century. Countering the long-held idea that Tibet''s pre-Buddhist indigenous culture was primitive and undeveloped, this book shares the rich cultural origins of the kingdom of Zhang Zhung--the "cradle of Tibetan culture," which encompassed a vast area of Western and Northern Tibet in an area that includes sacred Mount Kailash. Presenting the meticulous research of internationally known Dzogchen Buddhist teacher and scholar Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, the book investigates the mysteries of Zhang Zhung''s Bon religion, a set of shamanistic and animistic beliefs and practices only recently studied by a handful of academic scholars. Offering a critical analysis of a vast array of literary and primary sources, Norbu discusses the role of the Bon traditions within Zhang Zhung''s lineages, dynasties, and culture. Examining Zhang Zhung''s written language, sacred ornaments, rock carvings, healing practices, music, and magical divination techniques, Norbu contributes to an understanding of the roots of Tibetan Buddhist culture and modern-day Bon religion--a practice followed by an estimated ten percent of Tibetans.Table of Contents:Translator''s Foreword; A Technical Note about the Translation; I. The Human Generations of Ancient Zhang Zhung; II. The Bon Lineages of Ancient Zhang Zhung; III. The Royal Lineages of Ancient Zhang Zhung; IV. The Written Language of Ancient Zhang Zhung; V. The Civilization of Ancient Zhang Zhung; Indexes--Tibetan and Zhang Zhung Names and Terms, Textual Sources, Sanskrit Names and Terms, Chinese Names and Terms

Read more less

Book SynopsisThree best-selling authors. Three possible brides. Three separate tales. They come together for an Amish wedding.Priscilla King has dreamed of being married to Chester Lapp since she was sixteen. With the help of her sister Naomi’s matchmaking skills, Chester proposes to Priscilla on her nineteenth birthday. As the wedding day approaches, problems emerge: an attendant with poison ivy, a failed celery crop, and a torn wedding dress.At the same time, Priscilla’s best friend Rose is convinced her fiancé is hiding something and she is intent on discovering the truth at any cost.Naomi remains hopeful that she, too, will soon find her perfect match. When Chester’s cousin shows up, there’s an immediate attraction between him and Naomi—as well as an obstacle that may just as immediately derail their blossoming love.Is God sending a message to stop the wedding? What is certain is that the hearts of these three women will be forever transformed by this touching Amish wedding.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe moving sequel to bestselling author Charles Martin’s The Dead Don’t Dance. After slipping into a four-months-long coma following the tragic loss of their son in childbirth, Dylan’s wife, Maggie, finally awakens—but can the young couple pick up the broken pieces of their lives and move forward?In a sleepy rural town in South Carolina, Dylan and Maggie Styles were a young couple in love, preparing eagerly for the birth of their first son. When the child was delivered stillborn and Maggie hemorrhaged and slipped into a coma, Dylan’s entire world shattered, but he never gave up hope that she would awaken. And four months later, she did.“When Maggie opened her eyes that New Year's Day some seventeen months ago, I felt like I could see again. The fog lifted off my soul, and for the first time since our son had died and she had gone to sleep–some four months, sixteen days, eighteen hours, and nineteen minutes earlier–I took a breath deep enough to fill both of my lungs.”Life begins again for Dylan when his beloved wife wakes, but so many things have changed. In this poignant love story that is redolent with Southern atmosphere, Dylan and Maggie must come to terms with their past before they can embrace their future. Full-length emotive Southern fiction The sequel to New York Times bestselling authorCharles Martin’s debut novel Part of the Awakening series Book one: The Dead Don’t Dance Book two: Maggie Also by Charles Martin: The Mountain Between Us, Chasing Fireflies, When Crickets Cry, and The Water Keeper

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is not merely the only complete summary of Christian doctrine that St. Thomas has written, but also a creative and even revolutionary work of Christian apologetics composed at the precise moment when Christian thought needed to be intellectually creative in order to master and assimilate the intelligence and wisdom of the Greeks and the Arabs.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMyths and Legends of the Celts is a fascinating and wide-ranging introduction to the mythology of the peoples who inhabited the northwestern fringes of Europe - from Britain and the Isle of Man to Gaul and Brittany.Drawing on recent historical and archaeological research, as well as literary and oral sources, the guide looks at the gods and goddesses of Celtic myth; at the nature of Celtic religion, with its rituals of sun and moon worship; and at the druids who served society as judges, diviners and philosophers. It also examines the many Celtic deities who were linked with animals and such natural phenomena as rivers and caves, or who later became associated with local Christian saints. And it explores in detail the rich variety of Celtic myths: from early legends of King Arthur to the stories of the Welsh Mabinogi, and from tales of heroes including Cúchulainn, Fionn mac Cumhaill and the warrior queen Medb to tales of shadowy otherworlds - the homes of spirits and fairies. What emerges is a wonderfully diverse and fertile tradition of myth making that has captured the imagination of countless generations, introduced and explained here with compelling insight.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe volume The Many Faces of Beauty joins the rich debate on beauty and aesthetic theory by presenting an ambitious, interdisciplinary examination of various facets of beauty in nature and human society. The contributors ask such questions as, Is there beauty in mathematical theories? What is the function of arts in the economy of cultures? What are the main steps in the historical evolution of aesthetic theories from ancient civilizations to the present? What is the function of the ugly in enhancing the expressivity of art? and What constitutes beauty in film? The sixteen essays, by eminent scientists, critics, scholars, and artists, are divided into five parts. In the first, a mathematician, physicist, and two philosophers address beauty in mathematics and nature. In the second, an anthropologist, psychologist, historian of law, and economist address the place of beauty in the human mind and in society. Explicit philosophical reflections on notoriously vexing issues,Trade Review“In 2012, the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study (NDIAS) sponsored “The Many Faces of Beauty” conference, which offered a deep dive into the debate on beauty and aesthetic theory. This collection of 16 essays from prominent artists, scientists, mathematicians and critics features three Notre Dame scholars: The Huisking Professor of Theology Cyril O’Regan, the Rev. Joyce Professor of German Language and Literature Mark Roche, and J. Dudley Andrew ’67.” —Notre Dame Magazine

Read more less

Book SynopsisNew York Times bestsellerPastor Steven Furtick draws on the biblical story of Elisha to give you the confidence to know that nothing is impossible with God, the clarity to see the next step He’s calling you to take, and the courage to do anything He tells you to do. Most of us aren’t in danger of ruining our lives, but we are in danger of wasting them. We all have honest moments when we’re gripped by a desire to feel that what we’re doing matters more. That who we are matters more. And according to John 14:12, Jesus wants the very same thing for every one of us: “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”That single promise—“even greater things than these”—should be enough to shatter our acceptance of spiritual mediocrity. Unfortunately, most believers have only tried and given up on vague notions of greatness…then settled into a life that’s just good enough.But God has a vision for your life that is Greater. God is ready to accomplish a greatness in your life that is entirely out of human reach—beyond anything you see in yourself on your best day, but exactly what God has seen in you all along.In Greater, Pastor Steven Furtick draws on the biblical story of Elisha to empower you to:   • Take a God-given dream from idea to reality    • Stretch your limited resources and abilities in ways you never thought possible    • Replace the images of yourself that keep you feeling stuck in the past    • Make a significant impact with your life starting today, rather than making endless plans for tomorrow that you never get around toIf you’re tired of being ordinary, it’s time to dream bigger. If you’re feeling overwhelmed about where to begin, it’s time to start smaller. It’s time to ignite God’s Greater vision for your life.

Read more less

Book SynopsisColossians and Philemon delivers to students and teachers an exhaustive and thoughtful translation of the Greek in these two Pauline texts. Constantine R. Campbell reveals the lexical, syntactic, and grammatical features of these New Testament epistles in order to provide readers with an intermediate knowledge of biblical Greek a guide through Paul's words. The result is a comprehensive study of Pauline Greek that can be used alongside commentaries to understand better the world of the Apostle.Trade Review"This concisely written handbook is rich with semantic and grammatical insights that will prove very helpful to pastors and teachers who are serious about reading the Greek New Testament carefully and accurately. Readers will also find Campbell's rigorous and sustained application of verbal aspect theory enlightening for understanding how this contributes to a proper interpretation of the verbal elements in the text." -- Clinton E Arnold, Dean & Professor of New Testament, Talbot School of Theology, Biola UniversityOne could hardly ask for a more reliable guide than Constantine Campbell. -- John K. Goodrich -- Religious Studies ReviewTable of Contents Series Introduction Preface Abbreviations Introduction Colossians 1:1-2 Colossians 1:3-8 Colossians 1:9-14 Colossians 1:15-20 Colossians 1:21-23 Colossians 1:24-29 Colossians 2:1-5 Colossians 2:6-15 Colossians 2:16-19 Colossians 2:20-23 Colossians 3:1-4 Colossians 3:5-11 Colossians 3:12-17 Colossians 3:18-4:1 Colossians 4:2-6 Colossians 4:7-9 Colossians 4:10-14 Colossians 4:15-18 Philemon 1-3 Philemon 4-7 Philemon 8-16 Philemon 17-22 Philemon 23-25 Glossary Bibliography Grammar Index Author Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis handbook in the Baylor Handbook on the Hebrew Bible series provides students of Hebrew with the translation of Esther paired with an exhaustive word by word morphological analysis of the text. Through careful syntactic and textual investigation, Holmstedt and Screnock bring to life one of the most loved biblical books. Esther enables a linguistic understanding of the Old Testament Hebrew text through solid contextual interpretation.Trade ReviewAs an aid to understanding how the Hebrew in the book of Esther functions, and how the linguistic structures contribute to the book's meaning, this compact volume is worth its weight in gold. -- D.W. Rooke -- Journal for the Study of the Old TestamentThis handy volume, part of the Baylor Handbook on the Hebrew Bible series, offers students of Biblical Hebrew a translation and exhaustive word-by-word morphological analysis of the MT of Esther. -- Gerald A. Klingbeil -- Bulletin for Biblical Research[ Esther ] is a helpful guide through the Hebrew text of the book of Esther. Dividing the narrative into four parts, each with its own set of episodes, Screnock and Holmstedt carefully pick their way through the grammar, morphology, and syntax of nearly every clause and phrase of the book. -- Kurtis Peters -- Expository TimesThe authors bring the latest linguistic research on diachronic study of the Hebrew Bible, valency, and the relative clause, to name just a few, to an accessible format that serves the novice as well as the expert. -- Ethan C. Jones -- Review of Biblical LiteratureTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Part I: Esther Becomes Queen of Persia (1:1â2:23) Episode 1âVashtiâs Downfall (1:1-22) §1: The Kingâs Banquet (1:1-9) §2: Vashtiâs Removal (1:10-22) Episode 2âEsther is Chosen as Queen (2:1-23) §1: Ahashverosh Seeks a Replacement for Vashti (2:1-4) §2: Esther Wins the Kingâs Favor (2:5-20) §3: Mordecai Saves the King (2:21-23) Part II: Haman and Mordecai in Conflict (3:1â7:10) Episode 1âThe Rise of Haman (3:1-15) §1: Hamanâs Rage against Mordecai and the Jews (3:1-7) §2: Hamanâs Plot (3:8-15) Episode 2âMordecaiâs Response (4:1-17) §1: Mordecai and the Jews Lament Hamanâs Plot (4:1-3) §2: Mordecai Convinces Esther to Intercede (4:4-17) Episode 3âEstherâs Plan (5:1-8) §1: Esther Invites the King and Haman to a Banquet (5:1-4) §2: Esther Issues a Second Invitation (5:5-8) Episode 4âHamanâs Plan Implodes (5:9â6:14) §1: Hamanâs Hubris (5:9-14) §2: Mordecaiâs Fortunes Reversed (6:1-10) §3: The Rise of Mordecai (6:11-14) Episode 5âThe End of Haman (7:1-10) §1: Estherâs Banquet (7:1-8) §2: Hamanâs Death (7:9-10) Part III: The Jews and the Peoples in Conflict (8:1â9:32) Episode 1âA Plan to Save the Jews (8:1-17) §1: The King Empowers Mordecai and Esther (8:1-8) §2: The Conter-edict Is Issued (8:9-17) Episode 2âThe Jews Prevail (9:1-19) §1: The First Day of Fighting (9:1-10) §2: The Second Day of Fighting (9:11-19) Episode 3âThe Jewsâ Victory Commemorated and Reprised (9:20-32) §1: Mordecai Establishes the Festival (9:20-25) §2: The Festival and Lots (Purim) (9:26-28) §3: Esther and Mordecai Confirm the Festival (9:29-32) Part IV: Epilogue (10:1-3) Appendix A: Numeral Syntax in Esther Appendix B: Bergeyâs Features for Diachronic Analysis Appendix C: Glossary of Linguistic Issues Bibliography Index of Linguistic Issues

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFriedrich Nietzsche''s Beyond Good and Evil is translated from the German by R.J. Hollingdale with an introduction by Michael Tanner in Penguin Classics. Beyond Good and Evil confirmed Nietzsche''s position as the towering European philosopher of his age. The work dramatically rejects the tradition of Western thought with its notions of truth and God, good and evil. Nietzsche demonstrates that the Christian world is steeped in a false piety and infected with a ''slave morality''. With wit and energy, he turns from this critique to a philosophy that celebrates the present and demands that the individual imposes their own ''will to power'' upon the world. This edition includes a commentary on the text by the translator and Michael Tanner''s introduction, which explains some of the more abstract passages in Beyond Good and Evil. Frederich Nietzsche (1844-1900) became the chair of classical philology at Basel University at the age of 24 until his bad health forced him to retire in 1879. He divorced himself from society until his final collapse in 1899 when he became insane. A powerfully original thinker, Nietzsche''s influence on subsequent writers, such as George Bernard Shaw, D.H. Lawrence, Thomas Mann and Jean-Paul Sartre, was considerable. If you enjoyed Beyond Good and Evil you might like Nietzsche''s Thus Spoke Zarathustra, also available in Penguin Classics. ''One of the greatest books of a very great thinker'' Michael TannerTable of ContentsOn the prejudices of philosophers; the free spirit; the religious nature; maxims and interludes; on the natural history of morals; we scholars; our virtues; people and fatherlands; what is noble?; from high mountains - epode.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Jordan represents the barrier God is calling you to cross over. It represents the transition between where you are now, and where He wants you to be.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisSickness washes away the dirty of sins like soap, and cleanses. It is established in an authenticated hadith that illnesses are expiation of sins. It says, 'As ripe fruits fall from the tree when it is shaken, so the sins of a beliver fall away with shaking during illness.'

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisYou are deeper than your life shows, and you know it. You are more loving than your relationships allow, more brilliant than your career suggests. In your secret depth of being, you are infinite, creative, boundless, and utterly unable to press your full glory into the world. Or so it seems. In Blue Truth, David Deida presents a treasury of skills and insights for uncovering and offering your true heart of purpose, passion, and unquenchable love. In part one, Deida shows you how to open as the entirety of the moment, feeling as deep inside and as far outside as you can, for as long as now opens. In part two, he reveals how to walk this path in the wilderness of intimate relationship, illuminating the art and play of sexual gifting, including how to expertly navigate the tangle of anger, jealousy, fear, lust, and much, much more. In June 2006, Blue Truth was named by Spirituality & Health magazine as one of the Best Spiritual Books of 2005, in the Personal Growth category.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen it comes to sex, most of us want more. The question is: more of what? According to David Deida, when the depth of intimacy you've been experiencing is no longer fulfilling to your heart and body—when you sense that sexuality should go far beyond an embrace of brief satisfaction—the time has come to explore your unique sexual path to the divine. In Finding God Through Sex, this brilliant writer and internationally renowned expert on spiritual sexuality presents a revolutionary new way to love—one in which sex literally becomes an erotic act of devotional surrender, "making love, magnifying love, from the boundless depth of your heart through every inch of your body and in merger with your lover." Through provocative vignettes that illuminate the many moods that color lovemaking, and direct instruction that speaks honestly to the masculine and feminine desires within each of us, Deida brings wisdom gained from 30 years' work with thousands of couples to illustrate the distinct yet complementary avenues men and women can skillfully travel toward untamed passion and sacred unity. What unfolds is an unparalleled road map to the place where we "love as the cosmos loves: One loving itself as an other, yet remembering itself as One."

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe classic samurai-era text that fused Japanese swordsmanship with Zen philosophy—written by the incomparable Zen master Takuan Soho   Written by the seventeenth-century Zen master Takuan Soho (1573–1645), The Unfettered Mind is a book of advice on swordsmanship and the cultivation of right mind and intention. It was written as a guide for the samurai Yagyu Munenori, who was a great swordsman and rival to the legendary Miyamoto Musashi. Takuan was a giant in the history of Zen; he was also a gardener, calligrapher, poet, author, adviser to samurai and shoguns, and a pivotal figure in Zen painting. He was known for his brilliance and acerbic wit. In these succinct and pointed essays, Takuan is concerned primarily with understanding and refining the mind—both generally and when faced with conflict. The Unfettered Mind was a major influence on the classic manifestos on swordsmanship that came after it, including Miyamoto Musashi''s Book of Five Rings and Yagyu Munenori''s Life-Giving Sword.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe author of The Healing Power of Mind draws on Buddhist scripture, firsthand accounts, and other sources to present an overview of Tibetan Buddhist teachings on facing death with openness and insightBuddhism teaches that death can be a springboard to enlightenment—yet for all but the most advanced meditators, it will be the gateway to countless future lives of suffering in samsara. Tulku Thondup wrote this guide to help us heal our fear and confusion about death and strengthen our practice in anticipation of this transition, and to help us realize the enlightened goal of ultimate peace and joy—not only for death and rebirth, but for this very lifetime. In simple language, he distills a vast range of sources, including scriptures, classic commentaries, oral teachings, and firsthand accounts. The book includes: • A downloadable audio program of guided meditations (URL provided in the book)   • An overview of the dying process, the after-death bardo states, and teachings on why, where, and how we take rebirth • Accounts by Tibetan "near-death experiencers" (delogs), who returned from death with amazing reports of their visions      • Ways to train our minds during life, so that at death, all the phenomena before us will arise as a world of peace, joy, and enlightenment      • Simple meditations, prayers, and rituals to benefit the dead and dying     • Advice for caregivers, helpers, and survivors of the dying The paperback edition links to a downloadable audio program providing guided instructions by the author on how to visualize Amitabha Buddha in the Pure Realm; how to receive his blessings; how to visualize transforming your body into light and sound at the time of death; how to share the blessings with compassion for all sentient beings; and how to rest in oneness. By becoming intimate with this practice while we''re alive, we can alleviate our fear of death, improve our appreciation of this life, and prepare for death in a very practical way, while planting the seeds for rebirth in the Pure Land.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisDialogue poetry is a genre that began in ancient Sumer and continues in rich fashion in the Syriac tradition. Sebastian Brock has selected an edition of twenty six dialogue poems: between the Church and Zion; Abraham and Isaac; Joseph and Benjamin; the body and the soul; Joseph and Mary; the thief and the cherub; Mary and the Magi; the church and the believers; the angel and Mary; among the months of the year; between the angel and Zachariah; death and Satan; Jesus and the faithful; the two thieves; Jesus and John; the sinful woman and Satan; Abel and Cain; and wheat and gold.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisReligious beliefs have shaped the history of the world. Their effect can be seen in culture, philosophy and politics, and they have inspired people to serve others and to create great works of art, architecture and music. Yet differences in belief can cause bloodshed and war. Never before has it been more urgent to understand the great religions if we are to make sense of our 21st century world, its achievements and its conflicts. This new, revised edition of Beliefs That Changed the World tells the story of the major faiths from their earliest beginnings to their present day impact.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJoel Osteen's previous bestselling title, Your Best Life Now,offered readers guidance for living a good life. In this eagerly awaited new book he'll guide readers to look within themselves to find their authentic soul and conduct a spiritual examination so they can uncover the core of who they really are. Osteen's message is that God didn't create us to be average - He wants us to stretch ourselves, keep pressing forward for greatness, and to embark on mission of self-discovery. God has given us everything we need to live a victorious life, but it's up to us to draw it out and become the tremendous person He wants us to be. Osteen will be revealing 7 key principles that will enable us to achieve this goal, to expand our horizons and fill our lives with love, joy and peace.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn the mid-1970s, A Course in Miracles was published. It is a self-study course designed to help you undo your conscious and unconscious beliefs that you are separate from God, so that you can return to your natural State of Boundless Love, Peace, and Joy. Since then, it has become the 'Holy Book' of millions of people worldwide who have experienced a loving transformation to a more peaceful experience. Practicing A Course in Miracles and The Way of A Course in Miracles are practical companions to The Message of A Course in Miracles, the first volume of the Plain Language A Course in Miracles. Where MACIM lays out the theoretical foundation of the Course, PACIM provides a year of practical lessons to transform your experience to peace, and WACIM provides answers to common questions. These volumes also contain mentoring notes from the translator, a student and teacher of the Course since 1984. Together, these books offer a clear means for attaining lasting inner peace.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPhilip Yancey's 'desert island book'!

Read more less

Book SynopsisA fresh examination of one of the most contentious issues in runic scholarship - magical or not? The runic alphabet, in use for well over a thousand years, was employed by various Germanic groups in a variety of ways, including, inevitably, for superstitious and magical rites. Formulaic runic words were inscribed onto small items that could be carried for good luck; runic charms were carved on metal or wooden amulets to ensure peace or prosperity. There are invocations and allusions to pagan and Christian gods and heroes, to spirits of disease, and even to potential lovers. Few such texts are completely unique to Germanic society, and in fact, most of the runic amulets considered in this book show wide-ranging parallels from a variety of European cultures. The question ofwhether runes were magical or not has divided scholarship in the area. Early criticism embraced fantastic notions of runic magic - leading not just to a healthy scepticism, but in some cases to a complete denial of any magical element whatsoever in the runic inscriptions. This book seeks to re-evaulate the whole question of runic sorcery, attested to not only in the medieval Norse literature dealing with runes but primarily in the fascinating magical texts of the runic inscriptions themselves. Dr MINDY MCLEOD teaches in the Department of Linguistics, Deakin University, Melbourne; Dr BERNARD MEES teaches in the Department of History at the University of Melbourne.Trade ReviewThe book gives the most very complete survey available of possibly magico-religious runic inscriptions and in this respect it is very useful. * SAGA-BOOK XXXII *

Read more less

Book Synopsis"God Crucified" and Other Essays on the New Testament's Christology of Divine Identity The basic thesis of this important book on New Testament Christology, sketched in the first essay 'God Crucified, is that the worship of Jesus as God was seen by the early Christians as compatible with their Jewish monotheism. Jesus was thought to participate in the divine identity of the one God of Israel. The other chapters provide more detailed support for, and an expansion of, this basic thesis. Readers will find not only the full text of Bauckham's classic book God Crucified, but also groundbreaking essays, some of which have never been published previously

Read more less

Book SynopsisDavis brings cultural and historical colour to the task of interpreting one of the most studied parts of the Bible. The lessons in 2 Samuel from the life of Israel, and David in particular, have obvious modern parallels. Davis writes with a pastor’s heart AND the incisive brain of a respected theologian specialising in the Old Testament texts.Trade Review"Writers will say, Why can't I write like that? Scholars, Why am I not so well read? Expositors, Why didn't I see it all like that too? And readers will join in unanimous praise for a great feast of biblical truth made so digestible, garnished with so many apt illustrations and always focused on the God of all Grace. I have lost count of the number of titbits transferred to my notebooks for future use!" -- Alec Motyer ((1924–2016) Well known Bible expositor and commentary writer)"He combines the depth of understanding of a thorough-going Old Testament scholar with the breadth of insight of a biblical theologian and the perception of a preacher well used to addressing contemporary audiences to provide us with a commentary that brings the preaching potential of these books to life." -- Mark Johnston, Banner of Truth Magazine (Minister, Bethel Presbyterian Church, Cardiff, Wales)"Such sensitivity to the biblical theology of the text is a crucial correction to much of modern exposition...Reading the commentary is itself a devotional exercise." -- John W. Hilder in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society on Davis' commentary writing skills.... merits a five-star rating. This book is everything a commentary ought to be... preachers, Bible group leaders and belivers eager to understand 2 Samuel should sell their shirt to purchase this excellent commentary!H -- The Banner of Truth Magazine

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this classic volume available now once again, Jay Haley in the controversial title article proposes an original interpretation of the Bible analyzing Jesus's actions as a man trying to build a mass movement to topple a power structure. Using wit and wry humour, Haley in the other essays discusses such topics as: what it takes to be schizophrenic; the art and technique required to have an awful marriage; and how to be an awful therapist. His rationale for a directive therapy is the subject of other essays.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEver since the first century, Christians have regarded the book of Isaiah as a high point of the Old Testament prophetic literature. Its key themes, such as the suffering servant, deliverance from exile, and new creation, have been viewed as reaching particular fulfilment in the gospel. Isaiah has been formative to the identity of the people of God. It is a text to be weighed, on which to meditate and pray, and through which to explore the ways in which God works. Isaiah has also received more than its fair share of scholarly examination. While many excellent resources are now available, these tend to be either introductory or highly specialized; there are fewer that bridge the gap between the two. This volume contributes to that need: it assumes some foundational knowledge and guides readers through current issues and approaches. Here is evangelical scholarship that will inform, stimulate and reward diligent teachers and preachers of the Old Testament. Contributors: John Goldingay, Philip Johnston, Nathan MacDonald, David Reimer, Richard Schultz, S. D. Snyman, Jacob Stromberg, Dwight Swanson, Torsten Uhlig, Rikk Watts, Paul Wegner, H. G. M. Williamson and Lindsay Wilson.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Da Vinci Code. Misquoting Jesus. The Jesus Papers. The Gospel of Judas. New portraits of Jesus continue to stir up interest and debate. The more unusual the portrait, the more it departs from the traditional view of Jesus, and the more attention it receives in the popular media. Critical study of the Gospels has often shed light on the Jesus of history - but has also distorted the Gospels and rendered Jesus unrecognizable. Why are some scholars so prone to fabricate a new Jesus? What methods and assumptions predispose them to distort the record? Why is the public so eager to accept such claims without question? Is there a more sober approach to finding the real Jesus? Craig Evans offers insights into the methods and biases of modern interpreters, whether scholars associated with the Jesus Seminar or popularizers like Michael Baigent and Dan Brown. He examines how we got today's New Testament text, how ancient historians did their work, what second-century Gnosticism was all about, and the way first-century Jewish and Greek culture informs scholarly study of the Gospels. Readers will come away with a new appreciation of the value and limits of contemporary biblical research.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis volume addresses the means and ends of sacrificial speculation by inviting a selected group of specialists in the fields of philosophy, history of religions, and indology to examine philosophical modes of sacrificial speculation - especially in Ancient India and Greece - and consider the commonalities of their historical raison d'etre. Scholars have long observed, yet without presenting any transcultural grand theory on the matter, that sacrifice seems to end with (or even continue as) philosophy in both Ancient India and Greece. How are we to understand this important transformation that so profoundly changed the way we think of religion (and philosophy as opposed to religion) today? Some of the complex topics inviting closer examination in this regard are the interiorisation of ritual, ascetism and self-sacrifice, sacrifice and cosmogony, the figure of the philosopher-sage, transformations and technologies of the self, analogical reasoning, the philosophy of ritual, vegetarianism, and metempsychosis.Table of ContentsIntroductionPeter Jackson & Anna-Pya SjodinI: HISTORICAL AND COMPARATIVE APPROACHES TO RITUAL THOUGHT IN ANCIENT INDIA AND ARCHAIC GREECE1. The Principle of Equivalence and the Interiorization of Ritual: The 'End' of Ritual?Stephanie Jamison, UCLA2. Ritual as Abstract Action Clemens Cavallin, University of Gothenburg3. Lord over this Whole World: Agency and Philosophy in Brhadaranyaka Upanisad Anna-Pya Sjodin4. 'The End of Sacrifice' and the Absence of 'Religion': The Peculiar Case of IndiaGerald James Larson, University of California, Santa Barbara5. The Crisis of SacrificePeter JacksonII: RITUAL TRANSFORMATIONS IN LATE ANTIQUITY6. The End of Sacrifice RevisitedGuy Stroumsa, University of Oxford (Emeritus)7. The All as logike thusia Jorgen Podemann Sorensen, University of Copenhagen8. No End to Sacrifice in HermetismChristian Bull, Bergen University9. Beyond righteousness and transgressionJorgen Magnusson, Mid-Sweden University10. Sacrificial Subjectivity: On Transformative Faith in the Pauline Letters Hans Ruin, Sodertorn UniversityIII: REPERCUSSIONS OF SACRIFICE IN WESTERN PHILOSOPHY11. Philosophical sacrificeMarcia Sa Cavalcante Schuback, Sodertorn University

Read more less

Book SynopsisMany of us know and love the stories and characters of the Old Testament such as Joseph, Moses and Jonah. But how do we view its importance in relation to New Testament teaching and our 21st century experiences? This accessible yet powerful addition to the Pocket Guide series draw together the threads of Scripture to help us understand the power of God’s word when viewed in its completeness. Trade Review...If the world is still here in a hundred years' time, these thrilling pages will still be looked upon as a treasure trove among God's faithful people. -- Richard Bewes (OBE (1939 – 2019), formerly of All Souls Church, Langham Place, London, England)...it is a huge privilege to commend the author of the Pocket Guide you now hold in your hand- although, quite frankly, his work speaks for itself so well that it does not need me to approve it. -- D. A. Carson (Emeritus Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois)In nearly every conceivable way this little book is outstanding to the point that I can hardly believe so much useful content is concentrated into so few pages. If your typical book is coffee, Loving the Old Testament is espresso. It's clearly written, interesting, supported by meticulous and creative scholarship, not infrequently humorous, reverent and pious (in the best sense), and very practically applicable especially to a local church context. Furthermore, if you know anything about biblical studies from the last 100 years, you'll know that Moyter's is essentially the evangelical Gandalf. If you're a pastor, I'd encourage you to buy a couple dozen copies and keep them on your free book table or stocked in your bookstore. -- Timothy Raymond- Credo MagazineNow 90, Alec Motyer retains all his old clarity, warmth and charm as he shares his infectious affection for, and insight into, Jesus's Bible. This is a first-rate get-you-started book. -- J. I. Packer ((1926–2020), Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, Canada)A Christian's Pocket Guide to Loving the Old Testament, and Alec Motyer's recent volume Preaching? prove that faithful believers 'will still bear fruit in old age-they will stay fresh and green.' (Ps. 92:14) Why? Because they will continue proclaiming, 'The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.' (Ps. 92:15) -- Tim Keller ((1950 – 2023) Redeemer City to City)Motyer is that rare scholar who can write plainly, say something quotable in a few words, and write sympathetically to ordinary folk. Who might benefit from this little book? My ninth-grade Bible students last year would have been much helped. This year's kids will thank me. It would make a nice study for a Sunday school class. Even the minister who has preached and taught through the Old Testament will enjoy the read and learn something, too. -- New HorizonsA welcome volume that will be useful for teachers trying to convince their students about the value of the Old Testament or for intelligent lay persons to learn from a seasoned pastor-theologian why they should love the Old Testament. -- Themelios Journal

Read more less

Book SynopsisTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Table of Contents Introduction Part I: Metaphysics and Ontology 1. Theravada Metaphysics and Ontology: Kaccanagotta (Samyutta-nikaya) and Abhidhammatthasangaha Noa Ronkin 2. Nagarjuna's Mulamadhyamakakarika (Fundamental Verses of the Middle Way): Chapter XXIV: Examination of the Four Noble Truths , Jay L. Garfield 3. Vasubandhu's Trisvabhavanirdenulla (Treatise on the Three Natures) , Jay L. Garfield 4. Santaraksita's "Neither-One-Nor-Many" Argument from The Ornament of the Middle Way (Madhyamakalamkara): A Classical Buddhist Argument on the Ontological Status of Phenomena , James Blumenthal 5. Mipam Namgyel: The Lion's Roar Affirming Extrinsic Emptiness , Matthew Kapstein 6. Dushun's Huayan Fajie Guan Men (Meditative Approaches to the Huayan Dharmadhatu) , Alan Fox 7. Dogen's "Mountains and Waters as Sutras" (Sansui-kyo) , Graham Parkes 8. Nishitani Keiji's "The Standpoint of Zen: Directly Pointing to the Mind" , Bret Davis Part II: Philosophy of Language and Hermeneutics 9. Sensation, Inference, and Language: Dignaga's Pramanasamuccaya , Richard Hayes 10. Jn?nagarbha's Verses on the Distinction Between the Two Truths , David Eckel 11. Language and the Ultimate: Do Madhyamikas Make Philosophical Claims? A Selection from Khedrupjey's Great Digest , José Cabezón 12. Zongmi's Inquiry into the Origin of the Human Condition (Yuanren lun): The Hermeneutics of Doctrinal Classification , Peter Gregory 13. Dogen's Shobogenzo Fascicles "Katto" and "Osakusendaba" , Steven Heine 14. Beyond Awareness: T?rei Enji's Understanding of Realization in the Treatise on the Inexhaustible Lamp of Zen, Chapter VI , Michel Mohr Part III: Epistemology 15. The approach to knowledge and truth in the Theravada record of the discourses of the Buddha , Peter Harvey 16. Dharmakirti and Dharmottara on the Intentionality of Perception: Selections from "An Epitome of Philosophy" (Nyayabindu) , Dan Arnold 17. The Role of Knowledge of Causation in Dharmakirti's Theory of Inference: The Pramana-varttika , Brendan Gillon 18. Yogacara Theories of the Components of Perception: The Buddhabhumy-upadenulla , Dan Lusthaus 19. Classification of Non-Authoritative Cognitive Processes (tshad min) in the Ngog and Sakya Traditions , Leonard W.J. van der Kuijp 20. Understanding the Two Truths: Tsongkhapa's Ocean of Reasoning: A Great Commentary on Nagarjuna's "Mulamadhyamakakarika" , Jay L. Garfield 21. The Deluded Mind as World and Truth: Epistemological Implications of Tiantai Doctrine and Praxis in Jingxi Zhanran's Jingangpi and Zhiguan yili , Brook Ziporyn 22. The Presencing of Truth: Dogen's Genjokoan , Bret Davis Part IV: Philosophy of Mind and the Person 23. Theravada Philosophy of Mind and the Person: Anatta-lakkhana Sutta, Maha-nidana Sutta, and Milindapa nha , Peter Harvey 24. Pudgalavada Doctrines of the Person , Dan Lusthaus 25. Vasubandhu's Abhidharmakonulla: The Critique of the Pudgalavadins' Theory of Persons , James Duerlinger 26. Vasubandhu's Abhidharma-ko?a: The Critique of the Soul , Charles Goodman 27. Candrakirti's Madhyamakavatarabhasya VI.86-97: A Madhyamaka Critique of Vijñanavada Views of Consciousness , C.W. Huntington, Jr. 28. nullantaraksita's Tattvasamgraha: A Buddhist Critique of the Nyaya View of the Self , Matthew Kapstein 29. Zhiyi's Great Calming and Contemplation: "Contemplating Mental Activity as the Inconceivable Realm" , Hans-Rudolph Kantor 30. "The Mind is Buddha": Pojo Chinul's Secrets on Cultivating the Mind , Jin Y. Park 31. Nishida's Conception of Person , Gereon Kopf Part V: Ethics 32. Theravada Texts on Ethics, Peter Harvey 33. The Bodhisattva Path: nullantideva's Bodhicaryavatara , William Edelglass 34. Asanga's Bodhisattvabhumi: The Morality Chapter , Gareth Sparham 35. Essentials of Observing and Violating Bodhisattva Precepts: Wonhyo's Non-Substantial Mahayana Ethics , Jin Y. Park 36. Thich Nhat Hanh's Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism , William Edelglass 37. Joanna Macy: The Ecological Self , William Edelglass 38. Buddhist Feminist Reflections , Karma Lekshe Tsomo Contributors

Read more less

Book SynopsisEveryone loves a Christmas carol - in the end, even Scrooge. They have the power to summon up a special kind of midwinter mood, like the aroma of mince pies and mulled wine and the twinkle of lights on a tree. It's a kind of magic. But how did they get that magic? In Christmas Carols Andrew Gant tells the story of some twenty carols, each accompanied by lyrics and music, unravelling a captivating - and often surprising - tale of great musicians and thinkers, saints and pagans, shepherd boys, choirboys, monks and drunks. We delve into the history of such favourites as 'Good King Wenceslas', 'Away in a Manger' and 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', discovering along the way how 'Hark, the Herald angels sing' came to replace 'Hark, how all the welkin ring' and how Ralph Vaughan Williams bolted the tune of an English folk song about a dead ox to a poem by a nineteenth-century American pilgrim to make 'O little town of Bethlehem'. Christmas Carols brims with anecdote, expert knowledge and Christmas spirit. It is a fittingly joyous account of one of our best-loved musical traditions.Trade ReviewAndrew Gant provides us with a fluent but flinty digest of the modern scholarship concerning 22 of our favourite seasonal songs. -- Kathryn Hughes * The Guardian *Gant's detective-story accounts of 22 Christmas melodies is a delight -- Christopher Hart * Sunday Times *Scholarly but conversational in in tone and rich in picturesque detail. -- Kirsty McClusky * The Tablet *

Read more less

Book SynopsisDigging for Diamonds explores 12 key facets which help you understand your unique God-given gifts and how you can live a valuable, purposeful life. Are you tired of living on planet shallow? Have you realised that there is nothing super about superficial? If so, then it's time to get real! What is hidden matters. What you can't see always shapes what you can see. And this is true for us too. God doesn't want us to be shallow people, so no matter how impressive (or not) we appear to be, it's what happens beneath the surface that matters most of all. So, it's worth digging a bit deeper to find out what is really valuable. Often it is in the hidden and slightly messy places where we find the greatest treasure of all. It's in the darkness that we often find diamonds. This book looks at 12 different facets of diamonds and the lessons we can learn from them, such as being unique but flawed, being resilient, knowing our value, being transformed and becoming a prism through which transformation happens. Cathy Madavan will in turns make you laugh and make you think. As you read and reflect on each chapter you will be challenged to move past the surface and to really dig deep into the treasure beneath the surface in your own life. You may well be richer than you realise. Content Benefits: Digging for Diamonds encourages us to dig deeper and discover more of the life-transforming treasures of our identity, strength, character and purpose that God has already placed within us - right where we are. Helps you to find the treasure hidden in the messiness of life Encourages you to be brave and move beyond the culture of shallowness to authenticity Uses the metaphor of diamonds to deliver life lessons Each chapter includes a Bible reading, teaching, questions and a prayer Studies themes such as identity and purpose Perfect for quiet times or discipleship groups as well as personal use Will encourage you to see that you are precious to God Gain a deeper understanding of your unique God-given identity and gifts Encourages you to live a valuable, purposeful life Written in an engaging and accessible style that is suitable for all to understand A perfect gift for any occasion to inspire friends, family or loved ones to dig deeper into God's truths Ideal inspirational gift for women A 40 Day Devotional companion is also available to explore the themes in more detail Audiobook narrated by author available Cathy Madavan is a regular speaker at events including New Wine and Spring Harvest Binding - Paperback Pages - 224 Publisher - Authentic Media

Read more less

Book SynopsisSix remarkable churches built by Nicholas Hawksmoor from 1712 to 1731 still stand in London. This work examines these designs as a coherent whole - a single masterpiece reflecting Hawksmoor's design principles and his desire to reconnect architecturally with pure Christianity.Trade Review"Du Prey's well-argued book enhances our understanding of Hawksmoor's design processes, and sheds light into the murky corners of early 18th-century theological and political concerns. This latest book adds lustre to an engaging writer's reputation." - James Stevens Curl, Building Design "The close study of Nicholas Hawksmoor's churches in London extends du Prey's fascination with the legacy, appropriation, and adaption of classical principles and motifs in the evolving pattern of architectural representation.... The resulting book is a fascinating reconstruction of the social networks and cultural resources upon which Hawksmoor drew in designing his remarkable churches, enriched by intelligent analysis of the architectural fabric." - Choice

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis English-language edition of Walter Bauer's "Worterbuch zu den Schriften des Neuen Testaments" includes entries for many more words and over 25,000 additional references to classical, intertestamental, early Christian and modern literature.

Read more less

Garfield translates Nagarjuna's Mulamadhyamakakarika and provides a philosophical commentary. Mulamadhyamakakarika is the foundational text for all Mahayana Buddhism and is one of the most influential works in the history of Indian philosophy.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA concise and accessible history of four of the monastic orders in the middle ages. In 1274 the Council of Lyons decreed the end of various "new orders" of Mendicants which had emerged during the great push for evangelism and poverty in the thirteenth-century Latin Church. The Franciscans and Dominicans were explicitly excluded, while the Carmelites and Austin friars were allowed a stay of execution. These last two were eventually able to acquire approval, but other smaller groups, in particular the Friars of the Sack and Pied Friars, were forced to disband. This book outlines the history of those who were threatened by 1274, tracing the development of the two larger orders down to the Council of Trent, and following the fragmentary sources for the brief histories of the discontinued friaries. For the first time these orders are treated comparatively: the volume offers a total history, from their origins, spirituality and pastoral impact, to their music, buildings and runaways. FRANCES ANDREWS is Professor in Mediaeval History at the University of St Andrews.Trade ReviewSheds needed light on an obscure aspect of medieval mendicancy and is a great resource for those studying medieval religious institutional and social history. * RELIGIOUS STUDIES REVIEW *A fine study. [...] Deals elegantly with the difficulty of reconstructing the past from primarily normative sources and makes deft use of such evidence of personal experience and opinion as is extant. [...] In investigating this through a rare comparative study, Andrews has performed a great service to students of medieval religion. * ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW *Would provide a valuable service even if it did no more than introduce readers to the variety of mendicant profession in thirteenth-century Europe. As it is, it does very much more than this. [...] Andrews manages to present her thesis with great clarity of organisation and lucidity of expression, yet without compromising the deep scholarship that obviously forms the bedrock of the book. * JOURNAL OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY *[An] interesting and thought-provoking study. Essential to anyone conducting research on the mendicant orders. Highly recommended. * CHOICE *A history that is both lively and definitive. [...] This is a very fine book, rescuing from obscurity an entire chapter of the medieval past. * THE TABLET *Students of late medieval religion will be glad to have this book, not only because it lacks a competitor but especially because of its solidity. * TLS *Definitely a volume to be welcomed. * THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY JOURNAL *Table of ContentsPart I: The Carmelites or White Friars - Frances Andrews Part II: The Augustinian (Austin) Hermit Friars - Frances Andrews Part III: The Orders Discontinued after Lyons 1274 - Frances Andrews Further Reading - Frances Andrews

Read more less

Book SynopsisIndepth study of one of the largest and most successful Islamist parties, examining its role in Lebanese politics and the wider Muslim umma.Trade Review'A fine exposition of the evolution, the religious and political philosophy of one of the most important movements in the contemporary Middle East' -- Tribune'This is one of the very best works on the subject' -- Middle East International'The most detailed and scholarly analysis to date of the ideology of the Lebanese Shi'a radical Hizb'ullah' -- CHOICETable of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction 1. Political Accommodation And Violence In Non-Islamic States 2. The Islamic State And Democracy 3. The Concept Of The Guardianship Of The Jurisprudent 4. Islamic Universalism And National Identity 5. The Struggle With The West 6. The Resistance To The Israeli Occupation Of South Lebanon 7. Anti-Zionism And Israel 8. Anti-Judaism Conclusion Appendix 1: Miladi Equivalents To Hijri Years Appendix 2: List Of Hijri Months References Glossary Index

Read more less