Religion Books

Book Synopsis"Leadership loves daily, not in a day."Use 102 of John Maxwell's best quotes on leadership to inspire your own inner leader. Whether you want to increase your influence, prepare yourself for that big promotion, or get a handle on leadership for the first time, you can trust John Maxwell to help you in the journey.Maxwell gives you clear leadership philosophies, prompts you to examine yourself, and encourages you to become the leader you've always wanted to be.

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Book SynopsisMessenger, sentinel, steward ... these three words have been used to describe the work of a priest in the Church of England since Cranmer wrote the original ordination rite in 1550. Two more, servant and shepherd, were added in 1980. Taken together, these five metaphors provide a rich and resonant set of ideas through which to explore the nature of Christian ministry. In this short, lyrical book, Bishop Stephen Cottrell explores each one; based on actual addresses given to ordinands on the night before their ordination, it is refreshing, challenging and accessible. Anyone considering ordination or already in ministry will want to read this book for the fascinating exploration of the five metaphors he considers.Trade ReviewThis book is a helpful reminder to all of us - ordained, commissioned or neither - to allow God to do what God needs to do through us. * Reform *[Stephen Cottrell] inhabits pastures rich in scripture, peopled by the greatest and wisest minds of the Church down the centuries, and grounded in more than thirty years of ministerial experience. His hinterland embraces the fields of poetry and music and much else besides. This is catholic writing in every sense. -- The Rt Revd Graham James, former Bishop of Norwich * Church Times *

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Book SynopsisBecome the exceptional person God has called you to be with these seven practices for living a fulfilled and plentiful life from Lakewood Church co-pastor and bestselling author Victoria Osteen.In her latest book, Exceptional You! Victoria Osteen shares seven ways to become the exceptional person God has called you to be. She says, "If you're going reach your highest potential in life, you're going to have to develop the ability to see beyond where you are right now." Through empowering, uplifting stories and biblical teachings, Victoria will encourage you to set your mind and intent towards the important things in life with seven exceptional practices: * Keep your memory box full of encouragement *Lift up your eyes * Know that you are chosen * Love well * Keep your accounts short * Live in your space of gratitude * Start your day off right.Live encouraged, live empowered and live intentional and see the new and exciting things God has in store for you.

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Book SynopsisIncluding a comparison of the arrest of the Templars in France with the Templar Inquisition at Holyrood, and an examination of the part they played at Bannockburn, this is an essential book for anyone with an interest in the history of the Knights Templar.

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Book SynopsisProvocative voice offers a catalyst to awakening your five spiritual senses to experience heaven as a present reality and not just a final destination.

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Book SynopsisThis book considers a series of biblical and pastoral arguments against both the multisite and multiservice church model, making the claim that maintaining a single assembly best embodies the unity the church possesses in Jesus Christ.

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Book SynopsisThrough brief meditations on Psalms 88 and 89, Ligon Duncan points to God's promises that sustain Christians even when he seems silent through their suffering.

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Book SynopsisA sweeping history of American Catholicism from the arrival of the first Spanish missionaries to the presentTentler does justice to James Joyce's quip that Catholicism means here comes everybody.' This is the story of everybodylay people, sisters, priestswho was part of the church in the United States, a story insightfully analyzed and admirably told. A definitive synthesis.James M. O'Toole, author of The Faithful This comprehensive survey of Catholic history in what became the United States spans nearly five hundred years, from the arrival of the first Spanish missionaries to the present. Distinguished historian Leslie Tentler explores lay religious practice and the impact of clergy on Catholic life and culture as she seeks to answer the question, What did it mean to be a good Catholic at particular times and in particular places? In its focus on Catholics' participation in American politics and Catholic intellectual life, this book includes in-depth discussions of Catholics, race, Trade ReviewCHOICE Outstanding Academic Title, 2020“Tentler does justice to James Joyce’s quip that Catholicism means ‘here comes everybody.’ This is the story of everybody—lay people, sisters, priests—who was part of the church in the United States, a story insightfully analyzed and admirably told. A definitive synthesis.”—James M. O’Toole, author of The Faithful“Tentler’s talents as a historian and writer are on abundant display in this beautifully crafted chronicle of almost five centuries of Catholics’ experience in America. Readers will appreciate Tentler’s candor about the myriad challenges facing the church, while many will find comfort in her cautious optimism that the same elements that enriched the Catholic past may yet redeem its future.”—Kathleen Sprows Cummings, author of A Saint of Our Own“American Catholics is a masterful study of U.S. Catholicism that will immediately engage readers. This meticulously researched, comprehensive history captures the rich diversity and complexity of a church and its people that have played an important role in the broader history of the United States.”—Margaret M. McGuinness, author of Called to Serve: A History of Nuns in America“Elegantly written, American Catholics is a thrilling achievement. No better introduction to the current fraught moment in American Catholic history exists and none could be more necessary.”—John T. McGreevy, author of American Jesuits and the World“Whether unpacking the intricacies of the colonial age or the era of the sex abuse crisis, American Catholics is resplendent with insight. This is the finest, most-up to-date and sophisticated treatment available. It will be the go-to volume for a generation of readers.”— James P. McCartin, author of Prayers of the Faithful

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Book SynopsisPublished for the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower's landing, this ambitious new history of the Pilgrims and Plymouth Colony will become the new standard work on the Plymouth Colony (Thomas Kidd) Informative, accessible, and compelling. . . . Awelcome invitation to rediscover the Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony.Daniel M. Gullotta, Christianity Today[An] excellent new history. . . . [Turner] asserts that the Pilgrims matter for more than their legend, and he deftly uses the history of Plymouth to explore ideas of liberty in the American colonies.Nathanael Blake, National Review In 1620, separatists from the Church of England set sail across the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower. Understanding themselves as spiritual pilgrims, they left to preserve their liberty to worship God in accordance with their understanding of the Bible. There exists, however, an alternative, more dispiriting version of their story. In it, the Pilgrims are religious zealots who persecutedTrade Review“John G. Turner’s superbly detailed new history of the colony looks at what Turner calls the ‘contest for American liberty.’”—Rebecca Fraser, Times Literary Supplement“[An] excellent new history of the colony. . . . While validating some criticisms, [Turner] asserts that the Pilgrims matter for more than their legend, and he deftly uses the history of Plymouth to explore ideas of liberty in the American colonies.”—Nathanael Blake, National Review“What Turner achieves, in what will surely become the definitive history of the Plymouth Colony, is a double perspective. . . . He is excellent at exploring the paradoxes of Calvinist determinism . . . and deftly untangles knotty concepts such as Arminianism and the Halfway Covenant. He allows us to admire the Pilgrims’ persistence, endeavour and energy . . . while giving a clear-eyed assessment of their intolerance and occasional inhumanity.”—Richard Francis, Spectator“They Knew They Were Pilgrims tells this story anew through an even-keeled and extensive history.”—James Panero, New Criterion“Compellingly written and centering the testimonies of formerly enslaved people, this award-winning book is an important contribution to both historiography and contemporary politics.”—Ben Marguiles, LSE Review of Books“Turner has given us the history we need to understand what really mattered about Plymouth.”—Evan Haefeli, Journal of Religious History“In the twentieth century few academic historians have revisited the political, social and religious history of the colony, a void that John Turner has filled with a skilfully written, archive-based history that extends from start (1620) to finish (1691), when the government of William III incorporated it into Massachusetts.”—David D. Hall, Journal of Ecclesiastical HistoryReceived the Christianity Today Award of Merit for the history/biography category, sponsored by Christianity TodayFinalist for The Gospel Coalition 2020 History Book Prize, sponsored by The Gospel CoalitionShortlisted for the New England Society Book Award, sponsored by the New England Society in the City of New York“This highly important book will become the new standard work on the Plymouth Colony.”—Thomas Kidd, author of Who Is an Evangelical?“They Knew They were Pilgrims is a deeply-researched must-read for anyone interested in the Pilgrims and in the history of 17th-century Plymouth Colony.”—Michael P. Winship, author of Hot Protestants“Turner takes readers deep into the complex world the Pilgrims inhabited, giving an old familiar story remarkable new life and power. The story he tells is at once entertaining, erudite, and wonderfully human.”—Margaret Bendroth, author of The Last Puritans“Precisely crafted and far-ranging, They Knew They Were Pilgrims resets Plymouth’s significance in a rapidly evolving colonial world and deftly probes the Pilgrims’ complex relationship to liberty.”—Donna D. Curtin, Pilgrim Hall Museum“On this 400thanniversary of Plymouth Colony, John G. Turner offers a masterful narrative that reassesses the ‘Thanksgiving Story,’ detailing a poignant yet complicated legacy that resonates in our time of social and political turmoil.”—Walter L. Powell, General Society of Mayflower Descendants

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Book SynopsisThe Psalms can be very helpful, but they can also be hard. Following on from The Way of the Righteous in the Muck of Life and Slogging Along the Paths of Righteousness, Dale Ralph Davis delves into Psalms 25 to 37. Using his own recognisable humour and razor–sharp observations these expositions help us to engage with the conflict in these twelve psalms.Trade ReviewIn this work of exposition, Davis again shows how unchanging God’s Word is, and how sufficient He is to meet us in whatever trial we face. Davis has a gift for bringing the word to bear in clear and crisp ways. This book does just that—and it’s another gift to God’s people from Dr. Davis. -- Courtney Reissig (Author of ‘Teach Me to Feel: Worshipping Through the Psalms in Every Season of Life’)The treasure of this book is the way Dr. Davis skillfully walks his readers through the ancient words and literary styles of these Psalms into a grander view of the covenant–keeping God and a fuller understanding of his care for His people. -- Emily Woodard (Director of Women’s Ministry, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina)This accessible but profound study of the Psalms has warmed my heart and made me thankful again for the greater gift of Christ our King. There is gold on every page and comfort in each chapter. Once again we are all in Dale Ralph Davis’ debt for his scholarship presented with humility and his ministry fulfilled so faithfully. -- David Gibson (Minister, Trinity Church, Aberdeen)Davis joins hands with the sacred songwriter in beckoning us to employ our grittiest grief, formidable fears, principle praises and staunchest certainties as we pour out our hearts into the bosom of God. … if you are trudging arduously before the oppressive presence of evil and darkness, you will find this book a true friend! -- Michael W. Philliber (Senior Pastor, Heritage Presbyterian Church (PCA), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)It is Ralph Davis at his best. Brilliant exposition punctuated by apt historical illustrations, pertinent quotations, home spun stories, personal honesty and delicious use of language. -- David Carmichael (Minister, Abbeygreen Church, Lesmahagow, Scotland)Ralph Davis loves baseball. Well, this exposition of Psalms 25–37 is not only a home run, but a grand slam home run. Christians love to read the Old Testament Psalms, but we often struggle to grasp the flow and meaning of the text. Ralph pulls back the veil and helps us to see the height, depth, length and breadth of the love of Yahweh for His people in all ages of the church. This exposition will provide fuel for the souls of those who read it. -- David Jussely (Adjunct Professor, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi and Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi)

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Book SynopsisIn the summer of 972 a group of Muslim brigands based in the south of France near La Garde-Freinet abducted the abbot of Cluny as he and his entourage crossed the Alps en route from Rome to Burgundy. Ultimately, the abbot was set free, but the audacity of this abduction outraged Christian leaders and galvanized the will of local lords. Shortly thereafter, Count William of Arles marshaled an army and succeeded in wiping out the Muslim stronghold. The monks of Cluny kept this tale alive over the next century. Scott G. Bruce explores the telling and retelling of this story, focusing on the representation of Islam in each account and how that representation changed over time. The culminating figure in this study is Peter the Venerable, one of Europe''s leading intellectuals and abbot of Cluny from 1122 to 1156, who commissioned Latin translations of Muslim texts such as the Qur''an. Cluny and the Muslims of La Garde-Freinet provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to eTrade ReviewOverall, this is an impressive book. It diligently unpacks the development of the hagiographical legend surrounding the kidnapping of Maiolus and assesses its impact upon later Cluniac authors—especially Peter the Venerable. It makes positive contributions to several major debates surrounding Peter and the broad character of the Cluniac engagement with non-Christians and places that discussion within a long-term context. Bruce expresses himself with some neat turns of phrase and the book as a whole is a very easy read. It is much to be recommended! * Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations *Crisply written and easy to read, given the density of some of the material. Highly recommended. * Reading Religion *A thoughtful and provocative book... Bruce has demonstrated the importance of the vita of Maiolus on the attitudes of the twelfth-century abbot and raised new ways to think about Peter's approach to Islam. * Journal of Religion *Meticulously researched and highly readable, this book will be a valuable addition to the shelves of all scholars of polemic and interreligious interactions in the Middle Ages. In drawing scholarly attention to the influence of devotional and hagiographical texts in shaping the attitudes of medieval theologians, Bruce provides fresh material and an original perspective to ongoing conversations about the ways in which medieval Christian writers interacted with Islam and the texts that shaped their thought-worlds. * Journal of Medieval Religious Cultures *This is a welcome work, bringing greater attention to a small but telling episode in the life of one Cluniac abbot and the polemical work of another Cluniac abbot, while also satisfying a modern desire for insight into Christian-Muslim relations in the past. * American Historical Review *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Hagiography and Religious Polemic in the Cluniac Tradition 1. News of a Kidnapping The Perils and Promises of Transalpine Travel The Muslims of La Garde-Freinet "The Hordes of Belial Have Surrounded Me" 2. Monks Tell Tales By Savaage Hands Restrained The Preacher's Prowess Fulcher and the Great Wolf Enter Muhammed Interlude: A Cluniac Mission on the Spanish Frontier 3. Peter and the Venerable, Butcher of God Against the Heirs of Inquiry A Christian Arsenal against Islam Assailing the Monstrous Beast Recourse to Reason 4. Hagiography and the Muslim Policy of Peter the Venerable Reasoning with Unbelievers in the Decades around 1100 A Reservoir of Eastern Censure Nalgod's Industry Conclusion

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Book SynopsisA fluent English explanation of the Theravada Buddhist analysis of matter for serious students of Buddhist thought.In The Buddhist Analysis of Matter, renowned scholar Y. Karunadasa interprets the Buddhist view of matter as presented in Theravada Buddhism, based on the Abhidhamma. His comprehensive work draws on both the earlier period containing the seven manuals of the Abhidhamma Pitaka and the later period containing Abhidhammic commentaries, sub-commentaries, and such compendiums as the Abhidhammatthasangaha of Acariya Anuruddha. In order to bring the subject into a wider perspective, and for more precision, Karunadasa considers the (non-Theravada) Vaibhasika and Sautrantika schools of Buddhism—two of the leading non-Mahayana schools with whom the Theravadins had much in common, both of which subscribed to a realistic view of existence—as well as later sources such as the post-canonical commentaries and related literary sources of Theravada Buddhism.  This book gives us the first clear picture of the Buddhist analysis of matter as such. Earlier works on this subject have tended to focus on the broad philosophical implications arising from the Buddhist theory of matter and were based more on earlier sources, such as the Pali canonical texts. The Buddhist Analysis of Matter provides a much-needed micro view of the topic with a detailed examination of the Theravadins’ list of rupa-dammas—the ultimate irreducible factors into which material existence is analyzed. It exposes the basic material elements into which the whole of material existence is resolved and explains their interconnection and interdependence on the basis of conditional relations. It concludes with an understanding of the nature and relevance of the Buddhist analysis of matter in the context of Buddhism as a religion.

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Book SynopsisJean Sasson grew up in a small town in America's deep south before moving to the Middle East in 1978 to work at a prestigious royal hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In 1985, she met Princess Sultana, who inspired the widely acclaimed Princess Trilogy. Jean later worked as freelance writer in Lebanon and Kuwait, conducting interviews with Kuwaitis who survived the first Gulf war, as well as high ranking Kuwaiti officials before, during and after the War. Her affection for the Middle East has been the motivation for a number of her books and Jean has spent her career sharing the personal stories of many courageous women. Princess: Stepping Out Of The Shadows is the latest book in the bestselling Princess series.Trade ReviewA very human look at the struggle of the Kurds in Iraq and one woman's heroism. * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisThe life-changing guide to finding freedom from our self-doubt through the revolutionary practice of Radical Acceptance from the renowned meditation teacher, psychologist, and author—now revised and updated with a new introduction and an in-depth guide to the author’s signature mindfulness techniques. “Radical Acceptance offers us an invitation to embrace ourselves with all our pain, fear, and anxieties, and to step lightly yet firmly on the path of understanding and compassion.”—Thich Nhat Hanh “Believing that something is wrong with us is a deep and tenacious suffering,” says Tara Brach at the start of this illuminating book. This suffering emerges in crippling self-judgments and conflicts in our relationships, in addictions and perfectionism, in loneliness and overwork—all the forces that keep our lives constricted and unfulfilled. Radical Acceptance offers a path

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Book SynopsisThis book is a translation of the second part of a commentary on the Treasury of Precious Qualities, the most celebrated work of Jigme Lingpa (1730–1798), one of the most important figures in the Nyingma lineage. In a slender volume of elegant verse, this root text (new in this revised edition) presents the entire Buddhist path according to the Nyingma school. Because it is so concise and makes use of elaborate poetic language, the commentary is indispensable.

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Book SynopsisRosa Andújar is Deputy Director and Lecturer in Liberal Arts at King's College London, UK. She has co-edited two volumes which address her research expertise in ancient Greek tragedy and its modern reception: Paths of Song: The Lyric Dimension of Greek Tragedy (2018) and Greeks and Romans on the Latin American Stage (2020).Luis Alfaro is a Chicano writer/performer known for his work in poetry, theatre, short stories, performance and journalism. Alfaro held a six-season tenure as the Mellon Playwright-in-Residence at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (2013-2019). He was a member of the Playwright's Ensemble at Chicago's Victory Gardens Theatre (2013-2020). Alfaro is the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, popularly known as a genius grant, presented to people who have demonstrated expertise and exceptional creativity in their respective fields. Alfaro is a Joyce Foundation Fellow. In 2019, Alfaro was awarded the PEN America/Laura Pels IntTrade ReviewIn these plays, Luis brilliantly transplants Sophocles’s Electra and Oedipus and Euripides’s Medea into the modern-day streets of Los Angeles and New York. In doing so, he gives voice to the rich, complex lives of the Chicanx and Latinx communities and neighborhoods that he knows and loves. This book is a must-own for any student and lover of contemporary, American plays. * LA Review of Books *A Bloomsbury translation: In this way, the entire book constitutes more than a simple collection of Alfaro's plays. Each of the sections of the anthology reiterates the creation of an archive ... Andújar's work thus contributes to the preservation of the memory of these communities which have turned to the theatre as a venue through which to tell and connect their own stories with other cultures, geographies and temporalities, constantly and necessarily crossing all kinds of borders. * Latin American Theatre Review *Andújar not only offers a richly annotated introduction at the beginning of this volume: each of the three plays also begins with a separate introduction that contextualizes the dramatic work in a way that is both enthralling and enlightening … A must-read for any student and fan of contemporary theatre. And for those of us who have a particular love of Chicanx and Latinx drama, this volume will bring immeasurable reading pleasure and enlightenment. * La Bloga *From the opening scene, the cultural combination is intoxicating … A fascinating trilogy. * British Theatre Guide *Equipped with Andújar’s excellent introduction to Alfaro’s work generally and to each adaptation, plus a production history and interview with Alfaro, this book not only makes the scripts of three very successful plays available for the first time for everyone, but also presents a unique and fascinating way of engaging with the ancient Greek dramas of which Alfaro’s plays are adaptations. * Skenè: Journal of Theatre and Drama Studies *A welcome addition to the bookshelves of those with an interest in the afterlives of Athenian tragedy ... The volume as a whole exemplifies the way in which collaboration between academics and practitioners enhances classical reception studies: this reviewer would be delighted to see more contemporary classical reception texts being given similar treatment. * Greece & Rome *Table of ContentsEditor’s Acknowledgements List of Illustrations 1. Luis Alfaro’s Griego Drama: An Introduction 2. Electricidad: A Chicanx Tragedy between Family and Feminism 3. Electricidad 4. Blind Love and the Chains of Destiny: Oedipus el Rey 5. Oedipus el Rey 6. Mojada: Dramatizing Latinx Migrations 7. Mojada 8. Production History 9. Glossary 10. Interview with Luis Alfaro 11. Further Reading

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Book SynopsisAmbrosia Hawthorn is a traveling eclectic Pagan, astrologer, and card slinger with indigenous roots in Yup'ik shamanism and Puerto Rican folk magic. She is the founder of Wild Goddess Magick, a witchcraft blog, and the editor of Witchology Magazine.

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Book SynopsisMost people have heard of the Celts-the elusive, ancient tribal people who resided in present-day England, Ireland, Scotland and France. Paradoxically characterized as both barbaric and innocent, the Celts appeal to the modern world as a symbol of a bygone era, a world destroyed by the ambition of empire and the spread of Christianity throughout Western Europe. Despite the pervasive cultural and literary influence of the Celts, shockingly little is known of their way of life and beliefs, because very few records of their stories exist. In this book, for the first time, Philip Freeman brings together the best stories of Celtic mythology.Everyone today knows about the gods and heroes of the ancient Greeks, such as Zeus, Hera, and Hercules, but how many people have heard of the Gaulish god Lugus or the magical Welsh queen Rhiannon or the great Irish warrior Cú Chulainn? We still thrill to the story of the Trojan War, but the epic battles of the Irish Táin Bó Cuailgne are known only to a few. And yet those who have read the stories of Celtic myth and legend-among them writers like J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis-have been deeply moved and influenced by these amazing tales, for there is nothing in the world quite like them. In these stories a mysterious and invisible realm of gods and spirits exists alongside and sometimes crosses over into our own human world; fierce women warriors battle with kings and heroes, and even the rules of time and space can be suspended. Captured in vivid prose these shadowy figures--gods, goddesses, and heroes--come to life for the modern reader.Trade Review"Freeman s Celtic Mythology is a satisfying presentation of a decent selection of Irish and Welsh myths and tales from both pagan and Christian sources...the Oxford hardback is smallish and well-designed. The introductions are short and sweet, as are the endnotes, and since Irish and Welsh names are tricky, a glossary is provided. This would be an excellent collection for introductory courses in Celtic Studies; it is also an entry point for anyone wanting to become familiar with these tales. Freeman's version is engaging, accessible, and faithful."--Reading Religion "Philip Freeman's book is a delight. This spirited retelling of the famous stories of the Celtic west serves as a brilliant introduction to the beliefs and values of the pagan and early Christian communities of Ireland and Wales. I can think of no better way to begin to explore the culture of the early Irish and Welsh." --Barry Cunliffe, author of Britain Begins "Philip Freeman brings to life the tales the ancient Celts told to each other, and what tales they were! Filled with passion, rage, bravery, and adventure, these stories are as exciting today as they were on the dark nights of the distant past. Heroes, heroines, gods and goddesses come to life in Philip Freeman's brilliant re-telling of these little-known but unforgettable stories." --Terry Golway, author of The Irish in AmericaTable of ContentsIntroduction: Who were the Celts? Pronunciation Guide Chapter One: The Earliest Celtic Gods Chapter Two: The Book of Invasions Chapter Three: The Wooing of Étaín Chapter Four: Cú Chulainn and the Táin Bó Cuailnge Chapter Five: Tales from the Ulster Cycle Chapter Six: Stories of the Irish Otherworld Chapter Seven: Finn the Outlaw Chapter Eight: Welsh Mythology-The Mabinogi Chapter Nine: Welsh Stories and Sagas Chapter Ten: Christian Mythology Glossary Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe death of Pope John Paul II and consequent election of Pope Benedict XVI has shed light on a political process that the world has not been privy to for almost twenty-six years. People from around the world gathered in St. Peter''s Square, wondering who the next Vatican leader would be and how the election process really worked, while everyone from international news correspondents to local priests added their own opinions to the debate. With Heirs of the Fisherman, former Vatican insider John-Peter Pham presents us with a highly accurate portrait of the modern Vatican, --the only account to reveal the striking changes to papal succession procedures made by John Paul II. Blending political and ecclesiastical history, Pham goes beyond a mere description of the complex rituals--including a rare insight into the dramatic shifts inside the College of Cardinals, whose 100 members now hail from 50 nations around the globe. He takes us into the secret conclave, where the electors were kept Trade Reviewa rich mine of information on papal elections, including the election of Benedict XVI * William Gibson, Archives *an extraordinary book... This well-presented, attractive [book], much more than a coffee table addition the drawing room, is to be welcomed and enjoyed * John Greehalgh, Catholic Herald21.07.2006 *

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Book SynopsisIndia has a long, rich, and diverse tradition of philosophical thought, spanning some two and a half millennia and encompassing several major religious traditions.This Very Short Introduction emphasizes the diversity of Indian thought, and is structured around six schools which have achieved classic status. Sue Hamilton explores how the traditions have attempted to understand the nature of reality in terms of an inner or spiritual quest, and introduces distinctively Indian concepts such as karma and rebirth. She also shows how Indian thinkers have understood issues of reality and knowledge -- issues which are also an important part of the Western philosophical tradition. 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 ReviewIndian Philosophy by Sue Hamilton, the perfect gift for anyone who wishes to sort out their karma and nirvana * The Independent Weekend Review 02/06/01 *Table of ContentsPreface ; Introduction ; 1. The Brahmanical beginnings: Vedic sacrifice and the early Upanisads ; 2. Beyond Brahmanism: the Buddha and other renouncers ; 3. Issues and justifications: language, grammar, and the emerging of polemics ; 4. Nyaya and Vaisesika ; 5. Developments in Buddhist thought: Abhidharma, Madhyamaka, and Yogicara ; 6. Yoga and Samkhya ; 7. Grammar again, and the exegetical traditions: Bhartrhari, Mimamsa, and Vedanta ; Further reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisIncludes Heidegger's lectures, which review and makes critical appropriations of the hermeneutic tradition from Plato, Aristotle, and Augustine to Schleiermacher and Dilthey in order to reformulate the question of being on the basis of facticity and the everyday world.Trade ReviewWith thematic trajectories pointing both toward and beyond Being and Time, this translation . . . is of enormous significance for students of the development of Heidegger's early thought. -- Daniel O. Dahlstrom * Boston University *John van Buren's translation should be read by anyone looking for an access point into Heidegger's work because of his faithful and comprehensible way of rendering this difficult text. Any careful reader of Heidegger who is looking to better understand his work should also read this translation if for no other reason than to see, in nuce, the beginnings of Heidegger's thought. Basically, anyone reading Heidegger should be reading this text.Volume 15 Issue 7 2010 * European Legacy *

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Book SynopsisGeza Vermes, translator and editor of The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls and worldwide expert on the life and times of Jesus, tells the enthralling story of early Christianity and the origins of a religion. The creation of the Christian Church is one of the most important stories in the development of the world''s history, yet one of the least understood. With a forensic, brilliant re-examination of all the key surviving texts of early Christianity, Geza Vermes illuminates the origins of a faith and traces the evolution of the figure of Jesus from the man he was - a prophet in the tradition of other Jewish holy men of the Old Testament - to what he came to represent: a mysterious, otherworldly being at the heart of the official state religion of the Roman Empire. Christian Beginnings pulls apart myths and misunderstandings to focus on the true figure of Jesus, and the birth of one of the world''s major religions.Reviews:Trade ReviewThe subject is not exactly the Christian Church, which makes an appearance effectively only half way through the text; it is Jesus - what he was, what he said he was, and what Christians said about him after his crucifixion. For anyone puzzling over such questions, this is an exciting and challenging port of call, sweeping aside much of the fuzzy thinking and special pleading that bedevils the study of sacred scripture ... [a] courteously expressed and witty little book -- Diarmaid MacCulloch * The Times *This book represents the summation of [Vermes's] thinking about the early history of Christianity. It is a challenging and engaging book that sets out to retrace the route by which a Jewish preacher in 1st-century Israel came to be declared as consubstantial and co-equal with the omnipotent, omniscient only God -- Stuart Kelly * Scotsman *A major contribution to our understanding of the historical Jesus * Financial Times *A magnum opus of early Christian history and one of the year's most significant titles * Bookseller *A very accessible and entertaining read -- Gareth Williams * Scotland on Sunday BOOKS OF THE YEAR *

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Book SynopsisMuch has been said and written about trans people by theologians and Church leaders, while little has been heard from trans Christians themselves. As a step towards redressing the balance, This Is My Body offers a grounded reflection on people's experience of gender dissonance that involves negotiating the boundaries between one's identity and religious faith, as well as a review of the most up-to-date theological, cultural and scientific literature.The book includes contributions from many people associated with the Sibyls, the UK-based confidential spirituality group for transgender people and their allies. People's stories span many decades and most recount how they have come to reconcile their gender variance with their Christian convictions. These honest narratives follow a series of informative chapters, including Gender Incongruence in the changing social and medical environment' by Terry Reed.Trade Review‘This Is My Body is a book many of us have been waiting for. It grants space for trans Christians to give distinctive voice to theology grounded in particular and diverse experience, free from the often oppressive constructions of gender and identity imposed by ‘The Church’. This book reveals the diversity of trans experiences and models hope, anger and grace in powerful ways. It announces the growing confidence of trans Christians and our refusal to be treated as second-class and welcome under sufferance.’ -- Revd Rachel Mann

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Horizons of Difference is a probing study of the crisis of our time, revolving around scientific, technological, economic, political, and cultural globalization. Many studies have focused on one or more of these dimensions, but only Dallmayr’s approach dives deeply into the cultural roots of ‘Western’ modernity and its alleged clash with ‘non-Western’ traditions.” —David Ingram, author of World Crisis and Underdevelopment“This book is a must-read for advanced interdisciplinary classes of religion, philosophy, ethics, and peace/justice studies.” —Religious Studies Review

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Book Synopsis''Why is it better for me to forgive someone and take on the cost of that forgiveness myself?''In his new book, renowned pastor and author Timothy Keller grapples with this thorny question: why we should forgive those who hurt us. It is the heart of the gospel, but it''s not solely important on a religious level; the matter of forgiveness has a huge impact on social and cultural levels, in terms of how we deal with the people, and problems, in our lives. What is it like to carry around resentment and judgement, and what does it cost us to do so - as against the very real personal cost of extending forgiveness to others? These are issues that matter on a daily level, as well as a spiritual one.Writing with his trademark wisdom and deep reliance on the Bible, Keller helps readers think about these questions in an way that will help them rethink their lives, in ways that point to Jesus showing us how to live in the world - and how we can live in a spirit of forgiTrade ReviewPastor Keller delivers a thorough and eloquent apologetic for forgiveness... All will appreciate Keller's lucid prose and gift for succinctly summarizing biblical wisdom. The result is a thought-provoking take on how to forgive. * Publishers Weekly *Full of cultural references and solid biblical exposition, Keller deftly explains why the need to forgive is so essential in a society that seems, increasingly, to hang onto hurt feelings and desire vengeance. Without shying away from the thorny issues of church abuse, seeking justice and dealing with the real-world consequences of others' bad behaviour, Keller nevertheless makes the case for forgiving as God commands. But he doesn't leave the reader there. he also provides a practical guide on how to do this. -- Emma Fowle * Christianity Magazine *

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Book SynopsisStart your day with peaceful meditations, soulful inspirations, and encouraging Bible verses in this 365-day devotional from bestselling author Joyce Meyer to help you grow spiritually as you spend time with God.Life is busy and often uncertain, but you can live in the full peace of God with this easy-to-understand devotional designed to encourage you each day of the year. This includes a daily Bible verse followed by a devotional reading and power thought to meditate upon.With the constant demands and pressures, it can be hard to regularly take time to unplug and simply be with God. But Joyce's practical teaching format in Quiet Times with God will encourage you to discipline yourself so that you can receive the fullness of God's healing, revitalizing peace.Trade ReviewNew York Times bestselling author

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Book SynopsisDiarmaid MacCulloch''s epic, acclaimed history A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years follows the story of Christianity around the globe, from ancient Palestine to contemporary China. How did an obscure personality cult come to be the world''s biggest religion, with a third of humanity its followers? This book, now the most comprehensive and up to date single volume work in English, describes not only the main facts, ideas and personalities of Christian history, its organization and spirituality, but how it has changed politics, sex, and human society. Taking in wars, empires, reformers, apostles, sects, churches and crusaders, Diarmaid MacCulloch shows how Christianity has brought humanity to the most terrible acts of cruelty - and inspired its most sublime accomplishments. ''A stunning tour de force''  Simon Sebag Montefiore, Sunday Telegraph Books of the Year ''A landmark in its field, astonishing in its range, compulsively readable, full of insight ... It will have few, if any, rivals in the English language''   Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, Guardian ''A prodigious, thrilling, masterclass of a history book''   John Cornwell, Financial Times ''Essential reading for those enthralled by Christianity and for those enraged by it''  Melvyn Bragg, Observer, Books of the Year ''Magnificent ... a sumptuous portrait, alive with detail and generous in judgement''  Richard Holloway, The Times Diarmaid MacCulloch is Professor of the History of the Church at Oxford University. His Thomas Cranmer won the Whitbread Biography Prize, the James Tait Black Prize and the Duff Cooper Prize. He is the author most recently of Reformation: Europe''s House Divided 1490 - 1700, which won the Wolfson Prize for History and the British Academy Prize.

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Book SynopsisThis timeless treasure from Charles Spurgeon reminds readers to place their hope in the finished work of Jesus Christ as they navigate trials on this earth. Part of the Crossway Short Classics series.

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Book SynopsisA translation of Nishida's earliest book which represented the foundation of his philosophy - reflecting both his study of Zen Buddhism and his thorough analysis of Western philosophy. The book provides an account of this 20th-century Japanese philosopher's ideas.

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Book SynopsisIn this five-volume opus--now available in its entirety in paperback--Pelikan traces the development of Christian doctrine from the first century to the twentieth. "Pelikan's "The Christian Tradition" [is] a series for which they must have coined words like 'magisterial'."--Martin Marty, "Commonweal"

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Book SynopsisA biography of Louis Jacobs, rabbi, theologian and author of the highly controversial book on Jewish thought and religion, We Have Reason to BelieveLouis Jacobs was Britain''s most gifted Jewish scholar. A Talmudic genius, outstanding teacher and accomplished author, cultured and easy-going, he was widely expected to become Britain''s next Chief Rabbi.Then controversy struck. The Chief Rabbi refused to appoint him as Principal of Jews'' College, the country''s premier rabbinic college. He further forbade him from returning as rabbi to his former synagogue. All because of a book Jacobs had written some years earlier, challenging from a rational perspective the traditional belief in the origins of the Torah.The British Jewish community was torn apart. It was a scandal unlike anything they had ever previously endured. The national media loved it. Jacobs became a cause celebre, a beacon of reason, a humble man who wouldn''t be compromised. His congregatTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Introduction 1 An Unlikely Rabbi 2 Becoming an English Rabbi 3 A Reasonable Faith 4 High Society 5 In the Limelight 6 Jews' College 7 Friends in Need 8 A Bigger Affair 9 New London Synagogue 10 An International Reputation 11 Stability 12 A Mood, not a Movement 13 Out of the Pulpit 14 Personal Belief 15 Winding Down Notes Glossary Acknowledgements For Further Reading Index A Note on the Author

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Book SynopsisThe first English translation of Mipham Rinpoche''s commentary on the "wisdom" chapter of Shantideva''s classic text, in which Mipham explains Madhyamaka philosophy from the perspective of the Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Shāntideva’s guide to the training of a Bodhisattva is one of the most important and beloved texts in the Tibetan tradition. The ninth chapter, however, dealing with Madhyamaka, the Middle Way, the most profound wisdom view of Mahayana Buddhism, has always posed unique challenges to readers. This commentary by the great scholar Mipham Rinpoche presents in quite straightforward terms Shāntideva’s exposition of emptiness, the essential foundation of all Buddhist doctrine, demonstrating that it is not only compatible with, but in fact crucial to, the correct understanding of other important Buddhist teachings such as karma, rebirth, and the practice of compassion. Mipham interprets Shāntideva according to the view of the Nyingma school, which in some respects was at variance with the religiously and politically dominant interpretation of the text in Tibet at that time. As a result, his commentary stirred up a furious debate. With the addition of a critique of Mipham Rinpoche’s view by a prominent scholar of the time, along with Mipham’s response, that debate is beautifully captured in this volume.

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Book SynopsisAn adulterous woman repeatedly spurns the love of her youth, while her betrayed husband offers forgiveness and seeks to win her back and restore the intimacy of their first love. With this bold and uncomfortable imagery, Hosea tells the story of God and his people. The message is made more poignant as God calls the prophet to embody this divine suffering and redeeming forgiveness in his own marriage. Hosea’s own story thus sets the stage for his message of God’s faithful and enduring love, his righteous judgement and also his continuing offer of reconciliation and a new beginning. Robin Routledge’s commentary explores the historical, cultural, literary and theological dimensions of the book, and offers a guide to its continuing message of judgement, hope and restoration.

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Book SynopsisDiscover hidden practices, secretly transmitted in authentic Zen lineages, of using body, speech, and mind to remove obstructions to awakening.Though Zen is best known for the practices of koan introspection and "just sitting" or shikantaza, there are in fact many other practices transmitted in Zen lineages. In modern practice settings, students will find that Bodhidharma''s words "direct pointing at the human mind" are little mentioned, or else taken to be simply a general descriptor of Zen rather than a crucial activity within Zen practice. Reversing this trend toward homogeneous and superficial understandings of Zen technique, Hidden Zen presents a diverse collection of practice instructions that are transmitted orally from teacher to student, unlocking a comprehensive path of awakening.This book reveals and details, for the first time, a treasury of "direct pointing" and internal energy cultivation practices preserved in the Rinzai Zen tradition. The twenty-eight practices of direct pointing offered here illuminate one''s innate clarity and, ultimately, the nature of mind itself. Over a dozen practices of internal energetic cultivation galvanize dramatic effects on the depth of one''s meditative attainment. Hidden Zen affords a small taste of the richness of authentic Zen, helping readers grow beyond the bounds of introspection and sitting to find awakening itself.

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Book SynopsisMaps the demographic revolution that has taken hold of many countries around the globe in recent decades and explores the implications for the future development of the world's religions.Table of Contents Introduction 1. Fertility and Faith How Changes in Fertility Shape Religious Structures and Behavior Part 1 2. Europe's Revolution The Demographic Revolution Begins 3. Spiritual and Secular The Decline of Europe's Faith 4. The Revolution Goes Global New Patterns of Fertility and Faith Spread Rapidly around the World 5 The United States Between Two Worlds? Part 2 6. Africa High Fertility and Strong Faith 7. Two-Tier Islam Uneven Demographic Transitions 8. Go Forth and Divide Populism, Faith, and Fertility Conclusion 9. Living in a Low-Fertility World Can Religions Adapt to the New Society?

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