Religion

The NKJV Word Study Reference Bible balances deep study of the biblical languages with clear application to help transform the way you live. Uncover a wealth of meaning in Scripture with more than 2000 Greek and Hebrew word studies.Bring the words of Scripture to life and discover the richness and significance of the original languages of the Word of God. The NKJV Word Study Reference Bible includes in-text subheadings and 2,000 easy-to-use word studies with select Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek words explained in every chapter from Genesis to Revelation. By looking into these ancient texts, we are able to read scripture as it was originally written and passed on from generation to generation. In addition, this Bible’s Topic-by-Topic studies give a practical framework for understanding scripture, along with more helpful resources.Features include: Presentation page allows you to personalize this special gift by recording a memory or note Book introductions provide a concise overview of the background and historical context of the book about to be read 2,000-word studies illuminating the biblical language 21 chain-linked topical studies for better theological understanding and application Study the Book provides helpful notes for reading each book of the Bible Word study indices by Strong's number, by English word, and by book help you find Greek and Hebrew word studies Extensive cross-references drawing connections between texts Concordance provides an alphabetical listing of important passages by key words Words of Christ in red quickly identify verses spoken by Jesus 16 full-color maps show the layout of Israel and other biblical locations for better context Ribbon markers make it easy to navigate and keep track of where you were reading Clear and readable 9.5-point NKJV Comfort Print®

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Crafted to be an easy-to-carry large print Bible with cross references allowing this Bible to be an ideal choice to take with you wherever you go. This edition is published in large KJV Comfort Print type, which was designed exclusively for Thomas Nelson to be the most readable at any size.Enjoy the unmatched beauty of the King James Version combined with the readability of Thomas Nelson’s KJV Comfort Print® typeface, all in a Bible that’s a convenient size to take anywhere. Plus, you’ll also have essential study resources, including over 42,000 cross references, a concordance and more.In 1611 the King James Bible was published and authorized by the monarch of England and Scotland. Today, more than 400 years since its initial publication, the KJV is considered one of the most influential and beautiful works of the English language and continues to be the favorite translation for millions of Christians worldwide.Features include: The presentation page is a special place to personalize the special gift by recording a memory or note Book introductions provide a concise overview of the background and historical context of the book about to be read Extensive end-of-page cross references allow you to find related passages quickly and easily Translation notes provide a look into the thinking of the translators with alternative translations that could have been used and textual notes about manuscript variations Words of Christ in red help you quickly identify Jesus’ teachings and statements Miracles and parables of Jesus provide a quick reference to important events in the life of Christ Two satin ribbon markers for you to easily navigate and keep track of where you were reading Gilded page edges help protect the edge of the page and provide a polished look Durable and flexible Smyth-sewn binding so the Bible will lay flat in your hand or on a desk Reading plan guiding you through the entire Bible in a year Concordance for looking up a word’s occurrences throughout the Bible Full-color maps show a visual representation of Israel and other biblical locations for better context Easy-to-read 10-point KJV Comfort Print ® The Vintage Series reflects Thomas Nelson's centuries of publishing with distinguished cover designs that give witness to the majesty of God's Word and the KJV legacy.

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'On of my constant preoccupations is how to read the Scriptures for the life of the Church in a manner that is at once loving and critical, challenging yet charitable.' In this new book, Luke Timothy Johnson examines dimensions of the New Testament as they apply directly to Christian life today. The gospel is the good news announced and embodied by Jesus. Johnson's passionate concern in the pages if this book is how this good news can be preached and lived out today.

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As Christian leaders in the first through fifth centuries embraced ascetic interpretations of the Bible and practices of sexual renunciation, sexual slander—such as the accusations Paul leveled against wayward Gentiles in the New Testament—played a pivotal role in the formation of early Christian identity. In particular, the imagined construct of the lascivious, literal-minded Jew served as a convenient foil to the chaste Christian ideal. Susanna Drake examines representations of Jewish sexuality in early Christian writings that use accusations of carnality, fleshliness, bestiality, and licentiousness as strategies to differentiate the "spiritual" Christian from the "carnal" Jew. Church fathers such as Justin Martyr, Hippolytus of Rome, Origen of Alexandria, and John Chrysostom portrayed Jewish men variously as dangerously hypersexual, at times literally seducing virtuous Christians into heresy, or as weak and effeminate, unable to control bodily impulses or govern their wives. As Drake shows, these carnal caricatures served not only to emphasize religious difference between Christians and Jews but also to justify increased legal constraints and violent acts against Jews as the interests of Christian leaders began to dovetail with the interests of the empire. Placing Christian representations of Jews at the root of the destruction of synagogues and mobbing of Jewish communities in the late fourth and early fifth centuries, Slandering the Jew casts new light on the intersections of sexuality, violence, representation, and religious identity.

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After experiencing the transforming power of hearing God’s voice in her own life, Rev Dr Tania Harris set out to unlock the questions Christians have debated for centuries: How does God speak? How do you know it’s God? and What difference does it make to the church? As the central feature of the Spirit’s outpouring at Pentecost and the grand prize of the New Covenant, the prospect of universal access to the Spirit is a powerful but pastorally sensitive concept. Drawing on insights from theology, sociology and personal testimony, Harris skilfully presents a comprehensive theology and pastoral strategy for how the church, whatever the denomination, can hear the Spirit’s voice for themselves. Rev Dr Tania Harris enables church leaders to safely and effectively lead their people into a powerful experience that was intended to be a normal part of every Christian’s life. Content Benefits: Rev Dr Harris helps church leaders to transform their local church into a place where everyone can hear the Spirit’s voice for themselves. • Combines theology and experiential practice • Explores the relationship between Spirit and Scripture • Unpacks the challenge of Cessationism • Explains the authority of contemporary revelatory experience • Addresses the pastoral issues associated with hearing from the Spirit • Scholarly yet accessible style • Helpful for church leaders who want their congregations to hear from God • Suitable for Christian thinkers who want to understand the role of the Spirt in the Bible and today

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Presented here in a new translation, with a historical introduction by the translators, Fear and Trembling and Repetition are the most poetic and personal of Soren Kierkegaard's pseudonymous writings. Published in 1843 and written under the names Johannes de Silentio and Constantine Constantius, respectively, the books demonstrate Kierkegaard's transmutation of the personal into the lyrically religious. Each work uses as a point of departure Kierkegaard's breaking of his engagement to Regine Olsen--his sacrifice of "that single individual." From this beginning Fear and Trembling becomes an exploration of the faith that transcends the ethical, as in Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac at God's command. This faith, which persists in the face of the absurd, is rewarded finally by the return of all that the faithful one is willing to sacrifice. Repetition discusses the most profound implications of unity of personhood and of identity within change, beginning with the ironic story of a young poet who cannot fulfill the ethical claims of his engagement because of the possible consequences of his marriage. The poet finally despairs of repetition (renewal) in the ethical sphere, as does his advisor and friend Constantius in the aesthetic sphere. The book ends with Constantius' intimation of a third kind of repetition--in the religious sphere.

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Has life gone the way you thought it would go? Have your senses of safety, security, and confidence been replaced with fear, doubt, anxiety, and even depression and despair? By following the biblical example of Joseph and the teachings of Jesus, learn to turn your hurt and trials into a springboard for a more tangible and intimate relationship with God. In 2016, a year after releasing his book Jesus Speaks, bestselling author Steven K. Scott’s mentor and dearest friend, Gary Smalley, fell asleep in his bed and woke up in heaven. Steven had lost not only his best friend of forty-three years but also his most enthusiastic encourager. Brokenhearted, he lost his passion to write. In 2020, Steven was hospitalized, wondering if he’d survive COVID, and the Holy Spirit let him know, in no uncertain terms, that it was time to break free from past hurts and disappointments, start living in the present, and do what God had called him to do. Inspired, Steven began studying the life of Joseph, a biblical figure who suffered trauma after trauma but used his suffering as a tool. With so many people living in a world of hurt and uncertainty, The Joseph Principles gives you what you need to heal your hurts and successfully navigate through current trials and future adversities. By following examples from Joseph’s life and the corresponding teachings of Jesus, begin confronting your deepest hurts and find freedom, using your past trauma as a springboard to a closer relationship with God.Through The Joseph Principles, you will: Discover a clear pathway to the joyful and abundant life that Jesus makes available to his followers Find amazing hidden treasures that can truly change the course of your life Experience God in the “miracle of the moment” by not dwelling on the past or jumping to the future Be empowered to forgive even when you don’t want to--even the worst of your offenders Discover God’s love language to become more intimately connected with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit Bring miracles of God’s love, mercy, compassion, wisdom, and righteousness into every aspect of life In The Joseph Principles, you’ll discover specific steps to provide a clear pathway to the joyful and abundant life that Jesus provides for believers.

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Crafted to be an easy-to-carry large print Bible with cross references allowing this Bible to be an ideal choice to take with you wherever you go.Exploring God's Word just got easier. This edition not only includes the full text of the trustworthy New King James Version in an easy-to-read large print, but the Bible is also small enough for everyday use. Cross-references are conveniently located at the ends of the verses to help you easily navigate the connections throughout Scripture. As part of the Verse Art Cover Collection, this Bible is branded with an inspiring verse to encourage you as you read the truths and promises within its pages. Features include: Verse-style Scripture format starts each verse on its own line so it’s easy to navigate the text Verse-by-verse cross-references give you to find related passages quickly and easily Words of Christ in red help you quickly identify Jesus’ teachings and statements Portable personal-size format allow this Bible to be a perfect travel companion wherever you go Durable and flexible Smyth-sewn binding allows the Bible to lay flat wherever you are reading Concordance for looking up a word’s occurrences throughout the Bible Full-color maps show the layout of Israel and other biblical locations for better context Satin ribbon markers make it easy navigate and keep track of where you were reading Line-matched to see the words on each page more clearly Easy-to-read large 10.5-point NKJV Comfort Print®

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What if you or someone you loved missed out on the Rapture? What happens to those who are left behind? Trusted Bible teacher Dr. David Jeremiah shares the help and hope people will need as they face the End Times in this timely, easy-to-understand guidebook for believers and non-believers alike.In?After the Rapture,?Dr. David Jeremiah equips you to understand End-Times theology and Bible prophecy. Many people want to understand how the Rapture unfolds, and this is the perfect handbook to share with your unsaved friends and loved ones so they can prepare themselves or cope with the challenges they’ll face after the Rapture. With trusted biblical insight, this book will provide the hope and confidence you need and can share with your loved ones.An ideal witnessing tool and a resource of biblical direction for those seeking answers about what is to come, this life-changing book includes: A detailed look at what the Rapture is, how it happens, and what happens afterward Eye-opening sections on the Rapture, Judgment Day, and the Great Tribulation The information you need to clear up your own confusion and prepare for Christ’s return A unique, compelling way to share Jesus with those in danger of being left behind Valuable questions and answers, Scripture verses, life application, and more An epic and vital guide to life after the Rapture, this book is a must-have resource for you to buy for those you fear might be left behind. Help your loved ones understand the End Times and guide them to accept Christ as their Savior.

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The full text of the classic King James Version with robust study notes, vibrant full-color images, and dozens of study resources to help you grow deeper in your faith. Published in large easy-to-read print type. Standing apart from all other KJV study Bibles on the market, The King James Study Bible, Full Color Edition is the only Bible featuring over half-a-million words of commentary, doctrinal notes, archaeological insights, and time-tested study aids developed exclusively for the King James Version Bible.Now available with stunning full-color designs, Holy Land images, classic works of art, charts, and maps, The King James Study Bible, Full Color Edition guides you through the vivid beauty and authority of God’s Word as you grow in your biblical knowledge.For over a quarter of a century, Thomas Nelson has earned the trust of millions with the best-selling King James Study Bible, providing the standard of conservative KJV scholarship. Our tradition and commitment to KJV study continues with the release of The King James Study Bible, Full Color Edition.Features include: Beautiful full color throughout. 270 photos of Bible locations, ruins, artifacts, and pieces of art Book introductions, book outlines, and testament introductions provide important and helpful background information, historical context, and content overviews. 5,700 Bottom-of-the-page study notes offer nearly 400,000 words of clear and compelling commentary. 200+ Doctrinal notes unlock the wealth of theological truth in Scripture by detailing 10 major doctrines: the Bible, God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, man, sin, salvation, angels, the church, and last things. 100+ Archaeological notes focus on major places mentioned in Scripture and related archeological discoveries. 100+ Personality profiles give overviews of significant men and women in the Bible. Concordance of over 1,000 terms with 13,000 verses keyed to the Strong's numbering system. Over 200 keywords also include a brief discussion noting the term’s significance. “Topical Index to Christ and the Gospels” of 130 topics with Scripture references organized into 7 helpful subcategories: teachings, events, miracles, parables, conversations, healings, and prophecies. “Teachings and Illustrations of Christ” of over 430 entries with Scripture references. “Topical Index to Paul and His Letters” of 170 topics with Scripture references organized into 7 helpful subcategories: doctrine, precept, prophecy, conversation, event, healing, and visit. “Topical Index to End Times Prophecy” of 7 topics (characters, events that unfold, judgments from God, locations, promises and rewards to victors, signs of the times, what believers should do in the meantime) with 52 subtopics. “God’s Answers to Our Concerns” of over 100 topics listed in alphabetical order with Scripture references. “Prayers of the Bible” of nearly 100 prayers in the Bible, who prayed them, and what they prayed about. “Index to Annotations” of topics with significant study notes. Articles that offer tips and information to get the most out of your study of the Bible: “How to Use The King James Study Bible” shows how each feature works with helpful examples and illustrations. “How to Study the Bible” provides tips and strategies for personal and family study and basic principles of Bible interpretation. “Between the Testaments” explains the 400-year history between the Old and New Testaments including important regional and world events, political and military leaders, and societal changes in Palestine. “Harmony of the Gospels” details the life and ministry of Jesus in chronological order showing where each event and teaching occur in the Gospels. “Parables of Christ” shows where you can find 39 parables in the Gospels. “Miracles of Christ” shows where you can find 37 miracles in the Gospels. “Prophecies of The Messiah Fulfilled in Christ” provides 43 Old Testament prophecies and where they have been fulfilled in the New Testament. 32,000 Center-column references linking to over 73,000 related passages and over 22,000 translation notes allow you to follow important words and thoughts throughout Scripture. Maps and charts throughout the Scriptures and in the back show a visual representation of locations and themes in the Bible. Easy-to-read large 10-pt print size

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Discover exactly who you were created to be and what you were created to do by learning to see yourself the way God sees you. The key to understanding, embracing, and unleashing your God-given uniqueness is possessing an accurate picture of your true identity. After all, if you don't know who you are, how could you ever know what you've been born to do?In Your Purpose Is Calling, Dr. Dharius Daniels, founder of Change Church, takes you on a journey of discovering your identity through a threefold solution of finding fulfillment, fit, and fruitfulness. In the process, you'll learn to: Overcome the obstacles--such as comparison, approval seeking, and emotional injuries--that inhibit you from fully embracing yourself Exit the boat of normal living and step onto the sea of the abnormal Thrive through effective self-leadership Uncover your unique design, desires, dreams, and destiny God says that his people are exceptional, which means your future need not be limited by the world's expectations. Move forward with the confidence that your individual purpose is as unique and exceptional as you are.

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In this inspiring guide for young women, Grace Valentine shines a spotlight on nine courageous women in the Bible who lived their faith boldly. In a world that pressures you to seek validation from others, learn to focus on what truly matters."What will they think?" It's a question that consumes many women and may even stop them from living the lives God has called them to live. Whether it's don't be too loud, don't be too aggressive, or your role is to be a sidekick for men, women struggle to live a life that is about pleasing others—but Scripture describes women who actually did the opposite.In this third release from popular blogger and podcaster Grace Valentine, What Will They Think? features the stories of nine incredible women in the Bible, including Esther, Deborah, Sarah, Mary Magdalene, and Tabitha. These women did not bend to peer pressure or seek to people-please but instead turned their focus on God.What Will They Think? contains: Inspiring and motivating stories of strong women who lived courageously in their faith Practical steps on how to stop caring what others think and focus on what truly matters Personal stories from Grace's life and her own struggle to stop focusing on the opinions of others For inspiration found in the lives of these biblical heroes, What Will They Think? provides steps to finding freedom to live life boldly and to stop caring about what others might think.

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Why Believe? engages some of the best contemporary arguments against belief, presenting compelling evidence for the truth of Christianity and calling readers to entrust their lives to Christ.

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'Suzuki's works on Zen Buddhism are among the best contributions to the knowledge of living Buddhism' Carl Jung Essays in Zen Buddhism was the first book to fully introduce Zen in the West. In it, Dr D.T. Suzuki outlines the origins of Zen as a unique Chinese interpretation of the Doctrine of Enlightenment with the aim of attaining Satori ('Sudden Enlightenment'). He describes how Satori can be achieved and the methods that can bring it about - but always stresses that Zen has to be a way of life that can cope with the demands and frustrations of everyday life. Exploring the history of Buddhism, the daily life of a Zen monk and the path to enlightenment, Essays in Zen Buddhism offers an understanding of Zen not as a religion but as a way of perceiving, acting and being. It is both a classic introduction to Zen and a foundation for living a fulfilled life. After reaching enlightenment at the age of 27, Dr Suzuki spent the next 65 years writing about Buddhism and teaching in universities in Europe and the US. Widely regarded as the twentieth century's leading authority on Buddhism, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1963.

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Should Christians abandon the evangelical label? Michael Reeves argues from Scripture and church history that Christians should return to the evangel—the gospel—in order to identify the clear theology of evangelicalism.

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The Gospel of John occupies a special place among the four Gospels. Not only is it precise in its historical details and its descriptions of the events of Jesus' life and work -- lending support to its claim of being an eye-witness account -- but it also offers a deep insight into the person of Jesus Christ through his questions, statements and other utterances.In this perceptive book, Christian Community priest Johannes Lauten reflects upon the many layers of meaning in John's Gospel. He explores some of the less well-known figures surrounding Christ, examines recurring words and phrases such as the 'Son of Man' and the seven 'I am' statements, and illuminates themes like knowledge, faith, the workings of grace and Christ's path to the Cross. Lauten also considers the origins of the gospel and questions the accepted notion that it was written by John, the son of Zebedee and the brother of James. He suggests that the account of the raising of Lazarus, a story not recorded in the other gospels, holds the key to the true identity of the 'disciple whom Jesus loved'.This thought-provoking book will be of interest to biblical scholars and those wishing to gain a deeper insight into the central meaning of Christianity.

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Muhammad Iqbal (d.1938), thinker and philosopher - poet of Indo-Pakistani sub-continent was one of the key architects of contemporary Islam. Through the medium of his thoughtful writing and soul-transforming poetry, both Urdu and Persian, he infused a new spirit in the Muslims, not only of India and Pakistan but also Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and the Middle East. He challenged the western concept of nationalism and expounded the concept of Islamic nations, on which the idea of Pakistan is based. A Treasury of Iqbal is a glimpse of his thought and contribution.

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Midwest Book Review 2023 Silver Book Award (Nonfiction - Religion/Philosophy) "A convincing case for all Christians to do more to meet access needs and embrace disabilities as part of God's kingdom. . . . Inclusivity-minded Christians will cheer the lessons laid out here."--Publishers Weekly "A book the church desperately needs."--Sojourners Much of the church has forgotten that we worship a disabled God whose wounds survived resurrection, says Amy Kenny. It is time for the church to start treating disabled people as full members of the body of Christ who have much more to offer than a miraculous cure narrative and to learn from their embodied experiences. Written by a disabled Christian, this book shows that the church is missing out on the prophetic witness and blessing of disability. Kenny reflects on her experiences inside the church to expose unintentional ableism and cast a new vision for Christian communities to engage disability justice. She shows that until we cultivate church spaces where people with disabilities can fully belong, flourish, and lead, we are not valuing the diverse members of the body of Christ. Offering a unique blend of personal storytelling, fresh and compelling writing, biblical exegesis, and practical application, this book invites readers to participate in disability justice and create a more inclusive community in church and parachurch spaces. Engaging content such as reflection questions and top-ten lists are included.

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The first part of Nicaea and its Legacy offers a narrative of the fourth-century trinitarian controversy. It does not assume that the controversy begins with Arius, but with tensions among existing theological strategies. Lewis Ayres argues that, just as we cannot speak of one `Arian' theology, so we cannot speak of one `Nicene' theology either, in 325 or in 381. The second part of the book offers an account of the theological practices and assumptions within which pro-Nicene theologians assumed their short formulae and creeds were to be understood. Ayres also argues that there is no fundamental division between eastern and western trinitarian theologies at the end of the fourth century. The last section of the book challenges modern post-Hegelian trinitarian theology to engage with Nicaea more deeply.

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*Ten years on from 9/11, much of the Muslim faith remains largely unknown and misunderstood in the West. *While there have been a number of successful books on the topic of Islamic history - from Karen Armstrong's Islam: A Brief History to Bernard Lewis's The Crises of Islam - there is surprisingly no book for a popular audience about Islam as a religion, let alone one by an author from an Islamic background. *No God But God fills that gap, addressing issues of belief: the difference between the Quran and the Bible, the meaning of the Hajj, the Muslim relationship with Jesus, the Muslim attitude towards Jews, equality between the sexes and more.* This revised and updated edition includes a wealth of new material and new chapters covering recent uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya; the changing face of Islam in Europe and North Africa; and a number of topics of heated debate (the veil controversy; Islam & women; Iraq War as a Jihadi recruiting agent etc).

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All over the world people look forward to a perfect future, when the forces of good will be finally victorious over the forces of evil. Once this was a radically new way of imagining the destiny of the world and of mankind. How did it originate, and what kind of world-view preceded it? In this engrossing book, the author of the classic work The Pursuit of the Millennium takes us on a journey of exploration, through the world-views of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and India, through the innovations of Iranian and Jewish prophets and sages, to the earliest Christian imaginings of heaven on earth.Until around 1500 B.C., it was generally believed that once the world had been set in order by the gods, it was in essence immutable. However, it was always a troubled world. By means of flood and drought, famine and plague, defeat in war, and death itself, demonic forces threatened and impaired it. Various combat myths told how a divine warrior kept the forces of chaos at bay and enabled the world to survive. Sometime between 1500 and 1200 B.C., the Iranian prophet Zoroaster broke from that static yet anxious world-view, reinterpreting the Iranian version of the combat myth. For Zoroaster, the world was moving, through incessant conflict, toward a conflictless state—“cosmos without chaos.” The time would come when, in a prodigious battle, the supreme god would utterly defeat the forces of chaos and their human allies and eliminate them forever, and so bring an absolutely good world into being. Cohn reveals how this vision of the future was taken over by certain Jewish groups, notably the Jesus sect, with incalculable consequences. Deeply informed yet highly readable, this magisterial book illumines a major turning-point in the history of human consciousness. It will be mandatory reading for all who appreciated The Pursuit of the Millennium.

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This Very Short Introduction provides both the believer and non-believer with a balanced survey of the central questions of theology. David Ford's approach draws us in to considering the principles underlying religious belief, including the centrality of salvation to most major religions, the concept of God in ancient, modern, and postmodern contexts, the challenge posed to theology by prayer and worship, and the issue of sin and evil. He also probes the nature of experience, knowledge, and wisdom in theology, and discusses what is involved in interpreting theological texts. In this new edition, Ford considers the contemporary relevance of theology, including the effect of globalization and digitized communication, examines the theological responses to change and development in science, considers the impact of increased engagement between Islam and the West, and looks at the development and importance of theology between the different faiths. 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.

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New observations on the persistence of God in modern times and why “authentic” atheism is so very hard to come by How to live in a supposedly faithless world threatened by religious fundamentalism? Terry Eagleton, formidable thinker and renowned cultural critic, investigates in this thought-provoking book the contradictions, difficulties, and significance of the modern search for a replacement for God. Engaging with a phenomenally wide range of ideas, issues, and thinkers from the Enlightenment to today, Eagleton discusses the state of religion before and after 9/11, the ironies surrounding Western capitalism’s part in spawning not only secularism but also fundamentalism, and the unsatisfactory surrogates for the Almighty invented in the post-Enlightenment era. The author reflects on the unique capacities of religion, the possibilities of culture and art as modern paths to salvation, the so-called war on terror’s impact on atheism, and a host of other topics of concern to those who envision a future in which just and compassionate communities thrive. Lucid, stylish, and entertaining in his usual manner, Eagleton presents a brilliant survey of modern thought that also serves as a timely, urgently needed intervention into our perilous political present.

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An expansive guide to the medieval world, with new attention to women, ordinary parishioners, attitudes toward Jews and Muslims, and more For many, the medieval world seems dark and foreign—an often brutal and seemingly irrational time of superstition, miracles, and strange relics. The aggressive pursuit of heretics and attempts to control the “Holy Land” might come to mind. Yet the medieval world produced much that is part of our world today, including universities, the passion for Roman architecture and the development of the gothic style, pilgrimage, the emergence of capitalism, and female saints. This new narrative history of medieval Christianity, spanning the period 500 to 1500 CE, attempts to integrate what is familiar to readers with new themes and narratives. Elements of novelty in the book include a steady focus on the role of women in Christianity; the relationships among Christians, Jews, and Muslims; the experience of ordinary parishioners; the adventure of asceticism, devotion, and worship; and instruction through drama, architecture, and art. Madigan expertly integrates these areas of focus with more traditional themes, such as the evolution and decline of papal power; the nature and repression of heresy; sanctity and pilgrimage; the conciliar movement; and the break between the old Western church and its reformers. Illustrated with more than forty photographs of physical remains, this book promises to become an essential guide to a historical era of profound influence.

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For the first time a noted historian of Christianity explores the full story of the emergence and development of the Marian cult in the early Christian centuries. The means by which Mary, mother of Jesus, came to prominence have long remained strangely overlooked despite, or perhaps because of, her centrality in Christian devotion. Gathering together fresh information from often neglected sources, including early liturgical texts and Dormition and Assumption apocrypha, Stephen Shoemaker reveals that Marian devotion played a far more vital role in the development of early Christian belief and practice than has been previously recognized, finding evidence that dates back to the latter half of the second century. Through extensive research, the author is able to provide a fascinating background to the hitherto inexplicable “explosion” of Marian devotion that historians and theologians have pondered for decades, offering a wide-ranging study that challenges many conventional beliefs surrounding the subject of Mary, Mother of God.

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A renowned Buddhist teacher’s magnum opus, based on his fresh reading of the tradition’s earliest texts Some twenty-five centuries after the Buddha started teaching, his message continues to inspire people across the globe, including those living in predominantly secular societies. What does it mean to adapt religious practices to secular contexts? Stephen Batchelor, an internationally known author and teacher, is committed to a secularized version of the Buddha’s teachings. The time has come, he feels, to articulate a coherent ethical, contemplative, and philosophical vision of Buddhism for our age. After Buddhism, the culmination of four decades of study and practice in the Tibetan, Zen, and Theravada traditions, is his attempt to set the record straight about who the Buddha was and what he was trying to teach. Combining critical readings of the earliest canonical texts with narrative accounts of five members of the Buddha’s inner circle, Batchelor depicts the Buddha as a pragmatic ethicist rather than a dogmatic metaphysician. He envisions Buddhism as a constantly evolving culture of awakening whose long survival is due to its capacity to reinvent itself and interact creatively with each society it encounters. This original and provocative book presents a new framework for understanding the remarkable spread of Buddhism in today’s globalized world. It also reminds us of what was so startling about the Buddha’s vision of human flourishing.

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From handshakes and toasts to chant and genuflection, ritual pervades our social interactions and religious practices. Still, few of us could identify all of our daily and festal ritual behaviors, much less explain them to an outsider. Similarly, because of the variety of activities that qualify as ritual and their many contradictory yet, in many ways, equally legitimate interpretations, ritual seems to elude any systematic historical and comparative scrutiny. In this book, Catherine Bell offers a practical introduction to ritual practice and its study; she surveys the most influential theories of religion and ritual, the major categories of ritual activity, and the key debates that have shaped our understanding of ritualism. Bell refuses to nail down ritual with any one definition or understanding. Instead, her purpose is to reveal how definitions emerge and evolve and to help us become more familiar with the interplay of tradition, exigency, and self- expression that goes into constructing this complex social medium.

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Prayers & Promises for Women incorporates more than 70 themes that help you connect with your Creator in all the different areas of your life. This beautifully designed book gives you easy access to God's promises about faithfulness, trust, wisdom, worth, beauty, strength, and much more, with uplifting prayers and journaling space for deeper reflection. By staying connected to God, and believing the promises of his Word, you can live a fulfilling, blessed life in close relationship with your heavenly Father.

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Exodus is the heart of the Hebrew Bible, the defining moment in Israel’s birth as a people, the dramatic triumph of their God. Yahweh, Pharaoh, Moses, Aaron, the Hebrew slaves, the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea—these larger-than-life characters and epoch-making events capture the imagination of everyone from biblical scholars to moviemakers. However, the meaning and significance, the beauty and nuance, of this captivating biblical book are lost unless we have a world-class Scripture scholar to open our eyes to its riches.In Exodus 1–18, William H. C. Propp translates the original text in all its grandeur, then provides a masterful exploration and analysis of the book’s first eighteen chapters. Here the fate of the Hebrew slaves hangs in the balance of the dramatic conflict between the God of Israel and the Pharaoh of Egypt. From the discovery of Moses in a basket made of bulrushes to the story of the Burning Bush, from the ten plagues visited upon Egypt by God to water from the rock and quail and manna from the skies, Exodus is filled with the miraculous and the dramatic. Doubleday is proud to be publishing the long-awaited first of two volumes of the Anchor Bible Commentary on Exodus. Exhaustive, meticulous, and brilliantly researched, Propp’s Exodus 1–18 is well worth the wait, exceeding expectations and meeting the reader’s every need.

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This book examines the small library of 24 books common to all Jewish and Christian Bibles—books that preserve the efforts of diverse writers over a span of many centuries to make sense of their personal experiences and those of their people, the ancient Israelites. Professor Christine Hayes guides her readers through the complexities of this polyphonous literature that has served as a foundational pillar of Western civilization, underscoring the variety and even disparities among the voices that speak in the biblical texts. Biblical authors wrote in many contexts and responded to a sweeping range of crises and questions concerning issues that were political, economic, historical, cultural, philosophical, religious, and moral. In probing chapters devoted to each of the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament, Hayes reconstructs the meanings and messages of each book and encourages a deeper appreciation of the historical and cultural settings of ancient biblical literature.

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The truth behind the Gospel accounts of the Nativity, updated to include the latest research--a classic by a renowned scholar, hailed as "masterly" and "definitive" in the original edition.

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The poetry found in the Book of Lamentations is an eloquent expression of one man’s, and one nation’s, despair. The poet is deep in mourning as a result of the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in the sixth century b.c.e. He looks to Israel’s own sins to explain the catastrophe, and yet he recites poignant examples of Israel’s suffering in wondering aloud if God has abandoned his people altogether. Thus his lament is both a confession and a prayer for hope in spite of the horrible defeat. Lamentations is traditionally thought to have been written by the prophet Jeremiah; today the question is whether one man wrote it or many. In his Introduction, Delbert Hillers gives the evidence against Jeremiah’s authorship and suggests that the poems should be treated as an intelligible unity, most likely written by an eyewitness to the events described. The Book of Lamentations has been taken up through history both as poetry and as an expression of boundless grief. It has become part of the Jewish and Christian liturgies, as well as a source of comfort far beyond the time in which it was written. This commentary fills in the book’s literary and historical background, and we emerge with a fresh respect for the artistry with which it was composed. The poetry itself demands this respect, with a translation here that carries the emotion and heartbreak of the original Hebrew.This new edition by Delbert R. Hillers is a thorough revision of his earlier Anchor Bible commentary, incorporating new literary theories and textual discoveries connected with the very latest Dead Sea Scrolls scholarship.

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In this second of two volumes on the Gospel According to Luke, beginning with chapter 10, Joseph A. Fitzmyer builds on the exhaustive introduction, definitive new translation, and extensive notes and commentary presented in his first volume. Fitzmyer brings to the task his mastery of ancient and modern languages, his encyclopedic knowledge of the sources, and his intimate acquaintance with the questions and issues raised by the third Synoptic Gospel.In “joining the spirit to the letter” and scholarship to faith, this two-volume commentary on Luke has, as the Journal of Biblical Literature predicted, “rapidly and deservedly become the standard work on Luke.” Luke’s unique literary and linguistic features, its relation to the other Gospels and the book of Acts, and its distinctive theological slant are discussed in detail by the author. The Jesus of Luke’s Gospel speaks to the Greco-Roman world of first-century Christians, giving the followers of Jesus a reason for remaining faithful. Fitzmyer’s exposition of Luke helps modern-day Christians hear the Good News afresh and understand it like never before.

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In the first volume of Raymond E. Brown’s magisterial three-volume commentary on the Gospel According to John, all of the major Johannine questions—of authorship, composition, dating, the relationship of John to the Synoptics (Mark, Matthew, and Luke)—are discussed. The important theories of modern biblical scholarship concerning John are weighed against the evidence given in the text and against prevailing biblical research. In sum, what is attempted is a synthesis of the major scholarly insights that bear on the Fourth Gospel. The translation—as Father Brown states at the outset—strives not for any formal beauty but rather for an accurate and contemporary version: “the simple, everyday Greek of the Gospel has been rendered into the ordinary American English of today.” The result is a translation that will strike the reader with uncommon immediacy.Father Brown also analyzes, in the appendixes, the meaning, use, and frequency of certain key words and phrases that occur in John, and examines the differences between the Johannine and Synoptic treatments of the miracle stories.The chapters of the Gospel translated here in Volume 29 (1–12) comprise the Prologue, which opens with the famous “In the beginning was the Word,” and the Book of Signs, an account of the miracles of Jesus and of his ministry.

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One of the world’s leading scholars offers unique insights into the history and significance of Christian creeds Eminent theologian Jaroslav Pelikan has been translating, editing, and studying the Christian creeds and confessions of faith for sixty years. This book is the historical and theological distillation of that work. In Credo, Pelikan addresses essential questions about the Christian tradition: the origins of creeds; their function; their political role; how they relate to Christian institutions, worship, and service; and how they help to explain the major divisions of the Christian church and of Christian history.Credo standsas an independent reference work devoted to the subject of what creeds and confessions are and what their role in history has been. It is also the first of the four volumes of Creeds and Confessions of Faith in the Christian Tradition, edited by Pelikan and Valerie Hotchkiss.

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A classic collection of 1,000 hymns and choruses. Redemption Songs contains 1,000 hymns and choruses on a wide range of themes. It has been a much-loved resource in thousands of churches in the last century and is still widely used around the world today.

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