Religion

Carl Trueman traces the historical roots of many hot-button issues such as transgenderism and homosexuality, offering thoughtful biblical analysis as he uncovers the profound impact of the sexual revolution on modern human identity.

Read more less

Those . . . prepared to grapple with science, social science, andChristian theology, will find [this book] important,thought-provoking, and rewarding. ?Sharon Daloz Parks, Whidbey Institute In this deep and enlightening discussion, psychologist, andtheologian James E. Loder demonstrates how a theologicalperspective enlarges our understanding of how humans grow anddevelop from birth through the life span. Loder examines theintimate relationship between human nature and the divine andprovides moving case studies, bringing the work of psychologistsFreud, Erikson, and Piaget to that of seminal Christian theologiansKierkegaard, Barth, Torrance, and Pannenberg. Loder acknowledges that psychological stage theories enable us tounderstand the logic of humans' evolving relationship with theworld and with God. At the same time, he demonstrates that thedivine spirit has a logic of its own, which is not bound by stages.Seminarians, theologians, ministers, and pastoral counselors willbenefit from this rich, thought-provoking guide. James E. Loder is the Mary D. Synnott Professor of the Philosophyof Christian Education at Princeton Theological Seminary and authorof The Transforming Moment and coauthor of The Knight's Move.

Read more less

Grace is the heart of God to do you good when you deserve it least. But do we really know how deeply we don’t deserve it? Only God can reveal that to us. He does it through the Bible. And when he does, the wonders of his grace explode with brightness as never before. These Five Points are about how Christians come into being, and how we are kept forever. It reaches back into times past when we were freely chosen. It reaches forward into the future when we will be safe and happy forever. It reaches down into the mysteries of the work of Christ, purchasing the gift of faith for all God’s children. And it reaches into the human soul, glimpsing the mysteries of the Spirit’s work as he conquers all our rebellion and makes us willing captives of King Jesus. Piper believes that our experience of grace grows with our grasp of God’s gracious work. He invites us to come with him on this quest.

Read more less

Although it has long been acknowledged that the early Irish literary corpus preserves both pre-Christian and Christian elements, the challenges involved in the understanding of these different strata have not been subjected to critical examination. This volume draws attention to the importance of reconsidering the relationship between religion and mythology, as well as the concept of ‘Celtic religion’ itself. When scholars are attempting to construct the so-called ‘Celtic’ belief system, what counts as ‘religion’? Or, when labelling something as ‘religion’ as opposed to ‘mythology’, what do these entities entail? This volume is the first interdisciplinary collection of articles which critically reevaluates the methodological challenges of the study of ‘Celtic religion’; the authors are eminent scholars in the field of Celtic Studies representing the disciplines of theology, literary studies, history, law and archaeology, and the book represents a significant contribution to the present scholarly debate concerning the pre-Christian elements in early medieval source materials. Contents 1 Introduction: ‘Celtic Religion’: Is this a Valid Concept?, Alexandra Bergholm and Katja Ritari 2 Celtic Spells and Counterspells, Jacqueline Borsje (available Open Access at the University of Amsterdam Digital Academic Repository) 3 The Gods of Ireland in the Later Middle Ages, John Carey 4 Staging the Otherworld in Medieval Irish Literature, Joseph Falaky Nagy 5 The Biblical Dimension of Early Medieval Latin Texts, Thomas O’Loughlin 6 Ancient Irish Law Revisited: Rereading the Laws of Status and Franchise, Robin Chapman Stacey 7 A Dirty Window on the Iron Age? Recent Developments in the Archaeology of Pre-Roman Celtic Religion, Jane Webster

Read more less

This is the story of Islamic religion, culture and civilization, from the time of the Prophet to the modern day, shown in over 180 photographs. It offers an overview of Islamic history from the time of the Prophet to the present day, featuring the successors to the Prophet, the power of the Umayyads, the golden age of the Abbasids, the Shiah empire of the Fatimids, the rise of the Ottomans, and the Muwahiddum movement. It explores the history of Islam in many different parts of the world, such as Iraq, Iran, Spain, North Africa, Turkey, India and China. It includes a timeline listing the major events in Islam's rich and culturally diverse history, and a glossary of frequently used Arabic terms. It is beautifully illustrated throughout with over 180 images of manuscripts, angelic visitations, scholars, rulers, mosques, battles, shrines, palaces, and modern pilgrims and leaders. With Muslims statistically representing around a quarter of the global population - some 1.4 billion people - Islam is a powerful force in today's world. This book offers a chronological history of the main events that have shaped the Islamic religion since the year of Muhammad's birth in 570. Topics include the preservation of the Prophet's sayings; laws and scholars; mathematics, medicine and astronomy; the Islamic Renaissance in Spain; Islam in Asia; and radical Islam. A useful glossary of Arabic terms is also included. With over 180 paintings and photographs, this sumptuously illustrated book is a valuable introduction to the history of Muslim civilization.

Read more less

Prayer is the lifeblood of the Christian faith--but many followers of Jesus still struggle to make prayer part of their daily lives. In Pray First, bestselling author and pastor Chris Hodges shows us how to make prayer a first response instead of a last resort. Why is it that so many Christians find it difficult to develop a vibrant and exciting prayer life? Even though prayer is foundational to the Christian life, many are intimidated or uncertain about how to talk to God. Prayer feels quaint and old-fashioned to some, sacred and uncomfortable to others. It's not a lack of inspiration--there's plenty of that. And it's not that we don't realize prayer is important--we know it is. So, what's the issue?Pastor Chris Hodges has spent years studying the prayers of the Bible and the models of prayer that the scriptures provide for Christians. Now, he shares the teachings and methods he's used to successfully help hundreds of thousands of people understand how to spend time in conversation with God--and enjoy every minute.Pray First will give you the tools you need to: Bring the joy back into your time with God Take a journey through the prayers of the Bible, which reveal how to make prayer more personal and powerful Learn about fasting, an often overlooked but powerful discipline that's a vital companion to prayer Follow proven, biblically grounded methods for making prayer a priority, not an afterthought Written in the personable, relatable, and always biblically based style that has become Hodges's hallmark, Pray First is a revolutionary how-to manual for anyone seeking a more dynamic, intimate prayer life with God.

Read more less

The FamilyLife Bible. With articles and insights by Dennis and Barbara Rainey, The FamilyLife Marriage Bible covers many of the issues facing husbands and wives: resolving conflict, communicating effectively, raising Godly children, rekindling romance together, loving difficult family members well, and more. God does not intend for husbands and wives to navigate the great mystery of marriage without Him. The FamilyLife Bible will point them in the right direction.Features include: Devotions for Couples Romance tips, quotes, and notes Parenting Matters - articles on raising children God's way Biblical Insights articles Family Manifesto - FamilyLife's biblical model of a Godly family 8-page Family Tree presentation section Topical Index 9.5-point type size

Read more less

Whether exploring the thorny issues of wives’ sexual duties, divorce, homosexuality, or sex outside marriage, discussions of sexual ethics and Islam often spark heated conflict rather than reasoned argument. In this updated and expanded edition of her ground-breaking work, feminist Muslim scholar Dr Kecia Ali asks how one can determine what makes sex lawful and ethical in the sight of God. Drawing on both revealed and interpretative Muslim texts, Ali critiques medieval and contemporary commentators alike to produce a balanced and comprehensive study of a subject both sensitive and urgent, making this an invaluable resource for students, scholars, and interested readers.

Read more less

Ibn Tufayl (d. 1185) was an Andalusian courtier, philosopher, Sufi master, and royal physician to the Almohad Caliphs. He inspired the twelfth-century Andalusian revolt against Ptolemaic astronomy and sponsored the career of the most renowned Aristotelian of medieval times, Abu al-Walid Ibn Rushd (the Latin Averroes). Ibn Tufayl was an exemplar of the kind of versatile scholar early Almohad culture wanted to cultivate. In this thought provoking and concise account, Taneli Kukkonen explores the life and thought of Ibn Tufayl and assesses the influence and legacy of Hayy Ibn Yaqzan, Ibn Tufayl’s famous philosophical romance. Hayy Ibn Yaqzan became a popular and often-copied work in early modern Europe; it has since secured a place as one of the best read pieces in all Arabic literature, partly due to its outstanding literary qualities, in part because it provides an ideal introduction to the themes and preoccupations of classical Arabic philosophy. The study sets Hayy in its historical and philosophical context and paints a vivid portrait of the world as Ibn Tufayl saw it and as he wished for it to be seen.

Read more less

Alchemists sought to transform lead into gold. This book shows how we similarly all have the natural ability to turn the lead of our confused minds into the gold of insightful clarity. Tara Bennett shows how we can learn to see ourselves as we really are and thus learn to disengage from those emotional patterns that undermine our lives. Drawing on the latest research into cognitive science and neuroscience with ancient principles of Buddhist psychology, this profound yet very practical book shows how practicing mindfulness can heal the very heart of our being.'A wise and practical guide to emotional freedom' Joseph Goldstein, author of Insight Meditation'A wonderfully clear, compassionate and insightful guide to freeing ourselves from difficult emotions' Sharon Salzberg, author of LovingKindness'Written with humour [and] warmheartedness in lively prose -' Naomi Wolf, author of The Beauty Myth

Read more less

With over 400 million Bibles in print, the New International Version is the world's most popular modern English Bible. It is renowned for its combination of reliability and readability. Fully revised and updated for the first time in 25 years, the NIV is ideal for personal reading, public teaching and group study.This Bible also features: clear, readable 6.75pt texteasy-to-read layout shortcuts to key stories, events and people of the Bible reading plan timeline book by book overview quick links to find inspiration and help from the Bible in different life situations.This edition uses British spelling, punctuation and grammar to allow the Bible to be read more naturally.More about the translationThis revised and updated edition of the NIV includes three main types of change, taking into account changes in the way we use language day to day; advances in biblical scholarship and understanding; and the need to ensure that gender accurate language is used, to faithfully reflect whether men and women are referred to in each instance. The translators have carefully assessed a huge body of scholarship, as well as inviting peer submissions, in order to review every word of the existing NIV to ensure it remains as clear and relevant today as when it was first published.Royalties from all sales of the NIV Bible help Biblica, formerly the International Bible Society, in their work of translating and distributing Bibles around the world.

Read more less

With over 400 million Bibles in print, the New International Version is the world's most popular modern English Bible. It is renowned for its combination of reliability and readability. Fully revised and updated for the first time in 25 years, the NIV is ideal for personal reading, public teaching and group study.This Bible also features: - clear, readable 6.75pt text- easy-to-read layout - shortcuts to key stories, events and people of the Bible - reading plan - timeline - book by book overview - quick links to find inspiration and help from the Bible in different life situationsThis edition uses British spelling, punctuation and grammar to allow the Bible to be read more naturally.More about the translationThis revised and updated edition of the NIV includes three main types of change, taking into account changes in the way we use language day to day; advances in biblical scholarship and understanding; and the need to ensure that gender accurate language is used, to faithfully reflect whether men and women are referred to in each instance. The translators have carefully assessed a huge body of scholarship, as well as inviting peer submissions, in order to review every word of the existing NIV to ensure it remains as clear and relevant today as when it was first published.Royalties from all sales of the NIV Bible help Biblica, formerly the International Bible Society, in their work of translating and distributing Bibles around the world.

Read more less

What is my purpose in life? Who am I meant to be? How can I live a successful life? Why is there so much wrong with our world today? Am I part of the problem? What can I do to help change that? These are the big, seemingly unanswerable questions that everyone must ask and then answer in life. In Encounters With Jesus, New York Times-bestselling author and renowned pastor Timothy Keller explores Jesus' answers to life's biggest questions by showing what happened to those who met Jesus personally.Jesus changed the lives of nearly every person he met in the Gospels. These were powerful experiences that can have a profound effect on us today and help explain not only different aspects of Christianity, but the deep questions of life itself. Timothy Keller highlights ten of these encounters, including his meeting a sceptical student, a religious insider, an outcast, even Satan himself, and proves how invaluable the lessons from these encounters are for contemporary readers.

Read more less

'Why does the church stir up such negative feelings?' This is a question that Philip Yancey has been asking all his life - for himself, as a pilgrim; for others, as a journalist. The question is more relevant now than ever: in the UK Christianity continues to decline, even as it is increasingly thought to be linked with intolerant, fundamentalist attitudes.Yet while identification with traditional forms of Christian religion is dropping, indicators show that interest in spirituality is rising. Why the disconnect? Why are so many asking, 'What's so good about the "good news?"'Yancey's lifelong writing career has always focused on the search for honest faith that makes a visible difference for a world in pain. In his landmark book What's So Amazing about Grace? he issued a benchmark call for Christians to be as grace-filled in their behaviour as they are in asserting their beliefs.People inside and outside the church are still thirsty for grace, Yancey points out. Perhaps what the church seemed to lack in its heyday is now, in its increasingly marginalised stance, exactly what it needs to recover in order to thrive. Grace can bridge the gap across the movement away from Christianity, inviting outsiders as well as insiders the chance to take a deep second look at why it matters and what could reignite its appeal to future generations.How can Christians offer grace in a way that is compelling to a jaded society? And how can they make a difference in a world of such wrenching need? Vanishing Grace: What Ever Happened to the Good News is a milestone book for all those who are striving to make sense of their faith and live it out amid the changing landscape of our day. Philip explores how Christians may have contributed to hostility toward them by presenting the gospel in ways that come across as strident and judgemental. Then he explores what kind of news is good to a culture that thinks it has rejected the Christian version. And finally, he offers illuminating stories of how faith can be expressed in ways that disarm even the most cynical critics - through pilgrims, activists, and artists rather than through preachers, evangelists, and apologists.

Read more less

It was not so long ago that the belief in witchcraft was shared by members of all levels of society. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, diseases were feared by all, the infant mortality rate was high, and around one in six harvests was likely to fail. In the small rural communities in which most people lived, affection and enmity could build over long periods. When misfortune befell a family, they looked to their neighbours for support - and for the cause. During the sixteenth century, Europe was subject to a fevered and pious wave of witch hunts and trials. As the bodies of accused women burnt right across the Continent, the flames of a nationwide witch hunt were kindled in England. In 1612 nine women were hanged in the Pendle witch trials, the prosecution of the Chelmsford witches in 1645 resulted in the biggest mass execution in England, and in the mid-1640s the Witch finder General instigated a reign of terror in the Puritan counties of East Anglia. Hundreds of women were accused and hanged. It wasn't until the latter half of the seventeenth century that witch-hunting went into decline.In this book, Andrew and David Pickering present a comprehensive catalogue of witch hunts, arranged chronologically within geographical regions. The tales of persecution within these pages are testimony to the horror of witch-hunting that occurred throughout England in the hundred years after the passing of the Elizabethan Witchcraft Act of 1563.

Read more less

Women live under constant pressure to pursue physical perfection. Carolyn Mahaney and her daughter Nicole direct women to the truth of God’s Word, which proclaims an entirely different—and refreshingly liberating—standard for beauty.

Read more less

This modern-day catechism sets forth fifty-two questions and answers designed to build a framework to help adults and children alike understand core Christian beliefs.

Read more less

Plumbing the depths of the book of Romans, Wilson explains the biblical text with clarity and passion, helping readers see the history of salvation and the glories of the cross of Christ.

Read more less

Written from a Reformed, covenantal, and redemptive-historical perspective, this introduction to the Old Testament invites readers to see the cohesive story of the Bible through the lens of the gospel promised from the beginning.

Read more less

A comprehensive defense of biblical manhood and womanhood, this handbook provides readers with an invaluable “encyclopedia” of responses to 118 evangelical feminist arguments against traditional gender roles.

Read more less

A memorable firsthand account of not only the sacrifices and triumphs of full-time ministry but of a brutal, little-known era in North American church history.

Read more less

Pearcey passionately argues that Christianity is truth about all reality, not just religious truth, and that to keep it privatized is stripping it of the power to challenge and redeem the whole of culture.

Read more less

James Hamilton gives thirty-seven sermons on the relevance of the book of Revelation, explaining the prophecies therein and their importance for all peoples.

Read more less

This comprehensive handbook looks at every facet of youth ministry from a gospel-centered perspective, offering practical advice related to everything from planning short-term mission trips to interacting with parents to cultivating healthy relationships.

Read more less

The ESV Value Compact Bible retains many of the components and convenient trim size of the ESV Compact Bible but without gilded edges and a ribbon marker—a great edition at an affordable price.

Read more less

Warning against the temptation to uncritically embrace the latest evangelistic fad, this book will help churches cultivate a culture of evangelism within the context of community.

Read more less

The ESV Study Bible, Large Print edition transforms the content of the award-winning ESV Study Bible into a highly readable, large-print type retaining all articles, 20,000 study notes, 240 maps and illustrations, charts, timelines, and book introductions.

Read more less

Isaiah presented a message of warning mixed with hope, one rich in prophecies about Jesus Christ. A passionate expositional commentary, Isaiah is a valuable resource for pastors, teachers, and personal Bible study.

Read more less

Sound doctrine is the life-blood of God’s people, providing the foundation for the church’s unity and witness. This short, readable book speaks to the importance of good theology for godly living. Part of the 9Marks Building Healthy Churches series.

Read more less

The top-selling ESV Thinline Bible is ideal for use at home and on-the-go. At one inch thick and available in multiple designs, there is an ideal ESV Thinline Bible for everyone.

Read more less

Rejecting the advice of the world, J. I. Packer calls seniors to press on with endurance in the final years of their lives for the sake of God’s glory and their joy.

Read more less

Given the lack of holiness in our culture today, DeYoung presents a popular-level treatment of sanctification and union with Christ, helping readers to see what matters most—being like Jesus.

Read more less