Religious and spiritual figures Books

Book SynopsisGod calls all women to some level of leadership. Yet seeing yourself as a leader, discerning what one is meant to do, and navigating one''s role as a woman and leader can be a challenging task. Drawing on the wisdom of 40 years of ministry, Bobbie Houston helps all women to discover their specific purpose and divine calling in STAY THE PATH. She shares the truths and experiences that have kept her and her husband, Brian Houston, on course, on point and focused on the path before them. Readers will be able to recognise and believe in their unique gifts. Packed with personal stories, helpful advice and leadership strategies for women, this book will challenge readers to claim their God-given potential and lead with confidence, poise, and grace.Trade ReviewA book that aims to help women discover the kind of ministry God wants them to exercise. * Church of England Newspaper *Bobbie Houston draws on 40 years of ministry to help all women to discover their specific purpose and divine calling. * Methodist Recorder *

Read more less

Book SynopsisJews acculturated to Scotland within one generation and quickly inflected Jewish culture in a Scottish idiom. This book analyses the religious aspects of this transition through a transnational perspective on migration in the first three decades of the twentieth century.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisPart fiction, history, and mythology, this unconventional retelling of the life of divine spiritual master Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh religion and revered by Muslims and Hindus alike, provides an intimate look at the enlightened Guru while bringing his ancient wisdom to a modern audience.From the best-selling author of Ganesha Goes to Lunch and Rumi’s Tales from the Silk Road comes an original novel about the life and travels of Guru Nanak, a musician, enlightened thinker, and one of the most beloved figures in Eastern spirituality.  In this fascinating book, Kamla K. Kapur weaves together facts, legends, folktales, myths, and over forty of Guru Nanak’s poems—preserved in the Sikh holy book, the Granth Sahib—to form this captivating depiction of the leader’s life. From being seduced by deadly women to almost getting eaten by cannibals, the exciting account presented in The Singing Guruincludes moral tales without being proselytizing. Factual details are intermingled with fantasy to produce a symbolic portrait in which humor and imagination combine to convey a profound and entertaining spiritual narrative.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Western popular imagination, the Caliphate often conjures up an array of negative images, while rallies organised in support of resurrecting the Caliphate are treated with a mixture of apprehension and disdain, as if they were the first steps towards usurping democracy. Yet these images and perceptions have little to do with reality. While some Muslims may be nostalgic for the Caliphate, only very few today seek to make that dream come true. Yet the Caliphate can be evoked as a powerful rallying call and a symbol that draws on an imagined past and longing for reproducing or emulating it as an ideal Islamic polity. The Caliphate today is a contested concept among many actors in the Muslim world, Europe and beyond, the reinvention and imagining of which may appear puzzling to most of us. Demystifying the Caliphate sheds light on both the historical debates following the demise of the last Ottoman Caliphate and controversies surrounding recent calls to resurrect it, transcending alarmist agendas to answer fundamental questions about why the memory of the Caliphate lingers on among diverse Muslims. From London to the Caucasus, to Jakarta, Istanbul, and Baghdad, the contributors explore the concept of the Caliphate and the re-imagining of the Muslim ummah as a diverse multi-ethnic community.Trade Review'Contemporary publicity about the caliphate conceals both its historical complexity and its regional diversity. How to exhume skeletons of the past while also silencing sirens from the present? With scholarly aplomb, the dispassionate contributors of this extraordinary volume reveal the benefits, but also the limits, of the cultural capital that informs the social imaginary of multiple Muslim audiences when they evoke, or hear others evoke, the caliphate.' -- Bruce B. Lawrence, Professor of Islamic Studies Emeritus, Duke University'This is a book of exceptional scope and erudition that is nevertheless accessible and very timely. By bringing together such a wealth of regional expertise it succeeds admirably in living up to the promise of its title. More than that, these essays throw new light on the many ways in which even a mythical caliphate can exercise a powerful hold on contemporary political imaginations.' -- Charles Tripp, Professor of Middle East Politics, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London'This volume is a fascinating treatment of the subject of Islamic Caliphate on which much ink has been spent, particularly in the highly charged and politicised environment of recent times in studies of global Islam.' -- Dr Zaheer Kazmi, St Antony's College, Oxford University'This collection of erudite and topical studies demonstrates that the caliphate's appeal as a symbol of Muslim unity is as enduring as it is widespread. From the Arab lands to Southeast Asia, from majority to minority Muslims, the idea has taken diverse forms and encountered inhibiting political conditions, but it retains a powerful resonance that should not be ignored.' -- James Piscatori, Durham University'This is an illuminating and timely set of essays showing how visions of a golden age have been continuously marshalled and contested, from once colonised lands across Asia, to the former Ottoman realm and, now, in the increasingly diverse west itself. While caliphs abound, it seems that global consensus on the caliphate itself is yet to emerge.' -- Michael Laffan, Professor of Southeast Asian History at Princeton University

Read more less

Book SynopsisKeshab Chandra Sen (1838-84) was one of the most powerful and controversial figures in nineteenth-century Bengal. A religious leader and social reformer, his universalist interpretation of Hinduism found mass appeal in India, and generated considerable interest in Britain. His ideas on British imperial rule, religion and spirituality, global history, universalism and modernity were all influential, and his visit to England made him a celebrity. Many Britons regarded him as a prophet of world-historical significance. Keshab was the subject of extreme adulation and vehement criticism. Accounts tell of large crowds prostrating themselves before him, believing him to be an avatar. Yet he died with relatively few followers, his reputation in both India and Britain largely ruined. As a representative of India, Keshab became emblematic of broad concerns regarding Hinduism and Christianity, science and faith, India and the British Empire. This innovative study explores the transnational historical forces that shaped Keshab's life and work. It offers an alternative religious history of empire, characterised by intercultural dialogue and religious syncretism. A fascinating and often tragic portrait of Keshab's experience of the imperial world, and the ways in which he carried meaning for his contemporaries.Trade Review‘Stevens scythes his way through the unkempt woods of time to remind readers of the pivotal role which Keshab played at a particular moment in history, both as a seeming arbiter of Indian destiny in close links with British colonialism and also as an individual whose fall from grace was nothing less than spectacular.’ -- Asian Affairs Journal'Much maligned and misunderstood in his days and forgotten thereafter, the genius of Keshab comes alive in these pages. The prophet has at last been redeemed.' -- Professor Amiya P. Sen'Colonial India produced few figures as fascinating as Keshab Chandra Sen, the Brahmo reformer and apostle of East-West harmony. Stevens situates Keshab within the capillaries of transnational reform, highlighting a complex subjectivity pledged to the performance of both Indian and global identities. Keshab emerges as a prophet inspired--and constrained--by the binaries of his age.' -- Brian A. Hatcher'Stevens provides a fascinating and timely account of Keshab's varied reception in both India and Britain. In exploring the mission of this contentious, and now often neglected, 'prophet', Stevens reveals the intractable nature of the problems Keshab sought to address, many of which remain with us to this day.' -- Gwilym Beckerlegge

Read more less

Book SynopsisA collection of personal stories by women from many denominations about the struggle for equality by women in the ministry nad those still excluded from it. They tell of steotyping, assumptions, tokenism, discrimination, abuse and isolation.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiese zweite, umfangreich überarbeitete und erweiterte Auflage entfaltet das Denken des Paulus vor dem Hintergrund seines Lebens unter Aufnahme der neueren wissenssoziologischen, geschichtstheoretischen und religionsgeschichtlichen Diskussion. Der erste Teil behandelt das Leben und die Briefe, im zweiten Teil folgt eine thematisch strukturierte Darstellung der zentralen Themen des paulinischen Denkens, das so in seiner historischen Genese wie in seiner Systemqualität erfasst wird. Drei Aspekte werden dabei in der Neuauflage ausgebaut und gestärkt: 1) Die Frage nach dem Ort des Paulus in der Religions- und Philosophiegeschichte seiner Zeit. 2) Die Einbindung des Paulus in die Konfliktgeschichte des frühen Christentums. 3) Paulus als theologischer Denker, der den Vergleich mit den Philosophen seiner Zeit nicht scheuen muss. Ziel ist es, ein differenziertes Bild des paulinischen Wirkens und Denkens zu entwerfen, das sowohl seine religionsgeschichtlichen und innerchristlichen Kontexte ernst nimmt als auch die Fähigkeit des Paulus berücksichtigt, neue religiöse Welten zu entwerfen und sie ggf. auch weiter zu entwickeln. Die paulinische Theologie ist weitaus kreativer und komplexer, als sie oft mit der einseitigen Fixierung auf einen jüdischen Hintergrund und/oder die Rechtfertigungs- bzw. Versöhnungslehre dargestellt wird.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisArchbishop Geoffrey of York, the loyal but illegitimate son of Henry II, appears to have quarrelled with everybody. This edition of Geoffrey's acta, together with Dr Lovatt's introduction, provides insight into the ecclesiastical and secular politics of the period in which he lived - and incidentally into the personalities of Richard and John.Trade ReviewThis volume is the definitive 'life and works' of Archbishop Geoffrey Plantagenet ... This thorough and enlightening examination of Geoffrey's career...is the essential background to understanding his episcopal Icta. * Judith Everard, Journal of Ecclesiastical History *[It provides] a fitting culmination to what has gone before. * DP Johnson, The English Historical Review *

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis latest edition to the English Episcopal Acta series brings together for the first time edited versions of all the extant charters issued by the bishops of Durham between 1241 and 1283: Nicholas Farnham, Walter Kirkham, Robert Stichill and Robert of Holy Island (the last two, unusually at this date, monastic bishops). The surviving charters provide insights into episcopal administration and estate management in the mid-thirteenth-century diocese. A full introduction considers the lives of these little-studied bishops and the diplomatic of their charters, as well as the unusual structure of the episcopal households here. The bishops'' itineraries are also given in an appendix. This volume complements EEA 24IR (0-19-726234-1) and EEA 25 (0-19-726235-X), which contained the acta from 1153 onwards.Trade ReviewThe editor picks her way carefully but confidently through this biographical material... * Roy Martin Haines, EHR 494 *The content of this volume in the series of English Episcopal Acta once again demonstrates the inestimable value of this 'great historical enterprise' for which all historians of medieval England should be profoundly grateful. * Ecclesistaical History *The introduction by Philippa Hoskin deserves special praise...her meticulous survey of the bishop's households is outstanding, and, in itself, an important study of clerical life in England at the time. * Professor William Gibson, Archives *

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisA study of the relationships between theological norms, legal principles, and sexual practice.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor several years now, the Roman Catholic Church and the institution of the priesthood itself have been at the centre of a firestorm of controversy.Trade Review"Greeley's summary is sobering.... His agenda of sorting out the social meaning of the priesthood in the wake of the clergy sexual abuse crisis may be the kind of rough talk that will wake up some readers and empower others.... It's worth listening to what he has to say." - Father Paul Philibert, National Catholic Reporter; "I cannot imagine a more thorough critique of the stereotypes clouding intelligent discussion of the Roman Catholic priesthood - or a more unsparing assessment of the priesthood's real problems. As blunt as ever, Father Greeley backs his strong views with the best available data. The future of American Catholicism depends on its will-ingness to confront findings like these." - Peter Steinfels, author of A People Adrift: The Crisis of the Roman Catholic Church in America; "Greeley draws upon the tools of his trade to challenge some stereotypes of the priesthood today, particularly in the wake of the sexual abuse crisis of 2002.... This slim but opinionated volume should be required reading for students and reporters who are willing to look past sensational headlines to the more complex and nuanced picture beyond." - Publishers Weekly"

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book chronicles the institution of the papacy and its influence on the culture, politics, and economy throughout the decline of the Roman emparie, Byzantine rule, and the Middle Ages.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTayeb El-Hibri draws on medieval Islamic chronicles to remap the origins of Islamic political and religious orthodoxy, offering an insightful critique of both early and contemporary Islam and the concerns of legitimacy shadowing various rulers. He also highlights the Islamic reinterpretation of biblical traditions.Trade ReviewAwe-inspiring erudition and a discerning eye for intertextual associations guide Tayeb El-Hibri's brilliant dissection of early Islamic political narratives. Once exposed to this methodology, readers will have difficulty accepting innocent 'factual' readings of even the most straightforward seeming accounts. -- Richard Bulliet, Columbia University, author of Cotton, Climate, and Camels in Early Islamic Iran: A Moment in World HistoryEl-Hibri advances a rich, provocative reading of events following the death of Muhammad and the careers of the first four caliphs. * Choice *An invigorating new reading of the story of the early Islamic succession to the Prophet Muhammad. * Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations *An important, innovative, and particularly rich book, which promises to become a basic reference work for any scholar working on Islam's origins. * Journal of the American Oriental Society *A must-read for all serious students of early Islamic history...a marvelously challenging, provocative, and erudite rereading of this period and its sources. * Der Islam *Table of ContentsPreface1. Introduction2. Abu Bakr: The Moment of Confirmation3. 'Umar b. al-Khattab: A Saga of Law and Conquest4. 'Uthman: The Challenge of Innovation5. The Road to Civil War: Issues and Boundaries6. 'Ali: In the Image of the Prophets7. From Caliphate to Kingship: 'Umar's Reign and Future Changes8. ConclusionAppendix 1. Abu Mikhnaf's Account of the Saqifa of Banu Sa'idaAppendix 2. The Succession to 'UmarAppendix 3. Manushihr's DeclarationNotesGlossaryBibliographyIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisJinhua Jia draws on a wealth of previously untapped sources to explain how Daoist priestesses marked themselves as a distinct gendered religious and social group. The first comprehensive study of the lives and roles of Daoist priestesses in Tang China, Gender, Power, and Talent restores women to the landscape of Chinese religion and literature.Trade ReviewAn incredibly important book for both scholars and students, one which will remain for years to come a pivotal resource for classrooms and related studies. * Reading Religion *Gender, Power, and Talent succeeds in demonstrating the breadth of achievement of Daoist priestesses in the Tang. -- Daniel Burton-Rose, Northern Arizona University, USA * Nan Nu *[This] volume presents an impressive wealth of material for historical studies on women as well as on religion. * Religious Studies Review *[Gender, Power, and Talent's] contributions to the scholarship on Chinese religion, literature, and women studies make it a useful reference for scholars and students interested in related areas. Overall, it is a worthy beginning to what we hope will be increased emphasis on women and Daoism, and it should stimulate further research on Daoism and gender studies. -- Yue Wu * Chinese Literature: Essays, Articles, Reviews *Written by a rising leader in Chinese religious studies applying an interdisciplinary approach that combines religious, literary, and gender studies, and searching through all available sources and recovering many new texts, Gender, Power, and Talent examines both the conventional and ‘unconventional’ roles played by Tang Daoist priestesses in the historical context of the Tang dynasty. -- Nanxiu Qian, Rice UniversityGender, Power, and Talent argues that Daoist women of medieval China played an important role in the religion and in the society of the time; that their emergence as a major social force is unprecedented in Chinese history; and that they developed a new form of identity both as women and as Daoists. The gender-critical perspective of the book together with its meticulous historical research makes it a unique contribution to the field. -- Livia Kohn, Boston UniversityElite Daoist nuns of the Tang dynasty used to have a scandalous reputation. Jinhua Jia does them justice; the gossip is accounted for, but more important elements are added to the picture: the uneasy invention of Daoist monasticism, the debates around female religiosity and poetic expression, and the rise of early modern self-cultivation practices. This gendered history of medieval Daoism is a major addition to our understanding of Chinese religious cultures. -- Vincent Goossaert, Université PSL, École Pratique des Hautes ÉtudesUsing previously unknown mortuary inscriptions, rare Dunhuang manuscripts, and a broad range of received texts, Jia offers a revealing panorama of women's religious practices from medieval China. This study of Tang Daoist priestesses from various backgrounds brings the lives of these many remarkable women out of the shadows. Cultural and social history at its best. -- Paul W. Kroll, University of Colorado, BoulderBy making meticulous use of important new sources and re-viewing older ones with an informed and insightful gender-critical eye, Jinhua Jia has admirably succeeded in finally releasing Tang dynasty Daoist women from the traditional stereotypes, whether romantically idealistic or moralistically censorious, that have so long obscured their significant accomplishments in such diverse areas as scriptural exegesis, ritual practice, medicine, literature, and the arts. -- Beata Grant, Washington University in St. LouisTable of ContentsList of Figures and TablesAcknowledgmentsList of AbbreviationsIntroduction1. The Rise of Daoist Priestesses as a Gendered Religio-Social Group2. Destiny and Power of the Ordained Royal Women3. Religious Leadership, Practice, and Ritual Function4. Liu Moran and the Daoist Theory of Inner Cultivation5. Longevity Techniques and Medical Theory: The Legacy of Hu Yin6. The Yaochi ji and Three Daoist Priestess-Poets7. Unsold Peony: The Life and Poetry of the Priestess-Poet Yu XuanjiConclusionAppendix: Du Guangting and the Hagiographies of Tang Daoist WomenNotesBibliographyIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book provides a groundbreaking analysis of how religious terrorist groups manage and adapt to major shifts in leadership. It argues that how successors position themselves in terms of the founder shapes a terrorist group’s future course and examines how and why different types of successors choose to pursue incremental or discontinuous change.Trade ReviewMeticulous in its research, Terror in Transition delivers an abundance of new insight into the impact of succession on terrorist entities, delivering on its objective to better “analyze the implications of decapitation.” Focusing on the essence of a leader’s “how” and “why” and its relationship to succession, Terror in Transition also provides CT practitioners with a framework to assess other options for influencing the direction of terrorist entities. -- Gina M. Bennett, author of National Security Mom: Why Going Soft Will Make America StrongTerror in Transition is the definitive study of how terrorist groups manage (or fail to manage) leadership transitions. Bacon and Grimm's analysis helps us understand how and why certain terrorist groups thrive while some split or otherwise cannot manage the transition. Their many insights can help counterterrorist officials exploit transition tensions to weaken extremist groups. -- Daniel Byman, author of Spreading Hate: The Global Rise of White Supremacist TerrorismAn original, systematic, detailed, and rigorous analysis of terrorist leadership and succession. A very compelling study of a major topic. -- Richard English, author of Does Terrorism Work?: A HistoryMeticulous in its research, Terror in Transition delivers an abundance of new insight into the impact of succession on terrorist entities, delivering on its objective to better “analyze the implications of decapitation.” Focusing on the essence of a leader’s “how” and “why” and its relationship to succession, Terror in Transition also provides CT practitioners with a framework to assess other options for influencing the direction of terrorist entities. -- Gina M. Bennett, author of National Security Mom: Why Going Soft Will Make America StrongBacon and Grimm have written an outstanding book, essential reading for anyone seeking to understand terrorist organizations, or leadership of violent groups in general. -- Brian Phillips * Small War Journals *It rewards unpacking owing to its analytic soundness, practical utility and, lamentably, its ongoing relevance. * Survival *An important conceptual and knowledge-based foundation, which will undoubtedly be built on for years to come. * Parameters *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. Literature Review and Research Design2. Founders: Who Is a Founder, What Does He Do, and Who Comes Next?3. The Second Ku Klux Klan: From Founder to Fixer4. Egyptian Islamic Jihad: From Founder to Figureheads, to Fixer, to Visionary5. Al-Qaida in Iraq/the Islamic State of Iraq: From Founder to Signalers6. Al-Shabaab: From Founder to Fixer, to Figurehead7. Pathways and Possibilities: Lessons Learned from the Mini–Case StudiesConclusionAppendix A. Religious Terrorist GroupsAppendix B. Summary of Mini–Case Study DataNotesBibliographyIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book provides a groundbreaking analysis of how religious terrorist groups manage and adapt to major shifts in leadership. It argues that how successors position themselves in terms of the founder shapes a terrorist group’s future course and examines how and why different types of successors choose to pursue incremental or discontinuous change.Trade ReviewMeticulous in its research, Terror in Transition delivers an abundance of new insight into the impact of succession on terrorist entities, delivering on its objective to better “analyze the implications of decapitation.” Focusing on the essence of a leader’s “how” and “why” and its relationship to succession, Terror in Transition also provides CT practitioners with a framework to assess other options for influencing the direction of terrorist entities. -- Gina M. Bennett, author of National Security Mom: Why Going Soft Will Make America StrongTerror in Transition is the definitive study of how terrorist groups manage (or fail to manage) leadership transitions. Bacon and Grimm's analysis helps us understand how and why certain terrorist groups thrive while some split or otherwise cannot manage the transition. Their many insights can help counterterrorist officials exploit transition tensions to weaken extremist groups. -- Daniel Byman, author of Spreading Hate: The Global Rise of White Supremacist TerrorismAn original, systematic, detailed, and rigorous analysis of terrorist leadership and succession. A very compelling study of a major topic. -- Richard English, author of Does Terrorism Work?: A HistoryMeticulous in its research, Terror in Transition delivers an abundance of new insight into the impact of succession on terrorist entities, delivering on its objective to better “analyze the implications of decapitation.” Focusing on the essence of a leader’s “how” and “why” and its relationship to succession, Terror in Transition also provides CT practitioners with a framework to assess other options for influencing the direction of terrorist entities. -- Gina M. Bennett, author of National Security Mom: Why Going Soft Will Make America StrongBacon and Grimm have written an outstanding book, essential reading for anyone seeking to understand terrorist organizations, or leadership of violent groups in general. -- Brian Phillips * Small War Journals *It rewards unpacking owing to its analytic soundness, practical utility and, lamentably, its ongoing relevance. * Survival *An important conceptual and knowledge-based foundation, which will undoubtedly be built on for years to come. * Parameters *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. Literature Review and Research Design2. Founders: Who Is a Founder, What Does He Do, and Who Comes Next?3. The Second Ku Klux Klan: From Founder to Fixer4. Egyptian Islamic Jihad: From Founder to Figureheads, to Fixer, to Visionary5. Al-Qaida in Iraq/the Islamic State of Iraq: From Founder to Signalers6. Al-Shabaab: From Founder to Fixer, to Figurehead7. Pathways and Possibilities: Lessons Learned from the Mini–Case StudiesConclusionAppendix A. Religious Terrorist GroupsAppendix B. Summary of Mini–Case Study DataNotesBibliographyIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Michael MacKay utilizes a humble and penetrating method in his Prophetic Authority: Democratic Hierarchy and the Mormon Priesthood. It is in the details of early Mormon history that MacKay truly excels." --Mormon Studies Review"A welcome and overdue contribution to the short list of publications on authority in the Church. . . . MacKay does not disappoint. . . . MacKay has given us a well-researched and thought-provoking examination of authority both preceding and following the 1830 organization of the Church." --BYU Studies Quarterly​"MacKay's account of priesthood authority should come as a relief to Mormon historians who have struggled to make the restoration of priesthood orderly and consistent. . . . In telling this complex story, MacKay is respectful and admiring and, for his readers, always illuminating." --Journal of Arizona History​"MacKay's excellent command of the subject matter makes this a necessary resource." --Choice​"A unique blend of scholarship, research, and historical retelling that goes well beyond accounts . . . MacKay's reconstruction can easily sustain the fabric of faith." --Interpreter​"The existence of this text should be heralded as an important milestone." --Juvenile Instructor​”Was early Mormonism excessively democratic, representative of a newly disestablished society? Or deeply theocratic, echoing the skeptical backlash against those same liberating impulses? In this exhaustively researched and sophisticatedly argued book, Michael MacKay argues that it is not an 'either, or' but 'yes, and.' And in doing so, MacKay digs into some of founding—and foundational—paradoxes concerning religion in the early American republic.”—Benjamin E Park, author of American Nationalisms: Imagining Union in an Age of Revolutions, 1783–1833”In Prophetic Authority, MacKay gives us the most thorough and painstaking description of the slow blossoming of the Mormon priesthood hierarchy available, embedding the story in the raucous context of antebellum American democracy. Valuable for anyone who wants to understand either of those worlds better.”—Matthew Bowman, author of Christian: The Politics of a Word in America

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Mormon tradition's emphasis on prophetic authority makes the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unique within America's religious culture. The religion that Joseph Smith created established a kingdom of God in a land distrustful of monarchy while positioning Smith as Christ's voice on earth, with the power to form cities, establish economies, and arrange governments.Michael Hubbard MacKay traces the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' claim to religious authority and sets it within the context of its times. Delving into the evolution of the concept of prophetic authority, MacKay shows how the Church emerged as a hierarchical democracy with power diffused among leaders Smith chose. At the same time, Smith's settled place atop the hierarchy granted him an authority that spared early Mormonism the internal conflict that doomed other religious movements. Though Smith faced challenges from other leaders, the nascent Church repeatedly turned to him to decide civic plansTrade Review"Michael MacKay utilizes a humble and penetrating method in his Prophetic Authority: Democratic Hierarchy and the Mormon Priesthood. It is in the details of early Mormon history that MacKay truly excels." --Mormon Studies Review"A welcome and overdue contribution to the short list of publications on authority in the Church. . . . MacKay does not disappoint. . . . MacKay has given us a well-researched and thought-provoking examination of authority both preceding and following the 1830 organization of the Church." --BYU Studies Quarterly​"MacKay's account of priesthood authority should come as a relief to Mormon historians who have struggled to make the restoration of priesthood orderly and consistent. . . . In telling this complex story, MacKay is respectful and admiring and, for his readers, always illuminating." --Journal of Arizona History​"MacKay's excellent command of the subject matter makes this a necessary resource." --Choice​"A unique blend of scholarship, research, and historical retelling that goes well beyond accounts . . . MacKay's reconstruction can easily sustain the fabric of faith." --Interpreter​"The existence of this text should be heralded as an important milestone." --Juvenile Instructor​”Was early Mormonism excessively democratic, representative of a newly disestablished society? Or deeply theocratic, echoing the skeptical backlash against those same liberating impulses? In this exhaustively researched and sophisticatedly argued book, Michael MacKay argues that it is not an 'either, or' but 'yes, and.' And in doing so, MacKay digs into some of founding—and foundational—paradoxes concerning religion in the early American republic.”—Benjamin E Park, author of American Nationalisms: Imagining Union in an Age of Revolutions, 1783–1833”In Prophetic Authority, MacKay gives us the most thorough and painstaking description of the slow blossoming of the Mormon priesthood hierarchy available, embedding the story in the raucous context of antebellum American democracy. Valuable for anyone who wants to understand either of those worlds better.”—Matthew Bowman, author of Christian: The Politics of a Word in America

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Goodwillie illuminates the life of Richard McNemar, who played a pivotal role in the formation of the complicated religious landscape of the trans-Appalachian west in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a period of American religious history that continues to deeply inform our national culture. McNemar's story seems deeply relevant now, as America has devolved into deep division over religious and political conviction, more than most of us have ever seen in our lifetimes."—Carol Medlicott, Northern Kentucky University"This chronological and detailed treatment of his life highlights McNemar's contributions to Shaker theology, missionary efforts, leadership, poetry, hymns, and printing. Richard McNemar: Frontier Heretic and Shaker Apostle goes beyond and debunks whatever may remain of Shaker folklore connected McNemar. Instead, the reader appreciates him as a man of great integrity and deep religious faith who, in spite of a range of human imperfections, remained true to Mother Ann's Gospel."—Stephen J. Paterwic, author of Historical Dictionary of the Shakers, and The A-Z of the Shakers.Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsMapsIntroductionPart I: Presbyterian and Schismatic1. Youth2. Westward Migration and Education3. Ordination4. Revival5. RebellionPart II: Shaker6. Rebirth7. The New and Living Way8. Community Foundations9. Shakers and the Shawnee Prophet10. Shaker Publications and the Expansion of Missionary Efforts11. Gospel Order in the West, James Smith, and the Ohio Mob12. War Comes to the Wabash13. Perfidy, Pilgrims, Prosecution, Progress, and Pestilence14. The End of the Beginning15. "There's Something Dead upon This Ground," or, "The Buzzards and the Flesh"16. The Struggle with Abijah Alley and Aquila Bolton17. Eleazar Goes East18. Eleazar and the Covenant19. Custos Sacrorum20. The Great Snake and the Patriarchal Skeleton21. Unrest in the West22. Freegift to the West23. "The Name or Memory of Mr. McNamar"24. The New Era25. War in Heaven26. A Wandering Star27. Look Homeward, Angel28. Aftermath and LegacyAppendix 1: Richard McNemar, "A general outline of the past Journal of my life"Appendix 2: Richard McNemar, "Testimony of E[leazar] Wright"Appendix 3: Richard McNemar, "My years on earth have been but few"Appendix 4: [Archibald McCorkle?], "A few mourning thoughts on McNemar's fall," and Richard McNemar, "An Answer to the Mourning Thoughts on McNemar's Fall"Appendix 5: The Expulsion of Richard McNemarAppendix 6: [The Redemption of Richard McNemar]NotesBibliographyIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review“Married Priests in the Catholic Church makes an original contribution to the history of married and celibate clergy in North America, its pastoral implications, and, most importantly, the theological relationship between marriage and priesthood. I found it so captivating that I could not put it down.” —Radu Bordeianu, author of Dumitru Staniloae: An Ecumenical Ecclesiology"This book is primarily concerned with the clergy of Eastern rites of the Catholic Church, which has a historic tradition of married as well as celibate clergy. . . . Clearly the issue of married clergy remains a stumbling block to East-West church reunification. Other contributors observe the joys and realities of married priests, their families, and their financial problems." —Choice"Adam A.J. DeVille has done a great service for the Catholic Church by editing the collection of essays that make up Married Priests in the Catholic Church. . . . This book is a welcomed response to certain ideologies that view the Eastern Catholic churches and their married priesthood as a concession to be tolerated, at best, or a denigration of the priesthood of Christ, at worst." —Reading Religion"The importance of this publication is that it will help members of both the Western Rite and the Eastern Rite of the Catholic Church realize that the very different disciplines relating to marriage and priesthood in the Eastern churches and their offshoots in our Western world is not some exotic remnant or historical accident, but an ideal that exalts marriage and, in consequence, priesthood, and is certainly more solidly based on tradition than the mainstream Catholic tradition of the West." —Journal of Orthodox Christian Studies"Married Priests in the Catholic Church... provides a summary of the challenges that unsettle some of the simplisticcaricatures of some interpretive understandings amongst priests and Bishops." —Reviews in Religion & TheologyTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction—Adam A. J. DeVille Part I. History Ancient and Modern 1. Was Priestly Celibacy an Apostolic Tradition? The Theological Stakes of a Historical Argument—David G. Hunter 2. From Antioch to America via Smyrna: Rethinking Married Priesthood and Parish Life with Ignatius, Alexis, and Polycarp—D. O. Herbel 3. Mandatory Celibacy among Eastern Catholics: A Church-Dividing Issue—James S. Dutko Part II. Canon Law East and West 4. Recent Papal Pronouncements on the Admission of Married Eastern Catholic Men to the Priesthood: An Ecumenical Issue—Alexander Laschuk 5. Canonical Reflections on Clergy and Marriage—Patrick Viscuso Part III. Ecumenical Considerations 6. Official Catholic Pronouncements Regarding Presbyteral Celibacy: Their Fate and the Implications for Catholic-Orthodox Relations—Peter Galadza 7. Married Clergy in The Anglican Tradition—John Hunwicke 8. The Gift to the Church of Married Clergy—Edwin Barnes Part IV. Pastoral-Familial Life 9. Reflections on Two Vocations in Two Lungs of the One Church—David Meinzen 10. Growing Up in a Rectory: Using Oikonomia to Answer the Tough Questions Posed by the Children of Priestly Families—Julian Hayda 11. The Joys and Crosses of Clerical Families—Nicholas Denysenko 12. Marriage and Ministry: An Eastern Orthodox Perspective—William C. Mills 13. “What Did You Expect?”: A Reflection on Married Clergy and Pastoral Ministry—Andrew Jarmus 14. The Vocation of the Presbytera: Icon of the Theotokos in the Midst of the Ministerial Priesthood—Irene Galadza Part V. Theology 15. Celibacy and the Married Priesthood: Rediscovering the Spousal Mystery—Thomas J. Loya 16. Married Priesthood: Some Theological “Resonances”—Basilio Petrà 17. Married Priests: At the Heart of Tradition—Lawrence Cross and Basilio Petrà 18. Conclusion: Toward a Theology of Married Priesthood—Adam A. J. DeVille Appendix 1. The Toronto Tempest—Victor Pospishil Appendix 2. Recent Views on the Origins of Clerical Celibacy: A Review of the Literature from 1980 to 1991—J. Kevin Coyle Contributors List Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe authorized biography of John Habgood by one of the people who knew him best, that 'ecclesiastical version of Alan Bennett', Bishop David WilbourneTrade ReviewAn absolutely beautiful piece of work which well catches Archbishop Habgood, the last Anglican theologian I used to make the walk to the Lords’ chamber to hear speak. Lord Habgood would smile with pleasure and amusement to read it. -- Matthew ParrisFew are better placed than David Wilbourne to open up the life of one of the twentieth century's great Anglican figures. Scientist of precocious prodigy, shooter of silent looks, sincerely loved pastor and friend; all the sides of the astonishing man that was John Habgood are brought to life here with wit, poignancy, and affection. -- Fergus Butler-Gallie, author of A Field Guide to the English ClergyBeautiful, humorous, touching and revealing. -- Justin Welby, Archbishop of CanterburyWith all the wit and originality of his earlier books, David Wilbourne offers a warm, perceptive portrait of one of the great Anglican intellects of the last hundred years. Those who thought John Habgood only a cerebral and rather remote personality will find a very three-dimensional figure here; and we are given some sense of just what a rich – and sometimes even risky – contribution Archbishop Habgood made to the good of both society and Church. -- Lord Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge and Archbishop of Canterbury (2002-12)Lord Habgood was a towering presence, physically, intellectually, and spiritually, and David paints a wonderful picture of this sorely missed servant of God. -- John Sentamu, Archbishop of York (2005-20)‘In this excellent biography the true John Habgood emerges . . . I count it a huge privilege to have worked closely with John, a wise human being and clearly one of the outstanding Archbishops of the twentieth century.’ -- Lord Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury (1991–2002)John Habgood was a man of great intellectual and moral substance who played a key role at a difficult time for the Church of England. David Wilbourne, his former chaplain, catches the essence of the man with admiration, affection and humour in this highly readable and important biography. -- Lord Richard Harries, Bishop of Oxford (1987-2006)As Archbishop’s Chaplain the author was privileged to know and understand him. For those who stood in awe of Archbishop John and thought him aloof, this book portrays a man of prayer and personal simplicity, devoted to his family and a caring pastor. The author tells the story of John Habgood with admiration, affection and with humour which brings both tears of laughter and tears of sadness at the loss of a great and wise Archbishop. -- Dame Mary TannerThis biography is perceptive, sensitive, wide-ranging, intelligent and honest, qualities which John Habgood himself possessed in abundance. It captures him magnificently and shows how very fortunate the Church of England – and the wider Church – was to have this prayerful, thoughtful, highly articulate apologist as one of its leaders, even if it did not always appreciate the great gifts he put at its disposal. -- Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales (2003-17)David Wilbourne’s rooted biography has taught me much about John the human being, who delighted in the sacrament of the present moment, and who seems to go on teaching me how to be a Christian and a bishop. -- Graham Usher, Bishop of NorwichWith his perceptive insights and sometimes wry sense of humour, David Wilbourne brings ‘Just John’ to life as a towering intellect, a pastor, priest and bishop bearing the huge burdens and responsibilities of both Church and state, yet never succumbing to the pettiness of factions, disputes and differences - and always seeking to bring and hold people together. -- Lord David Hope, Archbishop of York (1995-2005)A sensitive, insightful and loving portrait of a great Archbishop of York. -- George Stack, RC Archbishop of CardiffWith his customary wit and nerve to tell it as it is, David Wilbourne well catches John Habgood, who despite his alleged coldness, was one of the most genuine and gentle of men. -- Gordon Bates, Bishop of Whitby (1983-99)John Habgood was a giant of the twentieth century and no-one is better placed to write his biography than David Wilbourne . . . David has poetry in his soul and writes beautifully as well as perceptively. -- John Inge, Bishop of WorcesterSomeone described a biography as a novel with an index! As John Habgood's last Episcopal appointment, I can vouch that this is no novel. Bishop David Wilbourne, once his Chaplain, captures faithfully the public face and the private thoughts of one of the greatest bishops of the twentieth century. David ministered with him and to him. He shows how John Habgood shaped the Church of England and defined its role and relationship to the State. In these pages you'll hear the Archbishop's wisdom, feel his pastoral touch and see his vision for a Church immersed and baptized into God's world. -- James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool (1998-2013)A beautifully-crafted and intimate portrait of one of the Church of England's most profound thinkers of recent times. -- Angela Tilby, Canon Emeritus of Christ Church, Oxford, BBC Radio Four Thought for the Day contributor, author and BBC producer. . . provides a rich pageant of the life of the Church of England in the latter half of the 20th century . . . warmly recommended. * Transforming Ministry *A valuable biography of an unusually influential priest, scientist, college principal, bishop, archbishop, husband and father. -- Malcolm Grundy * Rural Theology *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFocusing on real-life situations, including many case studies, this handbook offers guidance to: the responsibilities of a churchwarden; how to become a churchwarden; working with the minister; the duties of a churchwarden through the year; what a churchwarden should know; what a churchwarden should ask; and, what to do when problems arise.Trade ReviewA very clear, pastoral guide to survival for both churchwarden and minister. * Ministry Today *Packed full of useful facts and presented in a very readable way. * thegoodbookstall *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book will examine biblical perspectives on ambition and success, particularly from the point of view of Jesus and the gospels. It will affirm what is praiseworthy in the current emphasis on church growth, whilst challenging the creep of more secular assumptions about what it looks like to be successful.Trade ReviewBe encouraged by Bishop Emma's advice and inspired by her wisdom and humour. -- Justin Welby, Archbishop of CanterburyAn incisive, persuasive and refreshing take on leadership, Ambition reflects wide experience and scholarly depth yet is topical and accessible to all. Emma redefines the meaning of ambition in the life of a Christian, redeeming the concept from its associations of success measured in numbers. -- Archbishop Thabo MakgobaBishop Emma Ineson provides an antidote to current approaches to success, ambition and effectiveness . . . Leaders of all denominations will find her approach refreshing, performance anxiety reducing and deeply practical as she outlines how the "beatitudes for ambitious leaders" can keep us Kingdom focused and Christ-centric in the most demanding of roles. -- Simon Barrington, Founder and Director, Forge Leadership ConsultancyEmma writes with insight, honesty, passion and humour on big themes, such as ambition, power and authority, helping us look at them through the lens of faith. -- Kate Wharton, Assistant National Leader for New WineCourageous, witty and self-effacing . . . if you have ambition to live as if the kingdom is near – read this! -- Bishop Jill Duff

Read more less

Book SynopsisA design-thinking book for planting or redesigning churches and incubating a new generation of leaders. Written by Linda Bergquist and Allan Karr, two experienced church planters and mentors, the book is full of wisdom, practical advice, and creative counsel. Instead of a business-model-as-usual approach, the authors challenge readers to begin with the raw materials of beliefs, values, individuals, teams, and culture, and to then move outwards to draw from a rich palette of real and potential church paradigms. This book is meant to provoke church leaders to think outside of the box and to imagine how their churches might better reflect the image and the mission of God in the world. Contains a wealth of illustrative examples, charts, and other visual aides Offers a creative practical perspective and a multi-disciplinary approach to establishing a new church or leading an existing one Shows how to honor a church''s purpose while embracing its uniqTable of ContentsFigures and Tables ix About Leadership Network xi Foreword by Alan Hirsch xiii Preface xvii 1 The Once and Future Church 1 2 Acknowledging Self 17 3 Cultivating Community 33 4 Patterns That Honor God 51 5 Designing Around Beliefs 67 6 Releasing Communitas 79 7 Designing in Culture 95 8 Embracing Culture 113 9 A Palette of Models 125 10 Discovering Congruency 145 11 Organizing by Design 159 12 A New Way of Organizing 177 Notes 191 Acknowledgments 201 About the Authors 205 Index 207

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn insightful and practical guide for developing relational leadership skills and engaging new paradigms of influence Relational Intelligence reveals how leaders can become smarter in the way they conduct their relationships, and as a result, catalyze their impact.Table of ContentsAbout Leadership Network ix Foreword by Erwin Raphael McManus xi Heroes to Acknowledge xv Part One The Origins of Relational Intelligence 1. The Human Economy 7 2. The Michael Scott Syndrome 25 Part Two The Hidden Power of a Relational Genius 3. The Story Collector 55 4. The Energy Carrier 79 5. The Compelling Relator 103 6. The Conversational Futurist 127 7. The Likeable Hero 149 8. The Disproportionate Investor 169 9. The Last Word 187 Notes 189 Bibliography 191 The Author 195 Index 197

Read more less

Book SynopsisA practical approach for leaders to guide their congregations tobecome more externally focused The Externally Focused Quest: Becoming the Best Church forthe Community is designed for church leaders who want totransform their churches to become less internally focused and moreoriented to the world around them.Table of ContentsAbout Leadership Network. Acknowledgments Foreword (Alan Hirsch). Introduction. Chapter 1: What Kind of Day Is Today? Chapter 2: Focus: They Choose the Window Seat, Not the Aisle Seat. Chapter 3: Purpose: They Practice Weight Training, Not Bodybuilding. Chapter 4: Story: They Live in the Kingdom Story, Not a Church Story. Chapter 5: Missions: The Few Send the Many, Not the Many Send the Few. Chapter 6: Partnering: They Build Wells, Not Walls. Chapter 7: Systems: They Create Paradigms, Not Programs. Chapter 8: Evangelism: They Deploy Kingdom Laborers, Not Social Workers. Chapter 9: Creativity: They Innovate, Not Replicate. Chapter 10: Outcomes: It's About the Game, Not the Pregame Talk. Notes. The Authors.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn expert practitioner answers to questions about the burgeoning organic church movement Neil Cole's best-selling book Organic Church described the fastest growing segment of contemporary Christianity-the so-called organic church.Table of ContentsAbout Leadership Network ix Foreword xi Preface xiii Acknowledgments xvii Introduction What About This Book? Shifting from Church 2.0 to 3.0 1 Part One Global Changes Demand a Better Church 13 1 What About the World We Live In? From a Village Church to a Global Village 15 2 What About Our Changing Culture? From Ministry in a Modern World to Postmodern 23 Part Two Structural Issues 43 3 What About the Church's Mission? From Coming to Going 45 4 What About Church Growth? From Incremental to Exponential 66 5 What About Church Models? Part One: From Congregations to Networks 92 6 What About Church Models? Part Two: From Centralized to Decentralized 116 7 What About Larger Gatherings? From One-Size-Fits-All to Tailored Groups for Effective Function 137 Part Three Pragmatic Concerns 163 8 What About Evangelism? From Drawing Converts to Catalyzing Movements 165 9 What About Baptism and Communion? From Sacerdotal Rituals to Apostolic Genius 189 10 What About Kids? From a Scholastic Model to a Spiritual Family 209 11 What About Heresy? From Better-Trained Pastors to Better-Trained People 222 12 What About Finances? From Ten Percent to the Whole Enchilada 241 Conclusion What About My Church? From Being Educated to Being Empowered 253 Notes 257 The Author 265 Index 267

Read more less

Book SynopsisA groundbreaking guide for multiplying the impact of church plants Based on a study that was commissioned by the Leadership Network, this book reveals the best practices in church planting and uncovers the common threads among them. A much-needed resource, this book will inform, guide, and even catalyze today''s many church planting leaders. The authors clearly show leaders how to plant churches that create a multiplication movement and offer inspiration for them to do so. The book addresses their questions about what to do next in their church planting strategies, in light of research on what''s actually working best. Author Ed Stetzer heads up LifeWay Research Provides reliable, credible information about what church planting strategies work best A volume in the Leadership Network Series Offers a definitive guide for church planting and the burgeoning movement it is part of.Table of ContentsAbout Leadership Network ix Foreword xiRick Warren 1 Introduction 1 2 Church Planting: The New Evangelism 11 3 Growth by Multiplication: Big Contrast to Addition 31 4 New Players: Aggressive Local Churches and Church Planting Networks 49 5 Kingdom Cooperation: Church Planters Learning Together 67 6 Predictors of Success: Recruitment, Assessment, and Deployment 83 7 Thriving: New Church Survival Rates 101 8 House Churches: Separating Reality from Fiction 115 9 Multisite Strategy: A Fast-Growing Trend That Affects Planting 129 10 Rapid Growth: Still Not Reproduction 139 11 Funding: Partnerships Matter 149 12 The New Scorecard: Measuring a Church Multiplication Movement 161 13 Obstacles to Missional Replication: What Holds Us Back 185 14 Conclusion: Solving the Toughest Challenges 195 Acknowledgments 209 Appendix: List of Churches and Networks Cited 211 Notes 215 Annotated Bibliography for Church Multiplication 225 The Authors 233 Index 237 Scripture Index 244

Read more less

Book SynopsisA gentle new way for church leader's to survive stress and burnout Bruce Miller debunks the idea of balancebasically trying to have it all, all the time. Most churches and their pastors try to do everything at once and feel guilty if any one aspect (worship, ministries, outreach, etc.) is neglected. He replaces the exhausting concept of balance with the idea of rhythm: churches, like people, need to give attention to different programs and ministries at different times, basically by attending to their seasons and cycles. Offers an innovative new model for church leaders Miller has been influential in the formation and promotion of Church-Based Training as in international movement Offers a proven method for avoiding burnout for church leaders and members by doing the right things at the right time The author offers much-need help to overwhelmed leaders and shows them how to apply Miller's seasonal/cyclical approach to church life.Table of ContentsAbout the Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series ix Foreword by Will Mancini xi Preface xiii Acknowledgments xv Introduction Time: The Forgotten Dimension xvii Part One Identifying What Time It Is in Your Church 1 1 Why Do Church in Rhythm? 3 2 Kairos and Chronos Rhythms 17 3 Discerning Your Organizational Stage 27 4 Recognizing Your Ministry Seasons 45 Part Two Kairos Rhythm Strategies 57 5 Release Expectations 59 6 Seize Opportunities 73 7 Anticipate What’s Next 91 Part Three Chronos Rhythm Strategies 107 8 Pace Your Church 109 9 Build Mission-Enhancing Rituals 123 10 Oscillate Intensity and Renewal 139 Conclusion Rhythm Solution Process for Your Church 155 Discussion Questions 165 Rhythm Overview 169 Notes 171 References 177 The Author 181

Read more less

Book SynopsisA guide for applying the best of business insight for church leadership In Pursuit of Great AND Godly Leadership explores the issues involved in bringing secular leadership knowledge into the world of church leadership.Table of ContentsAbout the Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series ix Preface xi 1 Is Great the Enemy of Godly? 1 2 Where Should You Begin? 20 Part One: Tools for Great and Godly Leadership 33 3 Is God in Your Plans? 37 4 Are Your Plans Fruitful? 59 5 Who Is on the Bus? 74 6 Do You Measure What Matters? 97 7 How Will You Finance the Dream? 117 8 Are “All Systems Go”? 135 Part Two: Beyond the Tools 147 9 Is Everyone on the Same Page? 149 10 Why Is Culture Important? 168 11 Are You Prepared to Change? 184 12 Are You Guarding Your Heart? 205 Appendix A: The People Behind the Stories 221 Appendix B: Practical Tips for Managing People 231 Appendix C: Practical Ideas for Measurement 235 Notes 241 Annotated Bibliography 249 Acknowledgments 253 The Author 257 Index 259

Read more less

Book SynopsisValla (1407-1457) was the most important theorist of the humanist movement. His most famous work is the present volume, an oration in which Valla uses new philological methods to attack the authenticity of the most important document justifying the papacy's claims to temporal rule.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Bowler (Everything Happens for a Reason), professor at the Duke Divinity School, explains in this excellent analysis how some evangelical women have managed to become mega-ministry celebrities by transforming the limited roles allotted to women in evangelical culture into positions of power. Framing these women's work as that of wives, mothers, homemakers, and teachers—rather than pastors or business leaders—Bowler reveals how figures including Joyce Meyer, Beth Moore, and Victoria Osteen wield enormous power in their husbands' ministries, both on stage and behind the scenes. . . . [This] wonderful work provocatively considers what women gain and lose in becoming 'market-ready' for evangelical communities." * Publishers Weekly, starred review *"A fascinating examination of the way conservative Christian women wield power in an ultimately patriarchal faith." * Library Journal *"Bowler, the author of the wildly popular Every­thing Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved, is a thorough researcher and witty writer."---LaVonne Neff, Christian Century"[Bowler writes] with empathy and also humour. . . . This book opens up for many of us a new world. It shows the pressures faced by talented evangelical women and raises by implication questions about how women in general, religious or not, are treated today."---Paul Richardson, Church of England Newspaper"Bowler brings forward fresh evidence and significant insights. . . . An interesting read and an important contribution to itssubject area."---G. M. Ditchfield, Politics, Religion & Ideology"Written with wit and empathy . . . Bowler brilliantly unveils the complex negotiation of power by preachers’ wives in the spotlight."---Lieke L. Schrijvers, PentecoStudies"This is a book well-worth reading if one wants a broader understanding of the many evangelical movements as a whole and the rise of the religious celebrity"---Andrea Johnson, Pneuma"Well-researched. . . . A fascinating read and well worth the time."---Scott M. Gibson, Journal of the Evangelical Homiletics Society

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn his quest for the historical Muhammad, Zeitlins chief aim is to catch a few reliable glimpses of the birth of Islam and the role played by its extraordinary founder. The result is a rich and highly illuminating portrait of Muhammad that places him within the historical context of his time.Trade Review“Zeitlin’s approach is novel and intriguing.” Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute "This book will be of value to serious students of Islamic history as well as educated readers generally. Both groups will be well able to navigate the historical and historiographical landscapes of the rise of Islam – with the foundational qualities that enabled it to develop into a world religion. The pursuit of certainty in discerning and understanding Muhammad’s historical biography and the rise of his religious movement is ongoing, and Irving Zeitlin has provided a clear, balanced, and plausible account using traditional sources and modern scholarly theories and interpretations." Frederick M. Denny, University of Colorado at Boulder "It is very important for Muslims and non-Muslims alike to understand the importance of the Prophet Muhammad because he is so central to Islam. The Historical Muhammad contributes significantly to the discussion of the life of the Prophet, a subject highly relevant to our time." Akbar S. Admed, American University, Washington DCTable of ContentsPreface Introduction and Overview of the Life of Muhammad Donner’s Reply to the Skeptics Enter Muhammad: An Overview The Battle of the Trench Chapter One Ibn Khaldun’s Social and Economic Theory Bedouins and Sedentary Peoples Asabiyah Chapter Two Pre-Islamic Arabia The Hijaz on the Eve of the Rise of Islam Pre-Islamic Religion Chapter Three The Role of Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael Who was the Sacrificial Son? The Islamic Theory that Abraham, Ishmael and Hagar Traveled to the Valley of Mecca Abraham, Ishmael and the Kaaba William Muir on the Abrahamic Question Muir on the Founding of Mecca and the Abrahamic Legend Chapter Four Recent and Current Scholarship The Religion of Mecca The Kaaba and Its Devotees Hanifiya and the Religion of Abraham G.E. von Grunebaum, “The Nature of Arab Unity Before Islam” M.J.Kister, “Al-Hira: Some Notes on Its Relations with Arabia” Joseph Henninger, “Pre-Islamic Bedouin Religion” Moshe Gil, “Jews of Yathrib” Fazlur Rahman, “Pre-Foundations of the Muslim Community in Mecca” Uri Rubin, “Hanifiyya and Ka ‘ba: An Inquiry into the Arabian Background of Din Ibrahim” More on Pre-Islamic Religion in the Arabian Peninsula Hamilton A.R. Gibb, “Pre-Islamic Monotheism in Arabia” W. Montgomery Watt, “Belief in a ‘High God’ in Pre-Islamic Mecca” Uri Rubin, “The Kaaba: Aspects of Its Ritual Functions and Position in Pre-Islamic and Early Islamic Times” Chapter Five Possible Influences on Muhammad’s Inspiration Jewish Historians on the Jews of Arabia Baron on Pre-Islamic, Arab-Jewish Relations in Arabia Chapter Six The Jews of Arabia: A Recent Re-Examination Chapter Seven Richard Bell’s Origin of Islam in its Christian Environment Chapter Eight W. Montgomery Watt’s Muhammad at Mecca The Daughters of Allah or the So-called Satanic Verses More on the “Daughters of Allah” Affair A Sociological Argument W. Montgomery Watt’s Muhammad at Medina Chapter Nine Muhammad at Medina: William Muir’s Analysis Muhammad and the Jewish Tribes of Medina The Battle of Badr Current Research on the Massacre of the B. Qurayza The Conquest of Khaybar Chapter Ten Muhammad and the Jews Muhammad and the Jews: G.D. Newby’s Re-Examination of the Evidence Chapter Eleven Concluding Sociological Reflections Abu Bakr and the Ridda Notes Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn his quest for the historical Muhammad, Zeitlin's chief aim is to catch glimpses of the birth of Islam and the role played by its extraordinary founder. Islam, as its Prophet came to conceive it, was a strict and absolute monotheism.Trade Review“Zeitlin’s approach is novel and intriguing.” Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute "This book will be of value to serious students of Islamic history as well as educated readers generally. Both groups will be well able to navigate the historical and historiographical landscapes of the rise of Islam – with the foundational qualities that enabled it to develop into a world religion. The pursuit of certainty in discerning and understanding Muhammad’s historical biography and the rise of his religious movement is ongoing, and Irving Zeitlin has provided a clear, balanced, and plausible account using traditional sources and modern scholarly theories and interpretations." Frederick M. Denny, University of Colorado at Boulder "It is very important for Muslims and non-Muslims alike to understand the importance of the Prophet Muhammad because he is so central to Islam. The Historical Muhammad contributes significantly to the discussion of the life of the Prophet, a subject highly relevant to our time." Akbar S. Admed, American University, Washington DCTable of ContentsPreface Introduction and Overview of the Life of Muhammad Donner’s Reply to the Skeptics Enter Muhammad: An Overview The Battle of the Trench Chapter One Ibn Khaldun’s Social and Economic Theory Bedouins and Sedentary Peoples Asabiyah Chapter Two Pre-Islamic Arabia The Hijaz on the Eve of the Rise of Islam Pre-Islamic Religion Chapter Three The Role of Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael Who was the Sacrificial Son? The Islamic Theory that Abraham, Ishmael and Hagar Traveled to the Valley of Mecca Abraham, Ishmael and the Kaaba William Muir on the Abrahamic Question Muir on the Founding of Mecca and the Abrahamic Legend Chapter Four Recent and Current Scholarship The Religion of Mecca The Kaaba and Its Devotees Hanifiya and the Religion of Abraham G.E. von Grunebaum, “The Nature of Arab Unity Before Islam” M.J.Kister, “Al-Hira: Some Notes on Its Relations with Arabia” Joseph Henninger, “Pre-Islamic Bedouin Religion” Moshe Gil, “Jews of Yathrib” Fazlur Rahman, “Pre-Foundations of the Muslim Community in Mecca” Uri Rubin, “Hanifiyya and Ka ‘ba: An Inquiry into the Arabian Background of Din Ibrahim” More on Pre-Islamic Religion in the Arabian Peninsula Hamilton A.R. Gibb, “Pre-Islamic Monotheism in Arabia” W. Montgomery Watt, “Belief in a ‘High God’ in Pre-Islamic Mecca” Uri Rubin, “The Kaaba: Aspects of Its Ritual Functions and Position in Pre-Islamic and Early Islamic Times” Chapter Five Possible Influences on Muhammad’s Inspiration Jewish Historians on the Jews of Arabia Baron on Pre-Islamic, Arab-Jewish Relations in Arabia Chapter Six The Jews of Arabia: A Recent Re-Examination Chapter Seven Richard Bell’s Origin of Islam in its Christian Environment Chapter Eight W. Montgomery Watt’s Muhammad at Mecca The Daughters of Allah or the So-called Satanic Verses More on the “Daughters of Allah” Affair A Sociological Argument W. Montgomery Watt’s Muhammad at Medina Chapter Nine Muhammad at Medina: William Muir’s Analysis Muhammad and the Jewish Tribes of Medina The Battle of Badr Current Research on the Massacre of the B. Qurayza The Conquest of Khaybar Chapter Ten Muhammad and the Jews Muhammad and the Jews: G.D. Newby’s Re-Examination of the Evidence Chapter Eleven Concluding Sociological Reflections Abu Bakr and the Ridda Notes Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisWith reports of financial impropriety and clergy misconduct makingheadlines, accountable leadership and sound management practiceshave become priority concerns in congregations of every faith.Accountable Leadership speaks to congregation leaders, both clergyand laity, and to individuals who love the worshiping community andseek the tools that can enable everyone in it to better care forone another. This is a practical compAndium of resources for creating andmanaging a sound, effective, and fair congregation. This newedition has been extensively revised and updated to includecontemporary topics such as disturbing trAnds in reduced giving,new church-state issues, clergy misconduct and troublesome members,and legal issues associated with the congregation''s role asemployer and provider of pastoral counseling.Trade Review"This book filled an important gap in congregational studies whenit was first published, and four years later this much enlargededition is even better. In a world where church finances, law, andethics are so much more complicated than ever, leaders can't affordto be without it." --Loren Meade, founder, The AlbanInstitute "This book is a plea for congregational leaders to be competent,informed, accountable, and in touch with contemporary reality.Reading it will enrich both the life and the ministry of everyleader who accepts the need to be accountable. It is an ideal studybook to be read by every member of the governing board." --Lyle E.Schaller, Church Consultant "Chaffee is thorough, reasonable, and pastoral in his approach toan important subject rarely covered adequately in a seminary."--Your ChurchTable of ContentsOne: Becoming an Accountable Leader 1. Courage and the Responsibilities of Leadership 2. What the Law Requires 3. The Role of the Governing Board Two: Accountability, Administration, and the Shared Life of theCongregation 4. Developing Life-Support Systems for the Corporate Body 5. Responsible Financial Management 6. Employment Practices That Safeguard Communal Values 7. Contracting with Service Providers from Inside and Outside theCongregation Three: TAnding to Invisible Wounds Within the Congregation 8. Zero Tolerance for Abusive Behavior 9. Preventing Clergy Misconduct 10. Healing the Wounded Congregation

Read more less

Book SynopsisKennon Callahan shares a new understanding of leadership, and helps missionary pastors grow their leadership by cultivating new understandings and practices in seven key areas. Callahan guides pastors and key leaders in building on their creativity and imagination in order to revitalize their local churches and advance their missions.Table of ContentsTHE DAY OF MISSION. The Missionary Pastor. The Mission Field. The Mission Outpost. THE NATURE OF LEADERSHIP. Life and Leadership. Life Is a Search. Leadership, Discovery, Fulfillment. FOUNDATIONAL SEARCHES, EMERGING TRENDS, AND CONSEQUENCES. The Search for Individuality. The Search for Community. The Search for Meaning. The Search for Hope. THE HEART OF THE MATTER. Leadership Values. The Leadership Environment. A Constructive Perspective. The Evaluation Process. Leadership Structures. Missional Structures. Church Development. CONCLUSION. The Way Forward.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMalony identifies the eight central paradoxes that all religious leaders must confront, showing how when viewed as either/or choices they can tear a ministry apart and how embracing the truth of both assertions can enable religious leaders to deal successfully with seeming conflicts in their roles.Trade Review"Individuals who are in religious leadership positions will immediately recognize the dilemmas or paradoxes described in this book. The good news is that Malony offers sound practical advice on how to deal with them. This book is accurately descriptive and helpfully prescriptive." (Douglas Lewis, Wesley Theological Seminary) "Malony suggests ways to turn destructive conflict into creative tension. A helpful guide for every religious leader struggling to make sense out of the colliding interests that buffet many congregations and other not-for-profit institutions." (William E. Hull, Samford University) "Dr. Malony presents a helpful analysis using insights from psychology, theology, management theory, conflict resolution, practical experience, love of Church, and an ironic spirit. Anyone reading this study will no longer see conflict as an interruption of the Church mission, but an opportunity to be in ministry." (Mark Trotter, First United Methodist Church, San Diego, California)Table of ContentsForeword by Max de Pree. The Persistent Paradox of Religious Leadership. PARADOXES IN THE LEADER'S ROLE. Person and Position: Being True to Oneself and to Congregational Expectations. Prophet, Priest, and King: Playing Three Roles at Once Without Confounding Them. PARADOXES OF PERSPECTIVE. Inclusivity and Exclusivity: Appreciating Both Uniqueness and Universality in Faith Convictions. Timely and Timeless: Applying the Bible's Eternal Truths to Present Circumstances. PARADOXES BUILT. For-Profit and Not-for-Profit: Balancing the Books While Serving a Larger Purpose. Person and Organization: Running an Efficient Organization in Which People Feel Deeply Recognized. PARADOXES OF CONGREGATIONAL MISSION. Product and Process: Valuing Ends and Means Equally. Mission and Maintenance: Moving the Congregation Toward Achieving Its Goals While Fostering Goodwill and Group Cohesion. Conclusion: Leading Others to Double Vision.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Leadership Network Publication With this much-needed handbook, the authors brilliantly combine their experience guiding dozens of churches through the change process with both the study of Christian disciplines and the sophisticated understanding of such important business thinkers as John Kotter on leading change and Peter Senge on learning organizations. In this eminently readable book the authors have distilled their insights and practices into simple but powerful concepts for leading congregations, whether long established or recently formed, through profound change. Leaders using this guide will also be interested in the companion Leading Congregational Change Workbook, which offers assessment questions, planning worksheets, activities, and case examples for each stage of the process.Table of ContentsAbout This Workbook xi Part 1 Vitality and Leadership Disciplines 1 1 Spiritual and Relational Vitality: The Driving Force of Transformational Change 3 2 Discipline One: Generating and Sustaining Creative Tension 8 3 Discipline Two: Harnessing the Power of Mental Models 12 4 Discipline Three: Enabling Team Learning 16 5 Discipline Four: Practicing Systems Thinking 21 Part 2 The Eight-Stage Change Process 27 6 Stage 1: Making Personal Preparation 29 7 Stage 2: Creating Urgency 34 8 Stage 3: Establishing the Vision Community 38 9 Stage 4: Discerning the Vision and Determining the Visionpath 44 10 Stage 5: Communicating the Vision 50 11 Stage 6: Empowering Change Leaders 55 12 Stage 7: Implementing the Vision 61 13 Stage 8: Reinforcing Momentum Through Alignment 67 Resource A Resource Organizations 74 Resource B An Annotated Bibliography of Useful Publications 78 Resource C Questionnaires, Inventories, and Other Data-Gathering Resources 81 Resource D Congregational Bodylife Model 95 Resource E Congregational Self-Assessment 98 References 103 The Authors 104 About Leadership Network 107

Read more less