Religious issues and debates Books

Book SynopsisDespite recent ferocious public debate about the likelihood of the existence of God, the most central concept in such arguments remains strangely obscure. What is God? In this written contribution to reasoned discussion, a revered religious thinker clarifies how the word "God" functions in various religious traditions.Trade Review"Hart marshals powerful historical evidence and philosophical argument to suggest that atheists—if they want to attack the opposition's strongest case—badly need to up their game."—Oliver Burkeman, The Guardian". . . there is something evangelical about this study: it is at once both the most valuable discussion of the doctrine of God to have appeared for decades, and a witty, often mordant, defence of Christian belief. . . . The Experience of God is still an outstanding addition to the literature on God, not least for its survey of so many of the world’s great faiths. It is also a fine piece of work of Christian apologetics, and a major contribution to debate on science and religion."—Andrew Davison, Times Literary Supplement"This hugely suggestive book is a lyrical paean to a vital, more capacious understanding of reality, ourselves and God: a timely and gripping invitation to wake up, see the regnant naturalism, and subvert its suffocating hegemony. The text is by turns elegant, curmudgeonly, witty, infuriating, incisive, nostalgic, rhapsodical, explosive, frequently bang on the money – and always stimulating."—Philip McCosker, The Tablet"David Hart can always be relied on to offer a perspective on Christian faith that is both profound and unexpected. In this masterpiece of quiet intellectual and spiritual passion, he magnificently sets the record straight as to what sort of God Christians believe in and why."—Rowan Williams, University of Cambridge"David Hart’s new book is nothing less than astounding. He is liberal, conservative, radical, theological, philosophical, and historical all at the same time – that is his genius. There is no American writing on religion as intelligently, bravely, and originally as Hart."—Conor Cunningham, University of Nottingham"David Bentley Hart’s new book is a feast- stylish and substantial. Bringing together Sanskritic analyses of God’s being with Latin and Greek and Arabic ones, this is a considerable achievement by one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary theology."—Paul J. Griffiths, Duke Divinity School"Writing at a high philosophical level with a sharp sense of humor, Hart argues for an ecumenical Theism. Devastatingly accurate, imaginative, and immensely readable, this is David Bentley Hart’s best book."—Francesca Murphy, University of Notre Dame"Magnificent . . . a book unlike anything done in recent times and one that only Hart could write."—Robert Louis Wilken

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Book SynopsisReligion is currently gaining a much higher profile. The number of faith schools is increasingly, and religious points of view are being aired more frequently in the media. As religion''s profile rises, those who reject religion, including humanists, often find themselves misunderstood, and occasionally misrepresented. Stephen Law explores how humanism uses science and reason to make sense of the world, looking at how it encourages individual moral responsibility and shows that life can have meaning without religion. Challenging some of the common misconceptions, he seeks to dispute the claims that atheism and humanism are ''faith positions'' and that without God there can be no morality and our lives are left without purpose. Looking at the history of humanism and its development as a philosophical alternative, he examines the arguments for and against the existence of God, and explores the role humanism plays in moral and secular societies, as well as in moral and religious education. Using humanism to determine the meaning of life, he shows that there is a positive alternative to traditional religious belief.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. The history of humanism ; 2. Arguments for the existence of God ; 3. An argument against the existence of God ; 4. Humanism and morality ; 5. Humanism and secularism ; 6. Humanism and moral and religious education ; 7. The meaning of life ; 8. Humanist ceremonies

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Book Synopsis Having taken over the leadership of the French school of sociology after the death of his uncle, Emile Durkheim, in 1917, Mauss, celebrated author of The Gift, re-launched the flagship journal, the Année sociologique. Here are two of Mauss's most significant statements on the social sciences. The first, written with Fauconnet, outlines the methodological orientations of the school. The second examines the internal organization of sociology as a division of intellectual labor. The essays are of interest to anthropologists as well as sociologists for Mauss, like Durkheim, did not distinguish in detail the two disciplines.Table of Contents Preface and Acknowledgements Introduction Mike Gane Sociology (with Paul Fauconnet) Sociology: Its Divisions and Their Relative Weightings Chapter 1. The Sequence or Order of the Parts of Sociology Chapter 2. On the Proportions of the Parts of Sociology Chapter 3. Concrete Divisions of Sociology Chapter 4. The Place of Applied Sociology or Politics Additional Bibliographical Note Index

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Book Synopsis''I don''t believe in God, but I miss Him.'' Julian Barnes'' new book is, among many things, a family memoir, an exchange with his philosopher brother, a meditation on mortality and the fear of death, a celebration of art, an argument with and about God, and a homage to the French writer Jules Renard. Though he warns us that ''this is not my autobiography'', the result is a tour of the mind of one of our most brilliant writers.Trade ReviewBoth fun and funny. It is sharp too, in the sense of painful as well as witty... Barnes dissects with tremendous verve and insight this awesome inevitability of death and its impact on the human psyche. He also tears at your heart * New Statesman *A maverick form of family memoir that is mainly an extended reflection on the fear of death and on that great consolation, religious belief... It is entertaining, intriguing, absorbing...an inventive and invigorating slant on what is nowadays called 'life writing'. It took me hours to write this review because each reference to my notes set me off rereading; that is a reviewer's ultimate accolade -- Penelope Lively * Financial Times *A brilliant bible of elegant despair...that most urgent kind of self-help manual: the one you must read before you die -- Tim Adams * Vogue *Intensely fascinating * The Times *An elegant memoir and meditation. A deep seismic tremor of a book that keeps rumbling and grumbling in the mind for weeks thereafter * Garrison Keillor *

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Book SynopsisTo many, the problem of evil and suffering constitutes by far the most serious objection to mainstream religious belief. For all its starkness and salience, though, the dilemma is also widely misinterpreted. That visceral feelings often dominate discussion is understandable on one level. But this can displace the clearer-headed thinking needed to shed greater light on the subject. In this brief but broad-ranging book, Rupert Shortt shows that belief in a divine Creator is much more coherent intellectually than many sceptics suppose. Basic misconceptions about core aspects of Judaism, Christianity and Islam can in turn spawn still greater caricatures of subjects including divine power. Having cleared the ground, Shortt goes on to discuss the nature of evil from a classical Abrahamic standpoint and how Christian resources in particular offer guidance in an area where raw emotion, conceptual thTrade ReviewRupert Shortt is clear and incisive in this new work of theodicy -- Iain McGilchrist'One of the most cogent writers of our day' -- Peter Sedgwick'Beguiling' -- Julia Neuberger'Deep theological knowledge and spiritual discernment' -- John Barton'Wise, informed and immensely thoughtful' -- Alister McGrathA stunning challenge to the casual atheism of our age -- Angela TilbyHis arguments are powerful -- Bishop Erik VardenThe book succeeds in presenting a reasoned case for holding fast to the reality of God, as Christianity understands it, and not shirking from the troubling existence of suffering. -- Mark Vernonintelligent and lucid -- Melanie McDonagha profoundly helpful book -- Timothy RadcliffeUnlike most participants in this lively debate, Rupert Shortt hasn't decided the answer before asking the question . . . After all, evil and suffering are not a problem to be fixed but a mystery to be entered. -- Sam WellsShortt has an admirable gift for making the obscure lucid, for chasing away confusions, and for saying a great deal in a small space without sacrifice of substance or profundity -- David Bentley HartRupert Shortt gets to grips with this philosophical, theological, pastoral and human conundrum incisively but sensitively -- Fr Alban McCoyThe Hardest Problem contains hard thought, emotional honesty and keen awareness of the issues. * TLS *This is an immensely attractive exposition of Christian faith, accessible to a wide readership, and ideal for discussion groups on these topics. * Church Times *

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Book SynopsisA call for Christianity to recover its confidence.

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Book SynopsisThis volume analyzes changing relationships between religion and national identity in the course of European integration. Examining elite discourse, media debates and public opinions across Europe over a decade, it explores how accelerated European integration and Eastern enlargement have affected religious markers of collective identity. Trade Review“This is a book that traces, conceptually, theoretically and empirically, the impact of EU institutions on identity – and more specifically, religious identity. Much of the strength of the book derives from a research design that combines rich analysis of individual case studies with the identification of broad patterns and common themes. … editors have contributed to our understanding of the ways in which EU integration has shaped the development of national – and mainly religious – identity in different member states.” (Daphne Halikiopoulou, Religion and Society in Central and Eastern Europe, Vol. 9 (1), 2017)“This book sets out to redress the neglect of religion as an element of collective identities in the study of European integration from 1990–2010. … it makes a valuable contribution to the study of the entanglement of religion with national identities as they are effected by the processes of European integration. Hopefully this will provide a solid foundation for further research in this area, incorporating other cases, engaging with greater varieties of religion and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and debate.” (Liam Sutherland, Nations and Nationalism, Vol. 22 (4), October, 2016)Table of Contents1. Religion, Nationalism and European Integration Introduction; Matthias Koenig and Wolfgang Knöbl 2. The (Fragile) Normalization of German Identity within Europe; Willfried Spohn 3. Changing Frameworks of National Identity in Post-communist Poland; Miko?aj Lewicki and S?awomir Mandes 4. Greek Identity and Europe Entanglements and Tensions; Effie Fokas and Evangelos Karagiannis 5. Turkey in Europe, Europe in Turkey History, Elites, and the Media; Levent Soysal, Saime Özçürümez and Ça?la Diner 6. Religious Dimensions of National and European Identities: Evidence from Cross-national Survey Research; Sabine Trittler, Slawomir Mandes and Matthias Koenig 7. Varieties of Religious Nationalism; Matthias Koenig and Wolfgang Knöbl

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Book SynopsisIn this book, Julian Baggini explores the arguments for atheism, and dispels some common myths, explaining how a life without religious belief can be positive, meaningful, and moral. This new edition discusses the recent flowering of 'New Atheism' and considers the position of atheism in society today.Table of Contents1: What is Atheism? 2: The case for atheism 3: Atheist ethics 4: Meaning and purpose 5: Atheism in history 6: Beyond the Atheism 7: Conclusion Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisVery Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring Debates about science and religion are rarely out of the news. Whether it concerns what''s being taught in schools, clashes between religious values and medical recommendations, or questions about how to address our changing global environment, emotions often run high and answers seem intractable. Yet there is much more to science and religion than the clash of extremes. As Thomas Dixon and Adam Shapiro show in this balanced and thought-provoking Very Short Introduction, a whole range of views, subtle arguments, and fascinating perspectives can be found on this complex and centuries-old subject. They explore the key philosophical questions that underlie the debate, but also highlight the social, political, and ethical contexts that have made the tensions between science and religion such a fraught and interesting topic in the modern world. In this new edition, Dixon and Shapiro connect historical concepts such as evolution, the heliocentric solar system, and the problem of evil to present-day issues including the politicization of science; debates over mind, body, and identity; and the moral necessity of addressing environmental change. Ranging from medical missionaries to congregations adopting new technologies during a pandemic, from Galileo''s astronomy to building the Thirty Meter Telescope, they explore how some of the most complex social issues of our day are rooted in discussions of science and religion. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade Reviewa wonderful book * Morteza Hajizadeh, New Books Network *Review from previous edition A rich introductory text...on the study of relations of science and religion. * R. P. Whaite, Metascience *A marvellous book that should be required reading for dogmatic fundamentalists of every persuasion. * Patricia Fara, British Journal for the History of Science *Dixon shows great skill in composing a book which combines coherence and clarity with a strong forward momentum... The interested reader need not hesitate. * Michael Fuller, The Expository Times *Bracing initiation * Observer. *The relationship between science and religion, past and present, is much more varied and more interesting than the popular caricature of conflict. Thomas Dixon gives us the richer picture, and he does it with clarity and verve. This is an ideal introduction to a fascinating subject. * Peter Lipton. University of Cambridge *Thomas Dixon has made a delightful contribution to this OUP series of Very Short Introductions. * Church Times *Table of Contents1: What are science-religion debates really about? 2: Galileo and the philosophy of science 3: God and nature 4: Darwin and evolution 5: Mind and morality 6: The worlds of science and religion References and further reading Index

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Book SynopsisPacking a powerful punch, this compelling read is an argument against the new atheistsTrade Review'A brilliantly argued re-evaluation of the relation of science and religion, casting welcome new light on today's major debates. A must-read for all reflecting on the greatest questions of life.' -- Alister McGrath, author, Glimpsing the Face of God on God's Undertaker'Recent books touting atheism have been grounded more on dyspepsia than on dispassionate reason. In this book John considers the best, most recent science from physics and biology, and demonstrates that the picture looks far different from what we've been told.' -- Michael Behe, author, Darwin's Black Box, on God's UndertakerTable of ContentsContentsIntroduction 9Chapter 1: Are God and Faith Enemies of Reason and Science? 27Chapter 2: Is Religion Poisonous? 59Chapter 3: Is Atheism Poisonous? 83Chapter 4: Can We be Good Without God? 97Chapter 5: Is the God of the Bible a Despot? 117Chapter 6: Is the Atonement Morally Repellent? 145Chapter 7: Are Miracles Pure Fantasy? 165Chapter 8: Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? 187Chapter 9: Final Reflections 227Notes 233

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Book SynopsisTo many, the problem of evil and suffering constitutes by far the most serious objection to mainstream religious belief. For all its starkness and salience, though, the dilemma is also widely misinterpreted. That visceral feelings often dominate discussion is understandable on one level. But this can displace the clearer-headed thinking needed to shed greater light on the subject. In this brief but broad-ranging book, Rupert Shortt shows that belief in a divine Creator is much more coherent intellectually than many sceptics suppose. Basic misconceptions about core aspects of Judaism, Christianity and Islam can in turn spawn still greater caricatures of subjects including divine power. Having cleared the ground, Shortt goes on to discuss the nature of evil from a classical Abrahamic standpoint and how Christian resources in particular offer guidance in an area where raw emotion, conceptual thTrade ReviewRupert Shortt is clear and incisive in this new work of theodicy -- Iain McGilchrist'One of the most cogent writers of our day' -- Peter Sedgwick'Beguiling' -- Julia Neuberger'Deep theological knowledge and spiritual discernment' -- John Barton'Wise, informed and immensely thoughtful' -- Alister McGrathA stunning challenge to the casual atheism of our age -- Angela TilbyHis arguments are powerful -- Bishop Erik VardenThe book succeeds in presenting a reasoned case for holding fast to the reality of God, as Christianity understands it, and not shirking from the troubling existence of suffering. -- Mark Vernonintelligent and lucid -- Melanie McDonagha profoundly helpful book -- Timothy RadcliffeUnlike most participants in this lively debate, Rupert Shortt hasn't decided the answer before asking the question . . . After all, evil and suffering are not a problem to be fixed but a mystery to be entered. -- Sam WellsShortt has an admirable gift for making the obscure lucid, for chasing away confusions, and for saying a great deal in a small space without sacrifice of substance or profundity -- David Bentley HartRupert Shortt gets to grips with this philosophical, theological, pastoral and human conundrum incisively but sensitively -- Fr Alban McCoyThe Hardest Problem contains hard thought, emotional honesty and keen awareness of the issues. * TLS *This is an immensely attractive exposition of Christian faith, accessible to a wide readership, and ideal for discussion groups on these topics. * Church Times *

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Book SynopsisExamines how the rabbis of the Talmud read, understood, and used the New Testament Jesus narrative to assert, ultimately, Judaism's superiority over Christianity.Trade ReviewPeter Schafer, Winner of the 2007 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation "Schafer's fine new book should be of interest to a wide audience, and not only to specialists in the field of the historical interaction of Judaism and Christianity in late antiquity (who will be right to devour it)... Schafer's book tells a fascinating story... His great scholarship now provides Jews and Christians interested in developing a new and better relationship with a way to work through many of the hateful things that we have said about each other in the past, but without pretending that this bad past was not as bad as it really was or that it can simply be forgotten... The sources that Schafer adduces are virulent and dangerous, but his analysis of them leaves one unexpectedly full of hope."--David Novak, New Republic "In the talmudic references to Jesus ... Schafer persuasively finds sophisticated 'counternarratives that parody the New Testament stories,' composed by Jews who evinced a precise knowledge of the New Testament. The true accomplishment of Jesus in the Talmud is to show how certain talmudic passages are actually subtle rereadings of the New Testament, 'a literary answer to a literary text.' With considerable skill, Schafer weaves these together until they can be seen to form an intricate theological discourse that prefigures the disputations between Jews and Christians in the Middle Ages."--Benjamin Balint, First Things "Meticulously researched and argued as well as clearly and accessibly written, this most intriguing--albeit radical--book is sure to spark interest, debate, and controversy. An essential purchase for academic religion collections and theological libraries."--Library Journal "In [this] book Schafer has proven himself not only a formidable scholar of ancient and medieval Jewish texts ... but also a talented author from whose hands the text flows like the water to which the rabbis likened the Torah."--Galit Hasan-Rokem, Jewish Quarterly Review "Peter Schafer's Jesus in the Talmud reviews well-trodden territory but derives new and important readings from this familiar evidence. Applying contemporary historiographical methods, Schafer offers a convincing explanation of the talmudic texts about Jesus."--Ruth Langer, Studies in Christian-Jewish Relations "Peter Schafer deserves great merit for having taken up a subject whose reexamination has been overdue for a long time already and that is of major interest to New Testament scholars, Talmudists, and historians of ancient Judaism alike...The great achievement of this book is that it reopens the discussion of texts that are of greatest significance for the study of the relationship of Judaism and Christianity in antiquity and the early Middle Ages. It presents the Jewish intellectual elite in a new light, as active respondents to Christian claims and allegations and forceful combatants in the Christian-Jewish dispute."--Catherine Hezser, Review of Biblical Literature "Schafer's excellent study shows that, by ridiculing fundamental Christian claims, Babylonian Jewry rejected any notion that the old covenant had been superseded by the new, Judaism had nothing for which to reproach itself: its superiority over Christianity was incontestable."--Anthony Phillips, Church Times "Peter Schafer...provides a sophisticated treatment of the subject of Jesus and other figures in the New Testament in Talmudic literature. This subject has a long history, but have never been undertaken with the kind of rigor and sensitivity to contextual factors, including the differences between the evidence available in the Babylonian versus Jerusalem versions...Clear and accessible reading for the non-specialist, this is a careful, scholarly treatment that sets the agenda for future studies"--Jewish Book World "One of the greatest Hebrew scholars, Peter Schafer, published a book on a very controversial and difficult subject--Jesus in the Talmud. Jesus in the Talmud is a work of great value. Although the author declares that the book is not a scholarly treatise, but only a kind of extensive essay, the investigation is thorough and all its theses are excellently and fully argued."--Maciej Tomal, Palamedes "Peter Schafer's Jesus in the Talmud is already being picked up by anti-Semitic Web sites as proof that Judaism harbors blasphemous beliefs about Jesus. Yet, it is an important book by a meticulous scholar, the head of Princeton's Judaic studies program. It is also a truthful book and should be received in a spirit of truthfulness."--David Klinghoffer, Hadassah Magazine "Schafer bases his clearly written and exquisitely informed work on a collection of the fragmented texts about Jesus from the heart of the rabbinic period, a cluster of passages he assembles from material scattered throughout the Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmuds and contemporaneous rabbinic literature. The simple gathering of these newly translated texts in one place makes the book an excellent English-language resource for researchers and laypersons alike."--Stephen Hazan Arnoff, Haaretz "This remarkable monograph is required reading for anyone interested in the reception of the NT in rabbinic literature."--M. J. Geller, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament "[C]ertainly the best modern study of this topic."--Simon Gathercole, Journal for the Study of the New Testament "This is a very interesting book, and the author's arguments are both logical and unique."--W. Pretorius, Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae "Schafer's erudite sailing through the 'sea of Talmud' is evident on every page; and, to the extent his thesis is correct, he relocates Talmudic Jesus tradition from Jesus research in the first century to Jewish-Christian relations in late antiquity."--Michael A. Daise, Journal for the Study of the Historical JesusTable of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Abbreviations xiii Introduction 1 Chapter 1: Jesus' Family 15 Chapter 2: The Son/Disciple Who Turned out Badly 25 Chapter 3: The Frivolous Disciple 34 Chapter 4: The Torah Teacher 41 Chapter 5: Healing in the Name of Jesus 52 Chapter 6: Jesus' Execution 63 Chapter 7: Jesus' Disciples 75 Chapter 8: Jesus' Punishment in Hell 82 Chapter 9: Jesus in the Talmud 95 Appendix: Bavli Manuscripts and Censorship 131 Notes 145 Bibliography 191 Index 203

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“As an ideological refresher on what the West got right, Shapiro’s book gets the job done.” — The Washington Post Shapiro cavorts through 3,000 years of intellectual history in the span of about 250 pages, offering a perspicuous, “user-friendly” dive into some of our civilization’s biggest ideas. — The Washington Examiner “Ben Shapiro knows the power of his voice. He stands up and fights for what he believes with time-tested ideas. The Right Side of History is thoughtful and well-reasoned - exactly what Shapiro’s critics don’t want you to hear.” — Nikki Haley, former premanent representative of the U.S. Mission of the United Nations

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Book SynopsisIn a world where not everyone believes in God, ''blasphemy'' is surely a concept that has passed its use-by-date. And yet blasphemy (like God and religion) seems to be on the rise. In this Very Short Introduction Yvonne Sherwood asks why this should be the case, looking at factors such as the increased visibility of religious and racial minorities, new media, and engines of surveillance (which are far more omniscient than the old gods could ever be), and the legacies of colonial blasphemy laws. Throughout, Sherwood uncovers new histories, from the story of accidentally blasphemous cartoons, to the close associations between blasphemy, sex, and birth control. She also argues that blasphemy itself involves an inherent contradiction in imagining the divine as an entity that must be revered above all, yet also a being that could possibly be hurt by anything that happens in the merely human sphere. Unpicking some of the most famous cases of blasphemy, Sherwood also looks at obscure instances, asking why some ''blasphemies'' have become infamous, while others have disappeared.Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1: Introduction: 'Blasphemous' crucifixions 2: Blasphemy in scarequotes 3: Blasphemy in religion 4: Blasphemy in law 5: Blasphemy and minorities 6: Blasphemy and media References and Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisSuitable for scientists, theologians, people of faith and people of no faith, as well as general readers eager to understand the God Debate, this title demolishes the 'superstitious' view of God held by most atheists and agnostics, and offers in its place a revolutionary account of the Christian Gospel.Trade Review"'Terry Eagleton's intervention into the debate sparked by Richard Dawkins's The God Delusion is, by turns, thought-provoking, infuriating, inspiring and very, very funny.' London Review of Books 'a gloriously rumbustious counter-blast to Dawkinsite atheism... paradoxes sparkle throughout this coruscatingly brilliant polemic... This is, then, a demolition job which is both logically devastating and a magnificently whirling philippic... Much of what it says is too true.' Paul Vallely, The Independent 'Eagleton's book began as a series of lectures delivered at Yale University. They must have been a riot... He's fantastically rude all round, about 'Ditchkins', about religion itself... It's terrific polemic.' Melanie McDonagh, Evening Standard"

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Book SynopsisThis is a revised and updated edition of this seminal work on the responses of Islam to the modern world. Starting with the present-day condition of man in the modern world and the dilemma of the present-day Muslim, Seyyed Hossein Nasr discusses the interchange that has continued between Islam and the West over the centuries. The author then proceeds to examine the profound struggle in the Muslim world between the Islamic tradition and Western ideologies and culture concentrating on the present situations in the Arab world, in Iran, in India and in Pakistan.In addition to a new preface, this revised edition of Islam and the Plight of Modern Man includes two new chapters: ''Islam at the Dawn of the Third Christian Millennium'', and ''Reflections on Islam and the West: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow''.

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Book SynopsisTrans and Genderqueer Subjects in Medieval Hagiography presents an interdisciplinary examination of trans and genderqueer subjects in medieval hagiography. Scholarship has productively combined analysis of medieval literary texts with modern queer theory – yet, too often, questions of gender are explored almost exclusively through a prism of sexuality, rather than gender identity. This volume moves beyond such limitations, foregrounding the richness of hagiography as a genre integrally resistant to limiting binaristic categories, including rigid gender binaries. The collection showcases scholarship by emerging trans and genderqueer authors, as well as the work of established researchers. Working at the vanguard of historical trans studies, these scholars demonstrate the vital and vitally political nature of their work as medievalists. Trans and Genderqueer Subjects in Medieval Hagiography enables the re-creation of a lineage linking modern trans and genderqueer individuals to their medieval ancestors, providing models of queer identity where much scholarship has insisted there were none, and re-establishing the place of non-normative gender in history.Trade Review"The first thing one observes about Trans and Genderqueer Subjects in Medieval Hagiography is that it is a beautiful object. The cover image, by medievalist and artist Jonah Coman, is a sumptuous study in gold, like a Book of Hours, with vignettes of both holy images and protest marches in a band that encircles an image of a medieval saint holding a trans pride flag. We do not often talk about the physical form of scholarly books, but this one is a joy to hold. It is also a useful object, containing an appendix on trans and genderqueer terminology, language, and usage that serves as an important snapshot of how to talk about gender in the early twenty-first century and should prove enormously useful to those just coming to explore trans studies. [...] With this kind of work in the offering, the future of the profession has a chance to be as wonderful as this collection."- Masha Raskolnikov, The Medieval Review22.03.10 (2022) "The inspiring volume is a must-read for all scholars working with religion and history. Most importantly, it is an admirable effort to dismantle cis-heteronormative conceptions of the Middle Ages (propagated alarmingly by white supremacist groups). [...] The volume is of the utmost importance for the trans and genderqueer people of today, as it is in essence a serious academic endeavour to imagine a transgender past and, thus, offer a sense of historical belonging."- Rose-Marie Peake, Mirator 1/21 (2021) "By establishing transness as holy, the authors are not only working to put trans and genderqueer subjects back into the narrative of history, but at its center. Transness is being rewritten as something beautiful and divine."- - Milo, What Lives Here Now blog (2021) "In this important volume, Alicia Spencer-Hall and Blake Gutt bring together scholarship that rethinks, in creatively productive ways, how gender figures in medieval representations of sainthood and sanctity. [...] All the varied scholarship collected here is excellent, and the volume as a whole mounts a persuasive and invigorating argument about the importance of attending to trans and genderqueer texts and experiences in the Middle Ages."- Steven F. Kruger, Journal of Medieval Religious Cultures "Trans and Genderqueer Subjects in Medieval Hagiography is an excellent collection that, by offering a platform for both new and established scholars to revisit their earlier assessments of medieval texts, offers an understanding of the past predicated upon the need for a more just future." - Alexander Flores, Comitatus, Vol. 53, 2022Table of ContentsIList of Figures Acknowledgements 'Introduction', Alicia Spencer-Hall and Blake Gutt Following the Traces: Reassessing the Status Quo, Reinscribing Trans and Genderqueer Realities 1.'Assigned Female at Death: Joseph of Schönau and the Disruption of Medieval Gender Binaries', Martha G. Newman 2.'Inherited Futures: Capgrave's Life of St Katherine', Caitlyn McLoughlin 3.'Juana de la Cruz: Gender-Transcendent Prophetess', Kevin C.A. Elphick 4.'Non-Standard Masculinity and Sainthood in Niketas David's Life of Patriarch Ignatios', Felix Szabo Peripheral Vision(s): Objects, Images, and Identities 5.'Gender-Querying Christ's Wounds: A Non-Binary Interpretation of Christ's Body in Late Medieval Imagery', Sophie Sexon 6.'Illuminating Queer Gender Identity in the Manuscripts of the Vie de sainte Eufrosine', Vanessa Wright 7.'The Queerly Departed: Narratives of Veneration in the Burials of Late Iron Age Scandinavia', Lee Colwill Genre, Gender, and Trans Textualities 8.'St Eufrosine's Invitation to Gender Transgression', Amy V. Ogden 9.'Holy Queer and Holy Cure: Sanctity, Disability, and Transgender Embodiment in Tristan de Nanteuil', Blake Gutt 10.'The Authentic Lives of Transgender Saints: imago Dei and imitatio Christi in the Life of Saint Marinos the Monk', M.W. Bychowski Epilogue: 'Beyond Binaries: The (Trans) Gender(s) of Saints', Mathilde van Dijk Appendix: 'Trans and Genderqueer Studies Terminology, Language, and Usage Guide' Index

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Book SynopsisYou can only find out the rights and wrongs by Reasoning never by being rude about your opponent's psychology.' For C. S. Lewis, reason and logic are the sensible way to approach faith and ethics. Much of the 20th century's ills are caused by ill-founded beliefs and opinions.Lewis's original approach remains as vital today as ever. He is able to take the most convoluted subject, turn it side on and shed bright illumination on it. To be able to see along things rather than at them just like a beam of sunlight that invades the darkness of a toolshed is, to Lewis, the way to understanding.Written variously between 1940 and 1962, this collection of essays represents the best of Lewis's considerable wisdom on the great ethical and theological concerns of the day.Trade Review‘Most of us would gladly have given reams of our own work to write a couple of paragraphs as Lewis wrote.’Church of England Newspaper

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Book SynopsisIt all began in June 2005 when Bobby Henderson wrote an open letter to the Kansas School Board proposing a third alternative to the teaching of evolution and intelligent design in schools.Bobby is a prophet of sorts, the spiritual leader of a growing, world-wide group of followers who worship the teachings of The Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM).The FSM appeared to Bobby as a giant ball of spaghetti, with meatballs for eyes, and touched Bobby with His noodly appendage resulting in the revelation that the FSM is the real creator of the universe. The FSM faithful look to Bobby as their prophet and spiritual leader. Shortly after Bobby's revelation a website (www.flyingspaghettimonster.org) came into existence to promote the word. Then came the articles, which were worldwide: The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian (UK), Die Welt (Germany), Surprise (Austria), and many others chimed in to report the existence of the FSM. Bobby received letters of support from academics and Ka

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Book SynopsisThe Holy Spirit has become an object of greater attention in Trinitarian theology, and indeed in the broader life of the Church, since the rise of Pentecostalism at the beginning of the twentieth century. Different understandings of the Holy Spirit have had different impacts on worship; here, Elizabeth Welch examines four surprising overlaps in the thought of two radically different traditions of the church about the relationship between the Holy Spirit and worship. These traditions are represented by John Owen, from seventeenth-century England, and John Zizioulas, from contemporary Greece. Welch explores in turn the common themes of the personal and relational nature of the triune God, the immediacy of the encounter with God through the Holy Spirit in worship, the role of the Holy Spirit in leading people into truth, and the transformative nature of worship that draws people into sharing God''s purpose for the world. In each, the insights of Owen and Zizioulas shed new light on the onTrade ReviewThis timely and scholarly book deepens ecumenical thinking about the connection between the Holy Spirit and the church's worship. Elizabeth Welch reveals unexpected convergences between John Owen (Reformed) and John Zizioulas (Orthodox), widely separated in time and in ecclesial tradition, in her dynamic, relational, and transformative theology of the Holy Spirit in worship. Both liturgy and theology will be enriched by the study of this book. Paul Avis, Durham University and University of Exeter Throughout this book, Elizabeth Welch makes fresh and stimulating connections. She writes persuasively about the meeting of Christian West and Christian East in the rich theology of the Holy Spirit and of worship developed by the seventeenth-century Puritan John Owen and the contemporary Orthodox theologian John Zizioulas. Through this sharply focused study, she illuminates central ecclesiological themes common to East and West. This is an original, thought-provoking, and profoundly irenic book. Nicholas Sagovsky, King's College London What connects a seventeenth-century English Puritan with a twenty-first-century Greek Orthodox theologian? The Holy Spirit! Elizabeth Welch's analysis of pneumatology in John Owen and John Zizioulas reveals unexpected convergence between the two thinkers. Insightful and stimulating, there is much here which promotes the quest to renew Christian worship and reinvigorate ecumenical dialogue. Robert Pope, Westminster College, Cambridge, United Kingdom In a post-denominational era, where the momentum of the church seems to have shifted to the 'new' and 'pentecostal' churches, Dr. Welch's book is an important contribution to the contemporary ecumenical discussion about the place and work of the Holy Spirit in the worship of the church and a reminder of the significance of the historic discussions to that debate." John Burgess, retired minister and training officer of the United Reformed Church In my opinion it is still the case that the latter has far too little emphasis, especially in Protestant services. I am therefore happy with this pneumatological attention to the liturgy and find it very commendable that the author also empahasises this in one (special) reformed 'father'. At the same time I think that the pneumatological reflection in this book are undeveloped. Owen and Zizioulas and their diverse contexts and positions demand so much from the author, that a pneumatological approach to worship in the primer remains. It would be great if Welch came soon time takes us into the next layers of paint. Klaas Bom In KERK EN THEOLOGIE 74.3 (2023), pp317-318.Table of ContentsForeword by Ben Quash Preface Acknowledgments 1. The Holy Spirit and Worship: Setting the Scene 2. Owen's and Zizioulas's Trinitarian Foundations 3. The "Dynamic Recovery" of the Holy Spirit in Owen and Zizioulas 4. The Significance of Worship for Owen and Zizioulas 5. The Quadrilateral, Part One: The Holy Spirit and the Trinity - Personal and Relational Understanding 6. The Quadrilateral, Part Two: The Holy Spirit Encountered in Worship - Immediacy, Mediation, and Otherness 7. The Quadrilateral, Part Three: "The Spirit Will Guide You into All the Truth" 8. The Quadrilateral, Part Four: Worship in the Power of the Holy Spirit - The Nature of Transformation 9. The Holy Spirit and Worship: Ecumenical Implications Appendix: Contents of Goold's edition of John Owen's Works Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisIn Heidegger’s Being: The Shimmering Unfolding, the eminent Heidegger scholar Richard Capobianco draws on many new texts and sources to highlight in fresh ways the beauty and spiritual resonance of Martin Heidegger’s thinking about Being. As in his earlier books, Capobianco offers a meditative path through Heidegger’s thought. He illuminates major motifs that are overlooked or set aside by most contemporary readings of Heidegger, amplifying these motifs in an original, heartfelt, and eloquent way. The book also offers a series of reflections that bring Heidegger’s thinking into close proximity to other thinkers and poets, including Alfred North Whitehead, C.G. Jung, Robert Frost, Walt Whitman, and Rumi. Heidegger’s Being: The Shimmering Unfolding is intended not only for dedicated students of Heidegger’s work but also for engaged general readers who wish to come to a deeper appreciation of his distinctive vision oTable of ContentsIntroduction Part I: Studies 1. Pindar’s “Gold” and Heraclitus’s “Kosmos” as Being Itself 2. In the Black Notebooks: The “Turn” Away from the Transcendental-Phenomenological Positioning of Being and Time to the Thinking of Being as Physis and Aletheia 3. Heidegger’s Manifold Thinking of Being: In Honor of Prof. William J. Richardson 4. Athena, Art, and Overcoming the Egoity of Our Age 5. Mythos, Being, and the Appropriation of a Religious Tradition 6. On Heidegger’s Heraclitus Lectures: In Nearness of a Process Metaphysics? 7. The Path through Heidegger’s Thought: Interview with FILOZOFIA Part II: Translation 8. “Martin Heidegger’s Thinking and Japanese Philosophy” by Kōichi Tsujimura and “Reply in Appreciation” by Martin Heidegger Part III: Reflections and Impressions 9. Heidegger and the Earliest Greeks 10. Heidegger, Phenomenology, and Metaphysics 11. Why “Phenomenology” Inevitably Slides toward Idealism/Subjectivism/Constructivism 12. Heidegger’s “Clearing” Is Not Identical with the Human Being 13. Heidegger, Max Müller, and Metaphysics: “Heidegger Remains a Metaphysician” 14. Heidegger, Plato, and “Light” 15. Hegel and the Inexhaustible Depth of “Things” 16. Facticity Only in the Light of Eternity 17. Another Suggestion on Thinking: Heidegger and Whitehead 18. Heidegger and C.G. Jung on Wholeness as the Telos of the Human Being 18. Heidegger and C.G. Jung on “Opposites” 20. Heidegger and Melville 21. Heidegger and a Robert Frost Poem 22. The Unspeakable Mystery of All Things 23. A “Hermetic Saying” and the Hermetic Tradition 24. Heidegger and Walt Whitman 25. Heidegger and the Limit of Language – and Rumi 26. Thomas Aquinas, “God,” and the “Godhead of God” Afterword A Note on the Text and Heidegger’s Gesamtausgabe Acknowledgments Notes Index

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Book SynopsisFor decades, Mark Juergensmeyer has been studying the rise of religious violence around the world, including groups like ISIS and Christian militias that have been involved in acts of terrorism. Over the years he came to realize that war is the central image in the worldview of virtually every religious movement engaged in violent acts. Behind the moral justification of using violence are images of great confrontations of war on a transcendent scale. God at War explores the dark attraction between religion and warfare. Virtually every religious tradition leaves behind it a bloody trail of stories, legends, and images of war, and most wars call upon the divine for blessings in battle. This book finds the connection between religion and warfare in the alternative realities created in the human imagination in response to crises both personal and social. Based on the author''s thirty years of field work interviewing activists involved in religious-related terrorist movements around the world, this book explains why desperate social conflict leads to images of war, and why invariably God is thought to be engaged in battle.Trade ReviewThis short book, based on lectures delivered in several venues, will be of interest to anyone interested in religious violence and should be accessible to intermediate and advanced students as well. * Eugene V. Gallagher, Nova Religio *God at War, although a slim book, is of large importance * Janet M. Powers, Religion *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Why Do We Think About War? Chapter 1: The Odd Appeal of War Chapter 2: War as Alternative Reality Chapter 3: Religion as Alternative Reality Chapter 4: The Marriage of War and Religion Chapter 5: Can Religion Cure War?

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Book SynopsisEditors: Jan. 1902-Jan. 1905, J.S. Bassett; Apr. 1905-Jan. 1919, W.H. Glasson (with Edwin Mims, Apr. 1905-July 1909; W.P. Few, Oct. 1909-Jan. 1919); Apr. 1919- W.K. Boyd, W.H. Wannamaker.Trade ReviewWinner of the 2016 Clifford Geertz Prize in the Anthropology of Religion, Society for the Anthropology of Religion "In crisp prose, Mahmood convincingly shows that secularism's promise for equal protection under the law for all religious believers has deeply shaped the modern world, despite the ways in which secularism itself thwarts this hope. This book challenges Western perceptions of the Middle East while deeply questioning the ability of secularism to live up to its promises."--Publishers Weekly "Stunning... Through a careful and brilliant analysis, Mahmood convincingly shows that far from a solution to the problem of interreligious strife, political secularism and modern secular governance are in fact intimately entwined to the exacerbation of religious tensions in the Middle East."--New Books in Islamic Studies "Thoroughly researched and ambitious in scope, Mahmood's latest study is an essential contribution to our understanding of secularism, minority relations and the study of religion in plural societies."--Baerd Kaertveit, Times Higher Education "In Religious Difference in a Secular Age: A Minority Report, Saba Mahmood has produced a valuable account both of how the idea of separating religion from politics came to be central to the development of the 'religiously neutral' state in Europe ... and of how that idea became politically important in the postcolonial Middle East... Her detailed analysis of the rich historical and ethnographic material she has assembled reinforces the conclusion that instead of regarding the secular state as the solution to discrimination against religious minorities, it must itself be understood as part of the problem."--Talal Asad, The Immanent Frame "Exemplary."--James Chappel, Boston Review "This discussion of Coptic Christians in Egypt offers a timely critique of contemporary notions of secularism. Mahmood demonstrates how perspectives that are largely Protestant result in ill-fitting assumptions about secularism, but shows the importance of honoring the limits of this approach rather than rejecting it altogether... Mahmood's presentation of Coptic Christian struggles highlights why the secular remains a contentious and relevant site for inquiry."--Choice "Mahmood has written an extremely well-researched book with a stimulating theoretical framework."--Vivian Ibrahim, Middle East Journal "A complex and ambitious intellectual tour de force... Mahmood's central thesis is strong and backed by ethnography. She has successfully pointed to the failure of societies, both in the West and the East, to accommodate minorities."--Akbar Ahmed, American Anthropologist "Mahmood's Religious Difference in a Secular Age masterfully combines the study of two topics in identity politics with advanced literatures--secularism and minority rights--to create an original and engaging volume about the promises and limits of political secularism."--Kristin Fabbe, Journal of Church and StateTable of ContentsACKNOWLEDGMENTS ix NOTE ON TRANSLATION AND TRANSLITERATION xiii Introduction 1 Part I Chapter 1. Minority Rights and Religious Liberty: Itineraries of Conversion 31 Chapter 2. To Be or Not to Be a Minority? 66 Part II Chapter 3. Secularism, Family Law, and Gender Inequality 111 Chapter 4. Religious and Civil Inequality 149 Chapter 5. Secularity, History, Literature 181 Epilogue 208 BIBLIOGRAPHY 215 INDEX 229

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Book SynopsisExposes and explains the unlikely alliance between Evangelical Christians and anti-transgender feministsTrade Review'Compellingly explains the seemingly quixotic anti-trans alliance of radical feminists and conservative evangelicals. Intellectually rich yet accessible, it demonstrates how that alliance is rooted in a shared ideological inheritance and weaponizing of a range of political tactics and hackneyed conspiracies. In doing so, it also points to ways in which their anti-trans stances can be understood and countered.' -- Pippa Catterall, Professor of History and Policy, University of Westminster; Chair of AIDS Memory UK'We live in a time when anti-trans politics is becoming increasingly dehumanizing and dangerous. Reading this illuminating book will help the open-minded, open-hearted Christian reader hear, encounter, and love their trans neighbors. I learned much from this book. I am grateful for it.' -- David P. Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics, Mercer UniversityTable of ContentsPreface: A Tower to the Heavens Introduction Part I: An 'Unlikely' Alliance 1. Warzone 2. Of Feminists and Mystics 3. Trans as Heresy in Evangelical Thought 4. The Alliance Goes to War Part II: The Theological Bit (And Why It Matters) 5. Gender Orthodoxy 6. Rebellion Part III: Covering the Cracks 7. 'God is bullshit, and so is gender' 8. Masking Strategies Part IV: The Future 9. A Coming Storm? 10. Getting Christianity Right Acknowledgements Notes

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Book SynopsisDoes belief in God require a sacrifice of intelligence?Trade ReviewHis outstanding chapter on revelation effortlessly weaves together his vast knowledge of different faiths. If philosophy is your bag and you are relaxed and comfortable with its language and conventions then this book could be for you. -- Peter Willis * The Lance *Table of ContentsContents1. Why Does Belief in God Matter? 62. What is God? 193. Does God Cause Evil? 314. Is the Universe Intelligently Designed? 455. The Sense of Transcendence 596. Is God Free? 747. Are Faith and Reason Incompatible? 868. What is Revelation? 1019. How God Acts in the World – A Christian Understanding 11510. Is Religion Evil? 13011. How Should We Interpret the Bible? 14212. What is the Future of Religion? 155Index 172

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Book SynopsisCraig Martin is Professor of Religious Studies, St. Thomas Aquinas College, USA. He is co-editor of Stereotyping Religion: Critiquing Clichés (Bloomsbury, 2018), and author of Capitalizing Religion (Bloomsbury, 2014) and Discourse and Ideology (Bloomsbury, 2022). Brad Stoddard is Associate Professor of Religious Studies, McDaniel College, USA. He is co-editor of Stereotyping Religion: Critiquing Clichés (Bloomsbury, 2018) and Race, Ethnicity, and New Religious Movements (Bloomsbury, 2019).Trade ReviewStereotyping Religion II shows, in clear straightforward examples, how the way we think about things limits what we can see. The authors of these chapters demonstrate how stereotypes erase some possibilities and make other seem inevitable, rooted in the very nature of reality. Even more, they show how stereotypes held across the political spectrum are incompatible, opening up new ways of thinking through some of our most vexing issues. * Julie Ingersoll, Professor of Religious Studies, University of North Florida, USA *Another set of popular conceptions are challenged in this fine volume, demonstrating forcefully the need to continue shaking common assumptions about religion. * Teemu Taira, Senior Lecturer of Religious Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland *Table of ContentsContributor Bios Acknowledgments Introduction 1. “Religion is personal and not subject to government regulation,” Savannah Finver (Ohio State University, USA) 2. “Religious freedom is about religious freedom,” Rita Lester (Nebraska Wesleyan University, USA) and Jacob Barrett (University of Alabama, USA) 3. “All religions are against LGBTQ rights,” James Crossley (St. Mary's University, UK) 4. “Spirituality is about spirituality,” Brad Stoddard (McDaniel College, USA) and Craig Martin (St. Thomas Aquinas College, USA) 5. “Eastern religions are more spiritual than Western religions,” Ting Guo (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong) 6. “Each religion has an authentic, unchanging core,” David G. Robertson (The Open University, UK) 7. “Religion and science naturally conflict,” Donovan Schaefer (University of Pennsylvania, USA) 8. “Conservative religions oppress women (while liberal religions don’t),” Leslie Dorrough Smith (Avila University, USA) 9. “Religious pluralism gives everyone a voice,” Martha Smith Roberts (Denison University, USA) 10. “Cults are not real religions,” Matthew Baldwin (Mars Hill University, USA) Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisAt a time when the values of Catholic Ireland are so often viewed in a negative, even hostile, light, Mary Kenny?s approach is a balanced and measured recollection of the Ireland of our times - and of times past, since the foundation of the Irish state a hundred years ago. She focuses on the people and personalities involved in our social history, seeing Ireland from 1922 to 2022 through their stories, and the events in which they were involved. Yes, there have been stark failings in Irish society, involving the position and power of the Catholic church, and these must be honestly described. Yet our values, our heritage, our own family members also included many kind, intelligent and patriotic people doing their best, who built up the Irish state from a fragile beginning. Mary interweaves some of her own life-experiences, and the people she knew into this complex portrait of Irish life providing a stimulating, informative and enjoyable read.

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Book SynopsisGod, Pope Francis affirms, is present in nature, and he wants us to share that perspective, because he believes that it can generate in us a sense of wonder, awe, reverence and love for nature in all its aspects. This sense will make us strong enough to dedicate ourselves to the demanding task of caring for what he calls ‘our common home.’ When my home is under threat I will fight tooth and nail to protect it and those living in it, because I love it. Such commitment is needed today if our small and fragile planet is to be brought back to health. Brian Grogan brings the background of Ignatian spirituality and a lived appreciation of God’s creation to his book of meditations on Pope Francis’ Encyclical, Laudato Si. Rather than an exhaustive explanation of the encyclical, this book serves as a daily invitation to notice in ordinary creation the invitation of God to love and care for all God’s creation. Read slowly each morning, it could give a focus for living the day in recognising God in all things, and the call of God to be a co-creator of his beautiful world each day.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA deeply impressive scholarly achievement, with first-class translations of many notoriously complex texts -- Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of CanterburyThis hugely useful volume is the best sort of scholarship . . . We are deeply in his debt -- Diarmaid McCulloch, author of A History of ChristianityThis will become the standard version both for the general reader and for scholars -- John Barton, author of A History of the Bible

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Book SynopsisIn this interfaith book Lucinda Mosher investigates different understandings of destiny, loss, death, and remembrance in America's many religions. Using stories and interviews with a variety of religious adherents and health professionals, the book wrestles with questions such as: how can our religion guide us in making decisions about certain kinds of medical treatment options? What religion-related issues would it be helpful for a healthcare provider to know? How do different religious traditions help manage our grief?In a globalized society religious traditions sit alongside each other as never before, and the need for religious literacy and multifaith chaplaincy is increasingly recognized. By looking at multireligious America, this book provides an essential exploration of different attitudes to death, helping members of all faith communities to become more literate with each other's religious traditions.Trade ReviewDr. Mosher provides insights into how the big questions of life and death are answered within the rich tapestry of American religious life. This book is a must-read for anyone working in the caring professions, whether physicians, nurses, counselors, chaplains, or therapists. America is becoming a more diverse place and this book is a valuable guide to navigating it. -- Daniel Joslyn-Siemiatkoski, Seminary of the Southwest, Austin, TXThis book changed me as much as anything I have read in recent years. If you want to know more about the full humanity your new neighbors-and are willing to think more deeply about your own eventual demise as well-then you cannot have better companions than the ones Lucinda Mosher introduces you to in this book. -- Barbara Brown Taylor, author of Learning to Walk in the DarkIn the context of religious pluralism and the needs of healthcare professionals to increase their interfaith literacy, Mosher's book is a gift. Its thematic approach speaks to the heart of person-centered care, and is enriched by a mosaic of voices within and across faith perspectives which leads practitioners not into an acquisition of knowledge but a deep relational respect and wonder, that builds cultural competency from the inside out -- The Rev. Dr. Storm Swain, Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Theology, United Lutheran SeminaryTable of ContentsPreface. 1. What We Are. 2. When We're Ailing. 3. Postponing Death, Extending Life. 4. Transition. 5. Recovery. Quick Information Guide to Religions. Suggestions for Further Reading. Glossary.

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Book SynopsisThis is a collection of texts written between the fourth and fourteenth centuries by spiritual masters of the Orthodox Christian tradition. First published in Greek in 1782, the writings were translated into Slavonic and later into Russian.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThe book presents the reader with an original and innovative account of current approaches to, and controversies within, religious studies, gathering and interlinking multifaceted voices. * Hannah Griese, Reading Religion *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction The "Religion is..." Statements 1. Definition and the Politics of Semantic Drift: A Reply to Susan Henking I Agree, And Yes, I Do Not: A Response to Craig Martin 2. Complicating Classification: Cognitive Sciences Comes to Religion: A Reply to Jeppe Sinding Jensen Religion in Mind? But Where: In Here-or Our There? 3. Negotiating Critical and Constructive Scholarship in the Study of Religion: A Reply to Martin Kavka On Truth and Lie in a Religious-Studies Sense: A Response to Kurtis R. Schaeffer 4. Defining Temptation: A Reply to Anne Koch Religion-ing/religion*: Tempting Since Aesthetically Irresistible: A Response to Susan Henking 5. Is Judaism a Religion and Why Should We Care?: A Reply to Nicola Denzey Lewis Are World Religions "Religions"? What about Ancient "Religions"? A Response to Shaul Magid 6. Minding Our Manners in World Without the Gods: A Reply to Kathryn Lofton What I Think About: A Response to S. Brent Plate 7. The Circularity in Defining Religion: A Reply to Shaul Magid Colonialism, Monotheism, and Spirituality: A Response to Kocku von Stuckrad 8. The Semantic Subject: Religion and the Limits of Language: A Reply to Craig Martin Religion Is..., Not Like Science 9. Agreed: Religion Is Not a Thing-But Is It an Agent? A Reply to Malory Nye Religion, Capital, and Other 'Things' Which are Not Things: A Response to Nicola Denzey Lewis 10. Is (What Gets Called) Religion an Argument, Discourse, or Ideology: A Reply to Laurie L. Patton Now What? A Response to Malory Nye 11. Religion is..., What it Does: A Reply to Anthony B. Pinn Optics Matter: A Response to Jeppe Sinding Jensen 12. Religion is an Ever-Adapting Ecosystem of Objects: A Reply to S. Brent Plate Evolution, Technology, Art: A Reply to Anne Taves 13. Scripturalization as Management of Difference: A Reply to Kurtis R. Schaeffer Inside/Outside, Then/Now: A Response to Vincent L. Wimbush 14. Critical Voices, Public Debates: A Reply to Kocku von Struckrad The Accountability of Embedded Scholarship: A Response to Laurie L. Patto 15. Let's Talk About Reading: A Reply to Ann Taves A Reader's Guide to Worldviews and Ways of Life: A Response to Martin Kavka 16. Arguments Against the Textualization Regime: A Reply to Vincent L. Wimbush Refracting the Scriptural: A Response to Anne Koch 17. Mapping Religion-religion: A Reply to Laurie Zoloth What Do We Mean When We Say We Teach "Religion?": A Response to Anthony B. Pinn Appendix Definitions of Religion and Critical Comments

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Book SynopsisProtestant orientations to work and economics have shaped wider American culture for several centuries. But not all strands of American Protestantism have elevated secular work to the highest echelons of spiritual significance. This book surveys the efforts of a religious movement within white Protestant fundamentalism and its neo-evangelical successors to make work matter to God.Today, bearing the name the faith and work movement, this effort puts on display the creative capacities of religious and lay leaders to adapt a faith system to the changing social-economic conditions of advanced capitalism. Building from the insights and theory of Max Weber, Andrew Lynn draws on archival research and interviews with movement leaders to survey and assess the surging number of new organizations, books, conferences, worship songs, seminary classes, vocational programming, and study groups promoting classically Protestant and Calvinist ideas of work and vocation. He traces these efforts back to eTrade ReviewIn these days when almost everything about American evangelicalism is controversial, this well-researched, fair-minded book about the evangelical 'faith and work' movement is a welcome contribution. Andrew Lynn has provided a great deal for supporters of the movement, its critics, and all who worry about the moral malaise present in the marketplace to ponder. * Robert Wuthnow, author of Why Religion Is Good for American Democracy *The faith at work movement is an ongoing and evolving social movement, not a flash in the pan or a passing fad. Andrew Lynn brings us a strong contribution to the growing number of scholarly studies of the surprisingly diverse nature of the faith at work movement. Lynn's provocatively titled Saving the Protestant Ethic focuses on and brings us fresh insights into the conservative evangelical Protestant wing of the movement, whose search for meaning and purpose drives their economic activity. * David W. Miller, Princeton University Faith & Work Initiative *This brief summary surely fails to capture the depth and breadth of Lynn's extraordinary descriptive project. He does a masterful job of separating the different theological threads that are woven together by the faith and work movement and contextualizing them in socioeconomic terms. Adherents of re-integrating theology will find the portrait of themselves and their views recognizable...What Lynn's book demonstrates above all is that the faith and work movement has not fallen far from the creative class tree...No one wants to go back to the fundamentalist work ethic. Everyone wants their Monday to matter to God. * Charlie Clark, FareForward *This book represents an impressive achievement, drawing on a multidisciplinary array of deft ethnographic interviews, attentive participant observations, profound understanding of emic group discourse, impressive historical primary sources, nimbly enhanced and refined sociological theory, and quantitative analysis. * Religious Studies Review *Saving the Protestant Ethic explores the faith and work movement within contemporary American Evangelicalism...Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. * Choice *Table of ContentsIntroduction Part One: The Rise of the Evangelical Faith and Work Movement Chapter One: More Than Toil Chapter Two: The Fundamentalist Work Ethic Chapter Three: The Making of a Movement Chapter Four: The Four Evangelical Theologies of Work Part Two: Contours, Contingencies, and Contending Interests Chapter Five: Whose Work Matters to God? Chapter Six: From the Christian Right to the Corporate Right Chapter Seven: From Culture Wars to Cultural Stewardship Chapter Eight: On Roads Not (Yet) Taken Acknowledgements Appendix A: Research Methods

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Book SynopsisJesus turned water into wine, Mohammad split the moon into two, and Buddha walked and spoke immediately upon birth. According to recent statistics, even in the present age of advanced science and technology, most people believe in miracles. In fact, newspapers and television regularly report alleged miracles, such as recoveries from incurable diseases, extremely unlikely coincidences, and religious signs and messages on unexpected objects. In this book the award-winning author and philosopher Yujin Nagasawa addresses some of our most fundamental questions concerning miracles. What exactly is a miracle? What types of miracles are believed in the world''s great religions? What do recent scientific findings tell us about miracles? Can we rationally believe that miracles have really taken place? Can there be acts that are more religiously significant than miracles? Drawing on a vast variety of fascinating examples from across the major religions, Nagasawa discusses the lively debate on miracles that ranges from reported miracles in ancient scriptures in the East and West to cutting-edge scientific research on belief formation. Throughout, he drives us to ask ourselves if and how we can still believe in in miracles in the twenty-first century.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade Reviewa thought-provoking book * Raiyan Azmi, Catholic Herald *a very fair-minded treatment of miracles * Paradigm Explorer *Nagasawa has a fairly detached view of the whole subject, which neither denigrates the believer nor exalts the sceptic ... [He] writes engagingly, and with a relatively easy to understand style ... this is a book I would recommend to both believer and sceptic. * Jonathan Cowie, Science Fact & Science Fiction Concatenation *Miracles inhabit the human psyche. They evoke intense, polarizing reactions - uncritical acceptance from believers, derisive denial from nonbelievers. In this much-needed book, Yujin Nagasawa, an innovative and fearless philosopher, expands our understanding of miracles and provides a sweeping, thoughtful, penetrating, objective account of their origins and meaning. * Robert Lawrence Kuhn, Creator and Host, PBS TV series Closer To Truth *'Miracles' is just the sort of topic that is perfect for Oxford University Press's extensive 'Very Short Introductions' series in that it is specific enough to allow for a focused treatment, and yet expansive enough to be of interest to a wide readership...The book would certainly be a helpful addition to any undergraduate course that touches on miracles, particularly because of the many lively illustrations and examples that Nagasawa includes in the text. * Brett Hendrickson, Reading Religion *Table of ContentsPREFACE; REFERENCES; FURTHER READING; INDEX

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Book SynopsisMartyrdom is not only a sharply contested term and act, but it has a long history of provoking controversy. One person''s ''martyr'' is another''s ''terrorist'', and one person''s ''martyrdom operation'' is another''s ''suicide bombing''. Suicide attacks have made recurring questions about martyrdom more pertinent to current discussions. What is martyrdom? Why are some people drawn towards giving up their lives as martyrs? What place does religion play in inciting and creating martyrs? How are martyrs made? Why are some martyrs and martyrdoms remembered more than others? How helpful is the distinction between active and passive martyrdoms? In order both to answer such questions and to understand the contemporary debates about martyrdom, it is helpful to consider its diverse roots. In this Very Short Introduction, Jolyon Mitchell provides a historical analysis to shed light on how the concept and practice of martyrdom has evolved, as well as the different ways in which it is used today. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Contesting martyrdom ; 2. Thinking martyrdom ; 3. Remembering martyrdom ; 4. Romanticising martyrdom ; 5. Touching martyrdom ; 6. Reforming martyrdom ; 7. Politicizing martyrdom ; 8. Conclusion: The end of martyrdom

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Book SynopsisThe Oxford Handbook of the Sociology of Religion draws on the expertise of an international team of scholars providing both an entry point into the sociological study and understanding of religion and an in-depth survey into its changing forms and content in the contemporary world. The role and impact of religion and spirituality on the politics, culture, education and health in the modern world is rigorously discussed and debated. The study of the sociology of religion forges interdisciplinary links to explore aspects of continuity and change in the contemporary interface between society and religion. Using a combination of theoretical, methodological and content-led approaches, the fifty-seven contributors collectively emphasise the complex relationships between religion and aspects of life from scientific research to law, ecology to art, music to cognitive science, crime to institutional health care and more. The developing character of religion, irreligion and atheism and the impacTrade ReviewThis handsome book... is particularly welcome and should find a place in every well-stocked library, both academic and other... I particulary like the mix of experienced and younger scholoars who have been brought together in this volume and applaud the successful attempt to escape from a study of religion informed by Western, primarily Christian, notions of religion. A further question follows from this. Seriously confronting the realities of religion in the twenty-first century makes new demands on social science, which itself emerged from a similar (i.e., Western) context. To what extent, then, can these demands be met within the parameters of the sociology of religion as we know this? Peter Clarke's meticulously edited volume not only underlines the question, but indicates a way forward. He is to be warmly congratulated. * Grace Davie, Theology *The contributors of these chapters have been chosen from an impressive pool of top international academics in the field. Not only has the editor done a great job in finding leading academics to write on the most topical issues, but also all the contributors have written a very informative piece, using the most recent data and theories. All the chapters are a delight to read...This is an impressive volume that will delight the student as much as the erudite in the field. All the academic libraries should order this volume as it will soon become an essential reference to any subject in the sociology of religion. It is a must for anyone who calls himself/herself a sociologist of religion to have a copy of this book on his/her bookshels. * Adam Possamai, Australian Religion Studies Review *Table of ContentsI: THEORY: CLASSICAL, MODERN AND POSTMODERN; I: METHOD; III: RELIGION AND RELATED SPHERES: MORALITY, SCIENCE, IRRELIGION, ART AND SEXUALITY; IV: RELIGION AND THE STATE, THE NATION, THE LAW; V: GLOBALISATION AND ITS RELIGIOUS EFFECTS; VI: STANDARD OR MAINSTREAM RELIGION; VII: THE REPRODUCTION AND TRANSMISSION OF RELIGION; VIII: NEW RELIGION, NEW SPIRITUALITY AND IMPLICIT RELIGION; XI: ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES; X: TEACHING THE SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION

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Book SynopsisDr Barbara Thiering was a lecturer at the University of Sydney's Divinity School for 22 years until she recently retired. She has published widely on this subject, for which she has an international and controversial reputation. Her books include Jesus the Man, Jesus of the Apocalypse and The Book That Jesus Wrote. She lives in Sydney and has a grown family.

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