Worship, rites, ceremonies and rituals Books

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Book SynopsisAutumn is a liturgical resource book that covers the months of August, September and October. It includes prayers, responses, stories, poems, liturgies, songs, reflections, scripts and monologues for the Christian seasons of Transfiguration, Ordinary Time and Harvest, as well as Angels' and Saints' days, World Day of Communion, Creation Time and All Hallows' Eve. There are also poems for autumn, reflections on autumn leaves and fruits and autumn blessings. The material is written by Iona Community members, associates, friends and others.

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Book SynopsisWalking meditation in Buddhism is essential for energy, focus, and understanding teachings. It leads to enlightenment by enhancing mental clarity, memory, learning, concentration, and reducing stress. The essays delve into walking meditation in the Theravada tradition.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This striking ethnography sticks in one's mind: rooms full of silent meditators coordinating their body rhythms on a tacit channel, observing sensations over every inch of their bodies, and washing away pains not by seeking their causes but by detached attention. Pagis depicts meditation in a secular age, not as religion but as bodies among bodies giving each other space to repair the inroads of too much social self."--Randall Collins, University of Pennsylvania "Pagis' beautifully written, brilliantly argued ethnography of meditation makes three major contributions: it shows how some of our most private experiences are socially enabled; it demonstrates how our selves are not only linguistically but sensuously mediated; and it reveals how attention is not merely a faculty but a practice. All three have profound consequences for understanding the sociality of human beings."--Andreas Glaeser, University of Chicago "Pagis deftly draws readers into the world of contemporary vipasanna meditation, and in so doing shows us how fruitful--and important--sociological attention to the varied social practices that retool the relations of self and other, private and public, visible and invisible, can be. Inward is a beautifully rendered ethnography with important implications for the study of the body and self-making."--Courtney Bender, Columbia University

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Book SynopsisFrom the legendary cofounder of Tibet''s nineteenth-century nonsectarian movement, an encyclopedic survey of the practice of Chod, or severance, a tantric ritual based on the crucial Mahayana sutras to sever clinging to an ego and thereby achieve realization. The Treasury of Precious Instructions by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Taye, one of Tibet’s greatest Buddhist masters, is a shining jewel of Tibetan literature, presenting essential teachings from the entire spectrum of practice lineages that existed in Tibet. In its eighteen volumes, Kongtrul brings together some of the most important texts on key topics of Buddhist thought and practice as well as authoring significant new sections of his own.In this, the fourteenth volume, Kongtrul compiles the teachings on Severance, or Chöd. It includes some of the tradition’s earliest source scriptures, such as the “grand poem” of Āryadeva, and numerous texts by the tradition’s renowned founder, Machik Labdrön. Kongtrul also brings together the most significant texts on the rites of initiation, empowerments for practice, and wide-ranging instructions and guides for the support of practitioners. Altogether, this quintessential guide to Severance offers vast resources for scholars and practitioners alike to better understand this unique and remarkable tradition—the way of severing the ego through the profound realization of emptiness and compassion.

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Book SynopsisReligious faith is a powerful source of comfort and support for individuals and families facing dementia. Many faith leaders need help in adapting their ministries to address the worship/spiritual needs of this group. A product of Faith United Against Alzheimer's, this handbook by 45 different authors represents diverse faith traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Native American. It provides practical help in developing services and creating dementia friendly faith communities. It gives an understanding of the cognitive, communicative and physical abilities of people with dementia and shows what chaplains, clergy and lay persons can do to engage them through worship. Included are several articles by persons living with dementia.Trade ReviewWe believe Dementia-Friendly Worship is fulfilled within the Great Commission; Matthew 28: 18-20. The love of God has no boundaries or limitations, and this provides our places of worship opportunities to lead with empathy while building a more inclusive, compassionate and loving community, ultimately transforming the lives of members with dementia and their families.Even if expressive ability is imperiled, Dementia-Friendly Worship provides opportunities to experience a form of worship that encourages participation and engagement through creative and spirit-filled moments during worship. This form of worship allows communities, family members and those affected with dementia the opportunity to share the wonders of God's love together. -- Rev. Dr. Tony J. Craddock, Sr., Associate Minister & Stephanie M. Craddock, Small Groups Director & Alzheimer’s Support Group Facilitator, First Mount Zion Baptist Church, Dumfries, VirginiaMy own experience in dementia ministry resonates with every section of this book. It provides theological foundations for dementia-friendly worship. It is filled with specific steps to be followed in creating dementia-friendly faith communities. Faith communities are uniquely positioned to move to the leading edge of addressing this major need of society. In this book the reader will be equipped with the understanding and practical tools needed to start the life-giving, hope-filled journey of creating dementia-friendly worship and dementia-friendly faith communities. I have seen how this experience can revitalize an entire congregation and for that reason I welcome this book as a key resource for all faith communities. -- Bishop Lawson Bryan, South Georgia Conference, United Methodist ChurchDementia-Friendly Worship provides a valuable, practical and spiritually uplifting resource for clergy of all faiths who seek meaningful ways to minister to this ever-expanding community. The personal reflections, as well as the examples of worship services from various venues, allow clergy to see and hear the voices and souls of those we care for. -- Rabbi Richard F. Address, D.Min, Director, Jewish Sacred Aging®"Dynamic, comprehensive, practical" are three words to describe Dementia-Friendly Worship. Too often people living with dementia are not invited nor involved in worship mainly because worship leaders do not know how to communicate with them. Dementia-Friendly Worship presents ideas and concepts from many faith perspectives that can be used to enhance worship in this population. Worship is not just for the lucid and healthy, but for all people which includes persons living with dementia. Thank you to Lynda Everman and Don Wendorf for putting together a book that will become a classic in the field of dementia care. -- Rich Behers, DMin., BCC, CFHPC, Spiritual Care Program Manager, CPE Supervisor, Cornerstone Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc.My beloved mother, Rebecca, died not that long ago. She had suffered the impact of Alzheimer's for 20 years. As her eldest child I struggled with how to accompany her on this cruel journey. With my siblings I experienced that first death when we had to let go of who our mother had been and accept who she became with Alzheimer's. We eventually settled in to years of learning and caring for her, while also receiving so much from her resistance to allowing her illness to erase her faith. She loved to hear the Psalms. She would close her eyes and become peaceful when I would say to her that I was going to pray for her. To her last days of life, she would hum her favorite songs of faith at daybreak. It took me too long to realize that the faith within her was sustaining her and needed nurturing. How I wish this book had been written earlier. I am deeply grateful, though, that it will bless those who live with and care for those afflicted by dementia and Alzheimer's until it is eradicated. -- Bishop Minerva Garza Carcaño, Resident Bishop, San Francisco Area, The United Methodist ChurchSince 2017, when Lynda Everman shared her vision for this book with me, I have been eagerly waiting to hold it, read it and use it. Dementia-Friendly Worship arrived and page after page filled my heart and mind. In the spirit of Dementia Friends' commitment to transform how we think, act and talk about dementia, this book adds how we engage spiritually with those living with dementia. More than a book, Dementia-Friendly Worship is a veritable library, each chapter a volume written by dedicated and knowledgeable scholars and spiritual leaders who live and serve in close proximity to the realities of dementia. They bless us with their perspectives, ideas, experiences and tools that will help spiritual leaders invite persons living with dementia to draw near to God, even as we enter their holy space. Above all, the authors collectively remind us again and again the affirmations we share across all faith traditions: God is with us and loves us; do not fear; love one another; uphold each other's humanity and come before God's presence together. For months I have been telling my circle of parish pastors, chaplains and spiritual directors, "Dementia-Friendly Worship is coming....it's coming." I'm delighted now to tell them, "It's here!" -- Cynthia L. Ray, M.Div., Executive Director, PAHSA: Presbyterian Association of Homes & Services for the AgingTable of ContentsForeword by Virginia Biggar, Executive Director, Faith, Patient & Caregiver Initiatives, UsAgainstAlzheimer's, USA. Editor's Reflections. INTRODUCTION TO DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY WORSHIP. I. Introduction: Souls Shine Forth. Daniel C. Potts, MD, FAAN, Elder (Presbyterian Church, USA). II. Worship Adaptations. Rev. Linn Possell, (The United Church of Christ, FL, USA). III. Continuing to Hear the Voice: A Reflection. Rabbi Cary Kozberg, MAHL, DD, (Jewish, USA). VOICES OF PERSONS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA. Editor's Note. IV. From Death to Life: My Alzheimer's Journey. Rev. Dr. Cynthia Huling Hummel, (Presbyterian Church, USA). V. Adventures of a Substitute Preacher with Alzheimer's. Rev. Dr. Cynthia Huling Hummel. VI. Rocks in My Head. Greg O'Brien (Roman Catholic, USA). VII. Anchor Me. Truthful Loving Kindness (Noahide, USA). VIII. Me Fe Nos Sostiene (My Faith Sustains Us). Daisy Duarte (Nondenominational Christian, USA). IX. Be Not Afraid. James L. Gulley, MA (Roman Catholic, USA). WORSHIP SERVICES. 1. The Personhood of the Clergy. 1.1. Be Open, Be Humble, Be Adaptable, and Definitely Laugh! Rev. Theresa Brion, Chaplain, Goodwin House Bailey's Crossroads, Falls Church (Episcopal, VA, USA). 1.2. Being with Alzheimer's. Rev. Tim Langdell. Ecumenical Catholic Priest & Zen Buddhist Priest, USA. 1.3. Living Kindness, Latin Prayers, Chewed Hearing Aids and the Nature of Impermanence. Chaplain Gillian Renault (Buddhist). 2. Conducting Services in Care Communities. 2.1. Nurturing the Spirit Through Worship. Rev. Kathy Fogg Berry, Chaplain, Westminster Canterbury, Interdenominational Christian, VA, USA. 2.2. Worship With Rather than For. Ret. Bishop Kenneth L. Carfer, United Methodist, USA and Norma Smith Sessions, American Baptist, USA. 2.3 Things Remembered. Chaplain Drew DeCrease, Chaplain, Redstone@Home Hospice, Roman Catholic Deacon, USA. 2.4. Worship Brainstorming. Robin Dill, United Methodist, USA. 2.5. Devotions in Respite Care Settings. Robin Dill. 2.6. That All May Worship: Creative Worship for Persons with Dementia. Rev. David J. Fetterman, United Methodist, USA, and Rec. Dr. Richard L. Morgan, Presbyterian Church, USA. 2.7. Sensing the Sacred: A Small Group Worship Experience for Those with Alzheimer's and Other Dementias. Rev. Nancy Gordon, Lutheran, USA. 2.8. A Layperson's Guide to Improvised Worship: Finding Spiritual Expression Through Intentional Connections. Elizabeth R. Reinert, MEd, Interdenominational Christian, USA. 2.9. Familia Hymns, Prayers, and Scriptures to Use in a Small Group Setting for Memory Impaired Adults. Elizabeth R. Reinert. 2.10. Thank You, Lord, For My Right Mind. Dr. Pernessa C. Seele, Christian, USA. 2.11. Spiritual Metamorphosis. Tryn Rose Seley, Christian, New Church, USA. 2.12. Making God 'Real': Using the Senses to Experience Scripture. Dr. Jane Marie Thibault, Roman Catholic, United Methodist, USA. 3. Ministering to Specific Faith Communities. 3.1. The Sacred Circle of Life: Native Americans and Dementia. Rev. Cynthia J. Abrams, Former Executive Director of the Native American United Methodist Center, Washington DC, USA. 3.2. Shabbat Services for Residents with Dementia at Miami Jewish Heath. Rabbi Israel de la Piedra, Director of Spiritual Care, Miami Health, FL, USA. 3.3. A Buddhist Approach to Connecting with CARE. Rec. Allison Draper, Zen Buddhist, USA, and Rev. Dr. Grace Schireson, Zen Buddhist, USA. 3.4. Memory Care and Shabbat. Dr Andrea (Yonina) Foster, Jewish, USA. 3.5. Seeing the Spirit Through Dementia: A Sikh Dharma Perspective. Amar Atma Singh Kalsa, Dharma Sing Khalsa, MD, Ek Ong Kaar Kaur Khalsa, Kirti Kaur Khalsa, Sarb Nam Kaur Khalsa, Sarb Sarang Kaur Khalsa, Sikh Dharma Int'l Ministers. 4. Conducting Congregational Services. 4.1. Dementia-Friendly Congregational Worship. Rev. Karen S. Dumey, Presbyterian Church, USA. 4.2. African Americans' 'Old Timer's Day'. Pastor Bobby Fields, Jr., Baptist, USA. 4.3. Walking with Individuals with Dementia and their Families: An Interfaith Service. Rev. Dr. James W. Ellor, Presbyterian Church, USA. 5. Praying and Prayers. 5.1. Prayers of Loving Kindness and Compassion from Buddhism. Olivia Ames Hoblitzelle, Buddhist, USA. 5.2. The Lord Be With You! Rev. Dr. Cynthia Huling Hummel. 5.3. Prayer for a Fellow Soldier. Rev. Bob Inkenbrandt, Nondenominational Christian, USA. 5.4. A Prayer for Forgotten Souls. Chaplain Maria Khani, Muslim, USA. 5.5. The Intimate Touch of Meditative Prayer. Carlen Maddux, Presbyterian Church, USA. 5.6. Prayer in a Jewish Long-Term Care Facility. Rabbi James R. Michaels, DMin, BBC, Jewish, USA. 5.7. The Ministry of 'Dedicated Suffering': Mutual Spiritual Practice with Persons with Dementia, Dr. Jane Marie Thibault, Roman Catholic, United Methodist, USA. BEYOND WORSHIP: DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY FAITH COMMUNITIES. I. A Church-wide Response. Kathy Fogg Berry. II. The Dementia-Friendly Church. Rev. Dr. William Randolph, United Methodist, UUMC, USA. III. Moving Beyond Name Tags. Rev. Dr. Cynthia Huling Hummel. BENEDICTION. I. That Which Endures. Ret. Bishop Kenenth L. Carder, SC, USA.

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Book SynopsisWhat was Jesus of Nazareth really like? What effect did he have on those he met and befriended? How did he impart his teachings and perform his miracles? This book explores these questions through Joseph of Arimathea, one of the most enigmatic characters of the gospel.

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Book SynopsisA sequel to two collections of short songs ("Come All You People" and "There Is One Among Us") for use in worship. It is suitable for small choirs, social justice enthusiasts, multiculturalists and those who regard themselves a global Christian.

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Book SynopsisJapanese Buddhist Pilgrimage explores the ritual practice of "circulatory pilgrimages" - the visiting of many temples in a numbered sequence. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims travel such temple routes, seeking peace of mind, health and wellbeing for themselves and others as the benefits of such meritorious endeavour. This form of pilgrimage appears to be unique to Japan. The practice began centuries ago and involved visiting 33 temples devoted to the Bodhisattva Kannon, spread widely over western Japan. Soon afterwards the equally famous pilgrimage to 88 temples on Japan's fourth island of Shikoku came into prominence. This is the first comprehensive study of all the major and many of the minor routes, The book also examines how the practice of circulatory pilgrimage developed among the shrines and temples for the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, and beyond them to the rather different world of Shinto. The varying significance of the different pilgrimages is also explored. In addition to all the information about the routes, the book includes numerous illustrations and examples of the short Buddhist texts chanted by the pilgrims on their rounds.Trade Review'A fascinating work which should prove an enduring resource in the study of Japanese religions and pilgrimage studies more generally. It is well-written, highly informative and based on much first-hand observation and hard-to-obtain Japanese sources.' Professor Brian Bocking, University College CorkTable of ContentsPreface 1. Introduction 2. Going Round to Visit Kannon-Sama 3. The Shikoku Pilgrimage 4. More Buddhist Routes 5. Going Round to Other Divinities 6. The Pilgrim's Transaction 7. The Meaning of Japanese Buddhist Pilgrimage 8. General Conclusions

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Book SynopsisRecent years have seen an increased interest in Jewish life, its culture, and its celebrations. There are many new students of Judaism, often potential converts or members of interfaith families who are seeking to learn more about the religion and its rituals. Unfortunately, many of the existing texts that examine the Jewish holidays are written in a dry, unexciting way, making it difficult for the reader to retain much information. For those seeking to learn more about Jewish celebrations, Cantor Matt Axelrod has written Your Guide to the Jewish Holidays: From Shofar to Seder. Intended for the reader who has no prior knowledge about the Jewish holidays as well as the reader who knows the basics about the holidays but wants to understand the holidays on a deeper level, Axelrod's book takes a humorous, light-hearted look at the 11 most important Jewish holidays. Instead of simply explaining that Jews are obligated to observe in a certain way because of a biblical text, Axelrod shows wheTrade ReviewThe book opens with the familiar but still funny line some Jews use to describe their holidays: “They tried to kill us. We won. Let’s eat.” Happily, this book takes things further and does so in highly readable manner. All the major holidays are covered, as well as some of the lesser ones, including Tishah-b’Ab, a day that commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. Ironically (or not), it is also the day the Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492. Because the book is written without affectation, those new to the holidays will find it a way to understand both the meaning and the observance of Judaism’s special days. The text is full of interesting facts, from the origin of the Kol Nidre service to the story behind gift giving at Hanukkah and the derivation of Moses’ name. And, appropriately, each holiday gets a section, called “Let’s Eat,” that details the foods associated with the day (or in the case of Yom Kippur, how to fast). A good starting point for both Jews and their non-Jewish friends who want to know more. * Booklist *If you want to know the story behind the Jewish a cappella group the Maccabeats’ latest video, look to this book. If you are one of a burgeoning number of interfaith families, this guide will help you. Axelrod (cantor, Congregation Beth Israel, Scotch Plains, NJ; Surviving Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah) has a facility for making the shofar and the seder accessible to all. Without compromising their theological importance, he sets the 11 most important Jewish holidays in their historical and ritual contexts, adding wit and a bit of whimsy. In explicating a holiday, he titles sections with such headers as 'The Back Story,' 'Let’s Eat,' and 'The Bottom Line.' Certain celebrations require additional headings such as 'Come on Baby, Light My Fire.' There are 'Tips for Parents' and 'In Depth' segments throughout. He describes the holidays also through real-life applications and scenarios such as alternatives to camping in a tent for seven days during Sukkot. The three appendixes—a 'Quick Guide to the Holidays,' a Jewish calendar, and a glossary—offer great value on their own. VERDICT. . . This is an excellent choice for readers new to Jewish holidays and history and anyone wishing to incorporate these meaningful celebrations into their own lives. * Library Journal *Table of ContentsTable of Contents Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Rosh Hashanah: Repent Now! 2. Yom Kippur: No Food For How Long? 3. Sukkot: Please Step Into The Booth 4. Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah: The Holiday That No One Knows 5. Chanukah: It’s A Miracle Anyone Can Spell It 6. Purim: The Ultimate Jewish Revenge Fantasy 7. Passover: Bring On The Matzah 8. Shavuot: The Forgotten Festival 9. Tisha B’av: The Saddest Day Of The Year 10. Calendar Oddities, Minutiae, and Miscellany Appendix I: Your Quick And Handy Guide To All The Holidays Appendix II: Your Quick and Handy Guide to All The Jewish Months Appendix III: Glossary Of Terms And Phrases About the Author

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA beautiful collection of inspirational wisdom and reflections—guaranteed to fill open hearts with the wonder of Christ's presenc and warmth during these special seasons of grace. -- Edwina Gateley, poet and authorThis is a jewel of a book, shimmering in its modesty. It will bring deep delight not only as we behold the wondrous mystery of the Incarnation at Christmas time, but even and especially as we seek to remain open to the gift of God's constant coming throughout the year. -- Michael Downey, author and professor of theology and spiritualityThis is tradition at its richest and deepest. We are allowed to attend and dwell awhile in the conversations between Caryll Houselander and God. Her vision is of the Word made flesh—radiant, simple, child-like, wise, silent and singing in poetry. This book is full of gems. Worthy of a slow, luscious read on dark nights, or before the soft dawn. A gift for yourself, for your friends, your preachers, and your children. -- Megan McKenna, theologian, poet and author

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Book SynopsisWithin the field of Islamic Studies, scientific research of Muslim theology is a comparatively young discipline. Much progress has been achieved over the past decades with respect both to discoveries of new materials and to scholarly approaches to the field. The Oxford Handbook of Islamic Theology provides a comprehensive and authoritative survey of the current state of the field. It provides a variegated picture of the state of the art and at the same time suggests new directions for future research. Part One covers the various strands of Islamic theology during the formative and early middle periods, rational as well as scripturalist. To demonstrate the continuous interaction among the various theological strands and its repercussions (during the formative and early middle period and beyond), Part Two offers a number of case studies. These focus on specific theological issues that have developed through the dilemmatic and often polemical interactions between the different theological schools and thinkers. Part Three covers Islamic theology during the later middle and early modern periods. One of the characteristics of this period is the growing amalgamation of theology with philosophy (Peripatetic and Illuminationist) and mysticism. Part Four addresses the impact of political and social developments on theology through a number of case studies: the famous mi?na instituted by al-Ma''mun (r. 189/813-218/833) as well as the mihna to which Ibn ''Aqil (d. 769/1367) was subjected; the religious policy of the Almohads; as well as the shifting interpretations throughout history (particularly during Mamluk and Ottoman times) of the relation between Ash''arism and Maturidism that were often motivated by political motives. Part Five considers Islamic theological thought from the end of the early modern and during the modern period.Trade ReviewA collection of forty-one innovative articles, the volume widens the scope of scholarship to include geographical areas and theological topics that have remained explored... the Oxford Handbook of Islamic Theology is a go-to place for the latest scholarship on Islamic theologies that flourished in diverse Islamic lands, and for lucid expositions of a number of philosophical and theological difficulties that the mutakallimun sought to resolve. * Tariq Jaffer, Department of Religion, Amherst College *Given its scope and the uniformly high quality of the essays, this volume will be an excellent resource/textbook for those interested in Islamic theology and philosophy. Summing up: Highly recommended. * CHOICE *The Oxford Handbook of Islamic Theology is an impressive encyclopaedic work, accessible and yet comprehensive, on the latest and most authoritative research on Islamic theology. This is the place to start for any student or early researcher in Islamic theology, and certainly a work that I highly recommend. * Abdessamad Belhaj, MTA-SZTE Research Group for the Study of Religious Culture, Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations *Table of ContentsSabine Schmidkte: Introduction Part I: Islamic Theolog(ies) during the formative and the Early Middle Period 1: Alexander Treiger: Origins of Kal=am 2: Steven Judd: The Early Qadariyya 3: Cornelia Schöck: Jahm b. .Safw=an (d. 128/745-46) and the "Jahmiyya" and .Dir=ar b. Amr (d. 200/815) 4: Mohammed-Ali Amir-Moezzi: Early Sh=i"=i Theology 5: Sidney Griffith: Excursus I: Christian Theological Thought during the First "Abb=asid Century 6: Patricia Crone: Excursus II: Ungodly Cosmologies 7: Racha el-Omari: The Mu"tazilite movement (I): Origins 8: David Bennett: The Mu"tazilite movement (II): The Early Phase 9: Sabine Schmidtke: The Mu"tazilite movement (III): The Scholastic Phase 10: Hassan Ansari and Sabine Schmidtke: The Sh=i"=i Reception of Mu"tazilism (I): Zayd=is 11: Hassan Ansari and Sabine Schmidtke: The Sh=i"=i Reception of Mu"tazilism (II): Twelver Sh=i"ites 12: Harith Bin Ramli: The Predecessors of Ash;"arism: Ibn Kull=ab, al-Mu.h=asib=i, and al-Qal=anis=i 13: Jan Thiele: Ash"arism in the East and the West 14: Wilferd Madelung: Ib=a.diyya 15: Aron Zysow: Karr=amiyya 16: Binyamin Abrahamov: Scripturalist and Traditionalist Theology 17: Ulrich Rudolph: .Hanaf=i Theological Tradition and M=aturidism 18: Peter Adamson: Philosophical Theology 19: Daniel de Smet: Ism=a"=il=i Theology 20: Martin Nguyen: Sufi Theological Thought Part II: Intellectual Interactions of Islamic theology(ies)-Four Case Studies 21: Ulrich Rudolph: Occasionalism 22: Jan Thiele: Ab=u H=ashim al-Jubb=a"=i's (d. 321/933) Theory of the States (a.hw=al) and its Adaptation among Ash"arite Theologians 23: Ayman Shihadeh: Theories of Ethical Value in Kal=am: A New Interpretation 24: Khaled el-Rouayheb: Theology and Logic Part III: Islamic Theology(ies) During the Later Middle and Early Modern Period 25: Frank Griffel: Theology versus Philosophy: al-Ghaz=al=i's Tah=afut al-fal=asifa and Ibn al-Mal=a.him=i's Tu.hfat al-mutakallim=in fi l-radd "al=a l-fal=asifa 26: Reza Pourjavady and Sabine Schmidtke: Twelver Sh=i"ite Theology 27: Hassan Ansari, Sabine Schmidtke, and Jan Thiele: Zayd=i Theology in Yemen 28: Heidrun Eichner: Handbooks in the Tradition of Later Eastern Ash"arism 29: Delfina Serrano: Later Ash"arism in the Islamic West 30: Aaron Spevack: Egypt and the later Ash"arite School 31: Gregor Schwarb: Excursus III: The Coptic and Syriac Receptions of neo-Ash"arite Theology 32: M. Sait Ozervarli: Theology in the Ottoman Lands 33: Nathan Spannaus: Theology in Central Asia 34: Asad Q. Ahmed and Reza Pourjavady: Theology in the Indian Subcontinent 35: Jon Hoover: .Hanbal=i Theology Part IV: Political and Social History and its Impact on Theology: Four Case Studies 36: Nimrod Hurvitz: al-Ma"m=un (r. 189/813-218/833) and the Mi.hna 37: Livnat Holtzman: The Mi.hna of Ibn "Aq=il (d. 513/1119) and the Fitnat Ibn al-Qushayr=i 38: Maribel Fierro: The Religious Policy of the Almohads 39: Lutz Berger: Interpretations of Ash"arism and M=atur=idism among Mamluks and Ottomans Part V: Islamic Theological Thought from the end of the Early Modern Period through the Modern Period 40: Rotraud Wielandt: Main Trends of Islamic Theological Thought from the late 19th Century to Present Times 41: Johanna Pink: Striving for a New Exegesis of the Qur"=an

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Book SynopsisThomas Izbicki presents a new examination of the relationship between the adoration of the sacrament and canon law from the twelfth to fifteenth centuries. The medieval Church believed Christ''s glorified body was present in the Eucharist, the most central of the seven sacraments, and the Real Presence became explained as transubstantiation by university-trained theologians. Expressions of this belief included the drama of the elevated host and chalice, as well as processions with a host in an elaborate monstrance on the Feast of Corpus Christi. These affirmations of doctrine were governed by canon law, promulgated by popes and councils; and liturgical regulations were enforced by popes, bishops, archdeacons and inquisitors. Drawing on canon law collections and commentaries, synodal enactments, legal manuals and books about ecclesiastical offices, Izbicki presents the first systematic analysis of the Church''s teaching about the regulation of the practice of the Eucharist.Trade Review'The influence, construction, and use of medieval canon law is richly illuminated through such a focused study.' Kriston R. Rennie, Renaissance Quarterly'Izbicki begins with an indispensible guide to the canon lawyers themselves. The reader will find herself drawn back to this useful reference often as she gets lost among the thicket of references necessary to the field. … The material that Izbicki brings to light in this book offers a host of valuable information on the everyday devotional life of medieval Christians as they celebrated the central ritual of their religion. Any scholar of the great medieval drama will find this book an invaluable source for uncovering the rich religious life of a millennium of western civilisation.' Gary Macy, Journal of Ecclesiastical HistoryTable of ContentsIntroduction: the sacraments in medieval canon law; 1. The real presence of Christ, the minister and the materials of the sacrament; 2. The form of the sacrament and the elevation of the host; 3. Communion: union with Christ and unity in the sacrament; 4. Custody of the Eucharist and communion of the sick; 5. Corpus Christi and wonder hosts; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisPilgrim shrines were places of healing, holiness, and truth in early modern France. By analyzing the creation of these pilgrim shrines as natural, legendary, and historic places whose authority provided a new foundation for post-Reformation Catholic life, Virginia Reinburg examines the impact of the Reformation and religious wars on French society and the French landscape. Divided into two parts, Part I offers detailed studies of the shrines of Sainte-Reine, Notre-Dame du Puy, Notre-Dame de Garaison, and Notre-Dame de Betharram, showing how nature, antiquity, and images inspired enthusiasm among pilgrims. These chapters also show that the category of ''pilgrim'' included a wide variety of motivations, beliefs, and acts. Part II recounts how shrine chaplains authored books employing history, myth, and archives in an attempt to prove that the shrines were authentic, and to show that the truths they exemplified were beyond dispute.Trade Review'Virginia Reinburg provides a profoundly empathetic yet incisive reading of the ways in which communities which had suffered so much during the French religious wars managed to defend and refurbish their archives of faith. This is a masterpiece of the historian's craft: both utterly compelling and deeply moving.' Simon Ditchfield, University of York'Virginia Reinburg's study of shrines in early modern France paints them into the landscape of healing powers, mythic origins, and local forces. Her well-documented case studies tell the story of the powerful wellsprings of belief that the Protestant Reformation had contested, but that Catholic revival successfully reinvigorated.' Mark Greengrass, University of Sheffield'Storied Places masterfully illuminates the important role that pilgrimage shrines played in the Catholic renewal that took place in the wake of France's Wars of Religion. As Virginia Reinburg persuasively demonstrates, the apparitions and miracles reported at these shrines, marrying grace to nature, re-affirmed Catholic truths in places where the church and its truths had been most contested. Reinburg's nuanced examination of the shrines as products of both place and story makes a strikingly original contribution to our understanding of early modern religious culture.' Barbara Diefendorf, Boston University'Storied Places is a compelling investigation of how pilgrimage shrines were remade, materially and mentally, in the wake of the French Wars of Religion. Bringing the histories of text and territory, authority and archive, into creative dialogue, Virginia Reinburg offers fresh insight into how early modern Catholicism overcame the challenges of iconoclasm, discord, and doubt. Her book persuasively recasts our understanding of the relationship between sacred landscapes and religious truth in the Counter-Reformation world.' Alexandra Walsham, University of Cambridge'What happened to pilgrimage, that quintessential medieval activity of Catholic worship, after the advent of the Reformation and the shock of Protestant iconoclasm? Reinburg traces the renewal and growth of pilgrim shrines in early modern France, emphasizing their relations to the natural world, their ancient but sometimes mythic origins, and their powers to heal and inspire. … Those sites that survived the violence of the religious wars faced a new challenge, as writers strove to counter doubts about religious truth with assertions of these shrines' antiquity and authenticity. The 'shrine books' that resulted combined myth, history, and archives to counter iconoclasm, oblivion, and doubt. The works and their authors employed print culture to convince those shaken by religious turmoil that the Catholic Church possessed the one true faith.' L. C. Attreed, Choice'The author helps her readers to understand the impact of the religious wars on Catholic survivors. Reinburg thoughtfully highlights the ordeal Catholic communities faced and their efforts to avoid confronting trauma in future generations by creating and recreating shrines. She convincingly asserts that the rebuilding of structures and communities was a way for Catholics to tell a story of their history that was coherent and could overlook the religious wars … What makes Reinburg's book so engaging is its multifaceted approach to telling the history of the shrines and the regions she studies.' Susan E. Dinan, H-France Review'This is an excellent book which merits a wide readership. It displays deep scholarship, sophisticated use of a wide range of sources including site visits - which are illustrated - and it is written with clarity and gracefulness. It is a seminal essay, which makes one reflect on spirituality and landscape in new ways.' Elizabeth Tingle, The Journal of Ecclesiastical History'… an illuminating exploration of how the appeal of significant shrines was constructed and maintained, with insights as well into what the experience of visiting these places as a pilgrim might have been like.' Philip Benedict, Journal of Modern HistoryTable of ContentsIntroduction; Part I. Legendary Locations: 1. An antique land: Sainte-Reine in Burgundy; 2. Pilgrims and nature in the Pyrenees; 3. Notre-Dame du Puy: image, pilgrimage, and the religious wars; Part II. Text, Territory, and Truth: 4. Histories and archives of faith; 5. In the beginning: origins, legends, and fables; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book is suitable for the curriculum of Islamic schools or for use as a self-study material. Faith, worship, and good manners are essential for any Muslims on the path of intellectual, social, and spiritual maturation and perfection. As the eminent scholar Bediuzzaman stated, 'Belief is both light and power. Those who attain true belief can challenge the universe and, in proportion to their belief’s strength, be relieved of the pressures of events… Belief requires affirming Divine Unity; affirmation of Divine Unity requires submitting to God; submission to God requires relying on God; and reliance on God yields happiness in both worlds.' This book is an effective guide for our young readers in their quest to attain the truths of belief, Islam, and good character.

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Book SynopsisThis book is suitable for the curriculum of Islamic schools or for use as a self-study material. Faith, worship, and good manners are essential for any Muslims on the path of intellectual, social, and spiritual maturation and perfection. As the eminent scholar Bediuzzaman stated, 'Belief is both light and power. Those who attain true belief can challenge the universe and, in proportion to their belief’s strength, be relieved of the pressures of events… Belief requires affirming Divine Unity; affirmation of Divine Unity requires submitting to God; submission to God requires relying on God; and reliance on God yields happiness in both worlds.' This book is an effective guide for our young readers in their quest to attain the truths of belief, Islam, and good character.

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Book SynopsisMaud Lewis has become one of Canada's favourite folk artists, and her buoyant winter pictures of nature, pets, farm animals, and people at work and play are among her most charming. Her hands were twisted with arthritis, but Maud earned her living by painting Christmas cards and pictures and selling them from her tiny, gaily painted one-room house beside the highway near Digby, Nova Scotia.Originally issued in 1997 and now available in this updated edition, Christmas with Maud Lewis paints a portrait of how this spirited woman celebrated the season in her life and art. Maud's vision of Christmas embraces skaters sliding every which way, passengers leaning over the box of a horse-drawn sleigh, smiling oxen in their best harness, and bluebirds beside their snow-covered house. The paintings in Christmas with Maud Lewis are from the large collection of the Woolaver family.

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Book SynopsisIn this fifth and final volume, we consider the persistence and transformation of pagan traditions in philosophy and the arts. This final volume also includes the extensive bibliography for the series. Like the other volumes, this volume demonstrates that paganism has not only persisted over the course of millennia, but that it has also undergone metamorphosis and innovation. The Pagan Heart of the West challenges current academic notions that paganism died when Christianization occurred; that the transition from paganism to Christianity was a fairly easy, nonviolent one; that persons once pagan were happy to accept the new religion because it fulfilled them or because they viewed it as superior as if the Inquisition never happened; and that all things pagan are in fact Christian prior to the mid-twentieth century, even though they demonstrate little or no connection to the Christian New Testament. Likewise, Pagan Heart challenges narrow conceptions of the West. Applying Indigenous and decolonial theories, together with Michel Foucaults conception of subjugated knowledges, Pagan Heart suggests that instead, paganism should be explored as an ancient and indigenous set of common beliefs and practices, at once ubiquitous and local, that includes the reverence of deities; the veneration of nature; rites celebrating the seasons and the life cycle; practices of healing, divination, and magic, often guided by ritual specialists; and arts and philosophies giving expression to pagan figures, concepts, and narratives.In this fifth and final volume, we consider the persistence and transformation of pagan traditions in philosophy and the arts. This final volume also includes the extensive bibliography for the series. Like the other volumes, this volume demonstrates that paganism has not only persisted over the course of millennia, but that it has also undergone metamorphosis and innovation. Most importantly, Pagan Heart emphasizes that the ancient gods did not die when Christian authorities forbade their worship and sought, in N. Scott Momadays terms, to commit deicide, but instead that they continue to exist and thrive.

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