Religion & Spirituality - Books

No Tears in Heaven

Religion & Spirituality

No Tears in Heaven speaks of the great joy of the Christian Faith - Heaven. This book brings together, in a new way, a number of Charles Haddon Spurgeon's exhilarating teachings on Heaven. The writings of Spurgeon, in his typically beautiful and penetrating style, will deepen our anticipation of Heaven and challenge us to a closer walk with God.

The Possibilities of Prayer

Religion & Spirituality

"How vast are the possibilities of prayer! How wide is its reach! What great things are accomplished by this divinely appointed means of grace! It lays its hand on Almighty God and moves Him to do what He would not otherwise do if prayer was not offered. It brings things to pass which would never otherwise occur. The story of prayer is the story of great achievements. Prayer is a wonderful power placed by Almighty God in the hands of His saints, which may be used to accomplish great purposes and to achieve unusual results. Prayer reaches to everything, takes in all things great and small which are promised by God to the children of men. The only limits to prayer are the promises of God and His ability to fulfill those promises. 'Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it.'" --E. M. Bounds "The Possibilities of Prayer" will open your eyes to the depths that one can go in prayer--and will compel you into a deeper prayer life with God.

Esența creștinismului

Religion & Spirituality

Chiar dacă William Swan Plumer a fost recunoscut în comunitatea prezbiteriană americană drept un teolog rafinat și un intelectual, el a avut harul de la Dumnezeu să exerseze adesea abilitatea de a folosi un limbaj pe cât se poate de simplu, cu scopul de a face cunoscut Cuvântul lui Dumnezeu oricui. Cartea de faţă, chiar dacă nu tratează aspecte de profunzime sau învăţături oarecum disputate ale credinţei creștine, are meritul de a se focaliza pe lucrurile esenţiale care ţin de Cuvântul lui Dumnezeu, cunoașterea Lui și mântuirea omului. Creștinul de rând o va preţui, fără îndoială, pentru că va putea astfel să aibă acces la un adevărat compendiu de teologie concentrată pe aspectele esenţiale ale credinţei, scris pe înţelesul lui. Însă este interesant de observat că și credincioșii cu o bogată cunoștinţă biblică au ajuns să aprecieze cartea lui Plumer, pentru că, adeseori, și ei au nevoie să “coboare” din studiul complicaţiilor aparente ale Scripturii, adăpându-se din învăţătura de bază a creștinismului și revenind la crucea lui Hristos, oridecâte ori ispita intelectualismului se apropie de ei. „Întreaga natură a omului este afectată de păcat. Mintea îi este întunecată, voința îi este coruptă, conștiința – pângărită, memoria – spurcată, imaginația – depravată, gura îi este un izvor nesecat de spurcăciuni, limba este înșelătoare, sub ea are venin de aspidă, picioarele îi aleargă repede să verse sânge, ochii îi sunt plini de curvie și inima îi este nespus de înșelătoare și deznădăjduit de rea” (W.S. Plumer).

Effective Prayer

Religion & Spirituality

IF you would know the surest way of speeding up your rate of motion, and overtaking the things you desire, try PRAYER! Contents WHAT IS PRAYER? PRAYER WORKS! EFFECTIVE PRAYER WANTED: LEADERS THE PRAYER CIRCLE HOW TO PRAY I BELIEVE IN PRAYER PRAYER IS POWER PRAYER IS MENTAL MEDICINE PRAYER IS HOW YOU LIVE PRAYER FORCE IS LIFE FORCE THE MAGIC OF BELIEVING THE PERFECT WAY TO CONQUER WORRY A PRAYER THAT WORKED

Conversations with Scripture

Religion & Spirituality

Most Christians are familiar with the story told in Mark's gospel, from the fishermen leaving their nets, to the miracle of the loaves and fishes, to the political rumblings and the crucifixion. But no one knows who Mark really was or why this gospel was written or why it's charged with such a sense of immediacy. For noted Jesus scholar Marcus Borg, reading Mark is like meeting Jesus again for the first time. Individual readers and parish study groups will learn about this earliest gospel from the perspective of an important Anglican theologian.Conversations with Scripture is the umbrella title of the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars Study Series. Written in accessible language and sensitive to those who have little or no experience in reading the Bible, each book in the series focuses on exploring the historical and critical background, plus modern application of the texts. Other books in the series focus on the Gospel of John, Revelation, the Law, the Parables, and 2 Isaiah.

Il Dialogo al pozzo

Religion & Spirituality

L'insolito dialogo su «spirito e verità» che si svolge accanto a un pozzo tra Gesù e la Samaritana, narrato nel quarto capitolo del Vangelo di Giovanni, costituisce una delle pagine più intense del Nuovo Testamento e ricorre con frequenza nell esegesi e nella produzione letteraria di Tolstoj. Lo scrittore russo, impegnato nella sperimentazione e poi nell abbandono della pratica religiosa, profondamente influenzato da Pascal e da Rousseau, è convinto che in tutte le tradizioni sia presente un nucleo di sapienza che è ragione di vita per l intero genere umano e che conferisce verità a credenze esteriori che di per sé ne sono prive. Quel nucleo consiste «nella rinuncia a se stessi e nell amore», un centro da cui prende forma quella particolare idea di culto, profondamente ispirata al dialogo tra Gesù e la Samaritana, che penetra con profondità e continuità nell opera di Tolstoj.

Il Dialogo al pozzo

Religion & Spirituality

Reclaiming Pietism

Religion & Spirituality

The historical movement known as Pietism emphasized the response of faith and inward transformation as crucial aspects of conversion to Christ. Unfortunately, Pietism today is often equated with a “holier-than-thou” spiritual attitude, religious legalism, or withdrawal from involvement in society.In this book Roger Olson and Christian Collins Winn argue that classical, historical Pietism is an influential stream in evangelical Christianity and that it must be recovered as a resource for evangelical renewal. They challenge misconceptions of Pietism by describing the origins, development, and main themes of the historical movement and the spiritual-theological ethos stemming from it. The book also explores Pietism’s influence on contemporary Christian theologians and spiritual leaders such as Richard Foster and Stanley Grenz.Watch a 2015 interview with the authors of this book here:

Ascension

Religion & Spirituality

Do we contemplate, meditate on, and thank God for Christ’s ascension? Christ’s ascension led to His continuing work for us in heaven. His high priestly intercession and the gift of the Holy Spirit are His great love gifts for His blood-bought people. Therefore, we want to encourage all our readers to consider this most blessed subject with this issue of the Free Grace Broadcaster: Ascension. Charles Spurgeon introduces the subject by recounting the events leading to Christ’s ascension and the stunning beauty of His rising from this world to the glories of heaven. David Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains the unfolding of redemption through the descending and ascending of our blessed Savior. Isaac Ambrose describes that Christ ascended, as well as how, where to, and why He ascended, while William Plumer reveals the wonderful works of Christ at God’s right hand. What are some of the benefits of Christ’s heavenly session? John Gill shines Scripture light on this blessed work of our Lord. In a brief article, A. W. Pink surveys Christ’s intercession for the people of God. Part of Christ’s heavenly work at His Father’s right hand is the pouring out of the Holy Spirit: Jonathan Edwards believes that this is the sum and substance of Jesus’ blessings purchased for His people! Why did Jesus Christ ascend? John Flavel answers with six reasons. Then, in a second article from Spurgeon, we learn that Christ’s ascension declares Him victorious in finishing the work of redemption. Finally, Edward Payson asks us several penetrating questions about the Scriptures and Christ’s ascension: do we really believe the testimony of the Word of God about these astounding events? It is our heart’s desire for God’s people to read with great joy the biblical witness of Christ rising into glory, sitting at His Father’s right hand, interceding for His eternally loved people, and sending the Holy Spirit on His great mission. Christ died on Calvary’s cross, rose again from the dead, and ascended into glory for His people. Ascension is a vital and cardinal part of the truth. We pray you will feast on its rich food.

Über den Geist hinaus

Religion & Spirituality

Brillant und unkonventionell führt uns der berühmte Religionsphilosoph Alan Watts durch die Lehren der großen spirituellen Traditionen. Es geht um das Vergängliche und das Göttliche, um unsere selbstbetriebene Verblendung und wahre Erkenntnis und pures Einssein, um die verschiedenen Kosmologien und das sich darum nicht scherende Spiel des Kosmos, um Achtsamkeit, echte Bewusstheit und Meditation.Alan Watts spricht aus den hier verarbeiteten Radiofeatures mit einer lebendigen Stimme wie in kaum einem seiner anderen Bücher.Die geistige Spannweite von Alan Watts umfasst sowohl die Weisheitstraditionen Japans und Tibets (Buddhismus), Chinas (Daoismus) und Indiens (Hinduismus mit Yoga und Advaita) als auch die christliche des europäischen Westens. Sein Anliegen ist das Zusammenführen östlicher und westlicher Philosophie und Spiritualität. Durch seine Sicht auf die Essenz aller Lehren wird klar, dass die Grenzen des rationalen Verstandes zu eng sind, um dem großartigen Spiel des Lebens gerecht zu werden.Dazu gehört, den Mythos hinter uns zu lassen, wir seien "von der Welt um uns herum eingeschlossene, von der Haut umgebene Egos" und stattdessen den Weg in unser wahres Einssein zu finden. Es gilt die "Kunst des "kontrollierten Unfalls" zu erlernen und aufzuhören, sein Leben so ernst zu nehmen und es im Gegenteil aufrichtig zu genießen. Im Schlusskapitel geht es darum, wie wir weise mit unseren Leiden umgehen und schließlich unsere existenzielle Unsicherheit und Vergänglichkeit voll umarmen können, um unseren tiefsten Sinn zu finden."Man muss den Verstand verlieren, um zur Besinnung zu kommen." Alan Watts

Works of Martin Luther

Religion & Spirituality

This collection was designed for optimal navigation on iPad and other electronic devices. It is indexed alphabetically and by category, making it easier to access individual books, stories and poems. This collection offers lower price, the convenience of a one-time download, and it reduces the clutter in your digital library. All books included in this collection feature a hyperlinked table of contents and footnotes. The collection is complimented by an author biography.Table of Contents: 95 Theses Address to the Christian NobilityCommentary on the Epistle to the Galatians (Translated by Theodore Graebner)Concerning Christian Liberty Large Catechism (Translated by F. Bente and W. H. T. Dau)An Open Letter on Translating (Translated by Gary Mann, Ph.D.)Selections from the Table Talk (Translated by Captain Henry Bell)The Smalcald Articles (Translated by F. Bente and W. H. T. Dau)Small Catechism (Translated by Robert E. Smith)A Treatise on Good WorksWarning Against the Jews HymnsThe Hymns of Martin Luther (Edited by Leonard Woolsey Bacon Assisted by Nathan H. Allen)Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice (In two translations)The Martyrs' Hymn (Translated by William Johnson Fox)A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (In three translations)Savior of the Nations, Come (Translated by Wiliam M. Reynolds)Letters Letter to Several Nuns (Translated by Erika Bullmann Flores)AppendixMartin Luther Biography

The Church in Emerging Culture: Five Perspectives

Religion & Spirituality

What should the church look like today?What should be the focus of its message?How should I present that message?We live in as pivotal and defining an age as the Great Depression or the Sixties–a period whose definition, say some cultural observers, includes a warning of the church’s influence. The result? A society measurably less religious but decidedly more spiritual. Less influenced by authority than by experience. More attuned to images than to words.How does the church adapt to such a culture? Or should it, in fact, eschew adapting for maintaining a course it has followed these last two millennia? Or something in between?These are exactly the questions asked in The Church In Emerging Culture by five Christian thinker-speaker-writers, each who advocate unique stances regarding what the church’s message should be (and what methods should be used to present it) as it journeys through this evolving, postmodern era. The authors are:Andy Crouch–Re:Generation Quarterly editor-in-chiefMichael Horton–professor and reformed theologianFrederica Mathewes-Green–author, commentator, and Orthodox ChristianBrian D. McLaren–postmodernist, author, pastor, and Emergent senior fellowErwin Raphael McManus–author and pastor of the innovative and interethnic L.A.-based church, MosaicMost unique about their individual positions is that they’re presented not as singular essays but as lively discussions in which the other four authors freely (and frequently) comment, critique, and concur. That element, coupled with a unique photographic design that reinforces the depth of their at-once congenial and feisty conversation, gives you all-access entrée into this groundbreaking discourse.What’s more, general editor Leonard Sweet (author of SoulTsunami and AquaChurch, among several other acclaimed texts) frames the thought-provoking dialogue with a profoundly insightful, erudite introductory essay–practically a book within a book. The Church In Emerging Culture is foundational reading for leaders and serious students of all denominations and church styles.

Speak What We Feel

Religion & Spirituality

Four Unexpected Prophets Who Shine Light into the Darkness

The Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude Preached and Explained

Religion & Spirituality

In the first place, it must be understood that all the apostles present one and the same doctrine; and it is not correct to speak of four evangelists and four Gospels for all which the apostles wrote is not Gospel. But gospel means nothing but a proclamation and heralding of the grace and mercy of god through Jesus Christ, merited and procured through his death. And it is not properly that which is contained in books, and is comprehended in the letter, but rather an oral proclamation and living word, and a voice which echoes through the whole world, and a voice which echoes through the whole world, and is publicly uttered that it may universally be heard. Neither is it a book of laws, containing in itself many excellent doctrines, as has hitherto been held. For it does not bid us do works hereby we may become righteous, but proclaims to us the grace of God, bestowed freely, and apart from any merit of out own; and it tells how Christ has taken our place, and rendered satisfaction for our sins, and concealed them and by His own works justified and saves us.

Finally the Truth Comes Out...: The True "Fruit of Knowledge" Has Been Hidden!: This Is Manna from Heaven...

Religion & Spirituality

A great misdeed has been committed. It was the cover-up of the true fruit of knowledge. The church and the government both seek to prevent us from finding this truth because they know that it means an end to their comfort. The true purpose of the fruit of knowledge is to reconnect each one of our individual minds to God. It was not forbidden by God, the church and the government forbid us from eating it because they seek to keep us under control. Break free from their deception. Awaken your spiritual mind and find God's love for yourself. This book proves that Jesus was inspired by the psychedelic experience and deciphers the Gospel of Thomas in order to complete Jesus' true message and teachings.

Free Grace Broadcaster - Issue 226 - Christ Upon the Cross

Religion & Spirituality

Another quality eBook from Chapel Library. Articles in this edition of the FGB include: The Meaning of Christ’s Cross, by J. C. Ryle (1816-1900). The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, by F. W. Krummacher (1796-1868). The Glory of the Cross, by S. Duytsch: an extended exposition of Paul’s gospel of grace and the reason he gloried in the bloody cross of Jesus Christ. The Passion of Christ, by Thomas Adams (1583-1653): an in-depth explanation of Christ’s person and what He accomplished in His suffering and death. Our Suffering Substitute, by Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892): a moving account of the doctrine of substitution, including the Person of our Substitute, the sufferings of our Substitute, and the result of His substitution.

God on Trial

Religion & Spirituality

Moser, a distinguished philosopher and author of a dozen books, continues his quest to find an authentic, credible philosophy of religion. He asks: Can we trust God? How do we know that God is benevolent? Are there any "proofs" that God means well and wants us to be well?Part of being human is testing the divine, Moser asserts--putting God on trial, so to speak, to see if our faith in life and in God is really justified. In the end, the author finds that we are in fact conscious of the goodness of existence, and the proof of God's morality lies in "righteousness among humans", people's ability to cultivate virtue in and among themselves. Human testing is invited by God so long as we use the standard of goodness/righteousness suited to a God worthy of worship. The book advances this neglected truth. In other words, God is always seeking to show us God's goodness, and our own goodness is itself a vindication of God's.

The Moral Economy of the Madrasa

Religion & Spirituality

The revival of madrasas in the 1980s coincided with the rise of political Islam and soon became associated with the "clash of civilizations" between Islam and the West. This volume examines the rapid expansion of madrasas across Asia and the Middle East and analyses their role in society within their local, national and global context.Based on anthropological investigations in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, and Pakistan, the chapters take a new approach to the issue, examining the recent phenomenon of women in madrasas; Hui Muslims in China; relations between the Iran’s Shia seminary after the 1979-Islamic revolution and Shia in Pakistan and Afghanistan; and South Asian madrasas. Emphasis is placed on the increased presence of women in these institutions, and the reciprocal interactions between secular and religious schools in those countries. Taking into account social, political and demographic changes within the region, the authors show how madrasas have been successful in responding to the educational demand of the people and how they have been modernized their style to cope with a changing environment.A timely contribution to a subject with great international appeal, this book will be of great interest to students and scholars of international politics, political Islam, Middle East and Asian studies and anthropology.

The Highest Poverty

Religion & Spirituality

The acclaimed philosopher and author of Homo Sacer contemplates the possibility of true human freedom through a deep analysis of monastic stricture.What is a rule, if it appears to become confused with life? And what is a human life, if, in every one of its gestures, of its words, and of its silences, it cannot be distinguished from the rule? It is to these questions that Giorgio Agamben’s new book turns by means of an impassioned reading of the phenomenon of Western monasticism from Pachomius to St. Francis. The Highest Poverty meticulously reconstructs the lives of monks, with their obsessive attention to temporal articulation and to the Rule, to ascetic techniques and to liturgy. But Agamben’s thesis is that the true novelty of monasticism lies not in the confusion between life and norm, but in the discovery of a new dimension, in which “life” is affirmed in its autonomy, and in which the claim of the “highest poverty” and “use” challenges the law in ways that we must still grapple with today. How can we think a form-of-life, that is, a human life released from the grip of law, and a use of bodies and of the world that never becomes an appropriation? How can we think life as something not subject to ownership but only for common use?

Heureux sans Dieu ni religion

Religion & Spirituality

Croyances et laïcité, un sujet d'actualité au cœur du débat« On ne peut rester indifférent devant le retour en force des intégrismes qui voudraient nous plonger dans les ténèbres. J’ai donc tenté de mettre en pleine lumière ce que peuvent être les valeurs et les convictions d’un athée laïque. »De manière parfaitement documentée, Michel Piquemal apporte ici les arguments de réfutation aux croyances et explique pourquoi, malgré tout, tant de gens ne peuvent s’empêcher de croire. Dans une démonstration enthousiaste et positive, il consolide le socle de valeurs humanistes sur lequel s’appuie l’athéisme, et montre combien les religions ont été ‒ et restent ‒ un frein à l’émancipation, au bonheur et à la fraternité du genre humain.À l’heure où les fondamentalistes des trois monothéismes s’entendent pour tenter de balayer le rempart de la laïcité, cet ouvrage apparaît comme une nécessité.EXTRAITJe suis un athée heureux et joyeux d’être en vie. Or, une idée fort répandue dans notre société judéo-chrétienne voudrait qu’un incroyant soit nécessairement angoissé et désabusé. L’athéisme conduirait au désespoir, enlèverait l’appétit de vivre et rendrait toute chose vide de sens. Étrange raccourci, car je connais bien des athées épanouis et plusieurs prêtres dépressifs !Paradoxalement, on accuse aussi les athées du contraire. Ils seraient fatalement des débauchés sans morale – celle-ci consistant, paraît-il, à agir selon des lois sanctionnées par un policier divin susceptible de nous punir du haut du ciel.Mais l’homme n’a pas attendu les monothéismes et leur gendarme pour s’organiser en société et élaborer des lois morales. Dès la préhistoire, il crée les conditions du vivre ensemble, avec ses droits et ses devoirs.CE QU'EN PENSE LA CRITIQUECe petit opus [...] résume très bien l’ensemble des arguments soutenant l’athéisme, la faiblesse des reproches faits aux athées et montre bien les contradictions fondamentales des croyances religieuses. - Jacques Savard, Libres penseurs athéesÀ PROPOS DE L'AUTEURMichel Piquemal se consacre à la transmission des valeurs humanistes (qu’il juge menacées par le libéralisme et le consumérisme) à travers ses nombreux écrits. Auteur de plus de 200 ouvrages (contes, romans, nouvelles, albums, essais, etc.), il s’adresse aussi bien à la jeunesse qu’à un lectorat adulte. Il a notamment publié au Muscadier deux recueils de nouvelles pour adolescents : Les orphelins d’Amérique et Et si demain…, ainsi qu’un essai sur l’athéisme : Heureux sans Dieu ni religion.

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