Religion & Spirituality Books

Buddhism, Knowledge and Liberation

Buddhism, Knowledge and Liberation

Religion & Spirituality

Buddhism is essentially a teaching about liberation - from suffering, ignorance, selfishness and continued rebirth. Knowledge of 'the way things really are' is thought by many Buddhists to be vital in bringing about this emancipation. This book is a philosophical study of the notion of liberating knowledge as it occurs in a range of Buddhist sources. Buddhism, Knowledge and Liberation assesses the common Buddhist idea that knowledge of the three characteristics of existence (impermanence, not-self and suffering) is the key to liberation. It argues that this claim must be seen in the context of the Buddhist path and training as a whole. Detailed attention is also given to anti-realist, sceptical and mystical strands within the Buddhist tradition, all of which make distinctive claims about liberating knowledge and the nature of reality. David Burton seeks to uncover various problematic assumptions which underpin the Buddhist worldview. Sensitive to the wide diversity of philosophical perspectives and interpretations that Buddhism has engendered, this book makes a serious contribution to critical and philosophically aware engagement with Buddhist thought. Written in an accessible style, it will be of value to those interested in Buddhist Studies and broader issues in comparative philosophy and religion.

Evangélicos, católicos e os obstáculos à unidade

Evangélicos, católicos e os obstáculos à unidade

Religion & Spirituality

Não terá chegado a hora de católicos romanos e evangélicos finalmente porem de lado suas diferenças e fazer frente, de mãos dadas, ao secularismo? Por que esses dois grupos ainda estão divididos depois de tantos séculos? Os luteranos e os católicos romanos já não se uniram, publicando uma declaração de unidade? Ou, como Mark Noll pergunta, "A Reforma acabou?". Neste livro pequeno, mas de profunda reflexão, Michael Horton pergunta se os evangélicos podem ser considerados católicos e se os católicos romanos podem ser considerados evangélicos. Em seis breves capítulos, ele ajuda o leitor a navegar por essas águas turbulentas, chegando à conclusão de que não apenas a Reforma foi necessária há quinhentos anos, mas que este debate ainda é importante e válido para os dias atuais.

Légendes bouddhiques

Légendes bouddhiques

Religion & Spirituality

"Parmi le monde, on appela Kumarajû Rajû Sanzô, “Rajû maître des Trois Corbeilles”. Son esprit était plein de discernement et la clarté de sa sapience était semblable à celle du Buddha. Conformément à la volonté première de son père, il transporta ce Buddha jusqu’en Chine et en fit bénéficier de nombreux êtres. En outre, il rassembla le texte du Sûtra du Lotus de la Loi, en plus duquel il traduisit beaucoup de sûtra et de traités d’exégèse : avoir transmis tout cela au monde, tel fut le fait de ce Sanzô. Donc, si, jusqu’à la fin de ce monde, il nous est donné de pouvoir étudier l’Enseignement Correct, c’est uniquement grâce à l’auguste vertu de ce Sanzô. Ainsi dit-on qu’il a été rapporté." Quatorze récits au sein desquels sublime et grossier, bonté et violence, quête mystique et expérience des corps se côtoient et s’allient singulièrement, sur la voie de l’Éveil.

The Existence and Attributes of God

The Existence and Attributes of God

Religion & Spirituality

Stephen Charnock (1628–1680) was a Cambridge graduate, Presbyterian clergyman, Puritan theologian, and chaplain to Oliver Cromwell. Virtually none of his writings were published until after his death. "The Existence and Attributes of God" is remembered as Puritan's definitive contribution to theology proper. Charnock's meditations on God's character include: I. The Existence of God II. Practical Atheism III. God's Being a Spirit IV. Spiritual Worship V. The Eternity of God VI. The Immutability of God VII. God's Omnipresence VIII. God's Knowledge IX. The Wisdom of God X. The Power of God XI. The Holiness of God XII. The Goodness of God XIII. God's Dominion XIV. God’s Patience

Self-Suggestion: And the New Huna Theory of Mesmerism and Hypnosis

Self-Suggestion: And the New Huna Theory of Mesmerism and Hypnosis

Religion & Spirituality

This is one of Max Freedom Long's more contemporary books. In this work we can see the progression of his ideas, consistent with the views expressed in The Secret Science Behind Miracles. One of the highlights of this book is the review of the self-help scene during the mid-50s. This is a practical manual of self-suggestion using the Huna techniques, including detailed instructions as to how the operation works. An appendix discusses the larger context of this in the Huna school of though.

LORD, You Are My...Prayers from a Captive

LORD, You Are My...Prayers from a Captive

Religion & Spirituality

Lord, You Are My…Prayers from a Captive is a devotional journal designed to help you pursue the one goal you set for yourself when you started your Christian journey. The one goal that will require all your passion, strength, and compliance. For it is only through the discipline of prayer, obedience, and sacrifice that you will be able to reach the heart of God. Back Cover -Book Prayer Father, Your Will is my job description… “Lord God I am here to accept the position of servant for the Most High.” “The Lord Jesus is my only reference, He is the one that posted the position.” “My resume? Well…” “I’m currently in training with the Holy Spirit, who plans to be with me and guide me as I take on the job. My plan is to make a lifelong career from the opportunity.” “What drew me to the position?” “The King made a very compelling presentation over 2,000 years ago. He made it clear that the job wouldn’t be easy and in some cases I may fail, but He made an incredible commitment to me that He would love, strengthen, and encourage me the whole way.” “Oh, and I was told that no one can beat Your retirement plan.” Lord Jesus, thank You for recruiting me into Your service, and in Your Name, I accept the position, Maranatha!

Foundations of Christianity (Routledge Revivals)

Foundations of Christianity (Routledge Revivals)

Religion & Spirituality

First published in 1925, Karl Kautsky presents a Marxist history of Christianity and Christian society. Divided into four key sections, the book begins by considering the personality of Jesus as portrayed within Pagan and Christian sources and highlighting the Church’s difficulty in presenting a unified and concurrent image of Jesus and interpretation of His words. Next, Kautsky analyses the structure of Roman society, with particular emphasis on the slave-holding system, the Roman State and the historiography of the period. In the third section, an early history of the Jewish people is presented, whilst the final section discusses the beginnings of Christianity and the social struggles present within early Christian society. This is a fascinating reissue, which will be of particular interest to students of Church History, Christian theology and the various interpretations of Jesus.

Monotheism, Biblical Traditions, and Race Relations

Monotheism, Biblical Traditions, and Race Relations

Religion & Spirituality

In the Hebrew Bible, various aspects of theism exist though monotheistic faith stands out, and the New Testament largely continues with Jewish monotheism. This Element examines diverse aspects of monotheism in the Hebrew Bible and their implications to others or race relations. Also, it investigates monotheistic faith in the New Testament writings and its impact on race relations, including the work of Jesus and Paul's apostolic mission. While inclusive monotheism fosters race relations, exclusive monotheism harms race relations. This Element also engages contemporary biblical interpretations about the Bible, monotheistic faith, and race/ethnicity.

Transformed into the Same Image

Transformed into the Same Image

Religion & Spirituality

The doctrine of deification or theosis has been gaining interest among scholars for some time. Yet most publications on the topic have focused on Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions and have subsumed the discussion under the category of soteriology. If "being transformed into the same image" (2 Corinthians 3:18) is truly essential to the Christian life, a fuller understanding of this biblical concept is needed for Christians of all traditions.In this volume, biblical scholars and theologians offer a constructive account of deification that breaks new ground in key ways. First, several essays focus on the work of major Protestant thinkers and Protestant expressions of the doctrine—including Lutheran, Reformed, Baptist, Wesleyan, Pentecostal, and Evangelical. Second, contributors incorporate deification into arenas that have thus far remained largely unexplored, such as the relationship between justification and deification, applications for theological education, how deification compares with transhumanism, the impact of translation philosophy on the visibility of deification in Scripture, and perspectives on deification in global Christianity.Contributors include both senior and younger scholars from a variety of backgrounds, including Alister McGrath, Ann Jervis, Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, Ben C. Blackwell, and Michael Gorman. Transformed into the Same Image invites readers to dive deeper into the doctrine of deification and continue the conversation.

Imagine Heaven Devotional

Imagine Heaven Devotional

Religion & Spirituality

In 2015, John Burke's Imagine Heaven took the book world by storm, landing on the New York Times bestseller list and selling more than half a million copies. Its exhilarating picture of heaven, drawn from Scripture and illustrated with true stories of near-death experiences, enthralled readers and offered real-life evidence that supported their faith and answered some of their most pressing questions about life after death. Scripture tells us to "Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth" (Col. 3:2). Now readers can meditate daily on the realities of heaven with the Imagine Heaven Devotional. Each of the 100 devotions includes near-death stories from the bestselling book, Scripture, a prayer, as well as brand new stories and content that helps readers apply these heavenly promises to how they live life today.

Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus

Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus

Religion & Spirituality

In this study D. A. Carson illuminates Jesus's message to his disciples after the Last Supper, in which Jesus proclaims the coming of the Holy Spirit and prays for himself, his followers, and the world. D. A. Carson clearly explains what Jesus taught his disciples the night before his crucifixion. This exposition of John 14-17 helps students of the Bible appreciate Jesus's teaching on the coming and the work of the Holy Spirit, his high priestly prayer, and his commandment to love one another.

Mysteries of Genesis - Classic Christianity Book

Mysteries of Genesis - Classic Christianity Book

Religion & Spirituality

THE BOOK OF GENESIS is the key to the Bible. In the New Testament it is quoted twenty-seven times literally and thirty-eight times substantially. It tells in a very few words how God first imaged man and the universe and then turned the development over to Jehovah, who has been in a process of manifestation for ages and aeons. The "Five Books of Moses," of which Genesis is the first, have always been credited to Moses, but that he was the author seems doubtful in the face of the many stories of creation found in the legends and hieroglyphs of ancient Egypt, Chaldea, and other nations that are almost identical with those of Genesis. It would thus seem that Moses edited the legends of the ages and compiled them into an allegorical history of creation. As printed in English translations there is little to reconcile Genesis with creation as revealed by modern geology.

Being a Pagan

Being a Pagan

Religion & Spirituality

More than 60 pagan leaders and teachers describe in their own words what they believe and what they practice. • Addresses how Pagans view parenting, organized religion, and politics. • Introduces the wide range of possibilities within the neo-Pagan movement. • By Ellen Evert Hopman, author of A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year; Walking the World in Wonder: A Children's Herbal; and Tree Medicine, Tree Magic. Who are the pagans and what do they stand for? Why would some of the members of the best educated, most materially comfortable generation of Americans look back to mystical traditions many millennia old? During the last few decades, millions of people have embraced ancient philosophies that honor Earth and the spiritual power of each individual. Ways of worship from sources as diverse as the pre-Christian Celts, ancient Egypt, and Native American traditions are currently helping their followers find meaning in life while living in the Information Age. In this book Pagan leaders and teachers describe in their own words what they believe and what they practice. From Margot Adler, an NPR reporter and author of Drawing Down the Moon, to Isaac Bonewits, ArchDruid and founder of a modern neo-Druidic organization, those interviewed in this book express the rich diversity of modern Paganism. Hopman's insightful questions draw on her own experiences as a Pagan and Druid as well as on her extensive research. With coauthor Lawrence Bond, she examines how Pagans address such issues as parenting, organized religion, and politics. The resulting dialogues illuminate the modern Pagan revival.

The Scapegoat

The Scapegoat

Religion & Spirituality

Widely regarded as one of the most profound critics of our time, René Girard has pursued a powerful line of inquiry across the fields of the humanities and the social sciences. His theories, which the French press has termed "l'hypothèse girardienne," have sparked interdisciplinary, even international, controversy. In The Scapegoat, Girard applies his approach to "texts of persecution," documents that recount phenomena of collective violence from the standpoint of the persecutor—documents such as the medieval poet Guillaume de Machaut's Judgement of the King of Navarre, which blames the Jews for the Black Death and describes their mass murder.Girard compares persecution texts with myths, most notably with the myth of Oedipus, and finds strikingly similar themes and structures. Could myths regularly conceal texts of persecution? Girard's answers lies in a study of the Christian Passion, which represents the same central event, the same collective violence, found in all mythology, but which is read from the point of view of the innocent victim. The Passion text provides the model interpretation that has enabled Western culture to demystify its own violence—a demystification Girard now extends to mythology.Underlying Girard's daring textual hypothesis is a powerful theory of history and culture. Christ's rejection of all guilt breaks the mythic cycle of violence and the sacred. The scapegoat becomes the Lamb of God; "the foolish genesis of blood-stained idols and the false gods of superstition, politics, and ideologies" are revealed.

I Never Thought I'd See the Day!

I Never Thought I'd See the Day!

Religion & Spirituality

Is Western civilization in an accelerating decline? And if it continues will it eventually weaken and cause us to come to the end of cultured civilization as we now know it? "Yes," says David Jeremiah, and in his book, I Never Thought I'd See the Day! he details numerous signs of this cultural decay including: America held hostage by Iran Marriage becoming obsolete Creeping socialism The invisibility of culture's enemies Increase in "spiritual warfare" America turning its back on Israel Atheist attack on religionCan this downward spiral be reversed? Yes, but only if one person at a time returns to God with our heart, our manner of life, our dedication to genuine worship of God, in serving God by helping others, in our giving, and in prayer.

The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life

The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life

Religion & Spirituality

David Émile Durkheim's classic analysis of religion offers a reasoned and sustained examination of faith, its origins and its nature, to the reader. First appearing to the public in 1912, the poignant nature of the text and its incisive examination of religion and its pivotal nature in society resulted in The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life becoming a classic of sociology. Durkheim's researches were lengthy and thorough, ranging across the examination of tribal groupings in the Americas and Australia.  For his part, Durkheim viewed religion as a generally positive thing for its promotion of community, social unity and friendships within a social structure. His personal preoccupation with societal trends, whereby science and technology were supplanting religion as a driving force in most Western societies, is expressed within this text which seeks to explore the value in the rituals and practices peculiar to religions.  The book begins by reaching for a definition of religion and the phenomena which connote religious faith. The various tenets which constitute a faith are examined in turn, with examples given. Later in the text, consideration is given to the foremost practices; Durkheim continually refers to the 'primitive cult', and posits that human veneration of objects and phenomena leads to totemism, which in turn forms the founding of a sophisticated belief system.  The author consistently attempts to discover common strains which religions possess, while purposely putting the supernatural and divine to one side for the sake of better focusing on the traits which comprise faith within small communities and in wider society. As a result of Durkheim's rigorous analysis, this text remains relevant and valuable for students and practitioners of sociology and psychology to this day.  This edition of the text contains the original and highly regarded translation to English by Joseph Ward Swain.

A Ciência secreta por detrás de Milagres (Traduzido)

A Ciência secreta por detrás de Milagres (Traduzido)

Religion & Spirituality

Max Freedom Long, um estudante de misticismo e espiritualidade, viveu entre os Hunas havaianos no início do século 20, e ganhou conhecimento de primeira mão de suas práticas, milagres e magia. Com relatos em primeira mão e mais de 2 dúzias de histórias de casos, o autor mostra os mistérios e métodos do xamanismo havaiano, da cura e da magia.

Interpreting Jesus

Interpreting Jesus

Religion & Spirituality

Draws together the most important articles on Jesus and the gospels by distinguished scholar and author N. T. Wright. Interpreting Jesus puts into one volume the development of Wright's thought on this subject over the last three decades. It collects the essays—written for a wide variety of publications—that led up to his groundbreaking book Jesus and the Victory of God, and it includes such wide-ranging themes as:The Biblical Roots of Trinitarian TheologyThe History, Eschatology, and New Creation in John's GospelThe Evangelists' Use of the Old Testament as an Implicit Overarching NarrativeAnd The Public Meaning of the GospelsInterpreting Jesus displays Wright's engaging prose, his courage to go where few have gone, and his joy to bridge the work of the academy and the church.Here is a rich feast for any serious student of the Bible, especially of the New Testament. Detailed, incisive, and exquisitely nuanced exegesis, this collection will reward you with a clearer, deeper, and more informed appreciation of the recent advances in Jesus studies, and their significance for theology today.Many of the included studies have never been published or were made available only in hard-to-find larger volumes and journals.