Religion & Spirituality - Books

Interpretando as parábolas

Religion & Spirituality

No último século, foram produzidos mais estudos sobre as parábolas do que sobre qualquer outra seção de extensão comparável na Bíblia. O problema é que a maioria dos leitores da Bíblia provavelmente nunca ficará sabendo desses estudos. Nesta nova edição ampliada, Craig Blomberg analisa e avalia as abordagens críticas contemporâneas às parábolas, questionando o consenso predominante e fazendo sua própria, nova e importante contribuição aos estudos das parábolas. Atendo-se a definições e divisões adequadas, o autor defende uma limitada abordagem alegórica. Como fundamentação para essa visão da interpretação das parábolas, Blomberg não somente propõe considerações teológicas, mas também dedica atenção a todas as principais parábolas, fornecendo interpretações breves que destacam os insights que podem ser percebidos de seu método tão distintivo. Este livro traz, portanto, um levantamento do que há de mais recente em estudos das parábolas e o apresenta em um formato que visa ser útil como meio de atualização de pastores e estudiosos, um livro-texto básico para alunos de faculdades e seminários teológicos. Além disso, funciona como introdução ao assunto para o leigo disposto a se dedicar, com alguma profundidade, a questões acadêmicas.

The Negro Christianized, An Essay to Excite and Assist that Good Work, the Instruction of Negro Servants in Christianity (1706)

Religion & Spirituality

"For Mather, leaving Natives and Africans outside the body of Christ...would only lead to trouble." - Faithful Bodies (2014)"Every Sunday evening Mather invited black men and women into his home to listen to sermons." - Schooling Citizens (2010)"Mather focused on the spiritual growth of his slave...after he became 'useless and froward.'" - Everyday Crimes (2019)"Mather, in his tract The Negro Christianized...ranged scriptural...argument against those who denied the Negro's humanity." - Slave Religion (2004)In 1706 New England Puritan minister, prolific author, and pamphleteer Cotton Mather (1663 -1728) wrote a short 30-page work titled "The Negro Christianized."The booklet was groundbreaking, as In 1706, the proposition that slaves should be instructed in the Bible would have horrified more traditionalist slave masters who banned the Bible for dread that slaves might adhere to ideas of equality contained in the New Testament.In making his argument for the conversion of slaves to Christianity, Mather writes:"Christianity will be the best cure for this Barbarity. Their Complexion sometimes is made an Argument, why nothing should be done for them. A Gay sort of argument! As if the great God went by the Complexion of Men, in His Favours to them! As if none but Whites might hope to be Favoured and Accepted with God! Whereas it is well known, That the Whites, are the least part of Mankind. The biggest part of Mankind, perhaps, are Copper-Coloured; a sort of Tawnies."About the author: Cotton Mather was born February 12, 1663, and died February 13, 1728. He was a New England Puritan minister and a prolific author of both books and pamphlets. One of the most important intellectual figures in English-speaking colonial America, Mather is remembered today chiefly for his Magnalia Christi Americana (1702) and other works of history, for his scientific contributions to plant hybridization and to the promotion of inoculation as a means of preventing smallpox and other infectious diseases, and for his involvement in the events surrounding the Salem witch trials of 1692-3. He also promoted the new Newtonian science in America and sent many scientific reports to the Royal Society of London, which formally elected him as a fellow in 1723. A controversial figure in his own day, in part due to his role in supporting the Salem witch trials, he sought unsuccessfully the presidency of Harvard College, which had been held by his father Increase, another important Puritan intellectual.

Reading Jesus’ Parables with Dao De Jing

Religion & Spirituality

Dao De Jing is an ancient wisdom book, purportedly written by Laozi, who flourished in the sixth century BCE according to the Chinese tradition. It is comprised of eighty-one short poems of which the source is diverse, ranging from personal life to communal and political life. It uses abundant metaphors taken from nature such as water, dust, river, wood, and valley. Laozi reminds his readers to rethink their worldview and purpose of life. Parables of Jesus also are stories about life, ranging from personal identity to social justice. Laozi and Jesus lived in different places at different times. Yet they share a passion and vision to make a better world, full of mercy, justice, and peace. Laozi asks his audience to appreciate the power of smallness in their perspectives. Likewise, in the Mustard Seed, Jesus also helps his audience to see the potential of a small seed that may grow miraculously to several feet tall. This book reads Jesus' parables from the perspective of the Dao De Jing. There is a new translation of the Dao De Jing in the Appendix.

Faith Schools, Tolerance and Diversity

Religion & Spirituality

This book examines the effects of faith schools on social cohesion and inter-ethnic relations. Faith schools constitute approximately one third of all state-maintained schools and two fifths of the independent schools in England. Nevertheless, they have historically been, and remain, controversial. In the current social climate, questions have been raised about the ability of faith schools to promote Community Cohesion and, included within that, their ability to promote tolerance. This book explores one aspect of the debate by examining the effect that faith schools have on their students’ attitudes of tolerance. As well as asking what differences exist between students in faith and non-faith schools, it also looks at which aspects of the schools might be affecting the students and their attitudes towards different minorities. The book is a must-read for students and researchers in the fields of education and religious studies, as well as anyone with an interest in the place of faith schools in a modern multicultural society.Helen Everett was, at the time of her death, a Research Manager at the National Foundation for Educational Research. She had taught Science in a variety of English schools before doing her PhD at the UCL Institute of Education, UK, funded by an ESRC award. Jan Germen Janmaat is Reader in Comparative Social Science at UCL Institute of Education, UK. His research focuses on the socio-cultural outcomes of education. He is co-editor of The Dynamics and Social Outcomes of Education Systems. Edward Vickers is Professor of Comparative Education at Kyushu University, Japan. A specialist in the history and politics of education in contemporary East Asia, he is co-author (with Zeng Xiaodong) of Education and Society in Post-Mao China. Henry Everett is the Vicar of St Mary Magdalene and St Peter, Paddington, and is co-author (with Paul Bradshaw and Colin Buchanan) of Coronations Past, Present and Future. He is currently writing on Christian and Muslim shrines. He was married to Helen for 26 years.

Imitación de Cristo y seguimiento de Jesús

Religion & Spirituality

La Imitación de Cristo, después de la Biblia, es uno de los libros más leídos por cristianos y seguidores de otros caminos espirituales. Para los lectores del siglo xxi es una obra totalmente singular, pues data de finales del siglo xiv y se inscribe en la corriente espiritual llamada Devotio moderna, ampliamente difundida entre laicos y personas letradas de la época, que mantuvo gran influencia en la piedad cristiana posterior. Aunque la forma de interpretar el mundo de dicha corriente es ineludiblemente dualista y reduccionista, Tomás de Kempis poseía una mente libre, que no se dejó influenciar por ninguna corriente mística en particular. Para él lo importante era la experiencia espiritual del encuentro con Cristo y el desapego de uno mismo, que tanto llamó la atención de psicólogos como Sigmung Freud y C.G. Yung, e incluso del filósofo Martin Heidegger.

Reading Philippians

Religion & Spirituality

In this new introduction and guide to Paul's Letter to the Philippians, Nijay K. Gupta makes the background, messages, and theological importance of this text understandable and interesting to lay readers and students. Reading Philippians includes Gupta's own English translation of Philippians. In his discussion of the value and significance of this text for Christians todat, he incorporates fascinating historical case studies, modern analogies from pop culture, and practical advice and exercises for Christian formation for today.

Jesús bajo sospecha

Religion & Spirituality

¿Quién fue Jesús? ¿Qué hizo? ¿Qué dijo? La Historia ofrece respuestas a estas preguntas. Pero, ¿podemos confiar en esas respuestas tradicionales? ¿Cuáles son los fundamentos del Cristianismo? ¿Las audaces afirmaciones de la Iglesia? ¿O el carácter y las acciones de una persona histórica? "El Seminario de Jesús", un grupo de eruditos de EE.UU. que rechaza al Jesús de la fe cristiana, ha investigado y dado respuesta a estas preguntas, y sus conclusiones han aparecido en publicaciones de gran difusión no sólo norteamericanas, sino también españolas –por ejemplo, en "El País".Básicamente, declaran que el Nuevo Testamento no es fiable y que Jesús no fue más que un ser humano normal. Jesus bajo sospecha es una defensa de la historicidad de Jesús, realizada por una serie de expertos evangélicos, para ofrecer una respuesta clara, directa y muy bien argumentada al "Seminario de Jesús".

Giving Thanks

Religion & Spirituality

A beautifully illustrated collection celebrating the joy of gratitude: “A book to be picked up throughout the year and savored and discussed.” —Booklist (starred review)Newbery Medal winner Katherine Paterson and cut-paper artist Pamela Dalton, creators of Brother Sun, Sister Moon, give fans of all ages even more to be thankful for with Giving Thanks, a special book about gratitude. Paterson’s meditations on what it means to be truly grateful and Dalton’s exquisite cut-paper illustrations are paired with a collection of over fifty graces, poems, and praise songs from a wide range of cultures, religions, and voices. The unique collaboration between these two extraordinary artists flowers in this important and stunningly beautiful reflection on the act of giving thanks.“A joyfulness of spirit permeates the compilation.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Amen.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Kappa, little stories and legends of Japan

Religion & Spirituality

There is no shortage of Yokai stories in Japan. Among the most popular Japanese creatures, there is the Kappa... This mysterious being who hides in rivers to catch his next victims!Although a popular belief makes Kappa nice creatures, the testimonies and short stories compiled in this book will show you a new facet of these monsters.Believe me, Kappa don't just like to eat cucumbers. It is often said that they are looking for a human prey or a horse that would get lost near their river. Beware of anyone who dares to show his buttocks to a Kappa! Fortunately, not all are so ferocious and cruel.Through 140 short stories, tales, legends and testimonies, learn more about one of the most important creatures of Japanese folklore. Beware! Some stories are not suitable for young people ...

The Book of Enoch

Religion & Spirituality

As the Book of Enoch is, in some respects, the most notable extant apocalyptic work outside the canonical Scriptures, it will not be inappropriate to offer a few remarks here on the Apocalyptic Literature generally. In writing about the books which belong to this literature, Prof. Burkitt says very pointedly that "they are the most characteristic survival of what I will venture to call, with all its narrowness and its incoherence, the heroic age of Jewish history, the age when the nation attempted to realize in action the part of the peculiar people of God. It ended in catastrophe, but the nation left two successors, the Christian Church and the Rabbinical Schools, each of which carried on some of the old national aims. And of the two it was the Christian Church that was most faithful to the ideas enshrined in the Apocalypses, and it did consider itself, not without some reason, the fulfilment of those ideas. What is wanted, therefore, in studying the Apocalypses is, above all, sympathy with the ideas that underlie them, and especially with the belief in the New Age. And those who believe that in Christianity a new Era really did dawn for us ought, I think, to have that sympathy. . . . We study the Apocalypses to learn how our spiritual ancestors hoped again that God would make all right in the end; and that we, their children, are here today studying them is an indication that their hope was not wholly unfounded."

Christian Beliefs: 20 Life Transforming Truths - Leader's Guide

Religion & Spirituality

This Leader's Guide, written by Clear Cut Media, accompanies the Christian Beliefs: 20 Life Transforming Truths video series by Wayne Grudem. Understand what you believe! In this ground breaking video series, Dr. Wayne Grudem teaches the 20 main doctrines of the faith with biblical depth, spiritual passion and a freshness that makes this series unique in the Christian world. The aim of the course is to provide a good understanding of all the main doctrines of the Bible in an accessible and enjoyable format, securing and grounding Christians in the faith.

La Grâce des jours uniques

Religion & Spirituality

Depuis des décennies, Gabriel Ringlet travaille à « ré-enchanter les rites ». Il invite à ses célébrations, celles de la semaine sainte en particulier, des témoins issus de tous les horizons et de toutes les convictions. Dans ce livre étonnant, il nous confie comment des romanciers, poètes, chanteurs, cinéastes et artistes se sont prêtés au jeu de ces liturgies hors des sentiers battus. Il fait aussi mémoire de célébrations plus intimes, avec quelques proches, dans une chambre d'hôpital ou autour d'un berceau, et il ajoute qu'aujourd'hui plus que jamais chacun peut être appelé à célébrer.Bien entendu, la parole partagée peut n'être pas « religieuse » car, croyants ou incroyants, « nous avons autant besoin de rites que de pain », dit encore Gabriel Ringlet. Alors, en certaines situations, il se fait célébrant au sens large, trouvant les mots adéquats, les gestes, les musiques, les symboles, les personnages de cette intrigue de la vie qui est à raconter. Riche de moments inoubliables, cet éloge de la célébration nous invite à redonner sens, sel et rythme à l'existence.

Ex Auditu - Volume 36

Religion & Spirituality

Introduction DENNIS R. EDWARDS Jeremiah 29 and Political Theology STEPHEN B. CHAPMAN Who Can Lead a Flock of Shepherds? Paul, the Pillars, and Political Challenges in Our Churches Today TIMOTHY MILINOVICH Response to Milinovich CHRISTY RANDAZZO Forgiveness as the Redoubling of God COLBY DICKINSON Response to Dickinson KAITLYN SCHIESS I Feel You: The Theo-Politics of Compassion and the Poor in Liberation Theology and Karl Barth JULES A. MARTINEZ OLIVIERI Response to Martinez ROSE LEE-NORMAN Some Texts and Our Politics VINCENT BACOTE Response to Bacote JONATHAN WILSON Love's Domain or White Christians' Dominion?: A Missiological Response to the American Culture Wars JANEL KRAGT BAKKER Response to Bakker CHRISTOPHER W. SKINNER What's in a Name? Ideology and Naming KAY HIGUERA SMITH Response to Smith BRET M. WIDMAN

The Antichrist

Religion & Spirituality

"Antichrist" is an in-depth study of the biblical texts on Antichrist, which aims to answer the question: Who or what is the Antichrist? To answer this question, Pink traces the references to Antichrist, including the Book of Psalms, the Gospels, the Epistles, and Revelation, and constructs the profile of Antichrist from the scriptures. He doesn't approach Antichrist only as a person but also as an ideology that leads to a certain chain of deeds and events. Yet, in the first chapters of the book, he rejects the idea that the Roman papacy is the embodiment of Antichrist, despite their persecution of Christians in the Middle Ages. In Chapters Three to Seven, he gives details on the possible Antichrist identity as he sees it, based on the scripture. Chapter Eight through Seventeen demonstrate how the theme of Antichrist is displayed through the Bible. Arthur Walkington Pink (1886–1952) is one of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century. He was an English Bible teacher who sparked a renewed interest in the exposition of Calvinism or Reformed Theology.

How Do You Know You're Not Wrong?

Religion & Spirituality

In today's postmodern world, believers more than ever before are faced with a host of objections to Christianity. Expert apologist Paul Copan describes these objections as "anti-truth" claims and with "How Do You Know You're Not Wrong" he provides a helpful resource with thorough, biblical answers to such regularly used objections as- "Whatever works for you"- "Just as long as it makes you happy"- "All religions are basically the same"- "Christianity is anti-semitic"At the end of each chapter, he provides practical and easy-to-share summary points to help readers intelligently and effectively answer the challenges of their non-Christian friends and neighbors.

Erasme

Religion & Spirituality

Dans des pages destinées à un large public, voici l'étonnante personnalité du philosophe de Rotterdam, éminent représentant du mouvement humaniste chrétien qui se développa à la charnière des XIVe et XVe siècles. Alors que l'Europe est en feu, l'homme est curieux de tout et toujours prêt à prendre la plume: intellectuel ouvert aux idées nouvelles, moine qui souffre de voir son Eglise dans un état exigeant d'urgentes réformes - L'Eloge de la folie lui permet, avec habileté, de "dire leur fait aux papes, prêtres, théologiens, moines, princes, et autres puissants..." sans se dévoiler --- ; pacifiste qui se demande où s'arrêteront les Turcs parvenus aux portes de Vienne ; philosophe qui croit aux valeurs de l'homme et de la liberté ; Européens qui, par ses voyages de Rotterdam à Paris, de Londres à Fribourg en passant par l'Italie, appelle la chrétienté déchirée à la concorde... Surtout, le plus fondamental à ses yeux est la réflexion sur les rapports entre la raison et la foi : la liberté humaine tient-elle une place dans l'acte de foi ? Et si oui, que devient la grâce de Dieu "? Ses débats avec Luther vinrent enrichir une question de fond qui a tant marqué les théologiens et l'Eglise de saint Augustin au concile Vatican II, et qui réapparaît sans cesse aujourd'hui. Avec bonheur, l'auteur nous peint la richesse et les multiples facettes d'un homme étonnament moderne.

The Life of Jesus

Religion & Spirituality

"The Life of Jesus" is a book based on the idea that the life of Jesus should be written like the life of any historic person, and that the Bible could and should be subject to the same critical scrutiny as other historical document. Renan attributed the idea of the book to his sister, Henriette, with whom he was traveling in Ottoman Syria and Palestine when, struck with a fever, she died suddenly. With only a New Testament and copy of Josephus as references, he began writing. The book was based largely on the Gospel of John, and was a scholarly work. It depicted Jesus as a man but not God, and rejected the miracles of the Gospel. Renan believed by humanizing Jesus he was restoring to him a greater dignity. "The Life of Jesus" promoted racial ideas and infused race into theology and the person of Jesus; the author depicted Jesus as a Galilean who was transformed from a Jew into a Christian, and that Christianity emerged purified of any Jewish influences.

Va où ton coeur te mène

Religion & Spirituality

Convaincu depuis toujours de l'urgence d'un renouveau prophétique pour le christianisme comme pour toute la société, Gabriel Ringlet a été conforté dans ce sentiment par les bouleversements de la pandémie. D'où ce récit qui ressuscite pour nous la geste du prophète Elie, personnage de roman d'une modernité sidérante. Son histoire est celle de la conversion d'un intégriste : après avoir sauvagement combattu les mécréants au nom de sa vision d'un Dieu de pouvoir et de vengeance, il sera conduit à un retournement total, pour rejoindre le Dieu de la miséricorde et des Béatitudes. Ce parcours bouleversant, Gabriel Ringlet le raconte en le reliant aux leçons de sagesse de Qohélet, autre personnage biblique hors-norme. Celui-ci, s'adressant à un jeune garçon, lui dit « Va où ton coeur te mène », transmission d'une flamme de liberté intérieure que l'auteur reprend à son compte en s'adressant à son dernier filleul, qui se prénomme... Elie. Ce livre de naissance attentif à la douceur d'un souffle ténu jette un pont entre les âges.

Who Is This Child?

Religion & Spirituality

The child in Bethlehem would grow up to be a friend of sinners, not a friend of Rome. He would spend his life with the ordinary and the unimpressive. He would pay deep attention to lepers and cripples, to the blind and the beggar, to prostitutes and fishermen, to women and children. He would announce the availability of a kingdom different from Herod’s. A kingdom where blessings—full value and worth with God—was now conferred on the poor in spirit and the meek and the persecuted.People would not understand all this meant. According to pastor and bestselling author John Ortberg in Who Is This Child, we still do not.But a revolution was starting, a slow, quiet, movement that began at the bottom of society and would undermine the pretensions of the Herods. It was a movement that was largely underground, like a cave around Bethlehem, where a dangerous baby was born and hidden from a king.Strange reversal. Men who wore purple robes and glittering crowns and gaudy titles began to look ridiculous. And yet the figure of the child born in a manger only grew in stature. Adapted from John Ortberg’s book, Who Is This Man?

Understanding Biblical Criticism

Religion & Spirituality

The term “biblical criticism” simply means discerning the most accurate text of the Bible (“textual criticism”) and then exploring issues such as who wrote the various books of the Bible, when they were written, and the circumstances of the writing (“higher criticism”). Yet because the word “criticism” can imply fault-finding and because some prominent biblical critics come to their study with a skepticism of the historical value of the Bible, biblical criticism often stirs up suspicion or even hostility. F.F. Bruce assures us that we don’t have to be afraid of biblical criticism. This ebook includes articles originally appearing in Christianity Today, Essential Christianity, Precious Seed, and The Christian Librarian.

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