Religion

The author was asked by a friend to set down in writing what he considered to be the most important things that a human being can know and was also asked to make it very easy. This small book discusses the profoundest truths with remarkable simplicity and clarity.

Mere Theology sets out to explore how the great tradition of Christian theological reflection enriches our faith and deepens our engagement with the concerns and debates of the world around us.

A great introduction to motivational gifts--with descriptions, real-life stories and self-tests--helping readers recognize their gifts and move into more effective service.

Explore the lands of the Bible and the history of scripture with unprecedented clarity.This major revision of the Gold Medallion Award-winning Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible is a visual feast that will help you experience the geography and history of Scripture with unprecedented clarity. The first section of the Atlas introduces the "e;playing board"e; of biblical history. The next section, arranged historically, begins with Eden and traces the historical progression of the Old and New Testaments. It concludes with chapters on the history of Jerusalem, the disciplines of historical geography, and the most complete and accurate listing and discussion of place-names found in any atlas.Unique features include:Stunning multidimensional and three-dimensional mapsOver 100 new relevant-to-topic imagesRevised engaging textInnovative chronological charts and graphicsA complete geographical dictionary and index available for in-depth studiesThe Zondervan Atlas of the Bible is destined to become a favorite guide to biblical geography for students of the Bible. This accessible and complete resource will assist you as you enter into the world of the Bible as never before.

This practical book helps ministers and parents create a ministry that captures children's imaginations and teaches them to live as citizens of the kingdom of God.

German philosophy remains the core of modern philosophy. This Very Short Introduction discusses the idea that German philosophy forms one of the most revealing responses to the problems of modernity. Including many significant German philosophers, and other more neglected thinkers, he provides an insight into German philosophical traditions.

Experience the Gospels in a whole new way.Manga (pronounced "mahn-ga") is the Japanese word for comics, and it's one of the fastest growing genres in America. Appealing to kids, tweens, teens, and adults, readers will find this edgy rendition of the Gospel accounts both compelling and highly engaging. This authentic, cutting-edge art style is combined with fast-paced storytelling to deliver biblical truths to fans of graphic novels and comic books. This is genuine Japanese manga style, unlike other Christian "manga" books in the marketplace.Combining sound biblical teaching with action-packed illustrations, Manga Messiah features: A unique, synthesized presentation of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John for a complete story of Jesus' ministryA map of Galilee, Samaria, and Judea so readers can keep track of important locationsIllustrated character profiles of key Bible peopleAn illustrated page on the twelve apostles for easy referenceA great way to introduce anyone to the Bible, this book delivers a gritty, dynamic take on Jesus' life without compromising on accuracy.

Addressing a variety of views on hell, the Bible, and the character of God, Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle offer an eloquent response to the recent media storm surrounding questions of eternal destiny.

This text reflects on the centuries-old debate in Christianity: how do we reconcile the existence of evil in the world with the goodness of an omnipotent God, and how does God's omnipotence relate to people's responsibility for their own salvation or damnation?

This substantive yet highly accessible commentary leads readers through all aspects of the book of Acts--sociological, historical, and theological.

As its teachings spread from the Indian subcontinent in all directions across Asia, Buddhism influenced every culture it touched-from Afghanistan to Korea, from Mongolia to Java. Buddhist art is a radiant reflection of the encounter of the Buddha's teachings with the diverse civilizations that came under their sway. It is also an intriguing visual record of the evolution of Buddhist practice and philosophy over a period of more than two millennia. More than two hundred photographs provide the visual context for this tour of the world of Buddhist art. Included in the rich variety of forms are architecture and monumental art, statuary, paintings, calligraphy, fresco, brushwork, and textile arts. Denise Leidy's guide is the perfect introductory text for all those intrigued by this splendid aesthetic tradition. It also an essential resource for all who seek to understand Buddhist art as teaching.

Reveals women's active role in religious life and rituals in the ancient world

In this new fifth edition, Sire offers student-friendly introductions to a variety of concepts: theism; deism; naturalism; Marxism; nihilism; existentialism; Eastern monism; New Age philosophy; and postmodernism.

Across the centuries, as people have considered their individual and social needs, many solutions for transforming human existence have been offered ‿ psychological, political and religious. However, the New Testament claims that genuine and lasting change can only be found in Jesus Christ. The transformation he makes possible is spiritual, moral and physical, bringing us ultimately to share in his resurrection from death in a new creation. Foundational to this teaching is the promise of 'a new covenant' in Jeremiah 31:31-34 and in parallel predictions in Ezekiel and Isaiah. In this valuable new study, David Peterson expounds Jeremiah's oracle and its significant influence on the way New Testament writers understand transformation in Christ. The definitive forgiveness of sins achieved by his sacrificial death brings a new knowledge or experience of God and his grace, which transforms hearts and minds, leading to a new devotion to God and obedience to his will. In this way, the people of the New Covenant are established in an eternal relationship with God and a renewed community that embraces every nation. In terms of the Bible's teaching as a whole, the New Covenant fulfils and perfects the covenant first established by God with Abraham and his offspring. It has profound implications for Christian ministry, with respect to both evangelism and the nurture of believers.

Powerful.When is the last time someone used that word to describe you?It doesn't make sense that Almighty God would have children characterized by fear and insecurity. He put His Spirit in us so we could be known for our power (Acts 1:8; 2 Tim. 1:7). Sadly, most believers and churches are known for talent or intellect rather than supernatural power. What's worse is that we're okay with it.Could it be that we've forgotten the One who distinguishes us from every religion and cult in the world?Through solid scriptural support and compelling narrative, breakthrough author Francis Chan returns us to the Holy Spirit as the Bible describes Him. He reminds us that we were not created and saved merely to survive our time on earth. Chan contends that we've ignored the Spirit and are reaping the disastrous results.It's time for the beloved church of Jesus Christ to reverse the trend of neglect. Let's pursue the Spirit-filled life of effectiveness God desires and we desire.

This ''close reading'' of Exodus 19-40 focuses on the repetition of the ''encounter on the mountain''. This double encounter is expressed in a narrative structure of preparatory episodes climaxed by the theophany. The tension of the narrative is linked to ''the people'' as the unlikely heroes of encounter and solved by the divine descent from the divine mountain to the man-made tent. The new situation of permanent encounter is foregrounded by the juxtaposed stories of pre- and post- Sinai journey, and the theme of the ''substitution of Moses'' underlines a radical reinterpretation of traditional concepts, inviting the reader to embark on a process of identification.

In the classic bestseller, Introduction to Tantra, Lama Yeshe offered a profound and wonderfully clear glimpse into the sophisticated practices of Tibetan Buddhist tantra. This present book, the last major teachings of this great lama, opens up the world of advanced practices for Highest Yoga Tantra initiates in much the same way his earlier work opened up the world of tantra in general.Following Je Tsongkhapa''s (1357-1419 C.E.) text Having the Three Convictions, Lama Yeshe introduces the renowned Six Yogas of Naropa, focusing mainly on the first of these six, the practice of inner fire (tummo). Mastery of inner fire quickly brings the mind to its most refined and penetrating state--the experience of clear light, an extra-ordinarily powerful state of mind that is unequaled in its ability to directly realize ultimate reality.Lama Yeshe felt that twentieth-century Westerners could easily grasp the often misunderstood ideas of this esoteric tradition: "We really need tantra these days because there is a tremendous explosion of delusion and distraction.and we need the atomic energy of inner fire to blast us out of our delusion."Lama Yeshe''s aim was for his students to actually taste the experience of inner fire rather than merely gain an intellectual understanding. Lama''s own realization of the transformative power of these practices comes through, inspiring his students to discover for themselves their own capacity for inexhaustible bliss.

This fully updated edition is recognised as the most comprehensive history of the Knights Templar

In the ancient Graeco-Roman world, an enemy or rival was cursed by writing an incantation down, and dedicating it to a god or spirit. More than a thousand such texts are translated here. An introduction supplies the full cultural, social and historical context for the thematically arranged texts.

As the Olympic athletes discovered this summer, the secret to winning a gold medal is not just starting well, it's finishing well. We usually start our Christian race with great enthusiasm, but the challenge is to finish faithfully. How can we keep motivated for service, maintain our commitment to mission, persevere under pressure and grow in our spiritual lives? The theme for the 2012 Keswick Convention was 'Going the Distance: Living in the Light of the Future'. During the three weeks of convention we looked at the Bible's promises of Christ's return and our future glory, and considered how these Bible truths equip us for discipleship and encourage us to keep running the Christian race well. This yearbook includes a selection of talks given during the 2012 Convention: Bible teaching from Simon Manchester, Christopher Ash, Mike Raiter, Chris Sinkinson, Dominic Smart, Calisto Odede and Ian Coffey to help you run your race and keep 'Going the Distance'.

Can philosophy offer reasonable grounds for the existence of a God as the centre of actual faith, rather than just a theoretical Absolute? This magnum opus explores the metaphysical systems of a diverse range of philosophers from Spinoza to the early 20th century, and offers a compelling new defence of a highly unfashionable Idealist worldview.

The Malleus Maleficarum is the most famous early modern text on witches and witch hunting. This is the most authoritative translation into English available, and it is presented here with explanatory notes and an informative introduction.

Yantra Yoga, the Buddhist parallel to the Hathayoga of the Hindu tradition, is a system of practice entailing bodily movements, breathing exercises, and visualizations. Originally transmitted by the mahasiddhas of India and Oddiyana, its practice is nowadays found in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism in relation to the Anuttaratantras, more generally known under the Tibetan term trulkhor, whose Sanskrit equivalent is yantra. The Union of the Sun and Moon Yantra (Phrul 'khor nyi zla kha sbyor), orally transmitted in Tibet in the eighth century by the great master Padmasambhava to the Tibetan translator and Dzogchen master Vairochana, can be considered the most ancient of all the systems of Yantra, and its peculiarity is that it contains also numerous positions which are also found in the classic Yoga tradition. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, one of the great living masters of Dzogchen and Tantra, started transmitting this profound Yoga in the seventies and at that time wrote this commentary, which is based on the oral explanations of some Tibetan yogins and siddhas of the twentieth century. All Western practitioners will benefit from the extraordinary instructions contained in this volume.

In Teachings on Love, world-renowned Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh shows how we can put unconditional love (even for our enemies) into practice. Hanh is the widest-selling Buddhist author in English worldwide.

With a range of styles including commentary, parables, proverbs and anecdotes, this title provides guidance on various aspects of everyday life from ownership to commerce to relationships. It includes a selection of passages that make accessible the centuries of Jewish thought.

Brings together for each day of the year three prayer practices for contemplative living: first, a brief 'active prayer'; second, spiritual reading; and, third, "Lectio Divina". This title includes spiritual readings that come from Father Keatings books and one audiotape, with a month's worth of readings derived from each work.

Norse Mythology explores the magical myths and legends of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Viking-Age Greenland-outlining along the way the prehistoric tales and beliefs from these regions that have remained embedded in the imagination of the world.

Foxe's Book of Martyrs is a collection of unforgettable accounts of religious persecution. This modernized selection brings together some of the most stirring tales of the interrogation and execution of heretics burnt at the stake in the reign of Mary, with some of the original woodcut illustrations and an illuminating introduction.