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From Jerusalem to Timbuktu: A World Tour of the Spread of Christianity
by Brian C. StillerChristianity started in Jerusalem. For many centuries it was concentrated in the West, in Europe and North America. But in the past century the church expanded rapidly across Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Thus Christianity's geographic center of density is now in the West African country of Mali—in Timbuktu. What led to the church's vibrant growth throughout the Global South? Brian Stiller identifies five key factors that have shaped the church, from a renewed openness to the move of the Holy Spirit to the empowerment of indigenous leadership. While in some areas Christianity is embattled and threatened, in many places it is flourishing as never before. Discover the surprising story of the global advance of the gospel. And be encouraged that Jesus' witness continues to the ends of the earth.
From Jesus to Christ
by Paula FredriksenIn this exciting book, Paula Fredriksen answers these questions by placing the various canonical images of Jesus within their historical contexts. She provides fascinating insights into the content of Jesus's ministry, the circumstances of his crucifixion, and the social and religious problems facing the earliest churches.
From Jesus to Christianity: How Four Generations of Visionaries & Storytellers Created the New Testament and Christian Faith
by L. Michael WhiteL. Michael White, one of the world’s foremost scholars on the origins of Christianity, provides the complete, astonishing story of how Christianity grew from the personal vision of a humble Jewish peasant living in a remote province of the Roman Empire into the largest organized religion in the world.Rather than reading the New Testament straight through in its traditional, or “canonical” order, From Jesus to Christianity takes a historical approach. Looking at the individual books chronologically, in the sequence in which they were actually written, readers can see what they divulge about the disagreements, shared values, and unifying mission of the earliest Christian communities. White digs through layers of archaeological excavations, sifts through buried fragments of largely unknown texts, and examines historical sources to discover what we can know of Jesus.
From Jesus to the Church
by Craig A. EvansDid Jesus intend to found a church separate from Judaism? Who were the very first followers of Jesus? And how did a clash between two families--the family of Jesus on one hand and the family of high priest Annas and their aristocratic allies on the other--eventually lead to the formation of Christianity? In this study, best-selling author Craig A. Evans looks at how a tumultuous chain of events from 30-70 CE--beginning with Jesus's entry into Jerusalem and subsequent crucifixion and ending with the destruction of the temple--led to the separation between the followers of Jesus and other Jews. Topics include the following: 1) whether Jesus actually intended to found the Christian Church; 2) the ways in which Jesus's proclamation of the "Kingdom of God" relate to the Christian Church; 3) the role of James, brother of Jesus, in the new movement in Jerusalem; 4) the tension between James and Paul in the matter of law and works; 5) the conflict between the families and followers of Jesus and those of the high priest Annas before the destruction of the temple; and 6) the aftermath of the Jewish rebellion, whereby the Church moved away from its Jewish roots. An appendix further explores the reasons behind the rift between the Jesus movement and the synagogue. This fascinating volume is suitable for historical Jesus and early church studies, along with anyone else interested in learning about the very first followers of Jesus.
From Jesus to the Internet: A History of Christianity and Media
by Peter HorsfieldFrom Jesus to the Internet examines Christianity as a mediated phenomenon, paying particular attention to how various forms of media have influenced and developed the Christian tradition over the centuries. It is the first systematic survey of this topic and the author provides those studying or interested in the intersection of religion and media with a lively and engaging chronological narrative. With insights into some of Christianity's most hotly debated contemporary issues, this book provides a much-needed historical basis for this interdisciplinary field.
From Judgment to Hope: A Study On The Prophets
by Walter Brueggemann<p>While conservative interpreters might believe that prophets were predictors and progressives believe the prophets to be simply social advocates, Walter Brueggemann argues that the prophets were “emancipated imaginers of alternative.” Emancipated from the dominant thinking of their societies, the prophets imagined an alternative reality and invited listeners to join them in their commitment to that new reality.</p><p>In this collection of studies, popular biblical scholar Walter Brueggemann explores the Major Prophets, the Minor Prophets, and the prophets of the Persian Age. By highlighting the common themes of judgment and hope found in the prophets’ messages, Brueggemann invites readers to consider what those messages mean for us today. Questions for reflection conclude each chapter. From Judgment to Hope is suitable for individual or group study.</p>
From Judgment to Passion: Devotion to Christ and the Virgin Mary, 800-1200
by Rachel FultonHow and why did the images of the crucified Christ and his grieving mother achieve such prominence, inspiring unparalleled religious creativity as well such imitative extremes as celibacy and self-flagellation? To answer this question, Fulton ranges over developments in liturgical performance, private prayer, doctrine, and art.
From Judgment to Passion: Devotion to Christ and the Virgin Mary, 800–1200
by Rachel Fulton BrownDevotion to the crucified Christ is one of the most familiar, yet most disconcerting artifacts of medieval European civilization. How and why did the images of the dying God-man and his grieving mother achieve such prominence, inspiring unparalleled religious creativity as well such imitative extremes as celibacy and self-flagellation? To answer this question, Rachel Fulton ranges over developments in liturgical performance, private prayer, doctrine, and art. She considers the fear occasioned by the disappointed hopes of medieval Christians convinced that the apocalypse would come soon, the revulsion of medieval Jews at being baptized in the name of God born from a woman, the reform of the Church in light of a new European money economy, the eroticism of the Marian exegesis of the Song of Songs, and much more. Devotion to the crucified Christ is one of the most familiar yet disconcerting artifacts of medieval European civilization. How and why did the images of the dying God-man and his grieving mother achieve such prominence, inspiring unparalleled religious creativity and emotional artistry even as they fostered such imitative extremes as celibacy, crusade, and self-flagellation?Magisterial in style and comprehensive in scope, From Judgment to Passion is the first systematic attempt to explain the origins and initial development of European devotion to Christ in his suffering humanity and Mary in her compassionate grief. Rachel Fulton examines liturgical performance, doctrine, private prayer, scriptural exegesis, and art in order to illuminate and explain the powerful desire shared by medieval women and men to identify with the crucified Christ and his mother.The book begins with the Carolingian campaign to convert the newly conquered pagan Saxons, in particular with the effort to explain for these new converts the mystery of the Eucharist, the miraculous presence of Christ's body at the Mass. Moving on to the early eleventh century, when Christ's failure to return on the millennium of his Passion (A.D. 1033) necessitated for believers a radical revision of Christian history, Fulton examines the novel liturgies and devotions that arose amid this apocalyptic disappointment. The book turns finally to the twelfth century when, in the wake of the capture of Jerusalem in the First Crusade, there occurred the full flowering of a new, more emotional sensibility of faith, epitomized by the eroticism of the Marian exegesis of the Song of Songs and by the artistic and architectural innovations we have come to think of as quintessentially high medieval.In addition to its concern with explaining devotional change, From Judgment to Passion presses a second, crucial question: How is it possible for modern historians to understand not only the social and cultural functions but also the experience of faith—the impulsive engagement with the emotions, sometimes ineffable, of prayer and devotion? The answer, magnificently exemplified throughout this book's narrative, lies in imaginative empathy, the same incorporation of self into story that lay at the heart of the medieval effort to identify with Christ and Mary in their love and pain.
From Junkie to Jerusalem: A Journey of Destiny
by Larry HuchGod can take you from wherever you are to beyond what you could ever imagine. By the end of this book, you will claim victory over sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Likewise, no matter how far gone you feel, you&’ll know that you're never too far gone for God to restore and redeem you. From a drug addict to a prominent pastor and ardent advocate for Israel and the Jewish people, Pastor Larry Huch&’s testimony is all about hope and overcoming. It&’s a powerful testimony that has been told from the White House to the most violent prisons, from Portland to the Philippines, from the down and out in the streets, and even to the world&’s most elite—namely, to President Trump and to Prime Minister Netanyahu. Delving into Huch&’s tumultuous past, From Junkie to Jerusalem details his abusive background, explains his struggles with anger and addiction, and highlights the profound spiritual awakening that led him to leave behind his former life and embrace Christianity. However, this is not just one man&’s story—This is a story of what God can do with the least of us. It&’s a story of miracles and being faithful with a little and watching God multiply the loaves and fishes we give Him. While reading this motivational testimony, you will: Be at the heart of Huch&’s spiritual journey. Learn how you can break free of generational curses. See how God can work miracles in your own life. This God story gives readers hope that regardless of their current condition—no matter where they&’re from, what they&’re going through, or what their children are going through—God has a miracle in the works.
From Kuan Yin to Chairman Mao: The Essential Guide to Chinese Deities
by Xueting Christine Ni“Luminous and detailed, this is an encyclopedic treasure trove that now renders the gods and goddesses of Eastern lore accessible to the West.” —Benebell Wen, author of Holistic TarotChina is an immense land with a history spanning thousands of years, and its needs and problems are perhaps too many for a single deity to watch over. This book begins to explore the veritable army of gods, immortals, and deities to whom the Chinese have turned for help, support, and intervention—not just in the annals of history but also in the bustling modern world.From Kuan Yin to Chairman Mao offers fascinating insight into the complex interweaving of China’s main religions and folklore and the way the gods themselves have evolved to meet changing challenges, finding their way from scriptures and statues to vouchers and videogames. Author Xueting Christine Ni recounts the stories of sixty Chinese gods and goddesses, selected from across the spectrum of China’s mythical beings, deified heroes, gods, goddesses, and immortals. They derive from Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and folklore, as well as revered sages and protective deities from other traditions. Get to know Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy; Zhong Ku, the demon slayer; Tian Hou, the goddess of the sea; the beloved Monkey King, and a host of other Chinese deities, both ancient and modern.In addition to exploring the origins and rituals of this eclectic pantheon, this book also looks at how, in a country that has undergone a myriad of changes and upheavals, its gods and goddesses have never been more than a whisper away.
From Legal to Regal: Religion to Royalty
by Steve HawkinsSteve Hawkins has a message for every believer longing for a more hope-filled Christian life: “A generous, happy God wants to hang out with you, build you up, teach you personally and show you who you really are in Him!” That’s the heart of his firsthand story about being liberated from legalism into a freedom-filled life in the Spirit. Through biblical illustrations and his own experiences Steve explains: · How to live a fulfilling, not frustrating, Christian life. · Why struggle and failure are not God’s calling for you. · What to do to embrace the kingdom life God promises you. If you’re facing disappointment, unfulfilled expectations or a deep spiritual need, From Legal to Regal will make a believer out of you--you’ll see that you can shift into the new life in Christ you long for.
From Logos to Person: History, Traditions, and Perspectives (Comparative Philosophy of Religion #5)
by Christophe Rico Joaquin PanielloThis contributed volume considers the notions of person and logos from different approaches. Although many treat them separately, this text focuses on their intricated interplay. Drawing upon diverse cultural traditions, including Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and Arab sources, this book engages philologists, philosophers, and theologians through captivating analysis that spans from ancient philosophical perspectives to contemporary scholarship. The genesis of this scholarly endeavor owes to a conference held at the Polis Institute in Jerusalem in October 2021, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University, Notre Dame University, and the University of Hamburg. Out of fifty-seven presentations, fourteen were selected to compose this thought-provoking volume, ensuring a well-structured exposition on the subject. The opening historical overview provides the framework of the volume, and culminates with Beuchot's intriguing proposition of man as an ‘analogical animal’. Subsequent sections explore the concept of logos, tracing its usage in Plato and the Gospel of Saint John, as well as its evolution through scholasticism, modernism, and contemporary thought. Contained are highlights on the notion of person, its development in various languages, and delves into the intricate connections between rationality, speech, and personhood. Metaphysical and personalist approaches are also presented; this book appeals to researchers and scholars in the field.
From Logos to Trinity
by Marian HillarThis book presents a critical evaluation of the doctrine of the Trinity, tracing its development and investigating the intellectual, philosophical and theological background that shaped this influential doctrine of Christianity. Despite the centrality of Trinitarian thought to Christianity and its importance as one of the fundamental tenets that differentiates Christianity from Judaism and Islam, the doctrine is not fully formulated in the canon of Christian scriptural texts. Instead, it evolved through the conflation of selective pieces of scripture with the philosophical and religious ideas of ancient Hellenistic milieu. Marian Hillar analyzes the development of Trinitarian thought during the formative years of Christianity from its roots in ancient Greek philosophical concepts and religious thinking in the Mediterranean region. He identifies several important sources of Trinitarian thought heretofore largely ignored by scholars, including the Greek middle-Platonic philosophical writings of Numenius and Egyptian metaphysical writings and monuments representing divinity as a triune entity.
From Lost to Found: Giving Up What You Think You Want for What Will Set You Free
by Nicole ZasowskiBeing Lost is the First Step to Getting Found As a marriage and family therapist, one of Nicole Zasowski&’s greatest joys is helping her clients grow in emotional freedom. What she couldn&’t see for many years is that she was living her own life outside of that freedom, clinging to behaviors like shame, performance, and control in order to feel valued and safe.It was only when she was confronted with her own devastating pain and loss that Nicole realized her current way of life was failing her. She then discovered that sometimes God&’s rescue looks like prying our fingers off what we think we want so that we can receive what we truly need. And often, on the far side of pain we don&’t prefer, we find transformation we would not trade. In From Lost to Found, Nicole shares her story as she helps usname what we fear losing most,identify how our reactive behaviors are failing us,discover what joy we can find in letting go, andmove forward in the freedom God has for us.God is writing a story of redemption in your life too. Find out for yourself that sometimes the greatest joy is found when we are drained of all misplaced hope and shallow identities. In the midst of pain or transition, discover a surprising path to healing as you lose your grip on comfort and control—and fall right into God&’s transformative grace.Includes discussion questions for individual reflection or small group study
From Members to Disciples: Leadership Lessons from the Book of Acts
by Michael W. FossThe book of Acts serves as our playbook for ministry as it prepares us for the active presence of God.Studying the book of Arts takes us back to the future. It shows the church how to trust in the active presence of God and inspire people to move from being mere members to bold disciples. As members become disciples of faith, they experience the unstoppable power of disciplined growth and divine purpose in Christian living.
From Memory to Imagination: Reforming the Church's Music (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Liturgical Studies)
by C. Randall BradleyThe relatively recent "worship wars" over styles of worship — traditional, contemporary, or blended — have calmed down, and many churches have now reached decisions about which "worship style" defines them. At a more fundamental level, however, change has yet to begin.In From Memory to Imagination Randall Bradley argues that fallout from the worship wars needs to be cleaned up and that fundamental cultural changes — namely, the effects of postmodernism — call for new approaches to worship. Outlining imaginative ways for the church to move forward, this book is a must-read for church leaders and anyone interested in worship music.
From Mindfulness to Insight: Meditations to Release Your Habitual Thinking and Activate Your Inherent Wisdom
by Choden Rob Nairn Heather Regan-AddisBuilding on mindfulness and self-compassion practices, this step-by-step guide to secular insight meditation shows the way to freedom from deeply rooted thought patterns.Discover joy within yourself and heartfelt connection with others by releasing the habitual thought patterns that cause suffering and alienation. Drawing on Buddhist wisdom as well as the latest research in psychology and neuroscience, this book provides you with the tools needed to recognize the habits of thinking that fuel anger, desire, jealousy, and pride. Building on mindfulness and self-compassion practice, it offers a step-by-step series of guided meditations that create the conditions for liberating insight and wisdom to naturally arise. Thousands of people in the last decade have benefited from practicing the exercises in this book, which were developed and taught as part of the curriculum at the Mindfulness Association, an organization founded to deliver training in mindfulness, compassion, and insight.
From Modernity to Cosmodernity: Science, Culture, and Spirituality (SUNY series in Western Esoteric Traditions)
by Basarab NicolescuThe quantum, biological, and information revolutions of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries should have thoroughly changed our view of reality, yet the old viewpoint based on classical science remains dominant, reinforcing a notion of a rational, mechanistic world that allows for endless progress. In practice, this view has promoted much violence among humans. Basarab Nicolescu heralds a new era, cosmodernity, founded on a contemporary vision of the interaction between science, culture, spirituality, religion, and society. Here, reality is plastic and its people are active participants in the cosmos, and the world is simultaneously knowable and unknowable. Ultimately, every human recognizes his or her face in the face of every other human being, independent of his or her particular religious or philosophical beliefs. Nicolescu notes a new spirituality free of dogmas and looks at quantum physics, literature, theater, and art to reveal the emergence of a newer, cosmodern consciousness.
From Monk to Money Manager: A Former Monk’s Financial Guide to Becoming a Little Bit Wealthy---and Why That’s Okay
by Doug LynamBuild a better financial future for yourself and the world. Former monk turned financial advisor, Doug Lynam, shares the rules of money management that will change your approach to earning, saving, and investing.From Monk to Money Manager is an entertaining and self-deprecating journey through Lynam’s relationship with the almighty dollar—his childhood in a rich family, the long-haired hippie days running away from materialism, time in the Marine Corps looking for selfless service, and his twenty years in the monastery under a vow of poverty that led to his current profession as a financial advisor. In this unique look at wealth from a spiritual perspective, Lynam shares his belief that God doesn’t expect us to live in poverty. The truth is, we need financial peace so we can help others. When money becomes a part of our spiritual practice, used in love and service, it can bring us closer to our highest spiritual ideals.With humor and humility, Lynam uses stories told through the lens of his own money mistakes, and those of counseling clients, to understand how our attitudes about money hold us back. He also provides clear, step-by-step guidance on how to grow a little bit wealthy. His insights include how to build a compassionate relationship to our finances; some of the good, bad, and ugly truths about money; and the tricks to unlocking financial freedom.
From Moses To Malachi: Exploring The Old Testament
by Kenneth G. HannaFrom Moses to Malachi: Exploring the Old Testament unlocks the Old Testament books and makes clear their central message and enduring value. It helps you to understand the importance of the Old Testament to the authors of the New Testament. The Old Testament was the Scripture used by Jesus and the apostles, and it is foundational to our understanding of who Jesus is, why He came, and what He accomplished during His time here. Through knowledge of the Old Testament, we gain an understanding of God’s purpose in creation, His plan of redemption, and His goal for human history. Knowing the Old Testament increases our understanding of and heightens our appreciation for the New Testament. It also gives us insight into how to apply our faith and live wisely in the contemporary world. From Moses to Malachi introduces each of the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament, using thematic charts to clarify the message of each book at a glance. The key thought and structure of the books and other essential information are presented in graphic form. A synopsis of the content of each book explores its purpose and message. From Moses to Malachi provides pastors and teachers with ideas and outlines for preaching and teaching the Old Testament to a contemporary audience. In addition, it offers numerous references to resource materials and a helpful bibliography for further research.
From Mourning to Morning: A Comprehensive Guide to Mourning, Grieving, and Bereavement
by Simeon SchreiberRabbi Simeon Schreiber, Senior Staff Chaplain at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, translates his many years of experience into a greater understanding of the emotions surrounding death, grieving, mourning, and bereavement in Judaism. From Mourning to Morning presents these principles in a comprehensive format. Focusing on the Shiva, the seven day period of mourning in Judaism, Rabbi Schreiber explains the foundation of visiting a house of mourners, and suggests proper etiquette in conducting a visit. With sensitivity and expertise, Rabbi Schreiber provides unique and practical advise on how to cope with death, mourning, and the related issues that we all will inevitably face.
From Muhammad to Bin Laden: Religious and Ideological Sources of the Homicide Bombers Phenomenon
by David BukayFrom Muhammad to Bin Laden analyzes the ideological, religious, and cultural foundations of one of the most inconceivable phenomena in contemporary world politics. Bukay analyzes the homicide bombings and atrocities perpetuated by worldwide jihad. He also uses information from primary sources to suggest how to cope with this lethal phenomenon.The book explores the meaning and interpretation of the seemingly benign concept of da'wah, the expansion of the Islamic community. Da'wah provides the religious and ideological justification for the lethal phenomenon of worldwide jihad; it describes the incentive and motivational drive that support the emergence and the operation of the fundamentalist Islamic movement. Bukay locates the dimensions of the phenomenon of jihad as well as the reasons, motivations, and aspects of the behavior of fundamentalist groups. The importance of this work lies in its skillful combination of historical perspectives and contemporary dynamics, religious and anthropological aspects of the phenomena, and its use of research tools of both the humanities and social sciences.By exploring the religious and cultural foundations of homicide bombers' activities, Bukay explains the essence of jihad, how it is connected to the da'wah, and together, how da'wah and jihad serve as the platform of the current worldwide terrorist activities. Bukay quotes religious edicts and declarations of classical and modern Islamic texts, as well as contemporary Islamic fanatic movements from Ibn Hanbal in the eighth century to Sayyid Qutb in the mid-twentieth century. He also aims to bring to the world's consciousness the aims and objectives of fundamentalist Islam. The volume concludes by challenging the free world to wake up before the bells of another world war start to ring. From Muhammad to Bin Laden will interest scholars, policymakers, and lay readers. Its importance is transparent, particularly in light of the current developments in the Middle East.
From Mule Back to Super Jet with the Gospel
by Br. Marshall KeebleOriginally published in 1962, this is the fascinating account of Brother Marshall Keeble’s missionary journey to Africa with Brother Lucien Palmer in 1960, including a visit to the Holy Land, Palestine.“This was Brother Keeble’s greatest missionary journey for the Lord, and he has made many journeys. On this trip he preached with great power. His influence was felt and it will live on in Africa, as he now has sons and daughters in the Gospel in that far away land, and through them the work of our Lord will continue.[…]“With great joy the experiences had by Brother Keeble on this journey have been written, and he hopes you will find much pleasure in this narrative. May it cause you to have a great increase of faith to use the jet age to God’s glory in advancing his kingdom in every nation of the world.”—Lucien Palmer, Preface
From Muslim to Christian Granada: Inventing a City's Past in Early Modern Spain (The Johns Hopkins University Studies in Historical and Political Science #125)
by A. Katie HarrisHonorable Mention, 2010 Best First Book, Association for Spanish and Portuguese Historical StudiesIn 1492, Granada, the last independent Muslim city on the Iberian Peninsula, fell to the Catholic forces of Ferdinand and Isabella. A century later, in 1595, treasure hunters unearthed some curious lead tablets inscribed in Arabic. The tablets documented the evangelization of Granada in the first century A.D. by St. Cecilio, the city’s first bishop. Granadinos greeted these curious documents, known as the plomos, and the human remains accompanying them as proof that their city—best known as the last outpost of Spanish Islam—was in truth Iberia’s most ancient Christian settlement. Critics, however, pointed to the documents’ questionable doctrinal content and historical anachronisms. In 1682, the pope condemned the plomos as forgeries.From Muslim to Christian Granada explores how the people of Granada created a new civic identity around these famous forgeries. Through an analysis of the sermons, ceremonies, histories, maps, and devotions that developed around the plomos, it examines the symbolic and mythological aspects of a new historical terrain upon which Granadinos located themselves and their city. Discussing the ways in which one local community’s collective identity was constructed and maintained, this work complements ongoing scholarship concerning the development of communal identities in modern Europe. Through its focus on the intersections of local religion and local identity, it offers new perspectives on the impact and implementation of Counter-Reformation Catholicism.
From My Briefcase
by David C. GibbsFrom the Introduction: "In this book, I have pulled out what was written in airplanes, motels, and courtrooms across America. Many chapters were written as I traveled through the night. My prayer is that what has come from my briefcase in over twenty years of defending Christians will be used to encourage, instruct, and above all else, honor the wonderful name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."