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Mystery of the Magi: The Quest to Identify the Three Wise Men
by Dwight Longenecker"How utterly refreshing and encouraging to read Fr. Longenecker's extraordinary ruminations on something we all thought we understood, and obviously hardly begin to understand, until now. That he has dug so deep—so we can see things we have never seen before—is a testament both to his archaeological implacability and genius and to the happy fact that God has hidden endless treasures in the Scriptures for our benefit. <P><P> —Eric Metaxas, New York Times bestselling author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and Martin Luther <P><P> Modern biblical scholars tend to dismiss the Christmas story of the “wise men from the East” as pious legend. Matthew’s gospel offers few details, but imaginative Christians filled out the story early on, giving us the three kings guided by a magical star who join the adoring shepherds in every Christmas crèche. For many scholars, then, there is no reason to take the gospel story seriously. But are they right? Are the wise men no more than a poetic fancy? In an astonishing feat of detective work, Dwight Longenecker makes a powerful case that the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem really happened. Piecing together the evidence from biblical studies, history, archeology, and astronomy, he goes further, uncovering where they came from, why they came, and what might have happened to them after eluding the murderous King Herod. In the process, he provides a new and fascinating view of the time and place in which Jesus Christ chose to enter the world. The evidence is clear and compelling. The mysterious Magi from the East were in all likelihood astrologers and counselors from the court of the Nabatean king at Petra, where the Hebrew messianic prophecies were well known. The “star” that inspired their journey was a particular planetary alignment—confirmed by computer models—that in the astrological lore of the time portended the birth of a Jewish king. The visitors whose arrival troubled Herod “and all Jerusalem with him” may not have been the turbaned oriental kings of the Christmas carol, but they were real, and by demonstrating that the wise men were no fairy tale, Mystery of the Magi demands a new level of respect for the historical claims of the gospel.
Mystery of the Missing Jars (Gospel Time Trekkers #4)
by Maria Grace Dateno FSP Paul CunninghamIn this fourth volume of the Gospel Time Trekkers series, children ages 6-8 are taken on a journey that imaginatively retraces Jesus raising Jairus' daughter, Sarah, from the dead, revealing that "being raised to new life" has more than one meaning!
Mystery of the Silver Coins (Viking Quest Series #2)
by Lois Walfrid JohnsonIn this second installment of the Viking Quest series, Bree finds herself in a physical and spiritual battle for survival. With another young slave, she makes a daring escape from the ship as soon as it reaches harbor. They hide in the woods as Mikkel and his Viking sailors begin a relentless search, certain that Bree is responsible for a missing bag of silver coins. Bree must face her unwillingless to forgive the Vikings, and Mikkel begins to wonder: Is the God of these Irish Christians really more powerful than our own Viking gods?
Mystery of the Silver Coins (Viking Quest Series #2)
by Lois Walfrid JohnsonIn this second installment of the Viking Quest series, Bree finds herself in a physical and spiritual battle for survival. With another young slave, she makes a daring escape from the ship as soon as it reaches harbor. They hide in the woods as Mikkel and his Viking sailors begin a relentless search, certain that Bree is responsible for a missing bag of silver coins. Bree must face her unwillingless to forgive the Vikings, and Mikkel begins to wonder: Is the God of these Irish Christians really more powerful than our own Viking gods?
Mystery on Mirror Mountain: A Mirror Mountain Adventure (Mirror Mountain Adventure #1)
by Wynnette FraserJohnny Finlay thought living on Mirror Mountain was about the greatest thing that could happen to a kid. But then the judge said he had to go back down the mountain to school. Three years was a long time to be away from school... and friends. Everything seemed harder--especially making new friends. He didn't seem to fit in. Johnny yearns to stay on the mountain and help his Great Aunt Lou with her wild herb business. But whether he's on the mountain or in school, Johnny struggles to " let God stand up tall and strong inside him," because as Aunt Lou reminds him, "The Lord don't come into nobody just to set down and twiddle His thumbs." Eleven-year-old Johnny's fears about returning to school after a three-year absence dissipate when he meets a sympathetic teacher and makes a new friend who is interested in his life on Mirror Mountain. Read the other exciting books about life in the mountains in this series including #2. Courage on Mirror Mountain. with more on the way.
Mystic Christianity
by Yogi RamacharakaThis mystic book by William Walker Atkinson (pseudonymous Yogi Ramacharaka) were first published as lessons and addresses the mystery of the virgin birth, the mystic youth of Jesus, the inner teachings, the secret doctrine, the ancient wisdom etc.
Mystic Christianity or The Inner Teachings of the Master
by Yogi RamacharakaAccording to the author, most of us receive only the "outer" teachings of Christianity. These are not substantially complete. The more fully developed understanding was made available only to an Inner Circle of believers, originally consisting mainly of The Twelve (apostles). The inner circle experienced greater teaching, both in a theoretical sense and in an experiential or transformational sense. From ancient times to the present, these inner teachings have been brought forward continuously, but only to a restricted audience of Occultists of the tradition.
Mystic Cults in Magna Graecia
by Giovanni Casadio Patricia A. JohnstonIn Vergil's Aeneid, the poet implies that those who have been initiated into mystery cults enjoy a blessed situation both in life and after death. This collection of essays brings new insight to the study of mystic cults in the ancient world, particularly those that flourished in Magna Graecia (essentially the area of present-day Southern Italy and Sicily). Implementing a variety of methodologies, the contributors to Mystic Cults in Magna Graecia examine an array of features associated with such "mystery religions" that were concerned with individual salvation through initiation and hidden knowledge rather than civic cults directed toward Olympian deities usually associated with Greek religion. Contributors present contemporary theories of ancient religion, field reports from recent archaeological work, and other frameworks for exploring mystic cults in general and individual deities specifically, with observations about cultural interactions throughout. Topics include Dionysos and Orpheus, the Goddess Cults, Isis in Italy, and Roman Mithras, explored by an international array of scholars including Giulia Sfameni Gasparro ("Aspects of the Cult of Demeter in Magna Graecia") and Alberto Bernabé ("Imago Inferorum Orphica"). The resulting volume illuminates this often misunderstood range of religious phenomena.
Mystic Sweet Communion
by Jane KirkpatrickSet in turn-of-the-century Florida, this frontier saga traces the life of Ivy Cromartie Stranahan, the first English-speaking teacher in the region, as she struggles to teach school in the Seminole Nation and lead Indian families to Christ. Ivy is disliked by tribal leaders in spite of her obvious love for their children, yet she eventually overcomes their resistance and serves as their spokesman in negotiations with the U S government. Already scarred by her mother's tragic death in childbirth, Ivy overcomes her husband's suicide and other devastating disappointments to share her faith with her adopted people and eventually earn their love. In 1900, Ivy Cromartie Stranahan gives up a promising teaching career to join her husband at the remote New River trading post in south Florida - but she doesn't give up her love for learning or her passion for righting wrongs. In this remarkable story of God's faithfulness and one woman's commitment, Ivy becomes a friend to the Seminole people, their teacher of forbidden English and the Christian faith, and finally, their spokesperson in a time of turmoil. Like all of us who search for meaning, Ivy yearns to experience the power of faith, understand the limitation of human protection, and learn the importance of perseverance in caring for those we love. She finds them in Mystic Sweet Communion.
Mystic in Motley: The Life of St. Philip Neri
by Theodore MaynardShould the title of this book appear startling, the life of the sixteenth-century saint described will appear no less so. To play the fool for the love of God was the delight of St. Philip Neri. Jesting was almost native to him, and a welcome joke book, the product of an age-long Christian culture. But it was his motive that supernaturalized his jocularity. Philip Neri lived in the sixteenth century, the era of the Reformation, the Counter-reformation, the corruption of Popes and clergy, and the making of great saints.
Mystical Anthropology: Authors from the Low Countries (Contemporary Theological Explorations in Mysticism)
by John Arblaster Rob FaesenThe question of the ‘structure’ of the human person is central to many mystical authors in the Christian tradition. This book focuses on the specific anthropology of a series of key authors in the mystical tradition in the medieval and early modern Low Countries. Their view is fundamentally different from the anthropology that has commonly been accepted since the rise of Modernity. This book explores the most important mystical authors and texts from the Low Countries including: William of Saint-Thierry, Hadewijch, Pseudo-Hadewijch, John of Ruusbroec, Jan van Leeuwen, Hendrik Herp, and the Arnhem Mystical Sermons. The most important aspects of mystical anthropology are discussed: the spiritual nature of the soul, the inner-most being of the soul, the faculties, the senses, and crucial metaphors which were used to explain the relationship of God and the human person. Two contributions explicitly connect the anthropology of the mystics to contemporary thought. This book offers a solid and yet accessible overview for those interested in theology, philosophy, history, and medieval literature.
Mystical Bodies, Mystical Meals: Eating and Embodiment in Medieval Kabbalah
by Joel HeckerMystical Bodies, Mystical Meals is the first book-length study of mystical eating practices and experiences in the kabbalah. Focusing on the Jewish mystical literature of late-thirteenth-century Spain, author Joel Hecker analyzes the ways in which the Zohar and other contemporaneous literature represent mystical attainment in their homilies about eating. What emerges is not only consideration of eating practices but, more broadly, the effects such practices and experiences have on the bodies of its practitioners.
Mystical Body, Mystical Voice: Encountering Christ in the Words of the Mass
by Christopher Carstens Douglas MartisAs an initiative of the Liturgical Institute at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake and Liturgy Training Publications, Mystical Body, Mystical Voice: Encountering Christ in the Words of the Mass, uses the texts of the third typical edition of the Roman Missal to illustrate how the liturgy is enriched and the Church's understanding of the Second Vatican Council is deepened through the translation of the Missal. This book is not simply a guide that explains the revised texts as if we were simply changing the words we say at Mass; rather, it seizes the opportunity of the promulgation of the third edition of The Roman Missal as a valuable vehicle for liturgical catechesis.
Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God
by Mary Of Agreda Fiscar Marison George J. BlatterHistory of the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as revealed by Our Lady to this 17th-century Spanish nun. Venerable Mary of Agreda saw in ecstasy all the events recorded here. Later, Our Lady told her to write them down in a book. More than just the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, this book also contains information about the creation of the world, the meaning of the Apocalypse, Lucifer's rebellion, the location of Hell, the hidden life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, intimate details about Our Lord's life, and many other enthralling topics.
Mystical Crystals: Magical Stones and Gems for Health, Wealth, and Happiness
by Cerridwen GreenleafDiscover how to improve your life with the power of crystals in this comprehensive guide from the author of The Practical Witch’s Spell Book.Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to using gemstones or crystals, this beautifully illustrated guide by Cerridwen Greenleaf has got you covered. Greenleaf has conducted workshops and retreats throughout the United States, leading participants in mysticism and spirituality practices. Backed by her experience, Greenleaf guides readers in each chapter of this book, teaching you about crystals, gems, minerals, and their various healing qualities.Rocks and gems have been a part of the human experience for millennia. We have a source of healing energy right at our fingertips! Each stone brings its own inherent quality and interacts with us in different ways, and Greenleaf shares with us how best to choose from this trove of life-changing sacred stones.We could all use some positive energy in our lives. Crystals and healing stones can create a flow of positive energy into the places we need it most. Whether that’s our love life, work life, or home life, using crystals daily can bring peace of mind and greater prosperity to each area of our life that’s hurting.In this insightful book for mystics and seekers of spirituality, you will find . . .Chapters such as “Birthstone Secrets: Discovering Your 4 Soul Stones,” “Tranquility Touchstones: Stress-Reducing Rocks,” and “Crystal Charms: How to Choose and Make Change-Your-Life Jewelry”Detailed information on healing crystals and stones to accommodate each and every area of your lifeA source of help, healing, and stress-busting guidance through channeling positive energy
Mystical Dimensions of Islam
by Annemarie SchimmelThus, to set out and delineate some main features of Sufism, both historically and phenomenologically, will yield no result that satisfies everybody.
Mystical Dimensions of Islam
by Annemarie SchimmelThirty-five years after its original publication, Mystical Dimensions of Islam still stands as the most valuable introduction to Sufism, the main form of Islamic mysticism. This edition brings to a new generation of readers Annemarie Schimmel's historical treatment of the transnational phenomenon of Sufism, from its beginnings through the nineteenth century.Schimmel's sensitivity and deep understanding of Sufism--its origins, development, and historical context--as well as her erudite examination of Sufism as reflected in Islamic poetry, draw readers into the mood, the vision, and the way of the Sufi. In the foreword, distinguished Islam scholar Carl W. Ernst comments on the continuing vitality of Schimmel's book and the advances in the study of Sufism that have occurred since the work first appeared.
Mystical Doctrines of Deification: Case Studies in the Christian Tradition (Contemporary Theological Explorations in Mysticism)
by John Arblaster Rob FaesenThe notion of the deification of the human person (theosis, theopoièsis, deificatio) was one of the most fundamental themes of Christian theology in its first centuries, especially in the Greek world. It is often assumed that this theme was exclusively developed in Eastern theology after the patristic period, and thus its presence in the theology of the Latin West is generally overlooked. The aim of this collection is to explore some Patristic articulations of the doctrine in both the East and West, but also to highlight its enduring presence in the Western tradition and its relevance for contemporary thought. The collection thus brings together a number of capita selecta that focus on the development of theosis through the ages until the Early Modern Period. It is unique, not only in emphasising the role of theosis in the West, but also in bringing to the fore a number of little-known authors and texts, and analysing their theology from a variety of fresh perspectives. Thus, mystical theology in the West is shown to have profound connections with similar concerns in the East and with the common patristic sources. By tying these traditions together, this volume brings new insight to one of mysticism’s key concerns. As such, it will be of significant interest to scholars of religious studies, mysticism, theology and the history of religion.
Mystical Dragon Magick: Teachings of the Five Inner Rings
by D. J. ConwayTake your dragon magick to the highest level. From Apprentice to Enchanter, Shaman to Warrior, and finally culminating as Mystic, the five levels of initiation to high dragon magick are decoded in this companion to celebrated author D.J. Conway's bestselling Dancing with Dragons. On your journey through each of the Inner Rings, you will be guided along a higher path of spiritual consciousness while your spellwork is strengthened and enhanced.Discover how to attract dragons, draw on their legendary energy and wisdom, and partner with them as co-magicians. Incorporate herbal spells, choose appropriate ritual tools and codes, and find magickal color associations You will also learn many practical methods for working dragon magick—using amulets and talismans, planetary powers, divination, crystals, healing, astral projection, scrying, and more.Praise:"A unique, one-of-a-kind tome and a welcome addition to the growing body of metaphysical lore."—Midwest Book Review"A personal devotion and an academic work of the highest order."—The Dragon Chronicle (UK)"Dragon-lovers everywhere will like this book."—Prediction
Mystical Experience of God: A Philosophical Inquiry (Routledge Revivals)
by Jerome GellmanThis title was first published in 2001: Engaging contemporary discussion concerning the validity of mystical experiences of God, Jerome Gellman presents the best evidential case in favor of validity and its implications for belief in God. Gellman vigorously defends the coherence of the concept of a mystical experience of God against philosophical objections, and evaluates attempts to provide alternative explanations from sociology and neuropsychology. He then carefully examines feminist objections to male philosophers' treatments of mystical experience of God and to the traditional hierarchal concept of God. Gellman finds none of the objections decisive, and concludes that while the initial evidential case is not rationally compelling for some, it can be rationally compelling for others. Offering important new perspectives on the evidential value of experiences of God, and the concept of God more broadly, this book will appeal to a wide range of readers including those with an interest in philosophy of religion, religious studies, mysticism and epistemology.
Mystical Experiences in 30 Days: The Higher Consciousness Program (In 30 Days)
by Pamela Weintraub Keith HararyThe exercises in Mystical Experiences in 30 Days by Keith Harary, PhD, and Pamela Weintraub teach readers to pay attention to subtle feelings, ideas, and capabilities just beneath everyday awareness. By shifting consciousness from mundane concerns, readers can learn to experience life from the vantage point of the sage.
Mystical Paths to God: Three Journeys
by Brother LawrenceCollected in this Omnibus edition are three classic works exploring the mystical nature of God. Included are The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila, and Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross. The Practice of the Presence of God is one of the most beautiful and touching stories of Christian devotion ever written. Brother Lawrence was a Carmelite Brother known for his profound peace and deep relationship with God; many came to seek spiritual guidance from him. The wisdom that he passed on to them, in conversations and in letters, would later become the basis for the book. This edition has two translations of this book to help the reader find a more complete understanding of this wonderful and enduring story. This is the definitive edition of St. Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle: translated by E. Allison Peers. This mystic book is as inspirational and enlightening today as it was when it was first written. St. Teresa lays out the foundation for an ideal journey of faith. St. Teresa was a reformer of the Carmelite Order and is considered to be, along with Saint John of the Cross, a founder of the Discalced Carmelites. She became the first female to be named a Doctor of the Church, in 1970, and is one of only three females to be awarded that honor. St. John of the Cross was a Carmelite friar and priest; he is renowned for his cooperation with Saint Teresa of Ávila in the reformation of the Carmelite order, and for his poetry and his studies on the growth of the soul. Dark Night of the Soul is considered one of the greatest religious poems ever written. This masterpiece of Mystic Christianity examines faith and how to keep faith when all seems lost. Think of it as guide to making it through the dark night of the soul to the brighter, happier, faith filled tomorrow that awaits.
Mystical Poems of Rumi
by Jalal al-Din Rumi A. J. Arberry Hasan JavadiMy verse resembles the bread of Egypt--night passes over it, and you cannot eat it any more. Devour it the moment it is fresh, before the dust settles upon it. Its place is the warm climate of the heart; in this world it dies of cold. Like a fish it quivered for an instant on dry land, another moment and you see it is cold. Even if you eat it imagining it is fresh, it is necessary to conjure up many images. What you drink is really your own imagination; it is no old tale, my good man. Jalal al-Din Rumi (1207-73), legendary Persian Muslim poet, theologian, and mystic, wrote poems acclaimed through the centuries for their powerful spiritual images and provocative content, which often described Rumi's love for God in romantic or erotic terms. His vast body of work includes more than three thousand lyrics and odes. This volume includes four hundred poems selected by renowned Rumi scholar A. J. Arberry, who provides here one of the most comprehensive and adept English translations of this enigmatic genius Mystical Poems is the definitive resource for anyone seeking an introduction to or an enriched understanding of one of the world's greatest poets. "Rumi is one of the world's greatest lyrical poets in any language--as well as probably the most accessible and approachable representative of Islamic civilization for Western students. "--James W. Morris, Oberlin College
Mystical Theology and Contemporary Spiritual Practice: Renewing the Contemplative Tradition (Contemporary Theological Explorations in Mysticism)
by Peter Tyler Christopher C. Cook Julienne McLeanIn Mystical Theology and Contemporary Spiritual Practice several leading scholars explore key themes within the Christian mystical tradition, contemporary and historical. The overall aim of the book is to demonstrate the relevance of mystical theology to contemporary spiritual practice. Attention is given to the works of Baron von Hugel, Vladimir Lossky, Margery Kempe, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Thomas Merton, and Francisco de Osuna, as well as to a wide range of spiritual practices, including pilgrimage, spiritual direction, contemplative prayer and the quotidian spirituality of the New Monasticism. Christian mystical theology is shown to be a living tradition, which has vibrant and creative new expressions in contemporary spiritual practice. It is argued that mystical theology affirms something both ordinary and extraordinary which is fundamental to the Christian experience of prayer.
Mystical Theology and Continental Philosophy: Interchange in the Wake of God (Contemporary Theological Explorations in Mysticism)
by David Lewin Duane Williams Simon D. PodmoreExploration of the interface between mystical theology and continental philosophy is a defining feature of the current intellectual and even devotional climate. But to what extent and in what depth are these disciplines actually speaking to one another; or even speaking about the same phenomena? This book draws together original contributions by leading and emerging international scholars, delineating emerging debates in this growing and dynamic field of research, and spanning mystical and philosophical traditions from the ancient, to the medieval, modern, and contemporary. At the heart of which lies Meister Eckhart, perhaps the single most influential Christian mystic for modern times. The book is organised around significant historical and contemporary figures who speak across the intersections of philosophy and theology, offering new insights into key interlocutors such as Pseudo-Dionysius, Augustine, Isaac Luria, Eckhart, Hegel, Heidegger, Marion, Kierkegaard, Deleuze, Laruelle, and Žižek. Designed both to contribute to current trends in mystical theology and philosophy, and elicit dialogue and debate from further afield, this book speaks within an emerging space exploring the retrieval of the mystical within a post-secular context.