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The Blackwell Companion to The Problem of Evil
by Justin P. Mcbrayer Daniel Howard-SnyderThe Blackwell Companion to the Problem of Evil presents a collection of original essays providing both overview and insight, clarifying and evaluating the philosophical and theological "problem of evil" in its various contexts and manifestations.Features all original essays that explore the various forms of the problems of evil, offering theistic responses that attempt to explain evil as well as discussion of the challenges facing such explanationsIncludes section introductions with a historical essay that traces the developments of the issues exploredAcknowledges the fact that there are many problems of evil, some of which apply only to those who believe in concepts such as hell and some of which apply to non-theistsRepresents views from the various religious traditions, including Hindu, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim
The Blackwell Companion to the Bible and Culture (Wiley Blackwell Companions to Religion #7)
by John F. A. SawyerThe Blackwell Companion to the Bible and Culture provides readers with a concise, readable and scholarly introduction to twenty-first century approaches to the Bible. Consists of 30 articles written by distinguished specialists from around the world Draws on interdisciplinary and international examples to explore how the Bible has impacted on all the major social contexts where it has been influential – ancient, medieval and modern, world-wide Gives examples of how the Bible has influenced literature, art, music, history, religious studies, politics, ecology and sociology Each article is accompanied by a comprehensive bibliography Offers guidance on how to read the Bible and its many interpretations
The Blackwell Companion to the Bible in English Literature (Wiley Blackwell Companions to Religion #76)
by Emma Mason Christopher Rowland Jonathan Roberts Rebecca LemonThis Companion explores the Bible's role and influence on individual writers, whilst tracing the key developments of Biblical themes and literary theory through the ages. An ambitious overview of the Bible's impact on English literature – as arguably the most powerful work of literature in history – from the medieval period through to the twentieth-century Includes introductory sections to each period giving background information about the Bible as a source text in English literature, and placing writers in their historical context Draws on examples from medieval, early-modern, eighteenth-century and Romantic, Victorian, and Modernist literature Includes many 'secular' or 'anti-clerical' writers alongside their 'Christian' contemporaries, revealing how the Bible's text shifts and changes in the writing of each author who reads and studies it
The Blasphemer: The Price I Paid for Rejecting Islam
by Waleed Al-HusseiniThe Infuriating Tale Of A Young Palestinian Punished For Exercising His Freedom Of Speech.Like many of his generation, Waleed Al-Husseini began a blog in his twenties. However, unlike many, Waleed also had the misfortune of having been a blogger in Palestine; worse yet, he often criticized Islam and its adherents-and declared himself an apostate-in his writings. The Palestinian Authority did not take well to this and eventually put Waleed in jail without a trial or even a wisp of legal justification. As if this was not bad enough, they placed Waleed in solitary confinement. This state of affairs continued for 11 months. Over the course of this time, Waleed was tortured and suffered innumerable indignities and deprivations simply for having the audacity to speak his mind. Eventually his unjust imprisonment began to draw international attention from foreign governments and human rights organizations, which pressured the Palestinian Authority and finally forced it to provide him a trial and parole. After being paroled, Waleed fled Palestine, first to Jordan and then to France, where he has become an outspoken advocate for freedom of speech and a critic of the state of contemporary Islam. The Blasphemer is a sobering, impassioned recounting of this Kafkaesque experience as well as a searing polemic against the corruption and hypocrisy that define contemporary Palestine.
The Blavatskian and Biblical Roots of Krishnamurti’s Imagined Role (Gnostica)
by Al BoagThis book focuses on Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895–1986) and charts the development of his teaching. It covers the period from 1922, when Krishnamurti claimed he was “God,” until his death, including his declarations to be the World Teacher and eventual departure from the Theosophical Society. The author explores the understanding transmitted to Krishnamurti by his mentors as an inheritance from Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831–1891), the Theosophical Society co‑founder who is associated with the practice of occult breathless meditation. This book highlights that Krishnamurti’s writings and talks reveal his unacknowledged appropriation of the vocabulary of profound biblical motifs. It considers how Krishnamurti fashioned his life and teaching on the New Testament Gospels’ composite biography of Jesus and on biblical eschatological and Christological texts. The study will be of particular interest to students and scholars of esotericism, new religious movements and the history of religions.
The Blazing Inner Fire of Bliss and Emptiness: An Experiential Commentary on the Practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa (The Dechen Ling Practice Series)
by David GonsalezA set of commentaries that present some of the most rarefied and secret teachings within Tibetan Buddhism from the perspective of the Dalai Lama&’s Gelug school.The Blazing Inner Fire of Bliss and Emptiness presents lucid translations of a pair of detailed commentaries by the famed Tibetan tantric master Ngulchu Dharmabhadra (1772–1851), illuminating a set of extremely secret and restricted tantric practices of highest yoga tantra. The first of these commentaries details the practices of the Six Yogas of Naropa, one of the most celebrated and revered systems of completion-stage practice in Tibet. Dharmabhadra presents the Six Yogas by elaborating upon Lama Tsongkhapa&’s (1357–1419) masterpiece on the subject entitled Endowed with the Three Inspirations, which served as the basis for nearly all subsequent commentaries on the Six Yogas within the Gelug tradition. Ngulchu Dharmabhadra&’s commentary is unique in that it presents the Six Yogas within the context of Vajrayogini practice, making this book a perfect companion piece to The Extremely Secret Dakini of Naropa (Wisdom Publications, 2020). Also contained in this book is Ngulchu Dharmabhadra&’s lucid and concise commentary on the First Panchen Lama&’s (1570–1662) famous Supplication for Liberation from [Fear of] the Perilous Journey of the Intermediate State. The prayer—a beautiful literary contribution from the First Panchen Lama in its own right—invokes the immediacy of death and the potential to use the process of dying as an opportunity for liberation. The prayer extols the efficacy of the &“nine mixings&” of the completion stage as direct means of transforming our ordinary death process by using advanced yogas presented in the first commentary on the Six Yogas. Together, these works present the reader with a vast and profound vision of spiritual transformation—one in which every aspect of human experience can be used as an opportunity for transcendence and spiritual liberation.
The Bleeding Tree: A Pathway Through Grief Guided by Forests, Folk Tales and the Ritual Year
by Hollie StarlingIt was the last of the ebbing days, the brink of the new season. It was the murky hours, the clove between sunset and sunrise. It was a tall tree with deep roots and it had been bleeding for a long while.As summer falls into autumn, Hollie Starling is hit by the heart-stopping news that her father has died by suicide. Thrust into a state of 'grief on hard mode', Hollie feels underserved by current attitudes toward grief and so seeks another way through the dark.Following her first year without her father, Hollie embraces her lifelong interest in folklore and turns to the healing power of nature, the changing seasons and the rituals of ancient communities. The Bleeding Tree is an unflinching year-zero guidebook to grief that shows us that by looking back to past traditions of bereavement we can all find our own way forward.'Starling's account of family life is riveting and narrated with grace and honesty, counterpointing the personal with the mythic.' - Irish Times
The Blended Family Devotional for Couples: 52 Weeks of Growing Together, Leading Your Family, and Learning from God
by Emily JordanGrow closer as a couple and blended family with this Bible-based devotional Blending families brings its own unique challenges, but together with Christ you can all move toward love, happiness, and healing. This encouraging book provides you and your partner a year of Bible-based devotions that will help you navigate the adventure of a blended family. What sets this parenting and relationship book apart from other devotional books: 52 inspiring devotions—Find ways to grow as a family with weekly devotions that focus on a specific theme, including —serving God together, patience, and grace. Bonding activities and actions—Deepen your connection by repeating your wedding vows to each other, practicing empathy for family members, and more. Guided prayer—Through God, you'll open your eyes to new ways of understanding, learn how to be honest and build trust, and heal your heart so you can love your family even more. Set the tone for your relationship and create a firm foundation for your family with The Blended Family Devotional for Couples.
The Bless Me, Father Series Books 1–5: Bless Me, Father; A Father Before Christmas; Father in a Fix; Bless Me Again, Father; and Father Under Fire (Bless Me, Father)
by Neil BoydThis acclaimed series that inspired a hit London Weekend Television sitcom is &“a long, gentle breeze of humour&” (James Herriot). Based on the author&’s real-life experiences after completing seminary and later adapted into a beloved British sitcom, these five novels are a humorous and sweet-natured look at Catholicism in the 1950s. Readers of all creeds will enjoy Father Neil&’s adventures at St. Jude&’s parish, a corner of London with a raucous congregation full of Irish immigrants. Bless Me, Father: Young Neil Boyd has just finished divinity school. A newly ordained priest, his first post is at St. Jude&’s parish where he meets the cantankerous, scheming, and brilliant Father Duddleswell and Mrs. Pring, the sharp-tongued housekeeper. Father Duddleswell is willing to do anything to make sure the Lord&’s will be done, from placing a bet to obstructing an interdenominational love affair. A Father Before Christmas: The holiday season is among the most hectic times at St. Jude&’s, and this year is no exception for Father Neil. As always, he has his hands full with Father Duddleswell, who has decided to invite all the other sects of Christianity to celebrate Christmas with them. The plan quickly unravels when two religious leaders from another denomination try to convert Father Neil and a clock goes missing—as does the church collection. Father in a Fix: After six months at St. Jude&’s, Father Neil makes a New Year&’s resolution to wise up. With the crazy collection of characters at his parish, this will be no easy feat, especially when Father Duddleswell is named the prime suspect in the killing of a gambling parishioner&’s smelly pig and a generous attempt to give the suspected butcher a day off goes zanily haywire. Bless Me Again, Father: After finishing his first year at St. Jude&’s, Father Neil finally feels as if he has his feet firmly planted on the ground. But the parish is still full of surprises, and the clergy are confronted with all manner of crisis. First, there is the dilemma of Dr. Daley, whose drinking is causing his health to deteriorate but who worries that sobriety will ruin his personality. Then, much to Father Duddleswell&’s chagrin, a new donkey overruns the church, followed by a fresh litter of kittens. Father Under Fire: As St. Jude&’s adds another member to its clergy—Father Abe, an octogenarian with an agenda of his own—the church staff finds themselves embroiled in a rivalry among undertakers, a visit during Holy Week from the bishop with the longest rosary on record, a harebrained scheme to promote holy water as a fertility enhancer, and a night spent under a pool table during a pilgrimage.
The Blessed Abyss: Inmate #6582 in Ravensbrück Concentration Camp for Women
by Hester Baer Elizabeth R. Baer Nanda HerbermannOn February 4, 1941, Nanda Herbermann, a German Catholic writer and editor, was arrested by the Gestapo in Münster, Germany. Accused of collaboration with the Catholic movement, Herbermann was deported to Ravensbrück Concentration Camp for Women in July 1941 and later released upon direct orders from Heinrich Himmler on March 19, 1943. Although she was instructed by the Gestapo not to reveal information about the camp, Herbermann soon began to record her memories of her experiences. The Blessed Abyss was originally published in German under the imprint of the Allied occupation forces in 1946, and it now appears in English for the first time. Hester Baer and Elizabeth Baer include an extensive introduction that situates Herbermann's work within current debates about gender and the Holocaust and provides historical and biographical information about Herbermann, Ravensbrück, and the Third Reich.
The Blessed Christian Family
by Dr. Yunus CiptawilanggaAs for this second book, each topic of the books explains the following matters:The Blessed Christian FamilyFamily is a unit created by God Himself. Since the very beginning when God created man, He planned to make man as the object of His love. This book explains what kind of people are blessed with a good family and what kind of blessed family God promised.Family WorshipInviting God to be present in our homes is the core or essence of family worship which was revealed by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 18:19-20.The writer&’s family has been doing family worship for more than twenty-five years and he give an example of the liturgy of family worship they usually do. He also explained the blessing he and the rest of his family received because of this family worship.The Major MinistryServing or ministering is not an unfamiliar word for God&’s children, and if we intend to discuss matters related to service or ministry, certainly there are many related aspects we can dig into. Therefore, this book discusses only two of them. Those are:The concept or perception of ministry.The major ministry.BlessingsSince 2003 the writer has been spending time to make a study of blessings. Why? Because the writer wondered why God has been so kind and generous to him and his family. This book explained that in fact God has provided incredible blessings for us and the writer will discuss only 7 greatest blessings. What are they, and how can we get them, and where do they come from.Our Attitude in the House of GodMany people assume that because we are saved by grace, we may act at will in worship. If we read Isaiah 1:10-15 we will find out that God was so angry at people who entered God&’s house improperly, exceeding His wrath to the idol worshippers. Why was so? Because when we enter the house of God in inappropriate manners and attitudes, we are actually insulting God as the owner of the house. And the Lord pronounces His punishment to those who insult Him.Worship the Father in Spirit and in TruthJohn 4:20-24 explains three types of worship, namely:Worship prior to the existence of the Law.Worship based on the Law.Worship in spirit and in truth, that is applying the Word of God in every second of our lives wherever we are.To be Children of God or Servants of GodToday there are many Christian sermons and songs with the theme that &“Our life is for serving God.&”If we read Luke 10:38-42 which tells about Maria and Marta, Jesus said that sitting at the Lord&’s feet and listening to His Words considered to be the best choice, because God has made us His children so as to become the object of His love! For to be near to God and keep listening to His Words will enable us to draw closer to Him and get a deeper relationship with Him, to understand His will so that we can do His will and become God-pleasing children.
The Blessed Trinity and Our Christian Vocation
by James SociasThe Blessed Trinity takes an in-depth look at the mystery of the Blessed Trinity as revealed in Sacred Scripture. Analyzing the Divine Life of God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--it presents a detailed look at the Person of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Divine Revelation, the role of the * Holy Spirit in the Christian life, and how we can know the Father through the Son. It also examines the Christian vocation and how God invites us to be in communion with him.
The Blessed Virgin Mary (Guides to Theology)
by Tim Perry Daniel KendallThis volume provides a concise, nontechnical historical introduction to the church's thinking about Mary, the mother of Jesus. The first part of the book sketches the development of Marian thought from the second century to the twentieth century. The second part contains an annotated bibliography of the most important and accessible English-language works on Mary.Tim Perry, an evangelical Anglican priest, and Daniel Kendall, a Roman Catholic Jesuit priest, have joined across the Reformation divide to provide an irenic, balanced volume for students and general readers interested in this most remarkable woman and the ways in which she has shaped Christian thought.
The Blessed Woman: Learning About Grace from the Women of the Bible
by Debbie MorrisDiscover the True Meaning of Being Blessed It's not easy being a woman. The demands and expectations of us, and those we place on ourselves, can be overwhelming. While trying to navigate this thing called "life," have you ever longed for a close friend, confidant, or mentor to walk alongside you and encourage you in Biblical womanhood? Debbie Morris did. And yet even as a young minister's wife, she found herself without someone to fill this all-important role. So she turned to the Bible. Biblical women such as Eve, Sarah, and Miriam had always fascinated her. But now they also became her friends, sisters, and teachers. Through their stories, the Holy Spirit revealed how their lives--both joys and struggles--weren't that much different from ours today and how they can teach women today to be a grace-filled, life-giving woman of God. In The Blessed Woman, Debbie invites you to learn from these women as well. As she shares her own stories and the stories of discerning women in the Bible, she addresses topics such as overcoming insecurity, finding purpose, establishing priorities, letting go, and waiting. The Blessed Woman reminds us how God longs for every woman to experience His tenderness--and to know the true meaning of being blessed.
The Blessed and Boundless God
by George SwinnockFrom the psalmist's assertion that no one in heaven or earth is like God, George Swinnock derives his principal doctrine: namely, God is incomparable. Throughout The Blessed and Boundless God, he proves his doctrine by demonstrating God's incomparableness in His being, attributes, works, and words. Swinnock is a pastor-theologian who views theology as the means by which we grow in acquaintance with God and, consequently, in godliness. Therefore, he carefully applies his doctrine by demonstrating how God's incomparableness informs, counsels, and comforts us. Read this book prayerfully, thoughtfully, and expectantly, keeping in mind Swinnock's simple conviction that when we take the incomparable God as our God, we are incomparably blessed.
The Blessing
by Gary Smalley John TrentExplains how the biblical gift of "the blessing" is the key to one's self-worth and emotional well-being. Every human needs the gift of "the blessing"--the unconditional love and approval that comes from a healthy relationship with one's parents. In this update to the best-selling classic The Blessing, coauthors John Trent and Gary Smalley offer a fresh perspective on this life-changing gift with solid, practical advice on how to be a blessing as well as how to insure that your parents, spouse, and children all feel the security of family approval. The Blessing powerfully communicates biblical truths on how to instill self-worth and emotional well-being into others based on these five essential elements: Meaningful touch A spoken message Attaching high value Picturing a special future An active commitment No matter the age, the approval of our parents affects how we view ourselves and how we relate to others. So what if we've missed it? The final chapters explain what happens to children who do and how they can learn to live apart from the blessing.
The Blessing Cup (Paula Wiseman Books)
by Patricia PolaccoA New York Times bestseller <P><P>A bond of love unites a family throughout generations in this companion to the beloved and bestselling classic The Keeping Quilt. <P><P>As a young Russian Jewish girl in the early 1900s, Anna and her family lived in fear of the Czar’s soldiers. The family lived a hard life and had few possessions—their treasure was a beautiful china tea set. A wedding gift to Anna’s parents, the tea set came with a wish that “Anyone who drinks from this will have blessings from God. They will never know a day of hunger. Their lives will always have flavor. They will know love and joy and they will never be poor.” <P><P>When Anna’s family leaves Russia for America, they bring the tea set and its blessings. A source of heritage and security, the tea set helps Anna’s family make friends and find better lives in America. A cup from the tea set—The Blessing Cup—became an anchor of family history, and it remains a symbol of lasting love more than a century later. <P><P>Lexile Measure: 740L
The Blessing and the Curse: Jewish People And Their Books In The Twentieth Century
by Adam KirschAn erudite and accessible survey of Jewish life and culture in the twentieth century, as reflected in seminal texts. Following The People and the Books, which "covers more than 2,500 years of highly variegated Jewish cultural expression" (Robert Alter, New York Times Book Review), poet and literary critic Adam Kirsch now turns to the story of modern Jewish literature. From the vast emigration of Jews out of Eastern Europe to the Holocaust to the creation of Israel, the twentieth century transformed Jewish life. The same was true of Jewish writing: the novels, plays, poems, and memoirs of Jewish writers provided intimate access to new worlds of experience. Kirsch surveys four themes that shaped the twentieth century in Jewish literature and culture: Europe, America, Israel, and the endeavor to reimagine Judaism as a modern faith. With discussions of major books by over thirty writers—ranging from Franz Kafka to Philip Roth, Elie Wiesel to Tony Kushner, Hannah Arendt to Judith Plaskow—he argues that literature offers a new way to think about what it means to be Jewish in the modern world. With a wide scope and diverse, original observations, Kirsch draws fascinating parallels between familiar writers and their less familiar counterparts. While everyone knows the diary of Anne Frank, for example, few outside of Israel have read the diary of Hannah Senesh. Kirsch sheds new light on the literature of the Holocaust through the work of Primo Levi, explores the emergence of America as a Jewish home through the stories of Bernard Malamud, and shows how Yehuda Amichai captured the paradoxes of Israeli identity. An insightful and engaging work from "one of America’s finest literary critics" (Wall Street Journal), The Blessing and the Curse brings the Jewish experience vividly to life.
The Blessing of Simple Gestures: Nourishing The Relationships That Brighten Our Days
by Aleta HarrisThe Blessing of Simple Gestures is a delightful walk into a world of encouragement – both our desire to receive it and also to share it with others. You can change your world, beginning in your sphere of influence, by letting these ideas open doors to enrich the relationships that you hold close.The truth is that we often neglect to show gratitude for or to nourish the relationships that God has brought into our journey through life. The sections of this book show how to incorporate a common item or thought to create an indelible, positive impression of hope or joy or appreciation. In a world where the message is so often negative, we need to hear a word of encouragement and hope. We need to know that we are not alone in this journey of life and that it is the relationship of friends and family that make each step an enjoyable one.So, for those of you who find it a bit of a challenge to know just how to say what is in your heart, let this book act as the catalyst that will launch you into the world of life-changing encouragers. You will find that your heart will also be encouraged.
The Blessing of Waters and Epiphany: The Eastern Liturgical Tradition (Liturgy, Worship and Society Series)
by Nicholas E. DenysenkoThis book examines the historical development of the blessing of waters and its theology in the East, with an emphasis on the Byzantine tradition. Exploring how Eastern Christians have sought these waters as a source of healing, purification, and communion with God, Denysenko unpacks their euchology and ritual context. The history and theology of the blessing of waters on Epiphany is informative for contemporary theologians, historians, pastors and students. Offering important insights into how Christians renew Baptism in receiving the blessed waters, this book also proposes new perspectives for theologizing Christian stewardship of ecology in the modern era based on a patristic liturgical synthesis. Denysenko presents an alternative framework for understanding the activity of the Trinity, enabling readers to encounter a vision of how participants encounter God in and after ritual.
The Blessing of You
by Mark Batterson Summer Batterson DaileyThrough engaging rhyme, pastor and bestselling author Mark Batterson and his daughter encourage young children to discover the joys of both counting their blessings and being a blessing to others.Count your blessings two by two— and bless the world with the blessing of YOU!God&’s blessings can be found all around us, and even young children can learn to see and appreciate these gifts—from the smell of freshly baked cookies to the joy of climbing a tree! But God doesn&’t just intend for us to receive blessings; He also wants us to bless others.With whimsical rhyme and delightful illustrations, The Blessing of You helps young children recognize signs of God&’s generosity and goodness in their everyday lives and encourages them to pass on those blessings by being their own wonderful, God-created selves.
The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: Using Timeless Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Children (Compass Ser.)
by Wendy MogelIn the trenches of a typical day, every parent encounters a child afflicted with ingratitude and entitlement. In a world where material abundance abounds, parents want so badly to raise self-disciplined, appreciative, and resourceful children who are not spoiled by the plentitude around them. But how to accomplish this feat? The answer has eluded the best-intentioned mothers and fathers who overprotect, overindulge, and overschedule their children's lives. Dr. Mogel helps parents learn how to turn their children's worst traits into their greatest attributes. Starting with stories of everyday parenting problems and examining them through the lens of the Torah, the Talmud, and important Jewish teachings, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee shows parents how to teach children to honor their parents and to respect others, escape the danger of overvaluing children's need for self-expression so that their kids don't become "little attorneys," accept that their children are both ordinary and unique, and treasure the power and holiness of the present moment. It is Mogel's singular achievement that she makes these teachings relevant for any era and any household of any faith. A unique parenting book, designed for use both in the home and in parenting classes, with an on-line teaching guide to help facilitate its use, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee is both inspiring and effective in the day-to-day challenge of raising self-reliant children.
The Blessing: Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance
by Gary Smalley John Trent Kari Trent StagebergChildren of every age long for the gift of The Blessing—the unconditional love and approval that comes from a healthy relationship with their parents. This life-changing gift for Christian parents and their children, essential for instilling a deep sense of self-worth and unshakable emotional well-being, contains five essential elements:meaningful toucha spoken messageattaching high valuepicturing a special futurean active commitmentOffering solid, practical advice and a fresh perspective on making this gift a bigger part of our families, The Blessing powerfully communicates these biblically based elements as necessary to prepare children for positive future relationships, including their relationship with a loving God.New to this updated edition aregiving The Blessing to others in your circle of influence,practical application tools and stories of how this is lived out,insight and help for those who didn’t receive The Blessing,and how to create a lifestyle of blessing others.
The Blessings of Brokenness: Why God Allows Us to Go Through Hard Times
by Charles StanleyPerhaps you've already experienced circumstances so shattering you may wonder today whether it's even possible to pick up the pieces. And maybe you can't. But God can -- and the good news is, he wants to reassemble the shards of your life into a wholeness that only the broken can know.
The Blessings of Friendship Treasury
by ZondervanThe Blessings of Friendship, created by New York Times bestselling author and artist Mary Engelbreit, is a playful and poignant treasury of poetry, Bible verses, and quotes that celebrate the joy of friendship. Children will learn from timeless sayings and poems what it means to be a friend—helping, encouraging, listening, sharing with, and loving one another. Colorful and whimsical illustrations bring these words to life, as children learn the value of friendship. Verses from the Bible give us instruction on putting others above ourselves, loving each other, and being kind to one another. This book will make you smile with each turn of the page, remembering old friends and new friends alike.