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The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess: 10th Anniversary Edition
by StarhawkThe twentieth anniversary edition of The Spiral Dance celebrates the pivotal role the book has had in bringing Goddess worship to the religious forefront. This bestselling classic is both an unparalleled reference on the practices and philosophies of Witchcraft and a guide to the life-affirming ways in which readers can turn to the Goddess to deepen their sense of personal pride, develop their inner power, and integrate mind, body, and spirit. Starhawk's brilliant, comprehensive overview of the growth, suppression, and modern-day re-emergence of Wicca as a Goddess-worshipping religion has left an indelible mark on the feminist spiritual consciousness. In a new introduction, Starhawk reveals the ways in which Goddess religion and the practice of ritual have adapted and developed over the last twenty years, and she reflects on the ways in which these changes have influenced and enhanced her original ideas. In the face of an ever-changing world, this invaluable spiritual guidebook is more relevant than ever.
The Spiral Staircase
by Karen ArmstrongThe moving story of her own search for God by the highly-acclaimed author of the bestselling A History of God: The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam; The Battle for God: A History of Fundamentalism; and Islam: A Short History. In 1969, after seven years as a Roman Catholic nun -- hoping, but ultimately failing, to find God -- Armstrong left her convent. She knew almost nothing of the changed world she was entering, and she was tormented by panic attacks and inexplicable seizures. Her struggle against despair was fueled by a string of discouragements -- failed spirituality, doctorate and jobs, fruitless dealings with psychiatrists -- but finally, in 1976, she was diagnosed with epilepsy and given proper treatment. She then began the writing career that would become her true calling, and as she focused on the sacred texts of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, her own true inner story began to emerge. She would come to experience brief moments of transcendence through her work -- the profound fulfillment that she had not found in the long hours of prayer as a young nun. Powerfully engaging, often heart-breaking, but lit with bursts of humour, The Spiral Staircase is an extraordinary history of self.
The Spiral of Memory and Belonging: A Celtic Path of Soul and Kinship
by Frank MacEowenFor all those who have felt the tug of memory or a connection to some time and place that came before, this book explores the depths of one’s connections to ancestors, to the land, to the mysteries of life. Continuing with themes from his first book, The Mist-Filled Path, the author brings readers along as he journeys to Ireland for a shamanic conference and shares his experiences and how they tie into the meanings of Celtic traditions. Readers recognize connections to other spiritual traditions and how the Celtic shamanic teachings overlap with those of other indigenous peoples. They also discover ways to reconnect with their own heritage — to cull the good teachings and incorporate them into their personal spiritual practices. Offering evocative writing, a fresh look at ancient ideas, practical exercises, and guided meditations, The Spiral of Memory and Belonging makes a perfect entry point for readers seeking shamanic wisdom and guidance.
The Spire
by William GoldingThe vision that drives Dean Jocelin to construct an immense new spire above his cathedral tests the limits of all who surround him. The foundationless stone pillars shriek and the earth beneath them heaves under the structure's weight as the Dean's will weighs down his collapsing faith.
The Spires Still Point to Heaven: Cincinnati's Religious Landscape, 1788–1873 (Urban Life, Landscape and Policy)
by Matthew SmithA case study about the formation of American pluralism and religious liberty, The Spires Still Point to Heaven explores why—and more importantly how—the early growth of Cincinnati influenced the changing face of the United States. Matthew Smith deftly chronicles the urban history of this thriving metropolis in the mid-nineteenth century. As Protestants and Catholics competed, building rival domestic missionary enterprises, increased religious reform and expression shaped the city. In addition, the different ethnic and religious beliefs informed debates on race, slavery, and immigration, as well as disease, temperance reform, and education. Specifically, Smith explores the Ohio Valley’s religious landscape from 1788 through the nineteenth century, examining its appeal to evangelical preachers, abolitionists, social critics, and rabbis. He traces how Cincinnati became a battleground for newly energized social reforms following a cholera epidemic, and how grassroots political organizing was often tied to religious issues. He also illustrates the anti-immigrant sentiments and anti-Catholic nativism pervasive in this era. The first monograph on Cincinnati’s religious landscape before the Civil War, The Spires Still Point to Heaven highlights Cincinnati’s unique circumstances and how they are key to understanding the cultural and religious development of the nation.
The Spirit Ambulance: Choreographing the End of Life in Thailand (California Series in Public Anthropology #49)
by Scott StoningtonThe Spirit Ambulance is a journey into decision-making at the end of life in Thailand, where families attempt to craft good deaths for their elders in the face of clashing ethical frameworks, from a rapidly developing universal medical system, to national and global human-rights politics, to contemporary movements in Buddhist metaphysics. Scott Stonington’s gripping ethnography documents how Thai families attempt to pay back a "debt of life" to their elders through intensive medical care, followed by a medically assisted rush from the hospital to home to ensure a spiritually advantageous last breath. The result is a powerful exploration of the nature of death and the complexities arising from the globalization of biomedical expertise and ethics around the world.
The Spirit Code: 40 Truths About the Holy Spirit That Every Believer Should Know (The Code Series)
by O. S. HawkinsFind answers to your heart's questions about the Holy Spirit, understand His power, and embrace His work in your life today.In The Spirit Code, trusted Bible teacher O. S. Hawkins introduces us to the Holy Spirit: God in us, with us, and for us!Find renewed spiritual transformation as you discover:Ways the Holy Spirit appears in the Bible from Genesis to RevelationHow we know when the Spirit is at work in usWhy it matters that the Holy Spirit has been present since before the beginning of timeWhat we can learn about the Holy Spirit from the book of ActsWhat it means to be "sealed" with the Holy Spirit By unlocking the code of how the Spirit worked in the first-century church, we can understand how God longs to work in our communities and hearts today. It is He who convicts, converts, commends, commands, consoles, and ultimately completes us. The Holy Spirit is an essential part of our faith journeys—God alive in each of us!
The Spirit Contemporary Life: Unleashing the Miraculous in Your Everyday World
by Leon FontaineWhat if the Supernatural Became Normal and Natural in Your Life? How would your world change if you regularly experienced the miraculous? And what if this happened everywhere you went--in a way that attracted people to Jesus? It wouldn't just make a difference in your world...it would make the world different. It might sound too good to be true...but that's the Spirit Contemporary life. While working as a first responder in an ambulance, Leon Fontaine longed to see God's power at work outside the four walls of the church. He learned through many life-changing experiences that we can all unlock the miraculous in a way that works anywhere--at home, in a hospital, at work--with anyone! The Spirit Contemporary way of life involves communicating with others as Jesus would...using their language, stories, and settings. Leon draws on biblical truth and personal stories to reveal how this dynamic first-century faith can be yours when you live so in tune with God that you're guided in ways that are both natural and supernatural. "In a world seeking an authentic, transparent, and genuine touch of God, Leon equips us with a Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered, Bible-based, kingdom prescription." --Samuel Rodriguez, president, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, author of Be Light "When 'Spirit' and 'Contemporary' are synergized, phenomenal outcomes will happen in the church...I believe this valuable resource will help the church go to higher levels of impact and influence in the years ahead." -- Dr. Elmer L. Towns, co-Founder of Liberty University Unleash the Miraculous in Your World! The Spirit Contemporary Life reveals the key to living an empowered life--one that connects your day-to-day existence with God's supernatural power. When faced with the realities of a hurting world as a first responder-EMT, Leon Fontaine developed a passion for seeing God's miraculous power at work--not only at the altar--but also in the back of his ambulance. And he wanted to do it in a way that wasn't strange or off-putting to those who didn't know Christ. Maybe you can relate? You want to hear from God more clearly and see miracles happen in your everyday life. And you want to live your life in a way that attracts people to the Jesus you know and love. Using real-life examples, Leon demonstrates how you can access God's supernatural power without compromise, and do it in a way that draws others to Christ. If this sounds good, hang on, because you're in for the adventure of your life! This transformational shift won't just change you. It will change the world around you.From the Hardcover edition.
The Spirit Of Eastern Christendom, 600-1700
by Jaroslav J. PelikanThe line that separated Eastern Christendom from Western on the medieval map is similar to the "iron curtain" of recent times. Linguistic barriers, political divisions, and liturgical differences combined to isolate the two cultures from each other. Except for such episodes as the schism between East and West or the Crusades, the development of non-Western Christendom has been largely ignored by church historians. In The Spirit of Eastern Christendom, Jaroslav Pelikan explains the divisions between Eastern and Western Christendom, and identifies and describes the development of the distinctive forms taken by Christian doctrine in its Greek, Syriac, and early Slavic expression. "It is a pleasure to salute this masterpiece of exposition. . . . The book flows like a great river, slipping easily past landscapes of the utmost diversity—the great Christological controversies of the seventh century, the debate on icons in the eighth and ninth, attitudes to Jews, to Muslims, to the dualistic heresies of the high Middle Ages, to the post-Reformation churches of Western Europe. . . . His book succeeds in being a study of the Eastern Christian religion as a whole."—Peter Brown and Sabine MacCormack, New York Review of Books "The second volume of Professor Pelikan's monumental work on The Christian Tradition is the most comprehensive historical treatment of Eastern Christian thought from 600 to 1700, written in recent years. . . . Pelikan's reinterpretation is a major scholarly and ecumenical event."—John Meyendorff "Displays the same mastery of ancient and modern theological literature, the same penetrating analytical clarity and balanced presentation of conflicting contentions, that made its predecessor such an intellectual treat."—Virgina Quarterly Review
The Spirit Of Pietism
by Robert J KoesterWhat is Pietism?In the late 17th century, a movement began in Germany that would shake up an already fragile Lutheran church. Pietism, as the movement came to be known, departed from many of the orthodox Christian practices of the day. An emphasis on morals and individual piety over the Scriptures and sacraments led to a rift in the church that hasn’t been fully repaired.But why did Pietism start? What did the Pietist leaders hope to accomplish? What is the true essence of Pietism?Author and pastor Robert Koester answers these questions and more in this in-depth study of this impactful theological movement. The Spirit of Pietism also debunks hasty generalizations about Pietism and offers practical lessons for 21st-century Christians. With a balanced narrative approach and readable style, this is an engaging book from start to finish!
The Spirit Of The Law: Religious Voices And The Constitution In Modern America
by Sarah Barringer GordonA new constitutional world burst into American life in the mid-twentieth century. For the first time, the national constitution's religion clauses were extended by the United States Supreme Court to all state and local governments. As energized religious individuals and groups probed the new boundaries between religion and government and claimed their sacred rights in court, a complex and evolving landscape of religion and law emerged. <P><P> Sarah Gordon tells the stories of passionate believers who turned to the law and the courts to facilitate a dazzling diversity of spiritual practice. Legal decisions revealed the exquisite difficulty of gauging where religion ends and government begins. Controversies over school prayer, public funding, religion in prison, same-sex marriage, and secular rituals roiled long-standing assumptions about religion in public life. The range and depth of such conflicts were remarkable--and ubiquitous. <P><P> Telling the story from the ground up, Gordon recovers religious practices and traditions that have generated compelling claims while transforming the law of religion. From isolated schoolchildren to outraged housewives and defiant prisoners, believers invoked legal protection while courts struggled to produce stable constitutional standards. In a field dominated by controversy, the vital connection between popular and legal constitutional understandings has sometimes been obscured. The Spirit of the Law explores this tumultuous constitutional world, demonstrating how religion and law have often seemed irreconcilable, even as they became deeply entwined in modern America.
The Spirit Poured Out On All Flesh: Pentecostalism And The Possibility Of Global Theology
by Amos YongThe Pentecostal movement has had an incredible impact on the shape of worldwide Christianity in the past century. Estimates are that Pentecostals and charismatics make up approximately one-fourth of Christians worldwide, and the numbers are only expected to grow. With these developments comes the need for thoughtful Christians of all persuasions to better understand Pentecostal theology. In fact, Amos Yong believes that Pentecostal theology can be a great gift to the church at large. Yong presents a thoroughly Pentecostal theology of salvation, the church, the nature of God, and creation. He also provides a fascinating survey of the state of worldwide Pentecostalism, examining how Pentecostal theology is influencing Christian churches in other countries.
The Spirit Who Speaks
by Peter H. Lawrence"One aspect of life in the Spirit that was essential for Peter was hearing the Spirit speak. Is there such a thing as a word from the Lord today? Can anyone hear God speak? How do we know it is God who is speaking? This book answers these questions." -Carol Lawrence from her preface Peter Lawrence was a vicar in the Church of England for many years until his death in 2009. As he began to write this book about living fully in the Spirit's healing power, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Accepting God's will with grace, he has left behind this moving account of the spiritual reality that radiated from him and touched many lives. Blending anecdote, self-effacing humor, and biblical teaching, Peter describes how he discovered the gift of receiving a "word" from God, and the amazing healings of spirit, mind, and body that resulted. And he shows how God's Spirit can guide you--powerfully, personally, day by day.
The Spirit World
by Clarence LarkinIn this day of the revival of "Spiritism," when so many... are longing to communicate with the dead, and are resorting to forbidden means to that end; a day in which science is trying to discover whether there is another world than this, and whether men live after death... it seems timely that a book should be written to show what the Holy Scriptures have revealed of the "World of Spirits." -from The Second Coming of Christ. The Reverend Clarence Larkin was one of the most widely influential pop theologians of the early twentieth century, and his works remain intriguing explorations of Christian philosophy today. First published in 1921, this fascinating book explores the depiction of angels, demons, and other spirits in the Bible, and features illustrations of "Satan's Throne," "Angels Appearing to Abraham," "Christ Casting Out a Demon," "The Witch of Endor," and more. Readers in religion, mythology, and classic literature will be riveted. Also available from Cosimo Classics: Larkin's The Second Coming of Christ, Rightly Dividing the Word, and The Book of Revelation.
The Spirit and Forms of Protestantism
by Louis BouyerLouis Bouyer examines the underlying principles and teachings of the 16th century Protestant reformers. These topics include Scripture alone as source of Christian belief, justification by faith alone, God's free gift of unmerited salvation, the sovereignty of God, and the Christian responsibility toward good works. He also presents certain problematic areas of Protestant thought, such as the denial of the efficacy of the sacraments, a conflict between various interpretations of Scripture and the Tradition of the Church, and the rejection of Church authority. He then shows how these same principles gradually weakened the various forms of Protestantism, while, at the same time, provided impetus for later reforms and renewals. Written in 1956, The Spirit and Forms of Protestantism by Louis Bouyer still challenges both Catholics and Protestants to better understand the issues that both separate and unite them. <p><p>Topics include the Protestant teachings of: <p>• The Free Gift of Unmerited Salvation <p>• The Sovereignty of God <p>• Justification by Faith Alone <p>• The Authority of Scripture Alone as a Source of Christian Doctrine <p>• The Responsibility of Christians Believers Toward Good Works
The Spirit and Power of Elijah: God's End-Time Solution for a Fatherless Generation
by Luis R. ReyesThe pain of broken homes, dysfunctional families, crime in the streets, poverty and abuse are traced back over 4,000 years to a time when God raised up a man to speak His heart to a generation who had fallen away in error and unbelief. In an examination of the Prophet Elijah&’s life and ministry, Pastor Reyes allows us to learn from this Old Testament prophet how we can address the issues and the crisis we face today. With wit and candor, Pastor Reyes sounds the alarm for men, for leaders, and for Christians to take their place of responsibility and authority to reach, and raise up a generation that knows their Heavenly Father. Through the Spirit and Power of Elijah you will be challenged, you will be encouraged, you will be convicted, and you will be empowered. We are not powerless to address and overcome the issues we face. God has equipped His people.
The Spirit and Power of Elijah: Rise Up in the Spirit of Boldness and Reclaim Your Destiny
by Michelle McClain-WaltersStrongholds can&’t be broken without the boldness to confront them.After reading this book, you will have the courage to walk in the same anointing as the prophet Elijah to boldly declare the power of the Lord and break off the strongholds holding our world captive to the darkness.As it was in the days of Elijah, a great number of God&’s people today dwell in a nation that is on a path of progressive moral decline. America has the most liberal abortion standard in the world. Christians are hooked on pornography. The homosexual agenda is finding acceptance even in the church. Divorce is on the rise in the church. Human trafficking is manifesting as the ugly side of globalization. Those who were once considered great leaders are now preaching a doctrine of inclusion, with Christian who leaders or that are afraid to say on national television that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.With the turn of a new decade plagued with violence, sickness, disease, and economic instability, the people cry out for the prophets to speak. And God is raising up a prophetic people who will help prepare the way for His purposes in our generation. A new company of Elijah prophets—holy, bold, and uncompromising—are being equipped to restore the spiritual destiny of the church in our generation.In this book, Michelle McClain-Walters challenges readers to awaken to the call God is stirring in the earth and stand up as modern-day Elijahs who will partner with the Holy Spirit to change the culture by turning hearts back to God. Readers will be encouraged to:Identify the call of God on their lives in this hour and ask, &“Am I an Elijah?&”Learn what it takes to walk in the spirit and power of Elijah and where they may be in their own journeyUnderstand the different roles miracles play during times of revival, reformation, and restorationLearn to pray prayers that move heaven and shake earth, as well as how to persist in prayerThis book will empower readers to discover their prophetic destiny in this hour and position themselves to receive a double portion of the spirit and power of Elijah.
The Spirit and the Common Good: Shared Flourishing in the Image of God
by Daniela C. AugustineA fresh vision of the common good through pnumatological lensesDaniela C. Augustine, a brilliant emerging scholar, offers a theological ethic for the common good. Augustine develops a public theology from a theological vision of creation as the household of the Triune God, bearing the image of God in a mutual sharing of divine love and justice, and as a sacrament of the divine presence. The Spirit and the Common Good expounds upon the application of this vision not only within the life of the church but also to the realm of politics, economics, and care for creation. The church serves a priestly and prophetic function for society, indeed for all of creation. This renewed vision becomes the foundation for constructing a theological ethic of planetary flourishing in and through commitment to a sustainable communal praxis of a shared future with the other and the different.While emphatically theological in its approach, The Spirit and the Common Good engages readers with insights from political philosophy, sociology of religion, economics, and ecology, as well as forgiveness/reconciliation and peacebuilding studies.
The Spirit of Augustine's Early Theology: Contextualizing Augustine's Pneumatology (Studies in Philosophy and Theology in Late Antiquity)
by Chad Tyler GerberSt Augustine's pneumatology remains one of his most distinctive, decisive, and ultimately divisive contributions to the story of Christian thought. How did his understanding of the Spirit develop? Why does he identity the Spirit with divine love and cosmic order? And from what personal and literary sources did he receive inspiration? This examination of Augustine's pneumatology - the first book-length study of this important topic available - seeks answers in Augustine's earliest extant writings, penned during the years surrounding his famed return to the Catholic Church and the height of his efforts to synthesize Catholic theology and the Platonic philosophy of his day which had postulated a divine 'trinity' of its own. Careful analysis of these initial texts casts fresh light upon Augustine's more mature and well-known theology of the Holy Spirit while also illuminating on-going discussions about his early thought such as the nature and extent of his Platonic sympathies and the possibility that the recent convert remained committed to the divinity of the human soul.
The Spirit of Buddhist Meditation
by Dr Sarah ShawIs it possible to capture the spirit of Buddhist meditation, which depends so much upon silence and unspoken wisdom? Can this spirit be found after two millennia? This wise and reassuring book reminds us that the Buddhist meditative tradition, geared to such concerns from its inception, has always been transmitted through texts. A great variety of early writings#151;poems, stories, extended practical guides, commentaries, and chants#151;were purposely designed to pass teachings on from one generation to the next. Sarah Shaw, a longtime practitioner and teacher of Buddhism, investigates a wide and varied range of ancient and later Buddhist writings on meditation. Many of these texts are barely known in the West but, as the author shows, they can be helpful, moving, and often very funny. She begins with early texts of the Pali canon#151;those that describe and involve the Buddha and his followers teaching meditations#151;and moves on to #147;commentaries,” with their copious range of practical tips, anecdotes, and accounts of early meditators. The author then considers other early texts that were inspirational as Buddhist traditions spread through India and on to China, Korea, Japan, and Tibet. Centuries after being written, early Buddhist texts have lost none of their relevance, this authoritative book shows. In a tradition characterized by flexibility and mobility, these writings offer wisdom unchanged by time.
The Spirit of Catholicism
by Dr Karl Adam Dom Justin McCannThis is the 1929 English translation of the original German text first published in 1924 and authored by one of the world’s most distinguished Christian philosophers, Dr. Karl Adam.This book is a brilliant and evocative study of the fundamental concepts of the Catholic Faith, from its tenets, its historical development and the role of the Church in world society.For many on the outside, Catholicism, according to Dr. Adam, represents a daunting and somewhat foreign confused mass of conflicting forces that has somehow survived the tests of time. Catholicism is simultaneously new yet quite old; holy yet corrupt; hierarchical yet personal; dogmatic yet utilitarian, and so on.How can someone outside the Church get a good grasp on the essence of Catholicism when it is so vast and seemingly complex? Those attempting to grasp the very heart and spirit of Catholicism should read Karl Adam’s book, which is a most elegant and concise exploration of the faith and an attempt to address these ambiguities.What are the fundamental attributes of the Catholic Church? What is the source from which it has drawn vigor and life through its two thousand years of life on earth? What are the secret sources of its incredible vitality in the world today? The author answers these and many other questions about the nature and structure of the Church. He examines the essential nature of the Catholic Church from the basic premise that it was expressly founded by Christ, traces its historical development and analyzes its actual functioning through the ages.
The Spirit of Chinese Confucianism (Understanding China)
by Qiyong GuoThis book provides a comprehensive overview of the spirit of Chinese Confucianism, which is usually regarded as one of the most important aspects of traditional Chinese culture. In addition to the general history, the book explores the extensive concepts of Confucianism, such as its philosophy, core values and social ideals, humanistic theories, ritual and music culture, and statecraft and wisdom of governance. Beyond the introductory information, it ushers Confucianism into the modern realm, discussing and elaborating on its humanistic spirit characteristics, its significance and value in the modern context, and how it should be engaged in the creative transformation of economic globalization.The book is divided into twelve chapters, each developing from a single focal point to cover a vast array of knowledge that combines philosophy, academics, and readability. It brings Confucianism to the readers by explaining complex and profound Confucian philosophy and actions in a language that is accessible.
The Spirit of Christ: Thoughts On The Indwelling Of The Holy Spirit In The Believer And The Church
by Andrew MurrayThe Spirit of Christ: Thoughts on the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the Believer and the Church by Andrew Murray is a profound and enlightening exploration of the Holy Spirit’s role in the life of believers and the Church. Murray, a revered Christian writer and pastor, delves deeply into the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, offering readers a rich theological and devotional understanding of this vital aspect of Christian faith.In this inspiring work, Murray discusses the nature and work of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing His indwelling presence in every believer and His unifying power within the Church. Through biblical insights and practical applications, Murray illustrates how the Holy Spirit empowers Christians to live victorious and fruitful lives, guiding them into all truth and enabling them to reflect Christ’s love and character.Murray’s thoughtful reflections cover various dimensions of the Holy Spirit’s ministry, including the Spirit’s role in regeneration, sanctification, and spiritual growth. He also addresses the importance of the Spirit’s gifts and fruit, encouraging believers to seek a deeper, more intimate relationship with God through the Spirit’s abiding presence.The Spirit of Christ is a call to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling, urging readers to surrender fully to God’s transformative work. Murray’s accessible and heartfelt writing invites believers to embrace the Spirit’s power and guidance, fostering a vibrant and dynamic faith.This book is essential reading for anyone desiring to deepen their understanding of the Holy Spirit and His work within the Christian life and the Church. The Spirit of Christ offers profound spiritual insights and practical wisdom, making it a timeless resource for personal devotion, group study, and spiritual growth.Andrew Murray’s legacy as a spiritual guide shines brightly in this work, providing readers with a compelling vision of life empowered by the Holy Spirit. Through The Spirit of Christ, believers are encouraged to walk in the fullness of God’s presence, experiencing the transformative impact of the Spirit in every aspect of their lives.
The Spirit of Christmas
by Marley Gibson Cecil MurphyA heartwarming collection of true stories that will inspire, entertain, and get everyone into the spirit of ChristmasAt Christmastime, it's hard not to get caught up in the shopping, the decorating, the party planning and the family drama—and too we often to lose sight of the true meaning of the season. But sometimes, through God's grace or a simple twist of fate, we're able to step back and understand what the holiday is truly about.The Spirit of Christmas is an inspiring collection of true stories from real-life people who have experienced such moments where the meaning of the season becomes clear and touches their hearts. A man mailing gifts at the post office witnesses a moving scene that changes his life forever. An unhappy couple are drifting further apart…until a special Christmas gift allows them to renew their love and mend their fractured marriage. And a father tries to keep the spirit of Christmas alive for his son with a grand gesture--a gesture that will be remembered by his family and many others for years to come.Filled with magic, wonder and deep meaning, it's impossible for these stories not to touch your heart—and fill you with The Spirit of Christmas.
The Spirit of Early Christian Thought
by Robert Louis WilkenWritten by a preeminent religious historian, this book provides an introduction to early Christian thought. Focusing on major figures such as St. Augustine and Gregory of Nyssa, as well as a host of less well known thinkers, Robert Wilken chronicles the emergence of a specifically Christian intellectual tradition. In chapters on topics including early Christian worship, Christian poetry and the spiritual life, the Trinity, Christ, the Bible, and icons, Wilken shows that the energy and vitality of early Christianity arose from within the life of the Church. While early Christian thinkers drew on the philosophical and rhetorical traditions of the ancient world, it was the versatile vocabulary of the Bible that loosened their tongues and minds and allowed them to construct the world anew, intellectually and spiritually. These thinkers were not seeking to invent a world of ideas, Wilken shows, but rather to win the hearts of men and women and to change their lives. Early Christian thinkers set in place a foundation that has endured. Their writings are an irreplaceable inheritance, and Wilken shows that they can still be heard as living voices within contemporary culture.