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Matthew 14-28 (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture #Nt Volume 1b)
by Thomas C. OdenThe Gospel of Matthew stands out as a favorite biblical text among patristic commentators. The patristic commentary tradition on Matthew begins with Origen's pioneering twenty-five-volume commentary on the First Gospel in the mid-third century. In the Latin-speaking West, where commentaries did not appear until about a century later, the first commentary on Matthew was written by Hilary of Poitiers in the mid-fourth century. From that point the First Gospel became one of the texts most frequently commented on in patristic exegesis. Outstanding examples are Jerome's four-volume commentary and the valuable but anonymous and incomplete Opus imperfectum in Matthaeum. Then there are the Greek catena fragments derived from commentaries by Theodore of Heraclea, Apollinaris of Laodicea, Theodore of Mopsuestia and Cyril of Alexandria. The ancient homilies also provide ample comment, including John Chrysostom's ninety homilies and Chromatius of Aquileia's fifty-nine homilies on the Gospel of Matthew. In addition, there are various Sunday and feast-day homilies from towering figures such as Augustine and Gregory the Great, as well as other fathers. This rich abundance of patristic comment, much of it presented here in English translation for the first time by editor Manlio Simonetti, provides a bountiful and varied feast of ancient interpretation of the First Gospel.
Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry
by Thomas C. OdenThis book fully integrates principles of pastoral care, leadership, and theology to restore for ministers.
The Rebirth of African Orthodoxy: Return to Foundations
by Thomas C. OdenAfrican orthodoxy today reveals the same powerful faith that was confessed by Athanasius and Augustine seventeen centuries ago. Classic African Christian teaching in the patristic period (100-750 AD) preceded modern colonialism by over a thousand years. Many young African women and men are now reexamining these lost roots. They are hungry for accurate information about their Christian ancestors. Thomas C. Oden asks readers to recapture the resonance of a consensual orthodoxy, the harmony of voices celebrating the apostolic testimony to God's saving work in Jesus Christ, witnessed to in scripture and understood best by African interpreters of the faith. In ten seminars, Oden invites discerning readers to reclaim and reaffirm Christian faith as it emerges from thoughtful conversations between contemporary and ancient African interpreters of orthodox faith. "This new book by Tom Oden is remarkable and historic. His words challenge the worldwide church to return to the true fountain of living water, Jesus Christ. He specifically encourages us Africans to continue to seek the treasures left to us by our early church fathers and mothers in order to reshape the Christian mind now as they did in the first millennium." -The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis, Archbishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa "A thought-provoking book with factual evidences emphasizing the continuity of global orthodoxy that emanated in Africa and has been nurtured by Africans from the time of Mark the evangelist to the present. People yearning to discover the intellectual and classical African Christian roots will find the book very helpful." -Thomas A. Oduro, President, Good News Theological College & Seminary, Accra, Ghana "While Tom Oden writes about Africans for Africans, The Rebirth of African Orthodoxy: Return to Foundations is also addressed to all Christians everywhere who ask, 'What is God doing in the world today?' The author proposes that the clue to what God is doing in the present is to be found in what God has done in the past, for 'the Holy Spirit has a history.' Tom directs us to look to Africa, where the ancient African Christian orthodoxy is being reborn in the African church today, making it a witness to the whole church everywhere." -Timothy W. Whitaker, retired bishop, Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church
1-2 Corinthians: New Testament (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture #7)
by Thomas C. Oden Gerald BrayPaul's letters to the Corinthian church have left a mark on Christian Scripture in a way that could never have been predicted. Here the pastoral issues of a first-century Christian community in what Chrysostom identified as "still the first city in Greece" stand out in bold relief. How was a community shaped by the cross to find its expression in a city that Chrysostom knew to be "full of orators and philosophers" and that "prided itself . . . above all on its great wealth"? How was church unity to be maintained in a setting where prominent believers, bending truth and morality to their own advantage, divided the body of Christ? Here lay the challenge for the apostle Paul. And as the apostle writes, the fathers lean over his shoulder, marveling and commenting on his pastoral wisdom. Best known among these patristic commentators is Chrysostom, whose seventy-seven homilies on the two Corinthian epistles are a treasury of exposition and application. The fragmentary works of Didymus the Blind and Severian of Gabala give us samples of Greek exegesis from the Alexandrian and Antiochene schools. The partial work of Theodore of Mopsuestia, a commentator of great skill and insight, was long valued in the church. And the comments of Theodoret of Cyrus are notable for their sensitivity to the intertextuality of Scripture. Then there are Origen and Pelagius, whose names resonate with notable error, to the needless obscuring of their brilliant insights into Scripture. But pride of place goes to the unknown fourth-century commentator long mistaken for Ambrose and now dubbed "Ambrosiaster." His excellent commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians has been unavailable in English translation, and for that reason it is excerpted more generously in this volume. This Ancient Christian Commentary on 1-2 Corinthians opens a whole new way of reading these New Testament texts. The pastoral and theological interpretation of the fathers offers spiritual and intellectual sustenance to those who would read Paul again with open minds and hearts. Here we find the Pauline wisdom of the cross generating an effective heritage of Christian interpretation.
James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture #Nt Volume 11)
by Thomas C. Oden Gerald BrayChristianity Today
Ancient Christian Devotional: A Year of Weekly Readings
by Thomas C. Oden Cindy CrosbyThis guide to prayer and reflection combines excerpts from the writings of the church fathers as found in the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture with a simple structure for daily or weekly reading and prayer. There are fifty-two weeks of readings following the weekly lectionary cycle A. You can read through them in order or by thematic interest. Each day you will also find a simple opening and closing prayer drawn from the prayers and hymns of the ancient church. Come and find the deep nourishment God offers through the insights of this "cloud of witnesses"--the ancient church fathers.
John 1-10 (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture #Nt Volume 4a)
by Thomas C. Oden Joel C. ElowskyHomilies on John,
Acts (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture #5)
by Thomas C. Oden Francis Martin Evan SmithHomilies on the Acts of the Apostles,Commentary on the Acts of the ApostlesCatena in Acta SS. Apostolorum.
The Council of Bishops in Historical Perspective: Celebrating 75 Years of the Life and Leadership of the Council of Bishops
by William B. OdenBehind the scenes with the Council of Bishops Two authors who have served as a United Methodist bishop (William B. Oden) and as General Secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History (Robert J. Williams) collaborate on a history of the Council. They set the context for the development of what became the Council of Bishops in 1939 and recount the evolution of that body in recognition of its 75th anniversary. Includes photographs, a complete listing of all bishops of The United Methodist Church and predecessor bodies, the names of Council officers and bishops who delivered the Episcopal Address at General Conference, and an index.
Standing with the Vulnerable: A Curriculum for Transforming Lives and Communities
by Gil OdendaalThe world has needs. Children are orphaned, refugees are displaced and families are devastated by natural disasters. But God is greater than those needs, and he works through his people to accomplish healing and transformation. God calls us to integral mission, obeying both the Great Commission and the Great Commandment in ministering to people's spiritual, physical, emotional and social well-being. This curriculum from World Relief is designed to mobilize the church to engage the great causes of our day, stand with the vulnerable and meet the needs of our neighbors as Jesus did. These ten sessions show how shaping our fundamental beliefs and values lead to better actions and results. Together we can alleviate poverty, welcome the stranger and transform communities at home and around the world. Join with others in learning how to love God, love your neighbors and put that love into action.
Why He Is a Saint
by Slawomir Oder Saverio GaetaAvailable in English for the first time, this engaging and enlightening biography of John Paul II argues the case that the late pope's life and deeds make him a worthy saint.A number-one best seller in Italy, Why He Is a Saint is an account of the late pope's life, highlighting his deep Christian faith, his dedication to the Church, and his role in bringing down communism. This book delves deeply into Pope John Paul's spiritual essence, through the unprecedented light of the investigation into whether he merits sainthood. Why He Is a Saint reveals the pope's life through vivid, intimate anecdotes. Among the book's startling revelations are his thoughts of retirement as his health declined, and the fact that he practiced the ancient ritual of daily self-flagellation. The book includes both unpublished as well as public correspondence, such as the "open letter" of forgiveness to Ali Agka, his attempted assassin. It also examines the pope's severe acts of penitence and documents his miracles. This impassioned plea in favor of canonizing the pope as a saint has proven to be of profound interest to Catholics worldwide, as well as to anyone interested in faith and spirituality.
Religion und Sozialkapital in der Schweiz: Zum eigenwilligen Zusammenhang zwischen Religiosität, Engagement und Vertrauen (Politik und Religion)
by Anastas OdermattIn diesem Open-Access-Buch unterzieht Anastas Odermatt die weitverbreitete Annahme, dass sowohl Religion als auch freiwilliges Engagement förderlich für soziales Vertrauen und damit für gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt und Demokratie seien, einer empirischen Überprüfung. Wirkt Religion eher konflikthaft und negativ auf unsere Gesellschaft oder wirkt sie eher brückenbildend, stabilisierend und damit positiv? Diese Frage wird in Wissenschaft und Öffentlichkeit kontrovers diskutiert und unterschiedlich beantwortet. Basierend auf den Daten des KONID Survey 2019 für die Schweiz werden die Wirkmechanismen zwischen Religion und Religiosität, freiwilligem Engagement und sozialem Vertrauen in der Schweiz vertieft untersucht und allgemein verständlich erklärt. Dabei ergibt sich ein differenziertes Bild für die unterschiedlichen, teils eigenwilligen Zusammenhänge – neue Erkenntnisse und einige Überraschungen miteingeschlossen.
Crazy Wisdom of the Yogini: Teachings of the Kashmiri Mahamudra Tradition
by Daniel Odier• Shares vivid, experiential descriptions of the author&’s sessions with master Lalita Devi wherein she imparted the essential principles of the Mahamudra to him physically, verbally, and energetically • Presents new translations of the most significant sacred books, including the Shiva Sutras, the Pratybhijna Hrdayam Sutra, and the Spandakarika, each presented in language that preserves their spontaneous mystic flow • Pairs the author&’s intellectual study of the sacred texts with direct transmissions from his teacher, with each perspective shedding light on the other In 1975, in an isolated Himalayan forest, Daniel Odier met Lalita Devi, a tantric yogini who took him on a mystical journey beyond the limits of sexual experience to transcend the ego, recognize the true self, and rediscover the Divine nature of absolute love. Now, Odier shares the secret teachings and self-realization practices of the Kashmiri Mahamudra (meditation on the mind itself) and the Pratyabhijna (the School of Sudden Recognition).The author offers vivid descriptions of his sessions with Lalita Devi wherein she imparted the essential principles of the Mahamudra and the yoga of emotions to him physically, verbally, and energetically. Lalita Devi knew the principal texts of Kashmiri Shaivism by heart. New translations of the most significant sacred books, including the Shiva Sutras, the Pratyabhijnahrdayam, and the Spandakarika, are provided by Odier along with chants and poems from the yogini tradition. Presented in language that preserves their spontaneous mystic flow and restores their original ancient female origins, Crazy Wisdom of the Yogini offers a profound inside look at authentic tantric teachings.
Meditation Techniques of the Buddhist and Taoist Masters
by Daniel OdierA guide to the mental disciplines and visualizations that Masters have used for ages in their quest for illumination. * An insider's view of specific meditation techniques and the steps necessary for a wide variety of * Buddhist and Taoist meditation practices. * By the author of Tantric Quest (15,000 sold) and Desire: The Tantric Path to Awakening. The esoteric practices followed in the quest for divinity generally remain a secret to the world--kept cloistered away for only the most ascetic practitioners. Now Daniel Odier, having immersed himself in the life and spiritual practices of Buddhist and Taoist monasteries throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Japan, reveals actual teachings passed on by the sages who are living expressions of their tradition. Looking beyond doctrine, dogma, and philosophical treatises that ignore direct experiences of the practice, Odier provides a direct path to the heart of the religious experience that can be discovered through meditation. Beginning with the simple and fundamental steps necessary to prepare for meditation, Odier guides the reader through the specifics of the mental disciplines and visualizations that Buddhist and Taoist masters have used for ages in their quest for illumination. To devote oneself to meditation, in the sense understood by Buddhists and Taoists, is to realize the understanding of how every fiber of our being converges with all creation. Meditation Techniques of the Buddhist and Taoist Masters is a valuable guide to all who are in search of that realization.
The Royal Path of Shakti: The Erotic and Magical Techniques of Kaula Tantra
by Daniel OdierThe first step-by-step guide to the techniques of Kaula Tantra, the practical yogini path to enlightenment• Details the erotic and magical practices of Kaula Tantra as well as the arcane principles to activate each technique• Includes a complete translation of the Kaulajnananirnaya Tantra from Sanskrit• Explores Kaula techniques for acquiring siddhis—magical powers—as well as sacred protection and black magic practicesWritten in the 8th century by the sage Matsyendranatha, the Kaulajnananirnaya Tantra records the secret erotic and magical practices of the Yogini Kaula tradition, a tradition focused on practical methods for attaining enlightenment. Although the text contains roughly 60 practices, it was written in a &“twilight language&” that obscures the secret principles that make the techniques work. It is the role of a master to awaken the initiate to the esoteric meaning of the practices within the text. Revealing the practices and secret principles of Kaula Tantra with permission from his Himalayan tantric yogini master Lalita Devi, Daniel Odier explains each erotic and magical technique of Kaula in depth. Providing a complete translation of the Kaulajnananirnaya Tantra from Sanskrit, he connects each practice to the text by Matsyendranatha and offers vivid stories of his initiation into the practices. He explores techniques from the complete mystical method that the yoginis have been transmitting directly for millennia, such as how to open the nadis, the body&’s energy channels. He details Kaula techniques for acquiring siddhis—magical powers such as the ability to hear far away things or appear in several places at once—as well as sacred protection and black magic practices. The author explains how the Kaula practices are related to the 8 Red Goddesses, who can each be found within the 8 chakras and each represent a different aspect of the Royal Path of Shakti. He shares a system of illuminating visualizations to integrate the body of the practitioner with vibration (spanda) and consciousness until there is no difference between the inner world and the cosmos. Presenting the first step-by-step guide to the techniques of Kaula Tantra, Odier details the practical yogini path to enlightenment and offers a direct transmission through the liberating power of the written word.
Tantric Kali: Secret Practices and Rituals
by Daniel OdierThe mythology, rituals, meditations, and practices used in Tantric worship of the goddess Kali in the tradition of Kashmiri Shaivism • Reveals the practices of Vamachara, known as the Left-hand Path but more accurately translated as the Path of Shakti • Includes a Kali ritual from the Nirrutara Tantra, translated here for the first time • Presents devotional chants, meditations, and mudras specific to Tantric worship of Kali According to traditions going back to pre-Vedic times, Kali sprang from the third eye of the Goddess Durga as a destructive and terrifying manifestation of feminine power sent to lay waste to the forces of evil. Throughout India to this day, Kali is worshipped as the destroyer of bondage, capable of liberating her devotee from all rules and subjugation. In Tantric Kali, Daniel Odier presents the mythology, practices, and rituals of Kali worship in the Tantric Kaula tradition within Kashmiri Shaivism. He reveals the practices of Vamachara, commonly known as the Left-hand Path but more accurately translated as the Path of Shakti. In this tradition the body itself is Kali’s temple, and it is therefore unnecessary to reject or deny the body to know union with the divine. Instead, nothing is regarded as pure or impure and there is complete freedom from rules. Focused on working directly with forbidden emotions and behaviors, this path allows the seeker to transcend obstacles to liberation through sexual union. According to the Kaula Upanishad, “In your behavior do the opposite to what the norms dictate but remain in consciousness.” This is the essence of Tantra. Kali is absolute reality: manifested as woman intoxicated by desire, she frees the tantric practitioner from all desire except union with the divine. The author includes an evocative ritual from the Nirrutara Tantra--never before translated into any Western language--containing devotions to the 64 yoginis according to Matsyendranath, founder of the Kaula path. Offering devotional chants, meditations, and mudras specific to Tantric worship of Kali, this empowering book provides practices and teachings for those on the Tantric path to liberation.
Yoga Spandakarika: The Sacred Texts at the Origins of Tantra
by Daniel OdierTranslation and commentary of one of the most important texts of the Kashmirian Shivaism tradition of Tantra• Author was a student of the late Kalu Rinpoche• Explores the transmission of Mahamudra, the Great Cosmic Gesture• Includes the Vijnanabhaïrava Tantra, which contains the totality of the oldest source text on Yoga The Spandakarika, the "Tantric Song of the Divine Pulsation," is said to have been transmitted directly to the sage Vasugupta from the hands of Shiva on Mount Kailas. In his commentary on these fifty-two stanzas, the sage Ksemaraja described them as the heart of the Mahamudra. The oldest masters of Spandakarika viewed everything in the universe, including matter, as consciousness and created a yoga practice in accordance with this realization. The sacred dance of Yoga Spandakarika, Tandava, is extremely subtle and difficult, requiring thousands of hours of practice to master, yet it surpasses any other physical practice, allowing the practitioner to touch the divine inner pulse. Once its third stage has been mastered, the yogi or yogini is able to manifest the dance of Shiva in space, a tradition visible in the statuary of Tantric temples in India and Tibet. Energy is no longer contracted by the perception of duality, and the mind and body become unbounded, forming a sphere that contains all that was formerly outside. In Yoga Spandakarika Daniel Odier passes on these vanishing teachings as he received them from his Tibetan master, Kalu Rinpoche, and Kashmiri yogi Lalita Devi.
The Deposition of Father McGreevy
by Brian O'Doherty"In a London pub in the 1950s, Editor William Maginn is intrigued by a mention of the strange--and reputedly shameful--demise of a remote mountain village in Kerry, Ireland, where he was born. Maginn returns to Kerry and uncovers an astonishing tale: both the account of the destruction of a place and a way of life which once preserved Ireland's ancient traditions and the tragedy of an increasingly isolated village where all the women mysteriously die--leaving the priest, Father McGreevy, to cope with insoluble problems. As war rages through Europe, McGreevy struggles to preserve the remains of his parish, against the rough mountain elements and the grief and superstitions of his people, and the growing distrust of the town below. [The book] explores the locus of misfortune and the very nature of evil." (Validator's note - Shortlisted for the Booker prize, this beautifully written , unpredictable, unforgettable novel grips, moves, and shocks.
More Than Just Making It: Hope for the Heart of the Financially Frustrated
by Erin OdomWhen you’re trapped in a cycle of financial frustration, and you feel like you’ve tried everything only to end up with more month than money yet again, More Than Just Making It is your promise and pathway to thriving again.Take it from someone who’s been there. Erin Odom grew up in the private schools and neatly manicured lawns of Upper Middle Class America, but was thrown into low-income living during the economic crash. She was a stay-at-home-mom, her husband was supporting the family on a teacher’s salary, and despite the fact that they had no debt to their name, they were scrambling to make ends meet. Suddenly Erin found herself standing in line for food stamps, turning down play dates because she couldn’t afford the gas, and ultimately walking into bankruptcy court in the eighth month of her third pregnancy.More Than Just Making It tells the story of their breaking point, as well as the triumph of their comeback. It took hard work, creativity, and faith in God’s provision to reset their bank account as well as their hearts, but ultimately they found a new way to thrive and freedom from financial anxiety. You can do the same. Learn how Erin and her family saved enough money to put $30,000 down on a home, buy a minivan in cash, and begin sending their daughter to private Christian school. More Than Just Making It will encourage readers to rise above their circumstances, empower them with money-saving tips, and reimagine the good life as God designed it outside the myth of the American Dream.
You Can Stay Home with Your Kids!: 100 Tips, Tricks, and Ways to Make It Work on a Budget
by Erin OdomInvesting your life in your family brings you joy, and doing it on a single income doesn’t need to stress you out! Join Erin Odom as she shows you how you can live frugally—and thrive—while you raise your kids at home in You Can Stay Home with Your Kids!From the moment you discovered you were going to be a mom, you envisioned spending each day with your kids, guiding, teaching, and loving them. But diapers, wipes, shoes, and braces are expensive! Though it may feel impossible to manage on one income, Erin Odom from The Humbled Homemaker blog is here to show you that, through God’s grace, staying at home with your kids isn’t just doable; it’s doable while living the good life. Your kids are young only once—you don’t have to miss out just because money is tight.Erin shares 100 tips, tricks, and simple ways that she has provided the good life on a budget for her family—and you can do the same!Sections include topics like:making and sticking to a budgetside income ideasinexpensive ways to do birthday partieseducational and enrichment activities for little ones that won’t break the bankdate ideas and other ways to connect with your spouse without spending a lotplanning for holidaysand much more!Experience the freedom, flexibility, and joy that come with being a hands-on mom and spending every day guiding, enjoying, and nurturing your kids, while still providing a lifestyle you can be proud of.
Make Great Decisions Christian Workbook for Teen Girls: A Practical & Biblical Guide to Choices that Matter
by Jocasta OdomGive a teen the scriptural guidance and support she needs to make good choices Becoming a teenager is an incredible time in a girl's life—one filled with change, possibility, and lots of new decisions. The Make Great Decisions Workbook for Christian Teen Girls will help your teen make choices she'll be proud of by providing her with a place to reflect and communicate with God every day. What makes the Make Great Decisions Workbook for Christian Teen Girls stand out from other devotionals for women and teen girl books: Daily devotionals for great decisions—Teens face numerous choices every day, like whether they'll check social media, or how long they'll study for a biology test. These inspirational Bible quotes will empower and inspire them to make sound decisions about school, friends, family, romance, and more. Faith-driven prompts—They'll complete exercises like writing a personal prayer they can call on whenever they need it, setting short- and long-term goals, and thinking about who their true friends are and why. A place to get creative—This book provides ample space to doodle, sketch, and color as they explore their thoughts and feelings because sometimes, spiritual growth is expressed beyond words. Help the teen girl in your life grow into the extraordinary young woman God created her to be with the Make Great Decisions Workbook for Christian Teen Girls.
Apocalypse Burning (Left Behind - Apocalypse #3)
by Mel OdomFirst Sergeant Samuel Adams "Goose" Gardner is on the front lines, fighting a battle against superior forces. Goose's wife, Megan, is fighting for her freedom in a court case where all the facts seem stacked against her. Meanwhile, Chaplain Delroy Harte had taken a leave from his ship, the U.S.S. Wasp and returned home to Marbury, Alabama. He believes that the rapture may have happened but can't be sure until he has dealt with the demons of his past.
Apocalypse Crucible (Left Behind - Apocalypse #2)
by Mel OdomDanger and personal crisis on land, sea and in the air combine with a level of spiritual warfare that is unparalleled in a Christian book. This book is a page turning thriller that runs side-by-side with the phenomenal Left Behind series. The world is exploding in confusion and terror following the disappearances in book #1: Apocalypse Dawn. Meanwhile, Army Rangers and Marine Special Ops forces are struggling to keep the peace, while fighting spiritual battles of their own in the sands of Turkey and back home. Stunning action, with technical accuracy of best-selling military thrillers, this new series will satisfy the fans of original Left Behind series that are looking for more.
Apocalypse Dawn (Left Behind - Apocalypse #1)
by Mel OdomFrom the decks of U.S. Navy carriers patrolling the Mediterranean to Fort Benning, Georgia, and the dusty sands of the Turkish-Syrian border, this new suspense thriller runs side by side with the phenomenal series that has sold more than 50 million copies. New characters and situations are added to those from the already explosive Left Behind series to raise the tension to a fever pitch. With technical accuracy from the same people who create best-selling military thrillers, this new series will satisfy the fans of the original Left Behind series who are looking for more.
Paid in Blood (NCIS Series, Book #1)
by Mel OdomPolitical unrest blankets the world. An NCIS agent is found murdered in North Carolina. A U.S. Marine with ties to the South Korean black market is assassinated in Chinhae. Colombian cocaine is discovered in Moscow. AND OLD SOVIET NUCLEAR MISSILES HAVE GONE MISSING, The stage is set for world destruction. Only Will Coburn and his team of dedicated NCIS agents can stop it. BUT TIME is RUNNING OUT. This groundbreaking new novel from best-selling author Mel Odom moves from the Middle East to Japan, from the U.S. to South Korea, from a remote village in eastern Russia to the South China Sea. Will Coburn and his team must fight against a countdown to global decimation as they race to uncover the face of true evil.