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Gods, Goddesses, and the Women Who Serve Them
by Susan AckermanA wide-ranging study of women in ancient Israelite religion. Susan Ackerman has spent her scholarly career researching underexamined aspects of the world of the Hebrew Bible—particularly those aspects pertaining to women. In this collection drawn from three decades of her work, she describes in fascinating detail the worship of goddesses in ancient Israel, the roles women played as priests and prophets, the cultic significance of queen mothers, and the Hebrew Bible&’s accounts of women&’s religious lives. Specific topics include:the &“Queen of Heaven,&” a goddess whose worship was the object of censure in the book of JeremiahAsherah, the great Canaanite mother goddess for whom Judean women were described as weaving in the book of Kingsbiblical figures considered as religious functionaries, such as Miriam, Deborah, and Zipporahthe lack of women priests in ancient Israel explored against the prevalence of priestesses in the larger ancient Near Eastern worldthe cultic significance of queen mothers in Israel and throughout the ancient Near EastIsraelite women&’s participation in the cult of Yahweh and in the cults of various goddesses
When Heroes Love: The Ambiguity of Eros in the Stories of Gilgamesh and David (Gender, Theory, and Religion)
by Susan AckermanToward the end of the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh King Gilgamesh laments the untimely death of his comrade Enkidu, "my friend whom I loved dearly." Similarly in the Bible, David mourns his companion, Jonathan, whose "love to me was wonderful, greater than the love of women." These passages, along with other ambiguous erotic and sexual language found in the Gilgamesh epic and the biblical David story, have become the object of numerous and competing scholarly inquiries into the sexual nature of the heroes' relationships. Susan Ackerman's innovative work carefully examines the stories' sexual and homoerotic language and suggests that its ambiguity provides new ways of understanding ideas of gender and sexuality in the ancient Near East and its literature. In exploring the stories of Gilgamesh and Enkidu and David and Jonathan, Ackerman cautions against applying modern conceptions of homosexuality to these relationships. Drawing on historical and literary criticism, Ackerman's close readings analyze the stories of David and Gilgamesh in light of contemporary definitions of sexual relationships and gender roles. She argues that these male relationships cannot be taken as same-sex partnerships in the modern sense, but reflect the ancient understanding of gender roles, whether in same- or opposite-sex relationships, as defined as either active (male) or passive (female). Her interpretation also considers the heroes' erotic and sexual interactions with members of the opposite sex.Ackerman shows that the texts' language and erotic imagery suggest more than just an intense male bonding. She argues that, though ambiguous, the erotic imagery and language have a critical function in the texts and serve the political, religious, and aesthetic aims of the narrators. More precisely, the erotic language in the story of David seeks to feminize Jonathan and thus invalidate his claim to Israel's throne in favor of David. In the case of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, whose egalitarian relationship is paradoxically described using the hierarchically dependent language of sexual relationships, the ambiguous erotic language reinforces their status as liminal figures and heroes in the epic tradition.
Women and the Religion of Ancient Israel (The Anchor Yale Bible Reference Library)
by Susan AckermanA synthetic reconstruction of women&’s religious engagement and experiences in preexilic Israel &“This monumental book examines a wealth of data from the Bible, archaeology, and ancient Near Eastern texts and iconography to provide a clear, comprehensive, and compelling analysis of women&’s religious lives in preexilic times.&”—Carol Meyers, Duke University Throughout the biblical narrative, ancient Israelite religious life is dominated by male actors. When women appear, they are often seen only on the periphery: as tangential, accidental, or passive participants. However, despite their absence from the written record, they were often deeply involved in religious practice and ritual observance. In this new volume, Susan Ackerman presents a comprehensive account of ancient Israelite women&’s religious lives and experiences. She examines the various sites of their practice, including household shrines, regional sanctuaries, and national temples; the calendar of religious rituals that women observed on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis; and their special roles in religious settings. Drawing on texts, archaeology, and material culture, and documenting the distinctions between Israelite women&’s experiences and those of their male counterparts, Ackerman reconstructs an essential picture of women&’s lived religion in ancient Israelite culture.
The Myth and Ritual School: J.G. Frazer and the Cambridge Ritualists (Theorists of Myth)
by Robert AckermanFirst Published in 2002. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.
The Bible as/in Literature: Anthology
by James S. Ackerman Thayer S. Warshaw John SweetLiterature anthology
When The Devil Whistles
by Rick Acker"I didn't have a choice. I didn't." That's what Allie Whitman tells herself every night as she lies awake. Sometimes she even believes it. But mostly she knows deep down that her inability to make a hard choice has put millions of lives at risk, including her own. Now the only one who can help her is her lawyer, Connor Norman. Unfortunately, Allie's actions have destroyed Connor's trust in her--and may destroy much, much more.
Alexandrian Summer
by André Aciman Yardenne Greenspan Yitzhak Gormezano Goren"A powerful novel of tensions-sexual, familial, religious, and political-and an affecting but unsparing portrait of the petit bourgeois world of Egyptian Jews standing obliviously on the edge of a precipice. Alexandria--sensual and enchanting--shimmers in these pages." -Dalia Sofer, author of The Septembers of Shiraz"A fine work of art . . . riveting from the first page to the last."-Zo Haderekh"A reason to rejoice. . . . You can't help but keep on smiling with great pleasure."-Maariv"A profound literary experience."-AhshavAlexandrian Summer is the story of two Jewish families living their frenzied last days in the doomed cosmopolitan social whirl of Alexandria just before fleeing Egypt for Israel in 1951. The conventions of the Egyptian upper-middle class are laid bare in this dazzling novel, which exposes startling sexual hypocrisies and portrays a now vanished polyglot world of horse-racing, seaside promenades, and elegant night clubs. Hamdi-Ali senior is an old-time patriarch with more than a dash of strong Turkish blood. His handsome elder son, a promising horse jockey, can't afford sexual frustration, as it leads him to overeat and imperil his career, but the woman he lusts after won't let him get beyond undoing a few buttons. Victor, the younger son, takes his pleasure with other boys. But the true heroine of the story-richly evoked in a pungent upstairs/downstairs mix-is the raucous, seductive city of Alexandria itself. Published in Hebrew in 1978, Alexandrian Summer appears now in translation for the first time.Yitzhak Gormezano Goren was born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1941 and immigrated to Israel as a child. A playwright and novelist, Goren studied English and French literature at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University. In 1982, he cofounded the Bimat Kedem Theater.
Woman as Healer
by Jeanne AchterbergThis groundbreaking work examines the role of women in the Western healing traditions. Drawing on the disciplines of history, anthropology, botany, archaeology, and the behavioral sciences, Jeanne Achterberg discusses the ancient cultures in which women worked as independent and honored healers; the persecution of women healers in the witch hunts of the Middle Ages; the development of midwifery and nursing as women's professions in the nineteenth century; and the current role of women and the state of the healing arts, as a time of crisis in the health-care professions coincides with the reemergence of feminine values.
The Bible's Yes to Same-Sex Marriage: An Evangelical's Change of Heart
by Mark AchtemeierIn the early 2000's, Mark Achtemeier embarked on a personal journey with the Bible that led him from being a conservative, evangelical opponent of gay rights to an outspoken activist for gay marriage and a fully inclusive church. In The Bible's Yes to Same-Sex Marriage, Achtemeier shares what led to his change of heart: the problems with excluding groups of people and the insights into the Bible's message that led him to recognize the fullness of God's love and support for LGBT persons. Readers will discover how reading snippets of Scripture out of context has led to false and misleading interpretations of the Bible's message for gay people. Achtemeier shows how a careful reading of the whole Scripture reveals God's good news about love, marriage, and sexuality for gay and straight people alike.
The Bible’s Yes to Same-Sex Marriage: An Evangelical's Change Of Heart
by Mark AchtemeierIn the early 2000's, Mark Achtemeier embarked on a personal journey with the Bible that led him from being a conservative, evangelical opponent of gay rights to an outspoken activist for gay marriage and a fully inclusive church. In The Bible's Yes to Same-Sex Marriage, Achtemeier shares what led to his change of heart: the problems with excluding groups of people and the insights into the Bible's message that led him to recognize the fullness of God's love and support for LGBT persons. Readers will discover how reading snippets of Scripture out of context has led to false and misleading interpretations of the Bible's message for gay people. Achtemeier shows how a careful reading of the whole Scripture reveals God's good news about love, marriage, and sexuality for gay and straight people alike.
Prussian Conservatism 1815-1856: Ecclesiastical Origins and Political Strategies
by Laura Claudia AchtelstetterThe book examines the nexus between political and religious thought within the Prussian old conservative milieu. It presents early-nineteenth-century Prussian conservatism as a phenomenon connected to a specific generation of young Prussians. The book introduces the ecclesial-political ‘party of the Evangelische Kirchenzeitung’ (EKZ), a religious party within the Prussian state church, as the origins of Prussia’s conservative party post-1848. It traces the roots of the EKZ party back to the experiences of the Napoleonic Wars (1806-15) and the social movements dominant at that time. Additionally, the book analyses this generation’s increasing politicization and presents the German revolution of 1848 and the foundation of Prussia’s first conservative party as the result of a decade-long struggle for a religiously-motivated ideal of church, state, and society. The overall shift from church politics to state politics is key to understanding conservative policy post-1848. Consequently, this book shows how conservatives aimed to maintain Prussia’s character as a Christian and monarchical state, while at the same time adapting to contemporary political and social circumstances. Therefore, the book is a must-read for researchers, scholars, and students of Political Science and History interested in a better understanding of the origins and the evolution of Prussian conservatism, as well as the history of political thought.
An Anthropology of the Qur’an (Routledge Studies in Religion)
by Ahmed AchratiThis book presents an anthropological study of the Qur’an, offering an unprecedented challenge to some of the epistemological and metaphysical assumptions of the tawḥīdic discourses. Combining primary textual materials and anthropological analysis, this book examines transcendence as a core principle of the Qur’an, uniquely signified in the divine name al-Quddūs (the Holy). It shows how the tawḥīdic representations of Allah constitute an inversion of this attribute; examines how this inversion has been conceived, authorized, and maintained; and demonstrates how it has affected Islamic thinking and practices, especially as relates to authority. This book also explores how a return to the Qur’anic primacy of God’s otherness as al-Quddūs can influence Islamic thinking and practices moving forward. Therefore, it will be highly useful to scholars of Islamic Studies, philosophical theology, Qur’anic studies, political science, ethics, anthropology, and religious studies.
Change Starts with You: Following Your Fire to Heal a Broken World
by Sam AchoInjustice, division, and suffering may loom large in this broken world, but you have the power to stand up for truth, unity, and healing. Join writer, motivational speaker, humanitarian, and NFL veteran Sam Acho as he gives you the courage you need to be a changemaker.When gold is put into a crucible over a fire, the impurities (known as "dross") rise to the top. When faced with extreme heat, these precious metals are purified. Nothing about the metal&’s essential makeup changes, but the impurities in them are brought to the surface, leaving behind precious gold.America is in a crucible right now--and maybe you are, too. The pandemic has strained an already struggling economy, longstanding cultural and political divisions have reached a boiling point, and injustices have been brought into the spotlight in ways that we can no longer ignore. But the thing about crucibles is that they bring out both the worst and the best of us.As you read Change Starts with You, you'll be:Inspired to discover and follow your fire--the unique passions that God has put in each of our heartsEquipped to dream big, channeling your passions into creating positive change wherever God has called youEncouraged by Acho's firsthand accounts of communities transformed by people with the courage and tenacity to follow their own fireMotivated to be a leader who empowers others to become changemakers tooPraise for Change Starts with You:"Sam is a refreshing voice that the world so needs right now. This book is not a 'how to,' but a 'to do.' Sam is the spark to refire and refuel you like only Sam can, to become a force for good and live the unlimited life we've imagined in both a relatable and aspirational way. I can't wait for him to inspire you to take action in the same way he's inspired me."--Molly Qerim, philanthropist and host of First Take on ESPN
Let the World See You: How to Be Real in a World Full of Fakes
by Sam AchoNFL linebacker, speaker, podcaster, and humanitarian Sam Acho gives a blueprint for taking off our masks and living lives of genuine authenticity.Most of us hide. We play small and don't live up to our full potential. Sam Acho was one of those people. As an NFL linebacker, for example, he earned his MBA but told no one because he was afraid of what people might think if they found out that he cared about things that weren't "normal" for his profession. After many years of hiding himself, the person he had become had no connection to the real Sam. Only when he lost a friend and a mentor did he realize he was doing it all wrong--just like many us do, when we try to become someone we're not. All the while, we ignore the unique gifts and talents and personality we truly possess.But there is another way of living: Let the world see you. Your quirks, your passions, and your inner desires were not given to you by accident. And the world needs your gifts.In Let the World See You, Sam Acho shares lessons from his own life as well as stories from others to reveal how you can overcome your fears and discover your true selves. Being the real you pays big. No one else has what you have. No one else can share what you share. Let the World See You helps crack the shell of people who are in hiding and reveals the benefits of a lifestyle lived on purpose.
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew
by Emmanuel Acho Noa TishbyNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From two New York Times bestselling authors, a timely, disarmingly honest, and thought-provoking investigation into antisemitism that connects the dots between the tropes and hatred of the past to our current complicated moment. For Emmanuel Acho and Noa Tishby no question about Jews is off-limits. They go there. They cover Jews and money. Jews and power. Jews and privilege. Jews and white privilege. The Black and Jewish struggle. Emmanuel asks, Did Jews kill Jesus? To which Noa responds, &“Why are Jewish people history&’s favorite scapegoat?&” They unpack Judaism itself: Is it a religion, culture, a peoplehood, or a race? And: Are you antisemitic if you&’re anti-Zionist? The questions—and answers—might make you squirm, but together, they explain the tropes, stereotypes, and catalysts of antisemitism in America today. The topics are complicated and Acho and Tishby bring vastly different perspectives. Tishby is an outspoken Israeli American. Acho is a mild-mannered son of a Nigerian American pastor. But they share a superpower: an uncanny ability to make complicated ideas easy to understand so anyone can follow the straight line from the past to our immediate moment—and then see around corners. Acho and Tishby are united by the core belief that hatred toward one group is never isolated: if you see the smoke of bigotry in one place, expect that we will all be in the fire. Informative and accessible, Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew has a unique structure: Acho asks questions and Tishby answers them with deeply personal, historical, and political responses. This book will enable anyone to explain—and identify—what Jewish hatred looks like. It is a much-needed lexicon for this fraught moment in Jewish history. As Acho says, &“Proximity breeds care and distance breeds fear.&”
Boldly I Come: Praying According to God’s Word
by Kofi Acheampong“Let us therefore come BOLDLY unto the throne of grace…” Hebrews 4:16Prayer connects us with supernatural, God-given power for unshakeable faith and victory over defeat in everyday life. It is the bridge to a life of perpetual victory; a spiritual weapon capable of overcoming evil and changing our world.Using twelve Biblical benefits of prayer, Evangelist Kofi Acheampong introduces the authority granted to us through prayer.Specific prayer points show how to pray for the real-world concerns of everyday life.Through teaching and example, prepare to stir-up and unleash power and boldness in prayer as you’ve never witnessed before.It’s time to come BOLDLY unto the throne of grace!
Shri Rang Avadhut
by Jayantilal Acharyaશ્રી રંગઅવધૂત એ નવજીવન દ્વારા પ્રકાશિત સંતવાણી ગ્રંથાવલિનું ચોવીસમું પુસ્તક છે. સંતવાણી ગ્રંથાવલિ એ ભારતના મહાનુભાવોના જીવન અને વિચારને વાચક સુધી પહોંચાડવાનો નવજીવન ટ્રસ્ટનો નમ્ર પ્રયાસ છે.
The Six Lamps: Secret Dzogchen Instructions of the Bön Tradition
by Jean-Luc AchardEsteemed Tibetologist Jean-Luc Achard contextualizes and provides a clear translation of highly secret precepts on Dzogchen practice unlike anything published. The Instructions on the Six Lamps is a profound and important work from the Bön Dzogchen tradition and is one of the root texts of the Zhangzhung Nyengyü (Oral Transmission of Zhangzhung) series of orally transmitted teachings. Considered to be the central work of the inner cycle of these teachings, it expertly details the principles of the natural state and its visionary marvels. The root text describes highly secret precepts of Dzogchen (Great Perfection) practice—the teachings of Trekchö and Thögel—as revealed by Tapihritsa to Gyerpung Nangzher Löpo. The teachings in this text represent oral instructions transmitted by a single master to a single disciple in the mode known as “single transmission.” It is through such a practice that one can see the clear light of one’s own mind before achieving complete buddhahood. In this respect, the text contains a complete teaching of Dzogchen, from beginning to end.
Soziologie der Zwischenkriegszeit. Ihre Hauptströmungen und zentralen Themen im deutschen Sprachraum: Band 1
by Karl Acham Stephan MoebiusIn den Bänden dieser Reihe werden erstmalig detailliert die wichtigsten Strömungen und Themen der ungemein fruchtbaren Periode der Soziologie der Zwischenkriegszeit im deutschen Sprachraum dargelegt. Damit leisten diese Bände nicht nur einen eminent wertvollen Beitrag zur Aufarbeitung der Geschichte der Soziologie in theoretischer, empirischer und institutioneller Hinsicht, sondern vertiefen diese Fachgeschichte auch durch die Bezugnahme auf Nachbardisziplinen wie Sozial- und Ideengeschichte, Ökonomik, Psychologie und Ethnologie.
Soziologie der Zwischenkriegszeit. Ihre Hauptströmungen und zentralen Themen im deutschen Sprachraum: Band 2
by Karl Acham Stephan MoebiusIn den Bänden dieser Reihe werden erstmalig detailliert die wichtigsten Strömungen und Themen der ungemein fruchtbaren Periode der Soziologie der Zwischenkriegszeit im deutschen Sprachraum dargelegt. Damit leisten diese Bände nicht nur einen eminent wertvollen Beitrag zur Aufarbeitung der Geschichte der Soziologie in theoretischer, empirischer und institutioneller Hinsicht, sondern vertiefen die eingehende Erörterung Spezieller Soziologien auch durch die Bezugnahme auf Nachbardisziplinen wie Sozial- und Ideengeschichte, Ökonomik, Psychologie und Ethnologie.
Crystal Vision Through Crystal Gazing: The Crystal As A Stepping Stone To Clear Vision
by Frater AchadThe Purpose of this little volume is three-fold. (1) To give those who are interested in the art of Crystal-Gazing a clear and concise method of procedure, not alone in the practice of the work, but also in the preparation of the crystal itself, so that it becomes a true material basis or link with other planes. (2) To show that the Ancient Methods of Working—if properly understood—are more scientific than modern ones, since they were designed to insure a definite type of vision and to put the Seer in touch with definite Intelligences of a Higher Order. (3) To point out that there are other Crystalline Spheres besides the crystal ball at first used to contact them; and that eventually the practice may lead to very high results, if the necessary steps are taken to insure success.With these objects in mind, the Author has done all in his power to make this book of real value to all who may obtain it.In the hands of the beginner it may lead to a wider conception of the Nature and Powers of his, or her, own being. Those who have already traveled some distance along the Occult Path may still find help through the study of the more advanced, if less understood, methods of the Ancient Seers. Those who are seeking to make their own Vision more Perfect, so that the Light of Truth may focus itself within them, will also find hints as to the means of accomplishing their True Purpose.Thus, it is hoped, all will be satisfied; and should their satisfaction be equal to that of the Author at this opportunity to herald the Light—however faintly—of the Ultimate Crystalline Sphere, Whose nature is Light Itself, he will be more than repaid for his efforts.—Frater Achad
Stay in the City: How Christian Faith Is Flourishing in an Urban World
by Peter And Acevedo Timothy Keller Maria Liu Wong Mark R. GornikWe live in an urban age. To a degree unprecedented in human history, most of the world's people live in cities. It is thus vital, say Mark Gornik and Maria Liu Wong, for Christians to think constructively about how to live out their faith in an urban setting. In Stay in the City Gornik and Liu Wong look at what is happening in the urban church—and what Christians everywhere can learn from it. Once viewed suspiciously for their worldly temptations and vices, cities are increasingly becoming centers of vibrant Christian faith. Writing from their experience living and working in New York City, Gornik and Liu Wong invite readers everywhere to join together in creating a more flourishing—and faith-filled—urban world.
A Grace-Full Life Leader Guide: God's All-Reaching, Soul-Saving, Character-Shaping, Never-Ending Love (A Grace-Full Life)
by Jorge Acevedo Wes OldsGrace is God's all-reaching, never-ending, game-changing love for you and me. In this series, Jorge Acevedo and Wes Olds examine God's Word and discover how grace works in our lives and in our world. A Grace-Full Life seeks to answer the questions: In what ways is God an ever-present God?, Why does God want to have a personal relationship with me?, How can I fully experience and respond to God's grace?, How can I die well surrounded by God's grace?. Themes include: Prevenient grace: God's wooing or drawing grace Justifying grace: God's saving grace Sanctifying grace: God's grace that makes us more like Jesus Glorifying grace: God's grace that welcomes us to eternity The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the four-week study including session plans and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options.
Holy Living Series: Spiritual Practices for Building a Life of Faith (Holy Living)
by Jorge Acevedo"While physical training has some value, training in holy living is useful for everything. It has promise for this life now and the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:8 CEB) Christians crave a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. The spiritual disciplines are historical practices that can guide us in our daily walk, bringing us closer to Christ. The Holy Living series brings a fresh perspective on the spiritual disciplines, enabling us to apply their practices to our current lives. Practicing these spiritual disciplines opens us to God's transforming love. Both the Old and New Testaments call the people of God to love God completely as well as to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Jesus told his followers these were the greatest commandments. What if by "neighbor," Jesus literally meant the precious people who live in your neighborhoods? What if by "neighbor," Jesus meant all of your neighbors, regardless of age, socioeconomic status, or any other potentially divisive designation? This book first defines what is meant by the spiritual practice of "neighboring" and then looks at ways we can live into neighboring as a spiritual practice in our own lives and in the lives of our churches and communities. This is one of series of eight books. Each book in this series introduces a spiritual practice, suggests way of living the practice daily, and provides opportunities to grow personally and in a faith community with others who engage with the practice. Each book consists of an introduction and four chapters and includes questions for personal reflection and group discussion. Other disciplines studied: Celebration, Confession, Discernment, Prayer, Simplicity, Study, and Worship.
Vital: Churches Changing Communities and the World
by Jorge AcevedoWhat behaviors do highly vital congregations have in common? How can all congregations move toward greater vitality? In Vital: Churches Changing Communities and the World, Jorge Acevedo passionately and effectively reveals how Grace Church in Cape Coral, Florida, has developed behaviors that result in vital and fruitful ministry. Focusing on spiritual pastoral leadership, lay leadership development, worship, small groups, and service and mission, Acevedo both inspires and coaches. He helps leaders of congregations act in their own contexts to develop behaviors essential to vitality, as identified by the recent study of 32,000 United Methodist congregations. The book includes brief summaries of learnings from the research and stories from other congregations illustrating vital behaviors in different settings. Approximately 15% of the 32,228 churches (4,961 churches) scored high in vitality based on the vitality index. What this means is that 15% of our churches have figured out some way to remain highly vital in spite of the fact that 85% have not. What this means is that we cannot assign all the blame for our congregational demise at the feet of the "institution" of the church. 4961 congregations have figured out ways to prevail in spite of our denominational condition. To me this is hopeful and promising! This book is my best attempt for us to learn from the 15% of United Methodist Churches that are vital, growing and prevailing. Jorge Acevedo