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Freemasonry: The Invisible Cult
by Jack Harris Alan R. StreetMillions Deceived in a Secret Cult A former “Worshipful Master” of a Masonic lodge, Jack Harris authoritatively speaks about one of the most deceptive cults in the United States today. This secret organization has entangled ministers, elders, deacons, trustees, Sunday school teachers, and people all over the world in a web of lies and satanic rituals--all of which are veiled with the language of the Bible! Revealed in this book are… The origins and history of Freemasonry Its basic doctrines and goals The secret of passwords and oaths The “supreme Masonic word” The satanic symbolism and rituals Freemasonry is a false religion. It teaches that men can approach God, not through the finished work of Jesus Christ, but through their own abilities. Discover how you can share the light of Christ with those living in the darkness of Freemasonry, and how they can be set free from its deception.
Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism
by Susan JacobyHow secularists view the world and how they are viewed by others.
Freethought and Atheism in Central and Eastern Europe: The Development of Secularity and Non-Religion (Routledge Studies in Religion)
This book provides the first comprehensive overview of atheism, secularity and non-religion in Central and Eastern Europe in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. In contrast to scholarship that has focused on the ‘decline of religion’ and secularization theory, the book builds upon recent trends to focus on the ‘rise of non-religion’ itself. While the label of ‘post-communism’ might suggest a generalized perception of the region, this survey reveals that the precise developments in each country before, after and even during the communist era are surprisingly diverse. A multinational team of contributors provide interdisciplinary case studies covering Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria. This approach utilises perspectives from social and intellectual history in combination with sociology of religion in order to cover the historical development of secularity and secular thought, complemented with sociological data. The study is framed by methodological and analytical chapters. Offering an important geographical perspective to the study of freethought, atheism, secularity and non-religion, this wide-ranging book will be of significant interest to scholars of twentieth-century social and intellectual history, sociology of religion and non-religion, cultural and religious studies, philosophy and theology.
Freezing Point
by Elizabeth GoddardCasey Wilkes didn't realize her simple human-interest story would put her life at risk-again. After fleeing her home and journalism job in Portland, she wanted to live under the radar for a while. But when her interviewee starts dodging her questions, her reporter instincts kick in and she finds herself in over her head.... Homeland security agent Jesse Mitchell has been undercover as an ice sculptor for months, trying to infiltrate a smuggling ring. He wants to avoid trouble, and that's just what Casey brings. Now someone has a target set on Casey. Saving her could blow his cover, but leaving her unprotected endangers him even more-especially his heart.
Freezing Point: A Suspenseful Inspirational Romance (Mills And Boon Love Inspired Suspense Ser.)
by Elizabeth GoddardSECRETS UNDER THE ICECasey Wilkes didn’t realize her simple human-interest story would put her life at risk—again. After fleeing her home and journalism job in Washington state, she wanted to live under the radar for a while. But when her interviewee starts dodging her questions, her reporter instincts kick in and she can’t resist digging deeper…Homeland security agent Jesse Mitchell has been undercover as an ice sculptor for months, trying to infiltrate a smuggling ring. He wants to avoid trouble, and that’s just what Casey brings. Now someone has a target set on Casey. Saving her could blow his cover, but leaving her unprotected endangers him even more—especially his heart.Originally published in 2011
French Existentialism: A Christian Critique
by Frederick KingstonIn this study the author makes a comparison between the two main types of existentialism: the Christian and the non-Christian. The comparison is made on four levels: first, the common situation; second, the possibility and means of communication; third, the chosen methods of philosophy; and fourth, the attitude and interpretations in relation to similar subjects. Although the French existentialists have been greatly influenced by Kierkegaard and by contemporary existentialist thought in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and the United States, the study is limited to the existentialism of contemporary French writers. France in the last fifty years has experienced some of the most crucial events of her history and this common setting for both Christian and non-Christian man turns to Christianity and another militant atheism. It is particularly in France that the split is most clearly made between these two varieties of existentialist thought. Dr. Kingston handles the issues in a fair and honest way, neither concealing his own position nor dealing unfairly with those of whom he is most critical. The intelligent English reader, lay or academic, will find this an excellent introduction to a whole area of modern French life and thought with which he is unlikely to be well acquainted.
French Missionaries in Acadia/Nova Scotia, 1654-1755: On a Risky Edge (Christianities in the Trans-Atlantic World)
by Matteo BinascoThis book investigates and assesses how and to what extent the French Catholic missionaries carried out their evangelical activity amid the natives of Acadia/Nova Scotia from the mid-seventeenth century until 1755, the year of the Great Deportation of the Acadians. It provides a new understanding of the role played by the French missionaries in the most peripheral and less populated area of Canada during the colonial period. The decision to focus on this period is dictated by the need to investigate how and to which extent the French missionaries sought to carry out their activity within a contested territory which was exposed to the pressures coming out of both French and British imperial interests.
French Muslims in Perspective: Nationalism, Post-Colonialism and Marginalisation under the Republic
by Joseph DowningWith the largest Muslim population in Western Europe, France has faced a number of critiques in its attempts to assimilate Muslims into an ostensibly secular (but predominantly Catholic) state and society. This book challenges traditional analyses that emphasise the conflict between Muslims and the French state and broader French society, by exploring the intersection of Muslim faith with other identities, as well as the central roles of Muslims in French civil society, politics and the media. The tensions created by attacks on French soil by Islamic State have contributed to growing acceptance of the Islamophobic discourse of Marine Le Pen and her far-right Front National party, and debates about issues such as headscarves and burkinis have garnered worldwide attention. Downing addresses these issues from a new angle, eschewing the traditional us-and-them narrative and offering a more nuanced account based on people’s actual lived experiences. French Muslims in Perspective will be of interest to students and scholars across sociology, politics, international relations, cultural studies, European Studies and French studies, as well as policy makers and practitioners involved in immigration, education, and media.
French Women Authors: The Significance of the Spiritual, 1400–2000
by Holly Faith Nelson Katharine Bubel Sinda Vanderpool Deborah Sullivan-Trainor Hadley Wood Kelsey L. Haskett Anne M. François Susan UdryFrench Women Authors examines the importance afforded the spiritual in the lives and works of French women authors over the centuries, thereby highlighting both the significance of spiritually informed writings in French literature in general, as well as the specific contribution made by women writers. Eleven different authors have been selected for this collection, representing major literary periods from the medieval to the (post)modern. Each author is examined in the light of a Christian worldview, creating an approach which both validates and interrogates the spiritual dimension of the works under consideration. At the same time, the book as a whole presents a broad perspective on French women writers, showing how they reflect or stand in opposition to their times. The chronological order of the chapters reveals an evolution in the modes of spirituality expressed by these authors and in the role of spiritual belief or religion in French society over time. From the overwhelmingly Christian culture of the Middle Ages and pre-Enlightenment France to the wide diversity prevalent in (post)modern times, including the rise of Islam within French borders, a radical shift has permeated French society, a shift that is reflected in the writers chosen for this book. Moreover, the sensitivity of women writers to the individual side of spiritual life, in contrast with the practices of organized religion, also emerges as a major trend in this book, with women often being seen as a voice for social and religious change, or for a more meaningful, personal faith. Lastly, despite a blatant rejection of God and religion, spiritual threads still run through the works of one of France’s most celebrated contemporary writers (Marguerite Duras), whose cry for an absolute in the midst of a spiritual vacuum only reiterates the quest for transcendence or for some form of spiritual expression, as voiced in the works of her female predecessors and contemporaries in France, and as demonstrated in this book. Published by University of Delaware Press. Distributed worldwide by Rutgers University Press.
French Women Authors: The Significance of the Spiritual, 1400–2000
by Holly Faith Nelson Katharine Bubel Sinda Vanderpool Deborah Sullivan-Trainor Hadley Wood Kelsey L. Haskett Anne M. François Susan UdryFrench Women Authors examines the importance afforded the spiritual in the lives and works of French women authors over the centuries, thereby highlighting both the significance of spiritually informed writings in French literature in general, as well as the specific contribution made by women writers. Eleven different authors have been selected for this collection, representing major literary periods from the medieval to the (post)modern. Each author is examined in the light of a Christian worldview, creating an approach which both validates and interrogates the spiritual dimension of the works under consideration. At the same time, the book as a whole presents a broad perspective on French women writers, showing how they reflect or stand in opposition to their times. The chronological order of the chapters reveals an evolution in the modes of spirituality expressed by these authors and in the role of spiritual belief or religion in French society over time. From the overwhelmingly Christian culture of the Middle Ages and pre-Enlightenment France to the wide diversity prevalent in (post)modern times, including the rise of Islam within French borders, a radical shift has permeated French society, a shift that is reflected in the writers chosen for this book. Moreover, the sensitivity of women writers to the individual side of spiritual life, in contrast with the practices of organized religion, also emerges as a major trend in this book, with women often being seen as a voice for social and religious change, or for a more meaningful, personal faith. Lastly, despite a blatant rejection of God and religion, spiritual threads still run through the works of one of France’s most celebrated contemporary writers (Marguerite Duras), whose cry for an absolute in the midst of a spiritual vacuum only reiterates the quest for transcendence or for some form of spiritual expression, as voiced in the works of her female predecessors and contemporaries in France, and as demonstrated in this book. Published by University of Delaware Press. Distributed worldwide by Rutgers University Press.
Frequency: Tune In. Hear God.
by Robert MorrisHearing God is not something you do. Hearing God is someone you are. As believers in Jesus Christ, we naturally want to know how we can hear God's voice. Does God speak? Is He speaking to me? The good news is, yes, He is speaking. And like a radio host broadcasting His voice into the airwaves, God speaks all the time. The question is, are we tuned into the right frequency? In Frequency, Robert Morris reveals a groundbreaking, Bible-based teaching about hearing God's voice. God communicates with us in multiple ways, whether through the Bible, through circumstances, or even through a whisper. Robert Morris demonstrates how we can mature from hearing His voice as sheep to hearing it as His friend to even hearing it as a prophet. When we begin to understand the general and specific ways God speaks to us, then we can begin to cultivate a life of deeper connection with our Creator. In Frequency, readers will... Gain a better understanding of how to recognize God's voice Value the voice of the Lord Discern the general voice of God from the specific voice of God Grow in their relationship with the Lord by developing consistent time with His Word Enjoy drawing closer to their Creator Is it possible to tune into the frequency of heaven and hear the voice of God? Robert Morris believes so. When we face critical decisions in our lives, we long to hear from God. Yet during those moments, if we've not spent regular time with God and His word, we will struggle to hear His voice. However, if we place a high value on hearing God, by setting a specific time to meet with Him each day, then we will not only learn how He has spoken to others in times past but also discover the ways He speaks to us. Frequency will demystify the process of hearing God and take you to a new level in your faith. God is speaking. Are you listening? "He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." --Revelation 2:7
Frequently Asked Questions in Islamic Finance
by Brian KettellIn Frequently Asked Questions in Islamic Finance, industry expert Brian Kettell answers some of the most frequently asked questions from his many years experience in working and teaching in Islamic finance and banking. From knowledge of the Qu'ran and Sharia'a Law, to new and old Islamic financial concepts, Islamic terms, and Islamic financial instruments and services, this book covers all the key areas that practitioners need to Islamic finance. The book addresses individual questions such as "what is Takaful?", and provide answers with a clear overview of the product or service, and an example, or illustration where appropriate, of how they work in practice. The book also features a question and answer section for readers to test and build their knowledge of the area.Light, entertaining and varied in its approach, Frequently Asked Questions in Islamic Finance will prove popular for experienced practioners and novices alike.
Fresh Air: The Holy Spirit for an Inspired Life
by Jack Levison"Fresh Air offers careful examination of the Holy Spirit, all tangled up with a wide wonder."—Nichole Nordeman "I've often asked pastors, 'Who is the most neglected person of the Trinity?' They always answer, 'The Holy Spirit.' In this lively and—well—Spirit-filled book, Jack Levison enjoys the exploits of the Holy Spirit throughout scripture, provoking a fresh encounter with God. Jack is uniquely qualified to lead us, combining his scholarly understanding of scripture with his deep affection for the church, both mainline and Pentecostal. No one will think about the Holy Spirit in the same way after reading Jack's book." —Will Willimon "Jack Levison's book is the most biblical, wide-ranging, innovative, and refreshing book on the Holy Spirit in years. The Spirit is here de-programmed and set loose. You may be surprised in every chapter, I know I was." —Scot McKnight "Fresh Air is, well, a breath of fresh air. Jack Levison fuses an accurate but unpretentious examination of the Holy Spirit in Scripture with a lively and generous style that invites the entire Christian community, regardless of label, to embrace God's Spirit in the everyday ordinariness of life." —Eugene Peterson "FRESH AIR is exactly what its title promises: a lively, fresh study of the theology of the Holy Spirit by a brilliant and spirited theologian. If there is such a thing as poignant Christian midrash, then this surely is it." —Phyllis Tickle "People told me Jack Levison was a great teacher, and when I read this book I realized why. His excitement is infectious; he tells a great story; he sets little-known biblical passages on fire and drills down to unimagined depths in well-known ones. He has a boyish enthusiasm, but his account of the holy spirit – and what the spirit can do for whole churches, not just individuals! – is mature, seasoned, challenging and wise. His scholarship is spot on, his human warmth and Christian compassion are everywhere. An unbeatable combination." —N. T. Wright
Fresh Brewed Life: A Stirring Invitation to Wake Up Your Soul
by Nicole JohnsonWith wit and wisdom, Nicole Johnson leads readers in a journey of awakenings—first, to God as they respond to His tender, passionate love for them; second to readers as they embrace their identities as women, their gifts, and their dreams; and finally to others as readers learn to love and communicate in ways that bring joy and closeness.
Fresh Brewed Life: EZ Lesson Plan
by Nicole JohnsonWith wit and wisdom, Nicole Johnson leads readers in a journey of awakenings--first, to God as they respond to His tender, passionate love for them; second to readers as they embrace their identities as women, their gifts, and their dreams; and finally to others as readers learn to love and communicate in ways that bring joy and closeness.
Fresh Encounters: Experiencing Transformation through United Worship-Based Prayer
by Daniel HendersonFresh Encounters presents a different model for praying together that has seen results in churches across the United States. Put it into practice at your church, and watch the transforming power of Jesus Christ work through united, worship-based prayer.
Fresh Expressions in a Digital Age: How the Church Can Prepare for a Post Pandemic World
by Rosario Picardo Michael Adam BeckFresh Expressions is a canary in the coal mine, alerting congregations to reevaluate what the Church is, where and when it can happen, and who can lead it. Church as we know it is inaccessible to most people. A fundamental premise of the movement is that Church can become accessible again by emerging in every nook and cranny where life already happens. Fresh Expressions is based in simplification, returning to basic scriptural principles, and a recovery of a “priesthood of all believers”—in the three places where people live and relate to others.First Place: The home or primary place of residence. Second Place: The workplace or school place. Third Place: The public places separate from the two usual social environments of home and workplace, which host regular, voluntary, informal, and neutral spaces of communion and play. Examples are environments such as cafes, pubs, theaters, parks, and so on.During a pandemic, our two primary mission spaces were closed off; the second and third places were shut down. We couldn’t have Tattoo Parlor Church; the tattoo parlor was closed. We couldn’t gather in Moe’s Southwest Grill for Burritos and Bibles; they were doing take-out only. The dog park was empty; no Paws of Praise. This limited us to the only spaces we have left: the first place, or the home place. The digital place, or the “space of flows.” This forces us into recognizing the digital space as its own kind of third place, a new missional frontier.
Fresh Expressions of Church
by Travis CollinsIn the last decade, a giant cultural wave has swept the North American church into a brand new world—a pluralistic, complicated, high-tech/low-touch world. Faced with the challenge of engaging a jaded culture, a fresh expression of church has emerged alongside the traditional church. This short book gives an overview of the Fresh Expressions movement and its innovative approach to reaching those who would perhaps never come to our church buildings.
Fresh Expressions of People Over Property
by Kenneth H. Carter Jr. Audrey WarrenOur church buildings, synagogues, and other religious places – which once stood as beacons of hope and reverence for its community – have become a burden for the organizations who seek to keep them standing. In efforts to patch leaky roofs and paint over years of wear, leaders are putting more and more money each year into property instead of people. The practices we have fallen into to keep a building running are not only demoralizing to the pastoral profession and the mission of the church, but they also run the risk of violating property tax laws and incurring more debt. What if our properties didn’t have to be a source of pain but one of purpose and profit? Can we as faith-based organizations begin to think collaboratively about how we might further our missions by creatively and intentionally rethinking how we utilize the space we inhabit? In Fresh Expressions of People Over Property the authors reflect on strategies, scriptures, and stories that help leaders faithfully re-imagine their community spaces so that they reflect that God and God’s people value people over property.
Fresh Expressions of the Rural Church
by Michael Adam Beck Tyler KleebergerLearn to cultivate the extraordinary gifts of Christian community in the countryside with Fresh Expressions of the Rural Church by Tyler Kleeberger and Michael Beck.The rural church was a community’s centerpiece. The place where people gathered to worship and hear a sermon, break bread together, and support each other through the joys and struggles of life with the land. In many ways, the rural church captured a central aspect of the church’s mission: to be the guiding hand for the life of a place.Can rural congregations flourish again? Can new Christian communities succeed in rural areas? Could healthy rural churches catalyze a better future for their declining communities?This book collects stories from the diversity of rural contexts across the US. It lays out a fresh theology for rural life and offers principles for harnessing the potential of what some consider the forgotten spaces. Each chapter includes a helpful Field Exercise—questions for discussion and suggested actions for leadership teams to work through together. Chapters conclude with a Field Story illustrating how the chapter’s main ideas can work in a real church setting.Praise for Fresh Expressions of the Rural ChurchFresh Expressions of the Rural Church offers hope for the renewal that can take place in “out of the way” places. In these sacred rural places folks can experience the love of God and neighbor, undergo true healing, participate in the renewal of community, and discover a place to belong. - Daniel G. Beaudoin, Bishop, Northwestern Ohio Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaFresh Expressions of the Rural Church helps us to reconsider our Wesleyan roots and the gifts of our rural contexts, a seedbed packed with possibility for new communities of faith to form and flourish.- Heather M. Jallad, Fresh Expressions specialist, North Georgia Conference, UMCBeck and Kleeberger have taken a sample of the good soil that is faithful rural mission, identified the challenges, celebrated the riches, and offered us a powerful way to learn and be in partnership and connection with the gifts of God. - Ken Carter, Bishop, Florida and Western North Carolina Conferences of the United Methodist Church; co-author, Fresh Expressions: A New Kind of Methodist Church from Abingdon Press
Fresh Expressions: A New Kind of Methodist Church For People Not In Church
by Kenneth H. Carter Jr. Audrey WarrenA wave of new Christian churches are emerging to reach unchurched and dechurched people who live in a culture that is increasingly non-religious and multi-religious. These new forms of church gather and network with people who typically have never been to church. The new faith communities listen to people and go where they are on the journey toward Jesus. They are deeply ecumenical but do not lose their distinctiveness because they learn fresh ways to communicate their identity through discipleship.Fresh Expressions began in the United Kingdom where it ignited over 3000 new faith communities. In the United States the movement is putting down roots in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Ken Carter and Audrey Warren offer this book as a group study for church leaders and congregations who are in the grip of Holy Spirit motivation to renew their tradition by reaching people who are dechurched or not yet in a discipleship relationship with Jesus. Each chapter includes two Bible study experiences for group conversation.
Fresh Eyes on Famous Bible Sayings: Discovering New Insights in Familiar Passages (Fresh Eyes)
by Doug NewtonWhat does it mean to “put on the full armor of God”? What does knowing “the kingdom of God is within you” have to do with relationships? How does Jesus’ use of the “Golden Rule” differ from versions of the rule found in other religions? <P><P>Pastor Doug Newton answers these questions and more using Scripture-reading techniques readers can then use on their own to discover life-changing truths from the Scripture passages they know the most.
Fresh Eyes on Jesus' Miracles: Discovering New Insights in Familiar Passages (Fresh Eyes)
by Doug NewtonWhat can readers learn about personal transformation from Jesus turning water to wine? How does His feeding of the five thousand refocus their own call to serve? In Fresh Eyes on Jesus’ Miracles, Pastor Doug Newton finds hidden truths in the gospels’ most familiar stories. <P><P> From the wedding at Cana to Peter’s miraculous catch, Newton offers cultural context, modern-day insights, and spiritual depth to awaken even the most seasoned reader’s heart and mind. Most importantly, he equips readers to study Scripture with a fresh perspective—and join God’s miraculous work in their most ordinary moments.
Fresh Eyes on Jesus' Parables: Discovering New Insights in Familiar Passages (Fresh Eyes)
by Doug NewtonHow does the parable of the good Samaritan redefine acts of social justice, not just acts of mercy? What does the story of the five talents teach us about daily spiritual life? Fresh Eyes on Jesus’ Parables offers a new perspective on the stories Jesus told to His closest disciples. <P><P>As in every book in this unique series, Pastor Doug Newton provides life-changing techniques for reading Scripture, such as skills in interpreting one passage using another. Readers will love discovering familiar parables again as if for the first time.
Fresh Faith: What Happens When Real Faith Ignites God's People
by Jim Cymbala Dean MerrillDiscusses ways to increase one's faith in God