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From Fanatics to Folk: Brazilian Millenarianism and Popular Culture
by Patricia R. PessarFrom Fanatics to Folk rejects conventional understandings of Brazilian millenarianism as exceptional and self-defeating. Considering millenarianism over the long sweep of Brazilian history, Patricia R. Pessar shows it to have been both dominant discourse and popular culture--at different times the inspiration for colonial conquest, for backlanders' resistance to a modernizing church and state, and for the nostalgic appropriation by today's elites in pursuit of "traditional" folklore and "authentic" expressions of faith. Pessar focuses on Santa Brgida, a Northeast Brazilian millenarian movement begun in the 1930s. She examines the movement from its founding by Pedro Batista--initially disparaged as a charlatan by the backland elite and later celebrated as a modernizer, patriot, and benefactor--through the contemporary struggles of its followers to maintain their transgressive religious beliefs in the face of increased attention from politicians, clergy, journalists, filmmakers, researchers, and museum curators. Pessar combines cultural history spanning the colonial period to the present; comparative case studies of the Canudos, Contestado, Juazeiro, and Santa Brgida movements; and three decades of ethnographic research in the Brazilian Northeast. Highlighting the involvement of a broad range of individuals and institutions, the cross-fertilization between movements, contestation and accommodation vis--vis the church and state, and matters of spirituality and faith, From Fanatics to Folk reveals Brazilian millenarianism as long-enduring and constantly in flux.
From Fatwa to Jihad
by Kenan MalikThe # 1 international bestseller A Finalist for the George Orwell Book Prize"It would be absurd to think that a book can cause riots," Salman Rushdie asserted just months before the publication of his novel The Satanic Verses. But that's exactly what eventually happened. In England, protests started just months after the book's publication, with Muslim protestors, mainly from immigrant backgrounds, coming by the thousands from the outer suburbs of London and from England's old industrial centers--places like Bradford, Bolton, and Macclesfield--to denounce Rushdie's novel as blasphemous and to burn it. In February of 1988, the protests spread to Pakistan, where riots broke out, killing five. That same month, Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini called for Rushdie's assassination, and for the killing of anyone involved with the book's publication. It was this frightening chain of events, Kenan Malik argues in his enlightened personal and political account of the period, that transformed the relationship between Islam and the West: From then on, Islam was a domestic issue for residents of Europe and the United States, a matter of terror and geopolitics that was no longer geographically constrained to the Middle East and South Asia. Malik investigates the communities from which the anti-Rushdie activists emerged, showing the subtleties of immigrant life in 1980s England. He depicts the growth of the anti-racist and Asian youth movements, and shows how young Britons went from supporting these progressive movements to embracing a conservative strain of Islam. Malik also controversially tackles England's peculiar strain of "multiculturalism," arguing that policymakers there failed to integrate Muslim immigrants, which many politicians saw as incompatible with their own "Western values." It was a perception that led many to appeal to Muslims not as citizens, but as people whose primary loyalty was to their faith and who could be engaged only by their "community leaders." It was a also policy that encouraged Muslims to view themselves as semi-detached citizens--and that inevitably played into the hands of radical Islamists. Twenty years later, the questions raised by the Rushdie affair--Islam's relationship to the West, the meaning of multiculturalism, the limits of tolerance in a liberal society--have become the defining issues of our time.
From Fear to Freedom: Living as Sons and Daughters of God
by Rose Marie MillerFor all those who live in fear of never quite "measuring up," this honest account of one woman's spiritual crisis provides a new look at the transforming power of God's grace in the midst of weakness. Readers will be encouraged to relinquish the role of spiritual "orphan" and embrace a forgiving heavenly Father.
From Fortress to Freedom
by Deborah L.W. RoszelFrom Fortress to Freedom encourages readers to engage in a relationship with God devoid of guilt or shame. In this book, Deborah Roszel recounts how she had long struggled to be good in the eyes of God and man. Responding to a childhood abuse incident, she had developed strict rules and high standards designed to protect her from harm. She effectively built a fortress around herself, a safe but increasingly restrictive haven. When God knew her heart was ready, He turned a friend's words into a powerful tool to demolish her fortress and show her that His plan for her involved more freedom than she had ever imagined. The freedom astonished her. She had not realized how much she had been controlled by fear, guilt, and shame in what she thought had been a life of faith. The joy of release left her almost speechless with wonder, but the Lord poured words into her to help her understand, resulting in healing for her and insight for others. Deborah wrote almost every morning for many weeks, and forty of these writings are collected here in From Fortress to Freedom. It is the author's prayer that this book will help lead readers to their own faith filled with freedom.
From Fury to Freedom
by Raul A. Ries Lela GilbertFrom Fury to Freedom is a positive book that will encourage many families to admit some of the most private, even intimate and depressing feelings they have had to endure. The realization that God is the ultimate answer for all their needs will help them to live through these devastating dark days. We cannot deny that our God is a God of miracles. He took Raul from the pits of hell, from the cocoon of despair, insecurity, fear, hate, and self-destruction, into the most wonderful healing—SALVATION; the healing of his soul and spirit. Raul is evidence of how God's grace can spare the life of a young boy and nurture him into manhood. Jesus cradled Raul's head in His bosom, and kissed away his pain. He gave him the direction and love for which he was desperately searching.
From Generation to Generation: The Adaptive Challenge of Mainline Protestant Education in Forming Faith
by Charles R. FosterMainline Protestant congregations face a profound adaptive challenge. In the midst of significant social, cultural, and technological change, the denominations they represent generally abandoned a view of education capable of maintaining and renewing their faith traditions through their children and youth. New curriculum resources and innovative pedagogical strategies appropriated from the marketplace of religious education options have not met the challenge. A transformation of consciousness is required in congregations seeking a future through their children. It involves the exercise of an ecclesial imagination to reclaim a view of education rooted in the revitalization of their religious traditions in the past and re-envisioning the congregation as a catechetical culture of faith formation.
From Genesis to Genetics: The Case of Evolution and Creationism
by John A. MooreA distinguished science educator's clear and fair-minded accounts of evolution and creationism: two irreconcilable modes of seeing the world, science and religion.
From God To Us Revised and Expanded: How We Got Our Bible
by Norman L Geisler William E. NixWhere did the Bible come from? How do we know the right books are in the Bible? Does the Bible contain errors? What are the oldest copies we have of the Bible? How do we know that the Bible hasn't been changed over the years? Why are there so many translations of the Bible, and which one should I use? These are just some of the important questions about the Bible that are discussed in this book. Understanding basic facts about the origin of the Bible is essential for every Christian, but it can also be confusing and difficult. Here, two well-known scholars, authors of a more technical book, A General Introduction to the Bible, explain simply and clearly these basic facts. Inspiration, the biblical canon, major manuscripts, textual criticism, early translations, and modern versions are some of the major topics discussed. Careful explanations of important points are given throughout, as the entire field of biblical introduction is covered. Completely updated and revised edition of the 1974 work (more than 78,000 copies sold). Helpful charts have been added, along with an index of subjects, persons, and Scripture. This book is ideally suited for Bible students, pastors, and professors. While writing for readers without previous training, the authors do not gloss over difficult and complex issues when they arise. The nature of inspiration, the extent of the canon, and the usefulness of modern versions are all clearly discussed. The authors write: "The chain of communication from God to us is strong. It has several solid links: inspiration, collection, transmission, and translations. The strength of these links provide the contemporary Christian with the moral certitude that the Spirit-inspired original text of Scripture has been providentially preserved by God so that for all practical purposes the Bible in our hands is the infallible and inerrant word of God."
From God To Us Revised and Expanded: How We Got Our Bible
by Norman L Geisler William E. NixWhere did the Bible come from? How do we know the right books are in the Bible? Does the Bible contain errors? What are the oldest copies we have of the Bible? How do we know that the Bible hasn't been changed over the years? Why are there so many translations of the Bible, and which one should I use? These are just some of the important questions about the Bible that are discussed in this book. Understanding basic facts about the origin of the Bible is essential for every Christian, but it can also be confusing and difficult. Here, two well-known scholars, authors of a more technical book, A General Introduction to the Bible, explain simply and clearly these basic facts. Inspiration, the biblical canon, major manuscripts, textual criticism, early translations, and modern versions are some of the major topics discussed. Careful explanations of important points are given throughout, as the entire field of biblical introduction is covered. Completely updated and revised edition of the 1974 work (more than 78,000 copies sold). Helpful charts have been added, along with an index of subjects, persons, and Scripture. This book is ideally suited for Bible students, pastors, and professors. While writing for readers without previous training, the authors do not gloss over difficult and complex issues when they arise. The nature of inspiration, the extent of the canon, and the usefulness of modern versions are all clearly discussed. The authors write: "The chain of communication from God to us is strong. It has several solid links: inspiration, collection, transmission, and translations. The strength of these links provide the contemporary Christian with the moral certitude that the Spirit-inspired original text of Scripture has been providentially preserved by God so that for all practical purposes the Bible in our hands is the infallible and inerrant word of God."
From Good Goddess to Vestal Virgins: Sex and Category in Roman Religion
by Ariadne StaplesThe role of women in Roman culture and society was a paradoxical one. On the one hand they enjoyed social, material and financial independence and on the other hand they were denied basic constitutional rights. Roman history is not short of powerful female figures, such as Agrippina and Livia, yet their power stemmed from their associations with great men and was not officially recognised.Ariadne Staples' book examines how women in Rome were perceived both by themselves and by men through women's participation in Roman religion, as Roman religious ritual provided the single public arena where women played a significant formal role. From Good Goddess to Vestal Virgins argues that the ritual roles played out by women were vital in defining them sexually and that these sexually defined categories spilled over into other aspects of Roman culture, including political activity.Ariadne Staples provides an arresting and original analysis of the role of women in Roman society, which challenges traditionally held views and provokes further questions.
From Good News to Gospels: What Did the First Christians Say about Jesus?
by Donald A. Hagner David WenhamThe good news of Jesus spread like wildfire through the Roman Empire in the decades between his death and the writing of the first gospels—but how? What exactly did the first Christians say about Jesus? In From Good News to Gospels David Wenham delves into the gospels, the book of Acts, and the writings of Paul to uncover evidence of a strong and substantial oral tradition in the early church. This book will inform, engage, and challenge readers, inspiring them to better understand and appreciate the earliest gospel message.
From Gospels To Glory: Exploring The New Testament
by Kenneth G. HannaMaps are essential to an explorer. Whether it is a short jaunt to a vacation spot or an in-depth search for higher meaning, maps can help you find and stay on the right path. In From Gospels to Glory: Exploring the New Testament, author Kenneth G. Hanna provides a guide for discovering the enduring message and unique features of each book of the New Testament. The course of human history was set in a new direction by the arrival of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. The Gospels of the New Testament record that event and Jesus’ ministry, climaxing in the cross and His resurrection. This new study guides you through the pivotal events of the life of Christ, the birth and spread of Christianity, and the life-shaping truth that formed the legacy Jesus committed to the first disciples. For pastors and teachers, it offers helpful ideas and outlines for proclaiming the message of the New Testament to a contemporary audience. For students of the New Testament, it provides a wealth of resources for further study. Thematic charts present a map of each book, including key verses, themes, structures, and unique features. Each book of the New Testament was written for a select audience and a specific purpose. From Gospels to Glory: Exploring the New Testament supplies essential background information that illuminates the message of each book to help you proceed on your journey of discovery.
From Head to Toe: Prophetic Prayers and Blessings That Cover Your Whole Being
by John EckhardtFrom Best-Selling Author of Prayers that Rout Demons Your heart is not the only place that needs healing. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. —ISAIAH 1:6, KJV We are redeemed and healed from head to toe because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. But we must lay hold of that freedom. Evil spirits attack and lodge in certain areas of the body, and the Word of God can drive them out. In From Head to Toe, John Eckhardt provides Scripture and prophetic declarations to help readers find deliverance and healing in every area of their lives—and experience blessing from head to toe. This book will help you remove evil spirits that lodge in certain areas of the body, arm yourself with God&’s Word, and experience blessing from head to toe.
From Head to Toe: Men and Their Roles in the First Two Generations of Christianity
by Ross SaundersFrom Head to Toe invites us to into the world of men in the first two generations of Christianity as they come to terms with what it means to follow Jesus. We share in their struggles and triumphs as they make the journey 'from head to toe' - from status-seeking to serving.Ross Saunders shows us how to read the New Testament with new eyes and hearts, exploring our own understanding of authority, leadership and service within the household of God.
From Heaven: A 28-Day Advent Devotional
by A. W. Tozer&“We live between two mighty events…&” Advent is as much about looking back as it is looking ahead—back to Christ&’s incarnation, ahead to His return. From Heaven combines A. W. Tozer&’s best reflections on these two themes to help us better appreciate the season of Advent. Each daily reading is paired with Scripture for meditation, drawing our attention to the rising light of Christ. &“I am struck with the wonder and the significance of the limitless meaning of these two words, He came. Within them the whole scope of divine mercy and redeeming love is outlined.&” — A. W. TozerChapter titles include:Christmas Reformation Long OverdueThe Meaning of ChristmasThe Logic of the IncarnationDivine Love IncarnateGod Manifest in the FleshWhat the Advent Established
From Heaven: A 28-Day Advent Devotional
by A. W. Tozer&“We live between two mighty events…&” Advent is as much about looking back as it is looking ahead—back to Christ&’s incarnation, ahead to His return. From Heaven combines A. W. Tozer&’s best reflections on these two themes to help us better appreciate the season of Advent. Each daily reading is paired with Scripture for meditation, drawing our attention to the rising light of Christ. &“I am struck with the wonder and the significance of the limitless meaning of these two words, He came. Within them the whole scope of divine mercy and redeeming love is outlined.&” — A. W. TozerChapter titles include:Christmas Reformation Long OverdueThe Meaning of ChristmasThe Logic of the IncarnationDivine Love IncarnateGod Manifest in the FleshWhat the Advent Established
From Hegel to Nietzsche: The Revolution in Nineteenth-Century Thought
by David E. Green Karl LowithBeginning with an examination of the relationship between Hegel and Goethe, Lowith discusses how Hegel's students, particularly Marx and Kierkegaard, interpreted----or reinterpreted----their master's thought, and proceeds with an in-depth assessment of the other important philosophers, from Feuerbach, Stirner, and Schelling to Nietzsche.
From Here to Enlightenment: An Introduction to Tsong-kha-pa's Classic Text The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Core Teachings of Dalai Lama)
by The Dalai LamaThe most extensive teaching given by the Dalai Lama in the West on a seminal Tibetan Buddhist text--now included in the Core Teachings of the Dalai Lama series.When the Dalai Lama was forced to go into exile in 1959, he could take only a few items with him. Among these cherished belongings was his copy of Tsong-kha-pa's classic text The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment. This text distills all the essential points of Tibetan Buddhism, clearly unfolding the entire Buddhist path.In 2008, celebrating the long-awaited completion of the English translation of The Great Treatise, the Dalai Lama gave a historic six-day teaching at Lehigh University to explain the meaning of the text and to underscore its importance. It is the longest teaching he has ever given to Westerners on just one text, and the most comprehensive. From Here to Enlightenment makes the teachings from this momentous event available for a wider audience.
From Here to Enlightenment: An Introduction to Tsong-kha-pa's Classic Text The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment
by Guy Newland His Holiness the Dalai LamaWhen the Dalai Lama was forced to go into exile in 1959, he could take only a few items with him. Among these cherished belongings was his copy of Tsong-kha-pa's classic text The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment. This text distills all of the essential points of Tibetan Buddhism, clearly unfolding the entire Buddhist path to enlightenment. In 2008, celebrating the long-awaited completion of the English-language translation of The Great Treatise, the Dalai Lama gave a historic six-day teaching at Lehigh University to explain the meaning of this classic text and to underscore its importance. It is the longest teaching that he has ever given to Westerners on just one text, and Westerners have never before had the opportunity to receive such a complete teaching that encompasses the totality of the Buddhist path from the Dalai Lama. From Here to Enlightenment makes the teachings from this momentous event available for a wider audience.
From Here to Maturity: Overcoming the Juvenilization of American Christianity
by Thomas E. BerglerExpert guidance on how to grow up in Christ This book is a follow-up to Thomas Bergler’s acclaimed work The Juvenilization of American Christianity, which documents how church youth ministries over the past several decades have contributed to a process of adolescent spiritual traits becoming accepted and even celebrated by Christians of all ages. This “juvenilization” in the church is a real problem that must be addressed, says Bergler, and in his new book he addresses it head-on. Bergler’s From Here to Maturity is an accessible guide for helping both individuals and whole faith communities to grow spiritually. Bergler claims that spiritual maturity -- defined as “basic competence in the Christian life” -- is both desirable and attainable, and he effectively presents a biblical theology of spiritual maturity, identifying its traits from pertinent New Testament passages. Adapting Dallas Willard’s model of spiritual formation and applying it to congregational life, Bergler offers a wealth of practical, research-based guidance as to how Christian leaders can effectively foster spiritual maturity in their congregations. He also identifies six key faith-sustaining factors and provides a system for evaluating a church’s state of spiritual maturity and steps for improving it. Ecumenically friendly, From Here to Maturity will be useful to individuals and leaders from many different churches and theological traditions.
From Horror to Hope: Inspiring Stories of Project Rescue and a Global Movement to Bring Freedom to Survivors of Sexual Exploitation
by David GrantBehind every testimony is an army of God&’s warriors. After reading this book, you will appreciate those who have dedicated their lives to preaching the Gospel, and you will empathize with those imprisoned by human trafficking as you see how God can redeem their lives.Project Rescue was no grand strategy of a lone abolitionist who set out to stop sex slavery twenty-five years ago. Instead, courageous men and women of God in different cities of Southern Asia and Europe were led by the Spirit to take Jesus and hope to their cities&’ darkest streets and victims of sex slavery. These pioneers had little in common to bring to this battle. But each one was marked by a daring willingness to obey God&’s voice and a relentless belief that women and children in prostitution were indeed in the heart and plans of God. What made them different in the anti-trafficking space is that they decided to do the journey together, not alone. Project Rescue network ministry leaders have learned together, prayed together, shared resources, fought hell on behalf of God&’s violated sons and daughters, and celebrated the hard-won victories of rescue and restoration together. These leaders asked themselves early on, &“If organized crime can work together around the world for evil purposes of greed, injustice, and exploitation, why can&’t good people - God&’s people - work together across denominations, organizations, and borders for God&’s great purposes of justice, freedom, and healing?&” In From Horror to Hope, Grant shares Project Rescue&’s inspiring story of a growing collaborative movement to bring hope, restoration, and freedom to generations of trafficked women and their children around the world. But even more, it&’s the grand story of God&’s great love for victims of sexual exploitation and His amazing power to redeem and restore their lives.
From Human to Posthuman: Christian Theology and Technology in a Postmodern World (Routledge Science and Religion Series)
by Brent WatersTechnology is one of the dominant forces shaping the emerging postmodern world. Indeed the very fabric of daily life is dependent upon various information, communication, and transportation technologies. With anticipated advances in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and robotics, that dependence will increase. Yet this growing dependence is accompanied with a deep ambivalence. For many technology symbolises the faith of the postmodern world, but it is an ambivalent faith encapsulating both our hopes and fears for the future. This book examines the religious foundations underlying this troubled faith in technology, as well as critically and constructively engaging particular technological developments from a theological perspective.
From Hurt to Healing: A Theology of the Wounded
by Andrew S. ParkLook around at any gathering--whether it be a sporting event, a civic meeting, or a worship service--and you will likely see representatives of two groups of people. On one hand there will be someone who has caused grievous harm to another person by physical mistreatment, emotional abuse, sexual victimization, violence, or any number of other ways. On the other hand will be those who have been harmed by just these same evils. <p><p> While the two groups are inextricably linked, and while it is far too often the case that an individual can be both abused and abuser, nonetheless the two groups stand before God with very different sets of needs. In Christian theology, however, we have approached these very different sets of personal situations with one vocabulary and one solution. Traditionally, we have had only the language of sin to describe these very different human predicaments. What's more, we have offered but one solution to the problem, the two-way transaction of God's forgiveness of sinners. Yet when one person harms another, that action not only violates God's will, but also unleashes anguish and misery in the victim, scarring his or her soul. We are right to speak of the sinner's need of forgiveness, but we have forgotten to take the next step: to seek healing for the victims. Having drawn the map of salvation for sinners, we have left it to those who have been sinned against to find their own way to wholeness and peace. <p><p> Andrew Sung Park argues that it is time for the church and its theology to face this issue and work toward its remedy. It is time to give a name to the suffering of those who have been sinned against and to seek their healing. He proposes that the Korean religious term han can serve as an instrument in this endeavor. While it is an intricate concept, in short han can be defined as the psychic and spiritual hurt caused by unjust oppression and suffering. As the church seeks to play its distinctive role in healing the wounds of abuse and violence, the idea of han can be a powerful tool. It can allow pastors and other caregivers to explore the depths of anguish that victims experience. It can illustrate the fact that, having sinned against their victims as well as against God, the perpetrators of violence and abuse must seek salvation not only by asking for God's forgiveness, but also by working for the healing of those they have wronged.
From Idols to Icons: The Emergence of Christian Devotional Images in Late Antiquity (Christianity in Late Antiquity #12)
by Robin M. JensenEven the briefest glance at an art museum’s holdings or an introductory history textbook demonstrates the profound influence of Christian images and art. From Idols to Icons tells the fascinating history of the dramatic shift in Christian attitudes toward sacred images from the third through the early seventh century. From attacks on the cult images of polytheism to the emergence of Christian narrative iconography to the appearance of portrait-type representations of holy figures, this book examines the primary theological critiques and defenses of holy images in light of the surviving material evidence for early Christian visual art. Against the previous assumption that fourth- and fifth-century Christians simply forgot or ignored their predecessors’ censure and reverted to more alluring pagan practices, Robin M. Jensen contends that each stage of this profound change was uniquely Christian. Through a careful consideration of the cults of saints’ remains, devotional portraits, and pilgrimages to sacred sites, Jensen shows how the Christian devotion to holy images came to be rooted in their evolving conviction that the divine was accessible in and through visible objects.
From India to Israel
by Joseph HodesBetween May 1948 and December 1951, Israel received approximately 684,000 immigrants from across the globe. The arrival of so many ethnic, linguistic, and cultural groups to such a small place in such a short time was unprecedented and the new country was ill-prepared to absorb its new citizens. The first years of the state were marked by war, agricultural failure, a housing crisis, health epidemics, a terrible culture clash, and a struggle between the religious authorities and the secular government over who was going to control the state. In From India to Israel, Joseph Hodes examines Israel's first decades through the perspective of an Indian Jewish community, the Bene Israel, who would go on to play an important role in the creation of the state. He describes how a community of relatively high status and free from persecution under the British Raj left the recently independent India for fear of losing status, only to encounter bias and prejudice in their new country. In 1960, a decision made by the religious authorities to ban the Bene Israel from marrying other Jews on the grounds that they were not "pure Jews" set in motion a civil rights struggle between the Indian community and the religious authority with far-reaching implications. After a drawn-out struggle, and under pressure from both the government and the people, the Bene Israel were declared acceptable for marriage. A detailed look at how one immigrant community fought to maintain their place within a religion and a society, From India to Israel raises important questions about the state of Israel and its earliest struggles to absorb the diversity in its midst.