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Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart
by Peter J. Gomes"The Bible and the social and moral consequences that derive from its interpretation are all too important to be left in the hands of the pious or the experts, and too significant to be ignored and trivialized by the uninformed and indifferent.
Good Book: The Bizarre, Hilarious, Disturbing, Marvelous, and Inspiring Things I Learned When I Read Every Single Word of the Bible
by David Plotz“Hilarious . . . It’s CliffsNotes for Scripture—screenplay by Plotz, story by God . . . In the end, though, the book is made by the spirit of the writer.” —The New York Times Book ReviewAt a time when wars are fought over scriptural interpretation, when the influence of religion on American politics has never been greater, when many Americans still believe in the Bible’s literal truth, it has never been more important to get to know the Bible. Good Book is what happens when a regular guy—an average Job—actually reads the book on which his religion, his culture, and his world are based. Along the way, he grapples with the most profound theological questions: How many commandments do we actually need? Does God prefer obedience or good deeds? And the most unexpected ones: Why are so many women in the Bible prostitutes? Why does God love bald men so much? Is Samson really that stupid?“Like the Bible itself, Good Book contains multitudes—it is by turns thought-provoking, funny, enlightening and moving.” —A. J. Jacobs, New York Times–bestselling author of The Year of Living BiblicallyIrreverent . . . Plotz’s hilarious exegeses will have you laughing out loud. Who knew the Bible was such a riot?” —Time Out New York“Plotz is a genius writer.” —Franklin Foer, author of How Soccer Explains the World“A bloody good book . . . Very funny . . . Priceless for those of all traditions who see value in posing unanswerable questions to each other, and to God himself.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune“Deeply religious people might be offended by the book, but for the rest of us there’s a laugh on every page.” —Booklist
Good Boundaries and Goodbyes Bible Study Guide plus Streaming Video: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are
by Lysa TerKeurstLove should draw us together, not tear us apart.Is it unloving or selfish to set a boundary? And what does the Bible instruct us to do when a relationship is no longer safe or sustainable? Lysa TerKeurst has asked these hard questions in the midst of her own relational struggles.But after thousands of hours of counseling intensives and theological research, Lysa has discovered that good boundaries pave the road for the truest version of love to emerge within the relationships that make up so much of who we are and what we want the most.Building upon and further unpacking the scriptural concepts in Good Boundaries and Goodbyes, this six-session Bible study with Lysa will equip you to:Determine the appropriate amount of personal and emotional access someone has to you.Stop being misled and emotionally paralyzed by wrongly interpreted or weaponized Scriptures.Overcome the frustrating cycle of ineffective boundary-setting with biblical principles and practical strategies to help you communicate, keep, and implement healthier patterns.Be equipped to say goodbye when a relationship has shifted from difficult to destructive by studying three types of goodbyes found in God&’s Word.Receive therapeutic and theological wisdom you can trust directly from Lysa&’s Christian counselor, Jim Cress, and Proverbs 31 Ministries&’ Director of Theology, Dr. Joel Muddamalle.This study guide includes:Individual access to six streaming video sessionsA guide to best practices for leading a groupVideo notes and a comprehensive structure for group discussion timePersonal study for deeper reflection between sessionsSessions and video run times:Boundaries Aren&’t Just a Good Idea, They&’re a God Idea (22:00)A Relationship Can Only Be as Healthy as the People in It (28:00)Maybe We&’ve Been Looking at Walls All Wrong (20:30)Old Patterns, New Practices (21:30)People in the Bible Who Had to Say Hard Goodbyes (30:30)You&’re Going to Make It (26:00)This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including:The study guide itself—with discussion and reflection questions, video notes, and a leader's guide.An individual access code to stream all video sessions online. (You don&’t need to buy a DVD!)Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2027. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.
Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are
by Lysa TerKeurstRelationships are wonderful . . . until they're not.Join #1 New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst as she helps you stop the dysfunction of unhealthy relationships by showing you biblical ways to set boundaries--and, when necessary, say goodbye--without losing the best of who you are.Is it unloving or selfish to set a boundary? Are Christians ever called to walk away from a relationship that&’s no longer safe or sustainable? Lysa TerKeurst deeply understands these hard questions in the midst of relational struggles.But after thousands of hours of counseling intensives and extensive theological research that transformed the way she defined healthy relationships, Lysa is now more committed than ever to loving people well without losing the best of who she is. She wants to help you do the same. In these pages Lysa will help you:Understand the five factors to remember when implementing healthy boundaries.Determine the appropriate amount of personal and emotional access someone has to you based on how responsible they'll be with that access.Stop being misled and emotionally paralyzed by wrongly interpreted or weaponized scriptures that perpetuate unhealthy dynamics in difficult relationships.Overcome the frustrating cycle of ineffective boundary-setting with realistic scripts and practical strategies to help you communicate, keep, and implement healthier patterns.Be equipped to say goodbye without guilt when a relationship has shifted from difficult to destructive and is no longer sustainable.Receive therapeutic wisdom you can trust directly from Lysa&’s Christian counselor Jim Cress, who weighs in throughout the book. You'll be relieved to learn that boundaries aren't just a good idea, they're a God idea.
Good Broth to Warm Our Bones
by Hugh StevenIn the desolate Arctic tundra of Alaska's North Slope, the wind chill factor can plunge 100 degrees below zero. One small miscalculation, one seemingly insignificant oversight, can mean death by freezing. Thus, when the hardy lnupiat Eskimos of this region stop on the trail to pass around a cup of warm broth heated on a Primus stove, it is more than just shared nourishment. It is a symbol of their complete dependence on one another for survival. Into this close-knit culture on the edge of the world came Don Webster. Don was a taanak (outsider) with the burden of bringing the Inupiat people a different kind of "broth"--the New Testament in their native tongue. Could he survive the bitter nine-month Winter? Would he ever be accepted by these remarkable people who had learned to wrest a living from perhaps the most desolate place on earth? Here is the thrilling story of how Don Webster, with the help of the legendary Roy Ahmaogak, was able to overcome seemingly impossible hardships--to bring the life-giving broth of God's Word to warm the hearts of these Alaska Eskimos.
Good Call: Reflections on Faith, Family, and Fowl
by Jase RobertsonThe straight-faced, funny man of Duck Dyanasty has a real story to tell. Not a repeat of the previous Duck Dynasty books, Jase opens up about his personal family life, his childhood days with a drunken father, and how he came to faith.This open book from Jase may surprise some fans who love him for his dry humor and rivalry with younger brother Willie. This hilarious, yet thoughtful book, is structured around lessons of faith in the blind on topics like respect, passion, forgiveness, generosity, humility, kindness, and honesty. Chapters discuss: the highlights of Jase's memory of the early days with his drunken, disruptive father; his high school days and his strong commitment to not be like Phil had been, opting for total abstinence from drinking and sex; the moment he forgave Phil for being such a terrible father in his younger days; his first hunt with Phil, where he saw an excitement in Phil that he'd never seen before; his first date with Missy, which was a "fake date" to make another girl jealous; and of course, a chapter on Uncle Si, with stories not told in previous books. Other chapters include stories of his brothers, frog hunting and fishing, and his most memorable road trips. And finally, Jase shares a chapter on hunting in heaven. Here, Jase shares his love for the land and our responsibility to care for it. More than a behind-the-scenes look at this beloved Duck Dynasty character, readers will be inspired and encouraged to implement Jase's lessons from the blind into their own lives.
Good Catholic Girls: How Women Are Leading the Fight to Change the Church
by Angela BonavogliaThe widely exposed transgressions of priests within the Catholic Church stunned the faithful and sent a new surge of energy through the progressive church reform movement in the United States. Despite the movement's growing profile, the world has only recently learned that Catholic women are the driving force behind reform. Good Catholic Girls is a lively account of these courageous women, as seen through the eyes of an impassioned journalist, Angela Bonavoglia. They include Joan Chittister, the Benedictine nun who refused to obey a Vatican order not to speak at an international conference for women's ordination groups; Mary Ramerman, ordained a Catholic priest before 3,000 jubilant supporters; Frances Kissling, whose fight for women's reproductive rights has shaken the Church at its highest levels; Barbara Blaine, a priest abuse survivor who created the nation's most powerful voice for victims; and Sister Jeannine Gramick, who built a pioneering ministry to gays and lesbians, despite Vatican orders to silence her and ban her work.Backed by supporters worldwide, these and other women are rethinking Catholic theology, changing the face of ministry, and resurrecting the lost lives of female church leaders. As Bonavoglia shows, the hierarchy ignores them at its peril.
Good Catholics
by Patricia MillerGood Catholics tells the story of the remarkable individuals who have engaged in a nearly fifty-year struggle to assert the moral legitimacy of a pro-choice position in the Catholic Church, as well as the concurrent efforts of the Catholic hierarchy to suppress abortion dissent and to translate Catholic doctrine on sexuality into law. Miller recounts a dramatic but largely untold history of protest and persecution, which demonstrates the profound and surprising influence that the conflict over abortion in the Catholic Church has had not only on the church but also on the very fabric of U.S. politics. Good Catholics addresses many of today's hot-button questions about the separation of church and state, including what concessions society should make in public policy to matters of religious doctrine, such as the Catholic ban on contraception.
Good Christian Sex: Why Chastity Isn't the Only Option-And Other Things the Bible Says About Sex
by Bromleigh MccleneghanMoving beyond the deep-seated cultural feelings of shame that have long fueled the conflict between Christianity and sex--and the belief that there is only one right and valid way to practice one's sexuality--this renowned University of Chicago pastor uses enlightening personal stories and examples from theology to show how sex is powerful and holy.For years, Christians have been told to adhere to one singular path when it comes to sex: abstinence and purity. Yet this limited focus ignores the reality that people's sexual and romantic lives differ widely, even among those who consider themselves devout believers. Church leaders have often refused to address the topic--or have preached in ways that are harmful to the emotional and spiritual growth of the faithful in the pews.Pastor McCleneghan is determined to reshape the issue--and fundamentally transcend this disconnect between sexuality and spirituality that has left many Christians feeling guilty and sinful. Written in her measured, non-judgmental voice, Good Christian Sex combines humorous personal anecdotes with theological research to transform how Christians think and talk about this basic human need, offering a new understanding that reconciles human love and religious faith.Breaking with outdated conventions, McCleneghan explains how the Bible and Christian tradition inform our beliefs about desire, pleasure, nudity, fidelity, premarital sex, and the variety of sexual practices, and encourages Christians to talk about their bodies, their sensuality, and their longings in a frank, positive, and realistic way. Warm, insightful, and honest, Good Christian Sex is a message of hope, that at last lifts the veil of shame felt by many religious people.
Good Dogs Do Stray: Memoir of an Immigrant from Hungary
by Emmerich KollerGood Dogs Do Stray is a poignant yet inspiring story about a poor country boy who escapes from Hungary with his family right after the failed Revolution in 1956. Koller provides a highly personal account of the hardships during WWII, in a Stalinist dictatorship, as a refugee and immigrant. The strong influences of a strict catholic upbringing, a simple village life, eight years in a traditional pre-Vatican II seminary as well as the political, social and religious events in the middle of the 20th century all contribute to the metamorphosis of a once naive country boy. Adversities in the formative years foreshadow an inauspicious future but faith and fate provide surprising reversals.
Good Dogs: Scripture and Bible Verses from Your Best Friend
by Becca AndersonAdorable dog photos paired with iconic Bible verses to warm your heart and give you guidance in times of need. Verses for Daily Meditation. This selection of inspiring, holy words will help you gain a greater understanding on subjects like faith, love, strength, peace, and knowledge. Becca Anderson, author of The Women&’s Book of Prayer and Prayers for Hard Times, knows you&’ll find the truth and hope you need guided by the Lord?and everyone&’s best friend in this Christian dog book.Good Dogs is the perfect Christian inspirational gift. In this book, you&’ll find: Thought-provoking verses for encouragement and meditationClarifying explanations on every pageBeautiful, heartwarming images of all your favorite dog breedsPerfect for readers of What&’s True about You, Zen Dogs, Color the Words of Jesus, or The Psalms in ColorPraise for Good Dogs&“If you love your animals, you are going to love this book. It will remind you that the bond we share with our pets is an expression of divine love.&” —Louise Hamon, author of Happiness A to Z
Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection
by Kate Bowler Jessica RichieA compassionate, intelligent, and wry series of Christian daily reflections on learning to live with imperfection in a culture of self-help that promotes endless progress, from the New York Times bestselling author of Everything Happens for a Reason and the executive producer of the Everything Happens podcast&“Brilliant, hilarious, absurd, honest, hopeful, true-hearted, and good to the core.&”—Sarah Bessey, editor of A Rhythm of Prayer and author of Jesus FeministIn Kate Bowler&’s bestselling memoir Everything Happens for a Reason, readers witnessed the ways she, as a divinity-school professor and young mother, reckoned with a Stage IV cancer diagnosis; in her follow-up memoir, No Cure for Being Human, she unflinchingly and winsomely unpacked the ways that life becomes both hard and beautiful when we abandon certainty and the illusion of control in our lives. Now, in their first-ever devotional book, Kate Bowler and co-author Jessica Richie offer 40ish short spiritual reflections on how we can make sense of life not as a pursuit of endless progress but as a chronic condition. This book is a companion for when you want to stop feeling guilty that you&’re not living your best life now.Written gently and with humor, Good Enough is permission for all those who need to hear that there are some things you can fix—and some things you can&’t. And it&’s okay that life isn&’t always better. In these gorgeously written reflections, Bowler and Richie offer fresh imagination for how truth, beauty, and meaning can be discovered amid the chaos of life. Their words celebrate kindness, honesty, and interdependence in a culture that rewards ruthless individualism and blind optimism. Ultimately, in these pages we can rest in the encouragement to strive for what is possible today—while recognizing that though we are finite, the life in front of us can be beautiful.
Good Enough: Learning to Let Go of Perfect for the Sake of Holy
by Wendi NunneryYou've checked all the boxes. You've followed all the rules. But something has still gone terribly wrong. This is where Wendi Nunnery—Jesus follower, college graduate, and newlywed—found herself eleven years ago. After years of meeting all the expectations set for a "good" Christian girl, she was suddenly spiraling into an unknown terror she would later discover was Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and questioning everything she'd ever known about herself and about God. It took nearly a decade, but eventually Wendi learned her value was fixed. Finished. Holy. And it's in the pages of this book where she lays out the story of how and invites you to come along, find a friend, and realize you are not alone in your wandering. Driven by thoughtful, poignant essays with just the right amount of colorful language, Good Enough tackles the lie that we are required to be perfect in order to be good and, most importantly, reveals the truth about how much we've already been given.
Good Food: Grounded Practical Theology
by Jennifer R. AyresThis book equips readers with the theological and practical tools needed to safeguard that which sustains us: food.
Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad
by Shari BraendelIn Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad, Shari Braendel teaches you how to appreciate the body God gave you and how to always look your best--from conquering the battle of finding the right swimsuit, to choosing how many bangles you should wear or how big your purse should be, to wearing the right style jeans that will best flatter your thighs or hips, to finding the best places to shop to suit your unique personal style. Many of us are watching reality TV shows to get a clue on how to dress right and look good. We hungrily purchase fashion magazines any time the cover article has something to do with how we can hide our despised body parts. We make mad dashes to the local department store to pick up the new anti-wrinkle cream Oprah promised will take ten years away from our face. We care about how we look. Why is that? Because we're women, and women love to look and feel good. God made us that way. And this is not a bad thing. In fact, it's a wonderful thing. God loves beauty. He doesn't want us to reflect his image being sloppy, disheveled women of God who don't pay any attention to what we look like. Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad will show you how to look and feel your best, no matter what day it is or what the occasion. And it will also stop you from screaming at the top of your lungs, "I have nothing to wear. "
Good God, Lousy World, and Me: The Improbable Journey of a Human Rights Activist from Unbelief to Faith
by Holly Burkhalter"In this extraordinary memoir of grace, one of the foremost human rights advocates of the last half century shares her brutally and hilariously honest story of finding God on one of the most unlikely, irreverent, and utterly beautiful pilgrimages through life as it actually is." --Gary A. Haugen, president and CEO, International Justice Mission"It used to be that my own religious philosophy was to work hard, charm everyone within spittin' distance, and do a lot of crafts. So how did this hard-core leftist skeptic find peace and happiness among Bible-quoting, praying-out-loud, born-again evangelicals? I realized that my two choices--the existence of a loving God or the reality of evil--weren't the only options. Option three is that God is good and the world is lousy. But wait. There's more. God knows the world is lousy. Knows it, hates it, and wants us to do something about it..." --Holly Burkhalter, Good God, Lousy World & Me For over thirty years, Holly Burkhalter has worked as an international rights advocate for victims of genocide, rape, and injustice. Throughout most of her career, the heartbreak she encountered around the world--and in her own life--had convinced her that there was no such thing as a loving God. How could there be? If God was there, he should be charged as a war criminal for tolerating atrocities against the young, the poor, and the vulnerable. Then, Holly discovered a new truth: God was there--in the grief, in the violence, in the questions. And God was good. It was the greatest, hardest, most radiant surprise of her life. This is her story.From the Hardcover edition.
Good God: The One We Want to Believe In but Are Afraid to Embrace
by Lucas MilesIf we are honest, at some point we all struggle with the question, "Why does God allow pain, suffering, and evil?"
Good Governance and Economic Growth: Complimentary or Problematic?
by Ramesh Chandra DasGovernance has been incorporated into the development models of many countries because of its role in ameliorating inequalities in society. This book explores whether good governance boosts or hinders economic growth with perspectives from countries like India, the USA, Nigeria, Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and others, and on groups of developing nations like BRICS and ASEAN.Governance has twin roles within economic systems. The first is where it guides administrators and the second is the normative role where it may act as a stimulus to economic growth and development. With the help of empirical investigations, this book analyses the interrelationships between good governance and inclusive and sustainable economic growth, productive employment, political stability, and decent work for all. It assesses the impact of various governance indicators and policy strategies on the economy and the GDP of countries in the Global North and South. The book also focuses on roadblocks to good governance such as violent conflicts, corruption, international threats and crises and its implication on economic growth. This volume will be of interest to students and researchers of economics, political science, social science, international relations, public administration, and sociology.
Good Grief
by Timothy Johnson Granger E. WestbergFor fifty years Good Grief has helped millions of readers find comfort and rediscover hope after loss. Today this classic text continues to offer helpful insights on the emotional and physical responses persons may experience during the natural process of grieving. Good Grief identifies ten stages of grief--shock, emotion, depression, physical distress, panic, guilt, anger, resistance, hope, and acceptance. However, recognizing that grief is complex and deeply personal and defines no "right" way to grieve, whether grieving the death of a loved one, the end of a marriage, the loss of a job, or other difficult life changes.
Good Grief: A True Story of Love, Loss and New Life
by Sue LaRueThis is an inspirational testimony of how God demonstrates His grace in human tragedy. Suzie Borrows battled for her husband’s life, praying for a miracle. Hers is a story of love, loss and new life; a story of holding on to God’s promises in faith; a story of talking to the Lord about everything and seeing Him answer prayer in unexpected and unimagined ways. This is the story of a woman laying her faith on the Word of God and believing Him for the literal truth of His Word; speaking His Word back to Him and humbly reminding Him of those promises. His answers to her heartfelt cries were provided through undeniable revelations which exceeded her dreams. Through His many mercies to Suzie, God’s purpose gradually became her purpose.As human beings we may all enjoy blessings, such as family, health and prosperity, but we will also likely suffer loss, hardship and grief. Suzie’s discovery of the ultimate power of God and His Word, along with her growing understanding of how much He truly loves us, transformed her life. Come along with her and experience the miraculous hand of God in the midst of her circumstances. He is no respecter of persons and wants you to know His love in a tangible way as well. Your faith will be ignited, just as Suzie’s was as she walked hand in hand with the Lord.
Good Grief: Heal Your Soul, Honor Your Loved Ones, and Learn to Live Again
by Theresa CaputoNew York Times bestselling author Theresa Caputo, star of Long Island Medium and Raising Spirits provides a guide to overcoming grief, filled with inspiring lessons from Spirit and astonishing stories from the clients who have been empowered and healed by her spiritual readings.After more than a decade of being a practicing medium, Theresa Caputo shares the powerful lessons she has learned about grief, healing, and finding happiness in the wake of tragedy. In almost every reading she gives, Spirit insists that people begin to embrace their lives again. But not everyone knows where to start, and putting back together the pieces of a life marked by loss is never easy. Sometimes, you need spiritual guidance—and that&’s where Theresa comes in. With her energetic, positive, and encouraging tone, Theresa uses the lessons from Spirit to guide you through grief toward a place of solace and healing. Each lesson is grounded in her clients&’ experiences of losing loved ones, their encounters with Spirit during readings, and the ways in which they&’ve been able to heal and grow. Each chapter is filled with activities to help you find your &“new normal&”—including journaling, individual and group exercises, meditations, and moments of reflection—based on the truths that Theresa has gathered from Spirit. Good Grief—&“an excellent resource for those who wish to be in communication with deceased loved ones&” (Library Journal)—will help you to feel stronger and more optimistic about what the future has in store for you.
Good Guys Wear Black
by Lizbeth SelvigDewey Mitchell loves three things: fixing old cars, football, and family. Although an illness robbed him of his NFL dreams and his hopes for a big family of his own, he's made himself content working the family business and coaching middle school football. But when his town's vibrant new librarian and her young, emotionally challenged son burst into his ordered life, Dewey finds himself inexplicably drawn to the fascinating woman.Boston-born Rose Hanrehan had no idea how different living in a small town would be. But she's determined to start fresh for her son, who deals with Asperger's syndrome, without her overbearing parents judging her every move. Of course, sometimes her new neighbors seem to be equally closed-minded. And there's one new neighbor she can't seem to avoid ... in fact, the handsome Dewey, despite his black hat and buried emotions, might end up being the only reason to stay in Kennison Falls.Neither one is looking for love, but what they're starting to feel can't be anything else. Will the longtime bachelor and the free-spirited librarian let themselves fall? Or will their differences get in the way of their happy ending?
Good Health, Good Life: 12 Keys to Enjoying Physical and Spiritual Wellness
by Joyce MeyerMeeting the demands of your busy life may leave little time for you to focus on maintaining your personal well-being. But it is important to remember that each part of you-mind, body, and emotions-serves a purpose in God's exciting plan for your future. Embracing a healthier lifestyle will help you fully experience all the good things He has in store for you. Joyce Meyer, #1 New York Times bestselling author, understands that modern life is hectic and has created a practical plan for achieving good health, one day at a time. Her easy-to-use 12-Key Plan for Good Health will help you develop life-changing habits for a healthier lifestyle, no matter what your current level of health. By following her simple, yet effective tips on eating, exercise, rest, and stress management, you will unlock a new level of well-being, empowering you to live the fulfilling life you were meant to lead. Derived from material previously published in Look Great, Feel Great.
Good Housekeeping The Ultimate Kids Christmas Book
by The editors of Good HousekeepingHundreds of ways for kids 8 to 12 to celebrate Christmas including tree decorating, baking cookies and treats making fun & easy holiday crafts &‘Tis the season to bake, craft, and celebrate! This kid-approved big book of Christmas ideas was created by the editors and Test Kitchen chefs at Good Housekeeping and is filled with super fun projects, recipes and activities that will keep kids enchanted (and busy!) all season long. Three chapters highlight holiday essentials —celebrating (Plan a Christmas movie marathon!), crafting (Discover creative gift wrapping and make a gift for everyone on your list!), and dozens of simple sweets. (Cookies for Santa Claus? We&’ve got you covered!)Inside the ultimate holiday playbook for kids you'll find: Festive traditions from around the world to share with friends and family (Why do we decorate trees? What&’s the story behind St. Nick?)Super-fun activities (Plan a Christmas movie marathon! Make your own advent calendar! Go on a holiday scavenger hunt! Create a Christmas time capsule with the family! )Cute crafts you can make all on your own like DIY ornaments, garlands, and stockings.Recipes for yummy holiday treats—cookies, cakes, and of course, hot chocolate!This jam-packed book will keep you and your kids entertained this holiday and for many more to come.
Good Ideas from Questionable Christians and Outright Pagans: An Introduction to Key Thinkers and Philosophies
by Steve Wilkens"What indeed has Athens to do with Jerusalem? What concord is there between the Academy and the church?" (Tertullian, 3rd century). Such skepticism about the place of philosophy in the life of Christians persists down through the ages. As a student, author Steve Wilkens had deep reservations about studying the works of "pagans" or even "questionable Christians." Now a teacher at a Christian university, Wilkens has developed a deep appreciation for teaching and studying philosophy. In fact, he believes that the life of faith can be enriched by good philosophical reflection. In this book Wilkens helps you begin the same journey. Using generous quotations from the original sources, Wilkens provides an introduction to the study of philosophy by exploring a single key issue from each of the following philosophers: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Descartes, Kierkegaard, Marx, Nietzsche and Sartre. The questions considered include: Why ask why? Is a just society possible? Is God responsible for evil? Can you be certain of anything? Is morality all about power? Do you really want to be free? Wilkens encourages you not to be a mere spectator but to actively and critically engage the questions and ideas these philosophers raise. Here is a book for beginning students, thoughtful Christians or anyone who wants to explore life's deepest questions.