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A House of Prayer for All People: Contesting Citizenship in a Queer Church
by David K. SeitzPerhaps an unlikely subject for an ethnographic case study, the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto in Canada is a large predominantly LGBT church with a robust, and at times fraught, history of advocacy. While the church is often riddled with fault lines and contradictions, its queer and faith-based emphasis on shared vulnerability leads it to engage in radical solidarity with asylum-seekers, pointing to the work of affect in radical, coalition politics. A House of Prayer for All People maps the affective dimensions of the politics of citizenship at this church. For nearly three years, David K. Seitz regularly attended services at MCCT. He paid special attention to how community and citizenship are formed in a primarily queer Christian organization, focusing on four contemporary struggles: debates on race and gender in religious leadership, activism around police–minority relations, outreach to LGBT Christians transnationally, and advocacy for asylum seekers. Engaging in debates in cultural geography, queer of color critique, psychoanalysis, and affect theory, A House of Prayer for All People stages innovative, reparative encounters with citizenship and religion. Building on queer theory’s rich history of “subjectless” critique, Seitz calls for an “improper” queer citizenship—one that refuses liberal identity politics or national territory as the ethical horizon for sympathy, solidarity, rights, redistribution, or intimacy. Improper queer citizenship, he suggests, depends not only on “good politics” but also on people’s capacity for empathy, integration, and repair.
House of Prayer No. 2: A Writer's Journey Home
by Mark RichardIn this otherworldly memoir of extraordinary power, Mark Richard, an award-winning author, tells his story of growing up in the American South with a heady Gothic mix of racial tension and religious fervor. Called a #x1C;special child,#x1D; Southern social code for mentally-and physically-challenged children, Richard was crippled by deformed hips and was told he would spend his adult life in a wheelchair. During his early years in charity hospitals, Richard observed the drama of other broken boys#x19; lives, children from impoverished Appalachia, tobacco country lowlands, and Richmond#x19;s poorest neighborhoods. The son of a solitary alcoholic father whose hair-trigger temper terrorized his family, and of a mother who sought inner peace through fasting, prayer, and scripture, Richard spent his bedridden childhood withdrawn into the company of books. As a young man, Richard, defying both his doctors and parents, set out to experience as much of the world as he could-as a disc jockey, fishing trawler deckhand, house painter, naval correspondent, aerial photographer, private investigator, foreign journalist, bartender and unsuccessful seminarian-before his hips failed him. While digging irrigation ditches in east Texas, he discovered that a teacher had sent a story of his to theAtlantic, where it was named a winner in the magazine#x19;s national fiction contest launching a career much in the mold of Jack London and Mark Twain. A superbly written and irresistible blend of history, travelogue, and personal reflection,House of Prayer No. 2is a remarkable portrait of a writer#x19;s struggle with his faith, the evolution of his art, and of recognizing one#x19;s singularity in the face of painful disability. Written with humor and a poetic force, this memoir is destined to become a modern classic.
House of Secrets
by Ramona RichardsSheriff Ray Taylor always had a soft spot for the former minister's widow, June Eaton. . . ;until he found her standing over the current minister's dead body. She claims she's innocent-and after a string of attacks against RayandJune, he's inclined to believe her. So who is the real killer, and what is he after? Ray knows that the parsonage has to be the key. The old house is hiding a dark secret, something the pastor's murderer is convinced June knows. Something that murderer will do anything to keep buried.
The House of the Mother: The Social Roles of Maternal Kin in Biblical Hebrew Narrative and Poetry
by Prof. Cynthia R. ChapmanA novel approach to Israelite kinship, arguing that maternal kinship bonds played key social, economic, and political roles for a son who aspired to inherit his father's household Upending traditional scholarship on patrilineal genealogy, Cynthia Chapman draws on twenty years of research to uncover an underappreciated yet socially significant kinship unit in the Bible: "the house of the mother. " In households where a man had two or more wives, siblings born to the same mother worked to promote and protect one another's interests. Revealing the hierarchies of the maternal houses and political divisions within the national house of Israel, this book provides us with a nuanced understanding of domestic and political life in ancient Israel.
The House of the Vampire
by George Sylvester Viereck"He felt the presence of the hand of Reginald Clark - unmistakably - groping in his brain as if searching for something that had still escaped him. He tried to move, to cry out, but his limbs were paralyzed. When, by a superhuman effort, he at last succeeded in shaking off the numbness that held him enchained, he awoke just in time to see a figure, that of a man, disappearing in the wall that separated Reginald's apartments from his room..."This vampire doesn't want the blood from your veins; he's after the ideas in your head. The hypnotic Reginald Clarke chooses his victims for their artistic abilities, charms them, and discards them after robbing them of their gifts. Originally published in 1907, this gothic novella was among the first stories of its type and remains a gripping tale of psychic vampirism.
The House of Winter, (Circle of Three Book #11)
by Isobel BirdWinter's cold and winter's darkness, wraps us in these frozen hours. as the ceaseless wheel turns we call the sun to warm us with its power. Cooper, Annie, and Kate celebrate the winter solstice in true Wiccan spirit. The threesome joins practitioners of the Craft in a remote, haunted house in the wintry mountains. An unexpected blizzard strikes, and the girls cannot resist the lure of the dark house's shrouded mystery.
The House Of Wisdom: How The Arabs Transformed Western Civilization
by Jonathan LyonsFor centuries following the fall of Rome, Western Europe was a benighted backwater, a world of subsistence farming, minimal literacy, and violent conflict. Meanwhile Arab culture was thriving, dazzling those Europeans fortunate enough to visit cities like Baghdad or Antioch. There, philosophers, mathematicians, and astronomers were steadily advancing the frontiers of knowledge, as well as keeping alive the works of Plato and Aristotle. When the best libraries in Europe held several dozen books, Baghdad's great library, The House of Wisdom, housed four hundred thousand. Jonathan Lyons shows just how much "Western" ideas owe to the Golden Age of Arab civilization. Even while their countrymen waged bloody Crusades against Muslims, a handful of intrepid Christian scholars, hungry for knowledge, traveled East and returned with priceless jewels of science, medicine, and philosophy that laid the foundation for the Renaissance. In this brilliant, evocative book Jonathan Lyons reveals the story of how Europe drank from the well of Muslim learning.
The House of Zondervan: Celebrating 75 Years
by Jim RuarkThe year was 1931, and in a farmhouse in Grandville, Michigan, brothers Pat and Bernie Zondervan were quietly making publishing history. They started by purchasing and reselling some “remaindered” book from Harper & Brothers, then quickly moved into a publishing operation of their own, which, thanks to faith, industriousness, business savvy, and the right people, prospered in the midst of the Depression. It has been flourishing ever since. What began as Pat and Bernie’s vision has become today’s premier Christian communications company, meeting the needs of people across the world with resources that glorify Jesus Christ and promote biblical principles. This is the story of how it all happened. The House of Zondervan is a fascinating, richly human look at the people and the relationships, the faith and the labor, the struggles and heartbreaks as well as the triumphs, the accomplishments of yesterday and the challenges and opportunities of today, that both make up our heritage and point toward our future. Here are authors who have shaped the face of evangelicalism and helped people across the world experience the power and grace of God’s kingdom. Here too are editors and marketers who have brought to light some of Christianity’s most gifted and important voices. And here are leaders who have not only defined the course of our company but embodied its character and instilled it in those they have led. The story of Zondervan is also the story of its enterprises past and present—a story of retail stores; record and music publishing; bestselling Bibles and Bible translations such as the New International Version; rich and diverse partnerships; constantly shifting relationships in the publishing and bookselling industry; and innovations in marketing, research, product development, and author care that have earned us our place at the vanguard of Christian communications. Above all, the history of Zondervan is the story of lives reached and transformed by the grace and power of God. And it is a testimony to Jesus Christ, the Lord we love and serve, who has been faithful to us as we have strived to be faithful to him. Welcome to The House of Zondervan. We hope you enjoy your stay!
House on Endless Waters: A Novel
by Emuna Elon&“Elon powerfully evokes the obscurity of the past and its hold on the present as we stumble through revelation after revelation with Yoel. As we accompany him on his journey…we share in his loss, surprise, and grief, right up to the novel&’s shocking conclusion.&” —The New York Times Book Review In the tradition of The Invisible Bridge and The Weight of Ink, &“a vibrant, page-turning family mystery&” (Jennifer Cody Epstein, author of Wunderland) about a writer who discovers the truth about his mother&’s wartime years in Amsterdam, unearthing a shocking secret that becomes the subject of his magnum opus.Renowned author Yoel Blum reluctantly agrees to visit his birthplace of Amsterdam to promote his books, despite promising his late mother that he would never return to that city. While touring the Jewish Historical Museum with his wife, Yoel stumbles upon footage portraying prewar Dutch Jewry and is astonished to see the youthful face of his beloved mother staring back at him, posing with his father, his older sister…and an infant he doesn&’t recognize. This unsettling discovery launches him into a fervent search for the truth, shining a light on Amsterdam&’s dark wartime history—the underground networks that hid Jewish children away from danger and those who betrayed their own for the sake of survival. The deeper into the past Yoel digs up, the better he understands his mother&’s silence, and the more urgent the question that has unconsciously haunted him for a lifetime—Who am I?—becomes. Part family mystery, part wartime drama, House on Endless Waters is &“a rewarding meditation on survival&” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) and a &“deeply immersive achievement that brings to life stories that must never be forgotten&” (USA TODAY).
House on Fire!: A Story of Loss, Love & Servant Leadership
by Ken Jennings Michael J. McCormickA tale of leadership in a class of its own, House on Fire!, winner of the 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Award, moves past tips and techniques to uncover the heart of leadership transformation that occurs when people see differently and serve differently.House on Fire! follows Sophie, a young investigative journalist searching for answers whose sources for a story on leadership principles in a high-purpose organization get mixed up in a series of mysterious fires around Pittsburgh. Along the way Sophie meets Jeb, a handsome firefighter and leadership partner at The House who is working to determine who is behind the mysterious fires targeting local Christians. Despite herself, Sophie finds herself falling for Jeb and tension mounts as she comes face to face with her past. Will Sophie confront her fear of fire and help solve the arsons before Jeb gets hurt?or worse?Based on the conviction that leadership transformation in the real world is more caught in the context of community than taught by a single textbook, Ken Jennings and Mike McCormick brilliantly bring leadership development to life through an integrated team of characters, each contributing to the personal growth of the others. Fit for the new landscape of leadership, House on Fire! specifically helps those navigating the shift from leading a company to leading a cause, from command and control to team empowerment, or from leading an organization to transforming a community. Readers follow Sophie as she explores the intersection of faith and Servant Leadership in high purpose organizations and discover how to put Serving Leadership to work in their own high-purpose organization today.
The House On Malcolm Street: A Novel
by Leisha KellyWhen tragedy steals her future, can Leah learn to trust again? It is the autumn of 1920, and Leah Breckenridge is desperate to find a way to provide for her young daughter. After losing her husband and infant son, she is angry at God and fearful about the days ahead. Finding refuge in a boardinghouse run by her late husband’s aunt, Leah begins the slow process of mending her heart. Is it the people who surround her--or perhaps this very house--that reach into her heart with healing? As Leah finds peace tending to an abandoned garden, can she find a way to trust God with her future? A beautifully simple story about the complexities of life, The House on Malcolm Street is a treasure.
The House On The Roof: A Sukkot Story
by David A. Adler"One day, the old man from apartment 3D dragged a heavy wood crate up the front steps of his building. "Don't scratch the paint with that junk," the owner of the building yelled. "I don't have the halls painted so you can scratch the paint right off." ..." This is an entertaining and informative story about Sukkot and features a clever twist. Other books by this author are available in this library.
The House That Jesus Built: Leading Our Churches Back to God's Original Blueprint
by Natalie RunionAt a time when churches seem far from God&’s design, bestselling author Natalie Runion challenges us as Christians to follow the Bible&’s blueprint for building holy, healthy churches that disciple holy, healthy followers of Christ. In recent years, we&’ve seen the &“great resignation&” in Church leadership and attendance, the devastation of spiritual abuse, and the breakdown of faith within our culture. In The House That Jesus Built, Natalie encourages all of us to recognize our role as Jesus&’ disciples in rebuilding our churches, brick by brick. With personal stories and practical ideas, she guides us to: Be honest about past disappointments while still engaging with our church communities Ask how we as Christ followers have contributed to pain in our churches and how we can help heal one another Use the book of Acts as the blueprint for empowering the family of God to be the family of God Understand how even the apostles wrestled with their places in the early Church but remained committed to love God, love people, and make disciples Be unified on the foundation of Jesus Christ The House That Jesus Built will stir your heart to see God&’s churches realigned with the Great Commission and the Great Command. As Natalie reminds us, we are the Church. We are the ones who can partner with Jesus to build something beautiful out of the rubble—and back on the Rock.
The House That Love Built: Why I Opened My Door to Immigrants and How We Found Hope beyond a Broken System
by Sarah Jackson"Jackson's visionary account is a beautiful model of sacrificial love." -- Publishers Weekly Starred ReviewThe House that Love Built is the quintessential story of one woman's questioning what it means to be an American--and a Christian--in light of a broken immigration system. Through tender stories of opening her heart and home to immigrants, Sarah Jackson shines a holy light on loving our neighbor.Sarah Jackson once thought immigration justice was administered through higher walls and longer fences. Then she met an immigrant--a deported young father separated from his US-citizen family--and everything changed. As Sarah began to know fractured families ravaged by threats in their homeland and further traumatized in US detention, biblical justice took on a new meaning.As Sarah opened her heart--and her home--to immigrants, she experienced a surprising transformation and the gift of extraordinary community. The work she began through the ministry of Casa de Paz joined the centuries-old Christian tradition of hospitality, shining a holy light on what it means to love our neighbor.The dilemma of undocumented people continues to hover over America, and it raises urgent questions for every Christian:What is our responsibility to the "stranger" in our midst?What does God's kingdom look like in the global-political reality of immigration?What difference can one person make?Sarah engages these questions through profound and tender stories, placing readers in the shoes of individuals on every side of the issue--asylum seekers torn from their families, the guards who oversee them, ordinary people with lapsed visas, the families left to survive on their own, the unheralded advocates for immigrants' rights, and the government officials who decide the fates of others.Ultimately, Sarah's journey illuminates how hope can be restored through simple yet radical acts of love.
The House that Love Built
by Beth WisemanBrooke has only loved one man, her late husband. Owen's rebuilding after a painful divorce. Can a mysterious house bring them together for a second chance at love?In the charming town of Smithville, Texas, Brooke Holloway is raising two young children on her own, supporting them by running the family hardware store. The last thing on her mind is falling in love. But she's intrigued when a stranger moves to town and buys the old Hadley mansion. She's always heard that house holds a secret--maybe even a treasure--and she can't wait to see inside. When she meets the new owner and they spend time together, she can't deny the attraction. Could God be giving her another chance at happiness? Or is she betraying her late husband's memory by even thinking that way?Owen Saunders bought the Hadley place to spite his cheating ex-wife. She'd always wanted to restore an old house in Smithville. Now he's going to do it without her. But if anything needs restoration, it is Owen's heart. Then he meets Brooke and her kids and finds himself tempted by love. Can he bring himself to trust a woman again?Throw an eccentric uncle into the mix, along with the town's teenage troublemaker, and even a finicky cat--and one thing becomes clear: God is bringing them all together for a reason.
The House That Went Ker---Splat!: The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (The Bug Parables)
by Bill MyersThis retelling of the wise and foolish builders deals with two paper wasp buddies who take very different approaches to building a wasp house. Willie wisely follows the blueprints, chooses good materials, and picks a smart place to build. Lazy Ray cuts corners all the way—and learns there’s a cost to pay for foolishly ignoring the rules.
The House Where the Hardest Things Happened
by Kate Young CaleyFusing an intimate memoir with an outspoken critique of organized religion's failure to welcome all into its community,The House Where the Hardest Things Happenedis the moving story of one woman's search for a sense of belonging. Growing up in a small town in New Hampshire, Kate Young Caley attends a strong community church where everyone is treated like family, members selflessly help one another, and all the kids are made to feel special. Then, suddenly, everything changes. Her father is hospitalized for many months and her mother is forced to take a job as a waitress to support the family. But the job requires Kate's mother to serve alcohol, which goes against the church's covenant, and the family, banned from attending services, soon finds itself emotionally ostracized from the community. InThe House Where the Hardest Things Happened, Caley recounts the hurt and confusion she felt as a young girl and her long search for a religious community that would comfort her spiritually, support her emotionally, and respect her intellectual ideals. As she chronicles her journey, she candidly discusses her problems with the way the Christian faith is expressed and with the people who lay claim to it. Her exploration of religious teachings on homosexuality is especially powerful as she explains why she is unwilling, and unable, to deny the love she has for her gay brother. At once the story of a family profoundly transformed by tragedy and an incisive exploration of the meaning of spirituality,The House Where the Hardest Things Happenedwill appeal to readers of Joyce Carol Oates’sWe Were the Mulvaneysand Anne Lamott’sTraveling Mercies. Beautifully written, it brings to life Caley's inspiring determination to reclaim her right to practice her beliefs–the most basic human right of all.
The House Witch: Your Complete Guide to Creating a Magical Space with Rituals and Spells for Hearth and Home
by Arin Murphy-HiscockEverything you need to know to create your very own “sacred space”—perfect for practicing home-based witchcraft including spells, rituals, herbalism, and more!—from the author of The Green Witch. Your home is an important part of who you are—it makes sense to tie your practice of witchcraft closely to the place where you build your life. In The House Witch, you’ll discover everything you need to live, work, and practice in your own magical space. Follow expert Arin Murphy-Hiscock on a journey to building and fortifying a sacred space in your own home, with essential information on how to: -Create magical cookbooks of recipes, spells, and charms -Prepare food that nourishes body and soul -Perform rituals that protect and purify hearth and home -Master the secrets of the cauldron and the sacred flame -Call upon the kitchen gods and goddesses. -Produce hearth-based arts and crafts. …and much more! Learn how easy it is to transform your home into a magical place that enhances your practice and nurtures your spirit!
The House Without Lights: A glowing celebration of joy, warmth, and home
by Reem FaruqiIn this heartwarming holiday picture book, House misses being decorated for the winter holidays . . . but is delighted to be lit up for Eid instead.After seeing all of its neighbors' twinkling lights for the winter holidays, House hopes to shine too. When Huda and her family move in, House thinks its time to sparkle has finally come.But, Diwali, Hanukkah, and Christmas come and go without a shimmer. Quickly, House learns that every family celebrates joy and togetherness in their own way, no matter the season. And a few months later House will see that this new family has its own holiday to shine for.This book is sure to be a holiday classic, complete with back matter about the holidays mentioned, including the one House lights up for–Eid.
Houses in Motion
by Richard BaxstromBaxstrom (social anthropology, U. of Edinburgh) offers plenty of personal experience in the Brickfields neighborhood of Kuala Lumpur, working from a broad array of interviews and primary sources, to explain why forces of reform in the largely Muslim government of Malaysia tried urban renewal without asking residents what they needed or wanted. It appears that Brickfields was a particularly good example of marginalization, and Baxstrom details the development of Brickfields, the rise of Islamic reform in the region, the trajectory of urban government in Kuala Lumpur, the experience of place in radical transformation, the concept of belonging, and the role of ambivalence in making a place to live. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc. , Portland, OR (booknews. com)
Houses in Motion: The Experience of Place and the Problem of Belief in Urban Malaysia
by Richard BaxstromThe book is about the transformation of urban space and the reordering of the demographic character of Brickfields, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Kuala Lumpur.
Houses of God: Region, Religion, and Architecture in the United States (Public Express Religion America)
by Peter W. WilliamsHouses of God is the first broad survey of American religious architecture, a cultural cross-country expedition that will benefit travelers as much as scholars. Beautifully illustrated with over 100 photographs — some by well-known photographers such as Walker Evans and Dorothea Lange — this handsome book provides a highly accessible look at how Americans shape their places of worship into multifaceted reflections of their culture, beliefs, and times.
Houses of Horror
by Hans HolzerAn acclaimed ghost hunter and author of Real Hauntings shares real-life stories of hauntings from across America. ”Have you ever come home and wondered what might be lurking up the stairs, in the dark of the corridor where the lights don’t reach and the soft footfalls of the visitor disappear into the thick carpet?” For more than five decades, Hans Holzer has been delving into disturbances from The Other Side. This Vienna-born researcher, the man they call “The Ghost Hunter,” has devoted much of his adult life to tracking those phantom presences that emerge from the shadows when least expected. Whether we call these spectral personages, “ghosts” or “spirits” or “left behinds,” they hover among us, defying easy explanation or dismissal. No one in America has researched these ghostly beings more assiduously or skillfully than Holzer. Indeed, he has been lauded as the most published paranormal investigator of the past century. This collection contains some of his most famous and controversial cases. Houses of Horror takes us deep into history both known and obscure; we encounter accused traitor Aaron Burr and experience the postmortem rustlings of colonial spies. In New Hampshire, a nineteenth century admiral makes things go bump in the night; a girl ghost playfully leaves surprise gifts in an old Kentucky home; and in Illinois, a suicide moves restlessly from room to room. Holzer’s explorations in the seemingly unexplainable have taken him far afield. He ventures down dark corridors in eerie New England mansions and sprawling Southern homes. His ghostly quarry surfaces in Minnesota, the rural Midwest heartland; even in Hollywood and on a moving Swiss train. Ever observant, patiently curious, Holzer jots down the cases and then moves on. This rich collection of hauntings can be read as an extended glimpse into the life beyond life; the realm of the unknown.
The Houston Crime Scene Collection: The Chase, The Survivor (Crime Scene: Houston)
by DiAnn MillsBestselling author DiAnn Mills's romantic suspense Crime Scene: Houston novels are now available in one e-collection.The ChaseTo the FBI it&’s a cold case. To Kariss Walker it&’s a hot idea that could either reshape or ruin her writing career. And it&’s a burning mission to revisit an event she can never forget.Five years ago, an unidentified little girl was found starved to death in the woods behind a Houston apartment complex. A TV news anchor at the time, Kariss reported on the terrifying case. Today, as a New York Times bestselling author, Kariss intends to turn the unsolved mystery into a suspense novel.Enlisting the help of FBI Special Agent Tigo Harris, Kariss succeeds in getting the case reopened. But the search for the dead girl&’s missing mother yields a discovery that plunges the partners into a witch&’s brew of danger. The old crime lives on in more ways than either of them could ever imagine. Will Kariss&’s pursuit of her dream as a writer carry a deadly price tag?Drawing from a real-life cold case, bestselling novelist DiAnn Mills presents a taut collage of suspense, faith, and romance in The Chase.The SurvivorIs it her next bestseller . . . Or her last words? Kariss gets the chance to tell her most powerful story yet. But will it revitalize her writing career? Or bring it to a violent end?Kariss meets Dr. Amy Garrett, who survived a brutal childhood attack in which the assailant was never found. Now Dr. Garrett wants her story written in a novel. Kariss wishes she could seek the advice of Special Agent Tigo Harris, but she broke off the relationship a few months prior and seeing him again would be too painful. She interviews Amy and conducts her own research, stepping unaware into danger.Tigo misses Kariss and wants her back, but he understands why she broke off their relationship. Instead, he concentrates on solving a car bombing and bringing the killer to justice. As Kariss&’s new story attracts an onslaught of danger that she never expected, can Tigo save the woman he loves and find out who wants her dead for writing about an unsolved cold case?
How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind: Rediscovering the African Seedbed of Western Christianity (Early African Christianity Set)
by Thomas C. OdenAfrica has played a decisive role in the formation of Christian culture from its infancy. Some of the most decisive intellectual achievements of Christianity were explored and understood in Africa before they were in Europe. If this is so, why is Christianity so often perceived in Africa as a Western colonial import? How can Christians in Northern and sub-Saharan Africa, indeed how can Christians throughout the world, rediscover and learn from this ancient heritage? Theologian Thomas C. Oden offers a portrait that challenges prevailing notions of the intellectual development of Christianity from its early roots to its modern expressions. The pattern, he suggests, is not from north to south from Europe to Africa, but the other way around. He then makes an impassioned plea to uncover the hard data and study in depth the vital role that early African Christians played in developing the modern university, maturing Christian exegesis of Scripture, shaping early Christian dogma, modeling conciliar patterns of ecumenical decision-making, stimulating early monasticism, developing Neoplatonism, and refining rhetorical and dialectical skills. He calls for a wide-ranging research project to fill out the picture he sketches. It will require, he says, a generation of disciplined investigation, combining intensive language study with a risk-taking commitment to uncover the truth in potentially unreceptive environments. Oden envisions a dedicated consortium of scholars linked by computer technology and a common commitment that will seek to shape not only the scholar's understanding but the ordinary African Christian's self-perception.