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The Beginning: An eShort prequel to The Bridge
by Karen KingsburyFrom #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes this e-short prequel to her upcoming novel, The Bridge, shedding light on the love story behind the bookstore and how it came to be a place of hope and encouragement.
The Beginnings of Jewishness: Boundaries, Varieties, Uncertainties
by Shaye J. D. CohenIn modern times, various Jewish groups have argued whether Jewishness is a function of ethnicity, of nationality, of religion, or of all three. These fundamental conceptions were already in place in antiquity. The peculiar combination of ethnicity, nationality, and religion that would characterize Jewishness through the centuries first took shape in the second century B. C. E. This brilliantly argued, accessible book unravels one of the most complex issues of late antiquity by showing how these elements were understood and applied in the construction of Jewish identity--by Jews, by gentiles, and by the state. Beginning with the intriguing case of Herod the Great's Jewishness, Cohen moves on to discuss what made or did not make Jewish identity during the period, the question of conversion, the prohibition of intermarriage, matrilineal descent, and the place of the convert in the Jewish and non-Jewish worlds. His superb study is unique in that it draws on a wide range of sources: Jewish literature written in Greek, classical sources, and rabbinic texts, both ancient and medieval. It also features a detailed discussion of many of the central rabbinic texts dealing with conversion to Judaism.
The Beginnings of Religion: An introductory and Scientific Study (Routledge Library Editions: Anthropology of Religion #1)
by E.O. JamesIn this book, first published in 1948, an attempt has been made to provide an intelligible introduction to a somewhat complex aspect of scientific inquiry. And secondly, to construct a background of ‘primitive’ ritual and belief against which the more developed religions can be placed. This book is a valuable, early attempt at explaining the beginnings of religion from a modern scientific viewpoint.
The Beguines of Medieval Paris: Gender, Patronage, and Spiritual Authority
by Tanya Stabler MillerIn the thirteenth century, Paris was the largest city in Western Europe, the royal capital of France, and the seat of one of Europe's most important universities. In this vibrant and cosmopolitan city, the beguines, women who wished to devote their lives to Christian ideals without taking formal vows, enjoyed a level of patronage and esteem that was uncommon among like communities elsewhere. Some Parisian beguines owned shops and played a vital role in the city's textile industry and economy. French royals and nobles financially supported the beguinages, and university clerics looked to the beguines for inspiration in their pedagogical endeavors. The Beguines of Medieval Paris examines these religious communities and their direct participation in the city's commercial, intellectual, and religious life. Drawing on an array of sources, including sermons, religious literature, tax rolls, and royal account books, Tanya Stabler Miller contextualizes the history of Parisian beguines within a spectrum of lay religious activity and theological controversy. She examines the impact of women on the construction of medieval clerical identity, the valuation of women's voices and activities, and the surprising ways in which local networks and legal structures permitted women to continue to identify as beguines long after a church council prohibited the beguine status. Based on intensive archival research, The Beguines of Medieval Paris makes an original contribution to the history of female religiosity and labor, university politics and intellectual debates, royal piety, and the central place of Paris in the commerce and culture of medieval Europe.
The Begum's Millions: Extraordinary Voyages #18 (Early Classics of Science Fiction)
by Jules VerneVerne's first cautionary tale about the dangers of science — first modern and corrected English translation. When two European scientists unexpectedly inherit an Indian rajah's fortune, each builds an experimental city of his dreams in the wilds of the American Northwest. France-Ville is a harmonious urban community devoted to health and hygiene, the specialty of its French founder, Dr. François Sarrasin. Stahlstadt, or City of Steel, is a fortress-like factory town devoted to the manufacture of high-tech weapons of war. Its German creator, the fanatically pro-Aryan Herr Schultze, is Verne's first truly evil scientist. In his quest for world domination and racial supremacy, Schultze decides to showcase his deadly wares by destroying France-Ville and all its inhabitants. Both prescient and cautionary, The Begum's Millions is a masterpiece of scientific and political speculation and constitutes one of the earliest technological utopia/dystopias in Western literature. This Wesleyan edition features notes, appendices, and a critical introduction as well as all the illustrations from the original French edition.
The Beis Yisroel The Life and Legacy of Rav Yisroel Alter of Gur
by Yisroel BesserRav Yisroel Alter, the Beis Yisroel, became the Rebbe of Gur at a time of deep darkness. Just a few years earlier, tens of thousands of Gerrer chassidim had perished in the Holocaust, and the few who’d survived faced the daunting challenge of beginning new lives. Rav Yisroel became the Rebbe – and he rebuilt a world, miraculously leading Gerrer chassidus to almost unimaginable levels of greatness. At the same time he was a loving, empathetic, wise shepherd, gently and patiently giving people the time and space they needed to grow. Written with the flair and emotion that have made Yisroel Besser’s biographies so beloved, The Beis Yisroel tells both stories -- the story of the Rebbe’s immeasurable impact on a nation still reeling, and the individual stories of how he was able to heal, encourage and uplift. From a sign painter to his beloved talmidim, from survivors whose horrific experiences had sent them far from their chassidic routes to bachurim struggling with the lures of secular society – whatever the challenges, the Rebbe was there to help and guide and find the greatness of every Jew.
The Beliefnet Guide to Evangelical Christianity
by Wendy Murray ZobaThe inaugural volume in a new series created in partnership with Beliefnet, today's leading religion and spirituality web site. This attractively priced, compact guide explains the essentials of historical and contemporary evangelicalism.
The Beliefnet Guide to Gnosticism and Other Vanished Christianities
by Richard ValantasisThis authoritative, fully accessible guide to early Christian movements sheds light on the hidden histories and intriguing mysteries that fueled the extraordinary success of books ranging from Dan Brown's blockbuster The Da Vinci Code to Elaine Pagels's critically acclaimed Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas. From its earliest days, Christianity has been marked by a rich diversity of beliefs and practices. Different interpretations of Jesus' life and mission, as well as conflicting views about worship and rituals, gave rise to numerous sects in the first centuries C. E. Condemned as heretical by the official Church, these early movements were lost to history until the twentieth century, when the discovery of ancient documents opened a new perspective on the evolution of Christianity. The Beliefnet® Guide to Gnosticism and Other Vanished Christianities is a fascinating look at the diverse strands of the early Christian church. It examines the alternative Christian ideas propagated by the Gnostics, Sethians, Valentinians, Marcionites, Encratites, and Montanists, illuminating the philosophical sources and religious traditions that fostered them. Special attention is given to sects that presented the greatest challenges to the developing orthodoxy: the Hermeticists, the Manicheans, and the Neoplatonists. There are also thought-provoking discussions about the secret Gospel of Mark and the Gospels of Mary and Thomas, and the newly discovered Gospel of the Savior. From the premier source of information on religion and spirituality, the Beliefnet Guides introduce you to the major traditions, leaders, and issues of faith in the world today.
The Beliefnet Guide to Islam
by Hesham A. Hassaballa Kabir HelminskiThis concise introduction to Islam offers a sophisticated and informative exploration of the history, beliefs, tenets, and practices of the second-largest religion in the world. There are 1. 3 billion Muslims in the world today, yet Islam remains a misunderstood faith. In this day and age, when issues related to Islam are dominating current affairs,The Beliefnet® Guide to Islamtakes readers into the heart of this global religion, describing its origins, its links to Judaism and Christianity, and its place and practices in the modern world. In clear, unbiased language, the authors outline the core beliefs that shape the daily lives of practicing Muslims: faith, prayer, charity, fasting and self-purification (during the period of Ramadan), and the Hajj (the annual pilgrimage to Mecca). They clarify the differences between the Sunni and the Shia, the two main branches of Islam, shedding light on a topic that has garnered attention during the current crises in Iraq and other parts of the Muslim world. Hassaballa and Helminski also look at the many misinterpretations of basic terms and beliefs that have had a serious impact on the relationship between Muslims and those who practice other religions, explaining such essentials as the meaning ofjihad,Islamic teachings on the role of women in society, and much more. From the premier source of information on religion and spirituality, the Beliefnet® Guides introduce you to the major traditions, leaders, and issues of faith in the world today.
The Beliefnet Guide to Kabbalah
by Arthur GoldwagThis lively, easy-to-follow guide to Kabbalah introduces the ancient Jewish mystical tradition that has captured the interest of Hollywood stars and the general public alike. With celebrities like Madonna, Paris Hilton, Demi Moore, and Britney Spears announcing their fascination with Kabbalah, curiosity about this ancient Jewish mystical tradition continues to grow. The Beliefnet® Guide to Kabbalah is a highly informative, reader-friendly overview of Kabbalah, whose messages Moses is said to have received from God on Mount Sinai. A collection of speculations on the nature of divinity, the creation, the origins and fate of the soul, and the role of human beings in the world, Kabbalah’s meaning and messages have influenced Jews, Christians, and others alike—and intrigued scholars for generations. The Beliefnet® Guide to Kabbalah covers the essentials of Kabbalah’s history, sheds light on what Kabbalists believe (including their views on angels and demons and on the afterlife), and provides instructions on both traditional and contemporary meditative, devotional, mystical, and magical practices. Sidebars featuring key facts, anecdotes, and frequently asked questions add to the book’s scope and appeal. From the premier source of information on religion and spirituality, the Beliefnet® Guides introduce you to the major traditions, leaders, and issues of faith in the world today. From the Trade Paperback edition.
The Believer's Brain: Home of the Religious and Spiritual Mind
by Kenneth M. Heilman Russell S. DondaAbout 90% of people have faith in a supreme being, but our yearning for the divine, and whatever it promises, involves a large divergence in mental states and behaviors. Some adhere to doctrine, supplication, and fastidious religious practices; others have a strong sense they are part of something greater and more universal. However, all religious and spiritual paths are mediated by complex brain networks. When different areas of the brain are stimulated, a person can have a variety of experiences, but there is no specific ‘God spot’ where stimulation enhances religiosity or spirituality. Functional brain imaging shows that there are specific areas of the brain that ‘light up’ when subjects perform certain religious activities, but imaging only provides anatomic correlations, not functional explanations. The Believer's Brain takes a step beyond these singular methodologies, providing converging evidence from a variety study methods of how humans’ brain networks mediate different aspects of religious and spiritual beliefs, feelings, actions, and experiences. Although the book reveals how our brain is the home to the religious and spiritual mind, understanding this gift will not diminish our spirituality or our love or our belief in a supreme being, but will increase appreciation of the apparatus that mediates these mental states.
The Believer's Code: 365 Devotions to Unlock the Blessings of God’s Word (The Code Series)
by O. S. Hawkins365 Devotions to Unlock the Blessings in God’s WordGod’s Word is filled with blessings and insights that encourage, comfort, and bring joy. Delve into the riches of Scripture through The Believer’s Code, and find each day’s devotional, including Scripture, a daily reading, and a Code Word. The unique Code Words offer a challenge and practical suggestion to put your faith in action.All author royalties from the book are donated to Mission:Dignity to help pastors, their wives and widows in financial need in their declining years.
The Believer's Daily Renewal
by Andrew MurrayDaily devotional to help make the most of our quiet time with God.
The Believer's Journey: God's Path of Transformation
by Chris PalmerWinding through the uncertainties of life and weaving in among the weaknesses that plague you daily is a shining path. Your first step on this path is your first step away from the things you hate most about yourself, and your first step into the divine transformation your heart has been longing for. The Believer's Journey sets forth profound and revelatory truths that can teach you how to have your own walk with God instead of having to walk with Him vicariously through others. * Part I: Grasp what it means to be born again. Unlock essential truths about the identity of every believer in Christ. * Part II: Witness the journey of the Apostle Paul, who took these truths the distance. Explore the great apostle's map into the heart of God. * Part III: Detect how to partner with the Holy Spirit to grow a deep and unlimited relationship with God. By the time you are finished reading, reflecting, and incorporating these truths, your depth in the Spirit may never be the same. Let : God's Path of Transformation steer you along this sacred path.
The Believer's Walk with Christ: A John MacArthur Study Series (John Macarthur Study Series 2017 Ser.)
by John F. MacArthur Jr.What it means to walk with Christ&‘Walking&’is a rich biblical metaphor. Figures like Enoch, Noah, and Abraham are remembered because they walked with God. Evil kings are remembered because they didn&’t. All humanity is a parade one way or the other, and Christians must know the difference. The Believer&’s Walk with Christ plumbs nine New Testament passages to unfold this great theme and help us live in step with the Spirit. Written in John MacArthur&’s direct, accessible style, it is ideal for Bible study groups, church leaders, or individual believers who want to grow in godliness. MacArthur draws on a lifetime of scholarly and pastoral experience to demystify that process and explain clearly what Scripture says about it. He'll help you know what it means to grow in Christian maturity, and how to make it the mark of your life. About the series:This book is part of TheJohn MacArthur Study Series. It is comprised of chapters adapted from the bestselling MacArthur New Testament Commentary, which have been arranged thematically for the purpose of topical study. Accordingly, each chapter is designed to take the reader deep into a text of Scripture, while the volume as a whole addresses a specific biblical theme. This approach is ideal for anyone wanting to engage in a thorough study of what the Bible says about a given subject. It also serves as a valuable tool for pastors or Bible study leaders looking to teach a topical series.
The Believer's Walk with Christ: A John MacArthur Study Series (John Macarthur Study Series 2017 Ser.)
by John F. MacArthur Jr.What it means to walk with Christ&‘Walking&’is a rich biblical metaphor. Figures like Enoch, Noah, and Abraham are remembered because they walked with God. Evil kings are remembered because they didn&’t. All humanity is a parade one way or the other, and Christians must know the difference. The Believer&’s Walk with Christ plumbs nine New Testament passages to unfold this great theme and help us live in step with the Spirit. Written in John MacArthur&’s direct, accessible style, it is ideal for Bible study groups, church leaders, or individual believers who want to grow in godliness. MacArthur draws on a lifetime of scholarly and pastoral experience to demystify that process and explain clearly what Scripture says about it. He'll help you know what it means to grow in Christian maturity, and how to make it the mark of your life. About the series:This book is part of TheJohn MacArthur Study Series. It is comprised of chapters adapted from the bestselling MacArthur New Testament Commentary, which have been arranged thematically for the purpose of topical study. Accordingly, each chapter is designed to take the reader deep into a text of Scripture, while the volume as a whole addresses a specific biblical theme. This approach is ideal for anyone wanting to engage in a thorough study of what the Bible says about a given subject. It also serves as a valuable tool for pastors or Bible study leaders looking to teach a topical series.
The Believer: Encounters with the Beginning, the End, and our Place in the Middle
by Sarah KrasnosteinAn unforgettable tour of the human condition that explores our universal need for belief to help us make sense of life, death, and everything in between. <p><p> For Sarah Krasnostein it begins with a Mennonite choir performing on a subway platform, a fleeting moment of witness that sets her on a fascinating journey to discover why people need to believe in absolute truths and what happens when their beliefs crash into her own. Some of the people Krasnostein interviews believe in things many people do not: ghosts, UFOs, the literal creation of the universe in six days. Some believe in things most people would like to: dying with dignity and autonomy; facing up to our transgressions with truthfulness; living with integrity and compassion. <p><p> By turns devastating and uplifting, and captured in snapshot-vivid detail, these six profiles of a death doula, a geologist who believes the world is six thousand years old, a lecturer in neurobiology who spends his weekends ghost hunting, the fiancée of a disappeared pilot and UFO enthusiasts, a woman incarcerated for killing her husband after suffering years of domestic violence, and Mennonite families in New York will leave you convinced that the most ordinary-seeming people are often the most remarkable and that deep and abiding commonalities can be found within the greatest differences. <p><p> Vivid, unconventional, entertaining, and full of wonder, The Believer interweaves these stories with compassion and empathy, culminating in an unforgettable tour of the human condition that cuts to the core of who we are as people, and what we’re doing on this earth.
The Believing Brain: From Spiritual Faiths to Political Convictions – How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths
by Michael ShermerSynthesizing thirty years of research, psychologist and science historian, Michael Shermer upends the traditional thinking about how humans form beliefs about the world. Simply put, beliefs come first and explanations for beliefs follow. The brain, Shermer argues, is a belief engine. Using sensory data that flow in through the senses, the brain naturally looks for and finds patterns - and then infuses those patterns with meaning, forming beliefs. Once beliefs are formed, our brains subconsciously seek out confirmatory evidence in support of those beliefs, which accelerates the process of reinforcing them, and round and round the process goes in a positive-feedback loop.In The Believing Brain, Shermer provides countless real-world examples of how this process operates, from politics, economics, and religion to conspiracy theories, the supernatural, and the paranormal. Ultimately, he demonstrates why science is the best tool ever devised to determine whether or not our belief matches reality.
The Believing Christian: Theology’s New Opportunities
by Lluis OviedoThis book offers an updated version of the credibility treatise as part of a fundamental theology. Focusing on practical arguments that make Christian faith interesting and positive for improving the quality of one's life and relationships, it shows how the Christian faith is beneficial for the individual, the family and society as a whole. The book draws from recent literature on religious coping; religion and resilience; religion and well-being; religion and human flourishing to make the case for Christian faith as a good choice. This book also addresses the most difficult challenges facing the Christian faith in our time, such as a secularising environments, struggles with science, a troubled past, or simply the problem of making faith a convincing life style. It's an important read for scholars of theology, faith, and non-belief.
The Believing Primate: Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Reflections on the Origin of Religion
by Michael Murray Jeffrey SchlossOver the last two decades, scientific accounts of religion have received a great deal of scholarly and popular attention both because of their intrinsic interest and because they are widely as constituting a threat to the religion they analyse. The Believing Primate aims to describe and discuss these scientific accounts as well as to assess their implications. The volume begins with essays by leading scientists in the field, describing these accounts and discussing evidence in their favour. Philosophical and theological reflections on these accounts follow, offered by leading philosophers, theologians, and scientists. This diverse group of scholars address some fascinating underlying questions: Do scientific accounts of religion undermine the justification of religious belief? Do such accounts show religion to be an accidental by-product of our evolutionary development? And, whilst we seem naturally disposed toward religion, would we fare better or worse without it? Bringing together dissenting perspectives, this provocative collection will serve to freshly illuminate ongoing debate on these perennial questions.
The Believing Scientist: Essays on Science and Religion
by Stephen BarrElegant writings by a cutting-edge research scientist defending traditional theological and philosophical positions Both an accomplished theoretical physicist and a faithful Catholic, Stephen Barr in this book addresses a wide range of questions about the relationship between science and religion, providing a beautiful picture of how they can coexist in harmony. In his first essay, "Retelling the Story of Science," Barr challenges the widely held idea that there is an inherent conflict between science and religion. He goes on to analyze such topics as the quantum creation of universes from nothing, the multiverse, the Intelligent Design movement, and the implications of neuroscience for the reality of the soul. Including reviews of highly influential books by such figures as Edward O. Wilson, Richard Dawkins, Stephen Jay Gould, Francis S. Collins, Michael Behe, and Thomas Nagel, The Believing Scientist helpfully engages pressing questions that often vex religious believers who wish to engage with the world of science.
The Bell House: a sweeping novel of power and compassion from bestselling author Ruth Hamilton
by Ruth HamiltonThis heart-wrenching, moving and emotional saga full of twists and turns and highlighting the importance of love and understanding by the Sunday Times bestselling author Ruth Hamilton is a must - read for fans of Catherine Cookson, Dilly Court and Josephine Cox."I believe that Ruth Hamilton is very much the successor to Catherine Cookson. Her books are plot driven, they just rip along; laughs, weeps, love, they've got the lot, and they're quality writing as well" -- SARAH BROADHURST, RADIO FOUR"This book kept me enthralled to the very last page" -- ***** Reader review"A riveting read. Couldn't put it down." -- ***** Reader review"As always an impeccable story by Ruth, sadness, happiness and in between hilarious wit. A must read book which you will be loathe to put down." -- ***** Reader review"A truly superb book" -- ***** Reader review****************************************************************************WILL ONE FRIENDSHIP CHANGE THINGS FOREVER?Despite her strict 1950s Catholic upbringing, Madeleine Horrocks, doesn't understand why religion seems to force people apart. But her friend Amy has been brought up to believe that mixing with other religions results in eternal damnation, and when Maddy becomes friendly with George, a local, good-looking Jewish boy, Amy fears the worst. But as they grow up she, too, becomes friends with George, as well as with other young teenagers who meet secretly at the Bell House, an ancient place of burial.When a body is found in the nearby reservoir they all become threatened by tragedy and danger.Meanwhile, Father Sheahan, the whisky-soaked priest from the local church, has discovered that his secret past is catching up with him.Bigotry, lust and hatred have been so much a part of this community that it takes the combined forces of young and old - and particularly George's formidable grandmother Yuspeh - to bring everyone together and move forward positively.
The Bell Messenger: A Novel
by Robert CornukeA suspenseful yet touching story of a Civil war Bible that pops up again and again over a century and shapes the very history of the nation. This rich and involving historical and archeological thriller begins as a Union soldier, Tate, shoots a Confederate preacher known as the Bell Messenger and is bequeathed a worn Bible by the dying man. Tate's historical narrative parallels the contemporary story of John Brandon, who has just graduated college in 2000 and received the very same Bible, unearthed in a Saudi Arabian cave, as a gift. The potent history of this book is revealed as Brandon searches for its previous owners, along the way uncovering the existence of a mysterious cache of gold hidden during Old Testament times -- which brings shadowy figures hot on Brandon's heels, hungry for the gold and desperate to learn the new clues he possesses. As the past and present intertwine, the reader learns that this Bible has passed through many hands over the years. From the Civil War to the building of the Central Pacific Railroad, to the gang wars and the holding of Chinese slaves in nineteenth-century California, to the trenches of World War I, Brandon learns of the lives this Bible has saved, the deaths it has caused, and the history it has changed forever.
The Belle Meade Plantation Collection: To Whisper Her Name, To Win Her Favor, To Wager Her Heart, To Mend a Dream (A Belle Meade Plantation Novel)
by Tamera AlexanderSet during the Civil War at Nashville’s historic Belle Meade Plantation, Tamera Alexander portrays stories about enslavement and freedom, arrogance and humility, and the power of love to heal even the deepest of wounds.To Whisper Her NameAs Ridley Cooper seeks to make peace within himself for “betraying” the South he loved, Olivia Aberdeen is determined to never be betrayed again. To Whisper Her Name follows the journey of two wounded people and one fragile nation longing to find healing.To Win Her FavorA gifted rider in a world where ladies never race, Maggie Linden is determined that her horse will become a champion. But the one man who could help her—an Irishman far from home named Cullen McGrath—has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing for the rest of his life.To Wager Her HeartIn the new reality of the post-Civil War South a railroad man and a Southern Belle-turned teacher must find a way to work together to achieve their dreams. To Wager Her Heart is a sweeping Southern love story about a nation trying to heal and the courage of a man and woman to see themselves for who they truly are—and can be—together.To Mend a DreamExtending her beloved series in this sweet novella, Tamera Alexander offers readers the story of well-known character Savannah Darby, who would do almost anything to revisit her family home. When the new owner, Aidan Bedford, decides to redecorate his new house for his fiance, Savannah jumps at the opportunity.
The Belonging Project - Women's Bible Study Guide with Leader Helps: Finding Your Tribe and Learning to Thrive (The Belonging Project)
by Amberly NeeseDiscover true community. Has the pursuit of the “perfect life” left you feeling depleted, disappointed, dissatisfied, and disconnected? Are you tired of being lonely and left out at work, home, church, and online? Are you hungry for true community, deeper connection with God, and friendships that are greater than just “likes” on social media? Are you ready for real connections with those around you?In this four-week Bible study, Amberly Neese provides biblical and practical help for cultivating meaningful relationships that glorify God through an exploration of four “one another” sayings in the New Testament: Love one another Serve one another Build up and strengthen one another Forgive one anotherIn her trademark style, Amberly combines Bible study with delightful humor to create a refreshing and engaging experience that will encourage and equip women to pursue deeper relationships and true belonging.Other components for the Bible study, available separately, include a DVD.Bible Study Features: A shorter, four-week study is ideal for in-between or busy times. Accessible and friendly format. DVD features the amazing Amberly Neese, who masterfully combines solid Bible teaching and delightfully funny humor (in four 20-minute segments). Inspires and encourages women to pursue deeper relationships and true belonging for a more fulfilled, purposeful life. Helps women grow in their capacity to love, serve, and forgive. Study guide with leader helps includes group session guides, discussion questions, prayers, video viewer guides, and more.