Philosophy & Religion

Sample

Mark Wetzel, Jaimie Dickinson, Jeffrey A. Jaeger

The Geometry Student Edition presents the view that God's design is the foundation of reasoning, modeling, and ethics in geometry. Students will learn how to calculate measures of 2- and 3-dimensional figures. They will also create solutions to real-world problems by designing and using geometric models. They will learn how to solve proofs, complete geometric math problems, and learn how geometry affects our world. Key features: Cumulative reviews to prepare students for standardized testing, Chapter reviews highlight key concepts from section and the chapter's biblical worldview theme, Essential questions to help students focus on each lesson's major concepts, Geometry around Us features that showcase how geometry affects our world. -- Publisher.

Sample

Rand Hummel

What does it mean to be contagious? The Thessalonian believers were contagious. They were real. They were passionate. The gospel spread because their lives were attractive to the unbelievers around them. If you had the strong faith, sincere love, and secure hope of the Thessalonians, how would you impact the world around you? The meditations in this little book will help you apply God's Word in a practical and meaningful way, so that you too can become contagious. -- Back cover.

Sample

Carol J. Adams

""The connections traced between rampant masculinity, misogyny, carnivorism, and militarism operate as powerfully today as when Carol Adams first diagnosed them twenty years ago." JM Coetzee" "For twenty years, The Sexual Politics of Meat has inspired, engaged, and challenged readers. Now , with a preface by Nellie McKay, an expansive new Introduction by the author, and 8 pages of images culled from popular culture, The Sexual Politics of Meat is as startling, revelatory, thought-provoking, and life-changing as when it first appeared." "A bible of the vegan community." New York Times" ""Her argument is rational and persuasive . New ground -whole acres of it - is broken by Adams." Washington Post" ""Important and provocative . Likely to both inspire and enrage readers across the political spectrum." Library Journal" ""Adams's original, provocative book makes a major contribution to the debate on animal rights." Publishers Weekly" ""The Sexual Politics of Meat couldn't be more timely, or more disturbing." Environmental Ethics."--BOOK JACKET.

Sample

Abner Chou and Christian Locatell

The chapters in this volume were written in honor of Dr. William Varner's decades of service and teaching in the church and the academy. Because of the breadth of Dr. Varner's academic engagement, the contributors cover a variety of subjects including linquistics, exegesis, theology, intertextuality, textual criticism of Old and New Testament texts, early Christian literature, and the land of the Bible. Many contributors follow Dr. Varner's lead in exploring and developing the relationship between several of these topics at once. With essays focusing on theoretical foundations for approaching Scripture and on concrete applications of particular texts, this volume yields just some of the fruit of Dr. Varner's labor and demonstrates its applicability both in the academy and in the church. - Back cover.

Sample

Michael Heath Browder, Jr

"This book shows that John Wesley believed a person's pursuit of the greatest end of ethics is an expression of God's gift and that the giftedness of this blessing is illuminated by a critical examination of the work of the Spirit with respect to the active and passive dimensions of a human being"--

Sample

Kayode J. Fakinlede

Yoruba, one of the national languages of Nigeria, is spoken by more than 30 million people worldwide. This book's 15 lessons, designed with the beginning student in mind, are ideal for both classroom use and self-study. Each opens with a dialogue about an everyday topic, which is then broken down for the study of grammar and vocabulary. Cultural notes give the material its proper context, and exercises reinforce the student's mastery of the lesson. The accompanying audio (available for free download) further complements the lesson material by helping the student learn the language as spoken. Beginner's Yoruba also includes information on the various aspects of Yoruba culture, including religion, songs and folklore.

Sample

Sharon Chappell, Karyl E. Ketchum, Lisa Richardson

"This exploration of effective practices to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer(LGBTQ) and gender-diverse students in elementary, middle and high school contexts focuses on curriculum, pedagogy, and school environment. Narratives and artwork from the field are framed by sociocultural and critical theory and research-based elaboration on the issues discussed. Applications of antidiscrimination law and policy,as well aslearning skills like creativity, collaboration and critical thinking help teachers tackle some of the most significant educational challenges of our time. The stories of real-world practices offer encouragement for building inclusive environments and enhancing social-emotional relationships among youth, families, and schools. Gender Diversity and LGBTQ Inclusion in K-12 Schools provides a helpful roadmap for educators hoping to create safe and empowering spaces for LGBTQ and gender-diverse students and families. "--Provided by publisher.

Sample

Anālayo

"Analayo offers an inspiring biography of the Buddha based on the early discourses and focusing on his meditative development and practice. By focusing on the Buddha as a meditator, Analayo seeks to provide inspiration and guidance to all meditators, of any tradition and of any level of experience. Each of the twenty-four chapters concludes with suggestions to support meditative practice."--Publisher's description.

Sample

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

"Across North America, Indigenous acts of resistance have in recent years opposed the removal of federal protections for forests and waterways in Indigenous lands, halted the expansion of tar sands extraction and the pipeline construction at Standing Rock, and demanded justice for murdered and missing Indigenous women. In As We Have Always Done, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson locates Indigenous political resurgence as a practice rooted in uniquely Indigenous theorizing, writing, organizing, and thinking. Indigenous resistance is a radical rejection of contemporary colonialism focused around refusing the dispossession of Indigenous bodies and land. Simpson makes clear that the resistance's goal can no longer be cultural resurgence as a mechanism for inclusion in a multicultural mosaic. Instead, she calls for unapologetic, place-based Indigenous alternatives to the destructive logics of the settler colonial state, including heteropatriarchy, white supremacy, and capitalist exploitation."--Dust jacket.

Sample

Margaret Fisher

"Focusing on central issues in the study of conflict and conflict resolution, this volume sets forth the views of eminent scholars on the forms, uses, and limitations of violence, nonviolence, and symbolic violence. Joan V. Bondurant, as editor of this compilation, defines the important issues, places the often contradictory contributions into perspective, and calls for a new conceptual framework within which workable techniques for the active conduct of conflict can be fashioned. Each of the carefully chosen contributions deal with the most familiar modes of nonviolence--pacifism and civil disobedience. Several experts raise basic questions about pacifism, point out new developments in today's peace movements, and discuss vital topics such as the political implications of the pacifist position, revolution as political change, and the risks of engaging in civil disobedience. For example, H.L. Niebury contradicts popularly held opinion that ""violence settles nothing, "" and argues that the threat of violence induces flexibility and stability in democratic institutions. In ""Violence and the Process of Terror, "" E.V. Walter gives a critical view of the limits of irrational violence and underscores the need to uncover the psychological mechanisms that account for the effectiveness of terror. Exploring the differences between symbolic violence and creative conflict, Ernest Jones details his unique investigation into revolutionaries' styles and their respective degrees of destructiveness. Bondurant concludes with an elaboration of the Gandhian technique of satyagraha to show that, in most instances, nonviolence is actually symbolic violence and that familiar nonviolent techniques cannot meet contemporary imperatives. Ideally suited to a wide range of readers, Conflict: Violence and Nonviolence can be especially useful in studies of politics and political and social philosophy."--Provided by publisher.

Sample

Stephen Jones

"Along with Jones' moving film Li Manshan : Portrait of a Folk Daoist, this engaging and original book describes a hereditary family of household Daoist priests in rural north China. It traces the vicissitudes of their lives--and ritual practices--over the turbulent last century through the experiences of two main characters: Li Manshan (b.1946), and his distinguished father Li Qing (1926-99). The story anchors changing ritual practice in the ethnography of ritual specialists and their patrons as they negotiate new challenges, giving a unique flavor of rural life in China today. A vivid portrait of a rapidly changing society, the work will fascinate anthropologists, scholars of Daoism and folk religion, world-music aficionados, and all those interested in Chinese society"--Publisher's description.

Sample

Kate Hennessy

"Dorothy Day (1897-1980) was a prominent Catholic, writer, social activist, and co-founder of a movement dedicated to serving the poorest of the poor. Her life has been revealed through her own writings as well as the work of historians, theologians, and academics. What has been missing until now is a more personal account from the point of view of someone who knew her well. Dorothy Day: The World Will Be Saved by Beauty is a frank and reflective, heartfelt and humorous portrayal as written by her granddaughter, Kate Hennessy" -- Publisher's website

Sample

E. Fuller Torrey

Religions and mythologies from around the world teach that God or gods created humans. Atheist, humanist, and materialist critics, meanwhile, have attempted to turn theology on its head, claiming that religion is a human invention. In this book, E. Fuller Torrey draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to propose a startling answer to the ultimate question. Evolving Brains, Emerging Gods locates the origin of gods within the human brain, arguing that religious belief is a by-product of evolution.Based on an idea originally proposed by Charles Darwin, Torrey marshals evidence that the emergence of gods was an incidental consequence of several evolutionary factors. Using data ranging from ancient skulls and artifacts to brain imaging, primatology, and child development studies, this book traces how new cognitive abilities gave rise to new behaviors. For instance, autobiographical memory, the ability to project ourselves backward and forward in time, gave Homo sapiens a competitive advantage. However, it also led to comprehension of mortality, spurring belief in an alternative to death. Torrey details the neurobiological sequence that explains why the gods appeared when they did, connecting archaeological findings including clothing, art, farming, and urbanization to cognitive developments. This book does not dismiss belief but rather presents religious belief as an inevitable outcome of brain evolution. Providing clear and accessible explanations of evolutionary neuroscience, Evolving Brains, Emerging Gods will shed new light on the mechanics of our deepest mysteries.

Sample

Robert S. Taylor

How can citizens best protect themselves from the arbitrary power of abusive spouses, tyrannical bosses, and corrupt politicians? 'Exit Left' makes the case that in each of these three spheres the answer is the same: exit. By promoting open and competitive markets and providing the information and financial resources necessary to enable exit, the book argues that this can empower people's voices and offer them an escape from abuse and exploitation. This will advance a conception of freedom, viz. freedom as non-domination (FND), which is central to contemporary republican thought. Neo-republicans have typically promoted FND through constitutional means (separation of powers, judicial review, the rule of law, and federalism) and participatory ones (democratic elections and oversight), but this book focuses on economic means, ones that have been neglected by contemporary republicans but were commonly invoked in the older, commercial-republican tradition of Alexander Hamilton, Immanuel Kant, and Adam Smith. Just as Philip Pettit and other neo-republicans have revived and revised classical republicanism, so this book will do the same for commercial republicanism. This revival will enlarge republican practice by encouraging greater use of market mechanisms, even as it hews closely to existing republican theory.

Sample

Melissa Cynova

Learn to read with your own voice and get the answers to all of your questions. For years, Melissa Cynova has been sitting down with friends and neighbors who are curious about the tarot. She's heard all the questions and misconceptions that can confuse newcomers (and sometimes more experienced readers, too). Kitchen Table Tarot was written as a guide for anyone looking for no-nonsense lessons with a warm, friendly, and knowledgeable teacher. Join Melissa as she shares straightforward guidance on decks, spreads, card meanings, and symbols. Filled with real-life examples and personal explanations of what it's like to read the cards, this book tells it like it is and provides the information you need to read with confidence.

Sample

Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry brings legendary Greek myths to life with rich humor and theatrical verve, tracing cosmic origins from Chaos through the Titanomachy to the scandalous exploits of the Olympians.

Sample

Neil Gaiman

Master storyteller Neil Gaiman crafts a dazzling, dramatic rendition of the northern myths, fashioning the Norse sagas from the creation of the nine worlds to the twilight of the gods in Ragnarok.

Sample

Tariq Ali

"Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, leader of the October 1917 uprising, is one of the most misunderstood leaders of the twentieth century. In his own time, there were many, even among his enemies, who acknowledged the full magnitude of his intellectual and political achievements. But his legacy has been lost in misinterpretation; he is worshipped but rarely read. On the centenary of the Russian Revolution, Tariq Ali explores the two major influences on Lenin's thoughtthe turbulent history of Tsarist Russia and the birth of the international labour movementand explains how Lenin confronted dilemmas that still cast a shadow over the present. Is terrorism ever a viable strategy? Is support for imperial wars ever justified? Can politics be made without a party? Was the seizure of power in 1917 morally justified? Should he have parted company from his wife and lived with his lover? In The Dilemmas of Lenin, Ali provides an insightful portrait of Lenin's deepest preoccupations and underlines the clarity and vigour of his theoretical and political formulations. He concludes with an affecting account of Lenin's last two years, when he realized that 'we knew nothing' and insisted that the revolution had to be renewed lest it wither and die."--Publisher information.

Sample

Benjamin L Corey

"The creator of the popular Formerly Fundie blog on Patheos and a prominent figure within Progressive Christianity explains how the "American Christianity" we are currently taught is actually a fear-saturated distortion of biblical faith. Benjamin L. Corey thought he was suffering a crisis of faith, but it turned out to be a spiritual awakening. Corey became aware that the constant fear of hell and judgment that defined his Christian faith was out of sync with the idea that God acts from love, and promises to deliver us from fear. In the wake of this realization came newfound insights--from reading the Bible to re-examining American life and the church's role in the wider world. Corey learned that what he had been taught was a distorted version of Christianity that was not only untrue but caused real spiritual harm. He also discovered that he wasn't alone. Many Christians are yearning to distinguish between the Christianity that has become a rigid American civil religion and the authentic Christian faith embodied in Jesus. As he recounts his own spiritual journey, Corey offers a powerful and inspiring message of hope for every Christian increasingly frustrated with the church today. Do not be discouraged, he assures them. You do not need to give up your faith; you can rediscover the reality of a vibrant Christianity that delivers us from fear and inspires and guides us all today"--Amazon.com.

Sample

Ragan Sutterfield

This biography of Wendell Berry shows his "coherent vision for the lived moral and spiritual life that helps us remember our givenness. It is a vision that can be practiced and lived--a vision that is grounded in the knowledge that our lives, and our world, are gifts."--Jacket flap.

Sample

Jean M. Twenge, Ph.D

Dr. Jean Twenge offers a portrait of a new generation that is growing up more slowly and more anxious -- but also more tolerant and more safe -- than any generation in history. They stay away from grown-up temptations like alcohol and sex, but they also avoid grown-up responsibilities, like learning to drive, moving out of the house, and gaining financial independence. They're open-minded, forward-thinking, and prudent in ways that previous generations of young people were not. The traits and trends of iGen can seem puzzling or even counterintuitive, but if we want to interact with them successfully -- to parent them, to teach them, to work with them, to market to them -- we need to understand who they are and why they behave in the ways that they do. With generational divides that are deeper and wider than ever, parents, educators, and employers have an urgent need to understand today's rising generation of teens and young adults who are just starting to enter the workforce. As social media and texting replace other recreational activities and ways of communicating, iGen'ers spend less time with their friends and loved ones in person -- which perhaps explains why they are experiencing unprecedented levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. But technology is not the only thing that makes iGen distinct. Through her research, interviews, and analysis of data drawn from more than 11 million respondents over multiple decades, Dr. Twenge demonstrates that iGen's uniqueness also lies in how they spend their time, how they behave, and in their surprising attitudes toward religion, sexuality, and politics. As this new group of young people grows into adulthood, we all need to understand them. Because where iGen goes, so goes our nation -- and the world.

Sample

Rodney Stark

"As we all know and as many of our well established textbooks have argued for decades, the Inquisition was one of the most frightening and bloody chapters in Western history, Pope Pius XII was anti-Semitic and rightfully called "Hitler's Pope," the Dark Ages were a stunting of the progress of knowledge to be redeemed only by the secular spirit of the Enlightenment, and the religious Crusades were an early example of the rapacious Western thirst for riches and power. But what if these long held beliefs were all wrong? In this stunning, powerful, and ultimately persuasive book, Rodney Stark, one of the most highly regarded sociologists of religion and bestselling author of The Rise of Christianity (HarperSanFrancisco 1997) argues that some of our most firmly held ideas about history, ideas that paint the Catholic Church in the least positive light are, in fact, fiction. Why have we held these wrongheaded ideas so strongly and for so long? And if our beliefs are wrong, what, in fact, is the truth? In each chapter, Stark takes on a well-established anti-Catholic myth, gives a fascinating history of how each myth became the conventional wisdom, and presents a startling picture of the real truth"--

Sample

Peter L. Laurence

"Jane Jacobs is universally recognized as one of the key figures in American urbanism. The author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities, she uncovered the complex and intertwined physical and social fabric of the city and excoriated the urban renewal policies of the 1950s. As the legend goes, Jacobs, a housewife, single-handedly stood up to Robert Moses, New York City's powerful master builder, and other city planners who sought first to level her Greenwich Village neighborhood and then to drive a highway through it. Jacobs's most effective weapons in these David-versus-Goliath battles, and in writing her book, were her powers of observation and common sense"--Jacket.

Sample

Kimm Crandall

God's Empowering Love for Us in the Midst of Our Mess Life is messy. And Christians are not exempt. Unfortunately, this is not the message we tend to hear. We're told to be moral, look good, and set a positive example. After all, as some people may tell us, we're the only Jesus some people see-so we better make him look good. That's a heavy burden. And so we work feverishly to hide our messes from each other and from God for fear of judgment ... 'll the while wondering how we can ever be loved. But Christianity is not about being less of a mess. It's about admitting that we need to be saved from trying to clean ourselves up. In Beloved Mess, author and blogger Kimm Crandall frees Christians to live with the assurance that God loves us right here, right now. He's not waiting for us to clean up our act before we're worthy to come to him. He wants us to stop trying to fix the mess so that we can allow him to wash it away for us. Endorsements "Kimm unpacks the wonder of God's mercy with honesty and courage and shows how it reaches all the way down to every dimension of our hearts and lives."--Justin S. Holcomb, author, On the Grace of God "Read this short but life-changing book, go back to it again and again, and see yourself falling more in love with the One who loved us and gave himself for us."-Jessica Thompson, author of Everyday Grace

Sample

Musho Rodney Alan Greenblat

"Through his own experience of the Dharma, Musho Rodney Alan Greenblat introduces Buddhist thought, revered dieties, and ancient stories in an enchanting and original way. Included is a simplified introduction to Zen meditation with hopes that the reader may begin his or her own meditation practice"--Front flap.

Sample

Sanjay K. Gautam

The 'Kamasutra' is best known in the West for its scandalous celebration of unbridled sensuality. Yet, there is much, much more to it; embedded in the text is a vision of the city founded on art and aesthetic pleasure. Sanjay K. Gautam lays out the nature and origin of this iconic Indian text and engages in a serious reading of its relationship with Foucault. Gautam shows how closely intertwined the history of erotics in Indian culture is with the history of theater-aesthetics grounded in the discourse of love, and Foucault provides the framework for opening up an intellectual horizon of Indian thought.

Sample

S. D. Tuck

"Chance St. Clair finds himself between the edge of magic and the edge of despair. Animal lovers will laugh and weep as people, dogs, a bear and a family of seals work out their differences."--Page [4] of cover.

Sample

Richard Smoley

"This epic, thrilling journey through Bible scholarship and ancient religion shows how much of Scripture is historically false--yet the ancient writings also resound with theologies that crisscrossed the primeval world and that direct us today toward a deep, inner, authentic experience of the truly sacred,"--Amazon.com.

Sample

Hela Ouardi

Médine, juin 632. Sous le soleil accablant de l'Arabie, le temps semble s'être arrêté : le Prophète de l'islam a rendu son dernier souffle. Autour de lui, les fidèles de la nouvelle religion, plongés dans la sidération, tremblent à l'idée que la Fin du monde soit proche. Mais où sont passés ses Compagnons? Quelle est cette étrange maladie qui l'a terrassé en quelques semaines? Et pourquoi l'enterrement n'a-t-il pas lieu? Au fil de ce récit au jour le jour de l'événement le plus mystérieux dans l'histoire de l'islam, Hela Ouardi, universitaire tunisienne, explore et confronte les sources sunnites et shiites les plus anciennes. Celles-ci nous révèlent un autre visage du Prophète, celui d'un homme menacé de toutes parts, affaibli par les rivalités internes et par les ennemis nés de ses conquêtes. Tout est entrepris pour qu'il ne laisse aucune directive claire sur sa succession. Ses Compagnons s'engagent dans une lutte pour le pouvoir et son clan se déchire, ouvrant la voie à des guerres meurtrières qui ensanglantent encore notre monde aujourd'hui. Une reconstitution chronologique inédite, où Hela Ouardi oppose aux mémoires idéologisées le portrait d'un homme rendu à son historicité et à sa dimension tragique. [4e de couverture]

Sample

Patrick Banon

"Remise en question du principe d'égalité femmes-hommes, refus de la mixité, symboliques vestimentaires, particularismes alimentaires et calendriers alternatifs, radicalisation et financement des cultes, difficultés grandissantes de management dans les entreprises, les hôpitaux et les établissements scolaires : la globalisation des religions fragilise de plus en plus la cohésion sociale, les identités et les certitudes. Entre flou juridique, ambiguïtés politiques et replis communautaires, certains, frappés de "sidération culturelle", en viennent jusqu'à douter du principe même de laïcité. Au sein de notre République indivisible, laïque et sociale, notre vivre-ensemble est aujourd'hui menacé. Dévoilant le fonctionnement des systèmes de pensée religieux, et l'impact réel de leurs rites et symboles sur la société, Patrick Banon met en lumière la singularité du principe français de laïcité, sa fragilité et sa force, et nous donne les clés pour mieux comprendre l'immense défi lancé à Marianne : sauver sans se trahir son modèle social d'égalité et de solidarité."--Page 4 of cover.

Sample

Lee Strobel

"There's little question that he actually lived. But miracles? Rising from the dead? Some of the stories you hear about him sound like just that - stories. A reasonable person would never believe them, let alone the claim that he's the only way to God! But a reasonable person would also make sure that he or she understood the facts before jumping to conclusions. That's why Lee Strobel - an award-winning legal journalist with a knack for asking tough questions - decided to investigate Jesus for himself. An atheist, Strobel felt certain his findings would bring Christianity's claims about Jesus tumbling down like a house of cards. He was in for the surprise of his life. Join him as he retraces his journey from skepticism to faith. You'll consult expert testimony as you sift through the truths that history, science, psychiatry, literature, and religion reveal. Like Strobel, you'll be amazed at the evidence - how much there is, how strong it is, and what it says. The facts are in. What will your verdict be in The Case for Christ?"

Sample

John C. Wathey

An essential feature of religious experience across many cultures is the intuitive feeling of God's presence. More than any rituals or doctrines, it is this experience that anchors religious faith, yet it has been largely ignored in the scientific literature on religion. Biologist John Wathey takes the reader on a scientific journey to find the sources of religious feeling and the illusion of God's presence. His book delves into the biological origins of this compelling feeling, attributing it to innate neural circuitry that evolved to promote the mother-child bond. Dr. Wathey, a veteran neuroscientist, argues that evolution has programmed the infant brain to expect the presence of a loving being who responds to the child's needs. As the infant grows into adulthood, this innate feeling is eventually transferred to the realm of religion, where it is reactivated through the symbols, imagery, and rituals of worship. The author interprets our various conceptions of God in biological terms as illusory supernormal stimuli that fill an emotional and cognitive vacuum left over from infancy.

Sample

John Dewey

"An annotated edition of John Dewey's work of democratic theory, first published in 1927. Includes a substantive introduction and bibliographical essay"--Provided by publisher.

Sample

Dan Arel

"Are you interested in preserving the constitutional principle of church-state separation? Do you think a secular system is the only way to ensure freedom of religion and conscience for all? Do you want creationism out of classrooms, religious dogma out of health care, sectarian prayers out of government meetings, and taxpayer funding out of "faith-based" initiatives and programs that promote religious indoctrination? Think there's not much you can do about it? If so, as secular writer and activist Dan Arel demonstrates in word and deed, think again. Drawing on his experience fighting to keep $18 million in taxpayer money out of the construction of the Noah's Ark theme park in Kentucky, Arel makes clear that the only way to stop the Religious Right's assault on the wall separating church and state is for each of us to be active and vocal. He offers pragmatic lessons and guidance for protecting secularism, whether by raising awareness on social media, protesting in the public square, or knocking on doors in government corridors. Sharing not only his story but also the stories of other secular activists, he offers an inspirational and forceful call to action. For those who are waiting for others to stand up against antisecular forces, he reminds that each of us can make an individual difference--and that ultimately we must be the wall separating church and state"-- "Draws on the author's experience as an activist to offer lessons and guidance for advancing secularism in government and society through activism"--

Sample

John Little

Focuses on the personal philosophy of legendary martial artist Bruce Lee, exploring such life-affirming secrets as understanding the concept of Yin and Yang, tapping into inner spiritual forces and much more.

Sample

John Sanders

Metaphors and other figurative language are crucial cognitive processes for producing meaning. Metaphors are more than a rhetorical device because we actually use them to reason about and make truth claims regarding topics such as salvation and God. This book applies an approach known as cognitive linguistics to explore how Christians determine meaning in biblical texts and theological positions. It shows why Christians often arrive at different legitimate understandings of the Bible and various doctrines.-- Back cover.

Sample

Rabbi Dennis S. Ross

"This candid look at religion and truthfulness is ideal for anyone interested in exploring the religious basis for personal decision making, conscience and morality, including Jews of all denominations personally or in Torah study groups, Christians and social justice activists."--Back cover.

Sample

Santanu K. Patro

A Guide to Religious Thought and Practices devotes a chapter to each of the world religions, all but one of which are written by a member of that faith community. Readers thus gain insiders' views into the theology, spirituality, and religious practice of each faith. The introduction encourages respect and engagement with those of other faiths. It emphasizes the cultural nature of religion and its importance to society, and it notes the rise of interest in the study of religious traditions in the face of contemporary geopolitics. This book does not, however, attempt to address these politics, leaving the reader to think about and interpret the issues for themselves. The International Study Guides (ISGs) are clear and accessible resources, contextual and ecumenical in content and missional in direction. The contributors are theological educators who come from different countries and different religious backgrounds and bring practical emphasis alongside contemporary scholarly reflection. (Publisher).

Sample

Daniele Iozzia

Whilst aesthetics as a discipline did not exist before the modern age, ancient philosophers give many insights about beauty and art. In Late Antiquity Plotinus confronted the problem of beauty and the value of the arts. Plotinus' reflections have an important role in the development of the concept of the value of artistic imagination during the Renaissance and the Romantic era, but he also influenced the artistic taste of his time. Aesthetic Themes in Pagan and Christian Neoplatonism reconstructs the aesthetic philosophical views of Late Antiquity, and their relation to artistic production of the time. By examining the resonance of Plotinus' thought with contemporary artists and with Christian thinkers, including Gregory of Nyssa, the book demonstrates the importance of Plotinus' treatise On Beauty for the development of late ancient aesthetics. The Cappadocian fathers' interest in Plotinus is explored, as well as the consequent legacy of the pagan thinker's philosophy within Christian thought, such as the concept of beauty and the narration of the contemplative experience. Uniquely utilising philological and philosophical insight, as well as exploring both pagan and Christian philosophy, Aesthetic Themes in Pagan and Christian Neoplatonism represents the first comprehensive synthesis of aesthetic thought of Late Antiquity

Sample

Pope Francis

Pope Francis sees marriage as a dynamic path to personal development and fulfillment. Instead of wasting energy worrying about the challenges in our families, we can find creative, transformative ways to offer truth, mercy, and hope to our loved ones. Love enables us to see, beyond all else, the great worth of a human being. With enthusiasm and joy, we can celebrate all that it means to be part of a family.

Sample

Paul A. Offit, M.D

"In Bad Faith, acclaimed physician and author Paul Offit gives readers a never-before-seen look into the minds of those who choose to medically martyr themselves, or their children, in the name of religion. Never afraid of controversy, Offit takes a stark and disturbing look at our surprising capacity to risk the health and safety of children in service of our beliefs. He tells the story of two devoted Christian Scientists who are shocked and heartbroken when their infant dies of a treatable disease; of orthodox Jewish parents who risk infecting their babies with herpes during an unsterile circumcision ritual; and of a man who believes his faith can cure his son's diabetes and, when that tragically fails, tries to raise him from the dead. The tangled relationship between religion and medicine may appear to afflict only certain pockets of America, but this phenomenon reaches much further -- whether you are seeking treatment at a Catholic hospital or trying to keep your kids safe from diseases spread by their unvaccinated peers, you'll likely encounter these issues"--Provided by publisher.

Sample

Debby Mayne & Trish Perry

Better Than Chocolate: Tasty Morsels of God's Goodness is a collection of 365 devotionals that busy women can read and enjoy while having their morning cup of coffee, waiting in the carpool lane, or ending the day and turning off the light. It gives them the opportunity to reflect on how God's Word relates to their lives.

Sample

Joseph M. Murphy

Botánicas is an exploration in text and photographs of spiritual shops found in Latino neighborhoods throughout the United States. Readers discover these marvelous spaces and their alternative spiritualities that help patrons cope with the grind and challenges of city life. Botánicas provide access to an array of invisible powers and sell the ingredients to construct symbolic solutions to their patrons' problems. The stores are bright and baroque, and the powers they invoke come from religious traditions in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the native Americas. In Botánicas, Joseph M. Murphy offers a cultural history of the devotions on display and a reflection on the efficacy of their powers to heal. Readers will come to see that the goods and devotions of botánicas give their patrons--mostly Latino, often immigrants--pathways for empowerment and transformation. The name botánicas comes from the "botanicals" for sale, herbs and plants with healing powers. The pharmacopeia of botánicas can be vast, and owners may know hundreds of remedies for treating problems of health, wealth, and love. Botánicas vend herbs for upset stomach, herbs for finding a job, and herbs for wooing back a wayward spouse. Supplementing these medicinal and magical plants, botánicas sell candles, holy statues, and tools for devotion to an array of spiritual powers--Catholic saints, African gods, indigenous spirits, and Asian divinities. Each spirit has its own ritual of petition, and botánica owners can discern the proper offerings and prayers to help the supplicant. Murphy explains the religions of the botánica with subtlety and sensitivity. He gives readers a deep sense of the contexts of the stores and a sophisticated analysis of the religious traditions that suffuse them. Visually fascinating, culturally rich, and religiously profound, Botánicas is a window into a world of beauty and power.

Sample

Sarah Allan

"Four Warring States texts discovered during the late twentieth-century challenge longstanding understandings of Chinese intellectual history. The discovery of previously unknown philosophical texts from the Axial Age is revolutionizing our understanding of Chinese intellectual history. Buried Ideas presents and discusses four texts found on brush-written slips of bamboo and their seemingly unprecedented political philosophy. Written in the regional script of Chu during the Warring States period (475-221 BCE), all of the works discuss Yao's abdication to Shun and are related to but differ significantly from the core texts of the classical period, such as the Mencius and Zhuangzi. Notably, these works evince an unusually meritocratic stance, and two even advocate abdication over hereditary succession as a political ideal. Sarah Allan includes full English translations and her own modern-character editions of the four works examined: Tang Yú zhi dao, Zi Gao, Rongchengshi, and Bao xun. In addition, she provides an introduction to Chu-script bamboo-slip manuscripts and the complex issues inherent in deciphering them"--From publisher's website.

Sample

Roy Speckhardt

"Humanism is "the radical idea that you can be good without a god." That's how Roy Speckhardt, the longtime executive director of the American Humanist Association, defines it. His new book, Creating Change Through Humanism, lays out how and why people can lead moral and ethical lives without belief in a higher power. While surveys show that more and more Americans are giving up on religion, merely abandoning traditional religious faith is just one step on a path to a better way of thinking. Speckhardt explains how to take the next steps with the empathy and activism that characterize humanism today. Humanism has inspired generations of individuals to improve themselves, their communities and their country. Creating Change Through Humanism describes how a humanist lifestance has influenced and can continue to advance acceptance, diversity and equality. Humanist ideals pervaded the U.S. from its founding, starting with the innovative idea of separating church and state to maintain a religiously-neutral government. Humanism has continued to propel our nation toward social progress by promoting basic human rights and dignity. The humanist movement, with its forward-thinking outlook and emphasis on critical thinking and self-reflection, has been at the forefront of such pressing social issues as civil rights, women's rights, LGBTQ equality, responsible scientific freedom, and the environment and population dynamics. Speckhardt interweaves personal stories, including his own, of individuals who have journeyed from organized religion to humanistic convictions. He encourages his readers to be open about their own lack of belief and to become active in social and political causes, so they can put their positive values into action and combat the anti-humanist prejudice propagated by the religious right"-- Provided by publisher.

Sample

Frigga Haug

Um aus der Geschichte zu lernen, erfahrungsgeladene Theorien zu ergreifen und dabei die Bodenhaftung, die Verbindung zum gelebten Leben zu behalten, gilt es, die Widersprüche nicht zu fürchten, sondern im Gegenteil aufzuspüren und fruchtbar zu machen. Das Ermitteln des persönlichen Anteils an der Gesellschaft ist ein Schritt in diese Richtung. Herrschaft und Unterdrückung reproduzieren sich als Verstrickung, als Geflecht aus Kompetenz und Unterworfenheit, Widerstand und Zustimmung. Nur mit der Bereitschaft, die scheinbare Sicherheit gewohnter Denkschemata infrage zu stellen, lässt sich marxistische Gesellschaftsanalyse für demokratischen Aufbruch einsetzen. Dieses Buch erzählt die Bildungsgeschichte eines Begriffs und zugleich die einer feministischen Marxistin: In der Erkundung eigener Praxen und Gewissheiten zeigt Frigga Haug Forschung als einen nicht nur Gesellschaft durchleuchtenden, sondern auch autobiographischen Prozess. Marxismus-Feminismus ist ein im Gehen erkundeter Weg. (Quelle: Argument Verlag)

Sample

Escrito por el Papa Francisco

"El papa Francisco brinda en estas paginas un mensaje de cambio y esperanza: El Evangelico de la nueva vida es una invitacion a construir un mundo mejor, basado en el respeto, el amor y la fe en Cristo. Esta mision no esta extenta de sufrimientos y caidas, pero con la guia de Dios y su infinita misericordia, todos podemos emprender el camino hacia una vida plena, siempre al servicio del senor y del projimo."--Back cover.

Sample

Jean-Paul Sartre

"In this provocative philosophical analysis, Jean-Paul Sartre refutes the idea that existentialism drains meaning from human life, by claiming that the philosophy instead gives man total freedom to achieve his own significance Sartre's Existentialism and Human Emotions is a stirring defense of existentialist thought, which argues that existence precedes essence. While attacks on existentialism claim that the philosophy leads to a kind of nihilistic gloom, Sartre contends that instead existentialism is the only path toward giving man meaning. Sartre ultimately argues that by the very absence of a priori meaning, an individual can discover and shape his or her own significance and place in the world. Sartre turns the typical nihilistic definition of existentialism on its head in this optimistic take on his best-known theory. Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) was a significant voice in the creation of existential thought. His explorations of the ways human existence is unique among all life-forms in its capacity to choose continue to influence fields such as Marxist philosophy, sociology, and literary studies. He was awarded the 1964 Nobel Prize in Literature, but refused the honor--Page 4 of cover.

Sample

Skip Vaccarello

"God is doing the seemingly impossible in Silicon Valley--changing the hearts and attitudes of the rich and successful, and those desperately pursuing riches, power, and prestige. Having a tradition of disrupting the status quo with technology, Silicon Valley may be poised to challenge its perception as a wasteland of faith as well. Finding God in Silicon Valley tells how God is working in the lives of people in Silicon Valley--venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, leaders of major companies, innovators in non-profit start-ups, scientists, and technologists. You will be inspired and challenged as you read their journeys of faith."--Back cover.

Sample

John D. Caputo

John D. Caputo has a long career as one of the preeminent postmodern philosophers in America. The author of such books as Radical Hermeneutics, The Prayers and Tears of Jacques Derrida, and The Weakness of God, Caputo now reflects on his spiritual journey from a Catholic altar boy in 1950s Philadelphia to a philosopher after the death of God. Part spiritual autobiography, part homily on what he calls the "nihilism of grace," Hoping Against Hope calls believers and nonbelievers alike to participate in the "praxis of the kingdom of God," which Caputo says we must pursue "without why." Caputo's conversation partners in this volume include Lyotard, Derrida, and Hegel, but also earlier versions of himself: Jackie, a young altar boy, and Brother Paul, a novice in a religious order. Caputo traces his own journey from faith through skepticism to hope, after the "death of God." In the end, Caputo doesn't want to do away with religion; he wants to redeem religion and to reinvent religion for a postmodern time.