A thoughtful, warm, and witty introduction Understanding the Bible is designed to help empower skeptics, seekers, nonbelievers, and those of a liberal and progressive outlook to reclaim the Bible from literalists. In making accessible some of the best contemporary historical, literary, political, and feminist readings of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, it encourages all who would find in the biblical heritage an ally and not an enemy in the quest for a more just and humane world. Brief and to the point, it can easily be used to stimulate group discussions and personal reading of the biblical texts themselves, and is an excellent introduction to the Judeo-Christian tradition for those of other faiths.<br /><br />Understanding the Bible includes four preliminary chapters on the why, who, which, and how of biblical understanding, followed by eight brief thematic chapters covering the core of the Hebrew Bible and six covering the Christian scriptures, plus chronologies, maps, and helpful suggestions for further reading.

Religious tradition can and often does provide language, shape and space for prayer, but the primal instinct to pray does not emanate from or begin with religion. Instead, something in our nature points beyond itself; something in us searches for and appeals to The Divine. We wrote this book to help you find language, shape and space for the basic, human, spiritual and beautiful need to pray. Yet, as natural as prayer is, the practice of it often seems to take place behind closed doors in exclusive clubs with language and imagery exclusive to that club. We have created a work that provides language and imagery accessible to people from a multitude of religious backgrounds as well as for those with no real religious background at all. - Justin McRoberts has written 40 guided prayers. - Scott Erickson has paired each prayer with beautiful, contemplative imagery. - Each of the book's seven sections is capped by reflections on the practice of prayer and each of those reflections points toward specific, suggested practices.

World-renowned Jesus scholar Marcus J. Borg shows how we can live passionately as Christians in today's world by practicing the vital elements of Christian faith. For the millions of people who have turned away from many traditional beliefs about God, Jesus, and the Bible, but still long for a relevant, nourishing faith, Borg shows why the Christian life can remain a transforming relationship with God. Emphasizing the critical role of daily practice in living the Christian life, he explores how prayer, worship, Sabbath, pilgrimage, and more can be experienced as authentically life-giving practices. Borg reclaims terms and ideas once thought to be the sole province of evangelicals and fundamentalists: he shows that terms such as "born again" have real meaning for all Christians; that the "Kingdom of God" is not a bulwark against secularism but is a means of transforming society into a world that values justice and love; and that the Christian life is essentially about opening one's heart to God and to others.

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Conversations with God Book 1 began a series that has been changing millions of lives for more than ten years. Finally, the bestselling series is now a movie, starring Henry Czerny ( The Pink Panther and Clear and Present Danger ) and Ingrid Boulting ( The Last Tycoon ). Produced and directed by Stephen Simon (producer of Somewhere in Time and What Dreams May Come ) and distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films and Fox Home Entertainment, the theatrical release is set for October 27, 2006. The movie is the true account of Walsch (played by Cierny), who went from an unemployed homeless man to an "accidental spiritual messenger" and author of the bestselling book

Why Jesus? Perhaps you have had the funny feeling that God wants to get your attention. Or maybe you're intrigued with what you've heard about Jesus. Or maybe you're simply looking for meaning and direction in your life. John Stott has spent a lifetime wrestling with questions about Jesus both personally and in dialogue with skeptics and seekers around the globe. Now in Why I Am a Christian he provides a compelling, persuasive case for considering the Christian faith. If you take an honest look at Jesus, you will discover that following him gives you the purpose, identity and freedom you've been searching for--and far more than you have ever imagined.

本书为深入浅出、精简而全面的佛教通论，对佛教的义理、历史和各种传承有一个精确的综观。
本书澄清了许多佛教误区，比如很多人以为佛教的目标是要消除自我，然而佛教真正教导的是，我们没有什么需要除掉的——根本无所谓存在或不存在，有的只是我们认为自我存在的幻觉，我们相信并紧抓着这种幻觉，以为它是真的。
比如“空性”不是某种坚实存在的物体，也不是空无所有或虚空。空性的意思是，虽然事物并不是天生具有某些特质，但也不是天生就不具有那些特质，这使得事物具有成为任何东西的可能性。而“轮回”是执著在幻觉上，“涅槃”则是执著在幻觉的消失上。涅槃就像是幻觉之后的幻觉，如同电影结束之后，你还瞪着空白的银幕——你仍然没看到实相。
本书有助读者提升对生命的信心，也是一部用来印证修行的可靠之书。

(Revised Edition) One of Cardinal Ratzinger's most important and widely read books, this volume is a newly revised second edition with an improved translation and an in-depth 20 page preface by the Cardinal. As he states in the preface, since this book was first published over 30 years ago, many changes and significant events have occurred in the world, and in the Church. But even so, he says he is firmly convinced that his fundamental approach in this book is still very timely and crucial for the spiritual needs of modern man. That approach puts the question of God and the question about Christ in the very center, which leads to a "narrative Christology" and demonstrates that the place for faith is in the Church.
Thus, this remarkable elucidation of the Apostle's Creed gives an excellent, modern interpretation of the foundations of Christianity. Ratzinger's profound treatment of Christianity's basic truths combines a spiritual outlook with a deep knowledge of Scripture and the history of theology.

<b>One of the world's greatest psychiatrists reveals how to embrace our own humanity and resist the pressures of an ever-changing world.</b> <br /> <br />In this challenging and provocative work, Dr. Carl Jung—one of history's greatest minds—argues that civilization's future depends on our ability as individuals to resist the collective forces of society. Only by gaining an awareness and understanding of one's unconscious mind and true, inner nature—"the undiscovered self"—can we as individuals acquire the self-knowledge that is antithetical to ideological fanaticism. But this requires that we face our fear of the duality of the human psyche—the existence of good and the capacity for evil in every individual. <br /><br />In this seminal book, Jung compellingly argues that only then can we begin to cope with the dangers posed by mass society—"the sum total of individuals"—and resist the potential threats posed by those in power.

A renowned political speechwriter rediscovers Judaism, finding timeless wisdom and spiritual connection in its age-old practices and traditions.<br /><br />After a decade as a political speechwriter—serving as head speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama, a senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama, and chief speechwriter for Hillary Clinton on her 2008 presidential campaign—Sarah Hurwitz decided to apply her skills as a communicator to writing a book . . . about Judaism. And no one is more surprised than she is.<br /><br />Hurwitz was the quintessential lapsed Jew—until, at age thirty-six, after a tough breakup, she happened upon an advertisement for an introductory class on Judaism. She attended on a whim, but was blown away by what she found: beautiful rituals, helpful guidance on living an ethical life, conceptions of God beyond the judgy bearded man in the sky—none of which she had learned in Hebrew school or during the two synagogue services she grudgingly attended each year. That class led to a years-long journey during which Hurwitz visited the offices of rabbis, attended Jewish meditation retreats, sat at the Shabbat tables of Orthodox families, and read hundreds of books about Judaism—all in dogged pursuit of answers to her biggest questions. What she found transformed her life, and she wondered: How could there be such a gap between the richness of what Judaism offers and the way so many Jews like her understand and experience it?<br /><br />Sarah Hurwitz is on a mission to close this gap by sharing the profound insights she discovered on everything from Jewish holidays, ethics, and prayer to Jewish conceptions of God, death, and social justice. In this entertaining and accessible book, she shows us why Judaism matters and how its message is more relevant than ever, and she inspires Jews to do the learning, questioning, and debating required to make this religion their own.

is C.S. Lewis's forceful and accessible doctrine of Christian belief. First heard as informal radio broadcasts and then published as three separate books —
,
, and
—
brings together what Lewis saw as the fundamental truths of the religion.
Rejecting the boundaries that divide Christianity's many denominations, C.S. Lewis finds a common ground on which all those who have Christian faith can stand together, proving that "at the centre of each there is something, or a Someone, who against all divergences of belief, all differences of temperament, all memories of mutual persecution, speaks the same voice."

The #1 New York Times best-selling author Wayne Dyer has been inspiring people to change their lives for many years. Now three of his most fascinating books are collected in this single volume:<br /><br />• The Power of Intention details Wayne’s research on intention as a force in the universe that allows the act of creation to take place. He explains that it is not something we do, but rather an energy we’re a part of. This is the first book to look at intention as a field of energy that we can access to begin co-creating our lives. <br /><br />• Inspiration dissects feelings of emptiness, the idea that there must be something more, and trying to determine the meaning of life . . . all evidence of a yearning to reconnect with our soul space. This book explains how we’ve chosen to enter this world of particles and form, and each chapter is filled with specifics for living an inspired life. From a very personal viewpoint, Wayne offers a blueprint through the world of Spirit to inspiration, our ultimate calling. <br /><br />• Excuses Begone! reveals how to change the self-defeating thinking patterns that have prevented us from living at the highest levels of success, happiness, and health. Wayne presents many of the conscious and subconscious crutches most of us employ, along with ways to cast them aside once and for all. The old, habituated ways of thinking will melt away as the absurdity of hanging on to them is exposed, and we ultimately come to realize that there are no excuses worth defending—ever.<br /><br />The Essential Wayne Dyer Collection is a must-read for those wanting to explore the power and potential of the human mind, as well as anyone who is finally ready to live the best life possible!

Drawing from the personal experiences of a seasoned pastor, a team of modern liberal scholars, and the gospel accounts of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, Teacher, Guide, Companion challenges readers to reexamine their own relationship with Jesus Christ and its significance in the 21st century. Integrating both secular and religious source materials, Wikstrom demonstrates how a close examination of historical findings and the Gospels can lead to a renewed faith in Jesus Christ. The field of Jesus studies, which is dominated by academics, will benefit from this analysis by a working minister.

"Becoming More Fully Human" presents Humanism as a way of life rather than a philosophical bent.

For those contemplating religious choices, Unitarian Universalism offers an appealing alternative to religious denominations that stress theological creeds over individual conviction and belief. In this new edition of the classic introductory text on Unitarian Universalism, which includes a revealing, entertaining foreword by best-selling author Robert Fulghum (<i>All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, It Was on Fire When I Lay Down on It</i>), a new preface by UU moderator Denise Davidoff, and two new chapters by the authors, John Buehrens and Forrest Church explore the many sources of the living tradition of their chosen faith.

A #1 New York Times bestseller, The Purpose Driven Life will help you understand why you are alive and reveal God's amazing plan for you both here and now, and for eternity. Rick Warren will guide you through a personal forty-day spiritual journey that will transform your answer to life's most important question: What on earth am I here for? Knowing God's purpose for creating you will reduce your stress, focus your energy, simplify your decisions, give meaning to your life, and most important, prepare you for eternity. <br /><br />Movie stars and political leaders aren't the only ones turning to Rick Warren for spiritual guidance. Millions of people from NBA and LPGA players to corporate executives to high school students to prison inmates meet regularly to discuss The Purpose Driven Life.

In this, one of the most influential works of the post-Hegelian era, Feuerbach captures the synthesis that emerges from the dialectical process of a transcending Godhead & the rational & material world. In understanding the true nature of what it means to be fully human, he contends that we come face to face with the essence of Xian theology: human beings investing ordinary concepts with divine meaning & significance. The true danger to humanity occurs when theology is given the force of dogma & doctrine. Losing sight of its anthropological underpinnings & dependence upon or emergence from human nature, it then acquires an existence separate from that of humankind. He leaves nothing untouched: miracles, the Trinity, Creation, prayer, resurrection, immortality, faith & much more.
The essential nature of man
The essence of religion considered generally
God as a being of the understanding
God as a moral being or law
The mystery of the incarnation; or, God as love, as a being of the heart
The mystery of the suffering God
The mystery of the Trinity & the mother of God
The mystery of the Logos & divine image
The mystery of the cosmogonical principle in God
The mystery of mysticism, or of nature in God
The mystery of providence & creation out of nothing
The significance of the creation in Judaism
The omnipotence of feeling, or the mystery of prayer
The mystery of faith, the mystery of miracle
The mystery of the resurrection and of the miraculous conception
The mystery of the Christian Christ, or the personal God
The distinction between Christianity & heathenism
The significance of voluntary celibacy & monachism
The Christian heaven, or personal immortality
The essential standpoint of religion
The contradiction in the existence of God
The contradiction in the revelation of God
The contradiction in the nature of God in general
The contradiction in the speculative doctrine of God
The contradiction in the Trinity
The contradiction in the sacraments
The contradiction of faith & love
Concluding application

The Responsible Self was H. Richard Niebuhr's most important work in Christian ethics. In it he probes the most fundamental character of the moral life and it stands today as a landmark contribution to the field. The Library of Theological Ethics series focuses on what it means to think theologically and ethically. It presents a selection of important and otherwise unavailable texts in easily accessible form. Volumes in this series will enable sustained dialogue with predecessors though reflection on classic works in the field.