To many people Christianity represents the all too familiar, "unscientific myth" they have known all their lives. The tenets of Christianity seem too bleak, narrow and restrictive. Yet within the narrow confines of the "Thou shalt nots..." lies an extraordinary rich source of mystery, miracles and ideals, opening doors into the inner world of the self. The 21st Century is about to begin and a modern prophet is required. "But verily, not one jot or tittle may pass from the law, till all is fulfilled." How then is a new prophet to express the old? The 2000 preceding years of Christian tradition are now concentrated into one small being, born into traditional convent life. But not only God makes plans. In another Convent, another individual, is extracting very different meanings from the same teachings. And as the new millennium dawns, a showdown is inevitable.
In this highly accessible discussion, Bart Ehrman examines the most recent textual and archaeological sources for the life of Jesus, along with the history of first-century Palestine, drawing a fascinating portrait of the man and his teachings. Ehrman shows us what historians have long known about the Gospels and the man who stands behind them. Through a careful evaluation of the New Testament (and other surviving sources, including the more recently discovered Gospels of Thomas and Peter), Ehrman proposes that Jesus can be best understood as an apocalyptic prophet--a man convinced that the world would end dramatically within the lifetime of his apostles and that a new kingdom would be created on earth. According to Ehrman, Jesus' belief in a coming apocalypse and his expectation of an utter reversal in the world's social organization not only underscores the radicalism of his teachings but also sheds light on both the appeal of his message to society's outcasts and the threat he posed to Jerusalem's established leadership.
Archbishop Dolan clearly sets forth what it takes to be a Catholic priest in the Third Millennium. Whether he is stressing the necessity of regular Confession and the need to celebrate daily Mass and say the Liturgy of the Hours or discussing priestly celibacy in frank, realistic terms, he emphasizes true priest identity by presenting a life worth living, a life worth sharing, a life worth offering up to the Father through Christ and in the Holy Spirit. Pastoral, practical, and thoroughly Catholic, Priests for the Third Millennium will renew the joy of being Catholic in the heart of seminarians, priests, and the people they serve.
This work is a series of sermons produced by Emeritus Professor Hans Mol, and based on Biblical texts, the Commentaries of John Calvin on these texts, and on Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion. Mol is Australia's pre-eminent scholar in the sociology of religion, particularly in Australia. His 1971 volume, Religion in Australia, was the first attempt at statistical analysis of religion in Australia, which was also internationally significant. Parallel to Mol's interest in the sociology of religion has been his interest in Calvin. Indeed the theological basis of his life has been as a Calvinist. Here in this volume he brings both of these interests together. His sermons, preached over the years in Canberra, seek to apply the teachings of Calvin to a world-view in which the scientific study of religion, and indeed the wider study of sociology, are of central significance. In these sermons, he succeeds considerably in this. The volume is a substantial contribution to scholarship, in that the combination of these two factors has only rarely been attempted. Thus, the volume has originality and will have enduring value. It is especially appropriate that it should be published at this time, in preparation for the 500th Anniversary of Calvin's birth (1509-2009).
Experience the ultimate lost Christian scripture! Taken out of the Jewish Canon by the Sanhedrin just after Jesus' time because if the incredibly accurate prophesies for Jesus. The Pharisees feared that the people would read the text and discover how closely Jesus matched the messiah described by the prophet Enoch, they made every effort to bury this lost book. It is still part of the Coptic churches canon, an ancient church started by the apostle John. The first paragraph of this lost book is quoted already in the Christian scriptures, in the book of Jude. Also Peter makes references to the book in his letter. This is everything you could want from a lost book and more. Learn about the hidden history of the earth, sin, and God's relationship to mankind. Don't miss out!Jesus quoted Enoch... and the theology is a perfect match. Why haven't you started reading it yet? Here's some examples: (Keep in mind we have copies of Enoch even today that are older than Jesus.)Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Mat 5:5) The elect shall possess light, joy and peace, and they shall inherit the earth. (Enoch 5:7 {6:9}) the Father judges no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the son (John 5:22). the principal part of the judgment was assigned to him, the Son of man. (Enoch 69:27 {68:39}) shall inherit everlasting life (Mat. 19:29) those who will inherit eternal life (Enoch 40:9 {40:9}) "Woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. (Luke 6:24) Woe to you who are rich, for in your riches have you trusted; but from your riches you shall be removed. (Enoch 94:8 {93:7}). You also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Mat. 19:28) I will place each of them on a throne of glory (Enoch 108:12 {105:26}) Woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born. (Mat. 26:24) Where will the habitation of sinners be . . . who have rejected the Lord of spirits. It would have been better for them, had they never been born. (Enoch 38:2 {38:2}) between us and you there is a great gulf fixed. (Luke 16:26) by a chasm . . . [are] their souls are separated (Enoch 22: 9,11{22:10,12}) In my Father's house are many mansions (John 14:2) In that day shall the Elect One sit upon a throne of glory, and shall choose their conditions and countless habitations. (Enoch 45:3 {45:3}) that you may be called the children of light (John 12:36) the good from the generation of light (Enoch 108:11 {105: 25}) the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14) all the thirsty drank, and were filled with wisdom, having their habitation with the righteous, the elect, and the holy. (Enoch 48:1 {48:1})The one direct quote in the New Testament is by Jude, a brother of Jesus Christ: Jude 1:14-15, quoting Enoch 1:9 {2:1} [1]"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,"To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches, which ungodly sinners have spoken against him."Now with an introduction written by Christopher R. Coutant, author of 'Dark Halo'.
Are these the last days? Could Jesus return at any time to establish his thousand-year reign on earth? What is the nature of Christ's millennial kingdom referred to in the book of Revelation? What must happen before Jesus returns, and what part does the church play? Three predominant views held by evangelicals seek to answer these and related questions: premillennial, postmillennial, and amillennial. This book gives each view a forum for presentation, critique, and defense. Besides each contributor's personal perspective, various interpretations of the different positions are discussed in the essays. Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond lets you compare and contrast three important eschatological viewpoints to gain a better understanding of how Christianity's great hope, the return of Jesus, is understood by the church. The Counterpoints series provides a forum for comparison and critique of different views on issues important to Christians. Counterpoints books address two categories: Church Life and Bible and Theology. Complete your library with other books in the Counterpoints series.
Although scholars have long studied how Muslims authenticated and transmitted Muhammad’s sayings and practices (hadith), the story of how they interpreted and reinterpreted the meanings of hadith over the past millennium has yet to be told. Joel Blecher takes up this charge, illuminating the rich social and intellectual history of hadith commentary at three critical moments: classical Andalusia, medieval Egypt, and modern India. Weaving together tales of public debates, high court rivalries, and colonial politics with analyses of contemporary field notes and fine-grained arguments adorning the margins of manuscripts, Said the Prophet of God offers new avenues for the study of religion, history, anthropology, and law.
Collected in entirety for the very first time, this study reflects more than 25 years of close contact with the Sufi Masters of Central Anatolia, with most of that time spent in the presence of the peerless Sufi teacher, Mr. Ahmet Kayhan. Out of the author’s association with this personality has emerged this in-depth look at the famous and mysterious Oral Tradition of Sufism. Covered topics include the concepts of compassion and mercy, universality, ethics, faith, charity, destiny, death and the afterlife, and more. Combining the rigor of anthropology with the devotion of a disciple, this book faithfully lays bare the comprehensive teachings of the man who may be the Sufi Saint of the Age.
Biblical Christianity is challenged today by other religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Mormonism, Buddhism, Jehovahs Witness, Scientology, to name a few, including atheists and agnostics, who claim that Jesus was simply a man, a great teacher or guru, or a prophet of God who worked his way to godhood. Are such claims supported by the evidence? Can we trust the Bible to tell us the truth about Jesus? Is Jesus Christ truly God? Can we find evidence of his deity in the Old Testament? Does the New Testament affirm unequivocally that He is God? Are there reliable non-Christian sources that back such claims of deity? This book aims at addressing these fundamental questions while providing solid internal and external evidence of the divinity of Jesus Christ. In this age of plural spirituality, thirst for truth, and in need of an evidence-based dialogue among various religions, the book makes a compelling case for a closer scrutiny of prophecies contained in the Bible.
