In this important contribution to contemporary Romani Studies, Jan Ort focuses his anthropological research on a village in eastern Slovakia with a reputation for the ‘harmonious coexistence’ of its ethnically and linguistically heterogeneous populace. The author offers an ethnographic critique of this idyllic view, showing how historical shifts, as well as the naturalization of inequality and hierarchies, have led to the present situation; however, he also shows examples and methods of subversion and resistance to the village’s current power dynamics. Based primarily on participant observation within Romani families, the author's long-term research results in a fascinating text replete with ethnographic descriptions that allow readers to understand local, experiences, contexts, and divisions. These insights about the village lead to the key question of the book: Who actually is a local?
The development of Chinese Christian thought in history is based on actual historical events and forsaking the slavish aspect of humanity (the theory of the superiority of Western culture when Western Christianity was introduced to China from the beginning) while this dialectical relationship occurred in the interactive relationship between different events in history and is organically linked. Therefore, this research is an interdisciplinary study including theology, religious thought, comparative theology, history, culture, hermeneutics, philosophy, politics, economics and international relations. As Marx once suggested, there is a kind of national spirit performing in different fields, and this national spirit follows each nation as it enters the stage in history. We will see similar phenomena in the study of Chinese Christianity. It is like the interpretation of the gospel by the Greek culture of the past, the European culture to today's American culture also give an interpretation of the gospel. At the present time, the Chinese people are trying to interpret the gospel from their own culture as well. It, of course, involves the process by which the Chinese find their own role in the gospel of Christ. This is a discovery and in effective action to their own role by the Chinese Christian groups, and becomes an interpretation of Chinese Christianity. This relates to a diachronic trait of human experience, the continuous reflection on the gospel, that correlates episodic and configurative. The fragments of sages from various periods, such as Gützlaff, James Legge, Jing Dianying, Watchman Nee, Francis Wei and T.C. Chao, have become intertextuality in the process. Of course, this is also a configurative and re-configurative. Through the process of time, the trial in the diachronic integrates into a testable interpretation. This interpretation enables Chinese Christian theology to find its identity and its contribution through this status. It also breaks the idol of the superiority of Western culture and subverts the idol of the feudal system in Chinese culture as testimony.
A “heartily recommend[ed]” text for “Enneagram enthusiasts . . . and followers of every spiritual tradition”—by the creator of the Diamond Approach to Self-Realization (Helen Palmer, author of The Enneagram) Facets of Unity presents the Enneagram of Holy Ideas as a crystal clear window on the true reality experienced in enlightened consciousness. Here we are not directed toward the psychological types but the higher spiritual realities they reflect. We discover how the disconnection from each Holy Idea—defined as an unconditioned, objective understanding of reality—leads to the development of its corresponding fixation, thus recognizing each types deeper psychological core. Understanding this core brings each Holy Idea within reach, so its spiritual perspective can serve as a key for unlocking the fixation and freeing us from its limitations.
Human society has experienced the primitive, slavery, feudalistic, and capitalist stages and has witnessed two world wars and numerous regional wars. Humankind currently faces various severe ecological and sociological problems. In On the Culture of Harmony, author Gordon Wang answers the serious and significant question of where human beings are headed in terms of both time and space. Wang traveled across five continents and through dozens of countries searching for answers; now, he shares his results in On the Culture of Harmony. He discusses the origin, concept, and domains of the Culture of Harmony based on an in-depth analysis of the Chinese and world culture and philosophy. He demonstrates how the globalization of economy and information calls for the dominance of the Culture of Harmony, which should be used to correct human bias, establish core values, lead human spirits, and expedite borderless unions. Through a unique perspective of the physical and social sciences, Wang communicates the need to promote a harmonious society through the Culture of Harmony.
The Sage Handbook of Measurement is a unique methodological resource in which Walford, Viswanathan and Tucker draw together contributions from leading scholars in the social sciences, each of whom has played an important role in advancing the study of measurement over the past 25 years. Each of the contributors offers insights into particular measurement related challenges they have confronted and how they have addressed these. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of measurement, so that the handbook as a whole covers the full spectrum of core issues related to design, method and analysis within measurement studies. The book emphasises issues such as indicator generation and modification, the nature and conceptual meaning of measurement error, and the day-to-day processes involved in developing and using measures. The Handbook covers the full range of disciplines where measurement studies are common: policy studies; education studies; health studies; and business studies.
The Reader's Guide to Music is designed to provide a useful single-volume guide to the ever-increasing number of English language book-length studies in music. Each entry consists of a bibliography of some 3-20 titles and an essay in which these titles are evaluated, by an expert in the field, in light of the history of writing and scholarship on the given topic. The more than 500 entries include not just writings on major composers in music history but also the genres in which they worked (from early chant to rock and roll) and topics important to the various disciplines of music scholarship (from aesthetics to gay/lesbian musicology).
The book addresses academically the major aspects of Chinese religion and philosophy, designated as the doctrine of being internal sage and external king. The perspective applied is the integration between western and Chinese scholarship and English readers may gain an easy and interesting access to Chinese intellectual tradition, distinctive itself in a harmony between being holy and secular in any mundane human being to the western tradition of “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s”. By this contrast the intellectual charms and spiritual merits of Chinese tradition will be better appreciated, hence conducive to the much anticipated dialogues between western and eastern civilizations at this globalized yet conflicted world.
This book is a progressive experience of spirit communication. Spirits share their love for their living with the Divine Love and the realisation that at each individual essence, the soul aspires to fulfil its potential.In The Padgett Messages we are introduced to a place in the spirit world called, the Celestial Heaven and that by progressing there one becomes a Celestial spirit. This book reveals this progression so that we may all gain insight into the love story that is our living with the Divine Love.This book is perfect for the avid reader who would like to know more about spirits and the Soul and Source of all Love and Spirit.
The Apostle Paul leaves no stone, teaching, or truth untouched as he continues developing a pathway for each of us built upon the foundation of the Triune God. He has carefully and prayer-fully utilized the words in this magnificent letter to clearly, concisely, and forcefully relate the truths revealed to him by the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Paul, in this illuminating sixth chapter of Ephesians, weaves together enlightening commands and counsel that will enhance the lives of people Walking With Jesus. He tells the believers what to do and what not to do in simple, straightforward language. He succinctly describes Christlike conduct, before expounding upon the lifestyles of those who will have no inheritance in the Kingdom of God and Christ. These tough words make one stop and think. At least, they should. The Apostle continues Walking With Jesus by urging Christ's followers to walk wisely and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. After building this part of God's pathway, Paul focuses our attention on the two most important relationships in one's life: (i) marriage; and (ii) Christ and His church. The truths presented by the Apostle provide Christ's companions, as the walk together, with an increasing faith plus joy, knowledge, love, strength, and wisdom. May we ask for nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else.
