Faith Facing Reality
Faith Facing Reality

Author: John W. de Gruchy

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2022-10-21

Total Pages: 191

ISBN-13: 1666736805

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The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have starkly reminded us of the realities that threaten our future on planet Earth. Christian faith is not a way of escaping these realities, but of engaging them in the struggle for justice and peace—motivated by love, enabled by faith and sustained by hope. This is based on the conviction that in Jesus Christ the reality of God has become redemptively embodied within the reality of the world. Written within the context of South Africa but with global vision, and in conversation with the legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, this book is an attempt to stir up discussion and inform action in connecting worldly and transcendent reality. Inevitably this will be controversial, not least because that is something that Bonhoeffer risked. This is certainly true when it comes to the five realities that provide much of the book’s substance: the persistence of racism, the will-to-power, scientism and soulless technology, the conflict in Israel-Palestine, and the threat of wars and pandemics. Is it possible to believe in the God of Jesus Christ in such a world? If so, what does that mean, and how does it help us live creatively, redemptively, and faithfully? To answer these questions, the author examines the meaning of faith; the human desire for transcendence; and the need for conversion, wisdom, solidarity, and responsible freedom.

Facing Reality
Facing Reality

Author: Charles Murray

Publisher: Encounter Books

Published: 2021-06-15

Total Pages: 118

ISBN-13: 1641771984

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The charges of white privilege and systemic racism that are tearing the country apart fIoat free of reality. Two known facts, long since documented beyond reasonable doubt, need to be brought into the open and incorporated into the way we think about public policy: American whites, blacks, Hispanics, and Asians have different violent crime rates and different means and distributions of cognitive ability. The allegations of racism in policing, college admissions, segregation in housing, and hiring and promotions in the workplace ignore the ways in which the problems that prompt the allegations of systemic racism are driven by these two realities. What good can come of bringing them into the open? America’s most precious ideal is what used to be known as the American Creed: People are not to be judged by where they came from, what social class they come from, or by race, color, or creed. They must be judged as individuals. The prevailing Progressive ideology repudiates that ideal, demanding instead that the state should judge people by their race, social origins, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. We on the center left and center right who are the American Creed’s natural defenders have painted ourselves into a corner. We have been unwilling to say openly that different groups have significant group differences. Since we have not been willing to say that, we have been left defenseless against the claims that racism is to blame. What else could it be? We have been afraid to answer. We must. Facing Reality is a step in that direction.

Faith in the Face of Empire
Faith in the Face of Empire

Author: RAHEB

Publisher: Orbis Books

Published: 2014-02-10

Total Pages: 128

ISBN-13: 1608334333

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A Palestinian Christian theologian shows how the reality of empire shapes the context of the biblical story, and the ongoing experience of Middle East conflict.

Finding Face and Faith in America
Finding Face and Faith in America

Author: Ahror Rahmedov

Publisher: Wingspan Press

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 203

ISBN-13: 1595940278

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In 1994, Ahror Rahmedov, a young medical student in Toshkent, Uzbekistan, was hit by rocket flare fired by a drunk at a wedding feast, andsuffered massive injuries to his face. He survived, only to find himself inside the very medical system that had been training him, where he was forced to bribe officials to get the proper medicines. In 1996, after living for two years with his destroyed face, still unable to speak, he came to the United States with the help of good samaritans in Seattle to begin a long and difficult round of reconstructive surgeries. Here he found his lost face and regained his faith. Today, he is an Engineering graduate student at UCLA.

Doxology and Theology
Doxology and Theology

Author: Matt Boswell

Publisher: B&H Publishing Group

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 1433679728

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Beyond sound equipment and music charts, eleven noted worship leaders from around the United States write about the ministerial part of their work as it relates to the gospel, mission, disciple-making, liturgy, the Trinity, justice, creativity, family, and more.

Faith in the Face of Militarization
Faith in the Face of Militarization

Author: Jude Lal Fernando

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2021-04-05

Total Pages: 289

ISBN-13: 1725284006

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What does believing mean in the face of empire and militarization? These essays articulate the critical and liberating consciousness shared by oppressed peoples across the world, arising from a faith in the God of the oppressed, expressed in radically diverse ways, and resisting the imperialist deities of materialism (read: economic growth), racism, and militarization that falsely appear as the saviors of humanity. The authors confront these false gods--which form the modern empire--worshiped by the most dominant militarized states in the world and followed by their allied states even in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. Out of the eleven articles, two are written by critical political analysts with an anti-colonial lens while recognizing the importance of faith in resistance. The rest are written by theologians who critically reflect on their faith within the context of empire and militarization in their societies. Militarization is among the most brutal forms of oppression on the resisting peoples. The theologies that have emerged from critical reflections on their collective experiences are grounded on a material spirituality as opposed to materialistic, racist, and militaristic godlessness. This collection has emerged out of creative and transformative practices in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Pacific, and the US. The essays are divided it into four sections in recognizing some of the key features of material spirituality; indigenous, feminist and interreligious voices, and horizontal solidarity. With contributions from: Michael Lujan Bevacqua Wati Longchar Nidia Arrobo Rodas Rasika Sharmen Pieris Lilian Cheelo Siwila Young-Bock Kim Dan Gonzales-Ortega Erin Shea Martin Mark Braverman Joshua Samuel Phil Miller

How to Make Sense of Any Mess
How to Make Sense of Any Mess

Author: Abby Covert

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781500615994

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Everything is getting more complex. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the amount of information we encounter each day. Whether at work, at school, or in our personal endeavors, there's a deepening (and inescapable) need for people to work with and understand information. Information architecture is the way that we arrange the parts of something to make it understandable as a whole. When we make things for others to use, the architecture of information that we choose greatly affects our ability to deliver our intended message to our users.We all face messes made of information and people. This book defines the word "mess" the same way that most dictionaries do: "A situation where the interactions between people and information are confusing or full of difficulties." - Who doesn't bump up against messes made of information and people every day? How to Make Sense of Any Mess provides a seven step process for making sense of any mess. Each chapter contains a set of lessons as well as workbook exercises architected to help you to work through your own mess.

Reality Faith Before the Black Snow
Reality Faith Before the Black Snow

Author: Kerry Cavanaugh

Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

Published: 2022-08-01

Total Pages: 120

ISBN-13: 1098033841

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Introduction to My MindaEUR| I am confused, and I know little, but this is exploding my heart and I appreciate you considering my thoughts. It had to be demonstrated, otherwise aEURoewhy?aEUR would be asked by others, for eternity. Lucifer couldnaEUR(tm)t accept that he was less than God, he had been to the black pool in the ground, he touched the water that he was instructed not to, so selfishness took root. he started to spread his selfishness and doubt with many others in the heavenly realm, God had to answer his aEURoewhy?aEUR Thus the banishment, the illustration, and the explanation was given to all of the CreationsaEUR|Earth was the stage. Satan wants us to doubt God too, especially when it comes to the quality of life. Misery loves company. Here and now, doubt seems harmless, questions are natural, and life continues. Questions are natural, and can be healthy, and yes God will answer them all. But when tainted with selfishness and doubt, questions become unnatural as they were in the heavens. Thus, we need to become used to a faith where we are giving more thanks to the Lord, and asking less aEURoeWhy God?aEUR For essentially, that question becomes, aEURoeWhat were you thinking God?aEUR implying that GodaEUR(tm)s script or plan is unjust and unfair. When the truth is it is our script and a random world as a result of it. Therefore, I propose we modify the faith we have known for centuries and add a good dose of Reality to it. For the reality of our time here on earth is that we are not chess pieces or puppets of our Creator, we are humans, given choice, living on a stage where the worst of doubt is being played out. And it has to be this way. For God to step in and control every aspect of every life would essentially erase each individual and would take away the biggest and strongest power that we have been givenaEUR|the power of choice. Our power of choice is ultimately greater than the power of God or the limited powers that the devil has been given. We decide our fate, we live by our consequences, we endure this trial with its ups and downs until the curtain closes and justice comes. We are not alone though, His hands manifest themselves through our hands and the Holy Spirit is a tangible element in our hearts and minds to encourage us in the right direction. His Spirit is flowing down to us. He wants us to feel its love. He wants us to know we are not alone, though prayers go unanswered. Each prayer is heard, each heart is known, each soul is cared for, but suffering will still be daily, our battle to overcome. Keep praying! Pray loudly and with confidence! Endure this time! Give thanks for a chance to give thanks! But know this, it is time to come to know a Reality FaithaEUR|before the Black Snow.

Facing Reality
Facing Reality

Author: Joseph Grcic

Publisher: AuthorHouse

Published: 2009-10-01

Total Pages: 494

ISBN-13: 1449033024

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Facing Reality is an introduction to philosophy which examines central issues in philosophy from an interdisciplinary, multicultural and applied manner. It covers the traditional areas of philosophy such as the nature of knowledge, ethics, free will, the existence of God, life after death, the nature of science and political philosophy. In addition, it covers topics usually not found in introductory texts such as obstacles to rationality, theories of happiness, world religions and the meaning of life. Each chapter has a summary, questions for review, recommended films, suggested readings and dilemmas for discussion. There are also sections entitled "Philosophy in Life" where philosophical ideas are applied to current issues and debates.