This book will be of interest to a wide range of readers, from students of Ancient History and early Christianity, to Qabalists and modern magicians. Extensive notes and citations from original sources will make this authoritative work an essential reference for researchers and practitioners for years to come. Includes are appendices for tables of alphabetic symbolism, a list of authors, and a numeric dictionary of Greek words, which represents the largest collection of gematria in print.
Minister, teacher and author James Stewart reveals how Paul the Apostle developed the Christian religion in the 1st century AD, shedding light on the emergence of early Christianity. Informed by the author's scholarship, this superb book is based off a series of well-received lectures which the author delivered at the University of Edinburgh. The text is annotated at length, with incidences of the Bible's Greek and references to various sources from previous centuries. The flowing narration of Paul's progression from follower to great herald of Christianity, and the evolution of early Christian doctrines, is complimented in equal measure by the author's gifts for sermon writing and scholarship. Given that he is addressing events that took place millennia ago, Stewart takes care not to stray to rigidity or supposition: it is simply a fact that the history and records of the time have their limitations. The chief sources, for their authority, consist of the New Testament, including the Gospels of Jesus.
Charles J. Callan's 'Moral Theology' stands as a magisterial work that delves deeply into the ethical foundations and implications of Catholic doctrine as synthesized by the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas. With an incisive and systematic approach, Callan elucidates the Thomistic principles that underpin moral action, providing a meticulous explication that weaves together Aquinas's rich legacy with biblical teachings. The book aligns itself squarely within the neo-scholastic movement, offering a literary style that is both rigorous in scholastic methodology and accessible to those seeking a profound understanding of Catholic moral reasoning. We find within its pages a framework that not only sheds light on moral conundrums but also remains relevant in contemporary discourse. Reverend Charles Jerome Callan, a man of profound theological insight and academic prowess, composed this comprehensive treatise to invite both clergy and laypersons into the depths of Catholic moral understanding. His scholarly background, particularly his expertise in Scripture and Thomistic thought, provided a fertile ground for this endeavor, as Callan sought to articulate and promote an orthodox yet dynamic vision of moral theology shaped by Aquinas's intellectual heritage. His purpose was not only to educate but also to inspire a lived moral experience aligned with the Catholic faith. 'Moral Theology' is thus an essential text for theologians, philosophers, and any student of Catholic moral teaching. It serves as a vital reference that compels the reader towards a deeper engagement with ethical questions, viewed through the lens of Aquinas's timeless wisdom. Scholars and practitioners of theology will find in Callan's work both a bridge to the medieval mind and a guide to applying enduring principles in a modern world. This book is especially recommended for those seeking an intellectually authentic and spiritually enriching exploration of Catholic morality.
Classical Rhetoric in the Middle Ages: The Medieval Rhetors and Their Art 400-1300, with Manuscript Survey to 1500 CE is a completely updated version of John Ward’s much-used doctoral thesis of 1972, and is the definitive treatment of this fundamental aspect of medieval and rhetorical culture. It is commonly believed that medieval writers were interested only in Christian truth, not in Graeco-Roman methods of ‘persuasion’ to whatever viewpoint the speaker / writer wanted. Dr Ward, however, investigates the content of well over one thousand medieval manuscripts and shows that medieval writers were fully conscious of and much dependent upon Graeco-Roman rhetorical methods of persuasion. The volume then demonstrates why and to what purpose this use of classical rhetoric took place.