The Fifteen Confederates was published anonymously in the fall of 1521, shortly after Martin Luther's hearing at the Diet of Worms and subsequent disappearance. The fifteen pamphlets that make up the book address religious, social, economic, and political challenges facing the German people. Their author, Johann Eberlin von Gunzburg, subsequently became one of the most prolific and popular pamphleteers of the German Reformation. As an important contribution to the pamphlet war that accompanied the beginnings of the Reformation in Germany, The Fifteen Confederates provides us a valuable window on the aspirations and dreams that accompanied Luther's initial calls for reform of the church and society.
Thomas Aquinas (1224–1274) is one of the most important thinkers in the history of western civilization. A philosopher and theologian, a priest and preacher, Aquinas bequeathed to the world an enduring synthesis of philosophy, theology, and Christian spirituality. Aquinas championed the integration of faith and action, sound doctrine and right living, orthodoxy and orthopraxy. From the thirteenth century through the present day, his legacy has served as a blessing for the church and beyond. In the nearly eight hundred years since Aquinas’s death, his thought has been studied, interpreted, criticized, reinvigorated, and anointed as the exemplar of Catholic theology. Thomas and the Thomists, a new volume in the Mapping the Tradition series, serves as an introduction to the life of Aquinas, the major contours of his teaching, and the lasting contribution he made to Christian thought. Romanus Cessario and Cajetan Cuddy also outline the history of the Thomist tradition—the great school of Aquinas’s interpreters—from the medieval era through the revival of the Thomist heritage in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This volume affords its readers a working guide to understanding the history of Aquinas and his expositors as well as to grasping their significance for us today.
In The Teacher's Way, award-winning scholar, educator and author Maria Lichtmann connect the monastic practice of "lectio divina to the heart of the teaching experience. New teachers just beginning their careers will find deep and welcomed guidance in this book. Veteran educators who need a fresh dose of inspiration wil celebrate. The Teacher's Way is an oasis for connecting education with the life of the pririt. "Lectio divina is a Benedictine practice that involves four clements of "sacred reading." They are: The Teacher's Way masterfully translates these practices into classroom applications that create hospitable: and safe spaces for learning. Maria Lichtmann writes, "Nothing is more crucial to teaching as spiritual practice than replenishing the underground spirngs of a teacher's own inner life." Some of the topics the author focuses on include: the crisis in education; monks and teaching; concrete proposals for reflection and attention; hospitable teaching and transformed teaching. Intendedaudience: new teachers just beginning their careers, those still in school, veteran educators who need refreshment, and professional development facilitators. The Teacher's Way is designed to benefit educators from kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as college and graduate school instructors.
This work by a veteran pastor and professor of homiletics looks at the history of preaching from its roots in the Old Testament prophets to its continuing development in the modern era.
There are more than one billion Catholics in the world, and each one has a similar set of basic beliefs and practices that he or she follows. Some of the teachings of Catholicism are thousands of years old, while others are more recent. So what is the Catholic culture like and what do they believe? Catholicism For Dummies answers these and many other questions. Whether you’re a Catholic or not, you may be totally clueless or just unaware of some aspects of Catholic traditions, history, doctrine, worship, devotion, or culture. No sweat. Regardless of whether you’re engaged, married, related to a Catholic, or just curious about what Catholics really do believe, this book is for you. Catholicism For Dummies is not a catechism or religious textbook, but a casual, down-to-earth introduction for non-Catholics and reintroduction for Catholics. It gives commonsense explanations so that the next time you’re invited to a Catholic wedding, Baptism, funeral, Confirmation, or First Communion, you won’t be totally confused. You’ll also discover other important topics that can help you better understand the Catholic culture—from morality and devotions to worship and liturgy. This book will familiarize you with Catholicism by showing you: What it means to be a Catholic: traditions, prayers, beliefs, and holidays Who is who in the Catholic hierarchy How Catholics worship What the Seven Sacraments and Ten Commandments are The book regarded as the holiest to Catholics: The Bible The Church’s stand on some sticky issues Catholicism For Dummies presents a rich tapestry and history of the Catholic faith—from devotions to doctrines. This intelligent and faithful look at Catholicism will open your eyes to this religion and answer many of the questions you may have about it.
