Born Again
Born Again

Author: Jennifer Butler

Publisher: Pluto Press (UK)

Published: 2006-08-20

Total Pages: 232

ISBN-13:

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-- A gripping investigation of the power of Christian Right worldwide --The Christian Right wields massive political power in the United States and beyond. This is the first book to reveal the growing influence of the Christian Right within the United Nations.Jennifer Butler -- who worked as Presbyterian Representative at the U.N. for nine years -- shows how Christian conservative groups are able to shape policy in every corner of the world.Drawing on interviews with Christian Right leaders, she reveals how today's most powerful Christian Right organizations are building interfaith coalitions. At the United Nations, groups like Focus on the Family and Concerned Women for America work with Catholic, Mormon and Muslim allies to advance a conservative agenda. The United States has recently joined this alliance. President George W. Bush has given them a significant voice in shaping U.S. positions on issues including women's rights, reproductive health, human cloning, children's rights and AIDS.In short, the Christian Right is globalizing -- a phenomenon that promises to challenge progressive social policy on a worldwide scale -- as well as transform the Christian Right itself.'Jennifer Butler's sharp eye for critique and smooth handling of complexity makes her the ideal analyst [of] the U.S. Christian Right. Butler pulls aside the veils of religiosity to show the mean-spirited and elitist ideologies, and yet she never stoops to caricature theology nor bash sincere religious belief.' Chip Berlet, Senior Analyst, Political Research Associates and co-author of Right-Wing Populism in America

The Stolen Bible
The Stolen Bible

Author: Gerald O. West

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2016-08-09

Total Pages: 636

ISBN-13: 9004322787

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The Stolen Bible tells the story of how Southern Africans have interacted with the Bible from its arrival in Dutch imperial ships in the mid-1600s through to contemporary post-apartheid South Africa. The Stolen Bible emphasises African agency and distinguishes between African receptions of the Bible and African receptions of missionary-colonial Christianity. Through a series of detailed historical, geographical, and hermeneutical case-studies the book analyses Southern African receptions of the Bible, including the earliest African encounters with the Bible, the translation of the Bible into an African language, the appropriation of the Bible by African Independent Churches, the use of the Bible in the Black liberation struggle, and the ways in which the Bible is embodied in the lives of ordinary Africans.

A History of the Bible
A History of the Bible

Author: John Barton

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2020-08-04

Total Pages: 642

ISBN-13: 0143111205

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A literary history of our most influential book of all time, by an Oxford scholar and Anglican priest In our culture, the Bible is monolithic: It is a collection of books that has been unchanged and unchallenged since the earliest days of the Christian church. The idea of the Bible as "Holy Scripture," a non-negotiable authority straight from God, has prevailed in Western society for some time. And while it provides a firm foundation for centuries of Christian teaching, it denies the depth, variety, and richness of this fascinating text. In A History of the Bible, John Barton argues that the Bible is not a prescription to a complete, fixed religious system, but rather a product of a long and intriguing process, which has inspired Judaism and Christianity, but still does not describe the whole of either religion. Barton shows how the Bible is indeed an important source of religious insight for Jews and Christians alike, yet argues that it must be read in its historical context--from its beginnings in myth and folklore to its many interpretations throughout the centuries. It is a book full of narratives, laws, proverbs, prophecies, poems, and letters, each with their own character and origin stories. Barton explains how and by whom these disparate pieces were written, how they were canonized (and which ones weren't), and how they were assembled, disseminated, and interpreted around the world--and, importantly, to what effect. Ultimately, A History of the Bible argues that a thorough understanding of the history and context of its writing encourages religious communities to move away from the Bible's literal wording--which is impossible to determine--and focus instead on the broader meanings of scripture.

Who Moved My Pulpit?
Who Moved My Pulpit?

Author: Thom S. Rainer

Publisher: B&H Publishing Group

Published: 2016-06-01

Total Pages: 102

ISBN-13: 143364388X

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Who Moved My Pulpit? may not be the exact question you’re asking. But you’re certainly asking questions about change in the church—where it’s coming from, why it’s happening, and how you’re supposed to hang on and follow God through it—even get out ahead of it so your church is faithfully meeting its timeless calling and serving the new opportunities of this age. Based on conversations with thousands of pastors, combined with on-the-ground research from more than 50,000 churches, best-selling author Thom S. Rainer shares an eight-stage roadmap to leading change in your church. Not by changing doctrine. Not by changing biblical foundations. But by changing methodologies and approaches for reaching a rapidly changing culture. You are the pastor. You are the church staff person. You are an elder. You are a deacon. You are a key lay leader in the church. This is the book that will equip you to celebrate and lead change no matter the cost. The time is now.

Who Stole My Church
Who Stole My Church

Author: Gordon MacDonald

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Published: 2010-01-11

Total Pages: 271

ISBN-13: 1418536660

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A challenging, innovative approach to a delicate subject. It’s sure to benefit church leaders and members of all ages who dream of a “reinvented” church. —Publishers Weekly Has your church been stolen out from under you? A storm hits a small New England town late one evening, but the pelting rain can’t keep a small group of church members from gathering to discuss issues that lately have been brewing beneath the surface of their congregation. They could see their church was changing. The choir had been replaced by a fl ashy “praise band.” The youth no longer dressed in their “Sunday best.” The beautiful pipe organ sat unused. How will this group overcome a deepening rift in their fellowship and nourish the relationship between the young and old? Can their church survive or even thrive? Who Stole My Church? is a fictional story that tells the all too real tale of many church communities today. In this book you can walk alongside an imaginary community, led by real life pastor Gordon MacDonald and his wife, Gail, and discover how to meet the needs of all believers without abandoning the dreams and desires of any.

Who Moved The Stone?
Who Moved The Stone?

Author: Frank Morison

Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing

Published: 2015-11-06

Total Pages: 286

ISBN-13: 1786256762

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English journalist Frank Morison had a tremendous drive to learn of Christ. The strangeness of the Resurrection story had captured his attention, and, influenced by skeptic thinkers at the turn of the century, he set out to prove that the story of Christ’s Resurrection was only a myth. His probings, however, led him to discover the validity of the biblical record in a moving, personal way. Who Moved the Stone? is considered by many to be a classic apologetic on the subject of the Resurrection. Morison includes a vivid and poignant account of Christ’s betrayal, trial, and death as a backdrop to his retelling of the climactic Resurrection itself.—Print Ed. Reviews: “It is not only a study on the Resurrection account as the title seems to suggest, but it retells the whole passion of Jesus Christ. Because the author does not concern himself with textual criticism, he is able to impress on the reader a consistent picture of the events of Passion and Resurrection. For this reason the book will perform a helpful service to everyone who wants a reconstruction of those events.”—Augustana Book News “A well-arranged summary of events relating to the resurrection of Christ and the pros and cons in the debate over their acceptance with emphasis on the latter.”—Watchman Examiner “The story Mr. Morison has told of the betrayal and the trial of Christ is fascinating in its lucid, its almost incontrovertible, appeal to the reason. For me, he made those scenes live with a poignancy and vividness that I have found in no other account, not even in the various attempts that have been made to present the same facts in the guise of a novel.”—J. D. Beresford

Who Stole My Joy?
Who Stole My Joy?

Author: Sandra Steen

Publisher: Destiny Image Publishers

Published: 2007-01-15

Total Pages: 214

ISBN-13: 076846479X

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"... practical, do-able and inspiring..." — Max Lucado Do you sometimes wonder what happened to your joy? Have you ever considered the awesome possibility of a life full of joy? Sandra Steen has written this inspiring book to help you regain the joy that life's circumstances may have taken from you. Who Stole My Joy? shows you how to recapture and sustain a vital and powerful ally in your daily life — joy. This captivating story, in which a personified Joy meets his enemies and friends, teaches us all that joy is a guest who is every present to be invited into our daily circumstances. Discover the keys to maintaining a positive attitude despite life's stress and hardships. Each chapter reveals the pitfalls that cause your joy to ebb and how to keep your joy flowing no matter what life might "throw at you." You'll find out how to uncover the negative influences, or Joy RobbersTM, that conspire to steal your joy, and you'll learn how to invite powerful Joy BuildersTM into your daily life to increase your joy. Ultimately, using the Joy ProtectorsTM in the concluding chapter, you will be empowered to maintain your joy and life life victoriously! As you learn how to walk in joy consistently, you'll find a multitude of benefits, including peace, hope, vision and purpose, will accompany you in your future. Joy is a spiritual advantage that will lift and sustain you, enhancing your life and the lives of those connected toyou. Joy is indeed a choice. This book will compel you to choose joy each day as a way of life! "It is my pleasure to recommend to you Sandra Steen. Sandra's approach is practical, do-able and inspiring, as she empowers each person to personal and group success." —Max Lucado, Senior Minister, Oak Hills Church, San Antonio, Texas, and best-sellling author "Sandra Steen is a powerhouse whose fuel is joy and whose source is the Lord. Listen to her and learn." —Laurie Beth Jones, author of 4 Elements of Success, Jesus CEO, and The Path

Stealing Jesus
Stealing Jesus

Author: Bruce Bawer

Publisher: Crown

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 360

ISBN-13:

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From the author of the widely acclaimed "A Place at the Table" comes this major work that exposes the great danger posed to Christianity today by fundamentalism.