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Spirituality and ReligionMarch 2015
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“Human existence is so fragile a thing and exposed to such dangers that I cannot love without trembling.” ~ Simone Weil (1909-1943), French Christian philosopher, Gravity and Grace
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New and Recently Released!
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| An American Cardinal: The Biography of Cardinal Timothy Dolan by Christina BoyleCardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, aspired to the Catholic priesthood from an early age. In this engaging biography, journalist Christina Boyle recounts Dolan's early life, focusing on his service as a bishop in St. Louis and Archbishop of Milwaukee during a period fraught with sexual abuse scandals. She concludes with a review of his tenure since 2009 as Cardinal Archbishop of New York and discusses speculations that he could be elected Pope. An American Cardinal, called an "introductory look at a media-visible priest" (Booklist), portrays a down-to-earth, approachable man whose primary calling is to be a pastor. |
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| The Future of God: A Practical Approach to Spirituality for Our Times by Deepak ChopraIn The Future of God, bestselling author Deepak Chopra explains why he passionately disagrees with contemporary atheists -- especially biologist Richard Dawkins -- who proclaim that God is a myth and religion is irrelevant in the modern world. Taking Dawkins' assertions as his starting point, Chopra builds an easy-to-follow logical pathway to faith that identifies the errors in both atheist and fundamentalist positions while affirming the truths found in both science and religion. Those who find neither atheism nor absolutist religious dogma satisfying will find Chopra's discussion thought-provoking. |
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To defuse controversy surrounding his own provocative theory of evolution, paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould famously argued that science and religion constitute different magisteria, each with a distinct and non-overlapping authority. As a Harvard astronomer who long worked as a colleague of Gould's, Gingerich demurs, insisting that religion and science inevitably do overlap, with important consequences for anyone who would think clearly about either. To illustrate the science-religion overlap, Gingerich revisits Galileo's famous confrontation with the Church, showing that religious doctrines deeply shaped the Italian astronomer's own views. Similarly, when Gingerich shifts his focus to the controversy surrounding Darwin, he finds the great biologist changing the language of The Origin of Species to harmonize with the natural theology of a supportive clergyman. Finally, readers contemplate the religious implications of the latest cosmologies, as they watch atheists indulge in metaphysical speculations about multiple universes rather than acknowledge that the big bang could have produced intelligent life only through astonishing fine-tuning. Though not shy about his own Christian faith, Gingerich engages a wide range of religious and antireligious approaches to science, inviting readers of all persuasions to confront philosophical entanglements not amenable to Gould's simple solution. Originally delivered as the 2013 Herrmann Lectures, Gingerich's reflections cut deep- Booklist Review
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| The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope by Austen IvereighJose Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, has attracted attention since his election because of his devotion to the poor and his willingness to shake things up within the traditional Catholic hierarchy. In The Great Reformer, Catholic journalist Austen Ivereigh provides a detailed account of the Pope's family background, the Second Vatican Council's influence on him as a young priest, and the significance of his Jesuit spiritual training. Ivereigh concludes that Francis' vision for the Church will bring about significant innovation. Publishers Weekly calls this "the best examination of the current pope to date." |
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| Miracles: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How They Can Change... by Eric MetaxasBestselling Christian author Eric Metaxas tackles the often controversial question of miracles in this engaging and thought-provoking book. In his thorough consideration of the definition of miracles and historical and traditional teachings about them, he argues that miracles are real. He then provides numerous examples of reported miracles, organized by category. These accounts come only from people Metaxas knows personally -- he omits historical or rumored examples. This clear, accessible book may prompt "even the scoffer to wonder," says Kirkus Reviews. |
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| America's Pastor: Billy Graham and the Shaping of a Nation by Grant WackerIn America's Pastor, religious historian Grant Wacker emphasizes Billy Graham's approachable personality and sermon delivery while detailing how his evangelical movement capitalized on American cultural trends. Individuals who had only seen him on television felt they knew him, and he addressed issues that affected millions of people, convincing listeners that he was intimately acquainted with their struggles. Wacker concludes that these qualities weren't just an act: Graham practiced what he preached. For another recent look at Graham, read Jake Hanson's Igniting the Fire, which more specifically recounts the evangelist's life story. |
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Spiritual Biographies and Memoirs
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| Choosing to See: A Journey of Struggle and Hope by Mary Beth Chapman with Ellen VaughnMary Beth Chapman is married to award-winning singer and songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman, a mother of six, and co-founder of an organization that promotes international adoptions. In this heartwrenching and heartwarming memoir, she relates how she experienced a nearly unimaginable loss at a time in her life when everything seemed to be going right. Choosing to See candidly portrays her devastation, but her more important message is how her Christian faith has helped her recover her sense of purpose in life. This inspiring book explains how the Chapmans maintain their belief in God's love one moment at a time. |
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| Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption by Katie Davis with Beth ClarkAfter she graduated from high school, Tennessee teenager Katie Davis didn't pack for college like many of her peers -- she headed to Uganda to teach kindergarten. Though her family and friends didn't understand, Katie felt called by God to help the people she had met on a short trip there. Not long after arriving, she adopted the first of many homeless girls, eventually establishing a ministry, Amazima, that cares for hundreds more. Though Christian readers will surely be inspired by Kisses from Katie, others may also be motivated to "follow the stirrings of their own hearts" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus : a Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel QureshiAn Unexpected Journey from Islam to Christianity In Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, Dr. Nabeel Qureshi describes his dramatic journey from Islam to Christianity, complete with friendships, investigations, and supernatural dreams along the way. Providing an intimate window into a loving Muslim home, Qureshi shares how he developed a passion for Islam before discovering, almost against his will, evidence that Jesus rose from the dead and claimed to be God. Unable to deny the arguments but not wanting to deny his family, Qureshi's inner turmoil will challenge Christians and Muslims alike. Engaging and thought-provoking, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus tells a powerful story of the clash between Islam and Christianity in one man's heart and of the peace he eventually found in Jesus.
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Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy: A Righteous Gentile vs. The Third Reichby Eric MetaxasGerman Protestant pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer risked his life for years to counter Adolf Hitler's anti-Semitic National Reich Church by opposing the Nazis' hate-filled, distorted theology. This illuminating biography traces Bonhoeffer's life from childhood through his role in leading the anti-Nazi Confessing Church movement. Motivated by his faith to return from New York City in 1931 to stand with fellow opponents of Hitler in Germany, Bonhoeffer worked to secure support from outside the country while joining as a conspirator in failed plots to assassinate Hitler -- and was executed for his efforts three weeks before the war's end in 1945. For another recent inspiring account of Bonhoeffer's life, read Charles Marsh's Strange Glory.
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| Heaven Is Here: An Incredible Story of Hope, Triumph, and Everyday Joy by Stephanie NielsonIn 2008, Mormon homemaker Stephanie Nielson and her husband survived a fiery plane crash. Both sustained serious burns; hers kept her in a coma for four months, left disfiguring scars, and required a long period of recovery. Nielson's formerly tranquil life became a series of painful treatments and a wildly swinging emotional ride. In Heaven Is Here, she recounts her ordeal and details the support and encouragement she received from her extended family and even total strangers. With the help of their faith and her own, she gradually found new joy in her life as she adjusted to living with her disfigurement. |
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| In the Footsteps of the Prophet: Lessons from the Life of Muhammad by Tariq RamadanThe Prophet Muhammad inspired a great international religious movement; nearly 25% of the world's population are Muslims. Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan's In the Footsteps of the Prophet offers an accessible and informative biography of Muhammad that connects his spiritual and ethical principles to significant events in his life. Emphasizing how the Prophet's profound consciousness of God inspired him to love his followers, Ramadan also illustrates Muhammad's compassion towards everyone, offering moving examples of his kindness towards slaves, animals, and prisoners of war. This thoughtful profile will draw readers of all faiths into a deeper understanding of Muhammad. |
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The hiding place
by Corrie Ten Boom
Tells the riveting story of how a middle-aged Dutch watchmaker became a heroine of the Holocaust Resistance, a survivor of Hitler's death camps and one of the most remarkable evangelists of the 20th century.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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