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Spirituality and Religion July 2017
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| Protestants: The Faith That Made the Modern World by Alec RyrieMarking 500 years since Martin Luther unintentionally launched the Protestant Reformation, Christian History professor Alec Ryrie surveys Protestantism's impact on European civilization. Crediting the movement with promoting free speech and the sovereignty of individual conscience, Ryrie addresses developments that range from the emergence of democratic government to contemporary controversies such as legalized abortion and the challenges of secularism. Ryrie, a licensed lay preacher in the Church of England, addresses controversial subjects candidly and with an engaging and accessible tone that will appeal to non-specialists. |
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| The Souls of China: The Return of Religion after Mao by Ian JohnsonMao Zedong's death in 1976 ended decades of severe repression of religion in China, and now the Chinese people are practicing religion openly (though with continued government scrutiny). Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ian Johnson has been exploring Chinese religious life since 1984. In The Souls of China, he reveals what he learned during six years of visiting with members of religious groups in China. This "compelling and lyrical" (Publishers Weekly) account brings to life the varied practices he has observed and the individuals who participate in them. |
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Jen Pollock Michel writes, “Home is the dry place we are all searching for.” Join her as she explores the concept of home both in the Bible and in life. She describes a childhood impacted by countless moves. Reflecting on daily life and the relationship of work and home, she shares her longings for, and journey to, a sense of place and permanence. Incorporating scripture, the author explores Biblical stories of God's people as they are displaced, wandering, and longing for home. Finally she offers suggestions and practices for enhancing one’s own sense of home.
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The author, Jesuit priest and author of Jesus, A Pilgrimage and Seven Last Words: an invitation to a deeper friendship with Jesus, writes of the possibilities for better understanding and relationships between the Catholic Church and LGBT Catholics. He places three qualities – respect, compassion and sensitivity – at the heart of his proposal for bridging the gap. He reminds all sides of the importance of listening and seeking deep understanding of the other, and of seeing members with different views as humans with good intents. He envisions the effort as a “two way bridge” to foster community and reduce divisiveness.
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| The Birth of the West: Rome, Germany, France, and the Creation of Europe in the Tenth... by Paul CollinsAccording to historian Paul Collins, European civilization arose from the achievements of 10th-century Christian leaders. In this "lively narrative with a comprehensible story line" (Publishers Weekly), he gives credit to organized Germanic monarchs and the Roman Catholic Church for reducing chaos and anarchy to manageable levels. Though many of the Popes and secular kings engaged in barbaric behavior, and ordinary people lived in terror, stable centralized rule coalesced and eventually took over. For history buffs, this is a page-turner not to be missed. |
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| The Heathen School: A Story of Hope and Betrayal in the Age of the Early Republic by John DemosIn The Heathen School, acclaimed historian John Demos chronicles the work of a special Connecticut school founded in the 1820s for non-Christian ("heathen") boys from North America and around the world. The idea was that the children educated at these schools would promote Christianity in their home communities and that introducing the students to European-Americans would moderate prejudices against non-Europeans. Demos' riveting narration relates both the school's successes and some unforeseen -- and unfortunate -- outcomes of this well-intentioned missionary effort. |
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| In the Shadow of the Sword: The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab Empire by Tom HollandTracing the varied and complex influences of Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Christianity in the first few centuries A.D., acclaimed historian Tom Holland portrays shifts in Arab culture that led ultimately to the rise of Islam. Holland shows how the teachings recorded in the Qur'an offered God's prophecies to those willing to listen. This "smoothly composed history and fine scholarship" (Kirkus Reviews) offers a plausible explanation for the success of Islam and the rise of Arab political power. |
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