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Spirituality and ReligionNovember 2014
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"The Bible shows the way to go to heaven, not the way the heavens go." ~ Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), Italian astronomer
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New and Recently Released!
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| Infidel Kings and Unholy Warriors: Faith, Power, and Violence in the Age of... by Brian A. CatlosIn this fresh and vivid history of the Mediterranean region during the Middle Ages, author Brian Catlos depicts the relationships among Muslims and Christians as complex and subtle, arguing that the Crusades were motivated as much by economics and politics as by religion. Showing that accounts of certain heroes (such as el Cid) portrayed them as either Muslim or Christian, depending on who wrote the account, he also highlights internal violence within Christian and Muslim factions. Moreover, collaboration among Christians, Jews, and Muslims was common. In a starred review, Booklist says that Infidel Kings and Unholy Warriors "opens prospects for interfaith realism in the future." |
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| Joan of Arc: A Life Transfigured by Kathryn HarrisonJoan of Arc, the 15th-century girl who went to battle for France against the invading British, provides an endless source of fascination for writers -- both skeptics and believers. Taking on the challenge of writing a biography that offers something different for 21st-century readers, author Kathryn Harrison provides a compelling historical account of Joan's life with a believable psychological interpretation. Whether you're already familiar with many earlier accounts or you're looking for an engaging historical introduction to the saint, pick up Harrison's Joan of Arc for "memorable writing and an energetic approach" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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| Eager to Love: The Alternative Way of Francis of Assisi by Richard RohrIn Eager to Love, Franciscan priest Richard Rohr presents themes from Francis of Assisi's life that he hopes will motivate readers to examine their spiritual lives and imitate the 12th-century saint's outwardly focused ministry. While Francis took the Gospel's teachings as a mandate to love others, live in solidarity with the poor, and care for the suffering, building a community around these ministries, Rohr sees as problematic some tendencies in contemporary spirituality that emphasize individualistic relationships with God. Eager to Love offers an inspiring corrective to this trend, which Rohr believes is too much in tune with secular, consumerist lifestyles. |
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Here are some engaging and accessible works that approach reading the Bible from Christian and Jewish perspectives.
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| The Bible: A Biography by Karen ArmstrongIf you're looking for an introduction to the history of the Bible, author Karen Armstrong offers a thoughtful, thorough, and clear presentation. Detailing the origins of Hebrew scripture and the development of the Torah, the Writings, and the prophets, she adds information about Kabbalistic and Talmudic interpretations. Discussing the roots of the Christian scriptures, she compares the teachings of Jesus to the Rabbinic traditions and explains how the books of the New Testament were written and became scripture. Then she moves on to the history of how Christians have used the Bible in devotional practices, the Protestant Reformation's influence, and modern historical-critical studies. "This is one terrific little book," says Booklist. |
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| Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why by Bart D. EhrmanSince the Enlightenment of the 17th century, biblical scholars have examined the Bible to understand the sources of its contents and discern how the writings have changed through the centuries. Though many Christians believe the Bible contains exact, unchanging texts directly inspired by God, most biblical scholars apply the study methods developed since the Enlightenment. In this easy to understand book, scholar Bart Ehrman explains these critical techniques, shows how and why textual changes occurred, and relates how the changes have affected religious doctrine through the centuries. If you're curious about modern biblical scholarship, Misquoting Jesus provides a clear introduction to the subject. |
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| How to Read the Bible: A Guide to Scripture, Then and Now by James L. KugelJewish biblical scholar James Kugel taught an introductory course on the Hebrew Bible at Harvard for two decades. In How to Read the Bible, he offers an engaging presentation of the materials in that course, covering the history of ancient Israel and the contents of the Hebrew Scriptures, the significance of prophets in the Ancient Near East, both traditional and modern Jewish interpretive methods, and much more. Kugel concludes with his personal takeaway message: the real point of studying the Bible is to find God. |
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| Good Book: The Bizarre, Hilarious, Disturbing, Marvelous, and Inspiring... by David PlotzAfter attending a bat mitzvah so boring that he felt compelled to pick up the Torah in front of him, Slate editor David Plotz decided to read the entire Old Testament. His frequently irreverent observations about the book include amusing lists (such as "The Bible's 12 Best Pickup Lines" and "My Favorite Prostitutes") and other witty commentary. At the same time, he grapples with deep spiritual questions while trying to make sense of the instances when God seems cruel, erratic, or just unconcerned about humans. Some of Plotz's conclusions are decidedly unorthodox, but if you can take matters of faith with a grain (or perhaps a pillar) of salt, you'll find "a laugh on every page" (Booklist) as well as food for thought. |
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| The Fourth Gospel: Tales of a Jewish Mystic by John Shelby SpongIn The Fourth Gospel, retired Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong examines the Gospel of John, which is distinct from the other three gospels in written style, narrative approach, and emphasis on the break between early Christians and the Jewish community where they started out. Spong has personally wrestled with the content in John's Gospel that has been used to justify anti-Semitism, but now approaches the book as a mystical writing meant to explain Jesus to non-believers. In this thoughtful, accessible discussion, he emphasizes that the words attributed to Jesus must not be taken literally, though they still have powerful spiritual significance. Booklist notes, in a starred review, that Spong writes for non-specialists, and "he does so magnificently." |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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