Almost 100 years have passed since Carl Schmitt gave his controversial definition of the sovereign as the one who decides on the exception in his by now classic Political Theology (1922). Written at a time of crisis, the book sought to establish the institution of sovereignty, not from within a well-functioning governing machine of the state in a situation of normality, but rather as the minimal condition of state order in the moment of governmental breakdown. The book appeared anachronistic already at its publication. Schmitt went against Max Weber's popular thesis defining secularization as a disenchantment of the world characterizing modern societies, and instead suggested that the concepts of modern politics mirrored a metaphysics originating in Christianity and the church. Nevertheless, the concept of political theology has in recent years seen a revival as a field of research in philosophy as well as political theory, as studies in the theological sub-currents of politics, economics and sociality proliferate.

Nope. Mission trips aren t all fun and games. In fact, they can be pretty trying. Heat. Bugs. No bathrooms. Bad water. No pizza for hundreds of miles. But if you want it to, a mission trip could change your life. And that s the case whether you re seriously praying about becoming a missionary---or you just want a taste of what it means to serve God outside your comfort zone. One changed life---yours So are you headed to inner-city America? Appalachia? A border shantytown? Overseas? Wherever your destination, this journal pretty much says it all: MISSION TRIP PREP: A STUDENT JOURNAL FOR CAPTURING THE EXPERIENCE. It contains all you need to understand what you re learning on your trip, to digest and incorporate your experiences so they become part of you---and maybe even have some serious fun while you re doing all that spiritual stuff Inside these pages, you ll receive DEVOTIONAL Bible readings and studies reflective questions that GET YOU THINKING about the trip ahead or behind you and, of course, journaling opportunities for expressing yourself before, during, and after the trip. Just watch and see what happens as you get into this journal. Who knows? Lives could change. MAYBE EVEN YOURS "