How should we understand the stories of the Babylonian Talmud? Where do they come from? Why are they in the Talmud? How do they relate to Talmudic law? In "Talmudic Stories," Jeffrey Rubenstein deepens our appreciation for the complexity of these texts by drawing attention to the literary aspects and cultural contexts that are essential to understanding their narrative art, meanings, and importance. Focusing on six famous stories of the Babylonian Talmud and discussing many others in relation to these, Rubenstein's analysis illuminates the ways in which the rabbis used narratives to grapple with fundamental tensions of their culture. The book also features an appendix including the original Hebrew/Aramaic texts for the reader's reference.

How is a free faith expressed, organised and governed? How are diverse spiritualities and theologies made compatible? What might a religion based in reason and democracy offer today's world? This book will help the reader to understand the contemporary liberal religion of Unitarian Universalism in a historical and global context. Andrea Greenwood and Mark W. Harris challenge the view that the Unitarianism of New England is indigenous and the point from which the religion spread. Relationships between Polish radicals and the English Dissenters existed, and the English radicals profoundly influenced the Unitarianism of the nascent United States. Greenwood and Harris also explore the US identity as Unitarian Universalist since a 1961 merger, and its current relationship to international congregations, particularly in the context of twentieth century expansion into Asia.

The heart of Christian reality is a society-a Trinity-of persons living with and for one another. God created us to live in bonds of society and friendship, not as lone rangers. The Christian faith presents friendship and hospitality not as luxuries but necessities. God does not save us in isolation but in community with other people. There is no possibility of living to the glory of God apart from godly companions. In this book, Steve Wilkins seeks to call us back to the joyous obligations of friendship and hospitality. Pastor Steve Wilkins (M.Div., Reformed Theological Seminary) is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and serves as pastor of Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church, Monroe, Louisiana. He is the author of Call to Duty: The Sterling Nobility of Robert E. Lee (Cumberland House), and he and his wife Wendy have six children.

You don't have to be religious for the story of Adam and Eve to have touched your life. From Voldemort's snake mascot in Harry Potter novels to the "forbidden fruit" apple that puts Snow White to sleep in fairy tales, we are inundated with references to the Garden of Eden in popular culture from an early age. On a deeper level, the story has been used as justification for conflicting viewpoints on issues ranging from nudity to marriage to slavery. Approaching Eden digs much deeper than merely cataloguing entertaining Adam and Eve references in popular culture by exploring how these references are used and how they shape society. Theresa Sanders provides essential historical background from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim perspectives to show the relevance and prominence of Adam and Eve's story in life today.