Understanding the way the Bible was impacted by human culture as it was produced is crucial if we are to understand God's message for us today. Human culture impacted the Scriptures over the centuries they were being produced. Different cultural contexts are present within the Scriptures, and contemporary global cultures impact the way Scripture is interpreted and applied today around the world. If we fail to understand the significance of human culture in the production, presentation and interpretation of God's Word, we run the risk of confused and irrelevant interpretations that are not central to a vital biblical faith that is culturally appropriate for contemporary believers in God's global community of faith.

The Venerable Cheng-yen is an unassuming Taiwanese Buddhist nun who leads a worldwide social welfare movement with five million devotees in over thirty countries with its largest branch in the United States. Tzu-Chi (Compassion Relief) began as a tiny, grassroots women's charitable group; today in Taiwan it runs three state-of-the-art hospitals, a television channel, and a university. Cheng-yen, who has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, is a leader in Buddhist peace activism and has garnered recognition by "Business Week" as an entrepreneurial star.

Based on extensive fieldwork in Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan, and the United States, this book explores the transformation of Tzu-Chi. C. Julia Huang offers a vivid ethnography that examines the movement s organization, its relationship with NGOs and humanitarian organizations, and the nature of its Buddhist transnationalism, which is global in scope and local in practice. Tzu-Chi's identity is intimately tied to its leader, and Huang illuminates Cheng-yen's successful blending of charisma and compassion and the personal relationship between leader and devotee that defines the movement.

This important book sheds new light on religion and cultural identity and contributes to our understanding of the nature of charisma and the role of faith-based organizations.

A college text for missions students interested in the anthoroplogical study of worldview and its practical applications in missions and multiethnic ministry. Covers the history and theory of worldview studies from an anthroplolgocal perspective, including the role of worldview in the development of culture, and worldview as it relates to cross-cultural communication, ethnohermeneutics, cross-cultural counseling and conflict resolution, cross-cultural evangelism, and multiethnic churches.

What does it mean to be a missionary in the world today. Dr. Griffiths challenges those who may have not seriously thought about missions before, confronting them with the prospects of a life spent in cross-cultural missionary service. He also helps those who are already missionary candidates to assess their inner thoughts wisely and to face their futures confidently yet realistically. The purpose of this book is to motivate toward mmission in a persuasive and intelligent way through (1) giving a theological motivation rooted in the character of God; (2) indicating the necessary sacrifice involved, but also describing the cultural and spiritual enrichment arising from missionary service; and (3) carefully explaning the missionary call, showing young adults ways to achieve both inward and outward confirmation of their calling. Michael Griffiths has served as General Director of the Overseas Missionary Fellowship, Principal of London Bible College.

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With Islam making headway in winning believers, Christians in an ever-increasing number are deeply involved in study to find out why they believe the things they do. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Like detectives investigating to find the "facts," they are finding many of their traditional beliefs inconsistent with what the Bible reveals. Does one actually have a soul-and is it immortal? What does the Bible reveal? What does history have to say? These are just a few of the questions being asked among many more spoken on in this book. Millions of Christians agree that their end-time fate rests upon the beliefs they have. Their response has been to study the Bible. This book, while not the last word, attempts to bring out the basis for its conclusions. It is a book that will help the ordinary student of the Bible who sits in the pews of a church every Sunday to develop a deeper understanding of their beliefs. What is written in this book is presented in a strong enough way to justify its acceptance, yet in so doing does not discredit those who can't accept it for whatever reason. You Decide.

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

The Rev. Jean Pierre de Caussade was one of the most remarkable spiritual writers of the Society of Jesus in France in the 18th Century. His death took place at Toulouse in 1751-His works have gone through many editions and have been repubished, and translated into several foreign languages. The present book gives an English translation of the tenth French Edition of Fr. de Caussade's "Abandon a la Providence-Divine" edited, to the great benefit of many souls, by Fr, H. Ramiere, S.J. A portion of this remarkable work in English has already appeared in America, but many readers, to whom this precious little book has become a favourite, will welcome a complete translation, especially as what has already appeared in the EngUsh version may be considered as merely the theoretical part, whilst the "Letters of Direction" which form the greater portion of the present work give the practical part. They answer objections, solve difficulties, and give practical advice. The book thus gains considerably in value and utility.

It is no secret that our world desperately needs change. Politicians know this and use it to collect votes. Journalists exploit it to sell newspapers and magazines. Advertisers, to sell everything else. Each of these groups (and countless others) spend their lives working to convince others that they hold the key to a better country, a better life, a better future. But what exactly is this change we all long for? And how can it ever come about? A Primer on Worship and Reformation proposes that true change begins, not with a process or an idea, but through faithful worship. To witness true global changetrue reformationwe must first pray the Lord that we would see worship at the center of life. The truth is that when the Word is faithfully preached, even the gates of hell tremble. When the Psalms are sung, the meek inherit the earth. When the church celebrates at the Lord's Table, those who mourn are comforted.

Evangelizing Immigrants is an investigation into why so many immigrants become Christians after immigrating to America. After discussing immigration trends and statistics, as well as the challenges of immigration, Dr. Rogers discusses the results of 50 interviews he conducted with immigrants from seven different cultural contexts who were converted to a conservative protestant expression of the Christian faith after arriving in the U.S. Each interviewee explains why he or she was converted and offers advice to church leaders who want to work effectively with immigrants. Ministers who lead immigrant churches are also interviewed and provide advice for effective outreach in immigrant communities. In synthesizing the results of his research, Dr. Rogers does not offer a step-by-step program for immigrant outreach (because such a thing is not possible), but provides a foundational way for church leaders to think about how to serve this important and growing segment of the American population.

Ted Haggard presents a successful and tested model for a small group ministry here that can be implemented by a church of any size. By enabling members to embrace and capitalize on their own unique abilities, the diverse groups create an environment where people meet mentors that can disciple and guide them. This need-and interest based approach redefines the model for powerful church growth.

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There is so much forgotten because we don't remember to record our heritage. Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ is a stellar example of an urban church surviving and thriving in the midst of economic, political, social, and cultural change spanning from 1925 to the present. The earliest members risked moving from the familiar agrarian society of the South to the unknown urban environment of the North sixty years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Over eight decades, this haven for hundreds of migrants from the South and their descendents have been led by three visionary pastors: Bishop Eleazar Lenox, Elder James E. Lenox, and now Pastor Lamont Lenox. The members' stories are ones of faith, courage, perseverance, love, and devotion to God, family, and each other. In this book, Dr. Mary F. Lenox identifies, records and places in context the growth and development of this phenomenal spiritual center known as Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, and to celebrate its magnificent history with a view of its promising future.

Stewardship: The Proven Path: Fund-raising Principles for Church Capital Campaigns is the first book by the national fund raising specialist James D. Klote. After years of educating churches one at a time, he felt called to put his experience and educational information into an easy to read, simple to follow format. He wants churches to achieve their goals in mission in ministry This inside look at the complexities of a Capital Campaign offers the unique perspective of his 20 years of experience with churches. The anecdotes throughout the book highlight the lessons he has learned along the way so you don't have to learn them. This easy to understand description of his practical and straightforward approach to a Capital Campaign will make you wonder why it is not the most common approach to fund raising.He describes in detail the process of conducting the campaign, complete with sample campaign prayers. However, he offers a warning to not attempt a campaign on your own if you have needs greater than one times your annual giving. Outlined are the most common mistakes made by churches attempting campaigns on their own and those made by part-time fund raising consulting firms.You will be convinced that there is more to a Capital Campaign than you might imagine and the guidance of a full time consultant is the key to Capital Campaign success.

The Author's Account Of His Travels To Monasteries Of The Mediterranean And Mid-East Area, Including Egypt, Jerusalem, Athos As Well As Details Of Native People, Their Beliefs.

The author is a committed Christian, a member of the Chapel of the Resurrection in Nigeria. He was born into a pagan home, his parents worshipping the gods of ogun and osanyin. His grandmother was a priestess of the osanyin deity and his mother inherited her shrine. As a boy he was taken to an ifa preist. From early in his youth and his time as a student at the University of Ibadan, he has been a committed Christian, and this is his account of the Christian story of his time as a student and member of faculty at the University. He was the first President of Ibadan Varsity Christian Union, and an active member of the Chapel. Rather than an autobiography, this is a history of the Christian faith at the University of Ibadan. Kayode Adesogan Head of the Department of Chemical Sciences at Olabisi Onabanjao University, Ogun State; and is the retired Professor of Chemistry at the University of Ibadan.

At a time when secularism is put forward as the answer to religious fundamentalism and violence, Secularisms offers a powerful, multivoiced critique of the narrative equating secularism with modernity, reason, freedom, peace, and progress. Bringing together essays by scholars based in religious studies, gender and sexuality studies, history, science studies, anthropology, and political science, this volume challenges the binary conception of "conservative" religion versus "progressive" secularism. With essays addressing secularism in India, Iran, Turkey, Great Britain, China, and the United States, this collection crucially complicates the dominant narrative by showing that secularism is multifaceted. How secularism is lived and experienced varies with its national, regional, and religious context. The essays explore local secularisms in relation to religious traditions ranging from Islam to Judaism, Hinduism to Christianity. Several contributors explicitly take up the way feminism has been implicated in the dominant secularization story. Ultimately, by dislodging secularism's connection to the single (and singular) progress narrative, this volume seeks to open spaces for other possible narratives about both secularism and religion-as well as for other possible ways of inhabiting the contemporary world. Contributors: Robert J. Baird, Andrew Davison, Tracy Fessenden, Janet R. Jakobsen, Laura Levitt, Molly McGarry, Afsaneh Najmabadi, Taha Parla, Geeta Patel, Ann Pellegrini, Tyler Roberts, Ranu Samantrai, Banu Subramaniam, Rajeswari Sunder Rajan, Angela Zito

Discusses the current crisis of Christian community and offers timely, helpful insights based on 1 Corinthians