In this book, Frances Courtney Kneupper examines the apocalyptic prophecies of the late medieval Empire, which even within the sensational genre of eschatological prophecy stand out for their bitter and violent nature. In addition to depicting the savage chastisement of the clergy and the forcible restructuring of the Church, these prophecies also infuse the apocalyptic narrative with explicitly German elements-in fact, German speakers are frequently cast as the agents of these stirring events in which the clergy suffer tribulations and the Church hierarchy is torn down. These prophecies were widely circulated throughout late medieval German-speaking Europe. Kneupper explores their significance for members of the Empire from 1380 to 1480, arguing that increased literacy, the development of strong urban centers, the drive for reform, and a connection to the imperial crown were behind their popularity. Offering detailed accounts of the most significant prophecies, Kneupper shows how they fit into currents of thought and sentiment in the late medieval Empire. In particular, she considers the relationships of German prophecy to contemporary discourses on Church reform and political identity. She finds that eschatological thought was considered neither marginal nor heretical, but was embraced by a significant, orthodox population of German laypeople and clerics, demonstrating the importance of popular eschatological thought to the development of a self-conscious, reform-minded, German-identified Empire on the Eve of the Reformation.

John Barton and Peter Groves present a range of chapters by leading scholarly voices from the worlds of biblical studies and the Church, looking at the study of the New Testament within and around the Church and the impact it has had and can have on Christian theology. The essays in the volume adopt a style of critical engagement with biblical texts, through the prism of a modern and living Church. The focus of the volume is thus not only upon the New Testament itself, but upon how reading the New Testament is important for dialogue within the Church and within Christian denominations. Among the highly distinguished contributors are John Barton, Eric Eve, Mark Goodacre, Christopher Rowland, and Rowan Williams.

An engaging, richly illustrated account of parish churches and churchgoers in England, from the Anglo-Saxons to the mid-sixteenth century Parish churches were at the heart of English religious and social life in the Middle Ages and the sixteenth century. In this comprehensive study, Nicholas Orme shows how they came into existence, who staffed them, and how their buildings were used. He explains who went to church, who did not attend, how people behaved there, and how they-not merely the clergy-affected how worship was staged. The book provides an accessible account of what happened in the daily and weekly services, and how churches marked the seasons of Christmas, Lent, Easter, and summer. It describes how they celebrated the great events of life: birth, coming of age, and marriage, and gave comfort in sickness and death. A final chapter covers the English Reformation in the sixteenth century and shows how, alongside its changes, much that went on in parish churches remained as before.

Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind." At the beginning of creation, Adam and Eve were holy, undefiled by sin, and it was that "kind," that consecrated state of mind, that God commanded be reproduced. Of all His commands, it is this command that both lost and saved have chosen to obey. The lost, who see no need of God or His church, reproduce after their kind: Like father, like son. Then look at the saved and you'll find his "kind" in fellowship with God and with His church: "Like father, like son." (LL157) Jerry Blout's series of devotional messages give guidance to face every practical bump on the road of our journey here on Earth. I found that in some of these lessons, Jerry's personal experiences modeled many of my own, and the counsel coming from the Bible verses he cites made me feel I was hearing directly from Jesus. I highly recommend these messages of life lessons to those who desire spiritual growth. Pastor Randall James, Immediate Past Chairman Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee I have been reading your daily devotional messages and have been blessed. I know that Adrian would be honored that you took his thoughts and wrote devotionals from them. May God bless many lives through this book of devotional thoughts. Joyce (Mrs. Adrian) Rogers