Penitential practice in the Holy Roman Empire 900-1050, examined through records in church law, the liturgy, monastic and other sources. This study examines all forms of penitential practice in the Holy Roman Empire under the Ottonian and Salian Reich, c.900 - c.1050. This crucial period in the history of penance, falling between the Carolingians' codification of public and private penance, and the promotion of the practice of confession in the thirteenth century, has largely been ignored by historians. Tracing the varieties of penitential practice recorded in church law, the liturgy, monastic practice, narrative and documentary sources, Dr Hamilton's book argues that many of the changes previously attributed to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries can be found earlier in the tenth and early eleventh centuries. Whilst acknowledging that there was a degree of continuity from the Carolingian period, she asserts that the period should be seen as having its own dynamic. Investigating the sources for penitential practice by genre, sheacknowledges the prescriptive bias of many of them and points ways around the problem in order to establish the reality of practice in this area at this time. This book thus studies the Church in action in the tenth and eleventh centuries, the reality of relations between churchmen, and between churchmen and the laity, as well as the nature of clerical aspirations. It examines the legacy left by the Carolingian reformers and contributes to our understanding of pre-Gregorian mentalities in the period before the late eleventh-century reforms. SARAH HAMILTON teaches in the Department of History, University of Exeter.

This study utilizes the rich archives which survive at Durham Cathedral to examine the way in which accounting methods and systems were adopted and adapted to manage income and expenses, assets and liabilities in changing economic environments.

Gravissimus Educationis: Golden Opportunities in American Catholic Education 50 Years after Vatican II reviews the development of American Catholic schools since the promulgation of Gravissimus Educationis, the only document on education produced by the Ecumenical Council known as Vatican II. This document literally translated as "The Importance of Education," addresses how extremely vital Catholic education, in particular, is in modern life. Cattaro and Russo also reflect on changes that have transpired since the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore of 1884. This council forever changed the shape of nonpublic education in the United States in its decree that all parishes in the United States were to construct Catholic schools for the education of children. This volume is also designed to benefit Catholic Educators in all at levels form primary to higher education. The chapters in this book, prepared by leading experts on various aspects of Catholic education or other forms of non-public education in the United States, provide a history as to the recent development on Catholic schools. Gravissimus Educationis: Golden Opportunities in American Catholic Education 50 Years after Vatican II provides the context of change and the current state of Catholic Schools in the United States and, in some sense, the global perspective. The scope of this book goes beyond the professional educator in Catholic Schools as it also address the stakeholders of Catholic education such as parents who are consumers, pastors, religious educators, and donors.

For contemporary Western readers, it can be easy to miss or misread cultural nuances in the New Testament. To hear the text correctly we must be attuned to its original context. As David deSilva demonstrates, keys to interpretation are found in paying attention to four essential cultural themes: honor and shame, patronage and reciprocity, kinship and family, and purity and pollution. Through our understanding of honor and shame in the Mediterranean world, we gain new appreciation for how early Christians sustained commitment to a distinctive Christian identity and practice. By examining the protocols of patronage and reciprocity, we grasp more firmly the connections between God's grace and our response. In exploring kinship and household relations, we grasp more fully the ethos of the early Christian communities as a new family brought together by God. And by investigating the notions of purity and pollution along with their associated practices, we realize how the ancient map of society and the world was revised by the power of the gospel. This new edition is thoroughly revised and expanded with up-to-date scholarship. A milestone work in the study of New Testament cultural backgrounds, Honor, Patronage, Kinship, and Purity offers a deeper appreciation of the New Testament, the gospel, and Christian discipleship.

Have you ever heard yourself cry out through the chaos, "God where are you? Why is this happening?" or perhaps even, "God, are you real?" In a tattooed pop culture world that is perpetually trying to keep up with the Kardashians, God Culture introduces a greater knowledge of God and an invitation to engage in a deeper and more intimate relationship that will transform your life. With worldwide plagues such as rampant terrorism and children shooting children, God Culture explores Jesus' true intention of reconnecting mankind with Yahweh, while revealing why God behaves as He does, how we can learn to comprehend and relate to Him, and ultimately how we can apply His wisdom to our individual present day life experience leading to our ultimate destinies. God Culture dispels the age-old myth that "God works in mysterious ways." The misunderstanding of God's true motives, methods and divine nature has left millions of people yearning for answers to such timeless questions as "Why did God allow that? Has God left me? Or does He even exist?" When "Life can only be truly understood when looking backward" those who feel lost, confused and perhaps even abandoned will discover that He actually uses the every-day challenges and chaos of life to cultivate His will while simultaneously connecting with us on a personal level. This thought-provoking discussion has been composed to help you gain a new understanding of God and to develop the knowledge of and insights into God's behavior, plan and purpose. If you have been perplexed by the daily chaos of life don't miss God Culture. As you peer into the supernatural realm of heaven the God you discover may be quite different than you could have ever imagined.

Here's an unabashedly Catholic history that documents scores of sustained and unprecedented assaults on our Catholic Faith these past five centuries and delineates our Church's brave response to each one.

Washington National Cathedral stands in an unparalleled position at the intersection of religious faith and public life in America, and has been called the "spiritual home for the nation." Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III occupied its massive Canterbury pulpit as dean during an often- turbulent period in the nation and rapid changes in American religious life. In Sermons from the National Cathedral, Dean Lloyd provides a compelling vision of an intellectually alive, publicly engaged Christian faith, a vision of the Christian life rooted in ancient teaching. Readers will find the sermons engaging and appreciate that Dean Lloyd takes seriously the experiences of doubt and searching that are so much a part of the modern religious experience of our time. He successfully demonstrates the positive role faith can play in public life and addresses the questions and challenges faith must face in the twenty-first century. These soundings, as Lloyd calls them, illumine the full spectrum of Christian belief while also addressing such issues as the difficulty of faith, the relationship between science and faith, the mystery of suffering, the necessity of forgiveness, the meaning of the cross, the urgency of reconciliation, and the call to care for the earth. These reflections will appeal to traditional Christians seeking spiritual enrichment and are accessible to those seeking answers to how their faith fits into our modern world.

The Early Quakers and 'the Kingdom of God' takes account of the early Quakers in Britain during the middle years of the seventeenth century as nonviolent, spiritual revolutionaries. Theirs was a time of intellectual ferment and socio-political, economic and ecclesiastical upheaval not to mention three horrific and devastating civil wars. The Early Quakers and 'the Kingdom of God' breaks new ground in British theology and ecclesiastical history by investigating the early Quakers' (1647-63) vision of, and intimate relationship with, the Kingdom of God. Like Jesus of Nazareth, they were particularly devoted to the Kingdom, contrasting it to that of the Puritans, Episcopalians and Catholics. The book acknowledges alternative titles for the 'Kingdom' and uses many of them, i.e. the 'Covenant of Peace'. In describing the tortuous relationship between the above ecclesiastical groups and the Quakers in the mid-17th century, the work analyses the Quakers' language use, what they said, did, and wrote in regards to the Kingdom, all of which culminated in a Pentecost-type 'moment' in 1659-61. This 'moment', capturing the essence of their 1650s experience of Kingdom and Testimony (i.e. the well-known peace testimony of the Quakers), has direct import for Quakers and others in the peace movement and conflict resolution networks today, especially those that are church-based. The Early Quakers and 'the Kingdom of God' will be of interest to theologians, historians and those with a deep interest in 17th century religious, political and social movements, including people wishing to understand the roots of today's expression of both evangelical and liberal theology. The book will be a lasting resource for students of history and theology. The reader of The Early Quakers and 'the Kingdom of God' will be aided by footnotes, a glossary, an index and bibliography.

Many people believe in Jesus Christ but want nothing to do with the church. Some others who call themselves committed Christians will not commit to a local church. We have to be honest. There is a dearth in the church in many countries. At times the church has been very sick and the illness seemed to be terminal; yet it survives and in many places grows phenomenally. "Dry Bones can Live", addresses this problem and proposes a dynamic remedy; setting out a strategy for local churches to consider. It is full of stories from the pastor's casebook, which illustrate the reality and effectiveness of the Gospel in transforming lives

Innovative Discoveries for Ecumenical Ministries presents pertinent historical pastoral research considerations of the identity crisis in the priesthood requiring reconciliation of the hierarchical authority structures which have impaired authentic Christological pastoral leadership for decades. This work offers multiple infrastructural models for an ecumenical church integrating denominational divisions with leadership planning toward reconciling Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox ministerial structures through liturgical worshiping and para-liturgical celebrating. Richard Guerrette proposes active provisionary mission projects with an innovative focus toward interactional liturgical models of neighborhood communities to compliment the ecumenical hierarchical ministries of Pope Francis with his leadership model of reconciliatory re-building universal ministries with Judaic hierarchies and Orthodox liturgies.

For those interested in Christianity in China, the state-church relationship, and the present Communist regime and its attitude towards religion, Sino-Vatican Relations offers a wealth of information and insights. This work traces the tortuous history of the relationship between the Chinese government and the Roman Catholic Church, from denunciation of Communism by the Church, to seeking dialogue by recent pontiffs such as John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis. Besides examining the religious policy of China since 1949 and how the Chinese government deals with religious revivals, this work also traces the history of the church regarding the appointment of bishops in Europe from its early days to modern times. Monarchies in Europe have always been involved in the appointment of bishops. Thus, the recent agreement between Pope Francis and the Chinese authorities regarding the appointment of bishops has historical precedents. The overall aim of this work is to help readers to get the right information needed to have a well-informed opinion on the complex matter of the Sino-Vatican Relations, particularly on the agreement signed by Pope Francis with Beijing in 2018.

This collection, by leading legal scholars, judges and practitioners, together with theologians and church historians, presents historical, theological, philosophical and legal perspectives on Christianity and criminal law. Following a Preface by Lord Judge, formerly Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, and an introductory chapter, the book is divided into four thematic sections. Part I addresses the historical contributions of Christianity to criminal law drawing on biblical sources, early church fathers and canonists, as far as the Enlightenment. Part II, titled Christianity and the principles of criminal law, compares crime and sin, examines concepts of mens rea and intention, and considers the virtue of due process within criminal justice. Part III looks at Christianity and criminal offences, considering their Christian origins and continuing relevance for several basic crimes that every legal system prohibits. Finally, in Part IV, the authors consider Christianity and the enforcement of criminal law, looking at defences, punishment and forgiveness. The book will be an invaluable resource for students and academics working in the areas of Law and Religion, Legal Philosophy and Theology.

Nicholas Aloysius Gallagher became the third Roman Catholic bishop for the Diocese of Galveston in 1882. During his thirty-six year tenure as bishop, Gallagher made significant contributions to the development of Catholicism in Texas in very challenging and difficult times. Gallagher's episcopacy was marked by the rapid growth of parishes, Catholic schools, and hospitals.Notable for being the first American-born bishop to serve Texas, Gallagher hailed from north of the Mason-Dixon Line, a fact not easily missed in a state still reeling from the Civil War. Remembered for his missionary efforts among African American Catholics, he pushed the church to become more involved in the local community, opening the first school for black children in 1886. He also established the Holy Rosary Parish, one of the first black parishes in Texas. Similar parishes followed in Houston, Beaumont, and Port Arthur. Bishop Gallagher also was instrumental in the rebuilding of churches destroyed by the devastating 1900 hurricane that claimed more than six thousand lives, including ten nuns and more than ninety orphans. In the aftermath of the storm, Gallagher demonstrated a steady hand in the midst of tragedy and was praised for his ability to bring hope and courage to survivors. The Episcopacy of Nicholas Gallagher, Bishop of Galveston, 1882-1918 is a major biography of an important religious figure in Texas during a time of transition. This book will appeal to readers interested in Texas history, Galveston history, and the history of the Roman Catholic Church in America.

The Early Quakers and 'the Kingdom of God' takes account of the early Quakers in Britain during the middle years of the seventeenth century as nonviolent, spiritual revolutionaries. Theirs was a time of intellectual ferment and socio-political, economic and ecclesiastical upheaval not to mention three horrific and devastating civil wars. The Early Quakers and 'the Kingdom of God' breaks new ground in British theology and ecclesiastical history by investigating the early Quakers' (1647-63) vision of, and intimate relationship with, the Kingdom of God. Like Jesus of Nazareth, they were particularly devoted to the Kingdom, contrasting it to that of the Puritans, Episcopalians and Catholics. The book acknowledges alternative titles for the 'Kingdom' and uses many of them, i.e. the 'Covenant of Peace'. In describing the tortuous relationship between the above ecclesiastical groups and the Quakers in the mid-17th century, the work analyses the Quakers' language use, what they said, did, and wrote in regards to the Kingdom, all of which culminated in a Pentecost-type 'moment' in 1659-61. This 'moment', capturing the essence of their 1650s experience of Kingdom and Testimony (i.e. the well-known peace testimony of the Quakers), has direct import for Quakers and others in the peace movement and conflict resolution networks today, especially those that are church-based. The Early Quakers and 'the Kingdom of God' will be of interest to theologians, historians and those with a deep interest in 17th century religious, political and social movements, including people wishing to understand the roots of today's expression of both evangelical and liberal theology. The book will be a lasting resource for students of history and theology. The reader of The Early Quakers and 'the Kingdom of God' will be aided by footnotes, a glossary, an index and bibliography.

This book examines the relationship between race, religion, and economics within the black church. The book features unheard voices of individuals experiencing economic deprivation and the faith communities who serve as their refuge. Thus, this project examines the economic ethics of black churches in the rural South whose congregants and broader communities have long struggled amidst persistent poverty. Through a case study of communities in Alabama's Black Belt, this book argues that if the economic ethic of the Black Church remains accommodationist, it will continue to become increasingly irrelevant to communities that experience persistent poverty. Despite its historic role in combatting racial oppression and social injustice, the Church has also perpetuated ideologies that uncritically justify unjust social structures. Wilson shows how the Church can shift the conversation and reality of poverty by moving from a legacy of accommodationism and toward a legacy of empowering liberating economic ethics.

Are there false, fruitless and even deceptive predators in the pulpits of the modern church? If so, are these deceivers leading multitudes to the worship of false gods through their damnable heresies? Are "seeker-friendly" churches creating a new class of "Christians" who have no concept of authentic, Biblical Christianity? Are there leaders who are building their own kingdoms in lieu of God's and doing so on your dime? Are we hearing the full counsel of the LORD from those in leadership, or the psychology and programs of mere men? Are beguiling emissaries in our midst drawing believers away from pure devotion and intimacy with Jesus Christ? Do these things exist within your local fellowship? Are you truly being instructed in the right ways of the LORD? Explore the answers to these and many more questions in this bold, insightful, and resourceful look at the church world today. WHAT YOU WILL GAIN FROM READING THIS BOOK: What specific erroneous teachings are circulating in the church world and how to identify and expose them How to discern the genuine leaders who truly follow the Word and Spirit of God, from the false and fruitless who are using God's money to build their own kingdoms How to please the LORD by positioning and establishing His written revelation as final authority in your personal life How to discern and cease wasting your brief existence on this earth supporting wolves in sheep's clothing How to serve God with a loving and concerned heart from the foundation of divine immutable truth "Todd has addressed the number one issue of today's Christian culture. A subtle enemy has been invading our Christian churches and lulling Christians to sleep. This book is a dynamic toolfor the discerning Christian who wants to be an effective servant of the LORD." Dan White

Before Queen Anne's reign had even begun, rival factions in both Church and State were jostling for position in her court. Attempting to follow a moderate course, the new monarch and her advisors had to be constantly wary of the attempts of extremists on both sides to gain the upper hand. The result was a see-saw period of alternating influence that has fascinated historians and political commentators. In this engaging new study, Barry Levis shows that although both parties claimed to be in support of the Church, their real aim was advancing their respective political positions. Uniting close analysis of Queen Anne's changing policies towards dissenters, occasional conformity and church appointments with studies of the careers of several prominent churchmen and politicians, Levis paints a gripping picture of competing religious values and political ambitions. Most significantly, he shows that, far from being restricted to the church and political elites, these conflicts were to have a cascading influence on the division of the country long after the Queen's reign ended.