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Books > Religion & Spirituality > Non-Christian sacred works & liturgy
Paramahansa Yogananda - author of the bestselling classic
"Autobiography of a Yogi" - delves into the deeper meaning of the
Bhagavad Gita's symbology, and sheds a fascinating light on the
true intent of India's beloved scripture. He describes how each of
us, through applying the profound wisdom of yoga, can achieve
material and spiritual victory on the battlefield of daily life.
This concise and inspiring book is a compilation of selections from
Yogananda's in-depth, critically acclaimed two-volume translation
of and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita ("God Talks with Arjuna").
The seventh and final book of the monumental R?m?ya?a of V?lm?ki,
the Uttarak???a, brings the epic saga to a close with an account of
the dramatic events of King R?ma's millennia-long reign. It opens
with a colorful history of the demonic race of the r?k?asas and the
violent career of R?ma's villainous foe R?va?a, and later recounts
R?ma's grateful discharge of his allies in the great war at Lank?
as well as his romantic reunion with his wife S?t?. But dark clouds
gather as R?ma, confronted by scandal over S?t?'s time in captivity
under the lustful R?va?a, makes the agonizing decision to banish
his beloved wife, now pregnant. As R?ma continues as king,
marvelous tales and events unfurl, illustrating the benefits of
righteous rule and the perils that await monarchs who fail to
address the needs of their subjects. The Uttarak???a has long
served as a point of social and religious controversy largely for
its accounts of the banishment of S?t?, as well as of R?ma's
killing of a low-caste ascetic. The translators' introduction
provides a full discussion of these issues and the complex
reception history of the Uttarak???a. This translation of the
critical edition also includes exhaustive notes and a comprehensive
bibliography.
2022 Top Ten Book from Academy of Parish Clergy The teachings of
the great twentieth-century Jewish thinker Martin Buber empower us
to enter a spiritual dimension that often passes unnoticed in the
daily routine. In A Year with Martin Buber, the first Torah
commentary to focus on his life's work, we experience the
fifty-four weekly Torah portions and eleven Jewish holidays through
Buber's eyes. While best known for the spiritual concept of the
I-Thou relationship between people, Buber graced us with other
fundamentals, including Over Against, Afterglow, Will and Grace,
Reification, Inclusion, and Imagine the Real. And his life
itself-including his defiance of the Nazis, his call for
Jewish-Arab reconciliation, and his protest of Adolf Eichmann's
execution-modeled these teachings in action. Rabbi Dennis S. Ross
demonstrates Buber's roots in Jewish thought and breaks new ground
by explaining the broader scope of Buber's life and work in a
clear, conversational voice. He quotes from the weekly Torah
portion; draws lessons from Jewish commentators; and sets Buber's
related words in context with Buber's remarkable life story,
Hasidic tales, and writing. A wide variety of anecdotal
illustrations from Buber as well as the author's life encourages
each of us to "hallow the everyday" and seek out spirituality
"hiding in plain sight."
Reprint of the 1998 work (Collins, San Francisco). Writing for non-
Muslims, Cragg offers an abridged literary (as opposed to literal)
translation of the Qur'an, presenting the text in eight segments
representing eight main themes. He also includes a substantial
introductory essay explaining this approach and reflecting on the
relevance of the Qur'an in the contemporary world.
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Galatians
(Paperback)
Craig S. Keener
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R942
R771
Discovery Miles 7 710
Save R171 (18%)
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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This commentary offers a concise, incisive view of Galatians,
Paul's most polemical letter. Here, Paul is fighting for the
spiritual life and loyalty of some of his hard-won converts. Taking
advantage of a range of persuasive rhetorical approaches, his
letter appears to bristle with anger at the interlopers and the
anguish of spurned affection. In this commentary, Craig S. Keener
mines insights from the ancient world to highlight Paul's
persuasive tactics and how the Galatian Christians would have heard
his intense yet profound message. In so doing, Keener also helps
readers to confront Galatians afresh today, so they can hear more
closely what Paul is and is not saying for the church universal.
Drawing on a wide range of ancient Mediterranean sources to
reconstruct the context of Galatians, Keener helps us to grasp the
issues that Paul was addressing, the reasons that Paul wrote the
letter, and its continuing relevance for contemporary audiences.
In this book, Lynn Kaye examines how rabbis of late antiquity
thought about time through their legal reasoning and storytelling,
and what these insights mean for thinking about time today.
Providing close readings of legal and narrative texts in the
Babylonian Talmud, she compares temporal ideas with related
concepts in ancient and modern philosophical texts and in religious
traditions from late antique Mesopotamia. Kaye demonstrates that
temporal flexibility in the Babylonian Talmud is a means of
exploring and resolving legal uncertainties, as well as a tool to
tell stories that convey ideas effectively and dramatically. Her
book, the first on time in the Talmud, makes accessible complex
legal texts and philosophical ideas. It also connects the
literature of late antique Judaism with broader theological and
philosophical debates about time.
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The Koran
(Paperback)
Arthur J. Arberry
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R333
R277
Discovery Miles 2 770
Save R56 (17%)
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The Koran is a book apart, not only as Holy Scripture for Muslims,
but as the supreme classic of Arabic literature. In its 114 Suras,
or chapters, it comprises the total of revelations believed to have
been communicated to the prophet Muhammad as a final expression of
God's will and purpose for man. The revelations were received over
a number of years, the first dating from AD 610, the last shortly
before Muhammad's death in AD 632, and the definitive canon was
established some twenty years later. The Koran is neither prose nor
poetry but a unique fusion of both. In his attempt to convey the
sublime rhetoric of the original, Professor Arberry has carefully
studied the intricate and richly varied rhythms which - apart from
the message itself - serve to explain the Koran's undeniable claim
to rank among the greatest literary masterpieces of mankind. ABOUT
THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made
available the widest range of literature from around the globe.
Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship,
providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable
features, including expert introductions by leading authorities,
helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for
further study, and much more.
Internationally renowned author and Bible teacher Joyce Meyer
provides a close study on Philippians, emphasizing the true joy
that comes from serving others through Christ. Paul's letter to the
people at Philippi serves as a reminder that if we search for joy
in possessions, places, or people, we will always come up short.
True, lasting joy comes only through faith in Jesus Christ, living
in harmony with His followers, and serving others in the name of
Christ. The life lived by the Philippians is still attainable
today. In her comprehensive approach, Joyce Meyer takes a deep dive
into well-known and beloved verses, identifying key truths and
incorporating room for personal reflection. Joyce's Philippians
provides a key study tool that will help you develop a stronger
relationship with God. If you take time to examine His word, you'll
see how much He loves you and how much He desires that you live a
joyful, content life on earth!
A timeless, little-known literary classic. As the Black Death
ravaged London in 1608, the theatres closed, many people moved out
of town for safety, and playwrights scrambled to find other outlets
for their talent. While Shakespeare retreated to his hometown of
Stratford, Thomas Dekker wrote Four Birds of Noah's Ark, a book
containing fifty-six prayers for the people of London and all of
England. Dekker's prayers bear witness to his deep faith and
profound understanding of human psychology with a power and
poignancy that few written prayers in English literature achieve.
Bringing this devotional classic back into print for the first time
since 1924, editor Robert Hudson has included a fine introduction,
annotated the prayers, and modernised the language without
sacrificing any of its beauty and simplicity. This lovely book at
once surprises and enchants with its literary voice, devotional
heart, and accessible writing.
Mujeres de la Biblia se enfoca en cincuenta y dos mujeres
extraordinarias de las Escrituras, cuyas luchas para vivir con fe y
valentia no son distintas a las tuyas. Y ahora este exitoso libro
de estudio devocional ha sido actualizado y expandido para realzar
su flexibilidad, utilidad y relevancia tanto para individuos como
para grupos. Los grupos pequenos le daran una especial bienvenida a
la forma en que los estudios biblicos se han modernizado para
satisfacer las necesidades unicas del marco del grupo. Otros
importantes cambios incluyen: * Linea cronologica de las mujeres de
la Biblia * Una lista de las mujeres en el arbol genealogico de
Jesus * Una lista de las mujeres en el ministerio y vida de Jesus.
Vital y profundamente humanas, las mujeres en este libro te animan
a traves de sus fracasos al igual que sus exitos. Veras como Dios
actuo de maneras sorprendentes y maravillosas para llevarles a
ellas, y a ti, hacia el. Este devocional de un ano te ofrece un
metodo unico para ayudarte a desacelerar y saborear la historia del
amor sin igual de Dios por su pueblo, ofreciendo una fresca
perspectiva que nutrira y fortalecera tu comunion personal con el."
Sharing a blessing before eating is an important way to pause,
reflect and be thankful for the food that we eat. This beautiful
collection of verses, songs and prayers from around the world helps
readers to experience all the humble, heart-warming ways that
families take a moment before eating to remember the work involved
and the gift that our nourishment brings. A little treasure to help
us remember the importance of taking time to think about the food
we eat, the people who grow it for us and the earth which provides
it for us.
Night of Beginnings is a groundbreaking new haggadah for the
Passover seder from acclaimed poet, translator, and liturgist
Marcia Falk, beautifully designed and illustrated with original
color drawings by the author. Unlike both traditional and new
haggadahs, which do not contain a full recounting of the biblical
story, Night of Beginnings presents the Exodus narrative in its
entirety, providing a direct connection to the ancient origins of
the holiday. This retelling highlights the actions of its female
characters, including Moshe's sister, Miriam; Pharaoh's daughter,
who adopts the baby Moshe; and the midwives Shifrah and Pu'ah, who
save the Hebrew male infants. Falk's revolutionary new blessings,
in Hebrew and English, replace the traditional, patriarchal seder
blessings, and her kavanot-meditative directions for
prayer-introduce a genre new to the seder ritual. Poems, psalms,
and songs are arranged to give structural coherence to the
haggadah. A new commentary raises interpretive questions and
invites us to bring personal reflections into the discussion. Like
the author's widely acclaimed previous prayer books, The Book of
Blessings and The Days Between, Falk's poetic blessings for the
seder envision the divine as a Greater Whole of which we are an
inseparable part. The inclusive language of Falk's blessings makes
room for women to find and use their voices more full-throatedly
than they were able to do with the male-centered prayers inherited
from the early rabbis. Men, too, will encounter here a spiritually
moving and thought-provoking experience.
The Book of Revelation and Early Jewish Textual Culture explores
the relationship between the writing of Revelation and its early
audience, especially its interaction with Jewish Scripture. It
touches on several areas of scholarly inquiry in biblical studies,
including modes of literary production, the use of allusions,
practices of exegesis, and early engagements with the Book of
Revelation. Garrick Allen brings the Book of Revelation into the
broader context of early Jewish literature, including the Dead Sea
Scrolls and other important works. Arguing that the author of the
New Testament Apocalypse was a 'scribal expert, someone who was
well-versed in the content of Jewish Scripture and its
interpretation', he demonstrates that John was not only a seer and
prophet, but also an erudite reader of scripture.
Jewish thought since the Middle Ages can be regarded as a sustained
dialogue with Moses Maimonides, regardless of the different social,
cultural, and intellectual environments in which it was conducted.
Much of Jewish intellectual history can be viewed as a series of
engagements with him, fueled by the kind of 'Jewish' rabbinic and
esoteric writing Maimonides practiced. This book examines a wide
range of theologians, philosophers, and exegetes who share a
passionate engagement with Maimonides, assaulting, adopting,
subverting, or adapting his philosophical and jurisprudential
thought. This ongoing enterprise is critical to any appreciation of
the broader scope of Jewish law, philosophy, biblical
interpretation, and Kabbalah. Maimonides's legal, philosophical,
and exegetical corpus became canonical in the sense that many
subsequent Jewish thinkers were compelled to struggle with it in
order to advance their own thought. As such, Maimonides joins
fundamental Jewish canon alongside the Bible, the Talmud, and the
Zohar.
This commentary on a selection of daily chants offers an important
perspective upon some of the core tenets of Buddhist thought and
teaching. The Venerable Myoko-ni surveys some of the key chants,
including The Repentance Sutra, The Heart Sutra, and The Four Great
Vows, assessing their origins, and the meaning that lies behind
their creation and interpretation. An invaluable guide to all
engaged in Buddhism and some of its key daily practices.
This book presents an intellectual history of today's Muslim world,
surveying contemporary Muslim thinking in its various
manifestations, addressing a variety of themes that impact on the
lives of present-day Muslims. Focusing on the period from roughly
the late 1960s to the first decade of the twenty-first century, the
book is global in its approach and offers an overview of different
strands of thought and trends in the development of new ideas,
distinguishing between traditional, reactionary, and progressive
approaches. It presents a variety of themes and issues including:
The continuing relevance of the legacy of traditional Islamic
learning as well as the use of reason; the centrality of the
Qur'an; the spiritual concerns of contemporary Muslims; political
thought regarding secularity, statehood, and governance; legal and
ethical debates; related current issues like human rights, gender
equality, and religious plurality; as well as globalization,
ecology and the environment, bioethics, and life sciences. An
alternative account of Islam and the Muslim world today,
counterbalancing narratives that emphasise politics and
confrontations with the West, this book is an essential resource
for students and scholars of Islam.
This comparative study traces Jewish, Christian, and Muslim
scriptural interpretation from antiquity to modernity, with special
emphasis on the pivotal medieval period. It focuses on three areas:
responses in the different faith traditions to tensions created by
the need to transplant scriptures into new cultural and linguistic
contexts; changing conceptions of the literal sense and its
importance vis-a-vis non-literal senses, such as the figurative,
spiritual, and midrashic; and ways in which classical rhetoric and
poetics informed - or were resisted in - interpretation.
Concentrating on points of intersection, the authors bring to light
previously hidden aspects of methods and approaches in Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam. This volume opens new avenues for
interdisciplinary analysis and will benefit scholars and students
of biblical studies, religious studies, medieval studies, Islamic
studies, Jewish studies, comparative religions, and theory of
interpretation.
An essential companion to a timeless spiritual classic The Lotus
Sutra is among the most venerated scriptures of Buddhism. Composed
in India some two millennia ago, it asserts the potential for all
beings to attain supreme enlightenment. Donald Lopez and Jacqueline
Stone provide an essential reading companion to this inspiring yet
enigmatic masterpiece, explaining how it was understood by its
compilers in India and, centuries later in medieval Japan, by one
of its most influential proponents. In this illuminating
chapter-by-chapter guide, Lopez and Stone show how the sutra's
anonymous authors skillfully reframed the mainstream Buddhist
tradition in light of a new vision of the path and the person of
the Buddha himself, and examine how the sutra's metaphors,
parables, and other literary devices worked to legitimate that
vision. They go on to explore how the Lotus was interpreted by the
Japanese Buddhist master Nichiren (1222-1282), whose inspired
reading of the book helped to redefine modern Buddhism. In doing
so, Lopez and Stone demonstrate how readers of sacred works
continually reinterpret them in light of their own unique
circumstances. An invaluable guide to an incomparable spiritual
classic, this book unlocks the teachings of the Lotus for modern
readers while providing insights into the central importance of
commentary as the vehicle by which ancient writings are given
contemporary meaning.
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