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Books > Religion & Spirituality > Alternative belief systems > Occult studies
Reuchlin’s keen interest in Jewish mysticism resulted in the
original publication of this work in 1517. The first part of this
dialogue reflects on messianism, the second part on the relation of
the Pythagorean system to the Kabbalah, and the third on the
"practical Kabbalah."Â The German humanist Johann Reuchlin
(1455-1522) defended the value of Jewish scholarship and literature
when it was unwise and unpopular to do so. As G. Lloyd Jones points
out, "A marked mistrust of the Jews had developed among Christian
scholars during the later Middle Ages. It was claimed that the
rabbis had purposely falsified the text of the Old Testament and
given erroneous explanations of passages which were capable of a
christological interpretation." Christian scholars most certainly
did not advocate learning the Hebrew language. Reuchlin was
exceptional in pursuing and promoting Hebrew studies, believing
that a working knowledge of that language was essential for a true
appreciation of the Bible and rabbinic literature. Refusing to join
Christian contemporaries who wished to destroy the Kabbalah and the
Talmud, he spoke out against ignorance. Christians could have a
useful dialogue with Jews if they gained a thorough knowledge of
the writings of Jewish exegetes and philosophers. Toward that end
he proposed university endowments that aroused the fury of
opponents and led to the famous "battle of the
books."Â Reuchlin's keen interest in Jewish mysticism resulted
in the publication of De arte cabalistica in 1517. The first part
of this dialogue reflects on messianism, the second part on the
relation of the Pythagorean system to the Kabbalah, and tdhe third
on the "practical Kabbalah." According to Jones, "Reuchlin
demonstrates how Christians can make profitable use of Jewish
mystical writings, and therefore shares with the reader his
understanding of the art of the Kabbalah." That art will reach more
readers in this modern English-language translation by Martin and
Sarah Goodman. It reinforces the historical importance of the man
who prevented the destruction of Jewish books and anticipated the
more liberal climate of the Reformation.
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'Deliverance is an intriguing, strangely comforting book that
shines a light into a world that's little talked about' - The Mail
on Sunday
___________________________________________________________________________________
I turned towards the door. It was closed, but I sensed there was
something - someone - standing on the other side, staring straight
at me. A prickling sensation ran through me... I was absolutely
terrified, rooted to the spot and unable to breathe. His name is
Jason Bray. He's your quintessential vicar: that guy in the long
dress and poncho who stands at the front of the church and tells
you God loves you. He's the person who will baptise your children,
take your wedding, and conduct your Auntie Beryl's funeral. But
then he's also the person you will call in when Auntie Beryl still
keeps appearing on the landing in her nightie, or when things go
bump and rattle and your shoes start moving on their own, or when
you think your mother-in-law might be possessed. Jason is a
deliverance minister, and this is a story of oppression and
possession, of ghosts, poltergeists and other paranormal phenomena,
and how to deal with them. He is the first Anglican deliverance
minister to write a book about this ministry for the general
reader. A warm, sympathetic and humorous character who sees it as
his mission to serve the community and help families in distress,
each true-life adventure is like a detective story. At times, it's
a case of mental illness. At others, an energy or memory that has
latched itself onto a place or property. Sometimes, he's even
encountered fraud! Welcome to his world.
This book provides a practical introduction to Chaos Magic, one of
the fastest growing areas of Western Occultism. Through it you can
change your circumstances, live according to a developing sense of
personal responsibility, effect change around you, and stop living
as a helpless cog in some clockwork universe. All acts of
personal/collective liberation are magical acts. Magic leads us
into exhilaration and ecstasy; into insight and understanding; into
changing ourselves and the world in which we participate. Through
magic we may come to explore the possibilities of freedom.
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