Unlike Jehovah's Witnesses, who deny the Trinity by demoting Jesus to a mere man, the 'Jesus Only' churches deny the Trinity by claiming that there is only one God, and that Jesus is the Father and the Holy Spirit. 'Jesus Only' churches not only require baptism for salvation, but also stipulate that it must be baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ only, and not in the name of the Father, the son, and the Holy Spirit. Thus, these churches distort the gospel and the historic, orthodox understanding of Jesus. Why this series? This is an age when countless groups and movements, old and new, mark the religious landscape in our culture, leaving many people confused or uncertain in their search for spiritual truth and meaning. Because you may not have the time or opportunity to research these movements fully, these books provide essential and reliable information and insights for their spiritual journeys. The second wave of books in this series addresses a broad range of spiritual beliefs, from non-Trinitarian Christian sects to witchcraft and neo-paganism to classic non-Christian religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. All books but the summary volume, Truth and Error, contain five sections: -A concise introduction to the group being surveyed -An overview of the group s theology --- in its own words -Tips for witnessing effectively to members of the group -A bibliography with sources for further study -A comparison chart that shows the essential differences between biblical Christianity and the group -Truth and Error, the last book in the series, consists of parallel doctrinal charts compiled from all the other volumes. Three distinctives make this series especially useful to readers: -Information is carefully distilled to bring out truly essential points, rather than requiring readers to sift their way through a sea of secondary details. -Information is presented in a clear, easy-to-follow outline form with menu bar running heads. This format greatly assists the reader in quickly locating topics and details of interest. -Each book meets the needs and skill levels of both nontechnical and technical readers, providing an elementary level of refutation and progressing to a more advanced level using arguments based on the biblical text. The writers of these volumes are well qualified to present clear and reliable information and help readers to discern truth from falsehood."

The earth will eventually be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. But how will our current world ever become the heaven of our dreams? The Lord is already on it; and, as the essays in this book provocatively proposes, He's following good engineering principles. Joseph Fielding Smith said, regarding inventions in these latter days, "The inspiration of the Lord has gone out and takes hold of the minds of men, though they know it not, and they are directed by the Lord. In this manner he brings them into his service." If there is "no such thing as immaterial matter," and "all spirit is matter," then what are the implications for such standard theological principles as creation, human progression, free will, transfiguration, resurrection, and immortality? In eleven stimulating essays, Mormon engineers probe gospel possibilities and future vistas dealing with human nature, divine progression, and the earth's future. Richard Bushman poses a vision-expanding proposal: "The end point of engineering knowledge may be divine knowledge. Mormon theology permits us to think of God and humans as collaborators in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Engineers may be preparing the way for humans to act more like gods in managing the world."

Premier Renewal Leaders Present Complete, Accessible Guide to Healing Ministry
The Bible is full of accounts of miraculous healing. And God is moving as amazingly today as he was back then. Thousands are being healed all over the world--and his children are part of it.
For the first time, premier renewal leaders Bill Johnson and Randy Clark team up to equip Christians to minister healing. Grounded from start to finish in Scripture, Johnson and Clark lay out the rich theological and historical foundation for healing in the church today. Full of inspiring stories, this book offers practical, proven, step-by-step guidance to ministering healing, including how to
- understand the authority of the believer in healing
- create an atmosphere of faith
- receive words of knowledge
- implement the five-step model of healing prayer

The ministry of healing is not reserved for a select few. God's miraculous healing is part of the Good News--and every believer can become a conduit for his healing power.

"'I love the Lord, He heard my cry, ' Deacon cries out as the newly gathered congregation, now seated in their pews, echoes his words in a plaintive tune". Thus begins the Devotional at St. John Progressive Baptist Church, one of many Afro-Baptist services that Walter Pitts observed in the dual role of anthropologist and church pianist. Based on extensive fieldwork in black Baptist churches in rural Texas, this is a major new study of the African origins of African-American forms of worship. Over a period of five years, Pitts, a scholar of anthropology and linguistics, played the piano at and recorded numerous worship services. Offering an extensive history of Afro-Baptist religion in the American South, he compares the ritual structures he observed with those of traditional African worship and other religious rituals of African origin in the New World. Through these historical comparisons, coupled with sociolinguistic analysis, Pitts uncovers striking parallels between Afro-Baptist services and the rituals of Western and Central Africa, as well as African-derived rituals in the United States Sea Islands, the Caribbean, and Brazil. Pitts demonstrates that African and African-American worship share an underlying binary structure: the somber melancholy of the first ritual frame and the joyful, ecstatic trance of the second frame, both essential to the fulfillment of that structure. Of particular interest is his discovery of the way in which the deliberate heightening and strategic suppression of "black English" contribute to this binary structure of worship. This highly original study, with a foreword by Vincent Wimbush, creates a memorable portrait of this vital, yet misunderstood aspectof African-American culture. A model for the investigation of African retentions in the diaspora, Old Ship of Zion will be of keen interest to students and scholars of cultural anthropology, religious studies, and African-American studies, as well as those concerned with the culture of the diaspora, the investigation of syncretism, folklore, and ethnomusicology.

This two-volume work tells the story of Southeast Mennonite Conference (SMC), a diverse Mennonite denominational body that, from its inception, included small churches rooted in missions and larger congregations of Sarasota, Florida, begun by Mennonites who moved south for sunshine and business opportunities. Commenting on volume 1, Richard K. Macmaster, Author, Land, Piety, Peoplehood: The Establishment of Mennonite Communities in America, 1683-1790, says that "This is grassroots history at its best." Then in his foreword to both volumes, James R. Krabill, Senior Executive for Global Ministries, Mennonite Mission Network, observes that "This second volume, covering in considerable detail the 1969-1992 period with briefer glimpses spilling into the twenty-first century, focuses on . . . what emerged as new people came to faith from traditionally non-Mennonite white, African-American, Hispanic, Garifuna, Haitian, and other origins. Today, over half of the Southeast Mennonite Conference congregations derive from these newer populations within the Mennonite faith family."

Standing Against the Whirlwind is a history of the Evangelical party in the Episcopal Church in nineteenth-century America. A surprising revisionist account of the church's first century, it reveals the extent to which evangelical Episcopalians helped to shape the piety, identity, theology, and mission of the church. Using the life and career of one of the party's greatest leaders, Charles Pettit McIlvaine, the second bishop of Ohio, Diana Butler blends institutional history with biography to explore the vicissitudes and tribulations of evangelicals in a church that often seemed inhospitable to their version of the Gospel. This gracefully written narrative history of a neglected movement sheds light on evangelical religion within a particular denomination and broadens the interpretation of nineteenth-century American evangelicalism as a whole. In addition, it elucidates such wider cultural and religious issues as the meaning of millennialism and the nature of the crisis over slavery.

Utterly fascinating: works of this caliber and broad scope are rare . . ., so snap it up and devour it Jon Mark Ruthven, PhD, author, On the Cessation of the Charismata: The Protestant Polemic on Post-biblical MiraclesTheology with Spirit: The Future of the Pentecostal & Charismatic Movements in the 21st Century discloses the inner theo-logic of the movements that rocketed from obscurity to electrifying global growth in the century of the Spirit.Deeply researched, its wide-angle history classifies these Spirit movements originally, from the Azusa Street revival to today's Third Wave and Word of Faith movements. Theology with Spirit explains, reflects on, and evaluates key doctrines from today s renewal streams, from Spirit baptism to eschatology and teachings on faith, showing which stream will lead Holy Spirit renewal globally during the 21st century and why.Read it so you too may flow with the Spirit Advance praise for Theology with Spirit: Contains breakthrough insights about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. . . . A must read . . . that encourages us in the Word of Faith movement. Jeff Walker, D.Min., Psy.D., Senior Pastor, Victory Christian Center, Palm Springs, CaliforniaTheology with Spirit pinpoints streams and movements other studies miss and synthesizes various perspectives in an innovative and convincing way. Paul L. King, D.Min., Th.D., author, Only Believe: Examining the Origin and Development of Classic and Contemporary Word of Faith TheologiesThis scholarly work is clear and easy to read. It will be a standard theological textbook for years to come. Prof. Jacques PJ Theron, University of South Africa

Roots and Branches recounts decade by decade the century-long history of Amish and Mennonites in the Southeast United States. With gentle candor Lehman, storyteller as well as historian, examines southeast Mennonites' clashes of conscience as their subculture was challenged by the diverse cultures of the people they sought to serve. "With the art of a storyteller, the heart of a pastor, and the acumen of a leader, Lehman narrates the Amish and Mennonite presence in the Southeast in this first of two volumes." says John E. Sharp, Author, A School on the Prairie: A Centennial History of Hesston College, 1909-2009. James R. Krabill, Senior Executive for Global Ministries, Mennonite Mission Network, observes that "We have much to learn as God's people and Roots and Branches can help us in doing just that." Richard K. MacMaster, Author, Land, Piety, Peoplehood: The Establishment of Mennonite Communities in America, 1683-1790 thinks "This is grass roots history at its best, telling the story of the men and women who nurtured an Anabaptist presence in Florida and Georgia." John. L. Ruth, Author, The Earth Is the Lord's: A Narrative History of Lancaster Mennonite Conference, believes that "key moments and personalities, insightfully recalled, will help new members gain important understandings of Southeast Mennonite Conference as well as its neighbor churches, and historians of the larger Mennonite scene will need this book for their own interpretive work." And Irene Bechler, a former urban church planter, sees "The evident working of the Holy Spirit" in the stories Lehman tells.

This wide-ranging collection explores the complex relationships between religious sects and contemporary Western society and examines the controversial social, political, and religious issues that arise as sects seek to pursue a way of life at variance with that of other people. Wilson argues that sects, often subject to negative theological and moral judgements, can be understood only as social entities and as such require a scientifically neutral and unbiased approach to explore their emergence and persistence. He traces the growth and expansion of various movements--including the Unification Church, the Scientologists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Exclusive Brethren--relating them to their social context, and indicates the sections of society from which their support is likely to come.

Eric and his wife Marilyn were happy with their Catholic faith. Both rooted deep in their beloved religion, neither one dreamed that they would ever leave it. But when they moved next door to a Mormon family, their lives changed forever.

This is the story of their conversion, as told by Eric, along with a respectful and enlightening comparison of 40 key doctrines between Catholicism and Mormonism that testified to them of the restoration of the gospel. Find yourself touched, challenged, and educated as you share Eric and Marilyn's journey from Catholic roots to Mormon harvest.

Did God call the Church to be an institution? The Reformation gave Europe national churches, but these came to disappoint enthusiastic believers as lacking commitment. Was the right exit policy simply to join 'free' presbyterian or congregational-type churches, as found say in America? By the 1820s, the more strategic thinkers felt not. Some followed Newman into Catholicism: other pre-charismatics advocate an ongoing apostolate that would recapture prophetic gifts: J N Darby was led to the fierce conclusion that all churches, as man-made institutions, were bound to fail. The believer's true hope was the return of Jesus Christ. With others, Darby pioneered a less formal association of believers, free of clergy and founded on radical holiness. Darby was a tireless traveler, talented linguist and Bible translator. His influence is still felt in systematic theology, missionary societies, para- and house-church movements, possibly even in US foreign policy towards the state of Israel.

Do you want to prophesy what saith the Spirit of God with greater authority, stronger boldness and increased accuracy? Do you want that double-portion that Elisha carried? Jennifer LeClaire offers keys to flowing in a more powerful prophetic anointing in this no-holds-barred manuscript. Jennifer draws from her experiences to explain what it really means to operate in prophetic ministry and how to avoid the temptations that take you off the deep end.

Text extracted from opening pages of book: HRISTIAN SCIENCE WITH NOTES CONTAINING CORRECTIONS TO DATE BY MARK TWAIN ILLUSTRATED NEW YORK AND LONDON HARPER & BROTHERS PUBLISHERS ILLUSTRATIONS MARK TWAIN ( 1906) Frontispiece THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, BOSTON, MASS., KNOWN AS THE MOTHER-CHURCH . . Facing p. 70 THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, CEN TRAL PARK WEST AND g6TH STREET, NEW YORK 252 PREFACE BOOK I. of this volume occupies a quarter or a third of the volume, and consists of matter written about four years ago, but not hitherto published in book form. It contained errors of judgment and of fact. I have now correct ed these to the best of my ability and later knowledge. Book II. was written at the beginning of 1903, and has not until now appeared in. any form. In it my purpose has been to present a character-portrait of Mrs. Eddy, drawn from her own acts and words solely, not from hear say and rumor; and to explain the nature and scope of her Monarchy, as revealed in the Laws by which she governs it, and which she wrote herself. MARK TWAIN. NEW YORK, January, igo?. BOOK CHRISTIAN SCIENCE ** It is the first time since the dawn-days of Creation that a Voice has gone crashing through space with such placid and complacent confidence and command CHAPTER I VIENNA, 1899 THIS last summer, when I was on my way back to Vienna from the Appetite-Cttre in the mountains, I fell over a cliff in the twilight and broke some arms and legs and one thing or another, and by good luck was found by some peasants who had lost an ass, and they carried me to the nearest habitation, which was one of those large, low, thatch - roof ed farm-houses, with apartments in the garret for the family, and a cunning little porch under the deep gable decorated with boxes of bright colored flowers and cats; on the ground - floor a large and light sitting-room, separated from the milch - cattle apartment by a partition; and in the front yard rose stately and fine the wealth and pride of the house, the manure pile. That sentence is Germanic, and shows that I am acquiring that sort of mastery of the art and spirit of the language which en ables a man to travel all day in one sentence without changing cars. There was a village a mile away, and a horse doctor lived there, but there was no surgeon. It seemed a bad outlook; mine was distinctly a surgery case. Then it was remembered that a lady from Boston was summering in that village, and she was a Christian Science doctor and could cure anything. So she was sent for. It was night by this time, and she could not conveniently come, but sent word that it was no matter, there was no hurry, she would give me absent treatment now, and come in the morning; meantime she begged me to make myself tranquil and comfortable and re member that there was nothing the matter with me. I thought there must be some mistake. Did you tell her I walked off a cliff seventy five feet high? Yes, '' And struck a bowlder at the bottom and bounced ? Yes. And struck another one and bounced again ? Yes. And struck another one and bounced yet again ? Yes. And broke the bowlders? Yes. J>> That accounts for it; she is thinking of the bowlders. Why didn't you tell her I got hurt, too? I did* I told her what you told me to tell her: that you were now but an incoherent se ries of compound fractures extending from your scalp - lock to your heels, and that the comminutedprojections caused you to look like a hat-rack. ** And it was after this that she wished me to remember that there was nothing the matter with me? Those were her words/*

1863. Part One of Fourteen. Theodore Parker was a preacher, lecturer, and writer, a public intellectual, and a religious and social reformer. He played a major role in moving Unitarianism away from being a Bible-based faith, and he established a precedent for clerical activism that has inspired generations of liberal religious leaders. Although ranked with William Ellery Channing as the most important and influential Unitarian minister of the nineteenth century, he was an extremely controversial figure (he was active in the antislavery movement) in his own day and his legacy to Unitarian Universalism remains contested. A Discourse of Matters, a Transcendentalist manifesto, is a course of lectures wherein Parker systematically lays out his ideas about inspiration, Jesus, the Bible, and the church. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.

1930. This is a new textbook on the history and doctrine of the Church covering the following points: A change of emphasis from the details of Church history and doctrine to a clear understanding of the message and mission of the Church and the means by which the great objectives for which it was founded may be realized; Establish clearly the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith; Make clear the Church as revealed to him is an instrument in God's hands for the redemption of all mankind; That emphasis be placed on the distinct message of Mormonism; An explanation be made on sociological grounds of the friction between Mormonism and other churches and social groups; Emphasis be laid on the message to the world of the Book of Mormon; Show what contributions the Church has made to the progress of the world; Show that the Church organization is a model of efficiency; and That the Church offers in its various institutions the best means for the satisfaction of their deepest needs. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.

"Rumspringa "is Tom Shachtman's celebrated look at a littleknown Amish coming-of-age ritual, the "rumspringa--"the period of "running around" that begins for their youth at age sixteen. During this time, Amish youth are allowed to live outside the bounds of their faith, experimenting with alcohol, premarital sex, revealing clothes, telephones, drugs, and wild parties. By allowing such broad freedoms, their parents hope they will learn enough to help them make the most important decision of their lives--whether to be baptized as Christians, join the church, and forever give up worldly ways, or to remain in the world.
In this searching book, Shachtman draws on his skills as a documentarian to capture young people on the cusp of a fateful decision, and to give us "one of the most absorbing books ever written about the Plain People" ("Publishers Weekly").

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

1939. With illustrations. The author's purpose is to tell the stories of some of the hymns of the Church and relate the circumstances as far as known, surrounding their origin. The stories are not written from the standpoint of a learned musician. No scientific analysis of music or song is undertaken, but rather they are the product of one who loves to sing the songs of Zion and desires to understand and assist others in understanding their origin and message. Pyper provides background information on both the song and the composers.

Baptists are the second-largest religious group in the United States, trailing only Catholics. They represent nearly 20% of the US population and a third of all American Protestants, and have attained a certain level of notoriety for their penchant for controversy. From their defiance of established churches in the Colonial period, to pastor Robert Jeffress calling Mitt Romney's Mormonism a "cult" during the Republican primaries of 2012 they have consistently been at the forefront of religion's collision with culture and society. This book will offer a history of Baptists in America from the Colonial period to the present day, from their fight for the separation of church and state to their role as some of the chief combatants in today's culture wars. Their history has been marked by internal battles and schisms that were microcosms of national events, from the conflict over slavery that divided North from South to the ascendancy of conservatives within the Southern Baptist Convention, which mirrored developments within the Republican Party. The book's primary theme will be Baptists' struggles between seeing themselves as "insiders" or "outsiders" in American culture. The persecuted Baptists of the colonial period became one of the dominant churches in nineteenth-century America. Today, they are the primary spokespersons for evangelical America. Yet, even as they appear comfortable in this role, Baptists have never been sure if America represented a Babylon of spiritual exile, or a peaceful Zion. This book will offer a lively and accessible history of one of America's most important religious groups.