Incorporating perspectives from religious studies, humor studies, cultural and film studies, and theology, as well as original data from textual analysis and the voices of religious comedians, this book critically analyses the experiences of believers who appreciate that their faith is not necessarily a barrier to their laughter. It is often thought that religion and humor are incompatible, but Religious Humor in Evangelical Christian and Mormon Culture shows that humor is not only a popular means of entertainment, but also a way in which an individual or community expresses their identity and values. Elisha McIntyre argues that believers embrace their sense of humor, actively producing and consciously consuming comic entertainment that reflects their own experiences. This process is not however without conflict. The book argues that there are specific characteristics that indicate a unique kind of humor that may be called 'religious humor'. Through an examination of religious humor found in stand-up comedy, television sitcoms, comedy film and satirical cartoons, and drawing on interview data, the book outlines the main considerations that Christians take into account when choosing their comedy entertainment. These include questions about ideology, blasphemy, taboos around the body, and the motives behind the joke.

Bestselling authors Bill and Beni Johnson help parents discover the keys to successful parenting in God's kingdom through their powerful book Raising Giant-Killers. "Parents, we rule for the purpose of protection, but we also serve with the purpose of empowering," they write. "We want to release our children into their destiny--that's the privilege of parenting." In these pages, you will gain the wisdom, kingdom concepts, and practical tools you need to help raise your children to their God-given potential.

The explosive growth of Pentecostalism has radically transformed Latin America's religious landscape within the last half century or so. In a region where Catholicism reigned hegemonic for centuries, the expansion of Pentecostalism has now resulted in a situation of religious pluralism and competition, bearing much more resemblance to the United States than to the Iberian motherlands. Furthermore, the fierce competition from Pentecostal churches has inspired significant renewals of Latin American Catholicism, most notably the growth of a Catholic Charismatic movement. However, another and more recent source of religious pluralism and diversity in Latin America is an increasing pluralization and diversification of Pentecostalism itself and of the ways in which individual Pentecostals exercise their faith. By carefully exploring this diversification, the book at hand breaks new ground in the literature on Latin American Christianity. Particular attention is focused on new ways of being Pentecostal and on the consequences of recent transformations of Christianity for individuals, faith communities and societies. More specifically, the chapters of the book look into certain transformations of Pentecostalism such as: theological renewals and new kinds of religious competition between Pentecostal churches; a growing political and civic engagement of Pentecostals; an observed de-institutionalization of Pentecostal religious life and the negotiation individual Pentecostal identities, composed of multiple intra- and extra-ecclesial points of identification; and the emergence of new generations of Pentecostals (children of Pentecostal parents), many of whom have higher levels of education and higher incomes than the previous generations within their churches. In addition, Catholic responses to Pentecostal competition are also addressed in several chapters of the book.

A campaigner for women's rights
This is a remarkable and controversial book by any standards. The verdict is still out on whether its author Ann Eliza Young (formerly Webb) presented her case with complete impartiality, but certainly its contents are sufficiently detailed to reveal shocking and extraordinary details of her experiences during her time as a pluralist wife of Brigham Young of the Latter-Day Saints. A child of Mormon parents, Ann entered into her marriage with Young when he was 67 years old and she was 24, a divorcee and the mother of two children. Her writings on her experiences of the Mormon lifestyle in Utah make gripping reading and her book is filled with accounts of privation, cruelty and violence. She filed for divorce from Brigham Young in 1873 and went on to become an outspoken advocate for the rights of women in 19th century America and an ardent and campaigning opponent of polygamous marriage. This book is her account of her life as one of Young's wives and on its original publication propelled Ann into the public arena and became a best seller of its day. It still makes compelling reading. Available in softcover and hardcover for collectors.

This unique book aims to provide the first extended account of the intellectual history of aesthetic discourse among British and American evangelicals from the awakening of a modern aesthetic consciousness in the eighteenth century to the fundamentalist-modernist controversy of the early twentieth century. Drawing on an extensive but largely forgotten body of periodical source materials, it seeks to map the evangelical aesthetic tradition's intellectual terrain, to highlight its connections to other philosophical discourses, and to assess some of its theological implications. In doing so, it challenges the still prevalent stereotype of evangelicalism as aesthetically 'impoverished' and devoid of serious reflection on the arts, offering instead a narrative sensitive to the historical complexities of evangelical approaches to aesthetic theory and criticism.

"Concrete, accessible, actionable help in the most important challenge of human living."--JOHN ORTBERG, founder, BecomeNew.Me Having spent years of his life studying the Holy Spirit, renowned theologian and acclaimed author Jack Levison shares the seven secrets to a fuller, deeper and more powerful relationship with the Spirit.  Packed with biblical insights, practical strategies, focused prayers, Scripture meditations and rich reflections, each short, energizing chapter will fuel your spiritual growth, empowering you to · break out of the familiar · experience your own personal Pentecost · cultivate healthy habits that strengthen the Spirit-filled life · connect with the heart of the Spirit A season of breakthrough awaits you. Here is your guide to embracing the Spirit-filled life--and discovering the Helper who fills you up, pours you out and transforms the world through you. "Jack Levison opens secrets of the Spirit-filled life from across the pages of Scripture and gives us seven pathways for living the Spirit-filled life. What a gift!"--AMOS YONG, professor, theology and mission, Fuller Seminary "What a terrific guide for living the Spirit-filled life! I highly recommend this book."--ADAM HAMILTON, senior pastor, United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, Kansas; author, Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws