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Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Protestantism & Protestant Churches
Frederick William Dwelly died over 50 years ago, but his vision for
the place of worship that both made and broke him still pervades.
His influence is there in the philosophy of inclusion that typifies
the Cathedral's religious and educational activities; in the
liveliness and relevance of services; and even in the rust and
unbleached cotton of the cassocks and surplices, and the cream,
black and red of special service papers. In the estimation of many
eminent figures in the Church of England Dwelly was nothing short
of a liturgical genius, but one whose life history could so very
easily be lost. It was this realisation that spurred former
Cathedral Education Officer Peter Kennerley to embark upon research
into the great man's life and legacy. Using letters, sermons,
newspapers and the testimony of those still alive who knew him, the
author paints a fascinating, though inevitably incomplete, portrait
of a truly inspirational man who was full of contradictions. He was
ground-breakingly liberal in his views about interdenominational
cooperation, but he could also be dictatorial. He knew how to make
everyone who was involved with the Cathedral feel valued, but
though widely loved he was greatly held in awe. It was certainly
impossible to say 'no' to the first Dean of Liverpool Cathedral!
Such a mixture of character traits is, however, what made Dwelly
such an attractive, charismatic and effective dean. His foibles
were at once his weakness and his strength; yes, he was less than
perfect, but in the end his human faults merely served to make
people warm to him. This is the book that might never have been
written. For Peter Kennerley, the sifting of the archives has been
a huge challenge which at times he has doubted his ability to
overcome. The material available to him has been both copious and
tantalisingly vague, and he has had to distil from it the essence
of a man who in many ways is impossible to portray with total
clarity. What is certain is that everyone who knew the Dean,
everyone who knows the Cathedral, as well as all students of
religious and liturgical history, will be grateful to the author
for committing to posterity the life and work of such an
intriguing, controversial and pivotal figure, and for doing it so
well.
This STUDY GUIDE is a companion resource to Wayne Grudem's
Christian Beliefs, revised edition. Not every Christian needs to go
to seminary, but there are certain teachings of the Bible that
every Christian should know. Whether you're a relatively new
believer in Jesus or a mature Christian looking for a better
understanding of basics of the faith, the Christian Beliefs Study
Guide can help you reflect on and deeply internalize the core
teachings of Christianity, when used in conjunction with Christian
Beliefs, revised edition (sold separately). This STUDY GUIDE will
help you think through important topics like: The Bible and its
authority for our lives The characteristics of God The importance
of prayer Angels and the reality of spiritual warfare What it means
that we are created in the image of God What God has done for us in
Christ The purpose of the church What happens when Christ returns
The biblical understanding of heaven And much more Chapter by
chapter, this STUDY GUIDE will lead you to examine and reflect on
Christian Beliefs, revised edition (sold separately), by providing:
Summary: A short summary of the chapter to help remind readers what
they read. Key terms: Definitions of important terminology
introduced in the chapter. Key quotes: Selection of one or two key
quotes from the chapter. Central Scripture Passage: An important
biblical passage related to the chapter for reflection or
memorization. Content Questions: Questions that reflect on the
theological content of the chapter. Practical Application
Questions: Questions that help tie the theological content of the
chapter to real-life situations. For Further Reading: Lists where
to find more information on theological topics in Systematic
Theology, second edition, by Wayne Grudem so readers know where to
go for a deeper dive into specific subjects they want to know more
about. The Christian Beliefs Study Guide is the ideal resource for
every Christian who wants a solid foundation for understanding the
most basic and essential teachings of the Bible.
This title provides privileged insight into the spiritual heart of
iBandla lamaNazaretha, or the Nazareth Church (currently estimated
to have over a million members) and its visionary leader, Isaiah
Shembe, the founder (in 1910). Shembe was an extraordinary man of
immense spiritual power, who gained Messiah/like status among his
followers. Prefaced by a message from the present leader of the
main branch of the Church, Bishop Vimbeni Shembe, and including an
enlightening introduction by Liz Gunner, this three part title
makes available in English and in isiZulu source material,
transcribed and translated from the original longhand books of the
Church archives held at Ekuphakameni. It offers in Isaiah Shembe's
own voice some of the founding tenets of the Nazareth Church and
records the moving testimony of Meshack Hadebe, a 1920's believer,
who relates how his family travelled from 'the land of Mashoeshoe'
to Ekuphakameni, the holy place 'in the land of Natal'. Their
journey in search of 'the Prophet of Jehovah' is inspired by the
appearance of an extraordinary star, similar to that which led the
Three Wise Men on their holy pilgrimage. Also included is some of
the beautiful sacred poetry which forms part of the Church's
enduring hymnal. The man of heaven is a unique treasure trove in
many respects, that will appeal not just to Shembe followers but to
all who have an interest in the complexities of African
Christianity. It is invaluable for the intimate access it offers
into a fascinating spiritual tradition, and for the voice it gives
to a grassroots community immensely powerful but seldom encountered
in African literatures.
Naomi "Omie" Wise was drowned by her lover in the waters of North
Carolina's Deep River in 1807, and her murder has been remembered
in ballad and story for well over two centuries. Mistakes,
romanticization and misremembering have been injected into Naomi's
biography over time, blurring the line between reality and fiction.
The authors of this book, whose family has lived in the Deep River
area since the 18th century, are descendants of many of the people
who knew Naomi Wise or were involved in her murder investigation.
This is the story of a young woman betrayed and how her death gave
way to the folk traditions by which she is remembered today. The
book sheds light on the plight of impoverished women in early
America and details the fascinating inner workings of the Piedmont
North Carolina Quaker community that cared for Naomi in her final
years and kept her memory alive.
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