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Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Protestantism & Protestant Churches
Believe anything you want. The twentieth century has brought with
it a myriad of opinions, philosophies, doctrines and ideologies.
Each one of them important; each one valid. And the world says,
'Believe what you want.' Authors Wes Tracy and Stan Ingersol have
authored Here We Stand to shatter that conclusion. More than ever,
it is important that we know what we believe. Here We Stand is a
comprehensive study of a wide range of beliefs and where Nazarenes
fit into the ideological puzzle. Tracy and Ingersol provide the
most contemporary and complete overview of major religions and
religious beliefs since Why I Am a Nazarene . Nazarenes have the
unique opportunity to reestablish their identity with a new
generation of people. Here We Stand gives a clear view into other
traditions in a language and approach understood by today's pastors
and laymen. Here We Stand contributes to the distinctiveness of
each group without sacrificing the Christian community as a whole.
Pastors, Sunday School teachers and new Christians will find this
unabridged version of the book What Is a Nazarene? an excellent
resource because it lends a knowledgeable, objective voice to
discussions of doctrine, witnessing and spirituality. Here We Stand
provides the historical and theological background needed to
establish identity and ownership among new and life-long Nazarenes.
Kivar.
Do your quiet times with God feel disconnected from the rest of your overflowing days? Shouldn't our devotions affect how we live our lives? In this 90-day devotional for women, plain Mennonite mother and wife Faith Sommers helps connect your moments with the Lord to the rest of your life. Steeped in the faith of Amish and Mennonites, who maintain that how we live is as important as what we say, Sommers' words hold gentle warmth and wise nudging for readers tired of disjointed living. Offering daily devotions, prayers, journal prompts, and ideas for how to simplify your life and strengthen your faith, Prayers for a Simpler Life guides readers toward a deeper commitment to the way of Jesus.
Around the turn of the 19th century, the Holiness Movement
blossomed in America. Wesleyan-Holiness denominations sprang up all
over the country. In 1907-8, five of these joined together to form
the Church of the Nazarene.The dream that drew the founders
together was a believers church in the Wesleyan tradition. It is
the same dream that guides the Church of the Nazarene today. But
how does that translate into a world where denominational lines don
t seem to matter as much as they used to? How is a Nazarene
different from a Presbyterian, Baptist, or Pentecostal brother or
sister in Christ? What is a Nazarene? answers those questions in
concise, easy-to-understand terms, as it examines the similarities
and differences between the Church of the Nazarene and other
mainline Christian denominations. With refreshing insight and
candor, What is a Nazarene? will acquaint you with the heritage
that birthed a vision that made a dream come true.
A Concise, One-Volume Guide to Spirit-Empowered Theology Many
Spirit-filled believers, even those intimately familiar with
Scripture, sometimes struggle to express theology in clear terms.
Charles Carrin, esteemed Spirit-empowered evangelist and scholar,
can help. In this one-volume reference, he explores the core areas
of theology--including the Bible, God, creation, sin, salvation,
church, last things--from a Spirit-empowered viewpoint. He also
specifically addresses key topics for charismatic and Pentecostal
believers, including * baptism of the Holy Spirit * functions of
the spiritual gifts, including the controversial gift of tongues *
healing and deliverance ministry * angels, demons, and the
supernatural miracles of God * God's plan for Israel This
comprehensive work by a respected Spirit-filled pastor will help
you grow in understanding about what you believe--and confidence
about why.
Homosexuality, social drinking, and politics . . .Why is it so hard
to talk about these topics and others like them in the church? What
keeps us from having open and honest conversations about complex
and controversial issues? The silence in the pews about these
matters can be deafening. Often members say little, fearing
disagreement and rebuttal, others strongly assert half-truths and
biases. Nothing gets truly discussed, and many, especially the
youth, become discouraged and leave.A Charitable Discourse
insightfully explores why this happens, looking closely at the ways
people avoid and prevent authentic dialog, from labeling and
grandstanding to religious abuse. Seven controversial issues are
discussed with understanding, sincerity, and compassion.
Von Allmen's essay on the central sacrament of the Christian faith
examining from within the Reformed Tradition the truths enshrined
in the Lord's Supper, seeing the act as not only a "sign", "symbol"
or "memorial", but as the real presence of Christ. Von Allmen's
essay on the central sacrament of the Christian faith examining
from within the Reformed Tradition the truths enshrined in the
Lord's Supper, seeing the act as not only a 'sign', 'symbol' or
'memorial', but as the real presence of Christ.
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.
Avoiding sensationalism and date-speculating, respected Bible
teacher Amir Tsarfati uses his unique perspective as an Israeli
Christian to lead you through a fascinating modern-day description
of God's plan for the end of the world.
Grounded from start to
finish in Scripture, the book reveals how the Rapture, the imminent
rise of the Antichrist, and the tragic horrors of the Great
Tribulation will play out in our world today. He also helps you
understand the roles--and fates--of Russia, Iran, Syria, Turkey,
the European Union, the United States of America, and Israel in the
end times, showing just how biblical prophecies are being fulfilled
in our time.
But above all, he offers hope that in the midst of
chaos and horror, God is ultimately in control, and those who
belong to him will be safe with him.
A tale of survival and freedom, Stolen Innocence is the story of
one heroic woman who stood up for what was right and reclaimed her
life. In September 2007, a packed courtroom in St. George, Utah,
sat hushed as Elissa Wall, the star witness against polygamous sect
leader Warren Jeffs, gave captivating testimony of how Jeffs forced
her to marry her first cousin at the age of fourteen. This
harrowing and vivid account proved to be the most compelling
evidence against Jeffs, showing the harsh realities of the lengths
to which Jeffs went in order to control the sect's women. Now, in
this courageous memoir, Elissa Wall tells the incredible and
inspirational story of how she emerged from the confines of the
Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) and helped bring
one of America's most notorious criminals to justice. Offering a
child's perspective on life in the FLDS, Wall discusses her
tumultuous youth, and explains how Warren Jeffs's influence over
the church twisted its already rigid beliefs in dangerous new
directions. Once she was married, Wall's childhood shattered as she
was obligated to follow Jeffs's directives and submit to her
husband in "mind, body, and soul." With little money and no
knowledge of the outside world, she was trapped and forced to
endure the pain and abuse of her loveless relationship, which
eventually pushed her to spend nights sleeping in her truck rather
than face the tormentor in her bed.
'For anyone who enjoyed Hillbilly Elegy or Educated, Unfollow is an
essential text' - Louis Theroux 'Such a moving, redemptive,
clear-eyed account of religious indoctrination' - Pandora Sykes 'A
nuanced portrait of the lure and pain of zealotry' New York Times
'Unfolds like a suspense novel . . . A brave, unsettling, and
fascinating memoir about the damage done by religious
fundamentalism' NPR A Radio Four Book of the Week Pick for June
2021 As featured on the BBC documentaries, 'The Most Hated Family
in America' and 'Surviving America's Most Hated Family' It was an
upbringing in many ways normal. A loving home, shared with
squabbling siblings, overseen by devoted parents. Yet in other ways
it was the precise opposite: a revolving door of TV camera crews
and documentary makers, a world of extreme discipline, of siblings
vanishing in the night. Megan Phelps-Roper was raised in the
Westboro Baptist Church - the fire-and-brimstone religious sect at
once aggressively homophobic and anti-Semitic, rejoiceful for AIDS
and natural disasters, and notorious for its picketing the funerals
of American soldiers. From her first public protest, aged five, to
her instrumental role in spreading the church's invective via
social media, her formative years brought their difficulties. But
being reviled was not one of them. She was preaching God's truth.
She was, in her words, 'all in'. In November 2012, at the age of
twenty-six, she left the church, her family, and her life behind.
Unfollow is a story about the rarest thing of all: a person
changing their mind. It is a fascinating insight into a closed
world of extreme belief, a biography of a complex family, and a
hope-inspiring memoir of a young woman finding the courage to find
compassion for others, as well as herself. --- More praise for
Unfollow 'A beautiful, gripping book about a singular soul, and an
unexpected redemption' - Nick Hornby 'A modern-day parable for how
we should speak and listen to each other' - Dolly Alderton 'Her
journey - from Westboro to becoming one of the most empathetic,
thoughtful, humanistic writers around - is exceptional and
inspiring' - Jon Ronson 'A gripping story, beautifully told . . .
It takes real talent to produce a book like this. Its message could
not be more urgent' Sunday Times
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