The Fengdao kejie or "Rules and Precepts for Worshiping the Dao" dates from the early seventh century and is a key text of medieval Daoist priesthood and monasticism, which was first formally organized in the sixth century. Compiled to serve the needs of both monastic practitioners and priests in training it describes the fundamental rules, organizational principles, and concrete establishments of Daoist institutions. Speaking in their own voices and presenting the ideal Daoist life of their time, priests and recluses come to life in this fascinating ancient document. Livia Kohn here offers the first complete annotated translation of the Fengdao kejie. She begins with three introductory chapters that outline the development of Daoist organizations and institutions, discuss the date and compilation of the work, and present key issues of terminology and worldview. The text itself contains eighteen sections that address the importance of karma and retribution, the creation of buildings, sacred statues, and scriptures, the design of sacred utensils and ritual clothing, the organization and structure of the ordination hierarchy, as well as a number of essential rituals, from the recitation of the scriptures to the daily devotions and the ordination ceremony. The Daoist Monastic Manual offers a clear and vibrant description of the lifestyle and organizational structures of medieval Daoism, rooting the religion in the concrete reality of daily activities.

This is the first study to highlight the significance of nuns' writings in early modern Germany. Combining scholarly analysis with illuminating case studies - such as an abbess's account of the Reformation, a prioress's diary from the Thirty Years' War, and a biography of a fifteenth-century visionary - Charlotte Woodford introduces the much neglected female historians of the era, and sets their writings in an historical and literary context.

Constantly referenced as a reliable source on the "Nestorian" missionary movement, this historical account of that movement is a necessary volume for anyone interested in the missionary work of the Eastern Church. Stewart's engaging account has remained fresh through the years and remains a standard reference on the topic.

"Is Being Pro-Choice a Sin?" studies the wording in the Roman Catholic Church's official pronouncements, compares the related ambiguities and inconsistencies in the Church's official teachings regarding abortion, and brings to the forefront many yet unanswered questions about one of the most controversial issues of our time.

Len Belter relies on his personal experience as a practicing Catholic as he shares a detailed examination of the human reproductive process, formal church documents, and natural law concepts. Intended for church bishops and others who share Belter's misgivings, Belter questions why every fertilized human egg existing outside a woman's womb must be considered of equivalent moral value as a born human. While detailing where clarification and change are needed within church doctrine, Belter delves into such topics as: Why the Church ignores that many fertilized human eggs are naturally shed The significance of the historical understanding of the "male seed" What role fertility treatments play in the church's position The alleged sin of cooperating with evil "Is Being Pro-Choice a Sin?" raises many reflective questions for those both within and outside the walls of the Catholic Church while encouraging a reduction in accusatory rhetoric and an open dialogue.

Hailed by leading South Korean academics as the most significant research on the history of Korean Catholicism to date, Professor Jai-Keun Choi of Yonsei University in Korea explores the origin of the Roman Catholic Church in the Korean peninsula. Professor Choi raises important historical questions as: What were the historical forces that allowed Roman Catholicism to take root in the 19th century Choson Korea despite official governmental efforts to stamp out Catholicism through systematic persecution? What was the Korean populist reaction to Roman Catholic missions? What was the role that native Korean converts played in the spread of Catholicism throughout Korea? With a keen eye to the delicacies of conflicting historical forces, Professor Choi adroitly explains the complexities of the clash of civilizations in the experience of Choson Korea, where Korean Confucianism responded with greatest hostility to Roman Catholicism from the West. This book makes a significant scholarly contribution not only in the study of Korean history but also in such academic disciplines as sociology of religion, anthropology, political science, and international relations.

Fear is the greatest motivator that exists outside of love-and yet these two seemingly opposing forces are in fact inseparably related to each other. As a Christian psychotherapist with twenty-five years of experience, I have come to the conclusion that nearly all emotional and psychological struggles share the same root condition I call disordered fear. Fear must be understood to be both accepted and overcome. It is not our heavenly Father's will or purpose for His children to live under the oppression and bondage of disordered fear, for we are created and destined to reverentially fear God alone. And this is precisely what Break Free comprehensively addresses.

Anson Shupe is a sociologist who has studied extensively the problem of clergy (priests, ministers, rabbis, gurus) who take advantage sexually or financially of members of their churches and groups-from televangelists like Jim Bakker or Robert Tilton to the infamous Father James Porter who sexually molested at least 200 children. Shupe's focus is not on the psychological motives of these miscreants, but rather on the reaction to their actions by the perpetrators themselves, by the organizations, and by the victims.

Anson Shupe is a sociologist who has studied extensively the problem of clergy (priests, ministers, rabbis, gurus) who take advantage sexually or financially of members of their churches and groups-from televangelists like Jim Bakker or Robert Tilton to the infamous Father James Porter who sexually molested at least 200 children. Shupe's focus is not on the psychological motives of these miscreants, but rather on the reaction to their actions by the perpetrators themselves, by the organizations, and by the victims.

The role of being a leader is a difficult one. They are often called upon to give wisdom and direction, inspiration and hope, vision and paths of execution. Where does all this come from? It comes from a pool of collective wisdom that is gathered over time. For Christian leaders, it comes from their ability to call upon God to provide them with the wisdom and discernment needed at a particular time. Every great leader has a series of mentors in their life who are providing or have provided wisdom. This wisdom becomes part of the pool from which leaders draw. Many leaders today wish that they had a mentor in their life. Someone who loves them; cares about their leadership and mission; listens carefully to their leadership challenges; and provides reflective feedback that points them both to God and the way forward. Yet all too often men and women find themselves without this great resource. This book is intended to serve as a passive mentor. A passive mentor is someone that we can glean knowledge from even though we may never meet him or her personally. The following pages contain a collection of insights speaking into challenges faced by most leaders. Included with each is a scriptural verse or passage that points towards faith and God's promise to walk with leaders through each day. In each of the topics addressed, Carson will be asking questions about the reader or their leadership while providing some leadership insights he has learned while leading at Arrow Leadership. Each section closes with a prayer that can be used as a guide for a leaders own prayers for the week that follows. Every page invites God to speak to the reader and enjoy the peace of His presence.

The Knights of the white cross
The Order of Knights Hospitallers-or Knights of St John-originated in the times of the Crusades in 1119, though the foundation of a hospital for pilgrims in Jerusalem can be dated to 600 AD. It rose to be one of the most powerful Christian groups in the Holy Land. Its actions against Muslim forces were legendary but eventually Islam drove Christianity out and the order retreated to Cyprus. In 1309 Rhodes was subdued and became the order's new home. Battles with Barbary Corsairs and the Ottoman Turks followed culminating in the great siege and defeat at Rhodes by Suleiman in 1522. Malta then became the headquarters and it too withstood a gruelling assault in 1565. Further action included a decisive sea victory against the Corsairs at Lepanto and this history concludes with the siege of Vienna as the Knights came to the end of their real influence and military power.

Do your fears and anxieties get in the way of living a spirit-filled life? Have you ever been victim to the illusion of control? Are you looking for spiritual recovery and personal growth? Are compulsions interfering in your relationships with others and with God? Do you have the peace that you want? While completing more than forty thousand hours of psychotherapy over thirty years, with individuals, couples, and families, Dr. Krummel realized that the fears, roles, and themes in his life were not unique. He became aware that his psychological and spiritual journey was a common one. Dr. Richard Krummel's new book, Fear, Control, and Letting Go: How Psychological Principles and Spiritual Faith Can Help Us Recover from Our Fears offers life-changing tools for recovery and transformation. The book provides tremendous insight into how one can grow behaviorally, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. "While you are waiting for someone or something else to change, change yourself." --Dr. Krummel "Give as you are able, according as the Lord has blessed you." (Deuteronomy 16:17) Dr. Krummel donates $1.00 from the sale of each book to several charities.

For the Common Good showcases the insights, reflections, and recommendations of some of today's most forward-thinking and inspiring leaders, as they explore the challenges of leadership in the context of our global, 21st-century society. Featuring original essays by such luminaries as Nobel Prize winner John Hume; Leader-to-Leader Chair Frances Hesselbein; Harvard University's Howard Gardner; M.K. Gandhi Institute's Founder Arun Gandhi; poet David Whyte; and President Jimmy Carter, For the Common Good stresses the need for a new kind of leadership committed to promoting social welfare, justice, and opportunity. Against the all-too-familiar backdrop of corporate malfeasance, scandal in our religious institutions, political chicanery to serve ulterior motives, and constant reminders of the corruptive influences of power, the contributors apply their expertise in such fields as ecology, education, and conflict resolution to illuminate emerging roles and responsibilities of today's leaders. Collectively, the authors argue that because individuals, institutions, and societies are now so profoundly connected and inter-related, every decision of consequence has a ripple effect. Leaders of all stripes, including corporate executives, politicians, social activists, scientists, and educators, must display courage, integrity, humility, and the wherewithal to consider the long-term impact of their decision and actions. Most important, they must engage in dialogue and recognize that creative solutions to complex problems require collaboration across sectors and cultures to achieve common goals. The result is a provocative and multidimensional exploration of leadership in troubled and troublingtimes--but with a hopeful note that individuals and organizations will rise to the challenges.

From the early narratives of such colonial writers as Jonathan Edwards to the more recent conversion experiences of Jim Bakker, Jerry Falwell, and Pat Robertson, America is rich in both conversions and autobiographies. This volume provides a sourcebook for the study of American religious conversion narratives. It includes entries providing biographical, bibliographic, and critical commentary on thirty significant writers of conversion narratives. The subjects include writers of early colonial America, such as Mary Rowlandson and John Woolman, nineteenth-century women writers, such as Carry Nation and Ann Eliza Young, and writers from the twentieth-century social gospel movement, such as John Cogley and Dorothy Day. Chapters on subjects such as Jim Bakker give insight into the rise of televangelism. Finally, chapters on such writers as Frederick Douglass, Eldridge Cleaver, and Piri Thomas cover the conversion experiences of those who lived outside mainstream American culture.

The chapters are arranged alphabetically. Each one is divided into sections providing a short biography, discussing the narrative, covering criticism of the narrative, and a bibliography. The work concludes with a bibliographic essay and a full subject index.

Carole Fontaine, well known among biblical scholars for her feminist studies in the biblical wisdom traditions and the ancient Near East, is also a human rights and interfaith activist working on issues of violence against Muslim women in the Middle East and Southern Asia and a board member of many agencies such as the International Network for the Rights of Female Victims of Violence in Pakistan, and the Women's Forum against Fundamentalism in Iran. In this collection of her essays, mostly previously unpublished, she brings together these two concerns, distilling from the scriptures of Judaism, Christianity and Islam valuable insights into current questions of human rights. Unlike many writers, Fontaine recognizes the critical role of gender in the fundamental concept of the 'Other', so determinative for our view of humanity. In our days, Fontaine argues, human rights issues have taken on a new dimension in political discourse about war, peace and terror, where often an appeal is made to religious and scriptural justifications for the violation or preservation of rights. Fontaine urges attention to the priority of the sufferer in adjudicating meaning, and turns to the 'little texts' of daily ethics rather than grand theological abstractions in order to place 'scriptures' in meaningful conversation with the concrete realities of our world.