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Books > Religion & Spirituality > Aspects of religions (non-Christian) > Religious institutions & organizations
What is a rule, if it appears to become confused with life? And
what is a human life, if, in every one of its gestures, of its
words, and of its silences, it cannot be distinguished from the
rule?
It is to these questions that Agamben's new book turns by means of
an impassioned reading of the fascinating and massive phenomenon of
Western monasticism from Pachomius to St. Francis. The book
reconstructs in detail the life of the monks with their obsessive
attention to temporal articulation and to the Rule, to ascetic
techniques and to liturgy. But Agamben's thesis is that the true
novelty of monasticism lies not in the confusion between life and
norm, but in the discovery of a new dimension, in which "life" as
such, perhaps for the first time, is affirmed in its autonomy, and
in which the claim of the "highest poverty" and "use" challenges
the law in ways that we must still grapple with today.
How can we think a form-of-life, that is, a human life released
from the grip of law, and a use of bodies and of the world that
never becomes an appropriation? How can we think life as something
not subject to ownership but only for common use?
Examining the relationship between Judaism as a religious culture
and kibbutz life, this is a ground-breaking work in the research of
Judaism.
The book takes as its point of departure the historical fact that
it was Orthodox pioneers of German origin, in contrast to their
Eastern European counterparts, who successfully developed religious
kibbutz life. Employing sociological concepts and methods, the
author examines the correlations between two evolutionary phases in
kibbutz development and two modes of Judaism: the rational Halakhic
and the emotive Hassidic modes. In doing this, he explores the
relationship between two diverse dispositions towards the divinity
- the transcendent and the immanent - and two diverse modes of the
self and their related communities.
This innovative and insightful work will be of essential interest
to scholars of the sociology of religion, Jewish studies, modern
Jewish history and Israel's national history, and will also
interest those more broadly engaged with theology and religious
studies.
The artistry, wit, and erudition of medieval Latin narrative poetry
continued to thrive well into the middle of the thirteenth century.
No better evidence of this survives than in the long and
brilliantly successful career of Henry of Avranches (d. 1262).
Professional versifier to abbots, bishops, kings, and at least one
pope, Henry displays a pyrotechnical verbal skill and playfulness
that rivals that of the "Carmina Burana" and similar collections of
rhymed secular verse. Yet he also stands as self-conscious heir to
the great classicizing tradition of the twelfth-century epic poets,
above all of Walter of Chatillon. Henry entwines these two strands
of his literary inheritance in what might surprise modern readers
as an improbable genre. The bulk of Henry s known output is a
series of versified saints lives, including those of Francis of
Assisi, King Edmund, and Thomas Becket, nearly all of which are
based on identified prose models. These two volumes present most of
his work in the genre, as witnessed in the English manuscript that
remains the linchpin of our knowledge of this remarkable poet s
career."
A Handbook of Chaplaincy Studies explores fundamental issues and
critical questions in chaplaincy, spanning key areas of health
care, the prison service, education and military chaplaincy.
Leading authors and practitioners in the field present critical
insight into the challenges and opportunities facing those
providing professional spiritual care. From young men and women in
the military and in custody, to the bedside of those experiencing
life's greatest traumas, this critical examination of the role
played by the chaplain offers a fresh and informed understanding
about faith and diversity in an increasingly secular society. An
invaluable compendium of case-studies, academic reflection and
critical enquiry, this handbook offers a fresh understanding of
traditional, contemporary and innovative forms of spiritual
practice as they are witnessed in the public sphere. Providing a
wide-ranging appraisal of chaplaincy in an era of religious
complexity and emergent spiritualities, this pioneering book is a
major contribution to a relatively underdeveloped field and sets
out how the phenomenon of chaplaincy can be better understood and
its practice more robust and informed.
For years, sociologists -- and marketing experts -- have focused on
the Baby Boomers and Generation Xers. The generation after the Xers
(people born since 1982), called the Millennial Generation, is in
some ways a continuation of a trend. But in other ways, this
generation is a breed apart. Dawson McAllister, who has worked with
hundreds of thousands of young people, offers insight into how to
relate to this up-and-coming generation. He talks about the forces
that have shaped the Millennial Generation, its expectations of
authority, how to make church "work" for the Millennial Generation,
parenting and discipling strategies, what makes this generation
different from other generations, and how this generation shares
the spiritual needs of every generation. A fascinating and
practical look at young people today -- and how we as adults can
learn to relate effectively to them.
The Christian world has been rocked by the number of prominent
leaders, in both church and parachurch organizations, who have been
compromised by moral, ethical, and theological failures. This
pace-setting volume addresses this alarming problem and offers
Christian leaders valuable guidance in dealing with the inherent
risks of their work.
Using biblical and current examples, the authors describe the
characteristics of five types of leaders and the problems that are
most likely to develop if their particular dysfunctions develop
unrestrained. McIntosh and Rima offer a series of steps for leaders
to consider so they can take control of their dark side and learn
to harness its creative powers. This edition includes a new
introduction, updated information throughout, a self-assessment
tool, and other additional material. Includes endorsements from
John Maxwell, Leighton Ford, Leith Anderson, and Rob Angel.
The NASB Preacher's Bible is the ideal combination of readability
and elegance. The easy-to-read print, thick, opaque paper, and
double-column layout bring the words into clear focus. The elegant
cover and three satin ribbon markers complete the package making it
a top choice for any preacher. Pairing the NASB Preacher's Bible
with the NASB Pew and Worship Bible unlocks its true design
ingenuity. While each Bible retains its distinct font and page
layout, they were skillfully crafted so that the pages of these two
different Bibles begin and end with the same word. That means you
no longer have to preach from a pew Bible to be on the same page as
your congregation. Universally recognized as the gold standard
among word-for-word translations, the beloved New American Standard
Bible, 1995 Edition, is now easier to read with Zondervan's
exclusive NASB Comfort Print (R) typeface. Features: The full text
of the New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition Matches
page-for-page with the NASB Pew and Worship Bible Soft, durable
lay-flat covers Thick, opaque 36 gsm paper Double-column,
verse-by-verse format Three satin ribbon markers Exclusive
Zondervan NASB Comfort Print typeface 10-point print size
The doctrine of biblical eldership is very important for all church
members to understand. This small, abridgment of the full text was
written to put the doctrine of biblical elder within reach of every
member of the church body.
In the past, clergy malfeasance was mentioned only in passing by
group members or adherents. The subject was invisible and those who
studied it were often stigmatized as hostile to religion itself.
Today clergy misconduct is acknowledged as a social problem with
growing conceptual and theoretical implications.
In Pastoral Misconduct, Anson Shupe and Janelle M.
Eliasson-Nannini argue that the history and traditions of black
pastoral leadership, coupled with the close identity of many black
congregants with their pastor, congregation, and racial subculture,
creates opportunity structures that facilitate predatory behavior.
Familiarity and mutual identity frequently leads victims to drop
their normal levels of wariness.
Major denominations and minor sects have been studied, but this
unique study by Shupe and Eliasson-Nannini pursues nuances of
pastoral bad behavior in a new context. This book is not a tabloid
treatment of the American black church. In fact, the black church
becomes the vehicle for a major new sociological development: a
theory of clergy misconduct in any minority religion.
The Anastenaria are Orthodox Christians in Northern Greece who
observe a unique annual ritual cycle focused on two festivals,
dedicated to Saint Constantine and Saint Helen. The festivals
involve processions, music, dancing, animal sacrifices, and
culminate in an electrifying fire-walking ritual. Carrying the
sacred icons of the saints, participants dance over hot coals as
the saint moves them. 'The Burning Saints' presents an analysis of
these rituals and the psychology behind them. Based on long-term
fieldwork, 'The Burning Saints' traces the historical development
and sociocultural context of the Greek fire-walking rituals. As a
cognitive ethnography, the book aims to identify the social,
psychological and neurobiological factors which may be involved and
to explore the role of emotional and physiological arousal in the
performance of such ritual. A study of participation, experience
and meaning, 'The Burning Saints' presents a highly original
analysis of how mental processes can shape social and religious
behaviour.
In this book, Pat Williams, senior executive vice president of the
Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association, gives five
secrets he has discovered that lead to a magical, miraculous way of
life.
There are many reports of strange cults which enthral their
followers and cut themselves off from the world. Invariably led by
gurus, or "spiritual leaders", the fruit of these cults are mass
suicides in the South American jungle or the self-immolation of
hundreds in besieged fortresses. This study provides an examination
of these men and women and of those who follow them. It takes as
example some of those considered to be modern gurus - James Jones,
David Koresh, the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, Gurdjieff and others -
and establishes what each of them has in common. It then examines
what they share with other gurus whose teachings are accepted or at
least respected - Jung, Freud, Ignatius Loyola, Jesus himself - and
finds some startling continuities.
In the past 10 years spirituality and spiritual care have been much
debated in professional healthcare literature, highlighting the
need for a recognised definition of spiritual care to enable
appropriate assessment of, and response to, spiritual issues. This
accessible and highly relevant book surveys the numerous
statements, guidelines and standards highlighted by these
discussions, and equips healthcare professionals with the
knowledge, skills and competence to provide the essence of
spiritual care within their professional practice. Practical and
evidence-based, this manual proves that delivery of good,
professional spiritual care can build on intuitive human skills,
and can be taught, learned, assessed and quantified. It gives
readers the opportunity to move on from uncertainties about their
role in the delivery of spiritual care by allowing them to asses
and improve their understanding, skills and clinical practice in
this area of care. Spiritual Care for Healthcare Professionals
clearly grounds spiritual care in clinical practice. It is highly
recommended for supporting academic study and encouraging
healthcare practitioners to reflect on their practice and develop
skills in spiritual assessment and care. Aimed at all healthcare
professionals, it can be used by individual practitioners for
continuing professional development as well as by academic staff
developing educational programmes.
How to Counsel a Couple in 6 Sessions or Less makes it easier to
counsel couples over a brief period of time, but also addresses
major marital issues of communication, family issues, decision
making, and more. This highly practical resource for pastors, or
anyone in ministry, can be used with The Marriage Checkup
Questionnaire or as a stand-alone tool for quickly diagnosing
problems and referring couples to a professional, as necessary.
Bishop Thomas entered the monastery of Beth Abhe Church in the year
of 832 and subsequently became an influential and important figure
in the Early Church. This work was written at the request of a
young monk, who had urged Bishop Thomas to record for posterity the
lives of the most famous monks of Beth Abhe. As a result we get a
threaded-together series of events, stories and personal histories,
which show how monks and early monasticism existed on a day-to-day
and individual-to-individual basis.
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