This collection of essays constitute an extended argument for an anthropocentric, human-focused, study of religious practices. The basic premise of the argument, offered in the opening section, is that there is nothing special or extraordinary about human behaviors and constructs that are claimed to have uniquely religious status and authority. Instead, they are fundamentally human and so the scholar of religion is engaged in nothing more or less than studying humans across time and place and all their complex existence-that includes creating more-than-human beings and realities. As an extended and detailed example of such an approach, the second part of the book contains essays that address practices, rhetoric and other data in early Christianities within Greco-Roman cultures and religions. The underlying aim is to insert studies of the New Testament and non-canonical texts, most often presented as "biblical studies," into the anthropocentric study of religion proposed in the opening section. For a general reading of modern biblical scholarship makes clear the assumption that the Christian bible is a "sacred text" whose principal raison d'etre is to stand, fetish-like, as the foundational and highest authority in matters moral, ritual or theological; how might we instead approach the study of these texts if they are nothing more or less than human documents deriving from situations that were themselves all too human? Braun's Jesus and Addiction to Origins seeks to answer just that question-doing so in a way that readers working outside Christian origins will undoubtedly find useful applications for the people, places, and historical periods that they study.

In this provocative book Warren A. Nord argues that public schools and universities leave the vast majority of students religiously illiterate. Such education is not religiously neutral, a matter of constitutional importance; indeed, it borders on secular indoctrination when measured against the requirements of a good liberal education and the demands of critical thinking. Nord also argues that religious perspectives must be included in courses that address morality and those Big Questions that a good education cannot ignore. He outlines a variety of civic reasons for studying religion, and argues that the Establishment Clause doesn't just permit, but requires, taking religion seriously. While acknowledging the difficulty of taking religion seriously in schools and universities, Nord makes a cogent case for requiring both high school and undergraduate students to take a year long course in religious studies, and for discussing religion in any course that deals with religiously controversial material. The final chapters address how religion might best be addressed in history, literature, economics, and (perhaps most controversially) science courses. He also discusses Bible courses, and the relevance of religion to moral education and ethics courses.
While his position will be taken by some as radical, he argues that he is advocating a "middle way" in our culture wars. Public schools and universities can neither promote religion nor ignore it. Does God Make a Difference? increases our understanding of a long and heated cultural conflict; it also proposes a solution to the problem that is philosophically sound and, in the long run, eminently practical.

To everyone who has ever laid in bed wondering about life after death, or the existence of God.

For all of us, reaching out for any tiny piece of evidence to corroborate our beliefs, or strengthen our doubts. For everyone undergoing a serious illness at home, or in the hospital, or are nearing the end of our journey, and now reside in a hospice, or nursing home. For all of us crying out for some sense to our suffering, this book may offer some relief.

This book is not meant to be an academic study, but a source of hope, a comforting perspective, and a reassurance of the existence of God.

It is my presumption that the actual orders of creation are very similar. In fact when compared to any other religious beliefs, Genesis is the closest in description, to the actual scientific order of creation we know today.

This book is an informal look at the origins of life on this planet, looking at science and Genesis.

The question is simple. Does the Book of Genesis, written thousands of years ago, accurately describe the chronological Order of Creation on this planet?

Is this coincidence, or divine inspiration?

This book contains the complete story of the Lord Jesus Christ: AKA "The Word of God." In this book certain proofs are presented that He was with God (the Father) when the heaven and earth were created, and that He is the eternal light of the heaven(s). He created all things and the worlds. Mankind (male and female) is his special creation, and angels are created spirits watching over the welfare of mankind.

It was O Lucifer, the great dragon, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan who brought sin into the earth and caused the deaths of Adam and Eve. Angels left heaven to live on the earth during Noah's time. O Lucifer started war in heaven, and in defeat was confined to the earth.

Christ Jesus was a close friend of the prophet Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and the prophets of the Old Testament.

He is truly the Savior of mankind, the only begotten son of the true and living God. He is the great prophet, for He revealed to us the past, present and impending future. He came and left this earth on a prophetic time table. He is our Passover from death into everlasting life. He is the resurrection of the dead (both good and evil). He is the baptizer of the Holy Ghost (the Spirit of God), and He will judge the works of mankind to include spirit beings (angels).

After twenty years of meditation and studying, Robert Blumetti has complied a modern perspective on the Norse myths for anyone of European ancestry who seeks a personal connection with the Gods of their ancestors. He has discovered a new understanding of the death and resurrection legend of Balder and its meaning for all people of European ancestry in the twenty-first century. "The Book of Balder Rising" is a religious guide on how the old myths can be a path to a new spirituality in the present modern age. Blumetti's new understanding of the old myths is presented as a guide for personal and spiritual transformation.

Discover the meaning and role that the Gods can play in leading you to the dawning of the New Age of Gimli. Blumetti explains how the old Gods still live on within us, and how we can once again make them a living part of our lives. This book is a must read for all who are interested in the old pagan religions of Europe and its a message of hope and joy for the future that will change your life in ways that will amaze you.

Fingerprints of God is drawn from the author's experience during 50 years of parish ministry to a broad spectrum of worshippers, from teen-agers to senior citizens, from farmers to physicists, from blue collar workers to PhDs. All shared a common hunger to know God as an eternal reality in a world of change and pursued a quest to find reasons for faith. Evidence for the presence of God can be found in history, human experience and in Holy Scripture. Fingerprints of God relates contemporary situations to biblical precedents and personalities from Genesis to Revelation in search of Truth. The author follows the footsteps of others who found the "fingerprints" of God's hand in their lives. With illustrations from literature, biography, and his own personal experience, he shares insights of pastors and teachers who guided his own faith journey. The reader follows the foibles and faith of Old Testament characters leading to the person and work of Jesus Christ, "the finger of God" among us (Luke 11:20). The significance of his life and death and resurrection as the foundation for our faith are the focus of the concluding chapters. The author makes no claim to be profound or prophetic. Each chapter is a simple attempt to answer some question or address a current issue or need in the life of ordinary people. None of the featured topics purport to be "the last word" on the subject under consideration. Like the words and works of Jesus, much more could be said which is "not recorded in this book, but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John 20:30-31.