A two-volume translation of and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, offering a comprehensive examination of the science and philosophy of yoga. It seeks to break new ground as a revelation of the Gita's most profound spiritual, psychological and metaphysical truths, long obscured by metaphor and allegory. The author outlines the Gita's balanced path of meditation and right activity, and shows how we can create for ourselves a life of spiritual integrity, serenity, simplicity and joy. Included are Sanskrit transliterations of each verse, along with subject guides and a 37-page index.

The incredible discoveries at Qumran are unveiled in this compelling volume by one of the world's foremost experts on biblical archaeology and the ancient Qumran community. Drawing on the best of current research and a thorough knowledge of all the Dead Sea Scrolls, Hartmut Stegemann analyzes the purpose of the Qumran settlement, paints a picture of how daily life was carried on there, explores the relation of the Qumran community to John the Baptist, to Jesus, and to early Christianity, and uncovers the true nature of the Qumran writings, which continue to have a profound impact on biblical studies today

The environmental crisis has prompted religious leaders and lay people to look to their traditions for resources to respond to environmental degradation. In this book, Mari Joerstad contributes to this effort by examining an ignored feature of the Hebrew Bible: its attribution of activity and affect to trees, fields, soil, and mountains. The Bible presents a social cosmos, in which humans are one kind of person among many. Using a combination of the tools of biblical studies and anthropological writings on animism, Joerstad traces the activity of non-animal nature through the canon. She shows how biblical writers go beyond sustainable development, asking us to be good neighbors to mountains and trees, and to be generous to our fields and vineyards. They envision human communities that are sources of joy to plants and animals. The Biblical writers' attention to inhabited spaces is particularly salient for contemporary environmental ethics in their insistence that our cities, suburbs, and villages contribute to flourishing landscapes.

Tabari's Tafsir or "Comprehensive Exposition of the Interpretation of the Verses of the Qur'an" is one of the great monuments of classical Arabic and Islamic scholarship which, over a millennium, has been a fundamental reference work for scholars engaged in the tradition of Quranic commentary and exegesis. This two-volume translation focuses on thirty selected verses and Suras, or Chapters, associated with special merits and blessings and also includes Tabari's own introduction to the Tafsir. Volume I contains: Tabari's introduction; The Opening; the Throne Verse and the final three verses from The Cow (2:255 & 284-286); The Family of Imran (3:7 & 18); Repentance (9:38-40 & 128-129); the story of Moses and Khadir from The Cave (18:60-82); the Verse of Light from The Light (24:35-42); Prostration; Ya' Sin. Volume II contains: The Companies (39:53-55); The Smoke; The Beneficent; The Inevitable Occasion; Iron; The Gathering (59:18-24); Sovereignty; The Resurrection; The Most High; The Sun; The Night; The Earthquake; The Chargers; Rivalry; The Disbelievers; Aid; Sincerity; Daybreak; People.

Walk the path of holiness, stir your faith in God, and break free from the bonds of a sinful nature with Joyce Meyer's Galatians commentary, featuring inspiring questions and space for your reflections. Paul's letter to the church at Galatia speaks largely to how important it was to Paul that the people embrace unity in Christ, no matter their differences. Galatians teaches that we're only justified by faith in Christ only and encourages us to pursue a life of holiness, not in our own strength, but in the knowledge of God's empowering grace in our lives. In this comprehensive study tool, Joyce Meyer offers an in-depth look at Galatians and emphasizes that we are not only saved by faith, we must learn to live by faith as well.

Explaining the language and the major themes of the Qur'an, its unique literary structure, and its alleged "inimitability", Gade highlights how it seamlessly weaves together law, narrative, description and parable. With extensive extracts, illustrations, and detailed insights into its textual history, The Qur'an: An Introduction helps those coming to the translated text for the first time and it explains the unique issues that Qur'anic translation raises. Exploring how a huge variety of topics are dealt with in the Qur'an, from gender and conflict, to mysticism, and even ecological crisis, both students and general readers will find this an invaluable primer.

The Upanisads are the central scriptures of Hinduism. They represent some of the most important literary products in the history of Indian culture and religion, both because they played a critical role in the development of religious ideas in India and because they are our greatest source for the religious, social, and intellectual history of ancient India. Composed at a time of great social, economic, and religious change, the Upanisads document the transition from the archaic ritualism of the Veda into new religious ideas and institutions. The first major English translation of the ancient Upanisads for over half a century, Olivelle's work incorporates the most recent historical and philological scholarship. The introduction and detailed notes make this edition ideal for the non-specialist as well as for students of Indian religions. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Be Equipped to Interact More Fruitfully and Thoughtfully with Muslims The Quran with Christian Commentary offers a unique introduction to the primary religious text of Islam. Alongside a precise modern English translation of the Quran, author Gordon D. Nickel provides in-text notes to explain the meaning of various surahs (chapters) and ayat (verses), their interpretive history and significance in Muslim thought, and similarities and differences when compared to biblical passages. Additional articles on important topics are written by an international team of today's leading experts including: Abraham in the Quran by George Bristow Early Christian Exegesis of the Quran by J. Scott Bridger Tampering with the Pre-Islamic Scriptures by Gordon Nickel Salvation in the Quran by Peter Riddell Fighting and Killing in the Quran by Ayman S. Ibrahim Creation in the Quran by Jon Hoover Calling to Islam (da'wa) by Matthew Kuiper Apocryphal Details in Quranic Stories by Mateen Elass The Death of Jesus in the Quran by Gordon Nickel Son of God in the Quran by Gordon Nickel Jihad in the Quran by David Cook Moses in the Quran by Gordon Nickel Manuscripts of the Quran by Daniel A. Brubaker Women in the Quran by Linda Darwish The Place of the Scale(s) in the Reckoning by Daniel A. Brubaker Divine Punishment of Unbelievers in This World by David Marshall Shi'ite Interpretation of the Quran by Linda Darwish The Language of Love in the Quran by Gordon Nickel Allah in the Quran by Mark Anderson Eschatology in the Quran by David Cook Factual, respectful of Muslims, and insightful on issues about which Muslims and Christians disagree, The Quran with Christian Commentary equips Christians to interact more fruitfully with Muslim believers. Professors and students in courses on Islam and the Quran will find this to be an invaluable resource, as will pastors and missionaries who minister among Muslims. Written at a readable level, any Christian who wants to learn more about Islam and the Quran will find it to be a rich and informative introduction.

Every work on Jewish thought and law since the twelfth century bears the imprint of Maimonides. A. N. Whitehead's famous dictum that the entire European philosophical tradition 'consists of a series of footnotes to Plato' could equally characterize Maimonides' place in the Jewish tradition. The critical studies in this volume explore how Orthodox rabbis of different orientations-Shlomo Aviner, Naftali Zvi Yehudah Berlin (Netziv), Kalonymus Kalman Shapira, Joseph Kafih, Abraham Isaac Kook, Aaron Kotler, Joseph Soloveitchik, and Elhanan Wasserman-have read and provided footnotes to Maimonides in the long twentieth century. How well did they really understand Maimonides? And where do their arguments fit in the mainstream debates about him and his works? Each of the seven core chapters examines a particular approach. Some rabbis have tried to liberate themselves from the influence of his ideas. Others have sought to build on those ideas or expand them in ways which Maimonides himself did not pursue, and which he may well not have agreed with. Still others advance patently non-Maimonidean positions, while attributing them to none other than Maimonides. Above all, the essays published here demonstrate that his legacy remains vibrantly alive today.