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Spirituality and Religion November 2017 |
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| The Rise and Fall of Adam and Eve by Stephen GreenblattThe stories of creation found at the beginning of the Hebrew scriptures in Genesis chapters 1-2 have attracted a variety of Christian interpreters. Some scorned the Garden of Eden story as pagan myth, while others viewed it as a spiritual allegory. St. Augustine of Hippo declared it to be literal truth, and later writers, including John Milton, built their own works around it. In this thought-provoking study, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Stephen Greenblatt reviews the history of these interpretations and adds his own considerations. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly calls this an "erudite yet accessible page-turner." |
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| The Great Shift: Encountering God in Biblical Times by James L. KugelIn The Great Shift, acclaimed Orthodox Jewish scholar James Kugel considers how the people of ancient times encountered God and, examining the Hebrew scriptures, traces a gradual change in human perceptions of the divine presence. These perceptions progress from literal, intimate encounters with God, through conversations mediated by heavenly messengers, to an understanding of God as distant and hard to reach. Drawing on his deep understanding of Hebrew scriptures and literature, theology, and human psychology, Kugel provides an intriguing window into ancient texts for modern readers. |
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Pathways in the Spiritual Life
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| You'll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times by Max LucadoPlumbing the emotional depths of Bible stories, bestselling Christian author Max Lucado assures you that "you'll get through this," no matter how difficult your challenges seem. Exploring the story of Joseph from Genesis, Lucado draws parallels with the struggles of contemporary Christians who experience family conflicts, feelings of isolation, and other challenging events. This book brings to life for modern readers the ways that God brings good out of evil. |
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| Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart... by James MartinJesuit James Martin, who often appeared on Comedy Central's Colbert Report, reminds us that Jesus expressed a sense of humor and that joyfulness may demonstrate a strong faith -- St. Teresa of Avila and other saints were famous for their humor. Using quotations from the Bible, comical anecdotes, interviews with scholars, and illustrations from history, Martin saves Christianity from gloom and shows how to apply these entertaining lessons to one's personal theology. Baptist pastor Susan Sparks' Laugh Your Way to Grace offers additional insight into a religious sense of humor. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Rochester Hills Public Library
500 Olde Towne Rd
Rochester, Michigan 48307
(248) 656-2900www.rhpl.org/ |
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