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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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| The Book of Separation: A Memoir by Tova MirvisBestselling novelist Tova Mirvis grew up in a tightly knit Orthodox Jewish community. Though she outwardly observed Jewish practices and sought to be obedient to Judaism's rules, she gradually became inwardly, then more openly, rebellious. Eventually, she left her community, divorcing her Orthodox husband and exploring other forms of Judaism. This engaging memoir chronicles her life and spiritual evolution. Fans of Lauren Winner's Girl Meets God may enjoy The Book of Separation, though unlike Mirvis, Winner converted to Christianity. |
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Of mess and moxie : wrangling delight out of this wild and glorious life
by Jen Hatmaker
A guide to self-esteem and resiliency in accordance with Christian principles counsels women of faith to reevaluate their perspectives about the role of pain and failure in life, sharing frank and often riotous stories from the author's own experiences with missteps and setbacks.
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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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| Learning to Breathe: My Yearlong Quest to Bring Calm to My Life by Priscilla WarnerHaving suffered from debilitating anxiety attacks since age 15, author Priscilla Warner decides in middle age to give up tranquilizing drugs and learn how to practice the transcendent calm that characterizes Tibetan Buddhist monks. She embarks on a spiritual odyssey that introduces her to a variety of relaxation techniques in addition to Buddhist meditation. This upbeat, approachable narrative will appeal to people looking for stress relief, especially those suffering from anxiety disorders. |
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