"I would say that one encounters God walking, moving, seeking Him and allowing oneself to be sought by Him." ~ from Pope Francis and Abraham Skorka's On Heaven and Earth
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New and Recently Released!
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| Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence by Karen ArmstrongIn Fields of Blood, acclaimed writer Karen Armstrong offers insight into the connections between religion and violence. A comprehensive history, it explores the use of violence in early human communities and shows how religion was later employed to justify it. As religion evolved, its adherents (especially in Christianity and Islam) promoted principles of love and non-violence, but despite these core teachings religion often takes the blame for terrorism and political oppression. Armstrong's expertise in religious studies contributes to her "definitive voice in defense of the divine" (Kirkus Reviews), which rebuts those who assert that religion's influence is necessarily harmful. |
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| Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace by Anne LamottNovelist and essayist Anne Lamott offers her observations on life in this collection of essays, deploying her trademark humor to craft insightful commentary on the challenges and rewards of her Christian faith. Depicting her spiritual journey as a step-by-step adventure, she reveals her fears and doubts and celebrates her achievements through vivid anecdotes that accurately connect with her readers' lives. Established Lamott fans and those new to her writing will find quiet inspiration as well as exuberant joy in these pages. |
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Books You Might Have Missed
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| Your Fatwa Does Not Apply Here: Untold Stories from the Fight Against... by Karima BennouneFor three years, author Karima Bennoune traveled the globe, interviewing Muslims who have taken public stands against extremist Islamic fundamentalists. In Your Fatwa Does Not Apply Here, human rights specialist Bennoune recounts what she learned from interviews in Algeria, Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, South Asia, and other Islamic regions. She refutes misrepresentations of Islamic doctrine, critiques Europeans and Americans who accept moderate-seeming fundamentalist groups such as Egypt's Islamic Brotherhood, and illuminates the courage of those who resist both fundamentalist Muslims and prejudiced Westerners. Anyone interested in a balanced understanding of Islam will find this a valuable resource. |
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| On Heaven and Earth: Pope Francis on Faith, Family, and the Church... by Pope Francis and Abraham SkorkaCardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, and Rabbi Abraham Skorka (a religion scholar and biophysicist) recorded a series of their conversations about a range of topics, sharing their religious views and discussing moral issues such as the Holocaust, euthanasia, sexual abuse by priests, and the future of religion. Published in Spanish in 2010, their open and forthright comments offer insight into issues important to Jewish-Christian dialogue and the views of Pope Francis. Be sure to pick up this translation for a thought-provoking, accessible dialog on religious questions of general interest. |
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| Seven Men: And the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric MetaxasClearly explaining his definition of "manhood" and stating that his own "greatest role model is Jesus," bestselling author Eric Metaxas portrays seven men who he thinks provide ideal examples of manhood. Those whose life stories appear in this book represent particular personal qualities and ideals of service to others, which Metaxas hopes will inspire men in the present day, and each brief, witty biography includes captivating little-known details. Though Seven Men profiles Christians, readers who profess different faiths can still find inspiration here and emulate the men's "more laudable qualities," according to Publishers Weekly. |
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| The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates by Frans de WaalIn The Bonobo and the Atheist, primatologist Frans de Waal relates his observations on moral behavior in chimpanzees and bonobos. Based on his research (which includes humans and other species) de Waal concludes that altruism is a common natural impulse. He refutes the commonly held view that moral behavior depends on self-interest, and offers an "intimate and joyful series of proofs" (Kirkus Reviews) that people are naturally motivated to build civil societies. Emphasizing the usefulness of religion in such societies, de Waal appeals to atheists (like himself) to be more accepting of believers. Readers interested in science or religion shouldn't miss this book. |
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