Best Church & State Religious Studies

This well-researched examination of human moral impulses will appeal to liberals and conservatives alike following the 2016 presidential campaign and election. Beautifully written, Haidt’s book shines a new and creative light on moral psychology and presents a provocative message.”. — Science “A remarkable and original synthesis of social psychology, political analysis, and moral reasoning.”. —Edward O. Wilson, University Research Professor Emeritus, Harvard University. The principal posture in which one envisions him is that of a scrappy, voluble, discerning patriot standing between the warring factions in American politics urging each to see the other’s viewpoint, to stop demonizing, bashing, clobbering. “Jonathan Haidt is one of smartest and most creative psychologists alive, and his newest book, The Righteous Mind is a tour de force—a brave, brilliant and eloquent exploration of the most important issues of our time. This is the book that everyone is going to be talking about.”. —Paul Bloom, Brooks and Suzanne Ragen Professor of Psychology, Yale University. This elegantly written book has far-reaching implications for anyone interested in anthropology, politics, religion, or the many controversies that divide modern societies. If you want to know why you hold your moral beliefs and why many people disagree with you, read this book..”. —Simon Baron-Cohen, Cambridge University, Author of Zero Degrees of Empathy and The Science of Evil. “Jonathan Haidt’s absorbing The Righteous Mind should come with a warning label: ‘contents highly addictive.’ Written in a breezy and accessible style but informed by an impressively wide range of cutting-edge research in the social sciences, evolutionary biology and psychology, The Righteous Mind is about as interesting a book as you’ll pick up this year.”. — The Globe and Mail. “What makes [ The Righteous Mind ] so compelling is the fluid combination of erudition and entertainment, and the author’s obvious pleasure in challenging conventional wisdom. [Haidt’s] core point is simple and well-made: our morality, much of it wired into brains from birth, at the same time binds us together and blinds us to different configurations of morality.”. — The Guardian (London). Haidt’s brilliant synthesis shows that Christians have nothing to fear and much to gain from the evolutionary paradigm.”. —Michael Dowd, author of Thank God for Evolution. “The Righteous Mind is an intellectual tour de force that brings Darwinian theorizing to the practical realm of everyday politics. “As a fellow who listens to heated political debate daily, I was fascinated, enlightened, and even amused by Haidt’s brilliant insights. This penetrating yet accessible book will help readers understand the righteous minds that inhabit politics.”. —Larry Sabato, University of Virginia, author of A More Perfect Constitution. “A profound discussion of the diverse psychological roots of morality and their role in producing political conflicts.

When the prophecy later fell into the hands of New York Times bestsellers Don and Mary Colbert, God used this new team of passionate individuals to lead the nation into a fervent prayer chain that would accomplish one of the most incredible miracles our country has ever seen. In THE TRUMP PROPHECIES readers will discover: *How the Lord can and will use anyone regardless of education, background, or health to communicate His message to the Church of Christ. *What led to the miracle of the 2016 election, the role of we the people for the will of God in the future, and what the Body of Christ needs to do to keep His blessing on our nation. *How the enemy has utilized techniques of distraction to keep the Body's focus off of God and onto internal, demoralizing disputes and how this can be overcome. *Astounding, world-altering changes in our US government Mark sees on the horizon. *The positive message of hope and encouragement that points to fresh methods of spreading the Gospel to the lost.

The many similarities and the spiritual bond between the pope and the president—and how Reagan privately spoke of the “DP”: the Divine Plan to take down communism New details about how the Protestant Reagan became intensely interested in the “secrets of Fátima,” which date to the reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary at Fátima, Portugal, starting on May 13, 1917—­sixty-four years to the day before John Paul II was shot A startling insider account of how the USSR may have been set to invade the pope’s native Poland in March 1981—only to pull back when news broke that Reagan had been shot. Nancy Reagan called John Paul II her husband’s “closest friend”; Reagan himself told Polish visitors that the pope was his “best friend.” When you read this book, you will understand why. He shows the depth of [John Paul II and Reagan’s] friendship (including secret letters shuttled to Rome by New Jersey Democrat Peter Rodino) starting only weeks after both men survived assassination attempts.” — World magazine. “This book superbly captures and perfectly portrays the profound depth of the bond between John Paul II and Ronald Reagan. You cannot understand why Soviet communism collapsed unless you have a good grasp of just how extraordinarily deep was the bond that existed between those two great leaders of the 20th century. “Kengor makes clear just how central the defeat of the Soviet Union was to Reagan’s personal project.” — National Review. “Provides authoritative insight into Reagan’s campaign to destroy Soviet Communism.” — Richard Pipes , professor of history, emeritus, Harvard University.

When the prophecy later fell into the hands of New York Times bestsellers Don and Mary Colbert, God used this new team of passionate individuals to lead the nation into a fervent prayer chain that would accomplish one of the most incredible miracles our country has ever seen. In THE TRUMP PROPHECIES readers will discover: *How the Lord can and will use anyone regardless of education, background, or health to communicate His message to the Church of Christ. *What led to the miracle of the 2016 election, the role of we the people for the will of God in the future, and what the Body of Christ needs to do to keep His blessing on our nation. *How the enemy has utilized techniques of distraction to keep the Body's focus off of God and onto internal, demoralizing disputes and how this can be overcome. *Astounding, world-altering changes in our US government Mark sees on the horizon. *The positive message of hope and encouragement that points to fresh methods of spreading the Gospel to the lost.

Based on rigorous research with thousands of men, Shaunti delivers one eye-opening revelation after another , including: Now, in this expanded and updated edition, you’ll find insights from the latest brain research plus an all-new chapter that shows what’s really going on when he seems to “check out.” (You’ll be surprised and pleased.). Praise for For Women Only “Shaunti’s signature message, which she has shared around the world with millions of listeners, is life changing and something every woman needs to hear. Shaunti’s message has impacted my relationships personally, and I’ve seen some amazing transformation in the lives and marriages of others.” —Holly Furtick, Lead Pastor's wife, Elevation Church, Charlotte, NC “What an important book!” —Beth Moore, Bible teacher, bestselling author of So Long Insecurity. For Women Only is a book that I believe will provide understanding and bring harmony to a lot of marriages.” —Bob Lepine, cohost of FamilyLife Today “Ready for an eye-opener? Les and Leslie Parrott, Seattle Pacific University; authors of Love Talk “Men are in agreement on this one: For Women Only is one book every husband wishes his wife would read! Read it, and you’re bound to have many ‘aha!’ moments that could revolutionize your relationship.” —Valorie Burton, bestselling author of Successful Women Think Differently and What’s Really Holding You Back? I urge churches and other groups to give her the opportunity to share this message.” —Andy Stanley, author of Enemies of the Heart; Senior Pastor, North Point Community Church, Alpharetta, GA Praise for For Men Only and For Women Only “Whenever Shaunti Feldhahn appears as a guest on the Focus on the Family radio program, we know that listener response will be enthusiastic. We’re thankful for the unique perspective she provides not only to the Christian community, but to the culture at large.” —Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family “These are the books I pass out to people as the best on the subject. There is something to learn on every page.” —Jim Burns, PhD., President, HomeWord and author of Creating an Intimate Marriage “Whatever Shaunti Feldhahn researches, read.

With an easy to read question and answer format, the Catechism combines solid Catholic doctrinal teaching with meaningful exposure to Scripture and practical application. The revival of interest in the Baltimore Catechism reflects Catholics growing realization that a clear, concise presentation of the truths of the Faith is just what people young and old need to appreciate, practice and defend Church teaching. The Third Plenary Council of Baltimore was an American assembly held in the nineteenth century.

Defining morality in terms of human and animal well-being, Harris argues that science can do more than tell how we are; it can, in principle, tell us how we ought to be. Philosophers of mind have already discovered that they can't duck the study of neuroscience, and the best of them have raised their game as a result. Sam Harris shows that the same should be true of moral philosophers, and it will turn their world exhilaratingly upside down. As for religion, and the preposterous idea that we need God to be good, nobody wields a sharper bayonet than Sam Harris. If there are more and less effective ways for us to seek happiness and to avoid misery in this world—and there clearly are—then there are right and wrong answers to questions of morality. If we could eliminate war, nuclear proliferation, malaria, chronic hunger, child abuse, etc.—these changes would be good, on balance, for everyone. There are surely neurobiological, psychological, and sociological reasons why this is so—which is to say that science could potentially tell us exactly why a phenomenon like child abuse diminishes human well-being. I think it is important for us to admit that this is not a claim about our personal preferences, or merely something our culture has conditioned us to believe. Moral truths of this kind must find their place in any scientific understanding of human experience. It is safe to say that the optimal response to this dire situation—that is to say, the most moral response—is not to throw battery acid in the faces of little girls for the crime of learning to read. They believe that they will enjoy an eternity of happiness after death by following the strictest interpretation of Islamic law here on earth. Harris: This is the phrase I use to describe the space of all possible experience—where the peaks correspond to the heights of well-being and valleys represent the worst possible suffering. Given that our experience is fully constrained by the laws of the universe, there must be scientific answers to the question of how best to move upwards, toward greater happiness. So scientists fear that answers to specific questions about human well-being may be very difficult to come by, and confidence on many points is surely premature. Anyone who thinks that gay marriage is the greatest problem of the 21st century, or that women should be forced to live in burqas, is not worth listening to on the subject of morality. Religious ideas about good and evil tend to focus on how to achieve well-being in the next life, and this makes them terrible guides to securing it in this one. You do not need to believe that the Bible was dictated by the Creator of the Universe, or that Jesus Christ was his son, to see the wisdom and utility of following the Golden Rule. The problem with religious morality is that it often causes people to care about the wrong things, leading them to make choices that needlessly perpetuate human suffering. Even the faithful can’t really get their deepest moral principles from religion—because books like the Bible and the Qur’an are full of barbaric injunctions that all decent and sane people must now reinterpret or ignore. You don’t get this moral insight from scripture, because the God of Abraham expects us to keep slaves. Q: How will admitting that there are right and wrong answers to issues of human and animal flourishing transform the way we think and talk about morality? Harris: What I’ve tried to do in my book is give a framework in which we can think about human values in universal terms. Therefore, we have divorced the most important questions in human life from the context in which our most rigorous and intellectually honest thinking gets done. Moral truth entirely depends on actual and potential changes in the well-being of conscious creatures. It seems to me that the only way we are going to build a global civilization based on shared values—allowing us to converge on the same political, economic, and environmental goals—is to admit that questions about right and wrong and good and evil have answers, in the same way the questions about human health do.

It's easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. Finally, he urges you to join in The Radical Experiment--a one-year journey in authentic discipleship that will transform how you live in a world that desperately needs the Good News Jesus came to bring. Read Radical , be blessed, and be changed.” —Johnny Hunt, president, Southern Baptist Convention, and pastor, First Baptist Church of Woodstock “ Radical will cause you to bounce on a spectrum between two words: ouch and amen. Read Radical if you’re ready to live differently.” —Gregg Matte, senior pastor, First Baptist Church of Houston “David Platt’s book will leave anyone who sincerely engages with his challenge dissatisfied—and faced with a decision: What will authentic faith look like in my life? This book has the potential to revitalize churches today to practice a radical, biblical lifestyle that can transform society and reach a lost world.” —Jerry Rankin, president, International Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention “The church of the Lord Jesus has been seduced by a skilled seductress: the American dream. But you’ll find here another Way, one you know to be true, because you’ve heard it before in the words of the Lord Jesus, perhaps most forcefully in the simple call ‘Follow me.’” —Russell D. Moore, dean, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary “Through solid examination of the Scriptures and compelling testimonies from believers enduring persecution, my friend David Platt pulls back the curtain on subtle dangers weakening the church in our Western culture.

“Incredibly rich with wisdom and insight that will leave the reader, whether single or married, feeling uplifted.” — The Washington Times Based on the acclaimed sermon series by New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller, this book shows everyone—Christians, skeptics, singles, longtime married couples, and those about to be engaged—the vision of what marriage should be according to the Bible. He is the author of The Songs of Jesus , Prayer , Encounters with Jesus , Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering , and Every Good Endeavor , among others, including the perennial bestsellers The Reason for God and The Prodigal God . Kathy and Tim then moved to Virginia, where Tim started at his first church, West Hopewell Presbyterian Church, and their three sons were born.

A revised foreword and introduction A substantially extended epilogue that shares how Nabeel told his friend David of his decision to follow Christ, how his parents found out, and much more Expert contributions from scholars and ministry leaders on each section of the book, contributions previously included only in the ebook edition An appendix with a topical table of contents (for teaching from Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus ) An appendix tackling the objection that Ahmadi Muslims are not true Muslims And a sneak peek prologue from Nabeel’s forthcoming new book, No God but One: Allah or Jesus ? Nabeel Qureshi is a speaker with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

The Christian church has a long tradition of systematic theology, that is, studying theology and doctrine organized around fairly standard categories such as the Word of God, redemption, and Jesus Christ. His Systematic Theology provides the core theology content for all my classes and most of the other undergraduate theology courses at the University.

A highly trained neurosurgeon, Alexander knew that NDEs feel real, but are simply fantasies produced by brains under extreme stress. While his body lay in coma, Alexander journeyed beyond this world and encountered an angelic being who guided him into the deepest realms of super-physical existence. Before he underwent his journey, he could not reconcile his knowledge of neuroscience with any belief in heaven, God, or the soul. Today Alexander is a doctor who believes that true health can be achieved only when we realize that God and the soul are real and that death is not the end of personal existence but only a transition. Eben Alexander, MD, has been an academic neurosurgeon for the last twenty-five years, including fifteen years at the Brigham & Women’s and the Children’s Hospitals and Harvard Medical School in Boston.

He blends his own research findings with those of anthropologists, historians, and other psychologists to draw a map of the moral domain, and he explains why conservatives can navigate that map more skillfully than can liberals. In a stunning final chapter on ideology and civility, Haidt shows what each side is right about, and why we need the insights of liberals, conservatives, and libertarians to flourish as a nation. “Jonathan Haidt is one of smartest and most creative psychologists alive, and his newest book, The Righteous Mind, is a tour de force—a brave, brilliant and eloquent exploration of the most important issues of our time. This penetrating yet accessible book will help readers understand the righteous minds that inhabit politics.” —Larry Sabato, University of Virginia, author of A More Perfect Constitution “A remarkable and original synthesis of social psychology, political analysis, and moral reasoning that reflects the best of sciences in these fields and adds evidence that we are innately capable of the decency and righteousness needed for societies to survive.” —Edward O. Wilson, University Research Professor Emeritus, Harvard University. “Haidt’s a good thing.” – The Atlantic online. “A well-informed tour of contemporary moral psychology…A cogent rendering of a moral universe of fertile complexity and latent flexibility.” – Kirkus. “[Haidt’s] framework for the different moral universes of liberals and conservatives struck me as a brilliant breakthrough… The Righteous Mind provides an invaluable road map.” –Miller-McCune.com. “A much-needed voice of moral sanity.” – Booklist "An important and timely book…His ideas are controversial but they make you think…Haidt has made his reputation as a social psychologist at the University of Virginia, where he and his colleagues explore reason and intuition, why people disagree so passionately and how the moral mind works." The book is beautifully written, and it is truly unusual to encounter a book that makes a major theoretical contribution yet encourages one to turn its pages enthusiastically.” —Christopher Boehm, University of Southern California, author of Moral Origins.

In the tradition of Bertrand Russell's Why I Am Not a Christian and Sam Harris's recent bestseller, The End of Faith , Christopher Hitchens makes the ultimate case against religion. "[An] impressive and enjoyable attack on everything so many people hold dear ... Hitchens has outfoxed the Hitchens watchers by writing a serious and deeply felt book, totally consistent with his beliefs of a lifetime.

It is also the untold story of how she ran from her father’s threats to find refuge with strangers in Florida, only to face a controversial court case that reached national headlines. As much as anything, this is a story about the first freedom upon which America was built—the freedom to believe and live one’s life according to those beliefs. Rifqa’s inspiring story reminds us why we must continue to stand for faith and freedom!”. —Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council. This story will give you not only insight into what it means for a Muslim to convert to Christianity and the heavy price associated with that, but also the importance of Christians breaking through the stereotypes and reaching out to Muslims in love.”. —Naghmeh Abedini, wife of imprisoned pastor Saeed Abedini. In my own experience as a child, I had hidden in a cocoon of despair and lived with the brutality of loneliness—I understand how she felt. Hiding in the Light is a testament to what happens when one ordinary person is touched by the one extraordinary Savior of the World.”. —John Stemberger, president and general counsel, Florida Family Policy Council.

Millions of readers have thrilled by bestselling authors Bill O’Reilly and historian Martin Dugard's Killing Kennedy and Killing Lincoln , page-turning works of nonfiction that have changed the way we read history. The iconic anchor of The O'Reilly Factor led the program to the status of the highest rated cable news broadcast in the nation for sixteen consecutive years. He holds a history degree from Marist College, a masters degree in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University, and another masters degree from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

In this classic book on thinking, the book describes how each of us shapes the events around us, creating our own lives. in abundance. As himself Allen describes, “ It shows how, in his own thought-world, each man holds the key to every condition, good or bad, that enters into his life, and that, by working patiently and intelligently upon his thoughts, he may remake his life, and transform his circumstances. EFFECT OF THOUGHT ON CIRCUMSTANCES 7.

Joyce Meyer has a knack for coining phrases-her fans call them Joyceisms -and one of her best loved is "Where the mind goes, the man follows." Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers, with her TV and radio broadcast, Enjoying Everyday Life , airing on nearly 450 television networks and 400 radio stations worldwide, including ABC Family Channel, Trinity Broadcast Network, Daystar, and the Word Network.

Lewis, the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground upon which all of those of Christian faith stand together. The volume on the Blackstone edition is recorded at a higher level than HarperAudio's. Whether or not one agrees with Lewis's arguments, it is a pleasure to hear such a skillful reading of an eloquent work.