Best Gender & Sexuality in Religious Studies

Discover the Truth He Wants You to Know. The man in your life carries important feelings so deep inside he barely knows they’re there, much less how to talk about them. Yet your man genuinely wants you to “get” him—to understand his inner life, to know his fears and needs, to hear what he wishes he could tell you. 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? Single, married, divorced or not even allowed to date yet should all read this and come to understand the key truths that will help in your relationship with any man. 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.

The New York Times bestselling author of The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything and Jesus: A Pilgrimage turns his attention to the relationship between LGBT Catholics and the Church in this loving, inclusive, and revolutionary book. Adapted from an address he gave to New Ways Ministry, a group that ministers to and advocates for LGBT Catholics, Building a Bridge provides a roadmap for repairing and strengthening the bonds that unite all of us as God's children. It will also help LGBT Catholics feel more at home in what is, after all, their church.” ( Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life ). “Martin has written a wonderful book that challenges the institutional church to be in dialogue with the LGBT community. Martin’s inspiring new book invites church leaders to minister with more compassion and reminds LGBT Catholics that they are as much a part of our church as any other Catholic.” ( Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Newark ). “If Martin’s book, with its biblical reflections on God’s loving creation of us and Jesus’ unconditional welcome, can help LGBT people and our families experience and trust God’s tenderness, he will have laid the foundation stone for social change and spiritual renewal.” ( Washington Post ). “In this much anticipated new book, Father James Martin, SJ, seeks to end the ‘us’ versus ‘them’ mentality that has long divided LGBT Catholics and the institutional Church.” ( Crux ). In this inspiring book, Father Martin turns to three virtues from the Catechism of the Catholic Church —“respect, compassion, and sensitivity”—as a model for how both the Catholic leadership and LGBT Catholics can move together on a “two-way bridge” toward reconciliation and love. Father Martin offers biblical passages, accompanied by meditations and questions for reflection, to help LGBT people find their place in the church and enter into a deeper relationship with God.

Read with an open heart and mind, and you are bound to be changed.” — Rachel Held Evans, author of A Year of Biblical Womanhood and Faith Unraveled As a young Christian man, Matthew Vines harbored the same basic hopes of most young people: to someday share his life with someone, to build a family of his own, to give and receive love. Unique in its affirmation of both an orthodox faith and sexual diversity, God and the Gay Christian is likely to spark heated debate, sincere soul search­ing, even widespread cultural change. Not only is it a compelling interpretation of key biblical texts about same-sex relations, it is also the story of a young man navigating relationships with his family, his hometown church, and the Christian church at large as he expresses what it means to be a faithful gay Christian. I’ve now dedicated four years of my life to researching the issue of same-sex relationships and the Bible, and I’ve come to believe that the Bible doesn’t address the issue of committed, monogamous same-sex relationships. From the viewpoint of theologically conservative Christians, disagreements over this issue are merely symptomatic of a deeper disagreement: Is the Bible authoritative for Christians, or not? How does the case you present in God and the Gay Christian change the conversation regarding the inclusion of LGBT Christians in the church? Through a careful study of the type of same-sex behavior described—and condemned—in Scripture, Christians can affirm committed, monogamous same-sex relationships and also affirm the full authority of the Bible. Praise for God and the Gay Christian “For anyone who wants to know why some evangelicals find that the Bible does not condemn same-gender marriage, Matthew Vines’s book answers the question. Christians who oppose gay marriage should consider what he has to say.” — Tony Campolo, professor emeritus, Eastern University; co-author of Red Letter Christians “Many people believe you can either hold a high view of Scripture or affirm gay relationships, but not both. Provocative and relentlessly Bible-focused, God and the Gay Christian offers hope and insight for Christians who have felt conflicted on matters of sexuality.” — Justin Lee, author of Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate “A must-read for all Christians, but especially parents. This book will have a great impact on families, freeing parents of misunderstandings about their LGBT children while letting them hold securely to their faith.” — Jane Clementi, co-founder of The Tyler Clementi Foundation “Matthew Vines has accomplished a rare feat in this book, combining a detailed mastery of a wide range of material from the ancient world and the Christian tradition, a clear and articulate writing style, a deep commitment to his Christian faith, and an incisive judgment that can cut through complex arguments and mountains of data, and identify the core issues and their implications for human life. This book makes significant contributions, not only to ongoing scholarly conversations but also to the average person who wants to probe more deeply how to think about God and the gay Christian. It is the breadth of his reach and the integrated character of his vision that makes this book particularly worth reading.” — Dr. James Brownson, Reformed theologian and professor of New Testament; author of Bible, Gender, Sexuality “ God and the Gay Christian is a game changer. This has led theologically conservative Christians to condemn altogether what is today called ‘homosexuality.’ As the consequence of such an interpretation of the authoritative Scripture, hundreds of thousands of members of Christian communities have faced the difficulty, if not impossibility, to live out their non-heterosexual orientation while maintaining their Christian identity. Matthew Vines dedicates his book to ‘all those who have suffered in silence for so long.’ He reads the Bible and biblical scholarship as an evangelical gay Christian, giving a voice both to the biblical texts and its readers. He takes seriously the biblical text which for him represents the authoritative word of God; historical scholarship that reads the biblical text against what can be known of its historical context; and the experiences of Christians who read the Bible today. More than that, he argues that Christians who affirm the full authority of Scripture can also affirm committed, monogamous same-sex relationships. Matthew Vines’s well-read and well-argued book deserves to be read by all those who have suffered in silence, but also by members and ministers of Christian communities struggling with the recognition and appreciation of their gay members.” — Martti Nissinen, professor of Old Testament Studies, University of Helsinki, author of Homoeroticism in the Biblical World: A Historical Perspective “Matthew Vines lives at an intersection of identities: a committed, theologically conservative Christian who also happens to be an out gay man. Coupled with his poignant descriptions of the damage done by traditional exclusionary interpretations, his book is an essential resource for all who seek to find their bearings in the current debate over the Bible’s teachings for gay people.” — Dr. Mark Achtemeier, Presbyterian theologian; author of The Bible’s Yes to Same-Sex Marriage.

Casting a compelling vision for holy sexuality, Out of a Far Country speaks to prodigals, parents of prodigals, and those wanting to minister to the gay community. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” - Luke 15:20. Includes a discussion guide for personal reflection and group use. Praise for Out of a Far Country “Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan have told the story of their miraculous journey from broken lives, relationships, and dreams to a place of hope and healing. I’m particularly happy to endorse this book because Christopher, like myself, was broken in prison and redeemed by Christ.” —Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship and the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview “ Out of a Far Country reads like a modern rendition of the prodigal son parable, only it is more gripping. The journey taken by Christopher Yuan is rarely documented. Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan travel nationally and internationally to speak at churches, conferences, youth conventions, and colleges about God’s desire for prodigals of all types to return to him.

Among the most profound explorations of the effects of mind-expanding drugs ever written, here are two complete classic books— The Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell —in which Aldous Huxley, author of the bestselling Brave New World , reveals the mind's remote frontiers and the unmapped areas of human consciousness. "The Doors of Perception is a poignant book, partly because it reveals the human frailties and yearnings of a very cerebral writer" Financial Times "You can look at Aldous Huxley and draw parallels with the Beatles: Crome Yellow and Those Barren Leaves were his breakthrough Merseybeat books, Point Counter Point was his 'Revolver', with The Doors of Perception his full-blown Sergeant Pepper trip.

Black Elk Speaks , the story of the Oglala Lakota visionary and healer Nicholas Black Elk (1863–1950) and his people during momentous twilight years of the nineteenth century, offers readers much more than a precious glimpse of a vanished time. ( Western Historical Quarterly 2013-10-25). “If any great religious classic has emerged in [the twentieth] century or on this continent, it must certainly be judged in the company of Black Elk Speaks .”—from Vine Deloria Jr.’s foreword.

Using the tradition of explaining what the Church believes (the Creed), what she celebrates (the Sacraments), what she lives (the Commandments), and what she prays (the Lord's Prayer), the Catechism of the Catholic Church offers challenges for believers and answers for all those interested in learning about the mystery of the Catholic faith. To get some idea of the level of detail with which the Catechism engages Catholic doctrine, consider that 17 pages of explanation accompany the opening words of the Apostle's Creed ("I Believe in God the Father"). Extensive cross-referencing, indexing, footnotes, and "In Brief" summaries of each section further ease the project of finding the precise answers to any questions a reader might have.

Exploring this "depth potential," Butterworth outlines ways in which we can release the power locked within us for better health, greater confidence, increased success, and inspired openness to let our "light shine" forth for others. This book really does release the power within us all.” Eric Butterworth (1916-2003), often referred to as a "Twentieth Century Emerson," is considered a legend and spiritual icon in the Unity Movement.

In recent years Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens have produced a steady stream of best-selling books denigrating religious belief. David Berlinski proceeds reasonably and calmly to challenge recent scientific theorizing and to expose the unreason from which it presumes to criticize religion.”. —Harvey Mansfield, Professor of Government, Harvard University. “Berlinski’s book is everything desirable: it is idiomatic, profound, brilliantly polemical, amusing, and of course vastly learned. Maybe they can recite the Periodic Table by heart, but the secular Berlinski shows that this doesn’t get them very far in reasoning about much weightier matters.”. —Michael J. Behe, Professor of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, bestselling author of Darwin’s Black Box and The Edge of Evolution.

Ranging broadly across Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Vedantic and Bhaktic Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism, Hart explores how these great intellectual traditions treat humanity’s knowledge of the divine mysteries. (Michael Robbins Commonweal ). “David Hart can always be relied on to offer a perspective on Christian faith that is both profound and unexpected. In this masterpiece of quiet intellectual and spiritual passion, he magnificently sets the record straight as to what sort of God Christians believe in and why.”—Rowan Williams, University of Cambridge. (Rowan Williams). “Hart marshals powerful historical evidence and philosophical argument to suggest that atheists—if they want to attack the opposition's strongest case—badly need to up their game.”—Oliver Burkeman, The Guardian. It’s difficult to convey to those who are unacquainted with Hart’s writing the sheer exuberance of his prose and the bite to his wit.”—Ryan Marr, Catholic Books Review. Bringing together Sanskritic analyses of God’s being with Latin and Greek and Arabic ones, this is a considerable achievement by one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary theology.”—Paul J. Griffiths, Duke Divinity School. (Paul J. Griffiths). “Writing at a high philosophical level with a sharp sense of humor, Hart argues for an ecumenical Theism. Devastatingly accurate, imaginative, and immensely readable, this is David Bentley Hart’s best book”—Francesca Murphy, University of Notre Dame. (Robert Louis Wilken) Praise for David Bentley Hart’s Atheist Delusions “[A] major work by one of the most learned, forceful, and witty Christian theologians currently writing.”— First Things “With impressive erudition and polemical panache, David Hart smites hip and thigh the peddlers of a ‘new atheism’ that recycles hoary arguments from the past. His grim assessment of our cultural moment challenges the hope that ‘the Christian revolution’ could happen again.”—Richard John Neuhaus. “Hart has the gifts of a good advocate. He exposes his opponents’ errors of fact or logic with ruthless precision.”— Anthony Kenny, Times Literary Supplement “[This book] takes no prisoners in its response to fashionable criticisms of Christianity.”—Dr. Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, Church Times “ Atheist Delusions will be remembered as Hart’s breakout book.

For Christians seeking a way of thinking outside of strict dualities, this guide explores methods for letting go of division and living in the present. Franciscan priest and spirituality author Rohr ( Everything Belongs ) again brings his energy to the reclamation of the Christian mystical tradition. The somewhat theoretical re-reading of Catholic Christian tradition is brought down to earth by a series of appendixes that contain practices for those who want to know what to do; attaining insight is not self-evident nor is it easy.

For the first time in history, the Illuminati has broken its silence with Illuminatiam: a testament of this planet's future, wisdom previously available only to elite members, and your life's guide to all that is ahead. Join the thousands of people from all walks of life who've committed themselves to the betterment of the human species as a whole - Christians, Muslims, Atheists, Hindus, Buddhists, and believers of all kinds. Illuminatiam introduces time-tested mental processes that many attribute to increasing wealth, overcoming hardships, and finding happiness. Chapters: The Age Of Illuminatiam. The White Room. Methods Of Mind Control. How You Are Watched. The Need For Hardships. The Secret Of Power. The Future Of This Planet. The God Conundrum. How To Join The Illuminati. A Beacon For The Light. Finding Purpose. "No matter what walk of life you come from, you will find shelter in the light that this book provides."

In this guidebook we are going to learn the basics of using Stoicism in your daily life and how this ancient philosophy is going to work to make you feel happier.

Ministry and Money serves as an excellent primer on accounting practices, church financial reports, and church budgets. -- Tom Harris, Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Vero Beach, Florida "As an attorney and pastor, I have found few resources that combine the theology of money with the practical application of resources as successfully as Ministry and Money does." With the introduction of Ministry and Money, finally there is a practical resource for pastors and other clergy seeking a better understanding of the relationship between faith and money. The authors provide biblical, historical, and theological perspectives on money, addressing issues such as how we understand the nature of money, how it should be used, and how responsible stewardship of money can be carried out in the local church.