In recent years scholars in a range of disciplines have begun to re-evaluate the history of the Society of Jesus. Approaching the subject with new questions and methods, they have reconsidered the importance of the Society in many sectors, including those related to the sciences and the arts. They have also looked at the Jesuits as emblematic of certain traits of early modern Europeans, especially as those Europeans interacted with 'the Other' in Asia and the Americas. Originating in an international conference held at Boston College in 1997, the thirty-five essays here reflect this new historiographical trend. Focusing on the Old Society- the Society before its suppression in 1773 by papal edict- they examine the worldwide Jesuit undertaking in such fields as music, art, architecture,... Less

The church spends $1.5 million for every one new follower of Jesus. Apple sells 26 iPads every minute....

Religion, Art, and Visual Culture gathers together the most current scholarship on art, religion, visual culture, and cultural studies. The book approaches the study of world religions through the human, meaning-making activity of seeing. The essays move between specific visual subjects (painting, landscape gardens, calligraphy, architecture, mass media) and the broader theoretical discourses relevant to religion and the wider humanities today. Topics covered include art and perception; the iconicity of Jesus Christ; the relation of word and image in Islam and divine images in India.

The fifty-six essays in this book present cultural reflections on the gospel assigned for each Sunday in Cycle B of the Roman Lectionary. Each essay highlights aspects of the first-century, Eastern Mediterranean, cultrual world in which Jesus lived and suggests a cross-cultural comparison with contemporary western culture. With this background information, readers can make more fitting applications of Scripture to modern life.

The fifty-six essays in this book present cultural reflections on the gospel reading assigned for each Sunday in Cycle C of the Roman Lectionary. Each essay highlights aspects of the first-century, Eastern Mediterranean cultural world in which Jesus lived and suggests a cross-cultural comparison with contemporary Western culture. With this background information, readers can make more fitting applications of the Scripture to modern life situations.

Renew Your Sense of Wonder Refresh Your Education Kelly Monroe Kullberg and Lael Arrington offer a daily guided tour through many of the paintings, laboratories, rock arenas, great books, mass movements, and private lives that have shaped the ways in which we think and live. This educational devotional will inspire us to go beyond critique to creativity as we discover the wonder of God in seven subjects--- theology, history, philosophy, science, literature, art, and contemporary culture. Explore significant ideas, people, and events from a Christian worldview in a format that fits your busy life. A Faith and Culture Devotional will help bridge the artificial gap between learning truth and loving God---inspiring you with the wonder at the genius, power, and beauty of Jesus Christ. Learn... Less

This volume explores the connections between faith, the presentation of belief and the processes by which it is sold and consumed. The contributors have all been researching the way in which religion operates in a market culture and the degree to which one can use the notions of branding, advertising and marketing to understand missionary and revival activities. Conversely, one might ask whether religious methods of self-promotion underlay the development of some of the techniques of private enterprise. The contributors come from theology, history, art history, literature and business studies backgrounds. This edited collection breaks new ground by presenting a line-up of case studies on the issue of the boundaries of business, Christian religion and visual culture which have been... Less

New York Times best-selling author Darrell Bock teams with Daniel Wallace to help lay readers separate fact from fiction and help from hype in the recent best-selling Jesus books and television specials.There is a quest going on. It's the quest to reduce Jesus to a mythic legend or to nothing more than a mere man. Scholars such as Elaine Pagels and James Tabor are using such recent discoveries as the Gospel of Judas and the Gospel of Thomas to argue that the Christ of Christianity is a contrived figure and that a different Christ-one human and not divine-is the true Christ.In his trademark easy-to-understand style Darrell Bock takes on these attempts to redefine Jesus in a convincing, winsome way that will help readers understand that the orthodox understanding of Christ and his divinity... Less

The purpose of this study was to examine the teaching methods used by Jesus Christ in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) to see if He used differentiated instruction. Specifically, the researcher sought to answer each of the following research questions: (1) What were the teaching methodologies of Jesus' contemporary culture? (2) What were the teaching methodologies used by Jesus Christ? (3) To what extent did Jesus use differentiated instruction as part of his teaching methodology? The actual research is handled in three stages. The first stage will attempt to analyze educational thought from 30 B.C. to 30 A.D. This stage should answer the question, "What were the teaching methodologies of Jesus' contemporary culture? To accomplish this, Greek, Roman, and Jewish educational... Less

Some two thousand years after he walked the earth, Jesus Christis still a hot topic. And for all the ridiculous, twisted, DaVinci Code-esque conspiracy theories and lies about Jesusthat have permeated popular culture and even the academy over theyears, the truth about his character, nature, and work has notchanged. So what exactly is the truth about JesusChrist? That's the question the authors of Vintage Jesusseek to answer by breaking it down into a number of sub- questionsabout Jesus, including Is Jesus the only God? Why did Jesuscome to earth? Did Jesus rise from death? Why should we worshipJesus? and others. Nonbelievers and new Christians looking tosit down and delve into the topic of Jesus, asking the toughest,most confounding questions they can think of, will find solid,biblical... Less

Statistics reveal an unsettling exodus from the church by younger people who are 'spiritual but not religious.' This is no passing trend---but there is great hope. Led by author Dan Kimball, the six interactive sessions in this small group DVD with participant's guide will help you explore and respond truthfully, caringly, and engagingly to six of the most common objections and misunderstandings emerging generations have about the church and Christianity. Through interviews with emerging non-Christians and teaching by Dan Kimball, this video-based curriculum will help churches address these objections. Includes discussion questions and resource listings. Six sessions consist of: 1. Why emerging generations are changing 2. Objection #1: The church is an 'organized religion' with a... Less

A Christian worldview of the art of storytelling here emerges through use of examples from history, pop culture, fairytales, movies, and everyday human experiences....

Meals have always been important across societies and cultures, a time for friends and families to come together. An important part of relationships, meals are vital to our social health. Author Tim Chester sums it up: Food connects. In A Meal with Jesus: Discovering grace, Community, & Mission around teh Table Chester argues that meals are also deeply theological-an important part of Christian fellowship and mission. He observes that the book of Luke is full of stories of Jesus at meals. These accounts lay out biblical principles. Chester notes, The meals of Jesus represent something bigger. Six chapters in A Meal with Jesus show how they enact grace, community, hope, mission, salvation, and promise. Moving from biblical times to the modern world, Chester applies biblical truth to... Less

Statistics reveal an unsettling exodus from the church by younger people who are 'spiritual but not religious.' This is no passing trend---but there is great hope. Led by author Dan Kimball, the six interactive sessions in this small group DVD with participant's guide will help you explore and respond truthfully, caringly, and engagingly to six of the most common objections and misunderstandings emerging generations have about the church and Christianity. Through interviews with emerging non-Christians and teaching by Dan Kimball, this video-based curriculum will help churches address these objections. Includes discussion questions and resource listings. Six sessions consist of: 1. Why emerging generations are changing 2. Objection #1: The church is an 'organized religion' with a... Less

Baugh traces the development of the Jesus-film and through critical film and theological analysis show us the limitations of this genre. Baugh analyzes several important and often prize-winning films showing how each film-maker has created a valid and often complex and challenging metaphor of the Christ-event. He questions many of the traditional approaches to religious film, and offers a new approach and new criteria for the appreciation and judgment of these films.

He looks like Jesus Christ. And preaches like St. Francis of Assisi. Some say he's "a kook." Others, "a blessing from God." Barefoot, and clad in a white robe, he's walked through 47 states (and 13 countries) on a 16-year mission that's captured media attention from "20/20", "Time" and the "Wall Street Journal". Yet who is this solitary figure who inspires faith - and attracts controversy? "The Jesus Guy" covers the mystical journey of America's "Barefoot Evangelist." In a nation that worships money, he's penniless. In a culture that idolizes celebrities, he's forsaken his identity. Now, on a spiritual quest even he doesn't fully understand, his faith - and your own - will be tested every step of the way. With the intimacy of single-camera filmmaking, Director Sean Tracey allows us to... Less

Pages: 181, Paperback, Orbis Books

The city of Corinth was well known in the ancient world as a place where every desire could be sated, where every discerning taste could find satisfaction. Unfortunately, the Corinthian church, instead of living generous and sacrificial lives, became infected with the “me, myself and I” culture for which their city was famous. According to the apostle Paul, the Christians in Corinth ignored the poor and marginalized and focused on their own selfish agendas. Conlon believes that the cultural priorities of twenty-first century North America are not so very different from ancient Corinth—and that the modern church too often makes the “Corinthian mistake.” In The 180º Christian, Conlon calls today’s church to turn away from its selfcenteredness and toward the selfless serving like Christ. 

Pack containing one softcover guide and one DVD. What really happened back in the first century, in Jerusalem and around the Sea of Galilee, that changed the shape of world history? Who is this figure that emerges from history to have a profound impact on culture, ethics, politics, and philosophy? Join historian John Dickson on this journey through the life of Jesus. This book, which features a self-contained discussion guide for use with Life of Jesus DVD, will help you and your friends dig deeper into what is known about Jesus life and why it matters. John Dickson has done a marvelous job of presenting the story of Jesus, and the full meaning of that story, in a way that is both deeply faithful to the biblical sources and refreshingly relevant to tomorrow s world and church. I strongly... Less

Some two thousand years after he walked the earth, Jesus Christ is still a hot topic. And for all the ridiculous, twisted, Da Vinci Code-esque conspiracy theories and lies about Jesus that have permeated popular culture and even the academy over the years, the truth about his character, nature, and work has not changed. So what exactly is the truth about Jesus Christ?That's the question the authors of Vintage Jesus seek to answer by breaking it down into a number of sub-questions about Jesus, including Is Jesus the only God? Why did Jesus come to earth? Did Jesus rise from death? Why should we worship Jesus? and others. Nonbelievers and new Christians looking to sit down and delve into the topic of Jesus, asking the toughest, most confounding questions they can think of, will find solid,... Less

NOW Foods Myrrh OilNOW Myrrh Oil recalls the same musky, balsamic aroma that has been enjoyed for thousands of years by Greek and Egyptian cultures. Myrrh Oil's popularity today can be attributed to its strong cleansing and purifying properties, in addition to the ease in which it mixes with other oils. NOW Myrrh Oil is 100% Pure and Natural, and steam distilled from the plant's oleoresin-gum.100% Pure & Natural Commiphora myrrha Aromatherapeutic GC/IR VerifiedFun fact: According to Greek mythology, Aphrodite transformed Myrrha, the daughter of the king of Cypress, into a shrub (Commiphora myrrha) as punishment for sexual deviancy. Best known for its presentation as a gift to the baby Jesus, myrrh appeared several more times in the Holy Bible. Myrhh has been in use for its therapeutic... Less

The timeless threads of the Nativity story are woven into the fabric of every culture. Now that age-old story experiences a glorious new birth in a breathtaking African-American Nativity scene set collection, a first-ever from Hawthorne Village. The story begins with Issue One, Loving Mary, Baby Jesus and Adoring Joseph, the cornerstone of the Black Nativity. Soon, the majestic story will continue with Issue Two, Angel of Joy and King Gaspar, and additional issues in this beautiful Nativity collection, each a separate issue to follow.‡Each meticulously detailed figurine in this exquisite Christmas Nativity scene set collection is an heirloom-quality sculpture, hand-painted in beautiful soft hues with touches of golden accents. Lavish white and alabaster gowns on each holy family member... Less

Baugh traces the development of the Jesus-film and through critical film and theological analysis show us the limitations of this genre. Baugh analyzes several important and often prize-winning films showing how each film-maker has created a valid and often complex and challenging metaphor of the Christ-event. He questions many of the traditional approaches to religious film, and offers a new approach and new criteria for the appreciation and judgment of these films.

Jesus and Gin is a rollicking tour of the roaring twenties and the barn- burning preachers who led the temperance movement—the anti-abortion crusade of the Jazz Age.  Along the way, we meet a host of colorful characters: a Baptist minister who commits adultery in the White House; media star preachers caught in massive scandals; a presidential election hinging on a religious issue; and fundamentalists and liberals slugging it out in the culture war of the day. The religious roar of that decade was a prologue to the last three decades. With the religious right in disarray today after its long ascendancy, Jesus and Gin is a timely look at a parallel age when preachers held sway and politicians answered to the pulpit. 

Few, if any, individuals have had such a profound influence on Western culture as Jesus, even though not a single detail of his life or teaching can be confirmed with certainty. This lack of reliable biographical data has left his life open to broad interpretation. Jesus, gnostic and apocryphal sources insist, never truly died on the cross since he was a divine being, whose human frame was an illusion. Muslim sources affirm that Jesus was a prophet of God and will return at the end of time. Jörg Lanz von Liebenfels formulated racial theories in which Jesus was a redeemer for Aryans only, while the Renaissance polymath Guillaume Postel was convinced that Christ had returned as a Venetian woman. This book explores these and other views without taking sides in any theological arguments and... Less

In the wake of the stunning findings his book unChristian shared with the world about younger generations' disenchantment with Christianity over the past few decades, Gabe Lyons became an active participant in most every discussion about the future of Christianity in the U.S. and the world. The Next Christians, a six-session video curriculum with participant's guide, takes into account recent efforts at Christian renewal, addressing the significant challenges that could undermine the viability of Christianity if the faithful do not employ a completely new outlook. Lyons looks ahead, citing current day models and examples, of how Christianity over the next 100 years can and must adapt, as he optimistically paints a picture of how Christianity's best days just might lay ahead as a new... Less

Fan or Follower? In our celebrity and sports driven culture, we know what it means to be a fan. Most of us determine our answer to the question based on cultural or denominational measurements....

Something of a hybrid between the two traditional forms of drama and documentary, this program relays the life story of Jesus Christ. Much of the footage features dramatic reenactments from Jesus's time on Earth, including his crucifixion and various milestones in his ministry; the director intercuts these sequences with interviews about Jesus featuring academicians from such universities as Yale, Cambridge and Oxford. The program also investigates recent archerlogical finds in Palestine and Israel.

Robert Beckford explores the dialogue between two central institutions in African Caribbean life: the church and the dancehall. He highlights how Dub – one of the central features of dancehall culture – can be mobilized as a framework for re-evaluating theology, taking apart doctrine and reconstructing it under the influence of a guiding theme. Engaging with the social and cultural heritage that informs Christian African Caribbean culture, including the influence of slavery, Revival Christianity and working class Jamaican life, Black theology and music ranging from post-war Sound System to American Hip Hop, Jesus Dub is a detailed exploration of how throughout history, music and faith have been transformed in response to racialised oppression. Finally, Beckford demonstrates that dub... Less