Mysticism in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam : searching for oneness

by Ori Z. Soltes. Throughout the ages and across religious traditions, people have yearned to personally experience God and deeply connect with the Creator. In Mysticism in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Ori Z. Soltes traces the sweep of mysticism-the search for oneness with God-throughout the three Abrahamic traditions.This unique comparative overview begins with a definition of mysticism and a discussion of its place within religion as a whole. (Check catalog)

Jesus, interrupted : revealing the hidden contradictions in the Bible (and why we don't know about them

by Bart D. Ehrman. Picking up where Bible expert Bart Ehrman's New York Times bestseller Misquoting Jesus left off, Jesus, Interrupted addresses the larger issue of what the New Testament actually teaches—and it's not what most people think. Here Ehrman reveals what scholars have unearthed: The authors of the New Testament have diverging views about who Jesus was and how salvation works. The New Testament contains books that were forged in the names of the apostles by Christian writers who lived decades later. Jesus, Paul, Matthew, and John all represented fundamentally different religions. Established Christian doctrines—such as the suffering messiah, the divinity of Jesus, and the trinity—were the inventions of still later theologians (Check Catalog)

The hole in our Gospel

by Richard E. Stearns This is a passionate and motivating magnum opus from the leader of one of the most recognized aid organizations in the world. The book is a surprisingly no-holds-barred prophetic voice in the wilderness crying out to rich Americans, âÇ£Repent and help your world neighbors-- Publishers Weekly (Check Catalog)

Nothing to hide : secrecy, communication and communion in the Catholic Church

by Russell B. Shaw. Shaw, widely known Catholic writer, speaker and former communications director for the U S Bishops, discusses the abuse of secrecy in the Church, the scandals it has caused and the serious problem of mistrust that exists in the credibility of the Church. Not concerned with the legitimate secrecy that is necessary to protect confidentiality and people's reputations, Shaw is rather concerned here with the stifling, deadening misuse of secrecy that has done immense harm to communion and community in the Church in America. (Check catalog)

Leisure, the basis of culture

by Josef Pieper. One of the most important philosophy titles published in the twentieth century, Josef Pieper's Leisure, the Basis of Culture is more significant, even more crucial, today than it was when it first appeared fifty years ago.Pieper shows that the Greeks understood and valued leisure, as did the medieval Europeans. He points out that religion can be born only in leisure -- a leisure that allows time for the contemplation of the nature of God. (Check Catalog)

American crescent : A Muslim cleric on the power of his faith, the struggle against prejudice, and the future of Islam and America

by Hassan Qazvini. No book this reviewer has ever read on either Islam or Muhammad is as warmly personal and accessible in helping the American reader understand Islam as this one. Qazwini is the head of the Islamic Center of America (Dearborn, MI), has met with Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, and frequently appears in the media, often as a writer; he is the voice of Muslim America. In this moving memoir, he tells of his life under Saddam Hussein and his subsequent immigrations to Kuwait, Iran, and the United States. (Check Catalog)