Religion Theory

Why did Jesus die? Did Jesus die so that God could forgive us for our sins? Many believe so. The most ancient view of the atonement teaches that Jesus did not die to appease the wrath of God or gain forgiveness for human sin, but rather to defeat sin, death, and the devil, and reveal to us the unconditional love and grace of God.

Considered a cornerstone of modern Christian theology, Charles Spurgeon’s All of Grace is an exploration into the way Christians envision themselves. While many people see themselves as strong, Spurgeon argues that if humans were strong there would have been no need for Jesus to have sacrificed himself. The actions of Jesus were shrouded in a love of the weakness of humanity, and to Spurgeon that truth was being further shrouded by modern pride. The book itself was a call to Christianity to look at repentance as a gift and to accept its grace into their lives.

How do Christians account for the widespread presence of goodness in a fallen world? Richard Mouw, one of the most influential evangelical voices in America, presents his mature thought on the topic of common grace. Addressing a range of issues relevant to engaging common grace in the 21st century, Mouw shows how God takes delight in all things that glorify him - even those that happen beyond the boundaries of the church-and defends the doctrine of common grace from its detractors.

In this audio Bible study, author and pastor Jay Kim guides small-group members through Paul's letter to the believers in Colossae, revealing what his words meant to his original readers . . . and how they apply to us today.

Tanto el psicoanálisis como la espiritualidad se adentran en un espacio sagrado: el interior del ser humano. Ambas son una forma de contemplación. Roberto Longhi comparte su experiencia psicoanalítica y señala sugerentes afinidades entre las sesiones de psicoanálisis y la meditación, y va integrando diversas polaridades: dos sujetos (yo y no-yo), dos mediaciones (palabra y silencio), dos estados (plenitud y vacío). Todo ello no lo hace de una forma sistemática, sino que va apareciendo, como las flores silvestres que uno va encontrando a medida que recorre un paisaje lleno de sutiles ondulaciones.

AI is becoming ubiquitous. Whatever its arrival portends for our future, whether riches or ruin, it cannot be avoided. The Artifice of Intelligence explores two questions at the heart of a theological response to AI. Is it possible for human beings to have authentic relationships with an AI? How does the increasing presence of AI change the way humans relate to one another? In pursuing answers to these questions, Herzfeld explores what it means to be created in the image of God and to create AI in our own image.

The belief in thought-transference prevailed from time immemorial. Passing over the legendary tales, and coming down to the time of recent history, we see many instances of the acceptance of this idea by the people of that old land of the strange and mysterious.

This book details the 20 top conspiracy theories. The book describes the history, the beliefs surrounding the theories, and the reasons for the conspiracy theories. You will learn that some people believe that the government is releasing toxic chemicals into the air and the water. There are also numerous theories about the government and their knowledge of aliens and UFOs.

How can you be sure that your profession of faith is more than just words? Seven Words You Never Want to Hear explores the mystery of salvation through the scriptures and personal stories. Author Denise Wilson invites you to take the challenge that the apostle Paul gave to the church at Corinth - examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. The gospel changes everything - beliefs, lifestyles, and priorities. Has it changed you? Don’t wait until death to find out if you got it right.

Public schools are indoctrinating a generation of children to see themselves as either victims of systemic racial oppression or members of a wicked oppressor class. Leonydus Johnson, a black writer and podcaster, exposes the poisonous ideology embedded in "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" programs. We must teach our children the truth that their identity comes not from their race but from Christ.

The Theme is Freedom presents a new reading of the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, the constitutional founding, and the religious clauses of the First Amendment. Evans draws the conclusion that our liberties have always been dependent of the religious traditions of the West - directly contrary to accepted theory.

Do you find yourself doubting God and weary of religion? Are you tired of the confusing answers, the hypocrisy, and the feeling that God isn’t enough? If so, you’re not alone. Like many believers, author and pastor Zach Maldonado experienced the same disappointment with Christianity. He asked questions - about God, about Jesus, about himself - that he didn’t have answers for. Yet, despite all this, something sparked his passion for Jesus and compelled him to devote his life to sharing a simple message.

Forty years as a 4th generation member of a conservative Presbyterian "church family" didn't count for much when this author's wife had an affair and he sought council from his church shepherds. Robinson tithed his time, his talents, and his money, and church young people ate at his table at least once a week, but when he and his teenaged daughter went to their pastor and board of elders for help, they were branded as despicable liars and turned away. Eventually, even after the truth came out, they were still shown the door.

Love is mysterious! On one hand, it is the only thing that can save us from perpetual darkness; the world from chaos and disintegration. On the other hand, very few of us feel any love day in and day out for our entire lifetimes. Love is self-luminous bliss; it is light; it is life. It is the core of our being and yet it has been lost and forgotten to the world because it means the death of our egos.

Among the traditional tenets of the Christian faith is the belief that God chooses or elects people for salvation. For some Christians, such an affirmation is an indication of God's sovereign and perfect will. For others, such a notion is troubling for it seems to downplay the significance of human agency and choice. Throughout the church's history, Christians have sought to understand the meaning of relevant biblical texts and debated this theological conundrum.

Longtime pastor Douglas Wilson takes a hammer to some of our very favorite graven images, and (surprise, surprise) we've set up display cases for most of them in our churches: liturgy, tradition, systematics, infant baptism, and that crafty old Baal doctrine. Alongside a critique of philosophical assumptions about human nature, dualism, and grace, Wilson stresses the unavoidable and absolute necessity of individual hearts being born again. He concludes by laying out the case for the church.

At any time in our history, you will find significant and seemingly indisputable events occurring, the kind that can change the course of our lives - the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Yet for every one of them, somebody, somewhere will loudly dispute the "official" account, doubting that the truth has been told. In today's environment, with trust in authorities at an all-time low, conspiracy theories have found a new currency, and websites and social networking ensure they receive a wider and more rapid spread than ever before.

In her inimitable style of memoir and personal reflection, Nora Gallagher explores the beauty and mystery of this most fascinating of topics. Whether exploring the history of Christian communion, taking us inside the workings of a soup kitchen, or sharing times of joy and sadness with friends, she reminds us what it means to partake of, and be part of, the body of Christ.

The foundation of the Christian faith is built on Jesus Christ and his word to us, the Holy Bible. This Biblical Foundation Series includes elementary principles every Christian needs to help lay a strong spiritual foundation in his or her life. In this sixth Biblical Foundation book we learn that due to Adam and Eve’s disobedience to the Lord when they chose to believe the lies of the devil in the Garden of Eden, we now live in a “cursed or fallen” world. In the fall of Adam, sin gained entrance into the human race.

The alleged spontaneous and even intelligent movements of various inanimate objects, under some circumstances, without the application of any known mechanical force, is a phenomenon which has never been explained to the satisfaction of scientific men. I do not think it possible to explain away the allegations of the fact on the assumption that all the persons who have testified to the evidence of their senses in this matter have been either mistaken or mendacious.