Religious Traditions

The legends of the Norse and Germanic regions of Europe—spanning from Germany and Austria across Scandinavia to Iceland and England—include a broad range of mythical characters and places, from Odin and Thor, to berserkers and Valhalla, to the Valkyries and Krampus. In this encyclopedia, Claude Lecouteux explores the origins, connections, and tales behind many gods, goddesses, magical beings, rituals, folk customs, and mythical places of Norse and Germanic tradition.

Unlock the mysteries of a faith that has guided hearts and minds for centuries. Serbian Orthodox Church for Beginners: Rituals, Saints, and Sacred Spaces is your ultimate guide to the rich traditions, spiritual practices, and inspiring history of Serbian Orthodoxy. Dive into the essence of a timeless tradition: Experience the Meaning of Rituals: Explore the significance behind sacred practices like the Divine Liturgy, Slava celebrations, and fasting periods, and how they shape the lives of believers. Connect with Inspiring Saints: Learn about Saint Sava and other pivotal figures whose faith...

The time has come to reenvision Christian theology without contradictory teachings laced with fear. It is time for a theology of love and miracles. Richard Smoley reframes Christian theology using logical, consistent, and easy-to-understand teachings of unconditional love and forgiveness. He draws inspiration not only from the Bible, but also from Hinduism, Buddhism, Gnosticism, and from esoteric and mystical teachings, such as A Course in Miracles and the Sefer Yetzirah, the oldest known Kabbalistic text.

A controversial examination of the influence and presence of the Norse god Odin in contemporary history and culture.

Hercules, Zeus, Thor, Gilgamesh - these are the figures that leap to mind when we think of myth. But to David Leeming, myths are more than stories of deities and fantastic beings from non-Christian cultures. Myth is at once the most particular and the most universal feature of civilization, representing common concerns that each society voices in its own idiom.

With this collection of classic tales from India, you will learn about the playful, loyal, strong, loving, and wise gods, goddesses, and heroes of India. You will discover how the deity Ganesh, the remover of obstacles, got his elephant head; how the goddess Parvati won the heart of the great god Shiva; and how the goddess Ganga came to Earth from Heaven in the form of the holy Ganges River. You will discover how Krishna’s childhood as superhero and mischievous boy prepared him to fulfill his destiny as an avatar of the god Vishnu.

They believed they would live forever. So begins Mira Ptacin's haunting account of the women of Camp Etna - an otherworldly community in the woods of Maine that has, since 1876, played host to generations of Spiritualists and mediums dedicated to preserving the links between the mortal realm and the afterlife. Beginning her narrative in 1848 with two sisters who claimed they could speak to the dead, Ptacin reveals how Spiritualism first blossomed into a national practice during the Civil War, yet continues - even thrives - to this very day.

DIVINE THREADS: UNRAVELLING THE ORIGINS OF DIVINE BELIEFS Do you wonder why humanity has always been drawn to the mystical and the sacred? How would your understanding of the world change if you could trace the origins and evolution of divine beliefs across cultures and history? What if you could explore the minds of our ancestors and discover how their search for meaning shaped our present-day spirituality? Imagine having access to a comprehensive guide that unravels the intricate tapestry of divine thought and practice. Imagine your appreciation for diverse belief systems growing as you ...

Understanding the Pentateuch: Foundations of Biblical Theology “A Comprehensive Guide to the First Five Books of the Bible” Are you ready to embark on an enlightening journey through the foundational texts of the Bible? "Understanding the Pentateuch: Foundations of Biblical Theology" is your ultimate guide to unlocking the profound mysteries and timeless teachings of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. This indispensable resource delves into the heart of biblical theology, offering fresh insights and academic rigor that will captivate scholars, students, and curious ...

This brief introduction surveys Christian thinking on an array of topics related to security and peace from a just war perspective. Drawing primarily on Scripture and theology, Eric Patterson explores the moral dimensions of order, justice, and peace in light of key Christian doctrines such as love of neighbor, stewardship, vocation, and sphere sovereignty.

From a best-selling Catholic author! A brief handbook on the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church: baptism, confirmation, reconciliation, marriage, the Eucharist, anointing of the sick, and holy orders. Includes non-Catholic traditions of the sacramental life as well! An historical perspective from ancient traditions to the present.

The small town of Garland Cove, Maine is the setting for holiday cheer, Christmas spirit, and falling in love. Snow, twinkling lights, and miles of evergreen garland will draw the characters in to fall in love in the most magical time of the year. People return to their hometown, get a second chance, turn grumpy into nice, stop being enemies, and fall in love with a best friend. Anything is possible during the magic of Christmas. This complete series boxed set contains the following books: Home for Christmas Second Chance at Christmas Reformed Grump at Christmas Enemies for Christmas Her ...

Adéntrate en la profunda sabiduría espiritual de los Yoruba.¿Buscas una mayor conexión con la naturaleza, los creadores y tus antepasados? ¿Estás en un camino de amor propio y autodescubrimiento? ¿Has experimentado una llamada espiritual que te ha hecho anhelar comprender la vida, la humanidad y el universo? Espiritualidad Yoruba para Principiantes es una guía para el practicante novato. Encontrarás una nueva comprensión del significado de la vida, de la realidad y de dónde provenimos todos. Serás introducido a los antiguos dioses y aprenderás cómo pueden afectar tu vida y felicidad.

Documenting the life of wandering spirits and their impact on vulnerable human targets, Susan Martinez offers a radical departure from the standard psychological explanations for a host of pathological behaviors - including multiple personality, autism, epilepsy, migraines, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, PTSD, self-destructive urges, and strange outbursts - and reveals that hallucinations are often true impressions of spirit input.

"Lebanon" Levi Stoltzfus, star of the hit Discovery Channel reality show Amish Mafia, delivers a sizzling tell-all about Amish life today. From the forbidden joyrides to the senseless shunnings to the colorful family feuds, he shares his frank insider's view of this fascinating and secretive society.

Fazlur Rahman was one of the great 20th-century Muslim modernists, whose prolific writing and sheer number of students who make up a who’s who of Islamic studies throughout North America reveal the impact that he has had on both academe and on Muslim communities throughout the world. The modernist approach is contrasted with the radical approach of Mawlana Mawdudi of Pakistan.

Islamic law is one of the major legal systems in the world today, yet it is often misunderstood, particularly in the West. It is applicable in different forms as part of state law in countries across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, and also has a strong influence on Muslim communities throughout the Western world. This Very Short Introduction provides an authoritative perspective on the evolution and nature of Islamic law.

In this provocative and thoughtful book, Gerald McDermott explores the theological concept of revelation and how evangelicals have responded to world religions. He then makes a case for God's having revealed himself outside of Israel and the church.

In this audio edition of her book Wisdom Walk, Sage Bennet beautifully outlines the central rituals and teachings from nine of the world's great spiritual traditions, making them accessible without diminishing them, while exploring the essential beliefs of each tradition. Wisdom Walk provides a simple, easy-to-follow guide for bringing the world’s spiritual traditions into your own life through practical, powerful rituals.

Physician, activist, and author Charles Alexander Eastman was the first Native American certified in Western medicine and one of the first authors of any background to emphasize the Native American perspective. In The Soul of the Indian, he shares the customs, rituals, celebrations, and beliefs of Native American spirituality, and in so doing provides a powerful account of the “Great Mystery” at their core.