Contemporary Religion

In this book, Leah Payne traces the history and trajectory of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) in America and, in the process, demonstrates how the industry, its artists, and its fans shaped—and continue to shape—conservative, (mostly) white, evangelical Protestantism.

Saved! meets Casey McQuiston in this wry, heartfelt tale of a teen who's taking her church camp by storm—one deadly sin at a time. Riley quietly left church a year ago when she realized there was no place for a bi girl in her congregation. But it wasn’t until the pastor shunned her older...

The publication of the long-awaited English edition of Elder Anthimos of Saint Anne’s, translated from the sixth Greek edition (2004), brings to the Anglophone world a treasure of Orthodox spirituality. Elder Anthimos (1913-1996) was a humble monk of the St. Anne’s Skete on Mount Athos whose life shone “like a star shedding a new light of piety and as a brightly shining vessel of grace.”

Leadership in Christian Perspective brings the best of leadership theory and research together with biblical reflection and examples of leadership in action. Organized around "nine empowering practices," it integrates solid research in leadership studies with biblical and theological reflection on the leadership ideas that are most compatible with Christian faith, making it an important resource for professors and students in leadership and pastoral theology courses, pastors and church leaders, and Christian business leaders.

The Children's Bible provides, in simple English, a translation of selections from both the Old and the New Testament. These selections have been made as a result of more than 25 years of observation and study. The text is that of the Bible itself, but in the language of a child, so that it may easily be read to younger children and read by those who are older. The immortal stories and songs of the Old and New Testaments are a child's richest inheritance from the past.

Now in an updated second edition, Gabriel Said Reynolds tells the story of Islam in this brief survey, beginning with Muhammad's early life and rise to power, then tracing the origins and development of the Qur'an juxtaposed with biblical literature, and concluding with an overview of modern and fundamentalist narratives of the origin of Islam. Reynolds offers a fascinating look at the structure and meaning of the Qur'an, revealing the ways in which biblical language is used to advance the Qur'an's religious meaning.

Witchcraft is a vibrant, nature-based spiritual practice that is alive and well in our modern times, just as it has been throughout history. Modern Witchcraft and Magic for Beginners, by best-selling author Lisa Chamberlain, was created to provide a fact-based, neutral orientation to launch you on your quest for knowledge. Whether you choose to call yourself a Witch, a Wiccan, both, or neither, this audiobook will help you navigate the various opinions, definitions, and perspectives you’ll find in the wide, wide world of the Craft.

Everyone likes Humaira "Hani" Khan―she’s easy going and one of the most popular girls at school. But when she comes out to her friends as bisexual, they invalidate her identity, saying she can’t be bi if she’s only dated guys. Panicked, Hani blurts out that she’s in a...

Occult references ripple frequently through mainstream culture, Wiccan and witchcraft movements appear trendier than ever, and chances are that you're unknowingly acquainted with at least one witch. Drawing on her expertise as a magical practitioner and religious studies scholar, Thorn Mooney pulls back the curtain, introducing you to this complex world and helping you understand why it holds such intense appeal for so many.

In Glendale, book one of The Glendale Series, an unlikely relationship blossoms when high school junior Jessica, the new girl from D.C., crosses paths with Joe—a good Christian boy with enough passion and conviction for them both . . . or so he thinks. As he walks a dangerous road, Joe takes bold risks in hopes of making his God Jessica’s. Instead, she becomes his.

Have you ever felt drawn to the old ways of Norse Paganism but weren’t sure where to start? This book is your gateway to the mystical world of the Norse gods, the Nine Worlds, and the sacred runes—offering practical insights you can apply in the modern world.

From the heights of sacred sexuality to the depths of human foible, they ultimately have to choose: surrender to this love or shrink back to mediocrity, work through their emotional baggage or flee the connection, open to the next portal of possibility or postpone it until the next lifetime. Shaped and reshaped in love's cosmic kiln, Sarah and Lowen become a symbol of our own longing for wholeness in the presence of another.

People regularly give certain reasons for not believing in God, but they are much less aware of what the New Testament actually teaches. Although challenges to Christianity are perennial and have frequently been addressed, they are noticeably more common today and are currently of particular interest among evangelicals.

One out of five people in the world is Muslim; only 18 percent of those, however, are Arab. Ernst moves away from a Middle Eastern bias, addressing the pluralistic nature of Muslim societies and thought. Framing his argument in terms of religious studies, Ernst describes how Protestant definitions of religion and anti-Muslim prejudice have affected views of Islam in Europe and America.

Who are we? What is our place in this vast and ever-evolving universe? Where do science and spirituality meet? If you’ve pondered these questions, you’re not alone. Join some of the most spiritually curious and renowned minds of our time for an exploration into the mystery of being. From founders of the Science and Nonduality (SAND) conference, Maurizio and Zaya Benazzo, On the Mystery of Being brings together an array of visionary spiritual leaders, psychologists, philosophers, scientists, teachers, authors, and healers to celebrate and explore what it means to be human.

This illuminating and insightful audiobook analyzes problems with the culture's underlying worldviews and suggests how Christians can offer solutions to current problems as a way to rebuild culture and faith.

Do you feel at home right now? Or do you sense a hovering anxiety or uncertainty, an underlying unease that makes you feel just a bit uncomfortable, a bit distracted and disconnected from those around you? In The Road Home, Ethan Nichtern, a senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition, investigates the journey each of us takes to find where we belong.

This audiobook is from a 4-evening call introducing the contemporary Shaman in today's culture. It was created for Robin Rice's shamanic students, each of whom was about to embark on a 9-month online apprenticeship and who needed a solid foundation and introduction before they began their work. It was also designed for those individuals who were intrigued by Shamanism and interested to learn whether or not the Shamanic path was calling them to further study.

Liam once approved of helping others, but not anymore. He lost his mother due to a crazed street person, and he's hardened his heart. Now a successful photographer, he’s returned to set up shop in his hometown - directly across the courtyard from his sister’s best friend. Zoe runs an outreach center and encourages the homeless and needy, especially at Christmas. Nursing a soft spot for Liam that started as a girlhood crush, she sets out to help him by creating her unique brand of encouragement cards. Her hope is to reignite the fire and love for Christmas and God that Liam once had.

Each interpretation aims to make the Tao Te Ching a lot more understandable and enjoyable for all. All the mystical paradoxes are explained, and each of the 81 paragraphs are dissected for your awakening.