Religious Study Guides

A survey of the various ways--often unrecognized and overlooked--whereby Christianity has impacted the world, making the world a better place and enriching our everyday living.

Why You Think the Way You Do traces the development of the worldviews that underpin the Western world. Professor and historian Glenn S. Sunshine demonstrates the decisive impact that the growth of Christianity had in transforming the outlook of pagan Roman culture into one that—based on biblical concepts of humanity and its relationship with God—established virtually all the positive aspects of Western civilization.

Religion has fascinated people for centuries. But with so many faiths practiced by so many followers, it can be difficult to understand why one religion believes one thing while another believes something entirely different. This guide gives you everything you need to know to sort through the differences and discover the similarities among the many faiths worshipped around the world.

Are you sick and tired of not understanding why those around you do the things they do? Do you finally want to say goodbye to questioning your own beliefs over and over again and discover something that works for you? If so, then you’ve come to the right place! A report demonstrated that going in for a reading session can cost hundreds of dollars, which is why this book includes all of the basics you may need to understand these readings for yourself. This means that you can achieve a truer understanding of yourself and those around you without spending too much money.

Christians have proclaimed the good news about Jesus for centuries. But the good news isn't sounding so good these days, at least to some. More and more surveys show that people view Christians as bearers of bad news, judgment, and intolerance. In Vanishing Grace, best-selling author Philip Yancey acknowledges the problem and then explores how we can respond with both grace and truth. He offers a discerning look at what contributes to a hostility toward Christians, and identifies three groups - pilgrims, artists, and activists - who can show us a different way.

This audio study guide for Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley includes detailed summary and analysis of each chapter and an in-depth exploration of the book’s multiple symbols, motifs, and themes such as the ends justifying the means, isolation, and hierarchy and gender. Featured content also includes commentary on major characters, 25 important quotes, essay questions, and discussion topics.

Eve Tibbs offers a comprehensive, yet very accessible, introduction to the beliefs and practices of the Eastern Orthodox Church for Western listeners. Tibbs has devoted her career to translating the Orthodox faith to an evangelical audience, and she has over 20 years of experience teaching this material to students. Assuming no prior knowledge of Orthodox theology, this survey covers the basic ideas of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, from its origins at Pentecost to the present day.

Do "angels" exist? If so, are they heaven-sent or products of the human brain? After the publication of the bestseller The Third Man Factor, which examined the phenomenon of explorers who found themselves at the edge of death and experienced a benevolent presence that led them out of the impossible, John Geiger was inundated with firsthand accounts from people who had the same experience - a vivid presence that aided them as they faced crises ranging from physical and sexual assaults to automobile accidents, airplane crashes and more.

The boring debate between fundamentalist believers and non-believers is finally moved on by Alain de Botton's inspiring new book, which boldly argues that the supernatural claims of religion are of course entirely false - and yet that religions still have important things to teach the secular world.

This book not only covers the basics for beginners, but also shares the valuable origins of the symbolism that help you give your own meaning to the cards, teaching you how to do it yourself with fun and engaging exercises, giving you, like many listeners before you, everything you need to read the tarot cards like an expert. Will you become one of them?

Educated is a memoir by Tara Westover. It tells the story of her experiences growing up in and subsequently leaving a radical, survivalist Mormon home. Abused by a loved and trusted older brother, Westover struggles for years to escape the cycles of abuse and finally finds her escape through her education. It's a story of struggles and triumphs and the conflict in the mind of a woman torn between family loyalty and her survival instincts.

The first person ever to complete the perilous 10,000 mile journey across the inscrutable desert landscape of the Middle East, Bruce Feiler, a fifth generation Southern Jew, embarks upon a quest to reconnect with the stories of the Bible, and uncover fresh answers to profound questions.

Philosophy is thinking critically about questions that matter. But many people find philosophy intimidating, so they never discover how invaluable it can be in engaging ideas, culture, and even their faith. Garrett DeWeese and J. P. Moreland understand these challenges, and in this book they apply their decades of teaching experience to help to make philosophy a little less difficult. Using straightforward language with plenty of everyday examples, they explain the basics needed to understand philosophical concepts.

In a world gripped by growing conflict and chaos, it's hard to know where to turn for reliable guidance. But God didn't leave us empty-handed—His gift of Bible prophecy offers hope for the future and purpose in the present! The Complete Reference Guide to Bible Prophecy is your all-in-one resource for understanding Bible prophecy and the end times. With his signature clarity and conversational tone, Dr. Ron Rhodes makes complex topics simple.

Pisces is an amazing sign in the zodiac and is misunderstood by many. That could be due to a general lack of knowledge about astrology, but it's probably because Pisces is not that easy to pin down. In this comprehensive audiobook, you'll meet Pisces, both through explanations of the astrological influences which may be at play and through classical traits and characteristics which most people have an inkling of - but don't completely grasp. In this audiobook, you'll discover who Pisces is; what kind of world Pisceans live in at work, at play, and in the home; and more.

The practice of Reiki to heal yourself and restore your well-being may be the biggest secret Western conventional health care is keeping from you. With The Reiki Beginner’s Bible, you will embark on an inner journey that will take you back to the state of peace, joy, and happiness you were born to inhabit.

You might already be attracted to paganism, but considering the variety of traditions and paths that fall in this category, you may need a spiritual guide. Seek no further! Whether you're interested in following the pagan path or just curious to know more, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Paganism audiobook will enlighten you on this fascinating array of nature-based beliefs and practices.

Ben Connelly guides us through the intricacies of Yogacara and the richness of the "Thirty Verses." His warm and wise voice contextualizes its wisdom, showing us how we can apply its ancient insights to our own modern lives, to create a life of engaged peace, harmony, compassion, and joy. Vasubandhu's "Thirty Verses" lay out a path of practice that integrates the most powerful of Buddhism's psychological and mystical possibilities. The "Thirty Verses" goes to the heart of the matter—how do we alleviate suffering through shedding our emotional knots and our sense of alienation?

The sun sign Gemini is one of the most intriguing signs of the zodiac wheel. If you have a Gemini in your life and want to learn more about their personality, then you have found the best resource for it! You will be amazed at how accurate zodiac astrology is when you discover how predictions are made.

Armed with only six passages in the Bible—often known as the "Clobber Passages"—the conservative Christian position has been one that stands against the full inclusion of our LGBTQ siblings. UnClobber reexamines each of those frequently quoted passages of Scripture, alternating with author Colby Martin's own story of being fired from an evangelical megachurch when they discovered his stance on sexuality.