Showing titles in Biographies

Saint Augustine's contributions to Christian theology are second to no other post-apostolic author in the whole sweep of church history. Yet along side his doctrinal treatises, Augustine tells a story of his life devoted to Christ as his only satisfaction. The Confessions is at once the autobiographical account of Augustine's life of Christian faith and at the same time a compelling theology of Christian spirituality for everyone.

Martin Luther entered a monastery as a youth and as a man shattered the structure of the medieval church, speaking out against the corrupt religious practices of the time. His demand that the authority for doctrine and practice be scriptures, rather than popes or councils, echoed around the world and ignited the great Reformation. Accused of heresy and threatened with excommunication and death, Luther maintained his bold stand and refused to recant. In his crusade to eliminate religious abuses, he did more than any other man to establish the Protestant faith.

This course will have a profound impact on your faith and thinking. Thomas Aquinas, OP (1225-1274), is one of world history's most influential thinkers. His works indelibly shaped Western thought and Christian belief, and his brilliant ideas continue to resonate in universities and churches everywhere. But his complex thought can often seem inaccessible to most of us. In this superb course, taught by an internationally known Aquinas expert, you will tour his towering thought while gaining powerful insights into your faith.

Hiding Jewish refugees during WWII landed Corrie ten Boom in a German concentration camp. Released after 10 months, she tramped the world with a burning desire to tell others that Jesus is a reality, that He lives, that He is victor. Join Corrie on a world-wide trip that could only have been planned by God.

John Wesley was an 18th-century preacher, theologian, and cleric who helped found the Methodist movement with his brother, Charles. Arguably one of the most important Christian voices of his day, Wesley wrote in his journal on a daily basis, capturing his views, thoughts, feelings, and prayers on paper to share with the world. The journal contains 50 years' worth of this great man's reflections and experiences and is widely considered one of the great spiritual classics.

In 1999 in the Los Rios region of southern Chile, orthopedic surgeon, devoted wife, and loving mother Dr. Mary Neal drowned in a kayak accident. While cascading down a waterfall, her kayak became pinned at the bottom and she was immediately and completely submerged. Despite the rescue efforts of her companions, Mary was underwater for too long, and as a result, died. To Heaven and Back is Mary’s remarkable story of her life’s spiritual journey and what happened as she moved from life to death to eternal life, and back again.

King's Cross is Timothy Keller's revelatory look at the life of Christ as told in the Gospel of Mark. There have been many biographies of Jesus, but few will be as anticipated as this one by Keller, the man Newsweek calls "a C. S. Lewis for the 21st century". In it, Keller shows how the story of Jesus is at once cosmic, historical, and personal, calling each of us to look anew at our relationship with God.

In this book, C.S. Lewis tells of his search for joy, a spiritual journey that led him from the Christianity of his early youth into atheism and then back to Christianity.

First published in 1525, Martin Luther's Bondage of the Will is acknowledged by theologians as one of the great masterpieces of the Reformation. It is Luther response to Desiderius Erasmus' Diatribe on Free Will, written in his direct and unique style, combining deep spirituality with humor. Luther writes powerfully about man's depravity and God's sovereignty. The crucial issue for Luther concerned what ability free will has, and to what degree it is subject to God's sovereignty.

From Hollywood dreams to spiritual darkness—and ultimately, to redemption through Christ. In this raw and riveting memoir, Alex Smith takes listeners on a powerful journey through the highs and horrors of life in the entertainment world of Los Angeles. Caught in a web of occult influence, gang violence, and inner torment, Alex spirals deeper into spiritual chaos—haunted by demons both figurative and literal. But just when all hope seems lost, a divine rescue unfolds. This is not just a story of survival—it's a supernatural testimony of God's relentless grace.

Prem Pradhan was led to Christ by members of Bakht Singh's people, in a city near Nepal. He was Nepal's first modern convert. Later, he became Nepal's apostle. By the end of his life, Prem had spent half of his Christian life in prisons. His crime? Preaching Christ and baptizing others. His very first converts were all fellow prisoners. (By law, every convert had to spend one year in prison for the crime of being baptized.) Prem insisted that all his converts obey the law.

What does it mean to be an imitator of Christ? Find out by exploring the life and legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi and the movements he inspired with one of the world's leading Franciscan experts as your guide.

In February 2005, more than 10,000 people in Bakersfield, California, watched as Brian “Head” Welch—the former lead guitarist of the controversial rock band Korn—was saved by Jesus Christ. The event set off a media frenzy as observers from around the world sought to understand what led this rock star out of the darkness and into the light.

This book was written and compiled by Hudson Taylor’s son, Frederick Taylor, along with his wife Geraldine. They gathered never-before-published letters from Hudson and his wife Maria, as well as several accounts and testimonies from other witnesses to their lives. These are some of the most powerful writings in modern church history, and show the inner life of one of the greatest missionaries since the apostles.

"Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry: True Stories of Padre Pio, Book II" is the second part of a two part book series on the life and spirituality of Padre Pio written by Diane Allen. The author continued her research and study on the life and spirituality of the saint who has often been referred to as "the greatest mystic of the 20th Century."

His books have sold millions and include classics like Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Yet C. S. Lewis was not always a literary giant of Christian faith. How did he evolve from staunch atheism to become one of the most beloved and renowned Christian authors of our time?

G. K. Chesterton was a journalist, playwright, poet, biographer, novelist, essayist, literary commentator, editor, orator, artist, and theologian. Orthodoxy is his great apologia for the Christian faith, which was prompted by a serious attack in 1903 against Christianity by well-known newspaper editor Robert Blatchford.

The work of almost every branch of what has been called the “faith movement” today, can be traced back to one person (led by the Holy Spirit of course). That person is George Muller. A poor, humble man who made the incredible decision to dedicate his entire life to proving that God was in his day (and ours), still the same God of the Bible who hears and answers prayer in real, tangible ways.

Explore the profound spirituality of Hans Urs von Balthasar. Born in Switzerland, Balthasar (1905-1988) was one of the most prolific and sophisticated Catholic thinkers of the 20th century. As you will discover, Balthasar's theology provides a powerful model for the Catholic Church in the modern world. In Hans Urs von Balthasar: Rediscovering Holistic Christianity, you will join Balthasar expert Dr. Kevin Mongrain (PhD, Yale University) in exploring this great theologian.

The mystics show us the deepest recesses of the human spirit. Now, this remarkable series gives you the rare opportunity to take one of the world's leading experts on mysticism as your personal guide. Boston College's Fr. Harvey Egan draws on 50 years of teaching the Christian mystics. Brilliantly taught, his lectures are filled with faithful insights. Under his guidance, you will explore the mystical life by focusing upon 11 significant figures. You will begin with Ignatius of Loyola and his finding of God in all things.