Service Alert
Website maintenance April 24 10pm ET
On Wednesday April 24 at 10pm ET the CELA website will be unavailable for about 15 minutes for planned maintenance.
On Wednesday April 24 at 10pm ET the CELA website will be unavailable for about 15 minutes for planned maintenance.
Showing 1 - 20 of 706 items
Sur le ton de la confidence, avec une totale liberté d'esprit, l'abbé Pierre livre ici, comme il ne l'avait jamais…
fait auparavant, ses interrogations, ses convictions, et ses indignations sur la foi chrétienne et sur le sens de la vie humaine. -- 4e de couvBy John Chathanatt. 2023
Published in the Series Encyclopedia of Indian Religions, this volume is devoted to Christianity in India, where it has had…
a long presence, going back to the time of the apostles of Jesus Christ. Divided into two parts, this volume focuses on the history, origin, organizations and local engagements, belief system, worship practices, Rites, Rituals, Christian life, Contributions, Spirituality and a few of the main doctrinal items. The Second Part covers the doctrinal and theological arena. It examines the earlier phase of the history of Christianity starting with the traditional belief of the arrival of St. Thomas in AD 52, moving to the periods of its association with the Chaldean church, the Portuguese, the Dutch, English and so on. This volume highlights the missionary activities of persons like St. Francis Xavier, the creative contributions made to the inter-religious dialogue by such people as Roberto de Nobili (1577-1656) and Swami Abhishiktananda (1910-1973), the linguistic and educational contributions of some of the pioneers like the German Jesuit Johanne Ernst Hanxleden (known as Arnos Padiri) (1681-1732), Herman Gundert (1814-1893), St. Elias Kuriakos Chavara (1805-1871), and, a fortiori, the enormous contributions in the healthcare area throughout the country. Caring for and serving the socio-economically marginalized ones, the peripheralized people formed an integral part of the Christian activity In India, as it is done even today. This is highlighted very much in the volume. It, further, explores the contact India had with European Christianity, showing that European Christianity proved to have wider influence in the Norther part of India, unlike India’s early episodic encounters with Palestinian and Persian forms of Christianity, which had deep influence in the Southern part of India. The volume also highlights the inner struggle among the followers resulting even in its division originating at the Synod of Diamper in 1599 manifesting, by and large, the Church-state ‘love and hate’ relationships. In fine, in spite of the drawbacks of putting the herculean task of two thousand years of history in eight hundred pages or so, this volume gives a rather comprehensive view of Christianity in India especially to those who are unfamiliar with its life and dynamics in the Indian context. The wide range of photographs, especially of the churches revealing the architectural beauty and multiplicity along with the ensample of art and paintings and pilgrimage centers adds to the enrichment of the volume.By Wayne A. Grudem. 1995
The Christian church has a long tradition of systematic theology, that is, of studying biblical teaching on centrally important doctrines…
such as the Word of God, redemption, and Jesus Christ. Wayne Grudem's bestselling Systematic Theology has several distinctive features: A strong emphasis on the scriptural basis for each doctrine Clear writing, with technical terms kept to a minimum A contemporary approach, treating subjects of special interest to the church today A friendly tone, appealing to the emotions and the spirit as well as the intellect Frequent application to life Resources for worship within each chapter Bibliographies in each chapter that cross-reference subjects to a wide range of other systematic theologies.The nations of the global north find themselves in a post-secular or post-Christian period, one in which the practice, expression,…
and effects of religion are undergoing massive shifts. In Persuasions of God, Paul Lynch pursues a project of “theorhetoric,” a radical new approach to speaking about the divine. Searching for new religious forms amid the lingering influence of Christianity, Lynch turns to René Girard, the most important twentieth-century thinker on the sacred and its expression within the Christian tradition. Lynch repurposes Girard’s mimetic theory to invent a post-Christian way of speaking to, for, and especially about God. Girard theorized the sacred as the nexus of violence, order, and sacralization that lies at the heart of religion. What Lynch advocates in our current moment of religious kairos is a paradoxically meek rhetoric that conscientiously refuses rivalry, actively exploits tradition through complicit invention, and boldly seeks a holiness free of exclusionary violence. The project of theorhetoric is to reinvent God through the reimagined themes of meekness, sacrifice, atonement, and holiness. From these, Persuasions of God offers religion reimagined for our post-secular age.An interdisciplinary mix of philosophy, sociology, rhetorical studies, and theology, this book draws on mimetic theory to answer the question of where religion goes next. It will be valued by religious studies and communications scholars as well as anyone interested in the future of Christianity in our modern world.By Bart D. Ehrman. 2023
A &“humane, thoughtful, and intelligent&” (The New York Times Book Review) bestselling Biblical scholar reveals why our popular understanding of…
the Apocalypse is all wrong—and why that matters.You&’ll find nearly everything the Bible says about the end in the Book of Revelation: a mystifying prophecy filled with bizarre symbolism, violent imagery, mangled syntax, confounding contradictions, and very firm ideas about the horrors that await us all. But no matter what you think Revelation reveals—whether you read it as a literal description of what will soon come to pass, interpret it as a metaphorical expression of hope for those suffering now, or only recognize its highlights from pop culture—you&’re almost certainly wrong. In Armageddon, acclaimed New Testament authority Bart D. Ehrman delves into the most misunderstood—and possibly most dangerous—book of the Bible, on a &“vigilantly persuasive&” (The Washington Post) tour through three millennia of Judeo-Christian thinking about how our world will end. With wit and verve, he explores the alarming social and political consequences of expecting an imminent apocalypse, considers whether the message of Revelation may be at odds with the teachings of Jesus, and offers inspiring insight into how to live in the face of an uncertain future. By turns hilarious, moving, troubling, and provocative, Armageddon is nothing short of revelatory in its account of what the Bible really says about the end.By Alan J. Potter. 2020
Fascinating revelations of the parts played by David, Solomon, Judas Maccabee, Pompey, Cleopatra, Justinian, and others in the making of…
the city.Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world, with evidence of an original settlement dating back more than 4,000 years. Vitally important was the supply of water provided by the Gihon Spring, in a land that normally experienced rainfall only from November to March. Since then this Middle Eastern city has been attacked and devastated on numerous occasions.Former rulers include King David, who established the City of David, and his son Solomon, who expanded Jerusalem and built the first Great Temple on Mount Moriah. Destruction 2,600 years ago saw most of the inhabitants exiled to Babylon, but as the Jewish diaspora returned, the Temple and city were rebuilt. Wars between the Ptolemaic and Seleucid successors of Alexander the Great seemed endless, but the resistance of the Maccabee brothers eventually led to the glorious reign of the Hasmonean kings.Roman interference and the enforcement of the despotic Herod the Great as king led inevitably to the catastrophic Jewish/Roman wars, and Jerusalem was once again destroyed. Christianity eventually facilitated a reinvigorated Byzantine Jerusalem, which became one of the world’s most beautiful cities. The bubonic plague was survived, but a new low saw the Persians sack the city before Heraclius triumphantly returned Christ’s True Cross to Jerusalem.The History of Jerusalem: Its Origins to the Early Middle Ages is the first of its kind to examine in detail the rich history of Jerusalem during antiquity up to the year 630 CE. This in-depth account goes further than other volumes in terms of the breadth and scale of events covered, and offers an unbiased but critical appraisal of the colorful history of Jerusalem and the surrounding areas.By Craig Johnson. 2018
A Celebration of Everyone Who Fulfills Their Purpose Through Unexpected ChallengesUntil two years of age, Craig and Samantha&’s son Connor…
was just like other kids—playful, verbal, and affectionate. Then everything changed. He stopped talking, displayed behavioral problems, and withdrew into his own world. The official diagnosis—autism. Faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, Craig and Samantha refused to believe a meaningful life for Connor was impossible. God confirmed their faith by revealing to Craig that Connor would one day touch the lives of thousands of people around the world. Craig and Samantha held that unlikely promise in their hearts during the agonizing years ahead. Champion is a spellbinding chronicle of the twists and turns of Connor&’s journey—guided by his parent&’s steadfast hope in God&’s promises. Through the unexpected breaking of their spirits, the Holy Spirit was poured out, culminating in a miracle that has launched a global ministry to the disabled.By Mark S. Stelzer. 2022
Appealing to both the person in the pew and professional minister, Along the Way: The Life, Lessons, and Legacy of…
Father Hugh F. Crean explores the legacy of Vatican II (1962-1965) and its unfinished agenda. Written by a diverse group of contributors, including noted Church historian David O&’Brien and sociologist Mary Johnson, SNDdeN, the essays included in Along the Way challenge readers to reconsider the essence and form of priesthood, religious life, and ministry while pointing to themes Crean delivered throughout his 53 years of ministry. The book was prepared under the auspices of the Saint Augustine Center for Ethics, Religion, and Culture at the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, Massachusetts, where Crean served as a faculty member.By Zev Chafets. 2007
American Jews who support Israel have found themselves a very powerful and unexpected ally: Evangelical Christians. Zev Chafets, former New…
York Daily News columnist and onetime director of communications for Menachem Begin, explores this partnership in A Match Made in Heaven. Over the course of a year, Chafets spent quality time with Jerry Falwell, visited Jewish cadets at West Point, attended the world’s biggest Christian retail show, journeyed to the Holy Land with a band of repentant Christian pilgrims, and broke bread with George W. Bush and five hundred Jewish Republicans. A Match Made in Heaven is the often hilarious story of Chafets’s quest to get to the root of a very serious question: Why do Evangelicals support Israel so strongly? Equal parts history, comedy, travelogue, and political tract, it is a smart and adventurous religious and political odyssey. Zev Chafets was born and raised in Pontiac, Michigan. After graduating from the University of Michigan, he moved to Jerusalem, where he spent 33 years in politics, government, and journalism, including a stint as director of communications for Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Chafets is a former columnist for the New York Daily News, as well as a founding editor of Jerusalem Report magazine and the author of nine books of fiction, media criticism and social and political commentary.By Marilyn Berger. 2010
"Whoever Saves a Life, It Is Considered as If He Saved an Entire World"Dr. Rick Hodes arrived in Africa more…
than two decades ago to help the victims of a famine, but he never expected to call this extremely poor continent his home. Twenty-eight years later, he is still there.This Is a Soul tells the remarkable story of Rick Hodes's journey from suburban America to Mother Teresa's clinic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. As a boy, Rick was devoted to helping those in need, and eventually he determined that becoming a doctor would allow him to do the most good. When he heard about famine in Africa, that's where he went, and when genocide convulsed Rwanda, he went into the refugee camps to minister to the victims. When he was told that Ethiopia was allowing its Jews to emigrate to Israel, he went to help. While there, he was drawn to Mother Teresa's mission in Addis Ababa. It was there that Rick found his calling when he began caring for the sickest children in one of the world's poorest countries. But he did more than that—he began taking them into his home and officially adopted five of them. This Is a Soul is also a book filled with great joy and triumph. When Rick's kids return from surgery or life-saving treatments, he is exultant. "Seeing these people after surgery is like going to heaven," he says.Marilyn Berger went to Africa to write about Dr. Hodes, but while there, she became involved with the story. When she came upon a small, deformed, and malnourished boy begging on the street, she recognized immediately that he had the exact disease Rick could cure. She took him to Rick, who eventually arranged for the boy to have a complicated and risky surgery, which turned out to be incredibly successful. The boy's story—intertwined with Rick's, and Marilyn's as well—is unforgettable in its pathos and subtle humor. This Is a Soul is not just a story of the savior and the saved, it is a celebration of love and wisdom, and an exploration of how charity and devotion can actually change lives in an overcrowded, unjust, and often harsh world.By Joby Martin. 2022
A beloved pastor and a New York Times bestselling author examine scripture and share inspiring personal stories to help reveal…
the important role that Jesus&’ resurrection plays in our everyday lives. The Son of God was crucified, died and buried, and He lay in the tomb for three days—until He walked out shining like the sun. In a culture in which history is erased or rewritten at will, the existence of an empty tomb matters. Why? Because if the tomb is empty—then anything is possible. In his first book, Joby Martin, Lead Pastor of The Church of Eleven22, dives deep into scripture and traces the story of salvation by highlighting the seven mountains throughout scripture where God manifests himself. As he describes each encounter with God, Martin shows us how the interaction on each mountain laid the groundwork for the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary, and shows what God revealed about Himself in the process. He illuminates seven familiar passages, unveiling how God's plan for Christ's sacrifice is threaded throughout scripture, and shows why Christ's resurrection—impossible, unbelievable—means that nothing is too hard for our God. Ultimately, he asks readers, Do you live every day of your life as if the tomb is empty—or as though Jesus is still hanging on that cross? Written with New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin, If the Tomb is Empty is an insightful and spiritually rich examination of what the miracle of Christ's resurrection means for all of us.By Chris Tomlin, Darren Whitehead. 2017
What happens when we praise God? What are the benefits of praising Him? Do you know what praise actually means?…
In Holy Roar, Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead share a fresh perspective from the worship practices of the ancient world. They take readers on a praise journey that answers questions and provides valuable insight. After reading Holy Roar, you will:Grow an understanding of praise with Darren's unique insights.Gain a deeper understanding of how to worship.Be inspired as Chris shares how those insights take shape in the stories behind some of your favorite worship songs, including "How Great Is Our God," "We Fall Down," and "Good Good Father."Holy Roar is for:Readers of all ages interested in growing their faithPastors, worship leaders, and small group teachers leading believersIn the ancient world, something extraordinary happened when God's people gathered to worship Him. It was more than just singing; it was a declaration, a proclamation, a time to fully embody praise to God for who He is and what He has done. In fact, in the Psalms, seven Hebrew words are translated into the English word praise, each of which represents a different aspect of what it means to truly praise God.By Jonathan Kirsch. 2008
“Kirsch offers up an amazing recounting of the abuses of clergy and state in those terrible times. Kirsch’s powerful and…
cautionary account is essential reading for historians and anyone who wants to understand the potential dark side of religion.” — Publishers Weekly, Starred Review“A scathing account of the Inquisition’s 600-year campaign to stifle religious dissent, as well as to persecute various groups of people it branded as alien menaces to communal security.” –Los Angeles Times — Los Angeles Times“Jonathan Kirsch is a fine storyteller with a flair for rendering ancient tales relevant and appealing to modern audiences.” --Washington Post — Washington Post“A learned, lively, … literary tour of the life and the improbable afterlife of the greatest apocalypse of them all.”…
— Jack Miles, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of God: A Biography and Christ: A Crisis in the Life of God“[A]n important book that is essential reading in our torn, conflicted world: it is articulate, learned and balanced.” — Karen Armstrong, New York Times bestselling author of A History of God and The Spiral Staircase“This book does what history is supposed to do…A truly fine book.” — John M. Barry, New York Times bestselling author of The Great Influenza“[A] delightful, 2,000 year journey…. a fine book that merits wide readership.” — Publishers Weekly“Fascinating - and sure to provoke heated discussion.” — Booklist“Kirsch’s splendid examination of this dark corner of religious resentment holds out a new perspective and, mercifully, some solace.” — Los Angeles Times“A thorough account of the intellectual and spiritual mischief that Revelation has spawned.” — Washington Post“Kirsch traces Revelation’s 2,000-year history --- a “romantic tale, full of intrigue and suspense” --- in lucid, captivating prose.” — Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionBy Donald Spoto. 2007
“A fresh and definitive biography in the context of Joan of Arc’s times.” — International Herald Tribune“Donald Spoto is one…
of the best biographers in the world today. “ — Acclaimed biographer Mary S. Lovell, author of the national bestselling The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family“A magnificent introduction to one of the most misunderstood and controversial of all the saints.” — James Martin, SJ, editor of America Magazine, author of My Life With the Saints“A worthy contribution to a renewed understanding of a figure who still speaks to today’s realities.” — Library Journal“[An] engaging, and at times gripping, biography.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)“I have never read a biography that affected me so deeply as a Catholic or as a woman.” — Sr. Joan Chittister, author of Called to Question and columnist for The National Catholic Reporter“Thought provoking and very readable… Joan’s story is significant and should be retold….” — United Press International“…a lively, accessible book …with a cogent discussion of faith, mystery and early church politics.” — Washington Times“[Spoto] approaches his subject with the sophistication of a historian and the admiration of a true believer.” — Washington Post“Spoto is a surprisingly apt biographer for [Joan] ….” — Slate“Spoto’s new biography is like bringing reality TV into a 15th century courtroom . . .a stunning miscarriage of justice.” — Denver PostBy Alan Jacobs. 2008
“[A]n engaging and lucid work by a sophisticated Evangelical from the American South. . . . For all its American…
bias, Alan Jacobs’s highly readably ORIGINAL SIN might fill one of the gaps in the post-Christian memory banks.” — Times Literary Supplement (London)“One wouldn’t expect a book about original sin to be entertaining, but Jacobs makes it so with deft prose and a touch of humor.” — Christian Century“Jacobs is a superb writer whose work is beginning to get the wider notice it has long deserved.” — Books & Culture ("Top Ten Books of the Year")Alan Jacobs presents an engagingly written, eminently humane, and insightful account of an all-important subject that is both timeless and timely. — George Marsden, author of Jonathan Edwards: A Life“Alan Jacobs’ cultural history of the controversies that Saint Augustine’s concept gave birth to is fascinating, entertaining, wonderfully researched, and thoroughly even-tempered, giving even the most disagreeable voices their say. Original Sin may well become the definitive book on the subject.” — Ron Hansen , Author of Exiles and A Stay Against ConfusionI do not believe in original sin. I do believe in Alan Jacobs. He is one the smartest and wittiest writers around on matters involving religion, and ORIGINAL SIN is a gem. — Alan Wolfe, Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life, Boston CollegeIn this brilliant account, Wheaton College literature professor Jacobs traces the idea of original sin from the Bible to the present day. . . . In his hands these abstruse theological disputes are utterly engrossing. — Publishers Weekly, starred review“With extraordinary erudition and just enough lightness of touch to leaven the lump, Alan Jacobs traces the tangled ways that we have tried to think about human cussedness. — Frederick Buechner, author of Secrets in the DarkReplete with examples drawn from a number of different cultural expressions, including literature, film, and philosophy, [Original Sin] is intended to introduce a broad genearl audience to the complexity of explaining how human beings act evilly toward one another. — Library JournalA brilliantly illuminating, deeply thought-provoking intellectual journey. — Booklist“A strangely entertaining cultural survey . . . ” — The Wall Street JournalJacobs’s discussion is terrifically worthwhile for exposing how the idea of “evil,” as enunciated iwthin the doctrine, undergoes permutations and translations over time — BN.comSplendid...a book endeavoring to help us say and do something about the sin which so easily ensares. Strikingly, Jacobs argues that the ‘confraternity’ of humanity is best grounded not in our being made in the image of God but in our being made sinful in Adam. Truly a revolutionary thought—that the roots of our common humanity might be found, not in our dignity or even our potential, but in our depravity.” — Books & Culture“A deep pool of wisdom . . . an expression of what’s wrong with all of us. Jacobs’ prose often sings . . . Careful when you open this book--it could keep you up at nights.” — Christianity Today“Follows the history of thinking about original sin from Augustine to ‘Hellboy’ and rewards the curious reader with unique knowledge (of good and evil) on every page.” — Beliefnet (Best Religious Book of the Year)“Jacobs’s flowing prose keeps the book moving at a nice pace.” — Weekly StandardBy Harvey Gallagher Cox. 2009
Legendary Harvard religion scholar Harvey Cox offers up a new interpretation of the history and future of religion. Cox identifies…
three fundamental shifts over the last 2,000 years of church history: The Age of Faith was when the early church was more concerned with following Jesus' teachings than enforcing what to believe about Jesus. The Age of Belief marks a significant shift-between the fourth and twentieth centuries-when the church focused on orthodoxy and right beliefs. The Age of the Spirit, that began in the 1960s and is shaping not just Christianity but other religious traditions today, is ignoring dogma and breaking down barriers between different religions. Spirituality is replacing formal religion. Reflecting on how his own faith journey mirrors these three historical shifts, Cox personalizes the material in a compelling, practical ways. The Future of Faith is a major statement by one of the most revered theologians today.By Ben Witherington III. 2006
By Catherine Wolff. 2013
Joan of Arc, Mother Mary MacKillop, Ignatius of Loyola, and Bartolomé de Las Casas. All of these people have one…
thing in common—they are Catholics whose beliefs caused them to be per-secuted, but who, through the test of time, proved to be figures revered in the Church.In fact, many of the Catholic figures who intrigue and inspire us are the men and women who found the great strength—personal, spiritual, intellectual—to challenge the Church. Some were called heretics, denounced for denying doctrine. Others were condemned for not submitting to the control of the Church. But they have much to teach us in our own efforts to live out our faith. It is difficult to know what to do when Church doctrine is at odds with cultural developments. From gay marriage to contraception, stem-cell research to required celibacy for priests, Catholics today are struggling with the conflict between tradition and the Church's need to come to terms with modernity. In Not Less Than Everything, some of the best Catholic writers of our time, including Alice McDermott, Ron Hansen, Mary Gordon, Tobias Wolff, and Ann Patchett, share their personal accounts of people who have influenced the way they view the intersection of faith and culture. Not Less Than Everything is a riveting exploration of how to face the challenge of living our faith in the real and messy world.By Immaculee Ilibagiza. 2010
&“No matter what your race, religion, political affiliation, or personal belief system, you will be inspired by Our Lady of…
Kibeho—a true story of the power of faith and the great potential of forgiveness.&”— John Fund, columnist for The Wall Street JournalThirteen years before the bloody 1994 genocide that swept across Rwanda and left more than a million people dead, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ appeared to eight young people in the remote village of Kibeho. Through these visionaries, Mary and Jesus warned of the looming holocaust, which they assured could be averted if Rwandans opened their hearts to God and embraced His love. Much like what happened at similar sites such as Fátima and Lourdes, the messengers of Kibeho were at first mocked and disbelieved. But as miracle after miracle occurred in the tiny village, tens of thousands of Rwandans journeyed to Kibeho to behold the apparitions. For years, countless onlookers watched as the Mother and Son of God spoke through the eight seers about God&’s love, sending messages that they insisted were meant not only for Rwandans, but for the entire world, to hear. Mary also sent messages to government and church leaders to instruct them how to end the ethnic hatred simmering in their country. She warned them that Rwanda would become &“a river of blood&” —a land of unspeakable carnage —if the hatred of the people was not quickly quelled by love. Some leaders listened, but very few believed: the prophetic and apocalyptic warnings tragically came true during 100 horrifying days of savage bloodletting and mass murder. After the genocide, and two decades of rigorous investigation, Our Lady of Kibeho became the first and only Vatican-approved Marian (that is, related to the Virgin Mary) site in all of Africa. But the story still remains largely unknown. Now, Immaculée Ilibagiza plans to change all that. She made many pilgrimages to Kibeho both before and after the holocaust, personally witnessed true miracles, and spoke with a number of the visionaries themselves. What she&’s discovered will deeply touch your heart.