First Religion

"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents..." So begins the first book in the Book of Mormon. In this brief theological introduction, philosopher and theologian Joseph M. Spencer investigates the central themes and purposes of a book he calls a "theological masterpiece". What was Nephi trying to accomplish with his writings? How can readers/listeners today make better sense of Nephi's words? What can an ancient seer offer readers/listeners in the 21st century? Spencer introduces a Nephi for our moment, a complex prophet with an urgent message for a world in turmoil.

Marriage can be perilous for any couple, but for those facing infidelity and other dark secrets, it can be soul-crushing. Yet no matter how broken a relationship may seem, hope and healing remain within reach. Tim and Kathy Bush are proof. Theirs was a union built not on solid ground but on the shifting sands of childhood trauma, promiscuity, addiction, and a hunger that neither of them could satisfy. Through many tumultuous years, they stumbled to the brink of both relational and personal destruction again and again, nearly giving up on each other—and on life itself.

Western Christianity's long-standing support of Israel has, perhaps unintentionally, nurtured a prejudice against Arab people—the descendants of Abraham's first son, Ishmael. Author Tony Maalouf contends that this bias differs dramatically from the biblical portrayal of Ishmael and the nations that have sprung from him. With meticulous research and theological astuteness, Maalouf surfaces the positive portrayal of the Arab people in ancient and prophetic history, clearly showing that the Israeli-Arab conflict is a recent development in history.

What was the starting point of Christianity? Was it in a little town in Bethlehem, just as the lyrics of our favorite Christmas songs contend? In truth, in the earliest days of Christianity, when Peter and Paul first set out to preach the gospel, the belief systems of early Christians were viewed as merely a new sect of Judaism.

Fervent passion for Jesus is often one of the first things to fade as we struggle through the daily grind of life, especially after grappling with disappointments and pain. Yet inherent in Jesus's call to return to our first love is his promise to help us never to lose it—to have a heart sustained in joy, delight, and passion for him all of our days. Dana Candler shares her own wrestle with weariness and unbelief, and reveals that a heart fully alive in Jesus is not only possible but is the promise and invitation of God's infinite grace.

In 'My First Talk with God,' we meet a little girl named Kesha, who sees her grandma praying and wonders how she can talk to God, too. Her grandma first teaches her a simple prayer then helps her learn how to pray from her own heart, and together, they share a very special moment. When little Kesha tries praying by herself for the very first time, she's thrilled! She discovers she can talk to God anytime she wants, and it feels like making a new friend who is always there to listen.

Keith Miller, a businessman, was asked to speak in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to an Easter sunrise service. Not being an ordained minister, Keith decided to try to get inside Matthew and walk through the events of the crucifixion and resurrection during the first Easter. The results were startling. A young engineer broadcasting the service flipped on his recorder and captured the event. Thousands of people who heard the honest, poignant presentation have said that God used it to change their lives.

Do not accept any statement from scripture, the church, or an individual (including the speaker) as true until you have found God or a living truth in what is being said. What I tell you I know from experience, but I ask you not to accept my words without questioning them within yourself. It is silly to accept something simply because the church said it, or you read it in the Bible, or heard it from Neville. You must pursue the thought ceaselessly by questioning yourself.

From the opening chapter of the Gospel of Mark, The First 24, is an exciting, fast-paced investigation and commentary on the first 24 hours of Jesus' public ministry in the town of Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee.

One of the world's best-known attorneys gives us a no-holds-barred history of Jewish lawyers: from the biblical Abraham, who argued with God on behalf of the doomed sinners of Sodom, through modern-day advocates who have changed the world by challenging the status quo, defending the unpopular, contributing to the rule of law, and following the biblical command to pursue justice. Entertaining and aggressive - which is what you'd expect from this author - this audiobook should appeal to anyone interested in justice.

Is it true that Jesus imparted two different teachings, a secret one, exclusively meant for his apostles, and a public one, especially for the masses? Now, what exactly was this secret teaching? Why was it purposely hidden from the masses? Is there any real evidence of its existence? And how can it benefit your spiritual progress? If you would like to learn more about this secret and how it can boost your spiritual life, then get this audiobook and let your journey begin!

As a young man is thrust into a journey of spiritual awakening, he is met with the inner demons that have tormented him since childhood. Wandering through the dark fantasies of his inner life, he's met with a life-changing decision in his outer life that will forever alter his direction. As he reaches the core of his darkness, he is met with the emotionally shattering reality of a childhood trauma that has haunted him his entire life.

Dating in modern times can be confusing and seem more complicated than ever. How do you date and get close to someone while keeping God first? When meeting someone new, there are many questions and scenarios to be thought about. Should he pursue first? How often should you spend time together? When should you start attending church as a couple? Should you serve in the same area? When in the relationship should you hold hands or kiss? What do social media boundaries look like? Waiting While Dating interviews six Christian couples who had different backgrounds and situations.

The Christian church of the early centuries spread throughout much of Asia, Africa, and Europe, spoke many languages, was situated within diverse cultural settings, and had varied worship practices; yet it maintained a vital unity on core teachings. In The Global Church - The First Eight Centuries: From Pentecost through the Rise of Islam, author Donald Fairbairn helps listeners understand both the diversity and unity of the church in this pivotal era.

Transform insecurity, procrastination, indecision, and inequality into attraction-affirming, debt-mastering, and security-building money management and become a free, balanced woman ready to embrace her true potential at home, at work, and at play! Millions of people have already experienced the power of chakras and resolved their material, emotional, and mental issues through ancient yet simple practices. Be one of them.

Yeshua Matters is the story of a pastor who discovers that Jesus Christ was not just a Jewish person, but a practicing Jew, a teacher of Judaism - a rabbi, known during his earthly ministry as Rabbi Yeshua of Nazareth. Yet despite this emerging scholarly consensus, Jesus has lost his Jewishness in the collective heart and mind of the church. We simply don't imagine, interpret, or follow him as a part of the broader tapestry of Jewish life and history.

Let the songs of the first Christmas turn your heart toward God’s glory. During the holidays, the musical tunes of the season are everywhere. Their nostalgic melodies warm our hearts. But, the original Christmas songs are different; they lift our hearts to a holy God. They reveal the greatness, glory, and goodness of our savior. Taking us beyond quaint imagery and feel-good lyrics, the Advent songs of the Bible unfold God’s redemptive plan for the world and his eternal purpose for the ages.

iRise is manual for being human in this new age. An age where love, compassion, empathy, and kindness are the watchwords of society. Endeavoring to guide one on how to move as source of love in the world, this manual applies a framework of objectivity on using consciousness as a vehicle. A vehicle that transports one to the frame of being a discrete unit of unconditional love as an interwoven vector expression in the universe.

What does the cross of Christ have to do with the thunderbird? How might the life and work of Christian writer G. K. Chesterton shed light on our understanding of North American Indigenous art and history? This unexpected connection forms the basis of these discerning reflections by art historian Matthew Milliner. In this fifth volume in the Hansen Lectureship Series, Milliner appeals to Chesterton's life and work in order to understand and appreciate both Indigenous art and the complex, often tragic history of First Nations peoples, especially in the American Midwest.

Biblical Christianity was originally a sect of Judaism that believed in Jesus and revered the Torah as the core of the scriptures. Restoration is a riveting argument for a return to that original biblical expression of faith in Jesus. Discover for yourself the profound beauty of Torah life, the celebration of the biblical Sabbath, and the application of God's holy feast days. Your eyes will be opened to another dimension of the faith that is beginning to reemerge among Christians worldwide.