Modern Religion

Five hundred years after Martin Luther and his Ninety-Five Theses ushered in the Reformation, best-selling author and controversial bishop and teacher John Shelby Spong delivers 12 forward-thinking theses to spark a new reformation to reinvigorate Christianity and ensure its future. Spong contends that there is mounting pressure among Christians for a radically new kind of Christianity - a faith deeply connected to the human experience instead of outdated dogma.

Are you worried that your teen sees the Bible as outdated or boring?In today’s screen-focused world, how can we ensure teens stay rooted in God’s wisdom?Imagine your teen finding strength in 10-minute, digestible Bible stories packed with meaningful lessons. This book bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and modern-day challenges, making biblical teachings accessible and engaging for today’s teens.

Apocalyptic millennialism is one of the most powerful strands in evangelical Christianity. It is not a single belief, but across many powerful evangelical groups there is general adhesion to faith in the physical return of Jesus in the Second Coming, the affirmation of a Rapture heavenward of "saved" believers, a millennium of peace under the rule of Jesus and his saints and, eventually, a final judgement and entry into deep eternity. A key figure in this process was John Nelson Darby.

From his modest headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the Rebbe advised some of the world's greatest leaders and shaped matters of state and society. Statesmen and artists as diverse as Ronald Reagan, Robert F. Kennedy, Yitzchak Rabin, Menachem Begin, Elie Wiesel, and Bob Dylan span the spectrum of those who sought his counsel.

The problem most of us have with the Bible is that we started out studying the details without ever getting the big picture. It's no wonder we're confused! In the Colorado Rockies, there are so many mountain peaks, nobody could climb them all. But there are 53 peaks that are over 14,000 feet. And many hikers try to climb all 53 fourteeners. That's what Max Anders does in this Bible study. You'll look at only the fourteeners - a manageable amount of information.

In his classic Buddhism Without Beliefs, Stephen Batchelor offered a profound, secular approach to the teachings of the Buddha that struck an emotional chord with Western audiences. Now, with the same brilliance and boldness of thought, he paints a groundbreaking portrait of the historical Buddha—told from the author's unique perspective as a former Buddhist monk and modern seeker.

Does today's world ever feel intense, depressing, or even scary? In The Modern Chakra Guide, best-selling author Carol Tuttle shows you how the world is going through an energetic shift and how to activate your chakra energy to rise above the chaos. Carol shares the path that took her from a life in shambles to a life of powerful fulfillment. With reassurance and timely insight, her personal perspective will help you counter the rush, confusion, and fear of today's world.

Witchcraft meets astrology in this comprehensive guide to the power of the planets tailored specifically for witches so you can incorporate the celestial study into your spells and magical rituals. This guide to astrology was written just for witches, with information to help you understand how the positions of the celestial bodies can affect your magic and spellcraft—and how you can use a deeper understanding of the zodiac to strengthen your magic by becoming in tune with the planets.

Although we know little about the ancient Druids, their reputation for wisdom and harmony with nature lives on. Today, Druidry is a vibrant, diverse movement with groups and practitioners on every continent but Antarctica. Spiritual rather than religious—more an attitude than an ideology—it can be embraced by people from different faiths and backgrounds. Archdruid John Michael Greer explores the history and basics of Druidry; how to perform Druidic rituals, meditation, and divination; elements of the lifestyle; and advice for placing less of a burden on the Earth.

Jung's primary concern in Flying Saucers is not with the reality or unreality of UFOs but with their psychic aspect. Rather than speculate about their possible nature and extraterrestrial origin as alleged spacecraft, he asks what it may signify that these phenomena, whether real or imagined, are seen in such numbers just at a time when humankind is menaced as never before in history. The UFOs represent, in Jung's phrase, "a modern myth."

How can an evangelical view of Scripture be reconciled with modern biblical scholarship? In this book Peter Enns, an expert in biblical interpretation, addresses Old Testament phenomena that challenge traditional evangelical perspectives on Scripture. He then suggests a way forward, proposing an incarnational model of biblical inspiration that takes seriously both the divine and the human aspects of Scripture.

At any given moment, you have the power to manifest lasting love, boost your prosperity, and shape your destiny. Written by Skye Alexander, spellcraft expert and the author of The Modern Guide to Witchcraft, this book teaches you how to harness your inner magic through incantations, potions, and charms. Whether you're looking to get the job of your dreams, rejuvenate your body, or bring good fortune to family and friends, each page provides you with a spell that can be re-created or personalized for your specific situation.

When you separate the religious dogma from the symbolic nature of Christianity's ultimate rebel, who really is the Devil? Kate Freuler presents this infamous figure as a symbol, not a deity, and reveals how you can use this radical philosophy to strength yourself and your witchcraft. The Devil represents rebelling against all-powerful, oppressive systems of any kind. Through historical references, religious writings, and even pop culture, this book explores the intersection between witchcraft and the rebel archetype.

Jonathan Kaufman tells the remarkable history of how two rival families participated in an economic boom that opened China to the world, but remained blind to the country's deep inequality and to the political turmoil at their doorsteps. In a story stretching from Baghdad to Hong Kong to Shanghai to London, Kaufman enters the lives and minds of these ambitious men and women to forge a tale of opium smuggling, family rivalry, political intrigue, and survival.

Meet Denver, raised under plantation-style slavery in Louisiana until he escaped the “Man” in the 1960’s by hopping a train. Untrusting, uneducated, and violent, he spends 18 years on the streets of Dallas and Fort Worth. Meet Ron Hall, a self-made millionaire in the world of high-priced deals—an international arts dealer who moves between upscale New York galleries and celebrities. It seems unlikely that these two men would meet under normal circumstances, but when Deborah Hall, Ron's wife, meets Denver, she sees him through God's eyes of compassion.

The Way of Initiation: Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and Its Attainment is Rudolf Steiner’s guide to the initiate of any esoteric belief system. Essential for the novice and complimentary to the adept, this text elucidates a path through the inner self as a method to access higher planes of existence. This edition has been modernized for students of the present time and generation.

Fairies have long been a part of witchcraft traditions, especially Celtic and Norse witchcraft, paganism, and other traditions deeply tied to the earth. But these fairies aren’t the harmless creatures you’ve read about in children’s tales: They are magical creatures with their own culture and rules that you need to know before venturing into their territory. Now you can explore the world of the fairies and how their magic relates to your own witchcraft practice with The Modern Witchcraft Book of Fairies.

For numerous centuries, the Talmud—an extraordinary work of Jewish ethics, law, and tradition—has compelled readers to grapple with how to live a good life. Full of folk legends, bawdy tales, and rabbinical repartee, it is inspiring, demanding, confounding, and thousands of pages long. As Liel Leibovitz enthusiastically explores the Talmud, what has sometimes been misunderstood as a dusty and arcane volume becomes humanity's first self-help book. How the Talmud Can Change Your Life contains sage advice on an unparalleled scope of topics.

Prophecy and Modern Times is a delightfully arranged collection of prophecies from both ancient and modern prophets. A foreword by President Ezra Taft Benson sets the stage. Learn how to interpret and understand prophecy. Learn its purpose in your own life. Next, read about prophecies concerning America and Palestine, and see how those ancient men foresaw events that we are living through right now.

This book systematically explores the foundational aspects of modern traditional witchcraft. The book is structured into 13 core chapters or classes that cover all essential skill sets for any modern, traditional witch in a practical, caring way. Each chapter offers suggested activities and/or reflections for journaling and a reading list for further exploration. Advanced skills such as hedge riding and ritual possession are taught in a structured, explicit way that makes them accessible to a wider audience.