Western Religion

This book contains a collection of academic articles ranging from African-American history, Jewish history, early Christian history, the New Testament, Patristic history, medieval history, and the history of the Reformation. This academic work is a bold quest to capture the essence of history and canon as phenomenalized in the human experience. Scholars and students of history, religion, literary criticism, sociology, anthropology, humanities, and theology will surely benefit from reading this book.

Between 1942 and 1945, a group of ordinary citizens formed a network to smuggle Dutch Jews and others targeted by the Nazis south into France, via Paris, and then to Switzerland. This network became known as the Dutch-Paris Escape Line, eventually growing to include 300 people and expanding its reach into Spain. Led by Jean Weidner, a Dutchman living in France, many lacked any experience in clandestine operations or military tactics, and yet they became one of the most effective resistance groups of the Second World War.

A child is fascinated by the archer or dart thrower who consecutively delivers missiles to the bullseye. Even as adults, we observe seemingly impossible tasks with awe. We feel either inspired or inferior. Is there Zen in it?

The realm of emotion is one of those areas where Buddhism and Western psychology are often thought to be at odds: Are emotions to be valued, examined, worked with as signs leading us to deeper self-knowledge? Or are they something to be ignored and avoided as soon as we recognize them?

Holy Father Benedict, the father of monks in the West, is one of the greatest saints of the Church's illustrious halls of fame. His movement to become a hermit and found monasteries, writing the famous Rule of St. Benedict, was the decisive moment of monasticism's growth in the West, under the maxim of ora et labora, "prayer and work." His blessing caused a poisoned cup to shatter and a raven to swipe away poisoned bread; he miraculously saved someone from drowning, and he raised another from the dead. This is the story of the holiest monk of the West, the hero among religious founders.

For decades Americans were vaguely aware that Islamist barbarians were in the deserts of the Middle East and in the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan, executing "infidels" and raiding villages with unrecognizable names. The Muslim world seemed far away, remote, and irrelevant to our daily lives. Then came the terrorist attack of 9/11, followed by attacks at Fort Hood, the Boston Marathon, San Bernandino, Orlando, and more. Now terrorists seem to be emerging everywhere, unleashing senseless death and destruction on our nation.

Throughout Teller County, history lovers can find abandoned towns and forgotten main streets that once bustled with life and commerce. Even before Teller was carved from surrounding counties, the scenic mountains and lucrative mines of the gold rush era brought thousands of settlers and attracted resort owners and tycoons eager to exploit the rich setting. Seemingly overnight, towns in the Cripple Creek District and other places popped up, flush with gold and people looking for opportunity. As the ore disappeared, the miners moved on in search of the next big lode.

Nowadays, the pope is synonymous with unparalleled piety, compassion, and benevolence. To many, the pope is the embodiment of godly love in its purest form. This is a far cry from how things were just a few centuries ago. Back in the day, the most notorious of popes were nothing more than power-hungry dictators and cutthroat political experts. Indeed, by the late 14th century, tensions within the Church reached a breaking point, resulting in the infamous split of the Catholic Church, one that saw multiple popes fighting to knock the others off their thrones.

Mail Order Bride: Taking the Train West for Love is a beautiful story about a woman who, after two years of corresponding with a man out west, accepts his invitation of marriage and sets out on her journey. On the train she meets a stranger and enjoys their frequent chats and stories from the bible.

Heading Towards A New Life Along The Oregon Trail, about a young woman with a baby and a somewhat checkered past who joins a wagon train and the only single women's wagon on it. There, she becomes friends with a female doctor and another woman as they struggle through the many trials of such a journey. Along the way a strong bond is formed between the women, two of the men on the train, and God.

How would you respond in the presence of someone who did something you had never seen done before, something you thought impossible, something that you never dreamed about? No doubt you would be awestruck. You might gasp and say, “Wow!” Perhaps no words would come at all. It would probably be etched into your memory forever. However many times you might speak about what you saw, you would relive that moment and still be greatly amazed.

This is not yet another book about surviving the COVID-19 lockdown. It is about possibilities that have been raised through Flockdown, the unprecedented separation of the Church’s flock from their places of worship. Could it be that this is not about the virus or even the virtual world it has forced on most of us but, rather, that it is a window of opportunity provided for the Church?

No one book, or even all books together, can tell fully the greatness of Jesus Christ. While that is true, we can still point to the things that God has revealed in His Word. He is far greater than our greatest imaginations. He is fully God but also fully man. He not only created the universe, but He also holds it all together. He is both the sacrifice for our sins and our Great High Priest. He is ever the Pioneer, leading the way.

Finding Home with The Lord's Help, is a love story about two families traveling West along the Oregon Trail - both have lost their matriarchs and one has lost their faith on God. One young woman looks across at the other family - full of love and faith - then up to her gruff father who has lost his. It's through faith and unselfishness that they are able to face their daily challenges both on the trail, and off it, and find love in all things.

Sarah's Difficult Choice is a romance about a young Amish woman who must make the choice of a lifetime when she meets a rebellious young man visiting his friends and family in her community. He was Amish before he went to the city and cannot seem to let go of his electronic devices and new way of life. Overcome with strong emotions, Sarah doesn't know if her choice will be the right one.

One Bible's Journey Along The Oregon Trail: Aaron & Elizabeth's Story, is about two young people traveling West in the same wagon train, but with disparate beliefs about God. It's basically the entire wagon train against Aaron and his family and his abrasive father. Through his songs around the campfire young Aaron wins over Elizabeth and they end up talking long hours as families settle in for the night.

The Cristo Redentor is far more than just a princely statue or a tourist trap for urban explorers and adrenaline addicts. As one of the masterminds behind the statue once described the masterpiece, it is a "monument to science, art, and religion." Christ the Redeemer: The History and Legacy of the Western Hemisphere’s Most Famous Christian Monument chronicles the events leading up to the monument's conception, its construction, and the great architects and engineers behind the majestic monument.