Showing results by publisher "Learn25" in Religion & Spirituality

In the medieval period, how did religious women and men put into words their intense - and intensely personal - devotional practices, visions, and experiences? And how did those efforts to articulate mystical experiences comport with church doctrine? You’ll rejoice in this fresh approach to the mystical tradition, grounded in history and letters but elevated by the mystery of the soul. A natural and energetic speaker, Prof. Fee sets every aspect of his subject ablaze. You’ll find his enthusiasm infectious.

What can Galileo's extraordinary life and profound legacy teach us today? Galileo's story is a touchstone in debates about science and religion, but our preconceptions inevitably color the way we see the issues. To understand who Galileo was, what he accomplished, and what you can learn from his triumphs and failures, you need a great teacher to place him in context by exploring the cosmologies, political and religious and historical events, and famous people of his generation.

Gerard Manley Hopkins is undoubtedly one of the greatest poets in the English language. Under the influence of Cardinal John Henry Newman, Hopkins became a Jesuit priest. Now celebrated as a masterful poet, he inspires people throughout the world with his words and example. Hopkins was not only a brilliant poet but also a deeply spiritual man whose works explored religious themes such as Jesuit spirituality and the presence of God in nature.

This unforgettable course by modern spiritual master Fr. Howard Gray will change the way you see the Bible. For as long as humans have been around, we have found comfort in stories. In Great Biblical Stories: A Narrative Journey with Howard Gray, you will discover newfound theological and spiritual meaning in the Bible's great stories. By looking at the stories God uses in the Bible and developing an informed approach to the literature of faith, you will come to know him more personally.

In An Introduction to Hebrew Poetry, you will spend time examining the many literary types and collections found in the Psalter, such as the hymns of the Psalms. The hymns give a beautiful and informative glimpse of the view of God in Hebrew poetry. Additionally, the personal laments of the Psalms will help us explore the role of the individual and the nature of the worshipping community of the Psalms. We will also explore the pilgrim psalms, the songs of Zion, and the hallelujah psalms.

With about 1.7 billion members and growing, Islam is the second largest religion in the world. The relationship between Muslim and Christian theology is complex and often misunderstood. In this illuminating audio series, you will examine the ways Islam addresses Christian teaching and come to a fuller understanding of Islam in its own right.

If you or someone you love is facing death, this deeply compassionate series offers hope and comfort. While conversations about dying and death have become more popular in recent years, a decidedly Catholic perspective is often missing. Now, this course offers a unique approach to these conversations grounded in the Franciscan tradition. Combining historical analysis and meditations for reflection, these lectures provide you with new insights into the spiritual dimensions of dying and death.

An institution that has existed longer than any extant government on earth, the Catholic Church continues to touch the hearts and minds of billions. The fact that Catholics in Creed recite the words "I believe in one holy, Catholic, and apostolic church" means that there is more to the church than meets the eye. Now you can encounter the enduring power of the theology of the church through this 18-lecture audio course.

Follow the contemplative path with Thomas Merton as your guide. In 1942, Thomas Merton relinquished a promising academic career to join the Abbey of Gethsemani. Instead of running away from the world, however, he actually developed his most profound wisdom about it.

An apostle, preacher, bishop, and martyr, Peter is one of the most important figures in early Christianity. Indeed, Catholics believe that the pope is the successor to St. Peter. Now, in this fascinating course, you will explore the powerful portraits of Peter found in the New Testament.

Where did our modern notions about God, science, and humanity come from? Begin in the Mediterranean world of late antiquity, with the decline of Rome and the ascent of Christianity. Explore vigorous Christian debates over the appropriation of pagan thought along with the implications of these debates for medieval thinking. Follow the lively arguments over the origin of the cosmos, the laws of nature, and the extent of God's direct role in natural changes and miraculous events.

Christianity is a religion of salvation, and Christ is the Savior, but what does it mean to be saved? Through 12 brilliantly taught lectures, you will gain an enhanced understanding of salvation. You will examine such models as revelation, redemption, liberation, justification, expiation, reconciliation, and deification.

Fifty years of Jesuit spirituality and scholarship come to full expression in Fr. Harvey Egan’s audio collection, 77 Great Catholic Homilies. Divided into five subsections - by feasts, family occasions, Christ-focused subjects, and miscellaneous reflections - the series telescopes from the general to the particular in fluid motions.

Known by many names - Lucifer, Beelzebub, Mephistopheles, and Satan, to name but a few - the Devil is universally recognized as the embodiment of pure evil and rebellion in Christianity. Although little is said about this figure in the Bible, the Devil has, throughout history, served as an abstract canvas onto which human beings have projected their greatest fears and adversarial forces. Depictions of the Devil also come complete with the allure and romance that accompanies characters associated with rebellion and transgression.

At one point or another, most of us have ruminated on the ultimate meaning of our lives. We may ask questions such as what is this life all about? What is my purpose, and how might I come to realize it? And what does my prayer and reception of the sacraments really do for me? In this illuminating audio series, Fr. David Meconi, S.J., award-winning professor of historical theology at Saint Louis University and director of the Catholic Studies Centre, helps listeners answer such questions in seven soul-searching conferences.

What were Jesus’ final seven statements on the cross? How do they speak to your life today? In this audio retreat, award-winning New Testament Professor Sr. Laurie Brink tells you how to lift Jesus’ last words off the pages of Scripture and inscribe them onto your own life. An engaging retreat leader, Sr. Brink imparts wisdom that will uplift and edify your spirit.

In Mindfulness, Meditation, and Happiness, Professor Kenneth Rose (PhD, Harvard University), introduces you to the basic practices of meditation. In 24 informational and inspiring audio lectures, you’ll explore the spiritual roots of mindfulness alongside the burgeoning academic and scientific study of mindfulness in connection to human flourishing. Throughout, Dr. Rose counsels you on how to avail yourself of mindfulness practices en route to cultivating happiness.

A doctor of the Church and influential writer, St. Alphonsus de Liguori changed the way we think about moral theology. In this audio course inspired by his wisdom, you will explore the relationship between spiritual direction and the moral life. In 22 15-minute lectures, Fr. Dennis J. Billy seeks to infuse the Alphonsian approach to mental prayer into the practice of spiritual direction today. Mental prayer is a valuable new tool that you can use to become your truest self through your faith. And, in the spirit of Alphonsus, it is simple, practical, and easy to implement.

Brilliantly taught and richly textured, this course is a treasure for those with an eye for art and a passion for exploring biblical allusions. Revisit familiar scenes from the gospels with Oxford-educated New Testament scholar Prof. Ian Boxall. Masterful and perceptive, Prof. Boxall commands your attention through the sheer caliber of his analysis - especially of biblical subjects in art.

In The Synoptic Gospels: A Bible Study on Matthew, Mark, and Luke, a comprehensive audio course, Fr. William Burton, OFM, breaks down the first three gospels for an astute audience. Carefully situating each in its historical and cultural context, Fr. Burton gives you fresh insights into the similarities and differences across their accounts of Jesus's life and ministry. Under his guidance, you will dissect the chronology and authorship of the gospels,the religious milieus in which the evangelists wrote, and issues of translation over time.