Showing results by publisher "Learn25" in Christianity

Let one of America's foremost liturgical scholars lead you to a deeper understanding of Catholic beliefs about mortality. If you are a pastor, or if someone in your life is sick or dying, this powerful course is for you. Over the course of our lives, we all mourn the losses of loved ones. We all, at the end, confront death. Despite its certainty, many regard mortality with fear and try to avoid these events. The Catholic Church instead faces this reality with hope, assuring men and women of their final destiny: to live with God forever.

Although he remains the most famous, Luther was by no means the first or last Christian reformer. Understanding his unique importance means situating him in the context of the larger story of church reform. Why did indulgences become the defining issue of the Protestant Reformation? This masterful nine-lecture audio course introduces you to Luther’s life, late-medieval theology and politics, and the ideas that sparked a revolution.

Life During Jesus' Time transports you to the world that shaped Christianity. In 12 lectures, you will navigate the streets Jesus walked, enter the temples the disciples attended, and explore the sociopolitical context in which they lived. Fr. Collins, a renowned New Testament scholar, leads you on this journey with wisdom and wit.

Although it takes only an hour each week, the Mass is one of the most important ways Catholics profess their beliefs in Christian love and mercy. When Catholics express their faith alongside their brothers and sisters, they are not only participating in powerful traditions, but also deepening their spiritual lives. Now, this powerful audio series lets you take a leading liturgical expert as your personal professor anywhere and anytime.

For much of Western history, belief in God seemed universal. As society has grown more secular, however, people have increasingly expressed disbelief in God. Today, a quarter of Americans are religiously unaffiliated, with many identifying as atheists. As the number of atheists has grown, so too have debates around the legitimacy of religion. Too often, these debates have been marked by misunderstanding on both sides.

Thomas Merton was one of the greatest spiritual writers and social critics of the past century. For thousands of men and women, he remains a guide and model for contemplative living, interreligious dialogue, and intellectual exploration. While many have encountered Merton through his best-selling books on spirituality and contemplation, few are familiar with his powerful - and often prescient - insights about vital social and cultural issues of his day.

This brilliantly taught audio course will ignite your imagination and enrich your mind. In 12 illuminating lectures, award-winning professor and acclaimed historian Prof. Christopher M. Bellitto (PhD, Fordham University) makes medieval history both engaging and enlightening. Throughout history, humans have conjured images to understand their relationships with other Christians, the wider world, and God. For medieval men and women, those images came from Christendom, which was the air they breathed.

The Trinity is the foundation of Christian faith, the lifeblood of its liturgy. In this remarkable course, you will come to understand the Trinitarian theology and history as never before. Your professor is Fr. David Vincent Meconi, SJ (DPhil, the University of Oxford), an expert on early Church history and an award-winning theology professor at Saint Louis University. The idea of one God as three persons cannot be understood through human reason alone. Indeed, the doctrine of the Trinity was not something that early Christians fully grasped.

The Second Vatican II emphasized the necessity of mission; in Ad Gentes we learn that "the Church, driven by inner necessity of her own catholicity, and obeying the mandate of her Founder, strives ever to proclaim the Gospel to all men." Today, all dioceses, parishes, and Christians are called to continue Jesus' mission to make God's love, salvation, and justice a reality on earth.

Recorded by a monk and mystic who changed the world, these newly remastered lectures showcase Thomas Merton's brilliant teaching. Originally delivered at the Abbey of Gethsemani to his fellow monks, Thomas Merton's talks invite you on a journey through monastic and contemplative history. Under his guidance, you will encounter the great figures of the Christian monastic tradition: St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Benedict, John Cassian, Basil, and Charlemagne.

For nearly 500 years, Jesuits have given us a trove of spiritual insight and practice. In this unique audio course by one of the most gifted Jesuit spirituality experts of our time, you will find wise reflections on 10 great Jesuit prayers. Georgetown University's Fr. Howard Gray, SJ, PhD, introduces, narrates, and faithfully examines each prayer with your spiritual growth in mind.

Meticulously researched and brilliantly taught, this course is a rare opportunity to learn about Pope Francis from a leading Church historian. On March 13, 2013, the world watched as white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the words habemus Papam rang through St. Peter's Square. The crowd was taken aback as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio became the leader of the world's largest religious community and took the name of Francis - a name that no other pope had ever chosen before.

Taught by one the world's leading Ignatian spirituality experts, this course is a must-have for any Christian giving or finding spiritual direction. Available as a 12-part course, Finding Spiritual Direction was carefully crafted to help you navigate the rich currents among Christians seeking, giving, or getting spiritual direction. Drawing on 50 years of experience, engaging spirituality leader Rev. Tetlow, SJ, explores spiritual direction in its most basic reality: the personal relationship of two disciples guided by the Holy Spirit.

The apocalypse is one of the most often discussed yet least understood topics in Christianity. In her essential course, Dr. Dorothy Jonaitis invites you to unravel the mysteries surrounding the final days of the world. Our culture is saturated with depictions of the "End Times", and many Christians derive their understanding of eschatology from books and novels. But scripture rarely supports such popular (and often doom-filled) representations, creating more misinformation than not.

Catherine of Siena (1347 - 1380) is one of the most beloved saints of the Christian tradition. In this captivating course, you will explore her life, faith, and works under the guidance of Sr. Suzanne Noffke, OP, PhD, an internationally acclaimed expert on Catherine. One of 25 children of a Tuscan wool-dyer guildsman and his irascible wife, Catherine was unschooled and had a humble upbringing. Despite her lack of formal education, her mind was too sharp and her heart too honest to settle for a blind embrace of doctrine.

In your life, your heart has undoubtedly been touched by mentors who have guided your spiritual journey. Through over 60 years of priestly ministry, Fr. Frank McNulty has served as one such mentor to countless men and women. Now, this unique audio retreat lets you learn from Fr. McNulty anytime and anywhere. Once known as the "most famous priest in America", Fr. McNulty was selected to address Pope John Paul II on behalf of all the nation's priests.

From acclaimed classicist Gregory Carlson, discover new insights into one of the greatest works of literature ever composed: Homer’s Odyssey. Why does this ancient epic poem continue to enthrall readers/listeners from all walks of life? You’re undoubtedly familiar with the Odyssey in some form. Now, this exciting audio course invites you to discover Homer’s text with new eyes.

Take a spiritual journey with one of the leading living Jesuit retreat masters: Fr. Joseph Tetlow, SJ (PhD Brown University.) In this 12-conference program, Fr. Tetlow draws from decades of experience with the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. He will guide you to choose Christ in the world, discover your authentic desire under God, and seek God in all things. Designed to fit into your own schedule, his retreat gives you the flexibility to take an Ignatian retreat over the course of a few days or months.

This course - an excellent resource for individuals and study groups alike - encourages you to reflect on Christian hope in our lives as well as on the timeless messages preached by John the Baptist and by the prophets of the Old Testament. The final week of Advent, with its “O Antiphons,” inspires us to pray ardently: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” You will gain a newfound appreciation for the beautiful liturgical season of Advent. You owe it to yourself to enjoy this thoughtful course during this special time of the year.

Rediscover one of the Bible's most important books. With a leading Scripture scholar as your guide, you will gain powerful insights into one of life's most vexing questions. The Book of Job is a powerful and ultimately life-affirming book. But the text - one of the Bible's oldest - can sometimes seem puzzling to modern audiences. Now, The Book of Job: A Bible Study Course gives you an insightful look into how Job can transform your faith today.