Showing results by publisher "Learn25" in Christianity

Join one of the world’s leading Catholic theologians in exploring the enduring power of Vatican II to shape the future of the Catholic Church. As John XXIII said, the Catholic Church is not a museum filled with artifacts, but rather “a flourishing garden of life” that moves ever forward into the future. This profound vision led him to convene a new ecumenical council, the first in almost a century.

Embark on a powerful journey through the miracles of Jesus and his disciples. Stories about Jesus' miracles have enthralled men and women for the past 2,000 years. Now you can take a closer look at these miraculous stories in the four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, and the letters of Paul.

From the age of the apostles to Vatican II, the Catholic Church has evolved and invigorated itself. Now, you can take a riveting journey through Church renewal and reform. When we first encounter the words reform and renewal in talking about the Catholic Church, we might think of Vatican II and the idea of aggiornamento - "updating". But the history of reform is nearly as old as the Church itself; indeed, one of the constants in Church history is change.

In this remarkable course, you will explore with fresh insight the centrality of prayer for the Christian life while learning concrete, edifying steps for enriching one's relationship with God. Through 12 brilliant and moving talks, you will discover what makes prayer uniquely Christian and examine the essential role of prayer in the spiritual life. This course is thoughtfully designed for those who seek to gain a more profound background on the theology of prayer.

Do you believe God exists? This bold audio series invites you to join some of the world’s leading thinkers in taking on this profound question. In 13 riveting episodes, your host, Robert Lawrence Kuhn, tackles this topic in one-on-one interviews with leading figures across fields. Addressing issues ranging from the problem of evil to how the discovery of alien life might affect our belief systems, this series will engage your mind and heart in some of the universe’s biggest questions.

Award-winning professor Fr. Felix Just, S.J. (PhD, Yale University) is one of America’s leading Bible teachers. Under his tutelage, you will steep yourself in research about the composition of Luke’s Gospel, the author’s original audience, and the depths of significance in these ancient pages. Teeming with fresh insights into Luke, Fr. Just’s talk will give you a deeper appreciation for this Gospel’s spiritually uplifting message. This lecture is part of a larger audio series, Fr. Felix Just’s acclaimed Introduction to the New Testament.

The relationship between church and state is a powerful thread stitching the medieval era to modern history. Through this captivating course on Charlemagne, you can follow it back to its inception in the Holy Roman Empire.

Peek into the mesmerizing imagination of C. S. Lewis with the world's leading authority on the beloved author. The Chronicles of Narnia is one of the best-selling book series ever. Its enduring success is no accident, but rather the result of C.S. Lewis's extraordinary imaginative skill. Few understand the full cosmological and theological depths of Lewis's world. In Christology, Cosmology, and C. S. Lewis, you will discover new dimensions that will enrich your enjoyment of these classic tales.

In the midst of poverty and oppression, liberation theology emerged in 20th-century Latin America as a beacon of hope. By thinking about their faith in innovative ways, believers wrestled with these profound social problems. Dramatic in its context and sweeping in its scope, liberation theology continues to offer fascinating ways to engage with issues such as inequality, violence, and ecological concerns. Now, Liberation Theology gives you the opportunity to understand its context and implications today.

Until 1970, the Vatican had never recognized a woman as a Doctor of the Church. Today, there are four: Teresa of Ávila, Catherine of Siena, Thérèse of Lisieux, and Hildegard of Bingen. Now you can get an in-depth look at their lives with award-winning religious studies scholar Elizabeth A. Dreyer.

Join one of the world’s most acclaimed theologians, award-winning professor Fr. Harvey D. Egan, S.J., as you will grapple with life’s ultimate questions and explore our rich Christian heritage. Here, you will discover powerful insights into the meaning and salvific value of the truths of Christianity. This illuminating audio course will explore the Christian faith as a powerful whole, allowing you to discover the full range of life’s greatest mysteries.

Learn about Irish Catholicism, early Christianity, and Eastern religions with Thomas Merton as your teacher. Recorded in March of 1968 at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, Celtic Spirituality: The Beginnings of Irish Monasticism investigates the history of Irish monasticism with special attention to St. Patrick.

Encounter the power of the Holy Spirit in this life-giving retreat. How does the Holy Spirit make a difference in the Church, the world, and your own life? Far too often, people overlook the influence of the Spirit. And yet according to Church teaching, the Spirit is equal to the Father and the Son, playing a fundamental role in the Scriptures and life of Jesus. In The Spirit of Life: A Catholic Retreat with the Holy Spirit, you will awaken a deeper appreciation and greater awareness of the third Person of the Trinity.

No other institution, except possibly the papacy, has more greatly influenced the church and the larger history of the Western world than the ecumenical council. Most of us, however, know little about it. This course is designed to take you through the fascinating history of the ecumenical (church-wide) council, from its first appearance in Nicaea (325) through Vatican Council II (1962-1965). This 12-part audio series explores the deep issues of faith and the sometimes curious issues of clerical behavior with which the councils dealt.

Ignite your spirituality with the Franciscan writings of St. Bonaventure. In the 13th century, St. Bonaventure, the great Doctor of the Church, philosopher, and Franciscan friar composed The Major Legend of St. Francis, a biography of the man he so admired. Perhaps nowhere does the poor man of Assisi's example of Gospel perfection shine so powerfully. Now, with these 12 erudite lectures, you will explore the powerful question posed by Bonaventure in The Major Legend: Do we wish to admire or to imitate Francis, the perfect follower of Christ?

Karl Rahner was one of the most influential theologians of our time. He was an important contributor to the Second Vatican Council, a Jesuit priest, a prolific author, a formidable professor of theology, and a leading voice of ecumenical dialogue. But until now, few have experienced his profound and edifying spirituality. Now, Radical Grace: A Retreat with Karl Rahner introduces you to the remarkable spirituality behind his theology.

Society teaches us to define ourselves by the things we have: belongings, education, experiences. Our inner worth depends on our surroundings, and, as the Gospels say, we "belong to the world." Spiritual master Henri Nouwen teaches you how to move beyond such traps and achieve a deeper sense of self. Nouwen draws upon his own experience of leaving a Harvard professorship to work with the disabled.

Experience Henri Nouwen's fullness of life spirituality with this new course presented by his official biographer. Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was one of the most popular and influential spiritual thinkers of the 20th century. Born in the Netherlands, Nouwen was ordained as a Catholic priest and trained as a psychologist. He spent much of his life in America, where he ministered and taught throughout the continent.

How would you like to take a retreat with one of the leading spiritual teachers in the country? Fr. Anthony Gittins, PhD, is a world-renowned scholar who delivered the keynote address for the 2012 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. A teacher par excellence and scholar at the Catholic Theological Union, Fr. Gittins will guide you to deeper understanding about what it means to search for Christ in Seek First the Kingdom: A Spiritual Retreat.

Lent, Holy Week, and Easter commemorate the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. A time period of vital importance to Catholics, these 13 weeks are fundamental to the liturgical year. During this time of sacrifice and solemnity, we are called to reflect on the presence of Christ in our lives.