Exploring Religion

Science and Christianity are often presented as opposites, when in fact the order of the universe and the complexity of life powerfully testify to intelligent design. With this comprehensive resource that includes the latest research, you'll witness how the findings of scientists provide compelling reasons to acknowledge the mind and presence of a creator.

Storytelling is a powerful and effective means of communication, a truth Jesus knew and used to great advantage in his parables. Many of the plots in these parables involve financial matters. They teach about God's perspective on money, resources, and their use, but further, they teach profound spiritual truths about the kingdom of God. This kingdom operates according to a different kind of economy, wherein relationships, love, and serving others take precedence over accumulating wealth and possessions.

Robert Barron is one of the Catholic Church's premier theologians and author of the influential The Priority of Christ. In this volume, Barron sets forth a thoroughgoing vision for an evangelical catholic theology that is steeped in the tradition and engaged with the contemporary world. Striking a balance between academic rigor and accessibility, the book covers issues of perennial interest in the twenty-first-century church: who God is, how to rightly worship him, and how his followers engage contemporary culture.

If you are a serious seeker of the spiritual path, here is advice and encouragement on finding the one that is right for you. If your interest lies in the people and ideas that shape the way we think, here is an introduction to one of the most influential contemporary philosophers...

Here is an extraordinary new approach to healing by an extraordinary physician-writer - a book filled with the mystery, wonder, and hope of people who have experienced seemingly miraculous recoveries from cancer and other serious illnesses.

These are your beloved Bible stories like you’ve never experienced them before. Discover modern insights that breathe fresh life into these timeless tales.

Why is Christ called “the Son of God”? Discover an answer so simple you’ll wonder why you never saw it before—and so beautiful it’ll take your breath away. No matter who you are or what position you have taken on the Sonship of Christ, you have no doubt felt the tension and complexity involved in trying to make sense out of the two apparently contradictory claims in Scripture.

More than two hundred times a second, around the world, questions about God's existence are being typed into search engines. Google alone provides nearly 4 million results to that single question. The topic of the existence of a Creator has enormous implications on our lives, including whether or not we have free will, if there's any such thing as an afterlife, and whether or not there's any basis for human morality. In Is God Real?, Lee Strobel pulls together material from his previous books to create this updated rational exploration of the proof of God's existence and the basis of our hope

If you would like to know more than just bits and pieces of God's plans for the future, pastor Skip Heitzig is your guide to gaining a fuller understanding of the Book of Revelation. You will explore everything from the rapture to Christ's eternal kingdom and gain a deeper appreciation for the majesty and power of God; examine all the key events that will take place in the last days; discover how God's plans for the future apply to you right now; and learn how to be ready for Christ's return.

What are angels? Many people believe in angels, but few can define these enigmatic spirits. Now visionary theologian Matthew Fox and acclaimed biologist Rupert Sheldrake - pioneers in modern religious thinking and scientific theory - launch a groundbreaking exploration into the ancient concept of the angel and restore dignity, meaning, and joy to the time-honored belief in these heavenly beings.

Sex God, Rob Bell’s follow-up to the best-selling Velvet Elvis, tackles the controversial relationship between sexuality and spirituality. Published as part of the Rob Bell Classic re-launch, Sex God explores the links between love, sex, and God. ‘God and sex go together. You can’t separate the two’, says Rob Bell, because this physical world is intimately linked to deeper spiritual realities. And so, in order to make sense of sexuality, at some point you have to talk about God. With beauty and unusual insight, Sex God explores this connection.

Here is an indispensable, all-in-one resource on the prophecies of the Bible! It's all here—clear and concise explanations for the key Bible prophecies from Genesis to Revelation. Written by Bible scholars but created for everyday listeners and Bible students, this volume makes it possible for users to expand their knowledge of prophecy in ways unmatched by other books. Among the notable features are...

In this ten-session Bible study, Faith Under Fire: Exploring Christianity’s Toughest Questions, Lee Strobel hosts interviews and debates between knowledgeable and passionate experts discussing what they believe and why they believe it. This dynamic study answers tough questions about the existence of God, Christianity and Islam, the reliability of the Bible, faith and science, and many others issues. Each session highlights leading Christian and non-Christian voices engaging in forceful but fair debate.

A denial of the sufficiency of Scripture is at the core of almost every form of opposition to the Christian faith today. Scripture Alone is written to instill a passionate love for and understanding of the Bible. In this defense of God's inspired Word, listeners will comprehend what "God's Word" is, the nature of Scripture, the relationship of the Bible to tradition, how to apply Scripture to today's issues, and much more. Included is a faith-inspiring study of the canon - what it is and where it came from.

Many in the scientific community shun life after death, considering such experiences impossible. Marcel Westerlund is the exception. Pills may curb depression, but Westerlund discovers that delving into people's past lives provides a healing force that he could never accomplish through regular medicine. He talks candidly about his job as a healer as well as the importance of the spirit in mental recovery.

Are you intrigued by the monumental path Christianity carved through history? This masterful narrative weaves through 1,600 years of history, from Christianity’s origins in the 1st century AD to the transformative Counter-Reformation in 1700.

Do you find it difficult to experience sensual self-pleasure? You may have a mental block that might prevent you from indulging in it. To stop yourself from doing so, and bottling up the desire, could lead to greater social ills. You are a child of nature and should feel free to explore your sensuality in a healthy way. Being intimate with yourself could help you improve your mental health and feel liberated. To make it happen, you need to relax and let go. In the Exploring Self-Pleasure series, you will be guided in the exploration of your body and how it reacts to your emotions.

Together, the adherents of Christianity and Islam make up over half of the world's population, and their numbers are expected to keep growing. The influence of these two faiths—and their relations with each other—is seen in politics, economics, and social interactions. This book provides a comprehensive overview of Christianity and Islam, covering three interrelated areas: historical developments and encounters, the influence of religion on politics, and religious beliefs and worldviews.

Preteen life is full of new experiences, challenges, and ups and downs. From school assignments to sports activities, friendships, and figuring out who they are, being a preteen boy can feel overwhelming at times. They might wonder what's right and wrong or how to make sense of it all.

There are many parallels between the ideas of Tao Te Ching, written 2,500 years ago by Lao Tzu, and those of Systems Thinking, which has come into prominence with the advent of modern personal computers, through people like Jay W. Forrester, and other thinkers such as Donella Meadows and Fritjof Capra. This book invites us to consider certain timeless wisdoms related to Systems Thinking and provides us with a few points to explore, as we face major challenges for resolving issues we confront for our future.