Today's (2/8/2010) New Book Releases on Religion & Spirituality

After the reelection of George W. Bush in 2004, the "God Gap" became a hotly debated political issue. Religious voters were seen as the key to Bush's victory, and Democrats began scrambling to reach out to them. Four years later, however, with the economy in a tailspin on election day, religion barely seemed to register on people's radar screens. In this book, a team of well-regarded scholars digs deeper to examine the role religion played in the 2008 campaign. They take a long view, placing the election in historical context and looking at the campaign as a whole, from the primaries through all the way through election day. At the heart of their analysis is data gleaned from a national survey conducted by the authors, in which voters were interviewed in the spring of 2008 and then re-interviewed after the election.

This title features a new generation of scholars who examine many of the themes explored by the outstanding scholar James D. G. Dunn. James D. G. Dunn has been one of the most influential New Testament scholars of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. His works have altered the very way biblical theologians view Jesus and Paul. This book is written in gratitude of his influence and mentorship. The focus of the work parallels the major research of Dunn's career. It emphasizes the life and teachings of Jesus as remembered by his disciples, the new perspective on Paul, teachings in the Pauline letters, and relevant topics related to ancient Judaism, the Law, Soteriology and Christology in the New Testament. A new generation of scholars, who are being widely recognized in their respective fields and who have published a number of books, journal articles, and academic essays, would also now like the opportunity to honour their former teacher and to demonstrate to the scholastic community the breadth of his influence. Formerly the "Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement", a book series that explore the many aspects of New Testament study including historical perspectives, social-scientific and literary theory, and theological, cultural and contextual approaches. "The Early Christianity in Context" series, a part of "JSNTS", examines the birth and development of early Christianity up to the end of the third century CE. The series places Christianity in its social, cultural, political and economic context. European Seminar on Christian Origins and Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus Supplement are also part of "JSNTS".

This deeply insightful ethnography explores the healing power of caring and intimacy in a small, closely bonded Apostolic congregation during Botswana's HIV/AIDS pandemic. Death in a Church of Life paints a vivid picture of how members of the Baitshepi Church make strenuous efforts to sustain loving relationships amid widespread illness and death. Over the course of long-term fieldwork, Frederick Klaits discovered Baitshepi's distinctly maternal ethos and the "spiritual" kinship embodied in the church's nurturing fellowship practice. Klaits shows that for Baitshepi members, Christian faith is a form of moral passion that counters practices of divination and witchcraft with redemptive hymn singing, prayer, and the use of therapeutic substances. An online audio annex makes available examples of the church members' preaching and song.

Every day the signs of Jesus Christ s return to the earth are more apparent. In his newest book, The Drama and Majesty of the Second Coming, Clay McConkie provides a detailed analysis of the events that will come and of those that have already occurred. As you read about these future events some of which seem catastrophic you will understand the great meaning behind them, recognize that you have been prepared for this time, and feel peace, hope, and gratitude for the Lord s divine plan.

In the wise and often witty Forgetting Ourselves on Purpose, Brian Mahan considers the question of how it is possible to create a meaningful spiritual life while living in a culture that measures us by what we have rather than who we are. Drawing on nearly two decades of teaching experience. Brian Mahan shares stories of personal struggle and triumph that demonstrate how those who seek meaning and purpose have recalimed their authentic selves by resolving the inevitable tension between personal ambition and spiritual vibrancy.

Drawing from the deep tradition of the Catholic faith, Lisa Hendey coaches Catholic moms how to care for themselves―heart, mind, body, and soul―so that they can better love and care for their families, their neighbors, and their Church.

With warmth and wisdom, Hendey creates an environment where Catholic moms can reflect peacefully upon often-competitive topics like parenting style, types of schooling, and working outside the home. By sharing her own story, Hendey inspires readers to better balance their own needs with the demands of family life and faith commitment.

Everyone in a position of responsibility knows the tension of leadership. It may be between tasks or people, money or mission, the present or the future. One often neglected tension is between our inner spiritual longings and the outward needs of the group we lead.

But we need not feel forced to choose between the two. Leadership has more in common with an ellipse with two focal points than a bull's-eye with a single target. The Leadership Ellipse is designed to help Christian leaders embrace both halves of the tension--our internal relationship with God and our external relationship with others--to find a truly authentic, integrated way to lead.

If you find yourself in a lonely, isolated place of leadership, this book can be your companion. If you find yourself longing to lead in a way that is truly Christian, this book can be your guide. And if you are simply exhausted, then this book can offer you a new way to find refreshment. There is life beyond the bull's-eye.

What is religion? Is it a gift from God or a product of man? Mere Mormonism: A Defense of Mormon Theology by Ronald R. Zollinger, EdD, is a detailed defense of the unique theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its singular doctrines of salvation. In the same vein as C.S. Lewis s Mere Christianiy, this rich volume thoroughly examines the doctrinal history and organization of the restored Church. By employing academically accepted practices of argument logic and reason, analogy, internal consistency, experimentation, contrast, and comparison it places Mormonism in an unequaled position among the religions of the world and schools of philosophic thought. Dr. Zollinger s experience as a classroom instructor and his years of detailed research provide the foundation for this organized and thoughtful defense of Mormon doctrine. Whether you are recent convert or a seasoned scholar, Mere Mormonism will help you more fully appreciate your testimony of the restored gospel and strengthen your defense of your unique faith in Jesus Christ.

Guidance for church leaders to develop their own maps and chart new paths toward stronger, more vibrant, and more missional congregations

In the burgeoning missional church movement, churches are seeking to become less focused on programs for members and more oriented toward outreach to people who are not already in church. This fundamental shift in what a congregation is and does and thinks is challenging for leaders and congregants. Using the metaphor of map-making, the book explains the perspective and skills needed to lead congregations and denominations in a time of radical change over unfamiliar terrain as churches change their focus from internal to external.

• Offers a clear guide for leaders wanting to transition to a missional church model
• Written by Alan Roxburgh, a prominent expert and practitioner in the missional movement
• Guides leaders seeking to create new maps for leadership and church organization and focus
• A Volume in the popular Leadership Network Series

This book is written to be accessible to all Christian congregational styles and denominations.

Reflections for Christians for dealing with money in a consumer-driven world

In this much-needed book Douglas Hicks looks at how Christian faith applies to the practices of economic life-spending, saving, giving especially as an alternative to a life of unbridled consumerism. This book offers reflections for people of faith and anyone who wants to connect their Monday through Saturday lives with their faith and live a more integrated way. It takes a look at how to realistically apply Christian principles in these especially perilous economic times.

• Explores how Christians can rethink their practices of faith as consumers, investors, and earners
• Offers reflections on an important Christian concept in a practical, lively, and engaging style
• Contains ideas for meeting the everyday pressures, questions, and anxieties of economic life as they connect with Christian faith
• A new volume in the Practices of Faith Series

The book is filled with the author's level-headed, thoughtful reflections on Christian practices of getting and spending.

Inspired by well-loved Bible stories, this is a sampler quilt of many colors--and many possibilities! Choose from a bounty of 24 gorgeous blocks, including rotary-cut, template, and paper-pieced designs, that you can mix and match as desired. Find traditional blocks, such as Jacob's Ladder and Bethlehem Star, as well as original blocks specially designed by the author. For additional options, a beautiful gallery features alternate settings and more.

The Shepherd Leader is a book that strives to bring the importance of shepherding to the forefront of our thinking about what church leaders should do and, therefore, what they should be. Too many church leaders perceive of themselves as a board of directors when the Bible is clear that they are to know, feed, lead, and protect the flock entrusted to their care.

One of the world's leading philosophers and a staunch defender of religious faith, Richard Swinburne argues compellingly that if there is a God, then the main doctrines which the Christian Church teaches about God are very probably true. In particular, he shows that there is strong philosophical support for the belief that Jesus, while remaining God, acquired a human nature and lived on earth for thirty years as a human being. In virtue of his omnipotence and perfect goodness, the author shows, God must be a Trinity, live a human life in order to share our suffering, and found a church which would enable him to tell all humans about this. It is also quite probable that he would provide his human life as atonement for our wrongdoing, teach us how we should live, and tell us his plans for our future after death. Among founders of religions, Jesus uniquely satisfies the requirement of living the sort of human life which God would need to have lived.

This major addition to Blackwell’s Companions to the Ancient World series covers all aspects of religion in the ancient Greek world from the archaic, through the classical and into the Hellenistic period.

• Written by a panel of international experts
• Focuses on religious life as it was experienced by Greek men and women at different times and in different places
• Features major sections on local religious systems, sacred spaces and ritual, and the divine

After the reelection of George W. Bush in 2004, the "God Gap" became a hotly debated political issue. Religious voters were seen as the key to Bush's victory, and Democrats began scrambling to reach out to them. Four years later, however, with the economy in a tailspin on election day, religion barely seemed to register on people's radar screens. In this book, a team of well-regarded scholars digs deeper to examine the role religion played in the 2008 campaign. They take a long view, placing the election in historical context and looking at the campaign as a whole, from the primaries through all the way through election day. At the heart of their analysis is data gleaned from a national survey conducted by the authors, in which voters were interviewed in the spring of 2008 and then re-interviewed after the election.

Building upon its already strong foundation, the third edition of World Religions: Eastern Traditions provides students with a thorough and in-depth survey of Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Chinese, Korean, and Japanese religions. Featuring work from renowned contributors, this rich and descriptive text discusses the historical basis for the religious traditions, shows how they have developed over time, and explains how they are now situated in the contemporary world.

New to this Edition:

* Full redesign featuring four-color throughout, 63 photos, and 7 maps
* An introductory chapter ("Why Religion?") that explores the origins of religion and some of the basic elements that traditions around the world share
* A concluding chapter ("Current Issues") examining how various traditions are responding to contemporary issues in such areas as politics, bioethics, gender, environment, and interfaith dialogue
* Four new contributors who provide fresh perspectives on Sikh, Jain, Japanese, and Chinese/Korean traditions
* Pedagogical features including "Traditions at a Glance" boxes, "Sites" boxes, recommended websites, and bolded key terms

Ideal for courses in Asian religions and comparative religions, World Religions: Eastern Traditions, Third Edition, combines a historically descriptive perspective with a spirit of sympathetic fascination.