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Although Mary is a preeminent figure in Christianity and one of the most celebrated women in history, to many Christians she seems distant and unapproachable, a porcelain perfection of abstract motherhood that is irrelevant to their everyday existence. Still, interest in Mary is high, as evidenced by retreats, pilgrimages, liturgical formulations, and church discussions on her. Many Christians are hearing new wisdom in her Magnificat and are searching for ways to integrate her into their lives of faith. Although we inevitably look at Mary from a twenty-first-century perspective, in this book Duckworth shows that our appreciation will be deeply enriched if we remember the sources that have in...
Although Mary is a preeminent figure in Christianity and one of the most celebrated women in history, to many Christians she seems distant and unapproachable, a porcelain perfection of abstract motherhood that is irrelevant to their everyday existence. Still, interest in Mary is high, as evidenced by retreats, pilgrimages, liturgical formulations, and church discussions on her. Many Christians are hearing new wisdom in her Magnificat and are searching for ways to integrate her into their lives of faith. Although we inevitably look at Mary from a twenty-first-century perspective, in this book Duckworth shows that our appreciation will be deeply enriched if we remember the sources that have in...
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Dehumanization has led to serious misinterpretation of the Gospels. On the one hand, Christians have often made Jesus so much more than human that it seemed inappropriate to ask about the influence other human beings had on him, male or female. On the other hand, women have been treated as less than fully human, their names omitted from stories and their voices and influence on Jesus neglected. When we ask the question this book does, what Jesus learned from women, puzzling questions that have frustrated readers of the Gospels throughout history suddenly find solutions. Weaving cutting edge biblical scholarship together with an element of historical fiction and a knack for writing for a general audience, James McGrath makes the stories of women in the New Testament come alive, and sheds fresh light on the figure of Jesus as well. This book is a must read for scholars, students, and anyone else interested in Jesus and/or in the role of ancient women in the context of their times.
This book of daily prayers, scripture, and meditations mixes traditional "fixed hour" prayer (morning, noon, evening, and night) with fresh, inclusive language. It offers a week-long cycle of devotion to God through the life of the Virgin Mary, traditionally recognized as first among the saints, and who has been cherished as a soul friend to Christians since the beginning of the church. Organized upon the joys and sorrows of the Marian Rosary, this prayer book encompasses the life of Mary as she followed her son and experienced her own discipleship. It gives those who use it a deeper appreciation of the life of the woman. It holds particular appeal for traditional prayer and study groups, like Daughters of the King, Julian of Norwich prayer groups, members of the Third Order of the Franciscans, and denominational women's organizations, spiritual seekers, plus all those drawn to a flexible, yet regular prayer routine.
Doing justice to the complexity of the preaching task and the questions that underlie it, Wilson organizes both the preparation and the content of the sermon around its "four pages." Each "page" addresses a different theological and creative component of what happens in any sermon. Page One presents the trouble or conflict that takes place in or that underscores the biblical text itself. Page Two looks at similar conflict--sin or brokenness--in our own time. Page Three returns to the Bible to identify where God is at work in or behind the text--in other words, to discover the good news. Page Four points to God at work in our world, particularly in relation to the situations described in Page Two.
Everyone understands human pain. But many Christians have difficulty comprehending God's pain, especially God's pain in the death of Christ. Is it atonement or child abuse? To speak of God in pain, says Barbara Brown Taylor, is not only to address the biblical stories of Christ's suffering and death, but also to proclaim the God who is present in our pain. This volume of teaching sermons on suffering presents different approaches to the problem of God in pain. In each sermon, Taylor speaks with sensitivity and profound insight as she addresses pain and both its human and divine impact. TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I: Pain of Life: The Gift of Disillusionment; A Cure for Despair; Learning to Hate Y...
Looking for ways to be strong yet tender, independent yet intimate, women today strive toward ever greater understanding of themselves, their relationships with family and friends, and their place in the world. Written by clergy and lay women from all around the country, this compilation of prayers and poems is the collective wisdom of contemporary women who base their search for such understanding on the belief that all of life must be seen against the backdrop of a vital faith. Offered in a spirit of sharing and encouragement, these prayers and poems are as rich, intricate, and complex as the women's lives they represent. Women's Uncommon Prayers covers the full spectrum of emotions from desperate pleas for compassion in times of despair to quiet gratitude for the simple blessings of everyday living, to raucous praise during moments of celebration. These prayers touch on an amazing array of topics organized under the categories of identity, daily life, stages of life, spirituality, and ministry. Also included are comprehensive sections of seasonal and corporate prayers.
When Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego at Tepeyac, she sent him to the bishop with the message that she desired a hermitage where all people would be welcomed and would experience her love. And yet, until recently, the message of Guadalupe has been limited to Catholics, particularly Mexicans and Mexican Americans. With this volume of essays, however, a variety of Protestant theologians engage the tradition surrounding Our Lady of Guadalupe to demonstrate that she has a place in Protestant churches. The multicultural dynamic of today's churches, Catholic and Protestant alike, means that cultural elements of people's faith cannot be dismissed. Rather, they are to be explored and contemplated, possibly embraced and integrated into the broader church life. By critically and thoughtfully engaging the Guadalupe story, the authors in this volume provide insights on how Our Lady can be welcomed into the prayer life and worship of Protestant communities. With a foreword by Timothy Matovina and concluding reflection by Virgil Elizondo.
Klara Tammany is a professional Christian educator who goes about her calling with a joyous urgency. This book demonstrates her impassioned approach to religious instruction. She starts with the premise that ongoing Christian education must be central to a life of faith, and then proceeds from the corollary that baptism must be central to all Christian education. Eight group sessions focus repeatedly on water, first as a natural element necessary to life, then as a symbolic element necessary to spirituality. Gradually, through prayer, song, scripture, silence, poetry, visual arts, storytelling, group discussion, and personal reflection, water--as baptismal element--gains ascendancy. No longe...