This introduction to Martin Luther's sacramental theology addresses a central question in the life of the church and in ecumenical dialogue. Although Luther famously reduced the sacraments from seven to two (baptism and the Lord's Supper), he didn't completely dismiss the others. Instead, he positively recast them as practices in the church. This book explores the medieval church's understanding of the seven sacraments and the Protestant rationale for keeping or eliminating each sacrament....

Balthasar Hubmaier remains one of the most significant figures in the radical reformation of the sixteenth century. A Pledge of Love is close and thorough examination of Hubmaiers view of the sacraments within the context of worship. This ground-breaking work examines the distinctive theology of this important Anabaptist and his possible influence upon others.

Copacabana at Midnight is a collection of poetry and short stories which shares themes with several of the author’s novels. These verses were written in the isolation of life at sea. This work speaks of love, loss, loneliness, betrayal, obsession, possession, horror, illness, death, forgiveness and of the beauty and the power of the oceans.

The Face of God is the story of a commercially successful but dissipated pop artist who rediscovers himself and his art through a contract to sculpt the face of God. This story of redemption winds through the New York art scene and high society, through the poor, mean streets of Salvador, Bahia and through the muddied waters of the Rio Xingu in the lower Amazon. “Brewer offers a highly intriguing concept: a pop artist who rekindles his life and career after he is contracted to sculpt the f...

By utilizing the contributions of a variety of scholars – theologians, historians, and biblical scholars – this book makes the complex and sometimes disparate Anabaptist movement more easily accessible. It does this by outlining Anabaptism's early history during the Reformation of the sixteenth century, its varied and distinctive theological convictions, and its ongoing challenges to and influence on contemporary Christianity.T&T Clark Handbook of Anabaptism comprises four...

**Where is Jesus when we need him most? An influential pastor shares how despair can lead us to discover true hope and a deeper relationship with God, helping us emerge stronger and more joyful from times of crisis.“May this careful look at pain in the context of Jesus’s life open up avenues of discovery and healing.”—Mindy Caliguire, cofounder and president of Soul Care**We all experience difficulties and hardships. But how can we learn to live richly in the midst of them?...

In Hollywood’s Golden Age stars were everywhere. As well as entertaining us in the local movie theatre many of them came to our home, our very own living room. Here they would perform radio versions of big-name films. Screen Directors Playhouse was famous for the lavish use of stars in their productions. Listen now and find out why it really was just like having your very own film studio in your living room.

Over 200 ,000 copies sold!Have you ever wondered why we Christians do what we do for church every Sunday morning?Why do we "dress up" for church? Why does the pastor preach a sermon each week? Why do we have pews, steeples, and choirs? This ground-breaking book, now in affordable softcover, makes an unsettling proposal: most of what Christians do in present-day churches is rooted, not in the New Testament, but in pagan cult...

Discover the profound wisdom and timeless teachings of Catholicism with The Catholicism Answer BookThis authoritative and accessible guide presents the answers to the 300 most commonly asked questions about the Catholic faith, making it the ultimate resource for both believers and seekers.Readers will discover:300 Thoughtfully Selected Questions: Delve into the heart of Catholicism as this book addresses a wide array ...

People outside the Catholic faith are often baffled, skeptical, and sometimes hurt when a loved one converts to the faith. They see the convert as a newly minted Church spokesperson, a resource they can pepper with questions about the Church. Lifelong Catholics can also find themselves in this role. Theology professor and Catholic convert Kenneth L. Parker uses a brief question-and-answer format to help converts-and lifelong Catholics-clear up confusion, exaggeration, and differences betwe...

As the church marks the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, too few Catholics have an adequate grasp of what the council contributed to the life of the church. The problem is understandable. The Second Vatican Council produced, by far, more document pages than any other council. Consequently, any attempt to master its core teachings can be daunting. There is a danger of missing the forest for the trees. With this in mind, Keys to the Council identifi...

Compelling Accounts of Key People Who Have Formed Christian Belief through the AgesAll Christians' beliefs are shaped by those who went before them. Now these giants of Christian history are presented chronologically and in a format that helps readers get to know them. In addition to a biographical sketch, readers will discover each person's primary contributions to the Christian faith along with a brief quotation from their work. Students, history buffs, and curious readers will b...