Pierre Corneille was born in Rouen in 1606, the son of an official; was educated by the Jesuits, and practised unsuccessfully as a lawyer. His dramatic career began with the comedy of “Melite, ” but it was by his “Medee” that he first proved his tragic genius. “The Cid” appeared in 1636, and a series of masterpieces followed— “Horace, ” “Cinna, ” “Polyeucte, ” “Le Menteur. ” After a failure in “Pertharite” he retired from the stage, deeply hurt by the disapproval of his audience. Six years la...

This seventeenth-century drama in five acts was inspired by the tale of Saint Polyeuctus (rendered as 'Polyeucte' in French), a Roman convert to the faith who was martyred in 259 A.D. However, although an imaginatively retold version of the story of St. Polyeuctus comprises some of the plot of the play, Polyeucte also relates metaphorically to the religious debates of the seventeenth century. A must-read for fans of classic drama.

In Pierre Corneille's gripping tragedy, "Polyeucte," the playwright explores themes of faith, sacrifice, and the struggle between personal conviction and societal pressures. Set against the backdrop of Roman-occupied Armenia, the narrative follows the titular character, Polyeucte, who embraces martyrdom to express his unwavering belief in Christianity. Corneille's use of elevated language and dramatic monologues enhances the emotional intensity, allowing readers to delve into the moral dil...

A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament gives fresh insight and understanding to this theological discipline. Scholars from Dallas Theological Seminary combine to create this important volume edited by Roy B. Zuck. Each contributor looks at divine revelation as it appears chronologically in the canon, allowing you to witness God's truth unfold through the centuries.

This collection of essays by seven highly respected scholars is a straightforward narrative of real world-intellectual, commercial, spiritual, philosophical, scientific, esthetic-creative engagement among Jews, Muslims, and some Christians in daily life in Spain and around the Mediterranean. History as Prelude is a major contribution to the Israeli-Arab peace process because it undermines-in fact, blows away-the efforts of propagandists who serve governments or political movements...

Reading the Bible doesn't need to be a difficult journey through strange and bewildering territory. How to Read the Bible Book by Book walks you through the Scriptures like an experienced tour guide, helping you understand each of its sixty-six books.For each book of the Bible, the authors start with a quick snapshot, then expand the view to help you better understand its message and how it fits into the grand narrative of the Bible. Written by two top eva...

The New York Times bestselling history of early Christianity in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East—from "one of America's best scholars of religion" ( The Economist).In this groundbreaking book, renowned scholar Philip Jenkins explores a vast and forgotten network of the world's largest and most influential Christian churches that existed to the east of the Roman Empire. These churches and their leaders ruled the Middle East for centuries and became...

The Biblical Literacy Project recently released a report that once again underscores just how little young Americans know about the Bible. Even more surprising is that many Americans don’t see why it’s important to know something about the Bible.As a skilled educator, Kendell Easley continues to be surprised at how uninformed students are of basic biblical and theological terms as they enter college and seminary. Further, as a churchman and an active observer of the local church sc...

A brilliant and fascinating portrait of medieval Spain explores the golden age when Muslims, Jews, and Christians lived together in an atmosphere of tolerance.This enthralling history, widely hailed as a revelation of a "lost" golden age, brings to vivid life the rich and thriving culture of medieval Spain, where for more than seven centuries Muslims, Jews, and Christians lived together in an atmosphere of tolerance, and where literature, science, and the arts flou...

Hamlet is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601. The play, set in Denmark, recounts how Prince Hamlet exacts revenge on his uncle Claudius, who has murdered Hamlet's father, the King, and then taken the throne and married Hamlet's mother. The play vividly charts the course of real and feigned madness from overwhelming grief to seething rage and explores themes of treachery, revenge, incest, and moral corruption.Despite much literary detective...