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Author: Kenda Creasy Dean Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 0199758662 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 266
Book Description
Based on the National Study of Youth and Religion--the same invaluable data as its predecessor, Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers--Kenda Creasy Dean's compelling new book, Almost Christian, investigates why American teenagers are at once so positive about Christianity and at the same time so apathetic about genuine religious practice. In Soul Searching, Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton found that American teenagers have embraced a "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism"--a hodgepodge of banal, self-serving, feel-good beliefs that bears little resemblance to traditional Christianity. But far from faulting teens, Dean places the blame for this theological watering down squarely on the churches themselves. Instead of proclaiming a God who calls believers to lives of love, service and sacrifice, churches offer instead a bargain religion, easy to use, easy to forget, offering little and demanding less. But what is to be done? In order to produce ardent young Christians, Dean argues, churches must rediscover their sense of mission and model an understanding of being Christian as not something you do for yourself, but something that calls you to share God's love, in word and deed, with others. Dean found that the most committed young Christians shared four important traits: they could tell a personal and powerful story about God; they belonged to a significant faith community; they exhibited a sense of vocation; and they possessed a profound sense of hope. Based on these findings, Dean proposes an approach to Christian education that places the idea of mission at its core and offers a wealth of concrete suggestions for inspiring teens to live more authentically engaged Christian lives. Persuasively and accessibly written, Almost Christian is a wake up call no one concerned about the future of Christianity in America can afford to ignore.
Author: Kenda Creasy Dean Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 0199758662 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 266
Book Description
Based on the National Study of Youth and Religion--the same invaluable data as its predecessor, Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers--Kenda Creasy Dean's compelling new book, Almost Christian, investigates why American teenagers are at once so positive about Christianity and at the same time so apathetic about genuine religious practice. In Soul Searching, Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton found that American teenagers have embraced a "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism"--a hodgepodge of banal, self-serving, feel-good beliefs that bears little resemblance to traditional Christianity. But far from faulting teens, Dean places the blame for this theological watering down squarely on the churches themselves. Instead of proclaiming a God who calls believers to lives of love, service and sacrifice, churches offer instead a bargain religion, easy to use, easy to forget, offering little and demanding less. But what is to be done? In order to produce ardent young Christians, Dean argues, churches must rediscover their sense of mission and model an understanding of being Christian as not something you do for yourself, but something that calls you to share God's love, in word and deed, with others. Dean found that the most committed young Christians shared four important traits: they could tell a personal and powerful story about God; they belonged to a significant faith community; they exhibited a sense of vocation; and they possessed a profound sense of hope. Based on these findings, Dean proposes an approach to Christian education that places the idea of mission at its core and offers a wealth of concrete suggestions for inspiring teens to live more authentically engaged Christian lives. Persuasively and accessibly written, Almost Christian is a wake up call no one concerned about the future of Christianity in America can afford to ignore.
Author: Peter Bebergal Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA ISBN: 1596911433 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 256
Book Description
One Catholic and one Jewish man explore the influence of faith and religion in each of their lives, discussing the moral implications of decisions, their differing religious cultures, and how their lives have been shaped by the pursuit of an authentic, li
Author: Sarah Arthur Publisher: Brazos Press ISBN: 149340671X Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 242
Book Description
When Sarah and Tom Arthur were appointed to a suburban church after three years in an urban Christian community, they faced a unique challenge: how to translate the practices of "radical" faith into their new context. Together with their friends and fellow church members Erin and Dave Wasinger, the Arthurs embarked on a yearlong experiment to implement twelve small practices of radical faith--not waiting until they were out of debt or the kids were out of diapers or God sent them elsewhere, but right now. This book is Sarah and Erin's story, told with humor, theological reflection, and practical insight, exploring such practices as simplicity, hospitality, accountability, sustainability, and social justice--but, most of all, discernment. Along the way readers will consider how God might be calling them to embark on their own year of small but radical changes, right where God has planted them. Each chapter includes discussion questions and suggested readings. Foreword by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. For more information, visit [www.YearofSmallThings.com](http://www.YearofSmallThings.com).
Author: David L. Block Publisher: Crossway ISBN: 1433562928 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 251
Book Description
"A devastating attack upon the dominance of atheism in science today." Giovanni Fazio, Senior Physicist, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics The debate over the ultimate source of truth in our world often pits science against faith. In fact, some high-profile scientists today would have us abandon God entirely as a source of truth about the universe. In this book, two professional astronomers push back against this notion, arguing that the science of today is not in a position to pronounce on the existence of God—rather, our notion of truth must include both the physical and spiritual domains. Incorporating excerpts from a letter written in 1615 by famed astronomer Galileo Galilei, the authors explore the relationship between science and faith, critiquing atheistic and secular understandings of science while reminding believers that science is an important source of truth about the physical world that God created.
Author: Vicki Courtney Publisher: B&H Publishing Group ISBN: 0805446672 Category : Juvenile Nonfiction Languages : en Pages : 164
Book Description
Following her bestseller "Between," Courtney's "Between Us Girls" is an all-new full-color and fun-paced magabook encouraging girls to grow spiritually and socially in every area of life.
Author: Anthony Wilhelm Publisher: Harper Collins ISBN: 0062272322 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 726
Book Description
Since it was first published in 1967, Anthony Wilhelm’s Christ Among Us has become America’s most popular guide to modern Catholicism. This classic text presents a clear and accessible picture of Catholicism and its development in a post-Vatican II world. Perfect for both new Catholics and those returning to the faith, Christ Among Us provides a thorough, up-to-date discussion of Catholic theology, traditions, and practices and examines Church teachings since the time of Vatican II. Including excerpts from the new Catechism of the Catholic Church, discussion questions, and suggestions for personal reflection, Christ Among Us is the ideal handbook for anyone interested in the practice of Catholicism today. Anthony Wilhelm, a religious educator, has taught theology and directed religious education programs for adults across America. “The nation’s most widely used introduction to Catholicism.” - New York Times
Author: Daniel L. Dreisbach Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA ISBN: 019984335X Category : History Languages : en Pages : 379
Book Description
Thirteen essays written by leading scholars explore the impact of a rich variety of religious traditions on the political thought of America's founders.
Author: D. Michael Lindsay Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 0199704562 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 353
Book Description
Evangelicals, once at the periphery of American life, now wield power in the White House and on Wall Street, at Harvard and in Hollywood. How have they reached the pinnacles of power in such a short time? And what does this mean for evangelicals--and for America? Drawing on personal interviews with an astonishing array of prominent Americans--including two former Presidents, dozens of political and government leaders, more than 100 top business executives, plus Hollywood moguls, intellectuals, athletes, and other powerful figures--D. Michael Lindsay shows first-hand how they are bringing their vision of moral leadership into the public square. This riveting volume tells us who the real evangelical power brokers are, how they rose to prominence, and what they're doing with their clout. Lindsay reveals that evangelicals are now at home in the executive suite and on the studio lot, and from those lofty perches they have used their influence, money, and ideas to build up the evangelical movement and introduce it to wider American society. They are leaders of powerful institutions and their goals are ambitious--to bring Christian principles to bear on virtually every aspect of American life. Along the way, the book is packed with fascinating stories and striking insights. Lindsay shows how evangelicals became a force in American foreign policy, how Fortune 500 companies are becoming faith-friendly, and how the new generation of the faithful is led by "cosmopolitan evangelicals." These are well-educated men and women who read both The New York Times and Christianity Today, and who are wary of the evangelical masses' penchant for polarizing rhetoric, apocalyptic pot-boilers, and bad Christian rock. Perhaps most startling is the importance of personal relationships between leaders--a quiet conversation after Bible study can have more impact than thousands of people marching in the streets. Faith in the Halls of Power takes us inside the rarified world of the evangelical elite--beyond the hysterical panic and chest-thumping pride--to give us the real story behind the evangelical ascendancy in America. "This important work should be required reading for anyone who wants to opine publicly on what American evangelicals are really up to." --Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) "For people wanting an understanding of how evangelicals have acquired so much power, money, and influence in the past 30 years, this is the ultimate insider's book." --Sojourners Magazine "Anybody who wants to understand the nexus between God and power in modern America should start here." --The Economist "Fascinating." --John Schmalzbauer, Wall Street Journal
Author: María Ruiz Scaperlanda Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield ISBN: 9781580510233 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 248
Book Description
Award-winning author Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda profiles the lives of three young Catholics whose lives were destroyed in the Oklahoma City bomb attack in April, 1995, celebrating their lives and their deep Christian faith.
Author: Michael O. Emerson Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA ISBN: 9780195147070 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 228
Book Description
Through a nationwide survey, the authors of this study conclude that US Evangelicals may actually be preserving the racial chasm, not through active racism, but because their theology hinders their ability to recognise systematic injustice.
Author: Kenda Creasy Dean
Author: Kenda Creasy Dean
Author: Peter Bebergal
Author: Sarah Arthur
Author: David L. Block
Author: Vicki Courtney
Author: Anthony Wilhelm
Author: Daniel L. Dreisbach
Author: D. Michael Lindsay
Author: María Ruiz Scaperlanda
Author: Michael O. Emerson