The book presents a compelling argument for the integration of philosophy into the academic study of religion, emphasizing its role as a multidisciplinary comparative inquiry. It explores how philosophical perspectives can enrich the understanding of religious phenomena, fostering deeper insights and critical analysis within the field. Through various examples, it highlights the necessity of philosophical engagement to address contemporary challenges in religious studies.
There exists a deep and broad population of Christians who feel the labels of 'liberal' and 'evangelical' both describe their faith and limit their expression of it. By working to reclaim the traditional, historical meanings of these terms, and showing how they complement rather than oppose each other, Wesley Wildman and Stephen Chapin Gardner stake a claim for the moderate Christian voice in today's polarized society. Found in the Middle! offers a foundational approach to the theology and ethics that undergird a congregation where moderate Christians can thrive. Wildman and Garner serve as helpful guides on a quest for a humble theology, an intelligible gospel message, a compelling view of church unity, and a radical ethics deeply satisfying to most Christians with both liberal and evangelical instincts.Pastors, congregational leaders, seminarians, and all thoughtful Christians will learn how truly moderate Christianity can unite the compassionate openness and social activism of liberal Christianity with the magnetism and spiritual fervor of evangelical Christianity. You may feel lost in the middle, but you are not alone there. The middle may be the place where you find yourself living most authentically.
The book explores the complex task of interpreting Jesus Christ's religious significance by balancing fidelity to traditional Christology with contemporary plausibility. It critiques the extremes of disregarding classical tradition or succumbing to irrationalism, advocating for a modest interpretation of Jesus. This approach rejects the notion of Jesus as uniquely and exhaustively significant for revelation and salvation, suggesting that a nuanced understanding is essential for meaningful engagement with both historical and modern perspectives.
Exploring the intersection of biological sciences, human sciences, and humanities, this work presents a naturalistic vision of human life that resonates with both traditional theology and modern secular thought. It examines complex themes from brain evolution to social dynamics, arguing for a religious interpretation of humanity grounded in naturalism. The author, Wesley Wildman, asserts that understanding human beings as embodied within their environment fosters spiritual quests and value harmonization, challenging simplistic views while embracing the depth of scientific insights into human existence.
There exists a deep and broad population of Christians who feel the labels of "liberal" and "evangelical" both describe their faith and limit their expression of it. By working to reclaim the traditional, historical meanings of these terms, and showing how they complement rather than oppose each other, Wesley Wildman and Stephen Chapin Garner stake a claim for the moderate Christian voice in today's polarized society. Lost in the Middle? guides readers through a process of diagnosis and articulation, offering complementary perspectives on the phenomenon, problem, and promise of Christians with both liberal and evangelical instincts. The authors show how individuals and institutions alike can reclaim and celebrate the highest virtues of both liberal and evangelical Christianity, and how doing so can lead to the creation of authentic and vibrant communities of faith. Pastors, congregational leaders, seminarians, and all thoughtful Christians will learn how truly moderate Christianity can unite the compassionate openness and social activism of liberal Christianity with the magnetism and spiritual fervor of evangelical Christianity. You may feel lost in the middle, but you are not alone there. The middle may be the place where you find yourself living most authentically.
"Technology can now control the spiritual experience. This is a journey through the high-tech aids for psychological growth that are changing our world, while exploring the safety, authenticity and ethics of this new world. We already rely on technology to manage our health, sleep, relationships, and finances, so it's no surprise that we're turning to technological aids for the spiritual journey. From apps that help us pray or meditate, to cybernauts seeking the fast track to nirvana through magnetic brain stimulation, we are on the brink of the most transformative revolution in the practice of religion: an era in which we harness the power of "spirit tech" to deepen our experience of the divine. Spirit tech products are rapidly improving in sophistication and power, and ordinary people need a trustworthy guide. Through their own research and insiders' access to the top innovators and early adopters, Wes and Kate take you deep inside an evolving world: - Find out how increasingly popular "wearables" work on your brain, promising a shortcut to transformative meditative states. - Meet the inventor of the "God Helmet" who developed a tool to increase psychic skills, and overcome fear, sadness, and anger. - Visit churches that use ayahuasca as their sacrament and explore the booming industry of psychedelic tourism. - Journey to a mansion in the heart of Silicon Valley where a group of scientists and entrepreneurs are working feverishly to bring brain-based spirit tech applications to the masses. - Discover a research team who achieved brain-to-brain communication between individuals thousands of miles apart, harnessing neurofeedback techniques to sync and share emotions among group members. Spirit Tech offers readers a compelling glimpse into the future and is the definitive guide to the fascinating world of new innovations for personal transformation, spiritual growth, and pushing the boundaries of human nature"-- Provided by publisher
This debut novel takes the reader on a ride through the gory drama of the operating theatre, the cut and thrust of the boardroom, searches the darker corners of the pharmaceutical industry, all whilst exploring the consequences of an illicit love affair.
The human body is the primary lens through which we view, encounter and engage the world around us. It is no surprise then to find a wide range of theological reflection upon the human body, from those that affirm the human body as something very good, through to other more negative views where the body is something to be marginalised or escaped from. The body and theology also meet in conversations over body, mind and soul; gender; disability; eschatology; race and culture; sexuality; Christology; and medicine and technology to name but a few. Each of the authors in this volume pick up the theme of embodiment as the lens through which they look at an aspect of theology and body, providing an engaging window onto some of these discussions.
