Knihovna náboženských životopisů Série

Paying special attention to her experience of faith, Lundin relates Dickinson's life -- as it can be charted through her poems and letters -- to nineteenth-century American political, social, religious, and intellectual history. --From publisher description.

Relates one of the most remarkable lives in the tumultuous English Reformation Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556) was the first Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, the author of the Book of Common Prayer, and a central figure in the English Protestant Reformation. Few theologians have led such an eventful life: Cranmer helped Henry VIII break with the pope, pressed his vision of the Reformation through the reign of Edward VI, was forced to recant under Queen Mary, and then dramatically withdrew his recantations before being burned alive. This lively biography by Leslie Williams narrates Cranmer's life from the beginning, through his education and history with the monarchy, to his ecclesiastical trials and eventual martyrdom. Williams portrays Cranmer's ongoing struggle to reconcile his two central loyalties--allegiance to the crown and fidelity to the Reformation faith--as she tells his fascinating life story.

Charles Wesley (1707–1788), cofounder of Methodism, authored over 9,000 hymns and sacred poems, including beloved pieces like "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" and "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today." John Tyson traces Wesley's remarkable life from cradle to grave, utilizing rare and previously unpublished hymns, letters, and journals. As the younger brother of John Wesley, Charles played a crucial role in the Methodist revival, founding the Oxford Holy Club and experiencing evangelical conversion three days before John. Tyson delves into the complexities of their sometimes-stormy relationship while highlighting Charles's significant contributions as an evangelist and itinerant preacher. Despite often being overshadowed by his brother, Charles is chiefly remembered for his extraordinary talent in writing hymns that reflect God's presence in everyday life. His enduring legacy is evident, as hundreds of his hymns continue to be sung in churches worldwide. This biography paints a portrait of a man whose loyalty to the Church of England and the original vision of Methodism fueled his remarkable abilities as a revivalist and hymn writer, offering readers insight into Wesley's heart and mind through his hymn texts. This work is a valuable resource for anyone interested in church history or hymnody.

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) was a mathematician, physicist, inventor, and religious thinker who stood apart from his contemporaries. While the Enlightenment fostered a belief in the discoverability and rationality of the universe, Pascal expressed skepticism. In his Pensees, he articulated a sense of dread about the vast, mysterious cosmos, suggesting that reason alone could not unveil the divine. The latest addition to Eerdmans' LIBRARY OF RELIGIOUS BIOGRAPHY series chronicles Pascal's life, drawing from published sources and his own writings. Marvin O'Connell eloquently explores Pascal's world, highlighting the passion that fueled him and the radical spirituality he sought. The biography also sheds light on the social, political, and religious dynamics of seventeenth-century Paris, particularly the intense rivalry between the Jesuits and Jansenists, the latter of whom Pascal supported. Written in an engaging style, this meticulously researched work invites readers to discover the life and thoughts of Pascal, a remarkable figure and profound Christian thinker.