LITMIR.BIZ

This is a work of Christian theology that Karl Barth might call an ad hoc or secondary apologetic. Relying on a paraphrase of Anselm–"faith seeking the ethical"–Boesel engages modern and postmodern theologians and philosophers–from Kierkegaard to Barth, Ruether, Hegel, Derrida, and Levinas–to analyze the imperialistic dynamics entailed in the church's theological interpretations of the Jewish neighbor. He demonstrates the dimensions of the problem as they are paradigmatically visible in the evangelical theological assumptions of Karl Barth. Turning to Ruether's exemplary remedy of the problem, Boesel illumines the ways her analysis and critique are funded by a specific cluster of modern assumptions that constitute what he calls «modern ethical desire.» Employing a reading of Levinas and Derrida, Boesel shows that these assumptions constitute an imperialistic discourse of a different order, with its own specific hostility toward the Abrahamic tradition. In light of these postmodern critiques, Boesel returns to Barth to suggest that his evangelical theological assumptions, while indeed amounting to a form of Christian interpretive imperialism in relation to the Jewish neighbor, may nevertheless determine and delimit the knowledge and speech of Christian faith in such a way that resists more toxic forms of Christian imperialism. Broader implications of the argument follow: The ethical faces a radical limit, both in general and in relation to concrete faith. Therefore, no human remedy for the imperialistic discourse of Christian faith presents itself that does not entail an interpretive imperialism. To paraphrase Derrida: there is always an interpretive imperialism. Ethically, then, there is only discernment between different forms of interpretive imperialism. Theologically, an understanding of Christian faith as irreducible to the ethical may offer surprising though always risky ethical resourcement within this predicament of radically limited ethical possibility.

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The prophets exhort us to defend the poor; but we lionize the rich. They assure us that chariots and missiles cannot save us; yet we seek refuge under their cold shadow. They urge us to forgo idolatry; but we compulsively fetishize the work of our hands. Above all, the prophetic Word warns us that the way to liberation in a world locked down by the spiral of violence, the way to redemption in a world of enslaving addictions, the way to genuine transformation in a world of deadened conscience and numbing conformity, is the way of nonviolent, sacrificial, creative love. But neither polite religion nor society is remotely interested in this–which is why Jesus had to «translate» and «midwife» the prophetic insights for his companions in their historical moment. Dan has done the same for us in ours. As this reading of Exodus attests, he has a keen eye for both text and context, and exegetes both with his life. Thus does he help us shed our denial, connect the dots, and move from our pews to the streets. –from the foreword by Ched Myers

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If we are being honest, many of us would admit that we spend practically no time praising God when we pray. We confess and thank and ask, but we don't do so well with the praising part of prayer. It is not that we don't think God worthy of our praise, nor is it because we don't desire to praise God for his greatness and goodness. We simply do not know how to do it! Admiring and Applauding God is a practical and simple tool that helps us praise God in prayer by daily focusing our minds and hearts on one facet of God's character. This tool does not tell you what to pray but prompts you to reflect and dwell on God's goodness based on your own life experiences. By keeping this book handy when you pray, you will find yourself spending several minutes admiring and applauding the great God who made us and who loves to meet with us.

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Five girls born in the time of Moses to a fourth-generation first-born male struggle to survive during the Exodus in a world dominated by men. In the face of this challenge, they refuse to be suffocated by traditions and instead radiate courage, changing their world and making history. Through the eyes of Zelophehad, a disappointed father, and his five spirited daughters, we see the Israelites' brave journey to the promised land from a fresh perspective that brings life and color to one of the Bible's least-known stories. What did it mean to survive the forty-year journey with Moses through the wilderness as a family during the Exodus? Find out in Their Father's Heirs.

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Four Truths is not a traditional scholarly work. It consists of three short stories and a verse drama built around the four noble truths of Buddhism–each followed by a prose reflection in the form of a series of theses. The text is complemented by thirteen images from a series of ink brush paintings done by Macao artist Debby Sou Vai Keng in response to the book. It is an invitation to conversation rather than a systematic philosophical or theological argument–though it is an invitation in the scholastic tradition of academic theses that will appeal to students of comparative religion and philosophy and could serve as an entry point for discussion in ethics and moral philosophy as well as philosophy of religion.

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In News from the Kingdom of God, minister and poet David Breeden introduces readers to a Jesus hidden for fifteen hundred years. This new translation of The Gospel of Thomas not only reveals the incisive spiritual vision of Jesus, but also the poetry of his thinking. These meditations include wisdom from diverse religious traditions to delineate a spiritual practice at once mystical and profoundly grounded in both Eastern and Western religious traditions. Jesus lives in these pages, a profound wisdom teacher.

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Mulled Psalms is a book of poetry. Using the metaphor of mulled cider or wine, it is a collection of carefully brewed, distilled, and spiced beverages. The basic ingredient in each of these 150 poems is the biblical psalm of the corresponding number. Thus, the length, subject, tone, and other aspects of a specific poem resemble that of the original psalm. Because each psalm was mulled individually, at varying times and temperatures of Spirit-fire, each comes alive as a new entity. Many are prayers. All address or relate to God, the ultimately unnamable one, whom all humans yearn to know and name. Capital letters are used for all nouns and pronouns, and for many other parts of speech, referring to God.

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In the ruins of once-mighty Ephesus, site of the Temple of Artemis, a twenty-first century archeological team discovers the earliest known papyrus of the Gospel According to Mark. Sealed with it are instructions for a woman's burial, signed «The Rabbi's Daughter.»
The Rabbi's Daughter is an historical novel that takes us back to the years of Emperor Nero. Peter and Paul have been executed in Rome. The Community of Jesus' Way is struggling. With the help of his cousin Barnabas, Mark is compiling an account of the good news of Jesus. The two men come to Ephesus to interview Mary, who lives in the hills above the metropolis. They say their mission is to discover details about Jesus' early life. But soon it becomes apparent that their visit may have a very different purpose. The Rabbi's Daughter will give all readers a new appreciation and understanding of Mary, an extraordinary woman.

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Jeremy Halstead graduated from college with a degree in Specialized Ministries and an emphasis in Youth Ministry. Shortly after entering full-time ministry, he realized that even though he had earned a degree, he was truly ill-equipped for the ministry that he was now serving in. Jeremy surmised that he could not be the only youth leader who felt this way, so nineteen years later he wrote this book based upon his ideas, experiences, stories, victories, and failures. The title of the book may sound a bit strange, but everyone uses the bathroom, and most people read while doing so–why not read about what you love and are involved in: youth ministry.
This book was written to be a tool for youth workers. You can read it from beginning to end, or just open it to any page, as there is no rhyme or reason to the order of the topics. As you read the pages be inspired to try something new, be educated with fresh information and ideas, and be equipped to implement what you have read immediately into your ministry.

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The God Who Kneels is a meditative journey in John 13. The Apostle John opens the door and invites us into the upper room to relive the words and actions of Jesus. He writes us into the scene and gives us a seat at the table. On Thursday night, Jesus gave his followers two simple object lessons during the evening meal. He washed their feet and he broke bread. These two enduring acts go a long way in defining the mission of God and the body of Christ. They merge real hospitality and deep sacrament. The towel and the basin, and the bread and the cup, signify the essence of Jesus's kingdom strategy. The disciples missed the meaning of Jesus's message the first time around. Like them we need a fresh experience of the upper room to grasp the Savior's humility and glory. Less than twenty-four hours before the crucifixion Jesus offered his disciples a vivid parable of the atonement and a true picture of discipleship. This forty-day Lenten series is a close reading of the biblical text revealing the significance of the God who kneels for today's discipleship.

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