The Spiritual Language of Art: Medieval Christian Themes in Writings on Art of the Italian Renaissance


Book Description

Analyzing the literature on art from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, The Spiritual Language of Art explores the complex relationship between visual art and spiritual experiences during the Italian Renaissance. Though scholarly research on these writings has predominantly focused on the influence of classical literature, this study reveals that Renaissance authors consistently discussed art using terms, concepts and metaphors derived from spiritual literature. By examining these texts in the light of medieval sources, greater insight is gained on the spiritual nature of the artist’s process and the reception of art. Offering a close re-readings of many important writers (Alberti, Leonardo, Vasari, etc.), this study deepens our understanding of attitudes toward art and spirituality in the Italian Renaissance.




The Beauty of Spiritual Language


Book Description

Jack Hayford's approach to speaking in tongues doesn't fit the stereotype. Revised and expanded with new content. People often think speaking in tongues is either gibberish or emotional exuberance. They think it is strange, dramatic, or sometimes excessive. Even among Spirit-filled communities, there is disagreement over the importance of tongues. Pastor Jack makes a persuasive case for accepting tongues as a normal part of a Christian's experience. In sensible, biblical terms he reaches across denominational lines to explain this intimate encounter with the heart of God. This revised and expanded edition includes fourteen never-before published lessons from Pastor Jack.




Living the Spirit-Formed Life


Book Description

New Look for Landmark Teaching on Living the Spirit-Empowered Life In our instant-gratification culture, we consume a fleeting, shallow diet of media, relationships, entertainment, and spirituality. Our souls go hungry, longing for a fuller, more satisfying life. Bestselling author and beloved pastor Jack Hayford shows, in what has become a modern-day classic, how we can feed our deepest places with the sustaining Bread of Life. With warmth and wisdom, he reveals how we can link our souls to timeless practices and principles set forth in Scripture. He invites you to rediscover the power and blessing of these spiritual disciplines--of true Spirit-fullness. Even more, he shows how these spiritual disciplines are relevant for today and how we can practice them in our quick-paced, surface-level culture. When we take time to fast and pray, worship daily, feed on God's Word, and more, we fully enter the rich adventure of becoming an effective disciple of Christ--ensuring that our souls will never go hungry.




Seeking Spiritual Beauty


Book Description

"In our microwave society that manufactures designer babies, most young women are more efficient at the computer than at home. Seeking Spiritual Beauty is a book of courage and power for women who are not satisfied with the world's standard of spirituality."--Cover




The Secret Language of the Soul


Book Description

This latest in the Secret Language series is an inspiring survey of faith and ritual through the ages, from Native American vision quests to chakras, avatar, and archangels. Original and ancient artworks depict some of the most profound and compelling images ever devised. This richly illustrated volume is an inviting universal guide to the realm of the divine. Over 200 full-color illustrations.




The Language of Heaven


Book Description

What does the gift giver say about the gift He gave? This book will help you overcome the arguments, fears, and anxieties related to this gift. FEATURES AND BENEFITS Shares the author's personal testimony and spiritual journey with speaking in tongues Examines the history of this gift in the church for the past two thousand years Interacts with those who have denied that this gift is valid for today's church Speaks to the relationship between Spirit baptism, Spirit filling, and the gift of tongues Few other issues have separated the church more than the issue of tongues. Sam Storms focuses on this controversial subject with his signature insights to theology and the gifts of the spirit. What does the gift giver say about the gift He gave? Storms seeks to bring balance to this subject in The Language of Heaven as he wrestles with this sensitive issue experientially as well as theologically. He ultimately provides a platform to allow God to speak for Himself as he addresses every text of Scripture on the subject and engages with every theological issue that speaking in tongues provokes. As a pastor, Storms knows the questions that the typical churchgoer is asking and provides clear and accessible answers to them all, including: Is the gift of tongues for every Christian or only some? How does the gift of tongues operate in the life of the believer individually in private practice? How does the gift of tongues operate in the corporate assembly of God's church? How is the Christian edified and strengthened by praying in tongues? How do I pray for the gift and prepare my heart to receive it? You can overcome the arguments, fears, and anxieties related to this spiritual gift. Remember, God gives only good gifts, and it is His intention that His church utilize all that He has provided so that we might experience all that He is.




Soul Cravings


Book Description

The search of your life is the search for your life. What you are holding right now is an exploration of the human spirit; a journey into our deepest longings, our desires, our needs, our cravings, our souls. Our need for intimacy, meaning, and destiny point to the existence of God and our need to connect with Him. This book will deeply stir you to consider and chase after the spiritual implications of your souls' deepest longings.




What's Your God Language?


Book Description

In What's Your God Language? Myra Perrine describes nine types of spiritual temperaments and suggests disciplines and faith expressions that fit best with each unique temperament (or blend of temperaments). Drawing on her doctoral research that built on the work of Gary Thomas and others, Perrine calls readers to stop fighting the way God wired them and to experience a deeper intimacy with Christ by embracing their unique “spiritual circuitry.” Features: In-depth analysis of nine categories of spiritual temperaments Spiritual temperament assessment tool for assessing one's individual temperament Biblically supported and thoroughly researched Written in a friendly, anecdotal style Foreword by Gary Thomas Web site with additional intermediate and advanced exercises The 9 Languages: The Activist The Asetic The Caregiver The Contemplative The Enthusiast The Intellectual The Naturalist The Sensate The Traditionalist




Ravished by Beauty


Book Description

In this novel exploration of Reformed spirituality, Belden C. Lane uncovers a "green theology" that celebrates a community of jubilant creatures of all languages and species. Lane reveals an ecologically sensitive Calvin who spoke of himself as ''ravished'' by the earth's beauty. He speaks of Puritans who fostered a ''lusty'' spirituality in which Christ figured as a lover who encouraged meditation on the wonders of creation. He presents a Jonathan Edwards who urged a sensuous ''enjoyment'' of God's beauty as the only real way of knowing God. Lane argues for the ''double irony'' of Reformed spirituality, showing that Calvinists who often seem prudish and proper are in fact a people of passionate desire. Similarly, Reformed Christians who appear totally focused on divine transcendence turn out at times to be closet nature mystics, exulting in God's glory everywhere. Lane also demonstrates, however, that a spirituality of desire can be derailed, ending in sexual excess and pantheism. Ecologically, holy longing can be redirected from a contemplation of God's splendor in the earth's beauty to a craving for land itself, resulting in disastrous misuse of its resources. Between the major chapters of the book are engaging personal essays drawn from the author's own love of nature as a Reformed Christian, and providing a thoughtful discussion of contemporary issues of species diversity and the honoring of an earth community.




Learning the Language of the Soul


Book Description

How can we describe to others what is happening to us on our spiritual journey? How can we depict the spiritual road that we are taking—experiences of prayer, transitions that we travel through, impediments that we face—and externalize into words the interior experiences? In this spiritual lexicon, Andrew Mayes explores creative and inspirational metaphors to equip anyone wanting to communicate effectively about their faith or life of prayer. Learning the Language of the Soul is a handbook that will prove indispensable to spiritual directors, evangelists, and all sharing in the witness of the church today. It will loosen our tongues as we discover images from both the classic Christian tradition and contemporary culture that help us express and develop a spiritual literacy by which we share with others the joys and struggles of the inner life.