Making Sense of Life


Book Description

What do biologists want? How will we know when we have 'made sense' of life? Explanations in the biological sciences are provisional and partial, judged by criteria as heterogenous as their subject matter. This text accounts for this diversity.




Can Science Make Sense of Life?


Book Description

Since the discovery of the structure of DNA and the birth of the genetic age, a powerful vocabulary has emerged to express science’s growing command over the matter of life. Armed with knowledge of the code that governs all living things, biology and biotechnology are poised to edit, even rewrite, the texts of life to correct nature’s mistakes. Yet, how far should the capacity to manipulate what life is at the molecular level authorize science to define what life is for? This book looks at flash points in law, politics, ethics, and culture to argue that science’s promises of perfectibility have gone too far. Science may have editorial control over the material elements of life, but it does not supersede the languages of sense-making that have helped define human values across millennia: the meanings of autonomy, integrity, and privacy; the bonds of kinship, family, and society; and the place of humans in nature.




The Bible: A Story that Makes Sense of Life


Book Description

'Honest, revealing insight into the bestselling book of all time.' Bear Grylls 'A stimulating and accessible survey of history's most influential book.' Tom Holland, historian and author of Dominion 'Personal and profound; informative and practical. If you want to experience the Bible as a rich source of guidance and hope, this book is for you.' Simon Thomas, former Sky Sports and Blue Peter presenter When we make sense of the Bible, the Bible makes sense of us. The political, social and cultural upheaval of our times can leave us feeling bewildered and wondering where to turn for trustworthy guidance. As unlikely as it may seem, could the Bible provide ancient wisdom that helps us flourish today? Join Andrew Ollerton as he explores the storyline of Scripture, connecting six major biblical events with six definitive human needs: for meaning, freedom, peace, community, love and for an ultimate home. In short, digestible chapters, Andrew reveals how the Bible story makes sense of our human story. Discover for yourself a limitless source of guidance and hope in the face of so much uncertainty. Underpinned by a depth of scholarship, the book is non-technical in style, making it accessible for the widest possible readership - including Christians and seekers interested in the Bible. The book will also provide a model for Bible communicators and church leaders wishing to engage more deeply with the relevance of the Bible in our cultural moment. Contains discussion questions for small groups, as well as suggested Bible readings and reflection questions to accompany each chapter. The structure of the book makes it ideal for a home group study. This book was chosen for the National Big Church Read in January 2022.




Making Sense of Everyday Life


Book Description

This accessible, introductory text explains the importance of studying 'everyday life' in the social sciences. Susie Scott examines such varied topics as leisure, eating and drinking, the idea of home, and time and schedules in order to show how societies are created and reproduced by the apparently mundane 'micro' level practices of everyday life. Each chapter is organized around three main themes: 'rituals and routines', 'social order', and 'challenging the taken-for-granted', with intriguing examples and illustrations. Theoretical approaches from ethnomethodology, Symbolic Interactionism and social psychology are introduced and applied to real-life situations, and there is clear emphasis on empirical research findings throughout. Social order depends on individuals following norms and rules which are so familiar as to appear natural; yet, as Scott encourages the reader to discover, these are always open to question and investigation. This user-friendly book will appeal to undergraduate students across the social sciences, including the sociology of everyday life, the sociology of emotions, social psychology and cultural studies, and will reveal the fascinating significance our everyday habits hold.




The On-Purpose Person


Book Description

Is Your Life Filled, Yet Unfulfilled? Do you feel pulled in a thousand different directions? Are your days so busy you hardly have time to think? Are you living up to other people's expectations while your own plans and dreams go unmet? In "The On-Purpose Person" you'll learn how to discover who you are, where you are headed, what you should do, and what's most important to you! That's being on-purpose! Tap Into Your Highest Potential With The On-Purpose Person Nothing adds more fullness and meaning to your life than discovering your purpose and living it out every moment of your life. With "The On-Purpose Person," you'll be on your way to greater order and clarity within 30 minutes of picking up the book. This entertaining story format provides clear principles that are easy to apply to everyday life. You'll put them into practice immediately. Regardless of whether you're in your teens or well into retirement, being on-purpose will inspire and guide you to live true to yourself. "Goals are consumable. Purpose is permanent," states Kevin W. McCarthy. "The On-Purpose Person" moves you beyond the surface of life to what matters most so you can make a difference. You'll have a simple, yet powerful system to: Invest your time, talent, and treasure in what is most important Exchange burnout for being integrated Learn why a balanced life is a myth Feel satisfied rather than stressed out at the end of the day Find meaningful time for yourself Align your innate passion and gifting in the right direction Trade discontent and frustration for a growing and enduring joy Make confident, more improved decisions more consistently Manage hurdles and setbacks positively Face opposition from an unassailable position of strength Define your standards for success that are just right for you Gain a vivid understanding of yourself Explore your possibilities equipped to succeed




Evolution


Book Description

"Science writer Carl Zimmer and evolutionary biologist Douglas Emlen have produced a thoroughly revised new edition of their widely praised evolution textbook. Emlen, an award-winning evolutionary biologist at the University of Montana, has infused Evolution: Making Sense of Life with the technical rigor and conceptual depth that today’s biology majors require. Zimmer, an award-winning New York Times columnist, brings compelling storytelling to the book, bringing evolutionary research to life. Students will learn the fundamental concepts of evolutionary theory, such as natural selection, genetic drift, phylogeny, and coevolution. The book also drives home the relevance of evolution for disciplines ranging from conservation biology to medicine. With riveting stories about evolutionary biologists at work everywhere from the Arctic to tropical rainforests to hospital wards, the book is a reading adventure designed to grab the imagination of students, showing them exactly why it is that evolution makes such brilliant sense of life."--




The Things of Earth


Book Description

God’s world is full of good things. Ice-cold lemonade. The laughter of children. College football. Scrambled eggs and crispy bacon. A late night with old friends around a blazing campfire. God certainly knows how to give good gifts to his children. But where is the line when it comes to enjoying all the pleasurable things our world affords? In The Things of Earth, professor Joe Rigney offers perplexed Christians a breath of fresh air by lifting the burden of false standards and impossible expectations related to the Christian life—freeing readers to gratefully embrace every good thing we receive from the hand of God. Helping us avoid our tendency to forget the Giver on the one hand and neglect his gifts on the other, this much-needed book reminds us that God’s blessings should drive us to worship and that a passion for God’s glory can be as wide as the world itself.




When Life Doesn't Make Sense


Book Description

An Experienced and Trustworthy Voice Offers Hope for Tough Times Readers trying to figure out how the world and God "work" can't help but learn from Leslie Haskin's indomitable spirit and compassionate heart. Since surviving the 9/11 attacks, she's faced post-traumatic stress disorder, the loss of her home, tough times between jobs, a broken engagement, a cancer scare, and perhaps most challenging, raising a teenaged son by herself. In this book, Leslie interweaves personal stories, biblical insights, and uplifting wisdom to address common questions such as Why do things seem so out of control? Is praying even worth it? and What do you want from me, Lord? She provides down-to-earth encouragement to all who want a better life.




Living Your Dying


Book Description

"This book is about dying, not about death. We are always dying a big, always giving things up, always having things taken away. Is there a person alive who isn't really curious about what dying is for them? Is there a person alive who wouldn't like to go to their dying full of excitement, without fear and without morbidity? This books tells you how." -- Front cover.