Reaching Beyond the Religious


Book Description

In a groundbreaking comparison between the Biblical and Hindu traditions, Reaching Beyond the Religious reveals a wisdom that transcends time, culture and creed, and which has the power to transform the way we think about religion in the 21st century. Dispelling the idea that we can create our destinies by tapping into the power of our intentions, the book flips the paradigm on its head and challenges our basic assumptions about the world, God, and the human enterprise. Weaving between mythology and reality, East and West, the book unearths seven universal wisdom themes from across the religious spectrum and maps these onto the complexities of modern day life. From Genesis, Job and the Hindu god, Shiva, to the dramatic Presidential campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama; from the life stories of Biblical Patriarchs and Hindu icons to those of contemporary greats such as J.K. Rowling, Michael Jordan, and Warren Buffett, this is a book that charts the teachings of the past onto the present while exploring humankinds most pressing and difficult questions. Supported by compelling examples taken from nature, pop culture, and religious text; prepare to be enlightened, entertained, and inspired by Reaching Beyond the Religious.




The Gospel of Inclusion


Book Description

Fourth-generation fundamentalist Carlton Pearson, a Christian megastar and host, takes a courageous and controversial stand on religion that proposes a hell-less Christianity and a gospel of inclusion that calls for an end to local and worldwide conflicts and divisions along religious lines. In The Gospel of Inclusion, Bishop Carlton Pearson explores the exclusionary doctrines in mainstream religion and concludes that, according to the evidence of the Bible and irrefutable logic, they cannot be true. Bishop Pearson argues that the controlling dogmas of religion are the source of much of the world's ills and that we should turn our backs on proselytizing and holy wars and focus on the real good news: that we are all bound for glory, everybody is saved, and if we believe God loves all mankind, then we have no choice but to have the same attitude ourselves. Bishop Pearson tells the story of how he had gone from a powerful religious figure, once preaching to an audience of over 6,000 people, to watching everything he had built crumble around him due to a scandal. Why? He didn't steal money nor did he have inappropriate sexual relationships. Following a revelation from God, he began to preach that a loving God would not condemn most of the human race to hell because they are not Christian. He preaches that God belongs to no religion. The Gospel of Inclusion is the inspiring journey of one man's quest to preach a new truth.




Reaching Beyond the Break


Book Description

Reaching Beyond the Break is an inspirational book. Targeted to the saints of God, who may be experiencing the breaking points in life, church, and emotions. The goal is to encourage the people not to give up, but reach beyond the break. Holding on to God's promises and trusting Him, even when the odds of life seem stacked against them.




Reaching Beyond


Book Description

In Reaching Beyond, Buddhist thinker and activist Daisaku Ikeda explores the origins, development,and international influence of jazz with legendary artists Herbie Hancockand Wayne Shorter.Reflecting on their lives and careers, Mr. Hancock and Mr. Shorter sharethe lessons they have learned from their musical mentors, including MilesDavis and Art Blakey, and how the Buddhist philosophy they’ve learnedfrom President Ikeda over the past forty years deeply resonates with theemancipatory spirit of jazz.These wide-ranging conversations include such thought-provoking topics as:• Music’s mission for peace in a time of discord• The importance of the artist’s spiritual growth• The Buddhist concept of changing poison into medicine• Ways to make the “ideal America” a reality for everyoneReaching Beyond offers positive new ideasfor musicians and nonmusicians alike.




Reaching Beyond Faith


Book Description

Reaching beyond Faith: A Modern Mind Reads the Koran takes the reader beyond the realm of pure faith to explore the Koran from an essentially non-pietistic point of view and in social, historical, geographic, and above all, human contexts. Its 14 chapters, using some 800 verses from the Koran, take a critical look at a wide range of issues: from the audience the message of the Koran was meant for to the role of humans in the compilation of the Koran itself, from the nature of Gods speech to the human side of the life of the Prophet of Islam, from jihad to crime and punishment, from the Korans call to piety to the place of women in society, from the magnificence of Gods creation to the insignificance of man. The rationale of such an exploration should be rather obvious. Although the state of the human mind that read the Koran some 1400 years ago may still be evidenced in many parts of the Muslim world, most modern Muslims today will be mortally offended if someone were to tell him or her that their minds harked back to those ancient times. To them, it is impossible to ignore the epochal strides made in human knowledge and circumstance since Mu?ammad was first inspired to say: Read!




Give Me an Answer


Book Description

Cliffe Knechtle offers clear, reasoned and compassionate responses to the tough questions skeptics ask.




Reaching Beyond


Book Description

Throughout recorded history mankind has attempted to define perfection. This always has been a most perplexing task, almost as difficult as attaining perfection once the term has been defined. One of the most vexing problems facing the perfectionist has been how to elevate themselves above matter, especially the body, in order to emulate their god-model. Reaching Beyond: Chapters in the History of Perfectionism highlights the concept of perfection in primitive man, in both Old and New Testaments, and in a variety of perfectionist individuals and movements throughout Christian history, including the Montanists, the Medieval Apocalyptist, Joachim of Fiore; the rationalist, Thomas Aquinas; a leading Eastern Orthodox mystic, St. Symeon the New Theologian; Calvin and his followers; early modern Puritans and later primitivists; and the Pentecostals, who strive for both purity and preparation. In short, this book is a study of the human perfectionist impulse and its motivations. In certain cases, perfectionism is a reaction against limitation, inadequacy, incompleteness and evil-a rejection of comfortable, popular religion. In other instances, perfectionism is a more positive effort, a striving after holiness or knowledge, a preparation for the parousia or a quest for a return to primitive religious roots.




Reaching Beyond Mediocrity


Book Description

Reaching Beyond Mediocrity shows the path to overcome major personal struggles in your Christian life. The first four chapters identify the foundations for using the principles from God's Word foundational to overcome all sorts of temptations. The other chapters use these principles to overcome the most challenging spiritual issues troubling Christians: anxiety, pride, lust, anger, and depression.Here are some basic questions that most Christians ask but never get answered! We answer them here.Why am I not spiritually growing anymore? What should I expect?One area of my life holds me back. How can I break through this?I want to grow but just do not know what to do next. What steps should I take?d2 levelsI feel bad about where I spiritually am right now. I am not sure anything can help me. Should I feel this way?I want to disciple others but do not know where to start or what to say. Can you make some suggestions?I have heard how God blesses others through His Word, but it is not often that way with me. Are there any special things to help me grow in my quiet times with God?




Choosing My Religion


Book Description

Choosing My Religion is a luminous memoir, crafted with the eye of a journalist and the art of a novelist by New York Times Magazine writer and editor Stephen J. Dubner. By turns comic and heartbreaking, it tells the story of a family torn apart by religion, sustained by faith, and reunited by truth.




Kingdoms Come


Book Description

As scholars continue to explore the political implications of grass roots religions around the world, Kingdoms Come examines the three main popular religions in Brazil—folk Catholicism, Protestant Pentecostalism, and Afro-Brazilian spiritism—to trace the contrasting patterns of acceptance or rejection of political paradigms within these three groups. In spite of these differences, Ireland's close analysis of these movements leads him to the conclusion that all three embrace traditions that foster a deepening of Brazil's nascent democracy.