Download or read book Caught in the Pulpit written by Daniel C. Dennett and published by Pitchstone Publishing (US&CA). This book was released on 2015-05-01 with total page 297 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What is it like to be a preacher or rabbi who no longer believes in God? In this expanded and updated edition of their groundbreaking study, Daniel C. Dennett and Linda LaScola comprehensively and sensitively expose an inconvenient truth that religious institutions face in the new transparency of the information age—the phenomenon of clergy who no longer believe what they publicly preach. In confidential interviews, clergy from across the ministerial spectrum—from liberal to literal—reveal how their lives of religious service and study have led them to a truth inimical to their professed beliefs and profession. Although their personal stories are as varied as the denominations they once represented, or continue to represent—whether Catholic, Baptist, Episcopalian, Methodist, Mormon, Pentecostal, or any of numerous others—they give voice not only to their own struggles but also to those who similarly suffer in tender and lonely silence. As this study poignantly and vividly reveals, their common journey has far-reaching implications not only for their families, their congregations, and their communities—but also for the very future of religion.

Download or read book Caught in the Pulpit written by Daniel Clement Dennett and published by . This book was released on 2013-12 with total page 269 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What is it like to be a preacher who can no longer believe the creed? In confidential interviews, clergy reveal how their lives of service are overshadowed by hypocrisy, as they contemplate taking a leap from their faith. As religious leaders struggle to adapt to the new transparency of the information age, the phenomenon of non-believing clergy portends surprising developments in the future of religious belief.

Download or read book Hope After Faith written by Jerry DeWitt and published by Da Capo Press. This book was released on 2013-06-25 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A former Louisiana pastor's courageous memoir chronicling his conversion to atheism.

Download or read book From Apostle to Apostate written by Catherine Dunphy and published by Pitchstone Publishing (US&CA). This book was released on 2015-07-21 with total page 165 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What happens when your entire life and career are constructed around a religious faith that you no longer possess? Do you continue to promote a gospel that you have intellectually and emotionally rejected to maintain your livelihood and the support and respect you receive from your community? Or do you renounce your faith to your congregation and the public at large, putting yourself and your family at risk? From Apostle to Apostate offers a comprehensive introduction to the Clergy Project, established in 2011 to provide a safe space where clergy who have lost their faith can connect with others facing the exact same questions—often alone and in isolation. Charting the origins, growth, and goals of the project, the book draws on the author's own experience as a founding project member and on interviews with its founders. It also reveals the troubles and triumphs experienced by many of its members, whose numbers have grown from just over 50 to more than 500 in a few short years. As the book movingly demonstrates, despite the substantial personal and professional challenges nonbelieving clergy face, for many, a loss of faith has turned out not to be a loss at all—but a gain of newfound community, self-respect, and honesty with themselves and others.

Download or read book Pastoral Preaching written by Conrad Mbewe and published by Langham Preaching Resources. This book was released on 2017-03-03 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: More and more pulpits are occupied by motivational speakers rather than preachers. Church congregations are not being given a comprehensive, biblical understanding of the faith. Drawing on his own experience as a pastor in Zambia, Conrad Mbewe tackles issues such as the content of pastoral preaching, how pastoral preaching relates to church life, finding the time to prepare pastoral sermons, and dealing with discouragement. Throughout the book, it is clear that the author’s conviction is to see preachers grow strong churches, to build a people for God.

Download or read book Metropolitan Pulpit and Homiletic Monthly written by and published by . This book was released on 1888 with total page 584 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book My Turn at the Bully Pulpit written by Greta Van Susteren and published by Crown Publishing Group (NY). This book was released on 2003 with total page 246 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Welcome to the bully pulpit where opinions fly but common sense rules. Here's where you'll find straight talk about the most pressing issues of the day, all delivered in the trademark commonsense style of one of America's most popular and admired television news anchors. Always resisting the political label that attempts to place people in one ideological camp or another, Greta Van Susteren speaks from the mind and the heart, not as a liberal or a conservative, but as a right-thinking, sensible citizen. "Our country is at a critical juncture," she writes, and "too many of us are caught up in old definitions of left and right that no longer apply. If I favor the death penalty in some cases, does that make me right-wing? If I think hate crimes legislation is stupid, does that make me a conservative? If I happen to like and enjoy Ozzy Osbourne and have him on my show, does that make me a liberal? And if I believe that corporations should be held accountable if their products harm citizens and they should be subject to the rulings of a jury--ditto for doctors who commit medical malpractice--does that make me a lefty trial lawyer?" Here's more of Greta in her own words: On the military: Liberty isn't free. As a nation, we must provide for the men and women who put their lives on the line for us. That means good pay, adequate funding for defense, and our heartfelt support. Vietnam was a very long time ago. We Baby Boomers have to wake up and realize that today's military is a different military from the one we grew up with, and we are fighting a very different war. Patriotism is not a conservative or a liberal thing. Patriotism, as far as I am concerned, is the duty and obligation ofevery American. On the Supreme Court: There should be a litmus test for Supreme Court and federal court judges, and that test should be their opinion about allowing public access to court proceedings. Let cameras inside the courthouse, or at least allow an audio feed to radio. What are they hiding? On the death penalty: It should be legal and available to courts and juries . . . but it should be used extremely rarely, and only when we are absolutely certain that a fair trial has taken place. On how you look: It's your business and nobody else's. Your looks and your life are not a democracy--not everybody gets a vote. Make your appearance and your choices a totalitarian regime--you are the boss. On fun: It isn't a curse word. It's actually quite serious business, as it makes the hard times livable and the sad times bearable. Fun should be part of a work environment, too. Stuffed shirts and snobs who can't stop and laugh at themselves should be banished! In Greta's company you're guaranteed to get a fresh dose of common sense and a good hearty rant on many of the most important issues we face today. One more guarantee: you'll have some good fun while you're at it.

Download or read book The Pulpit Commentary Volume 8 written by Spence-Jones, Henry and published by Delmarva Publications, Inc.. This book was released on 2015-08-15 with total page 5927 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Pulpit Commentary was first published between 1880 and 1919 and is a highly respected work written by conservative, trustworthy men. Containing over 22,000 pages and 95,000 entries, it is one of the largest and best-selling homiletic commentary sets of all time. It was directed by editors Joseph Exell and Henry Donald Maurice Spence-Jones and utilized more than 100 authors over a 30-year span. When reading this commentary, it is not difficult to see why it has remained a favorite amongst pastors for more than 100 years. There are three key elements which set this apart from its contemporaries, the first being that it gives an exposition or verse-by-verse annotation of each verse in the Bible. The second element is that it explores the framework of the text, the homiletics. Finally, it supplies the homilies with multiple model sermons from various authors. Also included is a translation as well as historical and geographical information. The Evangelical Magazine and Missionary Chronicle declared, “This commentary bids fair to take a conspicuous place among the ever-multiplying aids to the study of the Holy Scriptures. It will revive the great work of Lange, and will far exceed the Speaker's Commentary in the bulk and fullness of its material. The peculiarity of the Pulpit Commentary is that it offers special assistance to the preacher: first by giving him a critical and exegetical exposition of the text of Scripture, and then providing him with succinct and helpful directions as to the preachable aspects of the chapter and paragraph already explained." The print edition of this set typically retails for more than $1,000 making the current offered price a very good bargain. Due to its size, it has been broken up into nine separate volumes: Volume 1 - Genesis to Joshua Volume 2 - Judges to 2 Kings Volume 3 - 1 Chronicles to Job Volume 4 - Psalms to Song of Songs Volume 5 - Isaiah to Daniel Volume 6 - Hosea to Malachi Volume 7 - Matthew to John Volume 8 - Act to Philippians Volume 9- Colossians to Revelation The footnotes have been placed in line with the text with each footnote number enclosed in red brackets (i.e.: []) and the text in green. There is also a linked table of contents at the beginning of each volume for ease of navigation. Key Features: * Over 22,000 pages with more than 95,000 entries * One of the largest and exhaustive commentary sets of its kind * Contributions from over 100 authors * Expositions—with thorough verse-by-verse commentary of each verse of the Bible * Homiletics—with the framework or overall look of the text * Homilies—four to six sample sermons from various authors * Detailed information on Biblical customs * Historical and geographical information * Translations of key Hebrew and Greek words All 23 Volumes of the printed version are included in these nine volumes. 1. Genesis/Exodus 2. Leviticus/Numbers 3. Deuteronomy/Joshua/Judges 4. Ruth/1&2 Samuel 5. 1&2 Kings 6. 1&2 Chronicles 7. Ezra/Nehemiah/Esther/Job 8. Psalms 9. Proverbs/Ecclesiastes/Song of Solomon 10. Isaiah 11. Jeremiah/Lamentations 12. Ezekiel 13. Daniel/Hosea/Joel 14. Amos - Malachi 15. Matthew 16. Mark/Luke 17. John 18. Acts/Romans 19. 1&2 Corinthians 20. Galatians - Colossians 21. 1&2 Thessalonians - James 22. 1&2 Peter - Revelation

Download or read book Progress in the Pulpit written by Jerry Vines and published by Moody Publishers. This book was released on 2017-06-06 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Progress in the Pulpit is a master class in preaching, written by two most-qualified authors. Dr. Jerry Vines is truly a Prince of the Pulpit.” — Dr. Albert Mohler Jr., from the foreword Like musical instruments, preachers get better over time—unless, of course, they neglect maintenance. Progress in the Pulpit is for seasoned preachers looking to refresh their craft and receive guidance for contemporary challenges to preaching. While most preaching books are geared toward new preachers, Progress in the Pulpit builds on the basics and focuses on what often falls into neglect. You will learn to better: Connect to audiences without compromising biblical truth Plan, evaluate, and get feedback on sermons Battle biblical illiteracy in your congregation Employ word studies and other technical aspects of biblical interpretation Increase imagination and creativity in sermon writing Extend the life of a sermon via social media, small groups, and more Establish habits for continued growth Drs. Jerry Vines and Jim Shaddix, who wrote Power in the Pulpit (a book still used in seminaries today), remain committed to pure expository preaching. Yet they understand that the times change and present new challenges. Here they offer guidance to help preachers stay sharp and grow in the craft of faithfully proclaiming God’s Word.

Download or read book Pulpit and Grave written by Edward Jewitt Wheeler and published by . This book was released on 1884 with total page 378 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Deep Church written by Jim Belcher and published by InterVarsity Press. This book was released on 2009-09-25 with total page 235 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Christianity Today Book Award winner Golden Canon Leadership Book Award winner Feeling caught between the traditional church and the emerging church? Discover a third way: deep church. C. S. Lewis used the phrase "deep church" to describe the body of believers committed to mere Christianity. Unfortunately church in our postmodern era has been marked by a certain shallowness. Emerging authors, fed up with contemporary pragmatism, have offered alternative visions for twenty-first-century Christianity. Traditionalist churches have reacted negatively, at times defensively. Jim Belcher knows what it's like to be part of both of these worlds. In the 1990s he was among the pioneers of what was then called Gen X ministry, hanging out with creative innovators like Rob Bell, Mark Oestreicher and Mark Driscoll. But he also has maintained ties to traditionalist circles, planting a church in the Presbyterian Church of America. In Deep Church, Belcher brings the best insights of all sides to forge a third way between emerging and traditional. In a fair and evenhanded way, Belcher explores the proposals of such emerging church leaders as Tony Jones, Brian McLaren and Doug Pagitt. He offers measured appreciation and affirmation as well as balanced critique. Moving beyond reaction, Belcher provides constructive models from his own church planting experience and paints a picture of what this alternate, deep church looks like--a missional church committed to both tradition and culture, valuing innovation in worship, arts and community but also creeds and confessions. If you've felt stuck between two extremes, you can find a home here. Plumb the depths of Christianity in a way that neither rejects our postmodern context nor capitulates to it. Instead of veering to the left or the right, go between the extremes--and go deep.

Download or read book Poverty from the Pulpit written by Igho Herbert and published by AuthorHouse. This book was released on 2010-09-29 with total page 313 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Poverty has several definitions, depending on who's defining and from what perspective. For this discourse, we define it as emptiness that borders on acute lack--be it spiritual, social, material, economic, financial or political; the absence of basic provisions that makes a person's life meaningful and bearable. It's not just the absence of food, shelter or clothing but also the absence of health-care (by whatever definition), social rights and access to education, justice and public political space to shape events in the social environment. It's a measure of societal development (Seers 1977). Poverty level defines social status--which determines social access. Poverty is better explained or defined fully by the person experiencing it, with the right words and/or images for others to understand. Poverty is personal yet very public, As its presence is a collective condemnation of society (secular/spiritual). Paradoxically, poverty from close quarters (trusted by us), Is like friendly fire in a combat zone. Armies train their soldiers to take on enemy fire, and prevail. Friendly fire? It's not only a different kind of fire, it's unanticipated and response is difficult. Its impact is painful and response is challenging because relationships are involved. There's a shocking devastation because of its source. Poverty from a close quarter like a pulpit is really difficult to comprehend left alone deal with. Though difficult, friendly fire requires a response and to get on with the war at hand. We need the same approach in dealing with poverty from a very close source like a pulpit. Poverty from the Pulpit is a Christian-sociological analysis of poverty within the body of Christ in this era of "prosperity theology" that pervades Christendom today. it asks Christians everywhere to question their perception of poverty and see where the source of their poverty is and where the solution lies.

Download or read book Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit written by Constance Berg and published by CSS Publishing. This book was released on 2001 with total page 190 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Everyone remembers and enjoys a good story -- and heartfelt stories touch us in ways nothing else can. Jesus used stories or parables to emphasize his points and lead his listeners to look at themselves and examine their motivations. This collection of stories illustrating biblical passages from Cycle B of the Revised Common Lectionary will touch your soul. Berg speaks to the person in the pew with accounts drawn from conversations with people, observations of everyday life, and a vast arena of literature.

Download or read book The Church of England Pulpit and Ecclesiastical Review written by and published by . This book was released on 1894 with total page 324 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Pulpit Gangster written by Mathias Hardeman and published by Createspace Independent Pub. This book was released on 2012-10-01 with total page 44 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Based on a true story. This book is written to expose a church that elicits wrongful acts among its congregation: the House of Prayer in Atlanta, Georgia. It gives graphic and horrifying details of the realities of life inside a cult. The House of Prayer made headline news in 2001. Several networks, stations and people got involved which included but not limited to Dateline NBC, CNN, Fox News, Atlanta Journal Constitution, BBC, People Magazine, Bryant Gumbel, Bill O'Reilly, Sally Jessy Raphael and Nancy Grace.

Download or read book It Happened in Church written by Patti S. Webster and published by Dafina Books. This book was released on 2008 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This inspiring, feel-good collection of humorous stories from celebrities, pastors, and church members proves that laughter is truly a gift from God.

Download or read book Fierce Love written by Dr. Jacqui Lewis and published by Harmony. This book was released on 2021-11-09 with total page 195 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A healing antidote to our divisive culture, full of evocative storytelling, spiritual wisdom, and nine essential daily practices—by the first female, Black senior minister at the historic Collegiate Churches of New York “Fierce Love teaches us that with spiritual faith we can transcend the darkest moments and come through stronger.”—Gabrielle Bernstein, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Universe Has Your Back We are living in a world divided. Race and ethnicity, caste and color, gender and sexuality, class and education, religion and political party have all become demographic labels that reduce our differences to simplistic categories in which “we” are vehemently against “them.” But Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis’s own experience—of being the first female and first Black minister in her church’s history, of being in an interracial marriage, and of making peace with childhood abuse—illustrates that our human capacity for empathy and forgiveness is the key to reversing these ugly trends. Inspired by the tenets of ubuntu—the Zulu philosophy that we are each impacted by the circumstances that impact those around us, and that the world won’t get better until we all get better—Fierce Love lays out the nine daily practices for breaking through tribalism and engineering the change we seek. From downsizing our emotional baggage to speaking truth to power to fueling our activism with joy, it demonstrates the power of small, morally courageous steps to heal our own lives, our posse, and our larger communities. Sharing stories that trace her personal reckoning with racism as well as the arc of her journey to an inclusive and service-driven faith, Dr. Lewis shows that kindness, compassion, and inclusive thinking are muscles that can be exercised and strengthened. With the goal of mending our inextricable human connection, Fierce Love is a manifesto for all generations: a bighearted, healing antidote to our rancorous culture.