Download or read book The Church Trap written by Arthur Herzog III and published by Arthur Herzog III. This book was released on 2003-04-20 with total page 184 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Churches today are caught in a sociological trap. Parishioners want to keep comfortable status quo organization. Churchmen feel the pressure to modernize, to "get where the action is." This book is a provocative and zesty analysis of the problem. Dishonest to God? The churches have followed corporations in emphasizing fat figures and solid annual growth. If religion were sold like stocks you would have the "high fliers" like the booming Southern Baptists and the Roman Catholics, the "blue chip" denominations-Episcopalians, Congregationalists, and Presbyterians-and then those with small growth potential like the Jews. The "sick" clergy. Most clergymen of the various faiths, needless to say, are not alcoholic or homosexual. On the other hand enough clergymen have these problems to cause concern, and beyond the slippery labels of neuroses there are enough inward tortured people in the clergy to make church authorities wonder what in heaven is wrong. The future. One of the basic models for churchly change is ecumenism, but although ecumenism may look good on the drawing board, it has some very formidable hurdles before it . There is no sign in the heavens that the organized religion in America will be granted a resurrection.

Download or read book The Emerging Church Trap written by Steve Wohlberg and published by Remnant Publications. This book was released on 2015-03-01 with total page 56 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Yet again, author Steve Wohlberg artfully tackles a huge subject in just a handful of words. He brings into focus the seemingly nebulous topic of the emerging church movement by joining Scripture with history. Jesus Himself firmly noted to His disciples: “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:4&8211;5). The author makes Christ’s solemn warning personal in that “you” not only meant the disciples, but Christ was speaking directly to you, the reader. Emerging church proponents maintain that a change is needed in the church today; otherwise, many will be lost. They believe that changes need to be made in churches today to appeal to the electronically minded and to keep up with the times. Yet the God of the heavens exclaims, “I am the Lord, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6). The changes that emerging church advocates, such as Leonard Sweet, Brian McLaren, Richard Foster, and others, endorse are not really new. In fact, they are steeped in the Eastern mystic philosophies of Hinduism, Buddhism, and especially that of medieval Rome. “Eastern meditation is an attempt to empty the mind,” Richard Foster wrote in his book Celebration of Discipline. Those partisan to the emerging church doctrine look to Ignatius Loyola, who established the Society of Jesus or the Jesuits, as their founding father. “Inside a cave in Manresa, Spain, Ignatius emptied his mind. The otherworldly impressions did come from a ghostly entity claiming to be the Virgin Mary. That ghost gave directions. ‘Fine,’ Loyola decided. ‘I will obey’” (The Emerging Church Trap, page 24). Christ spoke directly to the danger of emptying our minds in the book of Matthew: “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” (Matthew 12:43-45)

Download or read book The Emerging Church Trap written by Steve Wohlberg and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 32 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Certainty Trap written by Bill Musk and published by William Carey Publishing. This book was released on 2008-06-01 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A certainty trap has sprung up within both Islam and Christianity, resulting in a world struggling with the fallout from extremist and violent interpretations of what the word of God might mean. In The Certainty Trap, Musk looks at the phenomenon of fundamentalism in Christianity and its contributions toward the messy state of international affairs in which many—especially Muslims—find themselves today. By scrutinizing sacred book interpretation in both the Islamic and Christian heritages, The Certainty Trap challenges contemporary religious fundamentalism and is a timely contribution to Muslim-Christian relations.

Download or read book God Land written by Lyz Lenz and published by Indiana University Press. This book was released on 2019-07-19 with total page 142 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “Will resonate with any readers interested in understanding American landscapes where white, evangelical Christianity dominates both politics and culture.” —Publishers Weekly In the wake of the 2016 election, Lyz Lenz watched as her country and her marriage were torn apart by the competing forces of faith and politics. A mother of two, a Christian, and a lifelong resident of middle America, Lenz was bewildered by the pain and loss around her—the empty churches and the broken hearts. What was happening to faith in the heartland? From drugstores in Sydney, Iowa, to skeet shooting in rural Illinois, to the mega churches of Minneapolis, Lenz set out to discover the changing forces of faith and tradition in God’s country. Part journalism, part memoir, God Land is a journey into the heart of a deeply divided America. Lenz visits places of worship across the heartland and speaks to the everyday people who often struggle to keep their churches afloat and to cope in a land of instability. Through a thoughtful interrogation of the effects of faith and religion on our lives, our relationships, and our country, God Land investigates whether our divides can ever be bridged and if America can ever come together. “God Land, Lyz Lenz’s much-anticipated debut book, is a marvel. Not only is it a window into the middle America so many like to stereotype but fail to fully understand in all of its complexity, but it mixes reportage, memoir, and gorgeous prose so seamlessly I wanted to know how she did it.” —Sarah Weinman, author of The Real Lolita

Download or read book The Children Trap written by Robert Thoburn and published by Dominion Press. This book was released on 1988-05 with total page 242 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Rapture Trap written by Paul Thigpen and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page 268 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Thigpen lays out the biblical foundations of Catholic teaching on the close of age-- the "end times." Is Jesus coming to "rapture" Christians in the earth's last days? The short answer: No. Along with Scripture, Thigpen draws from Church history, tradition, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and contemporary experience to reveal the shortcoming of the rapture doctrine. -- adapted from back cover

Download or read book The Pleasure Trap written by Douglas J. Lisle and published by Book Publishing Company. This book was released on 2007-09-01 with total page 319 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The authors offer unique insights into the factors that make us susceptible to dietary and lifestyle excesses, and present ways to restore the biological processes designed by nature to keep us running at maximum efficiency and vitality. A wake-up call to even the most health conscious people, The Pleasure Trap boldy challenges conventional wisdom about sickness and unhappiness in today's contemporary culture, and offers groundbreaking solutions for achieving change. Authors Douglas Lisel, Ph.D., and Alan Goldhamer, D.C., provide a fascinating new perspective on how modern life can turn so many smart, savvy people into the unwitting saboteurs of their own well-being. Inspired by stunning original research, comprehensive clinical studies, and their successes with thousands of patients, the authors construct a new paradigm for the psychology of health, offering fresh hope for anyone stuck in a self-destructive rut. Integrating principals of evolutionary biology with trailblazing, proactive strategies for well

Download or read book Practicing Thankfulness written by Sam Crabtree and published by Crossway. This book was released on 2021-01-27 with total page 128 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Christians are called to be thankful. What we believe about God is evident in how we exhibit thankfulness for all he has done. In this book, pastor Sam Crabtree encourages us to express glad-hearted thankfulness for God's unending provision in all circumstances. Through the daily practices of expressing gratitude—saying "thank you" to a neighbor, serving others in practical ways, or simply thanking God for his many gifts—we recognize the absolute and total lordship of God and his sovereignty over all things.

Download or read book Setting a Trap for God written by Rocco A. Errico and published by Unity Books (Unity School of Christianity). This book was released on 1997 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The title for this book comes from the Aramaic meaning of the word prayer: setting your mind like a trap so that you may catch the thoughts of God. This metaphysical look at the Lord's Prayer is expanded from Errico's The Ancient Aramaic Prayer of Jesus.

Download or read book The Bait of Satan Book with DVD written by John Bevere and published by Charisma Media. This book was released on 2010-12 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How to maintain a positive relationship with God in the face of adversity from others.

Download or read book Crazy Faith written by Michael Todd and published by WaterBrook. This book was released on 2023-09-19 with total page 241 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of Relationship Goals . . . Will you be remembered as a person who claimed to follow God but liked to play it safe? Or as a person who lived your life out on the limb and trusted God enough to live in crazy faith? Noah looked crazy when he started building the ark . . . until it started raining. It was crazy for Moses to lead a nation of people into the desert away from Egypt . . . until the Red Sea parted. It was crazy to believe that a fourteen-year-old virgin would give birth to the Son of God . . . until Mary held Jesus in her arms. There are many things that seem normal or average today that at one point in time seemed absolutely crazy. Smartphones, Wi-Fi, and even the electric light bulb were all groundbreaking, history-making inventions that started out as crazy ideas. Our see-it-to-believe-it generation tends to have a hard time exercising true faith—one that steps out, takes action, and sees mountain-moving results. Many of us would rather play it safe and stand on the sidelines, but it’s crazy faith that helps us see God move and reveals His promises. In Crazy Faith, Pastor Michael Todd shows us how to step out in faith and dive into the purposeful life of trusting God for the impossible. Even if you have to start with baby faith or maybe faith, you can become empowered to let go of your lazy faith, trust God through your hazy faith, and learn to live a lifestyle of crazy faith. With powerful stories of modern-day faith warriors who take their cues from biblical heroes, Michael Todd equips you to • believe for the impossible • choose hope over fear • be alert to the voice of God • cope with loss and doubt • develop a deeper level of trust in God • speak faith-filled declarations • inspire crazy faith in others God’s not looking for somebody to give Him all the reasons why His plans can’t happen. He’s looking for somebody to believe they will happen. In fact, He has so much He wants to do through you. The question is, Are you crazy enough to believe it?

Download or read book The Bait of Satan 20th Anniversary Edition written by John Bevere and published by Charisma Media. This book was released on 2014-01-07 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Bait of Satan exposes one of the most deceptive snares Satan uses to get believers out of the will of God--offense.

Download or read book History of the Christian Church written by Philip Schaff and published by . This book was released on 1907 with total page 940 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Hero Trap written by Thomas Kolster and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2020-05-28 with total page 255 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most companies today are firmly on the social and environmental issues ‘bandwagon’, like bees around a honey pot, from plastic in oceans through to diversity. As a result, people are increasingly distrustful of these efforts which they view as cheap marketing stunts meant to wow people into buying more. "Try to fly like a superman, and you will come down like a tin of soup." Market economists have long told us that we’re driven only by money and status, but the inherent human truth that cuts across age, culture and gender uncovers a stronger force: we wish to be in charge of our own lives and our own happiness. Through extensive growth and affinity research, world-renowned purpose-pioneer, Thomas Kolster, uncovers a simple answer that is key to driving marketing growth in the 21st century: if you put people in control of the marketing mix, from products to promotion, they can grow and in turn grow your organisation. This book explains the meteoric rise of a company like AirBnB, how a 20-something Swede, Maria de la Croix, built a global coffee empire like Wheelys in just a few years, and how a group of friends hanging out in a bar in Melbourne created one of the largest global non-profits fighting for men’s health, Movember – and how you can empower people to do the same. Today’s power no longer rests in the hands of the privileged few, but in the talented many. It is time for you to unleash that power, in numbers. Drawing on top-line marketing case studies and in-depth interviews, Kolster demonstrates how people are truly motivated to act when they’re in charge of their own life and happiness. ‘Who can you help me become?’ is the one essential question you need to be asking and acting on to chart a new course for your organisation, changing behaviours at scale and unlocking sustainable growth that benefits all.

Download or read book FROM TRAP TO CHURCH written by Jammal Brown and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on 2019-05-30 with total page 94 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: FROM TRAP TO CHURCH is about the redemption of Jammal Brown; Musician, Author, Public Speaker, and Entrepreneur. Jammal was born into what may have seemed like an unfortunate situation. Although he was abandoned and exposed to the streets at an early age, God has made many attempts to get Jammal's attention. This Testimony includes a wide range of events that lead Jammal to Jesus Christ. Jammal has not only survived but has overcome the obstacles of inner-city life such as drugs, gangs, foster homes, and prison. Many people feel trapped in their circumstances and their environment, but there is a way out. FROM TRAP TO CHURCH is a reminder that people from all walks of life have the invitation to accept Jesus Christ. When you accept Jesus Christ and abide in him, and continue in his word, the truth will make you free, and who the Son sets free is free indeed.

Download or read book Purity is Possible written by Helen Thorne and published by The Good Book Company. This book was released on 2014-10-02 with total page 103 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Explores how through Jesus, women can be free from the trap of sexual fantasy and guilt. One in five Christian women use pornography. One in three visitors to a porn site is a woman. Many, many more women read explicit books like Fifty Shades of Grey. Even more than that write their own pornography-not on paper for publication, but in their heads for their own use. Helen Thorne knows all this because she's done it. But no one talks about it. Our churches are silent on it. There are very few books about it. It is the unspoken struggle of thousands of Christian women-perhaps you, and probably someone you know. But no more. In this refreshingly honest, resolutely hope-filled and gospel-soaked book, Helen speaks the unspoken. In doing so, she shows how purity is better and more satisfying than fantasy-and that, whoever you are and whatever your struggles, purity is possible.