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Ethics, Literature, and Theory: An Introductory Reader brings together the work of contemporary scholars, teachers, and writers into lively discussion on the moral role of literature and the relationship between aesthetics, art, and ethics. Do the rich descriptions and narrative shapings of literature provide a valuable resource for readers, writers, philosophers, and everyday people to imagine and confront the ultimate questions of life? Do the human activities of storytelling and complex moral decision-making have a deep connection? What are the moral responsibilities of the artist, critic, and reader? What can religious perspectives_from Catholic to Protestant to Mormon_contribute to literary criticism? What do we mean when we talk about ethical criticism and how does this differ from the common notion of censorship? Thirty well known contributors reflect on these questions including: literary theorists Marshall Gregory, James Phelan, and Wayne Booth; philosophers Martha Nussbaum, Richard Hart, and Nina Rosenstand; and authors John Updike, Charles Johnson, Flannery O'Connor, and Bernard Malamud. Divided into four sections, with introductory matter and questions for discussion, this accessible anthology represents the most crucial work today exploring the interdisciplinary connections among literature, religion and philosophy.

In September 2002, twenty-one prominent Catholic and Protestant scholars released the groundbreaking document 'A Sacred Obligation,' which includes ten statements about Jewish-Christian dialogue focused around a guiding claim: 'Revising Christian teaching about Judaism and the Jewish people is a central and indispensable obligation of theology in our time.' Following the worldwide reception of their document, the authors have expanded their themes into Seeing Judaism Anew. The essays in this volume offer a conceptual framework by which Christians can rethink their understanding of the church's relationship to Judaism and show how essential it is that Christians represent Judaism accurately, not only as a matter of justice for the Jewish people, but also for the integrity of Christian faith. By linking New Testament scholarship to the Shoah, Christian liturgical life, and developments in the church, this volume addresses the important questions at the heart of Christian identity, such as: Are only Christians saved? Why did Jesus die? Why is Israel so important to Jews, and what should we think about the conflict in the Middle East? How is Christianity complicit in the Holocaust? What is important about Jesus being a Jew?

In September 2002, twenty-one prominent Catholic and Protestant scholars released the groundbreaking document 'A Sacred Obligation,' which includes ten statements about Jewish-Christian dialogue focused around a guiding claim: 'Revising Christian teaching about Judaism and the Jewish people is a central and indispensable obligation of theology in our time.' Following the worldwide reception of their document, the authors have expanded their themes into Seeing Judaism Anew. The essays in this volume offer a conceptual framework by which Christians can rethink their understanding of the church's relationship to Judaism and show how essential it is that Christians represent Judaism accurately, not only as a matter of justice for the Jewish people, but also for the integrity of Christian faith. By linking New Testament scholarship to the Shoah, Christian liturgical life, and developments in the church, this volume addresses the important questions at the heart of Christian identity, such as: Are only Christians saved? Why did Jesus die? Why is Israel so important to Jews, and what should we think about the conflict in the Middle East? How is Christianity complicit in the Holocaust? What is important about Jesus being a Jew?

When it was ratified in 1791, the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States sought to protect against two distinct types of government actions that interfere with religious liberty: the establishment of a national religion and interference with individual rights to practice religion. Since that time, no question has so bedeviled the U.S. Supreme Court as finding the best way to interpret and apply the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. In this unique and timely book, Jay Sekulow examines not only the key cases and their historical context that have shaped the law concerning church-state relations, but also, for the first time, the impact of the religious faith and practices of Supreme Court Justices who have ruled in each case. Covering cases from the teaching of religion in public schools and the use of federal funds for parochial schools to today's debates about the Pledge of Allegiance and public displays of the Ten Commandments, Witnessing Their Faith is essential reading for anyone interested in the history and future of religious freedom in America.

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Cries in the Night is the story of seven Catholic women who defied Hitler and the Nazis during the Holocaust by saving Jews. Phayer and Fleischner show that these women, motivated by compassion and a sense of justice, to be sure, also strongly desired that their church take up the cause of the Jews during the Holocaust. These women beleived that the true mission of the Chruch lay not in preserving the Chruch's external structure and buildings, but in defending the oppressed.

Berrigan uses the story of Job to ignite our religious imagination and show us the way to effective protest and true faith. Continuing his series of livel reflections on Scripture, he inspires us to action and assures us of God's fidelity.

April 2005 marked the end of Pope John Paul II's papacy and the beginning of Pope Benedict XVI's. As countless pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray for, and eventually bid farewell to, the pope they had known for 26 years, millions upon millions of Catholics and non Catholics across globe waited for the new pope to be named. As the authoritative and official publication of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, From Pope John Paul II to Benedict XVI invites readers to savor this pivotal moment in Church history and to go behind the scenes to better understand the life, death, and legacy of John Paul II; the inner workings of the conclave that elected the new pope; the mind and ministry of Benedict XVI; and the challenges he and the Church face into the future. From Pope John Paul II to Benedict XVI brings together the writings of the Catholic News Service journalists—who spend their lives covering the Catholic Church—with the reflections of seven U.S. cardinals who cast their votes in the papal election, full-color photos by award-winning photographer Nancy Wiechec, and essential charts and timelines that complement the text. It also features writings and speeches by Benedict XVI, as well as reflections by Sister Mary Ann Walsh—the award-winning editor of the best-selling John Paul II: A Light for the World and a frequent national and international TV guest from Rome throughout the papal transition.

Controversy about the Catholic priesthood is nothing new. Just like laity, priests (including bishops and popes) have always been sinners. Some priests, like some laity, have caused grave scandal throughout the 2000-year history of the Church. Two questions arise from this reality. Why did Jesus Christ establish a ministerial priesthood for his Church, if the priesthood would sometimes cause scandal—what did he intend for the priesthood? Second, what has the Catholic Church in past times done about scandal in the priesthood—how has the Church corrected its priests and encouraged priests to lead lives of holiness? Amidst the noisy din of talking heads and self-proclaimed experts, this book offers solid warnings and directions about the priesthood from 15 saints of the past two millennia. On the Priesthood serves as a readable guide for priests, seminarians, and educated readers seeking to learn more about the simultaneous unworthiness and dignity of the priesthood. Always challenging and penetrating, the selections unite around one key point; the need for holiness.

Stage and screen actors form unique relationships with their audiences. Through their work, they challenge, teach, and inspire us by shedding light in all corners of life and connecting with us through our senses and emotions. Working on the Inside goes backstage into the inner lives of respected actors like Liam Neeson, Vanessa Williams, Phylicia Rashad, Edward Herrmann, Kristin Chenoweth and many others to reveal the deep spirituality each one relies on in their lives and work. The result is a book like no other that draws ten key elements of the universal spiritual life from the perspective of actors whose work it is to tap into the essence of life, tell stories, and reveal life's truths.Retta Blaney, an award-winning journalist now specializing in theatre and religion, was inspired to write this book by the spiritual wisdom actors conveyed in their interviews with her over the years. She dared to ask actors questions few ever do—How does your spirituality influence your life and work? How do you pray? What do you pray for? How do you stay centered in a career with so much uncertainty? And they answered her, readily sharing experiences of faith, being in the moment, listening, silence, prayer, self-knowledge, community, hospitality, ritual and transformation. The result is a book that takes readers into the private thoughts of some of their favorite actors for inspiring tips on how they, too, can begin working on the inside.

Mary According to Women presents a contemporary study of the woman of Nazareth who changes the course of human history. The seven chapters develop familiar titles of Mary in the context of the Vatican II Church, particularly its emphasis of justice and peace. Following the lead of the second Vatican Council in its historic document,Lumen Gentium, the book develops implications of the Council's treatment of Mary "in the mystery of Christ and the Church", of one who is truly involved in the lives and struggles of Christians today. Significantly, the book is written by women whose experience and insight give new perspective to a revitalized appreciation and love of Mary.

To find more information about Rowman and Littlefield titles, please visit www.rowmanlittlefield.com.

To find more information about Rowman and Littlefield titles, please visit www.rowmanlittlefield.com.

American Catholics now in their adult years began their lives in a Church in which the laity's prime role was to kneel "pray, pay an obey." Now we live in a period where more and more of the laity find that role unsatisfactory. Thus, the 1987 survey,American Catholic Laity probes the degree to which Catholics have changed their images of themselves and of their roles in the Church. It also explores changing perceptions of the moral and teaching authority of the Church and its leaders, raising issues such as: who should have the moral authority to decided whether actions like using contraceptives are sinful or not, and should the laity have the right to participate in Church decision-making that affects their lives.

Essays, reflections and personal reminiscences that give insight into the multicultural, multidisciplinary creativity of Thea Bowman.

Women's Role in the Church is perfect for any small group setting where refection, faith sharing, and discussion are the goal. This booklet contains scripture, prayer, and reflections skillfully interwoven to encourage prayerful growth and renewal.

CopelstonOs childhood, conversion to Catholicism and life in the Church for most of this century are recounted. An eventful life of a significant scholar.

Part One presents a theoretical model of three concentric realms of hard choices: the individual, the institutional, and the societal. Part Two evokes practical application by way of 50 Case Studies, structured for discussion in terms of the three concentric realms of ethics—individual, institutional, and societal.

A collection of spiritual stories drawn from the author's experiences as a Native American Catholic growing up in the American Southwest.

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In Eucharistic Ministry to the Sick, Marie Zoglman provides a practical guide for training Eucharistic ministers to the sic k, offering a liturgical catechetical process to prepare these ministers for pastoral care of the sick. An appendix also includes a special listing of resources for those who visit persons with HIV or AIDS.

Perfectly suited for retreat days, personal prayer, inspirational reading, Marian feasts, and womenOs celebrations, Life Ablaze: A WomanOs Novena summons you to prayer. Each is inspired by women who have known obstacles and survived to transcend the ordinary, such as Joan of Arc and Dorothy Day. Their biographies, lessons, intercessions and prayers will kindle in you gifts of GodOs Spirit. Complete with sample prayers from these inspiring women, and with a fresh 'Litany of Women for the Church,' this book is fuel for your spiritual fire and a meaningful gift to share.