The story introduces courageous women who believed that, because the first contacts of the Messiah were with women, Jesus liberated women from brutal submissiveness in the first century. Yet, this viewpoint could still be applicable for religious women in our twenty-first century. This theory could be also acceptable to women involved in Christian communities and churches who believe they deserve to be elevated to be men's equals. "Paul Petrus is the pseudonym of the writer who retired as an Editor at Large and columnist for international media. The position and views of women during the first century and the life of Jesus enthused the writing of this novel."

This book is about discipleship and is a witness to God's grace; seeing God in others and in creation; learning about God through church, scientific discovery, and theological education; preaching and pastoring; journeying with others; and teaching and exploring life and the world through theological reflection. The post-resurrection account of Jesus meeting two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) is the motif which is the central theme of the book and which shapes our reflection on the ways in which God calls and equips Christians in their life journey. It is a faith story that asks questions about how God acts in the world and in human lives; reflects on the nature of God and on God's desire for every human life; and on sharing the good news of new possibilities for a life in Christ, a life in all the fullness that God has purposed, where the Christ who accompanies us on the road is able to make sense of our experiences. My hope is that readers will benefit from, and be challenged by, the testimony, theological reflection, and biblical exploration in this account of how we experience God's grace and calling on our lives.

How can a church best respond when their priest tells them “I’m retiring,” or “I’ve been called to another parish?” This book outlines to receiving a new ordained leader, recognizing that every parish is different. Discerning exactly what your parish needs can be both a challenge and a joy, and On the Emmaus Road affirms that you can listen to God’s voice while attending to other day-to-day tasks. Based upon several years of doctoral research into the work of search committees in the Diocese of Virginia, this book has been refined through the experience of using its new methodologies in over seventy-five calls. With both traditional and creative new approaches to the clergy search process, Thorpe gives a wealth of resources for your parish to not only survive the days to come, but thrive in the midst of them.

The Lord is Risen takes a detailed look at a unique period in the history of the Christian faith - the story of Jesus´ resurrection. Written in a clear and engaging style, the series combines sound and orthodox Christian theology with good educational practice on the one hand, and a commitment to equip the whole church for mission on the other. The Emmaus Bible Resources series offers readers the opportunity to dig deeper into the Bible and grow in Christian life, faith and service. Finding a middle ground between daily Bible notes and weighty commentaries, the series contains versatile material designed for use by individuals, small groups or as part of a sermon series.

The Understanding the Bible Commentary Series helps readers navigate the strange and sometimes intimidating literary terrain of the Bible. These accessible volumes break down the barriers between the ancient and modern worlds so that the power and meaning of the biblical texts become transparent to contemporary readers. The contributors tackle the task of interpretation using the full range of critical methodologies and practices, yet they do so as people of faith who hold the text in the highest regard. Pastors, teachers, and lay people alike will cherish the truth found in this commentary series.

Why, from its very beginnings, has the Church celebrated the sacraments, in particular baptism and Eucharist? Why, from its origin, has faith in Christ, which is expressed in a human, free, just, loving way of living, ruled by the gospel, also been expressed in the language of rites? The Sacraments by Louis-Marie Chauvet offers reflections on the theology, celebration, and pastoral usage of the sacraments. It is a textbook version of Chauvet's, Symbol and Sacrament published by The Liturgical Press in 1995 that was acclaimed by theologians as offering a fresh theology of the sacraments from a perspective other than scholastic theology.

Enjoy 40 Scripture-based reflections on locations in the Holy Land. Packed with beautiful photos, Scripture verses, and geographical knowledge to help you deepen your relationship with Christ. Whether you're planning a trip to Israel or looking for a devotional to supplement your Bible study at home, Heart of the Holy Land will enrich your experience and empower you to explore the lands of the Bible. Author and Holy Land expert Paul Wright draws on his decades of living in Israel as well as his geographical, historical and archaeological knowledge to bring fresh, location-centered insights to biblical stories and modern situations alike. Each of the 40 reflections includes beautiful photos and weaves a biblical or modern event into its geographical context, emphasizing the way the Bible is immersed in the landscape of ancient Israel. Gain university-level insights into biblical geography from the comforts of your own house, with this handy guidebook. 4 Key Features of This Holy Land DevotionalHighly Visual. Includes over 140 photos of the Holy Land, as well as detailed maps.Bible-Based. Reveals insights into specific Bible passages and characters, and moments in the life of Jesus, including his birth, baptism, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection.Well-Researched. Contains entries discussing modern holidays and festivals, Arab-Israeli conflict, geographical features, and churches located on biblical sites.Practical Applications. Includes reflections on key Bible locations in and around Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and many more.Perfect for gifts, individual and group study, church libraries, Sunday school, missionaries, Holy Land tour groups, and more!

Born in Indiana, Dr. Edward J. Clemmer is a social psychologist by profession. He now lives with his Maltese wife, Jane Zammit, and enjoys dual citizenship with Malta. His four sons by a previous marriage continue to live in America. His personal journey with the Lord into this Gospel (on the Road to) Emmaus began in a moment of grace on 12th September 2003, as Ed was on his way to the priest. The context for this initiation was the Feast of Exultation of Holy Cross (14th September), as the source of every grace is derived from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. The gospel is explained for us as the author and reader journey with the Lord as potential disciples. Our journey begins at Bethany near the Jordan with John the Baptist preaching and baptizing. Part 1 continues up to the Transfiguration of Jesus. Volume One reaches its climax before the Lords final journey to Jerusalem, when Jesus returns to Bethany where the Baptist had preached. Volume Two resumes with the Lords healing and preaching at Bethany near the Jordan. Part 2 concludes in Bethany near Jerusalem with the Lords dinner celebration with Lazarus, after Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. This celebration anticipates the Lords death and resurrection, and ours in Christ. Part 3 takes up the Grand Liturgy of the Lords New Creation, with Holy Week. The book initially concludes with a retrospective of the incarnation, of Jesus as God-with-us, and with the parallel coming of the Spirit at Pentecost. Then, in the Part 4 conclusion of this gospel, our post-Emmaus journey with the risen Lord returns to our post-Pentecost life in the Holy Spirit. The authors seven-year personal journey through this Gospel Emmaus ends in 2010 with the Feast of Sukkot, just as when the Lord also had anticipated the Holy Spirit. But the Lord provides us with his own conclusion: although he had healed ten lepers as they were on their way to the priest, only one had returned to give thanks.

You have found the background guide to the larger book called Resurrection Shock: Did the Disciples Get It Right? This supplement gives you a set of resources to delve deeper into areas related to the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. • An archaeological index called “Found in the Ground” providing details with citations for major New Testament findings. • Alternative timelines for the week that Jesus dies and reportedly rises from the dead. • Cultural expectations about the afterlife in Jewish traditions. • Clashing interpretations of the Old Testament’s most prominent messianic prophecy. • Assessments of purported gospels, epistles and other accounts that did not make it into the New Testament. • For the reliable sources for the resurrection narrative, overviews of authorship, basic content, interdependence or independence, along with dating estimates for their original compositions. While all these resources aid resurrection research, they also come in handy for other explorations into the reality-altering, soul-stirring world of the first followers of Jesus.

In the time of the church, transformation, renewal, and the process of coming-to-faith rely on the symbolic efficacy of speech, where God is encountered as a word. The Sacramentality of Preaching examines the thought of Louis-Marie Chauvet and incorporates it into contemporary homiletical theory in order to bolster and renew Christian proclamation that has an intentionally sacramental character. Liturgical preachers will find practical pathways, frameworks, and common language through the use of this innovative sacramentology.