John McGuckin, a world-renowned expert on ancient Christianity, has synthesized a lifetime of work to produce the most comprehensive and accessible history of the first millennium of the Christian church. This readable account explores the history in chronological order and then examines the same period thematically, looking at issues like women, war, and the Bible.

From the time of Bismarck's great rival Ludwig Windthorst to that of the first post-World War II Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, the Catholic community in Germany took a distinctive historical path. Although it was by no means free of authoritarian components, it was at times the most democratic pathway taken by organized political Catholicism anywhere in Europe. Challenging those who seek continuity in German history primarily in terms of its long march toward Nazism, this book crosses all the usual historical turning points from mid-nineteenth- to late-twentieth-century German history in search of the indigenous origins of postwar German democracy. Complementing recent studies of German Social Democracy, it links the postwar party system to the partisan traditions this new system transcended by documenting the attempts by reform-minded members of the old Catholic Center party to break out of the constraints of minority-group politics and form a democratic political party. The failure of those efforts before 1933 helped clear the way for Nazism, but their success after 1945 in founding the interdenominational Christian Democratic Union (CDU) helped tame political conservatism and allowed the emergence of the most stable democracy in contemporary Europe. Integrating those who needed to be integrated--the cultural and political conservatives--into a durable liberal order, this conservative yet democratic and interdenominational "catch-all" party broadened democratic sensibilities and softened the effect of religious tensions on the German polity and party system. By crossing traditional chronological divides and exploring the links between earlier abortive Catholic initiatives and the range of competing postwar visions of the new party system, this book moves Catholic Germany from the periphery to the heart of the issue of continuity in modern German history.

The author discusses the importance of the theological study of spirituality as necessary for interpreting one's Christian path in a pluralistic world.

In recent decades, there has been an upsurge of interest in "the Camino," the pilgrim's route to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain. But where does this fascination in the spiritual exploration of the Middle Ages come from, and what is its significance? Virginia Sease and Manfred Schmidt-Brabant assert that we live in a time of spiritual quest, discovery, and change. Humanity is becoming increasingly sensitive, and primal memories are beginning to emerge in people's consciousness. Within this dynamic context of inner transformation, the Camino's historic importance is being reechoed in human souls. Rudolf Steiner explained that people need to live not only with outer history, but also with the esoteric, hidden narrative behind it--the history of the mysteries. Today, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, the authors suggest that it is increasingly necessary for us to live consciously with this veiled history of humanity's continual search for communion with the divine world. Based on long research and contemplation, the authors present a survey of extraordinary breadth and depth. Focusing on the spiritual history of humankind, they begin with the cosmic origin of the Grail Mysteries and culminate with the suprasensory Michael cultus and the being of Anthroposophia. Topics also include: the school of Athens; early Christian art and its Gnostic impulses; the Grail initiation in northern Spain; the role of the Cathars and Troubadours in the Manichean spiritual stream; the Camino to Santiago de Compostela and the esoteric aspect of music for the pilgrims; the Music of the Spheres and the Elders of the Apocalypse; the Templars as emissaries of the Holy Grail; the initiations of Christian Rosenkreutz and his relation to anthroposophical art; the early Rosicrucian impulses in America and Europe; and much more.

The spiritual journey continues... Spiritual Christianity, 2nd Edition is a solid sequel to "Spiritual Christianity". For, those of you who desire to have God's presence in your lives and to know God's love, Dr. Beecham has created a spiritual roadmap to guide you to that destination. Let Dr. Beecham take you on a spiritually guided journey. Using passages from the Bible, he explains these messages from God in an understandable way. Learn how to interpret these passages and then talk to God! Having God in your life is achievable. You only need to desire and ask. Learn how to pray and have a conversation with Jesus. Ask for guidance, and receive God's love & companionship in return. Surrender to Jesus and choose Love at every moment. It is possible. Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. Rev. 3:20

In this major collection, Rudolf Steiner affirms the reality of esoteric Christianity and unveils many of its secret teachings. His lectures are on the significance of the Mystery of Golgotha and of the Blood that flowed on the Cross; the relationship of Christ and Lucifer (or Love and Knowledge); the various paths of initiation, including the Christian-Gnostic and Rosicrucian Paths; and Steiner's early interpretations of St. John's gospel and the sermon on the mount. All of Steiner's lectures on the Lord's Prayer are also included, as well as the version of the prayer that Steiner himself prayed throughout his life. This is an excellent book for all those who want to deepen their understanding of the Western stream of Christian esotericism and Rudolf Steiner's approach to Christianity as a spiritual practice.

What is Christianity? Who was Jesus Christ? What relevance does Christianity have in a post-Christian age? Why are there so many Christian sects, and what are the prospects for bringing them together? Does Christianity have a future? Am I a Christian? Are you? Christianity: the One, the Many, offers encouraging answers and options for modern spiritual seekers. This second volume focuses on western Christianity from 1000 CE onward. Decline of the medieval church led to the Reformation and emergence of the Lutheran, Calvinist and Anglican Churches. Baptists and Methodists soon followed, and in due course the charismatic movement. The scientific revolution and the Enlightenment challenged Christianitys very foundations and produced innovative religious forms, like Deism and Transcendentalism. Meanwhile, esoteric Christianity has established itself as a further option. A bold new vision is offered that honors the diversity within Christianity as well as a transcendent, unifying reality, the Body of Christ. Seven spiritual paths are identified which offer all sincere Christians opportunities to express personal and collective aspirations. Archetypal in nature, and cutting across denominational boundaries, they are: Devotion, Ceremony, Knowledge, Service, Healing, Activism and Renunciation. The unifying reality is a larger archetype, the Ekklesia, visualized as a great Cathedral into which all are invited to open themselves to the Divine, love their neighbor, humbly seek truth, and work to make the world a better place. A masterpiece of research, insight and faith A must-read for believers and nonbelievers alike. Now I know theres a place in Christianity for me Front cover shows the Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia. Photograph courtesy of Helen C. Nash

"The fifth edition of this classic introduction to Christian ethics via the case method approach, utilizing case studies of contemporary ethical issues"--

In this book Donovan Roebert provides a path for Christians and Buddhists who wish to better understand the essential, living tenets of their own faith while exploring how these two great religious paths can provide insights of real benefit to adherents of either. Without lapsing into syncretism or demanding a departure from orthodoxy, this book provides a sound and thorough basis on which Christians and Buddhists Â- and all those seeking greater insight into faiths other than their own - can explore the rich possibilities for learning from one another. Beyond describing in detail the doctrines and practices of Christianity and Buddhism, this book describes the authentic human path of religious development with a strong focus on the problem of 'self' or 'ego' in spiritual growth, discussing obstacles to growth and exploring their remedies. Brief histories of both religions are provided, enabling the reader to understand how diversity is an inevitable consequence of historical development and, rather than standing as a problem in religious dialogue, is always a means to spiritual enrichment. The Gospel for Buddhists and the Dharma for Christians is the fruit of a personal spiritual journey of thirty years. It demonstrates that the search for religious freedom becomes richer and more rewarding when a spacious mind engages with, rather then flees from, religious paths outside of its own tradition. Finally, it is a plea for sincere friendship across factitious religious divides.