This book develops a post-secular, post-sectarian political theology, taking that burgeoning field in a new direction. With his bold suggestion that political philosophy must begin with political theology, Vincent Lloyd investigates a series of religious concepts such as love, faith, liturgy, and revelation and explores their political relevance by extracting them from their Christian theological context while refusing to reduce them to secular terms. He assembles an unusual canon of thinkers "too Jewish to be Christian and too Christian to be Jewish"—Simone Weil, James Baldwin, Franz Kafka, and Gillian Rose—to aid him in his explorations. Unique in its serious attention to both theological writing about politics and the work of academic philosophers and theorists, The Problem with Grace deepens our understanding of political theological vocabulary as a way back to the everyday world. Politics is not about redemption, but about grappling with the ever-present difficulties, tragedies, and comedies of ordinary life.

This is a study in Grace. The language of the Scriptures had the added burden of speaking for God, representing His thoughts in some elementary form that would aid faith in seeking after Him. The culture of heaven, we can say with a prima facie reasonableness, is beyond the scope of the text. To explain the coming age in the language of this age is not the burden of Scripture. The Bible was written to promote the message of grace and our salvation, not in such terms that would make sense out of all that God purposes for us, His people, but the basic message to germinate faith in our hearts and give us the insight of hope for that world to come.

In the twilight of his life, a son examines fragments of his family's moral trek through the played-out century. Historically authentic settings and mores rekindle the past: backwoods Kentucky... a booming young Detroit... anti-German hostility during The Great War... whiskey-running and speakeasies... twists of fortune after The Crash... the Machiavellian inner sanctums of the world's largest industry... the World War II American home front... sea-changes in society and in private lives that accompanied Post-War normalcy. Gradually, the saga coheres on the pathways of its two protagonists: Elgan, a complex, introspective Southern boy whose demons drive him to escape a numbing poverty of the coal fields for a new identity; Grace, the stalwart city girl, paternally orphaned at seven, a realist making the best of a damaged life with irony and industry. The pathways to faith are badly marked and studded with mines. The pilgrim, however brave, is often his own greatest obstacle. Elgan and Grace is one man's witness to what really happened. It is written with passion, literary care, and good humor, for these times and for the generations that come next....

A comprehensive treatment of Karl Barth's ethics, offering a thorough account of the development of Barth's ethical thought and a wide-ranging analysis of its chief concepts and arguments. McKenny explores the ways in which Barth's position engages the traditions of Christian ethics and modern continental moral thought.

Josian Royce's late masterpiece, The Problem of Christianity, is based on a series of lectures he delivered at Manchester College, Oxford, in 1913. It presents his philosophical interpretation of Christianity's fundamental ideas--community, sin, atonement, and saving grace; shows their relevance to the current confluence of world religions; and grounds his position upon a personal transformation into genuine loyalty toward the community of the entire human family. The Problem opens up a mine of surprising treasures while its prophetic voice speaks to contemporary issues and current movements in ecumenics and inter-religious dialogue. Frank M. Oppenheim's new introduction highlights its relevance to some of the pressing problems of the new century. "A notable contribution to the interpretation of Christian ideas."--The Nation "Royce has contributed largely to the treasures of religious thought."--New York Times

A moving and inspirational novel about the power of faith, family and above all, love, as a young Amish man must turn to his Englisch neighbor for help after a devastating tragedy. Grace Connor, a military nurse formerly stationed in Afghanistan, hopes that moving to a farm in rural Ohio will help her recover from the ravages of war. Levi Troyer finds his pacifist beliefs challenged when he discovers his stepfather has been killed and his mother wounded by an unknown intruder. Levi and Grace are thrown together when she comes to his family’s rescue and saves his mother’s life. A deep attraction develops—even though a relationship between them is strictly forbidden. Levi belongs to the most conservative and isolated of all Amish sects—the Swartzentruber Amish. Even before meeting Grace, Levi had begun to question some of their teachings. He has considered leaving, but knows he will be banned forever from contact with his younger siblings and widowed mother—who need him to survive. He is torn between his love for Grace and his responsibility to his family. Grace considers leaving her beloved farm and reenlisting rather than continuing to live near the man she loves but cannot have. Levi must confront the Bann if he pursues Grace. And a murderer must be caught. When lifelong allegiances are tested, can love and justice prevail?

Maximize employee performance—whether your workers are on-site or remote Confronting employees about poor performance is an ordeal dreaded by managers and HR pros everywhere. The possibility of emotional outbursts—and the specter of a lawsuit—leaves even many experienced managers at a loss. The Employee Performance Handbook is a complete how-to guide for managing employee performance. Packed with practical and legal advice, this book offers smart strategies that will help get the most out of your employees and avoid legal trouble. You’ll learn how to: identify problems early on decide when discipline is necessary choose the right response to a problem engage employees in improving performance fire employees when necessary protect against wrongful termination lawsuits, and manage a remote workforce effectively. With downloadable forms: You can download sample policies, sample forms, checklists, skills-building exercises, and more, (details inside).

"Stockbridge captures the mood of Dickensian London perfectly in this gripping debut."—Booklist Whitechapel, 1888. Grace Hammer and her children live comfortably in Bell Lane, their home a little oasis in the squalor of London’s East End. They make their living picking the pockets of wealthy strangers foolish enough to venture there. But Grace’s history is about to catch up with her. Out in the countryside Mr. Blunt rocks in his chair, vowing furious retribution. He has never forgotten his scarlet treasure, or the coquettish young woman who stole it from him. Fast-paced, racy, and reminiscent of Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist, Grace Hammer depicts nineteenth-century London amid corruption and a plague of poverty, peopled by orphans, harlots, and petty thieves. Sara Stockbridge introduces an unlikely heroine in Grace Hammer, a captivating young matriarch in a complicated web of intrigue, deceit, loyalties, and betrayal. Originally published in hardcover as Grace Hammer.

After surviving a serious accident and being jilted by her fiancé, Grace Stanton couldn’t help wondering where God was in all of the bad things that had happened to her. She still had a long road to recovery ahead of her and the only miracle in her life seemed to be a small-town Texas doctor named Noah Brady. Noah was a surgeon who saw that Grace needed more than just a little TLC to heal her wounds. But was his healing touch strong enough to mend her broken heart and restore her shattered faith, as well?

"We're all natural-born legalists," says author Bob Christopher. "We try to live for God, but it's impossible to do." Why? Because all our efforts and ideas are based on the same fear-based, guilt-driven plot line: Try harder. As you've undoubtedly noticed, it just doesn't work. Simple Gospel, Simply Grace showcases an alternative, which is actually God's original plan: Everything you're trying to achieve in the Christian life has already been given to you—from God, by grace, in Christ. Do you struggle to receive what God has freely given? How can you begin to experience true freedom, assurance of your forgiveness, and victory over sin? How can the power that raised Jesus from the dead enable you to live and love the way He did? You'll discover the answers in this crystal-clear portrayal of the simple gospel—which is simply grace.