The year is 999 A.D. Christians in Europe are preparing themselves for the arrival of the Messiah at the millennium and religious fervour is in the air. Sailing from the North African port of Tangier to a small, distant town called Paris are a Jewish merchant, Ben Attar, his two beloved wives and his Arab partner, Abu Lutfi. They have come for a meeting with their third partner the widower, Raphael Abulafia who has been forced to turn his back on their previous trading partnership because of his new wife's distrust of the dual marriage of Ben Attar. The latter turns this annual trading voyage into a personal quest to legitimise his second wife, restore his honour and, equally important, to show others the richness and humanity in his way of life. A confrontation ensues between people of different cultures whose ways of living and loving are so different, and yet who are of the same religion, believe in the same God and in the same morality. Thus we enter a profound human drama whose moral conflicts of fidelity and desire resonate deeply with our times. A. B. Yehoshua has imaginatively recreated a medieval world with its merchant trade in great depth and sensuous detail. His evocation of one man's love is lyrical, erotic even, and A Journey to the End of the Millennium will rank with the best of Yehoshua's work.

Theological Stains offers the first in-depth study of the development of art music in Israel from the mid-twentieth century to the turn of the twenty-first. In a bold and deeply researched account, author Assaf Shelleg explores the theological grammar of Zionism and its impact on the art music written by emigrant and native composers. He argues that Israeli art music, caught in the tension between a bibliocentric territorial nationalism on the one hand and the histories of deterritorialized Jewish diasporic cultures on the other, often features elements of both of these competing narratives. Even as composers critically engaged with the Zionist paradigm, they often reproduced its tropes and symbols, thereby creating aesthetic hybrids with 'theological stains.' Drawing on newly uncovered archives of composers' autobiographical writings and musical sketches, Shelleg closely examines the aesthetic strategies that different artists used to grapple with established nationalist representations. As he puts the history of Israeli art music in conversation with modern Hebrew literature, he weaves a rich tapestry of Israeli culture and the ways in which it engaged with key social and political developments throughout the second half of the twentieth century. In analyzing Israeli music and literature against the backdrop of conflicts over territory, nation, and ethnicity, Theological Stains provides a revelatory look at the complex relationship between art and politics in Israel.

Introduces the cutting edge issues and current scholarship in the interdisciplinary field of Israel Studies.

Amillennialism, dispensational premillennialism, historic premillennialism, postmillennialism, preterism. These are difficult words to pronounce and even harder concepts to understand. A Case for Amillennialism is an accessible look at the crucial theological question of the millennium in the context of contemporary evangelicalism. Recognizing that eschatology--the study of future things--is a complicated and controversial subject, Kim Riddlebarger provides definitions of key terms and a helpful overview of various viewpoints. He examines related biblical topics as a backdrop to understanding the subject and discusses important passages of Scripture that bear upon the millennial question. Regardless of their stance, readers will find helpful insight as Riddlebarger evaluates the main problems facing each of the major millennial positions and cautions readers to be aware of the spiraling consequences of each view.

"[The Book of] Revelation has served as a "language arsenal" in a great many of the social, cultural, and political conflicts in Western history. Again and again, Revelation has stirred some dangerous men and women to act out their own private apocalypses. Above all, the moral calculus of Revelation—the demonization of one's enemies, the sanctification of revenge taking, and the notion that history must end in catastrophe—can be detected in some of the worst atrocities and excesses of every age, including our own. For all of these reasons, the rest of us ignore the book of Revelation only at our impoverishment and, more to the point, at our own peril." The mysterious author of the Book of Revelation (or the Apocalypse, as the last book of the New Testament is also known) never considered that his sermon on the impending end times would last beyond his own life. In fact, he predicted that the destruction of the earth would be witnessed by his contemporaries. Yet Revelation not only outlived its creat∨ this vivid and violent revenge fantasy has played a significant role in the march of Western civilization. Ever since Revelation was first preached as the revealed word of Jesus Christ, it has haunted and inspired hearers and readers alike. The mark of the beast, the Antichrist, 666, the Whore of Babylon, Armageddon, and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are just a few of the images, phrases, and codes that have burned their way into the fabric of our culture. The questions raised go straight to the heart of the human fear of death and obsession with the afterlife. Will we, individually or collectively, ride off to glory, or will we drown in hellfire for all eternity? As those who best manipulate this dark vision learned, which side we fall on is often a matter of life or death. Honed into a weapon in the ongoing culture wars between states, religions, and citizenry, Revelation has significantly altered the course of history. Kirsch, whom the Washington Post calls "a fine storyteller with a flair for rendering ancient tales relevant and appealing to modern audiences," delivers a far-ranging, entertaining, and shocking history of this scandalous book, which was nearly cut from the New Testament. From the fall of the Roman Empire to the Black Death, the Inquisition to the Protestant Reformation, the New World to the rise of the Religious Right, this chronicle of the use and abuse of the Book of Revelation tells the tale of the unfolding of history and the hopes, fears, dreams, and nightmares of all humanity.

Lucifer and his minions have regained their freedom after Yeshua's thousand-year reign and are enticing the Adamites to rebel. Earth dwellers Ben and Kristiana are forced to decide-will they remain loyal to Yeshua and His kingdom or will they believe Lucifer and side with him? Too young to remember the horrific battles of the former age, their quest for information becomes a virtual journey through the Chronicles of the Court, where they learn the truth about the apex of Lucifer's former reign, known as the "time of trouble." In a race against time before their protective shield is removed and their fate is sealed by default, they urgently seek in the Chronicles the Key they need to enter the New Jerusalem and gain immortality. [This edition contains footnotes. Visit www.douglashamp.com for the downloadable study guide.] 2nd Ed. (fixed 1st Ed. errata) Endorsements "Fantasy and Sci-fi are continually the most popular genres in movies and literature. Yet, what a tragedy that so many of this generation both inside and outside the church are missing the greatest adventure ever told. In The Millennium Chronicles Doug Hamp shows his readers just how utterly amazing the future world will be according to the prophecies of the Bible. Whatever the reader believes about bible prophecy, reading The Millennium Chronicles is a great way to engage the hunger of imagination with the realities of the future." -John Di Bartolo, Founder of Middle-earth Network "Science fiction meets Bible fact! In The Millennium Chronicles Doug Hamp takes future events revealed in the Bible and makes them come to life. This epic journey is a must read for both Christians, and fans of Science fiction!" -Gonz Shimura, Producer of Age of Deceit, Canary Cry Radio "The Millennium Chronicles is a page turner based solidly on the Word of God!" -John Sutherland, Senior Pastor, Calvary Chapel Elko, NV "In The Millennium Chronicles author Doug Hamp has managed to weave into one engaging novel, all the major elements of what the Bible speaks of as 'The Day of the Lord'. A powerful work, reminiscent of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien." -Gary Cowan, Senior Pastor, Calvary Chapel East Albuquerque "This is the most fascinating read that I have ever experienced. It is absolutely brilliant how God inspired Doug to write such a remarkable story through use of so much Scripture. I learned so, so much! This is a work that all believers must read! The three DVDs are helpful in understanding even more of the book." -Phil Richardson, Founder, Telios Education Solutions "The Millennium Chronicles is a 'novel' approach to the unfolding of future Biblical events, excellently documented from Scripture. Quite a thought-provoking read!" -Linda Langley, Founder of Transformations Unlimited "Thank you so much for the Millennium Chronicles! All I can say is that it is AMAZING!! WOW! How brilliant! I have to say - I'm not one to read books, especially 'fiction.' I research in books, but probably only actually read a book maybe one every five years at best! I cannot stop reading the Millennium Chronicles, you so masterfully weave the facts of the Millennium into a riveting story, everyone MUST read this! I haven't been able to stop reading: ) I've been thrilled reading it, I've also been in tears the whole time; I am very rarely moved to tears, in fact, this is the first time I ever remember being brought to tears by any book. I am drawn into the book so powerfully, it really is a masterpiece and DEFINITELY makes an impact. I can't stop thinking about it!" - Jeanne, Dallas, TX

The New Jedi Order continues as Jaina Solo struggles with anger and despair after the Jedi Knights’ harrowing adventure behind enemy lines. Though the Jedi strike force completed its deadly mission into Yuuzhan Vong territory, the price of success was tragedy: not everyone made it out alive. In a daring getaway, hotshot pilot Jaina Solo stole an enemy ship, taking along her fellow survivors—and leaving behind a huge piece of her heart. With the enemy in hot pursuit, Jaina is forced to seek haven in the unprotected, unfriendly Hapes Cluster, where the Jedi are held responsible for a past tragedy—and where the royal family has grim plans for their famous Jedi guest. Even more sinister are the intentions of the Yuuzhan Vong, desperate to capture Jaina for a hideous sacrifice. Grief-stricken and obsessed with revenge, Jaina is blind to these threats—and to the overpowering evil dangerously close to consuming her. In the coming conflagration, Jaina will be fighting not for victory or vengeance, but for her very being.