This book explores the co-dependency of monotheism and idolatry by examining the thought of several prominent twentieth-century Jewish philosophers—Cohen, Buber, Rosenzweig, and Levinas. While all of these thinkers were keenly aware of the pitfalls of scriptural theism, to differing degrees they each succumbed to the temptation to personify transcendence, even as they tried either to circumvent or to restrain it by apophatically purging kataphatic descriptions of the deity. Derrida and Wyschogrod, by contrast, carried the project of denegation one step further, embarking on a path that culminated in the aporetic suspension of belief and the consequent removal of all images from God, a move that seriously compromises the viability of devotional piety. The inquiry into apophasis, transcendence, and immanence in these Jewish thinkers is symptomatic of a larger question. Recent attempts to harness the apophatic tradition to construct a viable postmodern negative theology, a religion without religion, are not radical enough. Not only are these philosophies of transcendence guilty of a turn to theology that defies the phenomenological presupposition of an immanent phenomenality, but they fall short on their own terms, inasmuch as they persist in employing metaphorical language that personalizes transcendence and thereby runs the risk of undermining the irreducible alterity and invisibility attributed to the transcendent other. The logic of apophasis, if permitted to run its course fully, would exceed the need to posit some form of transcendence that is not ultimately a facet of immanence. Apophatic theologies, accordingly, must be supplanted by a more far-reaching apophasis that surpasses the theolatrous impulse lying coiled at the crux of theism, an apophasis of apophasis, based on accepting an absolute nothingness—to be distinguished from the nothingness of an absolute—that does not signify the unknowable One but rather the manifold that is the pleromatic abyss at being’s core. Hence, the much-celebrated metaphor of the gift must give way to the more neutral and less theologically charged notion of an unconditional givenness in which the distinction between giver and given collapses. To think givenness in its most elemental, phenomenological sense is to allow the apparent to appear as given without presuming a causal agency that would turn that given into a gift.

Starting with the premise that the work of art is a gift and not a commodity, this revolutionary book ranges across anthropology, literature, economics, and psychology to show how the 'commerce of the creative spirit' functions in the lives of artists and in culture as a whole.

THE GIFT BEYOND GIVING is for anyone who is in search of the inexhaustible love and passion that Jesus continues to have for us. It is for anyone who wants to live the abundant life that is possible only through him. This book provides an explanation of how investing spiritual gifts in others as Jesus did is the path toward an abundant life. These spiritual gifts come from God and have greater value than anything we may possess. Each chapter of The Gift Beyond Giving begins with a short fictional story that illuminates the concepts covered in that chapter. At the end of each chapter, key concepts are reiterated and questions are posed to deepen your understanding of those concepts.

Hi! I'm Geoff and I totally plagiarized this book from Jesus. None of it could have been written without Him. While we are on the subject a bunch of mentors that have influenced me have also found their way into this book. It's a super-packed no time wasted Bible-based pathway to a life of wildly generous giving. After years of global missions giving and going the Lord ignited a passion in me to teach the church about giving the way the Bible describes. Of course, "the Lord tithe" is a foundation but in this book, we get into other keys to supernatural giving. Every wondered how in 2 Corinthians 8:3 they were able to give "beyond their ability?" Chapters like Money Mindsets and Perverted Giving will help you navigate how to give and receive in a way that keeps Jesus the King of your life. Chapters like Faith Giving will launch you to new and exciting ways of giving. I also discuss why we give, what to do when you don't see it and a few inspired keys that will accelerate your giving and receiving.

This major study breaks new ground, going beyond the issue most discussed in charismatic circles (the working of the Holy Spirit) to tackle questions relating to the person of the Holy Spirit and his relationships to the Father and the Son, as well as his relationship to people. Smail's theological horizons are impressively broad, embracing historical orthodoxy and including the Roman and Eastern Orthodox traditions, as well as contemporary theology. He combines full theological literacy with personal insight into renewal, thus illuminating a contemporary experience of the Holy Spirit with the sovereignty of God in salvation. In The Giving Gift he offers a positive understanding of Christian tradition in its relation to Scripture and a new approach to prayer as a gift that God makes by his Spirit. He also provides an attempt to understand the work of the Spirit in the church throughout the ages and in different traditions, emphasising in particular the role and contribution of the Eastern Orthodox churches. Thomas A. Smail served as Rector of Sanderstead, South London. Previous to that he was Vice-Principal of St John's College, Nottingham and a Director of the Fountain Trust. He is the author of Reflected Glory and The Forgotten Father.

ECPA 2020 Christian Book Award Finalist! Wouldn’t it be great if we could do what pleases God, helps others, and is best for us—at the same time? Can we live the good life without being selfish? In Giving Is the Good Life, bestselling author Randy Alcorn teaches life-changing biblical principles of generosity and tells stories of people who have put those radical principles into practice. Each story is a practical application that can help stimulate your imagination and expand your dreams of serving Jesus in fresh ways. These real-life models give you not just words to remember but footprints to follow. Giving Is the Good Life reveals a grander view of God and generosity—one that stretches far beyond our imagination and teaches us what the good life is really all about.

Once you see your gifts from God’s perspective, your giving will never be the same. When she was a toddler, Jeff Anderson’s daughter opened his eyes to how delighted God is with our gifts. She brought him a plastic donut from her play kitchen, and he was surprised by the intensity of his reaction. His delight in receiving this simple gift—and his daughter’s joy in giving it—led him to dig deeper. Anderson would not rest until he found the scriptural connection between our gifts and God’s heart. Plastic Donuts removes the awkwardness and uncertainty that often accompany discussions about giving. Now you can think differently—and biblically—about what and how you give. Your gifts can capture God’s attention and connect you more intimately with His heart. Plastic Donuts brings everyone—leaders and followers, teachers and learners—onto the same page.