In Signifying God, Sarah Beckwith explores the most lavish, long-lasting, and complex form of collective theatrical enterprise in English history: the York Corpus Christi plays. First staged as early as 1376, the plays were performed annually until the late 1500s and involved as much as a tenth of the city in multiple performances at a dozen or more locations. Introducing a radical new understanding of these plays as "sacramental theater," Beckwith shows how organizing the plays served as a political mechanism for regulating labor, and how theater and sacrament combined in them to do important theological work. She argues, for instance, that the theology of Corpus Christi in the resurrection plays can only be understood as a theatrical exploration of eucharistic absence and presence. Beckwith frames her study with discussions of twentieth-century manifestations of sacramental theater in Barry Unsworth's novel Morality Play and Denys Arcand's film Jesus of Montreal, and the connections between contemporary revivals of the York Corpus Christi plays and England's heritage culture.

This book explores the belief in ancient Judaism that God embedded hidden signs and visual clues in the natural world that could be read by human beings and interpreted according to complex systems.

From the creator of the bestselling and beloved Daily Bible® (more than 1 million copies sold) come 365 devotions that lead readers on a provocative chronological pilgrimage through Scripture--this time in trade edition. Readers can explore the riches and relevance of biblical stories, promises, and wisdom as they discover the commitment of ordinary people from Noah to Nathanael the faith and folly of heroes such as Abraham, Solomon, and Peter the power of prayer from the lips of saints and sinners the depth of trust exemplified by Moses, Deborah, and Mary the challenge of Jesus' teaching to reach for a higher standard F. Lagard Smith's observations and insights about the Bible provide readers with a rich experience. Whether read as a complement to The Daily Bible® or as an independent journey, these remarkable meditations reveal the purpose of a life built on God's Word.

In "Hearts Aflame: Journeying Deeper with God through the Lives of David and Samuel," readers are invited to delve deep into the biblical narratives surrounding two of the most profound figures in Christian theology: King David and the prophet Samuel. Drawing upon their storied journeys, the text illuminates the pathways to living a life wholly devoted to God, offering readers a wellspring of wisdom on how to cultivate their relationship with the divine. Navigating the intricacies of leadership, righteousness, and moral responsibility, the book explores the consequences of actions, both taken and avoided, as seen through the lives of these iconic figures. Through an intimate exploration of their paths, readers are encouraged to reflect critically on their own spiritual journeys, understanding the magnitude of maintaining a steadfast and devoted heart, akin to that of David and Samuel. Taking readers through the concepts of prophetic, priestly, and kingly anointing, the book elucidates the distinct levels of spiritual authority, encouraging believers to rise to their highest potential in their service to God and their communities. Drawing parallels to contemporary ministry, the text questions the efficacy and integrity of current religious leaders, calling for a revolution of true devotion, untainted by worldly concerns. Furthermore, "Hearts Aflame" dives deep into the thematic undercurrents of prayer, humility, and devotion, offering insights on how to cultivate a spiritual life rich with intimate moments with God, a life characterized by unyielding faith and deep-rooted trust in God's grand design. As readers journey through the book, they are provided with reflective pauses, offering them the sacred space to introspect and potentially transform their spiritual paths, rejuvenating their hearts with a refreshed fervor for the spiritual realm. Drawing upon the profound symbolism of biblical texts, the book elucidates the divine call to prayer and the necessity of a heart deeply tuned to God's will, paralleled with a life of devoted service. A pivotal addition to the book is the discourse on the kingly anointing, an advanced level of spiritual authority that fosters a collective spiritual awakening, potent enough to transform cities, regions, and nations. Unveiling the avenues to attain such a towering stature in spiritual realms, the text beckons believers to aspire for this summit of spiritual potency, laying forth the blueprints of ushering in an era characterized by mass deliverance and healing through God's omnipotent power. In the final chapters, the readers are summoned to an intimate self-reflection, with a heartfelt invitation to revisit their spiritual bearings, to shed the callouses enveloping their hearts, and to rejuvenate their spiritual lives with a new depth of understanding and commitment. Concluding with a powerful prayer, "Hearts Aflame" invites readers into a covenant with God, setting the stage for a journey of deepened faith, enriched spiritual authority, and an unyielding commitment to God's divine plan. It is not just a book but a beacon guiding believers towards a life echoing with the reverberations of a heart truly aflame for God. Let yourself be led on this transformative journey, as you step into the rich legacies of David and Samuel, guided by the earnest desire to please God with a heart ablaze with divine love and commitment.

The role of architecture within the French Reformed tradition has been of recent scholarly interest, seen in the work of Helene Guicharnaud, Catharine Randall, Andrew Spicer, and others. Few, however, have explored in depth the relationship between Reformed theology and architectural forms. This thesis explores the roots of Reformed aesthetics, set against the background of late medieval church architecture. The work of Serlio is demonstrably important in the spreading of the ideas of Vitruvius, indicating the influence of classical Roman building on French Reformed architecture. There follows an examination of five important Huguenot architects: Philibert de l'Orme, Bernard Palissy, Jacques-Androuet du Cerceau, Salomon de Brosse, and Jacques Perret. We then undergo a comparative examination of three churches: St. Pierre in Geneva, a medieval church overhauled by the Reformers; St. Gervais-St. Protais, a Parisian Catholic church whose facade was completed by the French Reformed architect Salomon de Brosse; and the temple at Charenton, a structure also designed and built by de Brosse. These three buildings reveal the contribution of Huguenot architecture, a distinct language that gave expression to Reformed theological ideas and helped bring about the renewal of classicism in France.