In an age when technology is making our world feel increasingly small and far-flung peoples are interacting with each other more regularly than at any other time in history, the common threads running through vastly different civilizations are not only more obvious but more important to our understanding of ourselves as members of the human race. In Hearing the Voice of God: In Search of Prophecy, Mordecai Schreiber explores one of these common threads--the Jewish prophetic tradition. Schreiber examines the roots of the prophetic tradition in Judaism and demonstrates how it has influenced the prophets of later religions, how its tenets have been replicated by major social and political figures of recent centuries, and how it ultimately has the power to define each person's understanding of his or her responsibilities as a member of the human race. This is an important text for anyone who wishes to understand the Jewish prophetic tradition that has informed the development of today's world religions and societal laws.

Designed for small groups or individuals who want to study the key doctrines of the Bible in an easy-to-use format; covers 27 topics in two books.

Edwin Ardener - a new expanded edition of the collected works of one of the most important social anthroplogists in Britian of his time. Ardener worked on social, economic, demographic and political problems, and was particularly influential in his sustained effort to bring together social anthropology and linguistics in a highly original attempt to reconcile scientific and humanistic approaches to the study of society. This volume offers a theoretically and conceptually coherent body of work by this innovative and profound thinker, which will continue to excite and stimulate new generations of students and researchers as it has in the past.

Birgitta's religious authority considered, with regard to her prophetic mission and her authenticity as a medium of divine revelation in 14c Europe. This book examines the religious authority of St Birgitta of Sweden, the charismatic moral reformer and controversial female visionary of the fourteenth century, emphasising both representations of her prophetic mission and debates about her authenticity as a medium of divine revelation. It illuminates Birgitta's view of herself as a prophet of moral reform by explaining how her Revelations depict her religious mission and place in salvation history, goingon to reconstruct interactions between Birgitta and her contemporaries, including the significance of her prophetic authority vis-a-vis the priestly authority of her male clerical associates. Finally, it analyses arguments aboutwomen's suitability for mediating the divine word in posthumous attacks and defences of her claims to prophesy. Through a close examination of Birgitta's lengthy Revelations, canonization documents, and texts by her posthumous defenders and detractors, this study demonstrates that members of her audience perceived her to be both a vibrant source of supernatural power and a dangerous transgressor of conventional boundaries. Informed by sociological studies of prophetic authority, it contributes to our knowledge of Birgitta herself as well as to our understanding of the dynamics of women's spiritual authority. Professor CLAIRE SAHLIN teaches at Texas Woman's University.

In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus makes the mission of the church abundantly clear: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations ..." But how do you reach a twenty-first-century society filled with diverse backgrounds and varying levels of religious interest? And how can you expect to grow the body of Christ when only half of your own congregation regularly attends services? The answer may be simpler than you think: involve and empower the laity in small-group ministry. Kurt W. Johnson not only provides the tools for organizing and leading successful small groups, but also explores the biblical and historical foundations for small-group ministry. In this practical guide Johnson illustrates the proven effectiveness that small groups have for both nurturing the spirituality of current church members and leading friends, neighbors, coworkers, and others to a saving relationship with Christ. Do you want to fulfill Jesus' Great Commission? Discover how you and your church can change the world around you through the power of the Holy Spiritùone disciple at a time. Kurt W. Johnson, D.Min., is the Bible school director for the Voice of. Prophecy international radio ministry. His enthusiasm for small-group ministry has led him to conduct training sessions internationally and to author multiple group Bible study guides, including Face td-Face. With Jesus and Focus on Prophecy. Book jacket.

"[This book] takes you tgo the Bible to discover the variety of creative, deeply personal ways God still communicates with us today. ..."--Back cover.