By exploring the sensory aspects of the seven predicated I am sayings of the Fourth Gospel, this study addresses how embodiment and the senses contribute concrete, tangible, and affective qualities of participation into the notion of believers' union with Christ.

Recent scholarship focused on the role of embodiment within cognition and communication reminds us that part of how we “know” is through our physical senses. We only know the softness of a kitten by touching its fur, or the tastiness of bread by eating. How might this influence our understanding of biblical texts, such as Jesus’s claim, “I am the bread of life,” and the invitation to eat? This study explores the I am sayings of John’s Gospel, their sensory elements providing an imaginative entry into the narrative and contributing tangible value to the participatory theology of the Fourth Gospel.

"Sensing God is a discovery of Jesus in all of the sensory points embedded into each of us. It shows how the holiest acts in our daily lives are often the simplest: reveling in the beauty of nature; listening to our favorite music; eating a nourishing meal with family. These are potentially heartbeats of a living faith, and when we learn to recognize and respond to God’s goodness in them, it draws us into redemptive participation with Him, the source of all beauty"--Amazon.com.

The Gospel of John as a Soul's Journey is a commentary on the Gospel of the Beloved Disciple from a psychological standpoint. It is a continuation of ideas of the Episcopal minister and psychiatrist, John A Sanford, who wrote "Mystical Christianity". This book sees John's Gospel not as history, but as most scholars see it, as a symbolic story. It goes farther from the conventional view, however, in that it sees the sequence of events in the Gospel as a guide for everyone in their journey in life. This commentary goes beyond the concept which John Sanford developed, that the Jews in the Gospel represents the human ego. It also sees Jesus, whose name means, "Savior" not as the historical figure, but as the force in everyone's life which wants to save them to a higher form of existence. William Fairbanks is a retired computer programmer who has taken up writing. He was brought up in the Methodist tradition and was named after a grandfather who was a superintendent of Sunday Schools for many years. His mother was active in her church, teaching Sunday School for many years. He himself wasn't active in religious activities until the age of forty when he had a mystical experience. He was saw in the sky what is known as the Cross of Constantine, as the Emperor Constantine saw the same thing at a decisive time in his life. Since that time he has devoted much time and effort in the study of the Bible and participation in group study. He has written one other book on the Bible "Personal Wellness through the Old Testament".

Jesus took on flesh--he was embodied. And the Gospels use multisensory language to reveal that his teaching, ministry, and interactions with people engaged the senses. Consider the raging storm on the Sea of Galilee, the perfume filling the house as Mary anointed Jesus's feet, the significance of touch as Jesus healed people. Jesus even described himself in sensory terms--as the bread of life, the light of the world, the vine to whom his disciples are connected. Our physical senses are crucial to gaining knowledge of the world around us. Yet when it comes to Bible reading, we often reduce it to a mere cognitive experience, ignoring the Psalmist's invitation to "taste and see that the Lord is good." This book offers a fresh way to read the Gospels with an emphasis on embodiment, focused on a life abiding in Christ. The goal is a greater, more tangible knowledge of God. Jeannine Hanger points to the importance of engaging our physical senses in Bible reading, shows an approach to doing so with an emphasis on sparking the imagination, and looks at how utilizing our primary senses plays out in reading the Gospels. Each chapter includes sensory practices and questions for personal reflection. The book includes a foreword by Grant Macaskill.

This book examines the spiritual experiences of the first British Methodist lay people and the language used to describe those experiences. It reflects on physical manifestations such as shouting, weeping, groaning, visions, and out-of-body experiences and their role in the process of spiritual development. These experiences offer an intimate perspective on the surprisingly holistic origins of the evangelical revival. The study features autobiographical narratives and other first-hand manuscripts in which “ordinary” lay people recount their first impressions of Methodism, their conflicted feelings throughout the conversion process, their approach toward death and dying, and their mixed attitudes toward the task of writing itself. The book will be relevant to scholars of Methodism, evangelicalism and religious history as well as those interested in emotions and religious experience.

Have you ever asked yourself what changed when you were "born again?" You look in the mirror and see the same reflection - your body hasn't changed. You find yourself acting the same and yielding to those same old temptations - that didn't seem to change either. So you wonder, Has anything really changed? The correct answer to that question is foundational for receiving from God. If you lack this basic understanding, you'll forever ask yourself doubt-filled questions like: "How could God love somebody like me?" and "How can I possibly expect to receive anything from the Lord? I don't deserve it, I'm not good enough!" Spirit, Soul, and Body will help you eliminate those and other doubt-filled questions that destroy your faith. If you have trouble receiving from God, this is a must-read!