Using primary texts, this volume tells the story of Western religious heritage by tracing the three great Western monotheisms (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) from the fall of Rome through the Christian Reformation of the sixteenth century.

The concept of an ordered human society, both religious and secular, as an expression of a divinely ordered universe was central to medieval thought. In the West the political and religious community were inextricably bound together, and because the Church was so intimately involved with the world, any history of it must take into account the development of medieval society. Professor Southern's book covers the period from the eighth to the sixteenth century. After sketching the main features of each medieval age, he deals in greater detail with the Papacy, the relations between Rome and her rival Constantinople, the bishops and archbishops, and the various religious orders, providing in all a superb history of the period.

This book examines the influence of the monastic tradition beyond the Reformation. Where the built monastic environment had been dissolved, desire for the spiritual benefits of monastic living still echoed within theological and spiritual writing of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries as a virtual exegetical template. The volume considers how the writings of monastic authors were appropriated in post-Reformation movements by those seeking a more fervent spiritual life, and how the concept of an internal cloister of monastic/ascetic spirituality influenced several Anglican writers during the Restoration. There is a careful examination of the monastic influence upon the Wesleys and the foundation and rise of Methodism. Drawing on a range of primary sources, the book will be of particular interest to scholars of monastic and Methodist history, and to those engaged in researching ecclesiology and in ecumenical dialogues.

An anthology of primary readings in ancient western religious thought from the beginnings of civilization in Mesopotamia and Egypt (c. 3000 B.C.E.) to the collapse of the Roman Empire (c. 450 C.E.). +

Moore traces and re-interprets the significance of the architecture of the Christian Holy Land within changing religious and political contexts.

The greatest hope of all the religious groups that awaited for scores of centuries with a dogma of their own Holy Books which witnessed the glory and the majesty of that personality called as 'Muhammad' and 'Ahmad' – 'the Glorious' and 'the Praised', on whom be peace and lasting blessings, which certainly got fulfilled when he finally arrived on the stage of the history. The Scriptures of the Prophets that went before him ended their tasks by heralding the tiding of his coming. Despite the textual corruption of those ancient scriptures, the golden sayings were still preserved by ALLAH, the One True God as a signpost for the honest and noble readers. The seekers of truth! Be certain of the fact that Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was the promised Prophet and the awaited saviour whom the Jews called as the King Messiah. His coming was prophesied by all the Prophets like Moses and Jesus (Peace Be Upon Them) long before his arrival, and he was also mentioned in the Old and New Testaments. Likewise, the Far East Indian scriptures never failed to mention ‘his name and praises’ which certainly constitute a miracle pertaining to him and confirming his Prophethood. In the light of the above facts, how could a man of wisdom escape from this overwhelming thought? Or will he still deny this truth? Or will he still await and hope that from Heaven angels would come and guide him when the final Message has already been delivered by 'Muhammadur Rasul ALLAH' to the creation of ALLAH in general, on whom be peace and lasting blessings? Indeed, it is ALLAH, the Lord of the worlds Who Himself calls on us to acknowledge this truth in the Holy Quran: "O mankind! The Messenger (Muhammad, on whom be peace and lasting blessings) hath come unto you with the Truth from your Lord. Therefore believe; (it is) better for you. But if ye disbelieve, still, lo! Unto ALLAH belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth. ALLAH is ever Knower, Wise" - (4:170).

Moses' Staff and Aeneas' Shield uses two emblems to symbolize the important differences between the tragic but triumphant heroism of Virgil's Aeneid and the kenotic heroism of Moses in the Exodus story of Aeneas' shield and Moses' staff. The shield of Aeneas represents Rome's imperial destiny to rule the earth's peoples by strength, and Aeneas' personal destiny to end in triumph as a warrior. In contrast, the staff of Moses represents the saving wonders the Lord works through him to save the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt and bind them to himself in covenant, and his mission to go beyond being simply a wonder worker to "a man of words" who preaches the Lord's Torah.

This collection of essays is an exercise in comparative philosophy of religion that explores the different ways in which humans express the inexpressible. It brings together scholars of over a dozen religious, literary, and artistic traditions, as part of The Comparison Project's 2013-15 lecture and dialogue series on "religion beyond words." Specialist scholars first detailed the grammars of ineffability in nine different religious traditions as well as the adjacent fields of literature, poetry, music, and art. The Comparison Project's directors then compared this diverse set of phenomena, offering explanations for their patterning, and raising philosophical questions of truth and value about religious ineffability in comparative perspective. This book is the inaugural publication of The Comparison Project, an innovative new approach to the philosophy of religion housed at Drake University (Des Moines, Iowa, USA). The Comparison Project organizes a biennial series of scholar lectures, practitioner dialogues, and comparative panels about core, cross-cultural topics in the philosophy of religion. Specialist scholars of religion first explore this topic in their religions of expertise; comparativist philosophers of religion then raise questions of meaning, truth, and value about this topic in comparative perspective. The Comparison Project stands apart from traditional approaches to the philosophy of religion in its commitment to religious inclusivity. It is the future of the philosophy of religion in a diverse, global world.

From time immemorial, prayer has provided comfort in our darkest hours, stirred us to action beyond what we thought possible, and shown us the way through seemingly insurmountable challenges. In this engaging tour of world history, author and historian Jean-Pierre Isbouts takes us on an inspiring tour of ten prayers that played a pivotal role in world events—from the divine inspiration of Joan of Arc to Martin Luther's powerful hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is our God"; from Abraham's poignant plea to save his son to George Washington's prayerful words to the newly formed American states; from Constantine the Great's prayer before battle to Gandhi's deeply moving "prayer of peace." Ten Prayers That Changed the World delves into the moments in history where faith and prayer intersected with the course of mankind. 2016 Best Book Award in Spirituality.