Why do humans who seem to be exemplars of virtue also have the capacity to act in atrocious ways? What are the roots of tendencies for sin and evil? A popular assumption is that it is our animalistic natures that are responsible for human immorality and sin, while our moral nature curtails and contains such tendencies through human powers of freedom and higher reason. This book challenges such assumptions as being far too simplistic. Through a careful engagement with evolutionary and psychological literature, Celia Deane-Drummond argues that tendencies towards vice are, more often than not, distortions of the very virtues that are capable of making us good. After beginning with Augustine's classic theory of original sin, the book probes the philosophical implications of sin's origins in dialogue with the philosophy of Paul Ricoeur. Different vices are treated in both individual and collective settings in keeping with a multispecies approach. Areas covered include selfishness, pride, violence, anger, injustice, greed, envy, gluttony, deception, lying, lust, despair, anxiety, and sloth. The work of Thomas Aquinas helps to illuminate and clarify much of this discussion on vice, including those vices which are more distinctive for human persons in community with other beings. Such an approach amounts to a search for the shadow side of human nature, shadow sophia. Facing that shadow is part of a fuller understanding of what makes us human and thus this book is a contribution to both theological anthropology and theological ethics.

This is book 1 of the War Reapers MC series! Books 2 and 3 are available everywhere now! I took her in the shadows, so no one could hear her scream. NIC My days are filled with violence, my nights with blood. The most dangerous crime lord in the city wants my MC slaughtered. It’s why I ride alone. Any woman in my life has to leave the next morning – for her own safety. But when Lauren walks into my biker bar on Christmas, looking sweet and innocent and seductive? I can’t resist. I take her home. I make her scream my name until her throat is hoarse. I give her a night to remember. But then she disappears. Months later, I’m in the battle of a lifetime, trying to keep my MC alive. But guess who I end up saving one night? Lauren. And to make things worse? She’s carrying my child. Now she—and the baby she carries—are in mortal danger. And it might cost me everything to keep them both safe. LAUREN When my boyfriend dumps me, I refuse to spend Christmas alone. I go to the place I’ve always been too scared to enter: the city’s biker bar. There, I see the most gorgeous man. With muscles rippling and tattoos all over his body, he puts me under his spell. When Nic says he’s taking me to his bed? I don’t resist. He gives me the greatest pleasure I’ve ever known. All through the night, he claims me. But that one night has consequences. Because now I’m pregnant with Nic’s baby. I don’t know how to tell him. How can a man like him be a father? But when he rescues me, keeps me safe, I want to believe we can be a family. Can I tell him I love him—before it’s too late? *** SHADOW is about Nic and Lauren, a bad boy biker and an innocent girl. They were from two different worlds, but in this new adult contemporary romance, they find their way into each other’s arms. The dark romance story with sex and passion is an exciting, action-filled read. It will quickly become your favorite alpha male bad boy biker romance series of all-time – guaranteed! So check out this romance thriller suspense right now!

The book consists of the author's various pilgrimages to Orthodox Christian sites in Greece, Constantinople, and Jerusalem and includes historical and theological backgrounds of the sites visited.

Robert Bly, renowned poet and author of the ground-breaking bestseller Iron John, mingles essay and verse to explore the Shadow -- the dark side of the human personality -- and the importance of confronting it.

Sophie Chao examines the multispecies entanglements of oil palm plantations in West Papua, Indonesia, showing how Indigenous Marind communities understand and navigate the social, political, and environmental demands of the oil palm plant.

Sophia's Table has emerged from the first contemplative writing series I offered. Four women writers joined me for what was to be a six-week series. At the completion of the series, they decided to continue on a monthly basis for six months, then again, and once again. The work became more personal as the women's trust deepened into friendship over the course of the year in which they shared their stories. All of us have found writing to be central to leading healthy, balanced lives; to gaining fresh perspective; and to finding meaning and purpose. Each of us has a distinct voice pitched and toned by her unique life experience. Yet Sophias Table is more than a collection of voices. The production of the book itself is a true collaboration of time and talent, engaging the gifts of each of us to bring the book to publication.

In a time, long before the present time, there was a peaceful and advanced race of Terrans who lived in harmony. Knowledge and wisdom flourished in this kingdom and the glory of grace was unquestionably strong. Long ago, violence and war had plagued this island nation, but once all islands were united and unified, everything fell into place. There was little contact with anybody outside of the region, but this location was arguably the most beautiful in the world. This nation was thought to be the center of Terra, and among the most peaceful and spiritual Terrans ever known. This was the legendary Kingdom of Lemuria. The Great King of Lemuria was madly in love with his wife. The queen and king had met at a young age, and once their eyes locked there was no separating them. In an instant, as if fate itself had predestined their union, love was actualized and manifested within one another. King Abraxas, son of King Apollo, and Queen Minerva, daughter of Queen Athena; together, they were Lemuria’s most potentially prominent rulers. Their love for one another was beyond limits, boundless and immeasurable. The richness of nature in this nation was a direct reflection of the strong bloodlines that have ruled this land for centuries. The shared culture, finances, property, and belongings was a true utopian design that no other nation on Terra had ever accomplished. Everyone practiced their own spiritual and economic endeavors, living out their own philosophy, but with great regard and respect to the ancient practices of the royal family. Although nobody was forced to believe what the royals believed, they were all required to give their attention to one of the traditions. It was required for every citizen of Lemuria to donate to the Kingdom on the first Friday the 13th of the year. One liter of blood would be donated from their first-born child, and everyone had at least three children. This tradition was one that had been ongoing for at least three centuries, and nobody ever questioned royalty’s intentions or desires. This nation was the most peaceful and prosperous of all nations of the land, with no homelessness or illness plaguing any of its citizens. Everyone that was born in Lemuria never left this sacred land and everyone who would visit would be jealous and dream of citizenship in this majestic destination. One could only visit Lemuria by invitation and with a Lemurian’s invitation, their own reputation being an extension and requirement of the invitation. Few were chosen and even fewer accepted to remain. The land of love was the emergence of the birthright of the most beautiful and attractive of Terra’s leaders. In this time and era, King Abraxas and Queen Minerva would pour all their love into one child, who would be given the keys to the Kingdom. Heir to the throne and all its glory, to the beloved and cherished lands of those worthy of its inheritance. Her name would be Sophia, the keeper of knowledge and liberator of oppression, when it arrives. The fulfillment of prophecy and the one who will bear the fruits of truth and wisdom. She will be the daughter of perdition, the righteous mother of the lost. She was, is and will be the long-awaited Moon Child.

In this Element atheists cite animal pain as compelling evidence against the existence of the loving God portrayed in the Judeo-Christian Bible. William Rowe, Paul Draper, Richard Dawkins and others claim widespread unnecessary suffering exists in nature and challenge theism with the Evidential Problem of Natural Evil. This Element engages the scientific literature in order to evaluate the validity of those claims and offers a theodicy of God's providential care for animals through natural pain mitigating processes.

Wave after wave, I rise, Pulling you up with me To turn the tide. Life-altering experiences at the beginning of her journey armed the future poet with the grit she will need to forge her own path toward womanhood. Written from a feminist perspective and as a woman of colour, GRIT IN HER VEINS, GRACE IN HER SOUL is a captivating collection of empowering and heartwarming poetry. Dabbling in concrete, narrative, and lyrical poetry, the author takes the reader through a courageous, transformational journey through her work. All through its lines, this book offers inspiration and wisdom while covering major themes of loss, resilience, heartache, love, and healing. The author demonstrates through the depth and power of her bold feminine spirit that there is a silver lining we can reach, as we rise from our adversity and pave an authentic road to self discovery.