Among the various kinds of occultism popular during the Russian Silver Age (1890-1914), modern Theosophy was by far the most intellectually significant. This contemporary gnostic gospel was invented and disseminated by Helena Blavatsky, an expatriate Russian with an enthusiasm for Buddhist thought and a genius for self-promotion. What distinguished Theosophy from the other kinds of "mysticism"—the spiritualism, table turning, fortune-telling, and magic—that fascinated the Russian intelligentsia of the period? In answering this question, Maria Carlson offers the first scholarly study of a controversial but important movement in its Russian context. Carlson's is the only work on this topic written by an intellectual historian not ideologically committed to Theosophy. Placing Mme Blavatsky and her "secret doctrine" in a Russian setting, the book also discusses independent Russian Theosophical circles and the impact of the Theosophical-Anthroposophical schism in Russia. It surveys the vigorous polemics of the Theosophists and their critics, demonstrates Theosophy's role in the philosophical dialogues of the Russian creative intelligentsia, and chronicles the demise of the movement after 1917. By exploring this long neglected aspect of the Silver Age, Carlson greatly enriches our knowledge of fin-de-sicle Russian culture. Originally published in 1993. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Helena Blavatsky's 'The Secrets of Spirituality & Occult' is a groundbreaking exploration into the mystical world of spirituality and occult practices. Blavatsky delves deep into esoteric traditions, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the hidden knowledge that has been passed down through the ages. Through her intricate prose and detailed research, Blavatsky unveils the secrets of the spiritual realm, offering profound insights into the nature of reality and consciousness. Her literary style is both captivating and profound, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in the metaphysical realm. Helena Blavatsky, a prominent Theosophist and occultist, was deeply immersed in the study of ancient wisdom and esoteric teachings. Her dedication to uncovering the truths of the universe led her to write this seminal work, blending scholarship with personal insights to create a truly enlightening read. Blavatsky's passion for spiritual exploration shines through in 'The Secrets of Spirituality & Occult', making her a respected figure in the field of mysticism. I highly recommend 'The Secrets of Spirituality & Occult' to all seekers of truth and spiritual knowledge. Blavatsky's profound wisdom and in-depth analysis make this book a valuable resource for those looking to expand their understanding of the hidden dimensions of existence.

In his last book, Ronald Dworkin addresses questions that men and women have asked through the ages: What is religion and what is God’s place in it? What is death and what is immortality? Based on the 2011 Einstein Lectures, Religion without God is inspired by remarks Einstein made that if religion consists of awe toward mysteries which “manifest themselves in the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty, and which our dull faculties can comprehend only in the most primitive forms,” then, he, Einstein, was a religious person. Dworkin joins Einstein’s sense of cosmic mystery and beauty to the claim that value is objective, independent of mind, and immanent in the world. He rejects the metaphysics of naturalism—that nothing is real except what can be studied by the natural sciences. Belief in God is one manifestation of this deeper worldview, but not the only one. The conviction that God underwrites value presupposes a prior commitment to the independent reality of that value—a commitment that is available to nonbelievers as well. So theists share a commitment with some atheists that is more fundamental than what divides them. Freedom of religion should flow not from a respect for belief in God but from the right to ethical independence. Dworkin hoped that this short book would contribute to rational conversation and the softening of religious fear and hatred. Religion without God is the work of a humanist who recognized both the possibilities and limitations of humanity.

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel remains one of the most important figures in American Jewish-Christian relations nearly twenty years after his death. He had a penetrating mind that was never arrogant and a moral passion that never moralized. Together, the thirteen essays of this book testify to his enduring legacy. Beginning with Rabbi Heschel's own "No Religion Is An Island," these writings--by men and women who knew him, studied under him, and struggled with him, people from South Asian, Muslim, Jewish, and Christian traditions--reveal the humble yet soaring spirit of a person who know God transcended the barriers of nation, culture, religion, and historical enmity. As these essays demonstrate, Heschel was spiritual guide to people of many faiths. He won the admiration of men and women in many lands and traditions. Firmly rooted in his own Jewishness, he evoked the genius of other traditions, inspiring believers of all kinds to labor toward a more humane world. Contributors: the editors, Heschel's daughter Susannah, Jacob Y. Teshima, Daniel Berrigan, John C. Merkle, Eugene J. Fisher, John C. Bennett, Fredrick C. Holmgren, Riffat Hassan, Arvind Sharma, Antony Fernando, and Kenneth B. Smith.

Semiotic theory, which has restricted its focus largely to human forms of significations, is transformed by Robert S. Corrington into a semiotics of nature itself. Corrington situates the divide between "nature naturing" and "nature natured" within the contest of classical American pragmaticism and postmodern psychoanalysis. At the heart of this new metaphysics is an insistence that all signs participate in larger orders of meaning that are natural and religious. Meanings embodied in nature point beyond nature to the mystery inherent in positioned codes and signs.

Provides a comprehensive account of the socio-political role Aristotle attributes to traditional religion, despite rejecting its content.

Abandon dead, dry, religious rule-keeping and embrace the promise of being truly known and deeply loved. Jefferson Bethke burst into the cultural conversation with a passionate, provocative poem titled "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus." The 4-minute video became an overnight sensation, with 7 million YouTube views in its first 48 hours (and 23+ million in a year). Bethke's message clearly struck a chord with believers and nonbelievers alike, triggering an avalanche of responses running the gamut from encouraged to enraged. In his New York Times bestseller Jesus > Religion, Bethke unpacks similar contrasts that he drew in the poem--highlighting the difference between teeth gritting and grace, law and love, performance and peace, despair, and hope. With refreshing candor, he delves into the motivation behind his message, beginning with the unvarnished tale of his own plunge from the pinnacle of a works-based, fake-smile existence that sapped his strength and led him down a path of destructive behavior. Along the way, Bethke gives you the tools you need to: Humbly and prayerfully open your mind Understand Jesus for all that he is View the church from a brand-new perspective Bethke is quick to acknowledge that he's not a pastor or theologian, but simply an ordinary, twenty-something who cried out for a life greater than the one for which he had settled. On this journey, Bethke discovered the real Jesus, who beckoned him with love beyond the props of false religion. Praise for Jesus > Religion: "Jeff's book will make you stop and listen to a voice in your heart that may have been drowned out by the noise of religion. Listen to that voice, then follow it--right to the feet of Jesus." --Bob Goff, author of New York Times bestsellers Love Does and Everybody, Always "The book you hold in your hands is Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz meets C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity meets Augustine's Confessions. This book is going to awaken an entire generation to Jesus and His grace." --Derwin L. Gray, lead pastor of Transformation Church, author of Limitless Life: Breaking Free from the Labels That Hold You Back

How Christian leaders adapted the governmental practices and political thought of their Muslim rulers in the Abbasid caliphate The Imam of the Christians examines how Christian leaders adopted and adapted the political practices and ideas of their Muslim rulers between 750 and 850 in the Abbasid caliphate in the Jazira (modern eastern Turkey and northern Syria). Focusing on the writings of Dionysius of Tel-Mahre, the patriarch of the Jacobite church, Philip Wood describes how this encounter produced an Islamicate Christianity that differed from the Christianities of Byzantium and western Europe in far more than just theology. In doing so, Wood opens a new window on the world of early Islam and Muslims’ interactions with other religious communities. Wood shows how Dionysius and other Christian clerics, by forging close ties with Muslim elites, were able to command greater power over their coreligionists, such as the right to issue canons regulating the lives of lay people, gather tithes, and use state troops to arrest opponents. In his writings, Dionysius advertises his ease in the courts of ʿAbd Allah ibn Tahir in Raqqa and the caliph al-Ma’mun in Baghdad, presenting himself as an effective advocate for the interests of his fellow Christians because of his knowledge of Arabic and his ability to redeploy Islamic ideas to his own advantage. Strikingly, Dionysius even claims that, like al-Ma’mun, he is an imam since he leads his people in prayer and rules them by popular consent. A wide-ranging examination of Middle Eastern Christian life during a critical period in the development of Islam, The Imam of the Christians is also a case study of the surprising workings of cultural and religious adaptation.

The Truth is the award-winning first book in The Oracle Institute foundational trilogy. It presents a summary of the divine messages sent to us by God through the Prophets. When studied successively, these spiritual lessons form a "Tower of Truth" that should not be broken or interpreted along sectarian lines. Instead, these Truths should be assimilated into a contemporary spiritual and scientific database and shared by everyone, regardless of religious affiliation.The Truth explores the five primary religions that evolved after the Prophets died: Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam, to determine whether these manmade religions have remained faithful to the Truth, including the primordial Truth that God is half masculine and half feminine energy. The Truth reveals that mankind has built a "Tower of Babel" with God's messages. Moreover, these now ancient religions have polarized humanity and brought us to the brink of World War III. The book also includes an objective template for measuring the adequacy of any religion, and an Appendix that shows the nexus between politics and religion and politics thought human history.