This edited volume brings together scholars from across disciplines to examine the relationship between religion and alcohol. It examines the historical, social, ritual, economic, political, and cultural relationship between religion and alcohol across time periods and around the world. Twelve chapters are tied together by two major themes: first, gender identity, and its intersection with religion and alcohol; second, identity construction in religious communities, demonstrating how alcohol can be used as a distinguishing factor for religious, ethnic, and national identity. A key focus of the volume is how alcohol can bridge and divide the point at which the sacred and secular meet. With its interdisciplinary approach and engaging style, this book is an essential resource for undergraduate and graduate students in religion departments and appeals to scholars of material culture, food, and alcohol. Additionally, the book is of interest to professionals in the alcohol industry, particularly those involved in microbrewing and winemaking, who are interested in understanding the historical and cultural contexts of their craft.

Religion and Alcohol: Sobering Thoughts is an intriguing and thought-provoking collection of ten essays divided into two main parts. The first part focuses on the use or prohibition of alcohol in various religious traditions, with chapters exploring the Christian New Testament, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and tribal religions. The second half of the book considers alcohol in its historical context, with chapters examining drinking in medieval monasticism, Victorian England, the American South, and films, as well as the influence of movements such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Wherever you work, in whatever capacity, the Scriptures have something to say about it. Theology of work Bible commentary is an in-depth Bible study tool put together by a group of biblical scholars, pastors, and workplace Christians to help you discover what the New Testament says about work. --Provided by publisher.

In Junípero Serra: California, Indians, and the Transformation of a Missionary, Beebe and Senkewicz focus on Serra’s religious identity and his relations with Native peoples. They intersperse their narrative with new and accessible translations of many of Serra’s letters and sermons, which allows his voice to be heard in a more direct and engaging fashion.

This sermon grew out of John 20:15: “Supposing him to be the gardener.” Spurgeon used an extensive well-tended garden as a setting for this discourse, probably Dr. Bennet’s large garden in Mentone, which Spurgeon frequently visited. When Jesus Christ is the gardener of creation it leads to many inferences: it spurs people to their duties, it relieves people from responsibilities they should never assume, it delivers people from fears, it is a warning for the careless, it is a calming influence to those who complain and lastly it is an outlook full of hope. Spurgeon said he is “hoping that I may open many roads of meditation for your hearts . . . to indicate in which direction you may look for a vein of precious ore.” This sermon has been updated to modern language.