"Bold, deeply learned, and important, offering a provocative thesis that is worked out through legal and archival materials and in subtle and original readings of literary texts. Absolutely new in content and significantly innovative in methodology and argument, Stumbling Blocks Before the Blind offers a cultural geography of medieval blindness that invites us to be more discriminating about how we think of geographies of disability today." ---Christopher Baswell, Columbia University "A challenging, interesting, and timely book that is also very well written . . . Wheatley has researched and brought together a leitmotiv that I never would have guessed was so pervasive, so intriguing, so worthy of a book." ---Jody Enders, University of California, Santa Barbara Stumbling Blocks Before the Blind presents the first comprehensive exploration of a disability in the Middle Ages, drawing on the literature, history, art history, and religious discourse of England and France. It relates current theories of disability to the cultural and institutional constructions of blindness in the eleventh through fifteenth centuries, examining the surprising differences in the treatment of blind people and the responses to blindness in these two countries. The book shows that pernicious attitudes about blindness were partially offset by innovations and ameliorations---social; literary; and, to an extent, medical---that began to foster a fuller understanding and acceptance of blindness. A number of practices and institutions in France, both positive and negative---blinding as punishment, the foundation of hospices for the blind, and some medical treatment---resulted in not only attitudes that commodified human sight but also inhumane satire against the blind in French literature, both secular and religious. Anglo-Saxon and later medieval England differed markedly in all three of these areas, and the less prominent position of blind people in society resulted in noticeably fewer cruel representations in literature. This book will interest students of literature, history, art history, and religion because it will provide clear contexts for considering any medieval artifact relating to blindness---a literary text, a historical document, a theological treatise, or a work of art. For some readers, the book will serve as an introduction to the field of disability studies, an area of increasing interest both within and outside of the academy. Edward Wheatley is Surtz Professor of Medieval Literature at Loyola University, Chicago.

Stumbling Blocks and Stepping-Stones is a two-volume publication which vigorously examines Mormonism's long struggle with those it has traditionally deemed as sexually and gender transgressive -- its LGBTI members. It emboldens Latter-day Saints and fellow Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex, believing or disaffected, to dialogue with one another and consider the very real possibility of their full acceptance within the beloved faith community. It makes five enormous contributions: (1)It analyzes the "clobber scriptures" -- those most frequently used to end conversations on the topic -- drawing on a broad spectrum of Jewish, Christian, and academic scholars. The book provides connatural context and reasonable interpretations that broaden the discussion beyond "because God said so."(2)It provides a stimulating overview of scientific research on homosexuality in nature (severely undercutting the "homosexuality isn't natural" argument), what's currently known about the causes/influence on homosexuality, and the history of homophobia that has brought us to our current position. (3)It argues, persuasively, in my opinion, for ways in which the gospel can and does (and the church could and should) include lgbti members in full fellowship. (4)The longest section--part 4--provides a history of interactions between the church and its lgbti members. Because of my love for history, this is my favorite section, even though a lot of it seems like "baby step forward, giant step backwards," especially now. (5)The tone models a combination of compassion, serious scholarship, and firmly founded discipleship that should be elements that govern how the dialogue can and should be conducted.

Focuses on values and attitudes drawn from the Gospels and the literature of Christian spirituality to discover solutions to psychological problems. Father Benedict offers a series of therapeutic meditations for readers with an interest in spirituality.

This book presents more than 1,500 quotes from C. S. Lewis's writings, providing ready access to his thoughts on a variety of topics. An exhaustive index references key words and concepts, allowing readers to easily find quotes on any subject of interest.

Tiré du site Internet de Book Works: "The stumbling block, its index" was originally devised by Brian Catling as "a direct attempt to write sculpture, to focus on an invisible shapeshifting mass, to try to see its contours, its material, its volume, in the different light of its manifestations". The book presents a series of definitions of The Stumbling Block ; written as prose, not poetry, these twenty conundrums attempt to make concrete an idea. The book is bound in graphite-covered boards that at first glance appear to be solid metal but the book is not a representation of the Stumbling Block. The Stumbling Block exists only as its index. "The owner of The Stumbling Block, Its Index has not merely bought a non-existent-sculpture, but one whose non-existence is multiple."

Nothing is more important than what a person believes about Jesus Christ. To understand Christ correctly is to understand the very heart of God, Scripture, and the gospel. To get to the core of this belief, this latest volume in the Foundations of Evangelical Theology series lays out a systematic summary of Christology from philosophical, biblical, and historical perspectives—concluding that Jesus Christ is God the Son incarnate, both fully divine and fully human. Readers will learn to better know, love, trust, and obey Christ—unashamed to proclaim him as the only Lord and Savior. Part of the Foundations of Evangelical Theology series.

This book presents the work and thought of Bartolome de Las Casas, taking into account his hunger and thirst for justice for the peoples of the New World, discovered and dominated by the Spanish. Las Casas defends the right of Amerindian peoples to live in freedom, to resist Spanish rule, to respect and preserve their own cultures, to respect their religiosity and to preserve after conversion the elements compatible with Christianity, to reject a Christianity preached in the shadow of arms. The defence of these rights and of the unity and equality of the human family makes Bartholomew de las Casas a "forerunner" both of the Second Vatican Council and of the post-colonial and globalized world of our time. Bartolome de Las Casas has become an important figure in the history of the church and of humanity and in the history of literature and of art. Las Casas, who called himself 'a Christian, a religious, a bishop, a Spaniard' (Las Casas, In Defense, 21), - note the sequence is above all else, however, a 'prophet' in the biblical sense of the word: one called by God who persistently-conveniently as well as inconveniently-reminds his contemporaries of the demands of the word of God in the face of the injustice which causes the suffering and misery of one's neighbor. Many such witnesses have been officially recognized and canonized by the church. Others, though, have been covered with the cloak of slander to this day; they are still waiting for us to muster the courage to pull off this cloak and to incorporate their irksome witness into the prophetic tradition of the Church.

Christians know that God loves them, but can easily feel that he is perpetually disappointed and frustrated, maybe even close to giving up on them. As a result, they focus a lot—and rightly so—on what Jesus has done to appease God’s wrath for sin. But how does Jesus Christ actually feel about his people amid all their sins and failures? This book draws us to Matthew 11, where Jesus describes himself as “gentle and lowly in heart,” longing for his people to find rest in him. The gospel flows from God’s deepest heart for his people, a heart of tender love for the sinful and suffering. These chapters take readers into the depths of Christ’s very heart for sinners, diving deep into Bible passages that speak of who Christ is and encouraging readers with the affections of Christ for his people. His longing heart for sinners comforts and sustains readers in their up-and-down lives.

In this much anticipated and crucial book, Lars Enarson clearly outlines the divinity of Messiah throughout Scripture. He not only shows how Jesus' oneness with the Father became a stumbling stone for Jewish leaders, Lars also reveals how our Master's humanity as a Jew and heir to the throne of David eventually became a stumbling stone for the church. We need to rediscover the Scriptural testimony of Messiah in our time!

"Sheila speaks to both the heart and habits of the woman who is wife and mother. The lessons in this book are biblical, doable, and affordable!"--Margaret B. Buchanan From advertisements to mommy blogs to Pinterest, scenes of domestic bliss abound, painting a picture of perfection and expectation nearly impossible to live up to. Why can't you work a full-time job, stylishly clothe yourself and your children, plan a party for twelve with handmade decorations, keep your house sparkling clean without chemicals, and bake a gourmet meal in the same day? Everyone else is doing it! For many women, housework has become more than chores that need to be done; it is a symbol of identity. Sheila Wray Gregoire wants to stop that thinking in its tracks and help women back to a life of balance--for their sakes and for their families. She encourages women to shift their focus from housekeeping to relationships and shows them how to foster responsibility and respect in all family members. The second edition retains the helpful, concrete advice on everyday situations such as strategies for tackling chores and budgets and tips on effective communication, while incorporating the wisdom Sheila has gained through her interaction with thousands of readers of her blog and through her speaking ministry over the past ten years. Through the principles in To Love, Honor, and Vacuum, Gregoire promises readers they can grow and thrive in the midst of their hectic lives--even if their circumstances stay the same.