Strong weekend debut for 'Courageous' (OneNewsNow.com):
'via Blog this'
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Wisdom & Wonder: Common Grace in Science & Art
New Book Explores How God Works in Culture
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — "There is not a square inch in the whole domain of human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!'," Abraham Kuyper, the Dutch Reformed theologian and politician, famously exclaimed.
Kuyper has long been admired for his intelligent and practical insights into the mysteries of God and how they relate to culture. Throughout his lifetime, Kuyper elaborated extensively on the doctrine of common grace, a theology of public service and cultural engagement of Christians' shared humanity with the rest of the world.
In November, Christian's Library Press is publishing Wisdom & Wonder: Common Grace in Science & Art, a new and complete translation of two sections that were inadvertently omitted from the first edition of Kuyper's larger three-volume work on common grace. These sections were first published separately and then added in later editions of the three volume set. Kuyper's timeless work shows us that God is not absent from the non-church areas of our common life and bestows his gifts and favor to all people.
Popular in our time for his devotional material, Kuyper's Wisdom & Wonder displays his talents as a public theologian, focusing on his comprehensive and Reformed vision of science and art.
As evangelicals face massive cultural shifts, the question hangs in the air: How will they respond? What evangelicals believe influences how they respond and this will have significant ramifications for the future of a free society and its business, economic, and public sectors.
Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary and author of Abraham Kuyper: A Short and Personal Introduction, says that the appearance of this treatise in English translation "is for me the beginning of a larger dream come true. Kuyper's writings on common grace are much needed ‘for such a time as this' and Wisdom & Wonder is a marvelous foretaste of more that is to come!"
Sometimes the way forward is found by looking back. Wisdom & Wonder provides insight for the road ahead, appearing with a foreword by Gabe Lyons and Jon Tyson and an introduction by Vincent E. Bacote, associate professor of theology at Wheaton College and author of The Spirit in Public Theology: Appropriating the Legacy of Abraham Kuyper. The volume is edited by Jordan J. Ballor and Stephen J. Grabill and translated by Nelson D. Kloosterman.
Wisdom & Wonder is dedicated to Dr. Rimmer de Vries, in recognition of his "lifetime achievement and enduring legacy as a cultural leader, economist, visionary, and faithful follower of Christ who reflects well the Kuyperian vision of Christ's lordship over all spheres of society." The publication of Wisdom & Wonder represents the first published selection from the broader project led by the Acton Institute and Kuyper College in collaboration with other institutions to publish a complete translation of Abraham Kuyper's three-volume work on common grace, totaling over 1,700 pages. Volume one of Common Grace is scheduled to appear in fall 2012.
About the Author: Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) is a significant figure in the history of the Netherlands and modern Protestant theology. A prolific intellectual, he founded a political party and a university, and served as the prime minister of Holland from 1901-1905. His enduring passion was to develop a theology for the general public, particularly through his extensive elaboration of the doctrine of common grace.
Wisdom & Wonder: Common Grace in Science & Art is available at www.clpress.com or by calling (616) 454-3080. The cost is $24.99 for hardcover and $14.99 for paperback.
Founded in 1979 by Gerard Berghoef and Lester DeKoster, Christian's Library Press has been committed to publishing influential texts on church leadership, the vocation of work, and stewardship for more than 30 years. For more information about Christian's Library Press, visitwww.clpress.com.
Christian's Library Press is an imprint of the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion & Liberty. The Acton Institute is a nonprofit, ecumenical think tank working internationally to "promote a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles." For more on the Acton Institute, please visit www.acton.org.
Kuyper College is a ministry-focused Christian leadership college that educates and trains Christian leaders for ministry and service. Through the integration of a high-quality academic curriculum and a Reformed worldview, Kuyper provides students who desire a well-rounded biblical and academic college experience with the opportunity to see, understand, and live all of life through the lens of Scripture. For more on Kuyper College, please visit www.kuyper.edu.
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — "There is not a square inch in the whole domain of human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!'," Abraham Kuyper, the Dutch Reformed theologian and politician, famously exclaimed.
Kuyper has long been admired for his intelligent and practical insights into the mysteries of God and how they relate to culture. Throughout his lifetime, Kuyper elaborated extensively on the doctrine of common grace, a theology of public service and cultural engagement of Christians' shared humanity with the rest of the world.
In November, Christian's Library Press is publishing Wisdom & Wonder: Common Grace in Science & Art, a new and complete translation of two sections that were inadvertently omitted from the first edition of Kuyper's larger three-volume work on common grace. These sections were first published separately and then added in later editions of the three volume set. Kuyper's timeless work shows us that God is not absent from the non-church areas of our common life and bestows his gifts and favor to all people.Popular in our time for his devotional material, Kuyper's Wisdom & Wonder displays his talents as a public theologian, focusing on his comprehensive and Reformed vision of science and art.
As evangelicals face massive cultural shifts, the question hangs in the air: How will they respond? What evangelicals believe influences how they respond and this will have significant ramifications for the future of a free society and its business, economic, and public sectors.
Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary and author of Abraham Kuyper: A Short and Personal Introduction, says that the appearance of this treatise in English translation "is for me the beginning of a larger dream come true. Kuyper's writings on common grace are much needed ‘for such a time as this' and Wisdom & Wonder is a marvelous foretaste of more that is to come!"
Sometimes the way forward is found by looking back. Wisdom & Wonder provides insight for the road ahead, appearing with a foreword by Gabe Lyons and Jon Tyson and an introduction by Vincent E. Bacote, associate professor of theology at Wheaton College and author of The Spirit in Public Theology: Appropriating the Legacy of Abraham Kuyper. The volume is edited by Jordan J. Ballor and Stephen J. Grabill and translated by Nelson D. Kloosterman.
Wisdom & Wonder is dedicated to Dr. Rimmer de Vries, in recognition of his "lifetime achievement and enduring legacy as a cultural leader, economist, visionary, and faithful follower of Christ who reflects well the Kuyperian vision of Christ's lordship over all spheres of society." The publication of Wisdom & Wonder represents the first published selection from the broader project led by the Acton Institute and Kuyper College in collaboration with other institutions to publish a complete translation of Abraham Kuyper's three-volume work on common grace, totaling over 1,700 pages. Volume one of Common Grace is scheduled to appear in fall 2012.
About the Author: Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) is a significant figure in the history of the Netherlands and modern Protestant theology. A prolific intellectual, he founded a political party and a university, and served as the prime minister of Holland from 1901-1905. His enduring passion was to develop a theology for the general public, particularly through his extensive elaboration of the doctrine of common grace.
Wisdom & Wonder: Common Grace in Science & Art is available at www.clpress.com or by calling (616) 454-3080. The cost is $24.99 for hardcover and $14.99 for paperback.
Founded in 1979 by Gerard Berghoef and Lester DeKoster, Christian's Library Press has been committed to publishing influential texts on church leadership, the vocation of work, and stewardship for more than 30 years. For more information about Christian's Library Press, visitwww.clpress.com.
Christian's Library Press is an imprint of the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion & Liberty. The Acton Institute is a nonprofit, ecumenical think tank working internationally to "promote a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles." For more on the Acton Institute, please visit www.acton.org.
Kuyper College is a ministry-focused Christian leadership college that educates and trains Christian leaders for ministry and service. Through the integration of a high-quality academic curriculum and a Reformed worldview, Kuyper provides students who desire a well-rounded biblical and academic college experience with the opportunity to see, understand, and live all of life through the lens of Scripture. For more on Kuyper College, please visit www.kuyper.edu.
Forget TV - THIS Extreme Makeover moves more than a curtain
New book characterizes the kind of transformation one will never see on television
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 4, 2011 — Nearly 10 years ago, "reality" television exploded on the scene with shows depicting men and women undergoing "extreme makeovers" involving plastic surgery; severe exercise regimens; total wardrobe transformations; and lifestyle changes in diet, career and relationships. In most cases, the episodes end with a curtain or large picture of the contestant's "former self" being pulled away or destroyed in order to see the total transformation. For most viewers, the change is extraordinary. And according to Teresa Tomeo, radio talk show host and author, the transformation in most cases, particularly for female contestants, is just another example of what network and cable television are doing to enable and even encourage the ongoing objectification of women and young girls.
In her new book, Tomeo writes about the type of "extreme makeover" one will never see on television. Extreme Makeover: Women Transformed by Christ not Conformed to the Culture will be published in October by Ignatius Press.
"Our media and culture continue to reinforce in the minds of girls and young women that their intrinsic self-worth is founded in their value as nothing more than a sexual object," Tomeo said. "How can our society expect women to be treated fairly and with dignity when our culture continues to portray them as mere objects? The new fall TV series ‘The Playboy Club' on NBC is just another example of how women continue to be objectified and sexualized through the media. Shows like this glamorize pornography — a problem that has been devastating to marriages, families and society in general."
Tomeo doesn't deal just with this issue in Extreme Makeover. She tackles many others that remain important to women of all ages, and she offers solutions in her own collective assessment of the state of the world. "The culture can be toxic in terms of desensitizing us to violence, weakening our moral fiber, and making us feel pretty darn disgusted with ourselves because we're not five-foot-nine and a size 2," Tomeo writes in the book. "So how do we respond?"
She answers that and many other questions in Extreme Makeover, and includes a section with stories about women who have transformed themselves by focusing on what God intends them to be — not what the media and culture tells them they must be in order to feel good about themselves.
"(Teresa) Tomeo knows the pressures and dishonesties facing women in modern American culture from firsthand experience," said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M., Cap., of Philadelphia, "and she leads women to Jesus Christ with compelling personal testimonies and uncommon persuasive skill. For any woman who seeks the true foundation of her dignity, this is the book to read and to share."
Tomeo, whose career includes many years as a secular print and broadcast journalist, hosts "Catholic Connection," a daily radio program produced by Ave Maria Radio and syndicated by the EWTN Global Radio Network. In 2007, her first book — NOISE: How Our Media Saturated Culture Dominates Lives and Dismantles Families — became a Catholic bestseller. She also has co-authored a series of popular Catholic books for girls, All Things Girls, which focuses on modesty and chastity.
For more information or to request an interview with Teresa Tomeo, please contact Tim Lilley with The Maximus Group at 678-990-9032 or by email at TLilley@MaximusMG.com.
In her new book, Tomeo writes about the type of "extreme makeover" one will never see on television. Extreme Makeover: Women Transformed by Christ not Conformed to the Culture will be published in October by Ignatius Press.
"Our media and culture continue to reinforce in the minds of girls and young women that their intrinsic self-worth is founded in their value as nothing more than a sexual object," Tomeo said. "How can our society expect women to be treated fairly and with dignity when our culture continues to portray them as mere objects? The new fall TV series ‘The Playboy Club' on NBC is just another example of how women continue to be objectified and sexualized through the media. Shows like this glamorize pornography — a problem that has been devastating to marriages, families and society in general."
Tomeo doesn't deal just with this issue in Extreme Makeover. She tackles many others that remain important to women of all ages, and she offers solutions in her own collective assessment of the state of the world. "The culture can be toxic in terms of desensitizing us to violence, weakening our moral fiber, and making us feel pretty darn disgusted with ourselves because we're not five-foot-nine and a size 2," Tomeo writes in the book. "So how do we respond?"
She answers that and many other questions in Extreme Makeover, and includes a section with stories about women who have transformed themselves by focusing on what God intends them to be — not what the media and culture tells them they must be in order to feel good about themselves.
"(Teresa) Tomeo knows the pressures and dishonesties facing women in modern American culture from firsthand experience," said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M., Cap., of Philadelphia, "and she leads women to Jesus Christ with compelling personal testimonies and uncommon persuasive skill. For any woman who seeks the true foundation of her dignity, this is the book to read and to share."
Tomeo, whose career includes many years as a secular print and broadcast journalist, hosts "Catholic Connection," a daily radio program produced by Ave Maria Radio and syndicated by the EWTN Global Radio Network. In 2007, her first book — NOISE: How Our Media Saturated Culture Dominates Lives and Dismantles Families — became a Catholic bestseller. She also has co-authored a series of popular Catholic books for girls, All Things Girls, which focuses on modesty and chastity.
For more information or to request an interview with Teresa Tomeo, please contact Tim Lilley with The Maximus Group at 678-990-9032 or by email at TLilley@MaximusMG.com.
Christians for Fair Witness on the Middle East Urges Israel and the Palestinian Authority to Resume Peace Talks Immediately
"Having just returned from a trip to Israel and Palestine I can say unequivocally there is no substitute for negotiations," says Rev. Dr. James R. Noland, senior pastor of Reveille United Methodist Church in Richmond, VA. "Speeches at the U.N. are dramatic and inspirational but they will not lead to either statehood or peace unless both parties come together and negotiate a final status agreement."
"Fair Witness therefore strongly urges President Abbas to continue acting in the interest of his people and abandon unhelpful demands of preconditions to peace talks," continues Rev. Noland. "Similarly, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu should show flexibility and a sincere commitment to peace by agreeing to a settlement freeze for a limited time to convince the Palestinians to resume negotiations."
Rev. David L Harvin, senior pastor of the Hay Street United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina, also traveled to Israel and Palestine and adds: "Fair Witness believes that PM Netanyahu must do what his predecessors Barak and Olmert already did in 2000 and 2008 and give up the dream of ‘Greater Israel' by consenting, in the context of a negotiated final status agreement, to vacate those settlements that would interfere with Palestinian territorial contiguity. Likewise the Palestinians must finally agree to give up their demand for the "Right of Return" which would ultimately turn Israel into another Palestinian state if exercised by the inhabitants of refugee camps."
The Best of KidSpirit Online Print Edition Showcases Teen Creativity and Resources for Teachers
The compilation features articles, poetry, and art created by teens and published since KidSpirit Magazine went to the Web. The content was selected by KidSpirit's all-youth Editorial Board from issues on Competition & Achievement, Rituals & Traditions, The Body in Balance, Finding Your Spirit in Art, and The Question of Meaning.
From this impressive body of work, 18 pieces have been further selected for a KidSpirit Award by the Editorial Board, honoring the most reflective, thought-provoking and creative work on the Web. An article by Peter Benson, President and CEO of Search Institute, was singled out for the KidSpirit PerSpectives Award, the only award given to an adult contributor. In the article, Benson urges youth to find their inner "spark" — an activity that inspires joy or passion — and shows their mentors how to nurture it.
The contributions from talented young people also make the Best of KidSpirit Online an exciting teaching tool. Because articles are written and edited by their peers, KidSpirit's content engages young readers by putting them into dialogue with one another. In addition, KidSpirit's themes invite reflection on big ideas from many points of view. As the youth-led Editorial Board remarks in its mission statement, "We want to help the young people of the world show their colors and share each other's cultures, art, beliefs, ethics and values. Our goal is to encourage varied perspectives and contribute to greater mutual understanding in our lives and our world."
The Best of KidSpirit Online provides educators and mentors with group discussion guides, as well as activities to help get students involved in talking about life's big questions. KidSpirit also invites teachers and youth workers to contact the magazine, in order to submit contributions by their own talented teens.
To find out more about KidSpirit and to order copies of the Best of KidSpirit Online, go tohttp://www.kidspiritonline.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Reaching Forward: Will Our Work Ever End?
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