Across The Religious Divide

Examining women's property rights in different societies across the entire medieval and early modern Mediterranean, this volume introduces a unique comparative perspective to the complexities of gender relations in Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities. Through individual case studies based on urban and rural, elite and non-elite, religious and secular communities, Across the Religious Divide presents the only nuanced history of the region that incorporates peripheral areas such as Portugal, the Aegean Islands, Dalmatia, and Albania into the central narrative. By bridging the present-day notional and cultural divide between Muslim and Judeo-Christian worlds with geographical and thematic coherence, this collection of essays by top international scholars focuses on women in courts of law and sources such as notarial records, testaments, legal commentaries, and administrative records to offer the most advanced research and illuminate real connections across boundaries of gender, religion, and culture.

Many scholars and church leaders believe that music and worship style are essential in stimulating diversity in congregations. Gerardo Marti draws on interviews with more than 170 congregational leaders and parishioners, as well as his experiences participating in worship services in a wide variety of Protestant, multiracial Southern Californian churches, to present this insightful study of the role of music in creating congregational diversity. Worship across the Racial Divide offers a surprising conclusion: that there is no single style of worship or music that determines the likelihood of achieving a multiracial church. Far more important are the complex of practices of the worshipping community in the production and absorption of music. Multiracial churches successfully diversify by stimulating unobtrusive means of interracial and interethnic relations; in fact, preparation for music apart from worship gatherings proves to be just as important as its performance during services. Marti shows that aside from and even in spite of the varying beliefs of attendees and church leaders, diversity happens because music and worship create practical spaces where cross-racial bonds are formed. This groundbreaking book sheds light on how race affects worship in multiracial churches. It will allow a new understanding of the dynamics of such churches, and provide crucial aid to church leaders for avoiding the pitfalls that inadvertently widen the racial divide.

Challenges the division made popularly today between 'spiritual' and 'religious', asking whether 'spiritual' questions asked now haven't also been explored in existing religious traditions. Suggests how religion and spirituality can be seen as complementary and offers ways to discern the genuineness of types of spirituality being promoted today. Includes notes and further reading list. Author is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay and teaches at the Catholic Institute of Sydney in the fields of spirituality and pastoral theology.

“The extraordinary twists and turns of the spiritual journey of Elisheva Irma Diaz reflect and illumine the tumultuous era in which we live. The universally recognized border separating Judaism and Christianity is now a blur. Elisheva’s story shows that the insecurity that has ensued may also open us up to unimagined blessing.” — Rabbi Mark S. Kinzer, PhD, author of Jerusalem Crucified, Jerusalem Risen (2018), and Searching Her Own Mystery (2015) As powerfully quoted by Joseph Shulam in the foreword of this book, “There are medical books written by doctors who have researched, studied issues, and gained knowledge in their professional capacity. However, very few of these medical books were written by doctors who themselves have experienced the illness in their own bodies”. This author’s journey to reclaim her Sephardic Jewish heritage led her on an adventure that began in the early nineties with a full-time Christian ministry that eventually propelled her into a powerful ten-year insightful journey. She went from an ordained Pastor of Pastors with a successful ministry into Judaism and soon after her transition, enrolled herself in formal rabbinic studies and was ordained a Rabbi in 2012. Through this spiritual journey filled with intense study and spiritual experiences, she writes what some may think, but would most likely never say. She has further concluded without a shadow of a doubt that both Judaism and Christianity are broken but God has chosen to dwell in them both. She is quick to confess, “Christianity and Judaism broke my heart, yet, both Christianity and Judaism brought me closer to the knowledge of God”. Blessed be He!

Christianity has been around for over two thousand years. So who's right and wrong regarding Catholic or Protestant beliefs? What does the Bible say? We look at some of the issues: baptism and the correct way. Purgatory, is there such a place? The immortal soul, is it immortal after death? Who are saints? Are traditions equal to biblical scripture? Is the rapture just a story, or does it have another meaning or time? Finally, in The Religious Divide, we look at some differences between Catholicism, Protestantism, and the Bible--and come to a better understanding. If you have ever had these questions, this book is for you. In addition, this book includes references from where Catholicism takes its answers, the Vulgate Bible and the writings of men, where Protestantism gets its answers from the King James Version, and what does the Bible has to say on these subjects. Whether you're curious or want to know, get your copy of The Religious Divide today.

Synopsis coming soon.......

Promotes gracious interfaith dialogue on sensitive theological issues Theological issues are crucial to how Christians and Muslims understand and perceive each other. In Sacred Misinterpretation Martin Accad guides readers through key theological questions that fuel conflict and misunderstanding between Muslims and Christians. A sure-footed guide, he weaves personal stories together with deep discussion of theological beliefs. Accad identifies trends, recognizes historical realities, and brings to light significant points of contention that often lead to break-down in Christian-Muslim dialogue. He also outlines positive and creative trends that could lead to a more hopeful future. Fairly and seriously presenting both Muslim theology and a Muslim interpretation of Christian theology, Sacred Misinterpretation is an essential guide for fostering dialogue and understanding among readers from both faiths.

Marti draws on interviews with more than 170 congregational leaders and parishioners, as well as his experiences participating in worship services in a variety of Protestant multiracial Southern Californian churches, to present this study of the role of music in creating and sustaining congregational diversity.