Holy Land Showdown

Four thousand years ago, God made an oath to Abraham involving land in which he and his descendants were to possess and occupy. That very same land is the cause of the modern controversy between Israel and the Arabs. In fact, the very heart of the land promised to Abraham is perceived by the world as being illegally occupied by Abraham's modern descendants, the Jewish nation of Israel.The question is, "Is God's promise to Abraham still valid today?" If so, then the world is on a collision course with God over the status of this land. If not, then valid questions are raised regarding the integrity of Holy Scripture, because God referred to His oath to Abraham as an "everlasting covenant." There is no issue today that has greater implication concerning our future. The world faces real danger, not from the threat of terrorism, or from the weapons that terrorists may employ, but from miscalculating God's sovereign determination to keep His long-standing oath to Abraham.

A pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Israel) is the ultimate goal of every Christian and Jewish pilgrim. The Holy Land is the setting of most of the stories in the Scriptures. To enter the Promised Land and see the sites of familiar Bible stories is like traveling back in time. Pilgrim Tours provides the pilgrim with the opportunity to journey back to the time of Abraham, Elijah, Jesus and many other sacred luminaries of Biblical history. The most notable places on the tour are: (1) Caesarea, the famous port city; (2) Mount Carmel, where the prophet Elijah demonstrated the preeminence of his God; (3) Megiddo, where archaeologists have unearthed twenty levels of civilizations; (4) Tel Dan, a nature reserve and the ancient site of a cultic high place; (5) Banias (Caesarea Philippi), the site of a Hellenic Temple of Pan; (6) Capernaum, known as the town of Jesus; (7) the Sea of Galilee, where a song-filled cruise on the waters that Jesus walked on brings joy and peace to the pilgrim's soul. The best guide in the world, Marian Gavish, brings the history, culture, and religions of Israel into a comprehensive and understandable format with her instructive talks and discussions as we journey through: (8) Beit Shean, a Decapolis city at the juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys; (9) Masada, where the Jewish Zealots made their last stand against the Romans; (10) Qumran, site of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls; (11) Bethany Beyond Jordan, the place of the original baptism; (12) Jerusalem, from the Mount of Olives to the Via Dolorosa; (13) the Temple Mount; (14) museums - the Israel Museum and Yad HaShem. Many more places and experiences highlight a once in a lifetime pilgrimage that is thoroughly covered in this book.

In a world troubled by religious strife and division, Chris Lowney's vividly written book offers a hopeful historical reminder: Muslims, Christians, and Jews once lived together in Spain, creating a centuries-long flowering of commerce, culture, art, and architecture. In 711, a ragtag army of Muslim North Africans conquered Christian Spain and launched Western Europe's first Islamic state. In 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella vanquished Spain's last Muslim kingdom, forced Jews to convert or emigrate, and dispatched Christopher Columbus to the New World. In the years between, Spain's Muslims, Christians, and Jews forged a golden age for each faith and distanced Spain from a Europe mired in the Dark Ages. Medieval Spain's pioneering innovations touched every dimension of Western life: Spaniards introduced Europeans to paper manufacture and to the Hindu-Arabic numerals that supplanted the Roman numeral system. Spain's farmers adopted irrigation technology from the Near East to nurture Europe's first crops of citrus and cotton. Spain's religious scholars authored works that still profoundly influence their respective faiths, from the masterpiece of the Jewish kabbalah to the meditations of Sufism's "greatest master" to the eloquent arguments of Maimonides that humans can successfully marry religious faith and reasoned philosophical inquiry. No less astonishing than medieval Spain's wide-ranging accomplishments was the simple fact its Muslims, Christians, and Jews often managed to live and work side by side, bestowing tolerance and freedom of worship on the religious minorities in their midst. A Vanished World chronicles this impossibly panoramic sweep of human history and achievement, encompassing both the agony of jihad, Crusades, and Inquisition, and the glory of a multicultural civilization that forever changed the West. One gnarled root of today's religious animosities stretches back to medieval Spain, but so does a more nourishing root of much modern religious wisdom.

In a world filled with scientific explanations and theories, it can be easy to lose sight of the ultimate truth of our existence. The truth is that the universe, with all its intricate complexities, did not come into being by mere chance or a random explosion. It was carefully designed and orchestrated by a higher power, a Creator who holds everything together. When we look up at the night sky and see the countless stars and galaxies stretching out into infinity, we cannot help but be in awe of the sheer magnitude and beauty of it all. The heavens declare the glory of God, as it says in the Bible, and remind us of the greatness of the one who made it all. The theory of the Big Bang, which posits that the universe began as a singular point and expanded over billions of years, is a flawed explanation for the origin of the universe. It fails to account for the intricate design and order that we see in the cosmos, as well as the existence of life on earth. The marvel of our planet Earth, with its perfect conditions for sustaining life, points to a Creator who had a purpose and a plan in mind when he made it. The countless galaxies and stars that we observe in the universe are a testament to the power and creativity of God. They show us that we are part of a vast and wondrous creation, one that was made by an intelligent designer who had a vision for it all. The theory of evolution, put forth by Charles Darwin, is another flawed explanation for the diversity of life on earth. It fails to explain the intricate complexities of living organisms and their unique design, as well as the existence of the human soul. It is clear that we are not the product of blind chance or random mutations, but rather the handiwork of a loving and powerful Creator. “The truth of the origin of the universe” points to a Creator who holds everything together and has a purpose and a plan for it all. God stretches out the heavens and allows light to reach us here on earth, showing us his care and provision for his creation. We are not the product of random chance or blind evolution, but rather the cherished creation of a loving God who made us in his image. Let us never forget the marvel and wonder of the universe, and the greatness of the one who made it all.

"Modern Christianity in the Holy Land" is a modest contribution to the documentation of the history of our country. In the nineteenth century, the structure of the Churches underwent change. Christian institutions developed in the light of the Ottoman Firmans and the international relations forged by the Ottoman Sultanate. At that time, the systems of the millet, capitulation, international interests and the Eastern Question were all interlocked in successive and complex developments in the Ottoman world. Changes to the structure of the Churches had local and international dimensions, which need to be understood to comprehend the realities governing present-day Christianity. At a local level, the first law governing the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate was promulgated and the Orthodox Arab issue surfaced. Moreover, the Latin Patriarchate was re-established and the Anglican Bishopric was formed. Most of these events occurred in Jerusalem and their consequences necessarily extended to the various parts of Palestine and Jordan. This history is not restricted to the Churches and the study touches on public, political, social and economic life, Christian-Muslim-Jewish relations, the history of the clans and ethnic groups, the ties that neighboring countries forged with the Holy Land, and the pilgrimage to the Holy Places. This pilgrimage is one of the most prominent features of the Holy Land. Indeed, the Lord has blessed this land and chosen it from everywhere else in the world for his great monotheistic revelations as God, Allah, Elohim. The sources and references of this book are diverse in terms of color, language and roots. One moment they take the reader to Jerusalem, Karak, Nazareth, and Salt and at other times to Istanbul, Rome, London and Moscow.

A scathing and brilliant revisionist history, Defending the Holy Land is the most comprehensive analysis to date of Israel's national security and foreign policy, from the inception of the State of Israel to the present. Book jacket.

Holy Hoaxes: Debunking World Religions – An Atheist's Bible In an era where knowledge is at our fingertips, "Holy Hoaxes" takes a bold step forward, challenging the age-old tales and beliefs that have shaped societies and cultures around the world. Dive deep into a critical examination of various world religions as myths are debunked and traditional narratives questioned. With a blend of wit, humor, and meticulous research, this book invites readers to explore the inconsistencies and contradictions of religious teachings when viewed through the lens of modern science and logic. Inside, you'll discover: *A comprehensive overview of major world religions and their contested beliefs. *A provocative look at the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. *The irony of moral foundations and the scandals that plague religious institutions. *Brave accounts of whistleblowers, survivors, and those who dared to challenge the religious status quo. *Reflections on the power dynamics between religion and politics, and their impact on believers. Whether you're an atheist, a believer, or somewhere in between, "Holy Hoaxes" promises an enlightening journey filled with laughter, revelations, and thought-provoking insights. It's more than just a book; it's an invitation to question, learn, and liberate yourself from unquestioned beliefs.

Since he began to practice at the age of seven, Xie Aoyu has been hit again and again. His practice is the hardest, and his family uses the most medicinal materials for him, but others have cultivated quarrelling in one year. What about him