Stumbling Blocks

"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because it will provide clear contexts for considering any medieval artifact relating to blindness---a literary text, a historical document, a theological treatise, or a work of art.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.

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.

Much of the timber of public schooling and evangelicalism is as dry as kindling; Millstones & Stumbling Blocks is an open flame. Don't read this book if you insist on believing that . . . Christian children should be educated in public schools American evangelicalism is on the right track there are political remedies for our cultural illnesses Do read this book if . . . you'll consider that the above points may not be true you are unhappy with the educational status quo you accept the responsibility to read, think, and act "There is no greater failing among Christians than our lack of obedience in the education of our children. Brad Heath understands the stakes and eloquently points the way." -Bruce Shortt Attorney, and author of The Harsh Truth about Public Schools

Getting through the tough stuff. You see a friend suffer. Leaders and churches let you down. Your prayers fall flat. Maybe your dad died. How do you have faith through these things? Gavin and Anne have faced their own challenges. They struggled to conceive – and then their second child needed thirteen blood transfusions. Every day their work brings them into contact with hurting young people. They don’t have all the answers, but they demonstrate that it is possible to meet the questions head-on and go on growing. Gavin and Anne have chosen to make living for Jesus the most important thing in their lives. This honest book is born out of experience and shaped by encounters with people who struggle. If you want a quick-fix consumer faith don't bother to read it. But if you are seeking genuine answers, this book is a real find. – Ian Coffey, Director of Leadership Training, Moorlands College Gavin and Anne have emerged stronger, more compassionate and more focussed as they have allowed their faith to be tested. Their insights and wisdom are set out in this readable and honest book, which we thoroughly recommend to you: get it, read it and live it! – John and Anne Coles, National Directors, New Wine What I love most about Gav and Anne is their integrity. – Rachel Gardner, Romance Academy

Warning: This Book May Bolster Your Faith! Are you really the descendant of chimpanzees? The latest scientific evidence says "No Way!" From microbiology to cosmology, science is continually unlocking mysteries that reveal an incredibly complex universe, one that screams Intelligent Design. The Stumbling Blocks of Evolution unapologetically highlights many scientific facts that absolutely crush the theory of evolution. In fact, many of the very building blocks of evolution (i.e. fossil record, mutations, etc.) are now widely recognized as unavoidable stumbling blocks. Modern science is pointing in a new direction and it has Darwin's faithful followers all tripped-up. The Bible states in Hosea 4:6, My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Regrettably, evolutionary propaganda has caused an onslaught of young believers to reject their faith in God. This book provides valuable information that will act as armor against Darwin's poisonous seeds of doubt. The Stumbling Blocks of Evolution was written by a layman who, like so many others, was grappling with his own understanding of origins. If you're looking for a book that will galvanize your faith and make the Bible come alive then you have come to the right place. This book addresses some of the most commonly asked questions regarding evolution, creation and the Bible. Chris Nitardy is just a regular family guy who became interested in knowing the truth about evolution and creation. This new curiosity kicked off an investigation that forever changed his view of religion, faith and life. In short, God became real.

Have you ever considered the seriousness of causing someone else to stumble? That is, to hinder someone’s spiritual wellbeing. Does it surprise you that the apostle Paul describes it as evil (Rom. 14:20)? In The Scandal of Stumbling Blocks , James Durham helps us to consider the matter deeply by defining the nature of stumbling as well as showing its serious consequences. He looks in considerable detail at different kinds of stumbling and identifies the ways that people can stumble and be stumbled. Durham provides practical advice for avoiding and preventing offense. Now edited in modern English, Durham’s classic treatment on considerate Christianity can be used to edify a new generation. Table of Contents: 1. Why Is Stumbling Important? 2. What Is Stumbling? 3. What Are the Different Kinds of Stumbling? 4. What Ways Do We Stumble Others? 5. To What Extent Should We Avoid Stumbling Others? 6. How Can Believers Prevent Stumbling? 7. How Can Ministers Prevent Stumbling? 8. What Are the Key Truths about Stumbling?

The 2021 IPCC report made one thing crystal clear — global climate change is here to stay. Time is up. We need to act or climate change will lead to inconceivable suffering by billions of people. Buying Time for Climate Action is the combined narrative of world class experts, all committed to help humanity survive its largely self-induced destructive course. Changing that course requires urgent action. Determining which actions will lead to helpful change requires insights into the stumbling blocks that always emerge when actions aimed at change are planned, resulting in lost time. The experts who contributed to this volume, through their expertise, networks, wisdom and creativity, have largely concluded that the way to cope with the stumbling blocks is to avoid them by focusing on grassroots initiatives. Their narratives and discussions, presented in this book, highlight such thinking.The book is essential reading for anyone committed to help avoid an existential disaster for humanity, and ready to move plans into effective action.