The Complete Idiot S Guide To Early Christianity

With around 2 billion followers, Christianity is the most widespread religion in the world. Especially dominant in the western world, today's Christianity has a wide variety of forms, beliefs, and practices. But what kind of world was Jesus of Nazareth born into? How was the initial Christian message received by the different cultures into which it was spread? What was its early background and foundation, and how did it set the stage for what Christianity became? The Complete Idiot's Guide to Early Christianity explores who the early Christians were, how they lived, what they believed-and what their impact was on the church we know today.

CIG to Christianityhelps readers define what Christianity is all about, from the roots of Catholicism and the three streams of Protestantism, to "Christianity without borders"-fundamentalism, evangelicalism, the Charismatic movement, and "New Age" Christianity. Whether people are searching for the right Christian church for themselves or seeking to understand the differences between denominations, this book is a fascinating look at where Christianity is right now. How different are Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches? Lutherans and reformed denominations? Quakers and Mennonites? Can you be a Christian without belonging to a church?

The word on spreading the word ... The Evangelical Christian movement is the fastest growing segment of American religion with 42% of all Christians in America identifying themselves as Evangelicals. Now, Evangelical Pastor David Cobia shares the genesis, history, and culture of this religion in America with a balanced, accessible tone. He also touches upon the controversies it's spawned regarding such topics as school curriculum, abortion, gay rights, and family structure. Written both for those inside the movement and those wanting to know more, it gives a clear, factual portrait of what this growing Christian movement is all about. --Balanced, positive yet objective tone and presentation of information --Provides a complete history of the movement, details about specific services and rituals, and interviews with Evangelical Christians about their beliefs and lifestyles --Discusses controversial topics and how Evangelical Christians feel about them

The founding of the early Christian Church had as much to do with politics and intrigue as it did with theology and religion. This history and the documents uncovered at the Nag Hammadi site in Egypt have formed the basis of some of the most interesting and mysterious questions today. Was Mary Magdalene a disciple of Jesus? What role did Jesus mother Mary play? What does the Gospel of Thomas tells us? Enter The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Gnostic Gospels. Expert author J. Michael Matkin has provided easy and understandable overviews to all these major works and more. With chapters discussing each of the major and minor documents found at Nag Hammadi, the book also includes an overview of Gnosticism and its most influential people. Readers get an easy, understandable view of the early Church, these relatively new documents, and their meaning to modern religion and philosophy today.

A comprehensive look at the Christian religion. From the roots of Catholicism and the three streams of Protestantism to Fundamentalism, Evangelicalism, the Charismatic movement, and “New Age” Christianity, this essential source helps readers define what Christianity is all about in the 21st century. In this Complete Idiot’s Guide®, you get: • Simple explanations of the geographical and cultural factors that divide the Christian faith. • Faithful insights into what Catholics, Episcopalians, Baptists, and others believe—and why, • All the information you need to decide which church is right for you. • Foolproof facts about what fundamentalists believe about the Bible, other Christians, and the wider world—especially politics.

You’re no idiot, of course. You’re familiar with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and Judgment Day—especially in the wake of the new millennium. However, the Book of Revelation has existed for almost 2,000 years and is open to countless interpretations. Don’t get confused by scholarly analysis and religious dogma! The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to the Book of Revelation shows you how so many meanings are derived from the book’s text. In this Complete Idiot’s Guide®, you get: • Various ways to interpret Revelation and its symbols • A detailed examination of the key elements, including the Seven Seals and the Antichrist • A look at how the Jewish Old Testament and prophecies relate to Revelation

They say there's nothing new under the sun, and the Christian fiction industry certainly didn't spring full blown with the advent of the Left Behindseries in 1996. Remember Christyby Catherine Marshall? Published in 1967, its inspiration was the life of Marshall's mother - and the Christy Award, presented annually since 1999 to recognize novelists and novels in several categories of Christian fiction, was named after it. What makes Christian fiction? There are several givens, despite the subgenres- the Christian worldview must be woven throughout both the book's plot and its character development. But must it put proselytizing before telling a good story? How much sex - if any! - is okay in a Christian romance? Is it all right to approach edgy subjects in a Christian mystery? Is it possible to seamlessly integrate a Christian message in a crackling good yarn? In The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Christian FictionRon Benrey - himself the author of successful Christian fiction - offers readers chapter and verse of writing Christian women's, romance, thrillers and mysteries, warfare, historical, biblical, speculative, and young adult fiction that deliver strong, inspirational messages and sell!

This revised edition continues to walk both experienced Bible readers and those seeking it out for the first time through a chronological, story-by-story and person-by-person experience. Complete with maps of journeys and explanations of the acts and epistles, this book includes: The journeys of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses, and the law from Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel and Kings, including David and Goliath, Gideon and Samson, and King Solomon. The captives, the women, the poets, the prophets and more through the Old Testament. The story of Jesus as told in the four Gospels. The acts of the Apostles as they spread the word of the new church; the letters from Peter, Paul, James, John and Jude on a variety of topics, and John's apocalyptic Revelation; The Apocrypha including Maccabees 1 and 2 along with other books included for other practices. An all-new reference glossary featuring names and places with descriptions and cross-references to their discussion in the Bible.