The Complete Idiot's Guide to Early Christianity

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Early Christianity
Author: J. Michael Matkin
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 324
Release: 2008-05-06
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1101058005

Where it all began—for two billion followers worldwide The most popular religion in the world has a variety of doctrines, beliefs, and practices. This book helps its legion of followers to better understand where it all began, while exploring everything from how early Christians lived to Jesus’ initial message and its impact on the church. • Explores every aspect of the church and the roots of its core beliefs • Easy to understand and use • Covers the hot topics of Christianity—women in the church, Gnosticism, politics, and more • Author is a well-known scholar and expert on ancient Christianity

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Book of Revelation

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Book of Revelation
Author: James S. Bell Jr.
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 326
Release: 2001-12-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1101199253

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

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Christian Fiction

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Christian Fiction
Author: Ron Benrey
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 356
Release: 2007
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 9781592576814

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!

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Christian Prayers & Devotions

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Christian Prayers & Devotions
Author: James Bell Jr.
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 312
Release: 2007-02-06
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1440625654

How to talk to God. Through practical examples, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Christian Prayers and Devotions demonstrates the impact of down-to-earth conversations with God. Organized by topic, this volume is ideal for browsing through prayers and devotions according to the your interest-from joy and depression to assistance and gratitude-and contains both modern-day prayers and prayers from antiquity. --The only book currently on the market to include both prayers and devotions for Christians --Organized by topic: joy, depression, giving thanks at holiday time, asking for assurance, prayers of contentment, prayers of salvation, and much more --Author has written numerous books on religious topics and has been a prominent figure in religious publishing

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Evangelical Christianity

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Evangelical Christianity
Author: David Cobia, D.Min.
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 440
Release: 2007-04-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1440626081

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 Complete Idiot's Guide to the Bible, 3rd Edition

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Bible, 3rd Edition
Author: James Bell Jr.
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 452
Release: 2005-08-02
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1101097728

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.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Last Days

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Last Days
Author: Richard H. Perry
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 372
Release: 2006-11-07
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1440696888

Get ready for Judgment Day. For centuries, humans have dreaded—and anticipated—the end of the world. These fears—fueled by natural disasters, famines, world wars, and the writings of people like Nostradamus and Jeane Dixon—have left us with more questions than answers. In The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to the Last Days, Richard H. Perry goes to the definitive source on the subject: the Bible itself. • While the book is as exciting as an action/adventure novel, the author’s primary source is the Bible, and he guides his readers to an understanding of the Last Days by using related Scripture. • Covers Bible basics and the Signs of the Times. • Includes timelines of every stage leading up to the Last Days and after.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Christianity

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Christianity
Author: Jeffrey B. Webb
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 356
Release: 2004
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781592571765

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 Complete Idiot's Guide to Biblical Mysteries

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Biblical Mysteries
Author: Donald P. Ryan
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 364
Release: 2000
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780028638317

Provides insight into biblical stories, miracles, and figures through historical context and scholarship, and explores the present controversies over lost texts, creationism, and archaeological findings.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Celtic Wisdom

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Celtic Wisdom
Author: Carl Mccolman
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 402
Release: 2003-05-06
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 1440695814

A comprehensive look at Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and continental Celtic traditions, both pagan and Christian, this guide includes the Celtic approach to shamanism, fairies, Wicca, neopaganism, magic, and Druidism. It draws a map for today’s Celtic quest, with the way of the pilgrim, honor of one’s ancestors, and the language and culture. The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Yorkshire Celtic Wisdom helps you understand the many varieties of celtic spirituality and mysticism. In this Complete Idiot’s Guide®, you get: • The spiritual history of the Celts, from ancient shamans to renowned druids to modern paganism. • The magical realm of spirit—otherwise known as the otherworld. • The mysticism of the natural world, from standing to holy wells • Why myths and stories are so important to the Celtic tradition.