Contesting Inter-Religious Conversion in the Medieval World

Contesting Inter-Religious Conversion in the Medieval World
Author: Yosi Yisraeli
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 285
Release: 2016-12-08
Genre: History
ISBN: 1317160274

The Mediterranean and its hinterlands were the scene of intensive and transformative contact between cultures in the Middle Ages. From the seventh to the seventeenth century, the three civilizations into which the region came to be divided geographically – the Islamic Khalifate, the Byzantine Empire, and the Latin West – were busily redefining themselves vis-à-vis one another. Interspersed throughout the region were communities of minorities, such as Christians in Muslim lands, Muslims in Christian lands, heterodoxical sects, pagans, and, of course, Jews. One of the most potent vectors of interaction and influence between these communities in the medieval world was inter-religious conversion: the process whereby groups or individuals formally embraced a new religion. The chapters of this book explore this dynamic: what did it mean to convert to Christianity in seventh-century Ireland? What did it mean to embrace Islam in tenth-century Egypt? Are the two phenomena comparable on a social, cultural, and legal level? The chapters of the book also ask what we are able to learn from our sources, which, at times, provide a very culturally-charged and specific conversion rhetoric. Taken as a whole, the compositions in this volume set out to argue that inter-religious conversion was a process that was recognizable and comparable throughout its geographical and chronological purview.

Death of the Church Victorious

Death of the Church Victorious
Author: Ovid Need
Publisher: Chalcedon Foundation
Total Pages: 371
Release:
Genre: Religion
ISBN:

Death of the Church Victorious traces, with abundant documentation, the roots and modern growth of “Protestant Zionism” and dispensational theology, i.e., God working in different ways in different periods of time, from its roots in the late 1700’s to the late 1900’s. The new and unique ideas presented during that time were considered unorthodox, even heresy. But through dedication and hard work, men such as John Darby, George Muller, Hudson Taylor, and Dwight Moody changed Christianity from victory to defeat, and exalted “Zionism” over the “Gospel Church.” Now non-dispensational theology is considered unorthodox. Moody’s Northfield conferences, the Civil War, and the publication of Scofield’s popular Reference Bible allowed “Zionism” and dispensationalism to become legitimate Biblical doctrines in America. If Protestants find a monk’s retreat from the world wrong, is their otherworldliness any the less objectionable? “Ovid Need’s study of Death of the Church Victorious, Tracing the Roots and Implications of Otherworldliness is a work of major importance. A false spirituality and an otherworldliness of anti-Biblical characters have long plagued the Christian Church and hobbled its progress… “Pastor Need analyzes those views in evangelical circles which are working against the future of the faith. His study is a summons to a Biblical faith and power. It is written with grace and insight. Its timelessness cannot be overstated. It is a joy to read, and a work that the Christian community should be grateful for.” ~ R. J. Rushdoony (from the Foreword) “Pastor Need brings to light dispensationalism’s dire effects: pessimism instead of prevailing, cowardice instead of conquering, isolation instead of involvement – a system offering a “rapturous” sneaking away at “any moment” instead of encouraging the saints to subjugate and subdue the enemy until victory is obtained!” ~ Dave MacPherson (from the foreword) This title is a direct print from and original copy.