Showing results by publisher "Learn25" in Religion & Spirituality

The Spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi invites you to learn from the Franciscan tradition of living the Gospel. In this inspiring course, you will look at the spiritual writings of St. Francis and his followers as well as how they put their beliefs into practice. Br. William Short's powerful yet accessible lectures deliver you the heart of the treasures from this "little poor man of Assisi".

At the end our lives, we look forward to eternal life. Now you can take a fascinating journey through eschatology, the theology of the Last Things. In these 12 lectures, you will join renowned theologian Dr. Peter Phan in encountering De Novissimis - the "Last Things". You will explore the realities that occur at the end of life (i.e., death and dying) as well as those that occur in the afterlife (i.e., judgment, purgatory, hell, heaven, the resurrection, and the consummation of the world).

Under the guidance of leading theologian Fr. Richard Lennan, you will explore the impact of Vatican II and how it shaped our understanding of the church. Through exploring the ideas of such noted theologians as Yves Congar and Walter Kasper, you will gain new insights into the theology of the church.

How do you understand Grace and sin? How are they spiritually connected? In the Western church, the understanding of grace, sin, and God's good creation has been shaped by theologians responding to the challenges specific to their times while using the resources of theology, philosophy, and personal religious experience. With the help of Father Brian McDermott, SJ, you will be able to address these and other questions as well as gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of God's grace.

“Do this in memory of me.” You hear this commandment every week at Mass, but what does it really mean? Now you can discover how to become the Eucharist as Christ desired. The celebration of the Eucharist is one of the most sacred and ancient traditions in Christianity. Catholics rightly consider the Eucharist to be the heart of our faith.

Most people recognize forgiveness as an important value, one for which we should all strive. But even with the best intentions, “just letting it go” can be easier said than done. Now, Humanitas Prize chairman Fr. Frank Desidero answers the central question of how to forgive the past and move into a brighter future.

Other than the Virgin Mary, no woman has so captivated our attention as Mary from Magdala. From her portrayal as a prostitute to speculation that she was Jesus’ wife in popular fiction like The Da Vinci Code, images of Mary have abounded for centuries. These portrayals, however, often have very little basis in truth. In this fascinating audio course from Fr. Raymond F. Collins, you will explore Mary Magdalene in the Gospels, Gnosticism, and popular culture.

In the 21st century, men face technological advances, a relentless pace of living and working, and constant demands on their time and attention. Men are searching for meaning - in their careers, relationships, and society. This inspiring retreat provides a path for nurturing faith and sustaining a truly spiritual approach to life. Men of all ages, cultures, and positions will find tremendous spiritual insight under the guidance of Rev. James Clarke, PhD.

Join acclaimed New Testament professor Ian Boxall, author of Discovering Matthew, to gain a deeper understanding of this remarkable Gospel’s shape and message. The Great biblical scholar Dom Henry Wansbrough notes that Prof. Boxall “has a talent for expressing profound and illuminating truths in a succinct and understandable form,” making him the perfect guide for this exploration.

The Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles are two parts of a single triumphant work. Each an epic work in its own right, together they proclaim the gospel message and narrate the gripping story of the Church’s early days. Using the metaphor of a double helix, Fr. William Burton asks you to imagine Luke’s gospel and Acts as a single account with many parallels or rungs connecting the two sides of the twisted ladder.

What is the function of the contemplative in the modern world? This question lies at the root of Thomas Merton’s extended contemplation of Franz Kafka’s dystopian novel, The Castle. Now, you have the rare opportunity to hear Merton - the English professor-turned-monk and a literary genius in his own right - discuss The Castle as a metaphor for the monastic life. Originally recorded in 1967 and newly remastered to enhance your listening experience, this audio set collects four talks on Kafka that Merton delivered during the month of June.

Known by many names - Lucifer, Beelzebub, Mephistopheles, and Satan, to name but a few - the Devil is universally recognized as the embodiment of pure evil and rebellion in Christianity. Although little is said about this figure in the Bible, the Devil has, throughout history, served as an abstract canvas onto which human beings have projected their greatest fears and adversarial forces. Depictions of the Devil also come complete with the allure and romance that accompanies characters associated with rebellion and transgression.

From the best-selling author of The Return of the Prodigal Son comes essential listening for Catholics and all spiritual seekers. These meditations by beloved author Henri Nouwen invite you to follow the traditional Stations of the Cross through the passion and suffering of the world’s poor. Inspired by the drawings of Sr. Helen David, Nouwen sees in these images the ongoing passion of Christ.

Explore the transformative power of Buddhist philosophy with Dr. Douglas Gentile, renowned psychologist, celebrated professor, and Zen Buddhist monk.

Dante Alighieri is indisputably one of the world's greatest poets. His epic masterpiece, the Divine Comedy, has been frequently referred to as the supreme work of Italian literature and a staple in the Western Christian tradition. Now, you can explore Dante's life and masterwork with a truly gifted Catholic professor as your guide. In this 12-lecture series, Dante's Divine Comedy, Sr. Mary Clemente Davlin will take you through this timeless narrative that has so profoundly influenced Western history, literature, and the Christian faith.

You are invited to encounter Paul and his remarkable legacy as never before. Your guide is world-renowned Pauline expert Fr. Ronald Witherup, Superior General of the Sulpician Order. Arguably, Paul's influence on Christianity has been greater than that of any other writer. The 13 epistles attributed to Paul have influenced great figures of Christian history from St. Augustine to Martin Luther to contemporary theologians, as well as an untold number of believers.

You are invited to experience the life-changing power of Dominican spirituality in this inspiring retreat with St. Dominic. Dominican spirituality calls all of us to bear witness to the power of God in our own lives. As you journey through the life and lands of St. Dominic, you will come to realize this power more fully.

Are you prepared to die for your faith? It is a difficult question and one that many Christians today are not forced to answer. However, there was a time when belief in Jesus Christ brought harsh torture and brutal execution. It began with the crucifixion of the one they called "The King of the Jews". It marked the first of many collisions between Rome and those who confessed allegiance to Jesus of Nazareth.

Travel into the desert with Thomas Merton as your guide. In the third century, men and women journeyed into the deserts of Syria and Egypt. Turning away from the world, they sought to find salvation in solitude. By doing so, they developed new forms of monasticism and spirituality. Now known as the Desert Fathers and Mothers, their wisdom remains as inspirational today as ever.

The Gospels calls all Christians to work for justice, even in times of conflict. Under the guidance of celebrated moral theologian Fr. Tom Massaro, you will come to understand the dialogue between religion and society. As you do so, you will gain a deep understanding of the history and application of Catholic social teaching.