Showing results by publisher "Learn25" in Religion & Spirituality

You are invited on the most powerful journey that you can take in your life: the journey from your head to your heart. On August 11, 1938, Bill Wilson created the first 12-step fellowship. Since then, countless men and women have participated in this powerful program. The spirituality of the 12 steps transcends multiple religious and secular traditions. This is truly a spiritual approach for everyone. Now, renowned spiritual expert Fr. Anthony Ciorra, PhD, will guide you through the deep spirituality behind the 12 steps.

Discover the Book of Genesis anew in this brilliantly taught Bible study course. Genesis may be one of your favorite books of the Bible, but many of its stories can seem puzzling or foreign. How are we to reconcile the two seemingly different creation stories? And why would a supposedly benevolent God ask Abraham to sacrifice his son? How is the bible’s first book relevant to our lives today?

In this 18-lecture course, Fr. Just explores the structure and contents of the Lectionary, examines its history and development, and suggests ways you can use it more fully. The content will be valuable not only for people already involved in liturgical ministries but also for anyone who wishes to become more familiar with the Lectionary and the liturgical year. Fr. Just will address all your questions about the Lectionary, including What is the Lectionary for Mass? How was it developed? How is it related to the Bible?

Experience this insightful course on the environment. These 12 thought-provoking lectures will give you a distinctly Catholic understanding of the earth. As you explore ecological theology and environmental ethics, you will focus on the themes of origin, crisis, conversion, and action. Using sacred Scripture, the insights of the Franciscan tradition, and modern Catholic social teaching, you will discover a holistic approach to God, humanity, and creation.

Ten watershed dates forever shaped Israel's history and the development of Jewish and Christian identity. The Old Testament may seem vast and at times overwhelming to even the most dedicated. By grasping the significance of these 10 seminal events, you will better understand your faith and the traditions shared by billions. This unique course is full of gripping tales, though-provoking theology, engaging personal stories, and historical frameworks that make easy recalling and conveying the history of the Old Testament.

The apocalypse is one of the most often discussed yet least understood topics in Christianity. In her essential course, Dr. Dorothy Jonaitis invites you to unravel the mysteries surrounding the final days of the world. Our culture is saturated with depictions of the "End Times", and many Christians derive their understanding of eschatology from books and novels. But scripture rarely supports such popular (and often doom-filled) representations, creating more misinformation than not.

Gain fresh insights into the New Testament in this life-changing course by a celebrated Bible translator and Oxford professor. Perhaps no other text has so greatly influenced Western civilization as the New Testament. And yet, it also remains widely misunderstood, even among lifelong Christians. Now, The New Testament: A Bible Study Course answers your most important questions about its 27 books.

Now you too can discover the inspiring model of St. Francis as outlined by St. Bonaventure. Bonaventure talks about this spiritual journey as taking place in six steps, like the six days of creation. On each step of the journey, he explores a new dimension of our relationship with God. Bonaventure presents us with a mystical theology, leading us step by step from reflection on the world around us, through reflection on our inner world as human beings, toward the world above us, the divine life of the Holy Trinity.

Join Fr. John R. Donahue, S.J., one of Catholicism's leading Mark experts, in exploring the Gospel of Action. Christianity was at a crossroads. The great apostles Peter and Paul had died. Members of the original Christian communities had passed. Jesus' word might also soon be buried and forgotten. But it was Mark's good news - not Matthew's - that saved the faith.

In these 12 captivating lectures, you'll explore the life of the Prophet of Islam as well as the Quran's five pillars, which govern the beliefs and behavior of Muslims everywhere. You'll learn how the incredible legacies of the great Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires still influence the Arab world, Iran, and South Asia. You'll also look at Islam in other parts of the world. The current Muslim struggle to preserve tradition in an age of globalization and ethnic and religious strife are examined in detail.

Blessed John Duns Scotus, OFM, (1266 - 1308) lived at the height of medieval scholasticism and became one of its premier luminaries. Commended as the Doctor Subtilis (the "Subtle Doctor") for his keen yet nuanced insights, he is rightfully regarded as one of the greatest philosopher-theologians. He influenced a wide range of writers and philosophers from Hopkins to Heidegger, and his thought remains as important as ever.

Award-winning professor Fr. Felix Just, S.J. (PhD, Yale University) is one of America’s leading Bible teachers. Under his tutelage, you will steep yourself in research about the composition of Luke’s Gospel, the author’s original audience, and the depths of significance in these ancient pages. Teeming with fresh insights into Luke, Fr. Just’s talk will give you a deeper appreciation for this Gospel’s spiritually uplifting message. This lecture is part of a larger audio series, Fr. Felix Just’s acclaimed Introduction to the New Testament.

From the time of the early Christians, the book of Revelation has fascinated and puzzled its readers in equal measure. Now you can join one of the world’s leading experts in exploring this important - and often misunderstood - biblical book.

Perhaps no one had such a great influence on the Roman Catholic Church in the 20th century as Pope John XXIII, who was canonized by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014. Born Angelo Roncalli (1881-1963), he rose from humble beginnings to become a passionate advocate for social justice and world peace. His papacy was marked by compassion, charity, and love. In this course you will join ecclesial expert and Georgetown professor Gerard Mannion in encountering the enduring charisma of Saint John XXIII.

Few Christian thinkers have brought such an array of intellectual, scientific, spiritual, and religious resources to bear on faith and society as Bernard Lonergan (1904-1984). A Jesuit philosopher and theologian, Lonergan worked to integrate faith with the promotion of justice. Taught by one of the world’s leading experts on Lonergan, this 12-lecture course introduces you to the breadth of Lonergan’s thought. You will focus on his method of better knowing yourself through your web of natural, social, and religious “ecologies”.

Celtic Christianity has produced a kaleidoscopic array of saints, monks, and poets. In this series, Dominican Prof. Richard Woods cultivates more than 1,500 years of Celtic spirituality's rich traditions to acquaint you with the insight that these fascinating figures can offer us today.

Christian theology may not believe in Marxism, and Marxism may think that God is dead, but the two ideologies still have much to say to one another. Thomas Merton, one of the world’s greatest modern Christian intellectuals, was fascinated by the dialogue between Marxists and Christians. Now, by listening to these nine masterful talks, which Merton delivered to the novices at the Abbey of Gethsemani in 1965 and 1966, you can join in these conversations.

In this erudite and inspiring 12-lecture audio course, you will take a riveting journey through the history of the Catholic faith’s most vital celebration. The Liturgy of the Eucharist has deep roots in tradition. But the Mass has also enjoyed a dynamic history over the centuries. As you will discover, its ongoing evolution reflects the ever-changing world and Christ’s presence in it.

Recorded in 1964 at his monastery, Thomas Merton gave these lectures to novice Cistercians. Today, you are invited into Merton’s classroom for an intimate discussion about one of Christianity’s most influential figures. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, O. Cist. (1090 - 1153) is one of the most important figures in the history of Christianity: a founder, reformer, and Doctor of the Church.

Enter into the ancient world of the psalms in this essential audio course. You will explore the literary forms of the psalms, especially praise and lament. You will learn how the New Testament writers and early Christians used the psalms. The psalms have their origin in the worship and prayer of ancient Israel, and now you, too, can discover them as models and guides for your life of prayer.