Showing results by publisher "Phoenix Books" in Christianity

A multitude of Biblical stories have been censored, mistranslated, ignored, and even banned by religious authorities due to their erotic, violent, or mysterious content. Here, Jonathan Kirsch recounts some of the most startling and explicit writings from the Old Testament.

Also: The Old Testament: An Introduction, Part 1 and Part 2

"Children don't fail, the adults around them do - and it is up to us to light the candle of excellence within each one we know and love," begins Marva Collins, one of America's foremost educators, in her important work, Values. This practical guide is for those of us who strive to be role models, who want to know the important values, live them, and teach them to our children.

The book of Genesis, written at the beginning of recorded history, remains a thoroughly unique document. This ancient work transcends the primitive mythologies of the ancient Near East as a divine account of Earth's earliest ages. It is informative in its content, beautiful in its arrangement, and inspiring in its appeal. There is something of value for everyone—the scientist, the historian, the theologian, the housewife, the farmer, the traveler, and the man or woman of God.

Joe Eszterhas knows a lot about darkness. A writer of sinister, sexually graphic, violent films like Basic Instinct and Jagged Edge, he awoke one hellishly hot day in 2001 and found God. Or, rather, God found him. Crossbearer is the powerful, poignant story of how a streetwise, cynical man who must overcome his addictions to stay alive found faith in some of the most mundane sources: a game of baseball, a child's photo of a cloud, a dying mother's dying roses.

The Psalms are a unique portion of the Old Testament—150 songs and poems—that cover a wide range of emotions to express the heart and essence of humanity. Written over several centuries by multiple authors, these Psalms illustrate the theology and worship of the Israelites, imparting lessons through the ages. This reading uses the King James Version of the Bible—a translation whose language is praised as some of the greatest poetry ever written—and is enhanced by actor Michael York's performance.

The subject of these stories ranges from saints to single mothers, from Depression-era childhoods and poverty to times of great peace and prosperity. Together they serve to remind us of the miracle, faith, transformation, and mystery that live in the spirit of Christmas.

This Easter-themed audio edition features three full-cast dramatizations from The Greatest Story Ever Told radio series: "The Betrayal", "The Crucifixion", and "The Resurrection".

Submitted by readers of Catholic Digest, here are dozens of original accounts of true incidents that illustrate an uplifting portrait of the compassion and kindness for which we all are capable.

A must-read for anyone interested in book publishing, Inside the Bestsellers is about ordinary people who became top-selling authors. Discover how James Redfield self-published The Celestine Prophecy and later sold the rights to Warner for $800,000, and how the authors of Chicken Soup for the Soul promoted their book to the top of The New York Times best seller list - stories that have forever changed the business of publishing.

These poignant writings about the defining moments in many women's lives represent a variety of different cultural, ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds. Each woman reflects on the difficult choices she's had to make, and whether she'd do things differently if given the chance. The evocative, universal stories of challenges and conflicts touch on issues we can all relate to, including marriage, children, relationships, aging, and career choices.

With generous spirit and a profound sense of hope, Pope John Paul II always spoke to the people of the world in their own language and in a very personal way. In this special recording of his celebration of the Roman Catholic Holy Eucharist and various other liturgical selections, John Paul gives access to a spiritual and theological tradition that is centuries old.

Over 100 classic and contemporary quotes from the pages of Catholic Digest give us renewed hope, spiritual vitality and a new perspective on the miracles that sustain us daily.

The ambitious radio series, The Greatest Story Ever Told—based on the book of the same name by Fulton Oursler—came to ABC in the 1940s with a full orchestra and 16-voice chorus. The series dramatized the life and times of Jesus Christ—"the greatest life ever lived"—and was the first radio series to simulate the voice of Christ as a continuing character. The stories quite effectively captured the essence of Oursler's book—a beautifully simple dramatization of Christ's life as set down by four apostles.