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Early in the course of the Reformation (1520) Martin Luther penned a trilogy of foundational documents addressing the Church, the Nobility and the Christian life. This document concerning the Christian life expounds the famous paradox: A Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one. (Summary by Jonathan Lange)...

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Religion

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The tragedy is based on the mythological story of King Pentheus of Thebes and his mother Agavë, and their punishment by the god Dionysus (who is Pentheus' cousin) for refusing to worship him....

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Play, Tragedy

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St. Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, describes several schools of Gnosticism which were prevalent among pre-Nicene Christianity. He then refutes these beliefs as heresies by contrasting them with what he describes as catholic, orthodox Christianity. Against Heresies demonstrates that earliest Christianity was a fascinating and diverse plethora of beliefs, debates, and schisms. (Summary by JoeD)...

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Religion

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The Book of The Judges is a record of the Israelites' pattern of continuing disobedience to God, and their salvation by God through judges chosen to lead the people. (Introduction by Mark Penfold)...

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Ancient Texts, Religion

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Der Großinquisitor ist eine Erzählung aus dem Roman Die Brüder Karamasow. Die Handlung spielt im 16. Jahrhundert, in Sevilla. Jesus, auf die Erde zurückgekehrt, wird von einem greisen Großinquisitor verhaftet und soll auf dem Scheiterhaufen verbrannt werden. (Introduction by Al-Kadi)...

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Literature, Religion

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Charles Spurgeon was a British Particular Baptist preacher who remains highly influential among Christians of different denominations, among whom he is still known as the Prince of Preachers. In his lifetime, Spurgeon preached to around 10,000,000 people, often up to 10 times each week at different places. He was the pastor of the congregation of the New Park Street Chapel (later the Metropolitan Tabernacle) in London for 38 years. Spurgeon was a prolific author of many types of works. This sixth volume of Spurgeon’s commentary on the Psalms covers Psalm 119 to Psalm 124. (Summary modified from Wikipedia by MaryAnn)...

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Religion, Instruction

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Authored by Isabella M. Alden under the pen name Pansy. Fifth in the Chautauqua Girls series. Alfred Ried (brother of Ester Ried from that series) wants to help the hundreds of poor street boys in his city to come to faith and improve their conditions, but is discouraged and overwhelmed with the task. Enter Flossy (Shipley) Roberts, a willing worker who focuses on 7 such boys and especially on one. (Summary by TriciaG)...

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Religion

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The Epistle to the Colossians is a book of the Bible New Testament. The book is a letter from Paul to the church in Colossae. (Summary from Wikipedia)

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Religion

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The Innocence of Father Brown (1911) is the first of five collections of mystery stories by G. K. Chesterton starring an unimposing but surprisingly capable Roman Catholic priest. Father Brown's ability to uncover the truth behind the mystery continually surpasses that of the experts around him, who are fooled into underestimation by the priest's unimpressive outward appearance and, often, by their own prejudices about Christianity. Combining captivating stories and insightful commentary, The Innocence of Father Brown is a delightful read. (Summary by Brian Roberg)...

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Mystery

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Formula of Concord (1577) is an authoritative Lutheran statement of faith (called a confession, creed, or symbol) that, in its two parts (Epitome and Solid Declaration), makes up the final section of the Lutheran Corpus Doctrinae or Body of Doctrine, known as the Book of Concord. The Epitome is a brief and concise presentation of the Formula's twelve articles....

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Religion

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This appendix to the 1580 edition of the Book of Concord is a compilation of Scripture passages together with citations from the fathers of the ancient Christian Church. They are intended to show that the Christology of the Formula of Concord differs neither in substance nor in terminology from Christian Orthodoxy. (Introduction by Jonathan Lange)...

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Religion

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The Wise Woman is a parable or fairy tale written by George MacDonald, and is one of his better known works. This delightful story describes the activites of a good witch in developing the virtuous characters of two young girls: one of whom responds positively, the other negatively. In this story, MacDonald uses the character of the witch to convey how God pursues perons from all backgrounds, and how only He can enable them to embrace virtuous living. (Summary by Godsend)...

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Advice, Epistolary fiction, Instruction, Religion

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A summary of Lutheran doctrine, written by Martin Luther in 1537 for a meeting of the Schmalkaldic League in preparation for an intended ecumenical Council of the Church. Luther's patron, Elector John Frederick of Saxony, asked him to prepare these articles for the League's meeting in 1537, held again in Schmalkalden. Though they were not adopted at the meeting of the Schmalkaldic League in 1537, they were widely used and were incorporated into the Book of Concord in 1580 as one of the Lutheran Confessions of the faith. (from Wikipedia)...

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Religion

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Charles Edward Jefferson was pastor of the Broadway Tabernacle in Brooklyn, New York for 33 years. In Quiet Hints, published in 1901, he provided guidance to young preachers on what we would today call ministerial deportment, an old-fashioned word that refers to how a man carries himself, how he presents himself, his manners, his bearing, his habits, and his whole approach to life. Jefferson wrote in short, pithy statements that encapsulate practical truth in just a few words. (Summary by MaryAnn)...

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Advice, Instruction, Religion

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The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians, also known as the Second Letter to the Thessalonians, is a book from the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It was written by Paul. (Summary from Wikipedia)...

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Religion

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The Sunday School Times says of the author, he was a specialist in prayer and his books are for the quiet hour, for careful meditation and for all who wish to seek and find the treasures of God. This book is a ready helper for those who want to follow his path, with more and better communication with the Lord. (Summary by Editor & Reader)...

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Religion, Instruction

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Translated into over 100 languages, The Pilgrim's Progress is one of the most famous classics of literature. It is an allegorical novel, describing a Christian's journey through life to reach heaven. Part 1 was written by John Bunyan in 1679 whilst he was imprisoned for conducting unauthorised religious services, whilst Part 2 was not written until 1684, and is not included in many versions of this text. This recording includes both parts, and inline scripture references. (Summary by Joy Chan)...

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Religion

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The Second Epistle of Peter is a book of the New Testament of the Bible. According to the epistle itself, it was written by the apostle Peter, an eyewitness to Jesus' ministry. He criticizes false teachers who distort the authentic, apostolic tradition, and predicts judgement for them. He explains that God has delayed the Second Coming so that more people will have the chance to reject evil and find salvation. He calls on Christians to wait patiently for the parousia and to study scripture. (Summary from Wikipedia)...

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Religion

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This is a series of short messages written by the South African minister, Andrew Murray. They deal with the necessity and joy of surrendering our lives completely to God. (Summary written by Joy Chan)...

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Essay/Short nonfiction, Religion

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Conceptions of Divine Love was written in 1577. St. Teresa wrote this with the idea of explaining certain words found in the Book of Canticles. When her confessor read the title of her work, he ordered her to immediately burn it, which, of course, she did. But one of her nuns had copied the first seven chapters, which was then published in 1612. Here, Father John Dalton has translated only four of those chapters in 1852. (Summary by Ann Boulais)...

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Religion