Biographies & Memoirs

Marco Politi takes us deep inside the power struggle roiling the Roman Curia and the Catholic Church worldwide, beginning with Benedict XVI, the pope who famously resigned in 2013, and intensifying with the contested and unexpected election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, now known as Pope Francis. Politi's account balances the perspectives of Pope Francis's supporters, Benedict's sympathizers, and those disappointed members of the Catholic laity who feel alienated by the institution's secrecy, financial corruption, and refusal to modernize.Politi dramatically recounts the sexual scandals that have rocked the church and the accusations of money laundering and other financial misdeeds swirling around the Vatican and the Italian Catholic establishment. Pope Francis has tried to shine a light on these crimes, but his work has been met with resistance from entrenched factions. Politi writes of the decline in church attendance and vocations to the priesthood throughout the world as the church continues to prohibit divorced and remarried Catholics from receiving the communion wafer. He visits European parishes where women now perform the functions of missing male priests--and where the remaining parishioners would welcome the admission of women to the priesthood, if the church would allow it.Pope Francis's emphasis on pastoral compassion for all who struggle with the burden of family life has also provoked the ire of traditionalists in the Roman Curia and elsewhere. He knows from personal experience what life is like for the poor in Buenos Aires and other metropolises of the globalized world, and highlights the contrast between the vital, vibrant faith of these parishioners and the disillusionment of European Catholics. Pope Francis and his supporters are locked in a battle with the defenders of the traditional hard line and with ecclesiastical corruption. In this conflict, the future of Catholicism is at stake--and it is far from certain Francis will succeed in saving the institution from decline.

Warm-hearted mini-biographies of John Newton, Charles Simeon and William Wilberforce, 18th-19th century evangelicals whose lives demonstrated invincible perseverance in the cause of the gospel and offer inspiration to the contemporary reader.

"The Apostle: A Life of Paul" is an insightful book that highlights the life and works of the early Church's greatest evangelist. The book captures the essence of Paul's motives, priorities and values, providing readers with an in-depth understanding of his life. Readers interested in learning about Paul's contribution to the spread of Christianity will find this book informative and engaging."

Pope Benedict XVI's iconic life of Jesus, a rich, compelling, flesh-and-blood portrait of the central figure of the Christian faith."This book is . . . my personal search 'for the face of the Lord.'"--Benedict XVI In this bold, momentous work, the Pope seeks to salvage the person of Jesus from today's "popular" depictions and to restore his true identity as discovered in the Gospels. Through his brilliance as a theologian and his personal conviction as a believer, the Pope incites us to encounter Jesus face to face.From Jesus of Nazareth ". . . the great question that will be with us throughout this entire book: But what has Jesus really brought, then, if he has not brought world peace, universal prosperity, and a better world? What has he brought? The answer is very simple: God. He has brought God! He has brought the God who once gradually unveiled his countenance first to Abraham, then to Moses and the prophets, and then in the wisdom literature-the God who showed his face only in Israel, even though he was also honored among the pagans in various shadowy guises. It is this God, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, the true God, whom he has brought to the peoples of the earth. He has brought God, and now we know his face, now we can call upon him. Now we know the path that we human beings have to take in this world. Jesus has brought God and with God the truth about where we are going and where we come from: faith, hope, and love."

This book could be a good read for someone who is looking to explore their faith or wanting to understand Christianity in a new light. The author uses storytelling to engage readers and provides fresh perspectives on the Bible. Donald Miller's writing style is both humorous and vulnerable, making this a relatable and enjoyable read for both Christians and non-believers.

What will you build your life on? With startling transparency, Joshua Harris shares how we can rediscover the relevance and power of Christian truth . This is book shows a young man who rose quickly to success in the Christian evangelical world before he realized his spirituality lacked a foundation—it rested more on tradition and morality than on an informed knowledge of God. For the indifferent or spiritually numb, Harris's humorous and engaging reflections on Christian beliefs show that orthodoxy isn't just for scholars—it is for anyone who longs to know the living Jesus Christ. As Harris writes, "I've come to learn that theology matters. It matters not because we want to impress people, but because what we know about God shapes the way we think and live. Theology matters because if we get it wrong then our whole life will be wrong." Whether you are just exploring Christianity or you are a veteran believer finding yourself overly familiar and cold-hearted, Dug Down Deep will help you rediscover the timeless truths of Scripture. As Harris challenges you to root your faith and feelings about God in the person, work, and words of Jesus, he answers questions such     • What is God like and how does he speak to me?   • What difference does it make that Jesus was both human and divine?   • How does Jesus's death on the cross pay for my sins?   • Who is the Holy Spirit and how does he work in my life?With grace and wisdom, Harris will inspire you to revel in the truth that has captured his own mind and heart. He will ask you to dig deep into a faith so solid you can build your life on it. He will point you to something to believe in again.

This book would be a great read for anyone with an appreciation for hymns and their history. The author provides interesting and inspiring stories about the hymns, making it a great choice for devotional reading or as a source for sermon illustrations. It would also be useful for anyone interested in historical or biographical research on the topic. Overall, readers are likely to appreciate the unique insight into the beloved hymns they know and love.

This book provides an insight into the life of St. Francis of Assisi, who lived a true life of poverty and devoted his life to serving the least fortunate. It emphasizes how he found his true calling by abandoning his previous life as a playboy. Readers will appreciate the unique life Paul lived and his influence, which has lasted for centuries.

Discover Hudson Taylor, a pioneer missionary to China, who suffered tribulation, hardship, poverty, and misunderstanding. But at his heart, he loved the Chinese people and learned through his misfortunes to trust God completely. 'HUDSON TAYLOR'S SPIRITUAL SECRET' is a stirring biography that challenges you to live a life of faith.RUNNING TIME ⇒ 7hrs. and 16mins.Public Domain (P)2011 christianaudio.com

Part of the Oswald Chambers Library. Oswald Chambers was the son of a Scottish Baptist pastor and was converted under the ministry of Charles H. Spurgeon. Following formal theological training in Scotland, he traveled throughout the United Kingdom, the Far East, and the United States, lecturing on the Scriptures.

What caused a former Dallas Seminary professor to believe that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit are being given today? What convinced someone skeptical about miracles that God still speaks and heals? A dramatic change took place in Jack Deere's life when he took a fresh look at the Scriptures. He discovered that his arguments against miraculous gifts were based more on prejudice and lack of personal experience than on the Bible. As soon as Deere became a seeker instead of a skeptic, the Holy Spirit revealed himself in new and surprising ways. In Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, Deere provides a strong biblical defense for the Spirit's speaking and healing ministries today. He also describes several reliable cases of people who were miraculously healed or who heard God speak in an unmistakable way. Finally, he gives sound advice for using spiritual gifts in the church. Written in a popular style, with the care of a scholar but the passion of personal experience, this book explores: the real reason Christians do not believe in miraculous gifts, responding to charismatic abuses, whether miracles were meant to be temporary, and why God still heals.

Wrestling with Alligators, Prophets and Theologians is a must-read for anyone interested in the transformation of the Church over the past 50 years. Dr. C. Peter Wagner provides an intimate account of his experiences as a leading figure in various spiritual movements and paradigm shifts, offering profound insights into the evolution of the Church. This book is ideal for those seeking a deeper understanding of the Church's recent history and the impact of the Holy Spirit on its growth and development.