History

This book is a translation into Arabic of The Vienna dialogue: Five Pro Oriente consulations with oriental Orthodoxy: communiqés and common declarations, edited by Rudolf Kirchschläger and Alfred Stirnemann (Horn, Austria, 1991); it contains a number of documents written by both Roman Catholic and Oriental Orthodox churchmen connected to the question of the relationship between these churches.

This book is a translation into Arabic of The Vienna Dialogue: five Pro Oriente consultations with Oriental Orthodoxy/ Middle East Regional Symposium, Deir Amba Bishoy, October 1991 (Vienna, 1991) and contains a number of articles by Roman Catholic and Oriental Orthodox churchmen connected to the question of the relationship between these churches.

This is a translation into Arabic of The Vienna Dialogue: Five Pro Oriente Consultations with Oriental Orthodoxy On Councils and Conciliarity. Second Study Seminar. June 1992. Booklet No. 5 (Vienna 1993) and contains documents and communications from both Roman Catholic and Oriental Orthodox perspectives on questions relating to church councils.

This is a translation into Arabic of The Vienna Dialogue: Five Pro Oriente Consultations with Oriental Orthodoxy On Primacy. First Study Seminar. June 1991. Booklet nr. 4 (Vienna, 1991) and contains documents from the discussions which took place in Vienna in June 1991 relating to the question of Papal Primacy and the various Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Exploring the concept of the kingdom of God, this thesis is based on Patristic sources from the time of Clement of Rome to that of John of Damascus. Herrick begins with the Apostolic Fathers to set the stage for the major divisions that follow. Divided into the Ante-Nicene Fathers and the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, the sources are divided into the Greek and Latin traditions and the major theologians and historic sources are examined for what they indicate about the theme. Written in non-technical language, this volume is readable by laity and specialists alike.

This series of addresses constitute a unique travelogue from a renowned author and traveler Caroline Hazard. In addition to her ability as a travel writer, Hazard was also an artist and poet. Her talents in this regard are clear to readers of this little book. Paintings and photographs from her journey to the Holy Land are interspersed with her account of her travels and sonnets that provide the ambiance of the experience for her readers. Unconventional as a travel journal in its anecdotal narration of her impressions, the overall feel of the book is an experience for any armchair adventurer.

Deissmann was a scholar well known for his work with the Greek of the New Testament. In this little volume he considers the Hellenization of Semitic monotheism. Primarily concerned with the changes after Alexander’s conquest, the book is a brief exploration of Greek religion in the aftermath of conquest. Semitic monotheism was, according to Deissmann, a new concept for the Greek world. Hellenistic outlooks had long been influenced by classical viewpoints. Into this cultural milieu the Judaic concept of monotheism made immediate inroads. This influence is explored primarily in linguistic form, including considerations of the Septuagint. Both Hellenists and Semitic scholars will find material of interest here. Observations made by Deissmann influenced later thought in this field. Stretching across disciplines, this study will interest cultural historians as well. Share the sense of discovery with this useful booklet.

In the days when many Americans were first becoming aware of the larger religious world, Sailer introduced them to Islam. Reaching for an understanding of how the two religions relate, he begins this study with an introduction to the Muslim world. Sailer approaches the subject with a respect for Islam and its believers. Aiming to prepare missionaries for Muslim regions, he writes for a general readership. Understanding, he believes, begins with an overview of Muslim life and the character and influences on Islam. Designed as a short adult course on the subject, this booklet has instructions for the leader of an adult group on the topic. Interested in the impact of Christianity on Islam, Sailer explores what churches might do. Taken all together, this little booklet spells out a plan of action for what the author saw as a missionary opportunity.

From one of the leading scholars of Islam in the last century comes this exploration of Christianity and Islam. Right from the beginning Becker notes that there are different points of view on the subject. Examining the nature of the subject and the historical connections between the religions, he turns to the meeting of the two faiths. Emerging outlooks at the time demonstrated just how much these religions affected each other. Those interested in the history of western religions will find this a refreshing resource. Also useful to students, this informative booklet is a welcome find.

Among the many issues that plague Christian sensibilities, perhaps none is as stressful as the virgin birth. Since the advent of higher criticism the concept itself the concept had grown increasing untenable to the point that an anonymous cleric decided to take action in this booklet. Scientific study of the Bible had revealed that what had appeared to have been predictions were often mistranslations, and many were shaken by such revelations. Succinct and irenic, this treatment will be appreciated by Christians who are still concerned over the implications that serious biblical study raises.

Ghattas Maqdisi Elias, “Malphono Denho,” was perhaps the greatest Syriac poet of the twentieth century and a major figure in the Syriac literary revival which took place then. This book collects together a number of Maqdisi’s writings, including poems, a series of letters written to Abrohom Nouro, selected Syriac and Arabic essays, as well as the Maqdisi’s last interview (conducted in English).

One of the issues consistently plaguing New Testament scholars is the date of the Gospel of John. No consensus exists on this thorny dilemma. Looking at the world around the Bible, extrabiblical testimony often provides evidence for such questions. Insights drawn from Irenaeus are used by Lewis to help shed light on the topic. Noting the extent to which Irenaeus bears on the fourth Gospel, Lewis discusses the potential authors of John that could have been known by Irenaeus. Ending with modern conclusions to the issue, Lewis provides a useful summary of state of Irenaeus studies around the beginning of the twentieth century.

This classic account of the missionary life of James Hannington has delighted generations of readers. Written by an enthusiastic exponent of the mission field, this account has stood the test of time to become a recognized icon of the genre. The first Anglican Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa, Hannington was reared in a not untypical English setting, eventually being schooled at Oxford. His remarkable accomplishments and savage martyrdom are narrated with poignancy and empathy. A moving account of a man willing to risk all for his convictions, this missionary story appeals to popular readers and those interested in the European presence in Africa.

In his zeal to convert Muslims to Christianity, Zwemer was unmatched and this book helps to explain why. Not shy about admitting that the three major monotheistic religions share the concept of one God, he begins an examination of Islamic ideas about God, from a Christian perspective. Starting with the premise of the singularity of Allah, Zwemer discusses the Muslim ideas of the divine essence. In a chapter about the ninety-nine names of Allah he explores the similarity to the rosary and Islamic ideas of divine justice. Passing next to the attributes of Allah, Zwemer examines and analyzes what Muslims assert regarding God. In further chapters he deals with how Allah interacts with the world, the concept of the Trinity, and predestination. Determining that the completed idea of God in Islam is incomplete, Zwemer concludes with a case for the God of Christianity.

Wishing to educate the western world to the wonders of Islam, Lord Headley penned several books on the religion. In the present volume he volunteers the various attributes that made Islam a viable option for a western citizen. Understanding the religion would ultimately undermine fears others felt toward the unfamiliar faith. Taking traditional areas of concern to task, he addresses peacefulness, women’s place in Islam, willful misrepresentations, self-control, fear, law and order, converts, praise and thanksgiving, and the continuation of God’s blessings. Such a strong case suggested to his readers that society’s fears stemmed from misunderstanding.

La Religion a Rome sous les Sévères is a classic work on third century Roman religion, ranging from the stoicism of Marcus Aurelius to the syncretism of Severus. Reville's knowledge of religion in the late antique world is considerable, and his analysis draws together Eastern mystery cults, Baal worship, and Neopythagorean philosophy as well as classical pagan religion. Yielding lasting results, Reville's study will be welcomed by readers interested in the history of religions.

Having lived for many years in Beirut, John Wortabet grew to know much about the Islamic world. Recognizing the wisdom and integrity of the people and religion of what was then known as Syria, Wortabet set about to preserve the essentials of Arabic wisdom in this little book. The wisdom saying, a literary form of ancient pedigree in this part of the world, is generally a brief but pointed statement of a truth distilled from careful observation. Wortabet here presents these saying arranged according to topic, with the goal of facilitating understanding between the wider world and those who live in what has become a very unsettled region.

Known as an author of education books, Robbins first wrote this piece as a dissertation at Teachers College, Columbia University. An historical expedition into the role of teachers in sixteenth-century Germany, Robbins muses over the conditions in the Protestant elementary and secondary schools of the past. Outlining the sources available, Robbins lists the kinds of teachers and their number. The character and training of teachers, as well as their appointment and tenure at the end of the Medieval Period are given considerable attention. Their economic conditions and professional and social relationships are examined in the context of their attitude towards their profession. This brief study will be of interest to any who wish to know about the history of the craft of teaching in Europe.

This edition of Mar Jacob of Sarug's (d. 521) homilies on the prophet Elisha deals with some of the more difficult stories in the Old Testament, how to understand the story of the bears who ravage the children who made fun of the prophet and why the sacrifice by the King of Moab of his son to his pagan god was seemingly successful. The volume constitutes a fascicle of The Metrical Homilies of Mar Jacob of Sarug, which, when complete, will contain the original Syriac text of Jacob's surviving sermons, fully vocalized, alongside an annotated English translation.

The full title of this work indicates the scope of its contents: A Catalogue of the Arabic, Persian and Hindustany Manuscripts of the Libraries of the King of Oudh, Compiled by Order of the Government of India. This first volume was the only part of the project completed by editor Aloys Sprenger, and it contains the Persian and Hindustani poetry. This catalogue includes biographies of Persian and Urdu poets, a chapter of works of Persian poets, and a brief chapter on the work of Hindustani poets, which concludes the works.

Moving away from his usual interest in Egyptian mummies, Pettigrew here addresses another morbid interest in antiquities: the epitaphs and inscriptions of ancient sepulchers. The majority of this study focuses on the epitaphs of England and surrounding regions that fall into several categories ranging from devotional to untruthful, from rhetorical to ridiculous. Laid out catalogue style with an index, this book was among the first of its genre and retains its value for readers interested in the perceptions of death as left in the monuments of the departed.

In the early years of archaeological excitement in the environment of the biblical world, Merrill traveled through what is today Jordan on an extended journey and wrote this engaging account of his travels and explorations. Copiously illustrated with line drawings and etchings of the monuments and notable sights he encountered, his descriptions still retain their compelling voice. An historical account of travels around an area that would soon blossom into an archaeological haven, this journal is worth exploration for its contribution to a new discipline.

Part travelogue, part missionary account, this book recounts the experiences of a nineteenth-century traveler in the Ottoman Empire. Indeed, Hamlin’s account begins with a description of the origin and extent of the Ottoman Empire, including a consideration of the social issues it faced. An encounter with Islam, with a sympathetic reading of the Quran, leads Hamlin to conclude with the misrepresentation of the Ottomans that he has discovered to be problematic. An intimate glimpse into the Ottoman world of the nineteenth century, this historic travelogue will be welcomed by students of missionary activity and the rapidly changing region of Turkey.

E. J. Hardy traveled widely and emerged as a skilled writer. This account of the Holy Land, written by a clergyman, is an effort to provide a touchstone for modern readers who are interested in the biblical story. Beginning almost as a gazetteer, Hardy describes the agriculture and fauna of the Palestine of his day. A distinctive travelogue, this account of the Holy Land will appeal to a wide range of readers.

Considered one of the greatest works of the Sufi writers, Saadi’s Bostan (The Orchard) is an astounding poetic collection of wisdom that includes anecdotes, proverbs, and quotations that engage the rules of life and psychological observations of individual behavior. Saadi (or Abu Muslih bin Abdallah Shirazi, 1184 – 1283/1291?) was a Persian poet and traveler. Here Bostan is presented in German translation, the work of one of Germany’s great poets, Friedrich Rückert, who also had the distinction of being a professor of oriental languages. The lover of medieval poetry will find this supreme accomplishment of Persian poetry irresistible.