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CCEL Classics CD: works by Saint Augustine, John Calvin, John Donne, Julian of Norwich, Brother Lawrence, Martin Luther, Saint Teresa of Avila, Thomas Aquinas, Thomas a Kempis, John Wesley, and more!
Dr. W. Harry Plantinga
Manufacturer: Christian Classics Ethereal Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM
 Mariology
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Luther, Martin
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ASIN: 1931848076
Release Date: 2006-12-15 |
Product Description
The most important spiritual writings of Christian history are available on this Classics CD by the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) at Calvin College. It contains 118 Christian classics, including three versions of the Bible, several commentaries, Bible dictionaries, readings, spiritual guides, sermons, poems and journals -- all in a convenient, searchable form. Books are available in HTML and PDF formats. The easy-to-use CCEL Desktop software powering the CD enables users to browse and print books and install additional books from the Web. The top-of-class search engine can search for words or phrases in books, in authors works or in the whole library. In addition, it can search for dictionary definitions of words and commentary or references to scripture passages. The interface is a Web browser. The CD is compatible with Windows 2000+, Macintosh 10.3+, and most Linux versions.
Book Description
Nicholas of Cusa (1401-1464) is often called the outstanding intellectual figure of the fifteenth century as well as the principal gatekeeper between medieval and modern philosophy. This volume gives fresh attention to the theological and mystical dimensions of his thought. The introduction casts new and exciting light on the development of Cusa's theology of spirituality. The book also provides for the first time in one volume an English translation of Cusa's basic mystical corpus: On Learned Ignorance; On the Hidden God; On Seeking God; On the Vision of God; and On the Summit of Contemplation. Another unique feature is the annotated glossary of key Cusan terms that accompanies the texts.
Cusa's writings reveal a remarkable imaginative and gifted theologian who anticipated contemporary questions of ecumenicity and pluralism, empowerment and reconciliation, and tolerance and individuality. These translations particularly communicate to us his experience of a very large God that jostles us out of our parochialism.
For all his intellectual power, he never closes his thought into a system. He is a significator and a conjecturer. He keeps pointing beyond his own words and beyond even his prized formulae and labels, including "learned ignorance" and "coincidence of opposites." He persistently brings theology to the edge of incomprehensibility, beyond both positive and negative ways, beyond even paradox and the coincidence of opposites, to the realm of the Purely Absolute and Infinite, to the contemplation of Possibility Itself.
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful synthesis of theology, philosophy and mysticism.......2006-11-23
Nicholas of Cusa is a rare and lonely genius who straddles the time of change between the late medieval period and the early Renaissance. A cardinal in the Roman Church, Cusa like many more modern mystics, led a highly active as well as contemplative life.
This collection of writings includes Cusa's most important work, 'On Learned Ignorance' as well as several smaller works including 'The Vision of God' and 'The Unknown God.'
Cusa's mysticism is deeply speculative and intellectual, perhaps more so than any other Christian mystic except Eckhart and Eriugena. At the heart of Cusa's mysticism is God's absolute infinity, which renders God utterly and entirely incomprehensible to the human mind. Because incomprehensibility is not merely due to a defect of the human mind but is an attribute of God himself, Cusa rigorously adopts a strongly apophatic approach to God, developed along lines already laid out by Dionysius the Aeropagite, Eckhart, and Scotus Eriugena.
In the Learned Ignorance Cusa likens God to the 'absolute maximum' who while ineffable, contains the fullness of being and reality. The absolute maximum is God's essence as it is in itself, what philosophers might now call the Absolute. In the absolute maximum, which is basically God's infinite nature, all coincidences and opposites merge into one basic unity. In other words, the many become the one and the one becomes the many in God's plenitude of being.
Cusa then goes on to describe how God is related to the universe. The universe is the absolute contractum or minimum, crudely a mirror of God's infinity and infinite itself, but not God. The universe presents the believer with an overwhelming expression of God's ineffability, however God himself by virtue of his absolute infinity remains shrouded in incomprehensibility and mystery. One of Cusa's favourite sayings is the ancient maxim 'God is a sphere whose circumference is everywhere and centre is nowhere.'
Cusa also argues that as God is radically unknowable, also the universe is in a way radically unknowable. Humans are engaged in an ever deepening vision of God through creatures, though God himself will forever remain unknown to the created mind. Like Eriugena and Eckhart, Cusa pushes his apophatic theology and mysticism to the very limit and seems to argue at times even creatures themselves are somehow theophanies or appearances of deeper realities or reality which we can never know. In this sense he seems to anticipate Kant, who put a radical barrier between the knowable and the unknown.
Cusa's vision of God contains astonishing philosophical and theological depth which remains unmatched until the arrival of Spinoza. His vistas of an infinite universe are perhaps unmatched until the arrival of the mystical cosmology of Giordo Bruno and the universe of Isaac Newton.
While perhaps Cusa's vision may not be appropriate for today's universe, his courage in exploring the hidden deeps of God's being are to be admired for their profoundity and originality, and one looks forward with hope to the next Cusa who will integrate all things into a grand vision before which one feels only awe.
A Path to a Pure Spiritual/Modern World.......2004-09-25
This book is one of many translations that are currently being made for English language readers on the 15th century writings of Nicholas of Cusa. New translations of Cusanus writings began to appear in the late 1970s by Jasper Hopkins of the University of Minnesota. Free copies of some of Hopkins translations are available on the Internet at http://www.cla.umn.edu/jhopkins/. Today, translations of these 15th century writings are also being made by the American Cusanus Society. The author of this book is past president of this society.
The writings of Nicholas of Cusa are significant because his writings, on God and our world, initiated the modern world in which we live today. To me, his writings are the most important religious writings to be found on amazon.com today. His writing will help people transform the out-dated ancient views of God and our world they have been taught into modern views supported by modern science. Without this transformation, a person becomes conservative with a closed mind and will not understand the natural changes that are taking place among liberal and open-minded people.
This book is a necessary addition to any home or public library. It is necessary by any person who is working on the unification of science and theology. And, it is necessary for any person who believes that a pure spiritual/modern world is possible beyond the materialistic-driven spiritual/modern world in which we live today today.
The Neo-Gnostic Christian Mystic.......2003-10-22
Of all the great Christian mystics that I have read, Nicholas de Cusa is one of the finest. In the masterpiece "On Learned Ignorance" he reveals the "coincidence of opposites," which is the point in infinity when all opposites unite and become blended together in God's infinity, the Infinite Line, which is the Absolute Maximum and Absolute Minimum combined, i.e., the two points (contradictions) of a finite line converging and becoming unified, or equal in God's un-being existence, where there is no proportion between the infinite and the finite. He believed that Jesus Christ is the Gate Keeper of the "coincidence of opposites." We can only understand God through a "learned ignorance" because God is beyond being, beyond all understanding. This work alone is worth the cost of the entire book. Also included are "Dialogue on the Hidden God," "On Seeking God," "On the Vision of God," and "On the Summit of Contemplation." All these works together form a synthesis in Nicholas' philosophy/theology. Nicholas was very gnostic. He takes Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite's mysticism to the next level, if that is even possible. You will also see the obvious influence that Meister Eckhart had on him. There's a wonderful Foreward, Introduction, Abbreviations, Notes to the Text, A Brief Glossary of Cusan Terms, Select Bibliography, and Indexes. This book is a must have for any Christian-mysticism collection. I highly recommend this volume.
A Delightful Experience!.......2000-04-30
This book affords the scholar and novice alike a wonderful foray into the thought of Nicholas of Cusa. A fine collection of principal titles by Cusanus, this book is one full of enigmatic charm and probing insight! The forward and introduction provide a helpful entryway to the texts which are supplemented by a useful glossary of key terms and several notes.
Customer Reviews:
Some comments from the publisher.......2004-12-08
I haven't read this book and I'm not affiliated with the publisher, but I found the book description on the publisher's website so fascinating that I couldn't resist posting it here. Now my only question is: when's the mass market paperback edition coming out??
Here's the description:
The work of Thomas Aquinas (1224-1275) has become increasingly influential in recent doctrinal theology and theological ethics, aside from his extraordinary historical significance. Thomas has been read ever since his death, today as much as ever. What is it that distinguishes his work, and can his theological judgments and proposals still be brought to bear in contemporary theological inquiry?
This book presents a new study of Thomas Aquinas, focusing on the evangelical, pastoral and theocentric character of his premodern theology. Healy presents Thomas as first and foremost a theologian of the Christian life, who when he used philosophical concepts did so in order to fulfill the task of theology, which he conceived as an ecclesial discipline dedicated above all to helping Christians follow Jesus Christ. Thomas's interpretation of Scripture and his theological method, his Trinitarian ontology, his Christology and his Christological anthropology, conception of the church and sacramental theology, are all examined from this perspective.
The richness and complexity yet profound simplicity of the Christian way of life Thomas reveals is shown to make a valuable contribution to the thought of contemporary readers, and the significance of Thomas's writings for contemporary theological questions and concerns is revealed.
Contents
Preface; Introduction: life and interpretation; Nudum Christum nudus sequi; The dialectic of wisdom; The economy of salvation: Jesus Christ; The Christian life: Christ and the Holy Spirit; Life in the body of Christ; Index.
Reviews
'Healy asks, "Do we need another book on Thomas?" We certainly do need another book if it is as good as this one. To write with such beautiful clarity and economy about the thought of Aquinas as Healy has done is an extraordinary achievement. This is a book that should be read by anyone beginning to read Aquinas but also by those who have read the Summa Theologica for years.'
Stanley M. Hauerwas, Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theology, Duke University, USA
'I cannot imagine a better account of Thomas Aquinas as a Christian theologian'. Fergus Kerr OP, Regent of Blackfriars Hall, Oxford, UK
'A wonderful introduction to Thomas, and to the Christian Life, as that involves engagement with scripture and the effort to follow Christ faithfully.'
Kathryn Tanner, Professor of Theology, University of Chicago, USA
'Healy [...] shows in an accessible way some of the character, extent and complexities of Aquinas' mature theology... Healy's contribution adds significantly to the recent secondary literature on Aquinas and, for the present reviewer, he offers the most compelling reason for engaging intensely with Aquinas' deceptively 'clear and succinct' writings: one might learn how to be a more faithful disciple of Jesus christ.' New Blackfriars
'[Healy's] stimulating reading of Aquinas paints a fuller portrait of him for students of theology. Those who remain committed to more philosophical interpretations will also find much of interest here, not least the challenge to sketch alternative portraits of Aquinas postmodernus.' TLS
Further Information
Affiliation: Nicholas M. Healy, St John's University, USA
ISBN: 0 7546 1472 7
Publication Date: 05/2003
Number of Pages: 182 pages
Binding: Paperback
Binding Options: Available in Hardback and Paperback
Customer Reviews:
Interesting but not the best.......2007-05-22
I ordered this book because I do have a deep interest in Saint Nicholas and have ordered many books on the subject. There are many good elements to this book but it does not really explain the reason for the existance of father Christmas. That is left to the very last chapter of this book. There is plenty of historical information which is worthwhile reading. This book has much to say on the history of fourth century christiantity. There is much to learn about the conflict between pagans and christians and the events that lead to the edict of milan. But is that what this book is really about? It is true that Saint Nicholas lived through out this period but the book should be more concentrated on Saint Nicholas and his evolution into Santa Claus. Several books have been written about Saint Nicholas which tend to separate him from Santa Claus. I think this is truly impossible as the two are really one person. But I digress for this book is more about the history around the historical Saint Nicholas and that part is fairly well written. Learning about Constantine is very intesting and presented in a manner which is not boring. But then the book is about Saint Nicholas and should be centered on him.
A "times".......2006-11-10
Trustworthy information about the historical Saint Nicholas, bishop of Myra, is so limited that there is an outside chance that he never existed at all. D. L. Cann makes the best of this unpromising situation by effectively turning a "life and times" into a "times." Cann makes reasonable guesses about how life might have been lived in southwestern Anatolia at the end of the Roman Empire, and he well summarizes Christian accounts of the Great Persecution of Diocletian and the period of toleration under Constantine. Cann writes well enough, and even passages a bit too florid are not offensively overblown. The volume includes a chapter about Saint Nicholas in the Christmas tradition, the Latin and a free translation of an 11th-century song about the saint, and texts (perhaps late 8th century) of the five earliest surviving Nicholas legends.
Customer Reviews:
Superb!.......2000-04-11
A powerful, accessible, practical introduction to the heart of Ignatius of Loyola's thought
Book Description
Folk and literary tales of rescue, nurturing outwitting evil and healing make this a delight for children and adults.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book!.......2007-01-09
I had been looking for a book that gave the story of St Nicholas that I could read to my Grandchildren. This was the perfect book. It had all the stories about St. Nicholas from around the world. It was interesting to read the different stories about Bishop Nicholas depending on where you lived. Very Complete! A must for the "Bishop Nicholas" lover.
Average customer rating:
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The life of saint Nicholas: The wonder-worker (A Cloud of witnesses)
Nina Seco
Manufacturer: St. Nectarios Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
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ASIN: 0913026360 |
Book Description
St. Nicholas is more than just a legend--he was a real man who lived long ago and had a heart for giving gifts at Christmas. Now, he shares his story with you in the form of a letter. Open your heart to receive a new burst of Christmas joy and inspiration for the season!
Author Christine Bolley uses this interesting, letter-style format to tell the story of the real St. Nicholas. Featuring gorgeous artwork by Bruce Eagle, this book tells the story of St. Nicholas' life, his love for Jesus, and how gift-giving can be a wonderful way to show Christian love to our friends, family and neighbors.
Customer Reviews:
Few Biblical references and more cultural!!!.......2006-12-15
The best thing about this book is the beautiful illustrations, but they can't support the purchase of the book. Some reviews have lauded the connection between St. Nicholas and the Christian faith, however...much of it is extra biblical and totally cultural. The fact is, Nicholas translates quickly into Santa Claus, with one illustration showing him with an elf hat on. Then there's the "vision" Nicholas gets from God telling him that he'll have to carry on the tradition of giving. Give me a break!!! This is pure hokey, meant for a child's fantasy life, and not an adult. Forget about reading this to a child!! In our family, we teach our girls that Jesus Christ, and Him exclusively, is the reason for Christmas. Not some fat little man in a red and white suit who gives to everyone who asks.
Where's the balance, and where's the reviewers thinking caps?
Christmas is about Jesus Christ, the reigning King of Kings and Lord of Lords!! Our four year old girls know this. Why doesn't this author know it, and why does the author insist on keeping Santa Claus alive and trying to continue to paganize Christmas? At least read the history of Nicholas of Myra, and you can use discretion to separate the myth from the legend from the fantasy.
In our home, we are receiving gifts at the manger where the Christ child lays. Not in the tree or the Ho, Ho, Ho!!! It's time we grew up!!! This book was a waste of money!!! (Unless you love beautiful illustrations)
What a Gift.......2006-12-06
I loved this book...the biblical references and perspectives gave me a new and deeper way of looking at Christmas and St. Nocholas that I'll keep forever. As I considered the number of books I wanted to give as gifts, my list just kept growing. Then I realized that I wished every family had this book--and that they would all be blessed by sharing it together every holiday season!!! It is a very beautiful and meaningful story.
BEAUTIFUL.......2005-12-14
As a Christian and the mother of a four year old, I was thrilled to find this exquisite book. First, it is richly illustrated by Bruce Eagle with charming characters and vibrant color. The story is told in verse, which makes it appealing to all ages and even more memorable. The story is sweet and whimsical and allows Christian parents to embrace the story of Santa and to use it as a springboard to share the truth of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we often discard many Christmas traditions as being rooted in paganism and as detracting from the birth of Jesus. This book smartly places the focus squarely on the birth of Christ, and it does it with warmth and tenderness. I encourage parents not to discard Santa, but to use this hero of the faith, Nikolaus of Myra who was tortured and imprisoned for his faith, as an example of faithfulness and giving. Nikolaus's gift giving pointed to Jesus. Santa can, too.
A wonderful way for Christians to incorporate Santa into Christmas without losing focus on Christ.......2005-12-01
I was delighted to find this book! The first page tells of many different cultural beliefs about Santa (the reindeer part originated in Russia, the Dutch were the first to call him Santa Claus, Americans are the ones who made him a fat guy in a red and white suit - go figure!) It incorporates Bible verses and tells who St. Nicholas is. It focuses on asking WHY we get presents on Christmas, instead of WHO brings them. St. Nicholas had a dream which was a vision from God, asking him to be the vehicle that Jesus uses to deliver gifts to children everywhere to spread the joy of Jesus' birth. It is really a neat way to tie the two together. I highly recommend this book :)
Average customer rating:
- Many good stories in The Life of Saint Nicholas
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The Life of Saint Nicholas
Manufacturer: Herder and Herder
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000H0DHRQ |
Customer Reviews:
Many good stories in The Life of Saint Nicholas.......2006-12-08
I recently read this story online at The St. Nicholas Center (for kids) website. I recommend it to anyone wanting to know some of the stories and legends of St. Nicholas. Some were familiar, others were new to me. My kids ages 5 and 7 enjoyed it. Some of the stories are the 3 daughters and the coins, a mother bathing her baby, sea captain and grain, sailors and a storm, setting innocent men free, knights nearly deceived by Satan, captured boy returning home from a year with a king, son and chalice, merchant and money lender. Simple illustrations, but nicely done.
Average customer rating:
- How can this be out of print?
- How can this be out of print?
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Life of Saint Nicholas
Manufacturer: Diane Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0788190520 |
Amazon.com
R.O. Blechman applies his trademark scribble to the life of Saint Nicholas, who was born a Roman citizen in A.D. 314 and developed a penchant for good works as a child. Blechman's saint is of the earnest, regular-guy variety, and his generosity constantly lands him in trouble. You could imagine him stumbling into a Frank Capra movie. But the goofy illustrations by Blechman keep the proceedings sincere without ever allowing them to get too sugary.
Product Description
Blechman describes in words & delightful drawings how little was known of the actual life of St. Nicholas until an ancient manuscript (mss.), "Vita Splendida et Illustris de Nicolo Beato," was discovered in 1989 by an Italian farmer. The farmer donated it to the church, which sold it to an antiquarian dealer. It ended up for sale by Sotheby's, but the Italian government declared it a national treasure & demanded its return. After a conflict between UNESCO, the CIA, & the Italian-American Cultural League, Sotheby's sold the manuscript to R. Jay Gatchall, who donated it to a museum. Blechman then tells the story of the life of St. Nicholas. A charming book!
Customer Reviews:
How can this be out of print?.......2001-12-17
This is one of the most delightful Christmas books I've ever read, a mix of facts, fiction, and absurdity. Why the heck is it out of print?
An Italian guy walking his dog comes across the text for the life of Saint Nicholas -- hunting for truffles, of all things. It starts with a little Roman baby, born during the Christian rule of Constantine; it is rapidly found that Nicholas can bend cutlery (spoons, knives), transform wine into vinegar and vice versa, and eventually is able to make miracles: to simply will things into existance (sometimes with comedic results). He uses these talents for good; but is arrested when Constantine dies and a pagan emperor comes into power. Sounds dire? Believe me, it isn't.
Blechman does an excellent job of blending fact and fiction: Saint Nick could not create stuff magically; the lifespans of his parents; the three virgins; the giving away of his possessions to the poor, etc.
This is relentlessly tongue-in-cheek. I thought the transformation of the pagan statues into Christian statues was hilarious (especially the Jesus and the moneylenders one); the idea of how Saint Nick got his red suit, hat, bag and chubbiness; the dog named "Piano"; the rare intervals of dialogue are usually a hoot.
Blechman's cartoon style is sort of wavery and cute without being cutesy. He also manages to keep the story from descending into cutesiness, especially at the end, in which certain actions take a bizarre but somehow logical twist.
As the Christmas market is often populated by either feel-good fluff, sob stories, or cynically saccharine fables, this is refreshingly minimalist in its storytelling and illustration. It also, unlike many stories, addresses Saint Nick AS a saint; at the same time, it isn't a religious story, but simply a cute little semi-fictional retelling. A delightful holiday read, one that I will treasure.
How can this be out of print?.......2001-12-11
This is one of the most delightful Christmas books I've ever read, a mix of facts, fiction, and absurdity. Why the heck is it out of print?
An Italian guy walking his dog comes across the text for the life of Saint Nicholas -- hunting for truffles, of all things. It starts with a little Roman baby, born during the Christian rule of Constantine; it is rapidly found that Nicholas can bend cutlery (spoons, knives), transform wine into vinegar and vice versa, and eventually is able to make miracles: to simply will things into existance (sometimes with comedic results). He uses these talents for good; but is arrested when Constantine dies and a pagan emperor comes into power. Sounds dire? Believe me, it isn't.
Blechman does an excellent job of blending fact and fiction: Saint Nick could not create stuff magically; the lifespans of his parents; the three virgins; the giving away of his possessions to the poor, etc.
This is relentlessly tongue-in-cheek. I thought the transformation of the pagan statues into Christian statues was hilarious (especially the Jesus and the moneylenders one); the idea of how Saint Nick got his red suit, hat, bag and chubbiness; the dog named "Piano"; the rare intervals of dialogue are usually a hoot.
Blechman's cartoon style is sort of wavery and cute without being cutesy. He also manages to keep the story from descending into cutesiness, especially at the end, in which certain actions take a bizarre but somehow logical twist.
As the Christmas market is often populated by either feel-good fluff, sob stories, or cynically saccharine fables, this is refreshingly minimalist in its storytelling and illustration. It also, unlike many stories, addresses Saint Nick AS a saint; at the same time, it isn't a religious story, but simply a cute little semi-fictional retelling. A delightful holiday read, one that I will treasure.
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