Viviana Díaz Balsera As the driving force in early European expansionism, Spain was concerned not only with the political and economic subordination of the New World native but also with the need to possess his soul. Analyzing a wide range of texts by both Franciscan missionaries and Nahua grammarians, Viviana Díaz Balsera tells the story of this zealous, spiritual endeavor during its first one hundred years in Central Mexico and of how it transformed the European self and the indigenous other in ways sometimes unforeseen for both.

George Braswell September 11, 2001, was a tragic introduction for many Americans to Muslims and the religion of Islam. Americans have many questions about Islam but most have not studied the issue in depth. Today, Lions and Rotary clubs invite speakers on Islam, university campuses sponsor lectures on Islam and churches across the nation hold workshops.

Is Islam a peaceful nation? Americans are puzzled. George Braswell is a recognized expert on the religion of Islam and on the Muslim beliefs and practices that Americans need to understand. This book will give readers the information they want and answer the questions they are asking. Beyond the media portrayals, Islam & America accurately reports the truth about this religion and its adherents.

Emir Fethi Caner, Ergun Mehmet Caner Organized in a question-and-answer format, this book is designed to help Christians explain their faith to Muslims. It not only contains the answers to the most common objections, supposed refutations, citations, and arguments, it lovingly but unequivocally presents the key tenets of Christianity-Jesus Christ is more than a prophet.

Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, Gary A. Parrett, S Steve Kang How do ethnic and cultural diversity affect spiritual formation? The authors of A Many Colored Kingdom explore Christian formation and teaching in the church, with a particular focus on intercultural and interethnic relationships. Well-qualified to speak on issues of diversity, the authors describe relevant aspects of their own personal journeys; key issues emerging from their studies and teaching germane to race, culture, and ethnicity; and teaching implications that bring right practice to bear on church ministry. A final chapter contains a conversation among the authors responding to one another's insights and concerns. This book will be required reading for those engaged in as well as those preparing for a life of teaching and ministry in our increasingly multicultural world.

Harvie M. Conn, Manuel Ortiz, Susan S. Baker

Mateen Elass A quick non-technical, introduction to the Koran designed to help Christians understand a hidden book revered by 1.3 billion Muslims, covering the background on its writing, a summary of its contents, a perspective on how it’s used and viewed by Muslims, a comparison of differences and similarities to the Bible, and some suggestions on how it should and should not be used in conversations with Muslims.

Dean Flemming Winner of a 2006 Christianity Today Book Award!

J.D. Greear World events won’t let North Americans ignore Muslims anymore. Whether those Muslims are villagers in Iraq or neighbors down the street, Breaking the Islam Code offers everyday Christians profound insight into the way Muslims think and feel.

J.D. Greear’s ability to communicate challenging heart truth, plus his expertise in Christian and Islamic theology and two years’ experience in a Muslim-dominated area, make him the perfect author for this empowering, insightful, reader-friendly book. It transcends traditional apologetics, focusing on helping Christians understand what is deep in Muslims’ hearts, behind their theology—which will lead to friendship and effective communication of the gospelrespectfully turn many of the primary objections into opportunities to share the faithavoid unnecessarily offending Muslims they’re interacting with

Readers will be excited that sharing Christ with Muslims is something they can do—as everyday Christians in their own cities, campuses, and workplaces.

J. Daniel Hays "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language . . ." (Revelation 7:9). The visions in the book of Revelation give a glimpse of the people of God at the consummation of history—a multiethnic congregation gathered together in worship around God's throne. Its racial diversity is expressed in a fourfold formula that first appears in Genesis 10. The theme of race runs throughout Scripture, constantly pointing to the global and multiethnic dimensions inherent in the overarching plan of God. In response to the neglect of this theme in much evangelical biblical scholarship, J. Daniel Hays offers a thorough exegetical study. As well as focusing on texts which have a general bearing on race, Hays demonstrates that black Africans from Cush (Ethiopia) play an important role in both Old and New Testament history. This careful, nuanced analysis provides a clear theological foundation for life in contemporary multiracial cultures and challenges churches to pursue racial unity in Christ.

Paul G. Heibert Missionaries must understand the people they serve in their historical and cultural settings. They must understand themselves similarly. Otherwise, the author warns, missionaries may proclaim a meaningless and irrelevant message. One source of help in this essential quest is the field of study called anthropology. The author, an expert in this field, taps its insights for missionaries in a way that few others do.

Philip Jenkins What does the future hold for European Christianity? Is the Christian church doomed to collapse under the weight of globalization, Western secularism, and a flood of Muslim immigrants? Is Europe, in short, on the brink of becoming "Eurabia"?
Though many pundits are loudly predicting just such a scenario, Philip Jenkins reveals the flaws in these arguments in God's Continent and offers a much more measured assessment of Europe's religious future. While frankly acknowledging current tensions, Jenkins shows, for instance, that the overheated rhetoric about a Muslim-dominated Europe is based on politically convenient myths: that Europe is being imperiled by floods of Muslim immigrants, exploding Muslim birth-rates, and the demise of European Christianity. He points out that by no means are Muslims the only new immigrants in Europe. Christians from Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe are also pouring into the Western countries, and bringing with them a vibrant and enthusiastic faith that is helping to transform the face of European Christianity. Jenkins agrees that both Christianity and Islam face real difficulties in surviving within Europe's secular culture. But instead of fading away, both have adapted, and are adapting. Yes, the churches are in decline, but there are also clear indications that Christian loyalty and devotion survive, even as institutions crumble. Jenkins sees encouraging signs of continuing Christian devotion in Europe, especially in pilgrimages that attract millions—more in fact than in bygone "ages of faith."
The third book in an acclaimed trilogy that includes The Next Christendom and The New Faces of Christianity, God's Continent offers a realistic and historically grounded appraisal of the future of Christianity in a rapidly changing Europe.

Charles H. Kraft This book serves as a thorough, basic introduction to the study of anthropology that has been designed specifically for those who plan careers in mission or cross-cultural ministry. Kraft treats various theories of culture and society; kinship and family structure, cross-cultural communication and assesses various anthropological schools.

Patty Lane The global village has arrived. Recent census figures show that our communities are more culturally and ethnically diverse than ever before. Many of us find it challenging to build relationships with people from backgrounds unlike our own. How do we befriend an international student or a new coworker from a different country? What do we do when we share our church building with a congregation from another cultural group? Why are our words and actions often misinterpreted?

Crosscultural specialist Patty Lane answers these questions. She shows us how to develop hands-on relational skills that help build crosscultural friendships, providing practical resources for navigating multicultural environments with sensitivity and savvy. Filled with vivid stories of real-life situations, this guide explains frequently misunderstood aspects of culture, debunks stereotypes and suggests ways to resolve crosscultural conflicts. Above all, Lane demonstrates God's heart for building bridges across cultures and shows how Christians can reach out to people of every nation, culture and ethnicity.

Whether you are actively ministering to people of different cultural backgrounds, traveling to other countries or just want to make friends across cultural lines, this engaging handbook is a perfect introduction to the journey.

Sarah A. Lanier Foreign to Familiar is a splendidly written, well researched work on cultures. Anyone traveling abroad should not leave home without this valuable resource! Sarah's love and sensitivity for people of all nations will touch your heart. This book creates within us a greater appreciation for our extended families around the world and an increased desire to better understand them.

Church Planting Resource Library Helping You Understand and Engage One of God's Greatest Mission Fields

Tony Maalouf (Foreword by Eugene H. Merrill) A compelling call for Christians to rethink the role of Arabs—also descendents of Abraham and recipients of his blessing. (20040901)

John A. MacKay

James McCarthy Le ayudará a comprender mejor cómo piensa un católico y cómo explicarle de forma eficaz las buenas nuevas de Jesucristo.

Chawkat Moucarry In an age of media distortion and widespread stereotypes, Christians and Muslims both need a greater understanding of each other's faith. What do Christians believe about the Bible? What do Muslims believe about the Qur'an? And what do both Christianity and Islam have to say about Jesus and Muhammad?

In this evenhanded and conciliatory book Chawkat Moucarry calls Christians and Muslims to engage in genuine dialogue, urging them to relate to each other with true humility and respect. In a straightforward fashion he describes and compares the central doctrines of both Christianity and Islam, explaining key beliefs and debunking common misconceptions.

Christians who read this book will learn much about Islam. Likewise, Muslims who read it will discover why Christians are convinced of the truth of Christianity. Sure to provide grist for informed discussions, this rare book is one that both Muslims and Christians can fruitfully study together.

"Writing out of a rich experience of interfaith dialogue in both Arabic and European cultures, Chawkat Moucarry issues a stirring challenge to Christians and Muslims to move beyond mutual ignorance and caricature. His book is itself an example of sensitive, humble yet bold engagement with Islamic beliefs, and should be pondered by Muslims and Christians alike." Vinoth Ramachandra, author of Faiths in Conflict?

"Chawkat Moucarry shows courage in arriving at clear answers to difficult questions through meticulous and rational argumentation, while striving to demonstrate the greatest sensitivity and respect for those who would reach alternative answers. This important work will serve as a valuable new resource for Christian-Muslim interaction. Adherents of both faiths should read it and use it as a key reference point in diverse contexts of interfaith dialogue." Peter Riddell, Centre for Islamic Studies, London Bible College

Martin Austin Nesvig The ten essays in Local Religion in Colonial Mexico provide information about the religious culture in colonial Mexico. Carlos Eire's essay begins the study with the meaning of "popular religion" in colonial Mexico. Antonio Rubial García looks at the use of icons.

Martin Austin Nesvig's essay discusses Tlatelolco, a city near Tenochtitlan and the site of Mexico's college for Indian education where the Indians studied classical Latin, Spanish grammar, and Catholic theology in preparation for the priesthood. William Taylor's writing uses an eighteenth-century Franciscan friar to demonstrate that priests transferred their own religion and networks of authority, power, and knowledge into their pastoral service.

David Tavárez uses examples from Oaxaca to show seventeenth-century Zapotecs were not willing converts to Catholicism, preferring to retain the "idolatrous" beliefs of their ancestors. Edward Osowski presents the stories of two Nahua alms collectors who also served as spiritual leaders in their respective villages of colonial Mexico. Brian Larkin's essay discusses how eighteenth-century Mexico City Catholics gradually lost their belief that earthly prayers could help an individual’s soul enter heaven. Nicole von Germeten tells how men of African heritage accepted the country’s religious beliefs. Javier Villa-Flores analyzes the ways masters and slaves made use of Christian dogma to live with the harsh institution of slavery. The final essay, by William Christian, Jr., examines the different "Catholicisms" that exist in the world.

Contributors:
William Christian, Jr., independent scholar
Carlos M. N. Eire, Riggs Professor of History and Religious Studies, Yale University
Brian Larkin, assistant professor of history, St. John's University, Minnesota
Edward W. Osowski, independent scholar and a Nahuatl expert living in Montreal
Antonio Rubial García, professor of philosophy, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
David Tavárez, assistant professor of history, Vassar College, New York
William B. Taylor, Muriel McKevitt Sonne Chair in History, University of California, Berkeley
Javier Villa-Flores, assistant professor of history, University of Illinois, Chicago
Nicole Von Germeten, assistant professor of history, Oregon State University

"As the first collection of essays on local religion in Colonial Mexico, this volume sets a high standard for the quality of its contributions and the variety of its contents. A discussion of the concept of local religion is followed by eight fascinating case studies from various regions of colonial Mexico, spanning from the mid-sixteenth to the late eighteenth centuries. The essays refer to numerous ethnic groups and cultures. Each essay represents the richness and complexity of Mexican history. William Christian, known for his work on the local religion of Spain, provides a final reflection on the topic for New Spain. This book is bound to benefit students and scholars of history and religion, and to make us think more about local religion in Mexico today."—Kevin Terraciano, Associate Professor of History, UCLA

Marvin Olasky The Religions Next Door will educate readers as to the truth about world religions that the media often misrepresent. Our neighborhoods are full of religious diversity these days, but the media would have us believe they all hold different variations of the same tenets. But this isn’t so, and it is in those missed details that serious and grave misjustice is done to the American people by the misreporting of religion.

Osvaldo F. Pardo "Pardo's study provides a persuasive criticism of the widespread assumption that the process of Christianization in Mexico can be conceived as the imposition of a complete and fool-proof system that did not accept doubts or compromises. The Origins of Mexican Catholicism will become an invaluable tool for future researchers and enrich future debates on the subject."
—-Fernando Cervantes, Bristol University, UK

"Pardo does an excellent job of balancing and contrasting sixteenth-century Catholic theology with Nahua thought and belief."
—-John F. Schwaller, University of Minnesota

At first glance, religious conversion may appear to be only a one-way street. When studying sixteenth-century Mexico, one might assume that colonial coercion was the driving force behind the religious conversion of the native population. But The Origins of Mexican Catholicism shows how Spanish missionaries instead drew on existing native ceremonies in order to make Christianity more accessible to the Nahua population whom they were trying to convert.

Osvaldo F. Pardo explains that religious figures not only shaped native thought, but that indigenous rituals had an impact on the religion itself. This work illustrates the complex negotiations that took place in the process of making the Christian sacraments available to the native peoples, and at the same time, forced the missionaries to reexamine the meaning of their sacraments through the eyes of an alien culture.

For Spanish missionaries, ritual not only became a focus of evangelical concern but also opened a window to the social world of the Nahuas. Missionaries were able to delve into the Nahua's notions of self, emotions, and social and cosmic order. By better understanding the sociological aspects of Nahua culture, Christians learned ways to adequately convey their religion through mutual understanding instead of merely colonial oppression.

Given its interdisciplinary approach, this book will be of interest to specialists in Latin American intellectual and literary history, the history of religion, and anthropology, and to anyone interested in cross-cultural processes.

Luis G. Pedraja Dr. Pedraja provides a most welcome introduction to Hispanic American theology. He has a gift for articulating complex theological ideas in clear and accessible prose. Here Pedraja moves beyond more limited works which have, nevertheless, proven their importance within North American theological circles. In this text, the author undertakes the systematician's task of describing the methods and themes of what has now become a mature school of thought. As a Protestant, Pedraja demonstrates a remarkable ability to articulate fairly the perspectives of the variety of voices within the Hispanic community and to identify the importance of the unique Hispanic voice for the larger project of Christian theology.

Daniel R. Sánchez Ph.D, Dr. Jesse Miranda, Dr. Bobby Sena, Diana Barrera El crecimiento explosivo y la expansión rápida de la población Hispana están transformado el panorama social, económico y religioso de América. Los Hispanos son el grupo minoritario más grande en América y se pronostica que llegarán a ser una cuarta parte de la poblición Americana para el año 2050. De acuerdo con las cifras más recientes del censo, "La población Hispana ha pasado los 42 millones y ha constituido la mitad del crecimiento de la población desde el año 2000 aunentando su presencia más rápidamente que en la década pasada." Este libro analiza estas realidades y explora las implicaciones para guiar a los Hispanos a tener una experiencia personal de salvación en Cristo, establecer entre ellos iglesias bíblicas, relevantes y reproductivas, y capacitar a estas iglesias para que experimenten crecimiento saludable y tengan ministerios eficaces en sus comunidades y cumplan la Gran Comisión al enviar misioneros Hispanos a partes muy estratégicas del mundo.

Jorge Ramos Nuestra "casa", más que un lugar físico, es un conjunto de recuredos que nos permite comprender mejor quienes éramos, quienes somos, y puede ayudarnos a comprender quienes seremos. Ese sentido de pertenencia es el que nos define. Algunos dejan su "casa", su hogar, muy pronto en sus vidas; para ellos es muy difícil encontrar su centro emocional. Están, a veces, condenados a una vida sin equilibrio. Pero también es una existencia con mucha libertad. Sin frontera alguna, estos eternos viajeros no dejan de buscar aventuras y experiencias límite esperando encontrar algún día, como Ulises, un lugar que puedan llamar su "casa".

Así empieza el viaje de la extraordinaria autobiografía de Jorge Ramos, un periodista que encarna este espíritu aventurero a la perfección, y que espera, algún día, encontrar un lugar en el cuál se sienta como en casa.

Por primera vez, Jorge Ramos, el más prestigioso presentador de noticias en español comparte su vida personal con sus lectores, televidentes y radioescuchas. Hable de lost amores de su vida, de su pasión por el periodismo de sus viajes y entrevistas y de su propio concepto de realización espiritual. Es, al mismo tiempo, una invitación a aprovechar al máximo cada instante de nuestra vida.

En este libro conocemos al hombre de la televisión al que millones de latinos e hispanoparlantes le han dado toda su confianza durante años. Así descubrimos que Ramos es alguien que comprende que para vivir plenamente, hay que tomar riesgos, y que sin riesgos no hay recompensa.

Ramos cuenta de sus conflictos, de niño, con los sacerdotes benedictinos, de sus luchas como estudianted en Los Ángeles a principios de los ochentas, de su primera incursión en el periodismo norteamericano y de las advertencias de las grandes cadenas de televisión en inglés de que jamás llegaría a un puesto importante si no perdía su acento.

Se equivocaron. De esta manera Ramos nos abre las puertas al mundo de los medios de comunicación en español, un mundo que muchos críticos veían como innecesario e irrelevante y que ahora se ha convertido en uno de los sectores más poderosos de la cultura estadounidense.

Con las historias de las muchas guerras que has cubierto, los lugares que has visitado y los poderosos y temidos líderes mundiales que ha entrevistado, Ramos cautiva a sus lectores contándoles la trayectoria y los altibajos de un periodista que llegó a un país que quisiera llamar su casa, pero que no puede. Descubrimos también, a un hombre cuya atracción por las emociones fuertes lo han puesto en peligro de muerte y cuyo sentido del humor lo ha salvado de las situaciones más incómodas.

Padre, reportero, esposo e hijo, en su nuevo libro Atravesando Fronteras, Ramos nos muestra como cada uno de nosotros puede ser testigo de la historia, y que viajar sin cesar puede ser preferible a quedarse en un mismo lugar para siempre.

R. Philip Roberts, Phillip Roberts Mormons tend to be model citizens-friendly, honest, hopeful, kind-everything that should be expected from a Christian. But, as this book points out, the Mormons aren't Christian at all. The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints is an an extremely powerful and influential religious organization, reaching hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Unfortunately, what the Mormons are propagating is a false god, false Jesus, and false gospel. This incisive book clearly explains the Mormons' basic beliefs and sharply refutes their subtle heresies. After walking the reader through the Mormons' evangelistic techniques and strategies, the book gives Christians easy-to-use guidance on witnessing to Mormons, so they can effectively and lovingly defend the true Christian faith.

Abdul Saleeb, Norman L. Geisler What are the fundamental beliefs of Islam and how can Christians respond to them? Answering Islam evaluates the claims of orthodox Islam and examines the evidence for the Christian counterclaim, preparing you with strong apologetic answers. This revised edition contains more resources and updated information throughout.

Daniel Sanchez

Daniel R. Sanchez This book, The Gospel in the Rosary, written by Daniel R. Sánchez, is actually a series of Bible Studies that help non-Catholics understand the Rosary and its place in Roman Catholic devotions as well as help Catholics gain a greater understanding of the biblical teachings upon which the Mysteries of the Rosary are based. In addition to the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries, this book includes the Luminous Mysteries. It is the sincere hope of this author that those who study this book will deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord

C. Peter Wagner

Michael J. Weiss Michael Weiss expands on the geodemographics of The Clustering of America with this fascinating look at the sixty-two new lifestyle clusters that define Americans and their parallels in other countries. Today, the concept of clustering has spread throughout the world, revealing a global village made up of Long Distance Commuters in Japan and Chattering Classes in England who have more in common with Americans of the same cluster than they do with fellow countrymen. In The Clustered World, Weiss unveils how businesses and bureaucrats utilize clustering systems to influence our opinions and choices about bowling alleys in Florida, vending machines in Japan, and so forth.

Ralph Winter

Ralph D. Winter, Steven C. Hawthorne A companion to Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: A Reader, this study guide takes you by the hand and walks you, in 15 lessons, through the central issues dealt with in the larger book.

Includes questions, helpful comments, and additional readings. Note that this study guide is included in the Perspectives notebook but not the reader. (also see Perspectives videos in the mulitmedia section)