Jesus: Center of Christianity

Religion & Spirituality

Hill, Brennan R.

Worship & Devotion

Franciscan Media

"It is evident after exploring these heroes' lives and writings that God remains a Mystery—a reality beyond images, descriptions, dogmas and creeds."—From the Epilogue How does a person imagine God? How does that image change as the person matures spiritually and undergoes a significant religious experience? What influences—political, social, gender, faith tradition—shape and change a person's view of God? In this compelling and inspiring book of biographical theology, Brennan Hill uses stories and historical and theological sources to tell us how eight modern religious heroes see God. Hill's religious heroes are diverse: a Hindu (Mahatma Gandhi), a Jewess who converted to Christianity (Edith Stein), a black Baptist minister (Martin Luther King, Jr.), a Catholic laywoman (Dorothy Day), a Salvadoran archbishop (Archbishop Oscar Romero), two Jesuit priests (Pierre Tielhard de Chardin and Daniel Berrigan) and a nun (Mother Teresa of Calcutta). Hill writes: "Many of my religious heroes lived out their faith in an outstanding manner. For all of these religious heroes God was often close at hand, deeply felt in the events of their lives, glimpsed in the people they met, pursuing them in their minds and hearts. God, as it were, came with many intriguing faces: as a God of truth, of the homeless and of the mountain. God came in the cosmos, as one beckoning to prophecy and as a fellow sufferer sharing the cross. Divinity appeared as the power of peace and in the poverty of the abandoned. Each one of us might now ask: What face has my God shown to me?"

8 Spiritual Heroes: Their Search for God

Christian Books & Bibles

St. Anthony Messenger Press

Freedom is, of course, unique to us as human beings. We are the only creatures on earth who can make choices, make or break promises, and determine our own futures and the futures of others. It is an extraordinary power to choose from innumerable possibilities, and the exercise of freedom has been the source of incredible creativity, as well as horrible cruelty and destruction. It has driven the great saints to serve others, and the worst sinners to the holocausts of history.—From the Introduction Following the success of the best-selling 8 Spiritual Heroes: Their Search for God, Brennan Hill further explores biographical theology-a lived theology that comes out of experiences and events. In this current volume, Hill profiles heroes of freedom-men and women who lived as emancipators, liberators, stars of social justice. From the theological insights of Bernard Häring to the humble leadership of Cesar Chavez, to the life-risking heroics of Harriet Tubman to the lifelong bravery of Susan B. Anthony, the work of these heroes has established the freedoms we enjoy today. Their stories inspire the heroes of tomorrow. "Master teacher Brennan Hill has a unique gift for sharing with others the wisdom of heroes who possess a distinctive charism for acting freely. May Hill's riveting stories find their way into the hands of readers young and old."—Keith J. Egan, Saint Mary's College and University of Notre Dame "By sharing an intimate view of the private lives of these heroes, Brennan Hill has enriched our appreciation of their public struggles for freedom."—Daniel Di Domizio, professor of religious studies, Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee "In a world given over to hype, sensationalism and Hollywood's superficial heroes…Hill's book is like a refreshing breeze at the end of a sweltering, summer day. This book touched my heart."—Richard Penaskovic, professor of religious studies, Auburn University "In a culture saturated with media images that portray freedom as self-serving license, Hill's heroes teach us that true freedom is to be found in faithfulness, responsibility, love, justice and liberation from exploitation. Their stories challenge and inspire."—Elizabeth Groppe, assistant professor of theology, Xavier University, Cincinnati

8 Freedom Heroes: Changing the World With Faith

Biographies & Memoirs

In his third Heroes volume, Brennan Hill profiles eight improbable candidates for the great things they did: - Thomas Merton, at first glance, a party-going lady's man, becomes a Trappist monk and peace activist; - Helen Prejean, a quiet religious sister, befriends and advocates for the seemingly most monstrous among us—murderers on death row; - Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, a bookish, shy son of Italian immigrants, becomes one of the most outspoken prelates of our time; - Pedro Arrupe, a medical student then priest, survives nuclear holocaust and becomes a great Jesuit leader; - Jean Donovan, a Harley-riding businesswoman, turns missionary and is martyred; - Dorothy Stang, a religious sister and schoolteacher, champions the environment and loses her life doing so; - Maximilian Kolbe, a sickly, eccentric Franciscan, turns publisher and "warrior" for peace and dies in Auschwitz trading his life for a Jewish prisoner; - Karol Wojtyla, a young Polish actor whose election to pope makes him one of the most famous men on the world stage. These unlikely heroes saw great injustice, sorrow, and violence in the world and, in their own ways—some small, some universal—sought and created love, justice, peace, and hope for our time.

Unlikely Spiritual Heroes

Leaders & Notable People

RELIGION TODAY An Integral Approach will challenge students of Christian Theology and satisfy curious minds searching for answers and perspective on religion in general. From the phenomenon of individuals becoming "spiritual but not religious" to multiple religions' views on homosexuality, the book uses diverse perspectives to look at how religion relates to today's society. Readers explore the thoughts and theories of psychologists, historians, experts on world religions, sociologists, social justice activists, environmentalists, feminists, experts in spirituality, evolutionists and many others in an attempt to discover a more balanced understanding of the world and be encouraged to explore their own relationship with religion through both an internal dialogue and discussions with others. Dr. Brennan Hill unveils a background on the history and basic elements of religion before diving into how religion relates to Ken Wilber's four quadrants of life: the "I," the "Thou," the "We," and the "It." From this foundation, Hill then examines the roles of spirituality, faith, and theology with regard to religion, and investigates the relationship between religion and numerous social issues that are relevant to young adults today.

Religion Today: An Integral Approach

Religious Studies

Lectio Publishing LLC

The Jesus Dialogues is a unique book. There is no other book that uses this interesting dialogue method to contrast and compare such an extensive number of religions. In each chapter, Jesus sits down with both women and men religious founders and leaders and talks with them on an equal basis about religious perspectives, past and present. The book is a thorough overview of Christianity, compared and contrasted with eight other religions as well as selected indigenous religions. A final chapter deals with the "why" and "how" of interfaith dialogue, which is so needed in today's diverse and global society. This book reflects the author's six decades of study and teaching in the areas of Christianity and world religions. It is based on sound scholarship, worldwide travel, and experience in interfaith dialogue. The Jesus Dialogues demonstrates that there is truth and a way to ultimacy in all religions. At the same time, listening in on these conversations reveals significant differences among religions. These dialogues help one realize that Gandhi was right when he said that we must listen to all religions in order to obtain just a glimpse of the divine.

The Jesus Dialogues: Jesus Speaks with Religious Founders and Leaders

Resource Publications

The Jesus Dialogues is a unique book. There is no other book that uses this interesting dialogue method to contrast and compare such an extensive number of religions. In each chapter, Jesus sits down with both women and men religious founders and leaders and talks with them on an equal basis about religious perspectives, past and present. The book is a thorough overview of Christianity, compared and contrasted with eight other religions as well as selected indigenous religions. A final chapter deals with the ""why"" and ""how"" of interfaith dialogue, which is so needed in today's diverse and global society. This book reflects the author's six decades of study and teaching in the areas of Christianity and world religions. It is based on sound scholarship, worldwide travel, and experience in interfaith dialogue. The Jesus Dialogues demonstrates that there is truth and a way to ultimacy in all religions. At the same time, listening in on these conversations reveals significant differences among religions. These dialogues help one realize that Gandhi was right when he said that we must listen to all religions in order to obtain just a glimpse of the divine. ""If interreligious dialogue is a conversation that must be marked by deep respect, intellectual humility, honesty in acknowledging both similarities and differences among religions, and openness of mind and heart to truth wherever it is found, Brennan Hill's book is an exemplary and sure guide, as it exhibits these qualities to an uncommon degree. Embodying the fruits of lifelong research and writing, The Jesus Dialogues is an excellent book for undergraduate courses and adult formation seminars on world religions. For deep scholarship, sympathetic understanding, and accessible style, Hill's book is unrivalled."" --Peter C. Phan, The Ignacio Ellacuria Chair of Catholic Social Thought, Georgetown University ""Hill has come up with an interreligious pedagogy that is totally imaginative but at the same time creatively instructive. In these delightful dialogues between Jesus and the world's wisdom teachers, we are drawn into the conversation and end up learning not only about but from other religions. Hill illustrates beautifully that friendship is the most promising basis for dialogue."" --Paul F. Knitter, Paul Tillich Emeritus Professor of Theology, World Religions, and Culture, Union Theological Seminary Brennan R. Hill is Professor Emeritus at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. Educated in the United States and Europe, he has traveled the world studying and experiencing Christianity and other world religions. He has published over twenty-five books and numerous articles. His two most recent books are Religion Today: An Integral Approach (2013) and World Religions and Contemporary Issues (2013).

The Jesus Dialogues

Wipf and Stock

Although the environmental crisis has been recognized as an international threat, Christian attempts to reconcile their religious traditions and the earth are just beginning. 'Christian Faith and the Environment' challenges churches to take a stand for environmental concerns. Hill explores how twentieth-century theologians such as Karl Rahner, Bernard Lonergan, and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin have taught Christians to build bridges between Christianity and creation. Examining sacramental rites, church documents, and feminist theological insights on ecology, Hill outlines a Christian environmental spirituality and traces the ethical challenges posed by our new awareness of our environment.

Christian Faith and the Environment: Making Vital Connections (Ecology and Justice)

Brennan R. Hill expertly reveals Jesus the person to us in this new book that collects together his Millennium Monthly articles and four new articles. He discusses Jesus as the center of Christianity; the historical Jesus; Jesus as faithful Jew; Jesus the teacher and prophet; Jesus calling us to discipleship; Jesus and women; Jesus, man of prayer; Jesus and service to the world; Jesus, man of the earth; Jesus the liberator; the baptism of Jesus; Jesus and Eucharist; Jesus and the Spirit; and Jesus and his Church.

Jesus: Center of Christianity: Center of Christianity

Wipf & Stock Pub

Christology, that is, the study of Jesus, is a many faceted subject. In this new edition of Jesus, the Christ, Brennan Hill clearly and cogently explores this critical theological area, resulting in a luminous and reliable portrait of the Jesus of history and the Christ of faith. He deftly surveys both the breadth of information covered in the previous edition as well as the wealth of developments that have occurred in the field since the early 1990s. 
 Jesus, the Christ looks at the people and places in Jesus' time, then moves to a search for the historical Jesus. Hill next looks at the many areas of Jesus' life and mission: teacher, prophet, miracle worker, man of the earth, advocate for women, savior, and liberator. He examines the main gospel stories about Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection, and illustrates how the early Christological doctrines developed. This new edition is written in a more informal and accessible style, enabling students to well understand and grasp the concepts and facts about the subject. Each chapter ends with discussion questions and a list of suggestions for further reading. 
Jesus, the Christ is eminently readable, constantly challenging, and filled with timely information and non- technical language. It is strongly rooted in the best of modern biblical translation, and will be welcomed by students, teachers, and the general reader alike.

Jesus, the Christ: Contemporary Perspectives

Twenty Third Pubns

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