Giving Christianity Back to Agape Love PDF Download

Author: Matthew Carriker
Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
ISBN: 1489726403
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 106

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Book Description
How could a church that has been plagued by anti-Semitism, the killing of the Crusades, and the violence of the Inquisition (to name a few) be redeemed of these evils? Quite simply, it has always returned to Jesus. When you return to Jesus, you return to the heart of his message: agape. Agape is a Greek word in the New Testament referring to a love that is without limits and beyond conditions. Agape is the love that God has for us, and that we are called to have towards one another. This book centers around this one assumption: God loves us unconditionally. Our task- individually and as communities- is to be instruments of that love. This book reenvisions traditional Christian beliefs- including sin, the Bible, salvation, homosexuality, pluralism, Jesus, and atonement theology- through the lens of agape love. What would the Christian life look like if we embodied the good news in community as contemplatives in action? In a time when churches are dying and failing, giving Christianity back to agape love has the power to bring life into a religion that feels old, worn out, and over-institutionalized. To return Christianity to Jesus is to give the church universal back to a love that is boundless, free, and unconditional; to a love that finds its heart in service, peacemaking, and radical transformation; to a love that will set the world on fire.

Author: Sir John Templeton
Publisher: Templeton Foundation Press
ISBN: 1890151750
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 113

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Book Description
The tradition of agape, or unconditional love, is not exclusive to any religion. It is a primary underlying principle found in religions worldwide. The concept of altruistic love challenges the spiritual person to "love your enemies" or to "love without thought of return." It is a love that flows out to others through compassion, kindness, tenderness, and charitable giving. Buddhists have a path of compassion, where caring for others becomes the motivating force behind existence. Hindus have a branch of yoga, the heart-centered path, that leads to enlightenment through an overwhelming love for God that takes the form of loving all humanity. Eastern religions, such as Taoism and Confucianism, see transcendent love as essential to true wisdom. Love is a universal theme of love found in all religious traditions, Buddhist, Christian, Islam, or others. As we realize that all religions have this spiritual principle of love at their core, we can develop a sense of shared humanity. The religious tradition of agape love examined in this book will inspire those who are learning to grow in compassion and love for all people.

Author: Adrian Rogers
Publisher: Crossway Books
ISBN: 9781682162989
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 6

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Book Description
Psychologists have long known that every person has two great longings and inward needs. The first is to be loved, and the second is to love. But when pressures and heartaches come into our lives, many give up any hope of ever finding love. The tragedy is that we often look in the wrong places to fill this deep need and longing. Some substitute lust for love. Others pursue material things or superficial relationships--all in the futile attempt to fill a God-shaped vacuum in the human heart. But there is good news! There is a love worth finding and a love worth sharing. The Bible says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). On the cross of Christ, God's mighty love was revealed and offered unconditionally to all who would be saved. Do you long to know this mighty love? Then I need to ask you the most important question you'll ever be asked: Do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loves you, that your sins are forgiven, and that you are saved and on your way to heaven? The great news is, you can know! Let me share with you how to discover the greatest love worth finding. Admit Your Sin. First, you must admit that you are a sinner. The Bible says, "None is righteous, no, not one. . . . For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:10, 23). It is our sin that separates us from God and from fulfilling our deepest needs and longings. Sin is an offense against God that carries a serious penalty. According to Romans 6:23, "The wages of sin is death [eternal separation from the love and mercy of God]." Abandon Your Efforts. Second, you must abandon any efforts to save yourself. If we could save ourselves, Jesus's death would have been unnecessary! Even "getting religion" cannot get you to heaven. The Bible says it is "not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his mercy" that we are saved (Titus 3:5). Salvation is by God's grace, "not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Acknowledge Christ's Payment. What you cannot do for yourself, Jesus Christ has done for you! "But God shows his love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). He died on the cross for you and then rose from the dead to prove that his payment was acceptable to God. But you must acknowledge and believe this fact. "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Accept Christ as your Savior. Salvation is God's gift to you. "The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). When someone offers you a priceless gift, the wisest thing you can do is accept it! This very moment, you can receive Christ's gift of salvation by sincerely praying this simple prayer from your heart: Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that you love me and want to save me. Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God, who died on the cross to pay for my sins. I believe God raised you from the dead. I now turn from my sin and, by faith, receive you as my personal Lord and Savior. Come into my heart, forgive my sins, and save me, Lord Jesus. In your name I pray. Amen.

Author: John Marcus
Publisher: Tate Publishing
ISBN: 1607999153
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 254

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Book Description
In a world full of hopelessness and despair, there is one thing that people need more than ever: love. Within the core of every human being, there is a longing to feel and to truly know what love is. Many think that love is based on subjective emotions and feelings; however, nothing could be further from the truth. The objective truth of what it really means to love goes far beyond any emotion or feeling. The truth is that we must choose to love rather than feel it. When this is achieved, the love of Christ is made clear in a profound and powerful way. John 15:13 says, 'Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.' This simple verse carries incredible depth as author John Marcus helps readers discover the love it takes to make a complete self-sacrifice in Agape: What is it? This convicting study provokes deeper biblical understanding of what it means to be a mature Christian and to grow with agape love. Christians will be challenged to think about what they define as 'love' as John gives insight from his own testimony to help readers to love sacrificially. Topics covered include: overcoming with longsuffering, casting out fear, being able to cover the sins of others, and loving in truth. Learn how to apply these solid principles in everyday life. Start the adventure of growing in the love of Jesus Christ and sharing it with the world. Marriages, friendships, families, and so many more can be transformed by this love. Discover how in Agape: What is it? Author John Marcus has grasped what it means to love with agape love after growing up in a home full of selfishness, pride, and substances abuse.

Author: Gaines Bradford Jackson
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1450032001
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 319

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Book Description
"How to Save A Troubled Marriage Biblically," is an absolute must for anyone planning on marrying as well as for married couples already in a relationship. This book is a welcomed first because it is a Scripturally based, systemic psychiatric exercise and practical work for today's men and women. Wisdom and the handling of crisis in ones life is all in the Holy Bible, but is highly dispersed, but here in this book it is easily found and applied in the appropriate manner. The author has fi ve fundamental themes fl owing through the text and they are: 1. Marriage is a covenant, not a contract, and was designed by God, 2. Whenever possible restoration of broken relationship is the major goal, 3. In marriage the husband seeks to meet the needs of his wife and the wife seeks to meet the needs of her husband, 4. The Holy Bible is the ultimate authority on effective relationships in particular marriage relationships, and 5. The Biblical pattern, for both husband and wife, is to sacrifi ce in order to pursue the satisfaction, joy and ultimate happiness of their spouse. And you will fi nd as in Proverbs 15:17, RSV, "A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than a steak with someone you hate." God be with you and your spouse on your life-long loving and happy journey together. Well, here it is folks: read, meditate, and apply it and you too can be changed by God's grace.

Author: Clive Staples Lewis
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN: 9780151329168
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 166

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Book Description
Analyzes the feelings and problems involved in different types of human love, including familial affection, friendship, passion, and charity.

Author:
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781599470009
Category : Love
Languages : en
Pages : 106

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Book Description
The tradition of agape, or unconditional love, is not exclusive to any one religion. Actually, it is a major underlying principle found in religions worldwide. The concept of altruistic love is one that challenges the spiritual person to "love your enemies," or to "love without thought of return." It is a love that flows out to others in the form of compassion, kindness, tenderness, and charitable giving.

Author: Pastor Curt Moore
Publisher: WestBow Press
ISBN: 1449725031
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 116

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Book Description
We hear it said and preached constantly to live like Jesus, to be like Jesus. We are challenged to live for Jesus and not be conformed to the ways of the world. But, what does it really mean to live in such a way? What does it mean to serve God through Jesus Christ? If you think it is moral living only, you'd be wrong. If you think it's doing good deeds alone, you'd be wrong. Maybe you truly do not know what it means to live like Jesus, to be like Jesus. RETURN TO JESUS: A Vision of Self-Giving Love, will teach you to live as Christ lived and to be like Christ! It is a call to renewal for the Christian church and to enhance your daily walk in Christ. It will take you on a journey through the scripture and give you the tools to live in the -self-giving love- which Jesus lived and taught. Unlike many other books on love, RETURN TO JESUS sets forth a scripture foundation and basis for following Jesus in living a life of -agape- or -self-giving- love-. It also chronicles the author's journey to this realization of truth that was there in scripture all along. The reader will come to see that love is not just a word to be bandied about, but is -agape-. This is the -self-giving love- which Jesus not only lived and taught, but is the basis for all God's laws and messages from scripture. There will be renewed vision as you begin to understand the purpose that our Heavenly Father desired for your life from the beginning. Thus, you will become a more effective witness for Jesus as you learn to live your life as he did. RETURN TO JESUS will teach you the fullness of the -agape- message and will forever change your view of what it means to be a Christian. For some, it will be an affirmation of something that has been stirring in their Spirit, which they have not been able to fully understand or put into words. For others, it will be a completely different understanding of walking daily in Christ. For everyone who receives and begins to live out this message, their life in Christ will never be the same. Below is an excerpt from the book that will give you an idea of the message which lies within.

Author: C. S. Lewis
Publisher: DigiCat
ISBN:
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 113

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Book Description
The Four Loves is a 1960 book by C. S. Lewis which explores the nature of love from a Christian and philosophical perspective through thought experiments. The book was based on a set of radio talks from 1958 which had been criticized in the U.S. at the time for their frankness about sex. C.S. Lewis examines storge or empathy love; philia, friendship love; eros, romantic love; and agape, or God love. Excerpt: "GOD is love," says St. John. When I first tried to write this book I thought that his maxim would provide me with a very plain highroad through the whole subject. I thought I should be able to say that human loves deserved to be called loves at all just in so far as they resembled that Love which is God."

Author: Stephanie G. Cox M S Ed
Publisher: Winters Publishing Group
ISBN: 9781628542363
Category : Child rearing
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Does God really want children to be spanked? Where did spanking come from? How can I discipline my children in a manner that is truly pleasing to God? In Gentle Firmness, Stephanie G. Cox answers all of these questions and more. Take this fascinating journey to learn how to accurately read and interpret the "rod" verses of Proverbs. See why spanking is more of a church doctrine rather than a biblical principle. Read many stories from actual people raised in Christian homes that were "lovingly" spanked and yet were emotionally scarred. And finally, discover how ALL children can be effectively disciplined in a biblical manner without being hurt. Stephanie G. Cox, M.S.Ed is severely physically disabled with cerebral palsy. She is an amazing overcomer, as evidenced by the fact that she typed the entire book the way she always types...with her nose!