Digital Commons Network^™

Flannery O'Connor's Why Do The Heathen Rage? A Behind-The-Scenes Look At A Work In Progress, Jessica Hooten Wilson

Faculty Books

In this work of literary excavation, an award-winning author transcribes, compiles, and organizes a final unfinished novel by celebrated American fiction writer Flannery O'Connor. This book introduces O'Connor's final work to the public for the first time and imagines themes and directions the novel might have taken

Great Books: Everyone's Inheritance, Michael Gose

Faculty Books

This book explores the benefits of reading "Great Books," and is virtually unique in detailing what a series of Great Books classes has looked like over the past decades

American Inheritance: Liberty And Slavery In The Birth Of A Nation, 1765-1795, Edward J. Larson

Faculty Books

New attention from historians and journalists is raising pointed questions about the founding period: was the American revolution waged to preserve slavery, and was the Constitution a pact with slavery or a landmark in the antislavery movement? Leaders of the founding who called for American liberty are scrutinized for enslaving Black people themselves: George Washington consistently refused to recognize the freedom of those who escaped his Mount Vernon plantation. And we have long needed a history of the founding that fully includes Black Americans in the Revolutionary protests, the war, and the debates over slavery and freedom that followed. We …

Hammer And Fire: Lessons On Spiritual Passion From The Writings And Life Of George Whitefield, Lisa Smith

Faculty Books

Internationally-celebrated revivalist George Whitefield stands alone for both his extraordinary life of passion for God and the striking power and emotion of his writing. Preaching an estimated 18,000 sermons during numerous international preaching tours, Whitefield also published wildly popular writings such as journals and letters. In Hammer & fire, modernized excerpts of Whitefield's writings combine with engaging retellings of his most impactful life events to enable the popular eighteenth-century preacher to reach across the centuries to inspire and instruct us to pursue Jesus Christ with reckless love and abandon.

Centered On Jesus: A Lenten Devotional From The Faculty Of Bethel University, Christopher Gehrz, Esther Shull, Carl Albing, Rebekah Bain, Andy Bramsen, Susan Leigh Brooks, Jeannine K. Brown, Michael Crawford, Julie Anne De Haan, Joy Doan, Dale Durie, Julie Finnern, Barrett Fisher, Joel Frederickson, Laura Gilbertson, Rhonda Gilbraith, Ann Holland, Stephen Hunt, Rachel Jorgensen, Patricia Kelly, Denise Muir Kjesbo, Marion H. Larson, Erik Leafblad, Elisabeth E. Lefebvre, Jim Lewis, Joyce Lemay, Alison Lo, Gary A. Long, Christopher Moore, Katherine Nevins, Pauline E. Nichols, Meredith Nyberg, Chad Osgood, Jeanine Parolini, Richard Peterson, Dan Ritchie, Matt Runion, Robin Rylaarsdam, Kristin E. Sandau, Sara L. H. Shady, Angela Shannon, Marta Shaw, Paula A.G. Soneral, Peter T. Vogt, Laura Wennstrom, Gloria Wiese, Brandon Winters, Yu-Li Chang Zacher, Nick Zeimet

Faculty Books

For the 2022 season of Lent, Bethel faculty and staff members collaborated to pen Centered on Jesus: A Lenten Devotional from the Faculty of Bethel University. The daily devotionals in Centered on Jesus are intended to help the Bethel community and anyone interested recenter before the cross during Lent. And the devotionals show how faculty across Bethel—each from his or her unique discipline—approach what it means to be a university centered on Jesus.

This collection of 47 devotionals written by 48 Bethel faculty and staff members span from Ash Wednesday through Holy Week and Easter. These contributions represent over …

The Faithful Reader: Essays On Biblical Themes In Literature, Justin D. Lyons

Faculty Books

Through essays written by faculty and staff at Cedarville University, this book explores biblical themes such as love, mercy, sin, repentance, and hope in selected works of literature. The volume serves an expression and exploration of the Christian worldview as applied to reading works of fiction from various genres and time periods. It serves also as an example of the practice of biblical integration that Cedarville University strives for in every discipline.

Better Religion: A Primer For Interreligious Peacebuilding, John D. Barton

Faculty Books

Provides a conceptual framework for understanding global religiosity and explores avenues for interreligious collaborations across differences

A History Of Physics At Otterbein University, David G. Robertson

Faculty Books

This is an informal history of the Physics Department at Otterbein, including the story of the natural sciences prior to the founding of the department in 1908.

Saving The Nation: Chinese Protestant Elites And The Quest To Build A New China, 1922-1952, Thomas H. Reilly

Faculty Books

While Protestant Christians made up only a small percentage of China's overall population during the Republican period, they were heavily represented among the urban elite. Protestant influence was exercised through churches, hospitals, and schools, and reached beyond these institutions into organizations such as the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) and YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association). The YMCA's city associations drew their membership from the urban elite and were especially influential within the modern sectors of urban society. Chinese Protestant leaders adapted the social message and practice of Christianity to the conditions of the republican era. Key to this effort was …

No Free Lunch: Economics For A Fallen World (Third Edition, Revised), Jeffrey E. Haymond

Faculty Books

This open access introductory economics text is available for anyone interested in free market economics from an explicitly Christian worldview. This book is intended to be an engaging read, while not sacrificing technical accuracy or submission to biblical authority. Each chapter contains an introductory scriptural commentary and clearly defined objectives, as well as a “great economist” section at the end and concluding chapter questions. This text supports free market institutions because only free markets provide the outlet for the creativity of man made in God’s image while likewise providing the institutional constraints that minimize the harm that fallen man can …

Democracias Incompletas. Actores, Demandas E Intersecciones., Fernando A. Blanco

Faculty Books

Edited by Blanco Fernando and Opazo, Cristiáin. Edited volumen, conference proceedings Actores Demandas e Intersecciones. Santiago de Chile, August 2015.

Papers devoted to discuss current cultural, social and political issues in the region (Southern Cone)

Narratives In Conflict: Atonement In Hebrews And The Qur'an, Matthew A. Bennett

Faculty Books

Did Jesus die on the cross for our sins as the Gospels describe? Or, as Muslims often contend, was Jesus rescued to heaven in order to avoid the shameful crucifixion that would be unbefitting of a messenger of God? This debate has raged for generations and has caused no shortage of frustration among those seeking to explain the central teaching of the Christian faith to those influenced by the Qur’an. What this book aims to do is uncover four barriers to understanding the biblical teaching on atonement that likely exist in the minds of our Muslim friends prior to asking …

Stay Curious : How Questions And Doubts Can Save Your Faith, Stephanie Williams O'Brien

Faculty Books

Most of us are going through the motions when it comes to faith, either believing we've found all the relevant answers to life's questions or believing none can be found. We shy away from our deepest questions about God because we fear the uncertainty on the other side. But when we make certainty and correct belief the end goal of faith, we miss out on the chance to know God more deeply and to participate in God's work in the world. In "Stay Curious" Pastor Steph shows us how to lean into our questions and embrace a life of curiosity. …

Comm 19999: Essential Communication Skills, Julie Warkentin, Jonathan Filipovic

Faculty Books

This open educational resource textbook provides Sheridan students with the foundational information and skills necessary to be successful in diploma-level programs. The book integrates customized Sheridan-centred content, including information on academic resources available on campus and customized readings that reflect the cross-disciplinary work of Sheridan programs, students, and faculty. With a focus on writing and research skills for both academic and professional contexts, the COMM 19999 course text is a valuable resource for students as they transition from post-secondary studies into their chosen fields.

Studies In The History Of The Greek Text Of The Apocalypse : The Ancient Stems, Josef Schmid, Juan Hernández Jr., Garrick V. Allen, Darius Müller

Faculty Books

Josef Schmid’s landmark publication, Studien zur Geschichte des Griechischen Apokalypse-Textes, has been the standard work for understanding Revelation’s Greek manuscript tradition and textual history for more than sixty years. Despite the fact that most major studies on the book are based on Schmid’s work, the work itself has long been out of print, making it difficult for the broader scholarly community to reassess Schmid’s conclusions in light of recent manuscript discoveries and technological advances. This new translation of the work makes Schmid’s detailed review of the history of textual scholarship; his comprehensive examination of the origin, history, and development of …

A Commentary On The Book Of The Twelve: The Minor Prophets, Michael B. Shepherd

Faculty Books

The books of the twelve Minor Prophets are some of the least studied by Christians today, but they contain some of the great themes of Scripture, such as God's mercy and judgment, His covenant with Israel, the day of the Lord, and the coming of the Messiah. Arguing for a canonical unity that recognizes the Minor Prophets as one cohesive composition, Michael Shepherd explains the historical meaning of each verse of the twelve books and also provides guidance for application and preaching. Pastors, teachers, and serious students of Scripture will find a wealth of insights for understanding the Minor Prophets.

The Sovereign Signifier: Agamben And The Nonhuman - Chapter, Paul Eisenstein

Faculty Books

This book initiates the discussion between psychoanalysis and recent humanist and social scientific interest in a fundamental contemporary topic – the nonhuman. The authors question where we situate the subject (as distinct from the human) in current critical investigations of a nonanthropoentric universe.

In Defense Of Gun Control, Hugh Lafollette

Faculty Books

The gun control debate is more complex than we often acknowledge. What is often phrased as a single question -- should we have gun control -- Is actually made up of three distinct policy questions. First, who should we permit people to have guns? Second, which guns should be allowed? Thirdly, how should we regulate the acquisition, storage, and carrying of the guns people may legitimately own? To answer these questions we must decide whether (and which) people have a right to bear arms, what kind of right they have, and how stringent that right is. We must also evaluate …

Godly Character(S): Insights For Spiritual Passion From The Lives Of 8 Women In The Bible, Lisa Smith

Faculty Books

Igniting spiritual passion doesn't have to be a mysterious process. By conforming our character to God's design, we can awaken in our hearts a sincere love for him. That rekindled affection can drive us to deeper intimacy with God and lead to greater joy in our daily lives

A Reader's Guide To The Major Writings Of Jonathan Edwards, Nathan A. Finn, Jeremy M. Kimble

Faculty Books

Jonathan Edwards—widely considered one the most important theologians in American history—has influenced generation after generation with his transcendent vision of our great and glorious God. But reading his writings for the first time can be a daunting task.

Here to be your trustworthy guides are some of the very best interpreters of Edwards, who walk you through his most important works with historical context, strategies for reading, and contemporary application—launching you into a lifetime of discovering Edwards’s God-centered vision of the Christian life for yourself.

40 Questions About Church Membership And Discipline, Jeremy M. Kimble

Faculty Books

Addresses forty of the most common and thorny questions about church life. Does church membership mean more than simply joining a social group? Does the church have a responsibility to discipline its members--and if so, what does that look like? Recognizing the many puzzling questions about the critical role of the church in the life of believers, Jeremy Kimble addresses forty key points. Each section considers questions of theology, ministry, and practicality, such as:

• Is there a New Testament precedent for membership?
• How does membership relate to baptism and communion?
• Who should become a member?
• How is discipline related to …

Travels On The St. Johns River., Thomas Hallock, John Bartram, William Bartram, Richard Franz

Faculty Books

In 1765 father and son naturalists John and William Bartram explored the St. Johns River Valley in Florida, a newly designated British territory and subtropical wonderland. They collected specimens and recorded extensive observations of the plants, animals, geography, ecology, and native cultures of an essentially uncharted region. The chronicle of their adventures provided the world with an intimate look at La Florida. Travels on the St. Johns River includes writings from the Bartrams' journey in a flat-bottomed boat from St. Augustine to the river's swampy headwaters near Lake Loughman, just west of today's Cape Canaveral. Vivid entries from John's Diary …

In Pursuit Of Politics: Education And Revolution In Eighteenth-Century France., Adrian O'Conner

Faculty Books

This study offers a new interpretation of the debates over education and politics in the early years of the French Revolution. Following these debates from the 1760s to the Terror (1793–94) and putting well-known works in dialogue with previously-neglected sources, it situates education at the centre of revolutionary contests over citizenship, participatory politics and representative government. The book takes up education’s role in one of history’s most dramatic periods of political uncertainty and upheaval, anxiety and ambition. It traces the convergence of philosophical, political, ideological and practical concerns in Ancien Régime debates and revolutionary attempts to reform education and remake …

The Sheridan Notebook, Brandon Mcfarlane, Kristine Villeneuve, Devin Murray

Faculty Books

The Sheridan Notebook is an integral component to a series of studies that seek to better understand (1) the impact of adult colouring on creativity and mindfulness, and (2) the educational potential of adult colouring. A growing volume of research suggests there is a noteworthy connection between mindfulness and creativity: mindful individuals through presence, openness, acceptance, and self-inquiry are able to adopt many perspectives and pursue multiple solutions when solving problems—characteristics held by highly creative and innovative individuals.

This book synthesizes adult colouring with the “In and Out” note-taking technique—developed at the International Center for Studies in Creativity—to provide students …

Textuality And The Bible, Michael B. Shepherd

Faculty Books

Textuality and the Bible represents a concerted effort to clarify the object of study in biblical scholarship and in the church by bringing together the disciplines of hermeneutics, compositional analysis, canon studies, and textual criticism. It ultimately seeks to issue a call for study of the Bible for its own sake.

Christ Or Chaos, Dan Dewitt

Faculty Books

Is Christianity irrational?

Atheists often say that it is. But does such a charge really stand up to close scrutiny? This book follows the story of Thomas, a junior in college, as he wrestles with the claims of those who think the Christian faith is nothing more than a collection of ancient myths with little connecting to reality.

Whether you are facing objections to your faith for the first time, discussing your faith with unbelieving friends, or doubting your faith altogether, you might be surprised to discover that Christianity actually provides a more compelling explanation of what it means to …

From Bubble To Bridge: Educating Christians For A Multifaith World, Marion H. Larson, Sara L. H. Shady

Faculty Books

Summary: In a world of deep religious strife and increasing pluralism it can seem safer to remain inside the "bubble" of our faith community. Many Christians worry that engaging in interfaith dialogue will require watering down their faith and accepting other religions as equally true. Marion Larson and Sara Shady not only make the case that we can love our religious neighbors without diluting our commitment, but also offer practical wisdom and ideas for turning our faith bubbles into bridges of religious inclusion and interfaith engagement.

Contents: Why interfaith engagement? A civic imperative: The world is a really big place …

Human Rights And War Through Civilian Eyes., Thomas Smith

Faculty Books

International lawyers and ethicists have long judged wars from the perspective of the state and its actions, developing international humanitarian law by asking such questions as "Are the belligerents justified in entering the conflict?" and "How should they conduct themselves during the war's execution?" and "When civilian noncombatants are harmed, who is responsible for their suffering?" Human Rights and War Through Civilian Eyes reimagines the ethics of war from the standpoint of its collateral victims, focusing on the effects of war on individuals—on those who are terrorized, or killed, or whose lives are violently disrupted. Upholding a human rights analysis …

As It Was In The Beginning: An Intertextual Analysis Of New Creation In Galatians, 2 Corinthians, And Ephesians, Mark D. Owens

Faculty Books

Paul's comments regarding the new creation in 2 Cor 5:17 and Gal 6:15 have tended to be understood somewhat myopically. Some argue the phrase "new creation" solely refers to the inward transformation believers have experienced through faith in Jesus Christ. Others argue this phrase should be understood cosmologically and linked with Isaiah's "new heavens and new earth" Still others advocate an ecclesiological interpretation of this phrase that views Paul referring to the new community formed around Jesus Christ. In As It Was in the Beginning, Mark Owens argues that the concept of "new creation" should be understood (like the gospel) …

Transformed Minds, Marc A. Clauson, Robert G. Parr, Mark Caleb Smith, Richard P. Tison, Thomas S. Mach

Faculty Books

In this brief collection of essays, professors who teach in the Department of History and Government at Cedarville University explore the biblical foundation for the academic disciplines unique to their Department. The Excerpt (above) contains the full text of the book.