Mystic Musings in Religions: Selected Papers from the International Conference 'Mysticism without Bounds'

Author : Dr. Kurian Kachappilly, CMI

The Book

'Mysticism' is "the pursuit of communion with, identity with, or conscious awareness of an ultimate reality, divinity, spiritual truth, or God, through direct experience, intuition or insight." The International Conference "Mysticism without Bounds" makes an attempt to explore the "mystical consciousness" from different disciplines,like religions (Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Sufism, Taoism, etc), sciences (biology, new physics, neuroscience, and logic), humanities (philosophy, theology, spirituality, psychology, etc.), and art forms (poetry, music, dance, visual arts and rituals). Researches reveal that certain common grounds do exist among the various forms of consciousness, scattered among the world's religions, theologies, sciences, philosophies and art forms. The discovery of such points of convergence holds out the possibility of creating a 'new worldview', and this new world view can create an awareness of the essential 'unity' of humanity. Let these scholarly and challenging papers from different religious experiences create an awareness among the inquisitive readers of the need of overcoming the ‘bounds’ of individuation and discovering the ‘unity’ of self.

The Author

Dr. Kurian Kachappilly is the Professor of Philosophy and Religion at the DVK, Bangalore, India; and Associate Director, Research Centre, Christ University, Bangalore, India. He holds Master's Degrees in English Literature and Psychology, and a Licentiate and Doctorate in Philosophy from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. He is a Visiting Fellow at the Bangalore University, Bangalore; Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL), Belgium; Fakultät für Informatik & Wirtschaftsinformatik, Würzburg, Germany; the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, the Philippines; and other institutions. He is the Executive Editor of Tattva, Journal of Philosophy, Christ University, Bangalore; a Member of the International Advisory Board, Process Studies, Claremont, USA; a Member of the Pontifical Organization, Militia Christi, and a Member of the Governing Board, International Process Network (IPN). Dr. Kachappilly is a prolific writer with several books and many scientific articles to his credit. Some of the books include God of Love Revisited(1998), Between Partners (1999), Word of God Retold (2001), God of Love: A Neoclassical Inquiry (2002), God-Talk Reconstructed: An Introduction to Philosophy of God (2006), Process: Implications and Applications (2006), Mystic Musings in Art and Poetry: Thematic Essays from the International Conference 'Mysticism without Bounds' (2013), etc. His major areas of research are 'Indian Roots of Process Philosophy', 'Whitehead and Philosophical Doctrines of Buddhism', 'Innovative Experiments in Pedagogy', 'Religion vis a vis Society', 'Inquiry into Religious Experience' and 'Corporate Social Responsibility'.

Islam and Christianity in India and the Far East (Reprint Edition)

Author : Rev. Elwood Morris Wherry The Book The Book provides an encyclopedic account of the works done by the Christian Missionaries in India and the Far East for a term of thirty years; in relation to evangelisation of all Non-Christians including Moslems. The Author begins by detailing on the various facets of Islam by providing a brief on the multiple sects of Moslem and Moslem theology. He describes the challenges faced by the Churches in carrying out the process of evangelisation, on account of the propagation of Islam in the then India and the Far East in early years. On the other hand, the Author praises the efforts put in by the Eastern and Western Catholic Churches to accomplish the targeted goals. Also, it is identified that the work of the protestant Christianity still remains. The Moslems in India and the Far East are still to be enlightened by the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Author examines the process of evangelisation with new insights and a fresh approach. He believes that the Moslems must not be treated as a heathen. He entertains the fact that both the religions are on similar footing, i.e., both are revealed religions. This scholarly presentation includes Appendices and a detailed Index; and focuses on subjects like Religion, History, Islamic Studies, Christianity, Missions and Regional Studies. The Author’s research will equally prove to be useful for Christian Laity, Church Clergies, Missionaries, Mosque Leaders, Students and Researchers. The Author Rev. Elwood Morris Wherry (1843–1927) was an American Presbyterian Missionary to India. He became a member of the Waynesburg Presbyterian Church in the year 1866; the same year he entered Princeton Theological Seminary. On April 8, 1867, Wherry was appointed to be a Missionary by the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and was sent to India. He spent forty years of his life (between 1868 and 1923) in India. He was keenly interested in making notable contributions to Christian-Muslim relations as an Islamic scholar and Christian ecumenist.

Hindu Nationalism and the Indian Church: Towards an Ecclesiology in Conversation with Martin Luther

Author : R. Sahayadhas

The Book

In this book, the author attempts to re-construe an Indian ecclesiology vis-à-vis the narrowly defined ideals of Hindu nationalism in contemporary India by analyzing and investigating the ecclesiological thoughts of Martin Luther, the 16th century Protestant Reformer. The book brilliantly places the teachings of the Reformer within ‘the social and historical travails of that time and brings them to bear on the ongoing constructive task of living into a relevant and appropriate Indian ecclesiology (and thereby, Indian Christian theology) today’.In this process, it is being maintained that the Indian Church must transform itself into a “Perichoretic Communion”, in which the diverse Christian ethnic groups and the plurality of cultures of India must interpenetrate in order to form one unit, while keeping their respective ethnic, linguistic and cultural identities intact. The author draws his insights from Luther’s fundamental theological/ ecclesiological principle: unity of the opposites or distinction and integration, and passionately proposes that it must be the principle of the Indian Church today. This theological writing presents an important and pioneering opus. It clearly focuses on contemporary contextual issues, concerns and challenges, and offers insights of general validity, not only for the Indian world but also from a global perspective. It is a timely volume and is well advised for the worldwide Church and the public at large. The Author Rev. Dr. R. Sahayadhas is an ordained minister of the India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC). Currently he is Professor, teaching systematic theology at the United Theological College, Bangalore. Prof. Sahayadhas affirms himself as an ecclesial person with a deeprooted passion and commitment for the mission/ministry of the Church, especially in India. He has come to academia after having a long stint of pastoral experience to his credit. What is the relationship between ecclesia and academia? With the emergence of Enlightenment rationalism, there was an attempt to thrust religion within the limits of reason and a good number of theologians developed a kind of scepticism with regard to the ability of ecclesia to stand rational scrutiny. But Prof. Sahayadhas iterates not only the indispensable inter-connection but also their inter-dependence. This volume represents his passion to be a genuine bridge-builder or interlocutor between ecclesia and academia. He can best be caricatured as a ‘Middle-Path’ theologian. He is the recipient of Dr. Frank Collision Award (2012) for the best published article by an Indian theologian entitled: “Religion-State Relationship: Significance of a Middle-Path in Contemporary India”. Prof. Sahayadhas is married to J. Usha, a High School Teacher, teaching Tamil language, and they are blessed with a son, Benil Sahayadhas, who is studying in the 11th grade now.

The World Service of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Author : Ralph Eugene Diffendorfer

The Book

In this Book, the Author has tried to provide a synopsis of a tour of inspection, conducted by S. Earl Taylor with John F. Goucher, named as Methodist Centenary. The inspection was into the working of World Churches so as to emphasize them to undertake more seriously the Christian possibilities of the Generation.
The Book is the summation of three sections. The first section outlines the areas covered by the inspection team, that interalia includes; the then territories of Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the United States. The intervening section provides an overview of the structure, kind of works done by the Boards and Commissions formed during the Methodist Centenary. Also, it gives out a basic idea in relation to the work that can be done by the World Churches in Foreign Missions in the years to roll by. The final section covers the subjects of operation reports and approved needs of the financial activities of the concerned Boards and Commissions.  
It also provides information about a report that was submitted by the sub-committees after detailed discussions and deliberations, to the Committee of Twenty-five on January 11, 1923. This composite report got unanimously approved and thus, this historic event according to the Authoris characterized by a sense of Deep Devotion, High Obligation, and Kingdom Responsibility.
The first of its kind, a basic reference for Students and Researchers including Christian Laity, Church Clergies and Missionaries; encompassing various subjects like Religion, History, Cultural Studies and Women Studies.

The Author

Ralph Eugene Diffendorfer (1879–1951) was an American clergyman. He completed his education at Ohio Wesleyan University, Drew Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary. His professional curriculum vitae is vast but broadly it includes; Secretary of the Missionary Education Movement in the United States and Canada, Associate Secretary of the Centenary Commission of the Board of Home Missions and Church Extension, Director of the Home Missions Survey of the Inter-Church World Movement and Secretary of the Department of Education of the Committee on Conservation and Advance of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Chicago.

Bible History of the Old and New Testaments: With a Compendium of Church History (Reprint Edition)

Author : Rev. B. J. Spalding and Compendium by Rev. John A. Dillon

The Book

The Book provides a comprehensive coverage in relation to History of Bible, and of Churches. It includes sequential timelines, Biblical facts, and overviews of History of both BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini). The Author encircles this phenomenal account of History in two different phases. The First phase is the summation of writings enshrining Bible History. This phase covers the historical account in Five Eras ranging from 4004 B.C. to 1 A.D. The First Era talks thoroughly on the process of the ‘Creation of the World’ to the ‘Dispersion of Mankind’. The Second Era brings out the year’s witnessing the ‘Call of Abram’ to the ‘Birth of Moses’. Then, in the Third Era the whole picture, till the ‘Death of Solomon’ unfolds. The Fourth Era starts up with the ‘Death of Solomon’ and ends at the ‘Babylonian Captivity’. The momentous period of BC is covered in the Fifth Era; from the ‘Restoration of the Jews’ to the ‘Birth of Christ’. In furtherance of the Christ Birth, there is also a synopsis highlighting ‘Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ’. The Second phase is an elaborate Compendium of Church History by Rev. John A. Dillon. This Phase covers a vast period, that is to say, Ancient Times, Middle Ages and Modern Times (A.D. 33 to the then present day, i.e., A.D. 1916). All the respective Times have been detailed by its demarcation in Epochs. Each Epoch covers a relevant time period, meticulously submitting History of that particular age. The period of Ancient Times starts with the ‘Foundation of the Church’ and ends with ‘Coronation of Charlemagne’. Period of Middle Ages begins with the ‘Restoration of the Western Empire’ and elaborates till the ‘Rise of Protestantism’. Lastly, the then period of Modern Times exhaustively spells out from the ‘Rise of Protestantism’, the ‘French Revolution’ and goes upto A.D. 1916. As Rev. J.L. (John Lancaster) Spalding, the then Bishop of Peoria, himself concluded in the Preface of the Book, revealing the truth about Author’s sole aim “to supply Catholic schools with a complete text-book of sacred History”. Further, the Author believes that Christianity as a religion cannot have any right theory and it can be understood only when it is clearly defined by means of authentic History. This piece of Work is an endeavor to rightly bring to light the deeds rather than the thoughts of Christian Religion. This is an exceptional and a complete Book in itself as it encapsules Bible and Church History; thereby covering 6000 years of heritage (4004 B.C. to A.D. 1916). It incorporates the Origin, History, and Development on the concerned subjects in layman language; also equipped with a quick reference guide in the form of Pronouncing Vocabulary for beginners and novice learners. It covers subjects like History, Christianity, Theology in general, and Biography of Lord Jesus Christ. The Book, is a must read for Christian Laity, Church Clergies, General Readers, Students and Researchers.

The Author

Rev. B. J. (Benedict Joseph) Spalding (1850?-1887) was the late Pastor of St. Mary’s Church, and Chancellor of the Diocese of Peoria. He had also authored a 2-vol. work titled ‘The History of the Church of God from the Creation to the Present Day’. The Presenter Rev. John A. (John Andrew) Dillon (1878?-1926) was the Superintendent of Parish Schools, Newark, New Jersey. Other than providing a Compendium on Church History in this Book, he also compiled and edited a Book titled ‘Moments with the Consoling Christ: Prayers Selected from Thomas a Kempis’.

The Psalms as Israel's Prayer and Our Own

The Book

The Psalms as Israel's Prayer and Our Own is an introduction to the Psalms for the lay Christian. It brings the insights of contemporary scholarship on the book of Psalms to the reader in order to enrich and encourage the prayerful reading of the Psalms. It explains clearly the features of the Psalter, always with a view to contemporary prayer. The Author Dr. Robert D. Miller II is Associate Professor of Old Testament and Area Director for Biblical Studies in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America.  He is a Secular Franciscan, and holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible from the University of Michigan. He is the author of several books on the history of ancient Israel and on biblical theology. He serves on the Board of Control of the New American Bible for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and was one of the translators of the New American Bible Revised Edition.http://www.christianworldimprints.com/index.php?p=bookdetails&cwino=9788192512136

Christian Ethics and the Crisis of Gender Violence: Kristeva's Reading of Religion, Culture and the Human Psyche

About the Book

The book brings the thought of Julia Kristeva to bear on the challenge of sexual differentiation in a world that both privileges difference yet continues to be threatened by otherness. In conversation with feminist theology and Christian ethics, it explores the role and the ramifications of being embodied subjects. The book utilizes Kristeva's thought to probe the roots of violence against women and how violence continues to shape humanity's psyche. Kristeva's contribution to feminist theology and Christian ethics emerges through a comparative analysis with leading feminist theologian Rosemary Radford Ruether. Ruether probes more deeply than most the pervasive misogyny within the Christian tradition. While Kristeva exposes the deeply biological (and so determined) roots of violence against women, her insights provide the needed understanding that can shift the direction of our thought in addressing the threat of the other. The book considers how theology (via Ruether) rather than Kristeva offers the tools to guide us through this opening.

About the Authorhttp://www.christianworldimprints.com/index.php?p=bookdetails&cwino=9788192512129

Christine Jamieson teaches Christian Ethics in the Department of Theological Studies at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. Her research draws on the work of Julia Kristeva and Canadian theologian and philosopher, Bernard Lonergan. Her doctoral work focused on social ethics and from that basis her research engages in ethical reflection on challenging 21st century issues such as stem cell research, end of life issues, genetic technology and values conflict in the healthcare setting. She is also engaged in interdisciplinary work with a biblical scholar exploring ethical deliberation in the Bible.