Classic Subjects, Fresh Approaches
In a season of change, a strong category remains consistent
By Lynn Garrett -- Publishers Weekly, 7/30/2001
It was written in Ecclesiastes that there is no new thing under the sun, and religion publishers' current offerings may be proof of that. After all, the most successful book in recent months is built around an obscure Old Testament prayer (albeit given a very modern self-help twist) by a man most of us had never heard of. And this fall brings a resurgence of titles in some of religion's classic subcategories, although they, too, are often given a new spin.
After the Bible, books about saints had to have been among the earliest titles published for Christians, and this fall they seem to be enjoying a small revival. Though most are classic treatments—thumbnail biographies, guides to praying with the saints and the like—others seek fresh angles with humor (Wit and Wisdom of the Saints: A Year of Saintly Humor, Liguori), self-help (The Saints: Real Models for Real People, Sophia Institute) and even food (Cooking with Saints: An Illustrated Treasury of Recipes Old and Modern, Ignatius). Proof, as if we needed it, that sometimes in publishing the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Still, some of this season's religion books tackle very modern themes indeed. Gay spirituality—now once and for all out of hiding and an area of strife for many religious institutions—is the subject of several forthcoming titles. Pilgrim Press, the trade arm of the United Church of Christ Press, has published on the topic for some time, and its fall list features five titles, including two aimed at parents: My Son Eric: A Mother Struggles to Accept Her Gay Son, a new edition of a book originally published in 1979, and the new Our Daughter Martha: A Family Struggles with Coming Out. Both will be released in September. Crossroad offers Faith Beyond Resentment: Fragments Catholic and Gay (Oct.) by gay theologian James Alison. Abingdon (trade arm of United Methodist Publishing) and Pilgrim take decidedly different approaches to biblical studies with The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics (Sept.) and Queer Commentary and the Hebrew Bible (Oct.). Finally, Morehouse—an independent publisher grounded in the Episcopal tradition—urges a new view of homosexuality as a vocation in Gifted by Otherness: Gay and Lesbian Christians in the Church (Sept.)
Homosexuality is only one of the many issues currently dividing and challenging churches and other religious groups. As these religious institutions struggle to remain vital and relevant, there are plenty of books intended to help them, from houses across the spectrum, including professional publisher Jossey-Bass (now a unit of business publisher John Wiley), whose Religion in Practice line is five years old. Their Cracking Your Congregation's Code: Mapping Your Spiritual DNA to Create Your Future (Sept.) provides tools for pastors and congregants to set the stage for growth, both individual and communal. One church that seems already to have cracked the code is New York's Brooklyn Tabernacle, which boasts more than 6,000 members and a world-famous choir. Its pastor, Jim Cymbala, is also a bestselling author for Zondervan (Fresh Faith and Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire); his new title is The Life God Blesses. His wife, Carol Cymbala, director of the 275-member Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, has a first book, He's Been Faithful; both are September releases.
Speaking of The Prayer of Jabez, there are at least four responses to it coming this fall, proving once again that success draws both imitators and critics. Three of them—all entitled The Prayer of Jesus—come from Harper San Francisco, W Publishing Group and Barbour. The fourth is I Just Wanted More Land from Xulon Press, a new enterprise that bills itself as the Christian Xlibris or iUniverse. (Another publisher, Canon Press, released a parody, The Mantra of Jabez, in June.)
Judging by the number of biographies, autobiographies and memoirs on publishers' lists this season, the personal continues to be universal for many readers of religion and spirituality. One approach—no doubt encouraged by the bestseller status of Karen Armstrong's Buddha—has been to examine the teachings of a central figure of a world religion through the vehicle of biography. Oneworld (The Buddha: A Short Biography, Nov.) and Tuttle's Gotama Buddha, Volume 1: A Biography Based on the Most Reliable Texts, Dec.) both weigh in, and Armstrong's Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet (Harper SF) is coming in paperback in September. The Pulitzer Prize–winning God: A Biography (1995) really wasn't, of course, but author Jack Miles's newest is Christ: A Crisis in the Life of God (Knopf, Nov.), a philosophical and literary rumination on the significance of that founder of Christianity. (One subcategory in which there seems to be a significant increase in title output is philosophy of religion, with nearly three times as many titles submitted as in the spring.)
From spirituality to prayer, self-help to church growth, memoir to inspiration, biblical studies and social commentary, all of religion's multifarious subcategories once again offer solid choices during this season of turning.
| Fall/Winter Religion Books ABINGDON PRESS ADAMS MEDIA Just Say Om!: Your Life's Journey (Sept., $7.95 paper) by Soren Gordhamer introduces the world of spirituality and meditation. ALBAN INSTITUTE ANTHROPOSOPHIC PRESS ASHGATE Mystical Experience of God (Nov.; $79.95, paper $29.95) by Jerome Gellman presents a case in favor of the experience's validity and its implications for belief in God. AVE MARIA PRESS Inviting God In: Scriptural Reflections and Prayers Throughout the Year (Sept., $12.95 paper) by Joyce Rupp encourages the impulse to stop and pray. BAKER BOOKS God Will Answer: 52 Meditations to Enrich Your Prayer Life (Nov., $15.99) by Ron Susek. Each chapter is designed to be read daily for a week so that concepts can be fully understood. BAKER ACADEMIC The Bible in Translation: Ancient and English Versions (Oct., $14.99 paper) by Bruce Metzger traces the history of biblical renditions. Advertising. New Testament History: A Narrative Account (Nov., $26.99) by Ben Witherington III revisits the church's early years. Advertising. BALLANTINE/ONE WORLD Sacred Woman: A Guide to Healing the Feminine Body, Mind and Spirit (Nov., $16 paper) by Queen Afua synthesizes Afrocentric spirituality and alternative health. Black Expressions Book Club selection. BAYLOR UNIV. PRESS BEACON HILL PRESS Leading in Times of Change (Nov., TBA) by Dale Galloway and Beeson Institute Colleagues offers guidelines for churches in transition. BEACON PRESS Proverbs of Ashes: Why Jesus's Death Didn't Save Us (Nov., $27.50) by Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Ann Parker stresses how an emphasis on Christ's obedience to God and sacrifice on the cross sanctions violence and blesses silence about abuse. BELL TOWER The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (Jan., $TBA) by Alistair Shearer. An expert on the art and architecture of southeast Asia translates these verses collected by the Indian sage in 300 B.C. BERKLEY Daily Word for Healing: Blessing Your Life with Messages of Hope and Renewal (Nov., $12.95 paper) by Colleen Zuck et al. comforts in times of trouble. BETHANY HOUSE Where Two Seas Met (Oct., $11.99 paper) by Lynn Morris and Gilbert Morris. Cheney and Shiloh return in a new historical series in which they heal others around the world. While Mortals Sleep (Oct., $11.99) by Jack Cavanaugh. In this novel set before WWII, a German pastor takes a stand against the Nazis. BEYOND WORDS Spiritual Writing: From Inspiration to Publication (Oct., $16.95 paper) by Deborah Levine Herman offers advice on getting published. $15,000 ad/promo. BLACKWELL BRANDEIS UNIV. PRESS BRAZOS PRESS Growing Pains: Learning to Love My Father's Faith (Nov., $15.99) by Randall Balmer examines the challenges of handing down faith from one generation to another. Advertising. Christianity Incorporated: How Big Business Is Buying the Church (Feb., $22.99 paper) by Michael L. Budde and Robert W. Brimlow cautions that spirituality in business can be distorted by the drive for profit. BROADMAN & HOLMAN In Search of the Lost Mountains of Noah: The Discovery of the Real Mt. Ararat (Sept.) and In Search of the Lost Ark of the Covenant (Feb., $21.99 each) by Robert Cornuke and David Halbrook. Adventurer/explorer Cornuke searches to affirm to the world that the Bible is true. BROOKINGS INSTITUTION CAMBRIDGE UNIV. PRESS CATHOLIC UNIV. OF AMERICA PRESS CELESTIAL ARTS CHALICE PRESS The Inklings Handbook (Oct., $29.99) by Colin Duriez and David Porter focuses on the lives and writings of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams and Owen Barfield. CHOSEN BOOKS Thank You, Holy Spirit: Meditations from Genesis to Revelation (Oct., $12.99 paper) by Marilyn Hecksher covers every biblical reference to the Holy Spirit. CISTERCIAN PUBLICATIONS CITADEL PRESS CLIFF STREET CONARI PRESS Living Big: Embrace Your Passion and Leap into an Extraordinary Life (Nov., $15.95 paper) by Pam Grout inspires readers through the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. 5-city author tour. CONCORDIA Out of the Shadows: Finding God's Truth in a World of Deception (Nov., $12.99) by John Thomas Lapacka relates the author's experiences as leader of the Worldwide Church of God and his conversion to orthodox Christian faith. CONTEMPORARY BOOKS CONTINUUM Christian Myth: Origins, Logic and Legacy (Oct, $25.95) by Burton L. Mack traces the author's intellectual evolution from an analyst of ancient texts to a scholar of the motives behind these works. COOK COMMUNICATIONS See Dick and Jane Grow Up: Seven Growth Steps to Marital Maturity (Sept., $10.99 paper) by David Hawkins tackles the tough issues of selfishness and placing blame. COOL GROVE PRESS COUNCIL OAK BOOKS J. COUNTRYMAN GIFT BOOKS One Incredible Moment: Celebrating the Majesty of the Manger (Oct., $13.99) by Max Lucado shares inspirational insights into this sacred season. Moments That Matter (Oct., $14.99) by Catherine Marshall contains writings and journal entries by the renowned author. CROSSING PRESS Finding Soul on the Path of Orisa: A West African Spiritual Tradition (Nov., $14.95) by Tobe Melora Correal. Orisa originated in southwestern Nigeria and applies to daily living. CROSSROAD PUBLISHING Straight from the Heart: Reflections from 20th Century Mystics (Sept., $19.95), ed. by Dick Ryan, quotes such writers as Henri Nouwen, Thomas Merton and Joan Chittister. CROSSWAY BOOKS Disciplines of a Godly Woman (Oct., $17) by Barbara Hughes encourages godliness in the midst of life's daily responsibilities. CROWN CRYSTAL CLARITY DEVORA DOUBLEDAY Soul Survivor: How My Faith Survived the Church (Sept., $21.95) by Philip Yancey describes his search for an authentic faith. A Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus (Sept., $40) by John P. Meier details how Jesus consciously shaped a movement to rival other political and religious entities of his time. I Like Being Married (Jan., $19.95) by Michael Leach and Therese Borchard celebrates the traditions and stories that make up wedded life. DUCKWORTH WM. B. EERDMANS The Confessions of St. Augustine (Sept., $20) by Carolinne White offers translations accompanied by full-color artwork. The Many Faces of Faith: A Guide to World Religions and Christian Traditions (Sept., $19) by Richard Losch surveys the most influential beliefs. FORTRESS PRESS Rediscovering Friendship: Awakening to the Power and Promise of Women's Friendships (Oct., $15) by Elisabeth Moltmann-Wendel elaborates upon the adventure, consolation, love and political relevance of friendship. GETTY PUBLICATIONS GIA PUBLICATIONS GOOD BOOKS Simple Prayers of Love and Delight (Oct., $4.95) collects prayers from the Amish, Hutterite and Mennonite communities. HAMPTON ROADS All the World's a Stage (Oct., $22.95) by Dennis Weaver. The entertainer calls for personal transformation, spiritual growth and preservation of our natural world. HARMONY HARPERCOLLINS Churches (Nov., $25) by Judith Dupre blends text and color photos to visit 65 houses of worship from six major denominations. 75,000 first printing. HARPERCOLLINS UK HARPER SAN FRANCISCO Excavating Jesus: Beneath the Stones, Behind the Texts (Sept., $29.95) by John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed depicts the historical Jesus against the backdrop of his world. The Best Spiritual Writing 2001 (Sept., $16 paper), ed. by Philip Zaleski, showcases a broad range of new perspectives. My Journey: From an Iowa Farm to a Cathedral of Dreams (Nov., $26) by Robert H. Schuller is a personal story by the founder of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif. 100,000 first printing. HARRISON HOUSE Distractions from Destiny (Jan., $12.99 paper) by Cheryl Salem exposes Satan's eight attempts to destroy her family's focus on God-given dreams after the death of her six-year-old daughter. HARVEST HOUSE Jerusalem: What's the Fighting All About? (Jan., $9.99) by Randall Price ventures behind the current headlines. The Unrandom Universe (Jan., $9.99) by Sigmund Brouwer discloses how an exploration of science today tells about God. HEALTH COMMUNICATIONS The Get: A Spiritual Memoir of Divorce (Sept., $10.95 paper) by Elise Edelson Katch is a personal account of the ancient ritual of divorce requiring a woman to stand before an panel of Orthodox rabbis. A Simcha Press Book. Teens Talkin' Faith: A Christian Perspective (Oct., $12.95 paper) by Michelle L. Trujillo. Heartfelt stories show that God provides strength in tough situations. HIDDENSPRING Sacred Water: The Spiritual Source of Life (Feb., $18) by Nathaniel Altman identifies the cleansing, healing and instructive qualities of water. HIMALAYAN INSTITUTE PRESS Finding the Hidden Self: A Study of the Siva Sutras (Oct., $15.95 paper) by Roger Worthington newly translates the ancient Sanskrit scripture describing the creative principle behind the universe. HERALD PRESS HOHM PRESS HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HOWARD PUBLISHING For Those Who Grieve (Jan., $14.99) by Dennis Jernigan offers hope for people in sorrowful times. Hugs for Girlfriends (Jan., $11.99) by Philis Boultinghouse captures the joys and rewards of being a chum. 30,000 first printing. IDEALS Guideposts Prayers for Christmas (Sept., $9.95) by the Ideals Editors collects prayers from Guideposts and from the Norman Vincent Peale Center. 50,000 first printing. IGNATIUS PRESS Fulton J. Sheen: A Man for All Mediums (Oct., $24.95), ed. by Greg Ladd, is a coffee-table book with 125 photos from the Fulton Sheen archives. Captive Flames (Oct., $12.95 paper) by Ronald Knox honors male and female saints who were "inflamed with the love of Christ." INNER TRADITIONS INT'L The Tutankhamun Prophecies: The Sacred Secret of the Maya, Egyptians and Freemasons (Oct., $20 paper) by Maurice Cotterell reveals the common origins of the Egyptian and Mayan civilizations. INNISFREE PRESS Practicing Your Path: A Book of Retreats for an Intentional Life (Jan., $15.95 paper) by Holly W. Whitcomb. Seven at-home, one-day retreats focus on such classical spiritual disciplines as hospitality, prayer, fasting and sabbath. INTERVARSITY PRESS God & Time: Four Views (Oct., $17.99 paper), ed. by Gregory E. Ganssle. Four philosophers tell how to understand God's relationship with the time-bound universe. Divine Foreknowledge: Four Views (Nov., $15.99 paper), ed. by James K. Belby and Paul R. Eddy, conveys the thoughts of William Lane Craig, Paul Helm, Gregory A. Boyd and David Hunt. JEWISH LIGHTS The Story of the Jews: A 4000-Year Adventure (Sept., $16.95 paper) by Stan Mack. Major individuals and events are recalled in an illustrated narrative. The Guide to Jewish Interfaith Family Life: An InterFaithFamily.com Handbook (Sept., $18.95 paper), ed. by Ronnie Friedland and Edmund Case, guides those who want to engage in a Jewish life and yet respect the heritage of those they love. JEWISH PUBLICATION SOCIETY JPS Bible Commentary: Haftarot (Jan., $75) by Michael Fishbane. These readings from ancient Hebrew liturgy excerpt the Prophets and accompany Sabbath readings from the Torah. Preparing Your Heart for Passover (Jan., $15.95 paper) by Kerry Olitzky defines the observance not only as a religious and social ritual but as a spiritual journey. JOSSEY-BASS Cracking Your Congregation Code: Mapping Your Spiritual DNA to Create Your Future (Oct., $23.95) by Richard Southern and Robert Norton points to God's plans for the future of the church. Church on Sunday, Work on Monday: The Challenge of Fusing Christian Values with Business Life (Oct., $23.95) by Laura Nash and Scotty McLennan advises how business people can develop better resources within Christian communities. Wisdom from a Pastor's Heart (Oct., $18.95) by Douglas Connelly. Hundreds of pastors provide enlightenment to meet life's challenges. JUDSON PRESS Meet the Queen of Sheba: More Dramatic Portraits of Biblical Women (Oct., $14 paper) by Roseanne Gartner is a sequel to Meet Bathsheba. Angry People in the Pews: Managing Anger in the Church (Dec., $14 paper) by Leroy Howe assesses the kind of anger that tears apart families and friendships. KNOPF The Popes Against the Jews: The Vatican's Role in the Rise of Modern Anti-Semitism (Sept., $27.95) by David I. Kertzer charges that the highest levels within the church nurtured a hatred that fed the Holocaust. 50,000 first printing. 7-city author tour. Christ: A Crisis in the Life of God (Nov., $26) by Jack Miles considers Christ as a literary character and the New Testament as a work of art. 60,000 first printing. Advertising. 7-city author tour. KREGEL St. Paul the Traveler and Roman Citizen (Nov., $22.99) by William M. Ramsay, ed. by Mark Wilson, is a classic work on the cities visited by the apostle Paul, supplemented with color illustrations showing the sites today. A Kregel Academic book. Ad/promo. LANTERN BOOKS The Laws of the Sun (Oct., $12 paper) by Ryuho Okawa. The natural spiritual laws of the universe can help humans achieve happiness. The Laws of Eternity (Oct., $12 paper) by Ryuho Okawa explains why the laws, dimensions and characteristics of other worlds are important to us. LIGUORI Hallelujah for the Day: An African Prayer Book (Feb., $14.95 paper) by Anthony J. Gittins collects 150 prayers from 50 African societies. Wit and Wisdom of the Saints: A Year of Saintly Humor (Feb., $14.95 paper), compiled by Victoria Hebert and Judy Bauer, introduces a full spectrum of holy people. LITTLE, BROWN LITURGICAL PRESS The Glenstal Book of Prayer: A Benedictine Prayer Book (Sept., $17.95) by the Monks of Glenstal Abbey, Ireland, reflects the Celtic tradition in earthy, popular and devotional prayers. Ad/promo. A Mystical Portrait of Jesus: New Perspectives on John's Gospel (Nov., $16.95 paper) by Demetrius Dumm, O.S.B., gives prominence to the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. LLEWELLYN Mark of Voodoo (Jan., $21.95 paper) by Sharon Caulder is a personal account of the author's discovery of her African voodoo heritage and her spiritual awakening. Ad/promo. 5-city author tour. Nocturnal Witchcraft (Feb., $14.95) by Konstantinos is a guide to practical techniques and rituals focusing on the darker mysteries of witchcraft. Ad/promo. 5-city author tour. LOYOLA PRESS Dante to Dead Man Walking: One Reader's Journey Through the Christian Classics (Sept., $19.95 paper) by Raymond Schroth, S.J., unites religious themes and contemporary key issues challenging the social conscience. Ad/promo. When Hope Is Tried: Meditations for Those Who Are Ill and the People Who Love Them (Sept., $11.95 paper) by Carol Winters gathers scriptural passages, short prayers and suggested Bible readings. MARLOWE & COMPANY Forgiveness: Stories of the Power of Letting Go (Nov., paper $13.95), ed. by Thomas Djya, includes work by Russell Banks, Raymond Carver and Jane Austen. MERCER UNIV. PRESS The Bloody Tenent of Persecution for Cause of Conscience: Classics of Religious Liberty 2 (Jan., $27.95) by Roger Williams, ed. by Richard Groves, reprints the pamphlets setting forth Williams's views on church-state relations first published in 1643. MERIWETHER PUBLISHING MESORAH PUBLICATIONS Modern Halachic Questions: Contemporary Issues for Home, School and Business (Sept.; $22.99, paper $19.99) by Rabbi Tzvi Spitz. A rabbinical court judge from Jerusalem shares questions, decisions and the Talmudic logic behind them. MOODY PRESS God Just Showed Up (Sept., $12.99 paper) by Linda Watkins compiles 19 uplifting stories by African-American authors. $20,000 ad/promo. THOMAS MORE Crossing Over: One Woman's Exodus from Amish Life (Nov., $18.95) by Ruth Irene Garrett with Rick Farrant. A woman breaks from her community, finding love and faith in a new life. 20,000 first printing. MOREHOUSE Celebrating the Saints: Devotional Readings for Saints' Days (Oct., $34.95), compiled by Robert Atwell and Christopher Webber, contains excerpts from letters, journals, speeches, prayers and poems written over the course of 2,000 years. MORROW This Far by Faith: Stories from the African-American Religious Experience (Feb., $30) by Juan Williams and Quinton Dixie. This tie-in to a six-part PBS-TV series sheds light on lives and struggles over the last 200 years. 50,000 first printing. MULTNOMAH Jesus Talks with Buddha (Oct., $9.99) by Ravi Zacharias. Spokesmen from the world's religions gather at a mythical river to debate the nature of God. Riding Through Shadows (Oct., $11.99 paper) by Sharon Ewell Foster spins a poignant story of an African-American girl's travails and joys during the 1960s. The Prayer of Jabez Gift Edition (Jan., $16.99) by Bruce Wilkinson is embellished with illustrations by Michael Dudash. The Many Loves of Marriage (Jan., $22.99) by Thomas and Nanette Kinkade. The artist and his wife offer fresh and radical ideas for keeping a marriage strong. NAVPRESS Christian Coaching (Jan., $23) by Gary Collins helps people achieve their potential by moving toward wholeness and growth. 16,500 first printing. THOMAS NELSON Experiencing His Presence (Oct., $19.99) by Tommy Tenney. The author invites readers to explore and apply the concepts of The God Catchers in a devotional setting. In the Secret Place of the Most High (Oct., paper $13.99) by Cynthia Heald is a guide to seeking God's voice through His word. Praying God's Will for Your Life (Oct., $12.99) by Stormie Omartian provides a 20-day prayerful walk to spiritual well-being. The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player (Jan., $17.99) by John Maxwell offers advice on how to develop better players from the inside out. NEW CITY PRESS NEW HOPE PUBLISHERS NEW LEAF PRESS When Mothers Touch Heaven (Oct., $13.99) by Joy Haney. The prayers are answered for mothers who never gave up on their children. NEW WORLD LIBRARY ONEWORLD The Wisdom of Sufism (Oct., $15.95) by Leonard Lewisohn anthologizes poetry and prose, including that of Rumi. The Buddha: A Short Biography (Nov., $15.95 paper) by John S. Strong focuses on what the life of Siddhartha Gautama means to Buddhists today. ORBIS BOOKS Jesus Through Jewish Eyes: Rabbis and Scholars Engage an Ancient Brother in a New Conversation (Sept., $20 paper), ed. by Beatrice Bruteau. Rabbis Lawrence Kushner, Michael Lerner and others consider the Jewish Jesus both personally and historically. God Moments: Why Faith Really Matters to a New Generation (Sept., $17 paper) by Jeremy Langford identifies the best aspects of Catholicism. OUR SUNDAY VISITOR Beyond the Birds and the Bees (Sept., $12.95 paper) by Gregory K. Popcak enables parents to nurture their children's developing sexuality respectfully. Catholic Family Prayer Book (Sept., $24.95) by Jacquelyn Lindsey presents a wealth of traditional prayers. PARACLETE PRESS Eternal Wisdom from the Desert: Writings of the Desert Fathers (Oct., $14.95 paper), ed. by Henry L. Carrigan Jr., gathers thoughts by fourth-century men and women who fled to the desert seeking lives of purity. Doors into Prayer: An Invitation (Nov., $13.95) by Emilie Griffin speaks to such subjects as wonder, longing, contemplation and discouragement. PAULIST PRESS PENN STATE UNIV. PRESS PETER PAUPER PRESS And Jabez Called on God: Blessings for Abundance in Everyday Life (Nov., $4.95) by by Sarah M. Hupp compiles modern-day stories that offer new insights into the Prayer of Jabez. PILGRIM PRESS PLOUGH PRIMA Triumph: The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church, a 2,000 Year History (Nov., $29.95) by H.W. Crocker III defends the church against an onslaught of recent abuse. PRINCETON UNIV. PRESS QUEST BOOKS RANDOM HOUSE RED WHEEL/WEISER 13 Lessons for Pleasing the Divine: A Witch's Primer (Oct., $29.95 paper) by Lady Raya is an interactive introduction to Wicca that includes password access to a cyber coven. Spirit Maps (Oct., $19.95 paper) by Joanna Arettam combines inspirational art with meditations harnessing the energy around us. 15,000 first printing. REGAL BOOKS On Daddy's Shoulders (Oct., $8.99 paper) by Tommy Tenney and Amie Dockery helps one generation pass on God's legacy to the next. REGANBOOKS FLEMING H. REVELL The Narrow Road: Stories of Those Who Walk This Road Together (Oct., $16.99 paper) by Brother Andrew et al. The complete text of God's Smuggler is accompanied by a CD single, "This Road" by Jars of Clay. I Cherish You: Wisdom from His Needs, Her Needs (Jan., $12.99) by Willard F. Harley Jr. promotes relationship-enriching concepts and principles. RIVER OAK E-mail from God for Kids (Sept.) by Claire Cloninger and Andy Cloninger; E-mail from God for Women (Sept.) by Claire Cloninger; and E-mail from God for Men (Sept., $12.99 each) by Andy Cloninger are new additions to the bestselling series. 50,000 first printing for Kids; 40,000 for Women; 15,000 for Men. RIVERHEAD ROUTLEDGE Faith in Science: Scientists Search for Truth (Oct.; $50, paper $15.95), ed. by W. Mark Richardson and Gordy Slack, eases the adversarial relationship between the two realms. Religion and Its Monsters (Nov.; $85, $19.95 paper) by Timothy K. Beal reports that fiends lurking in religious texts and religion itself are irrevocably entwined. Ad/promo. ST. ANTHONY MESSENGER PRESS Woman, You Are Free: A Spirituality for Women in Luke (Sept., $9.95 paper) by Susan Yanos views what liberation means for women personally, socially and spiritually. ST. MARTIN'S/PALGRAVE The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Jewish Origins of Christianity (Sept., $27.95) by Carsten Peter Thiede postulates that Christianity originated as a Jewish movement, not a fundamentally new religion. ST. MARY'S PRESS ST. VLADIMIR'S SEMINARY PRESS St. Gregory of Nazianzus: An Intellectual Biography (Sept.; $35.99, paper $22.95) by John McGuckin concerns the Cappadocian priest who sought to unify the church. Scripture in Tradition: The Bible and Its Interpretation in the Orthodox Church (Sept., $17.95 paper) by John Breck stresses the links among Scripture, the Gospel message and Orthodox Patristic exegesis. SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP SERVANT PUBLICATIONS City-Wide Prayer Movements: One Church, Many Congregations (Oct., $10.99 paper) by Tom White pursues a unification of Christians for regional prayer. Prayers Jesus Prayed (Feb., $9.99 paper) by Timothy Paul Jones lets readers grasp the powerful truths found in the conversations Jesus had with God. SHADOW MOUNTAIN PRESS Rebekah, Woman of Genesis (Nov., $22.95) by Orson Scott Card. This second book of a trilogy about Old Testament women tells how the wife of Isaac finds her own relationship with God. Making Sense of Suffering (Sept., $15.95) by Wayne Brickey offers help for times of suffering, with reassurance that God will comfort and console. 18,000 first printing. Ad/promo. SHAMBHALA Classics of Buddhism and Zen, Vol. 1 (Nov., $40) by Thomas Cleary launches an eight-volume set. Our Immoral Soul: A Manifesto of Spiritual Disobedience (Dec., $21.95) by Rabbi Nilton Bonder muses on the human impulse to disobey and transgress in the quest for spiritual growth. SHEED & WARD My Love: A Prayer Journal (Sept., $14.95 paper) by Andrew Greeley continues the author's quest to reveal the God of love, understanding and forgiveness by sharing his most intimate joys, fears, challenges and hopes. Wisdom: The Feminine Face of God (Sept., $24.95) by Daniel Berrigan continues the author's series of spiritual and social commentaries with an original reading of the Wisdom of Solomon. SIMON & SCHUSTER SKINNER HOUSE SKYLIGHT PATHS Releasing the Creative Spirit: Unleash the Creativity in Your Life (Sept., $16.95 paper) by Dan Wakefield develops creative power through the pursuit of clarity in body, mind and spirit. Come & Sit: A Week Inside Meditation Centers (Oct., $16.95 paper) by Marcia Z. Nelson demystifies seven different spiritual traditions. SNOW LION Working with Anger (Oct., $12.95 paper) by Thubten Chodron empowers by disempowering anger. SOPHIA INSTITUTE PRESS The Saints: Real Models for Real People (Dec., $15.95 paper) by Joseph Esper. The lives of the saints help readers approach their own lives with greater ease. SORIN BOOKS Silent Hope: Living with the Mystery of God (Sept., $12.95 paper) by John Kirvan. Fifty meditations and prayers are rooted in the wisdom of Christian, Jewish and Islamic mystics. STARBURST Stories for the Spirit-Filled Believer: Remarkable Encounters with the Holy Spirit (Nov., $13.99 paper), ed. by Cristine Bolley, contains real-life testimonies by those chosen to be God's messenger. STATE UNIV. OF NEW YORK PRESS The Journey of One Buddhist Nun (Oct., $19.95 paper) by Sid Brown is an account of a young Thai woman's struggles to become a nun. STRANG COMMUNICATIONS Taking Our Cities for God (Sept., $13.99 paper) by John Dawson tears down roadblocks that hold families in bondage to Satan. The Leading Edge (Nov., $17.99) by Jack Hayford offers 40 sage nuggets to help readers build leadership skills. JEREMY P. TARCHER God and the Evolving Universe: The Next Step in Personal Evolution (Jan., $24.95) by James Redfield and Michael Murphy explains how human progress has led to a time in which acts of self-development contribute to planetary evolution as well as expanded personal abilities. The American Soul: Rediscovering the Wisdom of the Founders (Feb., $24.95) by Jacob Needleman looks at American history through the lens of the spiritual vision and beliefs of the founders. TEMPLETON FOUNDATION PRESS Words of Gratitude for Mind, Body and Soul (Oct., $12.95) by Robert A. Emmons and Joanna Hill. Research shows the positive benefits of expressing gratefulness. THAMES & HUDSON THORSONS The Bridge of Stars (Sept., $24.95) by Marcus Braybrooke is a full-color book of 365 prayers from around the world. 75,000 first printing. One Spirit Book Club selection. TRAFALGAR SQUARE/LION TRAFALGAR SQUARE/HODDER & STOUGHTON Jesus: In My Own Words (Sept., $13.95), comp. by Teresa de Bertodano, is arranged according to themes in the Lord's Prayer. TRINITY PRESS INT'L Exploring Christianity: The Bible, Faith and Life (Oct., $13) by James Howell answers questions about the nature of Christian faith and the meaning of its doctrine. The Trinity Guide to the Bible (Oct., $24) by Richard H. Hiers provides access to every book of the Old Testament, New Testament and Apocrypha, letting readers draw their own conclusions. TUTTLE TWENTY-THIRD PUBLICATIONS TYNDALE HOUSE Desecration (Oct., $24.99) by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye is number nine in the Left Behind series. 3 million first printing. Ad/promo. Perhaps Today (Oct., $14.99) by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins contains 90 daily devotional meditations based on the Left Behind series. 150,000 first printing. Bringing Up Boys (Nov., $19.97) by James Dobson issues advice and encouragement. 100,000 first printing. $300,000 ad/promo. UAHC PRESS Mishlei: A Modern Commentary on Proverbs (Nov., $12.95 paper), ed. by Leonard S. Kravitz and Kerry M. Olitzky, is a new user-friendly translation that also gives the full Hebrew text. Ad/promo. ULYSSES PRESS UNITY HOUSE Smack in the Middle of Life: True Stories and Blessed Aha's (Oct., $13.95 paper) by Peggy Treibar proffers spiritual principles to deal with real-life situations. UNIV. OF TENNESSEE PRESS UPPER ROOM Forgiveness, the Passionate Journey: Healing Through Jesus' Beatitudes (Oct., $11 paper) by Flora Slosson Wuellner recognizes the ways of relating to others as well as to oneself. VIKING VIKING COMPASS The Woman Who Laughed at God: The Untold History of the Jewish People (Oct., $24.95) by Jonathan Kirsch offers a journey through Jewish history that explores the question "Who is a Jew?" WARNER Mending Your Heart in a Broken World: Finding Comfort in the Scriptures (Sept., $16.95) by Patsy Clairmont offers inspiration to those scarred by life. Between the Lines: Nine Principles to Live By (Sept., $18.95) by Orel Hershiser with Robert Wolgemuth uses stories from the pitcher's remarkable career to illustrate nine personal and professional values. WATERBROOK PRESS Long Journey Home (Sept., $19.95) by Os Guinness. A map of the road already taken by fulfillment seekers can guide readers to meaning and purpose today. Mad Mary (Sept., $19.95) by Liz Curtis Higgs. Mary Magdalene is the primary figure in this story of deliverance and devotion. Growing True Disciples & the Power of Team Leadership (Oct., $19.95) by George Barna assists pastors in assessing how their churches perform as disciple-makers. WEATHERHILL What Is the Sangha? (Oct., $19.95 paper) by Sangharakshita. An exploration of the Buddhist spiritual community considers individuality as well. WESTMINSTER/JOHN KNOX PRESS The Gospel According to The Simpsons: The Spiritual Life of the World's Most Animated Family (Sept., $12.95 paper) by Mark I. Pinsky delves into the religious aspects of Bart, Homer and the rest of the TV show's characters and the moral dilemmas they face. Simple Grace: A Mentor's Guide to Growing Older (Sept., $14.95) by Malcolm Boyd. Such themes as learning, remembering, simplifying and maturing are flavored by the 78-year-old Episcopal priest's own experiences. MARKUS WIENER WISDOM PUBLICATIONS Blue Jean Buddha: Voices of Young Buddhists (Oct., $16.95 paper), ed. by Sumi Loundon, anthologizes writings of a new generation raised in the West. The Compassionate Life (Oct., $19.95) by the Dalai Lama conveys his teachings on altruism and ultimate happiness. WORD Turn My Mourning into Dancing (Sept., $16.99) by Henri Nouwen. These previously unpublished writings confront the suffering, grief and hurt within everyone. 25,000 first printing. Virtues of Leadership (Sept., $14.99) by William Bennett profiles the true leader each of us is meant to be. 50,000 first printing. Traveling Light (Oct., $21.99) by Max Lucado. A new look at Psalm 23 asks readers to drop the baggage they were never intended to bear. 500,000 first printing. $300,000 ad/promo. Thin Within (Dec., $22.99) by Judy and Arthur Halliday takes a grace-oriented approach to permanent weight loss. 75,000 first printing. $100,000 ad/promo. ZONDERVAN The Life God Blesses: The Secret of Enjoying God's Favor (Sept., $9.99) by Jim Cymbala with Stephen Sorenson. The pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle tells how to delight in the Lord, making life a channel of blessing. How People Grow: What the Bible Reveals About Personal Growth (Oct., $19.99) by Henry Cloud and John Townsend directs readers toward a Christ-like maturity. The Kingdom Assignment: What Will You Do with the Talents God Has Given You? (Nov., $12.99) by Denny and Leesa Bellesi discloses what happened when a church gave its members $100 to invest in God's kingdom. |