Mary Magdalene, Politics and Prayer: Spring 2006 Religion (Abingdon Press to Judson Press)
Compiled by Robert Dahlin and Charles Hix, edited by Lynn Garrett -- Publishers Weekly, 2/13/2006
Will I ever be able to write about religion publishing again without referring to The Da Vinci Code? Maybe next year. For now the impact of Dan Brown's still-bestselling novel-and anticipation of the film version set to open May 19-continues to be evident, with significant numbers of spring books on alternative views of the development of Christianity, including plenty of conspiracy theories about church cover-ups. Mary Magdalene has especially caught the imaginations of publishers, with houses as varied as Inner Traditions, Monkfish, Our Sunday Visitor, Oxford, Sounds True, Tyndale and Welcome offering spring books on that mysterious woman. Publishers are also gearing up for the movie's release by bringing out paperback editions of the Code-related books they have published over the past couple of years.
Another heavily published topic is religion and politics, with a slew of major critiques of evangelical Christian entanglement in right-wing activism, many of them coming from evangelicals themselves. Randall Balmer's is Thy Kingdom Come: How the Religious Right Distorts the Faith and Threatens America-An Evangelical's Lament (Basic, July). Garry Wills weighs in with What Jesus Meant (Doubleday, Mar.), which charges that the religious right has twisted what Jesus had to say about power and wealth. Another Doubleday title is Politics of Jesus: Rediscovering the True Revolutionary Nature of What Jesus Believed and How It Was Corrupted by Obery Hendricks.
Jossey-Bass also has two books, Why the Christian Right Is Wrong: A Minister's Manifesto for Taking Back Your Faith, Your Flag, Your Future by Robin Meyers (May), and Red and Blue God, Black and Blue Church: Eyewitness Accounts of How American Churches are Hijacking Jesus, Bagging the Beatitudes, and Worshipping the Almighty Dollar by Becky Garrison (April; PW starred review Jan. 30). Beacon Press has Getting On Message: Challenging the Christian Right from the Heart of the Gospel (April) edited by Peter Laarman, a collection that includes a contribution from Gilead author Marilynne Robinson. In May, Zondervan publishes The Myth of a Christian Nation, with Gregory Boyd arguing that identification of the church with any political ideology is harmful to it and to society.
Broader looks at evangelicalism include religion reporter Mark Pinsky's A Jew Among the Evangelicals: A Suburban Jew Looks at Bible Belt Christianity (Westminster John Knox, Aug.) and Evangelicalism: An Americanized Christianity by Richard Kyle (Transaction, April). These books are among the first this year in a salvo of critical studies; major books on evangelicalism are coming this fall from publishers including Viking and Bloomsbury.
Solitary spiritual practices like prayer and meditation are hot; especially notable is the number of books on the Rule of St. Benedict--from publishers like Paraclete, Liturgical and Shambhala/New Seeds, with a modern take from Jossey-Bass--and other monastic/contemplative traditions. But there are also calls across the religious spectrum for engagement with social problems ranging from prison reform to hunger. Pop culture still provides fodder for ruminations on American religiosity, but after a spate of titles last fall, Kabbalah seems to have inspired few books this season.
A number of spring books of poetry deal with religious or spiritual themes. Knopf has two: Franz Wright's God's Silence and Brooks Haxton's Uproar: Antiphonies to Psalms (both Mar.). The Jewish Publication Society has Hills of Spices (June), a collection of poetry from the Bible edited by Rena Potok. Buddhist publisher Wisdom offers Lotus (Mar.) by Kaz Tanahashi, with photographs by Allan Baillie. From Inner Traditions comes The Forbidden Rumi: The Forbidden Poems of Rumi on Love, Heresy, and Intoxication (April) translated and with commentary by Nevit Ergin and Will Johnson. Also in the Persian tradition is This Heavenly Wine: Renditions from the Divan-i Jami by Nooreddin Abdurrahman Jami, translated by Vraje Abramian (Hohm Press, May).
As the listings that follow demonstrate, the choices in religion and spirituality are once again rich and varied.
ABINGDON PRESS
Bad Hair Days, Rainy Days and Mondays (Mar., $10 paper) by Cynthia Bond Hopson contains 31 short daily meditational readings.
Jesus' Parables of the Lost and Found (Mar., $10 paper) by James Moore is a six-session study series organized around the parables.
The Seven Next Words of Christ (Mar., $13 paper) by Shane Standford focuses on the conversations and encounters of Jesus following the Resurrection.
ACTA PUBLICATIONS
Midwives of an Unnamed Future: Spirituality for Women in Times of Unprecedented Change (Mar., $14.95) by Mary Ruth Broz, R.S.M., and Barbara Flynn shows individuals or groups of women how to deepen their spirituality. Ad/promo.
On-the-Job Prayers: 101 Reflections and Prayers for Christians in Every Occupation (Mar., $9.95 paper) by William David Thompson is a resource for people who go to work daily. Ad/promo.
ANCHOR BOOKS
The Tricky Part: A Boy's Story of Sexual Trespass, a Man's Journey to Forgiveness (May, $14 paper) by Martin Moran is the actor's memoir of sexual abuse at a Catholic camp. Advertising. Author tour.
ANDREWS MCMEEL
When I Talk to You: A Cartoonist Talks to God (June, $10.95) by Michael Leunig is an illustrated collection of over 80 prayers from a secular world.
ASHGATE
From Human to Posthuman: Christian Theology and Technology in a Postmodern World (Apr., $29.95 paper) by Brent Waters examines technological developments from a theological viewpoint.
Aquinas on God: The 'Divine Science' of the Summa Theologiae (Apr., $29.95 paper) by Rudi te Velde explores Aquinas's conception of God.
Christ and Human Rights: The Transformative Engagement (Aug., $29.95 paper) by George Newlands analyzes the significance of Christianity for human rights.
ATF PRESS
Theology and Law: Partner or Protagonists? (Mar., $13 paper), edited by Christine Parker and Gordon Preece, surveys the contested legal boundary between a secular society and public religion.
Globalisation and Theology (Mar., $12 paper) by Rowan Gill views globalization and theology through the writings of Max Stackhouse and others.
ATRIA
Home with God: In a Life that Never Ends (Apr., $24) by Neale Donald Walsch offers comfort on the subject of death and dying. 100,000 first printing. One Spirit Book Club selection.
The God Experiments: How Science Is Discovering God in Everything, Including Us (Apr., $25) by Gary E. Schwartz reports on the intersection of science and spirituality. 40,000 first printing. Author tour.
AUTHENTIC PUBLISHING
Borderless Church: Shaping the Church for the 21st Century (Mar., $14.99 paper) by David Lundy employs case studies from four continents to show how local churches can broaden boundaries.
Convicted or Condemned?: The True Life Story of a Convicted Murderer (Mar., $12.99) by Dez Brown with Martin Saunders is a gritty story of forgiveness and redemption.
From the Straight Path to the Narrow Way: Journeys of Faith (Mar., $19.99 paper), edited by David Greenlee, centers on Muslims who have come to faith in Jesus Christ.
Passion for the Movies: Spiritual Insights from Contemporary Films (Mar., $16.99 paper) by Mark Stibbe and J. John uncovers the Christian message in 20 popular films, including Bridget Jones's Diary.
The Story of Toronto: Through the Lives of John and Carol Arnott (Mar., $12.99 paper) by John Peters deals with the phenomenon known as "the Toronto Blessing."
AUTHENTIC/WORLD VISION
365 Days of Hope: Encouragement for Those Facing Loss, Pain and Disappointment (Mar., $17.99) by Joni Eareckson Tada and Dave and Jan Dravecky is a daily devotional connected to contemporary stories.
The Authentic Book of Christian Quotations: Over 1000 Quotations and Illustrations from Augustine to Zinzendorf (Mar., $21.99 paper) by Robert McAnally Adams gathers thoughts from great Christian authors spanning two millennia.
AVE MARIA PRESS
Fresh Bread: And Other Gifts of Spiritual Nourishment: 20th Anniversary Edition (Mar., $11.95 paper) by Joyce Rupp contains the author's new preface.
Live, Laugh and Be Blessed: Finding Humor and Holiness in Everyday Moments (Mar., $12.95 paper) by Anne Bryan Smollin counsels the benefits of a positive outlook. Spiritual Book Associates selection.
With Open Hands: 34th Anniversary Edition (Apr., $9.95 paper) by Henri J.M. Nouwen updates the classic book on spirituality with a foreword by Sue Monk Kidd.
The Dance of Life: Weaving Sorrows and Blessings into One Joyful Step (Apr., $12.95 paper) by Henri J.M. Nouwen, edited by Michael Ford, brings together a selection of writings. Spiritual Book Associates selection.
AVIV PRESS
A Responsible Life: The Spiritual Path of Mussar (May, $17.95 paper) by Ira Stone tells about a late 19th-century Jewish renewal movement with a focus on ethics.
BAKER ACADEMIC
Who's Afraid of Postmodernism? Taking Derrida, Lyotard and Foucault to Church (Apr., $17.99 paper) by James K.A. Smith muses on what postmodernity has to say to the church. Advertising. Publicity.
Christian Beginnings and the Dead Sea Scrolls (June, $16.99 paper), edited by John J. Collins and Craig A. Evans, scrutinizes how the scrolls raise issues regarding early Christianity. Advertising.
Transforming Spirituality: Integrating Theology and Psychology (June, $24.99 paper) by F. LeRon Shults and Steven J. Sandage regards spiritual transformation in terms of theology and psychology. Advertising.
Evangelicals in the Public Square: Four Formative Voices on Political Thought and Action (June, $19.99 paper) by J. Budziszewski collects views of Carl F.H. Henry, Abraham Kuyper, Francis Schaeffer and John Howard Yoder. Advertising.
An Essential Guide to Public Speaking: Serving Your Audience with Faith, Skill and Virtue (Aug., $12.99 paper) by Quentin J. Schultze is a handbook on public speaking from a Christian perspective. Ad/promo.
BAKER BOOKS
Damage Control: How to Stop Making Jesus Look Bad (Mar., $12.99 paper) by Dean Merrill touches upon spiritual disciplines and evangelism.
The Complete Evangelism Guidebook: Expert Advice on Reaching Others for Christ (Apr., $16.99 paper), edited by Scott Dawson, amasses guidance from nearly 60 evangelism experts.
Soul Virgins: Redefining Single Sexuality (May, $14.99 paper) by Doug Rosenau and Michael Todd Wilson asserts that sexuality is more about relational intimacy than sex.
Jesus Mean and Wild: The Unexpected Love of an Untamable God (July, $17.99) by Mark Galli depicts a militant Messiah who dares believers to follow Him.
Through the Bible, Through the Year (July, $24.99) by John Stott. The preacher introduces the church calendar to Christians of all denominations.
BARBOUR
God's Graduate (Mar., $7.97) by Karen Moore encourages grads to walk with God for life.
My Utmost for His Highest: Updated Graduate's Edition (Mar., $4.97 paper) by Oswald Chambers, edited by Jim Reimann, has been repackaged for grads. 78,500 first printing.
The Widows' Club (May, $9.97 paper) by Joyce Livingston is a novel about women of strong faith overcoming loss. 30,000 first printing.
The Simple Life: Devotional Thoughts from Amish Country (May, $4.97 paper) by Wanda E. Brunstetter submits story-based devotionals with an Amish bent.
BASIC BOOKS
Without Roots: The West, Relativism, Christianity, Islam (Mar., $22) by Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) and Marcello Pera is a critique of the crisis facing the West. 75,000 first printing. Advertising.
Catholic Matters: Confusion, Controversy and the Splendor of Truth (Mar., $25) by Father Richard John Neuhaus asserts that Catholicism has never been more vital and important to the cultural and political life of Americans. 40,000 first printing. Advertising. Author tour.
Abraham: The First Historical Biography (Apr., $26.95) by David Rosenberg centralizes the biblical Abraham and his world. 60,000 first printing. Advertising. Author tour.
Thy Kingdom Come: How the Religious Right Distorts the Faith and Threatens America-An Evangelical's Lament (July, $24) by Randall Balmer argues that evangelical leaders have hijacked the Christian faith on behalf of the Republican Party. 60,000 first printing. Advertising. 7-city author tour.
BAYLOR UNIV. PRESS
Luke the Theologian (Apr., $34.95 paper) by Francois Bovon traces the interpretation of Luke and Acts since 1950. Ad/promo.
Faithful Economics (Apr., $29.95 paper), edited by James W. Henderson and John Pisciotta, looks at the relationship between economics and Christianity. Ad/promo.
The Gift of Story: Hope in a Postmodern World (Apr., $39.95 paper), edited by Emily Griesinger and Mark Eaton, finds a strong connection between hope and our cultural stories.
Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls: Vol. I, Scripture and the Scrolls; Vol. II, The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Qumran Community; Vol. III, The Scrolls and Christian Origins (May; $59.95 each, $149.95 set), edited by James H. Charlesworth, demonstrates how the scrolls have revolutionized biblical knowledge. Ad/promo.
BEACON HILL PRESS OF KANSAS CITY
I Love God's Sense of Humor, I Just Wish He'd Let Me In on the Joke (Apr., $12.99 paper) by Stan Toler dispenses guidance on how to smile through the pain.
Dancing Solo: Finding Your Own Rhythm in a Performance-Driven World (Apr., $12.99 paper) by Tim Green offers an alternative route to self-fulfillment.
Living a Milk and Honey Life: Letting Go of What's Holding You Back (Apr., $12.99 paper) by Sharon Norris Elliott invites women to find spiritual freedom by abandoning materialism.
Broken Children, Grown Up Pain: Understanding the Effects of Your Wounded Past, Revised Edition (Apr., $13.99 paper) by Paul Hegstrom posits that understanding childhood wounds sheds light upon adult behavioral patterns.
BEACON PRESS
Getting on Message: Challenging the Christian Right from the Heart of the Gospel (Apr., $16 paper), edited by Rev. Peter Laarman, disputes the would-be association between "Christian/moral" values and conservative policies.
The Tent of Abraham: Stories of Hope and Peace for Jews, Christians and Muslims (July, $24.95) by Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Joan Chittister, O.S.B., and Saadi Shakur Chishti. Three religious thinkers use the story of Abraham to deepen interfaith understanding.
BERKLEY
Promises from God for Parents (July, $14.95) by T.D. Jakes is a parenting handbook.
BETHANY HOUSE
Beyond the Lie (Mar., $14.99 paper) by Alice Smith asserts that past hurts and abuse can be healed through Christ. 30,000 first printing.
God Allows U-Turns for Women (Mar., $12.99 paper) by Allison Bottke and Cheryl Hutchings delivers real-life stories of affirmation.
Authority in Prayer (Apr., $19.99) by Dutch Sheets shows how to pray with greater effectiveness and strength. 30,000 first printing.
The Da Vinci Codebreaker (Apr., $9.99 paper) by James Garlow provides Da Vinci Code readers with the means to "fact check" 400 terms, events, people and places. 35,000 first printing.
Prayer Starters for Busy Moms: How to Pray All Day and Still Put the Laundry away (Apr., $9.99) by Tracy Klehn is full of practical and inspirational ideas to energize the prayer lives of mothers.
BEYOND WORDS
Little Wave and Old Swell: A Fable of Life and Its Passing (Mar., $16.95) by Jim Ballard is inspired by the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.
BLUEBRIDGE (dist. by IPG)
A Mystic Garden: Working with Soil, Attending to Soul (Apr., $18) by Gunilla Norris is a spiritual reflection on the seasons in a New England garden.
The Friendship of Women: The Hidden Tradition of the Bible (Apr., $14 paper) by Joan Chittister delves into biblical friendships.
BOYDELL & BREWER
The Franciscans in the Middle Ages (July, $55) by Michael Robson depicts the order's growth and impact on society during this period.
The Arts of the Anglican Counter-Reformation: Glory, Laud and Honour (July, $80) by Graham Parry surveys this revival of religious art, architecture, music and literature.
BRANDEIS UNIV. PRESS
Eternally Eve: Images of Eve in the Hebrew Bible, Midrash and Modern Jewish Poetry (June, $26) by Anne Lapidus Lerner employs multiple means to analyze the story of Eve.
BRAZOS PRESS
One Step Closer: Why U2 Matters to Those Seeking God (Apr., $14.99 paper) by Christian Scharen finds messages for seekers of God in the group's music and lives. Advertising. Publicity.
Darkness Is My Only Companion: A Christian Response to Mental Illness (Apr., $16.99 paper) by Kathryn Greene-McCreight shares insights gained from the author's own experiences. Advertising.
From Homer to Harry Potter: A Handbook on Myth and Fantasy (May, $19.99 paper) by Matthew Dickerson and David O'Hara views fantasy literature from a Christian perspective. Advertising. Publicity.
The Truth Is Out There: Christian Faith and the Classics of TV Science Fiction (June, $18.99 paper) by Thomas Bertonneau and Kim Paffenroth discovers Christian messages in six SF TV series. Advertising.
BROADMAN & HOLMAN
Traditions of the Ancients: Vintage Faith Practices for the 21st Century (Apr., $14.99 paper) by Marcia Ford finds practical application of ancient worship practices for today's Christians.
The Two-Degree Difference (May, $19.99) by John Trent advocates incremental changes-two degrees at a time-to achieve true change.
A Fall Together (June, $14.99 paper) by Jennifer O'Neill is the first book in the new Circle of Friends, Just Off Main series of women's fiction from the actress.
Livin It Testimonies (July, $14.99 paper) and Livin It: What It Is (July, $16.99 paper) by Stephen Baldwin. Inspired by evangelist Luis Palau, born-again actor Baldwin celebrates Palau's upcoming Livin It TV specials.
Spirit Warriors (July, $9.99 paper) by Stephen Baldwin is the actor/producer's first graphic novel, about six radical youths with special powers.
BROOKINGS INSTITUTION PRESS
Integrating Islam: Political and Religious Challenges in Contemporary France (June; $49.95, paper $19.95) by Jonathan Laurence and Justin Vaisse pays special attention to the recent riots.
BULFINCH PRESS
Soul Sanctuary: Images of the African American Worship Experience (May, $29.95) by Jason Miccolo Johnson. For 25 years the official photographer for D.C.'s African Methodist Episcopal church, Johnson extends an insider's view through 170 four-color photographs.
CAMBRIDGE UNIV. PRESS
Satan: A Biography (Aug., $19.99 paper) by Henry Ansgar Kelly is based on the New Testament.
CATHOLIC UNIV. OF AMERICA PRESS
The Papacy, the Jews and the Holocaust (Mar., $59.95) by Frank J. Coppa is a history of the relationship between the papacy and Jews in the modern age.
Wrestling with God: The Courts' Tortuous Treatment of Religion (Apr., $49.95) by Patrick M. Garry reviews recent court decisions concerning religion and the first amendment.
CELESTIAL ARTS
Miracle Prayer: Nine Steps to Creating Prayers That Get Results (June, $14.95 paper) by Susan Shumsky endorses a full-faith technique.
CHALICE PRESS
Christian OptiMystics: Running the Rapids of the Spirit (Apr., $19.99 paper) by Thomas G. Bandy and Dwayne O. Ratzlaff traces clergy misconduct and spiritual transformation.
Talisman: Global Positioning for the Soul (June, $19.99 paper) by Thomas G. Bandy offers hope for the most disillusioned.
High Voltage Spirituality (June, $19.99 paper) by Bill Tenny-Brittian cites nine spiritual practices and over 40 spiritual habits to attain fulfillment.
Not So Desperate: Fantasy, Fact and Faith on Wisteria Lane (July, $14.99 paper) by Shawnthea Monroe-Mueller examines concerns of liberal Christian women.
Inside the Red Tent (Aug., $12.99 paper) by Sandra Hack Polaski unravels the facts behind the popular novel The Red Tent.
CHELSEA GREEN
Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action (Apr., $19.95) by Matthew Sleeth discovers a mutuality of interest between environmentalists and mainstream Christians.
CHOSEN BOOKS
Unleashing the Force of Favor: Take Your Life to the Next Level (June, $12.99 paper) by Duane Vander Klok gives guidelines for winning God's supernatural favor.
More: The Four Dimensions of Intimacy with God (June, $12.99 paper) by Marilyn N. Anderes admonishes women to enter a deeper spiritual intimacy with God.
Fire Evangelism: Reaching the Lost Through Love and Power (Aug., $17.99) by Ché Ahn identifies seven types of evangelism.
CHURCH PUBLISHING
The Hip Hop Prayer Book (Mar., $20), edited by Rev. Timothy Holder, proposes worship that draws in the young. $30,000 ad/promo.
At Home in the World: A Rule of Life for the Rest of Us (Apr., $16 paper) by Margaret Guenther helps create a balanced life for faith seekers. $30,000 ad/promo.
Other Voices, Other Worlds: The Global Church Speaks Out on Homosexuality (Apr., $25 paper), edited by Terry Brown. Anglican writers share their notions. Ad/promo.
Your Daily Life Is Your Temple (Apr., $16) by Anne Rowthorn urges readers to be spiritually engaged in quotidian matters. $15,000 ad/promo.
The Geranium Farm Cook Book (June, $18 paper) by Barbara Cawthorne Crafton and 10,000+ Geranium Farmers collects recipes, meditations and lore from the community of spiritual seekers. $25,000 ad/promo.
CISTERCIAN PUBLICATIONS
Aelred of Rievaulx: Lives of the Northern Saints (June, $24.95 paper). A 12th-century abbot raised in the Scottish royal court recounts the deeds of his forebears.
Saint Mary of Egypt: Three Medieval Lives in Verse (June, $12.95 paper). The saint is seen through the eyes of three medieval poets.
COLUMBIA UNIV. PRESS
The Philosophy of the Daodejing (May, $19.50 paper) by Hans-Georg Moeller examines Chinese thought via Daodejing's teachings.
The Rise and Fall of Soul and Self: An Intellectual History of Personal Identity (July, $29.50) by Raymond Martin and John Barresi chronicles theories of identity from the ancient Greeks to the present day.
Bodily Citations: Religion and Judith Butler (Aug., $24.50 paper) by Ellen T. Armour and Susan M. St. Ville. In this anthology, anthropologists, theologians and biblical scholars apply Butler's theories to religion.
CONTINUUM
Rabbi Jonathan Sack's Haggadah (Mar., $43.95) by Jonathan Sacks tells the story of Passover in Hebrew and English. Advertising.
Conviction and Conflict (Apr., $24.95 paper) by Michael Nazir-Ali. The author, a consultant on Muslim affairs to the British prime minister, searches for the roots of religious conflict in the modern world. Advertising.
The Paradox of Anti-Semitism (May, $24.95) by Rabbi Dan Cohn-Sherbok declares that anti-Semitism has actually played a positive role in Jewish history. Advertising.
What I Believe (June, $29.95) by Anthony Kenny explains why the author is neither theist nor atheist. Advertising.
Walking to Emmaus (July, $14.95 paper) by Eamon Duffy is a collection of his speeches on religious and spiritual matters. Advertising.
COOK COMMUNICATIONS
The Groovy Chicks Road Trip to Love (June, $12.99 paper) by Dena J. Dyer and Laurie Copeland. Pepper and Starshine share stories about love of friends, family and God. A Life Journey book.
You Can Take It with You (Aug., $10.99 paper) by Douglas Schmidt. Knowing one's heavenly rewards that await allows one to relax. A Victor book.
Jack Bauer's Having a Bad Day: An Unauthorized Investigation of Faith in 24: Season 1 (Aug., $13.99 paper) by Tim Wesemann notes that each episode of the TV program 24 reveals a new faith truth. A Life Journey book.
The God of Sex (Aug., $16.99 paper) by Peter Jones contends that sex can be a very good thing. A Victor book.
CORNELL UNIV. PRESS
The Sephardic Frontier: The Reconquista and the Jewish Community in Medieval Iberia (Mar., $35) by Jonathan Ray traces the rapid Christian expansion into the region.
Measuring Heaven: Pythagoras and His Influence on Thought and Art in Antiquity and the Middle Ages (May, $45) by Christiane L. Joost-Gaugier is an overview of the sage's ideas.
COUNCIL OAK BOOKS
Essene Book of Everyday Virtues (Mar., $14.95 paper) by Kenneth Hanson. The Hebrew scholar presents a handbook for living spiritually.
Andean Awakening: An Incan Guide to Mystic Peru (May, $17.95 paper) by Jorge Luis Delgado with MaryAnn Male. The spiritual tour guide tells his own story.
COUNTERPOINT
The Scent of God: A Memoir (Apr., $24) by Beryl Singleton Bissell tells of the forbidden love between a nun and a priest on the Amalfi Coast. 50,000 first printing. Advertising. 7-city author tour.
CROSSROAD PUBLISHING
The Pope's Army: 500 Years of the Papal Swiss Guard (Apr., $19.95) by Robert Royal chronicles the history of the military force. Ad/promo.
The Seven Sacraments: Entering the Mysteries of God (Apr., $15.95 paper) by Stratford Caldecott explains the mystical heart of the Catholic faith. Ad/promo.
When Women Build the Kingdom: Who We Are, What We Do and How We Relate (May, $17.95 paper) by Leslie Williams submits stories from women who demonstrate how their ministries differ from those of men. Ad/promo.
CROSSROAD/HERDER & HERDER
With Jesus Everyday: How Believing Transforms Living (Apr., $19.95) by Christoph Cardinal Schoenborn gives assurance that we are never alone. Ad/promo.
CROSSWAY BOOKS
Spiritual Birthline (Mar., $12.99 paper) by Stephen Smallman draws a parallel between spiritual birth and physical birth.
Love That Lasts (Apr., $12.99 paper) by Gary and Betsy Ricucci tells married couples how to make the wonder and promise last.
Ten Things I Wish Jesus Never Said (Apr., $14.99 paper) by Victor Kuligan leads to a greater understanding of Christ's more difficult sayings.
Courageous Parenting (July, $17.99) by Jack and Deb Graham proposes building a biblical legacy for generations to come.
CUMBERLAND HOUSE
A Heart Promptly Offered: The Revolutionary Leadership of John Calvin (July, $14.95) by David W. Hall outlines the basic story of the Geneva reformer's life, plus numerous excerpts of his writings, commentaries and sermons.
DESERET BOOK
A Heart Like His: Making Space to Feel God's Love in Your Life (Mar., $15.95) by Virginia H. Pearce is a step-by-step guide in the form of an experiment among friends.
The Inevitable Apostasy and the Promised Restoration (Mar., $23.95) by Tad R. Callister heightens appreciation of the Restoration.
Chasing Yesterday (Mar., $14.95 paper) by Rachel Ann Nunes is a novel in which old acquaintances-and old mysteries-reappear.
Holy Places: True Stories of Faith, Miracles and Latter-day Temples (Apr., $17.95) by Chad S. Hawkins includes more than 60 illustrated stories concerning temples around the world.
Mary, Martha and Me (Apr., $14.95) by Camille Fronk draws lessons from the biblical story of the sisters Mary and Martha.
Favorite Quotations from C.S. Lewis for Latter-day Saints (Apr., $17.95), compiled by Jay A. Parry, contains hundreds of quotations arranged by topic.
DISCOVERY HOUSE
Reprint: The Psalms: Folk Songs of Faith (Apr., $16.99 paper) by Ray C. Stedman.
DOUBLEDAY
Shadow of God: A Journey Through Memory, Art and Faith (Apr., $24.95) by Charles Scribner mixes memoir and autobiography with a guided tour of the arts.
Live Like You're Blessed: Simples Steps for Making Balance, Love, Energy, Spirit, Success, Encouragement and Devotion Part of Your Life (May, $17.95) by Suzan Johnson Cook has a formula for living life to its fullest.
My Struggle with Faith (May, $19.95) by Joseph Girzone recalls a dark night of the soul.
Politics of Jesus: Rediscovering the True Revolutionary Nature of What Jesus Believed and How It Was Corrupted (May, $26) by Obery Hendricks Jr. prompts readers to revitalize the revolutionary basis of Christianity.
Seminary Boy (June, $24.95) by John Cornwell is a coming-of-age memoir of wartime London and seminary life in the 1950s.
Double Crossed: Uncovering the Catholic Church's Betrayal of American Nuns (June, $24.95) by Kenneth Briggs alleges that American nuns have been duped for four decades.
DUFOUR EDITIONS
Out of the Blue: Reflections on the Everyday (Mar., $12.95 paper) by Anthea Dove muses on the workings of the Holy Spirit.
Prayed Out: God in Dark Places (Apr., $15.95 paper) by John Michael Hanvey. A gay priest who has known addiction and existential loneliness finds redemption.
A Deep but Dazzling Darkness: A Christian Theology from an Inter-Faith Perspective (Apr., $15.95 paper) by Timothy Kinahan examines how different faiths articulate their experience of God.
Holy Cross: A Personal Experience (May, $23.95 paper) by Aidan Troy is the priest's insider account of sectarian violence at Holy Cross primary school in North Ireland.
ECW PRESS
Seeking the Sacred: Leading a Spiritual Life in a Secular World (Apr., $15.95 paper) by Roméo Dallaire et al. assembles public lectures regarding the search for a new consciousness.
WM. B. EERDMANS
Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading-Spiritual Theology, Vol. 2 (Mar., $20) by Eugene H. Peterson issues a challenge to read the scriptures on their own terms. 20,000 first printing.
The Sense of the Call: A Sabbath Way of Life for Those Who Serve God, the Church and the World (Mar., $18 paper) by Marva J. Dawn advocates a life of trust in God.
Face to Face: Gay and Lesbian Clergy on Holiness and Life Together (Mar., $18 paper) by Jeffrey Heskins records the views of clergy who are ordained in the Anglican church and who live with partners of the same sex.
Saints: A Visual Guide (Apr., $20 paper) by Edward and Lorna Mornin gathers 140 brief illustrated accounts of saintly achievement.
Alone in the World? Human Uniqueness in Science and Theology (Apr., $40) by J. Wentzel van Huyssteen recommends sustained inquiry into human uniqueness.
Leading Lives That Matter: What We Should Do and Who We Should Be (Apr., $40, paper $24), edited by Mark R. Schwehn and Dorothy C. Bass, excerpts fiction, autobiography and philosophy for people seeking insight.
FARRAR, STRAUS & GIROUX
The God Factor: Inside the Spiritual Lives of Public People (Mar., $24) by Cathleen Falsani. The syndicated columnist interviews well-known personages about their beliefs. A Sarah Crichton Book. Author tour.
FELDHEIM PUBLISHERS
Defending the Human Spirit: Jewish Law's Vision for a Moral Society (Mar., $39.95) by Rabbi Warren Goldstein asserts that Jewish law nurtures righteous people. Ad/promo.
The Kuzari: In Defense of the Despised Faith (Mar., $TBA) by Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi is a translation of the 12th-century philosophical work with supplemental material. Ad/promo.
The Third Key: The Jewish Couple's Guide to Fertility (Apr., $39.95) by Rabbi Baruch Finkelstein and Michal Finkelstein is a resource guide for childless couples. Ad/promo.
Discover: Answers for Teenagers (and Adults) to Questions About the Jewish Faith (June, $TBA) by Dov Moshe Lipman analyzes many aspects of the Jewish faith, including perspectives on suffering.
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY/TYNDALE
Wild Child, Waiting Mom (Apr., $14.99) by Wendi Hayden English and Karilee Hayden. A mother and daughter discuss their own perspectives on the younger woman's turbulent adolescence.
Moms on the Job (Apr., $12.99) by Sabrina O'Malone advises working mothers who feel overwhelmed.
Trend-Savvy Parenting (May, $12.99) by Mary Manz Simon tells how to handle current ideas that are potentially challenging to child-rearing.
FONS VITAE
Symbol & Archetype: A Study of the Meaning of Existence (Apr., $18.95 paper) by Martin Lings is an expanded and revised investigation into religious symbolism. Ad/promo.
The Subtleties of the Ascension (Apr., $22.95 paper), trans. by Frederick S. Colby, translates a 10th-century manuscript about the teachings of Sufi mystics.
FORDHAM UNIV. PRESS
The Mosque: The Heart of Submission (May, $24.95) by Rusmir Mahmutcehajic emphasizes that the mosque is not an analogue of the Christian church but a place where one performs the daily ritual prayer of submission to God.
Scrolls of Love: Ruth and the Song of Songs (June, $75), edited by Peter S. Hawkins and Lesleigh Cushing Stahlberg, pulls together the views of diverse interpreters.
FORTRESS PRESS
Great Couples of the Bible (Mar., $29) by Herbert Haag et al. shares biblical stories of love, marriage, sex and death with 200 full-color illustrations.
The Bonhoeffer Legacy: Post-Holocaust Perspectives (Apr., $22 paper) by Stephen R. Haynes assesses Dietrich Bonhoeffer's significance to Jews before and after his death.
Beyond Prisons: A New Interfaith Paradigm for Our Failed Prison System (Apr., $13 paper) by Laura Magnani and Harmon L. Wray indicts our present penal system.
Conspiracy and Imprisonment: 1940-1945-Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Vol. 16 (June, $60) by Dietrich Bonhoeffer details his life in WWII Germany.
Byzantine Christianity (June, $35), edited by Derek Krueger. The third volume in the People's History of Christianity series introduces the religion of the Byzantine Christian laity.
FREE PRESS
Simple Gifts: The Hymns of Our Life (Apr., $22) by Bill Henderson is a memoir revealing the author's search for community and grace through hymns and singing. Publicity.
Language of God: A Scientist Faces the Ultimate Question (Aug., $26) by Francis Collins. A former atheist pronounces that science supports belief in God. Publicity.
FULCRUM
Writing the Cross Culture: Native Fiction on the White Man's Religion (Mar., $17.95 paper) by James Treat anthologizes fictional pieces by Native Americans dealing with American Christianity. Ad/promo.
GEORGETOWN UNIV. PRESS
Prophetic and Public: The Social Witness of U.S. Catholicism (Apr., $26.95 paper) by Kristin E. Heyer maintains that the Catholic Church provides options for a faithful response to urgent political issues.
Loyal Dissent: Memoir of a Catholic Theologian (May, $26.95 paper) by Charles E. Curran comes from a priest who was stripped by the Vatican of his right to teach as a Catholic theologian. Advertising.
The Qur'an and the West (May, $34.95) by Kenneth Cragg contends that the West must reject "spiritual imperialism" directed at the Muslim world.
GETTY PUBLICATIONS
Icons and Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church (May, $24.95 paper) by Alfredo Tradigo catalogues a multitude of images found on wooden panel paintings.
GROVE PRESS
The Qu'ran (Apr., $19.95) by Bruce Lawrence. An inaugural title in the Books That Changed the World series, this analyzes the meaning the holy book has acquired for Muslims since its creation. 25,000 first printing.
HAMPTON ROADS
Jesus for the Rest of Us (June, $14.95 paper) by John Selby submits that Jesus has been hijacked by fundamentalist and evangelical Christians.
HARMONY
A Code of Jewish Ethics: Vol. 1: You Shall Be Holy (Mar., $30) by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin is the first of three volumes on personal character and integrity. Ad/promo. Publicity.
Buddha or Bust: In Search of Truth, Meaning, Happiness and the Man Who Found Them All (June, $24.95) by Perry Garfinkel is a spiritual travel adventure around the globe. Author publicity.
HARPER SAN FRANCISCO
The Last Week: A Day by Day Account of Jesus's Final Week in Jerusalem (Mar., $21.95) by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan narrates the events that began on Palm Sunday and concluded with the march to the cross.
Secrets in the Dark: A Life in Sermons (Mar., $24.95) by Frederick Buechner combines a collection of sermons from other books with seven new ones.
The Jesus Papers: Exposing The Greatest Cover-Up in History (Mar., $27.95) by Michael Baigent challenges all that is commonly held about the life and death of Jesus.
Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense (Mar., $22.95) by N.T. Wright insists that Christianity is utterly accessible.
The C.S. Lewis Journal (Mar., $16.95) by C.S. Lewis presents 75 excerpts from Lewis's beloved works and leaves space for notations. 40,000 first printing.
America v. God: Why We Must Reverse the Assault on Faith in Our Courts (May, $24.95) by Jay Sekulow charges that secularism encroaches on personal religious freedoms. 100,000 first printing. Advertising.
HARRISON HOUSE
What's on Your Mind?: Your Success Begins with Your Thinking (May, $17.99 paper) by Thomas Weeks advances habits to open the door to God's blessings and contains a CD. 20,000 first printing. $20,000 ad/promo.
Dreaming by Design: Build the Framework for an Exceptional Life (June, $17.99) by Art Sepulveda. The motivational speaker and pastor encourages readers to pursue fulfillment in one-year increments. Ad/promo.
HARVARD UNIV. PRESS
The Flowering of Muslim Theology (Apr., $24.95) by Josef van Ess is an introduction to classical Islam.
Out of the Cave: Philosophical Inquiry into Dead Sea Scrolls Research (June, $45) by Edna Ullmann-Margalit discusses contesting theories regarding the 11 scrolls.
HARVEST HOUSE
Overcoming the 7 Obstacles to Spiritual Growth: The Journey to a Closer Walk with God (Mar., $11.99 paper) by Dwight Carlson identifies growth stages in the struggle for faith.
Original Sin: A Colton Parker Mystery (Mar., $10.99 paper) by Brandt Dodson. A fired FBI agent turns P.I.
Altar Call (Mar., $11.99 paper) by Hope Lyda is a sequel to Hip to Be Square in which Mari realizes that doing right trumps finding Mr. Right.
The Gospel According to the World's Greatest Superhero (May, $11.99 paper) by Steve Skelton notes parallels between Superman and Jesus.
HCI
The Worrywart's Prayer Book: 40 "Help-Me-Get-a-Grip" God Meditations and Prayers (Mar., $11.95) by Allian Nolan promises a safe haven for worriers. A Faith Communications book.
HEBREW UNION COLLEGE PRESS
Nelson Glueck: Biblical Archaeologist and President of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (Apr., $29.95) by Jonathan M. Brown and Laurence Kutler documents the late subject's many achievements.
The New Tradition: Essays on Modern Hebrew Literature (Apr., $39.95) by Gershon Shaked tracks the cultural processes behind Hebrew literature in the late 19th and 20th centuries.
HENDRICKSON
Science, Faith and Ethics (Mar., $16.95 paper) by Denis Alexander and Robert S. White navigates readers of faith to the frontiers of modern technology.
Manners and Customs, Third Edition (Apr., $24.95) by Victor N. Matthews illuminates biblical behaviors with new photos and images.
Passionate Visionary (Apr., $16.95 paper) by Richard Ascough and Sandy Cotton draws lessons about dynamic leadership from Paul's example.
HERALD PRESS
Priority Parenting: Reclaiming Your Home for Heaven's Sake (Mar., $9.99 paper) by Steve Ganger urges parents to make a home that truly worships God.
Countryside Cooking and Chatting: Traditional Recipes and Wisdom from the Amish and Mennonites (May, $9.99 paper), compiled by Lucy Z. Leid, blends recipes with folk wisdom.
HIMALAYAN INSTITUTE PRESS
Lost Masters: The Yoga of the Ancient Greeks (Apr., $14.95 paper) by Linda Johnsen is based on historical accounts of ancient Greeks who made pilgrimages to India.
Empowering the Soul: Self-Transformation for Joyful Living (May, $12.95 paper), edited by Linda Johnsen, gathers essays that zero in on the spiritual life.
HOHM PRESS
Yearning for the Father: The Lord's Prayer and the Mystic Way (May, $16.95 paper) by John Sack positions the prayer as the matrix for the mystical life.
Holy Madness: Spirituality, Crazy-Wise Teachers and Enlightenment (May, $29.95 paper) by Georg Feuerstein is an expanded edition surveying the tradition of holy madness from early Christianity to controversial gurus of today.
HOWARD PUBLISHING
Storm (Mar., $12.99 paper) by Bill Bright and Jack Cavanaugh is the third in the fictional Great Awakenings series about a student at Yale who stands up for his faith.
The Character of a Man (Mar., $15.99) by Bruce Marchiano. The actor who portrayed Jesus in the film Matthew shares insights about how to emulate him.
Pinocchio Parenting (July, $17.99) by Chuck Borcellini exposes the falsehoods from parents that give children a wrong view of life.
What on Earth Was I Thinking? (July, $17.99) by Steve Brown goads readers to rethink religion.
The Hugs Expression Series: Happy Birthday!, ...Thanks!, ...Get Well! and ...Way to Go! (July, $11.99 each) are four-color books with quotes, stories and scriptures to share.
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN
The Collar: A Year of Striving and Faith Inside a Catholic Seminary (Apr., $25.95) by Jonathan Englert follows five men who leave their careers and lives behind to pursue the priesthood.
IBIS
On the Prayer of Jesus (Mar., $12.95) by Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov demonstrates the spiritual exercise known as Hesychasm.
IDEALS PUBLICATIONS
The Blessing of a Grandmother's Love and ...of a Grandfather's Love (Mar., $8.95 each), edited by Peggy Schaefer, celebrate families. 15,000 first printings. Ad/promo.
Daily Guideposts, Military Edition (Mar., $7.95 paper) repackages the devotional for the armed forces. 20,000 first printing. Ad/promo.
IGNATIUS PRESS
God's Revolution: World Youth Day and Other Cologne Talks (Mar., $14.95) by Pope Benedict XVI is the pope's first book since his election. 25,000 first printing. $30,000 ad/promo.
Values in a Time of Upheaval: Meeting the Challenges of the Future (Mar., $19.95) by Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) presents views on relativism, conscience, bioethics and more. 25,000 first printing. $25,000 ad/promo.
Christianity and the Crisis of Cultures (Mar., $14.95) by Joseph Ratzinger calls for spiritual and cultural renewal based on the historical example of St. Benedict. 20,000 first printing. $20,000 ad/promo.
Common Sense 101: Lessons from G.K. Chesterton (Mar., $16.95 paper) by Dale Ahlquist collects excerpts on varied aspects of life, faith and culture. Ad/promo.
The Autobiography of G.K. Chesterton (Mar., $16.95 paper) by G.K. Chesterton was concluded shortly before his death in 1936. Ad/promo.
INDIANA UNIV. PRESS
Encyclopedia of Women and Religion in North America (Mar., $325), edited by Rosemary Skinner Keller and Rosemary Radford Ruether, is a three-volume set of descriptive and analytical references.
American Sanctuary: Understanding Sacred Spaces (Mar., $24.95 paper), edited by Louis P. Nelson, views popular belief in terms of sacred space.
Haitian Vodou: Spirit, Myth and Reality (July, $22.95 paper), edited by Patrick Bellegarde-Smith and Claudine Michel, interprets the intersections of vodou and Haitian society.
INNER TRADITIONS
A New Reformation: Creation Spirituality and the Transformation of Christianity (Mar., $12.95 paper) by Matthew Fox champions radical transformation of Christianity as envisioned by Martin Luther in 1517.
The Forbidden Rumi: The Suppressed Poems of Rumi on Love, Heresy and Intoxication (Apr., $14.95 paper), with commentary by Nevit Ergin and Will Johnson, is a collection from the volume of the Divan of Rumi.
The Sacred Embrace of Jesus and Mary: The Sexual Mystery at the Heart of the Christian Tradition (May, $14.95 paper) by Jean-Yves Leloup declares that Jesus honored human sexuality as a spiritual path.
INTEGRITY PUBLISHERS
Captured by Grace (Mar., $21.99) by David Jeremiah. Stories of the writer of "Amazing Grace" and the Apostle Paul are examples of transformations from victims to victors.
Better Than Good (Apr., $21.99) by Zig Ziglar teaches couples how to ignite their marriages.
Taking Care of the ME in Mommy (Apr., $19.99) by Lisa Whelchel contains practical counsel for busy mothers to nourish body, soul and spirit.
Painting in the Dark (May, $13.99) by Paul Thorson tells how to flee the performance trap.
ISLAMIC SUPREME COUNCIL OF AMERICA
The Healing Power of Sufi Meditation (Apr., $14 paper) by As-Sayyid Nurjan Mirahmadi and Hedieh Mirahmadi describes the path to divine enlightenment.
ISI BOOKS
The Life of the Mind: On the Joys and Travails of Thinking (July, $25) by James V. Schall reminds readers to delight in simply knowing. Advertising.
IVP BOOKS
Sacred Rhythms (Mar., $16) by Ruth Haley Barton pinpoints seven key spiritual disciplines.
The Contented Soul (May, $17) by Lisa Graham McMinn extols savoring life as God intended.
Dark Matter (May, $15 paper) by Tony Watkins plumbs the worldview of fantasy novelist Philip Pullman.
Finding God Beyond Harvard (July, $20) by Kelly Monroe Kullberg describes how the group Veritas Forum searches for truth.
Is Belief in God Good, Bad or Irrelevant? (July, $13 paper), edited by Preston Jones, is an e-mail discussion of God, religion and more between the editor, a Christian history professor, and a zoology Ph.D. and punk rocker.
Praying (July, $18) by J.I. Packer and Carol Nystrom commends delight in a personal relationship with God.
J. COUNTRYMAN
Grace for the Moment, Vol. II (Mar., $14.99) by Max Lucado uses word pictures as daily readings for a grace-filled life.
The Love of a Godly Mother (Mar., $10.99) by Terri Gibbs tells the stories of proud mothers of popular writers.
Personal Notes to the Graduate (Apr., $14.99) by Laurie Beth Jones addresses two dozen topics to challenge and reassure graduates.
Dare to Dream (Apr., $14.99) by John Maxwell shares proven ways of bringing dreams to life.
An American Soldier (May, $14.99) by Toby Keith et al. uses word and song to pay tribute to family members in the military.
God's Promises for You (May, $13.99) by Max Lucado is a selection of divine pledges that accompany sentiments culled from Lucado's writings.
JEWISH LIGHTS
Traces of God: Seeing God in Torah, History and Everyday Life (Apr., $21.99) by Rabbi Neil Gillman details the ways that people shape their relationships with God. $15,000 ad/promo. 10-city author tour.
Foundations of Sephardic Spirituality: The Inner Life of Jews of the Ottoman Empire (Apr., $24.99) by Rabbi Marc Angel delves into the spiritual underpinning of SephardicJudaism. $15,000 ad/promo.
The Genesis of Leadership: What the Bible Teaches Us About Vision, Values and Leading Change (May, $21.99) by Rabbi Nathan Laufer opines that the Book of Genesis presents a model for defining leadership today. $20,000 ad/promo. 10-city author tour.
The Way into the Varieties of Judaism (May, $24.99) by Sylvia Barack Fishman recounts the many ways Jews identify themselves. $15,000 ad/promo. 9-city author tour.
Rosh Hashanah Readings: Inspiration, Information and Contemplation (June, $24.99), edited by Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins, compiles writings to add spiritual depth to the Jewish New Year. $15,000 ad/promo. 8-city author tour.
JEWISH PUBLICATION SOCIETY
Megillat Esther (Mar., $18 paper) by J.T. Waldman is a retelling of the biblical tale. Ad/promo.
Hills of Spices (June, $20 paper), edited by Rena Potok, is a collection of poetry from the Bible. Ad/promo.
JOSSEY-BASS
Red and Blue God, Black and Blue Church: Eyewitness Accounts of How American Churches are Hijacking Jesus, Bagging the Beatitudes and Worshipping the Almighty Dollar (Apr., $22.95) by Becky Garrison aims satirical barbs at sacred cows on both sides of the aisle.
Why the Christian Right Is Wrong: A Minister's Manifesto for Taking Back Your Faith, Your Flag Your Future (May, $22.95) by Robin Meyers repudiates the excesses of the Christian Right.
Practicing Greatness: 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Leaders (May, $23.95) by Reggie McNeal distinguishes a good versus a great spiritual leader.
A Heretic's Guide to Eternity (July, $21.95) by Spencer Burke allows heretics their say.
Billy Graham: An Oral and Narrative Biography (July, $21.95) by Deborah Hart Strober and Gerald S. Strober presents the evangelist's life story.
On the Road with Rabbi Steinsaltz: 25 Years of Pre-Dawn Car Trips, Mind-Blowing Encounters and Inspiring Conversations with a Man of Wisdom (Aug., $24.95) by Arthur Kurzweil recalls more than two decades of traveling with the rabbi.
JUDAICA PRESS
The Sweetest Song and Other Stories (Mar., $TBA) by Miriam Schonzeit praises teens and children who meet life's challenges with strength and sensitivity.
JUDSON PRESS
Steal Away: Devotions for Baseball Fans (Mar., $13 paper) by Hugh Poland finds faith lessons in stories about current and former baseball players and managers.
Left Behind? The Facts Behind the Fiction (Apr., $14 paper) by LeAnn Snow Flesher challenges the theology and ideology in the Left Behind series.
Church Growth from an African American Perspective (May, $15 paper) by Donald Hilliard. The bishop of Cathedral International tells how to grow spiritually healthy congregations.
