Best Christian Denominations & Sects

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Eric Metaxas comes a brilliant and inspiring biography of the most influential man in modern history, Martin Luther, in time for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. On All Hallow’s Eve in 1517, a young monk named Martin Luther posted a document he hoped would spark an academic debate, but that instead ignited a conflagration that would forever destroy the world he knew. A beautifully balanced separation of fact from fiction.” —Hugh Hewitt “If you had to make a list of five people who shaped the modern West, Martin Luther would be on it. With a light and rapid touch that nonetheless is capable of conveying deep truths and insights, Metaxas deftly blends these many elements into a narrative that reads as compellingly as a novel. I imagine that Luther himself—not an easy man to please—would be deeply impressed by this master portraiture.” —Mark Helprin, bestselling author of Winter’s Tale and A Soldier of the Great War. With his customary verve and elegance, profound reverence, and biting wit, Metaxas’s Martin Luther is an education in the meaning of man’s relation to God. Gerald L. Schroeder, lecturer and teacher at College of Jewish Studies Aish HaTorah’s Discovery Seminar “This massive but eminently readable biography of Luther deserves no less an adjective than ‘formidable.’ Eric Metaxas is to religious biographers what Pixar is to cartoons.” —Peter Kreeft, author of Catholics and Protestants: What Can We Learn from Each Other? “If you wish to know why Martin Luther is remembered as one of the most consequential figures in history, and why Eric Metaxas has emerged as one of the most prominent storytellers of our generation, you’ll find the answers in this book. Eric’s skill as a writer and biographer are on full display here, even as he corrects the myths and secures the history of a monk who changed the world.” —John Stonestreet, president of the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview. “A biography designed to peel back the myths and reveal Luther as the fascinating and influential man he was . the author’s fast-paced style and attention to interesting details sets this 450-page book apart.” —Institute for Faith, Work & Economics “Turns some centuries-long legends upside down.” —The Blaze “A masterful portrait of a seminal figure.” — Booklist (starred review) “A meaty autobiography of the Reformation leader. Bold, fast-paced, and magisterial like its hero, yet always stylish and witty like its author, this account blows the cobwebs off long-settled expectations, and helps us to understand the man who shook the medieval world and helped to shape the modern world.” —Os Guinness, author of Impossible People “When Martin Luther made it possible to read the Bible for yourself, he did more than anyone else to create the future. Read this book for yourself to understand the story we’re all still living through.” —Peter Thiel, cofounder of PayPal, entrepreneur, and author of Zero to One “Eric Metaxas has blessed us with yet another indispensable biography. With his customary verve and elegance, profound reverence, and biting wit, Metaxas’s Martin Luther is an education in the meaning of man’s relation to God. Gerald L. Schroeder, lecturer and teacher at College of Jewish Studies Aish HaTorah’s Discovery Seminar “This massive but eminently readable biography of Luther deserves no less an adjective than ‘formidable.’ Eric Metaxas is to religious biographers what Pixar is to cartoons.” —Peter Kreeft, author of Catholics and Protestants: What Can We Learn from Each Other? A tour de force.” —Johnnie Moore, Jr., founder of The Kairos Company “If you wish to know why Martin Luther is remembered as one of the most consequential figures in history, and why Eric Metaxas has emerged as one of the most prominent storytellers of our generation, you’ll find the answers in this book. Eric’s skill as a writer and biographer are on full display here, even as he corrects the myths and secures the history of a monk who changed the world.” —John Stonestreet, president of the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview.

Tolkien, however, unlike most Oxford dons, stepped out of his role as professor to create popular literature. Tolkien’s best-known writings were The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, in which he created a fully realized world known as Middle-earth, vaguely identifiable as Northern Europe in a pre-history that never was.

Behind the mask of a genial man of the people, Pope Francis has consolidated his position as a dictator who rules by fear and has allied himself with the most corrupt elements in the Vatican to prevent and reverse the reforms that were expected of him.

Detective Olivia Mast would rather run through gunfire than return to her former Amish community in Unity, Maine, where she killed her abusive husband in self-defense and witnessed her family’s murder. After an Amish man is murdered, the community will not pursue justice or answer questions from the police, so she begrudgingly dons her old prayer kapp and heads to Unity to investigate the murder undercover. Whether you have ever read Amish detective stories before or not, I know you'll like this one and be totally engaged from start to finish. I enjoyed the author giving her readers an inside view of the Amish community, especially during dangerous and unpredictable times. The only disappointing thing for me about Undercover Amish was when the story ended--I already miss the main characters!" Not only did I find myself engrossed in the unraveling of a crime, but also in thelearning about a culture, within my own country, about which I was, admittedly, basically ignorant. Ashley weaves two opposite worlds together in a fast-paced story following Detective Olivia Mast. Olivia's journey forces her to face issues of identity, rise up to work challenges, and eventually she finds love. Ashley writes about a culture few of us know about, or perhaps it's more accurate to say we think we know about it, but popular media has gotten the details wrong. That fact alone fascinates me (she wrote all about it in Ashley's Amish Adventure), but wait until you read the mystery novel she's written about the community. I thought this would be such an easy area for criminals to target, especially since the Amish do not report crimes that happen to them. From there my imagination ran with it, and several of the characters in my books are based on Amish friends I met in Unity . I lived with three Amish families in Unity, Maine for a total of ten days. The main character of the book, Detective Olivia Mast, must go undercover to investigate a murder in her former Amish community. Most of my books I wrote in high school or in my early twenties but are undergoing rewriting and editing. I definitely did for my fantasy book Identity because I was 14 when I wrote it and knew nothing about characterization, so I just based her character on myself, except she is more sarcastic and funny. That is funny you mention that because a reviewer recently just said she thought the book should be made into a movie! I think Kristen Kreuk from the TV show Beauty and the Beast would be perfect for playing Olivia! The second thing is my brother in law is a police officer so I asked him a ton of questions to make sure the book was as realistic as possible. I mean, I'd go over my friend's house, and we would just read novels for hours and go to the library and get stacks of books for fun. The two books that really stand out in my memory that made me want to become a novelist was Inkheart by Cornelia Funke and Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Also, seeing your book published on Amazon is a pretty great feeling, along with reading positive reviews. It was amazing to actually hear that someone thought I was a good writer from a total stranger and not just a family member! I LOVE reading all the nice reviews people have been leaving me, and I check them every day. I was also asked to visit an elementary school to talk to students about my author experiences and how I started so young, so I hope I inspired some of the kids!

Letters from readers that testify to such healing from simply reading the book can be found in the last chapter of Science and Health. The author, Mary Baker Eddy, devoted more than four decades to refining this message of hope, healing, comfort and spiritual strength.

This extraordinary work of investigative journalism takes readers inside America’s isolated Mormon Fundamentalist communities, where some 40,000 people still practice polygamy. --John Moe Using as a focal point the chilling story of offshoot Mormon fundamentalist brothers Dan and Ron Lafferty, who in 1984 brutally butchered their sister-in-law and 15-month-old niece in the name of a divine revelation, Krakauer explores what he sees as the nature of radical Mormon sects with Svengali-like leaders. Through interviews with family members and an unremorseful Dan Lafferty (who is currently serving a life sentence), Krakauer chronologically tracks what led to the double murder, from the brothers' theological misgivings about the Mormon church to starting their own fundamentalist sect that relies on their direct communications with God to guide their actions. According to Dan's chilling step-by-step account, when their new religion led to Ron's divorce and both men's excommunication from the Mormon church, the brothers followed divine revelations and sought to kill, starting with their sister-in-law, those who stood in the way of their new beliefs.

In this remarkably candid part-memoir, part-history guide, former Witness Lloyd Evans comprehensively explores the religion of his upbringing, charting the organization's metamorphosis from unassuming 19th Century brethren to global brand in the modern age. Evans lays bare the circumstances leading to his "awakening" with startling honesty and reveals how the heartbreaking loss of his mother played a profound role in keeping long-held doubts suppressed. Evans analyzes the role of shunning (disfellowshipping) and the stigmatization of "apostates" in enforcing loyalty among Witnesses, and reflects on the indifference of society in general to human rights violations by high-control groups. Rather than being a sensationalist rant by an embittered ex-member, The Reluctant Apostate offers a relaxed, good-humored tour of Witness history and teachings supported by extensive references (to be found in the "Notes" section). "A compelling and informative window on the world of the Jehovah's Witnesses that will be a vital and life changing resource for former members and many others too in forming an authentic understanding of this group, its beliefs, methods and effects on individuals and families." -Scott Terry, author of Cowboys, Armageddon and the Truth "Insight only an 'insider' can bring to a subject difficult to understand for those who have never been part of this world, and unthinkable to contemplate for those inside its bubble. -Chris Shelton, author of Scientology: A to Xenu "A compelling and informative window on the world of the Jehovah's Witnesses that will be a vital and life changing resource for former members and many others too in forming an authentic understanding of this group, its beliefs, methods and effects on individuals and families." More recently, in 2017, Lloyd published his first book The Reluctant Apostate - a part-memoir, part-reference work interweaving his life story with Watchtower teachings and history. In recent years, Lloyd has established himself as a passionate advocate against cults and religious fundamentalism, stressing the need for governments to properly address human rights violations by high-control groups.

Detective Olivia Mast would rather run through gunfire than return to her former Amish community in Unity, Maine, where she killed her abusive husband in self-defense and witnessed her family’s murder. After an Amish man is murdered, the community will not pursue justice or answer questions from the police, so she begrudgingly dons her old prayer kapp and heads to Unity to investigate the murder undercover. Whether you have ever read Amish detective stories before or not, I know you'll like this one and be totally engaged from start to finish. I enjoyed the author giving her readers an inside view of the Amish community, especially during dangerous and unpredictable times. The only disappointing thing for me about Undercover Amish was when the story ended--I already miss the main characters!" Not only did I find myself engrossed in the unraveling of a crime, but also in thelearning about a culture, within my own country, about which I was, admittedly, basically ignorant. Ashley weaves two opposite worlds together in a fast-paced story following Detective Olivia Mast. Olivia's journey forces her to face issues of identity, rise up to work challenges, and eventually she finds love. Ashley writes about a culture few of us know about, or perhaps it's more accurate to say we think we know about it, but popular media has gotten the details wrong. That fact alone fascinates me (she wrote all about it in Ashley's Amish Adventure), but wait until you read the mystery novel she's written about the community. I thought this would be such an easy area for criminals to target, especially since the Amish do not report crimes that happen to them. From there my imagination ran with it, and several of the characters in my books are based on Amish friends I met in Unity . I lived with three Amish families in Unity, Maine for a total of ten days. The main character of the book, Detective Olivia Mast, must go undercover to investigate a murder in her former Amish community. Most of my books I wrote in high school or in my early twenties but are undergoing rewriting and editing. I definitely did for my fantasy book Identity because I was 14 when I wrote it and knew nothing about characterization, so I just based her character on myself, except she is more sarcastic and funny. That is funny you mention that because a reviewer recently just said she thought the book should be made into a movie! I think Kristen Kreuk from the TV show Beauty and the Beast would be perfect for playing Olivia! The second thing is my brother in law is a police officer so I asked him a ton of questions to make sure the book was as realistic as possible. I mean, I'd go over my friend's house, and we would just read novels for hours and go to the library and get stacks of books for fun. The two books that really stand out in my memory that made me want to become a novelist was Inkheart by Cornelia Funke and Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Also, seeing your book published on Amazon is a pretty great feeling, along with reading positive reviews. It was amazing to actually hear that someone thought I was a good writer from a total stranger and not just a family member! I LOVE reading all the nice reviews people have been leaving me, and I check them every day. I was also asked to visit an elementary school to talk to students about my author experiences and how I started so young, so I hope I inspired some of the kids!

The only English translation that expresses the Bible's original and essential Jewishness from Genesis to Revelation. The Complete Jewish Bible, challenges both Jews and Christians to see that the whole Bible is Jewish, the B'rit Hadashah as well as the Tanakh.

This history of mankind, Christ, and Christianity is to some extent a conscious rebuttal of H. G. Wells' Outline of History, which embraced both the evolutionary origins of humanity and the mortal humanity of Jesus. This, in part, is the question that G.K. Chesterton starts with in this classic exploration of human history. Wells, Chesterton in this work affirms human uniqueness and the unique message of the Christian faith. Writing in a time when social Darwinism was rampant, Chesterton instead argued that the idea that society has been steadily progressing from a state of primitivism and barbarity towards civilization is simply and flatly inaccurate. Lewis described reading it in 1925 when he was still an atheist: "Then I read Chesterton's Everlasting Man and for the first time saw the whole Christian outline of history set out in a form that seemed to me to make sense . I already thought Chesterton the most sensible man alive;apart from his Christianity; Now, I veritably believe, I thought that Christianity itself was very sensible;apart from its Christianity." (Surprised by Joy p.223) When asked what Christian writers had helped him, Lewis remarked in 1963, six months before he died; "The contemporary book that has helped me the most is Chesterton's The Everlasting Man."

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Eric Metaxas comes a brilliant and inspiring biography of the most influential man in modern history, Martin Luther, in time for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. On All Hallow’s Eve in 1517, a young monk named Martin Luther posted a document he hoped would spark an academic debate, but that instead ignited a conflagration that would forever destroy the world he knew. A beautifully balanced separation of fact from fiction.” —Hugh Hewitt “If you had to make a list of five people who shaped the modern West, Martin Luther would be on it. With a light and rapid touch that nonetheless is capable of conveying deep truths and insights, Metaxas deftly blends these many elements into a narrative that reads as compellingly as a novel. I imagine that Luther himself—not an easy man to please—would be deeply impressed by this master portraiture.” —Mark Helprin, bestselling author of Winter’s Tale and A Soldier of the Great War. With his customary verve and elegance, profound reverence, and biting wit, Metaxas’s Martin Luther is an education in the meaning of man’s relation to God. Gerald L. Schroeder, lecturer and teacher at College of Jewish Studies Aish HaTorah’s Discovery Seminar “This massive but eminently readable biography of Luther deserves no less an adjective than ‘formidable.’ Eric Metaxas is to religious biographers what Pixar is to cartoons.” —Peter Kreeft, author of Catholics and Protestants: What Can We Learn from Each Other? “If you wish to know why Martin Luther is remembered as one of the most consequential figures in history, and why Eric Metaxas has emerged as one of the most prominent storytellers of our generation, you’ll find the answers in this book. Eric’s skill as a writer and biographer are on full display here, even as he corrects the myths and secures the history of a monk who changed the world.” —John Stonestreet, president of the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview. “A biography designed to peel back the myths and reveal Luther as the fascinating and influential man he was . the author’s fast-paced style and attention to interesting details sets this 450-page book apart.” —Institute for Faith, Work & Economics “Turns some centuries-long legends upside down.” —The Blaze “A masterful portrait of a seminal figure.” — Booklist (starred review) “A meaty autobiography of the Reformation leader. Bold, fast-paced, and magisterial like its hero, yet always stylish and witty like its author, this account blows the cobwebs off long-settled expectations, and helps us to understand the man who shook the medieval world and helped to shape the modern world.” —Os Guinness, author of Impossible People “When Martin Luther made it possible to read the Bible for yourself, he did more than anyone else to create the future. Read this book for yourself to understand the story we’re all still living through.” —Peter Thiel, cofounder of PayPal, entrepreneur, and author of Zero to One “Eric Metaxas has blessed us with yet another indispensable biography. With his customary verve and elegance, profound reverence, and biting wit, Metaxas’s Martin Luther is an education in the meaning of man’s relation to God. Gerald L. Schroeder, lecturer and teacher at College of Jewish Studies Aish HaTorah’s Discovery Seminar “This massive but eminently readable biography of Luther deserves no less an adjective than ‘formidable.’ Eric Metaxas is to religious biographers what Pixar is to cartoons.” —Peter Kreeft, author of Catholics and Protestants: What Can We Learn from Each Other? A tour de force.” —Johnnie Moore, Jr., founder of The Kairos Company “If you wish to know why Martin Luther is remembered as one of the most consequential figures in history, and why Eric Metaxas has emerged as one of the most prominent storytellers of our generation, you’ll find the answers in this book. Eric’s skill as a writer and biographer are on full display here, even as he corrects the myths and secures the history of a monk who changed the world.” —John Stonestreet, president of the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview.

We are proud to release an electronic edition of the New American Bible: Revised Edition (NABRE), which features an excellent formatting true to the paper edition and multiple navigation aids, which allow opening any verse in the Bible in seconds (as explained in detail in the book itself; this feature is not supported by Kindle Fire). In accord with canon 825 §1 of the Code of Canon Law, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops approved for publication The New American Bible, Revised Old Testament, a translation of the Sacred Scriptures authorized by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc.