A Translator's Testimony. J.B. Phillips says: "I have felt compelled to write this book. IT is my testimony to the historicity and reliability of the New Testament. "Few people have had such a close and constant contact with the New Testament as I have had. Even fewer have taken the trouble to understand the business of 'communication.' I say this in no spirit of conceit; it is a matter of simple fact. I therefore felt that it was high time that someone, who has spent the best years of his life in studying both the New Testament and good modern communicative English, spoke out. I do not care a rap what the 'avant-garde' scholars say; I do very much care what God says and does." from the Forward, RING OF TRUTH

“Nothing in opera is grander than The Ring, no work more suited to the deep reading the writer gives here.” —Opera News Richard Wagner’s Ring of the Nibelung is one of the greatest works of art created in modern times, and has fascinated both critics and devotees for over a century and a half. No recent study has examined the meaning of Wagner’s masterpiece with the attention to detail and intellectual power that Roger Scruton brings to it in this inspiring account. The Ring of Truth is an exploration of the drama, music, symbolism, and philosophy of The Ring from a writer whose knowledge and understanding of the Western musical tradition are the equal of his capacities as a philosopher. Scruton shows how, through musical connections and brilliant dramatic strokes, Wagner is able to express truths about the human condition which few other creative artists have been able to convey so convincingly. For Wagner, writes Scruton, the task of art is to “show us freedom in its immediate, contingent, human form, reminding us of what it means to us. Even if we live in a world from which gods and heroes have disappeared we can, by imagining them, dramatize the deep truths of our condition and renew our faith in what we are.” Love, death, sacrifice and the liberation that we win through sacrifice—these are the great themes of The Ring, as they are of this book. Scruton’s passionate and moving interpretation allows us to understand more fully than ever how Wagner conveys his ideas about who we are, and why TheRing continues to be such a hypnotically absorbing work. “Scruton’s presentation is grounded throughout in a deep understanding of the culture of Wagner’s era . . . the writing is clear and persuasive.” —Library Journal (starred review) “A fascinating and valuable study.” —Sunday Times

In 'The Ring of Truth', Wendy Doniger expertly unfolds the cultural and historical significance of rings and other kinds of circular jewelry through timeless stories taken from mythology, religious traditions, and literature.

“Downton Abbey meets Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries!” “Henrietta and Inspector Howard make a charming odd couple in A Ring of Truth, mixing mystery and romance in a fizzy 1930s cocktail.” ―Hallie Ephron, New York Times bestselling author “The crème de la crème of historical fiction,” ― Brit+Co “Brimming with dark plot on every page, this unpredictable literary thrill ride will transport you to the heart of 1930s Chicago and the love story of a lifetime.” ― POPSUGAR In this second book of the series, Henrietta and Clive delightfully rewrite Pride and Prejudice—with a hint of mystery! Newly engaged, Clive and Henrietta now begin the difficult task of meeting each other’s family. “Difficult” because Clive has neglected to tell Henrietta that he is in fact the heir to the Howard estate and fortune, and Henrietta has just discovered that her mother has been hiding secrets about her past as well. When Clive brings Henrietta to the family estate to meet his parents, they are less than enthused about his impoverished intended. Left alone in this extravagant new world when Clive returns to the city, Henrietta finds herself more at home with the servants than his family, much to the disapproval of Mrs. Howard—and soon gets caught up in the disappearance of an elderly servant’s ring, not realizing that in doing so she has become part of a bigger, darker plot. As Clive and Henrietta attempt to discover the truth in the two very different worlds unraveling around them, they both begin to wonder: Are they meant for each other after all?

"Rings of Truth" offers a unique blend of ancient truths and contemporary practical wisdom that readers can use in their everyday lives to find the keys to self-mastery.

Abingdon Pillars of Theology is a series for the college and seminary classroom designed to help students grasp the basic and necessary facts, influence, and significance of major theologians. Written by noted scholars, these books will outline the context, methodology, organizing principles, primary contributions, and key writings of people who have shaped theology as we know it today. Dr. Donald Shriver tells us that H. Richard Niebuhr wrote about God in a serious yet joyous exploration. This book summarizes Niebuhr's faith journey as seen through the lens of his major works. While Neibuhr did mean to move his readers to think, struggle, argue, and even pray, he expected nothing less from himself. It is the hope of the author that by reading this book, readers will be better prepared to travel a path of their own.

Will Hamelin be summoned again? Hamelin suspects that his friend Layla is the lost princess from the Land of Gloaming. As he describes his daring adventures to trusted friends at the children's home, an intricate tapestry of stories emerges. Layla admits that she has had dreams - or are they memories? - of another world with faded light. The orphan boy is not alone in his struggle to learn the truth, search for family, and question the Ancient One's purposes. Meanwhile, dangerous forces continue to pursue the boy of both worlds, but the evil Chimera gives his agents an additional task: find the fourth princess, the missing daughter of Carr, and stop her. She must never return home.