Around 900 BC, the peoples of four distinct regions of the civilized world created the religious and philosophical traditions that have continued to nourish humanity to the present day: Confucianism and Daoism in China, Hinduism and Buddhism in India, monotheism in Israel, and philosophical rationalism in Greece. Armstrong reveals how the sages of this pivotal Axial Age can speak clearly and helpfully to the violence and desperation that we experience in our own times.

"Armstrong at her best, translating and distilling complex history into lucid prose that will delight scholars and armchair historians alike." Lauren F Winner, Washington Post.

Also available by Armstrong:

•  Holy War: The Crusades and their impact on today's world. 2nd ed 2001.  628pp Anchor, US. $39.99

•  A History of Jerusalem: one city, three faiths. 2005 edition. 475pp. Harper Perennial, UK. $29.95

•  The Battle for God: fundamentalism in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. 442pp. Harper Perennial, UK. $21.99

•  A History of God. 509pp. Vintage, UK (1999). $34.99

•  Through the Narrow Gate: a nun's story. 281pp HarperCollins, UK (1997) $24.99

•  Spiral Staircase: a memoir. 341pp Harper Perennial, UK.  $24.95

"This is the one book every Methodist lay preacher, worship leader, presbyter or deacon should have on the bookcase. I have been using it in various settings over the last year: with students for ministry, schools of theology, lay and clergy education. Because of the quality of Holway’s updating of the sermons into crystal-clear, contemporary language, the newcomer to Wesleyan theology will quickly gain insight and knowledge. Those for whom English is a second language will also benefit." Rev David Bell, Trinity College, NZ

Click here for other Lead Worship course resources.

An informed, readable, wise, compassionate, holistic wakeup call about fragile civic health and relationships in modern societies. Essential reading for those leading, setting examples, shaping practice: parents, caring professions, employers, politicians.

Gilberd is a former Anglican Bishop of Auckland.

This innovative resource offers three study tools in one:

•  Word concordance: featuring the contemporary words unique to The Message.
•  Phrase concordance: referencing the distinctive phrases used in The Message.
•  Synonym concordance: enabling you to bridge familiar words from other translations (e.g. KJV or NIV) with their equivalents in The Message.

Order these popular editions of The Message from us:

•  Full Bible hardcover $69.95
•  Remix compact hardcover which includes verse numbers $49.95
•  NIV/The Message Parallel hardcover $59.95

"We must live with the questions and the way we live our lives constitutes our answer.

‘Religion has to change sharply,’ says Don. Instead of being a way of escaping from time, chance and death, it will have to become a way of accepting and affirming this life, with all its limits, as a package deal. This is a book that a discussion group would find very profitable to work its way through." Lloyd Geering

"Manning invites the reader to move from self-delusion to embracing the truth about who we are and our need for grace… He debunks the idea that Jesus calls us to be nice, and calls us to vibrant faith in action and directs us to contagious joy, self-love, awe, gratitude and transparency." Christianity Today.

Also by Manning: Ruthless Trust $29.95 • Wisdom of Tenderness $29.95 • The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus $26.95.

A clarion call for churches to act among their local communities as missionaries would in a foreign land.

Winter presents 40 well-used, well-tuned prayers to help us express our deepest emotions. Comments on each prayer explain its background.

Bandy gives those who plan and lead worship an alternative 2 year lectionary to the RCL, which covers the central biblical narratives. Year 1 is geared to the needs of seekers, Year 2 focuses on calling disciples to a deeper understanding of Christian faith.

Also by Bandy: Moving off the Map $39.95 • Kicking Habits $39.95.

A first guide to understanding the multitude of different religions that make up the wider picture of beliefs in NZ. Covers 68 main religions and 200 other groups.

Includes glossary and list of contacts and places of worship. A great resource for community groups, religions, students, and people working in heath and education.

A photographic history of Maori protest from the 1960s to the Hikoi of 2004. Includes demonstrations involving apartheid South Africa, the Land March of 1975, the occupations of Raglan, Bastion Point and Pakaitore, and the Hikoi of 2004. Many b/w photos.

A celebration of the relationship between poetry and the New Zealand landscape. Poems from the country’s best loved contemporary and past poets, with superb photos.