Extreme Truth

A phenomenon of biblical revelation that has provoked unending confusion and controversy is the penchant of the biblical writers to make assertions, clear and intelligible in themselves, that seem inconsistent with, if not the virtual contradiction of, assertions made elsewhere in the same Bible. What is more, the Bible essentially never acknowledges the paradoxes and never seeks to explain or resolve them. Readers of the Bible encounter such “contradictions” at every turn: in its theology, its description of Christian experience, and its ethical teaching. These unreconciled emphases lie beneath the theological disagreements that have long separated Christians from one another. Therefore, coming to terms with this feature of biblical communication is of great importance. While the existence of these many paradoxes in the Bible has long been recognized, rarely have Christians been taught to expect them or what to do when confronted with them. This brilliant feature of the biblical pedagogy is an accommodation to the limitations of the human intellect, serves to grant us access to the truth so far as we can comprehend it, forces us to face facts we would otherwise prefer to ignore, and makes of Christians themselves a unique complex of opposites.

The Brewtal Truth Guide to Extreme Beers is the first guide of its type, defining what makes certain craft beers “extremely extreme,” featuring descriptions and ratings of more than a 100 of the most insane beers in the world—broken down into a handful of specific categories. These are outrageous brews with unusual ingredients, ridiculously high alcohol by volume (ABV), bizarre names and sometimes unsettling flavors. Appealing to casual and serious beer drinkers alike, the book is the perfect gift for the adventurous guy (or girl) who’s always looking for new experiences; the book is a reference guide and a challenge all at once. In addition to focusing on some of the most interesting and hardcore beers in the world, it also features profiles on craft-beer loving metal musicians and extreme craft beer brewers, making it a highly entertaining read. The book sets the scene for what an extreme beer is, drawing parallels and metaphors from the music scene. The author includes an explanation of extreme styles and what defines them. Each beer profiled receives an “extreme” rating, tasting notes information about the beer and what makes it extreme, and a musical pairing selected by the author. There is also a resources section where readers can find recommendations on how and where to buy these brews. Working in partnership with Decibel Magazine, and created out of his Brewtal Truth column with Decibel, Adem Tepedelen opens up the fun and fascinating world of extreme beer.

...How do we know that something is true or false? How does the brain discern the truth? What kind of mechanism allows the brain to interpret the information received in the shape of electrical and chemical impulses to which it is constantly exposed? Is it the case that our brains are endowed with appropriate algorithmic rules for discriminating between truth and untruth, alongside certain rules for handling, say, optical information? Is it the case that the brain produces illusions of truth like it does illusions of vision? My answer is in the positive, and this is what I shall be seeking to show in this essay. An essay in style, The Brain, Consciousness and Illusion of Truth is a valuable addition to the literature on the mind/body problem and an engrossing account of the human brain with its services and disservices to the self. Karol Ondrias is one of the 'disturbing' authors who will not stop at taboos. Problems he addresses here are of our postmodern era, when people, still tightly controlled by their ancestral genetic code and ethnocentric cultural stereotypes, are acquiring an awareness of this and trying to review the authenticated behavioral patterns and preconceived ideas still shaping their lives. The notion of the distorted and manipulated reception of the world cuts through the whole of the essay. ...The human race, the author argues, cannot afford any longer remain content with the illusory certainties provided by the 'selfish' genes and by parochial cultures (however dear to the cockles of our heart the latter might be). But isn't it just another illusion - to try and free the self from the comfortable bondage of biological and cultural forces? The essay will take you to the further and farther reaches of human nature and this may be part of the answer.

*Fresh interpretations of the greatest philosophers on the nature of truth and speculative essays on truth in law, the arts, and science*

For far too many people for far too many years, schooling has been a debilitating, demoralizing, and ultimately dehumanizing experience. Make-shift, half-hearted, and watered-down reform measures have proved ineffective. Reform throws out the bath water, but keeps the baby. Radicalism recognizes not a baby but a beast lurks in the bath water and throws both out. This dramatic redefinition of schooling examines four models of dynamism as provided by Nietzsche, Whitehead, Dewey, and Freire. Nietzsche's af-firmation of dynamism is marred by his elitism. Whitehead understands that inert cripple schooling. Without dialogue, ideas remain inert. Dewey misunderstands thinking and does not grasp its inherent double movement: toward order and disorder. Freire's pedagogy is transcended, with emphasis on negotiation between prime values. The final chapter expounds a radical pedagogy of dynamism. Miller argues that teaching and learning are not separate acts, but form a continuum. Within the teaching-learning continuum, all participants are spontaneous and receptive and seek to overcome fear of process, ambiguity, and doubt. The key to radical schooling is a pro-active stance toward creativity that allows for a dynamic integration of difference in dialogue. Negotiating Toward Truth is a call to arms for all educators. The book asks us to look closely what is in the bath water and to have the courage to throw the beast out with the bath water.

One of the perennial questions in political theology is how the concept of truth is defined and how such is grounded theologically. The answer to this determines, to a great degree, theological engagement with and appropriations of political systems and theological accounts of political and social order. Truth and Politics tackles this crucial question through an analysis and comparison of the thought of two of the most important contemporary Catholic and Protestant theologians, Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) and John Milbank.

What we need to know about meditation and mindfulness to eliminate "stress" in our lives is contained in this book. This book follows and discusses the Satipatthana meditation scheme (pronunciation: sati-PA'-tana), too often neglected in the West. Many additional details about Buddhism are discussed including the very nature of spirituality. This as a mysterious human capacity in the way that electricity or mechanics are for most people -- but more like a puzzle, once understood it becomes useful. Reading this is a way of doing Buddhism as long as the reader continues meditation. The virtue of participating in chanting and other rituals is also explained. This is intended as a thorough, well documented and simply written presentation. Teachings about Purification, Anapanasati, Heart, Precious Bodhicitta, Realization, Enlightenment and many other "technical" Buddhist concepts are described. There is an extensive glossary and bibliography.

The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth on money If you are overwhelmed by money decisions?and in today's post-crisis economy, who isn't??Terry Savage can help. In The Savage Truth, Second Edition, she takes the fear out of financial decision-making and makes sound financial decisions something that you simply do, rather than something that you stress about. Most importantly, Savage shows you how to gain control over your financial future, setting you free to truly enjoy the present. Details money basics, such as investing, retirement plans, life insurance, college savings, estate planning, and coping with debt Provides methods to keep you on track to reach your long-term goals of financial independence Describes technology you can use to improve your financial decision-making The truth is if it were easy to make, save, and grow money, everyone would be rich. It isn't easy. But, The Savage Truth on Money, Second Edition makes it a lot easier.