Ugly As Sin: Why They Changed Our Churches from Sacred Places to Meeting Spaces and How We Can Change Them Back Again (Forthright Edition)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • If ugly saves your soul, I may end up believing in universal ssalvation after all
  • Another Outstanding Expose' By Rose
  • A Signal Book - Very Important
  • Uglier than Sin
  • Excellent
Ugly As Sin: Why They Changed Our Churches from Sacred Places to Meeting Spaces and How We Can Change Them Back Again (Forthright Edition)
Michael S. Rose
Manufacturer: Sophia Institute Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Religious BuildingsReligious Buildings | Building Types & Styles | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Roman CatholicismRoman Catholicism | Catholicism | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1928832369

Book Description

The problem with new-style churches isn't just that they're ugly - they actually distort the Faith and lead Catholics away from Catholicism.

So argues Michael S. Rose in these eye-opening pages, which banish forever the notion that lovers of traditional-style churches are motivated simply by taste or nostalgia. In terms that non-architects can understand (and modern architects can't dismiss!), Rose shows that far more is at stake: modern churches actually violate the three natural laws of church architecture and lead Catholics to worship, quite simply, a false god.

Not content to limit himself to theory, Rose in Ugly as Sin takes you on a revealing tour through a traditional church and a modern church. He shows conclusively how the traditional church communicates the Faith, while the modern one simply doesn't. In the process, he'll give you a renewed understanding, love, and gratitude for the gift of faith that is your traditional church - plus a keener sense of just what's wrong with modern churches that look like anything but churches. Rose provides you with solid arguments (as easy to explain as they are hard to refute!) and practical tools that you can use to reverse the dangerous trend toward desacralized churches - and to make our churches once again into magnificent Houses of God!

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars If ugly saves your soul, I may end up believing in universal ssalvation after all.......2007-01-30

Rose is simply excellent. Most modern churches look like the exact same buildings I go to for business conferences. Will my children dispatch their encounter with God and His sacraments with reverence when it looks just like where they will likely work during the week? Why get up and go to Mass at all?

Even a pagan would appreciate Rose's criticisms, for you could probably substitute the words "church" for "temple" and still have a comprehensible document. But Rose's chief criticism is what the goals of a Christian Church are and how architecture should assist and inspire towards those goals.

So what is going on today? Well, Church architecture is "Cr*p-tastic" as David Letterman would say. Fully polluted with Bauhaus, meaninglessness, abstraction, and the ever-present demonic zeitgeist of "in the spirit of Vatican II," we've got churches where we might as well be served hotdogs and snow cones. As a "Roamin' Catholic" because of business travel, I often look around for the "1/2 price" table from the GAP in most vestibules, given the architecture. Lord knows where they put the Lord, usually tucked away in a forgotten box in a side "chapel" which is (and I have *never* found an example to the contrary) even *more*hideous* than the church it self, if you can imagine such a thing were possible. Rose walks us through why this all happened, and it is sickening work to read.

Buy a copy for your Bishop today. And the next time the Diocese starts to raise money for a parish plant in some newly constructed suburb, be sure that you get the names of all involved and send this book as a gift before the first sketch.

5 out of 5 stars Another Outstanding Expose' By Rose.......2006-03-05

In this book, Rose tackles the continuing de-emphasis of Catholicism within the liberal ranks of the Catholic Church. With photographs, Rose cannot be challenged in his assertion that in the past four decades, liberal bishops and priests have deliberately constructed edifices devoid of inspiration. Take the example of Holy Spirit Church in Montgomery, Alabama, built in 2001...A horrendous example of precisely what Rose exposes. Here is another of those bare-bones stone science labs, astounding in its total absence of the aura of spiriuality, to which all Catholic church architecture should aspire. Small wonder, then, that in the Sanctuary of this albatross, there is no room for something as "bothersome" as the tabernacle holding the Blessed Sacrament, as space MUST be given over to the choir, so they can sit in mock-concelebratory position and sing their Methodist ditties. The heartening news is that this architectural madness is slowly dying of its own worthlessness. Rome, alarmed at these church designs, and with a keen eye toward all manner of abuses in the Church as it exists in America, has issued a growing number of texts regarding elements of church architecture and interior setting. A new generation of more orthodox priests, along with a growing number of parishioners who have tired of this silliness, have become more vocal and there are plans for new churches which return to the architecture designed to inspire, to enhance solemnity and to be treasured as truly Catholic. We didn't get in this overnight, and we won't get out of it overnight. But, with perserverance, we can ensure that future generations will have churches which are truly Catholic.

5 out of 5 stars A Signal Book - Very Important.......2006-02-03


This is an important book for a number of reasons:

1. It can be counted among that group of books that signaled that something has gone terribly wrong with the post-Vatican II renewal. In 2006 we (thankfully) are finally seeing true reform. The seminaries are being reformed, the priesthood is being cleaned up, our Catholic Universities are being called to return to their roots, we have a new catechism and the faithful are finally being taught the faith, and many of the new churches and shrines being built are eschewing the modernist trends of the last 50 years and returning to design that is timeless and a faithful representation of the Faith. Indeed, we are seeing more and more Churches being restored (as opposed to renovated)- a sign that the changes imposed during the 70's and 80's were theologically and aesthetically wrong. This book is important because it was possibly the first to tackle the issue head on and call a spade a spade . . . a sin a sin.

2. From this work, and others like it, a movement has emerged of Church architects to defend and advance the Tradition of architecture. An organization was launched called the Instituted for Sacred Architecture (www.sacredarchitecture.org) and it publishes a journal and highlights best practice and critiques poorly designed new church buildings. Another website grew out of the book: www.dellachiesa.com - which too is about traditional sacred architecture.

3. The word is getting out. The laity is no longer sitting back and doing what they are told by psudo-experts who toute themselves as authoritative interpreters of Vatican II and then dismantle the tabernacle, move the altar and form the pews in a circle around the "family meal". Thankfully, the lay person can now say STOP! And have the supporting evidence to defend what is beautiful and sacred.

We are beginning to see the emergence of what Dr. Paul Vitz, PhD called a "Transmodernist" movement which is marked by a transcending of the modernist doctrines (which the Church has declared heresy) and recovering an authentic experience (and theology) of the Sacred.

Mr. Rose's book is important because it has signaled the fall of the old regime and the restoration of the sacred in Architecture. This is an excellet book for learning why this happened and why it was wrong. It is a hopeful book because it points out the direction of where things are headed for the Church which is marked by the John Paul II Generation!

Thank you Mr. Rose.

PS: If you look at the negative Amazon reviews of this book, they claim Mr. Rose is biased. But if you look at their other reviews, you can quickly surmise who carries the bias. The reality is that a minority of people have invested their identity and professional ethos on the kinds of buildings Mr. Rose legitimately tears apart and exposes to the light of common sense. That is why you will read ugly posts that tear apart Mr. Rose and his book. If you can't win based on ideas, you have to attack the bearer of the ideas himself.

1 out of 5 stars Uglier than Sin.......2005-12-03

This book is, quite frankly, trash. Someone needs to read the Bible. Are the examples carefully chosen to show ugly buildings? Yes, of course. But the theology of architecture is both biased, and sinful. Zero stars?

5 out of 5 stars Excellent.......2005-09-19

This is one of the best "reality" books I have read in long time. It was time that abuses in the American Catholic Church be published and explained, besides the media sensationalism. Now if the Vatican can clean house, that would probably make a lot of American Catholics return to the Church.
Ritual Sins
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Probably the best romance novel you'll ever read
  • Stuart keeps doing it
  • loved it
  • one of anne stuarts best books-------
  • Dark Contemporary with Darker Hero
Ritual Sins
Anne Stuart
Manufacturer: Onyx
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0451192524

Amazon.com

Anne Stuart specializes in the dark, tormented hero. She loves to keep you guessing--is he good or evil? Luke Bardell, who some believe is evil incarnate and who others think is angelic, is the charismatic leader of a New Age group, "The Foundation of Being." When Rachel Connery's mother dies suddenly, bequeathing 13.5 million dollars to the group, Rachel contests her mother's will and loses. Luke invites Rachel to visit the group, ostensibly to prove the group's innocence. Rachel, who knows better than to fall into the trap, sets out to destroy Luke and the cult, but finds herself attracted to this dangerous and potentially evil man. Anne Stuart loves to flip-flop your expectations--this romance is not recommended for the faint of heart!

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Probably the best romance novel you'll ever read.......2007-07-16

I won't write an entire plot summary, because others have already done so, but I will say that this is a fantastic novel in any category, despite the fact that it is indeed a romance. This genre is often dissmissed as containing nothing but tawdry bodice rippers, and this book takes down that assumption easily. Deep, dark, dangerous and edge-of-your seat, this story kept me up all night, and I couldn't stop thinking about it long after I'd finished it. What makes it so rave-worthy:
A) The characters are riveting. Both the main characters are extremely flawed, yet I found myself able to understand their motives, and rooting for them. Rachel is indeed a bit of a bitch, but it is clear that she has had a difficult life. Luke is a heartless con man who has forced me to redraw my line of acceptable behavior for a hero. He is bad, bad, bad, probably the baddest bad boy hero out there, and I wanted him anyways. Very sexy. Yes, these two develop a steamy relationship despite all odds. By the end, neither is unrealistically reformed, but both are changed by their experiences together.
B) The plot is quite unique; I think I would be pretty accurate in saying that there are not many romances out there about fraudulent cult leaders. I wasn't sure how I felt about this at first, but trust me, it works. The fast paced plot and emotional turmoil of the characters kept me hooked.

This might be tough on the faint of heart. Anyone looking for a light, funny romance should seriously consider looking elsewhere. The feeling of the book is heavy and dark, and the sex scenes are intense (and hot!). However, I think anyone, depite their reading preferences,would enjoy this immensely as long as they approach it with an open mind.

5 out of 5 stars Stuart keeps doing it.......2006-10-13

I have been a fan of Stuart for a long time, but this book is bloody brilliant. I didn't want to like it, but then this writer makes a habit of making you love things you say you couldn't love. It was riveting from start to finish; the characters so alive.

I continues to amaze me that Anne Stuart is not up there with Nora Roberts. Sorry, Nora, outside of your J.D. Robbs, you cannot hold a candle for Stuart.

5 out of 5 stars loved it.......2005-02-15

I have read Moonrise but it did nothing for me. Ritual SIns is just the opposite, it is wonderful! You cannot help but to like Luke, even the ways he handles Rachel's intimacy fears. I stayed up half the night reading this book and it will be on my keeper shelf.

5 out of 5 stars one of anne stuarts best books-------.......2003-06-30

this is one of my favorite books by anne stuart.i really like how the characters in her books are not so black and white.nobody is perfect and we are shaped by our life experiances good and bad.
the main male character,luke bardell, has had a pretty rotten life.he is bad in a sense that he feels no guilt about manipulating people into giving him their money.he has killed to survive,but he takes no pleasure in it.rachel connery has had money but not much else.she is very bitter and out to get what she feels she deserves.they are two "broken" people who get whats coming to them in the end.its a great story with a happy ending----something we dont always get in real life.

5 out of 5 stars Dark Contemporary with Darker Hero.......2003-05-19

This was my first Anne Stuart book. I was riveted as I read the darkest romance novel I have EVER read. It was fantastic reading! Stuart is such a unusual romance writer. She invents a hero like I have never read - not even close to the other heroes I have read in romance novels.

Ritual Sins' hero, Luke, is a real bad boy. He is a con artist - truly! You don't know how bad Luke is for the majority of the book. He is an extremely dominant and alpha male. Luke is the leader of a cult. Visions of Jim Jones swirl in your head. He is so charismatic that you don't know if you will be able to trust him - if ever. He has easily taken in his followers and all of them love him dearly.

Rachael is a heroine who is hard to like. Her character could have been a little kinder for my tastes. But - if a real, live woman was in Rachael's shoes - I don't think she would have been kind or tolerant of Luke either. Her estranged mother has just died and left over twelve million dollars, Rachael's inheritance, to Luke's organization (cult), The Foundation of Being. Rachael is enraged and suspects foul play. Her mother has never been kind to her or given her love. Much of the plot revolves around Rachael's empty life, her cold treatment of the world, and the results of having a mother that really cared little for you. Rachael doesn't like to be touched, hates men, and is frigid. There are reasons in her background for her inhibitions. Without giving the plot away, I can safely say, she is a wreck of a person.

Luke, on the other hand, truly seems to know a lot about living a quality life. He can see most of Rachael's weaknesses within minutes of meeting her. He has her pegged right and it scares her badly. Rachael considers Luke to be a master manipulator - which he really is. It is such a dire threat for him to so easily determine her most secret hurts, defensive mechanisms, and huge vulnerability.

Rachael and Luke first encounter each other when Rachael arrives at The Foundation of Being to investigate her mother's death. She has told the group that she may be interested in joining them. But many of them, especially Luke, know her real reason for her visit. He realizes that she wants to expose him and would love to see him dead. We all wonder who Luke really is. Once again, it would give too much away if I enlarged on this mysterious trail we, as readers, follow searching for the truth versus the scam. However, I can safely say that it is a deep and fascinating search.

Since this is a romance novel, it is also safe to say that Luke and Rachael develop a relationship against all odds. Luke makes Rachael aware from the very beginning that he wants her sexually. His speech, when with Rachael, is crude much of the time. The sensual scenes don't occur until the middle of the book but they are definitely spicy. They rate a solid 4.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for my rating guidelines). Stuart writes a very sexy hero who throws out sexual innuendoes right and left at Rachael.

For the first half of this book, I was very cautious, and wondered if I would truly enjoy the book. It is just SO different. When I read a new author, the first book is such a test. I can be almost tense wondering if they are going to disappoint me. This author clearly passed the new author test with flying colors. Even with the dark nature of the book, I will keep it to read again.

This is an excellent book. Stuart is masterful with such a forbidden subject. Since reading Ritual Sins, I have read five other Stuart books. Some have been good - some have been fair - but this one remains my favorite Stuart book to date. I highly recommend it.
Seven Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry, The
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The Seven Sins of Small Group Ministry
  • Where are the potholes in this road?
  • A useful tool for small group directors...
Seven Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry, The
Bill Donahue , and Russ Robinson
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Education | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0310247063

Book Description

A troubleshooting guide for Church leaders. Assessment and solution for seven common obstacles to building small groups.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars The Seven Sins of Small Group Ministry.......2007-10-05

Our church is on it's second try when it comes to Smalll Groups. The first try was about ten years ago and in about 18 months they came apart. After reading The Seven Sins of Small Group Ministry, I realized that we had commited all seven of the sins or mistakes. This is an excellent book which is straight to the point and very easy to read.

thanks, Ed Covert

5 out of 5 stars Where are the potholes in this road?.......2007-03-09

Why waste a year or two in your congregation's spiritual journey? Why drive blind into dangerous, program-breaking potholes if they are, in fact, already identified? This book is a great resource reflecting some gifted teachers who have looked back and debriefed about what could have been done better "if only they'd known". Well, now they do and their feedback is available here. It has been referred to actively by our leadership group frequently in our 18 months of planning pre-launch. Now we use it to check our status relative to potholes. Our eyes are open to the Deceiver's obstacles and there are many. Plus, ol' Mischief Maker wants us to think good things aren't and so makes good decisions seem dangerous, like: embracing Holy Spirit-driven movement when a group comes together in an unexpected way. Sometimes there is fear of the unplanned. Sometimes there is confidence in something which generally hasn't worked elsewhere. So when is an idea constructive? When might it be destructive? This book addresses the 7 'sins' Willow uncovered; the flip side is knowing how to avoid them or fix them right out of the chute. Thank you, Willow.

4 out of 5 stars A useful tool for small group directors..........2006-12-15

I have read other books from Donahue and Robinson and heard them speak at several small groups conference, so the information in this book was relatively familiar to me. Nonetheless, "The Seven Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry" is a valuable resources in which these small group gurus share their experiences and failures in the hopes that others involved in small group ministry within the local church can avoid those same missteps.

One thing that I appreciate about this book is its straightforward format. The seven deadly sins of small group ministry, as assessed by the authors, each occupy two chapters. The first chapter on each sin describes the problem, and the second chapter provides some solutions. This allows the reader to pick and choose a particular issue and read about it in some detail without having to read the entire book. I appreciated the experience of reading it straight through but look forward to referring to it in the future on one or more specific topics, and the simple format makes that notion feasible.

The second thing that I appreciated most about this book was the author's experience and wisdom. It is clear that they have gathered insight from years of small group ministry, and they are honest in stating that they have actually committed almost all of the sins at one point or another. That humility (and the almost playful writing style throughout the book) makes the information very accessible. The suggestions are not coming from some perfect small group geniuses, but instead come from real people who have made real mistakes and can offer real solutions.

My primary criticism of the book is that a somewhat limited perspective is provided. It only makes sense that they would write from the framework of Willow Creek, where they both spent much of their ministry lives. However, they seem unable to extract themselves from the Willow way of doing things. Quite frankly, the assimilation structure that they suggest is nothing if not overwhelming. In fact, the entire book is rather formidable. Again, it is formidable because they have so much important information to share, but it might be more useful if they had eliminated some of the painstaking detail and emphasized the main ideas.

I am glad that I read this book, and I know that it will shape how I proceed in my role in leadership over the small groups at our church. We are actually committing several of these deadly sins right now, and I now have the ammunition to make some necessary adjustments. If you are willing to dive into the thick of Willow Creek's learning from groups, this is a great book. I highly recommend it.
How to Make a Good Confession: A Pocket Guide to Reconciliation With God
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Difficult things
  • Time To Set The Record Straight On Mary Magdalene!
  • Great for the advanced reader
How to Make a Good Confession: A Pocket Guide to Reconciliation With God
John A. Kane
Manufacturer: Sophia Institute Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1928832296

Book Description

If you still drag your feet about going to Confession, here's the help you need to enable you to overcome your reluctance and open your soul to the vast reservoir of mercy found in Confession.

This down-to-earth, practical guide shows you how to transform your confessions from embarrassing moments in a dark room into profound experiences of God's love. The author, Fr. John Kane, provides solid guidelines for how you can (and must) make the most effective possible use of the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Even better, he shows you how to carry the grace of Confession into your daily life, so that you'll start winning — consistently — your battles against sin.

This is a book you can return to again and again in order to renew your sense of God's mercy — as well as to gain Fr. Kane's help in examining your conscience and bringing your life into greater conformity with the light of the gospel.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Difficult things.......2007-01-12

Thinking is difficult, and meditation is difficult, and meditative silence over a long period of time is very difficult, because we are in a society which doesn't allow for any of this. Television, movies, sports, all fill our brains and have done so since the 1950s. So to read a book for one's benefit which was written before that time is to enter a privileged world, a deep silence. I highly recommend this to anyone who desires to know God and himself better. I was not upset by either the writing style (which I thought very readable) or the Biblical innacurracies (the Mary things are debatable, and in all else, this was an incredibly Biblical book) but was challanged by the whole premise of repentance. Protestants gave up Confession long ago, and most Catholics only recently. Yet Christ says, "Unless you repent . . ." Maybe that's what's wrong with the world.

2 out of 5 stars Time To Set The Record Straight On Mary Magdalene!.......2006-06-28

Overall, this pocket sized book on how to make a proper confession is a great idea. Many Catholics don't realise just how important this is rather than to just go through the motions and hence not receive the full benefits of this wonderful sacrament. The typeset and font is of a great size too for easy reading and the compact size makes it very portable too.

However, the one thing that bothers me about this book is the blatant inaccuracy and inadvertent libel of one of our greatest saints, St. Mary Magdalene. In the bible, she is only described as one from whom Jesus expelled 7 demons. She is NOT the woman caught in adultery nor is she the one who cries over the feet of Jesus. CAN WE PLEASE STOP LIBELLING HER?

On page 77 of this book, the author clearly hasn't read his bible clearly as he continues this libel by saying that Mary led a life of sins of the flesh. Unless anyone can prove to me that being possessed by 7 demons is a code word for sins of the flesh, there is no where in the bible that states this.

I hope in future editions they will correct this great injustice and pray to St. Mary Magdalene to apologise for this great libel and injustice.

4 out of 5 stars Great for the advanced reader.......2004-07-06

I purchased this book for someone new to the Catholic Faith and who wanted a better understanding of Confession--how to do it, the "procedure" of this beautiful Sacrament, points to examine ones conscious. They began reading the book and gave it back to me because the writing style/use of big words was too difficult. So I read the book myself and I wouldn't recommend it for the beginner, but it's very good for one a bit more advanced. This book spends most of it's time helping one to gain a deeper understanding of the gravity of sin. The appendix includes the "process" of Confession and many wonderful questions to examine ones conscious to each of the Ten Commandments. I kept the book and will read it again, but I would not recommend it to someone new to the Faith.
The Seven Deadly Sins (Igniting Worship Series)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    The Seven Deadly Sins (Igniting Worship Series)
    Eric Elnes
    Manufacturer: Abingdon Press
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    Al Chet: Sins in the Marketplace
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • A helpful primer on Jewish business ethics.
    • A helpful primer on Jewish business ethics.
    Al Chet: Sins in the Marketplace
    Meir Tamari
    Manufacturer: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

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    ASIN: 1568219067

    Book Description

    In Al Chet: Sins in the Marketplace, Meir Tamari, a renowned authority in the field of Jewish business ethics, explores the viduy specifically as it relates to the business world.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars A helpful primer on Jewish business ethics........1999-12-17

    The Talmud says that the very first question each of us will be asked when we are called to account is: "Were you honest in business?"

    According to Judaism, prosperity, like happiness, is a beneficent side effect of the pursuit of justice. Jewish business ethics therefore call for the most scrupulous honesty and the most exacting standards of fairness; one's purpose is not to "die with the most toys" but to conduct one's affairs in a just manner.

    Here Meir Tamari (author of _The Challenge of Wealth_ and _With All Your Possessions_) provides an informative sampling of excerpts from traditional Jewish texts, interspersed with his own commentary, elaborating on thirteen major types of "business sin." (Since the editorial review above provides an accurate and helpful summary of the book's contents, I won't spell them out here.)

    The resulting volume is helpful both for those reflecting in preparation for Yom Kippur and for those looking for a somewhat in-depth introduction to Jewish business ethics in the words of the Tradition itself. (It should also make a nice companion to Tamari's other works.) As such it should be of interest to anyone wanting to learn more about a crucial area of Jewish ethics.

    In particular, since even the very Reformest of Reform Judaism still officially regards the _ethical_ mitzvot as binding, this volume should help to promote dialogue and understanding on ground common to all branches of modern Jewry.

    5 out of 5 stars A helpful primer on Jewish business ethics........1999-12-15

    The Talmud says that the very first question each of us will be asked when we are called to account is: "Were you honest in business?"

    According to Judaism, prosperity, like happiness, is a beneficent side effect of the pursuit of justice. Jewish business ethics therefore call for the most scrupulous honesty and the most exacting standards of fairness; one's purpose is not to "die with the most toys" but to conduct one's affairs in a just manner.

    Here Meir Tamari (author of _The Challenge of Wealth_ and _With All Your Possessions_) provides an informative sampling of excerpts from traditional Jewish texts, interspersed with his own commentary, elaborating on thirteen major types of "business sin." (Since the editorial review above provides an accurate and helpful summary of the book's contents, I don't need to spell them out here.)

    The resulting volume is helpful either for those reflecting in preparation for Yom Kippur or for those looking for a somewhat in-depth introduction to Jewish business ethics in the words of the Tradition itself. (It should also make a nice companion to Tamari's other works.) As such it should be of interest to anyone wanting to learn more about a crucial area of Jewish ethics.

    In particular, since even the very Reformest of Reform Judaism still officially regards the _ethical_ mitzvot as binding, this volume should help to promote dialogue and understanding on ground common to all branches of modern Jewry.
    Impurity and Sin in Ancient Judaism
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • What is Impurity?
    Impurity and Sin in Ancient Judaism
    Jonathan Klawans
    Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    ASIN: 0195177657

    Book Description

    This book examines the ways in which two distinct biblical conceptions of impurity-"ritual" and "moral"-were interpreted in the Hebrew Bible, the Dead Sea Scrolls, rabbinic literature, and the New Testament. In examining the evolution of ancient Jewish attitudes towards sin and defilement, Klawans sheds light on a fascinating but previously neglected topic.

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars What is Impurity?.......2007-09-14

    This book was a great help in understanding the Old Testament perspective on "Purity". Along with the writings of Mary Douglas, Jonathan Klawans has helped me to gain a 'gentler' understanding of the book of Leviticus.
    The Seven Habits of the Good Life: How the Biblical Virtues Free Us from the Seven Deadly Sins
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      The Seven Habits of the Good Life: How the Biblical Virtues Free Us from the Seven Deadly Sins
      Kalman J. Kaplan , and Matthew B. Schwartz
      Manufacturer: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover

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      ASIN: 0742532747

      Book Description

      In The Seven Habits of the Good Life, the authors highlight seven biblical gifts self-esteem, wisdom, righteousness, love, healthy appetite, prudence, and purpose and present them as alternatives to the seven deadly sins and their antidotes. Each gift enriches our lives by integrating concern for ourselves with a healthy concern for others. Incorporating clinical case studies and the voices of real people, together with biblical stories, this book shows how the wisdom of our religious heritage provides successful ways to handle difficult situations and to embrace life to the full with harmony and balance.
      Fatal Attractions: Sermons on the Seven Deadly Sins (Protestant Pulpit Exchange)
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Fatal Attractions: Sermons on the Seven Deadly Sins (Protestant Pulpit Exchange)
        William R. White
        Manufacturer: Abingdon Pr
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

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        ASIN: 0687127858
        Adoracion Sin Reservas/extravagant Worship
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Adoracion Sin Reservas/extravagant Worship
          Darlene Zschech
          Manufacturer: Casa Creacion
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback

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