Average customer rating:
- KCS: how to live with a neurotic sibling
- Terrific!
- An Important Novel
- Wonderfully compassionate and complex
- Special Siblings
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Rules (Newbery Honor Book)
Cynthia Lord
Manufacturer: Scholastic Press
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ASIN: 0439443822 |
Book Description
Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Which is near impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She's spent years trying to teach David the rules-from "a peach is not a funny-looking apple" to "keep your pants on in public"-in order to stop his embarrassing behaviors. But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a paraplegic boy, and Kristi, the next-door friend she's always wished for, it's her own shocking behavior that turns everything upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal?
Customer Reviews:
KCS: how to live with a neurotic sibling.......2007-10-09
KCS: How to live with a neurotic sibling
Looking closer can make something beautiful.
Sometimes people laugh when they like you. But sometimes they laugh to hurt you.
Some people think they know who you are, when really they don't.
Catherine would rather live like a normal person. It's hard enough putting up with her autistic brother, but with a potential friend next door, she feels even more embarrassed about him. And there's Jason, another potential friend. Do you think Catherine can make friends with them without letting her brother get in the way of her? (you have to read Rules to find out)
Rules takes place somewhere on the mainland close to the ocean, during recent times. Catherine is an artistic person and is used to covering up for her brother, David, but only to a certain point. She is patient enough with David but isn't willing to take full responsibility over him. Catherine doesn't really like going out in public with David because she hates the funny looks people give him (he goes around quoting Frog and Toad and his rules). however, she feels all right about him in the end. Catherine has made a bunch of rules for both her and David to follow.
David seems to always be shouting out random things, but what he says has some hidden meaning that only Catherine can understand. David goes to a therapy class/OT. He needs constant reminding to "chew with his mouth closed" or "keep his pants on in public". David doesn't understand that some people are trying to tease him and aren't laughing with him.
Jason is paraplegic and can't speak. He has to use a communication book with words in it so he can converse with others. He's pretty much like "normal" people his age in personality, but is probably more observant than others due to his disability. Jason goes to the same therapy center as David.
Jason has been going to OT before David, but only then did Catherine really notice him. His mom caught her sketching him, and that is how they got to be friends. Kristi, who would probably become really popular, moves in next door to Catherine. Catherine really doesn't want her to know about David, but she finds out anyway and their relationship doesn't get to a good start. She makes an effort to make friends with Kristi but she seems to like this guy who Catherine dislikes. Catherine gets closer to Jason but when the community center holds a dance, she uses her rules as excuses to hide behind.
I really enjoyed this book, and in some ways I could relate to the characters in it. Being an older sister, I knew how Catherine felt dealing with david. I learned not to judge people by the way they act or look because they could be a totally different person on the inside ("don't judge people by their covers") and not to restrain yourself with tons of rules. David couldn't understand what to do or what not to do, so Catherine made all those rules for them (kind of like The Giver, where if you broke one of their many rules you'd get in big trouble). But then she made unnecessary rules for herself that took away some of her freedom. Cynthia Lord's writing style included lots of details and I was able to understand everything. It had some Christian perspective in it, with Catherine opening a lot of opportunities for Jason and showing him the world in a different perspective. She learned that she didn't have to follow all those rules that she made. The pacing is a steady medium with some fast parts. The title is what it is mostly because of all the rules Catherine made. I would recommend this book to anyone in general, because there's not really anything inappropriate in it and I think everyone can relate to at least one character.
Terrific!.......2007-09-30
This is an award winning book that tells what it's like to be the normal sibling in a family with a special child. The protagonist is realistically drawn and her difficulties protecting her autistic brother from the harsh realities of prejudice and small-minded cruelty will touch your heart. Although targeted for the upper elementary or middle school audience, readers of all ages would benefit from the expressive and moving portrait Cynthia Lord paints of the conflicts faced by the members of families with special kids.
An Important Novel .......2007-09-08
After seeing Rules in countless Scholastic classroom book orders, I purchased the novel to read to my fifth grade students, wanting to expose them to a worthwhile piece of children's literature. I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome; they enjoyed the story (and the different rules included throughout the book) and seemed to really look at the way people treat others.
Rules not only deals with autism, but with disabilities in general. The main character, a twelve year old named Catherine, frequently accompanies her younger brother (who is autistic) to his occupational therapy clinic where she befriends a boy her age named Jason. Although Lord never specifically names the disability, Jason is in a wheelchair and is unable to communicate through speech, he instead points to word cards. The two develop a friendship, although Catherine continues to struggle with how the world views her relationships with disabled people. These situations provoked some very interesting, touching discussions with my students that I hope have helped them become more compassionate young people.
Rules is a very important books for kids to read or hear. Many children are not exposed to people that are different than them, and it seems that this lack of information often leads to bullying. This is an interesting, funny, touching read for kids, probably best for those ten and up.
Wonderfully compassionate and complex.......2007-08-25
I finally got my hands on RULES by Cynthia Lord, and I read it in one sitting. The narrator, Catherine, genuinely seems twelve. Her mannerisms and thoughts ring true, especially her artistic view on life and her lists of rules to help both herself and her autistic brother David. Catherine has more than shallow run-of-the-mill problems to deal with, and yet she's easy to identify with. In less capable hands, the story could have come across saccharine or depressing. Lord pulls it off in a way that seems effortless. She does a great job with pacing as well. From the premise of the book, I expected it to be a slower read, but the story strides along confidently.
I loved Catherine's blossoming relationship with wheelchair-bound Jason, who can't speak, beautifully shown in the vocabulary cards she makes him. At the start he has only a standard, bland set of cards. She's the first person to recognize his need to express himself through joking, sarcasm, and teen slang. I laughed when Jason's mother said, "Don't 'whatever' me, young man!" and felt a bit of shared triumph. As Catherine helps Jason communicate, she in turn reveals her own hidden thoughts and emotions. I even became a bit misty-eyed when I read the end, a rare occurrence. Catherine's life and the people in it are neither predictable nor perfect, but her compassion remains constant, and that's the beauty of this book.
Special Siblings.......2007-07-29
Catherine is between a rock and a hard place...like most siblings of special children are. Somewhere between protecting her autistic brother and protecting herself from embarassment of his behavior, she creates a list of rules for him.
This deeply moving story examines many facets of lives with challenges. Catherine is able to see the heart of the matter through the eyes of a physically challenged boy at her brother's therapy office. He can only communicate by pointing to words. She empathizes with his limitations and gives him new words to expand his options - like "Whatever"! They build a special bond together.
Meanwhile, outside of the world of doctors and therapists, Catherine longs to make friends with her new neighbor. She is concerned that the new friend will not understand her brother's behavior or her wheelchair-bound friend's challenges. Struggling with her own opposing feelings, she avoids bringing these two parts of her life together.
My favorite part of the story was the way that Catherine's brother was able to communicate through the words of Loebel's Frog and Toad Together story. Absolutely precious!
I was so touched by this story, because we have special needs children in our own family. The lives of our other children have been both challenged and blessed by dealing with the reality of a sibling with medical and mental differences. Of course, we tried to make sure that the hearts of all of our children were nurtured, but there was inevitably an impact on our other children. They have had extra responsibilities and sometimes felt that their needs were neglected to meet the demands of their sibling. Yet, in the end, their character was deepened and their maturity was advanced by living beyond themselves in a self-seeking culture.
This is an important story that EVERY child should read. Autism is growing at an alarming rate. It would benefit every child to get in the shoes of special children and that of their family.
Average customer rating:
- No Oliver Twist, but a good book.
- Good Fantasy Novel for Kids
- Thief Lord review
- Slow & Boring
- The Thief Lord
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The Thief Lord
Cornelia Funke , and
Oliver Latsch
Manufacturer: The Chicken House
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The Thief Lord
ASIN: 0439404371 |
Amazon.com
Imagine a Dickens story with a Venetian setting, and you'll have a good sense of Cornelia Funke's prizewinning novel The Thief Lord, first published in Germany in 2000. This suspenseful tale begins in a detective's office in Venice, as the entirely unpleasant Hartliebs request Victor Getz's services to search for two boys, Prosper and Bo, the sons of Esther Hartlieb's recently deceased sister. Twelve-year-old Prosper and 5-year-old Bo ran away when their aunt decided she wanted to adopt Bo, but not his brother. Refusing to split up, they escaped to Venice, a city their mother had always described reverently, in great detail. Right away they hook up with a long-haired runaway named Hornet and various other ruffians who hole up in an abandoned movie theater and worship the elusive Thief Lord, a young boy named Scipio who steals jewels from fancy Venetian homes so his new friends can get the warm clothes they need. Of course, the plot thickens when the owner of the pawn shop asks if the Thief Lord will carry out a special mission for a wealthy client: to steal a broken wooden wing that is the key to completing an age-old, magical merry-go-round. This winning cast of characters--especially the softhearted detective with his two pet turtles--will win the hearts of readers young and old, and the adventures are as labyrinthine and magical as the streets of Venice itself. (Ages 9 and older) --Karin Snelson
Book Description
Prosper and Bo are orphans on the run from their cruel aunt and uncle. The brothers decide to hide out in Venice, where they meet a mysterious character who calls himself the "Thief Lord." Brilliant and charismatic, the Thief Lord leads a ring of street children who dabble in petty crimes. Prosper and Bo relish being part of this colorful new family. But the Thief Lord has secrets of his own. And soon the boys are thrust into circumstances that will lead them, and readers, to a fantastic, spellbinding conclusion.
Customer Reviews:
No Oliver Twist, but a good book........2007-08-22
This book has echos from Oliver Twist, but it is not the same story and it lacks the menagerie of villains. The plot is interesting and entertaining throughout and well worth the time required to read it.
Good Fantasy Novel for Kids.......2007-08-05
The Thief Lord's first sentence was gripping: "It was autumn in Venice when Victor first heard of Prosper and Bo." I just wanted to know who Victor or Prosper or Bo was, and as a Venice fan, was pulled in. Yes, the story was quite interesting and had a lot of action, but the one thing that didn't satisfy me as much was the fact that the story had three different plots that hardly connected. I didn't know whether the author wanted to concentrate on a magical merry-go-round, or a detective trying to capture them, or kids disappearing. But still, the plot was nice, even if it was divided into three parts. I kept on reading until midnight, when the climax of each part came up. The only boring parts were between each part. I still recommend this book, if you would just think that this book was a collection of three incredible stories.
Thief Lord review.......2007-07-27
i enjoyed reading this book and hearing tales of fantastic thefts, and dramatic lies. i liked the realistic deep gun blowing feel of the characters in some of the most devastating events, from being caught by police to being forced out of your home.At first i disliked the fact that the author brought magic into this epic tale, but that slowly carved itself into the story making it better than first expected. The detail and description of most things in this book seem to bring you away from reading the story and send you in to see life from the characters point of view until you realize it and you continue reading the book. All together I'd rap this up as a pretty good book and reccomend it to anyone who enjoys reading sneaky fantasy books.
Slow & Boring.......2007-06-06
I found the character development slow and the story line to be weak. There was some intrigue and mystery, but overall I couldn't wait to finish it and get to my next book.
The Thief Lord.......2007-06-01
This book was absolutely amazing. From start to begging I was in shock on how well the author made these characters 3 dimensional. These children have a little gang going on where they live in an abandoned movie theater and they have a leader who seemingly is unbelievable at stealing valuables. Later on they learn the secret of their "thief lord" and they also learn about a mystic object that holds long lasting effects. This book receives a 5 because it is probably the best book to read if you are into a little magic and you love to think outside the box. This is truly a great novel.
Amazon.com
Robert Eisenman, one of the most eminent researchers of early Christianity working today, has produced an exhaustive study of the historical milieu at the time of Jesus and come to the conclusion that James, rather than Peter, was heir to his teachings. Because the historical material regarding James is actually quite plentiful, a clear picture arises not only in regard to who James was, but by extension, who Jesus was also. Controversy is assured; still, given a patient reading, one will discover that Eisenman's research is meticulous, his arguments cogent, and his conclusions persuasive. This should prove to be a popular and influential book.
Book Description
Reveals the true role of James, the brother of Jesus, in early Christianity
• Uses evidence from the canonical Gospels, apocryphal texts, and the writings of the Church Fathers to reveal the teachings of Jesus as transmitted to his chosen successor: James
• Demonstrates how the core message in the teachings of Jesus is an expansion not a repudiation of the Jewish religion
• Shows how James can serve as a bridge between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam
James has been a subject of controversy since the founding of the Church. Evidence that Jesus had siblings contradicts Church dogma on the virgin birth, and James is also a symbol of Christian teachings that have been obscured. While Peter is traditionally thought of as the leader of the apostles and the "rock" on which Jesus built his church, Jeffrey Bütz shows that it was James who led the disciples after the crucifixion. It was James, not Peter, who guided them through the Church's first major theological crisis--Paul's interpretation of the teachings of Jesus.
Using the canonical Gospels, writings of the Church Fathers, and apocryphal texts, Bütz argues that James is the most overlooked figure in the history of the Church. He shows how the core teachings of Jesus are firmly rooted in Hebraic tradition; reveals the bitter battles between James and Paul for ideological supremacy in the early Church; and explains how Paul's interpretations, which became the foundation of the Church, are in many ways its betrayal. Bütz reveals a picture of Christianity and the true meaning of Christ's message that are sometimes at odds with established Christian doctrine and concludes that James can serve as a desperately needed missing link between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam to heal the wounds of centuries of enmity.
Customer Reviews:
The truth so long concealed is out!.......2007-07-03
This book takes its place alongside recent books by SGF Brandon and Robert Eisenman -- and the classic work by Robert Eisler, difficult to find except in photocopy form -- all of which show that Christianity as we know it is a hoax. Jesus, James the Just and all the apostles were to one degree or another extremely hostile to Roman rule; some advocated direct action, others a sort of emigration into the wilderness to await God's judgment on Rome. Of course God never judged Rome and Rome survived. Paul's esoteric theories about the divine Christ were the backbone of what became Christianity -- a turning away from the real Jesus in favor of a pacifistic mystical religion of salvation. Christians who believe in Jesus ever since believe in a fiction. Of course the real Jesus, if James is any indication, might not be so appealing either. Schweitzer over one hundred years ago suggested that the real Jesus had nothing for us at all.
The churches have survived on the lies they have told. Christianity is weakening not because the truth is coming out but because salvation is seen as a farce. Ultimately the real Jesus will be re-discovered. Whether his reputation in the post-Christian west will survive is a good question. In any case the Jesus of Islam and of enlightened Jews like Joseph Klausner and Samuel Sandmel is more real than the Jesus of Christian faith.
The real James leads us to the Real Jesus.......2007-05-26
I wrote a review earlier; I was wrong in one point: Having read more "James" books, it is clear that there is no better book out there, page for page, than Butz's. This view can no longer be considered a new paradigm - it has entered mainstream. Please see my earlier review. D. Showley
Jewish christianity versus Paul.......2007-04-29
Illuminates the tension between Jewish Christianity and gentile converts, represented by James and paul, respectively. Sheds light on Jerusalem as the center of Christianity (as opposed to rome, which was the capital of the western world) immediately after Jesus' death, until it was destroyed in 70 A.D. describes the Jerusalem meeting between paul, James, and Peter, along with pauls greek companion Titus, about the imposition of Jewish law on gentile converts. Discusses the question of salvation by faith and/or works, and the history behind this theological point of contention.
An excellent introduction to James the Just.........2007-01-11
While browsing a favorite bookstore, I happened to find "The Brother of Jesus and the Lost Teachings of Christianity". I've read other books about James the Just previously, but this one put a lot of information into "easily digestible bits" for me. This may not be an easy read for some conservative and fundamentalist Christians, but its worth a try.
This book spotlights First Century Palestinian Jewish Christianity as led by James the "Brother of Jesus". Bütz introduces the reader to the writings of various scholars - some of them controversial - on the subject of James the Just. I had not known about the work of scholars such as Chilton and Painter previously. Thus, for me, it was a good way to be introduced to ideas put forth by these scholars, and how their ideas might interact with other scholars with whom I had more familiarity.
I would also recommend reading "The Lost Religion of Jesus: Simple Living and Nonviolence in Early Christianity" by Keith Akers (if one doesn't mind the writings of a scholar with a vegetarian agenda). Another good book that discusses the role of James the Just is "The Jesus Dynasty: The Hidden History of Jesus, His Royal Family, and the Birth of Christianity" by James D. Tabor. Lastly, if one would like to investigate the connection between early Jewish Christianity and early Islam and Sufism, I suggest reading "The Muslim Jesus: Sayings and Stories in Islamic Literature" by Tarif Khalidi.
Real Christianity.......2006-10-23
This book supports the fact that early Christians observed the 613 Laws. Everything from Sabbaths (Saturday) To the seven Holy Days. Nor did they believe the soul of a person goes to Heaven or Hell, nether a trinity. Anyways this book among others shows much proof that the early Christians were indeed Judaism, and nothing more. They accept the Messiah for the most part as the King and high priest. The Temple became an assemble point rather then the House of God after Christ died. A very good book, a very good read!
Customer Reviews:
About Scholars.......2006-03-24
The previous reviewer's remarks regarding this book are to the point and informative. However, lots of water has run under the bridge since his review was written. Church History and all analogous issues, such as theology, Christology, archeaology, commentary, etc., that swirl around it make for a opaque discipline. Or, some would say a complete lack of discipline. Every student of the Bible and Early Church History owes it to themsleves to read this book. Both for its content which is important in the extreme if you are interested in James and the Jacobean movement, and for what it says about the academics that produced it. The Neusner and Chilton partnership has been productive for twenty years at least, and this book might be its culmination. It is a remarkable achievement delivering an immense quantity of valuable information in a small number of pages.
The first thing I will note in the book is the disconcertingly different readings of the text of the Epistle of James. Peter H. David's work can be harmonized with the work of Wiard Popkes. Neither of them can be reconciled with the conclusions of the reading by Richard Bauckham. Popkes is a German scholar and reads everything in English as well as what is in German. There is a mass of relevant scholarship that is available only in German. And, what are the French writing about these matters? There is an English language centered bias in the United States and especially Britain that is long running. That it still exists is apparent in this volume. Therefore, we, monolingual English readers, miss an entirely different scholarly tradition in large measure. It would appear that British scholars in the main are content to read their fellow countrymen with an occassional nod to other English language works much to the detriment of readers and students.
Then there is the problem of the close of the book. Robert M. Price reviews Robert N. Eisenman's, "James the Brother of Jesus...," after all the other essays and Chilton's epilogue. The previous reviewer referred to Price and Eisenman as "fringe" scholars. Price is now a full blown "Jesus denier." He is a favorite of the atheist crowd and has turned himself into a locus for the "denier" community which has seemingly lost him all academic credibility. Eisenman safely tenured in the University of California system in Middle Eastern studies has absolutely no professional credibility when it comes to matters of the Early Church, Qumranic Studies, or much of anything else relevant to James the relative of Jesus.
Also, it would appear that Chilton himself has gone off on a tangent in his latest books. What is one to think of all this? In a a small package, this book epitomizes the problems of the discipline. When you have scholars starting from personal positions of evangelical fundamentalism, orthodox Roman Catholism, Jesus denial and atheism all unable to overcome their foundational biases, often objectivity is ill served. Far too much scholarship in this area is well varnished polemic. This is a disgrace as it does little other than misinform and confuse the lay reader. This book is a must read for its very valuable content on James the relative of Jesus. However, it is also a valuable contribution to the elucidation of a discipline at war within itself based on a lack historiographic objectivity.
The historical James.......2002-07-07
Like many books with multiple contributors, this one finds a mixed bag of results. This publication attempts to provide a synopsis of the work of the Consultation on James, a group of scholars who have been meeting on a periodic basis to discuss various facets of James, the alleged "brother" of Jesus.
Jacob Neusner opens with a discussion of the different types of 1st century Judaisms. His findings lead him to conclude that there are four traits foundational to all types of Judaism: the privileged status of ancient Israelite Scripture, an identification with the "Israel" of which Scripture speaks, an insistence upon the priority of that system over all competing accounts of an "Israel" in context, and the certainty that all who live by that system constitute "Israelites".
John Painter provides the longest chapter of the book and he gives an overview of the primary historical questions surrounding James. These include: the meaning of the title "brother of the Lord", the question of whether he was an "unbeliever" during the ministry of Jesus, his alleged conversion following the resurrection of Jesus, his status as leader of the Jerusalem church, his martyrdom, and his view of the Law.
Peter Davids discusses the message of the letter of James, but leaves the question of authorship open. Wiard Popkes follows with a closely related piece on the mission of the author of James, again leaving unanswered the question of authorship.
Richard Bauckham does argue for James, the brother of Jesus, as the actual author of the letter. He then proceeds to compare and contrast the wisdom sayings of Jesus with those found in James. He argues that both saw themselves as following in the tradition of Jewish wisdom teachers such as Ben Sira, etc.
Bruce Chilton addresses the question of James' relationship to Peter and Paul. His methodology is curious at times, as he seems inconsistent in his handling of issues of historicity. For example, he often treats Acts as being historically reliable, but then he will dismiss evidence from it when it does not suit his thesis. This would be understandable if he were to provide reasons for rejecting these items, but he does not do so.
Craig Evans closes with a chapter in which he compares Qumranic, Rabbinic, and Jacobean (that of James) Judaisms. He uses Chilton's four distinguishing traits as the framework for his discussion.
The appendix consists of a review of Robert Eisenman's, "James, the Brother of Jesus" written by Robert Price. This review seemed out of place in this work due to the fact that both Eisenman and Price are on the fringe of NT scholarship and prone to highly speculative theses. Needless to say, Price raves about Eisenman's work with comments like, "Eisenman is like the Renaissance scientists who had to handcraft all the intricate parts of a planned invention." What is most ironic is that nearly the entire scholarly community views Eisenman's work as just that: a handcrafted fabrication lacking a basis in historical reality. Unfortunately, neither Price nor Eisenman recognize it as such.
Buy this book if you want to learn more about James and early Christianity. The scholars are not monolithic in their views, which means you'll find some with whom you'll agree and others who will challenge you.
Average customer rating:
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CCEL Classics CD: works by Saint Augustine, John Calvin, John Donne, Julian of Norwich, Brother Lawrence, Martin Luther, Saint Teresa of Avila, Thomas Aquinas, Thomas a Kempis, John Wesley, and more!
Dr. W. Harry Plantinga
Manufacturer: Christian Classics Ethereal Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM
Mariology
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ASIN: 1931848076
Release Date: 2006-12-15 |
Product Description
The most important spiritual writings of Christian history are available on this Classics CD by the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) at Calvin College. It contains 118 Christian classics, including three versions of the Bible, several commentaries, Bible dictionaries, readings, spiritual guides, sermons, poems and journals -- all in a convenient, searchable form. Books are available in HTML and PDF formats. The easy-to-use CCEL Desktop software powering the CD enables users to browse and print books and install additional books from the Web. The top-of-class search engine can search for words or phrases in books, in authors works or in the whole library. In addition, it can search for dictionary definitions of words and commentary or references to scripture passages. The interface is a Web browser. The CD is compatible with Windows 2000+, Macintosh 10.3+, and most Linux versions.
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding!.......2006-10-17
The Thief Lord is a great book about Prosper and Boniface, two runaways in the city of Venice. They get some help from a very mature 12 year old. Prop and Bo live an adequate life, but someone's on their trail...
I absolutely loved this book. I would recommend it to anyone 10+ years old who loves exciting realistic fiction. It's very hard to put down.
(...). review for the thief Lord.......2006-03-09
THIS IS THE BEST BOOK I EVER READ!!!!! If you like books about 2 runnaway boys that live in an abandon movie theatre with 3 other kids and a natoreus boy that calls himself the thief lord, then this book is for you!
The the thief lord is ofered a job by a mysteris count. But a detetive is hot on their trail, for the 2 runnay's wealthy aunt is tracking them down.
Thief Lord Rocks-DC.......2006-03-09
Have you heard of the Merciful Sisters, the Grand Canal, or the Basilica of Saint Marks Square? To find out about this stuff or haw a group of little kids captured a evil detective with a revolver, read the magnifacent Thief Lord.
Average customer rating:
- I'll make this short..
- Taught page-turner!
- Finally, a great Christian novel
- 1st Century Bible-based historical fiction
- Brings 1st Century Palestine to life.
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Premonition (City of God Series #2)
Randall Ingermanson
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0310247055 |
Book Description
After a physics experiment goes awry, Messianic Jewish archaeologist Rivka Meyers finds herself stranded in first-century Jerusalem, married to the infuriating and lovable Israeli physicist Ari Kazan. Rivka knows that an illegal trial and execution awaits the leader of the Jewish Christian community— James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus. Can Rivka prevent this impending disaster, or is Ari right that Rivka’s meddling will only make matters worse?
Customer Reviews:
I'll make this short.........2007-09-15
At the time of writing this review there had already been 58 before me and they total an average of 5 stars. What more can really be said? I found this book very enjoying and thought provoking. Although Randall says to skip book one "Transgression" I'm very pleased I didn't. It added so much to the enjoyment of "Premonition". Great job Randall!!
1 Star = I've been robbed!
2 Stars = Why'd I finish it?
3 Stars = Good
4 Stars = Excellent
5 Stars = Life changing
Taught page-turner!.......2006-03-17
This fast-pased novel captured and held my interest, being different from anything that I read before. This is the first in the City of God series and has such interesting plot devices as time-traveling Israeli physicst, and a American-born Messianic Jewish archeologist trying to prevent the murder of the Apostle Paul in 57 A.D. (CE) Jerusalem, and a prostitute with a heart of gold. Mr. Ingermanson won a Christy Award for this book for good reason, It's fantastic. While the book is currently out of print, used copies can be found, and are worth the search. You will want to get the other two books in this series, "Premonition" and "Retribution."
Finally, a great Christian novel.......2005-06-24
I particularly like Ingermanson's approach to the novel because he wraps up so many things that I'm directly interested in: Messianic Jewish faith, physics, time travel and Jerusalem.
I found the very proper, concise dialog difficult to read through at first, but upon sticking with it I became comfortable with it and felt that it was very appropriate, considering the time frame and the fact that we just don't know how people of that time spoke to one another. Ingermanson is very consistent with his dialog and doesn't wander into colloquialisms or slang, unless it is on the part of the 21st century protagonists. I'm sure he had to be extremely careful when writing the dialog as he could easily slip. I appreciate the care he took here.
I also appreciate Ingermanson's knowledge of Jewish history, especially with regard to Josephus and Roman archives.
The story is well-written, the characters endearing and full-bodied. You'll find yourself rooting for Ari and Rivka.
Another interesting element is that Ingermanson isn't afraid to introduce elements that some Christians might be fearful to bring into fiction. While he doesn't talk directly about sex, he implies that it definitely did go on during that period. Characters are close to one another and you can tell that all of the things we go through as humans today they were going through. Ingermanson touches on such difficult to broach subjects as adultery, incest and abortion.
Ingermanson does a good job with the evil antagonist as well. There is plenty of tension. You feel really badly for Ari, for example, when the antagonist sets him up for failure and Ari is essentially black-balled from the community for a time.
I don't really have anything negative to say about the book. Why only 4 stars as opposed to 5? I guess I would say that maybe Ingermanson tries to wrap a little too much into the book. For example, perhaps the part about meeting the apostle Paul (Saul in the book) could've been left out with the book still being provocative. But it's a slight thing and I don't fault Ingermanson for leaving it in either.
Christians who are tired of namby-pamby fiction that doesn't go anywhere or do anything and has the same oft-repeated ideas as previous works will enjoy Ingermanson's work. It is refreshing and a treat.
Good work Randy!
1st Century Bible-based historical fiction.......2005-03-18
I really enjoy reading historical fiction. When I discovered Transgression, the first book in the series, I couldn't put it down. It was full of energy, suspense, and action. So I eagerly looked forward to reading Premonition. When it finally arrived, I eagerly started reading about the ongoing adventures of Rivka and Ari. While I found the book hard to put down, I didn't think it was quite as good as Transgression. Don't get me wrong - it is a good book to read, but didn't seem to have the same level of energy and suspense.
Brings 1st Century Palestine to life........2005-03-09
I've read a fair amount of alternative fiction - enjoying Turtledove and Gingrich greatly - but this book is different. Is the timeline diverting or not? Is this alternative fiction or a just a story about 2 modern people trapped in 57 AD.
Ingermanson's story is interesting and compelling, but not quite satisfying. His characters are strong and believable. One really comes to hate Hanan ben Hanan. However, the story doesn't have a strong payoff.
This book is a good lesson on honor and forgiveness. As Ingermanson uses Jesus' words wisely to show that honor (what we might call status) is not what God desires, but rather forgiveness. His characters display this powerfully and authentically.
There were some gliches such as how many times I had to read that "The Romans crucified Jesus" and that "Christians killed Jews." But overall Ingermanson brings first century Palestine to life without difficult language. A nice read.
Book Description
A new edition of Just James became necessary with the announcement of the discovery of a Jewish ossuary, or burial box, inscribed in Aramaic with the words, as commonly translated, "James son of Joseph brother of Jesus." Through the publicity surrounding the controversial discovery many people are now aware that Jesus of Nazareth had a famous brother named James. How does the ossuary relate to understanding that James and that Jesus? Just James sets out the varied considerations concerning this question while providing access to the early sources concerning James. In the process John Painter buttresses the case for recognizing James as the direct successor to Jesus and the leader of the original Christian movement in Jerusalem.
Recognition of the leadership of James is evident in the earliest sources of the New Testament. It is not prominent, however, since the New Testament reflects other interests that focus attention on Peter and Paul—though both acknowledged James's authority, whether willingly or reluctantly. None of the sources names any other single leader of the Jerusalem church. By the second century the leadership of James in Jerusalem and beyond was fully acknowledged, and the sources reveal the extent of his reputation. By then Jewish Christians, Gnostics, and the emerging Great Church all claimed James as a foundational figure.
Using the person of James as a prism, Just James brings the history of earliest Christianity and its relationship to Jesus and Judaism into clearer view. For many centuries the prism was clouded by competing traditions that found in James support for their own ideology. But in all of these the death of James received concentrated attention—from Josephus, the Jewish historian; Hegesippus, the Jewish Christian; Clement, the philosophical Christian identified with Alexandria; and the authors of the Gnostic texts of Nag Hammadi. The most comprehensive record of James, marking the height of his influence, is in the fourth-century history of the church by Eusebius of Caesarea. Without this account the distortions introduced by the disparate traditions would prevail. Just James considers all the relevant sources, examines the forces that fractured the powerful image of James, and puts that image together again. James reemerges as the singular first force in earliest Christianity.
Customer Reviews:
Could Be A Brilliant Book, But..........2007-09-21
John Painter delivers a masterful stroke in his use of the form critical method. He constantly finds in Scripture incidents that are easily overlooked by most. He handles the exegesis of most difficult passages with ease, but at times he incorrectly grasps the theological meaning, or purposefully detracts from Scripture, as do most form critical authors, who struggle with the authoritative nature and origin of Scripture.
A good example: in referring to Paul's return to Jerusalem, he actually argues that the Jerusalem elders, James included, deliberately planned to have Paul arrested and his subsequent handing-over to the authorities, and his finally being taken to Rome.
He hereby makes the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem complicit in Paul's demise. This is over-reaching the text and this inventiveness does not behoove the inerrancy of Scripture.
In general, an informative read, but not sound enough to base your theology on.
Restored Portrait of an Early Christian Leader.......2000-03-25
James "the Just", "the brother of the Lord", is remembered in Christian tradition as the first bishop of Jerusalem and the author of a canonical epistle. In the Orthodox Church, his feast day is marked by a special liturgy, celebrated on no other occasion. In short, he holds a place as a Great Man in the early Church. Nevertheless, his theoretical greatness is coupled with practical obscurity. Next to the towering figures of Peter and Paul, James is a shadowy presence. Even the one writing attributed to him, a high point of "Wisdom literature", has suffered neglect, burdened by Martin Luther's contemptuous dismissal of its contents as "straw".
John Painter seeks to restore the portrait of "Just James" to its original brilliance. He considers every ancient text that bears on James: the handful of references in the New Testament, the short but significant testimony of Josephus, the thin line of orthodox remembrance and the much more abundant Gnostic and heretical appropriation of James' image. The available information about James has never before been so carefully and thoroughly assembled. Sadly, though, the pigments on the canvas remain scattered and faded, so that the Painterly picture has in it, in the end, more of the artist than the subject.
On some elements of James' life, Professor Painter is fresh and convincing. He demonstrates the weakness of the evidence underlying the conventional opinions that James and the other "brothers of the Lord" converted to belief in Jesus only after His death and that James did not become the "leader" (whatever leadership may signify at that point in Christian history) of the Jerusalem church until Peter departed from the city. He also offers a clear treatment of the early controversy over mission strategies, though his symmetrical schema of six "positions" in the debate over preaching to non-Jews may be too abstract and tidy to reflect reality.
On the other hand, his discussion of other topics is less satisfactory. On the degree of kinship between Jesus and James, he presents the standard arguments against Jerome's hypothesis (that the two were cousins) but rejects the traditional view of the Eastern Church (that they were half-brothers) without grappling with it. His argument is half well-poisoning (guilt by association with the often-preposterous Protevangelium of James) and half literalism ("adelphos" means "brother", and that's that, as if there were any other natural Greek word to use for a brother by only one parent).
Even worse is his analysis of the motives that led the Jerusalem authorities to put James to death in 62 A.D., an action that the non-Christian Josephus characterizes as a judicial murder. The natural assumption, unanimously supported by Christian accounts, is that James was martyred for professing Christ. Professor Painter, on virtually no evidence, prefers to believe that James was closely associated with economically distressed Temple priests of pharisaic tendencies and was executed for his advocacy of their interests. Such a socioeconomic interpretation may resonate today, but one wonders how James and his small congregation could have genuinely threatened the political power of the High Priesthood and whether Professor Painter is right to presume that Pharisees would not have objected to injustice against someone who was not of their own faction.
Questionable points like these do not, however, undermine the value of this scholarly labor. The limitations of the surviving sources necessarily make the history of early Christianity largely a study of two apostles (or of one and a half, since Pauline material is so much more abundant than Petrine). An effort to fill in some of the rest of the picture is welcome.
Amazon.com
Before lay readers can grasp the significance of this book, they'll need a little historical reference. In the time of Jesus, the Jews of Jerusalem often buried their dead in tombs. After a year, when the flesh had disintegrated, it was customary to gather the bones and place them in a small limestone chest called an ossuary. Sometimes the name of the deceased would be inscribed onto the outside of the box. Flash forward to the spring of 2002 when Andre Lemaire, a specialist in ancient texts, was asked to read the Aramaic inscription on an ossuary that was owned by a collector in Israel. When Lemaire translated the inscription--"James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus"--he knew he had just stumbled upon an artifact in the same caliber as the lost Ark of the Covenant.
Just as this artifact is now in safe hands, so is the amazing story of its discovery. Co-authors Hershel Shanks (The Mystery and Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls) and Ben Witherington III (The Jesus Quest) are esteemed scholars as well as riveting storytellers. They expertly recount the exciting moments of discovery and the darker moments of despair (at one point the ossuary is improperly shipped and breaks into five pieces). They build a convincing case against its forgery and offer a flourishing finish in which they delve into the life of James, who was a linking force between the Jews and Christian of the first millennium, and could possibly continue that role into the second millennium. --Gail Hudson
Book Description
For 2,000 years
we've gone without
archaeological EVIDENCE
of Jesus and his family . . .
until now . . .
This is the dramatic inside story of what may well be the most momentous archaeological discovery of our time: the first-century ossuary of Jesus' brother, James, the head of the Jerusalem church. Reportedly found just outside ancient Jerusalem, the fragile limestone burial box bears the inscription "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus." The ossuary and its inscription are now regarded as authentic by top scholars in the field; they represent the first visual, tangible, scientific evidence of Jesus' existence. The implications are monumental for understanding Jesus, his family, and the Jewish Christian movement during the formative years of Christianity.
Hidden for centuries, the ossuary was purchased many years ago by an Israeli collector of ancient artifacts who never suspected its importance. Only when the renowned French scholar AndrÉ Lemaire saw the Aramaic inscription (Aramaic was the language spoken by Jesus and his earliest followers) in April 2002 was its significance discovered.
In October 2002, Lemaire announced the news to the world, asserting that it was almost certain that the inscription referred to Jesus of the Bible, his father Joseph, and his brother James. Controversy immediately erupted over the age and authenticity of the inscription. The discovery also rekindled an ancient debate over whether Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a virgin throughout her life -- a doctrine that still divides Catholics and Protestants.
Hershel Shanks, a central figure of biblical archaeology, who led a forceful campaign to make the Dead Sea Scrolls available to the world, recounts the story of the ossuary's discovery and authentication. Ben Witherington III, a leading New Testament scholar, shows how the discovery reveals surprising facts about a story people thought they knew: How Jesus was raised in a large, religiously conservative Jewish family; how his brothers and sisters were skeptical about his claims -- until he died; how Jesus' brother James went on to head the Jewish Christian movement in Jerusalem, becoming the leader Peter and Paul looked to for guidance and approval; how James brokered the major church controversy of the first century and wrote a book of the Bible; how he was martyred and soon written out of history by the Church of Rome. The dramatic discovery of the ossuary allows us to get reacquainted with the towering historical figure the apostle Paul called a "pillar of the church."
Customer Reviews:
Um... We Didn't Get Anywhere..........2007-09-26
I picked this up, expecting something dramatic and impressive. Instead I found it was a book of conjecture. I certainly learned a lot about the world of antiquities and about James, but that was about it.
No one actually knows anything about the box one way or the other and given that everything they think they know is just one person's opinion, I felt like I didn't get anywhere.
It's a decent read, but I certainly wouldn't buy it or recommend it.
Totally Lacking in Scholarship.......2007-04-03
Citations are almost completely lacking, and what few footnotes there are refer back to the authors own work. Then, the quote on the back of the jacket attributed to USA Today is actually a quote from one of the authors that was published in USA Today.
Finally, the name "James" is so common is early Christian Era Palestine, it's as if we are 2000 years in the future, a tomb is disovered with the name "George" on it and the authors are claiming that it is the tomb of George Bush. The authors present no evidence to overcome this fact.
I'm not buying it, neither should you.
An Important Read: Educational and Meaningful........2006-10-16
"The Brother of Jesus" is actually two interesting books in one, and readers interested in the historical movement that is Christianity as well as the connective life of Jesus will find this book written by Shanks and Witherington fascinating, educational, and intriguing. Readers will feel more informed with the life of Jesus and the social structures of the times during which he lived. Does `The Brother of Jesus' help close any of ongoing questions for those who question Jesus as The Christ? Perhaps not, but there is clearer direction that may be a catalyst for some to reach into and hold a deeper understanding into the life of Christ.
The first part of the book is impeccably explored as an oratory of sorts by which Shanks provides to the reader a very thorough explanation into what exactly the `James Ossuary' is and how it was cultivated - If you will - to finally come into public light after nearly two thousand years. Chance? The story of the ossuary's own travels is in itself is quite remarkable. Additionally, Shanks provides an interesting and apparently accurate historical take on how THIS particular ossuary may very well be the bone-burial tomb of James the younger brother of Jesus.
Equally fascinating is the presentation and study made by Witherington on the life and activity of James the younger brother of Jesus. For so long has the debate been fueled regarding the sanguine line of Jesus, for many, The Christ. With the remarkable discovery of the ossuary, there were hopes that perhaps the bloodline of Jesus could eventually be discovered . . . and Witherington does an exemplary presentation about the life of Jesus. In his conclusion, Witherington does not believe that James was the blood brother of Jesus, but that of a step brother . . . which I am not completely convinced on. I think a more detailed and cited study into the life of James has been presented by Rev. Jeffrey Butz, in his book titled "The Brother of Jesus and the Lost Teachings of Christianity". Nevertheless, in my own conclusion as a Christian fiction writer, but more importantly, as A Believer, the issues surrounding the life of James will come down to each of our own holdings of faith. I do not think it matters one way or another if James is the sanguine brother of Christ The Lord or not. What matters is that Christ did and does exist.
This is an important reader. The more will know about the life and times of Jesus, the closer we become.
Who Knows for Sure?.......2006-05-27
Shanks and Witherington bring a sophisticated and compelling study with "The Brother of Jesus" (2003 paperback). Theirs is a careful consideration of the authenticity for the "James the son of Joseph the brother of Jesus" ossuary publicly introduced in 2002. (It was discovered a number of years ago, extracted from it's original resting place, and then housed in various Israeli locations over several generations until its 21st century public presentation.)
Recounting various scientific/forensic examinations of the small bone box, the authors add their voices to its continuing controversy. Did this ossuary house the bones of St. James, the Just, the brother of Jesus Christ? Can it really ever be completely examined and understood without knowing the information from its original provenance?
These are difficult questions to answer, even in the wake of the ossuary's forensic study. After providing a complete and careful recounting of all the ossuary's scientific examinations Shanks and Witherington attempt clear answers with their presentation of James' history by reviewing the various personality and events associated with him. They review the ossuary bullae (sealant), its patina (the calcium carbonate surface) and its Aramaic calligraphy. They revisit the early Christian sources for James, the various personalities named "James" in the Scripture, authorship for the Epistle of James, the death and legend of James, the family of James, and much more.
Due to the technical nature of this 305-page book it should not be considered a quick read. Each chapter concludes with a plethora of source suggestions. Preferring to consult each source Shanks and Witherington cite, I completed the book in a little less than a month. The authors provide dozens of precision maps, informative charts, interesting photographs (colored and black and whites), and helpful endnotes.
In the end, I found pages 1 through 224 to be the most helpful. These first two parts demonstrate that the James ossuary (sandstone box itself) is authentic from the first century (such ossuaries were commonly used around Jerusalem only from about 20 BC to AD 70). Shanks and Witherington are also convinced that the first half of the writing- "James the son of Joseph" is probably authentic to the first century.
The third section of the book (pages 225 to 305) is less persuasive and would be more convincing with additional research (and scholarly debate). Here the authors believe the second half of the inscription- "the brother of Jesus"- to be a later addition and, thus, a forgery (page 235). Who can say for sure?
"The Brother of Jesus" is a good read witnessing to a fascinating subject. Shanks and Witherington have been at the forefront of the James ossuary's history from its 2002 introduction. The book is recommended to all who want to know more about the ossuary that may have housed the bones of Jesus' brother. It is also a good read for all Bible students. Order your copy soon.
Humble Pie.......2006-05-21
In late 2002, Herschel Shanks of Biblical Archaeology Review announced that a private collector had in his possession an ossuary (burial box) from first century A.D Judea with the inscription "James son of Joesph brother of Jesus" written in Aramaic (the language of the Jews at the time of Jesus). Needless to say, this caused a firestorm of publicity. Assuming it was authentic, this would be an actual relic from a member of the early Apostolic Church. Adding to its force was the "brother of Jesus" addition since a brother would only have been listed if he had been a person of great prominence. Perhaps desiring such confirmation of their beliefs, many prominent members of the Christian community uncritically accepted the disconvery and jumped on the ossuary bandwagon.
Shortly after the announced find, Shanks and Evangelical Protestant scholar Ben Witherington III teamed to write this book on the discovery. Shanks wrote the first part detailing the details of how it was discovered while Witherington lent his take on the person of James as revealed in the Scriptures and history. In a classic example of a "rush to judgment", their joint effort was published less than six months after the original furor and blurs the line between scholarship and propaganda.
Shanks, who has always been a bit the enfant terrible of Biblical era Archaelogical Research, is no stranger to controversy. He has been accused of using BAR as a soapbox to attack the work of scholars with whom he disagrees and of using the most well known popular publication on the subject to diseminate a skewed version of the nature of contemporary scholarship. Even worse in many researchers eyes is the fact that BAR accepts advertisements from those selling antiquities privately - thus rewarding the practices of looting and forgery.
On the other hand, BAR has printed articles from some of the top researchers in the field and has given the public an opportunity to read the scholars' accounts of their work first-hand in a non-technical setting. Furthermore, his use of BAR to champion the cause of making the Dead Sea Scrolls available to all scholars played a large part in their eventual release.
In this case, his enthusiasm and aggressiveness as well as his connections to the private antiquities market have come to haunt him as the Israeli Antiquities Authority found that he had been duped - the ossuary was real but the inscription was a fake. In fact, it was later discovered to be part of a large criminal ring manufacturing fake antiquities. Still, BAR on their website refuses to admit their failings and still promotes the ossuary as possibly being authentic.
Even though this turned out to be a fraud, the Shanks section of the book can be a useful tool as an example of the dangers of finding something too good to be true. Perhaps fueled by his enthusiasm, he allowed his critical judgment to be suspended and allowed himself to be hoodwinked. It may now be a case of 20/20 hindsight, but the explanations of the supposed "collector" now sound so contrived that the fakery present seems obvious. Yet con artists often depend on enthusiasm suspending common sense and it is no less the case here.
The fact that some researchers were fooled as well only proves how sophisticated the creators of fake relics have become. They have the money to buy the knowledge necessary to pull off the fraud. Someone can supply the proper Aramaic or other anceint laguage needed for the inscription, the exisence of the patina develops on the surface over the centuries can be simulated, etc. It is cat and mouse game where new technologies are used to keep a step ahead of the manufacturers of fake artifacts. As has been shown in some high-profile cases in the last few decades, even top museums have been fooled and spent millions only later to be forced to eat a generous helping of humble pie.
Witherington, for his part, cannot help but revel in this seeming confirmation not only of his Christian beliefs but also his in-house quarrels with other Christians. He places a great deal of stock in the phrase "brother of Jesus" to deny the common belief within historic Christianity of the virginity of Mary throughout her earthly life. Evangelicals deny this "Catholic" belief as "invented" even though it is one of the most affirmed views of the early Church. Regardless of its truth, Witherington shows his partisan stripes by some highly questionable statements meant to demonstrate the incompatibility of this find with the traditional belief.
The fact is that even if the artifact had been genuine, it would have no effect on the pertinent question. The earliest traditions have Joesph as a widower who married Mary and thus James and the other siblings mentioned were stepbrothers. A later explanation in the West by St. Jerome theorized they were cousins. The term "brothers" in the context of first century Jewish culture had a far more general sense than now and was frequently applied to kinsmen of the same generation. Given the oldest explanation, even this reasoning was unnecessary as they would be seen in the Jewish culture as brothers in the more restrictive sense.
During his consideration of this question, Witherington - perhaps motivated by the whole ossuary fiasco - introduces a few bits of fakery on his own. In a classic bit of obfuscation, he infers the cousin theory could not stand because the ossuary calls James a "brother of Jesus" without mentioning Aramaic has no word for "cousin" and then seeks to support his case by stating New Testament Greek does have such a word. Of course, the New Testament usage is an entirely separate issue and has no bearing on his case since the inscription is Aramaic. Furthermore, the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) used the Greek word for "brother" to denote such a relationship. I happen to think the cousin argument is weak for other reasons, but Witherington's case against it is pure sleight-of-hand.
Even worse is his argument against the prior marriage idea. He admits it has a paprer trail going back to the second century A.D., but claims it must be a distortion by anti-Jewish Christians without giving any evidence that a controversy existed on the subject at the time. He also claims the inscription would not be true because James would not be a true brother of Jesus. This is complete nonsense. Anyone who is accepted and raised by Joseph would have been regarded as his son and other sons would have regarded him as his brother. Furthermore, Witherington avoids the fact that under his beliefs James would only be a half-brother since they would only share a mother. The difference between a half-brother and a stepbrother and why the inscription would apply only to one and not the other is just special pleading. In the case of full brother, stepbrother, or half-brother, James would have simply been identified as the "brother of Jesus."
This issue aside, the remainder of his section is a quite good introduction to the person and ministry of James. Especially good was his exposition of how James tried to mediate the differnces between the Judaizers and St. Paul. This makes it all the sadder that he presented such misleading information on a partisan issue mar an otherwise fine presentation. Even the good information though, is available elsewhere without the erroneous polemics
In the end, it doesn't really matter. This book stands as a monument to how even the experts can be taken in by someone motivated by a large payday. The exposing of the fraud guaranteed a short lifespan for this particular work. Unless you desire to research how educated people get the wool pulled over their eyes, it is not to be recommended.
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