History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Average customer rating:

Insightful
culture is raving mad.
Not helfpul in developing a Biblical position
Great Concepts but Difficult Reading
Dated . . . but . . . Foundational

Christ and Culture (Torchbooks)
H. Richard Niebuhr
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0061300039

Amazon.com

Being fully God and fully human, Jesus raised an enduring question for his followers: what exactly was His place in this world? In the classic Christ and Culture, H. Richard Niebuhr crafted a magisterial survey of the many ways of answering that question--and the related question of how Christ's followers understand their own place in the world. Niebuhr called the subject of this book "the double wrestle of the church with its Lord and with the cultural society with which it lives in symbiosis." And he described various understandings of Christ "against," "of," and "above" culture, as well as Christ "transforming" culture, and Christ in "paradoxical" relation to it. This 50th anniversary edition of Christ and Culture, with a foreword by theologian Martin E. Marty, is not easy reading. But it remains among the most gripping articulations of what is arguably the most basic ethical question of the Christian faith: how is Christ relevant to the world in which we live now? --Michael Joseph Gross

Book Description

This 50th-anniversary edition, with a new foreword by the distinguished historian Martin E. Marty, who regards this book as one of the most vital books of our time, as well as an introduction by the author never before included in the book, and a new preface by James Gustafson, the premier Christian ethicist who is considered Niebuhr's contemporary successor, poses the challenge of being true to Christ in a materialistic age to an entirely new generation of Christian readers.

Customer Reviews:

Insightful.......2007-04-03

Very insightful and thought provoking. Made me question many of my views and my perspective of other Christians.

culture is raving mad........2007-04-01

so, from the beginning... its good. I mean you immediately get the sense of where it is going and which role Niehbur's interprets christ as playing but his interpretation of culture as "that artificial secondary environment that man superimposes upon the real..." is quite interesting. its something i can almost agree with, yet enjoy considering. creates a context for stimulating conversation about the substance of culture itself.

Not helfpul in developing a Biblical position.......2007-02-07

The only helpful thing in this book was the description of the five types. This does provide a framework for analyzing different position. The types could have been defined in a much shorter work.

The book does not offer clear Biblical argumentaion for or against differnt views. One flaw (which is apparently common in Liberal theology) is that he talks about the New testament writers postions as if they were contrary and not complementary to each other. For example he talks about Pauline and Johanine Theology as if they had separate, and contradictory on some points, views.

With each view Neibhur talks about a few historical people who have held this view. These people are for the most part extremist who have taken one idea and thrown out the rest of the Bible. The majority of them were heretics. The association of each view with some very extreme exponents of it may give the conservative Christian the impression that the view itself is heretical (Which it may or may not be).

More work needs to be done on this subject with Biblical argumentation for the different views.

If in reading this book you are (as I was) attempting to develop a Biblical theology of Christ and Culture I believe you will find it a dissapointment.

Great Concepts but Difficult Reading.......2006-03-18

I thought the 5 approaches were good but the reading is tedious and difficult. Actually, I thought the articles and reviews ABOUT this book were much easier to understand and more helpful on the subject than the book itself.

Dated . . . but . . . Foundational.......2004-03-26

What do I mean by dated . . . but . . . foundational?

DATED
Christ and Culture has been around for over half a century now. When first penned it attempted to describe all the various ways in which Christians interact with culture, and make sense of it. The book was profound, for its time period. However, a lot of theology has been written since 1951 and culture has changed even more. At first glance the reader might find himself or herself toying with several ideas that are more recent than Niebur's.

FOUNDATIONAL
This book made such a splash that some Christian colleges adopted similar classes. This was the prevailing text. Therefore, most of the ideas on this subject that churn in the modern Christian reader's mind were formed in reaction to this book, even if the reader is unaware of it. Therefore, if the reader of today can grasp the concepts of this work, that reader will have a deeper understanding of his or her own beliefs.

Book Description

In 1951, theologian H. Richard Niebuhr published Christ and Culture, a hugely influential book that set the agenda for the church and cultural engagement for the next several decades. But Niebuhr's model was devised in and for a predominantly Christian cultural setting. How do we best understand the church and its writers in a world that is less and less Christian? Craig Carter critiques Niebuhr's still pervasive models and proposes a typology better suited to mission after Christendom.

Customer Reviews:

Important, Prophetic, Frustrating.......2007-08-19

Craig Carter's Rethinking Christ and Culture: A Post-Christendom Perspective is as important and prophetic as it is frustrating.

Carter's central thesis is that H. Richard Neibuhr's canonical Christ and Culture presents a warped typology of Christian cultural engagement. Neibuhr presented five types of Christian cultural engagement: "Christ Against Culture"; "The Christ of Culture"; "Christ Above Culture": "Christ and Culture in Paradox"; and "Christ Transforming Culture." Although Neibuhr claimed each type had merit, he clearly favored the "Christ Tranforming Culture" model, and that model was at least implicitly adopted by both liberal mainline Protestantism and the neo-evangelicalism that emerged from fundamentalism in the 1940's.

The problem with Neibuhr's typology, Carter argues, is that each of Neibuhr's types arises from a "Christendom" perspective. That is, Neibuhr's typology assumes that Church and State are partners - whether they are sparring partners as in the "Christ Against Culture" type, or senior and junior partners as in the "Christ Transforming Culture" type - in the process of cultural construction. The "Christendom" mentality, Carter claims, dates back to the Western Church's alliance with political power forged at the time of the Emperor Constantine.

Carter suggests that the "Christendom" perspective is misguided, even idolatrous, because it causes the Church to participate in violence. Drawing on Stanley Hauerwas and John Howard Yoder, Carter proclaims that instead the Church should "be the Church." True to these Anabaptist and pacifist roots, Carter argues that violence is the antithesis of Christian faith. The Church should reject alliances with secular powers, maintain the separation of Church and State, refuse to fight in wars, renounce natural theology and civil religion, and challenge governmental and other abuses of power through nonviolent protest and exemplary moral behavior. Carter proposes a new typology in response to Neibuhr's, which includes an axis of violence versus non-violence.

Evangelical readers such as myself who are weary of the Religious Right will appreciate much that Carter has to say. Carter notes that

"my fellow evangelical Christians have been persuaded by Niebuhr (and others) that they need to compromise with violent coercion as a means to the end of gaining cultural influence . . . just substitute some adherent of Adam Smith for F.D. Maurice in the last couple of pages [of Christ and Culture] and there you have it. Let us not forget that capitalism and socialism are both secular ideologies born in the enlightenment."

Because evangelicals have identified so closely with Neibuhr's "Christ Transforming Culture" Christendom perspective, Carter suggests, "[w]hat we mean by gospel is pretty much summed up by liberal, democratic capitalism. When you say it like that, it sounds so ridiculous that one is tempted to think that no one would believe that. But millions do." If more evangelical thinkers and leaders were willing to acknowledge and repent of our compromises with "conservative" politics, we would indeed move closer towards constituting the sort of community Jesus desires us to become - one that transforms the world through the cruciform power of love, patience, gentleness, and self-control, rather than through the worldly weapons of power.

But for all its prophetic punch, Carter's analysis is also deeply frustrating. His dogged adherence to a"fall" thesis of Christian history often is gratingly reductionistic. For example, Carter states that "'[b]etween the fall of Rome in 410 and the sixteenth-century Reformation, Christendom became an `oppressive, a totalitarian religious system, in which the Church became phenomenally wealthy and seriously corrupt.'" Carter cites some compelling examples of the Church's abuse of its power during this period, including efforts to force conversion and suppress religious liberty, forced tithes, and the Crusades. These and other examples Carter provides are indeed horrible.

Carter ignores, however, the many, many positive expressions of genuine Christian faith during this period. Take, for example, the evangelistic and cultural achievements of Irish monks in the sixth century; the founding of Benedictine communities also starting in the sixth century; Thomas Aquinas' magisterial systematization in the thirteenth century; or the work of the Franciscans also starting in the thirteenth century. Or, consider the spiritual and cultural influences that fed into great Medieval works of literature and art, such as, say, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, Dante's Divine Comedy, or Hans Memling's evocative and moving triptychs. And so on, and so on. And all of this, of course, leaves untold the stories of countless ordinary Christians during these times who undoubtedly tried, within the limitations of their circumstances, to live faithful lives.

The problem here is that Carter's Anabaptist glasses filter out any positive aspects of Medieval Roman Catholic faith in support of the mythos of a pure Anabaptistic remnant stretching back like a crimson thread to the Apostles. The complex tapestry of Christian history, with its often overlapping scenes of beauty and ugliness, is reduced to this one strand. History just isn't that simple.

Carter also fails to engage in any robust fashion with the eschatological implications of his views. Early in the book, Carter suggests that "the mission of the church is to witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, which means that the transformation of the wider culture in which the church lives will always be a secondary by-product of the church's main mission rather than its primary goal in this age" (emphasis added). This sounds like old-school dispensationalism, in which any effort to reform society was viewed as an illegitimate expression of the "social gospel." In his concluding chapter, however, Carter sounds a seemingly different note: although the kingdom of God "is not present in its fullness and will not be until the unveiling (apocalypse) and appearing (parousia) of Jesus Christ at the end of the age," even today "Jesus reigns, and the kingdom is present wherever his reign is confessed."

The "already-not-yet" perspective on the Kingdom of God, however, seems to suggest a more active role for the Church "in this age" than merely that of a witness to the gospel. Unfortunately, many streams of Christian political engagement that draw from this more robust understanding of the Kingdom, including the neo-Calvinism that fuels much of the Religious Right, have become snagged in the quest for political power. But why can't a Reformed Kuyperian / Dooyeweerdian eschatological sense of redeeming culture mesh with Carter's Anabaptistic focus on non-violence? And why can't these perspectives then blend with a chastened natural theology, which takes Barth's critique to heart but which nevertheless recognizes, with Aquinas, Augustine, and contemporary Catholic social theory, that faith seeks understanding, an understanding that can be communicated at least in some degree to anyone possessing the image of God? Perhaps then we could more closely approach a thoroughly Biblical ethic of cultural engagement, which draws from all the riches of scripture and the diverse Christian tradition, including Jesus' teachings about power and violence.

A Challenge to the Christendom Perspective.......2007-05-23

The primary purpose of "Rethinking Christ and Culture" is to challenge the Christendom perspective presupposed throughout Niebuhr's 1951 publication, "Christ and Culture". Carter argues that Niebuhr's work is insufficient so far as it presupposes Christendom and inadequately classifies all groups that are against violence as fitting within the "Christ against Culture" position. As such, Carter attempts to present a more nuanced postion regarding Christ and culture within a non-violent framework. Carter argues that the basic difference between a "Christendom" and "Post-Christendom" position centers on either the acceptance or rejection of coercive violence. While coercive violence is inherit to a Christendom stance, argues Carter, it is utterly incompatible with the teachings of Jesus. Carter calls for a separation between church and state and charges the church to non-violent proclamation of Jesus' lordship. Perhaps Carter offers the best summary of his work when he states, "All that I have done in this book is to identify the key points of spiritual resistance to the powers: the repudiation of coercive violence" (203).
My hunch is that while many readers may find Carter's work refreshing, others may potentially be irritated by the book's repetitive nature and forceful tone. Regardless, my own opinion is that Carter's work serves as a helpful aid in stimulating thought and encouraging chartiable dialogue.

rethinking the assumptions of Christendom.......2007-05-17

A great read by Craig A. Carter discussing the assumptions of Christendom in H. Richard Niebuhr's Christ and Culture typologies. The use of violence in coordination with nation-states becomes the litmus test for Carter's new typologies of the relationship between Christ and culture. This work is a helpful primer and introduction to the notion of post-Christendom and the inherent changes in how the church relates to culture as a result of this perspective that finds hope outside of the realm of government as the primary means of action for the church. A well-written work with some challenging insights and certainly provides great ideas and thoughts about the future relationship between Christ and culture.

raises good questions despite being a little too narrow.......2007-03-09

I really enjoyed this book and the Spirit did some work on my heart as I read through the concepts of repentance and non-violence. Carter's assesment of Christ and Culture is valuable. The way in which he creates a paradigm that solely rotates on the pro-violence/non-violence axis is a little far fetched. Nevertheless, the way in which he addresses those topics are very useful for personal and corporate dialogue. I have definately benefited from reading this book.

Following Christ in a Consumer Society: The Spirituality of Cultural Resistance

Average customer rating:

The dynamics of commodity and consumerism are revealed
Rampant Consumerism and Its Antidote
A Good but Dated Critique fo Consumerism
amazing

Following Christ in a Consumer Society: The Spirituality of Cultural Resistance
John F. Kavanaugh
Manufacturer: Orbis Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 157075666X

Customer Reviews:

The dynamics of commodity and consumerism are revealed .......2007-03-12

Following Christ in a Consumer Society is a classic study written by a Jesuit priest and which appeared nearly two decades ago: its 25th anniversary edition will help spiritual collections replace aging, worn editions with a bright new paperback even more relevant today than when it was originally published. Chapters consider the relationship between Christianity and consumerism, and have been updated to reflect the latest scholarship in the area. The dynamics of commodity and consumerism are revealed in chapters which lend particularly well to study group discussion.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Rampant Consumerism and Its Antidote.......2007-01-11

This 25th anniversary edition of Kavanaugh's work paints a strong picture of today's consumer culture marked by the "empty interior, broken relationship, craving for things, injustice of depersonalization, and flight from the wounded." The author employs examples from current events, cultural phenomena, and research studies to describe the earmarks and effects of the "Commodity Form."

He describes the commodity form as a filter for all our experience, attitudes, emotions, drives, perceptions, and behavior that reduces us to replaceable "things" valuable only in terms of how much we market, produce, and consume. In direct opposition, Kavanaugh holds up the "Personal Form," in which humans are valued as irreplaceable, capable of self-conscious reflection, and fulfilled in relationships based on mutual commitment. The personal form relies on Christian discipleship marked by such practices as self-critique, moral consistency, and prayer and supported by participation in community and the sacraments, all topics that Kavanaugh addresses in detail.

This work can be seen as user`s manual for groups and individuals serious about understanding, resisting, and challenging the rampant consumerism of twenty-first century America.

A Good but Dated Critique fo Consumerism.......2004-12-27

Given that this book was first written in 1981 and revised in 1991, the concepts contained herein are somewhat dated. That said, there is still much to be gleaned from this Catholic treatment of what it means to follow Christ in today's consumerist culture.

Kavanaugh is at his best in vividly describing and exposing the machinations of global consumerism and the commodification of human life that has driven capitalism. The ways in which human life has become commodified and malformed socially, politically and economically are vividly portratyed in a challenging and sobering way.

While Kavanaugh's work is self-consciously geared toward a Roman Catholic audience, there is much to be gleaned here by all Christians. If anything, the ascendancy of globalization and radical consumerism that has ocurred since the 1990's makes the statements in this book more relevant than ever. There are certainly many issues and forms of language used in this book that are proglematic and need revision, but despite such things, the overarching prophetic critique contained herein is one that is very important for Christians to listen too. Highly recommended.

amazing.......2002-02-14

This book is for all people. It is a wonderful account for the search that we humans make to "keep up with the Jones"" but never feel fufilled. It explains what is missing and why we are never satisified with tangible wants and desires for a long period of time. Everyone should read this book. Well written and an easy quick read. Worth every minute.

Jesus of Africa: Voices of Contemporary African Christology (Faith and Cultures Series)

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A seminary student's review
Testimony, faith, and experiences of people living in Africa

Jesus of Africa: Voices of Contemporary African Christology (Faith and Cultures Series)
Diane B. Stinton
Manufacturer: Orbis Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 157075537X

Book Description

This comprehensive study of African Christology includes accounts of academic Christologies from French and English speaking Africa, but perhaps most importantly reports views of ordinary Africans on Jesus and their relationship to him.

Customer Reviews:

A seminary student's review.......2007-04-20

In Jesus of Africa, Diane Stinton seeks to capture images of Jesus in Africa according to images and words used by Africans. In doing so, she hopes to use the voices of Africans to support and critique the images brought forth and to evaluate their appropriateness for deepening the Christian faith in the African context. One important note is that in her research, Stinton focuses on the missional churches as opposed to indigenous-founded churches. Stinton carries out her research through literature review and extensive field research (interviews and focus groups) in Kenya, Ghana and Uganda in the years 1998 and 1999. Stinton's presentation of her findings is academic, appropriate for theologians, professors, students or missionaries.

Testimony, faith, and experiences of people living in Africa.......2004-07-09

Jesus Of Africa: Voices Of Contemproary African Christology reviews both the theologies of French and English-speaking African scholars and clergy, and also relates how African lay people regard Jesus Christ. Thoughtfully written for scholars, students, and mission professionals especially, Jesus Of Africa is a unique theological work covering the origins and modern-day revelance of Christian teachings in Africa, as well as models of contemporary African Christologies including Jesus as Life-Giver, Mediator, Loved One, and Leader. An in-depth evaluation that draws directly upon the testimony, faith, and experiences of people living in Africa today.

Inside the Passion: An Insider's Look at the Passion of the Christ

Average customer rating:

Compelling analysis of event and film
Get this one
Explanation of the Passion for everyone
A Great Book!
Intimate with Christ and Mel

Inside the Passion: An Insider's Look at the Passion of the Christ
John Bartunek
Manufacturer: Ascension Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1932645772
Release Date: 2005-02-10

Book Description

Deepen your journey into the unforgettable film, The Passion of The Christ. In this authorized, behind-the-scenes look at the movie, Fr. John Bartunek, L.C., provides biblical, historical, and theological insights gleaned from hours spent on the set and interviews with the director, actors, and filmmaking crew. Inside the Passion is the most complete and thorough commentary on the movie you will read.

Customer Reviews:

Compelling analysis of event and film.......2006-04-12

I saw Fr. John Bartunek (the author) give a presentation on The Passion of Christ (event and film) last night to a surprisingly packed (who knew so many people would show up on a Tuesday night to discuss a two-year old film?) university campus church auditorium of over 500 people (students and community members). His presentation, like his book, gives a fascinating and compelling account of the theology and symbolism that went into the making of Mel Gibson's film. The presentation was electrifying; the book is no less moving and thought-provoking. For example, there's a very short scene in the film when, in the midst of the horrific flogging of Christ, the camera turns to what appears to be a shot of a young mother with her infant child in the crowd. As the camera moves in on them, however, we find that the woman is not beautiful, but very odd and sinister, and the baby almost inhuman, as we see when it turns its head to give the viewer an evil smile. The symbolism: The woman represents the devil and the child his handiwork. Gibson takes an iconoclastic image of Beauty (Madonna and Child) and turns it into Evil (devil and inhuman offspring). The point:
Evil is not immediately identifiable as starkly evil; rather, evil is simply beauty that has become distorted and false. It tempts us into thinking it is one thing, when in fact it is quite something else. The significance, twofold: to illustrate the devil's role in the suffering and death of Christ and, perhaps more importantly, to show that when Christ is at his weakest (including in modern society), the devil gains a foothold. Interesting tidbit: Gibson used a beautiful actress as the devil, had her head and eyebrows shaved, and used makeup to turn her into something very un-beautiful. And this was only one 20-second scene! The examples go on and on. As a liberal-minded Catholic unhappy with the "culture wars" surrounding so many issues today, I was pleased to see that this film had no agenda other than to relate the Gospel story with the major theme being Christ's love for all humanity, including not only us simple sinners but also those who beat, mock, and kill him, in various ways. It's an invigorating story and makes the book well worth reading.

Get this one.......2005-10-16

Inside the Passion is a behind the scenes peek at how the movie was made. It explains why certain things were shown and is surprisingly useful as a meditation tool.

A lot of folks flipped out because they thought the scourging and crucifixion scenes were too strong. The book explains why Mel Gibson and his team decided that they were not going to sanitize the Passion the way other movies had in the past.

Some folks nitpicked becuase Gibson and the team decided to have Jesus speak Latin to Pilate but the book shows that they made this decision for pretty sensible reasons: 1. The Romans had been in Palestine for 40 years. In Gallilee, which was heavily gentile by that time, a smart person must have been roughly familiar with Latin if for no other reason than that it was important to know how high to jump when a Roman soldier demanded that you do so. 2. Jesus was God. He could've spoken in any language He chose when He decided to speak to Pilate's ignorance.

Finally, the great strength of this book is that it so closely follows the movie step by step that even if you never saw the film after reading the book you will understand it. This is an excellent work and I plan to buy more copies as gifts.

Explanation of the Passion for everyone .......2005-09-06

This book is written so clearly that almost anyone should have no trouble understanding the way Father John Bartunek, a Legionary of Christ (Roman Catholic Religious Order), clarifies the different aspects of Christ's Passion as is portrayed by Mel Gibson in his movie. Father John spent time on the set, watching as Mel filmed this great epic and has not only interesting insights into the filming of the movie, but also clarifies the main points, as well as details of the entire Passion of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. The movie is well worth rewatching ... as you read Inside the Passion and you will see it in a new light every time. Our Lord's Passion speaks to each of us individually, touching our hearts anew and calling us to a real Love, that comes from Christ Himself. This is a great book and a great gift for anyone at any stage in their faith.

A Great Book!.......2005-07-20

This book is actual written by John Bartunek. He is a priest with wonderful insites. He speant a great deal of time on the set when it was being filmed and during the editing. This is a great companion to the movie.
I Loved this book so much I bought a copy for my mother and myself as well- and I will probably being buying them for a few people I know this year (just before) Easter.
I Hope that he writes more books in the future.

Intimate with Christ and Mel.......2005-07-11

I bought this book for my Dad, but opened it up last night and couldn't put it down. The book is only 186 pages, but it's not a quick read. It makes you think. It brings up insights I never thought about, Mel Gibson's 12 years of meditating on Christ's Passion have born a lot of fruits. Read it for yourself.

Jesus through the Centuries: His Place in the History of Culture

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A classic.
Fascinating analysis of man's views of Jesus
Very good survey, but not great or inspirational
Inisghtful, But a Hard Read
The images correspond to church history

Jesus through the Centuries: His Place in the History of Culture
Jaroslav Pelikan
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0300079877

Customer Reviews:

A classic. .......2007-01-12

This is not a devotional work, it is an insightful and valuable slice of intellectual history. Pelikan is a Christian, but distances himself from those he describes. I think the combination of sympathy and critical distance helps the reader have his own conversation with the persons described. Pelikan bites off more than he can chew. How can there be room in one readable, coherent and reasonably short book for Augustine and Blake, Renan and Ricci, Constantine and Gandhi? But Pelikan pulls it off pretty well, summarizing the history with interesting anecdotes, and making reasonable comments. Not all of which I think are correct, though.

"It is not sameness but kaleidescope variety that is its most conspicuous feature." Pelikan includes a great deal of evidence for both, though. Early Christians attempted to translate Jesus as "logos" to relate to Greek thinking. Modern Christians in India and China undertook a similar task of describing Jesus as the "fulfillment" of the deepest truths in those great cultures. (Work I have studied quite a bit.)

I give the book five stars, because it is brilliant, fascinating and informative. Nevertheless, Pelikan's position seems to soak up some of the subjectivm he chronicles.

It is important to distinguish between images that are arbitrary, and those that depend on a reality that can be referred to. One could write a book called "The Moon through the Centuries." But that would be a different kind of book from "Martians through the Centuries," because in the first case, we just need to look up to be corrected. Pelikan does not take sufficient account of the fact that Jesus is more like the first than the second case. Kaleidescope is a mosaic of splintered reflections. But the image whom these reflections reflected, like the moon, is still before us, in the Gospels. Pelikan tells us we are "dependant" on "oral tradition" that was "eventually deposited" in the Gospels, but in fact they were written within the lifetimes of the first Christians. Rather than "tradition," they could have relied on memory.

Pelikan does not distinguish between birds that settle in the nest as they find it, and birds that steal twigs to built their own. He weakly justifies the fantastic subjectivism that goes into revisionist historical Jesus studies. Pelikan is like a conscientious objector from the argument over what really happened. In a preface to a recent edition he admits, a bit coyly, that he doesn't buy the arguments of the "historical Jesus" crowd. Well and good: but this excellent book might be even better if the fascinating and fruitful subjectivism he chronicles were balanced with an occasional reminder that in the end, portraits are not about those who take the picture, but him whose portrait is taken.

Still, a deserved classic, and a wonderful way to look at history. Highly recommended.

Fascinating analysis of man's views of Jesus.......2005-12-31

Over the last two thousand years man has struggled to understand the person of Jesus Christ. In this book, Master Historian, Jaroslav Pelikan, describes how various cultures have handled Jesus. It is truly a fascinating journey that taught me numerous things about Jesus, His church, and history that I did not know. Well worth reading if you are interested in this topic.

I do agree with a few other reviewers that some sections are hard to read, and that Pelikan jumps around a bit. My one critique is that the book becomes less interesting towards the last few chapters.

Despite these challenges, this book is well worth the effort. Simply put, Pelikan is a brilliant historian who possesses a depth of knowledge about this topic that few others can match.

Very good survey, but not great or inspirational.......2004-07-29

This is a very useful, well researched, largely descriptive survey of how Western culture has viewed Jesus Christ. It's not a work of theology, it's not an inspirational work--it is what it is, interesting with its limitations. There's much that Pelikan faithfully records that's nonsense, such as Thomas Jefferson's breathtakingly vain and obtuse pronouncements about what Jesus really said. There are also some staggering transitions, such as the discussion on Emerson that suddenly veers into Dostoyevsky's The Grand Inquisitor from The Brothers Karamazov (the greatest novel ever). It's worth a read, particularly in paperback, but understand that it won't bring you much closer at all to an answer to Jesus's own question, Who do men say that I am?

Inisghtful, But a Hard Read.......2004-01-29

This book was interesting and informational, but the prose is dry and academic. I'm a regular non-fiction reader, including the fruits of academia. I couldn't get into this. I've been able to read only half.

The images correspond to church history.......2001-12-21

The eighteen chapters of this book roughly correspond to the 20 centuries of the history of the catholic church. One can use Pelikan's images to reflect on the meanings of Christ to the peoples of history and reflect on their meaning in present times. The images Pelikan give are all applicable today and can be helpful in understanding our relationships to God now. For example: how we as Christians can conduct a "just" war when we have an image of Jesus as "The Prince of Peace." Or, how we can better understand the middle East peace process with our image of Jesus as our rabbi. Or, how we can approach our busy, packed lives using the image of Christ as the perfect monk. This is a useful book to persons with varied educational backgrounds in theology or with just a desire to be able to relate the historical Jesus to their every day lives.

Christ and Culture (Challenges in Contemporary Theology)

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Christ and Culture (Challenges in Contemporary Theology)
Graham Ward
Manufacturer: Blackwell Publishing Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1405121416

Book Description

This work by Graham Ward, one of the most visionary theologians of his generation, contains nine interrelated studies of representations of Christ. Drawn from sources as diverse as the New Testament and twentieth-century continental philosophy, Ward develops his own original incarnational theology. From his exploration of contemporary categories such as the body, gender, desire, politics and the sublime, a Christology emerges that is both rooted in Scriptural exegesis and concerned with today 's cultural issues; and a vision appears of the possibilities for living orientated towards the Good, the True, the Beautiful and the Just.

Cultures in Conflict; A Documentary History of the Mormon War in Illinois

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Cultures in Conflict; A Documentary History of the Mormon War in Illinois
John Hallwas
Manufacturer: Utah State University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

An Intimate Chronicle: The Journals of William Clayton

ASIN: 0874212723

Book Description

Now in paperback is this award winning history of religious conflict in early America. Hallwas and Launius have compiled and written one of the most balanced and thorough accounts yet of the events and circumstances that led to the forced Mormon exodus from Nauvoo, Illinois in the 1840s. They present an extensive selection of historical documents (a number of which have not been published previously) written by participants and contemporary observers and introduce them with probing discussions of the causes that underlay the conflict. Of particular concern to them are the role of contesting cultural myths and the relationship of events and attitudes in Illinois to the larger frontier and national scene.

Average customer rating:

Disappointed
JC SuperStar Piano Edition
Good Stuff
Excellent for playing songs from JCS
Good book for beginners

Jesus Christ Superstar: A Rock Opera

Manufacturer: Hal Leonard Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 088188541X

Product Description

Fantastic songs from this stage favorite: Everything's Alright Heaven on Their Minds Hosanna I Don't Know How to Love Him I Only Want to Say (Gethsemane) King Herod's Song Superstar. Includes great photos! Everything's Alright Heaven On Their Minds I Don't Know How To Love Him I Only Want To Say (Gethsemane) King Herod's Song Pilate's Dream Superstar The Last Supper

Customer Reviews:

Disappointed.......2007-05-12

I was disappointed in the fact that music to all the songs were not included in the book. The nine songs that are in are good but to leave out the songs with Judas and the High Priests and Jesus and Pilate and Simon Zealots is not right.

JC SuperStar Piano Edition.......2005-10-20

Although this score does not include all the intermittent recitatives and orchestral arrangemtnts, it does offer a good piano transcription of the major songs with words. For anyone wnating to use any of the songs of JCS, this publication is very good.

Good Stuff.......2004-12-28

For the most part, I was pretty impressed with this. There are some problems, most mentioned already. My biggest issue with this is that it doesn't include "Damned For All Time/Blood Money", my favorite song on JCS.

Excellent for playing songs from JCS.......2001-05-26

The songs included in this book are Heaven on Their Minds, Everything's Alright, Hosanna, Pilate's Dream, Last Supper, Gethsemane, King Herod's Song, and Superstar. A few things should be noted: Firstly, Heaven on their Minds does not include the "all gone sour" last four verses that are used in live productions of jcs. Instead the song is written to fade away. That might present a problem to people performing or using that song for an audition. The last supper only includes the chorus that the apostles sing. Superstar is tuned to a C instead of the original E that is on all of the recordings and live productions. Other than that, all the other keys are the same as you might hear them on cd recordings, 1973 movie, and live productions. Chords are also included for guitar players.

Good book for beginners.......2000-03-27

This book contains the partitures of the songs mentioned in Uppercase in the Editorial's review and the lyrics for all the other songs of this great rock-opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The partitures are written for piano, with chords for guitar and lyrics, and are quite faithful to the original songs. They aren't difficult, so you can play them without too much troubles and remember with pleasure the voices of Yvonne Elliman, Carl Anderson, Ted Neeley and the other artists. This book doesn't give you a complete satisfaction if you are instead looking for a more "seriously" thing, with all the partitures including the instrumental songs.

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