Book Description
A Mere Christianity for a new generation from a leading Christian scholar and Anglican bishop.
Customer Reviews:
Scratches Where it Itches.......2007-09-23
A friend used to tell the story of being lost in rural Ireland on holiday. Stopping a local farmer, he asked the way to Dublin. The farmer replied, "Well now, if I were trying to get to Dublin, I wouldn't start from here."
The genius of this book, which I have found enormously helpful in clarifying what I think about Christianity, is that it starts from where I and, I suspect, many others Westerners find themselves. This is not a book which requires you to be on the wavelength of the already-committed Christian or to be familiar with her in-house vocabulary. The author is clearly used to addressing a wider audience.
I have to confess that I have little patience with the religious jargon or party-politics of the kind found in some of the other reviews on this page. As I try to understand what Jesus may have to say to me about God, I find the in-fighting of his followers over the precise meaning of words like "atonement" or debates about whether the Reformers or the Roman Catholics have it right, profoundly unhelpful and unattractive. Such discussions do not make me want to go searching for God if I have to do so in the company of those who enjoy splitting theological hairs or putting each other down.
Tom Wright, however, caught my attention immediately not only with his crystal-clear prose and fresh, provocative imagery but with the insight that the reader will know what he means when he speaks of the Echoes we have all heard which speak to us of the greater reality for which we are all looking. In the four short, brilliantly crafted and memorable chapters which make up Part 1, he explores four areas of human experience which preoccupy many of us: the search for justice in a world which seems incapable of providing it; the widespread interest in "spirituality" which has many of us caught up in wild goose chases; the universal need to live in relationship with others, with the created order and, Wright would add, with God; and the puzzle of beauty, what it might be and why it fascinates us. The first part of the book essentially asks the question, "Do these experiences ring bells with you?". Inevitably, the answer is "Yes", and the reader is then drawn into a explanation of why this might be so from a Christian perspective which is always illuminating, sometimes erudite, never patronizing. Parts 2 and 3 take a fresh look at the historical Christian faith under headings with which most Christians, from the evangelical to the orthodox, would be familiar and comfortable. They include "Jesus, Rescue and Renewal", "Living By the Spirit", "Prayer" and "Believing and Belonging".
One of the marks of a great teacher is the ability to simplify and distil complexity without becoming simplistic or imbalanced. Tom Wright has this gift in abundance. One senses the depth of his scholarship on every page and respects him for it, but the text which emerges from the depths of his experience is attractive and accessible enough to hold even a teenager's attention. One might almost say that, like many popular airport novels, this is a "page turner". Once hooked, you want to know what comes next.
The overview that he is able to offer of the key components of Christian belief is impressive. If nothing else (and it is a great deal else) this would make a first-rate revision course in Christian basics for jaded believers in need of refreshment. And for those who may have been misled without realising it. I have been a Christian for 35 years, have belonged to a number of different churches and have read countless books about the Christian faith; but I have been startled to discover in these pages that I hold assumptions which shouldn't be there. I am grateful to have been put right by a man who really knows what he's talking about and can demonstrate it with wisdom and gentleness from a deep knowledge of Scripture, theology and church history. If I may use a Wright-like image, the experience of reading this book has been, for me, a little like sitting in the chair at the optician's while he places a series of lenses in front of my eyes. As lens after lens is applied and adjusted, eventually the furniture in his office comes into clear focus and I see it and him as they were meant to be seen, without the blur.
If you are looking for a book which has a chance of reigniting your hope that the church may have something to say to the world after all, as long as it scratches where people are itching and speaks to them in a language that they understand, this may well be it. On the other hand, if you are trying to sort out which of the scandalously numerous Christian denominations has cornered the correct interpretation of this or that verse of the New Testament, you may be disappointed. There is an absence of bigotry here, as one would expect of a book written by a thoughtful disciple of Jesus. As the author Anne Rice has written, "This is a book about Christ that is full of the spirit of Christ himself".
A Great Overview of the Christian Faith.......2007-09-19
N.T. Wright, known for his scholarly work on the historical Jesus, writes for a more general audience in this book.
Wright begins the book by discussing four `signposts' of the divine; our desire for justice, our quest for spirituality, our need of relationships, and our apprehension of beauty. According to Wright, while such things do not necessarily point us to the Christian God, they do compel us to look beyond the purely physical universe to something deeper.
He then proceeds to go through the basic Christian story, from the beginning of the Old Testament to the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He goes on to discuss the practical implication of this story for our lives, including an explanation of the relevance and importance of Christian disciplines such as worship, prayer, and Biblical reading.
One of Wright's main themes is to explain that, according to the Christian worldview, heaven and earth interlock. This is opposed to pantheism, where God and the universe are one, and Deism, where God is separated from, or at least not much interested in, the world. Wright points out that the beauty of living the Christian life is the ability to live where heaven and earth collide. Christians are not merely those who believe an abstract set of theological truths, they are people who are striving, individually and collectively, to live as a part of God's new creation-
"We are called to be part of God's new creation, called to be agents of that new creation here and now. We are called to model and display that new creation in symphonies and family life, in restorative justice and poetry, in holiness and service to the poor, in politics and painting." [236]
Simply Christian is an extremely accessible and readable book that will come as a breath of fresh air for many.
Vibrant Study!.......2007-09-10
The Episcopal Church my wife and I attend is using this book along with the Bishop's video and workbook in Christian Education. Very solid and uplifting! I truly recommend it! Grace and Peace!
A classic in the making.......2007-09-09
This was a wonderful book. The insights of the author were deep and encouraging. The book certainly would strengthen someone's faith. He deals with most of the common ideas of Christianity, such as worship, belief, transformation, but is not "out there" is his ideas. In fact, his ideas are fresh, without being strange. This is a great read with great insights. Certainly a book most people would enjoy and benefit from.
way too much.......2007-09-04
this book was recommended, so i bought it. Wished I hadnt. Too much non-sense, and way too complicated for an otherwise "Simple" subject. I gave it to a intellectual friend of mine who said it was mindless rambling.
Amazon.com
The Case for Christ records Lee Strobel's attempt to "determine if there's credible evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God." The book consists primarily of interviews between Strobel (a former legal editor at the Chicago Tribune) and biblical scholars such as Bruce Metzger. Each interview is based on a simple question, concerning historical evidence (for example, "Can the Biographies of Jesus Be Trusted?"), scientific evidence, ("Does Archaeology Confirm or Contradict Jesus' Biographies?"), and "psychiatric evidence" ("Was Jesus Crazy When He Claimed to Be the Son of God?"). Together, these interviews compose a case brief defending Jesus' divinity, and urging readers to reach a verdict of their own.
Book Description
Using the dramatic scenario of an investigative journalist pursuing his story and leads, Lee Strobel uses his experience as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune to interview experts about the evidence for Christ from the fields of science, philosophy, and history. Winner of the Gold Medallion Book Award and twice nominated for the Christian Book of the Year Award.
Customer Reviews:
My boyfriend met Christ through this book.......2007-09-12
I think this book does a pretty good job at analyzing Jesus' existence and the validity of the bible from various angles, such as via archeology, psychology, anatomy, science, logic, etc. And amazingly, by God's grace, my boyfriend met Christ through this book! Praise God.
Compelling Arguments.......2007-09-01
I found The Case for Christ to be well written and the arguments put forward to be very compelling. Mr. Stobel uses a series of interviews with a variety of experts to build his case and each presented facts or points of view that were very hard to refute. Excellent book.A Startrek to Eternity
A good starting point for both skeptics and apologists.......2007-08-28
I've read this book numerous times and read the reviews of those who gave the books low scores. This book is a good starting point for people with lots of agnostic/atheist friends. Granted, if your friend was Hawkings or Dawkins, you might have a tough time relying on this book. Sometimes it doesn't cover topics you'd like to be covered and sometimes the reasoning takes a bit of thinking to understand, but generally, this book covers all the bases.
Of course, the writer had a Christian agenda. Everything has a systemic bias. I could write a review on The Selfish Gene saying that the book has an evolutionist bias. For others, just "the Bible says so" is a good argument. This is even more sillier, like driving a car without knowing how to brake. When your friends give you an obstacle, you can only swerve around it or crash and burn. In Matthew 22:37, Jesus said to love the Lord with all your mind and that sound doctrine should be taught. If you can't argue for sound doctrine, how can you teach and understand it?
Thought provoking.......2007-08-23
This book is very well written in an investigative style and counters some of the less challenged arguments of those who do not believe in Christ as the Son of God. Usually, agnostics and atheists present what appears to be an intellectually sound argument against Christ's position as the Savior of the world. These arguments are countered methodically and give the non-theologian a source for countering arguments against Christ. I have read Strobel's "A Case for Faith" and because of that read this book. It is nice to read intellectually sound arguments for Christ that can't be dismissed as the work of religious zealots or "kooks" as Christians are sometimes portrayed when defending their beliefs.
Just plain excellent.......2007-08-21
This is a most interesting book, excellently written, decisive and to the point. It touches on areas that any believer has pondered and many atheists base their faith on.
Any thinking person cannot argue the facts uncovered in it. It is also a good reference for the up and coming apologist.
It is so much easier to be an atheist than a believer. This book reveals the futility of the easy belief...
Book Description
A way of sacrifice. A way of failure. A way on the margins. A way of holiness. All of these ways prepared the "way of the Lord" that became incarnate and complete in Jesus. But somewhere along the line, have we lost the way?
In The Jesus Way Eugene Peterson continues the thought-provoking spiritual-theological conversation that he began in Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places and Eat This Book. This third volume, offering more of Peterson's singular blend of probing biblical exposition and keen cultural analysis, considers all the ways that Jesus is the Way compared to the distorted ways the modern American church has chosen to follow.
Arguing that the way Jesus leads and the way we follow are symbiotic, Peterson begins with a study of how the ways of those who came before Christ -- Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, Isaiah of Jerusalem, and Isaiah of the Exile -- revealed and prepared the "way of the Lord" that became complete in Jesus. He then challenges the ways of the contemporary American church, showing in stark relief how what we have chosen to focus on -- consumerism, celebrity, charisma, and so forth -- obliterates what is unique in the Jesus way.
Customer Reviews:
Living Like Jesus.......2007-07-15
"The Jesus Way" is the third book in Peterson's opus concerning conversations in spiritual theology. The first two books are "Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places" and "Eat This Book." Spiritual theology is teaching on how to grow spiritually.
Peterson's latest work reminds one of Dallas Willard's excellent premise: to be like Jesus we must live the way Jesus lived. Peterson fleshes out how Jesus lived by looking at the life of Christ and by looking at Old Testament and New Testament examples of people who lived like Jesus.
For deep insight into spiritual formation into the image of Christ, "The Jesus Way" points the way with biblical precision and relational power.
Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Soul Physicians, Spiritual Friends, and Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction.
Perfect for any collection strong in Christian thinking........2007-06-09
THE JESUS WAY: A CONVERSATION ON THE WAYS THAT JESUS IS THE WAY draws a symbiotic connection between the ways Jesus leads and the ways people follow, studying those who came before Christ and how they led and comparing these with Jesus' methods of leadership. Chapters challenge the methods of the modern American church and argue against consumerism, charisma and other barriers to understanding the Jesus path, using a blend of scholarship and spiritual insights to push the boundaries of belief and wisdom. Perfect for any collection strong in Christian thinking.
The way we follow must be internalized and embodied.......2007-06-06
Especially in his senior years, Eugene H. Peterson has become a prophetic voice, gently but firmly challenging the American church to be concerned with the way it declares and lives out the Gospel. The title of the book refers to Jesus's statement recorded in John 14:6: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." Jumping off from that point, Peterson quickly delves into a discussion of ends and means. "We cannot skip the way of Jesus in our hurry to get to the truth of Jesus." Put another way: "Only when the Jesus way is organically joined with the Jesus truth do we get the Jesus life." Or: "The popularized acronym WWJD ('What would Jesus do?') is not quite accurate. The question must be 'How does Jesus do it?'"
After an initial chapter about Jesus Himself, which includes Peterson's interpretation of the meaning of Jesus's three wilderness temptations, Peterson presents six chapters based on Old Testament characters who illuminate Jesus's message and meaning for us. (1) Abraham --- a way of faith and sacrifice. (2) Moses --- "the way of language," as receiver of the Torah, in some ways analogous to the Gospels. (3) David, whose "way of imperfection," including prayers that express his need and repentance and gratitude, "provide us with an imagination that is capable of understanding the operations of God to do His perfect work in us." (4) Elijah, who lived on the margins of society: "The essence of the Elijah way is that it counters the...culture's way." (5) Isaiah of Jerusalem, who proclaimed and lived in the reality of the holiness of God. (6) Isaiah of the Exile, who preached "images of the living God of salvation" that were rooted "in a solid sense of creation and history." Here Peterson returns to a discussion of the means of our salvation: the suffering servant.
A much shorter Part 2 looks at three contemporaries of Jesus who show us what the "Jesus Way" is not. (1) King Herod, who plays a role in the Nativity story. (2) Caiaphas, the High Priest. (3) Josephus, a prominent Jew who colluded with Rome against his people. This section includes history lessons, such as background on the Maccabees, Zealots and Essenes.
Though this book stands on its own, it is the third in a series of five billed as "conversations in spiritual theology" (CHRIST PLAYS IN TEN THOUSAND PLACES and EAT THIS BOOK are the previous installments). THE JESUS WAY is not light inspirational reading; yet on nearly every page you'll find a memorable or pithy line that grabs your attention and draws you along, anticipating the next thoughtful insight into what it means to live as a Christian. There's a pastoral engagement in Peterson's writing, including well-placed personal anecdotes (even one about Winnie the Pooh) that transforms these books from academic theology or biblical exposition to spiritual nourishment. Toward the end of the book there's a revealing comment in this regard: "We can only pray our lives into the way of following Jesus.... The way we follow must be internalized and embodied."
For further help in digesting Peterson's spiritual theology, a study guide will be available June 15th from the publisher.
--- Reviewed by Evelyn Bence
Leisurely and enriching.......2007-05-25
Peterson's series continues to inspire and enrich. It's a thoughtful tour of familiar biblical characters and incidents, giving us a new way of appreciating them.
Getter closer to what means to walk with Jesus today.......2007-05-15
I have read this book with great interest and a good feeling inside. The question of what Jesus really meant when he said "I am the way (and the truth and the life)" has bothered me for a long time. After reading Eugene Peterson's book I still have to think it over. Peterson does not give any simple answer. However he does - like what I believe Jesus did - tell anecdotes and supply us with jigsaw pieces that can be put together, approaching an answer.
I have tried to do that. From Abraham's faith and the narratives of Moses, through David's prayers and repentance, Elijah's trust in God, and the emerging gospel partly uncovered by "Isaiah" (of Jerusalem and of the Exile) - from all these we get contributions to what it means to follow Jesus. Even the lessons to be learnt from the encounter with Herod, Caiaphas and Josephus - political and ecclesiastic leaders of their day - contribute to understanding of what it meant to be a Christian in those days. That experience is easily translated into what you can expect being a Christian today.
Book Description
Seven Spiritual Masterworks by C. S. Lewis
This classic collection includes C. S. Lewis's most important spiritual works:
Mere Christianity
The Screwtape Letters
The Great Divorce
The Problem of Pain
Miracles
A Grief Observed
The Abolition of Man
Customer Reviews:
C.S. Lewis is a genius!.......2007-10-05
GREAT book! Arrived quick and in perfect condition. Some of my favorite works by this author.
Brilliant.......2007-10-01
Those that read his several works contained in this book will appreciate his straightword and understandable writing. Yet, still readers will be amazed at his deftness in describing heaven's honesty and glorifying light, and his illumination of hell's lies and destructive darkness. The book is awesome.
The Answer Is Found........2007-09-22
If you have any questions to the way life is a certain way, or just want to expand your mind and let new things in, this is the book. Lewis shows in one occasion that truth has the same meaning no matter what time and age you live in. In MERE CHRISTIANITY (my favorite), he uses what he calls the "natural law" and not once uses the bible to show why certain things can only come from a creator. EXCELLENT BOOK!!!
A must for EVERY Chritian or those considering Christianity.......2007-09-10
Christianity is a journey of discovery and growth... Lewis, a one-time-atheist, has written incredible stories and teaching works that have inspired Christians and surprised everyone else for the better part of the last century. His way of bringing to light the answers to questions you have, and expounding on questions you might not have thought of yet will help anyone on their way to understanding powerful truths in life. Reading C S Lewis has shaped my understanding of my own faith in a way i could not have conceived. he does not present new and controversial ideas, or formulas... he merely helps to understand age old issues that affect us all.
This book is a well put together collection of some of his greatest apologetic works that prove and illuminate the Christian Faith. If you don't have it, get it! Then, go out and get his other works, like The Cosmic Trilogy, or The Chronicle of Narnia. Lewis infuses his powerful ideas into these as well, and tells brilliantly woven stories that enthrall our imaginations and inspire our hearts. Please Enjoy...
Excellent.......2007-09-04
Lewis is an amazing author, and this is a complete collection of his best work.
Average customer rating:
- Militant Jihadists, their Enemies, Friends - Read it, even for the last chapter alone!
- Faith and Reason; No Contradiction
- A Classic
- One of the Best Overall Defenses of Christianity
- Inspiring
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Mere Christianity
C. S. Lewis
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ASIN: 0060652926
Release Date: 2001-02-05 |
Book Description
A forceful and accessible discussion of Christian belief that has become one of the most popular introductions to Christianity and one of the most popular of Lewis’s books. Uncovers common ground upon which all Christians can stand together.
Customer Reviews:
Militant Jihadists, their Enemies, Friends - Read it, even for the last chapter alone!.......2007-10-10
Most people have no idea about what Christianity is. That is the reason that CS Lewis' book exists.
If you are looking for a book that will convince you to take the leap of faith and become a Christian (like so many 1-star reviewers who said they were unconvinced) then don't waste your time. No book will convince you. However, if you are looking for the facts about real Christianity (not as a religion, but as a relationship) then you can't do much better than Lewis. Although his voice is rather formal (read: evidently British), seekers will give him some latitude on this. If you want the egg, get past the shell.
As an aside, I personally did not become a Christian because of the 'scientific facts,' although I did assure myself that I wasn't committing intellectual suicide by doing so. I used to be very fond of evolution. If you want this same validation, you can either talk to a Christian who knows the facts (as I did), or read something like what Lewis has presented. Simple.
If everybody read this book, I can imagine at least a few of the following would happen:
1. Most people in Western culture would stop calling themselves Christians, and would either become one or become a real athiest. They would at least be standing for something instead of falling for anything.
2. Other cultures would stop saying ignorant things like "America (or wherever) is a Christian nation." The facts in Lewis' work speak against this. They would stop saying that they have a holy war against these so-called Christians (who are in fact not Christians at all.)
3. Heaven forbid, some people might realize the inheritance and gift they could receive and actually choose to find out about God by taking an Alpha course or reading that "Bible" thing ;)
If you like reading novels, you'll probably find the book dry until the last chapter. But don't miss this book on that account. Even if you read only the last chapter (about the next evolution of humanity), you'll have captured a significant (and inspiring) picture of real (er, Mere) Christianity. When you do, you might just be tempted to go back and read the book and see what all the fuss is about (and how he could possibly make such an outrageous statement.)
Well , that was long and rant-ish. But I love you all and I hope you read this book.
Look at my Listmania for some ideas about other crucial books like Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.
Feel free to contact me.
Cheers,
Danny
Faith and Reason; No Contradiction.......2007-10-08
Much has been written of C.S. Lewis' classic work Mere Christianity because of the wide influence it has had in the past 60 years. Mere Christianity is not only a lucid Christian apologetic, but it is the articulated philosophical process by which C.S. Lewis, originally an atheist, came to find Christianity a reasonable doctrine to live by. To be sure, his conversion was not simply a matter of syllogism applied to religion; Lewis is forthright in acknowledging and even embracing the mystery, and at times, the not insignificant confusion that can accompany the acceptance of Christ as Savior. One of Lewis' purposes--rare among popular Christian writers--is to provide a framework of belief that allows a Christian to express their faith in a manner that is intelligible and reasonable to non-believers. Relying, as Christ did, on the power of metaphor and parable, Lewis is able to provide insight into Christian principles in manner that is at once accessible and profound.
One of the major contributions of Mere Christianity is the argument of the Moral Law. Lewis draws upon a universal set of principles of right & wrong and relates them to the existence of a high power. Lewis loosely defines the "moral law" as a set of moral principles which are universal across culture, time, and geography. By emphasizing the contrast between human moral goals--for peace, altruism, etc.--with the survival-dominated behavior paradigms in the natural kingdom, Lewis argues that a universal moral law---even one that is at times flagrantly disobeyed---is evidence of a loving God.
Lewis is careful to point out that we have moral goals that often amount to nothing more than aspirations. Yet, these aspirations form a powerful framework for action since the moral law provides a universal set of expectations about right & wrong. The universal expectations are true regardless of philosophy or belief in God. For example, a person may believe that all morality is relative. However, if that same person were robbed, they would strenuously object and would seek justice through some law-enforcing institution. Thus our actions and thoughts may not always reflect the hopes of the moral law, but we carry the law with us in all of our interactions and have real expectations of behavior from our fellow man.
It is important to note that recent scholarship in evolutionary biology has begun to explore natural reasons for phenomenon such as altruism and self-sacrifice. This scholarship provides, at the very least, a plausible explanation for the moral law that does not rely on the existence of God. While research continues in this area, Scientists such as Francis Collins (atheist convert to Christianity, leader of the Human Genome Project, and author of Language of God) have developed frameworks of belief which do not set evolution and faith in God at odds with each other. In Collins' framework, evolution is simply the means by which God created (and continues to create) life. Similarly, Lewis is comfortable with evolution as a tool of God. This may surprise many conservative Christians who draw so heavily on his articulation of the Christian faith. But this is what makes Lewis' work so powerful. We see a passionate believer who embodies a faith that is not threatened by advances in scientific understanding even while refusing to compromise the moral and spiritual imperatives of Christianity.
Mere Christianity is by now a classic work in the Christian anthology. Its power is in Lewis' ability to connect with the reader without pandering. Its durability is in its reasonableness. Its attractiveness is in its commitment to raw faith in Christ. As such, Lewis' treatise is recommended for both Christians and non-Christians alike for the purpose of introspection, interaction, and exploration. Current debates within Christian circles and between believers and non-believers could benefit from Lewis' unique ability to explain the Christian faith as a vibrant, flexible but demanding discipline upon which we can place all of our hopes.
A Classic.......2007-09-28
This book needs no introduction. Originally published more than 60 years ago during World War II, Mere Christianity remains relevant on every level today. C.S. Lewis provides not only a strong and well-reasoned defense of the Christian faith, but gives the reader plenty of wise advice on leading the Christian life. This is a book that should be read and re-read.
One of the Best Overall Defenses of Christianity.......2007-09-19
C.S. Lewis' masterpiece "Mere Christianity," which was adapted from a series of radio talks he gave in the 1940s, is both a convincing case for the truth of Christianity and an important reminder of its importance in our own lives. Preferring to forgo denominational debates and dogmatism, Lewis instead offers a case for the basic, essential tenets of the Christian faith.
Lewis accomplishes so much in this valuable book. To start off, Lewis establishes the existence of God via a convincing presentation of the Morality Argument. He argues that humans all have a basic moral code which we know that we should follow but which we know we fail to follow. God, argues Lewis, provides the explanation for this prescriptive moral law that we find ourselves obliged to obey. Near the end of the book, Lewis delves into the more difficult topics of theology including the nature of the Trinity and God's relationship to time. He handles these difficult topics remarkably well with his engaging style of writing.
But more than providing a convincing case for the truth of God's existence and Christianity, Lewis also provides a very powerful explanation of morality. He discusses moral issues that are relevant both for people in general and for Christians in particular. These chapters about morality are simply excellent. Even though they aren't apologetic in nature, I found Lewis' exposition of morality very useful and so persuasive that I think it will have a positive impact on my own life. Near the end of the book, Lewis gives a very convicting argument for the importance of taking Christianity seriously.
Mere Christianity is easy to read, and Lewis' style of providing simple analogies makes complicated topics intelligible and interesting. It may not be a heavily referenced or scholarly tome about Christian apologetics, but it is a convincing, clear, and simple defense of mere Christianity and of Christ's importance in our lives. Overall, "Mere Christianity" is a fantastic book that everyone, believer or unbeliever, should read.
Inspiring.......2007-09-10
I listened to this book on cd which I have found is a great way to get insirational advice everyday and further myself as a person. I loved C.S Lewis's Mere Christianity. It gives a educated view into why he believes in God and more specifically the Christian God. He is a great writer and the book is very intellegent. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
Amazon.com
Award-winning reporter and author Lee Strobel (The Case for Christ) once again uses his investigative skills to address the primary objections to Christianity. As a former atheist, Strobel understands the rational resistance to faith. He even names the eight most convincing arguments against Christian faith:
1) If there's a loving God, why does this pain-wracked world groan under so much suffering and evil?
2) If the miracles of God contradict science, then how can any rational person believe that they're true?
3) If God is morally pure, how can he sanction the slaughter of innocent children as the Old Testament says he did?
4) If God cares about the people he created, how could he consign so many of them to an eternity of torture in hell just because they didn't believe the right things about him?
5) If Jesus is the only way to heaven, then what about the millions of people who have never heard of him?
6) If God really created the universe, why does the evidence of science compel so many to conclude that the unguided process of evolution accounts for life?
7) If God is the ultimate overseer of the church, why has it been rife with hypocrisy and brutality throughout the ages?
8) If I'm still plagued by doubts, then is it still possible to be a Christian?
These are mighty tough questions, and Strobel fields them well. Rather than write a weighty dissertation about the merits of faith, he brings us along on his quest as we meet leaders in the Christian community, such as Peter Kreeft and William Lane Craig. We also encounter his everyday friends and acquaintances that serendipitously fill in the holes in each of the eight arguments against faith. The use of dialogue from personal interviews and a scene-by-scene active narrative makes this an easy and engaging read. However, easy does not mean breezy. This is a book of substance and merit, one that will help Christians defend their faith, especially during the hardest of times, when they have to defend their faith to themselves in moments of doubt. --Gail Hudson
Book Description
This eagerly anticipated sequel to Lee Strobel’s best-selling The Case for Christ finds the author investigating the nettlesome issues and doubts of the heart that threaten faith. Eight major topics are addressed including doubt, the problem of pain, and the existence of evil.
Customer Reviews:
True to its title.......2007-09-28
For those wishing to find answers to troublesome questions about their faith, this book is excellent.
For those who are seriously investigating the issue of faith, this book presents some interesting arguments, but is of course very one-sided. Compared to a trial, it's like hearing the examination of witnesses without any cross-examination by opposing counsel. As such, it's true to it's title: it's the case for faith, not a balanced "faith on trial".
Some of the arguments are excellent, others are laughable. For example, the discussion of Hell should be very reassuring to many who have difficulty harmonizing that with a merciful and loving God. On the other hand, J. P. Moreland, an intelligent and highly educated man, says of sociobiology that it reduces morality to a happenstance outcome of evolution. This betrays profound ignorance of sociobiology, which discusses the "moral sense" but not morality (values being a subject for philosophy rather than science). The distinction undermines his argument, but the reader gets no clue about such fallacies.
Every Molecule in My Being Was Stirred!.......2007-09-19
I just finished this book. My faith was given such an electrified and energized jolt that I am left exhilarated and flabbergasted. The author goes into DEEP detail (so make sure you have the mental energy to really absorb some major information) and he PROVES 100% that GOD exists! You will not be able to argue any differently; I guarantee it!
Carrie Lynn Jones
Author of: It All Began... When Jesus Gave Me Sneakers
Excellent with some minor flaws.......2007-08-31
In many ways, this is a wonderful book. The questions that he addresses are really the questions being asked; if you witness to non-believers, count on being asked them at some point. It's becoming more and more necessary these days for Christians to be able to answer these objections, especially in light of postmodernism, the "New Atheists," the aggressive promotion of Darwinism (and censorship of those who disagree), the absolute pervasiveness of secular humanism in the education system, etc.
I would absolutely recommend reading these before you go to college, if not sooner - as a current college senior (graduating in 2008), let me tell you that it is essential that you know how to answer these objections, especially if you go to a secular university. Tragically, many people don't really know how to do that and end up abandoning their faith in college as a result.
I once heard a story of a little boy who was asked what faith was and replied that "faith is believing something you know isn't true." Unfortunately, a lot of people seem to agree; this book shows that that sentiment is wrong. Faith is neither blind nor irrational. Strobel here isn't so much concerned with making a positive case for Christianity as he is for defending it against the major objections. Therefore the primary focus of the book is refuting the "Big 8" objections to Christianity (like "why would a God of love allow suffering if it was in His power to stop it?", "isn't it prejudiced to claim that Christianity is the only true religion?" or "isn't eternal punishment in hell unjust?").
The answers to these objections are informative and thought-provoking. There's definitely a lot of helpful material there. The chapters on evolution (chapter 3), the slaughter of the innocents (chapter 4), and the exclusivity of Jesus (chapter 5) were particularly strong. The chapter on suffering and hell were also very thought provoking, although I thought that they relied far too heavily on the free will argument, which I found disappointing as a Calvinist. I wish that the chapter on suffering discussed the Fall of Man more. The only chapter I thought was weak was the chapter on violence in church history; I really thought more could have been done with the topic.
Overall, in spite of some flaws (as I pointed out, I think it tends to rely too much on the free will defense), this is a very good book.
Even if - or especially if - you're not a Christian, I challenge you to read this book. See for yourself if Christianity can really answer its critics.
For you Christians out there, this book is a great witnessing tool. It can help you witness more effectively to non-Christians. It's also a great thing to give to non-Christians. Read it yourself too - it will strengthen your faith. As I said before, if you're in school, this is an absolute must-read, especially if you're about to go to college; this is one book you cannot go without reading, especially if you're going to a secular university. Chances are you WILL be confronted with the objections in this book, especially since so many of our universities are so pervasively secular these days. I can't help but think that a lot of people who left the faith in college might not have left if they had read this book before going.
This book is strongly recommended.
Did Nothing to Restore My Faith.......2007-08-30
Since the premature death of my mother, I have had a crises of faith. I became an agnostic (not overnight, but after a long perod of reflection). I bought and read numerous books about God, religion etc. This book did nothing but make me angry. Supposedly I am supposed to kow tow to a deity who slaughters innocents for a "greater good."
All of the explanations about the problem of evil are circular and rely on biblical testimony. The Bible was written by Men and NOT by God. It is not infallible. Strobel cherry-picks the Bible--choosing what is to be taken literally and what is a metaphor for something else. If I were to believe even SOME of the Bible, I would have to conclude that God is at least partially evil in nature.
I also have to say that the analogy of the bear in the hunter's trap is the most pathetic thing I have read in a long time.
I can punch holes through all of the arguments presented in this book.
Not so talented.......2007-05-22
Poorly laid out explanations and a lot of circular logic, and using things as evidence that are themselves unproven. One must understand that quoting from ones own holy book is not evidence to people who do not believe in said holy book's words. Someone that already buys into the religion will love this, but it will not turn the mind of a single skeptic.
Book Description
Right now, Truth is under attack, and much is at stake. Christians are caught in the crossfire of alternative Christian histories, emerging faulty texts, and a cultural push to eliminate absolute Truth altogether. As a result, many churches and Christians have been deceived. Worse still, they propagate the deception that poses itself as Truth! In
The Truth War John MacArthur reclaims the unwavering certainty of God's Truth and anchors Christians in the eternal, immovable promises that are found in His Word.
Customer Reviews:
A Poorly Researched Hack-Job.......2007-08-29
MacAruthur's strengths have typically been in exposition, though one must always be careful to separate his systematic theological interpretations. As with previous works on criticizing entire segments of Christianity, this book is heavy on polemic and shallow on any actual research into the subject.
Beyond evaluating the writings of Brian MacLaren (who is not at the center of emerging churches), and doing cursory (at best) research on the subject, MacArthur ends up slandering a huge number of Christians and makes himself look more foolish than his targets. However, if you buy 3 or 4 copies of this book, it will make a good, though expensive, doorstop.
For a better picture, I would suggest Mark Driscoll's writing on the Emerging/Emergent church (if you're a Calvinist) or Dan Kimball's writing (if you're not a 5-pointer).
Must read for all Christians.......2007-08-21
This book is full of truth. John tells it in love just like it is. Many of the current trends in Christianity are not Biblical. I thank God for men like Pastor MacArthur and his bold stand on the Bible. This book will educate anyone interested on many of the false teachings in the emergent church. Get this book. The Bible clearly warns how much deception will occur in the latter days. This book will give you information to avoid the emerging pitfalls.
An important book.......2007-08-10
Some reviewers say this book is divisive. I would agree that it is; but at what cost and for what reason? Why does John MacArthur draw lines in the sand regarding some people and some beliefs?
Because the truth needs to remain pristine and uncompromised. When MacArthur calls out a person or a position, he doesn't do it needlessly. Tolerance is poisonous when truth is compromised and that, I think, is the reason for this book. Their is a need for the truth to remain unblemished. God gave us the bible to show us truth. When someone or something contradicts the bible they/it should be exposed.
Read this book to better understand the threats to biblical truth and how to combat them. This book is a necessary read in my opinion for all christians because falsehhod creeps up and in the truth so easily at times. In a nutshell, read this book if your passionate about truth and how to defend it.
A solid book definitely worth reading.......2007-08-10
A great book which comes in a time when many churches are interested in entertaining the world, growth at all cost and water down the gospel not to offend the lost. This is very informative book exposing many errors that the early church dealt with which is also alive today such as sabellianism which denies the trinity which bred the church oneness Pentecost ,using scriptures to back up his claims about the dangers of modernism,pragatism amongst other errors the church is facing today
Postmodernism - only shades of Grey.......2007-07-15
Dr. John MacArthur takes a bold and straight forward approach to addressing the current trends that have been invading the Church. He gives clear, well defined definitions of the Emerging church movement and other trends moving through the evangelical church and beyond, and outlines in each chapter his scriptural reasons for his deep concern. MacArthur warns that: 'Trends signal a significant departure from biblical & historic Christianity' and shows examples of points in early Church history where the fight for Truth is what kept the purity of our faith intact. A key concern for the Church is Apostasy to which 2 Thess 2:10 warns will happen to those who do not receive the love of the truth.
On a closer examination of these movements, from what the leaders themselves say, it becomes rapidly apparent that historical Christian Truth is being undermined. We are being told that 'Truth found in Scripture' can't be certain or knowable. As the author writes: 'Truth is under assault in the Church today', and 'People are experimenting with subjective, relativistic ideas of Truth and labeling them 'Christian'. But contrary to popular thought, stands the truth of scripture that endures. (2 Tim 3:16,17, Psalms 119:160, Proverbs 30:5, 1Peter 1:25.)
The author addresses the Christian's apathy towards discernment, the Church allowing false teachings to flourish, and a lack of duty to contend earnestly for the Faith - Jude 3. He encourages church leaders that they are especially responsible for setting the example - Jerm 3:15, Acts 20:28-31.
This book will cause you to really think about your faith, what you believe and why. You will learn important lessons on discernment and how to determine truth by applying the Scriptures, and you will grow in the knowledge of Christ. For those who already hold to sound doctrine, you will be refreshed. recommended reading.
Book Description
This book unravels mysteries, corrects misunderstandings, and offers thoughtful, straightforward responses to common objections about the Catholic faith.
Bestselling author Scott Hahn, a convert to Catholicism, has experienced the doubts that so often drive discussions about God and the Church. In the years before his conversion, he was first a nonbeliever and then an anti-Catholic clergyman.
In REASONS TO BELIEVE, he explains the "how and why" of the Catholic faith—drawing from Scripture, his own struggles and those of other converts, as well as from everyday life and even natural science. Hahn shows that reason and revelation, nature and the supernatural, are not opposed to one another; rather they offer complementary evidence that God exists. But He doesn't merely exist. He is someone, and He has a personality, a personal style, that is discernible and knowable. Hahn leads readers to see that God created the universe with a purpose and a form—a form that can be found in the Book of Genesis and that is there when we view the natural world through a microscope, through a telescope, or through our contact lenses.
At the heart of the book is Hahn's examination of the ten "keys to the kingdom"—the characteristics of the Church clearly evident in the Scriptures. As the story of creation discloses, the world is a house that has a Father, a palace where the king is really present. God created the cosmos to be a kingdom, and that kingdom is the universal Church, fully revealed by Jesus Christ.
Customer Reviews:
It's a great book!.......2007-10-05
It's a very good book for enriching your faith, and for sharing with your family.
This book will stimulate deep thinking.......2007-10-02
There are other good reviews here that do an excellent job of summarizing the content and organization of this well-written book. "Reasons to Believe" was not exactly what I was expecting, but was both informative and satisfying. Hahn is a theologian, not a lay apologist, and in this book he writes for the reader interested in the theology of this topic. "Reasons to Believe" is informative and satisfying, because it goes into the underlying theology of apologetics, and that is essential to the serious student. Because I earned minors in both theology and philosophy in college, I was able to digest this material quickly. However, for the person with no formal theological background, the book might feel like a little bit of a stretch at first. Having said that, Dr. Hahn is an outstanding writer. He is always clear, logical and understandable. Stay with the book and you will learn quite a bit. However, you probably won't fly through this book. It is worthwhile to take in a little bit each time, and give it some thought before going on. This book can get you to think on a very deep level. It's one I will probably re-read several times over the next few years.
Reasons to Believe.......2007-09-11
This is an excellent book for anyone interested in apologetics. Scott Hahn has a way with words that makes the concepts of Augustine and Aquinas very readable.
I would recommend this text for teaching adults and high school students.
Best book I have read on the subject.
Frank G.
One part OK, one part fascinating, one part valuable.......2007-09-02
This book is really three things in one. The first part of the book is a straightforward defense of the faith, where Mr. Hahn briefly answers many of the common misconceptions about Catholicism with rational argument, and then through Biblical analysis. This segment seems to be written mainly for Protestant inquirers and Catholics who want to be better equipped to defend the faith. While very well written, there are many other sources of apologetics that treat these subjects in far more detail (Hahn mentions a number of them himself).
The second part of the book is a high level interpretation of the Catholic Church considering the Bible - Old Testament and New - as an epic story about a kingdom. Hahn starts with the first words of Genesis and wraps up 40 or 50 pages later in Revelation. His view casts the Catholic Church in a new light, and a fuller one than I had ever imagined. Hahn, a Biblical scholar, is able to connect the dots between the ancient meaning of the Biblical texts and what we experience today of Christianity and the Church. In presenting his case, Hahn does much more than defend the faith - he puts the Bible in a clear perspective, transforming it from a collection of seemingly unconnected parts into a unified whole. This has value for readers of every stripe.
The third part of the book is an extremely lengthy list of recommended reading. Actually it is more than a list. Hahn takes the trouble to explain what the books are about and why they are important, and there are enough of them to last a lifetime. I'd say the list alone is worth the price of the book.
Good start to apologetics.......2007-08-26
Good summary, for laymen (and women!). Good jumping off point for undestanding how to defend the true faith.
Amazon.com
Are Christianity and science incompatible? If there is a God, is he only an impersonal starter force? An introductory high school biology class first propelled Lee Strobel toward a life of atheism. God and science, he reasoned, were mutually exclusive. When the former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune converted to Christianity, he decided to investigate the science he had once accepted as truth. Did science point toward or away from God? As Strobel interviews a variety of scientists on everything from debunking evolutionary icons to the implications of the Big Bang to the existence of the human soul, he builds his case: scientific evidence points toward Intelligent Design.
Although the discussion often veers into the academic, Strobel works hard to make it accessible to those without scientific training. Throughout the book, he salts interview transcript information with interesting personal stories of his own spiritual and scientific quest for knowledge, as well as sometimes over-detailed descriptions of the actual interviews (right down to the type of beverages consumed). Each chapter contains suggestions for further reading on particular issues of science and faith.
Strobel concludes that, when correctly interpreted, science and biblical teaching support each other. He quotes physicist Paul Davies, "…science offers a surer path to God than religion." Open-minded readers will find that this book, and its questions for reflection and group study, invites conversation and investigation.--Cindy Crosby
Book Description
Lee Strobel investigates the latest scientific discoveries to see whether they form a solid basis for believing in God.
Customer Reviews:
Solid Introduction to Scientific Evidences For God.......2007-09-23
This is a solid introduction to the scientific evidences for the existence of God.
It contains numerous arguments from various disciplines inluding physics, astronomy, cosmology, and biochemistry. The author does a masterful job of poking holes in evolutionary theory and naturalistic explanations of the origins of the universe, life, etc. This is summed up by former Texas A&M University professor Walter Bradley, who said: 'I think people who believe that life emerged naturalistically need to have a great deal more faith than people who reasonably infer that there's an Intelligent Designer.' The truth of this becomes abundantly clear throughout the text of this book.
Although this is basically a general introduction to the topic, Lee Strobel has made a strong case for those who are open minded enough to consider it. It is certainly a reinforcer for those who already believe that God exists and is the Creator. It is a good starting point for open minded skeptics. For those who are steeped in the religiosity of Darwinism and naturalistic beginnings, it may help open their eyes a bit. I recommend it.
Pared down version.......2007-09-21
Stroebel makes some really good points in this book and changed some of my thinking about evolution, and it was a quick read, so I wasn't dissatisfied with it until I saw the non-student version at a book store. Maybe I should have done some more research on the differences between editions, but I really think anyone high school age or above could handle the 300-some pages of the "adult" version, which must contain a lot more information. So I'd recommend this particular version only to younger students or to someone who really just wants a small taste of the evidence.
Good Introductory Material.......2007-09-19
Lee Strobel has made another accessible and fascinating introductory apologetics book. By interviewing leading Christian scholars, including William Lane Craig, J.P. Moreland, and Michael Behe, Strobel lays a solid foundation for belief in a Creator of the universe.
Due to the nature of the material, this book is more technical than "The Case for Christ" and "The Case for Faith." Nevertheless, Strobel makes the book enjoyable and easy to read with his excellent writing style.
This book covers a large scope of issues, mostly dealing with scientific evidence for the existence of God. Craig gives a great defense of the Cosmological Argument while Robin Collins provides an excellent defense of the Teleological Argument (also known as the Design Argument)- including a brilliant refutation of the so-called "multi-verse" theory. Stephen Meyer demonstrates that the origin of life is strong evidence for a Creator, and J.P. Moreland shows that philosophical reasoning and scientific studies support the idea of a soul, which is inconsistent with the materialist philosophy espoused by almost all atheists.
As with all the other books in the "Case" series, Strobel offers some excellent recommended further reading at the end of each chapter for those who wish to pursue the issues further.
The only problem I had with the book was that I felt it focused too much on the issue of evolution. In many cases it seemed that Strobel was equating "Darwinism" and atheism- concepts which are certainly not interchangeable. By implying that evolution entails atheism, Strobel puts an unnecessary stumbling block in front of any person who believes that there is strong evidence for evolutionary theory, yet who could still be convinced on the basis of other evidence that God exists. I think it is unwise to spread the notion that Christianity and evolution are directly incompatible.
Despite this flaw, The Case for a Creator is an excellent resource and a recommended read for everyone.
An eye opening book.......2007-08-31
I would recommend this book for everyone. It deals with the creationism vs. evolution/science debate in a new and fascinating way. He uses science to discredit many of its own theories. Lee Strobel never falls into the trap many creationists do - start with the Bible, and build a scientific theory around it. Instead he uses science, discredits many of the assumptions used today, and shows how science actually supports Biblical principles. I am still excited about this book even though I finished reading it over a month ago.
Repels Reason.......2007-08-29
I have read a number of the prior reviews and agree with many of them so I will not restate their good points. I would only like to say that (having also sat in sermons by Lee Strobel) I found the author's smug approach (he does not realize that the standards of science are vastly more rigorous than either journalism or law) to the subject insufferably frustrating. Instead of approaching the subject humbly and seeking out a balanced set of arguments, he instead relies exclusively (with one exception who's biological irreducibility claims has been discredited in other books such as, Finding Darwin's God, a book written by an actual biologist) on either his close friends or representatives of the Discovery Institute-a known PAC (I encourage you to look up the Discovery Institute on Wikipedia).
I have been a high tech engineer for more than 15 years and I would not recommend this book if you are someone who is sincerely seeking God in truth. I would instead recommend that you first read Finding Darwin's God by Kenneth Miller. Lee Strobel's book only convinced me that most of the people who believe in intelligent design are either ignorant fools or are seeking power for themselves over others.
Book Description
Evil is more serious than either our culture or our theology has supposed. How might Jesus' death be the culmination of the Old Testament solution to evil but on a wider and deeper scale than most imagine? Can we possibly envision a world in which we are delivered from evil? How might we work toward such a future through prayer and justice in the present?
These are the powerful and pressing themes that N. T. Wright addresses in this book that is atonce timely and timeless.
Endorsements
"From now on, [Evil and the Justice of God] should be the first work consulted by Christian philosophers and theologians working on the problem of evil, and pastors, laypeople and Christian workers should read and internalize the perspective of the book to insure a distinctively biblical approach in ministering to people in the face of evil." J. P. Moreland, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, and co-author (with Klaus Issler) of The Lost Virtue of Happiness
"This is a book that every thoughtful Christian should read." John Wilson, editor, Books and Culture
Features and Benefits
- Comes to grips with the reality of evil in the world.
- Does not minimize pain, suffering or wrongdoing.
- Looks at modern views of evil, what they have to contribute and where they fall short.
- Considers the biblical story through the whole of the Old and New Testaments.
- Offers tangible ways forward that we can respond to evil and work toward defeating it.
Customer Reviews:
Looking for Paul's View on the Demonic.......2007-09-14
This book was helpful in researching Paul's view of the Demonic. I have, in the past, found N.T. Wright a little glib in his writing, with words too quickly flowing off the fingers (yet another book rolling off the press) rather than evidence of 'laboured over sentences'. The book did give me insights into Paul's conviction that we 'wrestle not against flesh and blood', that we cannot palm off accountability for sin onto the demonic, (we are individually accountable for our shortcomings), and that Paul's preoccupation was with his adoration of Jesus Christ and not a predilection with the demonic.
In Heaven (Everything is Fine).......2007-08-17
When I reviewed Alister McGrath's Dawkins' God: Genes, Memes, and the Meaning of Life, Amazonians recommended the works of N.T. Wright, a British Christian theologian, for answers to the skeptical questions I raised about McGrath's book and theism generally.
In "Evil and the Justice of God" Wright offers a critique of contemporary approaches to evil, and suggests that Christianity's approach is better.
Alas, Wright's book casts great doubts on his capacity to solve any problem, let alone such grand complicated issues as Good, Evil and the existence of God. Wright's book is incoherent, obfuscatory, intellectually empty and morally bankrupt.
The main question about Evil and God is why bad things happen to good people? If God is just, how come the world isn't? I believe that theologians have wrestled with this question for centuries. Wright offers a unique, two phase approach to this problem: 1. refuse to answer it. 2. blame those who even ask.
Wright candidly admits that "I have ruled out... any immediate prospect of finding an answer to the question of where evil came from in the first place and what it's doing in God's good world." (p. 136). OK, so he chickens out from answering the tough questions. But then, he has the Chutzpah of attacking those who do: "much of the agonizing over evil as a problem in philosophy or theology is exposed as displacement activity, as moaning over spilt milk instead of mopping it" (p. 150).
For Wright, the solution to the problem of evil is God as, literally, the ultimate dues ex machine. "The Ultimate answer to the problem of evil is in God's creation of a new world, new heavens and new Earth, with redeemed, renewed human beings ruling over it and bringing to it God's wise, healing order". Makes you wonder why God couldn't get it right the first time.
But, Wright is concedes that he's open to the attack that, if everything is gonna be just fine in the new world, we shouldn't worry too much about this one. Deus Ex Machine comes to the rescue again: We should care about the here-and-now because God wants us to. If only God addressed the world's problems as effectively as he does the theologian's.
Add to Wright's confusions in general his confusion about a specific thing - namely, what do we call evil. When Wright talks about Evil, he's not being metaphorical. He really believes in Satan, supernatural powers, all that "exorcist" stuff. "The Gospels tell the story of the deeper, darker forces which operate at a superpersonal level, forces for which the language of the demonic, despite all its problems, is still the least inadequate" (p. 81).
But should we really look at evil as a "non human being"? (p. 108). Personally, I cannot think about the concentration camps, Mao's Giant Leap Forward or the 9/11 attacks without the word "evil". And yet, "evil" is mostly not a very useful term for thinking about things. What does it mean to say, for example, that the Iraq war is evil? Is George W. Bush evil? I find that the terminology is unhelpful in either case. I don't think the questions of whether some things are evil or not lead to any real insight as to what to do about them.
As if to illustrate my point, Wright offers a reading of the Old Testament as a narrative of God's continues engagement with, and judgment of, evil. When the people misbehave, he sends the Flood. When Pharaoh refuses to "let my people go", he sends the plague. When the Midyanites sin, he sends the Israelites to wipe `em out.
This is a very forced reading. How can the murder of countless innocent first born be called "the Justice of God"? How can Genocide correspond to any concept of good that we would find palatable? What did the animals do to warrant their execution along with humankind in the flood?
Now, we shouldn't expect the bible to embody the morality we hold today. It was written thousands of years ago in a completely different cultural context. But pretending that it does speak to questions of Evil and Justice in a way that's recognizable to us is just that - pretending.
After this unconvincing spin on the Old Testament, Wright tries to discern the qualities of Heaven from a close reading of the book of Revelations. I will spare you the details - suffice to say that it would consist of a very beautiful, but physical place. "An incorruptible, unkillable physical world" (p. 116).
Wright also offers some advice as to how to improve the world we live in today. He's not much of a political philosopher. He chastises the "Modern" view on the superiority of Democracy to other Governments. "Are we really so sure that Western style government is the only or even the best type?" And yet, immediately after that., he says "I still agree with Churchill that democracy is the worst possible form of government, except for all those other forms of government that are tried from time to time." Well, that ought to settle it, then, right? Apparently not "I find myself increasingly wonder[ing] ... [is it] right to expect Afghanistan or Iraq to adopt a version of [democracy?]" (pp. 35-36). Now I'm all confused. What form of government does Wright suggest would be better for Afghanistan or Iraq? A clerical theology? Another Saddam-esque dictatorship?
Although he's not too high on democracy, Wright does like the United Nations and the International Criminal Court (p.125). This is not the place to discuss the merits of these bodies, but I would like to know what biblical authority Wright Marshalls to support either. When the Israelites wanted to enter Israel, they did not call an assembly of the Nations and argued their case peacefully. No International Court judged Moses, Saul or David. It's nice that Wright has faith in the International Community, but this faith does not come from my bible.
Wright respone to evil.......2007-08-07
N.T Wright is one of the best biblical scholars of our times, and this book continues his tradition of insightful and thoughtful writings. Evil and the justice of God is not neccesarily just for those looking to understand the presence of evil in the world but, almost more so for those Christians reading it, how we should respond to it.
Small but Elaborate.......2007-08-02
Well written, but I would have to -slightly- agree with (although not entirely) another reviewer about this book being verbose... it is at times hard to follow, and I have found myself rereading a paragraph 2 or 3 times. Perhaps he intended this book to be much larger and in-depth but decided to condense it to 160-some pages.
I would have to commend Wright on his viewpoints on Evil, and he does manage to point out the problem of 'dualism' that is so common in our culture: that we see evil as an outside force, a clear yin and yang, an us and them. The clarity he brings, is that evil runs through all of us, on some level (not in the horror movie or politician derived evil).
Do not mistake this as Wright trying to say that evil is always there, so just accept it... or as an excuse or explanation... rather he points out our connection (each one of us) to evil, and therefore our responsibility to be aware of it and counter it.
Excerpt:
"...it is a problem if and when a `Christian' empire seeks to impose its will dualistically on the world by labeling other parts of the world "evil" while seeing itself as the avenging army of God. That is more or less exactly what Jesus found in the Israel of his day. The cross was and remains a call to a different vocation, a new way of dealing with evil and ultimately a new vision of God.
What, after all, would it look like if the true God came to deal with evil? Would he come in a blaze of glory, in a pillar of cloud and fire, surrounded by legions of angels? Jesus of Nazareth took the total risk of speaking as if the answer to the question were this: when the true God comes back to deal with evil, he will look like a young Jewish prophet journeying at Passover time, celebrating the kingdom, confronting the corrupt authorities, feasting with his friends, succumbing in prayer and agony to a cruel and unjust fate, taking upon himself the weight of Israel's sin, the world's sin: Evil with a capital E. When we look at Jesus in this way, we discover that the cross has become for us the new temple, the place where we go to meet the true God and know him as Savior and Redeemer. The cross becomes the place of pilgrimage, where we stand and gaze at what was done for each one of us. The cross becomes the sign that pagan empire, symbolized in the might and power of sheer brutal force, has been decisively challenged by a different power, the power of love, the power that shall win the day."
There's much more to it than I have explained... and it is a very creative intriguing work. Other than the problem with ease of understanding, the reason I gave it 4 stars is how he condensed this work so small, and the way (although he admits it) he brushes over so quickly so many passages from the Old and New Testaments.
I recommend this for anyone, not just Christians, if just for his concept on evil if anything.
book review: Evil and the Justice of God.......2007-06-11
Using book for discussion in one our church's adult Sunday School classes
Books:
- Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers
- Spirit of Animals
- Spiritual Emergency (New Consciousness Reader)
- St Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologica (translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province) (5 Volume Set)
- St Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologica (translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province) (5 Volume Set)
- SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine
- Talk to the Snail: Ten Commandments for Understanding the French
- The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent: Living the Art of Allowing
- The Analects (Penguin Classics)
- The Apocalypse Code: Find Out What the Bible REALLY Says About the End Times . . . and Why It Matters Today
Books Index
Books Home
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The Last Word: Beyond the Bible Wars to a New Understanding of the Authority of Scripture
Paul: In Fresh Perspective
Evil And the Justice of God
The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is
The Secret Message of Jesus: Uncovering the Truth that Could Change Everything
