Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know--And Doesn't

Book Description

The United States is one of the most religious places on earth, but it is also a nation of shocking religious illiteracy.

Only 10 percent of American teenagers can name all five major world religions and 15 percent cannot name any.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe that the Bible holds the answers to all or most of life's basic questions, yet only half of American adults can name even one of the four gospels and most Americans cannot name the first book of the Bible.

Despite this lack of basic knowledge, politicians and pundits continue to root public policy arguments in religious rhetoric whose meanings are missed—or misinterpreted—by the vast majority of Americans.

"We have a major civic problem on our hands," says religion scholar Stephen Prothero. He makes the provocative case that to remedy this problem, we should return to teaching religion in the public schools. Alongside "reading, writing, and arithmetic," religion ought to become the "Fourth R" of American education.

Many believe that America's descent into religious illiteracy was the doing of activist judges and secularists hell-bent on banishing religion from the public square. Prothero reveals that this is a profound misunderstanding. "In one of the great ironies of American religious history," Prothero writes, "it was the nation's most fervent people of faith who steered us down the road to religious illiteracy. Just how that happened is one of the stories this book has to tell."

Prothero avoids the trap of religious relativism by addressing both the core tenets of the world's major religions and the real differences among them. Complete with a dictionary of the key beliefs, characters, and stories of Christianity, Islam, and other religions, Religious Literacy reveals what every American needs to know in order to confront the domestic and foreign challenges facing this country today.

Customer Reviews:

A misleading book, should have been titled "Christian Literacy".......2007-10-08

I was so upset with this book. Even the cover is misleading. The first half of this work is basically a history of Christianity in AMERICA (and often you feel that the author is waxing nalstalgic for the good 'ol days of "Christian" America) and then the second half is a mediocre dictionary of Religion. Money would be better spend on a cheap dictionary of Eastern or world religion. If this book had been marketed as "Religious Literacy for Christians" I would understand the direction of the book. As it is, I felt like this book was marketed as an attempt to pull in the reader (such as myself) who is interested in expanding their comprehension of WORLD religions, but once having your attention it tries to convice you that we are living in a Christian country and that it has always been so.

Makes the case but never tells us *what* we need to know.......2007-09-27

Despite the lack of religion taught in public schools or the anti-relgion impressions given by the media, America is a very religious nation. It was founded by religious people and it's history is entwined with religon. Even today, politicians frequently invoke religion and cite scriptural references and most Americans will report that they regularly attend religious services and pray. The problem is that not many of those people actually have much religious knowledge (an assertion supported by a just-released Sept 2007 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center). Few can name all Ten Commandments or any Apostles, not to mention even cursory knowledge about Eastern religions. Contrast this with Europeans, who have broad religious knowledge but don't attend church or pray. Mr. Prothero explains how religion factored in early American life, the affects of secularism and how America shifted away from valuing religious knowledge, and clears up the confusion over the legalities of teaching religion. He also makes a case for the need for greater religious literacy without showing any favoritism.

The problem is that the title is terribly misleading: "Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know - and Doesn't" infers that this book will tell us what we NEED to know. It doesn't. It sounds like I know more about scriptures and my own church than most people do about theirs, but I know very little about other churches. I would like to learn some basics about Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, and Christian religions such as the Catholics, Protestants, and Evangelicals and was hoping for summaries to help me better understand. All the book has to offer is a "dictionary" that was nice, but not really what I was hoping for. I already agree with the author that knowledge of religion is lacking - myself included - but the book doesn't really take the next step. Mr. Prothero complains that even many churches today teach only broad "touchy-feely" concepts like "love" and "Jesus" but fail to impart a deeper understanding, but he's guilty of the same sin.

The discussions of religion in Colonial America and how we became a secular nation was interesting, but I think most people who pick up this book will also agree with the author, and as such it ends up being little more than preaching to the choir.

disguised argument.... .......2007-09-13

The title is misleading. I expected to be educated regarding the myriad religions in the world, many of them with a substantial presence in the United States. Instead, the author works to convince the reader The Bible should be required study in America's public schools. The author did place much of the blame for religious illiteracy on religion itself and not so much on secularism. He also did not mention America's woeful failing regarding science literacy, but then this is a book whose emphasis is religion.

Americans most certainly are ignorant regarding religion, even their own, but this book does not live up to the goal stated in its title. The title should have been "My argument for Bible Study in public schools."

Teach ABOUT Religion instead of Teaching Religion ..........2007-09-02

A persuasive argument for teaching about religion, not proselytizing. Author Stephen Prothero traces the degradation in religious knowledge, not necessarily observance, in the United States over the past 150 years.

Nowadays, the gods of Political Correctness must be appeased. People are reluctant to bring up or discuss the topic of religion. As a result, it has largely left the school system. He offers some salient examples of illiteracy and ignorance with regard to basic religious concepts (for example, some people believe that the epistles were the wives of the apostles!!).

Prothero spends more time making his argument than advancing solutions, the chief example of which is restoring education about religion in the public schools and beyond. He makes a salient point and differentiation between teaching about religion and pushing religious beliefs on to people. It is a persuasive case and timely, since so many modern conflicts and foreign-policy issues are shaped by religious belief.

The majority of the book is comprised of a glossary of religious concepts and terms. This alone provides a valuable reference. There is also a quiz in the Appendix so that readers can gauge their own degree of religious literacy.

A thought-provoking and persuasive book!

Important yes -- but a Fourth R?.......2007-09-01

The Professor of Religion effectively proves that we need more religious education. Yes, his department of religion should be more important but is there not a crying need for the more basic Three Rs to be taken care of first before we divert resources?
And what about the lack of Financial Literacy? Not knowing about Whahhabism could certainly hurt us again, but not understanding the dangers to borrowers and the economy contained in the fine print in sub-prime real estate loans could, it turns out, drive us into recession (some economists think recession will hit us next year) and that could even hurt us more.
The application of limited educational resources should be well balanced. It comes down to a question of priorities. And the author of this fine book is overstating the priority of his department and career field.

The Bible of Options Strategies: The Definitive Guide for Practical Trading Strategies

Average customer rating:

This is a heavy duty options book but...
Truly the bible of all bibles!
Great reference, full of errors
Technical Alanlysis "Bible"
good for beginner to novice

The Bible of Options Strategies: The Definitive Guide for Practical Trading Strategies
Guy Cohen
Manufacturer: FT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0131710664

Download Description

"""Guy Cohen is the master when it comes to taming the complexities of options. From buying calls and puts to iron butterflies and condors, Guy explains these strategies in a clear and concise manner that options traders of any level can understand. His chapter on options and taxes is especially welcomed (and needed). The Bible of Options Strategies is a straightforward, easy-to-use reference work that should occupy a space on any options trader's bookshelf."" ¿Bernie Schaeffer, Chairman and CEO, Schaeffer's Investment Research, Inc.

""The author delivers clarity, insight and perception making learning about options a joy, and practicing the art of making money that much easier: truly a bible from a guru."" ¿Alpesh B. Patel, Author and Financial Times Columnist

""Guy Cohen truly makes learning about options easy in this fact-filled guide. Bullet points make for a quick and enlightened read, getting to the heart of what you really need to know about each options strategy. This book is a must for any serious trader's library."" ¿Price Headley, Founder, BigTrends.com

Pick the right options strategies...implement them step-by-step...maximize your profits!

Introducing today's first and only comprehensive reference to contemporary options trading!

OptionEasy creator Guy Cohen identifies today's popular strategies...and tells you exactly how and when to use each one and what hazards to look out for! It's all here....

Basic Strategies including: Buying and shorting shares, calls, and puts. I
ncome Strategies including: Covered Call, Naked Put, Bull Put Spread, Bear Call Spread, Long Iron Butterfly, Long Iron Condor, Calendar Call, Diagonal Call...
Vertical Spreads including: Bull Call Spread, Bull Put Spread, Bear Call Spread, Bear Put Spread, Ladders...
Volatility Strategies including: Straddle, Strangle, Guts, Short Butterflies, Short Condors...
Sideways Strategies including: Short Straddle, Short Strangle, Short Guts, Long Butterflies, Long Condors...
Leveraged Strategies including: Call Ratio Backspread, Put Ratio Backspread, Ratio Spreads...
Synthetic Strategies including: Collar, Synthetic Call, Synthetic Put, Synthetic Straddles, Synthetic Futures, Combos, Box Spread...
...and many more strategies...

Plus essential tax-saving information, and more!

No other book presents this much authoritative, current information on options trading strategies
Covers all of today's best income, volatility, leveraged, synthetic, and sideways market strategies
Discover why each strategy works, when it's appropriate, and how to use it¿step by step
Includes a full chapter on tax issues associated with options strategies
By Guy Cohen, whose OptionEasy application has helped thousands of traders achieve breakthrough results!

The Bible of Options Strategies is the definitive reference to contemporary options trading: the one book you need by your side whenever you trade.

Options expert Guy Cohen systematically presents today's most effective strategies for trading options: how and why they work, when they're appropriate, when they're inappropriate, and how to use each one responsibly and with confidence. The only reference of its kind, this book will help you identify and implement the optimal strategy for every opportunity, trading environment, and goal."

Customer Reviews:

This is a heavy duty options book but..........2007-10-08

This is a heavy duty options book but don't let this scare you off. The only prerequisite I would say you need is some basic options understanding/experience and you also need to be interested in learning more about options strategies. When I first got this book I thought "Wow! This reminds me of some of my economics text books from college." But I soon found this book to be well organized and chocked full of great information and far more interesting than any college text book.

I have to warn people that this is not a book to teach you the fundamentals of options trading. You need to have learned the basics already.

I won't go into all the details of what this book covers since many other posts have done that. But I do want to say I really like this book. It has now taken up permanent residence on my desk because I use it so much.

Truly the bible of all bibles!.......2007-09-30

I really enjoyed this book and continue to do so. As others have commented, it's not a cover-to-cover type of book, but I can reference any strategy so easily and get the salient information I need at the flick of a page.

I've also got the author's other book (Options Made Easy) and there's something different about the way he explains the subject of options that I previously found much more difficult and now find remarkably easy. Great book.

Great reference, full of errors.......2007-09-15

This book is an excellent reference book for options traders, novice and experts. It describes in great detail most of the strategies for trading options. I like the structure and the organization of the book. It helps easily locate a stragety based on several criteria, like your trading expertice or your perception of where the underlying stock is going.

I'm dissapointed at the amount of errors in the book. I've only read 2 chapters so far and have found, not only mispelled words, but errors related to the description of the strategy, risk and reward calculations and inverted names (call instead of put, for example).

If not for the errors, I would have given 5 stars to the book.

Technical Alanlysis "Bible".......2007-09-11

A large volume that covers just about anything you want to know about charting. I was most interested in Elliott Wave info and it has a good section about EW. For the options trader, this is the book to study.

good for beginner to novice.......2007-09-03

I meet Guy during SF Money Show,it was a good experience.

One thing that i notice from most of options book, they are all talking the same thing, mostly strategy description, including this book. What i want from this book is more explanation towards when and how to the strategy should be applied when fundamental, TA and sentiment comes to picture.

Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality

Average customer rating:

Good, but hypocrytical . . .
Miller's faith perspective rings true
Inspired Me to Read His Other Books
Re-thinking my original opinion
Offensive to jazz fans!

Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Donald Miller
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0785263705

Book Description

"I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve. . . . I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened." In Donald Miller's early years, he was vaguely familiar with a distant God. But when he came to know Jesus Christ, he pursued the Christian life with great zeal. Within a few years he had a successful ministry that ultimately left him feeling empty, burned out, and, once again, far away from God. In this intimate, soul-searching account, Miller describes his remarkable journey back to a culturally relevant, infinitely loving God.

Customer Reviews:

Good, but hypocrytical . . ........2007-10-11

As a Christian who frequently finds sustaining spirutuality in more resources than just the bible, I enjoyed this book some of the time.

Miller is dead on in his assertion that "the Church" and from that really all Christians, need to re-connect with the example of Christ's love, especially with regards to those whom Christians don't mingle with on a daily basis (at least my "daily basis" anyway).

His hypocrisy ruins it for me, though. It seemed like every time things were warming up about "loving others", Miller would drop some hugely critical comment about Republicans, fundamentalists, evangelicals, etc. I get it that these people aren't necessarily his cup of tea. However, if we are to accept, and adopt, Christ's example of love, it's all inclusive.

Loving only the less fortunate doesn't count; Christ loves all of us. And if Miller is going to write with integrity about emulating and expanding that love in our own lives, he can't pick and choose whom to love and not to love. In short, he falls in to the very trap he accuses "the Church" of living in.

And the hypocrisy of that makes it difficult to take his message seriously, at least for me.

With all that said, I am sending a copy of the book to an atheistic friend. You never know!

Miller's faith perspective rings true.......2007-10-10

Get Real: a spiritual journey for men
Blue Like Jazz is a beautifully written book that requires the reader to think honestly about issues of faith. Miller has moved well beyond the posturing and pretense that characterize too much of Christian apologetics. It's impossible to read Miller without being struck by his disarming candor and honest self-examination. Rather than introduce doubt, Miller makes sense, and he makes a strong case for a Jesus who is real and interactive in the world today. Like journalist Derek Maul's "Get Real: a spiritual journey for men," (2007) Blue like Jazz presents the Gospel as engaging, incisive, and deeply authentic.

Inspired Me to Read His Other Books.......2007-10-08

Blue Like Jazz is a sort of meditation on Don Miller's spiritual life so far (he's in his early 30s), sprinkled with a little Christian apologetic told by narrative rather than by theories or "spiritual laws" (Miller's "Search for God Knows What" is more along the lines of an apologetic though). Miller's writing style is accessible and easy, though he's prone to meditative tangents on the nature of God or faith or creation that may annoy the less religiously-inclined reader. Miller has a lot of credibility in the so-called emerging church movement for his narrative approach (and probably for his decidedly left wing politics), but his religious beliefs themselves come across as pretty standard evangelical Christian, which I was a little surprised by. It's not heavy theology by any means, and there's a lot of raw meat in Miller's book for the internet's theology attack dogs to tear apart, but the books resonated with me. After reading "Blue Like Jazz," I was inspired to read Miller's "Searching for God Knows What" and "Through Painted Deserts." My favorite moment in the book was the "reverse confession booth," where the campus Christians confessed the sins of the church to astonished students. For a new spin on evangelical Christianity, check out "Blue Like Jazz."

Re-thinking my original opinion.......2007-10-06

I am actually re-reading this book because I got so much out of it during my first read. I may have made a mistake by reading all these negative reviews here, but I'm finding I agree with some of them to an extent. It's funny because I am seeing both sides here, both good and bad, about the book. Yes, some of the stuff he wrote about is a little self-obsessed, but some of the stuff he wrote sparked real passion in me and furthered my relationship with God. I think I just had a moment of realization (an epiphany, if you will) that you cannot take ANYONE'S word for anything, except God's. This is just more proof to me that people, no matter who they are or what their intentions or how close to Christ they are, can lead you astray. To conclude; read the book (it has some good stuff in it), take from it what you will, and trust God with all your heart.

Offensive to jazz fans!.......2007-09-30

Donald Miller, I'd like you to take out the sheet music of Mood Indigo, which I'm sure you've studied extensively, and show me where it doesn't resolve--I think that harmonically it's one of the perfect all time pieces of music, and it resolves better than a lot.

Maybe he's talking about free jazz or bop or post bop or modal jazz or something, but I'm not sure he actually knows what those terms mean. It sounds to me like he's heard a couple of jazz songs at some point and decided that this makes him an expert. Yeah, man, he was turned on to this stuff by Tony, his beat poet buddy, man. Oh, that is so hip!

But even if you're saying on a technical level that jazz music, in some of its more far-flung explorations, abandons established notions of harmony, melody, rhythm and tonality, it can always be explained. You can always notate it, analyze it, study it, and explain it. You can break it down to vibrations traveling through the air and you can know exactly what those vibrations are doing.

You can't do that with Christian spiritual notions, because they're based on assertions of faith that require you to abandon the desire for statements of fact to be proved. It's cute, Donald Miller, for you to say that you're just not interested anymore in the intellectual/theological aspects of Christianity, but it's stupid and ignorant for you to use jazz as a point of comparison. Jazz musicians know exactly what they're doing and they can explain it to you in minute detail, and yes, they could write it down if they wanted to. It's not just getting up in front of people and blowing some BS through your instrument. That's what YOU are doing in your spirituality. Jazz music requires training, education, rigorous practice and relentless creativity. What you do requires a huge capacity for BS and evasive, circular arguments. Guess which one I respect more.

Any jazz solo can be studied note for note, analyzed, and explained. And the person who performed that solo can you tell what choices they made at every point and why, and they can base that on established musical concepts. Once you get to that point, it isn't mysterious anymore, but it is beautiful and special in a way that your unfounded, frightened faith can never be.

Average customer rating:

A MUST HAVE
Useful, despite being overpriced and a bit odd
Great Buying Experience
The BEST LSAT book available
Worth Every Penny!!!

The PowerScore LSAT Logic Games Bible
David M. Killoran
Manufacturer: Webcom
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 097212960X

Book Description

The PowerScore LSAT Logic Games Bible is the most comprehensive book available for the Logic Games section of the LSAT. The intent of this book is to provide you with an advanced system for attacking any game you encounter on the LSAT. This same system is covered in the live classes taught by PowerScore, and all of the methods and techniques discussed in the book have been tested in classroom situations over many years.

The book features and explains a detailed methodology for attacking the games section. All aspects of Logic Games are covered, from recognizing game types to diagramming rules to making inferences and answering questions. Entire chapters are devoted to the most advanced game techniques and to time management strategies.

Logic Games are divided into individual types, and a discussion follows that teaches you how to approach each type of Game, and drills are presented to help you apply and understand the techniques. Thereafter, real LSAT logic games are used to illustrate how the techniques apply to real tests. Using real LSAT questions is a must for high-level LSAT preparation, and twenty-one real LSAT logic games are contained in the book. Each logic game is accompanied by a detailed analysis of the game setup and related questions.

The author has over 12 years experience teaching the LSAT and has scored in the 99th percentile on a Law Services-administered test. An expert in LSAT preparation, he has overseen the preparation of thousands of students and founded two national LSAT preparation companies.

The Logic Games Bible can be supplemented by The Ultimate Set-Ups Guide, which features setups for every game in each released LSAT from 1995 to 2002. Also, both books provide access to a unique website for additional LSAT and Logic Games information, and has answers to frequently asked questions.

For more information about the renowned PowerScore LSAT Logic Games Bible, contact PowerScore at (800) 545-1750.

Customer Reviews:

A MUST HAVE.......2007-10-05

I wish I would have purchased this book months ago! In contrast to other LSAT prep books, this one explains the Logic Games in a much more clear, concise, and easy to understand way. If you decide to use another LSAT prep book, I highly reccomend using this one to prepare your self for the Logic Games part, and skipping that part in your other LSAT prep, as this one is the best. I just took the LSAT on 9/29/07, and everything that was covered in the book, I utilized on the test!

Useful, despite being overpriced and a bit odd.......2007-09-30

The Logic Games Bible teaches techniques for diagramming games and, to a lesser extent, attacking the questions. The most useful things I picked up from the book were:

1) Never erase your work (do one master diagram at the bottom of each page and then, if necessary, do mini-diagrams the questions).
2) Diagramming numerical distributions.
3) "Hurdling the uncertainty, TM," which is an effective method of diagramming inclusion/exclusion rules when presented with rules like "A, B, and C can not all be selected at the same time."
4) Diagramming abstract sequences

It's worth noting that along the way, the book utilizes some strange conventions. For example, when diagraming a sequence where A comes before B (that is, it's in a lower numbered position) the book suggests that the following shorthand be used: A>B, that is A is greater than B. If you've taken a math class in the last decade, this is disconcerting--in practice I diagrammed all of the abstract sequences exactly opposite of the book. Also, when diagramming morning and afternoon games, the book suggested that the diagram look like this:

afternoon.|_ _ _ _ _
morning....|_ _ _ _ _

A strange reversal of morning and afternoon that is, again, off-putting to anyone who has used outlook, or even a regular calendar. These are minor quibbles, but to some extent, they make the book seem a little amateurish and undermine the reader's confidence in it.

All said, this book can be very useful if used correctly. Its well worth purchasing if you're aiming for the 170s, still have a month or two left to study, and have not taken many practice exams (I say this because there aren't that many old logic sections to go through, and it takes a decent number of practice sections to learn how to efficiently apply the techniques taught in the book). If, however, you're planning on skipping a game on the test, expect to score <170, only have a couple of weeks before the exam, or have chugged through most of the practice exams, this will be an expensive book of little use.

Great Buying Experience.......2007-09-26

I have been looking at all the bookstores in the Atlanta area for this book. I needed it to study for my upcoming LSAT. The book was out of stock everywhere in Georgia. I simply went online to Amazon and the book arrived at my doorstep within 3 days-and it was cheaper than the bookstores! This book is an excellent tool if you are unsure about the logic games portion of the LSAT. I would recommend it to anyone, even if they feel pretty confident on logic games.

The BEST LSAT book available.......2007-09-09

I used this book as a supplement to the PowerScore classroom course, and I found the book more helpful than the actual course! When I began to work through the book my score was a 168, but I now score consistently in the 173-174 range. As I practice, I get even faster...the techniques really are superb. Just leave yourself enough time (2-3 weeks) to work through the book without rushing so that you can absorb each concept, and then leave at least 3 weeks to do your own practice, honing the techniques on actual LSATs. I've been working just the games section from one test each day, and then an entire test every 4th day.

Unless you think the games are easy, this is the most important LSAT prep book you can buy.

Worth Every Penny!!!.......2007-09-03

Before purchasing this book, I purchased both Kaplan and Princeton Review prep books and still SUCKED at the analytical reasoning/logic games section of the LSAT. I spent two weeks with this book and was able to complete every logic game accurately. I'm still working on the timing but at least I'm able to diagram the games and arrive at the correct answers, which is something I struggled with before. If you have difficulty w/ the logic games - this is the book for you!!!

Average customer rating:

mind boggling
THE MAN , The REDEMMER , THE WAY
Convoluted
For whom is this book written
Excellent!

Jesus of Nazareth
Pope Benedict XVI
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0385523416
Release Date: 2007-05-15

Book Description

“This book is… my personal search ‘for the face of the Lord.’” —Benedict XVI

In this bold, momentous work, the pope—in his first book written as Benedict XVI—seeks to salvage the person of Jesus from recent “popular” depictions and to restore Jesus’ true identity as discovered in the Gospels. Through his brilliance as a theologian and his personal conviction as a believer, the pope shares a rich, compelling, flesh-and-blood portrait of Jesus and incites us to encounter, face-to-face, the central figure of the Christian faith.

From Jesus of Nazareth… “the great question that will be with us throughout this entire book: But what has Jesus really brought, then, if he has not brought world peace, universal prosperity, and a better world? What has he brought? The answer is very simple: God. He has brought God! He has brought the God who once gradually unveiled his countenance first to Abraham, then to Moses and the prophets, and then in the wisdom literature—the God who showed his face only in Israel, even though he was also honored among the pagans in various shadowy guises. It is this God, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, the true God, whom he has brought to the peoples of the earth. He has brought God, and now we know his face, now we can call upon him. Now we know the path that we human beings have to take in this world. Jesus has brought God and with God the truth about where we are going and where we come from: faith, hope, and love.”

Customer Reviews:

mind boggling.......2007-10-10

Benedict is a brilliant thinker who comments on ideas presented by people i never heard of.
His perspectives on Jesus are amazing

THE MAN , The REDEMMER , THE WAY.......2007-10-01

Pope Benedict XVI guided by the HOLY SPIRIT gives us JESUS in all HIS MAJESTY
A beautifully wriiten Book....I recommend it to Everyone!!

Convoluted.......2007-09-29

Convoluted and never seems to get to the real point(s). The Pope cites Scriptures and the Bible time after time in the book, but then never seems to come to any real conclusions of what those statements really mean for him other than quoting more scripture. Example, where it says, "Son of Man," "Son," "I am he;" but, then there is the "Son of God." According to the Pope the proper interpretation of those statements it seems is in the Nicene Creed where the Church joins Peter in confessing to Jesus ever anew: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Mt16:16).

Why not just say that Jesus came from man, "Son of Man," but that he also came from God, "Son of God." Jesus was/is of man/men and of God.

Also, the Pope in the beginning of the book states his suspicions of Science. Why that attitude among some theologians is a mystery since Science is the study of what God created; how then can anyone be suspicious of what Science discovers?

For whom is this book written.......2007-09-27

I read this book hoping to deepen my understanding of the mystery of Jesus. To a large degree, the book was able to do that and to help me on my own spiritual journey. But there is an important question that potential buyers need to consider, and it is: For whom is this book written? I am not totally sure of the answer. The Pope is a brilliant theologian and spent many years as an academic. As a result, this book often becomes rather technical and academic. This means that in many places the text is somewhat difficult to follow for the average reader. I wish that the Pope had written the book in a manner in which it was a bit more spiritual, and a bit less technical. Certainly, children and most teens would find the book over their heads. As far as adults are concerned, it would be desirable to have some background in biblical exegesis. Still, the insights of the Pope are really remarkable. And so for me, it did help in my ongoing spiritual journey and daily conversion to Christ.

Excellent!.......2007-09-26

This was the best book I've read on the subject of Jesus. It's deep, challenging and mind opening! I bought several to give as gifts to my family. Highly recommended for all those who think the Pope is the anti-christ!

Epicenter: Why Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your Future

Average customer rating:

A must listen to book
Dot Connecting
An excellent read for those interested Mid-Eastern philosophy & prophecy
Very Interesting-Must Read For Jew & Gentile
Couldn't Put it Down!!

Epicenter: Why Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your Future
Joel C. Rosenberg
Manufacturer: Tyndale House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Joel C. Rosenberg CD Collection: The Last Jihad, The Last Days, and The Ezekiel Option

ASIN: 1414311354

Book Description

With over one million novels in print, New York Times best-selling author Joel C. Rosenberg has been called "eerily prophetic" and a "modern Nostradamus" for his uncanny ability to write political thrillers that come true. In his first nonfiction book, this evangelical Christian from an Orthodox Jewish heritage takes readers on an unforgettable journey through prophecy and current events into the future of Iraq after Saddam, Russia after Communism, Israel after Arafat, and Christianity after radical Islam. You won't want to miss Joel's exclusive interviews with Israeli, Palestinian, and Russian leaders, and previously classified CIA and White House documents. Similar to the approach Joel takes in his novels, his desire is to draw readers into stories, anecdotes, and predictions in a way that builds confidence that allows Joel to share his faith in Jesus Christ and the reliability of Scripture as a guide to understanding the past and the future. Drawing on his experience in Washington, his own exclusive interviews with world leaders, and his astute political acumen, Joel makes sense of the events surrounding the Middle East. He connects information in a way that will make you understand and really care about the world's most important events and how they impact your life--from gas prices to your bank account.Epicenter is about: Change--big changes, dramatic changes, changes that will transform the world as we know it. Answers--what the changes are underway in the world's most important countries. Insight--readers will understand the trajectory of world events by being taken inside the governments of Iran, Iraq, Russia, China, and more. Accessibility--aimed for a wide audience in both the general and Christian markets. Faith--Joel shares his faith in Jesus Christ and the reliability of Scripture. Epicenter will answer questions like: Will Iraq go from bad to worse? Will Israel and her Arab neighbors find peace, or is another major Middle East war just around the corner? If the new, post-Soviet Russia is our friend, why is the Kremlin creating a new class of thermonuclear weapons and building an alliance with radical Islam?

Customer Reviews:

A must listen to book.......2007-10-11

A very thought provoking book. Everyone needs to listen to this book or read the printed copy. Our national leaders should read/listen to this book.

Dot Connecting .......2007-10-11

I watched the documentary based on this book. Great production, solid historical facts, and then the conclusion: God will save Israel without the help of the EU, the UN or USA. God will do this miraculously while we stand around and watch in awe.

These are the same folks who brought us "Left Behind", the apocolyptic series based on the book of Revelation. (Remember the "rapture" craze of the 90's?) Same folks, different crisis. Only this one is based on the book of Ezekiel.

An excellent read for those interested Mid-Eastern philosophy & prophecy.......2007-10-05

If you are a student of Biblical prophecy and the current mid--eastern conflicts, you will be fascinated by the author's ability to tie past, present, and fututre events together. If this topic isn't your "cup of tea," this book could provide fodder to create an interest - definitely worth reading.

Very Interesting-Must Read For Jew & Gentile.......2007-09-29

I found this book to be very interesting if you like end of times prophecy.

Couldn't Put it Down!!.......2007-09-19

Honestly, one of the best books I have ever read. He does a fantastic job of juxtaposing todays headlines with scripture...amazing!

Facing Your Giants: The God Who Made a Miracle Out of David Stands Ready to Make One Out of You

Average customer rating:

Overcoming circumstances
Learning from David's Triumphs and Mistakes
Max's Best
Like all Lucado books, awesome
Wonderful book!

Facing Your Giants: The God Who Made a Miracle Out of David Stands Ready to Make One Out of You
Max Lucado
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Facing Your Giants Study Guide
For These Tough Times: Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope and Healing
Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot
Traveling Light Releasing The Burdens You Were Never Intended To Bear
Get Out of That Pit: Straight Talk about God's Deliverance

ASIN: 0849901812
Release Date: 2006-11-21

Book Description

Giants. We must face them. Yet, we need not face them alone.

This profound look at the life of David digs deeply into the defeats he suffered, and the victories he won, as he faced the giants in his life. When David focused on God, giants tumbled. But when David focused on giants… he stumbled.

Goliaths still roam in our world. Debt. Disaster. Dialysis. Divorce. Deceit. Disease. Depression. These super-sized challenges swagger and strut into our lives, pilfering our sleep, embezzling our peace and robbing us of our joy. And while these giants try to dominate our lives, we know what to do! We've learned what David learned, and we do what David did. We become God focused. We pick up five stones. We make five decisions. And we take a swing.

Customer Reviews:

Overcoming circumstances.......2007-09-29

I was given this book, it was a good read, but the information wasn't anything new, nor was it very impressive. It was a smooth reader, but almost to the point of beating a dead horse. Now, I am not putting down the work of the Cross or Jesus or the Holy Spirit or even King David. It's just the same ole story with a different author. I did find some of Max's antedotes and case histories of his own family interesting and the view of the Rainbow, that was most interesting.

Would I buy the book, no. Would I recommend someone else to buy the book? Not really. There are better books for the money.

Here are some examples: They Smell Like Sheep by Dr. Lynn Anderson
True Discipleship by Kossler, The Holiest of All by Andrew Murray, Power Filled Living by R.A. Torrey. These are just a few.

I've found when we are facing the giants, if we focus on God, Center ourself on Him, in Him and then look outside the box, so-to-speak and allow the Spirit of God to lead us to someone else that is hurting more than ourselves, God will work out our problems usually by the interaction of our neighbors.

In Christ we pray. Amen.

Learning from David's Triumphs and Mistakes.......2007-09-21

Max Lucado is known for his encouraging books, and this book is no exception. Here, he studies King David, both the good and the bad, to show us how to face the giants in our lives.

The ultimate lesson is simple, when your focus is on God, giants fall. Yet he uses stories from first and second Samuel, both the good and the bad, to show us how this played out in David's life.

The book works as a biography, showing us the events in David's life as they happened. While most chapters are a self contained lesson, it does allow us to see how one event often led to another.

Obviously, we see David fighting Goliath. But we also see him hiding from Saul, his friendship with Jonathan, hiding with the enemy, keeping his promises, falling into adultery and murder with Bathsheba, and watching his own children spin out of control. From this we learn the importance of friends and family, but ultimately the importance of putting our focus on God.

Max Lucado very rarely brings anything new to the table. That's certainly the case here. There is very little I haven't heard before. But he always puts such a fresh, encouraging spin on things, I always see things in a new light. And even when admonishing us, he still does it gently.

I set this book down reluctantly when I finished. My heart was encouraged, and my focus was where it needed to be, God. If you need some help remembering where your focus needs to be, this book is for you.

Max's Best .......2007-09-17

This is absolutely the most enlightening and funny book I've ever read from a Christian author.
This wonderful book is deep enough for an elephant to swim in, yet shallow enough for a child to wade in.
That describes Facing Your Giants to a T.

Like all Lucado books, awesome.......2007-09-06

An insightful tie to old testament events around Davids life and life for us today.

Wonderful book!.......2007-08-26

Story of King David's successes and failures confronting the giants in his life, and how we can learn from them. Many challenging question in study guide at the end of book.

The PowerScore LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible: A Comprehensive System for Attacking the Logical Reasoning Section of the LSAT

Average customer rating:

The Must-Have for logical reasoning practice
The PowerScore LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible: A Comprehensive System for Attacking the Logical Reasoning Section of the LSAT
Words don't explain how good this book is!!!
Great Study Guide
Excellent comprehensive explanations.

The PowerScore LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible: A Comprehensive System for Attacking the Logical Reasoning Section of the LSAT
David M. Killoran
Manufacturer: PowerScore
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Reference | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0972129618
Release Date: 2006-06-01

Product Description

The PowerScore LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible is the most comprehensive book available for the Logic Reasoning section of the LSAT. This book will provide you with an advanced system for attacking any Logical Reasoning question that you may encounter on the LSAT. The concepts presented in the Logical Reasoning Bible are representative of the techniques covered in PowerScore s live courses and have been consistently proven effective for thousands of our students. The book features and explains a detailed methodology for attacking all aspects of Logic Reasoning problems, including recognizing question types, identifying common reasoning elements and determining their validity, the methods for efficiently and accurately making inferences, and techniques for quickly eliminating answer choices as you solve the questions. Entire chapters are devoted to every currently-tested question type, to section strategy and time management, and to even the most challenging reasoning concepts presented, such Formal Logic, Conditional Reasoning, and Causality. In addition, the Logical Reasoning Bibl features over 100 real LSAT Logical Reasoning questions that are used to illustrate and reinforce our techniques. The two Logical Reasoning sections on the LSAT represent approximately 50% of your final score and are frequently considered to be the most challenging aspect of the test. However, once you understand how to efficiently approach each question type and deconstruct the reasoning presented, the solution to each question can be quickly discovered. Through step-by-step analysis of every reasoning idea that you will encounter, detailed explanations for every answer choice, and extensive drills to enforce every major concept, this book with teach you how to correctly solve even the most complicated Logical Reasoning problems. The Logical Reasoning Bibl is also supplemented by a unique website that provides additional materials to complement the book and answer frequently aske

Customer Reviews:

The Must-Have for logical reasoning practice.......2007-08-22

I got this book and the PowerScore Logic Games Bible to self-practice for the LSAT. When it became clear that I wasn't motivated enough for self-study, I decided to take the TestMasters LSAT program, which drills LSAT questions in for 80 hours during 2 months. The good thing about the Logic Reasoning Bible is that, unlike test prep courses, it gives step by step explanations that you can go over again and again. It's more comprehensive than taking a class, where you're sitting for 4 hour blocks going over only 3-4 questions per hour. The Logic Reasoning Bible allows you to study at your own pace (recommended to study in blocks, chapter by chapter -- once you're interrupted, it's hard to go back without rereading everything). I used it in tandem with my TestMasters booklets (the two methods are pretty similar, so it's an easy conversion). I found that the LR Bible supplemented my class well, because it explained some concepts that were confusing to me, and gave some tips that weren't in my class.

The downside is that there aren't many practice questions, only 6-8 per question type (whereas taking an LSAT course usually gives you 5000 questions). If you're already taking a class, this could be a good way to refresh some concepts that you need help with. If this is your primary mode of study, buy the 10 LSAT books and PrepTests to get yourself more real questions. Also, it's imperative to study with real LSAT questions, and the LR Bible only has real LSAT questions in it. Of course, this is no breezy read, and using it as a study guide only suffices if you put the time in to study -- about 3 hrs/day two months before the test. Since the logical reasoning sections are 50% of the test, and arguably the hardest questions on the test, you benefit greatly from learning techniques to shave down the amount of time it takes you per question on the test.

However, PRACTICE IS KEY. No book is going to be a miracle if you don't put the time into studying. Logical reasoning is tough, and if it's not your strong spot, this book can break down some of the mental blocks you might have. Definitely better than the other books out there (I've also browsed Princeton Review, Kaplan, Kaplan LSAT 180).

The PowerScore LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible: A Comprehensive System for Attacking the Logical Reasoning Section of the LSAT.......2007-08-02

Thank you for writing me, sad to say i have not receive my order as of to date.

Words don't explain how good this book is!!!.......2007-07-07

I was having a hard time on the LR section of the LSAT...a really hard time. I scored well on the AR and the RC sections, but my LR was very, very bad. I was getting 10 or so wrong on every section...without staying in the time frame! This book helped me go from 10 wrong to 2 and cut my time down from an hour to 30 min. Studying for the LSAT is hard and it can be depressing when you just can't seem to improve your score. BUY THIS BOOK. It not only helps your score, but you confidence as well.

Before this book I was getting a 157 -- After this book; a 170 (top score 173).

Great Study Guide.......2007-06-25

This book is not a casual read. You can not skim through it and expect to see great results. If, however, you are seriously studying for the LSAT and are prepared to devote some time to this book you will find it extremely helpful.

I found the insight into the way the questions are developed especially useful. Now that I am able to better understand how the questions are being developed I am better able to discern the correct answers and even spot common incorrect ones very quickly.

This is a great book and I found it the single most helpful item in my preparation for the LSAT. I was able to raise my practice scores from the low 160's to the middle to upper 160's- I find that to be a significant increase. I'm pleased with the results.

Excellent comprehensive explanations........2007-04-05

This book covers every type of LR question featured on the LSAT and goes over them in great detail. Though I feel lots of LR is just intuitive, I did learn quite a few helpful tips and tricks from this book.

The downside is that the proportion of the book that is actually practice questions is small, almost disappointingly so.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. The thoroughness of its instruction is unmatchable.

Average customer rating:

Excel 2003 Bible
Microsoft excel 2003 bible
Excell Bible extremly useful.
Great tool for Excel 2003!!!
Bible Study

Excel 2003 Bible
John Walkenbach
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Software | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

All Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Computers & Internet | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Excel 2003 Formulas
Word 2003 Bible
Access 2003 Bible
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Accessories:

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Excel Advanced Report Development
Excel 2003 VBA Programmer's Reference (Programmer to Programmer)

ASIN: 0764539671

Book Description

* The most comprehensive guidebook available on the most popular spreadsheet program, fully updated to include all-new "X" features
* Written by the leading Excel guru known as "Mr. Spreadsheet," John Walkenbach, who has written more than thirty books and 300 articles on related topics and maintains the popular Spreadsheet Page at www.j-walk.com/ss
* The definitive reference book for beginning to advanced users, featuring expert advice and hundreds of examples, tips, techniques, shortcuts, work-arounds, and more
* Covers expanded use of XML and Web services to facilitate data reporting, analysis, importing, and exporting information
* Explores Excel programming for those who want advanced information
* CD-ROM includes all templates and worksheets used in the book, as well as sample chapters from all Wiley Office "X" related Bibles and useful third party software, including John Walkenbach's Power Utility Pak

Customer Reviews:

Excel 2003 Bible.......2007-07-08

Awesome, Easily understood, beginners to experts, Lots of unique ways to make processes easier and simpler. Well worth it!

Microsoft excel 2003 bible.......2007-05-14

This is a good reference, especially helpful is the CD included. It would be helpful to someone just learning excel, but also goes into some depth of higher level functions.

Excell Bible extremly useful........2007-05-14

I had went to an $149 course on Excel and the teacher kept praising this book (they were trying to sell you one on the spot)and it is very useful.
The course owners shot themselves in the foot, though..I was also planning to take an Access course, but instead just bought the Access Bible.
The vendor shipped quickly and the book was in new condition as advertised.

Great tool for Excel 2003!!!.......2007-05-13

If your like me and own both Office 2003 and are dabbling in Office 2007, then you want to hold on to this reference for Excel 03 just in case. Like all his books this is an accurate, concise, extensive reference tool for the beginner as well as the advanced user. This is my fourth excel book by Mr. Walkenbach and they are all of equal caliber. They all contain general background information as well as information dealing with other programming areas of excel (so that even if you only purchase a book like the VBA programming guide, you will still learn about macro programming and other general excel functions). Like all his books, this one gives the user a complete library of useful and professional approaches towards working with and solving excel problems. Good Job Mr Walkenbach!

Bible Study.......2007-03-27

This is my second MS-related Bible purchase and I really do love the series. The Excel Bible gets a little technical and somewhat over my head as a slightly above-average user, but it's really good information. I always shyed away from macros, but it (and a few experts) really helped me write macros for a file that's being distributed company-wide.

Just like a real Bible, I just want to be able to reference it when I need to.

Inspired By The Bible Experience: New Testament

Average customer rating:

This CD package Brings the Bible to Life
Awesome!!!
Awesome
EXCELLENT
Outstanding

Inspired By The Bible Experience: New Testament
Zondervan
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0310926319
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Book Description

Hear the words of the Bible brought to life like never before. Inspired By… The Bible Experience: New Testament Audio CD is a fully-dramatized reading of the Bible performed by an unprecedented ensemble of distinguished African-American actors, musicians, and personalities. The cast, including recognizable voices as Denzel Washington, Blair Underwood and Angela Bassett, reads the Bible using the accessible and trusted Today’s New International Version (TNIV).

Customer Reviews:

This CD package Brings the Bible to Life.......2007-09-06

This CD set delivers the New Testament in a way that spoke to me. It is more than a Bible reading but a story that comes to life with the reading of each chapter. Listening to the voice inflection, tone and tempo married with the background sound effects provides a backdrop for you to visualize the time, location and circumstances that this biblical story takes place. Enjoy the word and discover new insight through the experience of this CD set. It is well worth the money and I can not wait to hear the Old Testament too. [...]

Awesome!!!.......2007-08-30

This set is absolutely wonderful! It causes you to see the bible in a whole new light. It really takes the bible and gives it life. I highly recommend this set!

Awesome.......2007-08-16

This audio NT bible is great to listen to. The bible is brought to life through the wonderful acting everyone does. It was special because each person played their role throughout the entire NT. Worth every penny!

EXCELLENT.......2007-07-20

Who says you have to READ the Bible? This auditory rendition is so amazing- putting emphasis where it should be, pulling passages together- you feel like you are THERE! The different voices and background sounds just bring everything to life while you listen to a verbatum "acted out" reading of the NIV NT.
I downloaded it onto my ipod and listen to it while I work and I carry the cd's in the car. This is so amazing, I recommend it to EVERYONE- just as everyone should have a Bible, everyone should have this as well! I cannot say enough. I have gone through the entire NT a few times now and the Word just becomes more and more real to me and I KNOW more and more of it now... Purchase several and give them away- you will not be sorry!

Outstanding.......2007-07-09

These CDs are perfect for long drives or commuting. Easy to follow along, very imformative. The speakers have exceptional auditory skills. Reminds me of the many times my sisters and I sat quietly at my father's feet while he told us stories of the bible. Great family night event...excellent conversation piece.

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