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

Book Description

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Average customer rating:

One of Piper's Best Books Almost
A Great Call to Obedience
A deep devotional read or book for personal study
The Christ of the Scriptures
life challenging that will prayerfully lead to a life changing

What Jesus Demands from the World
John Piper
Manufacturer: Crossway Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1581348452

Book Description

The four Gospels are filled with demands straight from the mouth of Jesus Christ. These demands are Jesus’ way of showing us who he is and what he expects of us. They are not the harsh demands of a taskmaster. For example, the demand that we come to Jesus is like the demand of a father to his child in a burning window, âJump to me!â Or like the demand of a rich, strong, tender, handsome husband to an unfaithful wife, âCome home!â What Jesus demands from the world can be summed up as: âTrust and treasure me above all.â This is good news!

In What Jesus Demands from the World, John Piper has gathered many of Jesus’ demands from the four Gospels. He begins with an introduction that puts the demands in a redemptive-historical context, then concisely examines each demand. The result is an accessible introduction for thoughtful inquirers and new believers, as well as meditative meat for veteran believers who want to know Jesus better.

âThe Christian gospel is more than just a wonderful offer of saving grace; it is a demand for supreme loyalty, for surrender to the lordship of Jesus. We forget this too easily in our contemporary church, besieged as we are by a philosophy of pluralism that rejects ultimate authority and a culture of rights that scorns submissiveness. But John Piper reminds us of the real truth: obedience to Christ’s commands is our absolute duty; yet, paradoxically, in his service is perfect freedom and joy!â
William J. U. Philip, Minister, St George’s-Tron Church, Glasgow, Scotland, UK

âJohn Piper reveals in his âWord to Biblical Scholars’ his familiarity with the literature and subject matter of the life and teachings of Jesus, and in his comments on the individual demands of Jesus he applies them to everyday living.â
Robert H. Stein, Senior Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

âThis is now my favorite book by John Piper. In the best tradition of Adolf Schlatter’s Do We Know Jesus? and his âhermeneutic of perception,’ What Jesus Demands from the World has changed my life and will certainly change yours because it is based on the pure words of Jesus as revealed in the four Gospels. A must-read for every true follower of Christ.â
Andreas J. KÃ¶stenberger, Editor, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society; Professor of New Testament and Director of Ph.D. Studies, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

âThis book is a special gift from the pen of John Piper. How long has it been since you carefully reflected upon the authoritative commands of Christ? Through these pages you will encounter the Savior and experience the transforming effects of the gospel. Few endeavors are more worthy of your time.â
C. J. Mahaney, Sovereign Grace Ministries

âScholars, popularists, and now even novelists are falling over each other today in a blind passion to discover an alternative Jesus to the One so magnificently portrayed in the biblical Gospels. In stark and refreshing contrast John Piper clear-sightedly grasps the obviousâthe biblical Jesus is worth living for and dying for.â
Sinclair Ferguson, Senior Minister, The First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina

âThis is a peculiar book. It assumes that the four Gospels are true and unified. It assumes that Jesus not only does things for us but also makes demands of us. And it assumes that Jesus has authority over everyone regardless of their religion, gender, race, income, sexuality, nationality, or culture. You will likely not agree with every point. But you will hear from a Jesus who is more than a soft-spoken, effeminate, marginalized, Galilean hippie-peasant in a dress and has the peculiar notion that he alone is Lord.â
Mark Driscoll, Pastor, Mars Hill Church, Seattle

Customer Reviews:

One of Piper's Best Books Almost.......2007-08-22

~What Jesus Demands from the World~ is an astute overview of the New Testament teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. I fall short of God's perfect righteousness. It's why I look to the tender mercies of my Lord Jesus Christ, and His perfect righteousness. Being mindful of His Lordship, we set our sights to please Him, or at least we should. Where I fall short, I look for His Grace that I might grow in faith. Reading and rereading this book is helpful for new believers, struggling believers, and mature believers alike. Piper offers a fifty point overview of Jesus' teachings.
This book is a real blessing because Piper offers a thorough overview of the New Testament teachings of my blessed Lord and Savior.

Who is Jesus Christ? Jesus reminds us, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." One of the things that I love about Jesus Christ ironically is that he makes demands of us. Demands that we inevitably fall short of achieving in total, but they are demands nonetheless. Where we fall short, we look to His abundant gracy and mercy, and we look to His grace to heed what he asks of us. Yet our spiritual walk is not one of drudgery, but one born out of love for God, and our fellow man, and a desire to serve Him. The highest freedom is the freedom from the bondage of sin, which comes through faith in Jesus Christ, and through His meritous sacrifice.

Anyway, in a world of sin, there is bound to be conflict and strife among people born out of resentment, personal grudges, jealousy, or just plain rudeness and selfish insensitivity. Christ himself bore a life of persecution, and yet he prayed and blessed those who persecuted him. It doesn't seem natural not to be angry at a bitter antagonist, but Christ commands us to show love for those who hurt us and wrong us. John Piper writes:

Jesus' demand that we love our enemies, be merciful, make peace, and forgive assumes that there are people who are hard to love. The demand is expressed in different ways because people are hard to love in different ways. Jesus calls some people our "enemies," which means they are against us. They want to see us fail. Love them, Jesus says (Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:27,35). Others may be our personal enemies in this way, but simply people whose character or personality or condition makes them unattractive or even repulsive. Be merciful to them, Jesus says (Matt. 5:7; 18:33; Luke 10:37). Don't base your treatment of them on what they atrract or deserve, but on mercy. Others may be our relatives or friends who have taken offense at something we have done--rightly or wrongly--and the relationship is cold or non-existent. Strive to be reconciled to them, Jesus says (Matt. 5:23-26). Others may or may not have anything against you, but you do against them. Forgive them, Jesus says (Matt. 6:14-15). Don't let laziness or pride or anger keep you from the humble work of forgiving, peacemaking, and reconciliation.

Jesus also asks that we worship Him in spirit and in truth. Every so often, a Christian realizes that he is out of harmony with God's will. Maybe he is fervent in prayer or devotion or church attendance, but he feels a certain lack of devotion. Heartfelt devotion requires rediscovering the timeless principles enunciated by Christ in the New Testament. Walking upright in the faith, means a continual refocus on the New Testament teachings of Jesus Christ. This John Piper book is a good start. All things considered, Piper has put together a rigorously Scriptural devotional book, which should admonish, encourage, exhort, and inspire believers.

The Apostle Paul reminds us:
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave itto the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
--Romans 12:14-21

A Great Call to Obedience.......2007-08-17

This book is a testament to John Piper's commitment to honor God. I think the word zeal accurately describes his attitude.

John arranges the precepts found in the gospels into fifty categories. He devotes each chapter in the book to a category. He explains the precepts with an eye toward revealing the intent Jesus had in giving the commands. Then, he exhorts us as Jesus did in the Sermon on the Mount to observe these commands with hearts dedicated to loving God and each other.

Approximately half of the scriptural references in the book are found in the four Gospels and most of the remainder in the Old Testament. There are only two references to Pauline epistles. Relying heavily on Jesus' own explanations also adds weight to our Savior's commands.

I found the discussions contained in the following chapters to be especially edifying:

* 33 - Love Your Neighbor with the Same Commitment You Have to Your Own Well-Being
* 34 - Love Your Neighbor as Yourself and as Jesus Loved Us
* 37 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven - "It is Your Father's Good Pleasure to Give You the Kingdom"
* 38 - Do Not Take an Oath - Cherish the Truth and Speak it Simply
* 39 - Do Not Take an Oath - Let What You say be Simply "Yes" or "No"
* 41 - What God Has Joined Together Let No Man Separate, for Whoever Divorces and Marries Another Commits Adultery
* 42 - What God Has Joined Together Let No Man Separate - One Man, One Woman, By Grace, Till Death
* 47 - Let Your Light Shine Before Others that They May Glorify Your Father Who is in Heaven
* 48 - Let Your Light Shine Before Others - The Joyful Sacrifice of Love in Suffering
* 49 - Make Disciples of All Nations, for All Authority Belongs to Jesus
* 50 - Make Disciples of All Nations, For the Mission Cannot Fail

Generally, I liked these chapters because they enabled me to obtain a deeper understanding of the precepts. This was especially the case with chapters 33 and 34; "Love Your Neighbor..." To me these were the most edifying chapters in the book. John explains how Christians should love themselves. This love is not selfish, but should be the outgrowth of our desire to have a relationship with God where we enjoy honoring Him. This helps us see more clearly how we are to love others. Our acts of love are supposed to encourage others to share this same desire.

There were other chapters that appealed to me, because they underscored things I had learned; not necessarily mastered. They had the effect of bolstering my faith. I found this to be the case with chapters 47 and 48. John does an excellent job of exhorting us to glorify God and explains how this can only be done if we maintain a joyful relationship with Him.

Having said this, I must take issue with a point John Piper makes in chapter 25, titled "Your Righteousness Must Exceed That of the Pharisees, for it was Hypocritical and Ugly." Refer to the section in this chapter labeled "What the Pharisees Loved: Praise, Money, Sex." John interprets a statement that Jesus makes in Matthew 12:39, in which our Lord calls the Pharisees members of an adulterous generation. John Piper states, "But it is natural to assume that the word `adulterous' implies that the alternative `husbands' include not just money and human praise, but also illicit sex." His interpretation is without basis. Apparently, he didn't examine the context of this section of scripture, nor did he do an analysis of the word `adulterous'. Saying "it is natural to assume" is inadequate, especially for a pastor.

The Greek word that Bible scholars translated into the word `adulterous' can mean something other than physical adultery. The word was `moichalis' and it was invoked in several places in the New Testament. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words provides clarification. It states that the word can refer to physical adultery. However, it cites several references (including Matthew 12:39) in which it is meant to refer to Israel's spiritual idolatry. In this vein it was used to describe how the Israelites turned their hearts away from worshiping God and cultivated friendship with the world instead.

John goes on to say "When the heart is not deeply entranced by the glory of God, it is usually driven along by the pitiful powers of money and the praise of man." I believe this is true, but it would be fallacious to conclude that this inevitably leads to sexual immorality.

I am particularly concerned with this lapse in John Piper's normally rigorous manner of examining scripture. We need to be on guard to preserve the integrity of Scripture as Paul exhorted his disciple Timothy (reference 2 Timothy 1:13-14). There are several books on interpretation. I would refer to Robertson McQuilkin's "Understanding and Applying the Bible." Chapters 7 through 12 address this issue.

In his zeal to honor God John went too far in his criticism of the Pharisees. In a general sense I'm concerned with an apparent propensity many theologians have for making caricatures of the Pharisees, because they refused to honor Jesus as God. The truth is that we are all guilty of not glorifying God in our lives. That in essence is the definition of sin. Jesus judged the Pharisees strongly because they had refused to fulfill their duty as spiritual shepherds of the Jewish people. They were not concerned with learning Scripture with intentions to honor God; nor were they concerned with accurately teaching the people. If they had done so, they would have seen Jesus as the Son of God and the fulfillment of prophecy. Consequently, Jesus categorized the teachers of that time as hirelings as opposed to good shepherds (John 10:12).

Even so, this doesn't mean that our sins are less than the Pharisees (Romans 3:23). Any tendency to think that way brings us to a precarious place of self-righteousness (Romans 12:3). Jesus was not inviting us to join Him in a mass condemnation of the Pharisees. I think it's more accurate to say His intent was for us to examine ourselves for any tendencies we might have to emulate them. It's extremely important to handle the word correctly here. A zeal for God that is not anchored in truth can bring us to a precipice of falsely judging others.

I must note that John Piper didn't show a propensity for repeating this mistake anywhere else in his book. Therefore, I believe the book is a valuable resource and recommend it to others.

A deep devotional read or book for personal study.......2007-06-06

It's usually not popular for leaders to make demands of their followers, but Jesus made many demands of his disciples. John Piper, author of the bestselling Don't Waste Your Life and When I Don't Desire God, believes that the teachings of Jesus are filled with demands that show not only who Jesus is but what He expects from us.

Piper is intentional in the use of his word "demands." He explains:

"I am aware the word `demand' is jarring to many modern ears. It feels harsh, severe, strict, stark, austere, abrasive. The reason I choose that word is to confront some of the underlying reasons for why it would feel offensive to portray Jesus as demanding."

In this 400-page book, Piper explores 50 demands of Jesus. They cover a wide variety of topics beginning with "You must be born again" and concluding with "Make disciples of all nations, for the mission cannot fail." In between, readers find the demands of "Abide in me," "Strive to enter through the narrow door, for all of life is war," and "Do this in remembrance of me, for I will build my church."

Often a given demand will be divided into two and even three or more chapters that explore different facets of the main idea. For example, "Do not be angry" is examined from two angles: trust God's providence and embrace mercy and forgiveness. The result is a thorough examination of each demand.

In the chapter "Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me," Piper writes:

"He did not die to make this life easy for us or prosperous. He died to remove every obstacle to our everlasting joy in making much of him. And he calls us to follow him in his suffering because this life of joyful suffering for Jesus's sake shows that he is more valuable than all the earthly rewards that the world lives for. If you follow Jesus only because he makes life easy now, it will look to the world as though you really love what they love, and Jesus just happens to provide it for you. But if you suffer with Jesus in the pathway of love because he is your supreme treasure, then it will be apparent to the world that your heart is set on a different fortune than theirs."

These kinds of rich nuggets of wisdom and insight line the pages of What Jesus Demands FROM the World. The result is a deeply impactful book that will challenge readers to reflect not only on what they know about Jesus but what they have yet to discover. Piper actually designed the book so that it doesn't need to be read in order. Chapters can be enjoyed and savored at the reader's discretion, making it a deep devotional read or book for personal study.

If you're a fan of John Piper or Desiring God Ministries, you won't want to miss this book.

--- Reviewed by Margaret Oines

The Christ of the Scriptures.......2007-06-02

Praise God for Pastor Piper. He brilliantly and honestly expounds the gospels revealing Jesus Christ as He is decisively revealed in His infallible Word. This book will awaken its readers to, as Piper has said in the past, "the absolute claims of the Lordship of Christ over the universe." This is the best book that Piper has written because it reads almost like a devotional commentary on the gospels. It is not some guys' idea with the name "Jesus" slapped on it. It is Jesus Christ as the all-powerful, all-majestic, all-sovereign, all-loving, all-wise, all-gracious Lord of Heaven that He is. This is something lacking in most of the Christian literature that is out there today. This is a book about the centrality and the supremacy of God in reality. It is very helpful for those wanting to know the God of the Scriptures. I would also recommend reading John MacArthur's excellent book, "The Gospel According to Jesus." MacArthur and Piper are two of today's best Bible teachers-preachers whom the Lord has used greatly in my life via their books and sermons. Read these books along with your own study of the Bible. It is worth it.

life challenging that will prayerfully lead to a life changing.......2007-05-06

There is a voice that has spoken in history. This voice is not to be simply admired or rather determined right in what it says about life. The voice of Jesus is the voice of God. To be admired yes to be determined as true words absolutly but above all Jesus words are the only source of life to a fallen dead human race and His words are to be obeyed. I have waited for a book like this, the what must I render question has been answered in detail. What a blessing and means of grace John Piper is to the body of Christ in our generation and I am sure in generations to come if the Lord delays His comming. Get this book!

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A well documented history of the canon
FF Bruce's "The Canon of Scripture"
Thorough and Knowledgeable
One Of The Best Books Ever Writen on the Subject!
Exhaustive Information on Canon Development

The Canon of Scripture
Frederick Fyvie Bruce
Manufacturer: InterVarsity Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Ethics | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Bible & Other Sacred Texts | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 083081258X

Book Description

Winner of two 1990 Christianity Today Awards: Readers' Choice (1st place; theology and doctrine) and Critics' Choice (1st place; theology and doctrine). A 1989 ECPA Gold Medallion Award winner!How did the books of the Bible come to be recognized as Holy Scripture?Who decided what shape the canon should take?What criteria influenced these decisions?After nearly nineteen centuries the canon of Scripture still remains an issue of debate. Protestants, Catholics and the Orthodox all have slightly differing collections of documents in their Bibles. Martin Luther, one of the early leaders of the Reformation, questioned the inclusion of the book of James in the canon. And many Christians today, while confessing the authority of all of Scripture, tend to rely on only a few books and particular themes while ignoring the rest.Scholars have raised many other questions as well. Research into second-century Gnostic texts have led some to argue that politics played a significant role in the formation of the Christian canon. Assessing the influence of ancient communities and a variety of disputes on the final shaping of the canon call for ongoing study.In this significant historical study, F. F. Bruce brings the wisdom of a lifetime of reflection and biblical interpretation to bear in answering the questions and clearing away the confusion surrounding the Christian canon of Scripture. Adept in both Old and New Testament studies, he brings a rare comprehensive perspective to his task.Though some issues have shifted since the original publication of this book, it still remains a significant landmark and touchstone for further studies.

Customer Reviews:

A well documented history of the canon.......2007-08-21

I bought this book because it was recommended as the most authoritative history of the New Testament canon in English. The book is scholarly and thorough. The author is an academic. The book reflects that for better and worse. The information is excellent and well documented. The writing style is often dry. It is best read in small segments.

Bill Breer

FF Bruce's "The Canon of Scripture".......2007-07-09

The book The Canon of Scripture, by F. F. Bruce, is a thorough scholarly treatment of the history of the Holy Bible as found in its present form: Old and New Testaments, 66 books constituting the authoritative writings of the Christian church. It is formal in style and thoughtful in content. It is nearly exhaustive, presenting ideas from a broad multitude of sources, yet manages to remain an engaging and fascinating read. Throughout, Bruce manages to be fair to the facts of history while remaining true to the convictions of the Christian faith.

Thorough and Knowledgeable.......2007-02-07

This is a fine book on the process of the canonization. He goes into specific detail on the New Testament, while also mentioning the catalysts behind the move toward acceptance. Bruce is extremely knowledgeable on this topic, including literary, historical, and liturgical evidence for the whole of Scripture being canonized.

One Of The Best Books Ever Writen on the Subject!.......2007-02-07

By far the very best book I have ever read about the crucial subject of how we got the Bible. This book is worth its wight in gold! It is very much on the ball and on top of it, and it even defends itself from the hypocrisy of the intellectuals that say there is no God. F. F. Bruce is Iron Clad Devout Christian Author and Researcher, he simply will not stire you wrong you will know exactly what the Bible or Mighty God is saying, why, to who, but most important, how it applies to you! If you are seriously considering to understand how, we begoten the Bible or Scriptures for your self, PLEASE purchase this book, and you like I will not be able to put it down!

Exhaustive Information on Canon Development.......2006-12-07

The book is easily organized into four parts: the introduction, the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the conclusion. Bruce's book concludes with two appendixes, and also includes an extensive bibliography and index arranged alphabetically.
Although, the main body of the book is divided into the Old and New Testaments, it is further subdivided into the history concerning each of those areas of Scripture. For example, the very first topic concerning the Old Testament canon describes Jesus' appeal to the Hebrew Scriptures (a very early scriptural support), and the author ends the section describing what order the books were collected during the 17th and 18th century. He also expounds upon how the apocrypha was either added to or taken away from the canon. In order to describe the canon and how it was compiled in history, the author uses a historical chronology. He asks such questions as: How did the biblical characters and the books themselves shed light on their contents and importance? Did Josephus, a Jewish historian, mention the contents and was the "classification of the books" his own (33)? Because of the great length of history that comprises the Old Testament, the question is asked, "Was the canon developed in three stages?" .... which are "corresponding to the three divisions of the Hebrew Bible (36)." He also mentions the so-called `Dead Sea Scrolls,' which represent all of the Hebrew Scriptures, except the book of Esther. The writer always indicates that differences of opinion existed between groups. For instance, the Sadducees may not agree with the Pharisees in acknowledging Daniel's "most explicit statement of the resurrection hope in the whole of the Old Testament (41)." But, when "we think of Jesus and his Palestinian apostles,....we may be confident that they agreed with contemporary leaders in Israel about the contents of the canon. .... when in debate with Jewish theologians Jesus and the apostles appealed to `the scriptures', they appealed to an authority which was equally acknowledged by their opponents. .... it is probable that, when the canon was `closed' in due course by competent authority, this simply meant that official recognition was given to the situation already obtaining in the practice of the worshipping community (41-42)". So in clarification of these comments by the author, there has always been a body of collected writings that had authority. After writing about the particular aspects related to the original Hebrew writings, the author discusses how the Greek Old Testament arose, the order of the books, thoughts concerning its translation, and how it was used in the church. The author stated that "the Jews of Alexandria gave up using the language their ancestors had spoken in Palestine and spoke Greek only (43)". So, my first question was whether or not Jesus actually used the Hebrew Scriptures, or was he using a Greek translation? I then discovered that when Jesus read the scroll of the Isaiah in the temple, which is recorded in the Book of Luke (4:17), that "it was most probably a Hebrew scroll that he received. But even in Palestine, and not the least in Jerusalem itself, there were many Greek-speaking Jews, Hellenists, and there were synagogues where they might go to hear the scriptures read and prayers recited in Greek (49)". The author also discusses some differences in Hebrew and Greek translations, and even later discusses in detail, how different personalities in church history viewed the two translations. For instance, Justin Martyr "evidently regards the Septuagint version as the only reliable text .... as read and interpreted by the Jews, the Jews (he says) have corrupted the text so as to obscure the scriptures' plain prophetic testimony to Jesus as the Christ (70)". The author writes further how the Old Testament is fulfilled in its witness to Jesus and how the New Testament supports the authority the Old.... although they were not yet known specifically as Old and New Testament. He states, "Jesus is the central subject of the Old Testament revelation; it is to him that witness is borne throughout (60)". Concerning the Old Testament canon, Bruce finally makes three geographical and historical distinctions; the Eastern Church, the Western Church, and the Reformed Church. He begins the discussion of the early church with the uncial codices Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, and Alexandrinus; and then continues with a description of the early fathers Justin Martyr, Melito, Origen, and Athanasius. In the West, the largest discussion involves the translation of the scripture into Latin. This was helpful in my later study of the Council of Nicea, that some of the attendees had disagreement or further discussed issues because of words being in both Latin and Greek. The Latin, in this case, did not have an all-encompassing word for the two Greek words being discussed: homoousios (being) and hypostasis (substance). Anyway, until "Jerome produced a new translation of the Old Testament from the Hebrew text at the end of the fourth century, the Latin Old Testament was a rendering of the Septuagint, .... (83)". The author also mentions Tertullian and Jerome leading up to the Reformation. In the discussion of the Reformation period he mentions, the impetus of `sola scriptura' or scripture alone. He also mentions the Council of Trent, the Elizabethan Settlement, and different compilations of the scripture.
The section concerning the New Testament begins with a discussion about early evidence and confession of the canon. There is an emphasis on the Gospels and Pauline corpus being accepted rather quickly, and Acts following closely behind to make a connection between the two bodies of scripture. "The gospel collection was authoritative because it preserved the words of Jesus, .... the church knew no higher authority. The Pauline collection was authoritative because it preserved the teaching of one whose authority as the apostle of Jesus Christ of the Gentiles was acknowledged .... The bringing together of these two collections into something approximating the New Testament as we know it was facilitated by another document which linked the one to the other. This document was Acts of the Apostles .... (132-133)." The author talks about the movements led by Marcion and Valentinus before discussing the Catholic response concerning these heresies, and consequently, what should be included in the canon. At this point in the book, the writer mentions the Muratorian Fragment, which appears to come from the end of the second century. In discussing the fragment, mention is made of the authority concerning the compiling of this canon list. Concerning the book of Luke, Bruce says, "based on eyewitness testimony and on his own participation in the course of the events which he narrates (Luke 1:1-4). The patristic idea that his gospel owes something to the apostolic authority of Paul is quite unfounded (266-267)." This point is interesting because of a discussion concerning apostolic authority. The Muratorian Fragment lists "Acts as `the Acts of all the apostles'. .... What was the reason for the Muratorian exaggeration? Possibly it marks a reaction against Marcion: Marcion claimed that Paul was the only faithful apostle of Jesus, but the compiler of our list implies, in accordance with the judgment of the catholic church, `We acknowledge all the apostles, and not Paul only; here is an authoritative document, which records their acts and not only Paul's (162-163)." "The apostolic authorship of Matthew and John was well-established in tradition. But what of Mark and Luke? Their authorship was also well-established in tradition, but it was felt desirable to buttress the authority of tradition with arguments which gave those two Gospels a measure of apostolic validation (257)." The book makes clear that the disagreements between the church and various heretical movements led to a discussion of what should be included in the canon. The Muratorian list also mentioned two letters which were said to be Marcionite forgeries (166). Even another development was the leader Montanus, "who launched a new charismatic movement. .... he claimed that the age of the Paraclete, foretold by Jesus, had now arrived, and that he was the mouthpiece of the Paraclete. .... their utterances presented a challenge to the catholic view of the faith as something `once for all delivered' (Jude 3) (168)." A large number of personalities are listed in the main body of the book, along with the details of what they considered to be issues surrounding the canon. The list contains Irenaeus, Hippolytus, Novatian, Tertullian, Cyprian, Clement, Origen, Dionysius, Eusebius, Constantine, Athanasius, Chrysotom, Jerome, and many others. There is a chapter on Augustine and a large section on Luther, which further discusses Tyndale's New Testament, Calvin, the Thirty-Nine Articles, and the Westminster Confession of Faith. Before continuing into the concluding chapters of the book, there is a section entitled, "a fixed canon." The statement is made, "the New Testament consists of the twenty-seven books which have been recognized as belonging to it since the fourth century is not a value judgment; it is a statement of fact (250)."
The introduction and closing sections bring all of the historical information written in the body of the book together by explaining the importance of the canon, not only for modern scholarship, but for the believer. Bruce admits in the closing, that the theological aspect of canonization was not the subject of the book, but rather historical aspects (281). But, this does not prevent the author from discussing such topics as inspiration. "In the fulfillment of Jesus' promise that the Spirit would be the disciples' teacher and bring his own words (with their significance) to their remembrance, the scriptures have been, and continue to be, one of the chief instruments, which the Spirit uses (281)". The closing sections also mention apostolic authority, antiquity, orthodoxy, tradition, and other issues. The author spends a good deal of time dealing with canonical criticism .... concerning which text is canonical; and also, which criteria are acceptable for determining canonicity today. Some scholars want to argue, "that those who accept the traditional canon of scripture today cannot legitimately defend it with arguments which played no part in its formation (275)." He also makes the point that those who are "interested in the Bible chiefly as historians of religious literature have naturally little use for the concept of a canon. Old Testament apocrypha and pseudepigrapha are as relevant to their studies as the contents of the Hebrew Bible; for them, there is no distinction in principle between the New Testament writings and other early Christian literature from (say) Clement of Rome to Clement of Alexandria. But for theologians and indeed for members of Christian churches in general, the principle of the canon is one of abiding importance (276)." I found Bruce's comment especially ironic and extremely factual, predominantly because of what Clement of Alexandria wrote on using the scriptures in response to heresy. I recently have been reading some of his material. Clement said, "we overturn their teachings by clearly showing that their doctrines contradict the scriptures." Overall, I found Bruce's book to be extremely detailed historically, highly informative, and furthermore, even interesting for the average Bible student. This book can surely also be used as a reference work because of its historical detail. For many of the personalities that I mentioned above, he goes into much detail about what they considered to be the canon, so historically accurate that he lists the books to be included for each. In that, it includes tedious, but helpful information!

Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity

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Catchy title worth the read
For the practice of the virtue of chastity
False Premises
a well-written, currently framed apologetic for chastity
An Honest and Straightforward Book

Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity
Lauren F. Winner
Manufacturer: Brazos Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Family Health | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

Gender & Sexuality | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1587431971
Release Date: 2006-07-01

Book Description

SEX. Splashed across magazine covers, billboards, and computer screens--sex is casual, aggressive, and absolutely everywhere. And everybody's doing it, right? In Real Sex, heralded young author Lauren F. Winner speaks candidly to Christians about the difficulty--and the importance--of sexual chastity. With honesty and wit, she talks about her struggle to live a celibate life. Never dodging tough terms like ''confession'' and ''sin,'' Winner grounds her discussion of chastity first and foremost in Scripture. She confronts cultural lies about sex and challenges how we talk about sex in church. Her biblically grounded observations and suggestions will be especially valuable to unmarried Christians struggling with the sexual mania of today's culture. Real Sex is essential reading for Christians grappling with chastity and a valuable tool for pastors.

Customer Reviews:

Catchy title worth the read.......2007-09-20

Given the perspective of the author I found this book to be very realistic while still getting God's perspective about sex. The author comes from a non-Christian upbringing and adulthood has a valuable approach and authority from experience. While I don't completely agree with everything she wrote the vast majority of her points I do find much more attainable to the Christian culture than "I Kissed Dating Goodbye".

For the practice of the virtue of chastity.......2007-08-06

The quotation by C.S. Lewis found in the early pages of this book really captures the purpose of a book like this. Lewis remarks, "Chastity is the most unpopular of the Christian virtues." For this reason, and for the fact that it is also a very difficult virtue to practice, and for the fact that church sponsored abstinence programs have had disappointing success rates, AND for the fact that our culture is doing everything to discourage the practice of this virtue--we have this excellent book by Lauren Winner. As one who came to Christianity after having become accustomed to premarital sex as part of her dating life, Winner continued this practice in her early experience as a Christian. The church should be dismayed that, according to her report, it offered little in the way of accountability or support in the practice of the virtue of chastity. Her book aims to in some part fill this void.

Perhaps some of the most insightful portions of this book are the chapters on "Lies the Culture Tells Us About Sex," and "Lies the Church Tells Us About Sex." Here she dispels some of the untruths that the world uses to disconnect sexuality from marriage and procreation, and that we can indulge in apart from commitment and without consequences. She addresses the issue of dress and modesty in relation to the practice of chastity, and the positive allure of the hidden. And she unveils the damaging effects of the cultural lie that sex must always be earth-shattering and adventurous, and that meaningful and passionate sex cannot happen in the routine of marriage.

When it comes to the church, she unveils some myths that the church has propagated in its eagerness to defend chastity. While often well-intentioned, these myths have sometimes served to discredit the church in the minds of those who have transgressed sexually, and discovered that premarital sex doesn't always make you feel guilty (though it certainly can). Further, that women, not only men, are sexually driven beings, and finally, that bodies are not "gross, dirty, or unimportant." Winner does a fine job of exalting the good gift of sexuality and the embodiment of love through it, as a tremendous good that God has created for the use of His creation. However, most importantly, she exalts this gift of sexuality in the context which God created it to be used--marriage. Her entire book is undergirded by a positive and biblical view of sex and marriage, and this theology of sexuality is foundational to her book. One of the quotations that really stuck in my head, was the fortuitious statement of biblical truth that occurred in the movie Vanilla Sky (not worth seeing, btw), where a woman remarked: "Don't you know that when you sleep with someone, your body makes a promise whether you do or not?" This is a rather striking way of stating the truth that St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:15-20, that sexual intercourse inevitably creates a one-flesh union between man and woman.

Perhaps one of the most unexpected surprises of Winner's book was the way she talked about private confession and absolution. She talked about the consolation and release she discovered in privately confessing her sins to her pastor, and hearing the words of Christ's grace and forgiveness personally spoken to her. While this didn't suddenly transform her behavior in a miraculous way, it did help her with the unburdening of guilt. When she returns to the matter of confession later in the book, she aptly states that whether done before a pastor or another Christian, confession "puts us in the company of people who can speak truth in love to us, about our sin, about the need for amendment of life." This point about her book should be underscored again--that the sins and failures in practicing the virtue of chastity, that burden so many people, are burdens that can be and are lifted by the strong arms of Jesus Christ, who bore our sins on His shoulders to the cross. It is in the strength of His forgiveness that single Christians are emboldened to walk forward in new life, practicing chastity in the present, until the time should come when they can enjoy the God-given gift of sexuality in marriage. Much more could be said about this excellent book, including her practical advice on learning the walk of chastity, but I will leave it at that and urge you to read it for yourself.

False Premises.......2007-07-31

This book is a bizarre neo-Puritanism, all predicated on the distorting false distinction between "real" sex and other forms. Only someone deeply alienated from Nature and Nature's God could presume that the source of most sexual pathology--Christian dogma--could be its only source of legitimation. Everything she says about relationships between two can be better realized in relationships of three or four.

a well-written, currently framed apologetic for chastity.......2007-07-11

For some months now I've been paying attention to recent Christian works on sex, marriage and the family. After reading a couple of dozen volumes in succession, I have reached at least one firm conclusion: Lauren Winner's Real Sex is stand-out, brilliant. Although not as broad ranging as some and not as theologically cast as others, still, no other contemporary book comes close to addressing chastity as clearly, forthrightly and convincingly as does this one. Informed by Christian tradition, governed by scriptural teaching and aimed squarely into today's world, Winner's apologetic for chastity (including fidelity within marriage) is nothing less than a Godsend. To be quite clear, if you are a pastor, a campus minister, a youth worker, mentor or counselor, you need to be familiar with this book and have it available for others to digest. If you are a single Christian struggling with chastity or a married Christian committed to monogamy but grappling with the lure of past misadventures, you also can benefit by absorbing this helpful book.

Real Sex is composed of nine reasonably succinct and very well written chapters. The first, a candid introduction drawing from the author's own sexual history, serves immediately to orient the discussion toward helping people to actually practice chastity. Here is the true burden of the book: not to add to the barrage of voices calling younger Christians to simply "zip up" and to "wait;" but to positively help us all inhabit chastity. Winner writes: "I have tried to articulate both the biblical vision of sex and the honest difficulties of living in this vision; I have tried to sketch both the tragedy of living outside the biblical vision and the hope for living within its bounds."

Following the introduction, the main body falls into two parts. Chapters' two to five provide the reader with a biblical frame of reference for thinking about human bodies and sexuality. Writing with freshness and verve, Winner stays away from proof-texts and stale condemnations. She doesn't preach to us but helpfully leads us to the place of seeing that sexual autonomy is not all that it is hyped up to be and not what God desires for us. Unlike many who take up the genre of Christian moral instruction, Winner offers us the compliment of embedding the moral truth she has to deliver in the larger narrative of creation and fall. The gospel too, is an equally important part of what grounds her exposition of the body, of sex and marriage. Sparing us any talk of sex being `dirty' or debased, Winner rejoices in the truth: sex is good, sex is a gift, and sex has a context. No doubt Winner's ability to balance telling the truth with a compassionate and empathetic tone will gain her a great many hearers. Certainly I cannot imagine anyone leaving off reading this book thinking that they personally are being judged or attacked.

Chapters six through nine follows through on the promise of the introduction. Here there is a much more practical focus. Pornography, masturbation and premarital sex are discussed in a frank but even-handed way. Moral formation, chastity and pre-marital abstinence are likewise treated. At no point does Winner chide her readers who may have succumbed to these sexual disorders; but at no point does she fudge the standards of our Maker or hide the difficulty of conducting ourselves sexually to the glory of God. That said, she certainly does offer help. Winner's emphasis on the church as a community working towards chastity, speaking well of sex, and actualizing the love of God, is a very powerful incentive toward practicing chastity. Further, Winner's open acknowledgment that Christian men and women do want guidance concerning physical boundaries is to be commended. That she is then able to offer some very concrete advice on "where to draw the line" (without falling into prudish preferences or straight out legalism) is to be applauded. Personally, I feel her chapter six on line-drawing and formation is pretty much worth the price of the book. It contains very helpful material.

Although she is deeply aware that chastity is at odds with the dictates of our culture and the orientations of our own desires, yet Winner knows what she believes about sexuality and why. In offering this gentle and insightful volume, Lauren has graced us with something of substantial valuable: a well-written, currently framed apologetic for chastity that is rooted in the practical call of Jesus to follow Him and to sin no more. Do yourself a favor, read this book, begin the daily discipline of appropriating its wisdom, and then pass it along for another to read.

An Honest and Straightforward Book.......2007-01-10

Lauren Winner has a great way of presenting arguments for chastity in a no nonsense manner, addressing many concerns and misconceptions that many have about sex whether they are misconceptions that come from our society or misconceptions that originate from within our churches. A truly great book among many average to bad books that address this topic.

Forgiven and Set Free: A Post-Abortion Bible Study for Women

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Forgiven and Set Free
healing from the affects of abortion
Forgiven and Set Free
A place to find healing
Forgiven and Set Free

Forgiven and Set Free: A Post-Abortion Bible Study for Women
Linda Cochrane
Manufacturer: Baker Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Apocrypha | Bible & Other Sacred Texts | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Bible & Other Sacred Texts | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 080105723X
Release Date: 1996-11-01

Book Description

Gently guides hurting women through painful emotions and memories to lasting healing and forgiveness. For solo or group use.

Customer Reviews:

Forgiven and Set Free.......2007-08-05

It is an excellent study book that has helped many ladies. I recommend ir for any lady who has gone through an abortion.

healing from the affects of abortion.......2007-06-23

I have been using this study for years with individuals and small groups- it is amazing to see how women change after 10 weeks in the study and God's Word, the Bible. They truly are FORGIVEN AND SET FREE! I've been through the study, and my husband did the Healing a Father's Heart- we use what we've experienced to help others.

Forgiven and Set Free.......2007-03-08

This study has proven to be very healing and I highly recommend it.

A place to find healing.......2007-02-07

We use these books in our Post-Abortion classes and so many women have experienced God's TRUE healing because of it. Women no longer have to live in shame from their abortion. Once they're able to confess it, forgiveness abounds them! AMEN! I recommend this book to anyone who's needing to be set free from the bondage of abortion.

Forgiven and Set Free.......2007-01-06

This book is well written, a page turner for anyone who has been touched by abortion. The Bible study is thoughtful, biblically based all the way and actually transforms one from pain and guilt to freedom and an ability to put the experience in the past and move on.
It does not require that the reader be familiar with the Bible but rather a willingness to be set free.
It delivers on its intentions and I have used it to teach post abortion Bible studies.

Average customer rating:

Eye opener!
Excellent book
IMHO, This book is second only to the Bible!!
Buying your way into Heaven
Deep & Thought provoking

Money, Possessions, and Eternity
Randy Alcorn
Manufacturer: Tyndale House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Money & Values | Personal Finance | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0842353607

Book Description

What does the Bible really say about money? This completely revised and updated version of the classic best-seller provides a Christian perspective about money and material possessions based on the author's painstaking study of the Bible. Randy Alcorn uses the Scriptures to approach this often touchy subject head-on. Thought-provoking arguments challenge readers to rethink their attitudes and use their God-given resources in ways that will have an eternal impact. Alcorn deals straightforwardly with issues of materialism, stewardship, prosperity theology, debt, and more. An excellent choice for group study as well as individual financial guidance. Includes a study guide and appendix with additional resources.

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Customer Reviews:

Eye opener!.......2007-10-03

What an eye opener this book is! He lets you have it like it is. Greed, gluttony and covetousness are NOT treated as virtues, like the "prosperity gospel" preaches. This book helps to get us, as Christians, back on the right track of why God gives us material blessings and what He expects us to do with them. God is the focus, not us. Be prepared for some soul searching introspection!

Excellent book.......2007-10-03

This is an excellent book on Biblical stewardship. It's a must read for anyone wanting to see what the Bible has to say about your possessions and how to view as well as handle them. Highly, highly recommended!

IMHO, This book is second only to the Bible!! .......2007-09-07

Those are big words but let me explain why I truly mean them. Before I'd even gotten past the first hundred pages this book helped me change the way I manage my finances. How? By changing and enlightening my perspective. We get so caught up in the here and now that we sometimes forget what life is really about and what truly matters.

To answer the previous post, this book has NOTHING WHATSOVER to do with "buying your way into heaven". That is a gift bought by the precious blood of Jesus Christ and we can do nothing to earn it. That's why it's a gift from God. However, how we live as a reponse to that is well within our control and how we manage our money says a lot about our view of God and our relationship with Him. That's what this book helps put into perspective first and foremost. Once you have that perspective you will start to change how you spend money without going through major internal efforts. Salvation is one thing and we can only get to Heaven by Jesus Christ and not our own efforts. How we live is another thing and once we've settled the first and are secure in the fact we cannot lose it then our living is to be in gratitude for that precious gift and not an attempt to earn it because we never could. That would diminish the fact that it is a gift of God.

The author's heart-felt and sincere efforts to please the Lord in every aspect of his living have produced the fruit of this very helpful and edifying book. In turn, this book can help the rest of us to do likewise. This book had such a profound impact on me that there was no other book that could compare to it for impact other than the Bible, which of course, is second to none.

Buying your way into Heaven.......2007-07-05

I was bothered by the concept of buying your way into heaven. If you live a moral, decent, commandment obeying life but don't give enough money you still don't get into heaven? I hate to think that's what God is all about.
For full disclosure, I'd like to know what kind of house Mr. Alcorn lives in and how many of his expenses his organization pays. For those of us who pay our own expenses, it's more difficult to free up money to give. He writes of transferring ownership of all possessions to his wife and organization (of which he is the founder)to avoid a legal settlement but advises everyone else to avoid insurance for the same. In the days when God rained manna from the heavens his advice might have worked. However, if I give all my income and possessions away today, I'm living on the street, or on welfare. I thought God helped those who helped themselves, but Mr. Alcorn advises to work ONLY for God. If God wants us to give all our money and possessions back to him, why does he allow us the ability to earn in the first place?

Deep & Thought provoking.......2007-05-29

Great book! Makes you really think how you're spending the money that God has entrusted to you.

Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire

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Deep, Scholarly but Blatantly Biased
Wonderful but ambitious
Something of a Mixed Bag
A kinder, gentler Regime of Truth
If I hear global capitalism one more time...

Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire
Brian J. Walsh , and Sylvia C. Keesmaat
Manufacturer: InterVarsity Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0830827382

Book Description

Have we really heard the message of Colossians? Is this New Testament book just another religious text whose pretext is an ideological grab for dominating power? Reading Colossians in context, ancient and contemporary, can perhaps give us new ears to hear.In this innovative and refreshing book Brian J. Walsh and Sylvia C. Keesmaat explain our own sociocultural context to then help us get into the world of the New Testament and get a sense of the power of the gospel as it addressed those who lived in Colossae two thousand years ago. Their reading presents us with a radical challenge from the apostle Paul for today. Drawing together biblical scholarship with a passion for authentic lives that embody the gospel, this groundbreaking interpretation of Colossians provides us with tools to subvert the empire of our own context in a way that acknowledges the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

Customer Reviews:

Deep, Scholarly but Blatantly Biased.......2007-02-14

I was repeatedly disappointed by the constant, nearly obsessive attempts to "subvert" this brilliant book of the Bible to promote what are passionate personal views on what they are convinced is the Roman "Empire" of today and the fatally flawed economic system this "empire" entices or enslaves others. Though I wish they had used their knowledge to convey a more unbiased contemporary re-telling of this awesome little book, Brian and Sylvia are to be commended for their deep, thorough study of this book and the culture it was originally presented in. I have deep respect for their sincere attempt to re-translate this incredibly powerful book. I just wish they had kept their personal political views from permeating and therefore precluding what could have been a really interesting take on Colossians.

"Free Markets" are not perfect and they have their dark side- most notably greed. However, every socio-economic structure that has mankind running it has its dark side. Annanias and Sapphira showed that even that the "Commonism" of Acts 2 has its dark side. Even with its many imperfections, Capitalism has probably lifted more people out of poverty (think micro-markets) who had a desire for a better life than all the other economic options combined. If you combined today's Capitalism with the self-lessness of Acts 2- I think you have something beautiful.

Capitalism certainly needs to become more humble and more generous to be sure. But for all it is failing to do- it is enabling those who are successful within it to do FAR MORE benevolence than those in any other known economic system.

When I think of the alternatives (communism / socialism / strict theocracy) and their "dark sides"- I shudder. Unfortunately, the "dark sides" and frankly, the lack of positives of these alternatives are never addressed, leaving the possible presumption that they may in fact be a better way.

I love fresh re-tellings and contemporary application of Scripture (that's why I anticipated this book coming in the mail!), but this book was way, way, way out in left-field. Now, if someone took this book- and edited out all the overtly political views (which curiously were never in the original Colossians)- we could have something truly inspiring.

Wonderful but ambitious.......2006-11-03

I recently finished two books, each of which, in their own way, elaborated a common theme: understanding the New Testament as 1) a tool for confronting ideologies in conflict with the Kingdom Jesus preached, and 2) painting an alternate, Christian vision of reality which subverts reigning dominant paradigms. Brian Walsh and Sylvia Keesmat's "Colossians remixed: subverting the empire" elaborated this theme through a study of Colossians and Richard Bauckham's "The theology of the book of Revelation" through a study of Revelation. I found both of these books extremely helpful in developing a much deeper, richer, and relevant reading of scripture. The idea I found most intriguing was how important it is to understand the pervasive role that the ideology of the Roman Empire had in shaping the hearts and minds of those living in its shadow. The reason I found these books so helpful was that they put flesh on the platitude that we should "understand scripture within its original context." I think it's easy to read scripture without the lenses of history, myopically attempting to extract some lesson from its words by transporting it directly into our own cultural context. Perhaps there are many passages of scripture which can more easily transcend times and places than others: perhaps the beatitudes, and other passages on the themes of love and forgiveness found in the parables of Jesus. But I think there is much to be gleaned from scripture not just by looking for absolute rules to live by, but by understanding the kind of function that, e.g. the letters of the new testament had within the communities to which they were written. But understanding the function of scripture in this sense involves bringing to scripture some historical understanding, which corrects a historically myopic reading of scripture. These two books in their own ways have gone some way towards correcting my own historical myopia (which doesn't take much).

Walsh and Keesmat argue that Colossians is, in fact, a subversive tract against the Roman Empire. What is an empire? Walsh and Keesmat define an empire as a kind of totalizing worldview: a picture of reality which is not so much explicitly assented to as a list of propositions as it is lived out and evidenced through one's actions and those actions' relationship to the collective rhythm of a society. According to Walsh and Keesmat, there are four aspects of an empire. Empires are 1) built on systematic centralizations of power, 2) secured by structures of socioeconomic and military control, 3) religiously legitimated by powerful myths and 4) sustained by a proliferation of imperial images that captivate the imaginations of the population (p. 58). In the context of the Roman empire, for example, the legitimation of Roman rule was summed up in the Pax Romana: the idea that Rome was the bringer of lasting peace, and could guarantee such peace in exchange for the allegiance of its subjects. What Paul does in Colossians, and what isn't obvious to us today, I think, is directly challenge Roman ideology. Implicit in Colossians (there waiting to be discovered with just a little bit of historical lenses correcting the myopia) is the message that it is Christ, not Rome, that brings lasting peace, and it is Christ, not Rome to whom we owe our allegiance. And don't let all the practices which legitimate the Roman empire, Paul is saying, lull you into complicity with her--whether that be benefiting from her wealth (e.g. church at Laodicea) or accepting the myths that attempted to legitimate one's place in a society structured to keep the power in the hands of the already powerful at the expense of the slaves, the women, and the poor (c.f. the "noble lie" in Plato's Republic).

Walsh and Keesmat's treatment of Colossians suggests to me a certain kind of exegetical methodology:

Exegetical methodology: First figure out the writer's message (which requires giving ourselves some historical perspective with which we can better understand the issues confronting the church at the time), and then rethink the message within our own socio-economic-political context.

For the Colossians, it seems there were two parts of the message: first, an engagement and criticism of the "philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world" (Colossians 2:8), which was the totalizing vision of the Roman Empire under which they lived. Second, and integrally related to the first part, is a painting of an alternative picture of a community modeled on the Kingdom of God, which Christ proclaimed, inaugurated and (somehow) made possible through his life and death. Walsh and Keesmat model this practice in writing some targums--an application and elaboration of the message adapted to our own cultural context--of passages from Colossians. This is not a new practice: the Jews of the Diaspora read the Torah in this same way (p. 38).

Walsh and Keesmat suggest that the reigning ideology of "pax Americana" is global capitalism, which is almost universally subscribed to, if not in word, then at least in deed. Of course, operating on the principles of global capitalism has brought great success for America, but economic success is not the end-all-be-all for the Christian. Concerns of justice should always trump it--a message we find throughout both the Jewish Scriptures and New Testament. And there is a real question about the justice of the kinds of economic relationships involved in maintaining an empire like the United States. These are big questions that aren't easy, no doubt. But reading scripture in a historically informed way which is sensitive to the concerns of the context in which it is written (which will almost certainly require extra-biblical resources) will allow us to arrive at the meaning of scripture. If we then engage in some cultural criticism of our own--something which Paul and John themselves did--then we'll have in hand an interpretation which has the power to transform the way we live by engaging the realities of our own situations. This brings new meaning to the idea of the word of God as living and active.

Something of a Mixed Bag.......2006-05-27

I'm giving this book four stars because while there was a lot of good stuff in here, there was also some problematic material. To me, four stars should mean: a good book for those who are sharp enough and open enough to read thoughtfully and reflectively, taking the good and rejecting the occasional misstep.

In order to make this review at least somewhat useful to those considering whether to read or buy the book, I'll make a few general comments. First off, the writing style is very good. There is well-written prose, reasonably creative dialogue, narrative, poetry, targum, just about as many genres as one book could handle. This allowed the book to seem fresh each time I picked it up, and also kept it from getting old fast. Secondly, however, I should note that the book covers a wide range of issues and can get somewhat technical. It is definitely more accessible than say Barth or Aquinas, but it is still worth reading carefully. In particular, I'm thinking of A. Travison's review. Either he didn't understand the discussion of Postmodernism at all, or his comments are simply dishonest caricatures. To be generous, I'll assume that he just should have read that section a little more slowly.

Far from being an assault on reason, this book provides an insightful and balanced--if somewhat brief and condensed--analysis and CRITIQUE of postmodernism. They are not Postmodernists who think that everything is up in the air. They are not saying that we need to abandon reason. They are saying that "conservative" (for lack of a better word) reactions to Postmodernism have been shallow and naïve. They are saying that we need to calm down and not make an idol out of rationality. And we need to realize that we do carry a worldview with us into EVERY intellectual discussion in which we engage. So we can't pretend that we are unbiased thinkers. This insight is not new even to staunchly conservative Christians--just read Cornelius Van Til or Greg Bahnsen--even if they come to slightly different conclusions. I do not think this book is far from the truth, and its discussion of Postmodernism is certainly valuable for being honest with that movement and then moving forward to something better.

While the book is pretty liberal (I consider myself liberal politically, and this book goes beyond what I would do), it is also quite Biblical in most of its ethical discussions (in other words, it seems to be theologically conservative). The criticisms of American economic policy is quite proper. The call for us to live a radically selfless lifestyle in order to insure justice for the poor of the world is right on. In our drive to have more and better things we are destroying the environment and human life, what is wrong with pointing this out and saying we should do something radical to change it?

On the down side is their discussion of husband/wife, parents/children and master/slave relationships. As with much of the book the discussion is somewhat underdeveloped. They don't ever get around to really saying what exactly the husband/wife or parents/children relationships should look like, for example. They do make it sound a lot like Paul didn't really mean it when he said that wives should submit to their husbands. It is made to sound as though any and all hierarchical relationships are inherently abusive, but I don't think such a claim could be maintained. Sadly, they are less clear in this section than I would have liked (or, perhaps I just need to reread it more carefully).

My only general complaint is that their exegesis is weak on the whole. Even when I agreed with their conclusions or principles (which was often), it seemed as though they were stretching to dig it out of Colossians.

A kinder, gentler Regime of Truth.......2006-03-16

This book was recommended to me by a friend. He said I should keep an open mind, since he knows I have a conservative political bent. After reading Colossians Remixed, however, I don't think that the biggest problem with the book is the writer's liberal politics (though their political rants were grating).

More importantly, these liberal politics are only a symptom of their slanted exegesis of the book of Colossians. Even the "exegesis" itself is suspect, since the authors don't interpret Colossians directly. First, they write their "targum", or interpretive paraphrase, of the letter, and then they form their conclusions and recommendations based on that. In my view, they have to do this, since the book of Colossians does not, on its face, advocate any sort of leftist critique of empire. In a sense, they are saying that Paul had a secret agenda that was lost to us until now, because of our previous lack of understanding of the historical context of the letter to the Colossians. If you take this to its logical conclusion, any person given a bible can't read it correctly until they have Walsh and Keesmat put it in "proper" historical context for them. You can call me a simpleton, but I'd rather err on the side of letting scripture interpret scripture. Even if you take as a given that America is an empire (which I don't), if you read all of Paul's epistles to give yourself more context, you realize that sin, judgment, justification, and righteousness before God are much more important to Paul than the Christian community's position in relation to the empire.

Let me focus on a couple key chapters in the book that give me concern. In the chapter titled "Regimes of Truth and the Word of Truth", they set out to make the Bible more palatable for a postmodern generation. They say "...as soon as we say that Colossians is an ancient writing preoccupied with something like what we today describe as a worldview, we find ourselves in some tension with the postmodern cultural and intellectual climate." They go on to ask, "Is the biblical metanarrative, together with it's large scale truth claims...inherently totalizing...or are there counterideological, antitotalizing dimensions of this grand story..." The authors then go on to say that yes, we can find antitotalizing dimensions of the biblical story. Specifically, these being that Jesus came to minister to the marginal and the oppressed, and that the biblical story transcends oppressive praxis to become a metanarrative of "redemptive inclusion." This might sound nice, but I think it can lead to problems. The authors are asking: Is there a way we can present the biblical story to postmodern people in a way so as not to offend them? This is a give-away that I am not willing to make. Let's face it, telling someone that they are a sinner and they have a date with judgment is no fun. However, to blunt this truth and tell a postmodern generation that the gospel is God's inclusive love story is reductionism. Many aspects of God's character are downplayed in this "gospel", such as his holiness and hatred of sin.

In the subsequent chapter the authors go on to challenge rational epistemology. They say, "It's really quite simple. All that we are saying is that the commitment to reason is just that-a commitment. And this commitment has no more rational foundation to it than any other commitment...we should be committed to Jesus, not rationality." The authors here are presenting the reader with a reasonable argument that tries to convince her to throw her reason out the window. They had to use reason to write their book. I have to use reason to contribute this review. I reason that their argument is ridiculous. Being reasonable is part of being human.

In conslusion, I have grown weary of this genre of books with their fresh perspectives and lost messages and secret interpretations that tinker with historic Christian doctrine. The authors might say I'm stuck in a fundamentalist paradigm. But I say, give me truth for all time, not relevance that will change with the next election or philosophical fad. The writers have simply wrapped much of the theological liberalism of the past century in a pop-art cover and tried to pass it off to a new generation. Don't be fooled.

If I hear global capitalism one more time..........2006-02-28

I approached this book with some hope that it would yield help in understanding the great truths of "Christ in you, the hope of glory", the "new self"; and many of the other profound distinctives of this letter. I was even open, as a stalwart conservative evangelical, to stretch my orthodoxy to make it more generous, but what I got was an effort to make every word of Colossians fit the neo-liberation theology agenda of its authors. Let the book say what it says, not what you had hoped it would say.

Neither Poverty Nor Riches: A Biblical Theology of Possessions (New Studies in Biblical Theology)

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Not what it purports to be
Great Biblical academic study
A Solid Survey of God's Perspective on Possessions
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Neither Poverty Nor Riches: A Biblical Theology of Possessions (New Studies in Biblical Theology)
Craig L. Blomberg
Manufacturer: IVP Academic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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