Problems of Religious Diversity (Exploring the Philosophy of Religion)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • A Good Try on a Tough Problem
Problems of Religious Diversity (Exploring the Philosophy of Religion)
Paul Griffiths
Manufacturer: Blackwell Publishing Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

ReligiousReligious | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
PhilosophyPhilosophy | Theology | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
SystematicSystematic | Theology | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Comparative ReligionComparative Religion | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
NonfictionNonfiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:
  1. The Philosophical Challenge of Religious Diversity The Philosophical Challenge of Religious Diversity
  2. Doctrines of Religious Communities: A Philosophical Study Doctrines of Religious Communities: A Philosophical Study
  3. The Emergence Of Judaism The Emergence Of Judaism
  4. Creating Judaism: History, Tradition, Practice Creating Judaism: History, Tradition, Practice
  5. Religious Ambiguity and Religious Diversity Religious Ambiguity and Religious Diversity

ASIN: 0631211500

Book Description

Problems of Religious Diversity analyzes the philosophical questions raised by the fact that many religions in the world often appear to contradict each other in doctrine and practice. The volume distinguishes the differences between religious and non-religious responses to these questions, and evaluates the fundamental philosophical underpinnings of these contemporary debates. It further discusses what a religion is and how diversity in religion can be understood, and examines the concepts of religious truth and salvation. Questions considered include:Can there be more than one true religion?What is the relation between commitment to one's faith and tolerance of other faiths?How does one's awareness of diverse religious claims affect the degree or strength of belief in one's own religion?In what ways can the concept of salvation and its prospects be construed in response to the contradictory nature of different religions?

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars A Good Try on a Tough Problem.......2007-10-02

Griffith's book, written from a moderate Catholic perspective, attempts to deal honestly with problem of religious diversity. Embracing neither the relativism of figures like John Hick or the exclusivism of most evangelical Christians, Griffith maintains that, while all those who are saved are saved by the grace of Christ, that grace is not necessarily limited only to those who make a formal, explicit profession of faith in Christ. He also admits that, while universalism is possible in principle, it is quite likely that not all will be saved. Griffith's positions on this issue are quite attractive, since they are respectful of the faith-commitments of non-Christians without rejecting the claim that Christianity is the only true religion despite the fact that many of those truths are shared across traditions. Whether or not there are substantive religious truths "revealed" in other traditions that are not part of the deposit of faith is more controversial. Griffith's book is a good platform for consideration of these issues, but one would like to see a more sophisticated presentation of these views.
Exploring Kenotic Christology: The Self-Emptying of God
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Exploring Kenotic Christology: The Self-Emptying of God

    Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

    GeneralGeneral | Theology | Reference | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    ChristologyChristology | Theology | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Philosophy of Religion | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
    All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
    NonfictionNonfiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
    Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. The Work of Love: Creation as Kenosis The Work of Love: Creation as Kenosis

    ASIN: 0199283222

    Book Description

    This book, written by a team of Christian philosophers, theologians, and biblical scholars, explores the viability of a kenotic account of the incarnation. It is an attempt to make sense of the traditional Christian claim that Jesus of Nazareth was both human and divine by developing the idea that to become human God the Son temporarily emptied himself of some of his divine attributes. Such a view of Jesus does full justice to the very human portraits of him found in the gospels, and it shows the depths of a divine love that is willing fully to embrace the human condition.
    Exploring Christian Ethics: Biblical Foundations for Morality
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Exploring Christian Ethics: Biblical Foundations for Morality
    Exploring Christian Ethics: Biblical Foundations for Morality
    Kyle D. Fedler
    Manufacturer: Westminster John Knox Press
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

    Ethics & MoralityEthics & Morality | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    EthicsEthics | Theology | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Theology | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. The Pastor As Moral Guide (Creative Pastoral Care and Counseling) The Pastor As Moral Guide (Creative Pastoral Care and Counseling)
    2. Go and Do Likewise: Jesus and Ethics Go and Do Likewise: Jesus and Ethics
    3. Ethics for a Brave New World Ethics for a Brave New World
    4. Biotechnology and the Human Good Biotechnology and the Human Good
    5. Ethics and Spiritual Care: A Guide for Pastors, Chaplains, and Spiritual Directors Ethics and Spiritual Care: A Guide for Pastors, Chaplains, and Spiritual Directors

    ASIN: 0664228984

    Book Description

    Adopting a unique approach among introductions to Christian ethics, Kyle Fedler's Exploring Christian Ethics guides students through the moral decision-making process by providing foundational material in both ethical theory and biblical ethics. In part1, Fedler introduces readers to the discipline of ethics, exploring perennial issues from the classical tradition such as relativism, utilitarianism, character, deontology, and virtue from a Christian perspective. In part 2, he explores the various ways Scripture can be used responsibly in Christian ethics, particularly discussing whether the Bible should be used as a book of rules. Finally, in part 3, he presents and analyzes the sections of Scripture that have been most influential in Christian morality and ethics: creation and the fall, the Mosaic covenant, the prophets, the teachings of Jesus, the life of Jesus, writings of the Johannine community, and the letters of Paul. Ideal for undergraduate courses, Exploring Christian Ethics is informed by solid scholarship and is accessibly and engagingly written.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Exploring Christian Ethics: Biblical Foundations for Morality.......2007-05-13

    Great explanation on ethics and Christianity. Easy to read and eye opening. I recommend it.
    A Letter in the Scroll: Understanding Our Jewish Identity and Exploring the Legacy of the World's Oldest Religion
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • well written but outdated
    • An excellent Jewish philosophy book
    A Letter in the Scroll: Understanding Our Jewish Identity and Exploring the Legacy of the World's Oldest Religion
    Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
    Manufacturer: Free Press
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

    GeneralGeneral | Jewish | World | History | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Theology | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Judaism | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. To Heal a Fractured World: The Ethics of Responsibility To Heal a Fractured World: The Ethics of Responsibility
    2. Celebrating Life (Continuum Compact) Celebrating Life (Continuum Compact)
    3. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks's Haggadah: Hebrew And English Text With New Essays And Commentary Rabbi Jonathan Sacks's Haggadah: Hebrew And English Text With New Essays And Commentary
    4. Dignity of Difference: How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations Dignity of Difference: How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations
    5. Hebrew Daily Prayer Book Hebrew Daily Prayer Book

    ASIN: 0743267427

    Amazon.com

    A Letter in the Scroll, by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi of Britain, was inspired by a project he assigned to several university students. He suggested that they write to some of the most accomplished Jewish men and women in the world and ask what being Jewish meant to them. They sent out 200 letters and received six, mostly tepid, responses. Sacks considered these responses to be evidence of "confusion and demoralization at the heart of contemporary Jewish identity." He then decided to address the question himself, and A Letter in the Scroll is his answer. The book is a personal theology of Judaism, and it is a challenge to new generations of Jews to define the nature of their place in the story of Israel. Sacks's central theme is that "Judaism is not a theory, a system, a set of speculative propositions, an 'ism.' It is a call, and it bears our name." Sacks makes this argument in many ways, with reference to theology, philosophy, ancient history, and his personal experience. Most impressive, however, is his concise, direct, and wise use of Scripture: "The most eloquent words God spoke to Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and the prophets was to call their name," he writes. "Their reply was simply Hineni, 'Here I am.' That is the call Jewish history makes to us: to continue the story and to write our letter in the scroll." --Michael Joseph Gross

    Book Description

    For too long, Jews have defined themselves in light of the bad things that have happened to them. And it is true that, many times in the course of history, they have been nearly decimated: when the First and Second Temples were destroyed, when the Jews were expelled from Spain, when Hitler proposed his Final Solution. Astoundingly, the Jewish people have survived catastrophe after catastrophe and remained a thriving and vibrant community. The question Rabbi Jonathan Sacks asks is, quite simply: How? How, in the face of such adversity, has Judaism remained and flourished, making a mark on human history out of all proportion to its numbers?

    Written originally as a wedding gift to his son and daughter-in-law, A Letter in the Scroll is Rabbi Sacks's personal answer to that question, a testimony to the enduring strength of his religion. Tracing the revolutionary series of philosophical and theological ideas that Judaism created -- from covenant to sabbath to formal education -- and showing us how they remain compellingly relevant in our time, Sacks portrays Jewish identity as an honor as well as a duty.

    The Ba'al Shem Tov, an eighteenth-century rabbi and founder of the Hasidic movement, famously noted that the Jewish people are like a living Torah scroll, and every individual Jew is a letter within it. If a single letter is damaged or missing or incorrectly drawn, a Torah scroll is considered invalid. So too, in Judaism, each individual is considered a crucial part of the people, without whom the entire religion would suffer. Rabbi Sacks uses this metaphor to make a passionate argument in favor of affiliation and practice in our secular times, and invites us to engage in our dynamic and inclusive tradition. Never has a book more eloquently expressed the joys of being a Jew.

    This is the story of one man's hope for the future -- a future in which the next generation, his children and ours, will happily embrace the beauty of the world's oldest religion.

    Download Description

    Originally written as a gift to his children, the Chief Rabbi of Britain takes a definitive look at the changing face of Jewish identity and describes what it means to life a life of Torah in the new millennium.

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars well written but outdated.......2003-05-26

    Rabbi Sacks wrote this to persaude Jews to be better Jews - but I'm not sure he would persuade anyone who isn't already converted, especially in view of recent events.

    On the positive side, this book is very well written and easy to read. I started it at 4:30 Shabbos afternoon and was 2/3 done with it five hours later. And when Rabbi Sacks writes as a rabbi, he does quite well - that is to say, I found his analysis of difficult Torah passages (e.g. the almost-sacrifice of Isaac) quite enlightening.

    Much of his writing is a historical attempt to show Judaism's contributions to the world and how Judaism differed from paganism; I don't really know enough about paganism to agree or disagree with all of his points. (I generally find his analysis persuasive, but as a Jew who doesn't have a lot of pagan friends, I'm kind of biased).

    The only reason I gave this book four stars instead of five is that because of the recent outbreak of anti-Semitism around the world, it is totally outdated. Sacks writes that Jews have no reason to be ambivalent about their identity or scared to be Jews, because "neither now nor in the foreseeable future can [anti-Semitism] hold center stage in the political arena" (p. 221) - words that made sense in the late 1990s when he wrote them. Yet now a worldwide terrorist army, incited by al-Jazeera and other state-supported media in Islamic states, has announced its plan to destroy all of the world's Jews, and is only a few nuclear weapons away from making substantial "progress" in that direction. And Israel is being hammered at by terrorist aggression, and most of the world sympathizes with the terrorists. If Rabbi Sacks writes a second edition (and I hope he does) it will have to be substantially modified to address these unpleasant realities.

    5 out of 5 stars An excellent Jewish philosophy book.......2001-04-16

    Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi of England, writes fluidly and lyrically. While this is a general, basic Jewish philosophy text, it is appropriate not only for beginners but also for those with a more advanced knowledge of Judaism. Rabbi Sacks explores a variety of ideas within Judaism including: the egalitarian nature of each Jewish person's relationship with G-d, the Hebrew Bible as the first way to understand the world and how it works without resort to myth, the covenantal relationship between the Jewish people and G-d and the covenantal relationships within Jewish families, Judaism as a rejection of both tribalism and universalism, the synagogue as a revolutionary institution, etc.

    The only piece of the book that troubled me was Rabbi Sacks' treatment of the destruction of the Second Temple. While he regards it as political disaster in which the Jewish people lost their national independence, he also feels that it brought about "the flowering of its religious vision." Sacks further states, "[n]ow that the Temple lay in ruins, every Jew became a holy person, offering prayer instead of sacrifice, and achieving atonement through repentance. At long last the ideal of Sinai had become a reality. Israel really was a 'kingdom of priests.'" This fits in nicely with other ideas earlier expressed, affirming the dignity of every individual, particularly in their relationship with G-d. However, Sacks does not deal with the desire to rebuild the Temple (together with its attendant priests and sacrifices) as an important strain within Jewish thought and liturgy.

    Overall, this was a pleasure to read and I recommend it highly.
    The Living Labyrinth: Exploring Universal Themes in Myths, Dreams, and the Symbolism of Waking Life
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Universal, archetypal dream symbols lovingly explored
    The Living Labyrinth: Exploring Universal Themes in Myths, Dreams, and the Symbolism of Waking Life
    Jeremy Taylor
    Manufacturer: Paulist Press
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

    DreamsDreams | Mental Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
    DreamsDreams | By Topic | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
    PhilosophyPhilosophy | Theology | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    DevotionalsDevotionals | Worship & Devotion | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    DevotionalsDevotionals | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    Taylor, JeremyTaylor, Jeremy | ( T ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    Pastoral TheologyPastoral Theology | Theology | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Mythology | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
    Fairy TalesFairy Tales | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. Dream Work: Techniques for Discovering the Creative Power in Dreams Dream Work: Techniques for Discovering the Creative Power in Dreams
    2. Where People Fly and Water Runs Uphill: Using Dreams to Tap the Wisdom of the Unconscious Where People Fly and Water Runs Uphill: Using Dreams to Tap the Wisdom of the Unconscious
    3. Dreams: A Way to Listen to God Dreams: A Way to Listen to God
    4. Body-Mind Psychotherapy: Principles, Techniques, and Practical Applications Body-Mind Psychotherapy: Principles, Techniques, and Practical Applications
    5. Statistics Explained: A Guide for Social Science Students Statistics Explained: A Guide for Social Science Students

    ASIN: 0809137666

    Book Description

    Explores archetypal symbols in myths and dreams and explains how these have structured people's spiritual lives. Aimed at a general readership.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Universal, archetypal dream symbols lovingly explored.......1999-11-10

    Jeremy Taylor's first two books, DREAM WORK, and WHERE PEOPLE FLY AND WATER RUNS UP HILL, (q.v.) are brilliant introductions to exploring dreams with an eye to their deeper meanings. Both books offer insights that empower individual dreamers to look more deeply into their own dreaming experience and find more of the MULTIPLE MEANINGS that inhere in every dream - (even the tiniest fugitive fragments.) These books deal with forming on-going, lay-led dream groups, as well as working with one's dreams in solitude. LIVING LABYRINTH takes this self-empowerment dream work process one step further, encouraging dreamers to seek the "aha!" of meaning not only in the personal layers of significance in their dreams, but also in the transpersonal, archetypal symbols and metaphors that always appear in our dreams. Filled with re-tellings of some of the world's most interesting and emotionally compelling myths and sacred narratives, as well as accounts of many dreams of contemporary dreamers, the book explores the deep, recurring patterns of meaning and symbol that appear in both our individual dreams and our shared. collective religious and spiritual stories. There are alos 22 charming illustrations and diagrams (drawn by the author) that make the book visually appealing as well intellectually stimulating.
    Beyond Death: Exploring the Evidence for Immortality
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • Good in spite of some flaws
    • Old arguments
    • An excellent work
    Beyond Death: Exploring the Evidence for Immortality
    Gary R. Habermas , and James Porter Moreland
    Manufacturer: Good News Publishers
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

    GeneralGeneral | Theology | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    PhilosophyPhilosophy | Theology | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    ApologeticsApologetics | Theology | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    EschatologyEschatology | Theology | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Theology | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    ASIN: 0891079998

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars Good in spite of some flaws.......2007-04-22

    I have to say that this is a good book overall that helped me defend my faith better.

    The first section, on the evidence for immortality, is the strongest in my opinion, especially in their case for substance dualism (the traditional soul-body distinction), which is critical for the Christian view of immortality, and refutation of physicalism (the idea that humans are reducible to matter alone).

    I have to admit that, even after reading their chapters on Near Death Experiences (NDEs), I still remain a bit skeptical about them, although these chapters certainly gave me a lot to think about and I have to admit that they brought up good points.

    Their section on the Resurrection of Jesus didn't provide much information that I didn't already know, but then again I've read book-length defenses of that already so I guess I can't blame the authors too much for that. It's still pretty good given their space, especially if you haven't read a defense of it before.

    Their second section, on the nature of immortality, was probably the weakest of the three. It still has a lot of good information in it, but unfortunately it suffers from a bit of excessive speculation on the part of the authors. The chapter on reincarnation, which a surprising number of professing Christians believe in, is pretty useful though, and the chapter on the doctrine of hell brings up some really good points.

    The third section, on the implications of immortality (if immortality is true, so what?), is really practical. It has really interesting, informative, and useful discussions on issues like euthanasia, abortion, end-of-life issues, living in light of eternity, fear of death, etc.

    Overall this is a very good book, especially if you can overlook its Arminian theological slant. It is evidentialist in its approach. Even though I am a Calvinist who tends to favor presuppositional apologetics over evidentialist apologetics, I still found this book very useful and informative and would recommend it to anyone who is considering becoming a Christian or any Christian who is trying to learn to defend his faith.

    I'd recommend reading this book with "Resurrection" by Hank Hanegraaff and "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn. If you liked either of those books you may like this book too; conversely, if you liked this book, you may like those books as well.

    3 out of 5 stars Old arguments.......2000-01-23

    In reading this book I was very impressed with Dr. Habermas' writings, however it was the opposite with Dr. Moreland. He tries to offer a logical argument for dualism, which is a dead idea. I feel that as Christians we need to get away from the philosophy of Plato and his body/soul distiction. also the use of NDE's in this book is a horrible argument and most of the scientific world laughs out loud at these ideas. I recommed for the philosophical mind that you read Richard Rorty's Objectivism, Relativism and Truth essay on Non-Reductive Physicalism. This is the direction Christianity has to go if it is going to continue to live.

    5 out of 5 stars An excellent work.......1999-02-07

    It is both comprehensive and scholarly. Includes three sections: evidence for immortality, nature of immortality, and implications of immortality.

    Begins with some foundational work on what exactly it means for something to be rational. Works through some traditional arguments for immortality and assesses them. Also covers the claims of Jesus and, significantly, it responds to the claims of athiest Michael Martin. Also discusses NDEs, heaven, and hell.

    This book is written with a non-believer in mind. I don't know, however, how convincing it would be to a non-believer because it deals primarily with the mind and not the heart. Additionally, my encounters with non-believers reinforces to me that you can doubt anything, even when it is non-sensical to do so. Faith is an issue of the condition of you heart. What I do know is that the work done in this book is foundational to thinking about immortality, and that anyone seriously interested in this subject will be well served by reading it. I, personally, was able to expand my thinking.

    In my experience, anything that JP Moreland puts his hand to is intellectually powerful and dangerous to the secular establishment.
    Eternal Echoes: Exploring Our Yearning to Belong
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • dont buy
    • Eternal Echoes: Celtic Reflections
    • Touches the soul
    • Scholar with a Poet's Eyes
    • Silver prose as golden spirituality.
    Eternal Echoes: Exploring Our Yearning to Belong
    John O'Donohue
    Manufacturer: HarperCollins Publishers
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

    GeneralGeneral | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    New AgeNew Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books | Astrology | Chakras | Channeling | Divination | Dreams | General | Goddesses | Meditation | Mental & Spiritual Healing | Mysticism | New Thought | Reference | Reincarnation | Self-Help | Theosophy | Urantia | Visionary Fiction
    GeneralGeneral | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    InspirationalInspirational | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    CelticCeltic | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
    2. Beauty : The Invisible Embrace Beauty : The Invisible Embrace
    3. Conamara Blues:PB Edition of Eternal Echoes Conamara Blues:PB Edition of Eternal Echoes
    4. The Mist-Filled Path: Celtic Wisdom for Exiles, Wanderers, and Seekers The Mist-Filled Path: Celtic Wisdom for Exiles, Wanderers, and Seekers
    5. Yearning for the Wind: Celtic Reflections on Nature and the Soul Yearning for the Wind: Celtic Reflections on Nature and the Soul

    ASIN: 0060182806

    Amazon.com

    John O'Donohue (Anam Cara), a Celtic poet, scholar, and philosopher with an Irish brogue, speaks to the deepest calling of our soul: the longing to belong. "To be human is to belong," he explains. "Belonging is a circle that embraces everything; if we reject it, we damage our nature. The word 'belonging' holds together the two fundamental aspects of life: Being and Longing, the longing of our Being and the being of our Longing." Although this may sound like an elaborate Celtic circle knot, O'Donohue has nevertheless woven a solid and easy-to-grasp book that speaks to the soul's constant yearning. Every passage is a delight for the senses, as O'Donohue shares his lilting poetic language, his Celtic imagery and stories, and his fireside-chat wisdom. This is a broad-reaching yet highly focused book that dares to explore the realm of legitimate angels, the meaning of suffering, and, most poignantly, how life on earth may never quench the soul's thirst for belonging. --Gail Hudson

    Book Description

    There is divine restlessness in the human heart, our eternal echo of longing that lives deep within us an never lets us settle for what we have or where we are. Now, in this exquisitely crafted, inspirational book, John O'Donohue explores that most basic of human desires--the desire to belong. It's a desire that constantly draws us toward new possibilities of self discovery, friendship, and creativity.

    In Eternal Echoes John O'Donohue embarks upon a journey of discovery in the heart of our postmodern world--a hungry, lonesome world that suffers from a deep sense of isolation and fragmentation. With the thousand-year-old shelter of Divine Belonging now shattered, we seem to have lost our way in this magical, wondrous universe.

    Here, as we explore perennial themes and gain insight from a range of ancient beliefs, we draw inspiration from Ireland's rich spiritual heritage of profound, mystical wisdom that will open pathways to peace and contentment, and lead us to live with creativity, honor, and compassion the one life that has been given us.

    "In the pulse-beat is the life and longing, all embraced in the great circle of Belonging, reaching everywhere, leaving nothing and no one out. This embrace is mostly concealed from us who climb the relentless and vanishing escalator of time and journey outside where space is lonesome with distance. All we hear ware whispers, all we see are glimpses; but each of us has the divinity of imagination which warms or hearts with the beauty and depth of a world woven from glimpses and whispers, an eternal world that meets the gaze of our eyes and the echo of our voices to assure is that from all eternity we have belonged and to answer the question that echoes at the heart of all longing: while were are here, where is it that we are absent from?"
    -- from Eternal Echoes

    Customer Reviews:

    1 out of 5 stars dont buy.......2007-03-26

    My goodness this book droned on and on about belonging and longing without any real wisdom coming through. I will never buy a book again because someone else said it was good I lost money on this one.

    5 out of 5 stars Eternal Echoes: Celtic Reflections.......2007-01-11

    Not being familiar with this author I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of Celtic Spirituality I encountered. I was captured from the first few paragraphs of the Prolog. Having such a complete list of the contents was extremly helpful.I will be exploring future books by this author in the future.

    5 out of 5 stars Touches the soul.......2006-12-28

    This book is from the soul, and we all need soul food every now and again. I picked it up in Ireland while chilling out from a broken marriage and it spoke to me like no other book has ever done. With prose like exquisite poetry, John O' Donohue touches the soul with a true taste of spirituality.

    Very inspirational, it's wonderful to read a work of art that is so "biblical" in it's ability to motivate. It speaks metaphorically,pragmatically and is grounded in common sense. I'm looking forward to reading it again, and then sometime later, again.

    5 out of 5 stars Scholar with a Poet's Eyes.......2006-12-22

    This is a wonderful book to read along with The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, The Celtic Spirit by Caitlin Matthews. O'Donohue brings deep insight into such topics as belonging, alienation, kinship, fear... all the basics. His scholarship and sense of poetry help us create a new language out of the depths of our experiences, so that we see ourselves in new light. The author began his journey with the book Anam Cara, which contains a wonderful friendship blessing I say often. Eternal Echoes is even more on point, if not equally so. Slainte, Mr. O'Donohue.

    5 out of 5 stars Silver prose as golden spirituality........2004-10-22

    I can sympathize with the reviewer who found this book to be "vague, wordy, ambiguous, contradictory, and or no practical help." If you turn to John O'Donohue for a practicum on Celtic spirituality you will be similarly confounded.

    All of O'Donohue's books are image-intensive lyrics for the songs of our souls. They are not meant to be discursive or systematic, nor are they in any way beholden to canons of Anglo-Saxon verb-driven prose. Perhaps the best way to appreciate this or any of his books is to sit in your garden with a cup of strong tea, a thick slice of toasted bread with butter or marmalade, and a copy of this book, and take small mouthfuls of each allowing time between to savor and digest.
    Exploring the History and Philosophy of Christian Education: Principles for the Twenty-First Century
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • A Helpful Tool
    • Not the perfect one
    Exploring the History and Philosophy of Christian Education: Principles for the Twenty-First Century
    Michael J. Anthony , and Warren S. Benson
    Manufacturer: Kregel Academic & Professional
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

    GeneralGeneral | Education | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    PhilosophyPhilosophy | Theology | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. Philosophy and Education: An Introduction in Christian Perspective Philosophy and Education: An Introduction in Christian Perspective
    2. Foundational Issues in Christian Education,: An Introduction in Evangelical Perspective Foundational Issues in Christian Education,: An Introduction in Evangelical Perspective
    3. A History of Christian Education A History of Christian Education
    4. Introducing Christian Education: Foundations for the Twenty-first Century Introducing Christian Education: Foundations for the Twenty-first Century
    5. Evangelical Dictionary of Christian Education (Baker Reference Library) Evangelical Dictionary of Christian Education (Baker Reference Library)

    ASIN: 0825420237

    Book Description

    Written by two leading scholars in the field, this volume integrates the history and philosophy of Christian education and explores the contemporary applications.

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars A Helpful Tool.......2006-07-22

    The authors strive to make this book a very practical tool. They look upon the past to gather valuable insights to better equip the future servant. Having learned valuable lessons from those who have gone before them, the readers will be better prepared to meet the challenges that lay ahead.
    Each chapter has three major emphases that are very helpful:
    1.Historical context- Each chapter is introduced with a section titled "What in the World?" to introduce the reader to what else was happening in the world in the era being reviewed, beyond the scope of the particular chapter.
    2.Frequent Summaries- The authors make frequent use of text boxes to provide a summary of the material being discussed. This is a very useful tool to refer back to in the future.
    3.Contemporary relevance- Each chapter concludes with a section labeled "So What? Lessons from the past for 21st Century Christian Education" These sections draw out principles or lessons derived from the particular historical era.
    In the final chapter the authors encourage the reader to develop a Personal Philosophy of Ministry divided up into seven categories and to support their view with scripture. The categories include the Role and Nature of the Teacher, Role and Nature of the Learner, Pupose and Goals of the Lesson, and Outcomes Assessment. This will help the servant to apply theory to practice.
    The book ends with an Epilogue, which attempts to pull together the lessons learned from this study. It is broken down in seven summarizing points. It has an 8-page textbox titled "So What? Cumulative Lessons from the Past for 21st Century Education" which contains seven points. Among those summarizing points are that Ministry leaders should lead the way in demonstrating servant leadership (point 2), God's Word is preeminent (point3), and that change is necessary (point 7).
    I definitely recommend the book as it is a very helpful tool in looking at the history and philosophy of Christian Education. As the authors state "The emphasis of this history book is the future." We will be able to learn from the lessons of the past and apply it to our future ministry.

    4 out of 5 stars Not the perfect one.......2005-03-25

    It is always gratifying to see attention paid to the perennial ideas and ideals, the importance of understanding the events and lessons of history, and to the appreciation of the classics in any educational enterprise. Perhaps more so today, it is cause to celebrate when that attention happens in the context of theological education. An informal survey of courses of study in theological schools will reveal a diminishing opportunity for being introduced in any systematic way to the history and philosophy of educational thought and Christian education.

    So it was with some anticipation that this reviewer read Anthony and Benson's volume on the history and philosophy of Christian education. While the organization and coverage of the text offers a traditional Western approach that is recognizable to those who appreciate "old school," sadly, it has little to contribute by way of new insight, interpretation, or challenge to the contemporary reader. The coverage of history and philosophies which impact Christian education extends up to the twentieth century, but ends with a cursory treatment of the very influential impact of existentialism, and almost no treatment of substance of postmodernism, a school of thought that, regardless of what extent one sees as relevant, should nevertheless be dealt with critically by any student of history, philosophy, and education.

    This is at best an introductory college-level textbook. The coverage and treatment of the subject at hand is much too simplistic, at times understated to the point of inaccuracy, to allow for deep understanding of the subject. For example, the extent of the reference to the Odyssey is the statement that it is "the account of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, who makes an arduous journey home from the battlefield" (p. 47). There are too many oversimplifications like, "People worshiped Greek gods more out of fear for how the gods could hurt them than out of a genuine desire to express their appreciation and affection for the gods. They presented offerings more to avoid future punishment than to express heartfelt thanksgiving" (p. 48). The book also suffers from an over reliance on educational, theological, and philosophical dictionaries and general works as well as some puzzling sources like the All Color Book of Greek Mythology (Pattrick, London: Octopus, 1972).

    The authors provide what they call "three major emphases" throughout the book. The first is the placing of the historical content under examination into a broader context through the use of a timeline list under the caption "What in the world?" This is a sidebar feature that is somewhat helpful. The second is the use of textboxes (sidebars) that provide an (overly) interpretive summary of the material under discussion. The third feature is a final chapter section labeled "So What?" in which the authors summarize and attempt to apply "principles or lessons" (hence the subtitle) from the material-a sort of whack on the side of the head for those who may have difficulty connecting the dots on their own. Unfortunately, the principles offered are not helpful generally. More often than not they seem disconnected from the content coverage and intended more to reaffirm a predisposed philosophical stance. For example, the "So What?" list for Chapter 1, Hebrew Origins of Christian Education includes, "1. God desires to use people to accomplish His purpose on earth," and "3. Ministry is about relationships." Likewise for Chapter 2, Greek Education and Philosophical Thought, the "So What?" list includes, "1. Christian education must be more than rote memory," "2. The curriculum of Christian education must be fully integrated," and "3. Scope and sequence of Bible-related curriculum must consider basic tenants of human development."

    The book has a decidedly conservative evangelical perspective, including a lack of attention to inclusive language (God is always "He"). This work may provide a good introductory text for Christian and parochial high schools or a college religion course. But we'll have to continue to wait for a more critical contemporary review treatment of the history and philosophy of Christian education for advanced programs of study.
    Exploring the Philosophy of Religion (5th Edition)
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • Save your money
    • great teaching text
    • Understand the Dynamics behind Religious Beliefs and Thought
    Exploring the Philosophy of Religion (5th Edition)
    David Stewart
    Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

    GeneralGeneral | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
    ReligiousReligious | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Philosophy of Religion | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
    PhilosophyPhilosophy | Theology | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
    All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
    NonfictionNonfiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
    Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. Dynamics of Faith (Perennial Classics) Dynamics of Faith (Perennial Classics)
    2. The Future of an Illusion The Future of an Illusion
    3. Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
    4. A Confession A Confession
    5. Passion for God: Theology in Two Voices Passion for God: Theology in Two Voices

    ASIN: 0130195197

    Customer Reviews:

    3 out of 5 stars Save your money.......2007-10-05

    This is a boring book with poor articles for their topic. All of the authors have great cradentials but the pieces of works chosen were poor choices.

    4 out of 5 stars great teaching text.......2006-06-21

    I received the Sixth Edition of EXPLORING THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION in the mail. Most of such "complimentary copies" of various textbooks are hardly worth reading, but this book is a delightful exception. All of the major themes are covered in excellent detail.
    Stewart includes sections on mysticism, theodicy, evil, morality, theistic arguments, faith vs. reason,
    religious language, the soul, and the will to believe. Adequate coverage of feminist themes and Asian thought is appreciated, especially in a fairly short volume. I would recommend this
    book as a core text in philosophy of religion courses, using Whitehead-RELIGION IN THE MAKING and Bergson-TWO SOURCES as supplemental readings. The Stewart text could also be used as a supplemental text for intro. to phil. and ethics courses.
    My only criticism is inadequate length-- the professor using this text as the sole text for a course would need to provide plenty of lecture material from outside sources or from her own research. I do not believe that this work could support a whole 15-week semester by itself.

    5 out of 5 stars Understand the Dynamics behind Religious Beliefs and Thought.......2000-08-09

    This is an incredible work that will introduce the reader with such topics as defining "Religious Experience," "Arguments for the Existence of God," "Faith and Reason," "The Problem of Evil," "Death and Human Destiny," and much more. This book is laid out nicely to present various perspectives and opposing viewpoints. The "textbook" approach presents readings from notable thinkers such as William James, Rene Descartes, Anthony Flew, John Stewart Mill, Paul Tillich, and many others. It includes discussion questions that will challenge the reader to think about the material that is presented. As this work is written in the layman's language, I think that it will guide readers to EXPLORE the philosophy of religion, and that it will serve as a handbook to prepare arguments for beliefs and disposition.
    Show Me Your Way: The Complete Guide to Exploring Interfaith Spiritual Direction
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Show Me Your Way: The Complete Guide to Exploring Interfaith Spiritual Direction
      Howard A. Addison
      Manufacturer: Jewish Lights Publishing
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover

      PhilosophyPhilosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books | Aesthetics | Analytic Philosophy | Ancient | Consciousness & Thought | Criticism | Eastern | Epistemology | Ethics & Morality | Free Will & Determinism | General | Good & Evil | Greek & Roman | History & Surveys | History, 17th & 18th Century | Islamic | Logic & Language | Medieval Thought | Metaphysics | Methodology | Modern | Modern Renaissance | Movements | Ontology | Philosophy of Religion | Political | Reference | Religious | Science | Social Philosophy | Theism
      GeneralGeneral | Ministry & Church Leadership | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
      Jewish LifeJewish Life | Judaism | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
      Comparative ReligionComparative Religion | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
      Similar Items:
      1. Tending the Holy: Spiritual Direction Across Traditions Tending the Holy: Spiritual Direction Across Traditions
      2. Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction
      3. Discernment: The Art of Choosing Well : Based on Ignatian Spirituality Discernment: The Art of Choosing Well : Based on Ignatian Spirituality
      4. Group Spiritual Direction: Community for Discernment Group Spiritual Direction: Community for Discernment
      5. The Practice of Spiritual Direction The Practice of Spiritual Direction

      ASIN: 1893361128

      Books:

      1. Reading Judas: The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of Christianity
      2. Reasons to Live
      3. Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know--And Doesn't
      4. She Went All the Way (Avon Light Contemporary Romances)
      5. Sociology of Religion: A Reader
      6. SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine
      7. Tales of Power
      8. The Business of Software: What Every Manager, Programmer, and Entrepreneur Must Know to Thrive and Survive in Good Times and Bad
      9. The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
      10. The Christian Theological Tradition (2nd Edition)

      Books Index

      Books Home

      Recommended Books

      1. The Way We Lived Then : Recollections of a Well-Known Name Dropper
      2. Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog
      3. Classic Nasty: More Naughty Bits: A Rollicking Guide to Hot Sex in Great Books, from the Iliad to th
      4. History: Fiction or Science
      5. Hitchcock
      6. Separate Reality
      7. It Looked Like Spilt Milk
      8. Environmental Economics: An Elementary Introduction
      9. Damn Right: Behind the Scenes with Berkshire Hathaway Billionaire Charlie Munger
      10. Code of Federal Regulations -Title 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade -Parts 800 to End -Revised as of Ja