Reading Judas: The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of Christianity

Book Description

The two leading, bestselling experts on the Gnostic Gospels weigh in on the meaning of the controversial newly discovered Gospel of Judas

When the Gospel of Judas was published by the National Geographic Society in April 2006, it received extraordinary media attention and was immediately heralded as a major biblical discovery that rocked the world of scholars and laypeople alike. Elaine Pagels and Karen King are the first to reflect on this newfound text and its ramifications for telling the story of early Christianity. In Reading Judas, the two celebrated scholars illustrate how the newly discovered text provides a window onto understanding how Jesus' followers understood his death, why Judas betrayed Jesus, and why God allowed it.

Most contemporary readers will find passages in the ancient Gospel of Judas difficult to comprehend outside of its context in the ancient world. Reading Judas illuminates the intellectual assumptions behind Jesus' teaching to Judas and shows how conflict among the disciples was a tool frequently used by early Christian authors to explore matters of doubt and disagreement. Presented with the elegance, insight, and accessibility that has made Pagels and King the leading voices in this field, this is a book for academics and popular audience both. Pagels's five previous books, including The New York Times bestseller Beyond Belief, and King's The Gospel of Mary of Magdala prove that there is a considerable audience eager for this kind of informed and engaging writing.

Customer Reviews:

Pretty thin, and methinks they doth protest against Bart Ehrman too much.......2007-09-07

Ehrman beat Pagels and King to the publishing punch with "The Lost Gospel of Judas Iscariot" in 2006. I don't know if that's why they feel they have to attack him (and others) in the introduction for allegedly trying to shoehorn the Gospel of Judas into a Gnostic boot or what, but their complaint just doesn't wash.

Their own description of the "doctrines" of GofJ would lead any blindfolded New Testament or early Christianity scholar to call GofJ "Gnosticizing," if not full-blown Gnostic, and it is.

Also, they give no story of the discovery of the codex, and do less to place it in historical background. And, the 50 pages of "Comments on the Translation" would have been better served coming at the start of the book, as a Sitz im Leben chapter, a la what I just said Ehrman did.

Besides, Ehrman's got a better analysis in general. And, I think he turns an even more skeptical eye to some matters of early Christian origins and development than do they. (For example, they seem to credit the Eucharist, in some way, as having started with an actual event, rather than made up out of pagan whole cloth by Paul.)

I might have three-started this, but I thought the attack in the introduction -- for whatever reason -- was egregious.

It's so logical.......2007-07-26

Book in excellent shape. Contents coincide with what I've been arguing, from a logical point of view, for decades: No betrayal no crucifixion, thus Judas was an accomplice, not a traitor.

Judas: Evil Incarnate or Fall Guy?.......2007-07-19

Eminently readable and intellectually stimulating.

The authors manage to maintain a neutral view of the writing, trying to put it into the historical context (persacution of one Christian sect by another).

I was most interested by the alternative view of the universe presented by this text.

Comparing the actual text of the gospel to the cleaned up version is an interesting exercise. It gave me insight into the workings of historical slueths.

The authors are somewhat obsessed with pointing out that the writer of the gospel is VERY angry about something (probably the fact that he and he group are being eliminated).

This book interests me in reading more of the gnostic texts.

Academic but readable book.......2007-07-03

This book contains 2 gems: The newly published Gospel of Judas and a readable, academic framework for understanding the gospel itself. I have recommended this book to several laity in my congregation. (I am a local church pastor.)

From Great Deceiver to Bosom Buddy..........2007-06-12

Judas Iscariot has played the role of Christianity's ultimate traitor for centuries. Tradition, as portrayed in the synoptic gospels, claims that he handed Jesus over to the Romans for thirty silver pieces. This vile act led to Jesus' crucifixion and death. So repugnant was this that his name has become synonymous with deceit and betrayal. For example, when Bob Dylan abandoned folk music for electric rock in 1966, an appalled audience member at the Royal Albert Hall yelled "Judas!" Right or wrong, everyone knew what that single name implied. Some cheered, some hissed. Pope Benedict XVI upheld the tradition in 2006 by accusing Judas of greed and power mongering. And why did the leader of the Catholic Church feel the need to reiterate this well-worn point in the twenty-first century? Because the long lost Gospel of Judas had resurfaced. A translation of this document's extant text appears in Part Two of "Reading Judas." Written sometime before 180 CE, the short gospel inverts tradition by depicting Judas as Jesus' most trusted Apostle, as his bosom buddy, his confidante. Not only that, Jesus shares the "mysteries of the Kingdom" with this great deceiver. And only with him. The gospel portrays the other Apostles as weak and conniving dolts who, according to Jesus, worship the wrong God through cruel sacrifice. Jesus' delineation of the "Mysteries" evoke elements similar to Pythagorianism, Platonism, Vedanta, and Buddhism. Certain sections of the gospel read more like Plato's "Timaeus" than the New Testament. In these passages, Jesus outlines a mystical mathematical transcendental cosmology involving a pantheon of lesser imperfect gods, one of which, called Saklas, created humanity, and the all knowing all seeing "Great Invisible Spirit" (the "real God") from which everything emanates. Humans have this Spirit within them, but they must search for it by examining the Self. Jesus' death will serve as an example to humankind that they can escape their physical bodies and enter the Heavenly Kingdom via the discovery of this inner Spirit. Jesus entrusts Judas with initiating this sacred event. Judas then indentifies Jesus to the accusers as instructed, receives some copper coins, and the text ends. Thus does Judas become, in this long lost gospel, the catalyst to humanity's salvation. Judas also sees the vision of his demise. The other Apostles will apparently stone him to death. But, as Jesus points out, such is the price for the "Mysteries of the Kingdom."

Part One of "Reading Judas" analyzes the Gospel in historical context. Drawing from voluminous sources, including the Bible, other Gnostic gospels, and various miscellaneous ancient texts, the essay's authors, Pagels and King, frame the Gospel of Judas as a text infused with anger. What caused this anger? In the second century CE, Christianity as we know it was solidifying under the auspices of bishops and clergy. Recent discoveries show that other interpretations of Jesus' death co-existed with the now dominate view. In other words, Christianity was not as homogenous as tradition suggests. Over time the fringe groups, along with their documents, were suppressed and outlawed as heretical. The Gospel of Judas, argue the authors, represents one of these alternate, or dissenting, ideologies. At the time of its composition Christian persecution was widespread and expanding. Certain founders of the nascent church, such as Tertullian, Ireneaus, and Heracleon, began to glorify the suffering of those who were killed in horrifying and unimaginable ways by the then pagan Roman government. Others Christians followed them "to glory" and met similar ghastly ends. Pagels and King argue that the Gopel of Judas' fervent anger stems from the church's encouragement of martyrdom. The "false venegeful God," according to the Jesus of the Gospel of Judas, demands such needless sacrifice. But the "true God" never would. Jesus demands that the Apostles "cease sacrificing!" So was the Gospel of Judas a protest piece? Maybe. It definitely paints an alternate picture of Jesus and Christianity.

Overall, "Reading Judas" enables general readers to grasp the document's signifigance. Most helpful are the some forty pages of commentary that accompany the translation. Though Pagels and King claim that this gospel doesn't belong in the Christian canon, they argue that it nonetheless demonstrates that the Christianity we have today was written by the winners. And those winners suppressed dissent so effectively that the Gospel of Judas, among others, remained lost for almost two millennia. All together, these ancient texts help scholars piece together the story of Christianity's development. "Reading Judas," though unlikely to alter anyone's faith, provides fascinating and provocative glimpses into the history of western civilization's dominant religion.

Average customer rating:

Militant Jihadists, their Enemies, Friends - Read it, even for the last chapter alone!
Faith and Reason; No Contradiction
A Classic
One of the Best Overall Defenses of Christianity
Inspiring

Mere Christianity
C. S. Lewis
Manufacturer: HarperOne
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060652926
Release Date: 2001-02-05

Book Description

A forceful and accessible discussion of Christian belief that has become one of the most popular introductions to Christianity and one of the most popular of Lewis’s books. Uncovers common ground upon which all Christians can stand together.

Customer Reviews:

Militant Jihadists, their Enemies, Friends - Read it, even for the last chapter alone!.......2007-10-10

Most people have no idea about what Christianity is. That is the reason that CS Lewis' book exists.

If you are looking for a book that will convince you to take the leap of faith and become a Christian (like so many 1-star reviewers who said they were unconvinced) then don't waste your time. No book will convince you. However, if you are looking for the facts about real Christianity (not as a religion, but as a relationship) then you can't do much better than Lewis. Although his voice is rather formal (read: evidently British), seekers will give him some latitude on this. If you want the egg, get past the shell.

As an aside, I personally did not become a Christian because of the 'scientific facts,' although I did assure myself that I wasn't committing intellectual suicide by doing so. I used to be very fond of evolution. If you want this same validation, you can either talk to a Christian who knows the facts (as I did), or read something like what Lewis has presented. Simple.

If everybody read this book, I can imagine at least a few of the following would happen:
1. Most people in Western culture would stop calling themselves Christians, and would either become one or become a real athiest. They would at least be standing for something instead of falling for anything.
2. Other cultures would stop saying ignorant things like "America (or wherever) is a Christian nation." The facts in Lewis' work speak against this. They would stop saying that they have a holy war against these so-called Christians (who are in fact not Christians at all.)
3. Heaven forbid, some people might realize the inheritance and gift they could receive and actually choose to find out about God by taking an Alpha course or reading that "Bible" thing ;)

If you like reading novels, you'll probably find the book dry until the last chapter. But don't miss this book on that account. Even if you read only the last chapter (about the next evolution of humanity), you'll have captured a significant (and inspiring) picture of real (er, Mere) Christianity. When you do, you might just be tempted to go back and read the book and see what all the fuss is about (and how he could possibly make such an outrageous statement.)

Well , that was long and rant-ish. But I love you all and I hope you read this book.
Look at my Listmania for some ideas about other crucial books like Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.

Feel free to contact me.

Cheers,
Danny

Faith and Reason; No Contradiction.......2007-10-08

Much has been written of C.S. Lewis' classic work Mere Christianity because of the wide influence it has had in the past 60 years. Mere Christianity is not only a lucid Christian apologetic, but it is the articulated philosophical process by which C.S. Lewis, originally an atheist, came to find Christianity a reasonable doctrine to live by. To be sure, his conversion was not simply a matter of syllogism applied to religion; Lewis is forthright in acknowledging and even embracing the mystery, and at times, the not insignificant confusion that can accompany the acceptance of Christ as Savior. One of Lewis' purposes--rare among popular Christian writers--is to provide a framework of belief that allows a Christian to express their faith in a manner that is intelligible and reasonable to non-believers. Relying, as Christ did, on the power of metaphor and parable, Lewis is able to provide insight into Christian principles in manner that is at once accessible and profound.

One of the major contributions of Mere Christianity is the argument of the Moral Law. Lewis draws upon a universal set of principles of right & wrong and relates them to the existence of a high power. Lewis loosely defines the "moral law" as a set of moral principles which are universal across culture, time, and geography. By emphasizing the contrast between human moral goals--for peace, altruism, etc.--with the survival-dominated behavior paradigms in the natural kingdom, Lewis argues that a universal moral law---even one that is at times flagrantly disobeyed---is evidence of a loving God.

Lewis is careful to point out that we have moral goals that often amount to nothing more than aspirations. Yet, these aspirations form a powerful framework for action since the moral law provides a universal set of expectations about right & wrong. The universal expectations are true regardless of philosophy or belief in God. For example, a person may believe that all morality is relative. However, if that same person were robbed, they would strenuously object and would seek justice through some law-enforcing institution. Thus our actions and thoughts may not always reflect the hopes of the moral law, but we carry the law with us in all of our interactions and have real expectations of behavior from our fellow man.

It is important to note that recent scholarship in evolutionary biology has begun to explore natural reasons for phenomenon such as altruism and self-sacrifice. This scholarship provides, at the very least, a plausible explanation for the moral law that does not rely on the existence of God. While research continues in this area, Scientists such as Francis Collins (atheist convert to Christianity, leader of the Human Genome Project, and author of Language of God) have developed frameworks of belief which do not set evolution and faith in God at odds with each other. In Collins' framework, evolution is simply the means by which God created (and continues to create) life. Similarly, Lewis is comfortable with evolution as a tool of God. This may surprise many conservative Christians who draw so heavily on his articulation of the Christian faith. But this is what makes Lewis' work so powerful. We see a passionate believer who embodies a faith that is not threatened by advances in scientific understanding even while refusing to compromise the moral and spiritual imperatives of Christianity.

Mere Christianity is by now a classic work in the Christian anthology. Its power is in Lewis' ability to connect with the reader without pandering. Its durability is in its reasonableness. Its attractiveness is in its commitment to raw faith in Christ. As such, Lewis' treatise is recommended for both Christians and non-Christians alike for the purpose of introspection, interaction, and exploration. Current debates within Christian circles and between believers and non-believers could benefit from Lewis' unique ability to explain the Christian faith as a vibrant, flexible but demanding discipline upon which we can place all of our hopes.

A Classic.......2007-09-28

This book needs no introduction. Originally published more than 60 years ago during World War II, Mere Christianity remains relevant on every level today. C.S. Lewis provides not only a strong and well-reasoned defense of the Christian faith, but gives the reader plenty of wise advice on leading the Christian life. This is a book that should be read and re-read.

One of the Best Overall Defenses of Christianity.......2007-09-19

C.S. Lewis' masterpiece "Mere Christianity," which was adapted from a series of radio talks he gave in the 1940s, is both a convincing case for the truth of Christianity and an important reminder of its importance in our own lives. Preferring to forgo denominational debates and dogmatism, Lewis instead offers a case for the basic, essential tenets of the Christian faith.

Lewis accomplishes so much in this valuable book. To start off, Lewis establishes the existence of God via a convincing presentation of the Morality Argument. He argues that humans all have a basic moral code which we know that we should follow but which we know we fail to follow. God, argues Lewis, provides the explanation for this prescriptive moral law that we find ourselves obliged to obey. Near the end of the book, Lewis delves into the more difficult topics of theology including the nature of the Trinity and God's relationship to time. He handles these difficult topics remarkably well with his engaging style of writing.

But more than providing a convincing case for the truth of God's existence and Christianity, Lewis also provides a very powerful explanation of morality. He discusses moral issues that are relevant both for people in general and for Christians in particular. These chapters about morality are simply excellent. Even though they aren't apologetic in nature, I found Lewis' exposition of morality very useful and so persuasive that I think it will have a positive impact on my own life. Near the end of the book, Lewis gives a very convicting argument for the importance of taking Christianity seriously.

Mere Christianity is easy to read, and Lewis' style of providing simple analogies makes complicated topics intelligible and interesting. It may not be a heavily referenced or scholarly tome about Christian apologetics, but it is a convincing, clear, and simple defense of mere Christianity and of Christ's importance in our lives. Overall, "Mere Christianity" is a fantastic book that everyone, believer or unbeliever, should read.

Inspiring.......2007-09-10

I listened to this book on cd which I have found is a great way to get insirational advice everyday and further myself as a person. I loved C.S Lewis's Mere Christianity. It gives a educated view into why he believes in God and more specifically the Christian God. He is a great writer and the book is very intellegent. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

How to Read the Bible Book by Book: A Guided Tour

Average customer rating:

Good start for serious bible study
Excellent Resource
Very good reference book
Why How to Read the Bible Book by Book is a must for students of the Bible
Good Biblical Introduction

How to Read the Bible Book by Book: A Guided Tour
Gordon D. Fee , and Douglas Stuart
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0310211182

Book Description

Helps people read the Bible as a whole; and even when the whole is narrowed to whole books, helps readers to see how each book fits into the grand Story of the Bible.

Customer Reviews:

Good start for serious bible study.......2007-08-08

This is one of the first books recommended by my pastors after I accept Christ in September 2005.

Due to the fact that I want to build a good foundation of proper bible study methods, this book serve as a good foundation for myself. Other than these, I use it in conjunction with Elements of Biblical Exegesis by Michael J. Gorman, Biblical Interpretation: An Integrated Approach, Revised Edition by W. Randolph Tate, and Hermeneutic Spiral by Grant Osborne.

It lay out the basic elements of genre analysis and how each book should be read in its own term. he book can be further complemented by Hermeneutic Spiral where you are further introduced other concepts of biblical exegesis and study.

It is a good investment and you will not regret it.

Excellent Resource.......2007-05-13

I think this book is one of the best resource books I have every had. I use it everyday as I do my daily Bible reading. It helps you understand what to look for as you read the Bible. I recommended this book to others and have purchased 7 more to distribute to friends.

Very good reference book.......2006-11-10

This book is very useful for the average person wanting to dig a little deeper into the Word!

Why How to Read the Bible Book by Book is a must for students of the Bible.......2006-03-15

I believe that How to Read the Bible Book by Book is a must read for students of the Bible because it guides you through the Bible in simple and kind manner. It will make you want to read the Bible in a fresh and new way. I have been studying the Bible formally for over forty years now and I beleive that any book that will help enhance ones study of the Bible is a must read.
I would highly recommend this book for your reading.
Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart have done an excellent job in opening the Bible to the person who needs to know and get a good overview of the Scriptures.

Good Biblical Introduction.......2006-03-05

Dr. Fee's presentation of the biblical material is clear, concise, and up to date. He takes the fruits of biblical scholarship and makes them available to the average lay reader, while not losing sight of what the original authors of the material intended. A strong point of the book is the fact that it situates each of the biblical books and the material they contain within the historical horizon of Israels encounter with God and the World.

For the careful reader Dr Fee's material will help define the central importance of the issue of the 'mission to the Gentiles'--which first presents itself in Genesis narrative, particularly when God initiates the covenant with Abraham. God's choice of Israel is the beach head from which the salvation of the world is launched. This fulfillment of God's purpose is dramatized by Israel's encounter with the nations about her and her response to that encounter right up to, and including the New Testament and continues to the present.

This is high drama, indeed, and this book helps the average person to see the drama and, better, their place in it.

Jim Woods

Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading

Average customer rating:

A Must!
I practically ate it myself...
Good Eats
Eating books?
Just... plain... boring...

Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading
Eugene H. Peterson
Manufacturer: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0802829481

Book Description

Eugene Peterson is convinced that the way we read the Bible is as important as that we read it. Do we read the Bible for information about God and salvation, for principles and "truths" that we can use to live better? Or do we read it in order to listen to God and respond in prayer and obedience?

The second part of Peterson's momentous five-volume work on spiritual theology, Eat This Book challenges us to read the Scriptures on their own terms, as God's revelation, and to live them as we read them. With warmth and wisdom Peterson offers greatly needed, down-to-earth counsel on spiritual reading. In these pages he draws readers into a fascinating conversation on the nature of language, the ancient practice of lectio divina, and the role of Scripture translations; included here is the "inside story" behind Peterson's own popular Bible translation, The Message.

Countering the widespread practice of using the Bible for self-serving purposes, Peterson here serves readers with a nourishing entrée into the formative, life-changing art of spiritual reading.

Study Guide available.

Customer Reviews:

A Must!.......2007-08-26

Excellent way to delve into the Word! A great aid to understanding Scripture and applying it to one's life. Highly recommend!!

I practically ate it myself..........2007-07-20

This was a great book. The vocab may have been a little heavy in some places, but it had such a solid message that is rarely talked about in such ways. This is Peterson's best by far. It was like reading the best sermon. I couldn't put it down. But, it was right up my alley. I love to tell scriptures in creative ways that are still wholly truthful. Peterson is a pro. I'm, evidently, still a beginner.

Good Eats.......2007-07-05

Worth the first chapter alone, Eat This Book, is Peterson at his lucid, heart expanding best. A potent prescription for curing the anemic state of the Western Church, (arguably the weakest member of the global Body of Christ)...Peterson recovers for us the long lost art of Biblical meditation.

Reverse Thunder, Working the Angles and Eat This Book are Peterson's best works, and belong in the library of every thoughtful lover of God. When I cull my extensive library, I give or throw away every book that my future grandchildren might find irrelevant. Eat This Book will be an important part of the diet for generations to come.

Eating books?.......2007-06-06

Eating books? The image is as old as the Bible itself, in which heavenly beings tell Ezekiel and later John the evangelist to "eat" scrolls. Tasting, chewing, swallowing, digesting, and being nourished by the Word of God --- it's an apt foundational metaphor for the "spiritual reading" Eugene Peterson espouses.

Although EAT THIS BOOK is the second of Peterson's five works on spiritual theology, it stands alone, independent of the first (CHRIST PLAYS IN TEN THOUSAND PLACES). Unlike CHRIST PLAYS, which I would hand to a serious but uninformed seeker, EAT THIS BOOK is more suitable for Christians with some familiarity with Scripture and Christian basics. This is not a book that explains, for example, where to start initial Bible reading (with Genesis? with Mark or John?) or that really commends one particular version, unless it is Peterson's own "contemporary language" version, titled THE MESSAGE.

Peterson devotees will be particularly interested in the last section of the book, which in the larger context of textual translation tells the story of how and why Peterson started retranslating the Bible from the original Greek and then Hebrew into the popular MESSAGE version.

But that's not the central message or purpose of the book. Peterson wants us to see the Bible, rather than personal experience, as the authority for living. Noting a contemporary interest in spirituality, he says, "An interest in souls divorced from an interest in Scripture leaves us without a text that shapes these souls." But this isn't an academic interest in Scripture. "An interest in Scripture divorced from an interest in souls leaves us without any material for the text to work on." He also wants us to read the text, not primarily for knowledge, for theological study, for proof-texting, or even for inspiration --- for our own purposes --- but rather to incorporate it into our lives. "Spiritual reading," he says, means "participatory reading." It involves really digesting the story --- the sentences and the words --- of the Lord and living them out in obedience.

A center section of the book --- 30 pages --- discusses lectio divina, a 12th-century pattern of biblical reading that is better known in Catholic than in Protestant circles: reading the text, mediating on it, praying it, and living it out. The four aspects aren't necessarily done in a "stair-step fashion" but "more like a looping spiral," Peterson notes.

Even these chapters on lectio divina aren't written in a how-to voice but rather as a conversation or an essay explaining the dynamics, purposes and benefits of participatory reading.

Peterson includes an interesting though probably obvious discussion about the nature of words and language itself --- that it is first a spoken, then a written, form, both in history and in personal experience, from infancy to more advanced learning. He has sparked in me a greater interest in listening to the Scriptures as well as reading them.

--- Reviewed by Evelyn Bence

Just... plain... boring..........2007-05-26

The author seems to be very verbose about making a point, and doesn't give much (if ANY) scriptural references to things, what I'm sitting here doing for hours and hours is listening to a guy cheapen things, generalize, overstate and come to no conclusions. Over and over again. I really wanted to like it, though! I mean I figured a cd series with a title like "Eat This Book" would be mind-boggling. Most of the time he's just splitting hairs and rephrasing things by transposing words... for what seems to be merely the sake of doing it to sound wise. This doesn't fall in line with how "I" measure wisdom, which is to express hard concepts or new ideas for the intellectual AS WELL AS the layman. I'm all for vocabulary words but if they don't make your point, its just fluff. This, is all just my opinion. If it helps you, that is great, not trying to say don't be helped. I have a VERY amazing read that if you ever had time, I think could be just as helpful if not more than "Eat This Book". Its called "The Christ of the Mount" by E. Charles Stanley. This guy expresses more in one sentence than an entire cd I listened to did! Truly a gem.

Average customer rating:

Still amazing...
Wow.
Long and tedious even though it's under 200 pages
Read this book, again and again.
Fiendishly clever and very insightful

The Screwtape Letters
C. S. Lewis
Manufacturer: HarperOne
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060652934
Release Date: 2001-02-05

Amazon.com

Who among us has never wondered if there might not really be a tempter sitting on our shoulders or dogging our steps? C.S. Lewis dispels all doubts. In The Screwtape Letters, one of his bestselling works, we are made privy to the instructional correspondence between a senior demon, Screwtape, and his wannabe diabolical nephew Wormwood. As mentor, Screwtape coaches Wormwood in the finer points, tempting his "patient" away from God.

Each letter is a masterpiece of reverse theology, giving the reader an inside look at the thinking and means of temptation. Tempters, according to Lewis, have two motives: the first is fear of punishment, the second a hunger to consume or dominate other beings. On the other hand, the goal of the Creator is to woo us unto himself or to transform us through his love from "tools into servants and servants into sons." It is the dichotomy between being consumed and subsumed completely into another's identity or being liberated to be utterly ourselves that Lewis explores with his razor-sharp insight and wit.

The most brilliant feature of The Screwtape Letters may be likening hell to a bureaucracy in which "everyone is perpetually concerned about his own dignity and advancement, where everyone has a grievance, and where everyone lives the deadly serious passions of envy, self-importance, and resentment." We all understand bureaucracies, be it the Department of Motor Vehicles, the IRS, or one of our own making. So we each understand the temptations that slowly lure us into hell. If you've never read Lewis, The Screwtape Letters is a great place to start. And if you know Lewis, but haven't read this, you've missed one of his core writings. --Patricia Klein

Amazon.com Audiobook Review

This adaptation of C.S. Lewis's biting satire received a 1999 Grammy nomination for best spoken-word performance, and it's easy to see why--the story fits the format perfectly. It's relatively brief (the unabridged reading takes a mere four hours), and contains only one character--the demon Screwtape, who writes letters to his novice nephew Wormwood, instructing him on how to best tempt his "patient" (a wayward soul on earth) into the bosom of "our Lord below."

Obviously, the book wasn't written with former Monty Python John Cleese in mind, but it's hard to imagine a better Screwtape. Cleese's voice provides the perfect vehicle for Lewis's dry, razor-edged wit. His uncanny comic timing and ability to milk each phrase for maximum effect betray an infectious enthusiasm for the story. It's clear that he's having a great time reading, and it's impossible not to laugh along with him. This inspired pairing of two of the 20th century's greatest wits makes for a meditation on the dark side of spiritual guidance that's as relevant and funny today as it was in Lewis's war-torn England. (Running time: 4 hours, 3 cassettes) --Andrew Neiland

Book Description

In this humorous and perceptive exchange between two devils, C. S. Lewis delves into moral questions about good vs. evil, temptation, repentance, and grace. Through this wonderful tale, the reader emerges with a better understanding of what it means to live a faithful life.

Customer Reviews:

Still amazing..........2007-09-21

This book was great, it's particularly interesting how screwtape gets more overt with his utter disdain for his nephew. It was an absolutely fascinating read.

C.S. Lewis is still amazing.

Wow........2007-09-16

The genius of this book astounds me. C.S. Lewis is somehow able to teach valuable lessons on every page while speaking as a demon. And it makes you laugh, too. The reader is smiling one moment and squirming at an uncomfortable recognition of self the next. The book is fairly short and could be a quick read, but you will want to stop and digest each letter for a while before moving on to the next. Excellent for a study group.

Long and tedious even though it's under 200 pages.......2007-09-03

This is an incredibly dull book. I was forced to read it for a religion class and I can't believe there aren't more bad reviews of it. It is very tedious and the wording is old, making it all the more hard to read. I am not a hugely religious person and I would never recommend this book to a friend, possibly an enemy, but never a friend. If you're having sleeping problems, this book would be a great remedy.

Read this book, again and again. .......2007-08-25

Some books can only be read once and then forever forgotten. Some need to be read more than once, and they will still strike us afresh everytime we come back to the books. "Screwtape Letter" definitely belongs to the latter category. Other than the literary style of the book, which is very "tickling" (in a good sense), I will recommmend the book to be treated as a kind of "manual" to discern divine truths from false and half truths. The book will train our thoughts not just to stay positive, but more importantly to stay godly. The book does so by making us aware of how often we have been obtusely blinded by devilish thoughts.

Fiendishly clever and very insightful.......2007-08-01

C. S. Lewis was, without a doubt, one of the best writers of the century, and this book is C. S. Lewis at the height of his powers. It is clever, entertaining and insightful, at points even profound. At points you're almost tempted to take notes. People tend to think of "informative" and "entertaining" as opposites, or at least mutually exclusive. Lewis proves that that isn't true by writing a book that is both at the exact same time.

Some people seem think that this book is depressing or too heavy, but I don't think that's true. It's definitely not a dime novel or pulp fiction, and I suppose it does require a lot more thought than a lot of novels, but don't let that stop you. This book is wonderful satire that's not that hard to read.

If you've never read this book, I definitely recommend that you do so.

Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas

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She writes convincing material, but
Well written
An Argument for Gnosticism
Orthodoxy vs. Gnosticism
The Gospel of St John is more accurate

Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas
Elaine Pagels
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0375501568
Release Date: 2003-05-06

Amazon.com

Shortly after Elaine Pagels' two-and-half-year-old son was diagnosed with a rare lung disease, the religion professor found herself drawn to a Christian church again for the first time in many years. In Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas Pagels, best know for her National Book Award-winning The Gnostic Gospels, wrestles with her own faith as she struggles to understand when--and why--Christianity became associated almost exclusively with the ideas codified in the fourth-century Nicene Creed and in the canonical texts of the New Testament. In her exploration, she uncovers the richness and diversity of Christian philosophy that has only become available since the discovery of the Nag Hammadi texts.

At the center of Beyond Belief is what Pagels identifies as a textual battle between The Gospel of Thomas (rediscovered in Egypt in 1945) and The Gospel of John. While these gospels have many superficial similarities, Pagels demonstrates that John, unlike Thomas, declares that Jesus is equivalent to "God the Father" as identified in the Old Testament. Thomas, in contrast, shares with other supposed secret teachings a belief that Jesus is not God but, rather, is a teacher who seeks to uncover the divine light in all human beings. Pagels then shows how the Gospel of John was used by Bishop Irenaeus of Lyon and others to define orthodoxy during the second and third centuries. The secret teachings were literally driven underground, disappearing until the Twentieth Century. As Pagels argues this process "not only impoverished the churches that remained but also impoverished those [Irenaeus] expelled."

Beyond Belief offers a profound framework with which to examine Christian history and contemporary Christian faith, and Pagels renders her scholarship in a highly readable narrative. The one deficiency in Pagels' examination of Thomas, if there is one, is that she never fully returns in the end to her own struggles with religion that so poignantly open the book. How has the mysticism of the Gnostic Gospels affected her? While she hints that she and others have found new pathways to faith through Thomas, the impact of Pagels' work on contemporary Christianity may not be understood for years to come. --Patrick O'Kelley

Book Description

Special edition including the complete text of the Gospel of Thomas

Elaine Pagels, one of the world’s most important writers and thinkers on religion and history, and winner of the National Book Award for her groundbreaking work The Gnostic Gospels, now reflects on what matters most about spiritual and religious exploration in the twenty-first century. This bold new book explores how Christianity began by tracing its earliest texts, including the secret Gospel of Thomas, rediscovered in Egypt in 1945.

When her infant son was diagnosed with fatal pulmonary hypertension, Elaine Pagels’s spiritual and intellectual quest took on a new urgency, leading her to explore historical and archeological sources and to investigate what Jesus and his teachings meant to his followers before the invention of doctrine–and before the invention of Christianity as we know it.

The astonishing discovery of the Gospel of Thomas, along with more than fifty other early Christian texts unknown since antiquity, offers startling clues. Pagels compares such sources as Thomas’s gospel (which claims to give Jesus’ secret teaching, and finds its closest affinities with kabbalah) with the canonic texts to show how Christian leaders chose to include some gospels and exclude others from the collection we have come to know as the New Testament. To stabilize the emerging Christian church in times of devastating persecution, the church fathers constructed the canon, creed, and hierarchy–and, in the process, suppressed many of its spiritual resources.

Drawing on new scholarship–her own, and that of an international group of scholars–that has come to light since the publication in 1979 of The Gnostic Gospels, Pagels shows that what matters about Christianity involves much more than any one set of beliefs. Traditions embodied in Judaism and Christianity can powerfully affect us in heart, mind, and spirit, inspire visions of a new society based on practicing justice and love, even heal and transform us.

Provocative, beautifully written, and moving, Beyond Belief, the most personal of Pagels’s books to date, shows how “the impulse to seek God overflows the narrow banks of a single tradition.” Pagels writes, “What I have come to love in the wealth and diversity of our religious traditions–and the communities that sustain them–is that they offer the testimony of innumerable people to spiritual discovery, encouraging us, in Jesus’ words, to ‘seek, and you shall find.’”

Customer Reviews:

She writes convincing material, but.......2007-08-27

WOW! She really writes convincing material and writes it well! She made me scared to study Gnostic writings, I was afraid they'd be right and I'd have to rework my faith of almost 40 years. As another reviewer pointed out, she does not really explore the Gospel of Thomas in this book...instead she trashes the Gospel of John. I found this curious. If the Gnostic writings are so great, then let's study them! But I have come to understand that the modern Gnostic movement is not about believing in Gnosticism...it is about NOT believing in the books of the New Testament. For after reading her book, I went on a journey of studying Gnostic writings as well as how the New Testament Canon was formed. Some of the major themes that are ascribed to Gnosticism by Pagels and others today are simply incorrect. The Gnostics did not believe in tolerance, they were a 'holier than thou' elistest group. And they also believed that salvation was only for men (Jesus is quoted as saying that he would turn Mary into a man so she would reach her spiritual path). The Gnostics were also strongly antisemitic. But Pagels doesn't share this information. And all this was the opposite in the teachings and actions of the apostles and early church, who were open,tolerant, and believed all were equal in Christ-including women.
However, in accepting books as being holy and to be used for doctrine, the early church followed some basic rules. The book had to be written by an apostle or someone who had been with an apostle, and the book had to agree with the teachings the apostles had given. Paul's letters are the earliest documents, and the doctrines he taught are the basis of Christianity, and these doctrines agree with writings of the other apostles. These works were written while people who knew the apostles were still alive. The Gnostics writings came later and were recognized as forgeries. They completely disagreed with the earlier teachings of the apostles: they were not like a different denomination of Christianity, they were a different religion altogether. The early church was tolerant, except when it came to untruth, and therefore the early church leaders tried to expose the hoax of Gnosticism. George Washington worked to prove the letters which were supposedly from him as a spy to the English govenment were forged letters. He did not do this for power or in order to suppress some secret. He did it because the letters were forgeries. In the same way the early church denounced the writings of the Gnostics: they did so because the writings were forgeries.
But I as said at the beginning, Pagels writes very well and very convincingly. I'm glad I read the book, for it sparked an indepth study of the early church which I am still pursuing.

Well written.......2007-07-19

I found this book well written and compelling , but not over the top. A good work to introduce and explain the relevance and works discovered known as the Gospel of Thomas.

An Argument for Gnosticism.......2007-04-27

Raised within the confines of fundamentalist religion, we found that asking Biblical questions could be extremely hazardous to our religious existence. After being excommunicated for numerous such affronts to the sanctity of the written word, we are especially appreciative of Ms. Pagels and her untiring efforts to shed light on so many of the lesser known aspects of early Christianity. Some readers have expressed their disappointment, feeling the book devotes too much attention to the formation of orthodoxy, the evolution of the Gospel of John and the suppression of many books labeled Gnostic. But, as pointed out by Pagels, these events still play a role in our cultural history and untangling these, ". . .complex strands have practical consequences as well as intellectual ones." We may not be aware of the cultural wallpaper we have assimilated until it is pointed out that it is indeed wallpaper, and it may be in need of refurbishing. As noted in the book, "orthodoxy tends to distrust our capacity to make such discriminations and insists on making them for us." It would be difficult to fully appreciate the radical differences contained in the Gospel of Thomas if we did not examine the thought processes involved in suppressing it.

As Pagels develops her arguments, she demonstrates how orthodoxy created an ever widening chasm that placed God, His only-begotten son and the church fathers on one side, and the congregation of sinners on the other. The increased value bestowed on Jesus by the church, equaled the speedy demotion of a flock whose only hope lay in their unquestioning belief in him. The writer of the Gospel of Thomas had the effrontery to suggest that Jesus' real message lay in his knowledge that all men, including him, were one with God. And, "Thomas' Jesus directs each disciple to discover the light within" through gnosis, an experiential knowing gained through a connection with higher consciousness. Shockingly, this message took church fathers out of the loop by suggesting that each person had an equal opportunity to save themselves. It is not surprising then that heresy was originally defined as "the act of choice!"

Orthodoxy attempted to control the people through selective information and the lack of choice. We, on the other hand, can easily miss the gifts offered by the Gospel of Thomas because we are inundated with information and choke on the multitude of choices offered to us on a daily basis. If we dismiss the Gospel of Thomas as another curiosity, we will miss the invitation Thomas' Jesus extends," If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you." Books such as Pagels' "Beyond Belief" and Ehrman's "Misquoting Jesus" offer proof that there is little reason to take a literalist view of the Bible. This does not mean that Jesus' teachings are inaccessible. It does mean that we must each choose whether we will be one who accepts what is found outside us, or one who searches for the answers within. Pagels' book offers a great platform for exploration.

Lee & Steven Hager are the authors of Quantum Prodigal Son: Revisiting Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son from the Perspective of Quantum Mechanics

Orthodoxy vs. Gnosticism.......2007-03-19

My primary interest in reading this book was to better understand and appreciate the evolution of Christian thought and belief in the early church. On this score, Elaine Pagels definitely does not disappoint.

I found her choice of beginning this work with an intensely personal description of the spiritual journey she faced during her young son's fatal illness to be surprising at first, but through her book I came to understand why she introduced this work in such a way: all spiritual journeys are intensely personal. The authors of the "Secret Gospel of Thomas", the Gospel of John, and the later Church Fathers who built upon these writings, all faced challenging times. In seeking answers to the challenges they faced, they engaged in their own personal spiritual journeys, which resulted in their recording what they learned and believed in the texts that have been passed down to us.

Elaine Pagels engages us in the challenges and spiritual journeys of these early Christian writers, both known (mostly proponents of what became the roots of Christianity as we know it today); and unknown (mostly the authors of the Gnostic books found in the Nag Hammadi library, such as the Gospel of Thomas; and other works).

The Gnostic authors and their adherents found themselves marginalized if not actively persecuted as the well-organized and controlled universal Church took hold in the ancient world. Gnosticism is an intensely personal form of faith, where one seeks to find Spiritual truth for oneself instead of unquestioningly adopting an external authority's view.

Dr. Pagels referees for us the centuries-long debate between early Christian Fathers and their Gnostic counterparts - helping us see how the debate between control of doctrine vs. freedom of exploration changed and grew over time. She seeks to help us understand the complexities of the central question for us: What is truth, and what is lies? In making our spiritual journeys, how can we tell them apart? How do we find that truth for ourselves without falling into error?

The roots of that debate reach far back into Jewish history: centuries before Jesus started teaching. Therefore, Dr. Pagels knows she cannot answer the question. Instead, she seeks to help us understand the issues and the context within which we, as Christians, make our own journeys in search of spiritual truth.

The great authors of Orthodoxy - Tertullian, Athanaeus and Irenaeus, among others, all saw that allowing too much freedom of exploration often led to spiritual error and excess. On the other hand, they appreciated the importance of needing to explore one's own faith for oneself, and did not want to create a rigid and inflexible Christian faith that could not tolerate such journeys of faith. They understood that a balance between the two extremes must be found.

Ultimately, and as Dr. Pagels says in her book, it is not right, or wise, to accept spiritual authority without question, or to seek to eliminate the rich spiritual diversity found throughout the Christian world. Diversity brings strength and vitality, but too much diversity brings conflict and destruction. There is no simple answer to the question: we must each find an answer for ourselves.

Dr. Pagels' work is easy to read, well researched, well footnoted, and thought provoking. While I highly recommend this book, I would have to agree with what others here have said: that the title is misleading. This book focuses more on the evolution of orthodox Christianity than it does on the Gnostic tradition, or on the Gospel of Thomas itself. I give it a four star recommendation.

The Gospel of St John is more accurate.......2007-02-09

If you want a review of the gospel of Thomas look to the references cited in this book. The end notes are an excellent source of research in early Christian texts. This book is about the gospel of St John, how the politics of the time shaped what was written and how the work of Origen and the Emperor Constantine decided what gospels would constitute the New Testament. The writing is uneven or perhaps it needed tighter editing to have the work flow in a more even pace.

This mis-naming and awkward, read as uneven, pace seems to be characteristic of Pagels, her origin of Satan had similar problems. What she clearly possesses is the desire to ferret out the details and offer a plausible explanation.

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

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Calculations are only as good as your numbers
Pants on fire?
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
Very Interesting
History as Science Fiction

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621058

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.

Running with the Giants: What the Old Testament Heroes Want You to Know About Life and Leadership

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Running with the Giants: What the Old Testament Heroes Want You to Know About Life and Leadership
Tidbits of Giants
"You can't stay the same and learn at the same time."
Very thought-provoking book!
The example of a life well lived has timeless power

Running with the Giants: What the Old Testament Heroes Want You to Know About Life and Leadership
John C. Maxwell
Manufacturer: FaithWords
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Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0446530697
Release Date: 2002-09-24

Amazon.com

Himself an inspiration to millions through his motivational speeches and bestselling books, John C. Maxwell reaches out to the leading icons of the Old Testament for the life and leadership lessons conveyed in his thought-provoking albeit slim Running with the Giants. Maxwell, author of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and a half-dozen other books on the topic, writes here that biblical personalities like Abraham, Joseph, and Moses can provide us with the real "inspiration, wisdom, and empowerment" we need to lead. For example, Maxwell explains, Noah's actions teach us that "one person can make a difference"; he then fleshes out relevant maxims like "Don't be afraid to stand out in a crowd" and "Don't be afraid to do something for the first time" to bring this concept into the 21st century. Likewise, the servant girl from the book of Kings shows us how "one small act can make a big difference," but for it to happen today one must be confident and credible and "speak to people's needs." Those committed to the sources from which Maxwell draws will particularly appreciate his take on the lessons they impart, as well as his athletically inspired theme and contemporary presentation. --Howard Rothman

Book Description

Customer Reviews:

Running with the Giants: What the Old Testament Heroes Want You to Know About Life and Leadership.......2007-05-11

This book was used as a team building tool for our group during our annual training. Each lady was given the book "Running with the Giants: What the Old Testament Heroes Want You to Know About Life and Leadership" by John C. Maxwell, two characters were randomly assigned to each board member and then they were asked to do a small presentation about the characters. I highly recommend this training to Christian centered organizations as it not only teached the board members certain lessons from the Old Testament Giants but it also helped the board to bond as they shared experiences from their own lives. This is the type of training that groups need to be able to team build as an organization.

Tidbits of Giants.......2005-09-04

I like that I was able to read this book fairly quickly, though it does have a bunch of powerful things that spoke to me.

The giants in the Bible John C Maxwell talks about are:
Noah
Esther
Joseph (he's my favorite)
Moses
Rebekah
Abraham
Nehemiah
The Servant Girl
David
Jonathan

There are more giants than this in the Bible, but I like how they each contributed something different to God's kingdom.

At the end of each section there is a time for reflecting upon your own life with regards to the passage read and to the Bible giant's life.

The book is written in such a way that it's like it's talking to YOU. Very personal.

"You can't stay the same and learn at the same time.".......2005-06-12

Buy this book on tape; it is only 90 minutes long, perfect for your commute to work. The questions for personal reflection after each section will be missing but if you like the audio then spend a few extra bucks and pick up the paperback for the questions if you think you are missing out.
This Maxwell book talks about finishing a marathon in a stadium with a crowd cheering you on. I have actually seen something like this at the Atlanta Olympics back in 1996 when the final runner was more than a lap behind and the race was all but over. The crowd cheered the loudest not for the winners but for this last lone runner. At each turn the crowd acknowledged the talent that got him there even if in comparison it wasn't enough to get him the gold. I don't think there was a dry eye in the stadium. Maxwell takes this type of encouragement a step further and brings 10 Biblical Giants down from the crowd one by one to help the racer (you). They are: Noah, Esther, an unnamed servant girl, Joseph, Moses, Rebekah, Abraham, Nehemiah, Jonathan, and David. Each has a powerful lesson to share with you. Don't pass this opportunity up. If you have ever thought to yourself it would be nice to have a mentor to help me along the way - Then this book is for you!
After completing this book you will come to realize that the real power of this book is not in its length it is in the way it will make you think and feel about your life and its purpose.

Become "an apple seed planter" like John talks about.

Very thought-provoking book!.......2004-10-01

John Maxwell's THINKING FOR A CHANGE was one of the best books I read last year . . . so when I saw RUNNING WITH THE GIANTS, another title from this NEW YORK TIMES best selling author and motivational teacher, I scooped it up eagerly.

The premise certainly caught my attention . . . Maxwell imagines that he is running with various Old Testament heroes, and he presents the advice that he receives from each one.

For example, he urges you to think about Noah for when you wonder if your life really counts . . . to think about Esther for when you are uncertain about your future . . . and to think about Joseph for when your life isn't turning out the way you planned . . . Moses, Rebekah, Abraham, David, and Jonathan are among the others who also appear in this short (136 pages) in but thought-provoking work.

I particularly enjoyed the questions for personal reflection after each section, such as this one:

What helps you to do the right thing when those around you are doing wrong?

In addition, Maxwell presented a prayer from each Biblical character . . . this one, entitled "Jonathan's Prayer for Us," caught my attention:

Sovereign Master and King,

Please empower my friends to see the big picture so they may know their place and be glad to be a part of something great, cultivate the right attitude toward the potential and success of others, and possess a servant's heart that receives great joy in adding value to leaders.

Amen

There were several other memorable passages; among them:

[writing about Moses]
Soon we are running our lap together. For a while, we simply travel side-by-side, waiting to hear what he says. Finally, Moses, the man who spoke with God face-to-face as one would to a friend, says, "live in the faith zone, not the safe zone."

As we continue running, Moses seems to consider what he wants to tell us. Finally he says, "Each person's life story is written in risks--the ones taken and the ones avoided. Look at my life. Do you think you would know my story if I hadn't stepped out of the safe zone? Would I even be talking to you right now if I hadn't entered the faith zone?" His gaze is fixed on us. It is intense.

"The greatest moment in my walk with God came at the burning bush," Moses continues. "The decision I made there that day wrote the next forty years of my life story. It is a decision that brought daily encounters with the living God! But in the moment of decision, it was not easy
to make."

[writing about Rebekah]
Rebekah went the extra mile. Her generosity stands in stark contrast to the prevailing attitudes today. Rebekah seemed to be saying, I'll do what you asked me to do, then I'm going to do something more. In contrast, many people today seem to be thinking, I'm going to do the least that is expected of me, and I'm going to try to get the most out of it. Sadly, this underlying spirit has even crept into the lives and thoughts of many people of faith. Few individuals desire to do
more than they must. Everywhere you look you see and attitude of minimum effort for maximum payment.

[writing about Jonathan]
"Only when you see what is important will you be willing to do the seemingly unimportant. I did not serve David because I lacked potential. I served him because he had greater potential. As I
look back on my life, my greatest joy was helping David succeed to the throne. Remember, it takes a lot of king-makers to make a king!"

The example of a life well lived has timeless power.......2003-11-21

An inspiring little book that draws life and leadership principles from Old Testament Biblical characters. Maxwell uses the power and example of these people's life stories to draw out some great truths. The backdrop is running in a stadium with the "great cloud of witnesses" that surround the Christian and having some heroes of the faith come down to run a lap with you and give advice on lessons they learned. See the other reviews for the list of Old Testament heroes that are included.

Book Description

Beloved author C .S. Lewis is our wise and inspiring guide in this elegant collectible book of 366 poignant and thought-provoking daily meditations.

Customer Reviews:

Good Daily Reading.......2007-01-10

This will not do for a daily devotional. With that being said, the daily portions are small enough that even an intellectual "non-Christian" as well as any Christian can read and enjoy. I include the intellectual non-Christian because the ideas in the book are weighty. It applies to the Christian because they are weighty ideas that are in support of the Christian world-view. It is a quick daystarter that will also give you insight into the works of C.S. Lewis and may inspire the reader to actually read his edifying literature. I recommend this to add to your daily read, not to replace it.

Nate Taylor

A Year with C.S. Lewis.......2006-11-04

I have been readung daily meditations/modivational readings for as long as I can remember. I find this this is probably the most useful in that it covers all aspects of one's life. I find myself unconsciously nodding my head as I read. I would highly recommend this book to all of my friends. It is amazing how much better your day is when you get your brain primed early in the day.

Daily C. S. Lewis fix for familiar readers.......2006-10-17

If you are familiar with the works of C. S. Lewis, then this book is for you. It contains snippets of trivia about his life in addition to a passage a day from his numerous works. However, I would recommend this book to those who've already read and reflected on at least one of his other books in its entirety. You can then appreciate how Lewis develops his complex thoughts and arguments through many chapters, not just one paragraph. This book of daily readings can then be used as a starting point to refresh you on a bit of insight that will lead you to greater reflection of your faith.

If you haven't read his books, at best you will be piqued by these appetizers to look forward to the entrees of his books. At worst this book of daily readings will be just another collection of daily thoughts.

I love the way C. S. Lewis articulates his thoughts, and it gives me great pleasure when I chew on what he says and gain that insight. I wish other Christian writers today would take the same time to meditate and share their wisdom, instead of churn out book after book that defines today's pop-Christian culture.