Book Description
The United States is one of the most religious places on earth, but it is also a nation of shocking religious illiteracy.
- Only 10 percent of American teenagers can name all five major world religions and 15 percent cannot name any.
- Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe that the Bible holds the answers to all or most of life's basic questions, yet only half of American adults can name even one of the four gospels and most Americans cannot name the first book of the Bible.
Despite this lack of basic knowledge, politicians and pundits continue to root public policy arguments in religious rhetoric whose meanings are missed—or misinterpreted—by the vast majority of Americans.
"We have a major civic problem on our hands," says religion scholar Stephen Prothero. He makes the provocative case that to remedy this problem, we should return to teaching religion in the public schools. Alongside "reading, writing, and arithmetic," religion ought to become the "Fourth R" of American education.
Many believe that America's descent into religious illiteracy was the doing of activist judges and secularists hell-bent on banishing religion from the public square. Prothero reveals that this is a profound misunderstanding. "In one of the great ironies of American religious history," Prothero writes, "it was the nation's most fervent people of faith who steered us down the road to religious illiteracy. Just how that happened is one of the stories this book has to tell."
Prothero avoids the trap of religious relativism by addressing both the core tenets of the world's major religions and the real differences among them. Complete with a dictionary of the key beliefs, characters, and stories of Christianity, Islam, and other religions, Religious Literacy reveals what every American needs to know in order to confront the domestic and foreign challenges facing this country today.
Customer Reviews:
A misleading book, should have been titled "Christian Literacy".......2007-10-08
I was so upset with this book. Even the cover is misleading. The first half of this work is basically a history of Christianity in AMERICA (and often you feel that the author is waxing nalstalgic for the good 'ol days of "Christian" America) and then the second half is a mediocre dictionary of Religion. Money would be better spend on a cheap dictionary of Eastern or world religion. If this book had been marketed as "Religious Literacy for Christians" I would understand the direction of the book. As it is, I felt like this book was marketed as an attempt to pull in the reader (such as myself) who is interested in expanding their comprehension of WORLD religions, but once having your attention it tries to convice you that we are living in a Christian country and that it has always been so.
Makes the case but never tells us *what* we need to know.......2007-09-27
Despite the lack of religion taught in public schools or the anti-relgion impressions given by the media, America is a very religious nation. It was founded by religious people and it's history is entwined with religon. Even today, politicians frequently invoke religion and cite scriptural references and most Americans will report that they regularly attend religious services and pray. The problem is that not many of those people actually have much religious knowledge (an assertion supported by a just-released Sept 2007 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center). Few can name all Ten Commandments or any Apostles, not to mention even cursory knowledge about Eastern religions. Contrast this with Europeans, who have broad religious knowledge but don't attend church or pray. Mr. Prothero explains how religion factored in early American life, the affects of secularism and how America shifted away from valuing religious knowledge, and clears up the confusion over the legalities of teaching religion. He also makes a case for the need for greater religious literacy without showing any favoritism.
The problem is that the title is terribly misleading: "Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know - and Doesn't" infers that this book will tell us what we NEED to know. It doesn't. It sounds like I know more about scriptures and my own church than most people do about theirs, but I know very little about other churches. I would like to learn some basics about Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, and Christian religions such as the Catholics, Protestants, and Evangelicals and was hoping for summaries to help me better understand. All the book has to offer is a "dictionary" that was nice, but not really what I was hoping for. I already agree with the author that knowledge of religion is lacking - myself included - but the book doesn't really take the next step. Mr. Prothero complains that even many churches today teach only broad "touchy-feely" concepts like "love" and "Jesus" but fail to impart a deeper understanding, but he's guilty of the same sin.
The discussions of religion in Colonial America and how we became a secular nation was interesting, but I think most people who pick up this book will also agree with the author, and as such it ends up being little more than preaching to the choir.
disguised argument.... .......2007-09-13
The title is misleading. I expected to be educated regarding the myriad religions in the world, many of them with a substantial presence in the United States. Instead, the author works to convince the reader The Bible should be required study in America's public schools. The author did place much of the blame for religious illiteracy on religion itself and not so much on secularism. He also did not mention America's woeful failing regarding science literacy, but then this is a book whose emphasis is religion.
Americans most certainly are ignorant regarding religion, even their own, but this book does not live up to the goal stated in its title. The title should have been "My argument for Bible Study in public schools."
Teach ABOUT Religion instead of Teaching Religion ..........2007-09-02
A persuasive argument for teaching about religion, not proselytizing. Author Stephen Prothero traces the degradation in religious knowledge, not necessarily observance, in the United States over the past 150 years.
Nowadays, the gods of Political Correctness must be appeased. People are reluctant to bring up or discuss the topic of religion. As a result, it has largely left the school system. He offers some salient examples of illiteracy and ignorance with regard to basic religious concepts (for example, some people believe that the epistles were the wives of the apostles!!).
Prothero spends more time making his argument than advancing solutions, the chief example of which is restoring education about religion in the public schools and beyond. He makes a salient point and differentiation between teaching about religion and pushing religious beliefs on to people. It is a persuasive case and timely, since so many modern conflicts and foreign-policy issues are shaped by religious belief.
The majority of the book is comprised of a glossary of religious concepts and terms. This alone provides a valuable reference. There is also a quiz in the Appendix so that readers can gauge their own degree of religious literacy.
A thought-provoking and persuasive book!
Important yes -- but a Fourth R?.......2007-09-01
The Professor of Religion effectively proves that we need more religious education. Yes, his department of religion should be more important but is there not a crying need for the more basic Three Rs to be taken care of first before we divert resources?
And what about the lack of Financial Literacy? Not knowing about Whahhabism could certainly hurt us again, but not understanding the dangers to borrowers and the economy contained in the fine print in sub-prime real estate loans could, it turns out, drive us into recession (some economists think recession will hit us next year) and that could even hurt us more.
The application of limited educational resources should be well balanced. It comes down to a question of priorities. And the author of this fine book is overstating the priority of his department and career field.
Book Description
What’s going on in a man’s mind? From their early days, every woman has struggled to understand why males behave the way they do. Even long-married women who think they understand men have only scratched the surface. Beneath a man’s rugged exterior is an even more rugged, unmapped terrain. What bestselling author Shaunti Feldhahn’s research reveals about the inner lives of men will open women’s eyes to what the men in their lifeâboyfriends, brothers, husbands, and sonsâare really thinking and feeling. Men want to be understood, but they’re afraid to âfreak outâ the women they love by confessing what is happening inside their heads. This book will guide women in how to provide the loving support that modern men want and need.
The Truth About His Inner Life
He Desperately Wants You to Know
What's going on in there? Ever been totally confused by something your man has said or done? Want to understand his secret desires and fears, his daily battles that you know nothing about?
In a woman-to-woman conversation you’ll never forget, Shaunti Feldhahn takes you beneath the surface into the inner lives of men. This book is about the things we just don’t âget’ about guys. With findings from a groundbreaking national survey and personal interviews of over one thousand men, For Women Only is full of eye-opening revelations you need to not only understand the man in your life, but to support and love him in the way he needs to be loved. Grounded in biblical hope, you will discover how to love your man for who he really isânot who you think he is.
Story Behind the Book
I had no idea how clueless I was about men until I interviewed a bunch of them for my last novel. Initially, I just wanted a little insight so I could write my main (male) character. But pretty soon I found myself astonished, over and over again blurting out, âThat’s what you’re thinking?â So I did more interviews. After the novel hit shelves, dozens of women told me they also had been astonished by what I included. Clearly I wasn’t the only one who needed more insight on this!
To lay the groundwork for this nonfiction book, I wrote out the half-dozen things from these interviews that had most surprised meâthings that appeared to be universal to most menâthat women desperately needed to know. I conducted a professional national survey of men to test my findings. Yepâthe survey substantiated every single one. These findings are fascinatingâand they have already changed my life and marriage. I can’t wait to share them!
Customer Reviews:
Revolutionary.......2007-10-11
To begin with, I was blown away by this book. What an impact such a small volume has made in my relationship with my dear fiance' as well as with my brothers and father. So, why is this book so good? Firstly, it is written with the idea of informing about the way men think. How many of us are totally confused about men? Yeah, most of us. And men don't talk a lot about their "feelings" so it is very difficult to get an honest answer. This book is an absolute blessing in that measure. It shows why men have trouble being romantic, why they need women's respect so much and (possibly the most revolutionary chapter) why they want SO MUCH sex.
I will not explain, b/c the book does that, but I will say that once I read the book my eyes were completely opened to why my fiance' reacts the way he does to my actions. And I began changing my actions and... well I will just say that although Caleb and I have always had an incredible relationship, this just made things even more beautiful.
To the reviewer who complained that the book made wives too subservient I would answer, firstly, read her book "For Men Only". Both books are interested in teaching wives and husbands to better serve eachother. Secondly, women are not at all put down in this book. Rather wives are shown to be the one factor in their husbands' lives that really makes the crucial difference between men feeling like a success or a failure. This book really is empowering to women because it is basically like, "You can make the crucial difference... Oh yeah, here's how."
While some points in this book may not be accurate for all men (I am blessed with a man who is the "King of Romance" as my mom says, and who will always talk about his feelings) it really has something for every relationship. If you are working to cultivate a blessed, beautiful marriage, you will find this book to be of great value.
Great things come in small packages.......2007-08-31
I have read a lot of books trying to understand my fellow homosapiens and this did not most terrific job. I relate to my brothers, coworkers, leaders, and men I've dated so much better. I judge less and I find that I'm less insecure around men now.
Shaunti Feldhahn is not just an author, she is an EXCELLENT communicator........2007-08-20
For Women Only is the result of a survey of 400 men across the country who responded to a questionaire about their relationships. This book points out seven areas in which women have a surface understanding of men's needs or desires and delves into each subject in a way that leaves the reader grasping what that statement really means.
For example, the first point is that "men need respect". That seems obvious enough, but Feldhahn brings this into perspective with her survey result that 74% of the men would rather feel "alone & unloved" instead of "inadequate & disrespected", if they had to choose one of the two options. She then elaborates on this with several follow-up examples of ways women can either demonstrate respect or show a lack of respect. Some of which we don't usually connect with showing disrespect. On page 24, she quotes Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, "In a relationship conflict, crying is often a woman's response to feeling unloved, and anger is often a man's response to feeling disrespected."
I would highly recommend this book to any woman who is serious about wanting to improve her relationship with her husband. The author has a way of transforming something you think you know into something you can apply to your everyday life, which isn't always an easy task.
THIS IS A REALLY GOOD BOOK.......2007-08-20
MOST INFORMATIVE. FIND THINGS U MIGHT THINK YOU KNOW AND IF YOU DONT DO A LOT OF RESEARCH ON RELATIONSHIPS THIS IS SOMETHING YOU PROBABLY WOULD NEVER NO OR UNDERSTAND IF YOU DONT READ THE BOOK
Extremely Helpful and Practical!.......2007-08-14
Realizing that there is always room for improvement, my wife and I have made it a practice over our almost 25 years of marriage to read marriage articles and books regularly. Nothing that we know of comes close to the helpful and pracitical insight we have received from "For Women Only" and it's companion book, "For Men Only". We strongly recommend it to every married couple. These two books, along with "Sheet MUsic" by Kevin Leman and "The Book of Romance" by Tommy Nelson are at the top of our list.
Amazon.com
The spiritual premise in The Purpose-Driven Life is that there are no accidents---God planned everything and everyone. Therefore, every human has a divine purpose, according to God's master plan. Like a twist on John F. Kennedy's famous inaugural address, this book could be summed up like this: "So my fellow Christians, ask not what God can do for your life plan, ask what your life can do for God's plan." Those who are looking for advice on finding one's calling through career choice, creative expression, or any form of self-discovery should go elsewhere. This is not about self-exploration; it is about purposeful devotion to a Christian God. The book is set up to be a 40-day immersion plan, recognizing that the Bible favors the number 40 as a "spiritually significant time," according to author Rick Warren, the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, touted as one of the nation largest congregations. Warren's hope is that readers will "interact" with the 40 chapters, reading them one day at a time, with extensive underlining and writing in the margins. As an inspirational manifesto for creating a more worshipful, church-driven life, this book delivers. Every page is laden with references to scripture or dogma. But it does not do much to address the challenges of modern Christian living, with its competing material, professional, and financial distractions. Nonetheless, this is probably an excellent resource for devout Christians who crave a jumpstart back to worshipfulness. --Gail Hudson
Book Description
The most basic question everyone faces in life is "Why am I here?". What is my purpose? Self-help books suggest that people should look within, at their own desires and dreams, but Rick Warren says the starting place must be with God—and His eternal purpose for each life. Real meaning and significance comes from understanding and fulfilling God’s purposes for putting us on earth.
"The Purpose-Driven Life" takes the groundbreaking message of the award-winning "Purpose-Driven Church" and goes deeper, applying it to the lifestyle of individual Christians. This book helps readers understand God’s incredible plan for their lives. Warren enables them to see “the big picture†of what life is all about and begin to live the life God created them to live.
Download Description
Another Landmark Book by Rick Warren. You are not an accident. Even before the universe was created, God had you in mind, and he planned you for his purposes. These purposes will extend far beyond the few years you will spend on earth. You were made to last forever! Self-help books often suggest that you try to discover the meaning and purpose of your life by looking within yourself, but Rick Warren says that is the wrong place to start. You must begin with God, your Creator, and his reasons for creating you. You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense. This book will help you understand why you are alive and God's amazing plan for you-both here and now, and for eternity. Rick Warren will guide you through a personal 40-day spiritual journey that will transform your answer to life's most important question: What on earth am I here for? Knowing God's purpose for creating you will reduce your stress, focus your energy, simplify your decisions, give meaning to your life, and, most importantly, prepare you for eternity. The Purpose-DrivenT Life is a blueprint for Christian living in the 21st century-a lifestyle based on God's eternal purposes, not cultural values. Using over 1,200 scriptural quotes and references, it challenges the conventional definitions of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. In the tradition of Oswald Chambers, Rick Warren offers distilled wisdom on the essence of what life is all about. This is a book of hope and challenge that you will read and re-read, and it will be a classic treasured by generations to come.
Customer Reviews:
insightful, filled with truth.......2007-10-02
this book is full of quotes from the Bible, telling how God wants us to live. i especially appreciated the use of several different translations and paraphrases- it really firmed up my understanding of passages i had just heard many times, but not totally grasped.
Great Book!.......2007-09-29
If your willing to devote a few minutes a day for 40 days, Rick Warren can lead you to a better life. Other than the Bible this is the best book I have ever read. If you feel your life is missing something this may be your answer. This book shows that it's all about God, no one is an accident, we were made to be part of God's family, we are shaped for God's service, we have a mission and only through seeking God can we know why we are on this planet. Rick Warren is uplifting, comforting, and this book changed my life. I hope 40 days from now you can say the same.
Purpose Driven Life.......2007-09-04
This cd was purchased as a gift. The cd is well formatted and enjoyed by my mother.
ONE OF THE BEST!!.......2007-08-28
"Everything happens for a purpose..." "Glorify God...." This book strengthened my faith in God. After the Bible, this book is the best. Thanks God for giving me the oppurtunity to read this book =)
Outstanding.......2007-08-24
Rick Warren has hit the nail on the head. The question for every believer is whether or not they are "doing" what they were created to "do." What is the purpose of each individual. The Purpose Driven Life advances that in a great way.
Book Description
Drawing from John Maxwell's bestsellers Developing the Leader Within You, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, and Becoming a Person of Influence, Leadership 101 explores the timeless principles that have become Dr. Maxwell's trademark style. In a concise, straightforward style, Maxwell focuses on essential and time-tested qualities necessary for true leadership -influence, integrity, attitude, vision, problem-solving, and self-discipline -and guides readers through practical steps to develop true leadership in their lives and the lives of others.
Customer Reviews:
What Everyone Needs to Know.......2007-08-23
Very informative book. I'm making my way through the entire 101 series from John.
Leadership 101 by John C Maxwell.......2007-05-29
Leadership could a very vague concept. The book explains leadership in a way that provides a clear understanding of the concept of leadership and allows readers to take steps to improve the leadership skills. I have read the book 6+ times and have given out 7 copies to people in my workplace. It is a wonderful book for anyone who wants to be a leader.
YOU ONLY NEED TWO BOOKS!!.......2007-05-25
IN THE PAST 3 YEARS ONLY TWO BOOKS ABOUT LEADERSHIP HAVE BEEN GOOD:
1. Leadership: Past, Present & Future by Carlos M. Rivera
2. Leadership 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know
You will agree with me 100%
A great Asset If You Want To Enhance Your Leadership Skills.......2007-04-01
Leadership 101 is a popular book, particularly in college presentations on leadership. I personally bought this book after a student gave a splendid presentation on the valuable contents of this book.
Setting priorities, casting a vision, and realizing the power of influence are only a few of the crucial topics Maxwell addresses in this "little-big" book.
Encouraged by several of Maxwell's books, as well as many others, I went ahead and studied leadership for several years, conducted over 100 interviews, and finally published "The Awakened Leader: One Simple Leadership Style That Works Every Time, Everywhere."
Readers who liked John Maxwell's works, and who want to remain informed of appropriate leadership in a time where globalization has become a part of our everyday life and has ignited increasing interdependency, multiplicity of mindsets and approaches, and multi-faceted workplaces, should take a look at this book.
"The Awakened Leader" presents a meta-leadership approach, which will guide you toward implementing the appropriate leadership style once you've assessed the situation, the followers, and the environment at hand. It is based on flexibility through open-mindedness, or wakefulness. And it completes the perspectives that Maxwell and other great leadership authors have presented us in the past decade: successful leadership of the self and others, based on proven trends of the past, the now, and the future.
Great Book.......2007-03-28
I was first introduced to this work at a training program three years ago. Since then, I have given it to every one of my developing leaders in their training programs.
Amazon.com
Mention the word "grace" and what immediately comes to mind for most of us is a bagpipe wailing the solemn notes of "Amazing Grace."
The grace of which Philip Yancey writes is the freely given and unmerited favor and love of God. This grace seems a remote, almost sentimental concept, without a place in our lives or our society. It is a vague, slippery thing to us, probably because we seem to experience grace so rarely and have managed to leech the word of meaning. But Philip Yancey has set about to rescue grace in his book What's So Amazing About Grace?
This grace is the true message of Jesus. All faiths have virtues and creeds and justice and truth, but Jesus speaks merely of receiving the love that God has for us. Accepting it, not earning it or making ourselves worthy of it. And frankly, accepting something we have not earned or are not worthy of is not an easy thing for most of us.
In truth, grace is both utterly simple and utterly confounding. Little by little, Yancey guides us into a clearer understanding of grace by using stories, in much the same way Jesus did. We read stories of both grace and ungrace at work in people's lives. Sadly, it is stories of ungrace that are more prevalent today, the current culture wars painful acknowledgments of ungrace in our lives as Christians in this country. Yancey helps us understand that ungrace is that state of being in which self-righteousness and pride are a result of thinking that we have somehow earned God's approval and may now stand in judgment in his behalf.
Philip Yancey was awarded the Gold Medallion Christian Book of the Year award for this book in 1998 by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Readers concurred with this decision, making this book an immediate bestseller. Believers and nonbelievers alike should accept Yancey's challenge to become agents of grace rather than agents of vengeance or judgment or anger. In truth, we are each starving for grace, ready to grasp it tightly. And it is through grace that all other hungers--for justice, for righteousness, for love--are satisfied. Yancey opens his book by telling us that "grace" is the last best word, and in What's So Amazing About Grace?, he proves that he's right. --Patricia Klein
Book Description
In 1987, an IRA bomb buried Gordon Wilson and his twenty-year-old daughter beneath five feet of rubble. Gordon alone survived. And forgave. He said of the bombers, "I have lost my daughter, but I bear no grudge. . . . I shall pray, tonight and every night, that God will forgive them."
His words caught the media’s ear--and out of one man’s grief, the world got a glimpse of grace.
Grace is the church’s great distinctive. It’s the one thing the world cannot duplicate, and the one thing it craves above all else--for only grace can bring hope and transformation to a jaded world.
In What’s So Amazing About Grace? award-winning author Philip Yancey explores grace at street level. If grace is God’s love for the undeserving, he asks, then what does it look like in action? And if Christians are its sole dispensers, then how are we doing at lavishing grace on a world that knows far more of cruelty and unforgiveness than it does of mercy?
Yancey sets grace in the midst of life’s stark images, tests its mettle against horrific "ungrace." Can grace survive in the midst of such atrocities as the Nazi holocaust? Can it triumph over the brutality of the Ku Klux Klan? Should any grace at all be shown to the likes of Jeffrey Dahmer, who killed and cannibalized seventeen young men?
Grace does not excuse sin, says Yancey, but it treasures the sinner. True grace is shocking, scandalous. It shakes our conventions with its insistence on getting close to sinners and touching them with mercy and hope. It forgives the unfaithful spouse, the racist, the child abuser. It loves today’s AIDS-ridden addict as much as the tax collector of Jesus’ day.
In his most personal and provocative book ever, Yancey offers compelling, true portraits of grace’s life-changing power. He searches for its presence in his own life and in the church. He asks, How can Christians contend graciously with moral issues that threaten all they hold dear?
And he challenges us to become living answers to a world that desperately wants to know, What’s So Amazing About Grace?
Customer Reviews:
What's so Amazing About Grace.......2007-08-27
This is one of the best books I have ever read. Philip Yancey has it right. At a time when some Christians alienate people with their right wing political issues and high and mighty attitudes, Yancey has brought to light through the Bible that it is better to effect change by showing grace. Yancey gives me reason to make make a difference. I am ashamed of not showing more grace to people in my sphere of influence. Thank you Philip Yancey for your honesty concerning your own life and for giving us a book that as Chuck Colson said, "makes everybody mad".
A must for all pastors.......2007-08-13
I did not know what to expect of Yancey, I had not red any of his book prior to this one. I got hoocked after the first page.
I believe that every christian and defenetly every pastors should read this book.
We serve a God of love and as Jesus says: I will know my followers by their fruith, and the fruith is that you love one another.
As Christians we say a lot of right morally speeking, but we need to be sure we say and preach that truth in love. So many times we come across as condaming. Paul talks about that in 1. Kor 13. We can speek with human or angles language, we can know all the secretes of the world, we can have profetic gifts, we can even give our own bodies as a giving, but if we have not love....
Take your time and read this book. Use it as a thremometer to find out how warm your love is.
Frode Schanke Eikum
Feel Good Religion.......2007-07-27
One can easily see why this book has received such praise. It is full of good news, amazing stories and exposes the positive aspects of Grace in its full depth. However, I found as I was reading this book, the author drifted from the scriptural view of Grace by selectively focussing on the "good feeling" of God's Grace and avoiding the sinners state of depravity, evil and death.
Preaching only about Grace, apart from preaching the depths of sin is preaching half a Gospel. The contents of this book are great for regenerate sinners who have been through the crisis experience or people who are under conviction and have turned to the Lord. When read by someone who is not regenerate, has not had that crisis of inner conviction, who has not cried out with Paul "who shall save me from the body of death?"; this book does a grave injustice.
Sinners must become convicted of their sin. Conviction is a far different thing than "I'm sorry." Without knowledge of the depth of sin and where the sinner stands before the Lord, he cannot appreciate the full depth of Grace. It is like singing the old hymn "He took me out of the mirely clay, He put my soul on the rock to stay" and only singing the second part of the lyric. Without conviction leading to repentance the sinner will not experience salvation and God's saving Grace.
This is the trend of the "feel good religion" that may be giving false hope to sinners who have not truly repented. What is so amazing about Grace is found in the old Hymn "that saved a wretch like me." Half a gospel, like half a hymn is no gospel at all.
The author also misinterprets the interaction between Simon Weisenthal and the Nazi SS man who wanted a Jew's forgiveness. The SS man was seeking forgiveness in the world where his forgiveness needed to come from God. However, his confession before Mr. Weisenthal is part of that repentance. Grace was active and evident both ways here. Although Mr. Weisenthal, young and under extreme circumstances, left without forgiving, he evidently was touched by this incident such that it lit a spark within his soul that set him on a mission to understand Grace and find healing and resolution of his own wounds. A good scriptural interpretation of these events comes from Isaiah "A broken reed he shall not break; "A smoking flax He shall not quench." The SS man was a broken reed and Weisenthal the smoking flax. Forgiveness by Weisenthal would come in God's own time and tied in with the Grace of the healing of his own wounds. This often takes a lifetime.
Philip Yancey Does It Again!.......2007-07-22
Philip Yancy hits the nail on the head once again! Easy reading and wonderfully inspiring! Makes you feel so blessed and so full of grace! I loved every word!
Want to be stretched? Read this book........2007-07-16
Grace is such a common aspect of the Christian experience that we might gloss over a book with this title. But Philip Yancey offers an uncommon take.
If you've ever wondered why some people are turned off by the church, read this book. Yancey may echo your gut feelings. The church in the world is not about following a set of rules; it's a relationship--a grace-full relationship that God extends to us and we in turn extend to others. "Grace alone melts ungrace," Yancey writes. I think he's onto something.
Yancey reminds us of who we are as Christians: Sinners saved by (there's that word) grace. He points out that when Jesus got involved with some of the wrong people (the Gentiles, the "unclean"), he was tearing down an Old Testament principle that said, "No Oddballs allowed." And Yancey points out, Jesus replaced that principle with "We're all Oddballs, but God loves us anyhow." Therefore since God extends such grace to us, we can afford to be gracious and forgiving to others.
Yancey challenges the Christian's thinking about the relationship between politics and religion. And unafraid to broach forbidden subjects, he offers frank discussions on how his own thinking about issues in today's news has been challenged and stretched. Read this book and your ears will perk up at how often grace is mentioned in the Bible and sung about in the church--and how often we miss a chance to pass it on.
Sisterhood of Faith: 365 Life-Changing Stories about Women Who Made a Difference
Book Description
In
Searching for God Knows What, Donald Miller's provocative and funny new book, he shows readers that the greatest desire of
every person is the desire for redemption. Every person is constantly seeking redemption (or at least the feeling of it) in his or her life, believing countless gospels that promise to fix the brokenness. Typically their pursuits include the desire for fulfilling relationships, successful careers, satisfying religious systems, status, and escape. Miller reveals how the inability to find redemption leads to chaotic relationships, self-hatred, the accumulation of meaningless material possessions, and a lack of inner peace. Readers will learn to identify in themselves and within others the universal desire for redemption. They will discover that the gospel of Jesus is the only way to find meaning in life and true redemption. Mature believers as well as seekers and new Christians will find themselves identifying with the narrative journey unfolded in the book, which is simply the pursuit of redemption.
Customer Reviews:
eh..........2007-10-06
This book was soooo slow starting out. It was definitely not what I was expecting from Donald Miller after having just finished Blue Like Jazz.
a must-read.......2007-08-31
You'll find yourself putting this book down frequently so that you can just think about some of the mind-blowing content that Donald Miller is pitching. Great stuff.
Donald Miller gets it right...sometimes.......2007-08-12
It took me a while to get used to the author's cozy stye of writing, but eventually I grew to enjoy it. It's messy and all over the place - just like life and very conversational. I've been reading some heavy theological stuff lately and this was refreshing. I loved the 'lifeboat theory'. His explaination of how the 'lifeboat' relates to the fall of man was probobly one of the greatest things that I've ever read. It really makes a lot of sense. I think everyone should read that chapter.
I was able to read the Bible like I used to after reading this book. And it's been months, maybe closer to a year since I was able to do that. The text was fresh to me. I saw a few things I hadn't noticed before. Since he eluded to the fall in the book, I thought I would go back to the beginning and read those chapters for the billionth time. I wasn't really expecting to see anything new. But I did. And it was real again.
I have to say I was cringing through a good part of the book. I know Donald Miller has had bad experiences with religion or the church in general, and with conservatives and republicans. I can certainly see why he holds those views. There are enough people in all of those camps whose examples could drive him away. I get the sense that the author feels that most Christians who are conservative republicans are less than intelligent and have been brain washed. That makes me sad. I can speak personally and say that I care about people living in poverty and under oppression. I care about the environment and about peace and about healthcare. These are important issues to me. And I *still* have to go with conservative views on just about everything. To me, conservative views and economic policy just make the most sense and it's not because I care less than liberals do. I can see how people who also care about these things hold to a liberal world-view. I don't think they are crazy or demented.
I agree with saying "NO" to excess govenment funding for programs to help the poor and needy and the oppressed. How does it make things right to steal money (via excessive taxation) from other people - wealthy people who have worked for their money and success - and give it to somebody else? How do handouts solve the problems in our society? I actually think it makes things worse for everyone involved, because it encourages dependancy and laziness. BUT... just like these problems will not be solved or helped with government funding, they will also not be solved by doing nothing! There are millions of broken, needy people in this country - in the world. How can we as Christians, who are called by Christ to feed and clothe and care for others, say no to plans for government funding and then not do anything else to help these people? We need to ask ourselves - "what am I *personally* doing to help them?" It is easier to say that we believe rich people should be responsible for taking care of poor people than it is to 'get out in the trenches' and do it ourselves. The Church -Christians, liberal and conservative alike, should be the ones ministering to the broken and needy. Jesus didn't give that job to Ceasar and the people of Rome. He entrusted that responsibility to his followers. The church needs to step up and live out their faith in this way. Once they start doing that, maybe the government can back off. I might start a speaking tour at local churches to get the word out. I'm very passionate about this. :)
Okay, enough of my rant....back to the book...(my previous thoughts actually do tie in to what I am going to say next - I just don't have a clear segue).
It seems to me that the problem is not with religion or today's church or conservatives or republicans or liberals or democrats, but it is with the need to understand the scriptures BOTH from a theological point of view AND from experience.
Without theology, the experience or relational aspect of Christianity is not grounded and is even dangerous. There is no expectation of an absolute truth and so all of faith is relative. Thus God becomes not who scriptures say he is but who I want him to be. It is particularly difficult to study the scriptures this way. Theology in the form of bullet points and fomulas (i.e. creeds, the articles of religion, the catechisms and things like the five points of Calvinism) is good and necessary. These things exist to give focus and steadfast understanding to our fickle feelings and experiences. In studying these things, the worshipper can stand on the shoulders of giants instead of presuming that he alone is a giant who can figure everything out himself.
Conversly, I would say that religion without relationship is dangerous in that it misses the point. Certainly God does not desire this. Scripture makes so many references to the act of offering sacrifices versus the offering of the heart. And yet He did not do away with sacrifices in the Old Testament - He required that his people sacrifice as well as call upon Him. In the new testament when Christ came to be the final propitiation for sin, He said that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Clearly the law (or religion) is important but it is not fulfilled nor has meaning without Christ.
Christianity does not work in an 'either-or' mentality -either religion or relationship. It is 'BOTH-AND'. Why is it that it is so hard to find a church that embodies this 'both-and' principle? It seems that they love to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The formulas, church history, tradition, creeds, systematic theology are all important. Much more important, in fact, than Donald Miller acknowledges. But without a true, ongoing, growing relationship with Christ, theology just doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I think this was one of the author's main points and it is definately one I needed to hear. It is the responsibility of the worshipper to maintain an understanding of both at all times. This is such a difficult task. It seems to me that our finite minds just were not created to focus on all of that at once, but fortunately, God makes these things possible. I am constantly in this desperate struggle to remain focused on both. I have been concentrating almost exclusively on only one aspect of my faith. I needed to be reminded of the 'both-and' argument. That is why I loved reading this book.
Thank you Miller.......2007-07-11
If you liked Blue Like Jazz, you'll love the book. Thank you Mr. Miller for another great one, can't wait for the next.
Following Christ is a Relationship not a System.......2007-07-01
THANK YOU Donald Miller. This is one of the most important books you can read as a Christian. It inspired me to do an about face. That is look for the face of Jesus, not his rules, not his rewards, but ENJOY THE PRESENCE of our God. After reading this book, I actually laughed and played with Jesus. I petted the Lion's mane and He licked me back. We hugged after that.
Book Description
"Most of what you've heard, read or been told about the End Times is wrong," says popular radio host and bestselling apologist, Hank Hanegraaff. "We have come to accept a wide range of beliefs and teachings about the future, about the ultimate battle between good and evil, about the last days, and about how our world will end. And most of these beliefs and teachings are based on fundamental misinterpretations of what the scriptures really say about the end times."
The Apocalypse Code helps readers understand what the Bible
really says about End Times, and why what we believe matters so much in today's world.
Customer Reviews:
Overly Narrow Presentation with Many Omissions.......2007-10-14
I highly respect Hank Hanegraff, and my bookshelf is lined with his books. If Hank speaks, I listen. In this case, while I think his principles for interpreting end-times passages are something every Christian should take to heart, I feel that his treatment of the subject matter was overly narrow to the point of undermining his point.
If you take ONLY the passages Hanegraff discusses, then this is a powerful presentation for the fulfillment of Jesus' Matthew 24 prophecy with the destruction of the Jewish temple in the first century. But there are internal contradictions and huge omissions that ruin the book for me.
Hanegraff criticizes futurists, for example, for placing a 2000-year gap between the disciples' question in Matthew 24:2 and Jesus' answer in verse three. This is a legitimate point. However, he then argues that the destruction of the temple was the fulfillment of Matthew 24:31, but ignores the "end of the world" context from there to the end of the chapter. Was Matthew 24:32 ff. fulfilled in the first century? If so, how does it fit the historical context? Is its fulfillment yet future? If so, how does Hank get there from v. 31? He never says.
Hank also relies heavily - if not exclusively - on Old Testament referents to interpret Jesus' words about his "coming on the clouds" in Matthew 24:30-31. Again, a good point. Yet, he ignores the fact that that Paul uses identical language to describe Jesus' Second Coming in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, which Hanegraff does NOT believe occurred in the first century. Moreover, Hanegraff never addresses the apparent contradiction that Jesus' language in this passage is concrete, not apocalyptic, and inserting an apocalyptic interpretation into a concrete passage violates Hanegraff's own rules of scriptural synergy.
Hanegraff also addresses the letters to the churches and the visions in Revelation, but he omits discussion of the seals, trumpets, and bowls. He seems to believe that they are part of the trifold judgment on Jerusalem, but he never discusses how the fulfillment of even one of them can be explained. And he does seem to believe that the description in Revelation 19 is describing the end of the world, but since he seems to believe everything else relates to the first century, on what basis does he get there? Again, he allows the same kind of 2000-year jump for which he criticizes futurists.
These are questions Hanegraff simply never addresses. As a result, the book fell flat for me. For serious students of the end times, it does make some very good points. But if you are looking for the answer to the end-times puzzle, I'm afraid this book creates more questions than answers.
The Antidote for "Left Behind".......2007-10-14
This book will not cause a sensation like Hal Lindsey's "The Late Great Planet Earth" or Tim LaHaye's "Left Behind" series. However, it is a much more credible resource in understanding The Book of Revelation. Like a detective or a research scientist, Hanegraaff uses the Bible itself and actual historical facts to explain Revelation's cryptic but powerful message. Symbols and patterns which are found in the Old Testament are used in Revelation. In addition Revelation conforms to the time and place in which it was written, the first century Roman Empire. Revelation was easily understood by the audience to which it was addressed. Modern doomsday peddlers have muddled it up. Hanegraaff doesn't allow his own imaginitive flights of fancy to dictate his research. Therefore, you will not find any nuclear bombs, implanted microchips, tanks, or attack helicopters in this book.
Hanegraaff unmasks dispensationalism, the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine, and "Christian Zionism" for what they are, concoctions started by Charles Darby in the 19th century and perpetrated by a cadre of modern day false prophets. None of these doctrines are found in the New Testament and were never espoused by any of the apostles or early church fathers.
The idea of a secret rapture prior to the Great Tribulation is completely fabricated yet is being espoused by multi-million dollar television conglomerates and mega-evangelists as the new orthodoxy and those who dare to challenge it are branded as heretics or anti-semitic by self-aggrandizing windbags like John Hagee (see my review of his doomsday book).
I salute Hank Hanegraaff for having the knowledge, the intelligence, and the guts to stand up to these pulpit bullies.
To place the tribulations of Revelation in the 21st century is to make a liar and deceiver out of Jesus and the Apostle John. It also trivializes the horrendous tribulations and sufferings early Christians had to endure at the hands of the Romans. Hanegraaff demonstrates how Revelation was addressed to Christians about to face the greatest tribulations of all, the Neronian purgings in Rome and the destruction of Jerusalem.
Hanegraaff allows Revelation to date itself rather than a third century church father, Irenaeus, who also claimed Jesus was crucified at the age of fifty. Revelation refers to Jerusalem and the Temple as currently existing entities. Dating Revelation after 70 C.E. is like writing a post 9/11 history of New York city without ever mentioning the event. WHY WOULD JOHN WRITE TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN ASIA MINOR ABOUT SOMETHING THAT WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN FOR ANOTHER 2,000 YEARS?!!!
Hanegraaff links Revelation's "harlot" to ancient Israel. This is no more anti-Semitic than the prophets Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Hosea who used the same terminology in rebuking Israel in their times. I would add that the Dead Sea community also rejected their current Jewish establishment as well as the Jewish Christian Ebionites. LaHaye's identification of the "harlot" with the Roman Catholic church, which came about over 200 years after Revelation, shows his ignorance and mean spirit.
Hanegraaff demonstrates how the "Son of Man coming in the clouds" refers to Jesus' enthronement in Heaven rather than his second coming. The seven kings (Caesars), five who have fallen, conforms to the time of Nero, who was considered a "beast" by Roman writers such as Seutonius. Hanegraaff also demonstrates how the number 666 is a cryptic reference to the name Caesar Nero (refer also to Kenneth Gentry's excellent book "The Beast of Revelation"). The end of the age which Jesus told his disciples would occur in their generation was not the end of the cosmos, but the end of the current age in which they were living.
Hanegraaff also debunks new-age fascination with the Gnostic Gospels, ie. The Gospel of Judas, which were third century fairy tales and parasitic with respect to the canonical Gospels. He also disputes the idea that anti-Semitism motivated the canonization of The New Testament which is espoused by modern scholars like Bart Ehrman. I stand by Ehrman's view of Jesus as an apocalyptic prophet (see my review) but I agree with Hanegraaff on the previous point. The books of The New Testament were written long before Christians had the power to undermine Judaism or anything else.
Finally, Hanegraaff exposes the nonsense of "Christian Zionism" which is a by-product of dispensationalism. The idea of rebuilding the Temple and reinstituting the sacrificial system completely negates the core belief of the earliest followers of Jesus which is clearly spelled out in the New Testament, especially the book of Hebrews which states that Jesus' crucifixion put an end to animal sacrifice once and for all. The New Testament makes it abundantly clear to anyone who can read it for themselves - THE LORD'S THRONE IS IN HEAVEN AND NOT ON ANY PIECE OF TANGIBLE REAL ESTATE!!!
Hanegraaff points out that bad theology leads to bad politics and that the forced removal of Palestinians is not only unethical but unbiblical as well. For example, Pat Robertson linking Ariel Sharon's stroke and Yitzhak Rabin's assassination to their negotiating with Palestinians and Michael Evans' claiming George W. Bush was under a curse for criticizing Israel are as looney as trying to breed cattle to produce a red heifer.
I would advise Jewish people not to be conned by "Christian Zionists" who believe that Israel will be restored to its original borders and the Temple will be rebuilt only to have it taken over by the "Anti-Christ". Then, after all the good Christians (dispensationalists) are raptured, the Jews will endure a tribulation that will make the Holocaust look like child's play. At the very end, unbelievers, including Jews who don't accept Jesus, will be thrown into the "lake of fire".
What a deal!!! Trust me, you're better off negotiating with the Palestinians!
Great book to get started with.......2007-10-13
I found this book did a lot to crystallize my thinking on this subject of End Times. I enjoyed it more the second time I read it and learn even more than the first. I spent 20 year attending a Pre-Trib/Pre-Mil church and hearing the Hal Lindsey-like descriptions of the soon coming tribulation. Somehow the popular view of End Times being preached seemed to stretch my imagination so I always maintained silence and impartiality.
Hank does a great job to showing that those prescribing to the views of Tim LaHay and crowd are erroneous in their interpretation of scripture...and I agree! What used to once be confusing is now becoming clearer. I am having to re-think my entire view of Eschatology (for the better I suspect). Hank does NOT tell you what to think and what view is "correct". What he does is challenge the reader to interpret the scriptures according to a model of biblical interpretation L-I-G-H-T-S. Those who have listened to Hank are not surprised at the acronym since he uses these tools to help memorize methods and concepts, as he does in this book. This is not the end all book on hermeneutics: other good resources are The Bible Doesn't Have to Be Hard to Read and How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth.
Hank's book has a lot of information in the appendix too..don't over look it.
Dispensationalists Beware!!.......2007-10-07
Kudos to Hank Hanegraaff for yet another powerful book exposing questionable doctrines which have risen to popularity within the Christian Church. In "Apocalypse Code", Hank goes through the history and forces behind the dispensationalist movement which has gained strength in the last 10 years with the "Left Behind" series. As always, Hank approaches the reading of Revalations and other Bible prophesy from the perspective of LIGHTS - the acronym explaining proper principles of bible interpretation. In the book, Hank spends the first quarter of the book just reminding the reader how to read scriptures "for all it's worth".
The book spends most of its pages refuting the dispensationalist author Tim LaHaye. This is really the whole thrust of the book. When Hank mentioned he was starting this project on his radio program, I had high hopes that Hank would not just refute dispensationalism, but go into great detail about the whole spectrum of end time prophesy interpretations. By only focusing on refuting dispensationalism, he leaves woefully short the other interpretations (biblically correct or not) and instead challenges the reader to figure it out for himself. While clearly a partial pretarist, he only briefly talks about full pretarism and pretrib/postrib interpretations and all the rest. GIVE ME MORE MEAT HERE!
I suppose such a wish from me would have resulted in a book 3-4 times longer than this one, but it would have been more enlightening and easier to have in one resource. However, "Apocalypse Code" would be a great resource for anyone who got caught in the "Left Behind" hype and found some or all of the interpretations hard to buy into and need to seek help learning that their bologne indicators were probably right.
good, but could have been much better.......2007-09-08
I had high hopes for this book. After studying the Partial Preterist view for a few years with a very skeptical mind, I became convinced. Given Hanegraaff's reputation, the length of the book, and the table of contents I thought sure this would be the definitive book to explain the position, but alas. Here are a few points
1. I think the average reader won't know anything about this view. Hank should have explained the underlying suppositions more. Still, the basics are there for anyone to investigate further.
2. It is important to learn this veiw methodically since it is so radically different from any futurist view, and remarkably different from the Amillenialist view. Hank doesn't present it methodically, rather it is presented somewhat piecemeal. Still, it does present the most important points so it is very valuable.
3. Even for someone like me who has read extensively, this book is not written particularly well. He is a bit vague and doesn't present the material very clearly. This is a style issue, not content. Still, for the person who wants to know and reads the references, it is a good beginning.
All in all, I was dissatisfied but I am glad it is out there. If this view is correct (and I think it is) it will revolutionize the thinking of believers, from what's coming in the future to our understanding of the nature of God Himself.
Book Description
In what are billed “culture wars,” people on the political right and the political left cite Jesus as endorsing their views. Garry Wills argues that Jesus subscribed to no political program. He was far more radical than that. In a fresh reading of the gospels, Wills explores the meaning of the “reign of heaven” Jesus not only promised for the future but brought with him into this life. It is only by dodges and evasions that people misrepresent what Jesus plainly had to say against power, the wealthy, and religion itself. But Wills is just as critical of those who would make Jesus a mere ethical teacher, ignoring or playing down his divinity. An illuminating analysis for believers and nonbelievers alike, What Jesus Meant is a brilliant addition to our national conversation on religion.
Customer Reviews:
Not the best.......2007-09-09
I really wanted to like this book. However, after finishing it, I couldn't and don't understand all the hype about it. Quite simply, it isn't that great. I found it largely unoriginal and there was little in it that I hadn't heard before.
Although this book attempts to present Jesus as a radical, I can't help but think it's the kind of "radical" that many modern people would be quite comfortable with. At many points, in trying to make Jesus appear radical, he actually makes Him less challenging to modern man. At points, it seems like the author is attempting to co-opt Jesus to fit his own particular agenda. For example, he actually presented the old saw about Jesus being a pacifist, which seems to reflect his own political bias much more than it reflects the actual text of the Gospels. I could pardon one or two expressions of such bias but they seem to be weaved throughout the whole text.
There were far too many bows to political correctness in this book, as well as to political ideologies like pacifism and radical egalitarianism, for me to recommend this book. At many points, he simply tells people what they want to hear. For example, those looking for an excuse to sleep in on Sundays instead of attending church are likely to take comfort in his anti-institutional bias; apparently Jesus doesn't like organized religion either (although I'm not quite sure where he finds that in the text). The Jesus he ends up with is not all that unlike us; apparently He even buys into the latest fads and political fashions. Wills frequently ends up just reading modern ideas into the Gospels and, in doing so, presents a Jesus that fits well with our own biases and presuppositions and presents us with remarkably few challenges.
What Garry Meant..........2007-06-19
There's a fair share of reviewers here who describe something of an epiphany as a result of reading this book. I'm not sure why. Wills provides nothing of consequence that can't be readily ascertained with an attentive reading of the Gospels. Jesus preferred pariahs to the wealthy and well-heeled? No surprises. Jesus condemned the sanctimonious positioning of corrupt co-religionists? No, none there either. Jesus eschewed traditional Jewish law for the transforming grace he had come to provide? Again, nothing.
Beyond what one can easily distill from the Gospels, Wills offers Jesus as rebel around which a liberal-minded 21st-century believer may rally. While he takes the Jesus Seminar to task for creating a Jesus of convenience, Wills makes the same mistake from the perspective of faith. The primary components of love, mercy, and hope are left abandoned without the concept of repentance - something Wills singularly refuses to recognize. This is perfect for the navel-gazing generation of instant gratification, but soteriologically unworkable.
I agree with the author that organized religion eventually devolves into a celebration of earthbound rites and formalities, principles and political suasion. But, I find it overwhelmingly self-evident that this would be so. Who among us is immune to power, ego, and the subversion of truth for self? This doesn't obviate, however, the need for self-reflection, realignment, and a new commitment to the ideal. To do so, some of us gather in numbers, while for others it is an inner quest. So, Mr. Wills, what now?
"What Jesus Meant" is theology-lite, a contrived primer of sorts, lacking cumulative value and by no means comparable to bigger, better, more thought-provoking works. I respect the author's personal faith, (it is, undeniably, his to have), but find this outward manifestation of it less influential than expected. 3 stars.
What did Jesus mean?.......2007-05-21
This little book by Garry Wills is an easy read and somewhat inspirational. I would have appreciated it more, and given more credence to it, had I found footnotes, references and an index. It is simply one man's personal opinion of what he thought Jesus meant.
Mind blowing. Great for inquisitive believers of Jesus and fans of intellectuals of the Philip Yancey class.......2007-05-20
Since my encounter with Philip Yancey's monumental works including "What's so amazing about grace?" "Jesus I never knew," "Bible Jesus read" etc a few years before, I had not been that fascinated by a Christian book as great as this. It's by all means original, thought provoking, insightful and brilliant. In short, a must read for all believers in Christ. Highly recommended!
p.s. Below please find some of my favorite passages to justify my short but sincere and highly positive review above.
A letter addressed to a Protestant evangelical who believes in literal reading of the Bible. "....When somebody tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for e.g., I simply remind them that Lev 18.22 clearly states it to be an abomination - end of debate. I do need some advice from you...
1. Lev 25.44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided that they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why cant I own Canadians?
2. I would liek to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21.7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness. Lev 15.19. The problem is: how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
5. I have a neighbour who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35.2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev 11.10), it's a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I dont agree. Can you settle this? Are there degrees of abomination? pg 33-34
What is the kind of religion Jesus opposed? Any religion that is proud of its virtue, like the boastful Pharisees. Any that is self righteous, quick to judge and condemn, ready to impose burdens rather than share or lift them. Any that exalts its own officers, proud of its trappings, building expensive monuments to itself. Any that neglects the poor and cultivates the rich, any that scorns outcasts and flatters the rulers of this world. If that sounds like just about every form of religion we know, then we can see how far off from religion Jesus stood. pg 77
If Jesus did not come to establish a church, why did he come? He said it over and over, from the outset. He brought us heaven's reign...The word "reign" is normally translated "kingdom," but that is a misleading term. It suggests a place or a political structure. The Christian reign is the personal presence of Jesus. pg 84
All these men (Paul Schrader, Martin Scorsese etc) think that Judas, in betraying Jesus to the high priests, did not believe that he would be sentenced to death, since Jews had no authority for capital punishment under Roman rule. He did not foresee that Jesus would be turned over to Pontius Pilate, who had the power to crucify. They think Judas may have been trying to shock Jesus into taking a more aggressive and rebellious stand against Rome, to convince him that endlessly turning the other cheeck would not liberate the land. pg 102
Jesus was, in the words of Raymond Brown, "abandoned by his disciples, betrayed by Judas, denied by Peter, accused of blasphemy by the priests, rejected in favor of a murderer by the crowd, mocked by the Sanhedrin and by Roman troops and by all who cam to the cross, surrounded by darkness, and seemingly forsaken by his God." pg 114
Thought-provoking and faith-inspiring.......2007-05-13
My faith was energized and deepened by this thoughtful, fascinating perspective on Jesus's life and teachings. I was very moved by many aspects, especially sections on the meaning of the Resurrection, Judas, and the radicalism of Jesus's life. I enjoy reading Garry Wills's perspectives on religion.
Amazon.com
Jezebel and Delilah have plenty to teach contemporary Christian women, according to Bad Girls of the Bible and What We Can Learn from Them. In this self-help book, Liz Curtis Higgs tells fictionalized, contemporary stories based on the lives of biblical characters including Eve, Potiphar's Wife, and the Woman at the Well. In verse-by-verse commentary, Higgs summarizes each life's lessons and provides a list of questions for personal consideration or group discussion. The overall message of each chapter is the same: "Good Girls and Bad Girls both need a Savior. The goodness of your present life can't open the doors of heaven for you. The badness of your past life can't keep you out either." In its effort to turn readers' minds heavenward, Bad Girls draws a distinction between fun and joy. Associated with "fleshly pleasures," fun "is temporary at best; it's risky, even dangerous, at worst." Joy, on the other hand, is found in God's "gift of grace." Perhaps the book's greatest weakness is its inability to see that "fun," in many lives, is a holy and necessary means of attaining "joy." --Michael Joseph Gross
Book Description
Women everywhere marvel at those “good girls” in Scripture–Sarah, Mary, Esther–but on most days, that’s not who they see when they look in the mirror. Most women (if they’re honest) see the selfishness of Sapphira or the deception of Delilah. They catch of glimpse of Jezebel’s take-charge pride or Eve’s disastrous disobedience. Like Bathsheba, Herodias, and the rest, today’s modern woman is surrounded by temptations, exhausted by the demands of daily living, and burdened by her own desires.
So what’s a good girl to do? Learn from their lives, says beloved humor writer Liz Curtis Higgs, and by God’s grace, choose a better path. In Bad Girls of the Bible, Higgs offers a unique and clear-sighted approach to understanding those “other women” in Scripture, combining a contemporary retelling of their stories with a solid, verse-by-verse study of their mistakes and what lessons women today can learn from them.
Whether they were “Bad to the Bone,” “Bad for a Season, but Not Forever” or only “Bad for a Moment,” these infamous sisters show women how not to handle the challenges of life. With her trademark humor and encouragement, Liz Curtis Higgs teaches us how to avoid their tragic mistakes and joyfully embrace grace.
Customer Reviews:
Intriging Title.......2007-06-27
Used this in an adult Sunday School class. More attendees than normal. Very well presented and received by the class. Thank you Liz!!!
The world never changes.......2007-05-27
We are studying this in Sunday School. The input from the book and all the other ladies is amazing. This is a great book for boosting our self esteem and learning to depend on GOD more.
Female Chauvinist .......2007-03-10
Our church book study group mistakenly purchased this Bad Girls of the Bible instead of the one by the other author.
While I had great difficulty getting through the first chapter, I am now using this book to improve my understanding of the Bible, and to learn more about ancient times.
This writer makes-up her own story lines, and conveniently leaves out portions of chapters and verses that do not fit her story line. For example, in chapter two, she states that Egypt where Joseph is held as a slave by Potiphar, is a dry hot land. Perhaps she should read just a little earlier in the Bible. In Genesis 13:10, we are told different.
10 Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar.
While the ordering of this book was a mistake on the part of the person who ordered the books for us, I believe it is a Godsend for us to read and discuss this book, though I doubt we will actually be using the questions at the end of each chapter. Instead we will ask questions regarding her inaccurate portrayal of these women and the facts of history.
Great book for Women's bible study.......2007-02-06
Our women's small group has gotten alot of knowledge and insight from this book! Bad Girls of the Bible helps us discuss some topics that we might not otherwise. The author is wonderful at helping us see the character of these women. It is very well written. I highly recommend this book for a bible study with your girlfriends!
Funny, moving, meaningful.......2007-01-11
Liz Curtis Higgs juxtaposes fiction and nonfiction in the same book. Read the stories of modern "bad girls" while guessing what Bible character they represent. Then read the nonfiction essay on the Biblical "bad girl". Find out how they were bad, why they were bad, and what God did about it. Liz describes herself as a "former bad girl", so she really gets inside the skin of these women. This book is so good that I can't keep it on hand. I've lent out and given away multiple copies to women who never fail to enjoy the book and experience God in a meaningful way. Get one for yourself and one for your daughter/mother/best friend. (I'm a former bad girl myself.) Then go for Really Bad Girls of the Bible and Unveiling Mary Magdalene by the same author.
Average customer rating:
- Interesting Introduction to Pauline Thought
- Would not recommend this book
- What Paul Meant
- An excellent companion volume to Wills's WHAT JESUS MEANT
- What I Think as Opposed to What God Said
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What Paul Meant
Garry Wills
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Similar Items:
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What Jesus Meant
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ASIN: 0670037931 |
Book Description
A brilliant synthesis of the Apostle PaulÂ's thought and influence, written by a “foremost Catholic intellectual” (Chicago Tribune)
All through history, Christians have debated PaulÂ's influence on the church. Though revered, Paul has also been a stone on which many stumble. Apocryphal writings by Peter and James charge Paul, in the second century, with being a tool of Satan. In later centuries Paul became a target of ridicule for writers such as Thomas Jefferson (“the first corruptor ”), George Bernard Shaw (“a monstrous imposition”), and Nietzsche (“the Dysangelist”). However, as Garry Wills argues eloquently in this masterly analysis, what Paul meant was not something contrary to what Jesus meant. Rather, the best way to know Jesus is to discover Paul. Unlike the Gospel writers, who carefully shaped their narratives many decades after JesusÂ' life, Paul wrote in the heat of the moment, managing controversy, and sometimes contradicting himself, but at the same time offering the best reflection of those early times.
What Paul Meant is a stellar interpretation of PaulÂ's writing, examining his tremendous influence on the first explosion of Christian belief and chronicling the controversy surrounding Paul through the centuries. WillsÂ's many readers and those interested in the Christian tradition will warmly welcome this penetrating discussion of perhaps the most fascinating church father.
Customer Reviews:
Interesting Introduction to Pauline Thought.......2007-10-13
St. Paul has been a center of controversy probably since the day he first encountered the Risen Lord and began to change the course of history. He sparred with St. Peter over the issue of circumcision and the relationship of Gentiles and Jews. Later on, his words would be used as a cornerstone of the Protestant Reformation. In modern times, he has been accused of starting a religion that Jesus never intended and has been attacked for his bias against women.
Garry Wills in "What Paul Meant" seeks to rehabilitate St. Paul's reputation and get to the bottom of what he actually wanted to convey. Of the thirteen letters attributed to Paul in the New Testament, Biblical scholars today only accept seven as certainly by him: the 1st Letter to the Thessalonians, Letter to the Galatians, Letter to the Philippians, Letter to Philemon, 1st and 2nd Letter to the Corinthians, and the Letter to the Romans. Wills relies only on those letters to form his picture of Paul.
Wills spends much time comparing and contrasting Paul's versions of events with the version provided by Luke in the "Acts of the Apostles." Wills refers to Luke as a "theological artist. He creates for a purpose, and the purpose can shift from one part of the story to the next." As a result, his words are not necessarily historically accurate although they were used to illustrate theological truth.
"What Paul Meant" explores Paul's travels, his relationship with Peter and the other brothers in Jerusalem, his feelings on women (which really weren't all bad), and what he was trying to accomplish with his letters. It makes for interesting reading and a good introduction to the life and times of Saint Paul. The appendix of the book on "translating Paul" is especially enlightening, showing how words which Paul used have been translated into terms that he would never have considered using, such as "Christians, Church, Gospel, etc.) because they didn't exist yet.
Someone interested in finding out all about Paul would probably want to do further reading in order to get a more balanced portrayal of his thought, but it is always good to get some new insights and this book does provide them.
Would not recommend this book.......2007-10-06
This book was recommended to me by someone I respect, so I began it with high expectations. There were some interesting historical points, but I got tired of the repetition and the constant attack on the author Acts (clearly the author does not believe in Divine inspiration). In the end I managed to plow through it, but just barely.
Wanting another opinion; I loaned it to an orthodox Catholic friend. He put it down after just 3 chapters.
What Paul Meant.......2007-09-08
Garry Wills is a scholar who does not hesitate to cut against the grain. I have enjoyed each of his books.
An excellent companion volume to Wills's WHAT JESUS MEANT.......2007-07-24
I have long loved Garry Wills's books, whether he was writing on Nixon or the Constitution or Reagan or John Wayne or Henry Adams or the Federalist Papers or Jefferson or Lincoln or the papacy or any other subject he has chosen to take up. Wills's perspective is definitely not a narrow one, but informed by a broad acquaintance with a very large body of knowledge. He is a generalist rather than a specialist. I previously was a big fan of his book WHAT JESUS MEANT. In that book he managed to summarize in popular but extremely intelligent fashion the message of Jesus. Here he does the same for Paul.
Paul rarely gets the respect he deserves from educated Christians. His words are often used as bludgeons for enforcing some exceedingly repressive or even evil practices. Or just plain dumb. A number of more conservative evangelical denominations have used Paul to ban the wearing of make up by women or the cutting of women's hair. (I still remember the astonishing beehives of some Nazarene women I went to high school with in Little Rock, Arkansas.) He has been used to justify the persecution of Jews and to insist that women should not be allowed to preach. Wills seeks to defend Paul from such nonsense while also providing keys to correctly understanding his letters.
Before Wills became one of the leading constitutional and presidential historians in America he was a teacher of Greek and it is clear that he has spent a great deal of time reading the New Testament in the original. He is not a Biblical scholar, but he is clearly a serious student at a very high level. He is willing to use contemporary scholarship, but not being a scholar he is able to use the body of literature concerning Paul in a practical way to illumine his subject, while at the same time avoid getting bogged down in somewhat arcane academic debates.
Many have been fans of Jesus but critics of Paul. Wills will have none of this and correctly gives Paul his due as the person from whom we have by far the earliest glimpses not only of the earliest days of the spreading of the revelation concerning Jesus but the earliest accounts of the message of Jesus. Many treat the Gospels as primary and Paul's epistles as secondary, but in fact Paul wrote several decades than the earliest of the Gospels. Given that Jesus knew and sought out hundreds of people who knew Jesus personally, his account is unusually rich and informed.
Much of the book is devoted to various topics in Paul's writings. Wills correctly points out that the heart of Paul's message is the teaching of Jesus as resurrected from the death who is the Messiah who fulfills the law of the Old Testament. I've had little patience in recent decades with writers on Jesus or Christianity who somehow imagine that the resurrection is a detachable part of Christian belief. Wills correctly points out that it is at the heart of the Pauline message and later of the Gospels. It isn't just a minor point to be argued about Jesus. It is if anything the main point. Wills does a great job also of providing the context for Paul's other teachings, most importantly perhaps that Paul never saw himself as leaving Judaism or as anything other than a Jew. For Paul the Church did not exist and he was unfamiliar with anything called Christianity. Wills stresses that "Christ" was not for Paul a proper name as it is for us, but a descriptive title that identifies Jesus as anointed, as the Messiah. Wills therefore chooses to translate all passages about "Jesus Christ" or "Christ" as "Jesus Messiah" or "Messiah." He strives to break us out of our normal complaisance in hearing the word "Christ."
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Combined with his book on Jesus, Wills has provided a wonderful two-volume introduction to Christian belief. I will add that although Wills is a Catholic, I suspect that Protestants will find more value in the books. My own experience has been that the vast majority of Catholics have little or no direct knowledge of the Bible. The reading of the Bible simply does not play the central role that it does for Protestants. In this regard, Wills, whose knowledge of the Bible is remarkable, more closely resembles a Protestant. He also refuses to be hemmed in by Catholic doctrine in reading the New Testament. I've been exasperated in talking to some Catholics who are shocked to hear that Peter had a wife and are unaware that it is explicitly referred to in the NT. Wills clearly has an understanding of Peter and his early role much closer to a Baptist than most Catholics. I haven't read his book WHY I AM A CATHOLIC but would very much like to do so. I frankly cannot see why he is. Regardless of denominational affiliation, this is a wonderful book. Along with the book on Jesus, I strongly recommend it to anyone who would better understand the Christian message.
What I Think as Opposed to What God Said.......2007-07-11
Very readable book containing current thought on Paul.
I have to admit that Paul was my hero since I was 10.
He seemed to be a great advernturer.
When I was in my 20s, Paul kept me out of seminary with the image of a minister who worked at a trade, studied and ministered to others without the limitations of being a priest.
Now, I am in my late middle years and I sat down over coffee with my minister friend and went off on a rant on why Paul is the most important part of the church that holds me to the Christian faith (as reflected in my title for this review).
My minister of mid-middle years said this was the first time a parshioner wanted to discuss Paul or any other biblical author with him. Most of his contact was organizational or counseling people who wanted to know if Jesus would mind if they cheated on their diet or spouse just a little bit.
Point being that we have so little opportunity to discuss "What Paul Meant". Even those of us who are churched and I would think less so of those who do not hear the weekly readings via awful church sound systems.
Thanks so much to Mr. Wills
But, now I must read his other books to find out why he remains a Catholic.
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