Creators Books

One of the most intimidating hurdles for a Christian to overcome in A.A. is the repeated, uninformed, incomplete presentation of Bill as some kind of atheist or agnostic who finally turned to a "higher power" that could be the A.A. Group. I am not one who studies Bill Wilson's later years after A.A. was founded, nor who relishes accounts of his shortcomings in marriage, LSD, spiritualism, and all the rest. For me the important question is this: Did the Creator really have a role in early A.A.? And over the years I have been reading Dick B.'s books and research results, I have become enlightened and warmed in my heart about how important the Creator and His son Jesus Christ were in early AAs. Though most don't know much about Dr. Bob, they seem to have the impression that he believed in God, was a Christian, studied the Bible, and strongly relied on prayer. That describes him properly. But the only way to find out the truth about Bill Wilson is not to look at his shortcomings, but to look at his early years and his growing conviction that the Great Physician, Jesus Christ had cured him of his alcohol problems. Probably not one in five hundred of today's A.A. people, or others, has any idea that Bill: (a) Learned of his grandfather Willie's conversion to Christ and was cured of alcoholism. (b) Grandfather Fayette Griffith urged Bill to read the Bible, enrolled him in Sunday school at the church next door, attended church with Bill. (c)That Bill himself studied the Bible, went to revivals and temperance meetings. (d) That Bill's grandparents on both sides were much involved in the little East Congregational Church between their houses. (e) That Bill's parents lived in a parsonage for a time, that they sang Christian songs together, that they talked of Grandpa Willie's conversion and cure quite often. (f) That Bill went on to Burr & Burton Academy in Vermont, attended daily chapel, and became president of the YMCA there. (g) That years later, Ebby Thacher related to Bill Ebby's own conversion to Christ at Calvary Rescue Mission. (h) That Bill went to the Mission, knelt at the altar, and handed his life over to Christ--as Lois herself phrased it. (h) That Dr. Silkworth had previously told Bill at Towns Hospital that the Great Physician (Jesus Christ) could cure him. (i) That Bill finally decided after his altar conversion to call on the Great Physician for help. (j) That Bill did call on the Great Physician and had his "hot flash" conversion experience--described in much the same language that his grandfather Willie had described his own mountain top convesion and cure. (k) That Bill wrote that he had been born again. (l) That Bill confirmed for himself the validity of conversion cures by studying the William James book the day of Bill's own conversion experience. (m) That Dr. Silkworth had confirmed to Bill that Bill had had a genuine conversion experience. (n) That Bill then went about trying to convert drunks--with no success. (o) That Bill's message was The Lord has cured me of this terrible disease (See Big Book, p. 191). (p) That Bill and Bob began leading people to Christ right after A.A. began? Does all this surprise you as much as it has me? Well, it's factual. Dick's new book relates it and documents it. And it's a testimony to an accurate story of Bill's convictions as he went to Akron, Ohio, and founded A.A. with Dr. Bob in the summer of 1935. What a great book. What a great history. What a great testimony. And what a great piece of research and writing for those who want to know the facts. Go for it.

Through the years that I have been reading Dick B.'s A.A. history books, I have come to know the Akron pioneer founding crowd as friends and inspirations. I've also seen the importance that the Bible played in the whole A.A. picture--particularly the Book of James, the Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13. I was able to see the teachings of Rev. Sam Shoemaker and the life-changing program of the Oxford Group as the major sources for Bill Wilson's Big Book and Twelve Step language despite the Oxford Group disclaimers by so many AAs. But having gotten acquainted with the Akron Christians and the New York Christian clergy who played such a heavy role in A.A., I felt I knew the beliefs of Dr. Bob, his wife Anne, Henrietta Seiberling, T. Henry and Clarace Williams, Sam Shoemaker, Frank Buchman, Carl Jung, and William James. But I saw a whirlpool of confusion about what Bill Wilson really believed. Was he a Christian? Did he ever look at a Bible before he came to Akron? Did he embrace the things that Rev.Sam Shoemaker taught him? Did he even believe in God or in the acceptance of Jesus Christ as the way to a relationship with God?
If you read most historians and biographies, you'd be apt to chime in with the idea that Bill was an atheist or an agnostic or "spiritual but not religious" or wedded to some wierd "higher power" that came from the New Thought Movement. And evidently historian Dick B. had waited even longer than I did for an in depth look at the facts. Because the facts have been ignored or distorted. This new title--The Conversion of Bill W.--is a gem among gems. It leaves no stone unturned in the quest for Bill's real background and beliefs. It leaves the reader astonished at the news that Bill's grandfather Willie had a conversion much like that of Bill's in Towns Hospital, except that it happened years earlier and spelled salvation and freedom from drink for Willie. The door is opened to the little village of East Dorset, Vermont--to the founding membership in its East Congregational Church by the Wilsons and the sustaining membersip by Wilson's grandfather Fayette Griffith and Bill's mother. Was there Bible study? Yes. Was there church attendance? Yes. Did Bill attend Sunday school there? Yes. Did Bill himself study the Bible? Yes. Did Bill ever attend temperance and revival meetings such as those grandpa Willie had frequented? Yes. Did Bill then attend daily chapel at Burr and Burton Seminary in his years there? Yes. Were his first girl friend and later his wife the daughters of ministers? Yes. Did Bill have at least FIVE of what he called spiritual experiences in his life? Yes. Did Dr. William Silkworth tell Bill that he could be healed by Jesus Christ? Yes. Did Ebby Thacher tell Bill that he had been healed at the altar of Sam Shoemaker's Rescue Mission? Yes. Did Bill then go to the Mission and make a decision for Christ there? Yes. Did Bill soon proclaim that he had been born again? Yes. Did Bill call on the Great Physician for help at Towns Hospital? Yes. Did Bill state that after his hot flash experience there he never again doubted the existence of God? Yes. Did Bill's wife Lois and his doctor Silkworth conclude with Bill that he had been converted and had a conversion experience? Yes. And yet all these points involve the Bill Wilson whose beliefs and actions were unknown for years and which occurred before A.A. was a twinkle in Bill's eye. I like the thorough work in this book. I like the fact that it will shake many people into doing their own research and fact-finding instead of repeating undocumented statements about what A.A.'s founders were, what they believed, and what the early program was really like. This new biography is a treat you will enjoy.

This work, published in 1980, is perhaps the best introduction and summary of Stanley Jaki's ideas on the relationship between science, cosmology, and religion. It is considerably less dense than some of his other works and, as he tells us, was written specifically as a concise treatment of his views.

Each chapter provides a good overview of the topic at hand. For example, the chapter entitled "The Dogma of Creation" is particularly thorough. It is common to assert that the dogma of creatio ex nihilo is not found in the Old Testament but came about as a result of the influence of Greek thought. But as Jaki shows, the concept is at least implied in the opening chapter of Genesis. He provides a discussion of supposed similarities between Genesis and the Sumerian creation story Enumah Elish. He then surveys the New Testament and Gnostic literature and presents a fascinating discussion of the claim that creatio ex nihilo is a Greek idea. He quotes from Plato and Aristotle statements in which they unambiguously reject the concept. The chapter concludes with a discussion of Medieval, Jewish, Moslem and modern thought on the subject. Particularly fascinating is Jaki's discussion of the question of whether the doctrine may properly be called "Judeo-Christian" in light of certain strands in Jewish thought.

Cosmos and Creator, a best all-time favorite of mine, relates--among a multitude of wondrous ideas about existence--the theory that science progressed only under the aegis of Christian belief--whereas it halted under other cultures.

The history of science (Jaki's field) is therefore no stranger to religion, though both are distinctly separate disciplines. Nowhere else that I know will you find a distinguished physicist discusing science, and at the same time, philosophy and religion in rigorous loyalty to each.

If those buzzwords appeal to you, you'll want to get your hands on this book and also Jeremy Leven's other book, "Satan: His Psychotherapy and Cure by the Unfortunate Dr. Sy Kasler, J.S.P.S.". Leven has a rare ability to drag his protagonist into the abyss of madness, and you, the reader, must follow. But there is something compelling about this descent; the journey is involving and, in its odd way, humorous. Definitely not for everybody, but those who like it will love it.

"Creator" was made into a movie in 1985, with Peter O'Toole and scripted by Jeremy Leven. The film was not without appeal, but they had to vastly simplify the rich structure of the book for translation to the screen. I'd advise reading the book, so you'll experience it as it was meant to be. Don't see the movie until after you've read the book.

For those of us that feel like we are living a real-life movie, or vice-versa, you'll love it. The movie was criminal, forget it. As for this book, if you can find it - read it.

Dr. Mark Eastman takes some pretty complicated subjects relating to biology, geology, chemistry and physics and examines them in light of what Biblical scripture reveals. Surprisingly, there are no "contradictions" or "errors". The Bible holds it on with even the most recent scientific finds. A very easy read even though it covers technical subject matter.

For those who are searching, searching for the scientific facts about the reality of the universe we live in this is the book. It takes a wide gamut of current scientific knowlege and presents it in a well written, very readable presentation. Those looking for political correctness, dogma and falsely taught theories are not likely to find what they want here.

A fine art deco and aviation history work in the best coffee table tradition.

But, while the preceding reviewer's ascii character sequence is clever (looks like the speedy Crusader plane flying right at you) it won't get you to a place in cyberspace where this tasty tome is available.

Paste this into google instead:

rareplanes

Happy reading and safe flying!

This is a great aviation history book. Lots of unusual aircraft pictures. Wonderful art deco design. A heartbreaking story. They don't make em like this any more. BUT!! It is still in print.

Paste this into Google and you will find where you can get it.

"=X=(_)=X="

Agreed, great way to catch up. Less expensive than hunting down the real deal and takes up less space in the closet. Includes all pages of the real issue including the Alt covers and letters to the editor. Engage way back machine (some advertisements too)!

The PDF format is high quality so you can zoom in very close. The only problem I had was that I had to zoom in to read the text which necessitated use of the pan tool to read the whole page (on 17", 4:3 monitor). This is totally resolved when using my 19" widescreen monitor).

Another small but bothersome issue is accessing the main menu once you are in an issue. I haven't figured out how to do it so I find myself using the "File" menu and loading the main menu from the "Recent Documents" command. Probably my fault anyway.

Why can't we download each issue like an MP3 for .99 or less? They might make more $$ and then I don't have to keep anything in my comic box.

Included are:
Vol 1 (issues 1-26)
Vol 2 (issues 1-15)
To Kill a King: Mini Series (issues 1-3)
King Zombie: Mini Series (issues 1-2)
Christmas in Louisiana (1 shot)
Guns for Sale (1 shot)
The Doom Patrol (1 shot)
The City (1 shot)
Bonus Material (Key Scenes Description, Cast of Characters, Synopsis, Cover Art)
Vince Locke Cover Art Gallery (10 pages)

The CD-ROM collects all the original Deadworld comic issues plus a couple of the mini-series as well. All at your finger tips on your computer. Re-live all the zombie stories and zombie gore that has made this a cult fan favorite.

By the middle of the last century, science had at last triumphed over superstition, and science had also, to a degree, put aside the notion that a Creator existed. However, many scientists see no reason to separate the two. Albert Einstein is famously quoted as saying, "Science without religion is blind, and religion without science is lame." This book contains ten thought-provoking essays from scientists who see evidence of design in the universe.

1. "To consider the evidence of purpose, we must define the meaning of cause, for purpose is final cause, one of the four types of cause by Aristole."
2. Final cause is the intended purpose of the maker of the of object
3. Formal cause is the maker's plan or blueprint for the object
4. Material cause is the raw material from which it was made
5. Efficient cause is the force applied to raw material that produces the object. Efficient cause or applied forces is not necessarily a denial of purpose. "When we humans make tools, the shaping forces (efficient cause) act upon the raw materials (material causes) under the direction of our intelligent design or blue print (formal causes) to the tool we intend on making (final cause). A formal cause may by a crystal structure or a parental strand of DNA. "In both human and natural causality, formal cause act as boundary conditions to constrain/direct the force of the efficient cause" - meaning a sphere of influence or intelligent constraint exists.
6. A scientific guess is not a fact: Material causes can't be responsible for creation. The Modern Synthesis of the 1940, stated, "Natural selection is a creator, it builds adaptation step by step." Evolution proponents guest on the means of creation and assumed they were absolutely right. The guess was 100 percent wrong. Lets look at the goals associated with creation. First, we must assume that a template goal or pattern of creation exists. Second, the purpose goal of the final causes does not care about the agent that acts in the gaps between natural processes, but rather, "one who directs them". Third, an immaterial entity acting as a cause for creation offers no proof of a creator. Fourth, if no purpose for creation can be derived than this is analogous to an autonomous material universe. Furthermore, a universe with intent is a universe where the material cause is the product of random and self-organizing patterns of material structures running simple cellular algorithms that form everything and the final cause will be both wise and intelligent. Fifth, we use mental templates or mental remembrances (analogous comparison) to recognize pattern and purpose. "In the case of human artifacts, we recognize purpose against a backdrop of natural purposeless events. We deduce complex formal causes from complex effects, which we detect against a background of alternative simple effects with greater probability." "Without template we can see no utility." Sixth, Asa Grey states, "On the other hand, an omnipotent and omniscient Creator ordains everything and foresees everything. Thus we are brought face-to-face with a difficulty as insoluble as is that of free will and predestination." "Ultimate cause does shape the whole show."
7. The argument of the blind watchmaker is no convincing. Richard Dawkins argues that intelligence is not need in formal cause. "In brief, all living things are the products of specific genomes." DNA, gene mutation, and selection create all the diversity of life. All the possible genetic messages are points in a single multidimensional probability space called genetic phase space. Variation is created as mutation randomly throws up new sequences and environmentally based selection accumulates those that are useful. The cosmos acts as the "blind watch maker". First, the biomorph program is not powerful enough to represent the genetic phase space and it conclusions therefore are incomplete. Second, the biomorph shapes, forms, and outcomes defy reality. Mutations never create new species and often do not survive in nature. Domestic breeding does not have the power or ability to create new species. The biomorph, random search in the GPS was neither predictable and in many forms possible. "The outcomes depend entirely on the characteristics of the probability space being searched." A human form cannot emerge in a sulfur-dominated environment, a non-carbon based atmosphere, or a non-ferrous core planet. The GPS probability of biomorph land was 10 ^ 15 power, whereas, the GPS of genome of the mammalian size (2.5 billion bases) contains 10^1,000,000,000 binary bits of information. Second, "The fraction of the probability space made available to selection each generation is much smaller in genetic systems. No matter how many offspring are generated, they clearly represent (search) a much small fraction of the GPS than the equivalent set of biomorph probes" Finding the next step in the trajectory of the GPS will be more difficult. Natural selection does not provide the mechanism to make the jump through the GPS. Evolution provides not concrete explanation of navigation through the GPS. Natural selection does not have the power necessary to achieve trajectory.
8. Biomorphs create impossible GPS trajectories. No biomorph necessarily dies without offspring; because the biomorph may be chosen as an "intelligent selector" that is using the program and thus, in biomorph probability space, no trajectory is impossible. In nature most mutants die. The acceptance of non-intelligent formal causes for biological morphologies depends on the existence and likelihood of viable trajectories across the GPS, reasonably probable trajectories that depend on the accumulation of minor sequences of change. However, isolated, viable spots in the GPS may exist with so many simultaneous specific point mutations to reach, that an intelligent formal cause would be the simplest explanation.
9. Fossils don't demonstrate sequential morphologies. Fossils appear fully formed with complete organs. The species does not change over millions of years in structure. "We don't know if viable locations in the GPS are uniformly distributed, continuous networks , or clumped and isolated." A goal seeking blue print is need for single cells to become an organ. Control systems in the body are necessary for organ formation. (See Cross Currents). The control system turn on and off organ formation; Mutation lack coherency necessary for organ formation. Organ formation is intelligent. Mutation and environment are noise in the system not formal causes. A major morphology would require a major change in the control genes and understandable in gene control or the species would not survive. Evolutionary explanations are a "field of dreams" and the least understood.
10. "Stephen Gould suggests that perfect adaptation achieved through neo-darwinian mechanism requires relentless slaughter, and is thus morally repugnant." A mutational search through GPS for a lineage path will be directionless and hardly reasonable if he is also assuming hat selection is directed. Divine intervention is the final cause.

I like this book because it kind of follows a line Bill Wilson used to take. If Bill didn't like something like the Oxford Group or the Washingtonians, Bill would often say they taught us a little about what to do and a lot more about what not to do. Unfortunately the facts rarely squared with Bill's own life and actions and beliefs, but they served to mollify the critics. In this book, Dick B. has done a terrific job about contrasting the one, true, living God, Yahweh the Creator, with the "other" deities that we hear of more and more in A.A. Yes, absurd names for God, half-baked prayers, and self-made religion have crept into A.A. and into recovery chatter. That's dangerous. That's confusing. That's unfortunate because there are many like myself who are Christians, believers in God, and Bible students; and we are not keen about listening to people talk about their "higher power" who is a rock, a light bulb, the A.A. group, the Big Dipper, Ralph, Something, Somebody, or not-god.
I heard a number of people ask Dick B. to write about the nature and origin and roots of the "higher power" and "Power Greater than ourselves," and "God as we understand Him" stuff. And that is exactly what he does in this book; and he puts it in terms of his own admiration for, and experience in, A.A. It kind of reminds me of the old song: "Trusting in the saviour, I shall not be moved." Dick is not to be moved toward the silly gods or silly names. And he is not to be moved away from the Creator and His son Jesus Christ. From what I see in this book, neither was Dr. Bob. Especially when he wrote: "Your Heavenly Father will never let you down" (Big Book, p. 181). Here's one that helped me answer the "rock," "Somebody," "Great Pumpkin," and not-god stuff with A.A.'s own history and how revisionists have corrupted it. This book is for the sturdy who don't want to be moved from reliance on Almighty God no matter what some therapist, treatment center, or A.A. speaker may invent as a "higher power" to whom you can supposedly pray and from whom you can supposedly expect to receive healing. I think Psalm 115 said it all centuries and centuries ago.

Dick B. dealt with this proliferating "goofy gods" recovery problem straight on. More and more therapists, counselors, rehabs, and even AAs are substituting absurd names for "god" in place on the one, true, living God who was the source of power relied on for recovery in A.A. Reverend Sam Shoemaker--dubbed a co-founder of A.A. by Bill W.--rejected such practices when he spoke to AAs at their International Convention. In this book, the author deals with the originating expressions--higher power, power greater than ourselves, and God as we understood Him--and shows how they were weak and compromising expressions that replaced the Heavenly Father, Creator, Maker, Father, God of our fathers, Father of Lights, and Spirit with plainly Biblical origins and meanings. In keeping with a belated deal made by three AAs--Bill W., Hank P., and Fitz M., the stage was set after the Big Book manuscript was readied for publication. Fitz protested that the change would obliterate the Christian and Biblical expressions which were part of the original program. Fitz lost. The Step language was changed. The original materials were simply tossed out and lost. And if all that merely involved a search for original meanings, the problem would be a tiny one. However, AAs, counselors, and those associated with recovery began calling their "higher power" a radiator, a light bulb, a tree, a table, a chair, Santa Claus, Ralph, Gertrude, a door knob, a rock, the goddess, and many many more idolatrous words and phrases. Such usage offends me because it deceives and misleads. It also clearly violates the Ten Commandments, which were revered in early A.A. And it is best answered, perhaps, by the explanation of such nonsense in Psalm 115. I am delighted that Dick looked at the Big Book titles, the Bible names and titles, and then documented all the places where the goofy god names replaced the Creator. I rejoice too in the careful studies by Stewart C., Dick B., and George T. over the years which showed that the word "God" and Biblical synonyms such as Creator, Maker, Father, as well as descriptive pronouns numbered over 400 in the Third Edition of the Big Book. By contrast, "higher power" is used twice--both times in the context of the word "God." I doubt that atheists and rim-runners will find much comfort in reading the facts as to how far the "God business" has gotten out of line; but I am sure that devout believers--Christians, Jews, Protestants, and Roman Catholics alike will welcome a book that tells it like it was instead of encouraging sick alcoholics to "find" and put other gods before Yahweh, the Creator. There's more to be read also in Dick's titles, Cured; When Early AAs Were Cured and Why; The Good Book and The Big Book; and The Good Book-Big Book Guidebook.

As a Sunday School teacher trying to teach young married couples what the Bible has to say about sex, this book has made it much easier. It takes the Song of Solomon and brakes it down into a teaching outline for you with great commentary and examples on the verses.

Wow. This is the best book that I have ever read on the subject of marital intimacy. It covers everything. It is not a trashy or preachy book, it simply shares God's ideas on what marriage and intimacy should be like between husbands and wives. The book is based on the Song of Solomon, which is a book in the bible. The chapter headings are:
1. How to Begin a Love Story.
2. The Power of Praising your Partner.
3. How to Fan the Flames of Love.
4. Man are from Earth, and Women are From Earth...Deal with It!
5. Making Preparation for Marriage.
6. The Case for Marriage.
7. How to have A Great Wedding.
8. The Beauty and Blessing of Sex as God Planned it.
9. How to Avoid a Bad Night in The Bedroom.
10. Put Your Husband Where Your Heart Is and When a Man Loves a Woman.
11. Men Behaving Beautifully.
12. A Wonder of A Woman.
13. Love That Lasts a Lifetime.

The book ends with a marriage covenenant.

This book is written in an easy to read style that works well for both men and women and both will benfit greatly.

I truly appreciate Dr. Scorgies book sharing God's desire for men and women and how we need to reinstate that in our world. I belong to a denomiation that view women as equals and are permited to be Ordained as an Elder and be a Senior Pastor of a church.

I recommend this book. It is culturally relevant and sensitive to truth. The author is innovative yet grounded in dialogue with past and present scholars. Many Christians (and others) have adopted a stance on gender issues without really articulating their own posture. Here a person will find fresh ideas. The book will create tension for one who opposes the viewpoints espoused by the author; however, in considering such perspectives an individual is better prepared for debate, if not a change in outlook. The author outlines several compelling cases for gender equality, frequently using concepts (such as trajectory of the spirit) that have eluded the mainstream. Given that young couples and unmarried individuals often view the gender code through a lens muddled by dogma or a few, partially-explored scriptures (i.e. Ephesians 5:22-33), this insightful exhibit should be added to the public discussion.