The Prophecy Books

Wrote originally in the "Valley of the Pines" You are most fortunate if you own this book as I am most fortunate to know this spiritual man on a spiritual plane....

Scripture and commentary in Judaism and Islam can be an obscure and challenging field, and nearly impossible to research if you aren't litterate in a half a dozen dead languages. This book solves this problem by concisely organizing virtualy every topic into easy to understand yet techincaly detailed explanations.

Instead of spending hours searching the internet, the library, or translating texts that may or may not have something to do with your subject, get this book, read and understand your subject in English first, and then use the bibliography and footnotes to expand your research without wasting time barking down the wrong alleys.

If you are a student who is facing any test on this subject which may include 'identification of terms' this is a gold mine. Virtualy any term you may be looking for is alphabeticaly organized in here with ample definition. In many cases, this book may be the only English language source of convenient and explicit definitions of terms often thrown around in Ancient Near Eastern Studies.

Wow! This little gem does many things very well, and very uniquely. Let me first say what this book isn't: it is not a chronological coverage of who's who doing this and that in a domino-like fashion... the stuff most casual readers are probably both somewhat familiar and especially disinterested in. It is not a rehash of medieval philosophy; not concerned with the rise of the various Christian religious orders; and not a reinterpretation of the past in light of our own self-absorbed Western culure. Oops! Didn't mean to offend evangelicals.

The book presents a unique paradigm regarding how the spirit of Prophecy and the spirit of Order have complemented and conflicted with each other throughout the longest period in Christian history. The focus is on societal developments resulting from the need to speak truth to create change and the need to maintain order to preserve truth. Cool paradigm!

Now, this is a history book (brief), so people, places, and things are discussed in some order but not in the History 101 format and certainly not in a detailed fashion that boggs down. As best I can tell, the author does not appear to present any particular denominational point-of-view so Catholics and Protestants shouldn't have any theological reservations about reading the book. For more information on the author, Google Jeffrey Burton Russell. He is well-published in medieval studies.

And, hey, I'm not a clergyman, history major, etc. I just enjoy a thought provoking read and this one is on the top of my list! I bought the 1968 edition used via Amazon, but I understand that there is a newer edition currently available.

This book was first published in Venice and in three years it will be 300 years old.
It nearly come directly from Venice's lion having a book in his leg that in peace was open with S.Marco words: And for you Marco my Evangelist peace; and during wars it was closed.
This book is again actual and Feltre town and Venice culture still can be recognised by this book's account and this is pretty astounding.
Coming from an ancient outpost the book describes the history with certain indulgence also for cruels episodes but this probably had a pedagogical reason in a time when good soldiers where really needed.
Specially in describing the end of Da Romano family and the sack of Feltre in 1510, the author dont lay aside any detail, so even been an historic book that can be read at any age, I think for those less then 14 years old, it is better to discuss it with a parent.

This is a good primer for anyone wanting to delve into the area of eschatology (doctrine of last things). With an irenic tone, an excellent grasp of the issues, along with a lucid writing style Dr. Kinman surveys the various positions held within the camp of evangelicalism as they relate to eschatology. The basic premise of the book is that indeed God has planned our history by design and in His timing will end it and that is certainly encouraging news given the uncertainty of modern life. I was challenged in my own positions by his reasoning and perceptive logic.

The book is divided into two parts that he labels "Background" and "Foreground." The background section essentially deals with past history. He begins with a basic introduction to Biblical prophecy and then explores the role of the nation of Israel in God's plan and then Jesus' teachings regarding the kingdom of God. The foreground section deals with "that which lies ahead" and discusses Biblical teachings on "the signs of the times," the future role of "Israel," "the Antichrist," the "Rapture," and the "Millennium" as well as a thought provoking, sobering and convicting essay on eternity both for the believer and the unbeliever. There is a generous amount of endnotes along with four helpful, if brief, appendices that explore further some of the issues discussed in the main body of the book. The studious reader will want to keep one hand as a placeholder in the endnotes and have an open Bible within their grasp while they read the chapters. This is a short book and given the complicated, extended, and seemingly unending debates within Christendom regarding the issues brought up, the inquisitive reader may want to follow-up with other works relating to the issues discussed.

You may disagree with his positions-posttribulational, nondispensational, and a literal millennium-but, I think that Dr. Kinman has set the standard for how we should approach doctrinal disputes. He does not use polemics nor straw men to demean those that would take different positions. He does not say that his is the "Biblical view" rather he acknowledges the ambiguity in the Bible's teaching in some of these areas and teaches us all to be more humble whatever position and doctrinal dispute we are discussing. Read this book with an open mind and with a heart seeking God's truth whatever your position and you will profit from the time spent. Thanks Dr. Kinman for showing the better way in which to handle intramural debates on the fine issues that divide the body of Christ on this as well as other issues of doctrine.

Some years ago, I had a chance to ask the (now, alas, late) distinguished medievalist and historian of science Lynn White whether he knew of any studies of the political use of astrology in the middle ages, comparable to those on oracles and divination in Greek and Roman history. He didn't. He added the intriguing observation that, since astrology was an integral part of medical practice, most important people in the later Middle Ages had access to a private astrologer in the form of a physician. I have sometimes wished that I had the training to properly follow up on that observation.

The book exploring the topic of physicians as court astrologers may remain to be written (a lot of useful material is in John D. North's "Horoscopes and History," published in the Warburg Institute's Surveys and Texts series in 1986, and I may well have missed later work in the area). Smoller's "History, Prophecy, and the Stars" comes close to what I had in mind when I asked the question about astrology and politics. It deals with Pierre D'Ailly, Chancellor of the University of Paris (and a Cardinal from 1411 until his death in 1420), who turned to astrology relatively late in his career.

The politics Smoller deals with were ecclesiastical, but many of the implications and consequences were entirely secular. The turning of some leaders of the Catholic Church to the stars for hope (or confirmation of their fears) during a "Great Schism" is readily understandable, since the authority, and identity, of the Pope were the main issues in a prolonged crisis. Those of us familiar with the episode from either secular or Church history will find here an interesting sidelight on the struggle for authority as an issue of faith. (For those who aren't so familiar; very briefly, the effort to end the "Babylonian Captivity" of the Papacy in Avignon [1309-1378] produced the election of too many Popes, in and out of Rome, all with more or less important secular backers, and with different implications for the nature of the Papacy and papal authority. The dispute was finally settled at the Council of Constance in 1414.)

Some of Smoller's book is not easy reading, combining as it does Ptolemaic astronomy, medieval mathematics, and the more abstruse forms of "judicial astrology." Fortunately, Smoller rarely lets the reader lose sight of the apparently imminent collapse of the Papacy, regarded as the sign of the arrival of the Antichrist, and the Last Judgment. Those most interested in the details of the astrological theories and practice will find much tucked away in the notes, where they do not get in the way of those reading for history, or a rare example of a fairly detailed intellectual biography of a prelate (Pierre D'Ailly) who is not regarded an important theologian. He once had a higher standing; many of his works were issued by early printers, and important readers included Christopher Columbus -- and then, too, it was later noted by enemies of the French Revolution that he had concluded that the coming of the Antichrist had been postponed until 1789... .

"History, Prophecy, and the Stars" deals with some very sophisticated developments of mathematical astrology. Those who still tend to describe everything between antiquity and modern times as "The Dark Ages" might try comparing it to Stephen C. McCluskey's lucid account of "Astronomies and Cultures in Early Modern Europe" (1998), which describes the calendrical calculations rules of thumb, and basic observations used in Western Europe up through the eleventh century. Sara J. Schechner's "Comets, Popular Culture, and the Birth of Modern Cosmology" (1997) offers a different perspective, as it takes responses to then-unpredictable celestial events into modern times. And, for a look at civilization with a radically different approach to omens in the sky, Edward H. Schafer's "Pacing the Void: T'ang Approaches to the Stars" (1977) is a highly regarded study of Chinese literature in the period of roughly 600 to 900 A.D., which recently (2005) has been reprinted.

This excellent, well written study, investigates the present day "controversy" between Israel and the Arabs, especially in relation to the "Holy Land".

Throughout, the book maintains that this and related issues, are rooted in what is described as God's oath to give the Land to Abraham and his descendants through Isaac and Jacob, as detailed in Genesis chapter 13, verses 14-17.

Amongst the matters discussed in some depth are what are designated herein as Biblical "Judea & Samaria", (what the world largely cites as the controversial "West Bank"). Both the Biblical and political perspectives pertaining to these and other territories receive appropriate, detailed, attention.

The book also proceeds to provide significant Biblical and historical insight into the root causes of the existing tensions between Israel and her Arab neighbours and considerable prophetical insight regarding Israel's role in the "end times".

Furnishing even more detail in relation to this context, the study then goes on to expound the alleged large-scale "confusion" among many Christians today regarding the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs.

The book citing how some Christian groups have allegedly failed to recognise the Bible's own program for peace as initially determined in what is called the Eternal, unconditional covenant with Abraham, as outlined in the Biblical book of Genesis.

Providing further emphasis, the study also alleges that some Christian groups have subsequently, mistakenly, endorsed the plan of a Palestinian "state" within Israel's present borders.

This particular matter receiving appropriate attention with due reference to Scripture, culminating with the book declaring that the world is on a "collision course with God" over the "status of the Land".

Attention is also drawn to what is further described as the 1974 "Phased Plan" for the eradication of Israel as outlined in the Palestinian National Charter, which the book declares as not having been revoked. Due reference again being provided.

The book elaborating that negotiations for Palestinian "statehood" purportedly involves negotiating with authorities that have allegedly endorsed and implemented language in their governing documents which actually call for the annihilation of another people. A message which the writer alleges that the media have failed to deliver to the populace. This is again discussed in some detail.

Throughout, the reader is eloquently shown how the world allegedly perceives the Palestinian/Arab - Israeli conflict on a "human plane", with little reference or understanding of the "spiritual" battle which dates back to the fall of man in the Garden of Eden.

The showdown declared herein as "not being between kings and kingdoms but between God and man - between Sovereign Will and human reasoning" surrounding a sliver of real estate in the Middle East.

Reference being made to the Biblical oath made by God to Abraham millennia ago which is shown in this study to be allegedly "challenged" at this time. in what is described here as the "world court of public opinion".

The intense concern surrounding the topics being analysed, emanates throughout the text, and it is creditable that so much detail is imparted in such an eminently readable presentation.

A book which I would describe as being required reading at this present time, irrespective of the individual's own stance pertaining to these ongoing events.

Whilst appreciating the contentious nature of the issues dealt with in this study, having personally studied these subjects for some three decades, I can only give this work my highest personal recommendation for it's clarity, depth and accuracy. Thank you very much for your time.

It was delightful reading the book, enlightening, very emotional, many times tears come out from my eyes; also it was romantic, full of hope and much, much love. I am reading the book to my children, and they are so happy about what it says about the relationship that Lady Magdalene had with Jesus. They got so happy when I told them that they got married and had 7 children in Kashmir India. Lady Magdalene explains why Jesus lived a very long life and why after the miracle of The Resurrection, he lived on to raise a family and continue His ministry worldwide.

The book is not just about Mary Magdalene's past and all of the myths, it is about The coming Ascension of the whole planet! I am so peaceful now and full of hope regarding the Divine Plan of God and the glorious future of mankind!

This book is a very valuable tool for those who want to hear the voice of the Lord. It will challenge you to pay atttention to your personal prophecies. God does speak to His people.

Today we have the sadly popular "Left Behind" series being touted as accurate representations of fulfillemnt of prophecy. The bookds have sold millions and continue to be made at a staggering pace (I think at the time of this writing there are 10 books in the series). Although an older book, this is a wonderful beginning to a correction that is essential for the poor biblical exegesis that is wrought by authors such as Leyahe and Jenkins.

One statement in the book stands out for me: "Scriptures deal with some problems we do not have, and do not deal with problems we do have." As a result, many Christians commit the oft-repeated "this is that" error when they read the news headlines. This has been done for centuries, displaying a dangerous view of prophecy. Green offers a realistic view of Scripture, that prophecy is not always as clear as we think it is, while showing that there are yet meanings that we can grasp at the same time.

Green examines what prophecy really is and highlights the necessity to put prophetic literature into its context instead of the "proof-texts" that are wrenched from their localized meanings. He shows the importance is symbolism, and its resultant problems as well.

This almost 20-year old book is as important as ever. I challenge people who think they understand prophecy (especially pre-millenialists" to give this a fair reading and make their own judgments.