Christianity Books

So many in the modern era are faced difficult questions of faith, finding themselves bombarded with controversy surrounding their religion. "A Christianity Worth Believing: Hope-Filled, Open-Armed, Alive-And-Well Faith" is a guide for Christians who doubt their own faith but are not yet ready to give up on it all. Seeking to inspire souls to find their faith once more by addressing common problems and answering the questions not normally answered, "A Christianity Worth Believing" is a choice pick for anyone who wants to reclaim their religion.

I believe the author has done a great job sharing the love of God as was shown in the Bible and in the way Jesus lived. The Christianity many live today, as Doug points out, is more like the Pharisees practiced. The view of Christianity Doug displays, may be, in my mind, an expanded view of Universal Christianity and Universal reconciliation. Worth reading.

For anyone who has been waiting for "those emergent types" to state what they believe, wait no more. This is Doug Pagitt at his best--funny, thought-provoking, goofy, challenging, and asking questions you didn't know could be asked.

Welcome to a Christianity still forming, a faith that is compelling and beautiful and filled with hope, a God who is not remote and difficult to appease but one who is "down and in," present and active in a our lives and world. Welcome to A Christianity Worth Believing, described by author Doug Pagitt in his subtitle as a "hope-filled, open-armed, alive-and-well faith for the left out, left behind and let down in us all." The reader won't find any gaseous, empty platitudes in this memoir of his living faith in Jesus, however; it's instead a brisk walk through his story of seeking, finding, questioning, challenging, and refining what it means to follow Jesus in the world.

Like Doug and so many others who encountered Evangelical Christianity as a teenager, I found myself eventually struggling to follow the Jesus I fell in love with through all the hoops, twists, turns and cultural baggage that are embedded in our gospel presentations with so much fervency and certainty. Unlike Doug, I chose the path of least resistance and simply bought in and went with the program-as-offered. Reading A Christianity Worth Believing did, in a way, bring me full-circle in my own journey of spiritual reformation. With vulnerability, passion, and tremendous insight, Doug Pagitt has testified to a Christianity that is truly worth believing in.

I became an instant fan of Tony Jones with his latest "The New Christians" so I was ready for another fun ride in the second of the Jossey-Bass "Living Way" Series: Pagitt's "A Christianity Worth Believing";

Imagine my disappointment then when I discover:

1) Pagitt plays very fast and loose with his interpretation of history (he wants to set right 1800 years of Greek (i.e., "bad") theology) that has lead the Christian church astray from the original Hebrew intent,

2) He utilizes a very limited reading and selective use of biblical citation to make his points--(e.g., atonement really wasn't in the cards for Jesus-as-lamb; that was just a cultural imprisonment of the metaphor attributed to the angry Greek gods--never mind John's Gospel and Paul's gospel affirming that metaphor (of course, Pagitt would claim that is my aberrant reading of the original)),

3) Proof-reading missed so many typo's that I suspected there was a rush to get this book to print (Not Pagitt's fault, I know) I can understand maybe 2-3 misprints in a big-name publication, more for a smaller budget press)--third sentence in the very first chapter: "But I have problem...."; a minor point to some perhaps, but quality thinking from a quality press deserves quality print; I noted 6-8 of these that only made it harder to take this book seriously

Finally, 4) the "straw men" set up, the theological perspectives that Pagitt sees hampering the Christianity-worth-believing, which reflects Jesus the Messiah, which he seeks to knock down, are so simplistic I hardly recognized them as faith perspectives worth worrying about.

Perhaps Minnesota is a hotbed of churches and people who still think the four spiritual laws is the gospel, but there were so many instances of Pagitt describing "what's wrong" in ways that I thought, "of course that clouds the gospel, but I've not met anyone like that since I was a teenager in the '70s"

Pagitt glosses over an attempt to discern strands of theological value from long-standing traditions like the Orthodox church; he never touches on other contexts such as Coptic view of the spirit, Moravians and worship, Anabaptist view of community, or even Methodists and grace; each with their variant metaphors and cultural contexts--he just keeps harping on "Greek" thinking as reflected in "Augustine, Aristotle and Calvin" and rails against antiquated 14th and 15th century "confessions". Those targets are too easy.

There is much I find unbelievable throughout the history of the church, statements of belief, declarations on the supposed nature of discipleship; however, I think Doug throws the proverbial baby out with the bathwater and, though emergent is about conversation, from his perspective of Christian Theology, there is much that he has taken off the table and cannot be discussed.

Anyway, I found reading this book actually diminished my affection for the emergent/emerging church movement.

Pagitt came across like a teenager complaining about things he's already biased against; similarly, perhaps due to his youth, he has not had the worldly experience that exposes his whole being to the nuances and harmonies in Christianity or in the rest of the world.

For example, I've known about sub-atomic particle physics for 20 years and how these energies have a "preference" in behavior, rather than following hard rules; also, holistic medicine is a long-standing, authoritative resource to my 49-year-old thinking. So what's the big deal with taking a holistic view of life, the body, creation, etc AND talking about the lordship of Jesus, spiritual disciplines and even, careful now, the Trinity?

I think Pagitt's "issues" stem more from a dislike for traditional metaphors than for the theological concepts behind them--Pagitt goes to great lengths to get away from the "distance" language of God-across-the-chasm and seeks to engage a language of "re-integrating relationships". That's fine with me, if it's a both/and, not an either/or proposition for the metaphors--not everyone feels "dis-integrated" in a stressed relationship, sometimes my wife and I just feel "far away" from each other, but we are still married; lighten up, Doug!

This isn't to say there are some brilliant, inspirational passage on some important themes--I just don't think the book warrants a lot of praise; for a book touting the holistic view and critiquing the supposedly too-intellectual "Greek" view, I think the tenor of this book swings too far into an emotional view, rather than healing the rift.

In the end, contrary to the expansive and proactive spirit I felt while reading Tony Jones' The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier, I found "A Christianity Worth Believing", well, unbelievable.

So, I recommend you borrow Pagitt's book or buy it used and see what you think of it. If my review is off the mark for you, then no harm done.

If you find similar concerns, well, I've saved you some cash to put toward other thoughtful books, such as:
Why We're Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be or Life with God: Reading the Bible for Spiritual Transformation.

This book is an excellent read for sports and non sports people alike. Coach Wooden goes into detail about his philosophy that made him such a success. The teachings can be applied both to sports and life in general. Very good book!!

"Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success" consists of 3 main areas:

1. Introduction to Coach Wooden and his concept of using a pyramid to teach success.
2. 15 chapters on "Building Blocks" that includes such traits as: planning, self-control, alertness, and loyalty.
3. 10 more chapters on "Mortar Qualities" such as ambition, sincerity, and honesty.

At the end of the book, Wooden and Carty take these qualities and show how they help form the "apex" of the pyramid. In each chapter ending there is a mention of a particular Bible verse that could apply to the described trait.

Read, enjoy, and be challenged by one of the greatest coaches in all of sports history!

Highly recomended.

I read this book after I read "Wooden on Leadership". I think once you understand the pyramid's concept, you can apply it to all aspects of life whether it be your own, your children's, students, players you coach, etc.

This is an amazing man who has proven the success of the pyramid. Highly recommend any of his books.

I first heard of this book from a trainer in Mexico. It did not take me more than 30 minutes into reading to understand how valuable this book is towards self-development. It is easy to read and it's very convincing how each element in his building blocks have a directly impact on our lives. I use it to train adults and children with a slightly different approach but always giving credit to John Wooden and his book.

For those who are Christians, there is a segment at the end of each block with verses from the Bible for them to meditate on. I, personally, find it very useful. For those who are not Christians, they can simply ignore it as every element towards achieving success has a very logical rationale to it and it's spiritual beliefs is largely similar in other religions.

It's an excellent way to keep ourselves on track in everything that we do.

John Wooden is a certified legend, not only in basketball but in life. He has deliverd more positive role models than anyone. This book is outstanding and a must read, I have given this book to some of the most successful people I know and they are as impressed as I am. If you want to get your life in order and take the steps necessary to be success in life this is your book.

Some highlights:

1) Compassion is the ultimate goal of capitalism.

2) Capitalism is the economic reality which drives us as individuals to excel and maximize our talents and potential. However, money is not everything. It is just a tool.

3) Albert Schweitzer said, "The purpose of life is to serve and show compassion and the will to help others."

3) Question: So, why do we work? Why do we need money?
Answer: Unless we have, we cannot give.

5) The reality is that most people live their lives very defensively. They are always afraid that someone will take some of what is theirs. They are too busy protecting ~ to give to anyone.

6) Question: So, how do you succeed?
Answer: Be an entrepreneur. Start small, and inexpensive. Be creative, believe in yourself, find a good mentor, have a dream, make a goal, do the basics everyday, learn from mistakes, work hard, care about others, put people before products,don't make excuses, never give up.

"Never give up, never give up, never give up"
-Winston Churchill

"Success is going from one failure to another failure with great enthusiasm."
- Winston Churchill

"One man with courage is a majority."
- Thomas Jefferson

"The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love."
- Wordsworth

This book was written by one of the most prominent businessmen in the world. He and his partner started with just an idea, as with many other large corporations we are familiar with, and turned it into one of the only debt free companies in the U.S.. Producing billions of anual revenue. Rich Devos has a huge heart and he is more generous than most, for he is willing to share with the world what beliefs and habits put him into the positions that he is at now. Rich Devos has been able to help milliions of people find hope and rekindle their dreams by using a direct selling method that many other companies alike can only wish they had. This book has great stories about success and failure alike, for one does not come without the other. If you are looking for a book with strong priciples and beliefs then this is the book for you. I would recommend it to anyone building an amway business or not, simply because of what it will teach. This book will make you feel proud to be in a FREE country and make you think "why am I not doing my part to help out?"

In the mid 1970's I was an Amway Distributor and one thing that always stuck with me were the tapes by Mr. Rich Devos. To this day, even though I am no longer associated with Amway, I enjoy listening to "Four Winds", "Selling America" and other audio tapes recorded by Mr. Devos. This man has a voice and something to say! He is great. An outstanding businessman and an outstanding American.

In Compassionate Capitalism, Devos explains that the "dog eat dog", law of the jungle and every person to himself rat race mentality is not only not necessary to achieve success but in fact, impedes success.

Devos offers a completely different vision of capitalism. A vision of capitalism as the finest tool yet known to help people become all they can be for others as well as themselves.

In Compassionate Capitalism, Devos offers more than just a vision, it is a plan--a practical plan--a proven plan. And it is not just about Amway and it's incredible success stories. It's about you and me and everyone. How we can all become more by helping others help themselves in a nation of free enterprise.

Compassionate Capitalism spells out clearly and eloquently the guiding principles and concrete steps to take to make your life and your world better. Devos shows how your energy, your ambition, and your spirit of enterprise can travel together down a path in which the spirit of capitalism and moral values inextricably merge.

Devos illustrates both how success is achieved and what it really means. He demonstrates how compassionate capitalism is the only solution to the most crucial issues of our time---poverty, homelessness, hunger, the enviroment, and the many other challenges that face us in the new millenium.

Whether you are the owner of a huge corporation or a worker on a assembly line, a student about to graduate or a homemaker ready to enter the job market, this important guide to success the compassionate way can be the most inspiring and enlightening book you ever read.

Highly recommended. AND to repeat, I am not an Amway Distributor. Just someone who appreciates Mr. Devos and what he is doing to create a stronger nation, the compassionate way.

There are lots of wealthy people out there but most aren't truly happy. This is largely because they aren't fulfilling a higher purpose with their businesses, they're simply out there trying to survive in the often cutthroat business world. DeVos explains what it takes to make your business a positive force in the world; "positive" by virtually any standard.

Contrary to a lot of advice you may have heard out there on how to successfully build a prosperous business, DeVos claims that integrating compassion for your fellow man with lucrative opportunities is the real secret to security and happiness. It's the knowledge that what you're doing is making a difference that makes you feel worthy of the privilege and comfort of wealth. And even before the wealth comes, having a compassionate attitude along with sound business acumen (which can be learned) goes a long way towards increasing your chances of attaining wealth and influence.

A great book written in a language anyone can understand. I don't have any complaints, but I refrain from giving it five stars because it didn't "knock my socks off!" Highly recommended reading for anyone looking to understand the attitudes and principles necessary for *true* success.

I am not involved in Amway (Rich de Vos sure is!), nor am I an ardent Christian (I believe Rich de Vos is), yet I have no hesitation in recommending this book. I suppose I'm always on the lookout for new ways of doing things and new ways of thinking. "Compassionate Capitalism" provides some real meat for a hungry world in need of just that - new ideas. Economics is a complicated field (so I've been told - I'm no expert), yet Rich de Vos has managed to demystify it, at least as far as this reader is concerned. His ideas seem to be free of any real political ties or religious taints (religion doesn't enter into the book at all) - he seems just to be genuinely interested in people (I wish I couldn't hear the sneers, but unfortunately I do). I also admire him as an American. Goodness knows America has the driving force and energy to influence the whole of this world one way or another, but it doesn't really seem to have the will (nor, perhaps, the imagination) to do anything really creative (sure they have introduced fuel efficient motors - a relative concept at the best of times - but have you seen the size of the 1999 and 2000 models? ). So learning that there are ideas out there which do not just mean more of the same, and bigger and meaner (whether from the auto industry or the rest of the military-industrial complex) is somewhat reassuring.

One thing I'm sure of: every American (those who can read) should digest this book. It doesn't try to convert. It simply tries (very well) to make sense out of the current madness.

Thank goodness! Another Catholic bishop "gets it." Bishop Robinson shed light on our images of God, Scripture and sexuality that are unique, balanced, spiritual and realistic. He is honest and fair both to our culture and our religious traditions, to individuals as well as institutions. Robinson does not claim to have THE answer; he is humble enough to admit that his book is AN answer. It is a breath of fresh air - and the Holy Spirit!

Anyone who is interested in the future of the Catholic Church, especially anyone who is interested in staying in it (as opposed to walking away in disgust) MUST read this book. Bishop Robinson paid a heavy price for writing this book and for telling the truth, and yet he still believes in the Church and in its future. Insightful and inspiring.

Goeffrey Robinson does a masterful job on ambiguities in the Catholic Church and his rehetorical questions sharpen that description. At first, as was another reviewer,I was put off by the questions. I discovered that the questions express the ambiguity.

I believe that he misses the depth of paradox. Diversity consitutes unity. He only mentions subsidiarity in a meditation but fails to join solidarity and subsidiarity in his discussion on tensions.

I also believe he makes many true statements. Sexual abuse is an abuse of power. The system in which authority is exercised limits the proper exercise of the full power of the Church.

Reading his book reminded me of my study of Modernism. It was a time when Church structures had become inadequate to meet the issues of the day.

I believe that the book will bear fruit if readers can help the Church die to,lose,give up,change those structures of its power system in order that it may live the unity in love for which Christ prayed.

One of my professors used to say that grasping paradox is deeper than discovering contradiction. Ambiguity affirms the reality of opposing positions.

Rev. Cris Janson
cjanson@swbell.net

Bishop Robinson's book is full of history and ideas to mordanize the Catholic Church. It will help explain why the church got to where it is today and then how we can all (laity, clerical, religious) change the church.
This book will change you and the way you look at religion and the concept of Church.

This is a profoundly spiritual and honest publication. Not always easy to read but always rewarding, sometimes uniquely so. i defy anyone to read this book without being surprised by its frankness and its sincerity

I had this on my list of books to read for years now and I finally had the opportunity to read and finish this book. It is such a great read! This book reiterated my importance as a daughter of God and no matter how bad I have been hurt in the past, my future can and will be brighter! Thank You TD Jakes for writing this book!

This book helped me to realized that eventhough I didn't have a earthly father in the household that my Father in Heaven will teach me and validate me as a father should have done for me. It help me to realize that I shouldn't be upset about my earthly father not being there and that God has provided all I need here on earth.

As always T.D. Jakes delivers a powerful and blessed message. In "Daddy Loves His Girls", he speaks to the mind, heart, soul and spirit of women from all walks of life. If you are a woman or father of a daughter...THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ! As you read each page, you will grow a little more. By the end of this book you have a perscription for WHOLENESS in life.

T.D. Jakes also provides examples from his own family life, which gives the reader an up close and personal feeling. Some readers need those applicable real life situations in order to interpret the message to the fullest. For those who could do without the life's application...he has also provided Bible Scripture Quotations. I highly recommend this spiritual food...it will be a blessing.

A Very Gifted and much needed Book for many of us women today.

In it you will read about how much Our Heavenly Father Loves His Girls and gives you great insight in how to demonstrate that same precious Love to your children.

This book has away of singing to the most deepest injured parts of your heart and just seems to melt away all those pains through the power of Love Our Heavenly Daddy Has for His Girls

Powerful anointing in healing for the Body, Soul and Spirit :)

I am in the process of developing a deep, personal, spiritual relationship with God and have read many books on the subject of God's purpose of the woman and I have been praising God since for giving me guidance and direction through people like Brother T.D. Jakes.

I have found solace, love and comfort in this book that is real and true. Love that will not disappoint and that type of love can only come from the Father. However you serve the Being greater than yourself, you will be able to relate to what Brother Jakes shares in this book!

I love anything Ravi Zacharias writes. He brings you to the only conclusion possible in whatever spiritual truth he is presenting, and I love this. But greater still --- there is in Ravi Zacharias a truth that transcends intellect -- he genuinely loves the Lord he writes (or speaks) about. This makes his books or his sermons worth my attention.

"When we see our hearts as God sees them, we find His strength, not only to understand good and evil, but to act on it. The one who resists this truth has nowhere to turn." (p. 184)

Ravi Zacharias is a native of India, but got Saved and converted to Christianity as a young man. He is most famous as a public speaker for explaining and defending Christian concepts in an intellectually thoughtful context, mostly by debunking the faulty viewpoints of the opposition. Where other radio preachers and book authors are heavy on emotionally expounding upon Scripture, Ravi's unique approach focuses on intellectual discourse. He talks and reasons his way as to why Christianity and Bible teachings are correct, without necessarily using Scripture as the sole evidence, but rather by using logic and focused thinking. He teaches Bible truths and values using observations about society, history, and culture.

I personally find that Ravi is most concise and focused on the radio, not in his books, nevertheless, in his autobiography, WALKING FROM EAST TO WEST, Ravi says that DELIVER US FROM EVIL and THE REAL FACE OF ATHEISM are his bestselling books. I have read both, and I think this book, DELIVER US FROM EVIL, is his strongest work.

"It was not the Code of Hammurabi that touched America's conscience. Nor was it the intent or content of the Koran. By no stretch of imagination was it the pantheistic framework of Eastern mysticism. America's soul was indubitably formed in keeping with the basic assumptions and injunctions of this, the moral law of the Hebrews, which gave her a vision of history's linear thrust whereby she was to reconcile liberty with law." (p. 154)

In DELIVER US FROM EVIL, Ravi writes about the state of Western culture, which has largely abandoned Bible-based morality and thus also suffered the consequences which we must now try to redeem. "Freedom can be destroyed, not just by its retraction, but also by its abuse." (p. 86)

The popular concept that there are no absolute truths, and thus anything goes, morally speaking, is at the basis of today's sorry state of affairs, culturally speaking. "An ABSOLUTE is basically an unchanging point of reference by which all other changes are measured...RELATIVISM is, therefore, only another word for ANARCHY, and that is why truth itself becomes elusive when there is no longer a point of reference." (p. 219)

The danger is that without a commonly accepted standard of morality, our culture is constantly under attack from within, by people with unhappy, desperate hearts which know no peace, and who wish to enforce an absence of morality. "Rebellion that sees no sanctity in life's essence is a constant state of mind bespeaking a heart that will never be satisfied." (p. 136)

This can only be done by trying to build a consensus that there is no God, the Bible is not real, and all that exists and may be considered is the material world--ripped away from any spiritual meaning or purpose. "...secularization assumes that this world--the material world-- is all we have...secularism is the philosophy of choice for American intellectual and political life." (p. 23)

In the USA, where the the 1st Amendment has been perverted by religion haters to mean freedom FROM religion, the problem is one that we are living with everyday, and not for the betterment of society, but to its detriment. "Not only has secularization brought us a silent universe with no voice from without, it has also brought us a silence from within as it has redefined the whole role of conscience." (p. 56)

Have you ever been self-righteously confronted by someone defending morally reprehensible things, while condemning the concept of morality itself? "In an unbelievable and shocking turn of events we have moved from speaking out against certain moral choices to being pressured by political enforcement and the so-called tolerant cultural elite not only to accept what was once disapproved of, but to celebrate it. Allowance for people to determine their own moral destinies has been supplanted by the demand that even that which may be repugnant or offensive to one's moral sensitivities must be acclaimed and glorified." (p. 133)

The anti-Christian spirit of this age has increasingly, and secretively, turned to the power of a secular judicial system of government to try to enforce immorality and condemn morality. "...the power to create and enforce moral relativism has been placed into the hands of government. Political power is a strange place to entrust morality because proverbially politics is not synonymous with moral uprightness. The very institution that is distrusted most has now become the shaper of the soul." (p. 78)

These days, we are pretty far along the wrong path in our Western culture, and the good guys are very late in catching onto the game plan of the bad guys, to wit, the public school system has been taken over by secularist believers who get to teach their secular view of life while condemning a Christian worldview because it opposes their immoral behavior. "The whole point of state controlled education is that it gives to the government the power to shape the souls and write on the fresh slates of young hearts... to assume that they accept that responsibility from a posture of neutrality is to live under the most destructive illusion." (p. 138)

By the time I finished this book, I thought that Ravi explained how things got so bad in our culture, and that knowing that much, we are better equipped to understand and deal with the situation, which will basically require an act of God to straighten out, of course, but God will win in the end. Christians know how the Bible ends and the true believing Christians end up in Heaven, while what do the secularist have to look forward to in the end? Nothing, by their own perspective, and worse, eternal damnation from a Biblical viewpoint. You can't beat God in the end. "Throughout history the Word of God has remained firm; it rises up to outlive its pallbearers." (p. 190)

Amen that, Ravi, amen that.

Leave it to Ravi Zacharias to put eloquently what all of us somehow feels. Something's gone wrong in our society -- it's not as kind as it used to be. Something's amiss. Ravi has tapped into that "something". As always, brilliantly thought out and argued. Always with compassion but never compromised.

This book examines the Zeitgeist or spirit of the age, points out what is wrong with it and how to reverse the destructive trend. The modern era is taken as the period 1789 - 1989 and the Post-modern as the one that followed. The West is currently in the grip of the PoMo mindset, more so in Europe than in the USA.

Whereas reason was held as the highest value under modernism, it has been ridiculed by postmodernism where truth is considered to be extinct. Purpose and design were emphasized in modernism, but postmodernism emphasizes chance and randomness. The post-modern spirit considers values as relative and celebrates unreason and the loss of meaning. Deconstruction and contradiction are its gods.

Although the modern pursuit was inhospitable towards spiritual truth, debate was still possible because information was subject to induction and deduction. In the post-modern mentality the purpose of debate or dialogue is not to discover truth, since here facts have no legitimacy. Debate is therefore impossible.

The first section of the book is titled The Moods Of The Present; it explores the ideas and circumstances that gave birth to the current cultural struggle. The author rigorously investigates the PoMo mindset in the light of the fruits it has borne. This part contains interesting references to sources as varied as The Great Divorce and The Pilgrim's Regress by CS Lewis, the thoughts of GK Chesterton and even song lyrics by The Moody Blues (Question) and Carly Simon (Playing Possum).

The second section looks at voices from the past, those that have shaped Western culture down the ages. As postmodernism mocks the promise once offered by modernity, religion comes under even greater assault, partly because of the faults of politicised religion. Theocracy is not the answer. The real hope lies in a change of heart in the individual.

This section includes the poem Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley and an interesting quote by Peggy Noonan, among others. The author discusses the history of Manasseh, son of Hezekiah. Manasseh turned out to be one of the most evil kings in the history of ancient Judah. He was a practitioner of "multiculturalism,' introducing hideous habits like infanticide from the surrounding nations.

Zacharias provides a frightening description of what these sacrifices of children to Moloch must have been like. It shows how one person can lead millions into evil, when a nation ceases to think clearly. After Manasseh, the righteous King Josiah led the kingdom of Judah back to God again.

Section 3 explores the mystery of evil, with reference to the trial of Eichmann and popular culture like the movie Pulp Fiction in which murder is trivialized. The beautiful poem The Coming by R S Thomas is reproduced here, and the grace of God and the invitation to redemption are discussed.

Appendix A: The Ineradicable Word is a defence of the uniqueness and authority of the Bible, a brilliant apologetics for the veracity of the message in our Judeo-Christian scriptures. It deals inter alia with the transcultural nature of truth and the transformation of the soul.

Appendix B: Inextinguishable Light, deals with the structure of reason, certainty and the matter of absolutes. It includes a quote from Malcolm Muggeridge warning of the spiritual plague of relativism. It explains the relationship of logic - reason - truth and the Word as truth in the battleground of the heart.

The book concludes with an Annotated Bibliography of the Bible, Notes by chapter and a Study Guide with questions to use as a workbook. I also recommend Sinisterism: Secular Religion of the Lie by Bruce Walker, While Europe Slept by Bruce Bawer, Menace in Europe by Claire Berlinski, The Dragons Of Expectation: Reality And Delusion In The Course Of History by Robert Conquest, The Force of Reason by Oriana Fallaci, The West's Last Chance by Tony Blankley and Our Culture, What's Left of It: The Mandarins and the Masses by Theodore Dalrymple.

This book examines the Zeitgeist or spirit of the age, identifies what is wrong with it and how to reverse the destructive trend. The modern era is taken as the period 1789 - 1989 and the Post-modern as the one that followed. The West is currently in the grip of the PoMo mindset, more so in Europe than in the USA. Whereas reason was held as the highest value under modernism, it has been ridiculed by postmodernism where truth is considered to be extinct. Purpose and design were emphasized in modernism, but postmodernism emphasizes chance and randomness. The post-modern spirit considers values as relative and celebrates unreason and the loss of meaning. Deconstruction and contradiction are its gods. Although the modern pursuit was inhospitable towards spiritual truth, debate was still possible because information was subject to induction and deduction. In the post-modern mentality the purpose of debate or dialogue is not to discover truth, since here facts have no legitimacy. Debate is therefore impossible.

The first section of the book is titled The Moods Of The Present; it explores the ideas and circumstances that gave birth to the current cultural struggle. The author rigorously investigates the PoMo mindset in the light of the fruits it has borne. This part contains interesting references to sources as varied as The Great Divorce and The Pilgrim's Regress by CS Lewis, the thoughts of GK Chesterton and even song lyrics by The Moody Blues (Question) and Carly Simon (Playing Possum). The second section looks at voices from the past, those that have shaped Western culture down the ages. As postmodernism mocks the promise once offered by modernity, religion comes under even greater assault, partly because of the faults of politicised religion. Theocracy is not the answer. The real hope lies in a change of heart in the individual. This section includes the poem Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley and an interesting quote by Peggy Noonan, among others.

The author discusses the history of Manasseh, son of Hezekiah. Manasseh turned out to be one of the most evil kings in the history of ancient Judah. He was a practitioner of "multiculturalism,' introducing hideous habits like infanticide from the surrounding nations. Zacharias provides a frightening description of what these sacrifices of children to Moloch must have been like. It shows how one person can lead millions into evil, when a nation ceases to think clearly. After Manasseh, the righteous King Josiah led the kingdom of Judah back to God again. Section 3 explores the mystery of evil, with reference to the trial of Eichmann and popular culture like the movie Pulp Fiction in which murder is trivialized. The beautiful poem The Coming by R S Thomas is reproduced here, and the grace of God and the invitation to redemption are discussed.

Appendix A: The Ineradicable Word is a defence of the uniqueness and authority of the Bible, a brilliant apologetics for the veracity of the message in our Judeo-Christian scriptures. It deals inter alia with the transcultural nature of truth and the transformation of the soul. Appendix B: Inextinguishable Light, deals with the structure of reason, certainty and the matter of absolutes. It includes a quote from Malcolm Muggeridge warning of the spiritual plague of relativism. It explains the relationship of logic - reason - truth and the Word as truth in the battleground of the heart. The book concludes with an Annotated Bibliography of the Bible, Notes by chapter and a Study Guide with questions to use as a workbook.

The Illusions of Postmodernism

Intellectual Impostures

Intellectual Morons: How Ideology Makes Smart People Fall for Stupid Ideas

Sinisterism: Secular Religion of the Lie

What a Great book. I couldn't put it down till I finished it. It is a Great true story that is full of love and faith in God. If this book doesn't move you there is something wrong. I loved the way the author draw in the connection of baseball. What a great title for this book, it truly fits the book. You could really feel the love that George has for his wife, daughter, family and God. Boy, did George and his wife make the right decision. George Lane is a talented author, I would love to read more. I highly recomend this book and be ready to not be able to put it down.

This book is a beautiful memoir full of love and faith. George Lane's honesty is heartwarming and inspiring. The struggle that George and Thea endured in their decision making process is humbling to the reader, as are the challenges that their family has endured. But the most powerful thing about this book is that the Lanes don't dwell on the challenges, they embrace their daughter and sister and love her for all that she is.

A Different Kind of Perfect has validated my recent conversion to accept the Anti-Abortion credo of "Life begins at conception". I am married to an Obstetrician who abstains from performing abortions in her practice, instead counseling patients that placing the baby up for adoption was a more humane option and one God's blessings would adorn. George and Thea (I feel comfortable in calling them by their first names after getting to know them so well through the book) faced a truly difficult decision. Why complicate what appeared to be a normal, active and wholesome life by having a child certain to tax their patience and resources, and ultimately their marital and family harmony.

Early on, the book's agonizing account of the mental and spiritual torment confronting the couple to knowingly have a child with Down Syndrome forced me to better understand the complexity of the choice by partners I sensed were ordinary people. George writes with clarity of purpose in telling the story of Amy, revealing a passion for doing what's best for his special child and family, and displaying an unabashed fervor for his beloved Red Sox. The juxtaposition of following a Baseball World Series with the thinking behind one of life's most difficult decisions was an artful touch.

I literally could not put the book down as it was important for me to know that the special blessings involved in facing a travail many couples would eschew brought such great rewards to the entire Lane clan. What a delight it would be to happen upon George, Thea and Amy one day, perhaps at a Peter, Paul & Mary concert!

Of course, I'm sure Amy would be smiling and George and Thea enthralled by their little "sweetie".

George Lane is an inspirational writer and "A Different Kind of Perfect" is a true love story. George "connects the dots" of life. He obviously has successfully dealt with life issues with an honest and sincere effort in doing the right thing. George and his family are to be admired and in addition, George is a credit to Red Sox Nation!


Stanley Straube
President
Straube Associates
Executive Search
North Andover, MA

"A Different Kind of Perfect is composed in the style of
a memoir, and as such should be very compelling to the reader. It is
written in a heartfelt manner. Mr. Lane presents a rare and sobering
picture of the intense struggle and pain some spouses and families
encounter as they seek to make choices in accord with the Culture of
Life. Additionally, the text conveys the power of conversion and
transformation wrought through prayerful determination in union with
the grace offered in and through the Church. It is my opinion that the
author's overall message can make a significant contribution to the
Pro-Life witness of the Church."

While Stephen Charnock was a Puritan, this book is a product of the enlightenment.

For its time, this is a well written and quite thorough work on the attributes and existence of God. Charnock's comment on the existence of God (among others), "I shall further promise this, that the folly of atheism is evidenced by the light of reason" supports that the context of his thinking is the age of enlightenment - the age of reason. This is not necessarily a negative - in fact it is a positive in that it is an answer to the enlightenment providing strong arguments that one can be a person of faith and still be a person of reason - because God is a God of reason. In effect he turns the tables on his detractors and argues that to not believe in the existence of God is, to in fact, lack reason.

The attributes covered are:

God as Spirit; (followed by a chapter on spiritual worship)
The eternity of God;
The immutability of God;
God's omni-presence;
God's knowledge;
The wisdom of God.

On the existence of God he argues against atheism. The approach Charnock takes is to first assert and prove the existence of God, then relate what his his attributes are based on his existence. If he exists then he is spirit, he is omnipresent, he is eternal, immutable, and wise, etc.

Due to the context and age of the work - the reader will need to translate it in to the present and tweak it a bit to make it applicable for the 21st century - not that it is not applicable but that we are not in the enlightenment age anymore. One will need to absorb what is said, turn it over inside and then present it to others in a way they will receive.

This is a rare privilege. To own a Puritan from the 17th Century's work, is really an honor. The author of this book knew nothing of computers, lexicons, cd-roms, - all the modern gadgetry we have at our disposal. Yet he still exceeds in literary excellence, theological consistency and God-honoring exegesis compared to publications that are available from modern wisdom and prudence. He was chaplain to Oliver Cromwell.

'But what if the foreknowledge of God, and the liberty of the will, cannot be fully reconciled by man? Shall we therefore deny a perfection in God to support a liberty in ourselves? Shall we rather fasten ignorance upon God, and accuse Him of blindness, to maintain our liberty?' pg450

The chapter on 'The Goodness of God' is so beautiful. It inspired and reinvigorated me. The Puritans held such a high view of God. Everything they did and said was Theocentric. The fruits of their labor was produced under great trials, and yet this only seemed to spur them on to greater holiness. And so their legacy reaches our day and their spiritual vigor inflames our hearts anew.

A huge book and collosal work.

I have been looking for an excellent book to help me understand and get some insight into the attributes and nature of our God. This book definitely does the trick and make me really satisfactory. I do give it a 5.0 rating because of its excellency and in depth. One thing you should know of is the dated English style of the author. It was written in the 17th century, so it is somewhat difficult for me, especially as a foreigner, to read and understand his writing. From what I have read, the author had done an excellent work. I highly recommend this book for everyone who want to know God better and better.

Mr. Charnok's logic is impeccable, his prose beautiful, his inspiration Godly and the value of his contribution beyond measure. My only regret is that the publisher decided to single space the small type of this large corpus. This generated eye fatigue for my aging optical organs. However, as testamony to the works greatness I found the discomforts were far outweighed by the spiritual rewards. I plan to purchase a copy for my pastor. It will enrich the lives of the layman and set fire to the words from the pulpit.

Words really fail to describe how breathtaking this book is. Not mainly because of the author, but because of the subject - God himself. I can't think of any book I've read that has left me more stunned and awed by God and his majesty. Charnock was a Puritan, so this book may be cumbersome to those unaccustomed to Elizabethan English. But if you can handle the KJV, you can handle this. It is also a comprehensive book - long, despite the fact that the chapters are really just lengthy meditations put in a sermonic form. Characteristically Puritan, Charnock begins each chapter with the exposition of a text, then develops its "doctrine," bridging into a lengthy theological study on one of God's attributes, finally ending on the "use" or application. The application sections are especially helpful and heart-searching, but really all of it is good. Though, I must confess I've not read it all (this book must be 1200 pages long!), I've benefited from the hours I've spent in these pages. No human author will ever write an exhaustive study on the character of God, but I can't imagine anyone coming closer to it than Charnock. This is a powerful, powerful book!

I am not a Christian, yet I found this book extremely insightful and compelling in its exploration of the violent basis of our civilization and how the message of Jesus, among others, is not only that of personal salvation, but one of perceiving with clarity the nature of the world, i.e. the Domination System that has blinded us to its true destructive nature.

The type of spiritually grounded, proactive, creative nonviolence advocated in this book is a complete paradigm shift, an entire dimension apart from the simplistic dichotomy of violence vs. "passivism" that most of us unfortunately believe are our only choices.

The book includes numerous examples and interesting Biblical exegesis on top of an incredibly insightful exploration of the myth of redemptive violence and the Domination System that comprises our human society.

Fundamental to Wink's analysis of our society is his assertion that spiritual Powers are real -- but not simply as angels floating in the clouds or demons waiting in hell to gloat over your soul, but as the psychospiritual complexes that are formed from collective human belief and energy. Our governmental and corporate institutions are themselves Powers, having a spiritual existence in the sense of having a Being above and beyond the sum of the individuals that comprise them (as well as enjoying legal status that puts them on the same footing as a human being!). Unrecognized, the Powers run amuck amongst us. We are slaves to our own creation, and blind to our slavery. Our allegiance to the Power of the national security state, for instance, blinds us to its own violence, opens us to being subverted to evil ends, allows us to be convinced that upholding democracy and freedom is synonymous with the killing of others.

A central thesis of the book is that these Powers, having gone unrecognized for so long, have taken on a life of their own and now dominate us. They must be seen and engaged in order to be redeemed and transformed -- and in order for us to redeem and transform ourselves.

Wink spends the book laying bare the way these Powers work, making clear that it is not only spiritual or only psychological or only material, but all of these. He explores in depth the manifestations of violence and its origins in deeply embedded cultural mythology -- as seemingly innocuous as children's cartoons, e.g. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles -- and the nature of the Powers and the Domination System they create. And he explores what he calls "Jesus' Third Way," the path out of the contagious cycle of violence, not only through the example of Jesus but through examples in history of those who have triumphed through nonviolent means.

As a non-Christian, I expected to gloss over parts that were irrelevant to me, i.e. too heavily Biblical, but surprisingly I found that even many of those parts were very interesting and in no way exclusionary. It actually helps me to see the character and mission of Jesus in a new light, one that makes him suddenly much more relevant to this day and age.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Even as a non-Christian, I find Wink's theology of nonviolence EARTH-SHAKING in its importance.

This book is must reading for anyone concerned about the way things are going in the world and wondering what, if anything, can be done to usher in better times. Although it is often difficult reading - the author has a very prolific vocabulary - I couldn't put it down...and consider it well worth the effort. I plan to read more of Walter Wink's work. He is not an entertainer, but a generous and knowledgable guide. Don't miss the opportunity to walk with him through "Engaging the Powers". Save the Bible, I can't remember a piece of literature that has had a more profound effect on my moral character.

Reading this book, was a life-changing experience that has remained with me always. Wink leads the reader in detail, down a path of recognition and understanding, which for me, felt simply undeniable. He provides the framework and the language to unmask the subversivity we innately recognize, but feel so unable to effectively name and confront. I didn't necessarily agree with everything, but then, Wink's presentation isn't one that coerces the reader; so there's no feeling of needing to agree or disagree. The book provided a recognition --and a framework-- that has completely changed the way I think, and has thereby changed my most every action -- profoundly for the better. You'll reccognize that much of what he writes about is unabashedly rearing its head now in the US.

The thrust of the book is the world is in control of the Domination System, the powerful institutions that repress us, perpetuate violence upon us, and whose power is based upon the myth of redemptive violence--the idea the violence "saves." Wink powerfully shows that the myth of redemptive violence is the actual religion of our society, so deeply ingrained in us that we are unaware that we idolize it. It is the basis of even our comic book heroes, of whom Wink observes "repentance and confession are as alien to them as the love of enemies and nonviolence." Wink's analysis is profound because it encompasses intellectual, the physical, and the spiritual aspects our predicament. The gospel, or good news, of his book is centered on how Jesus introduced us the "Kingdom of God," the antithesis of the Domination System, and how radical Jesus's teachings were, not only 2,000 years ago but today as well. Jesus's teachings were influential in the early church, but Wink shows how when Christianity became the religion of the Roman Empire, the Church became corrupted itself as an institution, and has remained so to this day--because most of it became part of the Domination System which needs to repress the truth. Using biblical analysis, Wink explains that persons and institution in our world are (1) created by God and therefore good, (2) fallen, and (3) in need of redemption. A first-class biblical scholar, Wink among other things decimates the blood-theory of atonement, citing it as another instance of "redemptive violence" and an idea that could hardly have sprung from God: "Jesus's message reveals that those who believe in divine violence are still mired in Satan's universe." Satan, incidentally, he defines not as some personified boogeyman separate from our institutions, but as the malicious spiritual forces that are woven throughout our world and ourselves. There are many profound insights in this book. One of the most important is although Jesus was non-violent, he was in fact a passionate resister of violence and of the Domination System; in fact for this resistance he paid with his own suffering and his life. He brilliantly analyzes Jesus's sayings to "Turn the other cheek," to "Give the undergarment," and "Go the second mile," not as passivity, but actions taken to bewilder and expose the dominators for what they are, and to undermine the Domination System. Woven throughout the book are many spiritual and biblical insights regarding the world, the powers that control it, and God's plan. This together with considerable evidence he presents regarding the effectiveness of nonviolence in history is a powerful argument. Also present is specific spiritual guidance for the reader, expecially regarding prayer. These are wonderful insights from a spiritually mature perspective, with analysis from biblical passages to support his perpective. I enthusiastically recommend it.

One cannot read about the intricacies of the human body and the miracle that keeps us moving as each part works both separately and together. I borrowed a friend's copy, but had to buy my own to take notes.

I learned about the functions of the body in an easy to understand layman's discussion: that is, the skeleton, the skin, etc. He tells stories about people he has treated that exhibited some of the illnesses when these areas of the body do not work as they should. At the same time he relates this information on a spiritual realm. Although the book is not new, I liked the way he wrote and found it an easy way to learn about a lot of how my body works.

Dr. Brand's book can't help but leave the reader feeling as though they are disconnected with what is taking place around them. From a personal perspective, it's impossible to appreciate the complexity of performing even the most routine activities throughout the day. On a large scale, this book challenges all of us to consider what our obligations are to society as a whole, exposing what an isolated perspective most of us are able to maintain living in America. This is an excellent choice for anyone involved in a reading group.

Note: This review refers to an additional book, "In His Image" by the same author that I consider a "companion" to this one.

In both these books the authors take us into the world of medicine as seen through spiritual eyes. The parallels between our own bodies and the Body of Christ are fascinating to say the least. Read, for example, how when one area of our physical body is injured an urgent call goes out and hundreds of thousands of cells respond by plugging the holes in the walls, protecting the weak, cleansing the area and rebuilding itself. Read also how the body responds when there is rebellion loose within it. The list includes the workings of: (Fearfully and Wonderfully Made) cells, bones, skin, motion, (In His Image) image, blood, head, spirit and pain.

The reading style is very relaxed and everything is explained simply so that you don't need a degree in chemistry to understand what's going on. A special bonus is Dr. Brand's focus on his life's work with lepers which is interwoven throughout both books. If you've got an interest in how the physical body works and how it relates to biblical concepts, get these books - you won't be disappointed. -- Moza

This is primarily a book about the human body and the startling complexity of what is under (and a part of) our skin. Four main areas of our bodies are discussed; the skin which holds us all in, our cells which make up an intrinsic little universe inside each human body, human bones and lastly motion. The insights into the physical human body are enough to make this book great for it shows that whoever or whatever created the human body was unfathomably intelligent. I prefer to believe that God was the designer and so this book causes me to be in awe of God, who I believe to be the creator of mankind. But for an atheist, this book would have to cause him or her to give great awe and respect toward chance. For if chance created our human bodies, it did one heck of a job. Though primarily about the physical human body, the authors are constantly making application to the spiritual body of Christ which, as the Bible tells us, is the entire group of people on earth who have believed in Jesus Christ. The Bible also makes a lot of comparisons between this strange group of people and the human body. Paul (one of the human authors of the Bible) tells us that God sees this group of people (I will refer to it as the church henceforth) like a human body, with many different parts, each part with a special function. In Yancey and Brand's book, they explore the different aspects of the human body and then show how these apply to the church. The analogies are insightful into how we as Christians are to function. In the introduction to the book Yancey writes, "In a sense, metaphorical symbols are the only way for us to grasp spiritual truths, which explains why the Bible uses them so lavishly... the human body expresses spiritual reality so authentically that soon the common stuff of matter will appear more and more like a mere shadow."

Yancey is a great author, and Brand is clearly a great doctor. The book is written as well as Yancey's other books and it is broken down into 25 short chapters. Each chapter has a specific point, and most chapters also offer an analogy about the church, the spiritual body of Christ. I read the book in 25 days, a chapter daily which was an excellent pace to be able to digest the book while still keeping it constantly fresh in my mind. I would recommend the book to any Christian eager to be astounded by the human body and the spiritual analogies that come from the mysteries of our physical bodies.