Hunt Books

This book is the biggest contribuiton to my point of view on what is art, what is beauty, and whether or not are these concepts objective or subjective in nature. Among the subjects Valentine writes about are the "What is Art?" question, followed by subjects such as Art as Expression, Formalism, Art Criticism, Symbolism and my favorite: Beauty. Each chapter has a section with essays by other philosophers and art critics, that contradict or support Valentine's ideas.
Every subject is defined and explained in a very simple manner, with detail and several examples.

My favorite book on art, and one of my favorite books in general.

I never thought about things the way that the author presents them before now. I know that I can receive all that God wants me to have in my life, as long as I follow the principle of Be-hav-ing. I'd recommend this book to any age group.

This is another from Indiana author Mabel Leigh Hunt that deals with Quaker life. This book takes place in North Carolina. Young Benjie spends time with his Grandmother and has to take the hand-me-down hat that has been reworked by his mother.

He ends up skipping out of the Friends meeting, uncalled for, and in that time a horse east most of the hat. He goes through additional hats before a solution is reached for hat care. Along the way is great fun reading of the antics and daily life of the young boy on a farm.

I'd recommend it to home-schoolers, classroom teachers, and parents. It is a good story showing the need for a child to learn to take care of things and be responsible.

Every M. L. Hunt book is good, but the Quaker stories (there are several) are special.

>So if nothing else is understood, let it be clear that this book is primarily a call for each reader to get back to the Bible for himself. < (123)

>Before seeking for experiences of God or communion with God through the practice of certain guaranteed techniques, however, we ought to give our attention first of all to the written Word of God that He has gone to such lengths to provide for all of mankind. Jeremiah's attitude toward God's Word should be our own: Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart (Jeremiah 15:16). For anyone setting out on a spiritual quest to seek and know God, the most logical place to start is with His Word, the Bible. < (8-9)

That really is the theme throughout this entire book: the need for our very lives to be based upon the Word of God, not experiences, not psychology, not mysticism. Beyond Seduction is the sequel to The Seduction of Christianity, and the two books really go together well as a critique of what passes for christianity on the popular level. You can take Hinduism and dress it up in Christian terminology, you can do the same with humanist psychology, and with the ancient occult practices, and this confusion, or seduction as Hunt would call it, is the biggest plague facing the church today. This book was written in 1987, but I found its message especially timely given current trends in christianity. I guess the message "The Bible is all we need!" is a timeless truth that needs to be shouted from the rooftops in every age, but especially now when it seems that false prophets are out there to "seduce, if possible, even the elect."

One topic of particular interest to me this past year has been the emergent church. Though I've now lost my fascination with that movement, I do realize that many of my peers are being pulled in that direction; the blend of mystic spirituality with social activism is a powerful and alluring blend that continues to pull many into its snare. The truths in the two Seduction books by Hunt lay out a clear case against the emergent church, as it lays out the case against its predecessors. In fact, it may just be that the emergent church is just one of the current faces of that many figured creature that has existed since Christ: apostasy. Whether its gnosticism, or positive thinking/confession, the core issue is always "Yea, hath God said...?" and the antidote is to be found in The Bible.

He also chimes in (twenty years early) on the "missional" movement, and our desperate need to "contextualize" the gospel.

>As Oswald Chambers pointed out, "We must never confuse our desire for people to accept the gospel with creating a gospel that is acceptable to people." But modernism does exactly that - it takes the latest ideas from the world, dresses them up in biblical language, and passes them off as gospel truth. Much that masquerades today as Christianity on radio, on television, in many evangelical books, and in large, "successful" churches is in this category. < (20)

>What Herbert Schlossberg has said of evangelical colleges seems to be true of vast numbers of Christians: Instead of challenging the world with the godliness and purity of their lives, they seem "to have a vision, rather, for assimilating what they think is the best of the world into the Christian life." < (25)

Here's a quote he took from Andrew Murray that really convicted me personally, and actually has caused me to pray regularly for one of the fruits of the spirit I usually neglect: meekness.

>"In striving after the higher experiences of the Christian life, the believer is often in danger of aiming at and rejoicing in what one might call the more human virtues. Such virtues are boldness, joy, contempt of the world, zeal, self-sacrifice - even the old Stoics taught and practiced these. While the deeper and gentler, the more divine and heavenly graces are scarcely thought of or valued. These virtues are those which Jesus first taught upon earth - because He brought them from heaven - poverty of spirit, meekness, humility, lowliness...." < (42)

One final note: we're placing all this emphasis on God's Word as the source for truth, but what are we to do with the HUNDREDS of different versions available to us? At one point there were 2 new versions coming out a year, and the rate has likely increased. It is interesting to note that there are major differences in the underlying greek manuscripts and that English translations of the Bible can be sorted into two categories based on which greek texts they use: the Authorized Version (KJV) vs. RSV, NRSV, ASV, NASV, UPDATED NASV, NIV, TNIV, ESV, etc. I would highly recommend Edward Hills' "The King James Version Defended" as an excellent starting point to understanding this crucial issue.

I read this book in Dr. Carlson's class about 7 years ago, and although I liked the book very much at the time, I didn't fully appreciate the book. Since then, I have thought about the book and its implications often. There are very few books I can say actually changed my views of the world and culture, but this book is one of them. It is an excellent blend of the highs and lows of modern American culture. I highly recommend this book.

From the novice to the seasoned Christian believer, or to anyone interested in the answers the Christian faith has to give concerning the timeless and contemporary questions humanity asks, this consice book delivers. Theological truths are approached in a simple question/answer format -which is very clear, short, simple and understandable to all. This, in itself, is no small accomplishment. All answers are Bible based, from the Protestant precpective, allowing the Bible to speak for itself. The book design: paper, graphics, and layout is of very high quality. For its brevity and size this book packs a powerful punch. I very highly recommend it for any age group, for both Christians and truth seekers alike.

A helpful book for the young in faith christian. Accesible and neat. Also good for the ones who are still seeking.

This book has mountains of information on Jesus - his birth & growing up, friends & enemies, his miracles & promises, how & why he died, famous sayings & stories.

This is a great book if you are going to Colorado and need to know where to hunt big game. It profiles spots the authors scouted themselves for elk, mule deer, antelope and whitetails. It includes 3D topo maps, directions, local hunting history and stories, and hunting advice. There are over 500 public land (free hunting) spots in the book, and it lists specific drainages, meadows and ridges to hunt. I was successful in my elk hunt going to their spots, and so were my friends. I actually called one of the authors, Guy Collier, at 303-280-9615 and he gave me more information.

The Bill Alexander story was by far the best book ever written. The late Bill Alexander was a fine man. His kind manner and self confidence was simply magic! Bill explained how he created the magic he displayed on the show The magic of oil painting. He was apprenticed to a carridge maker. His artistic skills were noticed after being captured in world war two. He painted portraits of the allied officers wives. Soon the war ended and Bill was on his way to america and finally to Powell River British columbia. this book is great for artists of any caliber. And even those who do not paint,you can feel the magic that he once brought to the world. He has made more first time painters feel like professionals. The late Bob ross,who studied under Bill,Was another fine man. This review was dedicated to their memories!