Saint John's University Books

Dr. Nadieszda Kizenko has truly mastered defining and illustrating the life of "A Prodigal Saint" It is written in a solid and cohesive manner that makes it a pleasure to read. I too, have had the pleasure and honor to have been one of Dr. Kizenko's students I would unequivically recommend this book to any individual interested in Russian History.
I look forward to her next literary work!

I have the immense pleasure to have Dr. Nadieszda Kizenko as my professor of Russian History at the University at Albany. This book is a must read, it clearly illuminates the life of "A Prodigal Saint" during a time period of religious revival in Russia. Wonderfully written, easy to read, and follow.

I find myself reading this book since I had to do a 10-page book review for my Russian history class and I have to say it's a very good book. It's not a hagiography, just as the author states at the beginning of the book, which means the reader won't find any phrase like: "The most holy, most righteous, Father John of Kronstadt."

It's a well-researched book. Kizenko employs primary sources such as Father John's diaries as well as popular press representations of him. She also uses the thousands of letters sent to him by people asking for his prayers. These are also good sources when trying to find how others perceived him. Many of these letters were from women and Kizenko makes a good argument about the importance of women in religion.

One interesting point that Kizenko makes is the conflict between a saint's or a priest's two bodies - body public and body private - and how Father John dealt with this conflict.

The only weak point of the book is Kizenko's attempt to condemn the Ioannites, a cultic sect of the Orthodox Church who believed that Father John was kind of a savior. Kizenko does not entirely succeed in arguing that the Ioannites were a blemish in Father John's reputation.

An well researched, insightful and VERY WELL BALANCED look at the life of St. John of Krostadt. A must read for any Russian Orthodox Christian.

The book chronicles the life of Father John of Kronstadt, a controversial and highly profiled religious figure during the pre-revolutionary period. Details of his life and his world are fascinating. Seeing how he is approached for help and his actions indirectly reveals much about those living in Russia during that time. the book was also very helpful in dispelling some of the myths that commonly surround this man.

I think this is an excellent read for Orthodox Christians and ALSO anyone interested in Russia during that time period.

Criticisms of the Book of Abraham, such as those from 1912 and since 1967 (e.g., Charles Larson's 1985 and 1992 editions of By hand upon papyrus) have often approached the Book of Abraham in a rather fallacious manner, claiming (incorrectly) that the papyri discovered in 1967 are the same papyri used for the translation of the Book of Abraham. Notwithstanding, many critics have avoided the question of whether the contents of the Book of Abraham, that have many elements of Abrahamic lore non-existant in the Biblical texts, plausibility. This volume by Tvedtnes et al., reveals that all these elements have, in differing gradiants, ancient textual support, texts that could not have possibly been known to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the 1800's. Indeed, this book will long be on the "must ignore" list of all self-respecting anti-Mormons for many years to come. Nevertheless, it is strongly recommended for those wishing to learn the true nature of the Book of Abraham, that of a true scriptural text translated by a true prophet of God, the ignorant protestations of critics notwithstanding.

This collection of primary texts from pagan, Jewish, Christian, and Islamic sources -- several translated for the very first time -- is absolutely wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and recommend it to anybody at all interested in Abraham, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, folklore, the ancient Near East, Jewish midrashic materials, Mormonism, etc., etc.

This book has to be the best book that I have read, other than the Book of Mormon. It is by far the greatest thing that FARMS has published and the most devastating scholarly work to the critics of the Book of Abraham. In it, Mr. Tvedtnes, Mr. Hauglid and Dr. Gee present newly discovered and long forgotten texts that flat out verify the claims made in the Book of Abraham. But the text of this book is laid out in a format that speaks for itself. The three editors of this book simply transferred the texts over to this book format and added some footnotes and a chapter heading. From ancient Greek, Persian, Muslim, Latin, Christian, Jewish, Coptic, Egyptian, Summerian and Dead Sea Scroll sources, this fantstic volume offers many fantastic insights that 1) verify the claims of Abraham's birthplace, life and ministry among the Egyptian and Canaanite peoples as made in the Book of Abraham 2) verify that the facsimiles of the Joseph Smith Papyri do in fact correlate to the Book of Abraham texts 3) show a more profound life and ministry of Father Abraham than what conventional Biblical scholarship offers us, i.e. doctrinal and astrological teachings. I could write and entire book in reviewing this book, but I will allow this fantastic text to speak for itself. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about the Book of Abraham and what the latest scholarship offers. And, as a bonus, there are pictures of newly discovered Egyptian papyri that have an eerie resemblance to facsimile 1 in the Joseph Smith papyri. And, lo and behold, underneath this other "Lion Couch scene", which includes a man on an alter that is about to be sacrificed, is inscribed Abraham's name and the instructions to "write these words together with this picture..." makes you think, doesn't it?

This book is just one of many - though perhaps the best - that authenticates and vindicates the Prophet Joseph's claims about his translation of the Book of Abraham and shuts down all of the attacks made by uneducated "scholars". Every day now, Joseph is looking better and better.

"Millions shall know Brother Joseph again. Hail to the Prophet!"

Traditions about the Early Life of Abraham is a great collection of texts, documents, and translations pertaining to the life of Abraham. These things are presented in an unbiased way, though are obviously intended for an LDS audience, though the book should be interesting to any Christian, Jew, or Muslim, or a member of any Abrahamic faith or anyone who is interested in the life of the Prophet and Patriarch Abraham.

This book is a reworking of Brakke's doctoral dissertation. As such, it is steeped in scholarly detail. At the same time, it is very readable by ordinary people, because of the excitement with this Brakke presents his subject matter.

Athanasius is little known to many people today, yet he was, by some estimations, the most influential person in the fourth century. Brakke's book focuses on Athanasius' central objective: to bring the independent monasteries of Egypt under the control of the bishops. In the process of conveying this highly political goal by someone usually considered a "theologian," Brakke shows how religion and politics are never separate endeavors. He presents clearly and effectively the key issues that were at stake in Athanasius' battle with the "Arians" as well as in his production of "The Life of Anthony," the Egyptian monk.

Brakke's work is focused tightly on his subject matter, leaving for others the exploration of Athanasius' engagement with emperors (see, e.g., Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire. It is not every day that a doctoral dissertation translates into exciting historical reading, but Brakke has succeeded in making this a reality. Highly recommended.

Yes, this is the same book published in hardcover as "Athanasius and the Politics of Asceticism," from Oxford. I appreciate changing the title, because some chapters aren't as much about politics.

Hevelone-Harper has written an excellent book outlining the nature and dynamics of spiritual authority in the monastery of Barsanuphius, John, and Seridos. Those interested in 6th century monasticism and spirituality will find this book to be a great resource.

Hevelone-Harper has written a clear and comprehensive account of spiritual authority and monastic life in 6th century Gaza. She enters into the conversation of anchorites, monks, and laypeople through the correspondence of Saints Barsanuphius and John. This approach helps the reader appreciate the mindset of these 6th century people in a personal, as well as historical way. A wonderful introduction to Late Antique monasticism and for anyone who wants to learn more about the history of Christian spirituality.

Working in a Jesuit institution, I'm wary of yet another "Jesuit" book, but this is truly a beautiful publication. Ignatius challenged people to 'find God in all things" and this publication is a feast for the eyes in that regard.

Meticulously compiled and deftly edited by the team of John W. O'Malley, SJ (Distinguished Professor of Church History at the Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge, Massachusetts), Gauvin Alexander Bailey (Associate Professor of Renaissance and Baroque Art at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts), and Giovanni Sale, SJ (Direct of the Jesuit Historical Institute in Rome, Italy), "The Jesuits And The Arts: 1540-1773" is a beautifully illustrated historical survey of the Jesuit's artistic enterprise in Europe, North America, South America, and Asia from the foundation os the Society of Jesus in 1540 to its suppression in 1773. Of special note is John O'Malley's introductory essay "The Cultural Mission of the Society of Jesus" which lays the Jesuit involvement with the arts in historical perspective. A second essay describes the tension between the Jesuits and Cardinal Alessandro Farnese (the imperious patron of Gesu - the Jesuit's most important church in Rome). Richard Bossel provides an informed and informative architectural tour of Jesuit churches, chapels, schools, residences, and meeting halls throughout Europe. Gauvin Baily provides a wealth of information on the influence of Italian painting upon Jesuit art. Heinrich Peiffer discusses Jesuit iconography. An important and core addition to academic library Art History and Jesuit Studies reference collections, "The Jesuits And The Arts: 1540-1773" is an impressive compendium of erudite scholarship that is as accessible to the non-specialist general reader with an interest in art history, as it is of seminal value to students of Jesuit history and their influence on Catholic church art and architecture.

I have always been a fan of LDS church history, and was thrilled to get my hands on this collection of primary sources of key events of the restoration. It contained many of the documents that I had read throughout my life in various sources, but the true treasure was the many other versions of events that I hadn't read before. An example is that it contained all 8 known versions of Joseph Smith's account of the first vision. I read five of these for the first time in this book. It also contained five second hand accounts of the first vision I had not read before.

There are a total of six sections in this book covering the first vision, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, the restoration of the priesthood, various visions, the restoration of the temple keys, and the mantle of the prophet Joseph being passed to Brigham Young. Each section begins with an essay summarizing the various accounts, which I found useful. The highlights of each section are the individual accounts of the events.

This book gave me a much better understanding of the details of these major events. There is nothing like seeing things from many different perspectives in both time and by individual to give one a big picture view of what really happened. As a believing Mormon, it has strengthened my testimony of the hand of God in the latter day restoration. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in LDS church history; this is an essential volume.

In this monumental collection of firsthand historical narratives, "Opening the Heavens" comes very close or fulfilling the bold prediction of the editor in his assertion that "this book . . . may be one of the most important LDS Church history books you will ever read. . . ." (from the Introduction). John W. Welch has assembled an impressive collection of original documents relating to six foundational topics in Mormon history: 1) the first vision; 2) the coming forth of The Book of Mormon; 3) the restoration of the priesthood; 4) Joseph Smith's lifetime visionary experiences; 5) the restoration of temple keys; and 6) succession in the presidency.

In scope, this collection can only be compared with Dan Vogel's five volume collection of "Early Mormon Documents," published between 1996 and 2003. However, unlike Vogel's comprehensive collection, Welch focuses almost exclusively upon firsthand and contemporaneous sources. This is refreshing, since the chief problem with Vogel's collection is that it casts its nets so wide as to include much material of dubious historical value. I have found Vogel's collection to be very helpful, but have often lamented that much by way of hearsay and polemics has been presented side by side with firsthand contemporaneous documents of great historical value. To use a legal analogy, Welch's collection seems closer to what might be "admissible" evidence in a court of law, whereas Vogel's collection seeks to bring in a vast quantity of pure hearsay and speculation from "witnesses" far removed from the actual events of Church history. After all, how much weight should we accord to a hearsay statement only first recorded forty, fifty or sixty years after the actual events?

Welch has not only provided faithful transcriptions of the actual documents themselves, but insightful essays written on each of the six chief topics.

While these essays are interesting, it is the documents themselves which are the precious jewels of this book.

I agree with Welch's insightful comment that "a generation from now, few people will care how various historians in our day have interpreted the past. . . But the original documents convey testimonies that will always be of the utmost interest." (From the Introduction).

With these collections by Vogel and now Welch, in hand, the day should be long past in studies of Church history, when any reader possessed of reasonable intelligence should put much further credence in the rarified theories of professional historians. Few academic writers have ever been honest enough to "proclaim their malefactions" - their personal bias - in their writing, pretending, instead that their work is "scientific." What many historical writers - both apologists and critics - fail to admit is that, "A fact is a fact", until you begin to string two or more facts together. Then it becomes a work of the imagination and not a science.

I have a few additional comments, criticisms and disappointments regarding this collection, as follows:

1. The best commentary in this set, by far, is that which precedes the collection of documents relating to the first vision. The excellent essay by Dean Jesse, and especially the one by James B. Allen and Welch himself, far exceed the others in clarity. Joseph Smith's ten accounts of the first vision, contained in thirteen documents, are then presented chronologically. Welch and Allen use the very helpful tool of providing charts summarizing the contents of each of the ten accounts.

2. Welch's collection of documents on the coming forth of the Book of Mormon is of almost equal clarity and quality to the collection on the first vision.

3. While the collection of priesthood restoration documents edited by Brian Q. Cannon is well presented, Cannon's commentary itself leaves something to be desired. I felt as if his writing lacks the clarity found in the previous essays of Jesse, Allen and Welch.

4. Most disappointing in this collection is the essay and collection by Alexander L. Baugh. In fact, there really isn't a collection of documents here, but only chronology and summary of seventy-six "visionary experiences" received by the Prophet during his lifetime. Why weren't the documents themselves published here? The chronology prepared by Baugh is helpful, but I want to see the documents, not merely Baugh's rather pedestrian essay.

5. The documents and essay regarding "Succession in the Presidency" are also disappointing, in that they focus solely upon the "mantle of the prophet" experience of 1844, and not upon other key events, such as the "rolling off of the keys" upon the Twelve or the additional authority conferred upon the Twelve in conjunction with the restoration of temple keys and the activities of the "quorum of the anointed" in Nauvoo from 1842 to 1844, etc.

6. Even with its several problems and disappointments, after a first reading I tend to agree with John Welch's initial suggestion that this "may be one of the most important LDS Church history books you will ever read."

Excellent book well worthy of the highest recommendation!

One of the most absorbing history books I have ever read. Tells how a group of socialists became the greatest capitalists in modern France. Beautifully written.

I loved this book. It is the best book on St. Simonianism on the market today.

THis book is the culmination of Louth's many years of research on St John.

St. John avoided speculation, but rather understood his task to be that of a fatihful transmitter of the faith once delivered.

St John is shown here to be a Cyrilline-Chalcedonian, trying to bring together those factions who were so devoted to Cyril's formula: "one incarnate nature of God the Word."

John Damascene was one of the last great church fathers to live before the great schism which separated Christianity between its Orthodox and Catholic branches. In both churches Damascene is revered as a great saint and theologian, and is a doctor of the Catholic Church.

Damascene wrote several works, including anti-heresy treatises, philosophical works, and the classical exposition of Christan theology called 'On Orthodox Theology', which outlines the Christian understanding of God. Damascene also defended the use of icons in Churches, against iconoclasts who desired to implement the Old Testament commandment about the destruction of images of the divine. The centrality of icons to the theology and faith of the Orthodox Church today is due in large part to Damascene's famous defence.

Like most Easterns, Damascene emphasizes the incomprehensibility of God's nature (the only thing we can know about God is his infinity and incomprehensibility) and his faith is deeply mystical at times. However, he remains essential reading for the student of church history and theology.

Louth (who has also written works on Dionysius and Christian mysticism) writes a readable introduction to this great Father's thought.

I can only comment on the material pertaining to aquatic animals in this translation. And my comments are limited as those of an ichthyologist who knows only a little Latin. It is a cliche but Magnus was a candle in the darkness of the Middle Ages. As such he deserves a modern English translation. Furthermore this is a scholarly annoted edition. The species allocations for Magnus animals have been systematically considered and whilst there will be alternative interpretations, the evidence for Drs Reznick and Kitchell's positions is always sound. This is an essential tome for anyone interested in the development of biological (especially ichthyological) thought in Europe.

Featuring rich color photography, The Art of Saint John's Bible: A Readers Guide to Pentateuch, Psalms, Gospels and Acts is a beautiful tour of illuminated Biblical text in the first three published volumes of "The Saint John's Bible": Pentateuch, Psalms, and Gospels and Acts. The text examines specific illuminations with all the fine attention to detail, history, and context worthy of museum pieces, while the copious color pictures reveal the wondrous detail of visual elements and textual treatments. Highly recommended for church libraries as an aide to more deeply experiencing and understanding illuminated biblical text.