Religion Books

This is the first book I read about Amy Carmichael's life. It is very interesting and since reading this, I have purchased many many books that Amy wrote herself. My top 3 recommendations are IF, Kohila, and Lotus Buds. However, any of her books are wonderful.

This book by Elizabeth Elliott gives an overview of Amy's life and pictures. If you want to know about her, this is the book to read.

I have read this book twice over the last decade and each time it has given me life principles applicable to the time of life in which I read it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who needs an example to live by. I couldn't help but think that if God could do such things in Amy Carmichael, He could certainly do the same in me. What a challenge!

Amy Carmichael has been a great model to follow. Her love for the Lord spilled out to those whom she saw as His children worth saving ... even though they were considered worthless in their culture. God uses Amy's ferver to encourage me to continue on in difficult places. Thank you Elisabeth Elliot for using your God-given writing talent to so articulate the life of this precious woman of God. Your labors go hand in hand with Amy's in bringing in more souls for the Kingdom of God. To God be all the glory!

Amy Carmichael is a hero of mine. I first read this book many, many years ago after God broke my heart for the nations. I admire this single woman's faith and "heart like flint" as she left family, comfort and friends to serve the Lord in India. She went out not knowing exactly where she was going (like Abraham) yet trusted in her Father to guide and direct her. Indeed, she lived out Isaiah 54 as she became a spiritual mother to many poor children who were sadly abandoned and/or neglected in India.

With a simple, resolute and steadfast faith, Amy built orphanages to defend the orphan and preach the good news to the poor. Her life was soul satisfying, multiplied and poured out as a sacrifice that others could live and find Christ. Beautiful.

Amy's like will inspire and encourage you to PURSUE the call on your heart and to trust in the Lord for provision, security and guidance.

Regarding Elisabeth Elliot, the author, I had the gracious opportunity to meet her in person.. and she is a sweet aroma of Christ as well. She trusted and followed in her Savior, despite the pain of losing her first love, Jim Elliot, as a martyr in the jungle of Ecuador. Through the death of her husband and four other Christian missionaries, many, many were saved - and many Christians called to the mission field. You can read more about their journey by reading:

Shadow of the Almighty: The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot

Amy Carmichael is a woman who dedicated her life to serving "the least of these" with a heart focused solely on Christ. A story full of incredible truth and sacrifice in the name of the love of God.

This book is EXACTLY what I have been looking for a long time now. The verses have been translated brilliantly to the "T", by Swamiji. The synopsis & explanation of the verses could have been a bit more comprehensive,though (But then the book would have probably weighed a ton!0.

I also bought a Chandi Path CD in Orginal sanskrit rendering from somewhere else, and it now complements the Book very well.

The Chandi Path By Samiji is definitely worth it for those with a keen ineterest in our vedic Literature.

godsend -even better if you can find a cd with original chanting and follow both together as even if you do not know the meaning the energy creates a truly a remarkable unique experience!

One of my very favorite scriptures is The Chandi Path!
In Bengal [and many other places, as well,] the Chandi Path [also known as "Devi Mahatmyam", And "Durga Saptasati"], is considered the "Bible" of many Mother Worshipers.

My very favorite translation of it is by Swamiji Satyananda Saraswati of the Devi Mandir. He describes all the "Armies of the Great Ego" and names them, since knowing who our "enemies" are is half the battle. Some of them have names like, "Too Much" and "Too Little"; "Self-Conceit" and "Self-Deprecation"; "MEMORIES"! Do these asuras sound familiar" They should... As Swamiji Satyananda says in his introduction, "Every character mentioned in the Chandi is within us: the forces which impel us to realize our own divinity, filling our lives with Love and Joy, and a sense of meaningful purpose; as well as the forces which incline to diminish that perception."

Describing the Goddess, the Mother of the Universe, He says: "In one sense She resides in the image, the photo or idol of worship. In another application, She manifested in the body of the Worshiper. And again, 'Her feet cover the earth, and Her crown extends to the farthest reaches of the atmosphere.' On every level the scripture is a commentary on the evolution of consciousness."

Towards the end of his wonderful intro to the Chandi Path, Swamiji Satyananda says:
"Saptasati is a Way. Daily reciting the verses, we offer to Mother all our troubles, afflictions, and all manner of thoughts and perturbations -- even the very Ego itself; and one by one She cuts them down, purifies them with the vibrations of Her mantras, until we, too, become the 'One of Intuitive Vision [Known in the Chandi as Samadhi]' who only desires the Highest Wisdom which removes the attachments of the Ego."

i consider the Chandi Path, translated by Swamiji Satyananda Saraswati, one of the greatest spritual tools that any devotee of the Goddess could possibly have. i cannot praise this wonderful scripture, enough; and especially this particular translation. i had read other translations, but it wasn't until reading this particular translation, that i really FELT it...deeply and profoundly, and absolutely knew i had a spiritual tool that i would carry with me and practice throughout my life! Jai Maa! Blessings to all who read this!

The Chandi path, by Swami Satyananda Saraswati of the Devi Mandir Ashram in Napa Valley, is both an incredible story and a path of discovery of and worhship to the Divine Mother. The story is an incredible epic of how the Goddess in numerous forms battles the "Great Ego" and his forces of negative thoughts, such as "Too Much" and "Too Little," "Self Conceit" and "Self Deprecation," Pride, Confusion, etc. ~ all negative thoughts.

It is a fearsome battle that takes place over many chapters, but eventually, the Goddess wins and a great celebration ensues. But the Chandi Path is more than an epic story; it is also a path of worship and discovery. I found much to identify with in the negative thoughts and much to be greatful for because, though they were defeated, they were ultimately accepted by the Goddess and taken up to the heavenly realms.

One chapter in particular, Chapter 11, identifies many of the qualities of the Goddess such as "the instrinsic nature of earth," "the Energy of Consciousness Which Pervades All," the "Source of Refuge," "the Eternal Energy of Creation," "Faith," "Self-sustenance," "Constancy," "She Who is Beyond all Time," and others. What is given through this ancient sacred text is a method of achieving clarity through the removal of negative thoughts and replacing them, as we identify with the Goddess in all Her forms, with positive qualities most of us would seek to achieve.

Each time I chant the Chandi Path, my experience of it becomes deeper and richer; I discover more meaning ~ nuances that become clearer with each chanting; and my love for the Goddess, in all Her forms, becomes greater. What Swami Satyananda Saraswati has done in his translation of this and other ancient texts is made them fresh and new for the present. This is tremendous gift, that the Chandi Path is made accessible to all, including westerners, in the present time.

Though I am posting this review under the title "Chandi Path," it really applies to all of the wonderful books of Swami Satyananda Saraswati of Napa, California (as distinguished from the identically named Swami who wrote many books on yoga -- which are also great books, by the way). These books will probably appeal most to those who perform traditional Hindu ceremonial worship, called puja. However, this review is to call attention to another aspect of these books which is worth noting, and is indeed highly praiseworthy. Personally, I do not perform formal pujas, but I love Sanskrit and all the wonderful traditional mantras and hymns of that sacred language. I repeat mantras and recite hymns in my own informal way. As a source for Sanskrit mantras and hymns, there is nothing better than the books of Swami Satyananda Saraswati. I have taught myself to read Devanagari script, so I greatly appreciate its inclusion in these books. Above all, the script is large, clear, and easy to read. These books are typeset to allow easy reading of either the Devanagari script, or the transliterated text, while performing puja. A great deal of attention has obviously been paid to making the script easily readable, even while holding the book at arm's length. This is a huge advantage. I'm not so great at reading Devanagari that I enjoy working my way through the tiny, blurred script found in so many other books, especially Indian publications. These books, by contrast, are a pleasure to read.

The transliterations of the Sanskrit mantras and hymns follow the precision international system which uses diacritical marks. This system, originally developed by European scholars in the nineteenth century, has long been the "gold standard" for transliteration of Sanskrit texts due to the direct one-to-one correspondence with the Sanskrit alphabet. (I have been glad to see that this system has become more and more universally used for transliteration of Sanskrit.) It is here employed with great accuracy, and in a typeface of unsurpassed readability. I have many versions of some of the Sanskrit hymns and mantras in this book, and in the many other books of Swami Satyananda Saraswati, but I always choose to read the versions in Swami Satyananda Saraswati's books because I can always count on them to be the most accurate and readable versions available.

Besides the Sanskrit texts in both Devanagari script and in Romanized transliteration using the international system, one is also treated to Swami Satyananda Saraswati's highly accurate, but also energetic and enthusiastic English translations. Without deviating from the precise meanings of the texts, the Swami manages to include and convey his own love and enthusiasm for this ancient and sacred literature. I rarely look elsewhere for definitive translations.

Also, when perusing the catalog of Swami Satyananda Saraswati's books, don't be misled by the titles into thinking that they convey the full range of the contents. The books are always crammed with "extras," often mantras only peripherally related to the main topic, but in this way one gets a spectacular collection of the greatest Sanskrit mantras in existence.

For those dedicated to the performance of puja, these books are indispensible. For those who just love Sanskrit and all the wonderful hymns and mantras, these books are a treasure trove. I don't recite every mantra in ever book -- not by any means -- but there are some in every book that I love to sing and recite. And I buy all the books also just as a way of saying "thank you" to Swami Satyananda Saraswati for rendering this wonderful service to all Sanskrit lovers, and doing so in such a conscious and conscientious way. Thank you, Swamiji! We've never met, but I'm one of your silent (until now!) fans and admirers.

I don't know if I am musically hopeless, but I certainly have never gotten much out of a harmonica. In a few short lessons with this book and tape, I was able to play "Oh Susanna" in straight harp (accent on the blow notes) and was on my way to playing single notes, "cross harp" (blues, accent on the draw notes) and riffs.

The little harmonica that comes with the book is a 10 note key of C Hohner. It is surprisingly sweet-sounding and a very good little instrument. That impressed me; I imagine once I get better at this I will still be happily playing on it. The harmonica has a protective plastic case-- the whole thing is no bigger than a candy bar. The slim paperback book is well-illustrated with a back section of quite a few straight harp folk tunes that you can play even if you don't read music. The tape is pleasant--plenty of blues guitar to jam with, and many example riffs that are the backbone of learning basic blues. The tape is also invaluable for hearing what a single note, a "bent" note, and the wah-wah sound effects are like.

If you want to teach yourself or your kids a musical instrument with not a lot of money or musical knowledge, this little kit might just do it for you.

When I wanted to learn blues harmonica I started asking around and searching the net. Everyone pointed me in the same direction. They told me Jon Gindick is the undisputed champ when it comes to harmonica teaching materials. And they told me to get this package. I got it, and couldn't be happier. The only thing I knew about music is that I liked it. Jon takes you through step by step from how to hold the harmonica, to basic music theory, to bending notes, and other techniques to get that blues sound you seek. Jon is clearly interested in getting people started on their way to a playing successfully. And the book is quite entertaining. Finally, getting a book, cassette, AND harp for this price is unbeatable. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Yes, I am a piano-lessons-dropout. Never could play a musical instrument, but now I am jammin' with a blues guitar! I practice along with the included instruction tape in the car and my commute is just a blast. It did not take long at all to get addicted and there is plenty on this tape to keep you busy for a long time. I imagine that I will eventually outgrow this 'first-timer' tape and get the intermediate instruction, but it will last you a lot longer than you think. It's fun to play along with the tape over and over again -- each time hearing yourself get better! I used the book just once to get started, went to the tape, and stayed with the tape ever since. The first time I heard the cool riffs on the tape, I thought "That is SO cool. I would love to play like that!" Now I am doing it! and coming up with my own variations. My plan is to get a tape that is 100% guitar (no instruction) and show my friends my jam session! I'll hedge my bets and make sure they enjoy a few drinks beforehand.

Incredible, and what a deal for so much fun. By the way, when I bought this, [they] said it's a book and instruction tape. When it arrived it also had a harmonica (Honer Pocket Pal). This is my thrasher, throw-it-in-the-glove-compartment harp. Based on recommendations I found on the web, I bought a quality harmonica that's solid for beginners and can support you to intermediate levels (Lee Oskar Major Diatonic, Key of C). It plays very well.

Musically Hopeless No More. By studying Jon's books, Harmonica for the Musically Hopeless and Rock n Blues Harmonica, I have learned how to play with a band in 9 months. Gindick speaks the language of the people while carefully teaching you the basics in a way that is interesting and fun. Since Jon recommended that I learn from as many people as I could, I have scoured the blues "how to" literature. Gindick's books are my favorites.

This method really worked for me. Whenever anyone asks me how I got started with the harmonica or says they are interested in playing, I send them right to this book. The lessons are easy to follow and the tape is a great way to start to learn how to play.

I picked up this book/tape about six years ago and am now playing in three bands. A contemporary Christian band, a blues band and a classic rock. The book is fairly humorous and keeps your interest until you are ready to use the tape alone. This is the only training I have in how to play harmonica. You'll enjoy it.

Francis Chan is a thinker, a dreamer and pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California. A frequent speaker at Passion Events, he's a dynamic communicator committed to making the love of Jesus come alive in people's hearts. In his writing debut, CRAZY LOVE, Chan challenges readers to fall in love with God in a way that is truly transforming.

Written for those who want more of God yet are frustrated with organized religion, Chan manages to avoid the pitfall of making pot shots at the church. Instead, he challenges followers of God to take risks in their spiritual journeys and consider their understanding of God. At its crux, Chan believes the issue of lukewarmness among Christians is because we have an inaccurate view of God. When we understand God for who He is --- in all of His majesty, holiness, beauty and honor --- then it will naturally transform the way we live and respond to those around us.

On a very practical level, Chan asks what it looks like to be overwhelmed by God. How does passionately pursuing a relationship with God affect and infect us? For instance, he asks what it would look like to do more than just tithe? What does it look like to give God our best rather than just the leftovers? These aren't just challenges that Chan sets out --- they're ones he's trying to live out in his own life and church. Cornerstone Church began 13 years ago and originally gave about four percent of its budget away. Today, the church is committed to giving away 50 percent of their budget under the belief that when Jesus instructed us to love your neighbor as yourself, he wasn't kidding.

More recently, the church considered a building program that would have cost millions of dollars. Instead of moving forward with the plans, the church has decided to build an outdoor amphitheater that will save the church about $20 million and enable them to give away more. That kind of simple yet radical thinking underlines the book.

In one of his most focused chapters, Chan takes a look at the "Profile of the Lukewarm." He examines what it means to be lukewarm in a direct way. He writes:

"Lukewarm people don't really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin. They don't genuinely hate sin and aren't truly sorry for it; they're merely sorry that God is going to punish them. Lukewarm people don't really believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the old sinful one."

The words sting in the best possible way.

Chan isn't shy about challenging readers to become all they can for God. While the writing throughout the book is simple and clear, his dynamic communication style does not translate fully to print. The layout and, at times, random placement of stories and text without transitions or fully unpacking the ideas is a sign that Chan has much more to offer. Hopefully, his ghostwriter and editor will pull the very best out of Chan on his next writing project, because this amazing communicator has it in him and needs to be heard.

CRAZY LOVE is definitely worth reading, and Francis Chan is a guy you're going to want to listen to and learn from every chance you get.

--- Reviewed by Margaret Oines

I was incredibley impressed by this book. It helped me to understand myself and God so much better. A must read for any Christian.

If you are an "underliner," be prepared to use some ink! Often I had to tell myself that I couldn't underline everything on a particular page -How crazy is that? More than just a well written book about an important subject...walking fervantly in the passion of God's crazy love for us... Francis takes time to encourage you to truly ponder the truth he hands you in each chapter until it transforms you. Many times I felt the book too hot to hold as I examined my own heart and life in the light of the Glorious Gospel he so clearly articulates. In the forward of this book Chris Tomlin writes, "Francis leaves you wanting more of Jesus" ... and that was definitely the case with me!

Chan sums up in this book the true definition of love. This book is written for all of humanity seeking true love.

If you can read just one book this year, let Crazy Love be the one book.

It's that good. It's beautiful, hard-hitting, easy to read, convicting, life-transforming.

Remember a time when you had fallen in love? How everything in your life seemed to change? You did some crazy stuff. THAT'S exactly how our lives should change, if we truly fall in love with God.

Here is a summary of each chapter of the book, to give you a preview. I'll say it again, READ THIS BOOK!

Preface
This book is to convince you that by surrendering yourself totally to God's purposes, He will bring you the most pleasure in this life and the next.

Chapter One
Our problem isn't working harder, but realizing who God is, how "crazy" his love for us is, and falling in love with God. Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything in your life.

Chapter Two
On the average day, we live caught up in ourselves. It's crazy that we think today is just a normal day to do whatever we want with. Do you live with the fact that perhaps today you will die? Life is all about God and not about us at all.

Chapter Three
The greatest good on this earth is God. Period. God's one goal for us is Himself. Do you believe that God is the greatest thing you can experience in the whole world?

Chapter Four
Remember the parable of the soils. DO NOT ASSUME YOU ARE GOOD SOIL. Most American churchgoers have thorns that choke any seed that is in them. A relationship with God simply cannot grow when money, sins, activities, favorite sports teams, addictions, or commitments are piled on top of it.

Chapter Five
Jesus clearly states over and over he wants all or nothing. We can not give him leftovers, we cannot give him only what doesn't hurt us or only what doesn't put us at risk.

Chapter Six
To change our hearts, what we value, what we risk, how we act, we don't need more guilt or more rules, we just need to be in love with God. Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.

Chapter Seven
Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers.
God wants us to trust Him with abandon. He wants to show us how He works and cares for us. He doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come true.

Chapter Eight
People who are obsessed with Jesus care more about the Kingdom than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress, live lives that connect them with the poor, will do things that don't make sense in terms of success or wealth, will seek humility, take joy in loving people, will be known as givers, not takers, will orient their lives around eternity, and will be characterized by committed, settled, passionate love for God.

Chapter Nine
There are people who really do live with a crazy love for Jesus, and if you look at their lives, it will eliminate every excuse for not living a radical, love-motivated life for Him.

Chapter Ten
How you live your days becomes how you have lived your life.
Love. Risk. Listen to the Spirit. Be committed to live each day as if it is your last before you meet Jesus.

Easy to understand, I gave this to my friend who was having trouble reading the King James Version. It is full of little lessons by Max Lucado, and I recommend it highly.

One day, I was praying about not interpreting God's word in a loving way. I seem to over think the scriptures, take things too literal and just am too analytical. While praying, I asked Jesus just to understand his heart and amazingly I came across this Bible. I have been reading it daily since January and it has daily life applications, the inspiration for the chapter and a few concordance so you can see where the lesson is referenced. For my own journey I have struggled with reading God's word for the past 15 years- yet Max Lucado has done an amazing job helping me understand God's word with Love. I never miss a day! God is using it in Big Ways- to help me grow closer to Him.
I liked it so much that I bought a copy for my aunt- who just started devoting her life to Christ. I suggested she start with the 30 day lesson in the back- it's very good for beginners.

A good source for devotions & other studies, both personal & group. This copy I purchased for a gift to a family member.

As for me, I have grown up in a seemingly, 98% "spiritual but not religious" town. Of that portion, nearly all feel that Christianity is a bad thing and are weirded out by people who seek God.

I haven't understood that completely. I grew up in a family that brought me to church on Sunday and sent me to Sunday school, so why the later backlash against religion and God? I didn't remember much of church, and even my mother scoffed at me when I was excited to hear about the classic bible stories- that I HONESTLY did not know were common knowledge to the rest of my family. I was too young to remember anything of the biblical stories, or the lessons they contained.

I had a burning curiosity, I wanted to know what was so "wrong" with the bible and Christianity. I started to devour Christian books, and found nothing.

I started this bible study, and truly found nothing that should be scoffed at or weirded out by. It has actually put to rest, a lot of worries and needless troubles in my heart.

There are powerful ideas, in very small packages. Enjoy working through this if you have wandered away from faith, faultered in your belief, or have questioned Christian faith. Hopefully you'll find what I have found, inspiration.

This is the hard copy to the personl leather one...same stuff in the other bible, like I said in that review! The devotional bible is the best bible....so easy to read and understand and acutally remember what you read!!!

By Sofia Steryo-Bartmus, Author, Paws of Wisdom-Valuable Lessons We can Learn From Our Pets

"God moves through all of our lives with wondrous and transforming love", is the theme throughout this beautifully written book. When David and his wife move into a new house, he discovers that there is a stray cat in the 'overgrown' backyard. At the time he calls himself a "Cat Hater". He doesn't want to have anything to do with cats. However, little by little he starts to develop a relationship with Mehitabel, the cat. They become inseparable and the cat shows him how we can all learn to "love our enemies" (having had a similar experience with a cat myself, I can totally relate to David's story!)..Mehitable comes into his life for a reason...She is a Gift from God.

"Does God Ever Speak Through Cats", is a great read and a spiritual book. As I read the book, I felt that I personally knew the author. He shares openly about his life and about all his ups and downs, which we can all relate to. He shares his spiritual journey without holding back. You will enjoy reading it, especially if you have ever owned a cat, or any other pet. The stories he shares will touch your heart and they will entertain you and make you laugh out loud, but at the same time they will make you think about God and what His presence means in our lives. David discovers that God moves in our lives, and it is never the way we expect it. God will always surprise us. I can't wait to have some of my friends read it!

David's book is very enjoyable and thought provoking. I love the cover photo. As a cat owner myself, I could totally relate to the story and David's experiences of God through his cat. His honesty and openess in expressing himself shines through.

This is a beautiful little book for any age. It was recommended to me by a friend, and I highly recommend it to all.

The title of David Evans' book intrigued me to want to know what such a book could be about. But it was Mr. Evan's storytelling ability and humor that kept me turning the pages once I started to read it. The book is about a lot more than just a man and his cats. David describes the ups and downs of a life that's a lot like mine, and probably a lot like yours: it's a life filled with happiness and heartache, easy times and tough times, and above all, a desire for a greater understanding of God. As a Christian, I took away some profound spiritual insights that I will ponder for some time to come. David Evans is an entertaining writer who has an inspirational message for us all in the pages of his book. I highly recommend it!

This book is a real treat! But what kind of book is it, anyway? A book about hearing the voice of God? A book about God speaking out through the mouths of animals?

Actually, it's a book depicting the gradual spiritual growth of a man. It's a spiritual biography of David Evans, with a particular focus on how God spoke to his heart by means of a stray cat.

As I read the book, I came to really like the author. He seemed like my kind of guy. He's had his ups: he's been a freelance writer for some famous TV shows. And he's had his downs: he's been fired from jobs--more than once, actually.

But one thing kept him going: he recognized that God was at work in his life.

It's a well-written book, easy to read, filled with stories. At a bit under 100 pages, it's just long enough to finish in a couple of reads. It left me smiling, happy, and peaceful.

If you're looking for a book to lift your spirits and encourage you in life, you've got it right here.

If you're interested in Tibetan Buddhist iconography for whatever reason you can't go wrong with this detailed book. The author's original illustrations provide a wealth of examples of images in Tibetan art, and the text provides rich historical and doctrinal background for understanding why the symbols are important. Highly recommended.

Recieved the book promptly and in the condition promised. The book is an excellent source book. It does suffer from being without an index, for which the author apologizes. A source book without index is less than it should be. Still the images are excellent, and I assume the text is accurate. The author has spent a good portion of his working life in preparation: studying with Tibetan artists and craftspeople; and, becoming accomplished at rendering the brush drawings in an authentic manner. A good compaion book, especially as this does not have a index, is the "Handbook" by the same author

It's a more interesting and authoritative reference for this subject matter. This is due to Rinpoche being a qualified (I emphasise the word 'qualified') Lama and Tibetan scholar. Also at no point does Rinpoche compromise Tibetan Buddhism by giving away restricted information.

I love this book. Having found it a few years back at a tattoo shop in Santa Cruz, California, I was only able to look at it for a short time but I was able to gain so much knowledge as to the wealth of designs and deep meaning found in Tibetan art. This book stayed in my mind thereafter. Here it is a few years and a couple tattoos later and the book resurfaced on Amazon. Great price, great condition and prompt service. This book is great for one who has interest in Tibetan art and it's symbolic nature. The concepts are well articulated and with each 'type' placed into a different chapter it makes refrencing quite simple. If you are interested, get this book!

Great book, with lots of details. If you are interested in tibetan handicrafts, here you can get any tibetan design you can imagine.

This review mostly concerns the Enquiry. The Letter is primarily a defense of Hume's earlier Treatise of Human Nature, while his Abstract is an anonymous review of the Treatise. It strikes me as very funny, though not surprising, that Hume would review his own work. Funny because any author would give his right arm to get at least one favorable review when all the other critics are completely missing its point. Unsurprising because Hume was probably one of the only people alive at that time who could truly grasp all the facets of his radical philosophical claims.

The Enquiry was written after the Treatise. Hume, though he claimed the opposite, seems never to have really recovered from the blow he took from seeing his Treatise "fall dead born from the press." As a result, his Enquiry is far more cautious in the steps it takes. (For those of you who have read both, yes, I swear, Hume IS more cautious. Compare the claims.) A more robust philosophical stance is taken in his Treatise, while a more focused stance is taken in his Enquiry.

The Enquiry is mainly a work of epistemology and as such, scrutinizes our methods of acquiring knowledge. Making perhaps the most radical (and poignant) claim in all of modern philosophy, it posits, and supports, that there is NO causation, only conjunction. That, for example, when we see a glass drop and break, we cannot say we know gravity caused this (in the way we know two plus two equals four). All we see is constant conjunction. The connection is lacking, i.e., it is not inconceivable that the glass wouldn't bounce, turn to ash, or dissolve into sand (the way it is inconceivable that two plus two equals five). This, in effect, nullifies all the so called "laws" of nature that are formed by science. (Note that this does not state that there are no laws of nature, just that we really can never make the claim that we ever really know there are laws of nature.)

This could be thought of as the philosophical shot heard round the world. Agree or disagree, Hume must be answered. Hume has historically been charged with creating an intellectual and philosophical cul-de-sac with his skepticism. To paraphrase Bertrand Russell, Hume makes a claim which none can refute, but at the same time one which none can accept. In effect, Hume's philosophy seems to bind the human mind, stopping its journey of discovery and ultimately accomplishing what his predecessor, John Locke, set out to do, i.e., map the extent of human knowledge.

However, where one may see Hume's philosophy as shackles and fetters in the search for truth, one could also equally see his philosophy as liberation. Implicit in his philosophy is the idea that ANYTHING is possible. There are no shackles, no fetters, no limits; only those that we create for ourselves. Our limits are self-imposed, constructs of our observance (and inference) of connection. In this way Hume appears in the same light as the Eastern masters seeing that reality is not what we have (through experiential knowledge) believed it to be. It is something much more wondrous. In Zen, our causal thinking is the only barrier between the person and enlightenment. Hume could be seen as implying that when the idea of causality is removed, with only conjunction remaining in its place, the state of true knowledge and wisdom (true zen) is achieved.

This, of course, is only idle speculation. But it is stated so as to demonstrate the richness and immense possibility Hume's philosophy possesses when seen in the correct light. Instead of saying, "Nothing is certain," after reading Hume, one can say, with equal validity, "Anything is possible." The first statement approaches philosophy with despair. The second approaches it with a sense of childlike wonder and hope at the immense possibilities of reality. It approaches life as a beginning, not an ending. It approaches life as the philosopher approaches it.

If one accepts the methodology of Descartes in applying scepticism to reason and the senses, in effect denying the existence of all things but a "thinking thing," two entailments are logically consequent: Either Berkeley's idealism or Hume's scepticism. I don't accept Descartes' starting point, so I find the entailments confused and incoherent. But if one does accept Descartes' starting point, then the two extremes must be heeded. If for no other reason than observing the absurdity of either man's conclusions, it is valuable to read both entailments. But in their confused process, both men bring certain salient features to light.

Hume accepts Descartes starting point, making it his own. But to Descartes method, he adds Pyrrhonist scepticism: That all reason leads to infinite regress, and that all sensations (or impressions) can not be trusted.

Hume begins with the conclusion that all sense perception is either an impression or idea. Even memory and imagination, two other faculties of the mind, are conflated into these two species of perceptions, as impressions. Their difference is one of degree (vivacity), not of kind. Hence, Hume is the author of what is known as the "Copy Principle." Instead of unmediated, direct perception through the ordinary senses, all perception is mediated by the imagination into impressions and ideas. From this follows certain resemblances, contiguity, and causal associations between impressions or ideas, and from this association we develop a sense of self. But even the notion of causality here is one of implied inference, not of actual inductive reason. Hume denies there is any real causality that can be known, although we operate "as if" we infer cause from effect. Even probability is reduced to a mere association of ideas and/or impressions; because neither reason (which always leads to infinite regress) or senses (which can always be deceived) can actually be true. The Enquiry also treats of miracles and the testimony of others derisively; but don't we rely on the testimony of others who claim the earth is round rather than flat, just as we rely on others who testify to miracles in a byegone era? After all, few of us have direct experience with a spherical earth (Popper makes this observation).

Hume's method incorporates five kinds of scepticism: (i) methodological, (ii) conceptual, (ii) nomological, (iv) explanatory, and (v) reductive empiricism. His commitment to scepticism is not without some capitulation. While he denies absolute causality and inductive inference and probability in an actual senses, he relies on them for practical purposes. One can't remain a pyrrhonist for long; some elements of reason and some degree of confidence in impressions is necessary for ordinary life. But if one starts with Descartes' starting point, extreme scepticism is a necessary entailment. Which, after seeing Hume deny so much intuition, is it really worth starting with Descartes' scepticism? Answering that question is what makes Hume interesting.

David Hume was perhaps the leading light in the Empiricist movement in philosophy. Empiricism is seen in distinction from Rationalism, in that it doubts the viability of universal principles (rational or otherwise), and uses sense data as the basis of all knowledge - experience is the source of knowledge. Hume was a skeptic as well as empiricist, and had radical (for the time) atheist ideas that often got in the way of his professional advancement, but given his reliance on experience (and the kinds of experiences he had), his problem with much that was considered conventional was understandable.

Hume's major work, 'A Treatise of Human Nature', was not well received intially - according to Hume, 'it fell dead-born from the press'. Hume reworked the first part of this work in a more popular way for this text, which has become a standard, and perhaps the best introduction to Empiricism.

In a nutshell, the idea of empiricism is that experience teaches, and rules and understanding are derived from this. However, for Hume this wasn't sufficient. Just because billiard balls when striking always behave in a certain manner, or just because the sun always rose in the morning, there was no direct causal connection that could be automatically affirmed - we assume a necessary connection, but how can this be proved?

Hume's ideas impact not only metaphysics, but also epistemology and psychology. Hume develops empiricism to a point that empiricism is practically unsupportable (and it is in this regard that Kant sees this text as a very important piece, and works toward his synthesis of Empiricism and Rationalism). For Hume, empirical thought requires skepticism, but leaves it unresolved as far as what one then needs to accept with regard to reason and understanding. According to scholar Eric Steinberg, 'A view that pervades nearly all of Hume's philosophical writings is that both ancient and modern philosophers have been guilty of optimistic and exaggerated claims for the power of human reason.'

Some have seen Hume as presenting a fundamental mistrust of daily belief while recognising that we cannot escape from some sort of framework; others have seen Hume as working toward a more naturalist paradigm of human understanding. In fact, Hume is open to a number of different interpretations, and these different interpretations have been taken up by subsequent philosophers to develop areas of synthetic philosophical ideas, as well as further developments more directly out of Empiricism (such as Phenomenology).

This is in fact a rather short book, a mere 100 pages or so in many editions. As a primer for understanding Hume, the British Empiricists (who include Hobbes, Locke, and Berkeley), as well as the major philosphical concerns of the eighteenth century, this is a great text with which to start.

Hume, I and many others think, was the greatest philosopher to have written in English, and this is the book to pick up if you want to introduce yourself to Saint David's distinctive brand of classical empiricism. This is a must-read for anyone with even a passing interest in philosophy, and it's hard for me to see how anyone interested in the history of modern thought can avoid reading this book or the corresponding sections of Hume's Treatise.

As is well-known, the Enquiry concerning Human Understanding was intended as an encapsulation and popularization of the views Hume defended in Book I of his magnum opus, A Treatise of Human Nature. Hume assumed that book's commercial failure could be accounted for by its length, difficulty, and lack of accessibility, and so, being a man who desired literary fame, he hoped to acquire commercial success by presenting the same ideas in a more appealing and accessible manner. Unfortunately, it seems Hume misunderstood what the literati of his day were looking for in a philosophical treatise. For the Enquiry, like the Treatise before it, didn't bring him the fame he sought. Still, Hume did understand what goes into writing excellent philosophical prose, and consequently this book is a much easier read than Book I of the Treatise. Indeed, this book constitutes an excellent introduction to Hume's thought, and, except for maybe Berkeley's Three Dialogues, I can't think of another primary source that would serve as a better introduction to classical British empiricism.

Now, let's get to the ideas here. Hume, like the other classical empiricists, was primarily concerned with the psychological question of the origin of our concepts. About the answer to this question, the empiricists were all agreed--our concepts are furnished by experience, which includes both sensory experience and introspection (i.e., the experience of our own mental states). And the empiricists also agreed about the way we can justify our beliefs. Some beliefs are true (or false) in virtue of the ideas they contained, and we can know their truth (or falsity) simply by thinking about them; other beliefs are true (or false) in virtue of how the external world is, and we can know their truth (or falsity) only by drawing on our experiences of the world. According to Hume, all substantial conclusions about the world fall into this second category. That is, the truth (or falsity) of all substantial claims about the existence and nature of things in the external world can be discovered only by checking those claims against the evidence of our senses.

The traditional way of placing Hume within the story of empiricism goes something like this. Hume takes up the empiricism of Locke and Berkeley and pushes it to its logical conclusion. Whereas Locke and Berkeley hadn't been wholly consistent empiricists, Hume, the true believer, demonstrates that classical empiricism leads to a pretty thoroughgoing skepticism. Since he's wholly convinced of the truth of his empiricist premises, Hume is willing to accept the skepticism that goes along with them. However, those who aren't convinced of that his empiricism is obviously correct think that Hume has actually demonstrated the implausibility of his empiricism. If this is where empiricism leads, they think, then it's clear that we need to reject empiricism. Indeed, some, like Thomas Reid, view Hume's arguments as constituting a reductio ad absurdum of his sort of empiricism. On this interpretation, Hume's philosophy essentially presents a dilemma for all future thinkers: abandon empiricism, or accept empiricism along with Humean skepticism.

But a different view of Hume, one of Hume as proposing a wholly naturalistic account of the human mind, has recently emerged as a competitor to the general conception of Hume's place within philosophy sketched in the previous paragraph. This interpretation downplays Hume's skepticism and emphasizes his professed intentions to provide a positive account of the operation of the human mind that appealed to nothing beyond the evidence of our senses. According to proponents of this interpretation, Hume is most interested in a description of the operation of the human mind. He's describing what human nature allows us to know and what it doesn't allow us to know. Furthermore, he argues that our nature is such that, where it fails to provide us with the resources to acquire the knowledge we might want, it provides us with a natural habit of forming the right conclusions anyway. Even though our nature limits our knowledge of the world, it ensures that we possess the habits of mind needed to make our way in the world. Hume dubs all these habits of mind "custom."

If this view is correct, then Hume has abjured many of the normative aims of traditional epistemological inquiry. He isn't attempting to show how we can answer a skeptic or why we have good reason to believe what we think we know. Instead, he wants us to stand back from our everyday beliefs and think about the natural processes that result in them. How, exactly, do our minds operate? How do we come to think what we do about the world? Hume thinks that this sort of inquiry will lead us see that, at some point, the explanation of why we think what we think reaches certain brute facts about the operation of the human mind. When we reach these points, there is nothing more to be said. We simply can't help thinking in these ways, and we lack the resources to demonstrate that these ways of thinking constitute an accurate way to represent the operation of the external world. And, Hume claims, it turns out that many of the fundamental elements of our conception of the world--the belief that things stand in causal relations to one another, the belief that we can know that there is a world outside our minds, the belief the future will resemble the past--end up not being open to ratification by experience. With respect to beliefs of these sorts, we ultimately have to appeal to custom in order to explain their existence and popularity. Hume, then, can be seen as demolishing the pretensions of reason in order to make room for a wholly naturalistic account of human thinking.

First I would like to commend the excellent review of this book by CT Dreyer in which he correctly shows how Hume extended the empiricism of Locke and Berkeley to the point where skepticism seemed our only honest way of thinking about our knowledge of the world. Hume's questioning of induction, of how we can be sure tomorrow will be like today , his questioning of how we can trust our senses to know the outside world, his questioning of how we can hold our world logically together when analysis reveals that there is no necessary connection between ' cause' and 'effect' in everyday life action means he wakened not only Kant from his dogmatic slumber but Philosophy itself from the sense that it will provide absolute understanding.
Hume is a very clear writer. I remember reading the famous billiard ball account of causality in which our common sense view of ' before' and ' after' is questioned and taken apart. I believe Hume says after this account, something to the effect and ' still when we leave the room we leave by the door and not by the window'. A friend of mine in this class when the class ended opened the window ( on the ground floor ) and went out that way.
This is difficult and great philosophy. I do not pretend to understand it or its implications fully. A test of the mind and a necessary read for anyone who would know Western Philosophy.

My wife is doing this study with her women's group and she said the whole group agrees that the divisions of this book contain way too much content to cover in a week. The author is a very knowledgeable person, but the average women doesn't have the time read and dig through and research all that is required in the book each week. While the study is good, perhaps dividing each chapter in half or thirds might be better represented by a coffee cup series.

The Coffee Cup Bible Study Series by Sandra Glahn is presented in a convenient format. Since the Biblical text is included in each easy-to-carry book, it is a series ready for women on the go. There is ample room for recording your thoughts and conclusions. I like to work on mine in a local coffee shop. Both the scholarship that went into the study and the author's insights are thought provoking and inspirational. I have finished two of the studies so far and look forward to continuing the series. Espresso With Esther prompted me to look further into the commentaries available for this book of the Bible. Whether you tackle the book alone or with a group, I think it is worth your investment of time and money.

This 5-week study of the Book of Esther is just right for a summer Bible Study with a small group of ladies. Since it contains the scripture passages covered in each lesson, it is easy to take along during the week for study at breaks during one's day. The women find it interesting and stimulating for discussion and application. Not everyone will agree with all of the author's premises (ie. that Esther may have been a girl with a secular view point, and may have compromised some of her convictions) but even that adds to the liveliness of the discussions.

Last summer we used one of Sandra Glahn's other study guides, Java With the Judges, for a summer study. We enjoyed that study very much as well.

Sandra Glahn's "Espresso With Esther" is a delightful study that is truly portable! She has included all scripture referenced in the study, which makes it easy to carry your book with you and fill it out as you have time during the day. Her style of writing makes you feel as it you are sitting in the room with one of your best friends. Bravo for a great, in-depth, make-you-think study!

Sandra Glahn once again weaves theology and practicality together to give us a Bible study we can learn from and live out.

At the end of each session, I would record a Wow Factor, something that especially blew me away: (I'll share a few here)
God of great reversals. Glahn writes: "Only God can use our sins for good, and the Book of Esther is a book about such a reversal."
Choose the path of courage. Glahn writes: "When we walk in the Spirit...what's inside is so radiant that people see beyond us to Him. And if you feel weak, you're in the ideal situation for God to show His all-surpassing power through you."

Glahn reveals Esther beyond the whitewashed heroine we've come to accept her as. And we take the journey to God's great triumph over evil, as we see Esther's courage grow.

I can't wait to dig into Java with Judges!

This book has been very instrumental in the healing process and maintenance of the men and women I have shared it with. It has taught the women how to Wake Up from the Eve spirit that we so often operate in and for the Men to Wake Up and be the Modern day Adam that we as women so very much need. This book is a must for singles and married alike! Thank you Frank, for not allowing us to remain asleep during a Great Revolution!

I read your book, "False Roads to Manhood," and think it would be helpful for those struggling to be a good man in today's society, and to know that they are not alone in their struggles. Thanks for the great thought-provoking book.

False Roads to Manhood is an excellence book. It's well written, and easy to understand. While I was reading this book it made me reflect on my own personal journey (I reflected on old conversations regarding manhood with older/younger guys who had it all wrong). To my sister's who are dealing with brother's and to my brother's who are dealing with issues of manhood, I encourage you to read this book, its a true blessing. I realize, that many young men have been invold with false teachings of what it is to be a man and for what it's worth, I recommend this book because it offers some ideals / recommendations. I now truly understand with more clarity about our "learned ignorance's".

"False Roads To Manhood, What Women Need To Know, What Men Need To Understand is in essence an analytical study of the journey of manhood. Provided with meticulous precision the author Frank Chase walks the reader through many pitfalls that often times lead to brokenhearted men. This is a compelling message that provides an unmasking of false roads as Mr. Chase articulately depicts them as the
T. R. A. D. I. T. O. N. s. of manhood."

"This book is provided as a fundamental guide that will generate thought, encouraging movement to expose those hidden painful experiences that ultimately shape men. Causing them to become angry men who feel rejected, abandoned, discouraged, uncomfortable with expressing emotions, uninformed about the trueness of manhood and a host of other issues that plaque our men today. Robbing them of the chance to live the lives that they were predestined to live."

"Understanding and following the six steps of manhood, which are provided in detail in this noteworthy book will be the catalyst to setting men on the right path to healing their brokenness. This is an opportunity for men to redefine their lives and get back on the life track as healed men, mind, body and soul. A chance to break free of the false traditions and reach authentic manhood. Mr. Chase has provided an excellent tool that can be utilized by men and women alike. It is indeed a wealth of knowledge that is well expressed and definitely a must read."

Excellent book!!!!!!!!!!!!! I enjoyed this book very much It has elevated me completley. It is a must read for all but especially for men in dealing with the false identity most men have and don't even know it!!!