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Reviews (9)

Great Great and again Great
For me that has trouble reading the bible in any translation - this has truly been a God send.While on my daily 1hr 15 min commute in the car - you get wisked away by the message of God's words.It truly helps me put an image with the things that I have read in the bible.
The Most Ambitious Bible Project to Date
Finally.Not just a reading or recitation of the Holy Scriptures but a re-enactment of them.The words leap and dance off of the page due to the passion infused into every word.What a wonderful project.This is indeed a sight and sound generation.Try getting kids to sit down and read a book these days.Impossible!But now we have The Bible Experience.It's packed with more stars than a blockbuster movie.Although the cast is entirely African American, it makes no difference because when God speaks, he speaks to every person.
The Great Experience
The Bible Experience is AWESOME! I received an email regarding the Bible Experience and could not wait till it came out.Now that it is out I am tell everyone that I know about it.This project is wonderful and I am proud of all the celebrities who agreed to do there part in this great experience. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - New Testament    2. Inspirational - General    3. New Testament    4. Religion    5. Unabridged Audio - Inspirational/Philosophy    6. Christian Interest    7. Religion / Bibles / Other    8. The Bible   

Reviews (223)

Don't jump to conclusions
Dr. Ehrman is a favorite of this reviewer and for that reason I hate to bring the rathing average down with my three stars. But, it cannot be avoided.The author's communication skills and flowing writing style are wonderful as in his other books. The content and the subject he covers are very good and at a good level of study for the layman. The service he has done in bringing out this study in popular form cannot be overemphasized and for that he is to be commended. However, I think his conclusions are based on his protestant experience which ignores the role that church tradition has played in the formation of the texts. This is unfortunate considering Dr. Ehrman's unquestioned encyclopedic knowledge of early church history. This book will make shakey ground for the evangelical Christian with dogmatic assumptions about scriptures.It will not put a dent in the armor of the Roman Catholic or Orthodox Christian however. Dr. Ehrman's non-antagonistic approach to the subject and his admirable attempt to remain objective while expressing the very findings that led to his own apostasy does him great credit as a scholar. For the research work background and as an introduction to this field of study, you will find this book quite helpful. But remember not to be jump too quickly to Dr. Ehrman's conclusions.

Interesting Take on the Transmission of Biblical Text
I am writing this review at someone who has always been interested in knowing why we are here and what does it all mean. I read Bart Ehrman's other book on Truth and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code and found it to be very interesting. When I saw he also wrote a book on the problems in transmitting biblical text from the originals (which don't exist), I wanted to read it.
Careful Work Of Scholarship
Don't buy this book expecting some major "bombshells" about how the Bible has been intentionally and substanially altered over the course of it's history. This book has nothing in common with the conspiracy theories of the "Da Vinci Code." Instead it is a cautious work by one of the world's foremost scholars in the field of textual criticism. Textual critics realize that we no longer have the original manuscripts on which the New Testament was based. So they study the earliest manuscripts available to determine what parts may have been changed before being collected as the canon of the New Testament.
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Subjects:  1. Bible - CriticismInterpretation - New Testament    2. Bible - Study - New Testament    3. Bible.    4. Christianity - General    5. Christianity - History - General    6. Criticism, Textual    7. History    8. Manuscripts    9. N.T.    10. New Testament Commentary    11. Religion    12. Religion - Church History    13. Religion / General   

Reviews (61)

New thoughts for an "old" Christian
I thought I had heard every angle, every "sermon" topic in my 40 years of being a Christian and growing up in the faith.Miller managed to make me see things in a new light...from an undiscovered angle.I was moved and awed by many of his insights.As I read, my family was in the car together on a trip.I found myself reading many of his anecdotes outloud to my 10 & 13 year old children.They enjoyed his story about "Pete", the totally dorky kid Miller knew in school.It led to a great discussion about nerds that my own kids knew, and what really makes a person popular, and is it really so important?
A worthwhile read
Donald Miller's "Searching for God Knows What" is a worthwhile read for dedicated followers of Christ.Mr. Miller has an unusual way of making Christians think outside the common culture of modern Christianity.He does this with a confrontational and non-traditional style, as well as a non-conservative social/political perspective, which are considered irreverent by more pious members of the Christian community.All and all his style and sound biblical interpretation have inspired me as he presents many profound truths and inequities that are common in the modern Christial community.I recommend this book, as well as his first big hit, Blue Like Jazz.
Why Jen Galicinski is a great reviewer.
Jennifer is really cool. She is an ESL teacher in Busan, SOuth Korea right now, but is actually from Toronto. I got to know her about 3 weeks ago, and I think she's fantastic. She has a great smile and cute eyes. She really Don Miller alot, which makes me a bit jealous, but that's cool. I'm not sweatin' it. I enjoyed her review. To be honest, I skimmed it a bit. But I trust her judgment. Although she doesn't know how to spell "gnawing." She spelled it "knawing," which had me laughing a bit. Anyway, I may see her in january. We'll probably go snowboarding if the weather permits. She has a cute, funny Canadian accent, you knowm like "Sooory," and "eh?" and "tuh-more-ow." Anyway, I think she's alright. Check her out sometime. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1971-    2. Bible - Study - New Testament    3. Christian biography    4. Christian life    5. Devotional    6. Miller, Donald,    7. Miscellanea    8. Religion    9. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    10. Spirituality - General    11. United States    12. Religion / Spirituality    13. Spirituality   

Editorial Review

Jezebel and Delilah have plenty to teach contemporary Christian women, according to Read more

Reviews (44)

Good Humor is truly God-given
And there's plenty of it to be found in Higg's work. This book is truly unique in several ways, one being that it's practically an anthology as well as a guidebook. Also, Higgs blessedly does NOT paint unrealistically good-girl pictures of what we should be like; her brutally honest recounting of her past is part of this. I found her transformation of old stories into new absolutely brilliant and insightful and her humor and bluntness often hilarious. Inspite of her occasional gushing of Christ (can you blame her?) and her extremely affectionate terms of endearment for the reader, Higgs never came across to me as condescending or fake. In fact, she's more real than certain people I've actually met. Some female Christian authors give the impression of being either the dance-through-daisies type or the whip-in-hand type that you can't at all relate to, but Higgs is wonderfully flesh and blood as well as Godly, which not everyone can accomplish! One feminist claimed that Higgs believes in women being submissive to men, but let's give her a little more credit here! While she does make a comment about wives submitting to their husbands, she only does this once and never says that women should be submissive in general. If there's one thing Higgs is not, it's a doormat. I did take away one star because I felt like she occasionally (in both her Bad Girl books) connected personal beliefs with Christian ones a little too much(I do not agree that nudity is inherently sinful or that morning-after pills are nasty), but we all do that to a certain point and Higgs still for the most part manages to steer clear of preachiness. If you'd like a down-to-earth and entertaining Christian guide, I highly recommend both "Bad Girl" books as well as "Mad Mary" (read the latter with a bunch of tissues, though). Higgs is truly in a class by herself :) God Bless you, Liz!

The most relevant book I've ever read
I bought this book more than a year before I read it. It sat on my shelf gathering dust until I finally found the courage to actually read it. Once I started, I couldn't stop. I read it for two days straight, grabbing it every chance I could.
Witty, fun, real and relevant
We have a small group of women meeting once a week and reading this book. I love the way Liz starts each chapter by retelling the story of the woman the way it may look if it was happening today and gives us a new insight into that life. She then goes step by step through the Bible verses and does a study on them - showing insights and ways that it relates to us today. The questions at the end of the chapter are good as well and the whole diverse group of us is learning... There are different types of women in the Bible and each of us relates to at least one of them! I like the catagories: Bad to the bone, Bad for a season and Bad for a moment. Witty, fun, real and relevant to me today. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Stories - General    2. Bible - Study - General    3. Bible - Topical Studies    4. Biography    5. Christian women    6. Religion    7. Religion - Biblical Studies    8. Religious life    9. Spirituality - Women's    10. Women in the Bible    11. Religion / Christian Life   

Reviews (60)

Thought provoking - it will enhance your Bible reading
This is the best book I have encountered on the subject of biblical interpretation for the casual or semi-casual reader. It tackles a lot of difficult and potentially controversial subjects in a way that is comprehensible to almost any English speaker with a desire to learn.
Worthy Study
This is a no-nonsense, conservative approach to interpreting the Bible, focusing on what the Bible meant to the ancient audience as a springboard to what it means now.We have a tendency, at least I do, to do hermeneutics (what the Bible means to us) prior to exegesis (what the Bible meant originally). This book makes it clear that we are being copied on ancient literature, and that we have to be sure of what we are reading.Also, some of it is not even meant for direct application, like the book of Acts; even though many first time events took place then, it is not meant to be normative for the church of all time.In a word, the book appeals to a much less self-absorbed approach to studying the Bible.
Exceptionally Helpful
An older revision of this was one of my Bible College textbooks in the early 1980's.It's way better now...and it was very good then.For example, Fee gives clear minded, thoughtful approaches to every type of literature (genre) in the bible.
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Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Bible - Study - General    3. Religion    4. Religion - Biblical Studies    5. Spirituality - General    6. Study and teaching    7. Christian Interest    8. Christian life & practice    9. Religion / Christian Life   

Reviews (26)

Great advice for business and for everyday life
My husband wants to start his own business.He has the skill to perform the service, but he has a mental block with getting started.This book is the ignition he needs.

Chuck Norris called this book PHENOMENAL...He's Right
One of the best books i've ever read.The author presents hundreds of Solomon's Proverbs covering 15 topics.The chapters on diligence, conflict and adversity, and partnering have been life-changing for me.And his chapter on deferred hope gives the most enlightening revelation on why relationships fall apart that I have ever heard.Thankfully he also shows Solomon's answers for restoring broken relationships.Reading the chapters on the booby traps to success and the number one cause of financial loss helped me to understand why some of my past efforts had failed so miserably.I only wish I had found this book 20 years ago.I too wish that Scott would have covered all 46 categories of Proverbs, but doing so would have probably resulted in a thousand page book.I'm a Christian, so I really loved his last chapter, but unlike the reviewer before me, Scott said right at the beginning of the book that the laws of life revealedin Proverbs can be used by Christian and non-Christian alike to achieve many of Solomon's promised outcomes.I 'll be giving out lots of copies of this book this Christmas.I can't think of a better gift to give to those I care about most.

NOT worth the money
"The Richest Man Who Ever Lived" by Steven K. Scott, I thought, would be a good buy.It was the farthest thing from a good buy.The premise of this book is imparting the wisdom of King Solomon to the masses by way of the Bible's book of Proverbs.That is at least how the book is marketed.Here are my problems with this book.First, there were plenty of good things in the book up to a point (page 244) when he states that he had divided up the book of Proverbs into 46 categories.And then proceeds to tell us that he has only presented 15 of these categories.In other words, he published an incomplete book.And it does little good to tell people, "think of the incredible insights that await you."Hey, Stevie Unwonder, I bought the book to get YOUR insights, not go through the thing myself.I probably should have done that to begin with, because I would have saved myself a lot of money.Second, he doesn't even use the Jewish bible, the Tanakh, for his source, but rather relies on the most perverted form of the Bible, the King James Version, not to mention other xian-dogma-infested version...Revised Standard, New American Standard, New International Version.NO!You MUST go to the original Hebrew for a correct understanding.And if you don't know Hebrew, the Orthodox Union publishes the entire Tanakh in Hebrew and English translation UNTOUCHED.These other so-called translations have had things altered that aren't in the original, so the sourcing isn't even correct.Third, he gets to the point where he says that the only way to honor G-d is by becoming a xian.In other words, he basically says that none of the things he has presented in his book will work unless you are a xian first.And then he gets to sounding like a crazed southern-baptist preacher during a summer-time tent revival.Talking about how Jesus said that, and how Jesus said this.I didn't buy the book to hear what Jesus said.I could care less what he supposedly said.I bought the book to read about Solomon.
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Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - Old Testament    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business Life - Inspirational    5. Finance    6. Personal Finance    7. Personal Finance - General    8. Personal Growth - Success    9. Personal Guidance    10. Psychological aspects    11. Self-actualization (Psychology)    12. Success    13. Wealth    14. Business & Economics / General   

Reviews (10)

Highly recommend!!
I cannot say enough about this book and the impact it has had on me as a daughter of our Heavenly Father. I felt it was a bit depressing in the beginning, and found some of the personal accounts almost hard to believe, but once I got past those, it was a big "aha!" I have never felt comfortable around women, don't trust them. This book has helped me to see women the way God sees women. I long for every Christian woman to read this--it is life-altering! Now that I have a daughter, it is even more important for me to pass on to her how God cherishes her. And I value her the way God values us as women. Knowing that I didn't want a daughter, my friend told me that having a daughter will help me to see how God sees me. I've never forgotten that, and reading this has given me hope for resolution with my mother. And hope for a better relationship with my daughter.
Excellent theology -- gets to the heart of all things
Excellent book!Gets to the heart of a woman's heart and to her relationship with men, with other women, and with God.Very empowering.Very healing. This book exalts God and helps us to understand who we really are and are meant to be.As a Christian egalitarian, I found the book empowering for both my husband and I and a resource for discovering greater strengthening and intimacy in our Christ-centered covenant of marriage.

Captivating is Captivating
I couldn't disagree more with one of the previous reviewers.I think this book is very insightful.It helps a woman to understand just how much God loves her and to realize that her life isn't ONLY about service to others.What I'm learning is more about how much He wants me to heal and to wake up to His unconditional Love - to be alive in Him and in my relationship with Him - to learn to TRULY trust Him as my Lord and Savior and Lover of my soul.If I learn more about His Love for me, and I learn to better love Him, I will better follow Him. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - General    2. Christianity - Christian Life - Women's Issues    3. Religion    4. Religion - Christian Life    5. Religion / Bible / Study / General   

Reviews (5)

Absolutely the Best Study Bible
I really love my Max Lucado Inspirational NKJV Study Bible. It's a wonderful study bible with many sidebars of life lessons of Lucado's teaching guides. This the only one I use because it helps me to have a better understanding of the Scriptures. Each Book of the Old and New Testaments are laid out in an instruction manual style. All chapters are boldly titled to explain the situation for each one. The Life Lessons examines more closely the situation, makes observations, gives inspiration, makes application and gives further explorations of other scriptures throughout the Bible. It's chalkful of footnotes of many reliable references. Throughout this study gem are more inspirational ancedotes from Grace, Forgiveness, Suffering and Victory to God's Love, Hope, Prayer and Faith. And many more worthwhile inspirations that will bless your life. Even more, it has one hundred greatest thoughts, an index to selected readings, a dictionary with topical concordance, acknowledgments from many great references from the most notable names in Christianity. There's even a place in the back to add your own notes. I'm sure this is the only study bible you'll ever use. I find it to be the most comprehensive, enriching masterpiece of the Holy Bible yet. I would definitely give this as a nice gift.

Inspirational Study Bible
I found this to be an excellent study tool. Max Lucado does not give a commentary on the verses. Instead he gives a life application lesson with the scriptures and a devotional thought. XCELLENT!!!!!

The Inspirational Study Bible, the very best ever
I love the Inspirational Study Bible, mine is NKJV. It has truly opened the word up to me as never before. I love reading and studying from it. It helps me understand a lot more of what was going on at the times the books were written. Mostly it helps me apply the Word to my own life. It has spoiled me, I have hunted several times for it in leather bound, I sure wish they would make it. I would get 1 for every member of my family. Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - General    2. Bibles    3. Bibles - King James    4. Religion    5. Biblical concordances & commentaries   

Reviews (2)

A good Catholic Study Bible just got better!
If Oxford University Press had done nothing but reset the first edition (1970) in a more readable typeface, the second edition would have been well worth its purchase price. They did this, and more.
Disapointed
This Bible is not a Leather version, just hardcover and no dust jacket either.It is tabbed which is great, but words of Jesus are not in red.Entire text is in black, commentary and actual Scriptures are in black, just different font size.Difficult to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Bible - Study - General    3. Bibles    4. Bibles - Catholic    5. Bibles - New American    6. Religion    7. Roman Catholic Church    8. Bibles | Study Bibles | New American Bible    9. Religion / Bibles / New American   

Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - General    2. Christianity - Education - Program Resources    3. Religion    4. Religion - Christian Education - Teaching Helps / Programs    5. Christian Interest    6. Christian moral & pastoral theology    7. Religion / Bible / Study / General   

Reviews (30)

Calm Your Anxious Heart
This is one of the best books I have ever read on knowing God better and who He is to me.Great helps to improve my life and to help rid my life of most stress.Of course we always will have some but how we handle it can make it much easier.Our book group all love it and some have read way ahead.Its one of the best books we have done second only to "Bad Girls of the Bible" that and Real Bad Girls of the Bible were also awesome.
Life changing
This book was an answer to pray. It has helped me live my faith and have peace within. I loved the book so much I have bought 10 additional copies to give friends that are all going through rough times in their lives also. Most all of the people I have given the book to think the book is a wonderful help.We are thinking about using it in one of our ladies Bible classes.

Encouraging and Inspiring
There are currently 12 ladies enrolled ina bible study using Linda Dillows' book as a guide. It skillfully delves into the most sensitive and painful issues of the heart, each time pointing the reader to God's Word. There are amusing and inspiring anecdotes to which many women can relate. We are "pricked to the heart", convicted, instructed, exhorted, and encouraged. Our group highly recommends "Calm My Anxious Heart". Thank you, Linda. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - General    2. Christianity    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. Christianity - Christian Life - Women's Issues    5. Dillow, Linda    6. Faith    7. Peace of mind    8. Religion    9. Religion - Biblical Studies    10. Religious aspects    11. Self-Help    12. Christian life & practice    13. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (24)

INSPIRING & ENLIGHTENING !!
Growing up in Christianity I always knew that the teachings of Jesus Christ were more than just the stock answers that were given to questions asked.Paramahansa Yogananda, a God -realized soul, interprets the teachings of Jesus in a way that is understandable to the layperson and resonates with truth, as only one who has reached that oneness with God's consciousness could explain and as Jesus intended it to be.
It Brought Me Back to God
As a "Recovering Catholic," I have had a hard time with Christianity for the past decade-plus. As a Yogi, I found something lacking in homogenized Yogic Philosophy.
A Must Read for any True Devotee of God!
This book is one of three work Yogananda produced during his life that can be truly concidered his "masterworks." The other two are "God Talks with Arjuna" his two volume commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, and "Autobiography of a Yogi" his autobiography. All three of these amazing books should be on the shelf of every devotee of God no matter what tradition/religion/etc they follow, and should be read at least once from cover to cover in a lifetime. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Commentaries - General    2. Bible - Commentaries - New Testament    3. Bible - Study - General    4. Comparative Religion    5. Hindu interpretations    6. Jesus Christ    7. Religion    8. Religion - Biblical Studies    9. Christian theology    10. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works   

Reviews (13)

Catholics Beware
After having spent several weeks last year reading Macarthur's Twelve Ordinary Men with a study group, we all looked forward to this follow-up book. Too bad we didn't leave well enough alone. First of all, this book is extremely degrading to women. Do not read this book unless you are either a man with Archie Bunker-like views on women or you are a woman who enjoys Archie Bunker-like men.Secondly, this book lacks a sense of serious scholarship. It is all Macarthur's opinions, presented to the reader as fact.I found it arrogant and offensive.The entire book group hated this book. Also, do not read this book if you are Catholic.The chapter on Mary is loaded with anti-Catholic sentiment.He uses the example of the grilled cheese sandwich with an image of Mary being sold on the internet to insinuate that Catholics are superstitious idiots. He has the audacity to insult John Paul II, and calls the devotion to Mary "a cult." I found his lack of scholarship particuliarly irritating.For example he says "It is almost certain that in the process of writing his gospel, Luke sought details about Jesus' birth and life from Mary."Wow. It is almost certain?...Much better choices in this category would be "Sarah Laughed" by Vanessa Ochs and "The Women Who Danced by the Sea" by Marsha Mirken.

Excellent tool for Christian women
Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur is a strongly written book detailing the lives and legacies of twelve women of the Bible.I read this book as part of my nightly devotional time, and I truly enjoyed the time with the book.Each woman presented (from Eve to Lydia) is a powerful example of how God works in our lives and what he can do with us.While Abraham's patience is a given, I had never considered how patient Sarah had to be, waiting for twenty years for her promised son.Hannah is the model of the perfect mother, waiting for a son and loving her husband.MacArthur discusses in several sections the poisonous effects of polygamy on relationships as well.He doesn't hide his opinion of the Catholic worship of Mary, mother of Jesus, either.But his personal thoughts are always given with love and a great deal of attention to history.I learned an enormous amount from this book that I will take with me day to day from waiting on the Lord to being a better mother and wife, this book is an excellent tool for Christian women (and men!).

Twelve Extraordinary Women
This is a fascinating account of the lives of some of the more prominent women in Scripture. Unfolding the verses that tell their stories, MacArthur does a phenomenal job illuminating what is most interesting and inspiring about these women. The twelve he chose include: Eve, Sarah, Rahab, Ruth, Hannah, Mary (the mother of Jesus), Anna, the Samaritan woman, Martha and Mary (sisters of Lazarus), Mary Magdalene, and Lydia. I used to think that back in Bible times women were degraded and reduced to a lower status than men. But MacArthur explains well that Scripture never puts women on a secondary level, discounts their importance or gifts, but speaks of them in honor and commends the faithfulness of them who follow the Lord.
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Subjects:  1. Bible - Biography - General    2. Bible - Study - General    3. Biography    4. Christian women    5. Christianity - Christian Life - General    6. Christianity - Christian Life - Women's Issues    7. Meditations    8. Religion    9. Religion - Biblical Studies    10. Religion - Christian Life    11. Religious life    12. Women in the Bible    13. Religion / Christian Life   

Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - General    2. Bible Study Guide    3. Biblical teaching    4. Christian Life    5. Christianity    6. Christianity - Christian Life - Character & Values    7. Christianity - Christian Life - General    8. Inspirational    9. Inspirational - General    10. Problem solving    11. Religion    12. Religion - Christian Life    13. Religious aspects    14. Biblical studies, criticism & exegesis    15. Christian Interest    16. Christian life & practice    17. Religion / Inspirational   

Reviews (8)

Why How to Read the Bible Book by Book is a must for students of the Bible
I believe that How to Read the Bible Book by Book is a must read for students of the Bible because it guides you through the Bible in simple and kind manner. It will make you want to read the Bible in a fresh and new way. I have been studying the Bible formally for over forty years now and I beleive that any book that will help enhance ones study of the Bible is a must read.
Good Biblical Introduction
Dr. Fee's presentation of the biblical material is clear, concise, and up to date.He takes the fruits of biblical scholarship and makes them available to the average lay reader, while not losing sight of what the original authors of the material intended.A strong point of the book is the fact that it situates each of the biblical books and the material they contain within the historical horizon of Israels encounter with God and the World.
Thanks for your labors, Dr. Fee.
This book is very helpful for gaining a good sense of the context and flow and themes of each book. It will help the average Christian, like me, interpret individual texts within the larger text of which the individual texts are part. After reading Dr. Fee's (and Stuart's) book, one will more confidently apprehend individual passages without tearing them out of their contexts--as, alas(!), all too frequently happens. Buy this book and its compainion volume, "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth." The only problem with the two books is the lack of an orthodox position on biblical manhood and womanhood. To clear up that issue, get the book edited by Piper and Grudem, "Biblical Manhood and Womanhood," and get anything by Doug Wilson on men and women and marriage. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Bible - Study - General    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. Criticism, interpretation, etc    5. Reading    6. Religion    7. Religion - Biblical Studies    8. Biblical studies, criticism & exegesis    9. Christian Interest    10. Religion / Christian Life   

Reviews (8)

The Chef Scores Again!
I'm prejudiced for Eugene Peterson whose The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language is the most stimulating and refreshing version of Scripture out there today.
Invites a broader perspective on Biblical study than those which advocate using the Bible for self-serving purposes
The way we read the Bible as nearly as important as that it's read: that's professor Eugene Peterson's message in EAT THIS BOOK: A CONVERSATION IN THE ART OF SPIRITUAL READING. His is more than a set of reflections: it's the second in a five-volume work on spiritual theology and maintains the Scriptures should be read - and lived - as God's word. From the nature of language and the practice of scripture translations to an account of his own popular Bible translation THE MESSAGE, EAT THIS BOOK invites a broader perspective on Biblical study than those which advocate using the Bible for self-serving purposes.
A Mix of Good and Bad
Eugene Peterson believes that the way we read the Bible is as important as the very fact that we read the Bible. "Do we read the Bible for information about God and salvation, for principles and 'truths' that we can use to live better? Or do we read it in order to listen to God and respond in prayer and obedience?" To address these questions, Peterson brings us Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading. It is a rather strange and wandering book in which Peterson meanders through a wide variety of topics having to do with the theme of Scripture. At heart, though, the book is an attempt to convince the reader of the importance of reading Scripture in order to promote life change. Peterson feels this is best done through the ancient practice of lectio divina. In many respects, then, this book is a beginner's guide to that practice.
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Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Bible - Study - General    3. Bible Study Guide    4. Biblical teaching    5. Christian Life    6. Christianity - Christian Life - General    7. Criticism, interpretation, etc    8. Religion    9. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    10. Spirituality - General   

Editorial Review

An old adage says, "God created man in His own image and man has been returning the favor ever since." Philip Yancey realized that despite a lifetime attending Sunday school topped off by a Bible college education, he really had no idea who Jesus was. In fact, he found himself further and further removed from the person of Jesus, distracted instead by flannel-graph figures and intellectual inspection. He determined to use his journalistic talents to approach Jesus, in the context of time, within the framework of history.Read more

Reviews (141)

News Flash -- Jesus was Jewish
Yancey strikes again.This time he presents a very down-to-earth portrait of Jesus that forces the faithful to think more about Jesus' humanity than we are often comfortable with.Jesus was after all a real person who lived in a real world -- a Jewish world.I love it when Yancey makes me think about things I don't really want to -- but need to.
A Must Read
A must read for all of us who have ever wondered about the meaning of Jesus' ministry, why He said what He said and did what He did.Written in easy to understand text this book is well researched.The author shares with us many of his early doubts about Jesus - doubts that most of us can relate to.This book goes a long way in erasing those doubts and puts the ministry of Jesus into a much clearer focus.

Who is Jesus?
On the cover of my book is a banner that says, "Voted Best Book of the Year!" Now that ten years have passed since the original publication, perhaps it is time to proclaim, "Best Book of the Decade!"
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Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - General    2. Christian Life    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. Christianity - Theology - Christology    5. Christology    6. Religion    7. Religion - Biblical Studies    8. CHRISTIAN LIVING PRACTICAL LIFE PERSONAL GROWTH    9. Religion / Christian Life    10. The historical Jesus   

Reviews (18)

Frightening Comparative Analysis of Islamic and Christian Eschatology
This book is a fascinating, frightening comparative analysis of Islamic and Christian eschatology.The author is a Christian (Protestant) who has studied Islam during the course of his long-term involvement in interfaith dialogues.Drawing from the Koran and the Sunna--the two principle sources of Islamic doctrines--he has identified the prophesied Islamic Messiah, Muhammed al Mahdi, as a figure quite similar to the Christian "Antichrist," as described in the book of Revelations, and in the Judaic prophecies of Ezekial and Daniel.He then demonstrates that the returning "Jesus" (Isa) of Islamic eschatology is quite similar to the Christian "false prophet," who will, in fact serve the Antichrist in the conquest and destruction of Israel, presenting himself to the world as a non-divine "Jesus" who is subservient to Allah and his Mahdi.The author's interpretation of the two prophetic traditions is that the Mahdi will re-establish the Islamic Ottoman Empire, which was essentially built on the foundation of the Orthodox Christian Byzantine Empire. This book is particularly frightening in light of the current turmoil in the Persian Gulf. For example, the militias of the Shi'a leader of Iraq, Mohktada al Sadr, isnow called the "Mahdi" army.Muhammed al Mahdi is supposed to return to earth, presumably reuniting the Sunna and Shi'a factions of Islam by his presence.The prophesied destruction of Israel in the end times is supposed to originate in Khorasan, modern day Iran.Skeptics will scoff at the whole concept of prophesy, and the perrenial concerns about the "end times," but, after reading this book, I certainly wonder if we are witnessing the beginning of a pan-Islamic reign of terror in the Middle East, and around the world.

Excellent & Most Informative
The author has made "The End Times", a very complicated subject, easy to understand.Supporting documentation is provided from both the Bible and the Quoran. A must read for anyone interested in the End Times.

A Jaw Dropper
This book is a stunning and straight to the point piece of work.Its a clear study of Muslims end-time doctrines, set against the backdrop of what the Judeo-Christian Bible says about the same period of time.If there's one book that you read about Islam this year, I would make it this one.Seriously, I've never read anything so scary, so real and pertinent for our times.Thankfully, the author didn't just string me out and leave me hanging.The book actually ends with some very good, yet sober inspiration.Amazing wild stuff. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Prophecies    2. Bible - Study - Old Testament    3. Bible - Topical Studies    4. Religion    5. Religion - Biblical Studies   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (59)

perfect for our time
I have owned this book for many years and always find it new and applicable to our current times. I purchase copies to give to friends and they all love it too... it works on many levels to understand basic truths of Christianity without religious hype.

Great Book
Does an exalent job in opening your mind to a new perspective in life, bringing your more at peace with yourself and things around you.

Inspired
This Sermon by Jesus is what the Christian aspires to be through the help of the Holy Spirit.This book helped me to accept that I can have God's help and gifts, even now while still on earth, and take Jesus' teaching more to heart. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - New Testament    2. Inspirational - General    3. Lord's Prayer    4. New Testament Commentary    5. Poetry    6. Religion    7. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    8. Sermon on the Mount    9. Spirituality - General    10. Religion / General    11. The Bible   

Reviews (1)

Wonderful study guide
Five star, except that the videos are needed for the comprehensive study.
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Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - Old Testament    2. Religion - Biblical Studies