Reviews (17)

Enlightened?
The ability to heal even though a person has been wounded is an extraordinary message. Hence the appropriate title for this book. The author proposes that the spiritual counselor relate to their directee from their own personal experiences. He suggests that it is through reaching within oneself that those in this kind of service can truly be of help. Nouwen validates the experiences of many in this or allied professions; that we uncover our own pain and weaknesses as we attempt to guide others.This affirmation is valuable. In healing others, the counselor is healed. In being able to recognize and share our own pain, we can better serve.
Very Academic
I'm reading this book with a group of friends, and we all were surprised at how "academic" this book is written. By "academic" I mean, this book seems to be written during Nouwen's days when he was still at Yale University. The wording and word choice of the sentences are much more collegiate than his later works, which he wrote after going to L'Arche in Toronto. The book is still great and speaks powerfully to things of the Spirit, but it is just a little bit more difficult to understand than say, a John Eldredge book.

Contrarian
I have hated this book ever since I first read it. It is incredibly light in any kind of real thought; it provides no original insights. It is practically barren of any Scriptural references. I frankly am astounded that any Christian finds anything to like about this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Catholic Church    2. Christianity - Pastoral Ministry    3. Clergy    4. Inspirational - Catholic    5. Office    6. Pastoral theology    7. Religion    8. Religion - Classic Works    9. Spirituality - General    10. Christian moral & pastoral theology    11. Religion / Leadership   

Editorial Review

In a modern society characterized by insensitivity to violence, ambivalence to the suffering of others, and a high-octane profit motive, is talk of ethics anything more than a temporary salve for our collective conscience? The Dalai Lama thinks so. In his Read more

Reviews (80)

Said the Buddhist to the hot dog vendor, "Make me one with everything!"
Very few religious leaders speak deeply about ethics in a manner that allows people to think deeply as a result. Too many religious leaders are authoritarian in their edicts about morality or lax because gaining converts and their money is foremost on their minds. (Yeah, I'm a little cynical.)
He knows what he's talking about...take notes and learn
The Dalai Lama considers the state of the world in relation to ethics with a fine-toothed comb. (I am currently borrowing "Ethics for the New Millennium" as an abridged audiobook from my local library. This is a tape I will repeatly listen to until its due date...)The Dalai Lama is such a sweetheart! I love how he perceives the world, suggests solutions and alternatives to global and ethical dilemnas, and remains optimistic about the future. He believes that we are a people who want to be happy while avoiding suffering.He acknowleges that we do have a dark side that we must keep in check and subdue; but to counter this dark side, the Dalai Lama believes that people are mostly gentle by nature and can return to that natural state with discipline and guidance. We deviate from our better nature when we try to find happiness the wrong way or in the wrong things, and thereby only feel transitory illusions of happiness that may cause harm to others.As a pop song claims, "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look in the mirror and then make a change...I'm looking at the man in the mirror, I'm asking him to change his ways...etc."The Dalai Lama is definitely in favor of the need for personal growth and an inner revolution for everyone.
A Simple and Comprehensive Study on Ethics
There are few books that I've read that have captured my interest so much as to inspire me to read them twice. This is one of those books. It is not a book about Buddhism. It is not a book about religion. Yet I am confident that most people will find the core values of their faith in these pages. "Ethics" is a book about morality. It teaches the reader how we benefit individually from living our lives in an ethical manner as well as how society as a whole benefits. And it describes how society suffers, and we suffer, when our actions are immoral and self-serving.
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Subjects:  1. Buddhism - Tibetan    2. Buddhist ethics    3. Ethics    4. Inspiration & Personal Growth    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Spirituality - General    8. Religion / Spirituality   

Editorial Review

Edward Boyd's agnosticism rested "not ... too much on any positive position ... but rather on a host of negative ones" about Christianity. In an attempt to address these negative issues, his son Greg, a professor of theology, asked his father, a strong-willed, highly intelligent, and stubborn 70-year-old, to enter into a correspondence in which "all of their cards would be laid on the table." Greg would give his father the opportunity to raise all his objections to the veracity of Christianity, and Greg would "answer these objections as well as give positive grounds for holding to the Christian faith." Read more

Reviews (103)

Jerking Tears & Provoking Thoughts
What could be more touching? A son, brilliant and educated, trying to reconnect with his father via a series of touching, challenging, and thought provoking letters. Over a span of three years, the father and son try to reconcile each other's beliefs and in the end both of them experience an insurpassable victory in life, death, and God! This relatively short book is easy to read and will definitely capture the imagination and hearts of skeptics and believers alike. Highly recommended.

Insightful
The book was letters from a father raised in the Catholic church that had many questions and doubts about a loving God. His evangelical son answers all his questions, and in the end the father gives his life to Christ. This book gives insightful answers to some difficult questions like "Why is there suffering in the world?" And "Why would a loving God let people go to hell?"

Father - Son Dialog On the Things That Matter
Greg and Edward Boyd have have given us a great blessing in publishing their correspondence on the nature of Christianity.This book is unique among the many apologetic sorts of books I have read for a few reasons:
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Subjects:  1. 1957-    2. Apologetics    3. Boyd, Edward K    4. Boyd, Edward K.    5. Boyd, Gregory A.,    6. Christianity - General    7. Christianity - Theology - Apologetics    8. Correspondence    9. General    10. Letters And Correspondence    11. Religion    12. Theology - Apologetics    13. Boyd, Gregory A    14. Religion / Christian Life   

Editorial Review

Among his many gifts, Joseph Campbell's most impressive was the unique ability to take a contemporary situation, such as the murder and funeral of President John F. Kennedy, and help us understand its impact in the context of ancient mythology. Herein lies the power of Read more

Reviews (104)

What a Wonderful Book
Joseph Campbell knows his subject, mythology and religious stories, so well that you can tell it has become instinctual for him to tie all the world's imagery and symbology together in a way that connects human beings in a truly transcendent way. This book clarifies how similar we all really are, at the core of our beings, despite where we live and in what millenia we are living in. So full of rich, thought-provoking conversation, I would recommend this to everyone, from young to old. It is just an awesome book that makes you fall in love with humans and human nature -- bad and good alike.

Brilliant
Both Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyer create a must read from their historic interview.This book has become my blueprint.

A book that seems to make religious nuts bitter.
Well versed and thought out, this book stands out and has been used in many of todays religion studies.Though some of his points can be perceived as "stretched", he is still a scholar in his field.It seems that the people that often criticize him and his works have little to no experience or education on the subject at hand and do it solely on the fact that it sometimes criticizes the monotony of modern and ancient religion.I recommend this book to everyone. Read the book and make your own educated determination. It could open your eyes and your mind.Or you can close your mind, avoid the book, and start a "crusade" against the author for speaking his opinion. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1904-    2. Anthropology - Cultural    3. Campbell, Joseph,    4. Comparative Religion    5. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    6. General    7. Interviews    8. Myth    9. Philosophy    10. Religion    11. Religion historians    12. Religious    13. Sociology    14. Sociology of Religion    15. United States    16. Campbell, Joseph    17. Myths & mythology    18. Philosophy / General   

Reviews (17)

Excellent Value; Excellent Thinker; Excellent Life; Excellent Resource
I think that it would be foolish and way beyond the scope of any review to attempt to critique the entire thinking of a great writer and thinker like Francis Schaeffer in this review so I won't. What makes his legacy so great, in my mind at least, is that he lived what he taught; his philosophy was not an end in itself but was a guide for him to live by, for him to find God by. You probably are not contemplating buying The Complete Works being unfamiliar with his thinking whose affect is still felt in Christendom and beyond, so I will comment from here on out on the actual set itself. This set contains all 22 of his major books. In 5 volumes, the books are not overly large so as to be unwieldy to attempt to read. Nevertheless, to put 22 full-length books into 5, you can imagine that the typeface is smaller than I normally like and the books are larger than I normally like. But for the price of this set, if you are going to read any of Schaeffer's work, this is definitely a very good value.
Wake Up Call for the 21st Centruy
Written in the 1980's, Schaeffer shows the direction that culture and religion were headed at that time. As I read through the pages in 2006 it's like viewing a roadmap for how the age in which we now live came to be. This series is a must for any Christian wanting tounderstand the world as it is now and his relation to it, as well as how Christians should respond to the modern world.

Excellent!
It arrived on time and well protected. Actually it is the best product I have purchased from the website. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - History - General    2. Religion    3. Religion - Theology    4. Theology   

Reviews (54)

I am not sure what to think...
..but the whole subject is intriguing one, disturbing for orthodox Christians and perplexing for undecided ones.
A must have for a religious history library
Here it is finally published the legendary Gospel of Judas, this will rank as probably the greatest codex find of this century. In this book you will find the first translation released to the public. It is a very brief read at 170 pages with 25 pages devoted to the actual Gospel that is well foot noted to explain most verses content. The book also contains four very well written essays by leaders in the field of religious studies.
Patchy, but Good
Granted, there is not much left of Judas due to where and how it was kept, but it follows in classic Gnostic form:Judas, the "author", is the only disciple who gets it.It is good to get to see the "Judas" perspective after 2 millenia of demonizing.'Tradition' says Judas was evil, but this says what I've always sort of felt and believed, Judas was just doing the job he was put here to do, just playing his part. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - History - General    2. Early Christian And Byzantine Art    3. General    4. Gospel of Judas    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History Of Religion (General)    8. Jesus Christ    9. Judas Iscariot    10. Religion    11. Religion / Antiquities & Archaeology    12. World history   

Reviews (5)

Good Practical Addition to the Missional Church literature
Minitrea provides a good overview and a few examples of the patterns and practices of missional churches. If you're looking for a pragmatic resource to help your church understand and move toward a missional outlook, this is the book to use. It's not perfect, but it is very useful for a leadership team. I hope others will take from Minatrea's lead and produce more material on the practices of missional churches.

A great summary
I have been looking for a single book to give to church leaders that explains what it means to be Missionsal.I have found it in this book.I'm ordering some additional copies to give away.

useful, but limited
Minatrea proposes to show us what missional churches look like.While his characteristics seem to be useful and would make a good sermon series or introduction to leadership class, he largely draws on 3 or 4 Baptist churches for examples, with an occasional nod to Adam Hamilton @ the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection and Brian McLaren and the emergent conversation.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity - Church Administration - Church Growth    2. Christianity - Pastoral Ministry    3. Mission of the church    4. Missions    5. Missions & Missionary Work    6. Pastoral Theology    7. Religion    8. Religion - Church Life    9. Religion & Beliefs    10. Religion / General   

Reviews (10)

Soul at Work: Spiritual Leadership in Organizations
Interesting book, with great insight into businesses willing to remain on the high road.

A provocative rethinking of effective organizational practice
Soul at Work is certainly an interesting look at a fascinating, nontraditional style of business organization.Not only does it advance the notions of spirituality at work, it offers revealing examples of organizations and leaders already putting the idea into practice.Although author Margaret Benefiel tries to divorce the idea of spirituality from religious practices, though, I don't think she truly succeeds in doing so - although she certainly shows how a wide spectrum of religious beliefs can be utilized in fostering a spiritual work environment.The practical examples of what would otherwise be fairly esoteric ideas are the real key to this book's success, though.The author makes her point clearly and effectively, but I'm not so sure that such spiritual organization can be successfully applied anywhere and everywhere.Maybe it's just because I'm such an independent thinker, but I would not be comfortable working at some of the businesses and nonprofit organizations profiled here.By way of example, one organization discussed in the book starts business meetings by having everyone describe how he/she is feeling, and then participants pass around a speaker's rock (you can't talk when you don't have the rock) - that kind of incredibly self-conscious work environment is clearly not one that I personally could thrive in.
Soul Food for the Corporate Soul
One of the constant problems of modern life is the amount of `soullessness' that surrounds us.This has come to be expected from big institutions and bureaucracies, governmental agencies and corporations, but has become so much a part of our culture that it permeates even the way we view ourselves in our own dealings with each other.Being part of a large organisation does not require one to lose one's soul, or even check it at the door.In the Western culture, we likely spend more time at work than at home and/or at leisure, and far more than at church (or other directly spiritual pursuit).
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Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - Business    2. Ethics    3. Institutions & Organizations    4. Leadership    5. Religion    6. Religion - Christian Life    7. Religion - Church Life   

Reviews (6)

A Home Run
Combining studies on theology, ecclesiology and missiology with a vast array of quotes and insights, this book is a very important book for pastors attempting to transition churches from programmatic to missional or for planters seeking to learn the "code" of the culture where they are planting.
WoW!
This book is recommended to every pastor and their staff who wants to reach their community with the 'real' gospel.Every church staff should read this book, and go through it in honesty...

Breaking the Missional Code
This was one of the best books I have read for a new church planter today! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Church Administration - General    2. Christianity - Pastoral Ministry    3. Missions    4. Missions & Missionary Work    5. Religion    6. Religion - Church Administration    7. Religion - Ministry & Pastoral Resources    8. Social Theology   

Editorial Review

After the terrorist attacks of September 11,many Americans yearned to understand why Muslim extremists felt such passionate animosity toward the Western world, particularly the United States. Since that historic attack there have been many books and discussions about this very question, but few of them offer such a readable and relevant response as this excellent offering by renowned historian Bernard Lewis (Read more

Reviews (122)

Why democracy won't work in Islamic countries
This book gives a concise overview of why the U.S. is currently the target of so much animosity from Islamic terrorist groups and most Middle Eastern/Islamic countries. A previous reviewer said that this book is not for the layman, but I disagree; it is precisely for the layman that Lewis has written this book. If a reader wants more detail, then he knows what to search for once he has read Lewis' book. Even without further research, the reader will have an understanding of the complicated history of the Middle East and the U.S.'s role in that history.
A Must Read for those who wish to Understand the war
Before 9/11, I worked with a couple of Lebanese Engineers.They had both traveled to the United States and decided to stay and raise their families here.In the Spring of one year before 2001, they both decided to pack up their families and move back to Lebanon.I had a long conversation with one of them about the big move to such an "unstable" place.He told me that we were in a war but were too ignorant to realize it.Of course, I laughed...what war?Another person of Middle Eastern descent told me to read something written by Bernard Lewis...his was the most honest depiction of the middle east.I've read Mr. Lewis since then, including "The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror."A must read for all americans who wish to understand this war we've been in since....2000.

Mostly history, the rest...weak analysis
The Crisis of Islam is presented in such a way that it makes the reader think he or she will be getting in-depth analysis of Islamist terrorism in the post 9/11 world.However, this book is largely a very brief historical crash course most likely intended for those casual observers of international politics.If the book had been presented as a historical book, I most likely would have come away with a more favorable impression, but when you expect one thing and get another, it will affect your perception.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Islam    6. Islam - History    7. Jihad    8. Middle East - General    9. Middle East - History    10. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    11. Religious aspects    12. Terrorism    13. War    14. History / Middle East   

Reviews (14)

I TRUST JOYCE MEYER UNSTINTINGLY
"If we speak badly about ourselves, we will feel condemned. Let's actively apply what Jesus taught in the Scripture above to speak positively about ourselves as the first step to overcoming insecurity, and never speak negatively about yourself. Speak words that empower you- not words that weaken you."
Read it twice
This has got to be the best book Joyce has ever written, and I've read just about all of them.They were all good, but this is just incredible.She makes you want to run out and start putting God's way into action as you are reading it. Gave me a fresh start in my Born-Again walk.Thank Jesus for Joyce!!!!

Great Book
Read it and you will be happy that you did. Joyce has written many wonderful books, however, this and Battlefield of the mind are my personal favorites.She has many wonderful CD's available on her website that I also highly recommend. Love yourself and enjoy life! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christian Life    2. Christianity    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. Inspirational    5. Inspirational - General    6. Inspirational - Protestant Self Help    7. Peace    8. Psychology Of Religion    9. Religion    10. Religious aspects    11. Religion / Christian Life   

Reviews (22)

Overly Opinionated
I'll admit that the official story of the events on September 11 are suspect. But that's all I will conclude. The way the story unfolds in the media and the explanations for it all appear to be hiding some evidence. Why? I don't know, and frankly, after reading the author's very slanted view of events, am even less interested to find out. I was interested in reading the facts and evidence that exist, but his whole book was one big conspiracy theory strung together by edited quotes and simplified facts. And his summary about not fighting the Axis of Good was just over the top. Maybe the truth would only hurt us more than we know. Call me naive and ignorant, but I would rather live my life with a "half full" mentality. I enjoy my life and the choices I am able to make in America and since I have not the power to change the unfortunate events of Sept 11, I'll continue to live my humble life and not waste any more time worrying, fearing, and doubting the catastrophic events of that day. What will that accomplish? What I will continue to do is pay respect and remember the 2,000+ lives that were lost - people I didn't know - but sons, daughters, wives, husbands, friends, moms, etc.

Painfully Stupid
Eric Hufschmid believes that Bush and Cheney and the entire government were involved in a large conspiracy to take down the WTC towers and building 7, as well as the Pentagon and another target. To believe this one must not answer the "painful question" of "Is the government's story a cover-up?" but "Is our bumbling and stumbling government capable of pulling this off?"
Discern This!
The sins of child molesters, thieves and murderers pale in comparison to the crimes of the Bush family and the Democrats and Republicans who turned their heads on 9/11. MLK Jr. said "The hottest place in hell is reserved for those WHO CHOOSE neutrality in times of great moral conflict". Discern that! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Espionage    2. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    3. Political Science    4. Politics/International Relations    5. 20th century    6. 21st century    7. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    8. Conspiracies    9. Controversial Knowledge & Mysteries    10. History    11. New York    12. Office buildings    13. Pentagon (Va.) Terrorist Attack, 2001    14. September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001    15. USA    16. United States    17. World Trade Center Terrorist Attack, New York, N.Y., 2001   

Reviews (55)

Awesome
If your into knowing more about the big picture this is the book/dvd to do it. Very scientific in nature but interesting to average folk.

The Special, and Intelligently Designed "Pale Blue Dot"
Co-authored by two Discovery Institute Fellows, astronomer Guillermo Gonzalez and philosopher Jay W. Richards, The Privileged Planet presents a new form of design argument which can be applied to the level of the cosmos. Design proponents have long held that the physical constants of nature and properties of our solar system appear finely tuned and specified to allow for advanced life.But Richards and Gonzalez take this argument to a new level by arguing that the same set of circumstances which permit advanced life are also optimized for a range of scientific discoveries.
Well written theories
This book examines the history of scientific discovery and scientific thought related to the cosmos, our place in it, and the origins of life, and argues that our presence on this planet is innately intertwined with our awareness of the cosmos at large.Specifically, the authors argue that the conditions that make a planet conducive to producing technologically advanced life forms such as ourselves are essentially identical to the conditions needed to explore the world and the space around it.These conditions include the type and age of star, the number, type and orbits of the other planets, the presence of a satellite (our Moon) of a specific size, composition, and orbit, a location within a specific area of the Milky Way Galaxy, being located within a galaxy of a specific type, age, and location in the universe, and being in a universe where the various physical constants (gravity, electron mass, electron charge, etc...) have just the right values.The book also examines the validity of various philosophies relating to man's and Earth's place in the heavens.This book is not a direct argument for the existence of God, or some grand creator.It is an argument for order, in that it shows that the geological and cosmological factors needed for technologically advanced life such as ourselves are not that common in our galaxy, and hence advanced life itself might not be that common.All in all a great book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cosmology    2. Discoveries in science    3. Earth    4. General    5. Philosophy & Social Aspects    6. Planets    7. Religion & Science    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Solar systems    11. Popular astronomy    12. Popular science    13. Science / General   

Editorial Review

Brennan Manning wrote Read more

Reviews (107)

12 step grace with a little incongruence thrown in.
I too had heard a lot about this book. I picked it up as an unabridged audio book and listen as I drive to work and back. Manning does a good job describing the grace of God. He uses carefully chosen scripture references which support his argument. Unfortunately he leaves out God's requirement to repent; "go and sin no more." He talks of the prodigal's unconditional acceptance by the father, but fails to point out that the prodigal had repented by coming to his senses and returning to the father. Manning leaves us just the way we are with no change wrought by the Holy Spirit. He leaves us with "sloppy agape." That is; no requirement for the Christian to seek to live a Holy or Sanctified life. I fully agree that good works don't save us, nor do they keep us saved. But they are evidence of our salvation and the change wrought by the Holy Spirit once we accept Christ as Lord and Savior. I know those are terms in disfavor these days, but the Gospels and the Epistles tell us that we ought to have some evidence of a change in our lives when Christ takes up residence. Manning would have us just accept that we are fatally flawed with no obligation of ever achieving a more sanctified life. This is where his twelve step foundation becomes evident. The gospel of Bill W. and the Gospel of Jesus Christ are a lot different. Christ empowers us to become a child of God and encourages us to live a sanctified life. Will we fail at times? Sure, and we have to rest in the Grace of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to live the sanctified life. Both are necessary. Manning rightfully takes the church to task for past failings in regard to racial prejudice and self righteousness, but curiously he doesn't extend the same grace to the Church as he expects from God. Ah, but we're all hypocrites at some point. I think this is a challenging book but Christians need to read it with their brains engaged.

Grace is not just at mealtime
Brennan writes a very readable, thought-provoking case to the fact that grace is not just for Sunday or just a concept, it is a life-style.With many excellent quotes and a very breezy writing style, he reinforces the concept that grace is something that is a lifestyle, but too often, we it as an intellectual concept only.
Half the Gospel
No question, God's grace is wonderful, all-encompassing, and hard to fathom - impossible to fathom in its entirety, in fact. The best we can do is understand "our daily bread" and know that His "grace is sufficient" for us. For that reason, I welcome any book that attempts to help us to understand His grace better. It is true, Manning does speak eloquently about God's love, a subject that can never be spoken too much or too eloquently about. It is for this that I gave the book two stars, and almost gave it three.