Reviews (9)

Thinking Honestly About Church
One of the top books on church leadership that I have read in recent years.This book confirmed a lot of what I had been thinking about "church" and the church I am currently ministering in.It was great to have such a wide variety of examples of church that had made significant changes in their impact.The principles expressed are not trying to have you jump on the latest fade, but rather has you honestly deal with your current situation and the calling God has for you and the church you are leading.It gave me hope that established churches that are experiencing decline can indeed change.The process of that change may be painful at times, but it is possible.

Inspirational, practical and balanced
I couldn't get Rainer's first sentence - "It is a sin to be good if God has called us to be great." - out of my mind for several weeks after I began reading this book. While one might argue with the citeria used to select the 13 "Breakout" churches, the principles that Rainer and his team discovered in their research are practical and can be applied to churches of various sizes and types.
Getting it right
I found the book to be overally interesting.I think the biggest thing that it showed me is the fact that we must evaluate how well the body is doing every year, and not get caught up in what the church use to be, but more importantly what it could be. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christian leadership    2. Christianity - Church Administration - Church Growth    3. Christianity - Pastoral Ministry    4. Christianity - Theology - General    5. Church growth    6. Parish And Church Management    7. Religion    8. Religion - Church Life & Growth    9. Social Theology    10. Christian Interest    11. Christian ministry & pastoral activity    12. Religion / Christian Life   

Reviews (14)

Means of Escape

Critical text to an understanding of religious history.
Eliade's book picks up the thread from Rudolf Otto's The Idea of the Holy and attempts to explain the nature of the Sacred by pairing it with its opposite-- the profane.
The Ontological Nature of Religion
_The Sacred and the Profane_ by Mircea Eliade is a work that examines (or attempts to examine) the ontological meaning of religion and religious experience.It is an excellent, if highly abstract work that tries to explain what it means to actually be.Religious experience is that of knowledge of the sacred and the meanings attached to it.The sacred distinguishes itself from the profane by what Eliade terms a "hierophany" or manifestation of the sacred.The sacred indicates a break in profane existence, both in space and time.Space becomes sacred when it has a meaning above and beyond itself, and time becomes sacred when it hearkens back to man's primordial beginnings, rooted in myth.It symbolizes death and rebirth._The Sacred and the Profane_ covers foundation ceremonies, ritual sacrifices, the "axis mundi", New Year's celebrations, the polarity between sun and moon, masculine and feminine, rites of initiation (such as baptism and its parallels in other religions), and modern man's fall into an almost completely profane world.Eliade, who was affiliated with a pro-fascist revolutionary group (whose slogan was "long live death!") in his native Romania, is hoping toward some type of spiritual revival.Religious man, contrary to modernist doctrines, actually looks for the deeper value in mere existential being, rooted in something above and beyond himself, the true nature of Reality.In the conclusion of _The Sacred and the Profane_Eliade ponders why religion has fallen away in the West today.Religious man looked toward a hypothetical Golden Age, Garden of Eden, Elysian Fields, Paradise, etc, as something which had existed in the mythical past and to which fallen humanity would someday return.This consciousness has been lost from modern man, and Eliade considers this question to be beyond the realm of pure history, and perhaps a thing to be investigated by "even theologians." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. Reference    3. Religion    4. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    5. Sociology    6. Philosophy of religion    7. Religion / Comparative Religion   

Reviews (3)

Wise advice throughout, for anyone
One of the things I find most wonderful about this book is that I can pick it up and read only a page, and have something worth thinking about.It is packed full of good, clear advice and ethical guidance. On first glance there are some ideas that seem obvious, and some that seem impossible. But with further reading and effort the impossible becomes easier to conceive of, and ideas that seemed obvious reveal hidden depths. I am on my second reading of the book, mixed with frequently jumping around in the text, and I'm certain I'll get something new from it with future readings as well.
excellent for the High Holy Days
Like Telushkin's Book of Jewish Values (which overlaps somewhat with this book) this book is not only full of practical ethical suggestions.Here are a few examples:
ample encyclopedic mind
In a longer review for jbooks.com, I wrote: "Spending time with this first volume is akin to tapping into Rabbi Telushkin's encyclopedic mind. Fortunately, it's both an ample and organized mind, as evidenced by the logical breakdown of chapters, the bulk of which appear in the second part, in which basic virtues and vices are explicated. Everything from civility and forgiveness to anger and hatred are laid bare." You can read the full review at [...] ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. Essence, genius, nature    3. Jewish Law    4. Jewish ethics    5. Judaism    6. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    7. Judaism - Theology    8. Philosophy Of Judaism    9. Religion    10. Religion - Judaism    11. Moral theology    12. Religion / Judaism / Beliefs, Practices, Rituals   

Reviews (6)

Different methods of meditation
This book an overview of the major different meditation paths and would appeal to those who have a questioning mind - its analysis of the various paths is quite objective.If you are looking for general guidelines and a justification of the positive aspects of meditation this book is definitely worth reading.

A Great Overview of Meditation Practices
In THE MEDITATIVE MIND: THE VARIETIES OF MEDITATIVE EXPERIENCE Daniel Goleman does an even more comprehensive job of covering his subject matter than William James did in his classic study of relgion,THE VARIETIES OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. Goleman covers a wider range of experiences and -- given that psychology has come a long way since James'day -- provides a more detailed analysis. This book ranks with Aldous Huxley's THE PERENNIAL PHILOSOPHY as a modern classic on spiritual paths. He makes a good case for meditation as an ancient "psychotechnology" (my words, not his) for the transformation of consciousness. He cuts through the superficial differences in meditative practices, and points out what all of them shareat the core: the retraining of attention.

A complete path
I found this book 5 years ago and have really not found another book which is better at describing complete path with such clarity, and richness.I think this book is extremely helpful for all meditators who are interested in seeing where they are on the path.For without a map, it is extremely easy for any meditator to become lost and not make any real progress.This book in my opinion can also be used to assess the presence of authentic teachers, someone who has traversed at least 4 levels of absorption, have seen validity attachment in cause of suffering, have begun purification of their bodies as well as their minds, and have experienced true emptiness and not fallen into attachment afterwards. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. General    3. Meditation    4. Meditations    5. Psychology    6. Religion    7. Mind, Body, Spirit    8. Religion / Meditations   

Reviews (49)

Limited and dated narrative history of Western thought
Most books are written to be read from beginning to end.Here the reader might profitably begin with the Epilogue near the end with a quick look at the Chronology on pages 446-467.After such a perusal, one might think twice about bothering with the rest of the book, or if one is like-minded, begin at the beginning with enthusiasm.
Nuanced, if rambling, prose makes for an interesting look at the history of Western thought
I once heard a story that Tarnas would fire up a doobie before sitting down to write material for this book, and the rumor seems true in light of Tarnas' regular use of extended turns of nuanced phrase. That prose style is at once the major strength and weakness of this work. The fact that each paragraph comprises several precisely written (if overlong) sentences each containing at least one exhaustive list of examples makes for cumbersome reading, as I often have to reread the same sentence three or more times for the whole import to sink in. At the same time, this style does a fine job of articulating the manifold, complex, and often contradictory ways in which the seminal themes of Western thought have interacted. (For example, Tarnas does a brilliant job of showing how many of the ideas of the Protestant Reformation ironically contributed to the later undermining of Christian certitude and the rise of scientific materialism.)
A Passionate Mind - Note the Passion!
The title of the book says it all, and not to be overlooked. This is a book that seeks to ascertain the passion that underpins the development of the western mind. Tarnas does a tremendous job of what is the Herculean task of tracing the roots of that development from the Ancient Greeks, through the birth of Christianity, the middle ages, the enlightenment and the birth of the modern world.
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Subjects:  1. Civilization, Western    2. History    3. History & Surveys - General    4. Philosophy    5. Religion and science    6. Philosophy / General   

Reviews (1)

As much a work of art as it is a religious text
Exquisitely handwritten and illuminated by Donald Jackson, Pentateuch: The Saint John's Bible is as much a work of art as it is a religious text. Commissioned by Saint John's Abbey and University as an expression of the Benedictine monks' daily focus on scripture and devotion to books, art, and religious high culture, Pentateuch presents sacred text in flowing English calligraphy, Hebrew book headings, and colorful marks studding the passages. The care put into each line is breathtaking. In oversized hardcover format, Pentateuch uses the sheer scope of its page to display the columns of perfectly penned scripture in vivid detail.
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Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - Old Testament    2. Collegeville    3. Ethics    4. Facsimiles    5. Illumination of books and manuscripts    6. Inspirational - Catholic    7. Manuscripts, English    8. Minnesota    9. Religion    10. Religion - Classic Works    11. Wales   

Reviews (4)

Wonderful Book
This is a wonderful book for daily use in recovery.Daily meditation is powerful in the healing process and can act as a guide through our 24 hours sober.Remember thats all sobrity is is 24 hours sober.Best of wishes and enjoy your daily journey of recovery one step at a time.Highly recommended.

Good Daily Reader
I purchased this reader for someone just starting out with a 12 step program. I couldn't get this person to attend daily nor weekly meetings BUT, I could get them to read this daily reader. After just a few weeks of committing to this reader, they have now found the courage to start attending meetings. I can speak rather highly of most if not all of the Hazelden publications! Keep It Simple
This book covers almost every topic you could imagine.It offers solutions not only for recovery but for a way of living one's daily life to the fullest.This book is wonderful to use in recovery meetings and offers a great number of group participation!This book is also an asset to read on a daily basis in order to start one's day!I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Devotional calendars    2. English    3. General    4. Meditations    5. Patients    6. Prayer    7. Prayer-books and devotions    8. Psychology    9. Religious aspects    10. Self-Help    11. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    12. Substance abuse    13. Twelve-Step Programs    14. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    15. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (7)

Excellent Book - Meme Theory Discredited
Overall, this academic treatise on the evolutionary, anthropological, and psychological roots of religion is excellent. Atran's knowledge is encyclopedic; it deepened my understanding of some of the new frameworks inhabiting evolutionary theories of biological development. But the book has its strengths and weaknesses, as would any that attempts to tackle such a broad topic as religion.
Definitely not a popular science book!
This book has all the information a layperson can ask for, but the wording is unnecessarily complex. I felt like I was reading an extended scientific paper, replete with discussions on the various evolutionary theories in the literature. Perhaps not the best book to use as a primer on the subject (if that is what you seek).

A Timely Contribution
If you are someone with an overwhelming need to understand so-called 'religious' beliefs and associated behaviour, whether one's own or that of others, then Scott Atran's book is for you.
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Subjects:  1. Philosophy    2. Psychology of Religion    3. Religious    4. Philosophy / Religious    5. Philosophy of religion    6. Philosophy | Religion   

Reviews (8)

A convergence of ideas
The most remarkable thing about this little book is not so much the particular issues that are discussed in it. The last few years have seen an increased concern expressed by many Europeans (and others) about the direction in which that continent is headed. What is remarkable is that there is increasingly a convergence of ideas that point to the solution of Europe's long term ills. In this book two extraordinary intellectual giants (one a Pope and another a philosopher and the president of the Italian senate) present their views of those ills from an essentially the same vantage point. There is yet a hope that not everything is lost.

The dictatorship of relativism refuted and rejected
On the day before he became Pope Benedict XVI in April of 2005, Joseph Ratzinger said the following: "We are building a dictatorship of relativism that does not recognize anything as definitive and whose ultimate goal consists solely of one's own ego and desires." This book offers a close analysis of and resounding rejection of that dictatorship, an Orwellian/Huxleyan regime whose tentacles now reach into all of our institutions and much of our thought. Indeed, for many, relativism is now the only acceptable mode of thought. After all, how many people do you know today who are NOT moral relativists and spiritual syncretists?
Prove the claim before you evaluate it.
I bought this little book before it was taken off. It was read fast, in a pleasant frame of mind, with interesting places to break up the monotony. In order to speak without ignorance of this latest controversy, I decided to read several of Ratzinger's books. Really, there's no similarity to the other one that is always being targeted. The main character is not as interesting, and its model is not interesting to copy. Not certain what it really produced. I mean, they assume that something must have been copied. But in way that just evaluates them to take off this book, and then it really hits me that the fans of Ratzinger could have jumped on a car without merit. I will wait until that can be proven. Reading is one thing, having written it is another. So be careful, please. And despite the allegations, if you wish to prove it is only a capable author, then do it and stop making claims without any basis. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Christianity    3. Civilization    4. Cultural And Social Anthropology    5. Inspirational - Catholic    6. Philosophy    7. Religion    8. Religion - Classic Works    9. Religion And Politics    10. Religion and civilization    11. Religion, Politics & State    12. Cultural studies    13. Europe    14. Islam    15. Social & cultural anthropology   

Reviews (71)

What the Bleep in book form
McTaggart brings together many of the scientific discoveries of the 20/21st century that don't fit neatly into the box, and drive the editors of peer reviewed journals to their Pepto Bismol. Quantum physicists around the world are embarrassing their colleagues with such suggestions that the quantum field, or zero point field, is a quantum soup that connects all of us, enabling shared thoughts, dreams, clairvoyance, remote viewing, dream influencing, mental influencing of random number generators and the potential of an untapped energy that science has only dreamed of.
This book brings it all together
I suggest prerequisite readings to anyone who really wants to get the most out of this extremely well written book.You need to understand the basics of quantum mechanics.For that, first read Gary Zukav's masterpiece "The Dancing Wu Li Masters" followed by Fritov Capra's "The Tao of Physics."The latter covers the same basic principles but from a perspective that adds to overall understanding.Follow these with Amit Goswami's masterpiece, "Physics of the Soul."All three books are written for laypeople. You really need to understand quantum physics for yourself to believe it's incredible implications which McTaggert discusses so well.On the other hand, if you read "The Field" with no understanding of QP, you might not appreciate how very "real" are the amazing things discussed in this book.Castaneda fans will instantly realize that Carlos "knew" regardless of whether or not Don Juan was real.

The Field:

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Subjects:  1. Controversial Knowledge    2. General    3. Healing - General    4. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    5. Quantum Field Theory    6. Quantum Theory    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Science / General   

Reviews (14)

An Expeditious and Clear Case made for Christ!
Lee Strobel, an award-winning journalist for the "Chicago Tribune," was plugging away and climbing higher up the ladder of journalism when he became confronted with his spiritual beliefs, or lack of, as Strobel was an atheist and his wife converted to Christianity. Strobel was forced to answer the question, "Who was Jesus?" Strobel's journey of skepticism to faith is as old as Christianity. One of the most famous journeys recorded is also a part of early Christian history. Saul, once a persecutor of Christians, becomes Paul and its most ardent purveyor of Christianity after being confronted by God on the road to Damascus. Strobel, in order to reclaim his wife, decides to use his Yale Law School education and years of refined reporting skills to discredit the Christian religion. But on the contrary, Strobel's plan backfires, and like the doubting apostle Thomas, he becomes a believer in Jesus due to the overwhelming amount of evidence.
This Book Gives Christians more back-up(if needed) and Unbelievers the Truth about Christ!
This book was absolutely amazing.This book is not only for Unbelievers(especially), but Christians as well.This book breaks down the hard questions and facts concerning Jesus Christ.It's kind of like trial, where evidence is brought forth in the defense of Jesus, hence the name, "The 'Case' for Christ".
The Case For Christ is Enlightening for Christians and Skeptics
Like many American Christians, I was brought to church most Sundays and endured countless sermons and lessons. Despite this seemingly rich education on Christian principles, I never was exposed to a lesson or class on the existence of God; God's existence was assumed as fact. As I matured into my twenties and went to college, the existance of God was no longer taken for granted. I encountered many agnostics and atheists among my many college professors. The net result of their influence was to question my faith in the existance of God. I never lost my faith, but I found it was a faith that could not withstand scrutiny.
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Subjects:  1. Apologetics    2. Christianity - Education - Children & Youth    3. Christianity - General    4. Christianity - Theology - Apologetics    5. Christianity - Theology - Christology    6. Christianity - Theology - General    7. Jesus Christ    8. Person and offices    9. Religion    10. Religion - Youth Issues    11. Christian Interest    12. Christian spirituality    13. Religion / Christian Life   

Subjects:  1. Cosmology    2. Natural theology    3. Philosophy & Social Aspects    4. Religion & Science    5. Religion and science    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Science / Cosmology   

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - General    2. Christianity and politics    3. Church and state    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    6. Political Process - Elections    7. Political Process - General    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Progressivism (United States politics)    10. Religion    11. Religion And Politics    12. Religion, Politics & State    13. United States    14. Religion / General   

Reviews (111)

Honesty is not always the best policy...
McLaren succeeds in stirring the intellectual Christian into deeper thought and seems to stir the more dogmatic Christian into anger and disgust.
Confused Heterodoxy At Best
McLaren doesn't like any known historical expression of Christianity, having tried them and found each of them lacking in some area that "he feels" they should be more attuned.Honored and thankful he did not include Lutheran in his "what I am" list.Protestant does not describe a Lutheran.
Refreshing...thoughtful....compassionate book
Having grown up in a conservative protestant church and since having leaned more to the liberal side of the religious aisle, I found Brian's book to be thoughtful bridge between "liberal and conservative" Christianity.How can anyone argue against Christians having a more "generous orthodoxy?" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Christianity - Denominations    4. Christianity - Theology - General    5. Comparative Religion    6. Essence, genius, nature    7. Religion    8. Theology - Lay    9. Christian Interest    10. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works    11. Religion / Christian Life   

Reviews (9)

edgar caycee
I was very happy with my purchase and the delivery was within the estimated time frame.

Edgar Cayce on the Akashic Record: The Book Of life
The References were very good,I did not think that the entire book, was simply case histories.
A Real Treasure
As with all the books written from the Edgar Cayce material, there are lessons within lessons to be discovered here.Seekers of the Truth of Life will certainly benefit from this wonderfulbook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1877-1945    2. Akashic records    3. Body, Mind & Spirit    4. Cayce, Edgar,    5. Controversial Knowledge    6. New Age    7. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    8. Parapsychology - General    9. Spiritualism - General    10. Cayce, Edgar    11. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    12. Parapsychology, psychic powers, ESP   

Editorial Review

Carl Sagan muses on the current state of scientific thought, whichoffers him marvelous opportunities to entertain us with his own childhoodexperiences, the newspaper morgues, UFO stories,and the assorted flotsam and jetsam of pseudoscience.Along the way he debunks alien abduction, faith-healing, and channeling; refutes the arguments that science destroys spirituality, and provides a "baloney detection kit" for thinking through political, social, religious, and other issues. ... Read more

Reviews (351)

Shining a Much-Needed Light
This book is, by far, one of the best explications of the spirit of scientific inquiry I've ever encountered. Sagan's earnest respect for science and clear appreciation of the natural world shine through his clear prose. Although a large part of this book is dedicated to reconciling paranormal claims with the reality of a non-paranormal world, Sagan's attitude never comes across as overly forceful or belittling. While he proposes alternate explanations for such phenomena as alien abductions, ghosts, and psychics, he always does so via pointed questions rather than shouted conclusions. His questions force the reader to think for him or herself, whether they be believers in the supernatural or not.
Sagan's 'Candle' needed now more than ever
Published just 10 years ago, not too long before his untimely death at the age of 62, Dr. Carl Sagan's "The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark" is a brilliant defense of science in the face of irrationality and superstition.
The
This is hands down the best non-fiction book I have ever read.This book has guided my thinking and opened my eyes to how we as humans can easily delude ourselves.Carl Sagan was not only a great popularizer of science and scientific inquiry, he was a visionary with and his words and admonitions are prophetic as we look at the world around us today.
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Subjects:  1. Controversial Knowledge    2. General    3. Literacy    4. Methodology    5. Philosophy & Social Aspects    6. Popular works    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Study and teaching    10. Science / Philosophy & Social Aspects   

Reviews (105)

avoid the other reviews
This is a great book( here's the point where I would check the other reviews this reviewer has written to get a sense of where I'm coming from); the author is careful to point out that of course this is all part of the mystery of Jesus and he makes a fascinating case. It's a book full of great photos and research. The problem is that Jesus as the myth hits too close to home for most people. at least we ( at this point) don't have the Inquisition of the middle ages around.

I'm still wondering... what are the Jesus Papers?
The first chapter piqued my interest by describing an encounter of the author's with some Middle Eastern businessmen peddling old documents.However, after finishing the book, I am still wondering what this had to do with his story.
Unsubstantiated hype!
"It must now be self-evident that there is a vast gulf between the Jesus of history and the Jesus of faith."This is Baigent's theme in "The Jesus Papers."But does he succeed?Does he provide evidence to prove his assertion, or even lead a careful reader to consider his claim probable?No.Not even close.