1 comments about 14. St. Prosper of Aquitaine: The Call of All Nations (Ancient Christian Writers).

1. Prosper of Aquitaine was a layman in the 5th century who fought valiantly against the encroaching system of semi-pelagianism. Earlier in his career, Prosper defended a strict Augustinianism including the idea of double predestination and limited atonement (to some extent at least). By the time this book was written, Prosper's Augustinianism was in a milder form. Prosper clearly affirms single predestination, the idea the God saves man by pure grace alone, apart from anything he can do. At the same time, He affirms that Christ died for all men, and if anyone is lost, it is due to his own sin, not to God's predestination. This milder Augustinianism predominated for some time and was officially recognized at the Council of Orange in the next century under the guidance of Caesarius of Arles. This position was eventually accepted by the Lutheran Reformation. Martin Luther himself highly praised this book, though he thought it to be written by St. Ambrose.

5 comments about Enticed by the Light: The Terrifying Story of One Woman's Encounter With the New Age.

1. This is a story of a person departing from their faith at a very young age and later exploring other belief systems and being confused and overwhelmed spiritually in the process. The events move mainly through the dark side of spiritual experiences and leaving the person feeling empty and alone. She finally reached a belief system that worked for her in reaching spiritual peace. The story continues with her sharing her solution as "the way" for the utlimate answer. It deals with obsessions and isolation in the experiences and in the solution. A good read for those in the Psychological field.



2. This is a story of a person departing from their faith at a very young age and later exploring other belief systems and being confused and overwhelmed spiritually in the process. The events move mainly through the dark side of spiritual experiences and leaving the person feeling empty and alone. She finally reached a belief system that worked for her in reaching spiritual peace. The story continues with her sharing her solution as "the way" for the utlimate answer. It deals with obsessions and isolation in the experiences and in the solution. A good read for those in the Psychological field.



3. I would have an extremely hard time believing this story if it were not for a spiritualist whom my aunt visits. This spiritualist also has voices talking to her inside of her head, which I would attribute to insanity or obsession, except that these "voices" are able to discern information about our family that is not otherwise available. They seem to be extremely accurate in identifying the deep dark sins of the family, which to me is evidence of their demonic origin. The spiritualist was also able to describe my aunt's comforter in great detail, and she had never been to the house. So I am very convinced that the spirit channeling described in this book is indeed possible. I am also convinced that Jesus Christ is the only way to be freed from it, but nobody wants to hear that these days.



4. I found this book to be quite interesting and helpful. It did answer some of my questions, but unfortunately it ended up leaving me with new unanswered questions.
   
   One must be careful of any spiritual practice that they become involved in. The author did not seem to be wary, and jumped right into different New Age modalities and got way more than she bargained for.
   
   As a channeler who wanted her individuality back, she asked her Angels and Guides to leave. One did not want to leave and turned on her, causing her untold pain and grief. Only her training as a psychologist and her belief in God helped keep her sane through it all.
   
   I really do not understand a few things in the book, such as why she did not try out some of the stuff she was taught that would work when she first started out, instead of waiting until she got into trouble. And the second thing that left me wondering is why weren't the Pastors and Prayer Warriors that she contacted for an exorcism able to immediately cast out, or even bind the 'demon' in Jesus name?
   
   This book kind of reminds me of one I read from Chick Publications about a woman who was demon possessed. After the authorities investigated the womans claims, they found that she was totally weird, had occult books all over the house, and had her so called possessed friend strung out on medication. I really hope this author is not just stringing us along.
   
   And one more pet peeve of mine is that we are bio-electric beings, and our energy field can somewhat be measured and manipulated by scientific means. Just because New Agers train themselves to work on one's chi, aura and chakras, does not mean it is evil. I let my doctor, dentist, RMT, chiropractor and acupuncturist work on me without questioning their religious beliefs beforehand.
   
   I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in becoming involved with anything New Age related, and/or trying to get out of the New Age. But I would also highly recommend questioning some of the stuff she says.



5. This is a very good book written by Sharon Beekman that trusted the "spirit guides" that promised her fulfillment. By the time she discovered their frightening, true identity, it was too late-they had taken control of her mind...tormenting her, attacking her sanity, pushing her to the brink of suicide. But in her darkest hour, Sharon discovered a Savior, Jesus Christ, who is powerful enough to free her from the evil that threatened to destroy her. This book is a revealing look at New Age practices and the dangers involved. I really enjoyed this book and I could relate to some of the things in it, as I also had tried some of the New Age teachings, with their empty promises. This is a remarkable testimony to the liberating power of Jesus.

5 comments about A Hill on Which to Die: One Southern Baptist's Journey.

1. This book has an "I" problem. The Judge repeatedly uses "I" did..., "I" thought..., "I" knew ..., "I".... It seems egotistical, judgmental - and paranoid. We have experienced the whole thing, first hand...he puts a lot of spins on the truth! Christian love doesn't do things this way!



2. Judge Pressler's views in "A Hill On Which to Die..." though may be sincere, lacks the breadth of theological understanding of the various expressions of Christianity. Pressler, like many Fundamentalists, fail to accept that much of our understanding of scripture and theological concepts are interpretations and very few of the arguments that he is willing to die for would effect salvific truth. Every sincere believer and every denomination thinks in one way or another they have the "correct" view and interpretation. The problem is not believing. Pressler is correct in his argument that one must stand firm in one's belief. However, his failure in the book is the adequate display of the fact that Christianity, even among faithful Southern Baptists, is broader than the narrow views which he holds. His concepts of Christianity would undoubtedly reject the Christianity of C. S. Lewis (Anglican), J. I. Packer (Anglican), Eugene Peterson (Presbyterian), Mother Theresa (Roman Catholic), and the vast majority of both main line and evangelical Christianity. For these reasons and others, I would not recommend this book.



3. Paul Pressler embarrasses himself in this disgraceful memoir. The story of his "decision" to turn down President Bush's offer of a government post is laughable in it's inaccuracy. This is just one example of Pressler's egomaniacal and self delusive re-interpretation of his own history. He exemplifies everything that non-Baptists falsely believe are typical of the Southern Baptist Convention, to it's shame.



4. Having read this starting yesterday, I'm halfway through this book. It's is a definite page-turner. The Lord had certainly blessed Paul Pressler with the giftedness to see liberalism for what it was and still is, the courage to stand up to it, the wisdom to strategize courses of actions, and the networking of friends, colleagues and rivals on both sides of the theological camp, while remaining focused to the heart of the matter - the truth of the Gospel and the salvation of souls.
   
   Currently living in liberal Bay Area where conservative Christianity is muted or mutated by postmodern secularists, atheists, agnostics, pantheists, liberals, New Agers, Buddhists, etc. and where a number of Southern Baptist churches are pastored by women, dually-aligned with liberal Baptist denominations, and simply doctrinally shallow, I read the story of Paul Pressler with great admiration and inspiration.



5. I'm not a baptist, and before reading this book knew that there had been a controversy in the SBC but didn't know any of the details. As one of the key players, Pressler knew the inside story and does a good job of presenting it in this book. I came away thankful for how this denomination was able to fight off the encroachment of liberalism and for the men who worked so hard to bring this about. This is an important story that anyone who is interested in the modern history of the church should read.
   
   Some weaknesses are that Pressler spends a lot of time on details of his life not relevant to the controversy, and that when he does deal with the controversy he at times seems pretty defensive (but perhaps there are good reasons why!).

5 comments about Amma: Healing the Heart of the World.

1. That Ammachi is a great living saint is beyond dispute. She is revered by millions in East and West and leads an exemplary life of humility, service and compassion. This new biography of Amma will be a good introduction for those who are not acquainted with the Holy Mother of Amritapuri. Having said that, it needs to be added that some aspects of the book are disappointing. As a new biography it doesn't provide much new info beyond the official bio already in print. And it is written in a naively uncritical tone, appealing to the lowest common demoninator of readership. Obscure Indian scientists are trotted out as 'experts' in their field just because their opinions happen to support Amma's pronouncements. One can find an 'expert' to support virtually any scientific opinion. There is a short re-cap of events involving the collapse of the Soviet Union. Who is the author writing for? What literate, semi-educated person is not acquainted with these facts already? Most annoying is the author's starry-eyed romanticization of India. Like so many western followers of eastern gurus, she goes through India with blinders on. She seems to have left her critical facility at the door along with her shoes. While she describes the horrors of traveling in North India - the choking smog and chaos in the cities - she never asks herself who is responsible for creating the disasters of modern India. The author attempts to blame the racist attitudes inherent in the appalling caste system on western missionaries. The oppression of the darker-skinned lower castes by the lighter-skinned Brahmin elite has been going on for many centuries, well before the first Europeans set foot on the sub-continent. If India has one of the world's most repressive, backward and corrupt social arrangements, it is because the Indians have made a nice mess of it all by themselves. The world needs to hear about Ammachi, but we needed a biography with more integrity than this one.



2. This book is an excellent introduction to Ammachi's life - especially for a Westerner. For those who already know Amma, the offical biography by Amma's senior disciple might be better.

   This book also touches upon the fact that downfall of Indian civilization occurred at the hands of unfriendly external cultures. Notably Arabs from the present-day Afghanistan and later from European Colonials (please note - I draw a distinction between a European and a racist European colonial).

   Even a strong economy like America's will collapse if it comes under sustained terrorist attacks over a period of 100 years or more. In a similar fashion the reason for economic depravation of India was not mismanagement by Indians (as another reviewer has written) but sustained attacks on India by violent and unfriendly cultures. A person who wins a war and kills thousands of people cannot be stamped culturally superior to the person who lost the war (on contrary, the more violent and brutal a culture is, more likely it is to go on a successful rampage).

   Lastly, one must note in Vedic culture there was no place for skin color and such nonsense. Most of India's ancient saints were black in color (from the description written by their followers).

   Casteism was a social order, not a hardened discriminatory practice. In fact the sage who compiled Vedas and wrote Mahabharata - Veda Vyasa - was born to a fisherwoman and not of high caste. Another example is Valmiki - the sage poet who wrote Ramayana - he was a hunter who lived near a forest, but who undertook great penance and became a sage. Through ages Indians and people who respect Indic culture have revered them.

   The hardened casteism came about because of external influences in later periods, even then brahmins have never burnt lower-castes or people of other religion at stakes as has happened elsewhere.




3. I was on vacation in India for a month and I visited a niece of mine. While talking to her I heard the chanting of Bhajans from the neighborhood and I inquired as to what was going on. She reported that in the neighborhood was a house where the devotees of Mata Amritanandamayi gathered every week and prayed to her in front of a framed photograph of hers. I was curious and went in to ascertain it. There were about 50 men and women seated in front of her picture, chanting hymns. It was an eye-opening experience for me. Earlier in the week, I had passed through the front of the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Cochin and had heard from many about the facilities over there. Now, I decided to learn more about this person considered a saint in India.

   Reading through this book helped me to situate the phenomenon of Mata Amritanandamayi. No doubt the book is trying to depict in an objective light this charismatic woman, Amma (Mother) as she is understood and looked upon by thousands of her devotees. As a miracle healer, prophet and mystic she has established her fame. Her world tours have attracted attention to herself as an incarnation of the Divine Mother. By now she has grown into a big institution worthy of attention by the world. Judith Cornell by this book is presenting her along with her ideas and gifts to the western world. She tries to bring in personages familiar to the American readers, like Padre Pio, Bede Griffiths and C G Jung in relating to the ideas and message of this Hindu saint. She also refers to the black Madonna and the Christian understanding of Virgin Mary the Mother of God. The Catholic and Orthodox Christian belief in the Blessed Mother is very different from the concept of the Divine feminine found in Hinduism, though there are some comparisons possible. What Cornell ends up doing is to bring the East and West closer. The story of the rise of Sudhamani, an ordinary girl from the family of a poor fishermen couple on the coast of Kollam, India to the world renowned Mata Amritanandamayi is fascinating. Her story is told as it is known and spoken of around her birthplace, by her family members and her devotees around the world. Her ideas are presented in simple words, understandable to the ordinary folks, though they are typically Hindu in their perspective. The Hindu pantheon could absorb any number of seers and sages as incarnations of the Divine. So there are repeated mentions of Buddha and Jesus Christ in the book.

   I found this a valuable book, useful for anyone who wants to know more about the saints and sages of the land of India. It gives one a somewhat objective look at the phenomenon of Mata Amritanandamayi along with her humble past, her mystic experiences and her compassion for the poor; it provides one the opportunity to hear the various opinions of many of her devotees deeply touched by her. All these contribute to the immense popularity of this saint of today, whose activities in favor of the poor are widely recognized.




4. Judith Cornell has written a beautiful, many layered biography of Ammachi. It is an incredibly difficult task to convey the depth of Amma's mission with the words of a finite language, yet Judith has more than succeeded.

   It is a blessing to know Amma, and a gift to know the life she lived before I was even born. For others and myself who were in India during the time that Judith was writing this book her offering also has the added gift of recounting what we all experienced. It is a rare blessing.

   I am especially thankful that Judith wrote this book. It was very timely to retell Amma's life story and to place it within the context of our changing times (especially with what women have achieved and still must work to gain).

   Amma is "Healing the Heart of the World" in giant acts, and also in reaching within the very core of each individual, healing the personal wounds and sufferings of this world.

   In the wake of what we now face in our present world there are few books other than this one that have the power to bring insight and change on a global level.




5. This book is written by an American scholar who is working on her thesis about Women's spirituality who falls in love with Amma, the Indian Saint. She tries to keep her scientific hat on as she begins her journey, but Amma's power is so strong that she becomes changed and has her heart opened by Amma. For me, this is the power of this book. This author has a true and strong voice and her doubts and questions mirror my own search. I so enjoyed her way of presenting sometimes shocking facts with grace and an evenhanded tone--but still, her love for Amma shines thorough every page of this story. This made me fall in love with Amma and this book! I've bought dozens of used copies at Amazon and on ebay to give to friends and they all adore it. I hope it comes back into print soon!

3 comments about Praying Hyde: A Man of Prayer.

1. This book was an exellent book on the life of John " Praying" Hyde. His testimony is sure to give you a boost of encouragment.



2. This book tells the true story of an early 20th century missionary to India who gave himself to prayer so much so that he became nicknamed the 'apostle of prayer'. John Hyde story amazed both my wife and I and left us with a deep passion for prayer.
   
   This is one of the few books on prayer that has affected people for over 50 years. I think you will be changed by it and highly recommend it to you.



3. 'Praying Hyde' is an excellent book that will be a meaningful part to any Christian's library. It is more than the biography of a little known American missionary to India, but also a challenging book about the power of prayer.
   
   The wealth of information in this short book calls for only short doses mixed with much contemplation and personal prayer.
   
   I recommend this book highly.

5 comments about The Hidden Pope: The Untold Story of a Lifelong Friendship That Is Changing the Relationship Between Catholics and Jews: The Personal Journey of John Paul II and Jerzy Kluger.

1. This is a fabulous book. I am neither Catholic nor Jewish, but I was fascinated by the depth of the man we all call Pope. I had no idea of his personal journey, and the breadth of his goodness. Too many times, we don't look beyond the title and the robes. This is truly a saintly man.



2. I am an Irish Catholic that married a Jewish girl with roots in Poland, so this book took on special meaning for me. I was very proud of our pontiff for making extraordinary strides in Catholic-Jewish relations. His message still hasn't made it down to all levels of the church, but I hope that it will. Many Catholics still feel that Jews are doomed and must be converted/baptized in order to be saved, but the Pope clearly states that this is WRONG. We are all sons of Abraham, and the Jews are our older brothers.
   
   I would like to write to Jurek Kluger and tell him so. If anyone knows his address or email, please forward it to me. Thank you!!



3. I bought this book a few years ago. The recent death of Pope John Paul II inspired me to take it off the bookshelf and start reading one night. If you are a gentile and think you know the meaning and impact of anti-semitism, think again and read this book. This is the history of 20th century Europe told through the lives and experiences of Lolek and Jerzy, two precocious small town Polish friends whose friendship helped change the course Catholic-Jewish relations after twenty centuries of misunderstanding and mistrust. It was providential that both ended up residing in Rome and worked together to change the perceptions of many people who have adopted anti-semetic attitudes based upon false assumptions and lies. Through their eyes see the horrors of Nazism and Communism as their friends and families are slaughtered by these inhumane political systems. By the end of the book you will feel like you know these two men (Pope John Paul II and Jerzey Kluger) as very very special human beings. It may be profane but they remind me of Pat O'Brien and James Cagney combination in the movie, "Angels with Dirty Faces." One, the saintly but very world wise priest and the other, a wise cracking but trouble prone friend. These two men teach us that at a personal level Jews and Christians are cousins in faith and these ancient misunderstandings should be resolved once and forever. The Hidden Pope would make a wonderful movie about two mensches for the ages!



4. This book was so touching that I beg both Catholics and Jews to read it and meditate on the message. I laughed and cried. It is a great book.



5. I got this book from a family member, and wasn't quite sure if it was something good or bad, mainly due to the title, "The Hidden Pope". It kind of has a bad connotation to it, as if there's some dark secret. "A Personal Journey" might have been better as the title rather than the sub title. -2 points for a bad title that could send a conflicting message.

1 comments about Personal Writings Of Eliza Roxcy Snow (Life Writings Frontier Women).

1. This book is a transcription of several of the dairies and journals of the Zion’s Poetess, Eliza R. Snow. She was a plural wife of Joseph Smith, and later headed up the Female Relief Society once Brigham Young and the Saints reached the Great Basin, in Utah. This transcription follow the pattern laid down by “Personal Writings of Joseph Smith,” “Papers of Joseph Smith,” and “Words of Joseph Smith.” Eliza had such a broad and eternal mind, so it is fitting that we have a book devoted to her writings.

   I found Eliza’s trail diary to be the best book. The trail diary covers Eliza’s 111-day pioneer journey across the plains. It records some of the experiences she had along the way, not only being a ministering angel to the sick sisters, but several profound spiritual experiences she had.

   This book is a must for anyone into the original documents. The only problem I have is the price. I thought that University Presses were supposed to provide cheap books! Sheesh!

   Eliza Roxcy Snow Smith was a Wonder Woman. She is one of the greatest women, no only in Momondom, but in American history, and even the world. He greatness is due to her unusual talents. She is an incredible poet, but an incredible woman to boot. She was, in a sense, the female prophet, much like ward-level Relief Society presidents are sometimes called the “Lady Bishops.”

No comments about Vida De Jesus/ Life of Jesus (Jesus De Nazaret Biblioteca / Jesus of Nazareth Library).

No comments about The Civil War Letters of Joseph Hopkins Twichell: A Chaplain's Story.

1 comments about Running On Ice: The Overcoming Faith Of Vonetta Flowers.

1. We know the outcome of the story of Vonetta Flowers and her bid for the gold in the 2-woman bobsled event. What makes this story sing is that Vonetta exemplifies true American spirit. Her dreams dashed that day on the track field, she tells the story of a support system, which lifted her--God, her husband, and that All-American spirit of when all seems hopeless, you dig in, you find another way. Vonetta's story is a great one to tell, and she and her co-author helped to paint it in our mind's eye. We need more Vonetta Flowers' stories. Makes you want to stand up and cheer!