3 comments about This Is a Story About God: The True Account of Two Men, an Impossible Surgery and the God of the Universe.

1. Ann tells the miraculous story of her cousin who recently experienced a modern day miracle. It includes the theological questions one encounters when the heartbreak of another results in the someone else's unspeakable joy. Perhaps Ann's experiences as an adoptive mom have helped to build perspective on this issue. This book is a beautiful story told as only Ann can tell!



2. I LOVE Ann Kiemel Anderson, but was disappointed by this book. It was missing Ann's usual verve. In recounting someone else's story, her personal touch seemed to be missing. It still is worth reading, but is similar to an organ donor story that might be found anywhere.



3. I was extremely touched by this book due to the fact that I have the exact disease that David Nash had. I am currently waiting for a liver transplant. My prayer is that God will be glorified and that He will use my experience to touch others just as He did through David Nash.

5 comments about Scattered Pictures: Reflections Of An American Muslim.

1. In his book Scattered Pictures: Reflections of An American Muslim, Imam Zaid Shakir confronts a myriad of provocative issues facing the contemporary muslim. His elegant style in writing his essays convey the insight and clarity sought by muslims confused on how to define Jihad, or how to define Human Rights within the Islamic tradition. In short, this is a great book that provides the inspiration for religious minded individuals in America and abroad.



2. Imam Zaid Shakir is one of the most brilliant thinkers of our time. His writings prove to be a source of clarity in a time of confusion for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. It is quite rare to find an individual who is well versed in both the Islamic and the Western traditions. In Scattered Pictures he has compiled some of his most thought provoking essays from the past few years. He has dealt with both traditional issues such as the true meaning of Jihad to the more contemporary issues such as the challenges faced by American Muslims after September 11th. This book will give you a glimpse into Islam, which is rarely seen in today's world. I highly recommend this book.



3. Scattered Pictures, a compilation of Imam Zaid Shakir's articles, is a welcome contribution to the emerging discourse on the American Muslim experience. While the essays selected for this volume are tailored toward an audience that shares Imam Zaid's religion, they can also benefit readers from other perspectives who hope to listen in on the internal Muslim conversation. Imam Zaid Shakir is one of the leading voices in contemporary American Islam.



4. An excellent true story of an African-American mother who endures her American life to rear a most unusually strong, and righteous son. It was hard to put this down even though I knew how it ends. It's a moral tale and a good read.



5. I read this book after picking it up at an ISNA convention and was simply blown away by the amount of force the ideas he puts forth held, my favorite reflections were upon nationalism and the conflicts between a faith maintaining a political goal of attaining a nation-state and fulfilling its commandments of moral ethics and beliefs, the argument of the dangers of zionist ideals permeating other faiths, not just judaism, was, in my opinion, profound and provided a unique perspective of how any religion can fall vulnerable to the lure of nationalism.

5 comments about Theodora's Diary.

1. This is not a good book at all. Her life is eventless all she does is go on vaction, eat chocolate,complian about her boyfriend and pray. Those are all good things to do but they are boring. She takes things to far all the time. I would not ever read this book again.



2. This story is totally awesome(sorry for the beach lingo!)! You could e-mail Penny if you have zondervans e-mail(back of the book), and she replies personally. Flabbergasted is also a good book though(0800718372=ISBN)! Also try "Dear Bob".



3. This is truly a five-star winner. Witty writing without being overly sarcastic, clever characterization that keeps each person rich and intriguing in the reader's mind.
   
   Theodora is refreshingly realistic. She is not smart, beautiful or even particularly spiritual at the start of the book, but she is likable and her adventures are fun to follow. She is a colorful personality, and the people surrounding her are equally interesting--her Greek-obsessed mother, football-crazed plumber boyfriend, the Aussie Reverend "Digger" Graves, and maternal Pollyanna Mrs. Hubble. Each of them makes the plot vibrant and fast-paced. They are all consistent, and any emotional and spiritual changes are both believable and satisfying.
   
   The faith element is handled with tongue-in-cheek, but also with a skilled painter's brush. The Christian stereotypes are all present, and somehow they are both endearing and laughable. This comical backdrop, however, only enhances the brilliance of characters like Miss Chamberlain, who radiate Christ.
   
   The pun-ny writing is laugh-out-loud (or groan-out-loud) funny, reflecting dry British humor. I loved the way the prose rambled along, interspersed with moments of cheekiness that almost took me by surprise. I loved the lack of jaded sophistication, the absence of the kind of biting sarcasm that seems to always be putting someone down.
   
   I can't recommend this book enough. I have to mention, however, that there are several references that are purely British in nature, and may not seem that funny to an American reader. My husband had no idea what a "bloke" was, while I found reference to a "Bible for Blokes" uproarious.
   
   Fun reading. I can't help thinking that fans of Betty Neels would enjoy this book. I can't wait to read the sequel, "Theodora's Wedding."



4. I hate giving anything Christian chick lit two stars because I think that the genre should be encouraged but alas 2.5 doesn't seem to be available and I really don't think this is worth a three.
   
   First up - this book does has its moments of comic brilliance - there were places that had me laughing out loud - unfortunately they were too few and far between.
   
   There were some characters that were enjoyable but then some of them were very one dimensional. I guess what really killed it for me was how dense (or is it supposed to be naive?) Theodora is at some points. I actually wanted to shake her! Kevin's Valentine's Day card being a big case in point. I put the poem past my roommate (one of the most naive Christians that there is) and even she got it in a instant!!
   
   What earned this it's two stars from me though was the fact that I got about two thirds of the way through and the way that she 'broke up' with Kevin almost had me not bother to finish the book. Understandable at 16 - not at 30.
   
   And yes totally agree with comment above - how can you lose half a stone without noticing?!



5. Hilarious book! Theodora is just like me...if I was British. The Bridge Jones formula works well in this book. I laughed at Theo's mom and her Greek tendencies. Imagine having a name like Agemmennon! The portrayal of very conservative and stay at home moms was accurate along with the reaction of those not comfortable with it. I was glad to read Theo's sister's response to Charity chastising her for not staying at home after she has the baby. Theodora is proud that she worked hard to have her job and people like Charity shouldn't put her down for not being like her. The Kevin "Fever Pitch" storyline was great too. I went out and rented the DVD after reading the book (I had no idea Colin Firth was in it!) This book makes me want to have a British accent.

No comments about The Faith of FDR -from President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Public Papers 1933-1945.

No comments about Gregory the Great: Perfection in Imperfection (Transformation of the Classical Heritage, 14).

No comments about El hombre celestial/The Heavenly Man.

2 comments about The Secret of New York City Revealed: Being the Autobiographical Fragments of the Then Recently Married Thomas Howard Chronicling His Numerous Discoveries in the City of That Name.

1. Anyone who's seen the film "Out on a Limb" probably remembers the part where Shirley McLaine is in an occult bookstore and books fly off the shelf, as if urged by an unseen hand. I don't know if librarians can continue in this way to suggest reading selections from beyond the grave, but if I were a spirit so inclined, I would bonk people on the head with this book. Why? Because unaided, it has so much against it. Who's Thomas Howard? Why a book about New York? If it's a real book, why doesn't Amazon even have a picture of it? I found it in a bookstore in Pennsylvania by happenstance, but had an unseen benefactor brought it to my attention by shoving it off the shelf, I'd be thanking them now. This ranks with On Being Catholic among Thomas Howard's best books, and it suffers from the same problem: that casual readers may find it difficult going (see my solution to this problem at the end of my Thomas Howard Guide). Apart from that, this collection of essays ranges widely,while yet retaining the Howardian touch. It also manages to bridge between the musings and casual ruminating of his earlier books (like Chance or the Dance) and the insight and excitement in his later books (Charles Williams, Lead Kindly Light, On Being Catholic). In some ways it hearkens back to his delightful column in The New Oxford Review. Lacking the hands-on approach of a literary poltergeist, my persuasive powers are limited to words. But if you like Thomas Howard, don't miss this intriguing and visionary book. Consider yourself bonked.



2. This was the first book from Thomas Howard that I read. And what a wonderful start it was.
   Last summer, I was in New York City for almost two months, doing volunteer work in the Sout Bronx, and I bought the book, telling myself I should read it before I trek up North for the summer. The book arrived, and I read it within a few days, and was enlightened for having done so. Howard has a perspective unlike any other, but one that we need. Which is why I'm glad he writes books, for through his books, we can share, in a certain sense, his perspective.
   Anyways, this is how I explained the book to those who were curious about it's point: The secret that Howard alludes to in his title is quite basic, but quite forgotten by many. The point is that things like restaraunts, and ballet, and opera, and museums, and what not, are all quite wonderful. But, they all have their place. Life is kind of like a kaleidoscope, and God ought to be at the center, around which EVERYTHING ELSE revolves around. Yes, even family, even friends, and, for those thespians out there (of which I would like to include myself), even theatre. This harks to mind the wonderful wisdom from Christ: Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven.
   This book is short, but it is also sweet. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who has an appreciation for literature.

   Joe Muir

1 comments about St. Teresa of Avila.

1. We just did this little volume in Jr. High Literature class--it was excellent, well written and provided good discussion!

2 comments about Prince of the Church: Schleiermacher and the Beginnings of Modern Theology.

1. For new-comers to Schleiermacher's liberal theology, this book is an excellent place to start. In this short text, Gerrish provides an interesting overview of the development of thought Schleimacher went through to arrive at his notion of Jesus as having perfect God-conciousness. Gerrish posits three basic reasons for undertaking this look at Schleiermacher's theology. Firstly, the theologian rightly belongs alongside other giants such as Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, and Calvin, for his impact on theological thought. Secondly, Gerrish observes that Schleiermacher focused on theology that was practical and useful for the church and in the pulpit, maintaining, "theology, if it is to be soundly based, must start from what is actually or factually given in religious experience, more particularly in Christian faith" (p. 21). Thirdly, Gerrish asserts that Schleiermacher was loyal to his Reformation heritage, despite critics who charged otherwise.
   With these assertions in place, Gerrish proceeds to analyze how Schleiermacher's theological thought did indeed carry on the issues of the Reformation. The author moves thematically through his chapters addressing Schleiermacher's thoughts on topics that were of direct concern to his reformation forebears: 1) the relationship between faith, piety, and reason, 2) the divinity of Christ and the debate over Christ's two natures, and 3) the nature of God. Gerrish paints a picture of a thinker who sought a way to be intellectually honest as a theologian living on this side of the enlightenment, while also maintaining the piety that he had experienced as a young man studying with the Moravians. Schleiermacher believed, quite in opposition to the modern person who felt that science had made religion defunct, that religion was in fact unavoidable as it was inherent in the human existence. The problem came when these modern folk confused the dogmas of the church for the "'sense of the infinite,' which every soul that looks can find within" (p. 45). I recommend reading this text and then moving onto Scheiermacher's actual writings.



2. On 'A Prince of the Church' by Professor B. A. Gerrish of the University of Chicago Divinity School, I agree with all the comments of the previous reviewer, with some additions and a caveat. I started looking for information on Schleiermacher because he is virtually the only theologean between Calvin and Paul Tillich whose works were considered when I studied Philosophy. So many more popular theologeans of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries have fallen into the mists of history, but Schleiermacher's reputation survives. On reading Prof. Gerrish's lectures, I find Schleiermacher a source of answers for most of the questions I have about faith in the ages following the Enlightment and Industrial and Scientific revolutions of these same centuries. Christian thought is so weighed down with negative sounding words such as 'apology' and 'dogma' that I'm often surprised that anyone takes it seriously at all today. Schleiermacher's great contribution is to emphasize the role of personal experience as the second of the two legs of faith, the first being the doctrines adduced from the writings of the Christian scriptures. As the previous reviewer states, this is a fine introduction to Schleiermacher's works, and will enliven your interest in this thinker. My primary problem is that it is a series of popular lectures and it did not fulfill my primary need and expectation when I bought the book. It is not a precis of Schleiermacher's theology. It is a combination of personal and intellectual profile. It's greatest service is to point out which of Schleiermacher's works are most important to read today.

No comments about Vivir Expuesto: El camino de un hijo de pastor.