5 comments about In Good Company: The Fast Track from the Corporate World to Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience.

1. I have not been disappointed yet by the work of James Martin, SJ. I appreciate the honesty of his experience. I believe that the issues he presents in this book that surround religious formation are well written. I do share the opinion of one customer reviewer on Amazon.com who presents a concern about Martin's lack of transparency on the issue of sexuality and the vow of celibacy. HOWEVER, having perhaps a unique insight into religious life from my own experiences in formation, I can attest to the fact that the vows of poverty and obedience are much more divisive in community life than celibacy - and that celibacy is more often the heated issue of those outside religious communities looking inward with curiosity.
   
   I have shared this book with a number of other religious and lay people alike with the recommendation that this is another well-written James Martin book that is candid, humorous and honest.
   
   You will not be disappointed.



2. When considering a vocation, this book might provide a little relief to those who hear that discouraging little voice whispering, "You're not holy enough." For that reason, I think this book could serve as a thoughtful gift to someone in the process of discernment.
   
   The story of Fr. Martin hits on some pretty interesting topics. For example: his first career as a corporate man who makes good money, but is probably too overworked to enjoy it. Also, it's interesting to see those around him (e.g. friends, co-workers, etc) react to his discernment process and entrance into the Society of Jesus as a seminarian.
   
   The real story, though, is Fr. Martin's own reflections on the meaning of his journey to the priesthood, and the comparisons to his life "in the world."
   
   Sadly, I identified with his story of someone who grew up as a Catholic, and yet reached adulthood without a deep understanding of the Catholic Faith, its teachings or its traditions. Fr. Martin confronted his religious illiteracy, even if he felt silly asking what might have been seen as simple questions.
   
   Possible Negatives
   
   Fr. Martin is a "down-to-earth" person who lives in the real world. He is someone that is easy to identify with. He's a sinner--just like the rest of us. On the other hand, seeing his "warts," I sometimes felt that there was an ambiguous message about how to deal with our own imperfections. For example, should we see these imperfections and say, "that's just who I am"? Or, should we follow the Gospel message of Our Lord, to "Be Perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect"? (Matt 5:48)
   
   Also, Fr. Martin clearly lived the Gospel message to serve those who are in need. I don't mean to belittle these good works which are worthy of imitation; but, sometimes I fear that people make temporal good works the primary goal of religion, instead of the salvation of souls.
   
   Overall, I recommend Fr. Martin's enjoyable, well-written vocation story.



3. If you are thinking of a religious vocation, this is the book for you. James Martin (Society of Jesus) was fresh out of college, making big bucks at GE, and living a party life in NYC when he realized how empty it all was. He needed something more in his life and, to the shock of his family and co-workers, entered the Society of Jesus.
   
   The memoir covers Martin's college years, his job at GE, his enterance into the Jesuit order, as well as his novitiate in Boston and Jamaica. During these two years, Martin is challenged to live the life Christ is calling him to live. The memior ends with First Vows at a church in Boston, after which Martin flies to Chicago where he'll begin philosophy studies (the second stage of Jesuit formation).
   
   This was an exciting book to read. I found myself in Martin's shoes, as I have at times thought of becoming a priest. But even if you're a career person, and aren't interested in religious life, read this book anyway--it's a great place to see G-d at work. Highly recommended.
   
   Also recommended: The Gospel of Arnie



4. I plan on giving this to a business major I know. Martin's memoir of his time in corporate America is eye-opening, even though it is 20+ years old. And, I like his honesty in describing how ignorant he is of the religious life, which would ring true for many worldly young people today. All this in a breezy style that makes for a quick read. Don't think it is just for young men who have a religious vocation.



5. This might have been an excellent book had it been written as a biography. With biography, the reader is kept at the natural distance created when a third party tells another person's story. Sadly, that is what _In Good Company_ feels like.
   
   The author takes us from his corporate days at GE through his period of indecision - trying to discover the path of vocation, to the first two years of his Jesuit-in-training experience.
   
   With each turn of the page, I found myself hoping that at some point the author was going to relax his stiff-arm and invite me into the intensity of encounter with himself. From the scenic winter retreat in New England to the oppressive Jamaican heat; from the necessary submission required by the novitiate and his fellow novices and leaders to the necessary submission required by the desperately ill; from waiting for a sign directing him to vocation to the hours spent in contemplative prayer, the author was embraced by God in the richest natural, human and spiritual landscapes. Yet, while it was obvious that he was deeply moved by these confrontations with life, there was a distinct disconnect when he put pen to paper, his prose maintaining a clinical sterility one expects from an "objective" journalist. When I arrived at the final page, I did so without ever having met Father Martin.
   
   When writing a spiritual autobiography, the author has an obligation to vulnerability. The experience of surrender and subsequent emptying of the heart has to be conveyed to the reader, or the one hearing the story, if the writer wishes his experience to be complete and come to full fruition. The task is the most simple and the most painful undertaken. Consider Martin's quote of Pedro Arrupe, the former General Superior of Jesuits, after he had suffered a stroke:
   
   "I find myself in the hands of God. This is what I have wanted all of my life from my youth. But now there is a difference: now the initiative is entirely with God. It is indeed a profound spiritual experience to know and feel myself so totally in God's hands" (page 144, paperback).
   
   There is nothing special about Arrupe's syntax, no exciting verb choices, no lively adjectives or adverbs - just a simple, transparent helplessness that asks the reader to stop and feel this man's humanity.
   
   Father Martin underestimates himself. He seems reluctant to allow himself (and the reader) the pleasure of full, fearless expression. Perhaps it has something to do with the insecurities he listed in the text or the "dignified" limits imposed on him by collar and title. I am not asking for a Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, or Mother Teresa experience or narrative style. I am, however, asking for Father Martin. His encounter with himself and the divine is too important to be lost in a collection of verbage that doesn't fully tell the story.
   
   Hopefully, he will write another book telling of the years following his novice experience. And then, perhaps, we will finally meet.

3 comments about Hope's Wish: How One Girl's Dream Made Others Come True.

1. Stuart and Shelby Stout have incredible faith in God and this story is proof thereof. It has times of laughter, times of tears, and shows how truly faithful some can be in God to bring you through trying times.
   The wish that Hope requested from Make-A-Wish was so incredible that the media in Charlotte, NC picked it up and ran with it! One little red-head with cancer raising $1 million for those less fortunate than her is truly inspirational. And not to mention it was done in less than 2 months!!
   The power of Hope's wish still lives on today through the friends and family of Shelby and Stuart. I am blessed that I was able to witness some of this journey with the Stouts.



2. I received my copy on April 7th, 2008, started reading it as soon as I opened it and never put it down until I was finished.
   I really wished I could give EVERYBODY a copy to read. I will be asking all my family to read this wonderful story of faith, family, love and the power of prayer.



3. Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in the "me, me" rat race of life that we forget about the "Big Picture" Mr. and Mrs. Stout and of course Hope Stout has taught me so much about the true meaning of life and the desires to help people, even though we may be faced with tragedy or serious illness. Never give up Hope and always strive to make the world a better place for those who are less fortunate then ourselves. Reading about a young girl going through so much pain and suffering and yet who still is thinking about how she can help other children in need and give up her gifts to help the other children is truly a amazing story of selfless love and sacrifice. This story of Hopes Wish truly has changed my life for the better and enabled me to put my heart and energy into volunteering my time and energy into helping those less fortunate. For that inspiration that this book and Hopes story has provided I owe the world to this wonderful family. Thank you so much Mr. and Mrs. Stout for sharing this story with us and may God Bless you and your family forever and ever. Hope's wish truly continues to keep on giving to the world and for that I am ever thankful.

3 comments about One Step Closer: Why U2 Matters to Those Seeking God.

1. I thought the book was fun to read. A friend of mine used it as a guide for a church group study on the Theology of U2. It was a hit. We ended up discussing really important issues like Justice, and Money, etc. We would read a few chapters and watch the videos and then discuss. The way the book is structured is what positively differintiates it from other U2 books.



2. Christianity, metaphorically, has many "keys." Many prominent voices play major keys, promising blessings and offering comfortable settings. Christian Scharen, the author of One Step Closer, introduces a minor key--the theology of the cross--that fits U2's voice.
   
   "The theology of the cross fits U2 because it avoids the all too common proclamation of faith, hope, and love that ignores the present realities of doubt, despair, suffering and injustice. It is a tradition that looks at the world and speaks the truth about what it sees: the good, the bad, and the ugly. In the words of the church reformer Martin Luther, the theology of the cross `calls a thing what it really is.'"
   
   This book helps "make sense of U2's style of talking about God, Jesus, the Spirit and the Christian life in a holistic way." It's an excellent resource for those wanting to understand the spirituality found in the band's lyrics.
   
   It also serves as a mini-lesson in theology, especially as it pertains to the cross and the different forms of communication found in the Bible. The author provides keen insight into the psalms, the wisdom literature, the parables, prophecy, and apocalyptic writing in the first section of the book. In each chapter a different pattern of speech is examined with examples of how U2 mirrors the style and content of that particular form.
   
   The second section focuses on the theology of the cross. With U2, it's a way of singing "truthfully and unflinchingly about God and the world God loves. It is a way of speaking that highlights faith over certainty, hope over despair, selfless love over the self-indulgent pursuits that tempt the church and its leaders to grab power and money for themselves." Once again the author provides specific examples from the band's music.
   
   The last section introduces the idea of living the truth as a way to live the cross. It provides an account of how U2 lives out their faith. For U2, following God means doing the truth.
   
   One can easily come away with a greater understanding and admiration for what U2 is all about. The band deserves credit for not succumbing to the popular self-fulfillment trends in the Church.
   
   What's especially valuable is the author's ability to introduce readers to the Christian tradition by illustrating from U2. His thoughts on cross-centered theology are rewarding and worth more than one read.
   
   This is a scholarly but easy to read work. The author displays a mastery of theology and U2. He more than adequately supports his contentions through Scripture (almost exclusively from The Message Bible) and an analysis of the band's lyrics and interviews. This book is a valuable edition to the growing volume of literature on U2.
   
   It would have been helpful if the author would have elaborated more on some of the controversial elements of U2. Though it may be a minor thing, their seeming indifference about drinking, smoking and swearing is hard to understand. Their critical attitude toward the Church and some Christians is understandable but a little troubling.
   
   Some Christians feel that U2 is not Christian enough. Ironically, you can see from reading this book that U2 follow in the tradition of the cross by speaking honestly and pointing toward sacrifice and service toward others. In so doing, they have turned it around and indirectly challenged the Church and individual Christians to be more Christian.



3. Inspirational. Well-written. Informative. This book is a must-have for any U2 fan. This book is also a fantastic tool for evangelism. Highly recommended.
   
   - Stratos

3 comments about Finding the Monk Within: Great Monastic Values for Today.

1. FINDING THE MONK WITHIN - is an excellent read. For anyone wishing to get a good understanding of the history of monasticism, this book is for you. It is an interesting and easy read. I loved every minute of this book. Pam Nashville, TN



2. An entertaining and well researched history of Western Monasticism traced though the spiritualities and personalities of its leading figures. On a minor discordant note: Be prepared for some preachy interludes about empowering the laity, including (and ordaining?) women in church leadership and a puzzling if only passsing reference to the Islamic world's justified suspicions of Christianity due to Bernard of Clairvaux's preaching the Second Crusade.
   The book does not describe modified monastic practices for the modern person living outside a monastery, but rather a spirituality for engaging the world.



3. This book is absolutely wonderful. The title caught my attention, and I hoped that the book would answer some of my questions about living a more contemplative life. A mixture of textbook and spiritual guide, this is a must read for ministers of any kind, and for those wishing to balance life in today's culture with a very prayerful interior life. I find that I am carrying the book around with me even though I've finished reading it, and have begun reading it again after only about a week. Very simply, I highly recommend this book!

5 comments about Maimonides (Jewish Encounters).

1. Dr. Nuland, himself a Jewish physician, was understandably reluctant to engage in doing the biography of perhaps the ultimate Jewish physician of all time: Moses Ben Maimon also referred to as Rambam or Maimonides.
   
   His reluctance was understandable on a number of levels. First, Maimonides was of pronounced expertise in the healing arts. Not only the author of ten medical books, he had through dint of skill managed to elevate himself to being court physician at the court of Saladin.
   
   Second, for Jewish thought (and derivatively for western thought itself) Maimonides was significant for his recognition of and attempt to deal with the conflict between the canonized precepts of faith and the unanswered questions of science. His "Guide for the Perplexed" itself perplexing is an attempt in some ways an attempt at striking a balance.
   
   However, in both ways Nuland managed to briefly make the material accessible to the reader.
   
   And significantly also, Nuland managed to connect the reader with Maimonides humanity...his early difficulties with learning, his grief at the loss of his brother and his joy in parenthood.
   
   In this way, Nuland managed to create and even more iconic figure because rather than putting him a pedistal, Nuland put Maimonides right next to you...all the more human and therefore all the more relevant.



2. it shows you right way about life
   i think it is possible to adopt it to today.
   it was very interesting book for me.
   it is the kind of book that i always enjoy reading



3. Nuland has accomplished the difficult task of summarizing Maimonides' complex writings in a way that is accessible to the common reader. Nuland's style is clear and concise, and he obviously admires Maimonides as a sort of Renaissance man before the Renaissance. It is true that the book gives considerable attention to Maimonides' life as a physician, but as someone who has dipped a bit into Maimonides' writings on Jewish law and thought but knew little of his place in medical history, I didn't see that as a problem. In fact, I found that that made this book even more enlightening.
   
   I could have used more discussion of the Guide to the Perplexed, however, beyond the notions that the book is difficult and that some see it as a hidden confession by Maimonides of his lack of belief (an unlikely hypothesis). The Guide is an extraordinarily fascinating book, from all I understand, and Nuland does not do it justice.



4. The most interesting parts of this book focus on Maimonides the physician (as opposed to Maimonides the religious leader, where Nuland's discussion is a bit too sparse here and there). Maimonides (known to most Jews as Rambam) did not develop new medical knowledge, but wrote ten books synthesizing existing medical knowledge in a clear and concise way, and even occasionally criticizing the Greco-Roman masters whose works dominated medieval medicine. By the low standards of the Middle Ages, this passed for genius.
   
   Nuland links Rambam's religious and medical careers by pointing out that in both areas, Rambam focused heavily on codifying existing knowledge in ways that would be easy for the public to use.
   
   Nuland also engages in interesting speculation about a variety of other issues, including:
   
   1. Why were Jews so likely to be doctors in the Middle Ages? Nuland asserts that (a) Christians were uninterested in medicine because they were more ascetic, (b) because priests could not take employment as doctors, the Christian talent pool for medicine was artificially diminished and (c) because Jews' wealth could easily be taken away, Jews had a strong incentive to seek portable skills (as opposed to investing in fixed assets such as land).
   
   2. Why was Rambam so uninterested in accommodating or discussing competing religious views? Nuland speculates that because of Judaism's dire condition in those days (beset in persecution in some places and the temptation of assimilation into Islam in more tolerant places) Rambam may have felt the need to "circle the wagons" by encouraging as much uniformity as possible.
   
   3. Why did Rambam (who generally opposed Messianic speculation) suggest in his letter to Yemenite Jews that prophecy might return in 1216? Nuland suggests that Rambam may have been trying to defang Messianic fever by setting a date so far in advance that he could not be disproven during his lifetime.



5. Maimonidies' two biggest contributions to civilization were his religious writings, and medical practice. As author Sherwin Nuland himself points out, Maimonidies' truest, lasting legacy are his religious writings. Yet probably because he himself is a doctor, Sherwin Nuland emphasizes the medical Maimonidies at the expense of not giving the religious Maimonidies his proper due. When reading this book, Maimonidies sounded like quite an ordinary man, nothing special, and the truth is, as a doctor he was nothing special. Yet in religious circles, he is a giant. This specialness of Maimonidies was lost in this short biography of this great man.

5 comments about Redeemed: A Spiritual Misfit Stumbles Toward God, Marginal Sanity, and the Peace That Passes All Understanding.

1. Something all lapsed Catholics love to do at any opportunity is to slam the church, and anything dimly related to it. We have a kind of secret club.....and anyone can belong..... particularly if you went to Catholic school and ever had a nun or priest smack you or send you to the 'cloak room' to sit out a punishment for some trivial childhood offense. So it was with hesitation that I started reading Heather King's new book 'Redeemed'. I'd loved 'Parched', and consider her a brilliant writer, but this was going a bit far. Clearly this new book wouldn't contain the zany antics of a drunk Heather King, clawing her way through a haze of booze-soaked misadventures to ultimately sober up and become the funny sensitive woman I came to love in the first book. I must say though, this book is probably the only secular religious tome ever written. I don't know how King managed to convince me so gracefully that she had found in Catholicism another level of spiritual peace very much like her previous miracle of sobriety. I guess that's what really grabbed me about this book. It's all about miracles. Now, THERE'S something I can sink my teeth into! Catholic, Jew, Hindu, Atheist, Anyone....will relate to this very human phenonenon of finding something larger than themselves to lend purpose and freedom to a life that would be rather empty without it. Loved the book....you will too.



2. I so enjoy how Ms. King puts sentences together. Her writing carries you along with its conversational tone, where the asides and comma-enclosed phrases bring not only nuance and depth to the greater point being made, but make the reading process itself almost a joyride. There's hardly a sentence that isn't thought- or smile-, chuckle-, outright laugh-provoking. There are lots of smart, poignant, witty writers out there, but King's slant is unusual. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to see the world though her eyes.



3. I think what makes this book such a rare gem is that it almost seems like two completely different types of books, or genres, eloquently and unapologetically mixed into one. Most simply put it is a women's story of the almost accidental discovery of her faith or relationship with God. However, it is such an honest and hilarious account of her journey that you find yourself routing for her the way you do some kind of great anti-hero protagonist from your favorite novel instead of just reading a memoir. Most spiritual books take themselves seriously, but when Heather King finds God (and naturally herself as well in the process) she finds him while making dry, witty, sarcastic remarks under her breath. She not only admits to being lost but celebrates it with grace in a way that only someone who has done their spiritual homework can. Long story short, it's just as funny and serious and engrossing as the last best novel you read, but when you finish it the book sticks with you and as a result, your own faith that maybe there is hope for the rest of us is restored a little.



4. I loved King's first book, Parched, which documented her upbringing in a puritanical New England town, her young adult descent into alcoholism, and her struggle back to the light - literally, because this woman spent serious time in some of the darkest dives in Boston. Sounds depressing, but it isn't, because King's writing is filled with a rare hilarity and humility that make the book a joy to read.
   
   In Redeemed, the reader gets to join King as she relocates to Los Angeles, specifically Koreatown, about as far as she could get from those cold and austere beginnings. As she struggles to make sense of her life, her career (a lawyer!), her marriage, and her physical and mental health, she finds a faith that grips her - and the reader - to the core. The contrast is both obvious and profound between the empty cross of her childhood church and the Catholic depiction of Christ on the cross, with wounded suffering on full display. Here King finds her home and her salvation, and we are all richer for sharing the ride. Highly recommended.



5. This is one of those books that came along just when I needed it. Heather King has a wonderful ability to make you laugh and think and just quiet down long enough to really hear someone else's perspective. You don't need to share her beliefs to be enriched by the honesty, humor and bravery, not to mention the beauty, of her writing. I've loved reading both of Heather's books, and I can't wait for more.

5 comments about Out of the Black Shadows: The Amazing Transformation of Stephen Lungu.

1. Stephen Lungu came to Stanford University to speak recently, and his testimony was one of the most moving testimonies I have ever heard in my entire life. I bought the book so that I could ask my friends to read it. I think the key to the testimony is that... most of the time, when Christians witness to other Christians, it is difficult to accept their perspective: Christians often get responses like, "it's easy for you to believe, you havn't suffered adversity", or "you simply believe because you were taught to believe when you were little." Mr. Lengu's testimony is nothing like this; from being abondoned as a small child and being taught by his environment to hate Christians, people, and God, he was able to turn his life around and see Jesus. Incredible evidence that Jesus is life-changing, and real, and the Savior.



2. I was recently given this book as a gift because a friend of mine had heard Stephen speak at the bible school he is attending, and his testimony encouraged him so much that he bought a copy and had it sent to me, I loved it! It is truly inspiring and an amazing testimony of God's power! It left me just in awe that the God that saved Stephen is the same God that I love and serve! I encourage everyone to read this book and share it with everyone they know! God Bless!



3. This is a book that you won't be able to put down. To read of how God in His mercy transformed Stephen's life from a life of total devastation and hopelessness into one of purpose and meaning and usefulness certainly builds one's faith and creates a desire to know this God of his. It encourages and gives hope to anyone who struggles with feelings of inferiority and "what's the meaning to life - is it worth the living?" Well worth the time and money - you will get more than you paid for!



4. Stephen Lungu has written a gripping biography of his violent young gang life from the slums of Rhodesia to the missionary pulpits all over the world - this is the remarkable story of Stephan Lungu.
   
   A black boy orphaned by his mother to life on the streets at age 4, Stephen learned to do little more than survive. Taken in for awhile by a relative of his mother, Stephen left home and joined a gang by age 12. The gang, The Black Shadows, committed all sorts of violence, generally on the more wealthy white ruling class, robbing them at knife or club point of their money and possessions. People were stabbed to death, clubbed, and suffered all sorts of violence.
   
   Stephen and his group were about to fire-bomb a missionary tent with thousands of worshipers, when Stephen was transformed by the born-again message of a recent woman, and then was convicted of his sinful state by the preacher. That night was the turning point of his life. He stopped his gang activities and began preaching the life-saving message of Jesus to anyone who would listen, especially on public buses, where he led many people to a knowledge of Christ.
   
   Later taken in by a white missionary, the previous subject of his racial hatred, Stephen learned to read, write, and become a member of civilized society and the family of God. It took him over a decade of study, but soon he was ready to bring his message of transformation to greater Africa, and then later the world. Today, Mr. Lungu is a world-renown missionairy.
   
   Stephen Lungu's story is one of the power of God to transform even the vilest sinner into a loving child of God. It's message is heart-warming and inspiring to all. Truly, no one is too far gone to respond to the message of God.
   
   I was encouraged and inspired by Stephen's story, and how God can powerfully transform even the worst sinner.
   
   Buy this book and share it with a friend.
   
   Jim "Konedog" Koenig



5. I was blessed to hear Steve speak shortly in Belgium...I had to read the full account of his story and you will also want too. I plan on passing this book around for many others to read and believe/be encouraged by his amazing story as well! God is using this man and will bless you through reading this book! Two thumbs up..you won't be disappointed!

5 comments about Holy Man: Father Damien of Molokai.

1. "Holy Man" is undoubtedly the finest and most scholarly work to date on this topic. Prior to Daws' work, the overwhelming majority of books on this topic have been somewhat biased as they were produced by Catholic clergy and lay writers. Daws has brought the secular historian's skill to this subject and has produced a truly balanced account of the life and work of Father Joseph DeVeuster. Only a visit to the Molokai, Hawaii, settlements of Kalawao and Kalaupapa will provide the reader with a more detailed account of Father Damian's life and work among the lepers of Molokai. Father Daimian was beautified in 1993. A church inquiry is underway to determine whether or not this "Holy Man" should be made a Catholic saint. "Holy Man" is required reading for anyone even marginally interested in Hawaiian history. In the short period of time this work has been in print, it has become required reading for all students of Hawaiian History, American approaches to chronic and incurable disease and Catholic doctrine pertaining to leprosy and lepers. Daws has written a masterful account of the life and works of this important nineteenth century Catholic clergyman. "Holy Man" is the definitive work on Father Damian and is likely to remain so well into the next century. Father Damian was buried on the island of Molokai until earlier this century when his remains were exhumed and re-interred in his home of Louvain, Belgium. Today, only his hand remains buried on the island of Molokai. The hand is widely regarded as a religious relic.



2. I visited the leper colony on the island of Molokai, the villages of Kalawao and Kalaupapa last March and this book was recommended to me. I picked it up from a gift shop there as I went round visiting the sites of Fr Damien's enormous and extensive ministry. I also heard from the tour guides, stories of the zeal and dedication with which he ministered to the ill-fated leprosy patients. I also knew about him from other sources.
   
   The book is a wonderful read. It brings to the light of the world a rather obscure life of a Catholic priest who belonged to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts Fathers and worked in the mission of Hawaii. His devotion and dedication to the ministry in favor of the lepers and his eventual martyrdom as a leper seemed to have moved this non-Catholic writer to go into detailed research and strenuous investigation to bring out such a classic work on the subject. Gavan Daws does not idealize Fr Damien's life or make him a superman. According to him Fr Damien was an ordinary man, a priest with his own frailties and flaws, at the same time a hero and a martyr worthy to be called `holy.' The book in fact, is more than a mere biography of the leper priest. A lot of research and study has gone into the writing of this book which is a story of leprosy in the Hawaiian islands, a history of the Church in the second half of the nineteenth century, besides being the life of a saint-to-be. I hope that the book will inspire ordinary people to make deep personal commitments and fulfill them with extraordinary devotion and fervor.



3. Very interesting, and informative on the times that the event was occuring in the Hawaiian islands. The story kept focused, and was very easy to read and keep up with.



4. This is a wonderful book for anyone who is curious about Father Damien of Molokai. It is comprehensive, non-religious, and thoroughly satisfying book. Gavan Daws did a great job describing Father Damien, his negative as well his positive attributes. The book is very well written, very well structured. It includes actual photos of key players at that time and drawings of the Kalawao settlement. I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. This one is a keeper.



5. When people analyze the life of a soon-to-be saint, such as Damien, it's not uncommon for them to gloss over any imperfections. This book, thankfully, doesn't do that. What it does do is show you a very human man, not an intellectual, not the star of his religious community or even his family, but a very devoted man who made an incredible difference in the lives of so many who others wouldn't even touch. Read it.

5 comments about Open Secrets: A Memoir of Faith and Discovery.

1. Richard Lischer had a plan -- graduate from seminary, have a few significant pastorates, teach at a seminary, end up as president and 'big wheel' of the denomination. As the lyric says, life is what happens when you are making other plans. In the book 'Open Secrets', Lischer recounts many of the awakenings he experienced as pastor of a small-town, isolated community church, far from the seminary where he'd studied, and far from the city and 'powers' he'd dreamt of.

   Lischer begins this autobiographical tale with a brief overview of his life prior to his arrival at New Cana -- only child, good but standard education, 'typical' rebellions in school and seminary -- a fairly conventional upbringing, with only a few points of deviation from the norm. He did have visions of something better, however, and was shocked at his appointment to the church in New Cana, a town so remote that it was difficult to find on a map, and even once he was there, it was still difficult to find.

   There was a symbol of foreboding from the first day, in that the cross atop the church was broken. This was a broken community, and had been for generations, in many ways. It was stable, secure in its structure and in its dysfunction, and Lischer's arrival was greeted with what was probably the traditional lack of fanfare. There was one 'ruling family' of the congregation, and insiders were clearly differentiated from the outsiders. Lischer and family were definitely outsiders.

   The conflicts in the town were fairly typical of the human condition -- there were family troubles ranging from abuse and neglect to simple emotional wear-and-tear. Overshadowing the town was the almost constant depression that accompanies an agricultural-based community; working the land is hard in the best of times, so people grew accustomed to a hard life.

   Lischer ultimately finds value in the community, but one wonders upon reading this memoir if that value was realised largely (or only) in hindsight. The struggle through the conflicts, both internal and external, are very apparent at each turn. Nothing came easily in Lischer's ministry. Ultimately, however, the community was accepting, and Lischer was similarly accepting. One man, Leonard, who loudly proclaimed, 'I didn't vote for you' at the first meeting of congregation and pastor, was in fact the last one to give thanks and blessing as the Lischers departed for new ministries three years later.

   The people recounted in Lischer's tale are genuine. We only get the interior reflections of Lischer, but one can sense, among this uncomplicated community, the motivations and simple ways of true living among the parishioners. When Lischer tried for an innovation in the liturgy by permitting guitar music, one member of congregation reacted badly. Worried, Lischer wondered how the trouble might be resolved, others in the congregation assured Lischer not to worry, saying that the trouble-maker had always been trouble anyway.

   As a portrait of small-town life, this is a unique and interesting perspective. While the world of the 60s is no longer with us, in many ways the community of New Cana (as many small agricultural towns were) was largely passed over by many of the cultural developments of the 60s (and 70s, and 80s); thus there is a timeless character to this narrative.

   Fascinating to read, practical and spiritual at the same time, the reader will be enriched by Lischer's experiences.




2. Rev. Richard Lischer gives us a delightful inside look into the life of an ordinary country pastor like so many in all the American Protestant denominations. The reader travels through the joys and pains, successes and failures of a young fresh-from-seminary man's first pastorate. This book is an entertaining, very humorous, and informative journey. I highly recommend it, especially to those who may be curious as to what your pastor's life is REALLY like.



3. With one glance of the cover, a reader could easily misjudge OPEN SECRETS. The cover shows a painting of a quaint Midwestern town complete with churches and the homes of good folk. We can imagine that it will be a story of a minister and congregation and contain all kinds of heartwarming tales, and the author, Richard Lischer could easily have taken the reader on such a journey. Instead he does something different and in the end far more meaningful. He shares not only his experiences, but looks at the experiences in a critical manner that engages the reader.
   
   OPEN SECRETS is the story of Richard Lischer's first three years of ministry. The time period is the late 60's/early 70's. Like many of his generation, he is filled with new ideas and is ready for a great assignment so he can change the world. Just as teachers quickly learn that if they are to be successful they have to be learners as well, people in ministry have to learn a similar lesson that the priest/minister may be the leader but training and education do not always mean expertise. Lischer learns this lesson when he is assigned to a small parish in New Cana, Illinois. The parish is neither ready nor reluctant to his ideas. The congregation simply "is" and in some ways this is infuriating for the young minister. He has to adapt to their ways while still being true to his calling. He does some bold things in the parish which are at times exactly what the congregation needs and at other times is more an example of his being headstrong. We see that the assignment was challenging for him, but we do not see it in a nostalgic way or in a way that belittles the congregation he served.
   
   For me, the most important contribution OPEN SECRETS makes is the way that Lischer is able to see his experiences for what they were, and how he grew not only in his ministry but in an appreciation for the people he served. It is a story that will be appreciated by anyone who takes an active role in a faith community but it will probably speak to people who are in ministry in a powerful way and anyone who strives to serve God in a heartfelt and honest way.



4. This book may be one of a kind. It's a memoir of a young parish minister accepting his first call to a Lutheran church in rural Illinois, and although there's a reference to the classic "Diary of a Country Priest" at the outset, any comparison with Bernanos' dying, saint-like character ends there on page one. Lischer, schooled in what seems to have been the excessively conservative Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church, finds his 1960s liberal sensibilities set on a collision course with the deeply rooted religious and cultural traditions of his farming congregants. If there's anything classic about this, it's his role as a fish out of water.
   
   This may sound like grounds for some modestly Lutheran hilarity along the lines of Garrison Keillor, but Lischer has other things in mind. In chapter after chapter, he reveals how he discovers the bonds of community that have held his church families together for generations, and in his three years there, while he never really finds himself at home with them, they help him learn a great deal about what the parish ministry really means - a kind of mutual support that he had not been prepared for in his years at the seminary.
   
   Lischer has a wonderful gift as a writer. He takes his time to find the right words, the right metaphor to bring his subject to life, and like a well-crafted sermon, they illuminate the everyday world, if only briefly, with an other-worldly light. When he and his family leave at the end of his tenure, there is a sadness of parting - and nostalgia for a time gone by - that accompanies the reader long after the last page has been turned.



5. There was little doubt that this book would be enjoyable. The book accounts the ministry of Richard to a small community of New Cana. It was a small town on the Mississippi River. He recounts his experiences there in this small community. It was a cultural crossover for him. He finished his PH.D program and accepted the call to this congregation. During his time with the congregation, the people loved him, rebelled against him, and in their own way made him feel welcome. Personally, I loved his stories, because in his stories, I was the main character.
   
   These are great lines "The Poet-Preacher John Donne said `I date my life from my ministry.' There is more to life than ministry, but I knew as soon as we pulled out of the driveway that I had needed Cana more than Cana ever needed me. I do make sense of my life from that ministry."

5 comments about Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith.

1. This doesn't get taught every week in Relief Society...! I began this book by thinking she was just a little ? in Mormon history and she has turned out to be in my eyes extremely selfish and worldly almost like a feminist back in the 19th century...
   What i found facinating in the book is she (when she took off the blinders about polygamy in 1843) is that she threatened to divorce, cheat on, and actually tried to poison the prophet twice...! Wow...
   All i have to finish with is the quote from brigham young about her "She was a wonderful woman, and would be more so if she'd start acting like a saint, then acting like a devil"...



2. This book does a fine job presenting the life and times of Emma Hale Smith. She believed her husband, Joseph Smith, was a prophet because he was too ignorant to have come up with the Book Of Mormon on his own. She stayed with him through thick and thin, until his mob-murder in Liberty, Illinois. Their greatest conflict was in her objection of polygamy, which Joseph had considered "The Sacred Principle". Brigham Young, who would later have 41 wives, grew to dislike Emma because of her anti-polygamous position; surprise, surprise. This is a good and valuable book, both for its illustration of day-to-day life back then, and for the picture of Mormon history presented.



3. and very interesting to see what seems to be a very objective story of this woman's life.
   
   Curious and also very sad what a "quandary" the sacred mandates (that come and go depending on which Mormon leaders, Bibles, etc. one happens to read at the time) associated with the plural wives doctrines caused over the course of her whole life. Also shows what life based on a "man" and the changing whims of a man can be like, and certainly does encourage/strengthen my resolve to make sure what I believe is based on solely the Bible :)
   
   Mrs. D.



4. I'm so thankful for the authors who put so much time and effort into constructing this book. It is accurate and fulfilling. My love for Emma and Joseph have deepened as a result, as has my testimony as Joseph Smith as a Prophet.
   
   I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have not personally experienced what most reviews are saying about the LDS Church's view of Emma. Those whom I know look up to her, respect her, and desire to learn from her example. That is what inspired me to learn more about her. She is, perhaps, the most remarkable woman ever to have walked the earth, aside from Mary the mother of Christ. Her only downfalls being the fact that she was as human as anyone and that because of that and the deep love she felt for her husband, her jealousy made it impossible for her to accept just one of his teachings (pleural marriage). She then went on to shelter her children from that teaching as well, resulting in the RLDS Church, which I also have much respect for, having visited their temple and visitors center, as well as the church history sites they own in Nauvoo, IL.
   
   Having read this book I believe without doubt that the law of pleural marriage is and was true, though few were called to fulfill it in this life due to the fact that most of us would not understand it and/or would have abused it. But, the fact remains that we will practice it in the celestial kingdom. I understand completely why the principal was only taught to a select few by Joseph, and why it was necessary for him to hide his practice of it from Emma. Had he been completely open about it I believe it might have actually killed her. He, too, endured much emotional distress over the pain his marriages inflicted on his beloved "Queen." My heart aches for Emma and her struggles and I doubt I could have endured them with half the grace she did. I cannot wait until the day I can embrace her and thank her for the example she has left for me to follow.



5. While this is a well written book, the authors attempt to int early Mormonism in a positive light. It should be noted that the authors were censured by the Mormon Church for writing the book, but remain practicing Mormons.
   
   In some cases the authors accept Mormon history as it is presented by the Mormon Church without documenting sources. There are places where this history is incorrect based on historical documents. The Mormon Church is not known for being forthcoming with legitimate history, but some of the history that they do recognizes has been included, even though it is not accurate. All in all in was a very good book