3 comments about Roger Williams (Lives and Legacies).

1. I met Professor Gaustad in 1988 when I moved to Riverside to pursue an advanced degree in history. He struck me at the time as a dignified careful historian who nonetheless could capture and make real the religious conflicts of centuries past. Gaustad has not lost any of his gifts as this recent book demonstrates. He does a masterful job of presenting the key elements of Roger Williams' life and development. From his conflicts with Cotton Mather and his eventual expulsion from Massachusetts Bay Colony, to his friendship with Native Americans and the founding of Rhode Island, Gaustad presents what we know of William's life in an easy to read narrative. He also includes selections of Williams' works so that modern readers can get a flavor of the writing of this influential founder.
   
   What makes this book so fascinating, however, is that Williams was a real visionary. He alone among the early colonial leaders advocated a complete separation from civil (government) society and religion. A firm believer in the Bible, Williams was skeptical of all attempts to form a genuine "New Testament" church. Only the return of Christ himeself, Williams believed, would truly restore the church of the apostles. Until then Christians could only use the powers of love and persuasion to convince others of their views. Williams adamantly opposed having the state interfere with any religious beliefs, even those which are non-Christian. This was quite a leap for an 17th century thinker.
   
   But if Williams was widely rejected in colonial New England for his views, his distinction between civil society and what he called "soul liberty" eventually became dominant in the United States and later, much of the Western World. Gaustad attributes not only the First Ammendment, but also such modern documents as the Vatican II Declaration of Religious Liberty and the 1978 Indian Religious Freedom Act to Williams' continued influence. All of which points to one of the great ironies of history. America is, as people on the religious right have claimed, a Christian nation. But it is also a nation founded upon a particular view of Christianity, one which expressly prohibited ties between Church and State. And Christianity of all stripes has flourished in precisely this environment. Moreso than any other Western Nation, the United States remains firmly and devoutly Christian. Undoubtedly, the "free market" in religious thought William advocated has produced this spiritual abundance in much the same way that the free market in economics has produced material abundance. Christians everywhere should take note of this.



2. Roger Williams has been dead almost 400 years, yet his lessons and views are as pertinent today as they have ever been. The battles he fought regarding Church and State, the battles for freedom of conscience, mind and religion, are still being fought today, just as heatedly, by parties and groups just as determined. Basic freedoms must be defended--and earned--by each generation. There will always be a place, a much needed place, for Roger Williams in the discourse of United States history and the basic freedoms we take forgranted, yet must defend, every day.
   
   Jefferson, Adams, Washington, Franklin and others may have gotten more "ink," than Roger Williams, but he may be the most important one of them all. If there had been no Roger Williams, there may have been no Frankliln, Jefferson, Washington and Adams, certainly not as we know them. Williams earned for them the right to think,worship and speak on their own.
   
   A good book, easily and quickly read, giving the reader a keen appreciation of the difficulties, trials, tribulations--and the vision--of that day. And it speaks pointedly to the challenges of this day...If the reader wants an understanding and appreciation of Religious Freedom, how we got it, what it means, and why it is essential to the country, then and now, this is the book to read. A Word of Warning: Religious Conversatives of this day may find religious freedom, true religious freedom, dangerous and threatening!!!



3. This is an effective and concise biography. I especially appreciated the author's approach. He could have drawn in a lot of irrelevant material, as authors of biography tend to do, but, to his credit, did not. I enjoyed the writing -- and that, too, is a rare comment on a bio, especially one of a subject from this time. It's not easy reading quotes from the colonial period; the language was so formal. I like that Gaustad "translated" so much of Roger Williams' words. The latter sections of the book were especially interesting. Williams may have influenced Locke -- an interesting tidbit about a noteworthy life.

5 comments about Living Beyond Your Lifetime: How to be Intentional About the Legacy You Leave.

1. Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and is a candidate for President of the United States. He is an excellent writer. He has something to say. His moral compass is pointed in the right direction. He is highly intelligent, but in a folksy way. I think he has the best chance of any Republican to win the general election. I have bought 4 of his 5 books, and am happy with them all.



2. Final review, of four books taken together.
   
   I bought four of Governor Huckabee's books, and spent much of Sunday going through them. I've decided to do one review posted four times, to provide anyone visiting one of the four books to see four snapshots in one place. I am NOT looking for multiple votes. This is my bottom-line over-all assessment of one of the three people I believe is qualified to b;ring our Nation together, the others being Senator Obama, and Representative Paul, who will not win but could demand electoral reform when Congress returns.
   
   1998,Kids Who Kill: Confronting Our Culture of Violence, is his first book and also the most earnest. I like this book, very much. The Governor weaves a rich tapesty of a culture of disrespect, too many bad laws, not enough community and faith, and I for one buy into his message: our society has fragmented and we reap what we sow. See also my reviews of:
   Rage of the Random Actor: Disarming Catastrophic Acts And Restoring Lives
   The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead
   
   2000, this book, I find equally earnest, with a very strong consistent appreciation for God and faith and community in faith, for stewardship. Like the first book, I give this one five stars. I now include this book with other positive books on religion, see my reviews of:
   GOD'S POLITICS: Why The Right Gets It Wrong & The Left Doesn't Get It (H)
   The Left Hand of God: Taking Back Our Country from the Religious Right
   Faith-Based Diplomacy: Trumping Realpolitik
   
   2007 Character Makes a Difference: Where I'm From, Where I've Been, and What I Believe
   2007 From Hope to Higher Ground: My Vision for Restoring America's Greatness
   
   Both of the above are formula books, somewhat contrived, but earnest and sufficient to come to at least two conclusions:
   
   1) This citizen is not going to let go of God or faith. He is completely different from Milt Romney, whom I consider to be just a little too slick about his Mormon loyalties (CIA officers who were Mormons would fall asleep at their desks because the Mormon church had them up working all night).
   
   2) This is a sincere good man (I based this on seeing him elsewhere as well). I frankly think that he brings the right respect for faith and God, and we need some of that in the White House, not lies and treason documented in Tempting Faith: An Inside Story of Political Seduction and American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War On America. As an estranged moderate Republican and Methodist, outrages by the crimes committed in our name, I think its time we had a moderate faith in God back in the White House.
   
   The latter book touches on various "mandate for change" issues, and one has to be somewhat dubious on his record, since more than one person from Arkansas has told me they lost income and the schools lost funding during his tenure.
   
   We need change. I'd like to see Mike Huckabee lead a dialog with all congregations on God's Politics, the Left Hand of God, and Faith-Based Golden Rule morality in all our policies at all levels. Barack Obama is energizing the young, but still severely handicapped by his elderly advisors who are out of touch with global reality.
   
   In my view, as a person who cares deeply about the Republic and has spent the last 15 years obsessing on global reality and a strategy for saving the Earth for seven generations and beyond, I would like to see Mike Huckabee being the evangelicals back into the fold, without the attendant lunacy and criminality that characterized the Bush-Cheney White House.
   
   Please do not vote for this review in more than one place.



3. Reverend Mike Huckabee's "Living Beyond Your Lifetime" is published by Broadman & Holman Publishers, a press notorious for publishing books insisting that all religious traditions other than evangelical Christianity "may be summarized as an endless reworking of spiritual depravity," (Reagan's Children: Taking Back the City on the Hill p. 70), for denouncing the "gutless ecumenism" of mainline pulpits while declaring that mainstream charitable organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters are "the vehicle for the destruction of thousands of young lives," (Get Off My Honor: The Assault on the Boy Scouts of America p. 80), and for deriding even the ACLU's defense of our civil liberties as an affront to God and "war against America's core values." (The ACLU vs. America: Exposing the Agenda to Redefine Moral Values p. 2).
   
   Huckabee is not quite so shrill when he urges us to contemplate the long-term consequences of our actions, both in our own lives and in the lives of others. His book, however, quickly degenerates into aimless collection random platitudes, trite stories, and dumb jokes - with each chapter followed by "Questions for Reflection and Discussion," as if Huckabee's thoughts really were profound enough to warrant much discussion.
   
   For the most part they are not. Perhaps the "Questions for Reflection and Discussion" indicate that the book is meant for church study groups. For the average reader, they don't add much.
   
   There is some real wisdom here. For example: "The real job of leaders is to make others successful rather than using others to make themselves successful." (p. 109). I can't argue with that.
   
   And I have to agree with Huckabee that we should think deeply about the consequences of our actions. "We make choices that have consequences for a lifetime," Huckabee observes, and "if we believe there is even a remote possibility that something about life matters because of the lasting implications our actions have, this should cause us to think differently, live differently, and leave a different kind of legacy." (p. 7-8). "It is how we live that will affect generations to come and countless people whose names we don't even know." (p. 13).
   
   This kind of circumspection, and focus on the consequences of our actions, is something one might expect from a Buddhist sage. "Suffering is inevitable for a human being," Huckabee writes, echoing the Buddha's observations concerning impermanence and suffering. (p. 150). Huckabee even echoes the Buddha on suffering's cause and cure: "A sense of real peace is achieved only when you can say that material things are genuinely immaterial." (p. 160).
   
   But Mike Huckabee is no bodhisattva. And, to tell the truth, one quickly suspects that Huckabee doesn't really mean much of what he says.
   
   Consider, for example, the chapter on "The Politics of Personal Destruction" (pp. 27-35) one of three chapters from this book that Huckabee recycles in Character Makes a Difference: Where I'm From, Where I've Been, and What I Believe.
   
   Huckabee minces no words, as he distances himself from politicians who campaign for office by means of personal attacks and innuendo:
   
   * "A politician who seeks to win an election by destroying the reputation of his opponents will eventually die by the sword." (p. 30).
   
   * "It is a big mistake for people of integrity and faith to believe that they advance their cause by destroying the competition." (p. 31).
   
   * "Truly successful people are more critical of themselves than they are of others." (p. 33).
   
   * "Although attacking others will sometimes work with voters, it will not work as we stand before God's judgment seat." (pp. 34).
   
   Huckabee portrays himself as a man of pure principles, above the mudslinging fray. Yet running for his party's presidential nomination, the Baptist minister quickly demonstrated a proclivity for very sort of character assassination and innuendo that his book condemns. In an interview with Zev Chafets, for example, Huckabee derided Mitt Romney's religion: "'Don't Mormons,' he asked in an innocent voice, 'believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers.'" (New York Times Magazine, Dec. 16, 2007, p.70).
   
   Soon after, Huckabee was in Iowa, rolling out a press conference to call attention to his own campaign ad attacking Mitt Romney's integrity and honesty. Huckabee took the stage to announce that he was taking the high road, and that his conscience would not permit him to run the attack on Mitt Romney's character. But he was pleased to play it for journalists in attendance, who were welcome to run the ad as a "news item," getting Huckabee's character assassination on the airwaves for free.
   
   "Thus also Cicero, in one of his invectives: 'I do not mention my adversary's scandalous gluttony and drunkenness, I take no notice of his brutal lusts, I say not a syllable of his treachery, malice, and cruelty.'" (A Course Of Lectures On Oratory And Criticism p. 121).
   
   No, not a syllable. Huckabee's attack ad ended: "If a man's dishonest to obtain a job, he'll be dishonest when he gets the job." Well, I guess Huckabee should know.
   
   "Even when we pretend to be humble," Huckabee writes in his book, "there are those moments in which our true nature bursts forth." (p. 43). Huckabee's a press conference to publicize his ad attacking Mitt Romney may have been one such moment. His carefully polished humility and air of decency turned out to be sheer pretence.
   
   In fact, much about Huckabee appears to be pretense. "I do not call for our government to determine what people can or can't believe or what they can or can't see," Huckabee declares at one point in his book, seeking perhaps to allay concerns that the Southern Baptist minister intends to impose his own brand of morality as law. (p. 48). But a few pages later, Huckabee's arguing that he has every right to do just that. While some may contend "that private morals are private and not the domain of government," Huckabee insists that he knows better, and that "a stronger argument can be made that the public has the right to determine what is in the best interest of all citizens." (p. 51). "Citizens do, in fact, have the right to determine what we consider appropriate as a society," declares the evangelical minister, who feels qualified to declare what's best for the rest of us. (p. 51).
   
   How far he might go is anyone's guess.
   
   Eric Alan Isaacson



4. Mike Huckabee's books are real treasures. Mike may be a politician - but he is first a person who is committed to his faith and living our his faith. Living Beyond Your Lifetime is an awesome book describing how to order your life by choosing Bible-based principles. Even if you are not a Christian, the principles ring true. Contrary to the mindset of our self-driven culture, Mike presents Bible-based principles which places the needs of others before our own agenda. The book is a captivating, easy read with "Questions for Reflection and Discussion" at the end of each chapter.



5. This is a really inspirational book! My husband, who does not read anything he doesn't have to, read this book in 3 days! Now that's amazing!

No comments about Can These Bones Live?: A Catholic Baptist Engagement with Ecclesiology, Hermeneutics, and Social Theory.

3 comments about Effective Evangelistic Churches: Successful Churches Reveal What Works, and What Doesn't.

1. This book shows Southern Baptist Churches across the country that have been effective in the past years at evangelism and church growth. It is very good if you would like to look more into what an effective church is.



2. Every pastor who cares about evangelism should read this book. By far it is the most comprehensive book on how to grow a church I have read. The author surveyed and interviewed the pastors of over 500 churches to determine what works, and what doesnt work. Rainer doesnt waste our time, but starts off by documenting ten surprises he uncovered about effective evangelistic churches. In a nutshell, much of what has been promulgated by the church growth moment is wrong. Such things as event evangelism, revivals, and traditional outreach programs are still very effective, whereas some of the newly touted methodologies such as weekday ministries (childcare, MOPS, etc) are not. The two chapters that I appreciated the most were Chapter 5 (The Sunday School Factor) and Chapter 11 (Miscellaneous Matters and Important Lessons). In them I learned that Sunday is not dead (once again, contrary to the mantra of many church growth experts) and that pastoral leadership is essential if a church is going to be evangelistically effective and that leadership cannot be delegated.

   Right off the bat, Rainer addresses the methodology issue. Most pastors, myself included, were or are looking for the magic bullet, the one methodology that will change our churches. The author points out that methodology is secondary to intentionality. Just about any methodology will work if diligently pursued.

   There are some weaknesses. How in the world can a church with under 100 in attendance be considered evangelistically effective? Sure they may baptize twenty-six people in a given year, but if they continued this for more than one year their attendance would increase to over 100. Perhaps these small churches have evangelistic effective pastors. I would have not included any church in the survey that wasnt evangelistic effective for at least three years. Also, there is another factor that colors this book: only Baptist churches were surveyed. This taints the authors research on such topics as worship. It was no surprise to me that the vast majority of Baptist churches use blended or traditional worship services. The problem is that some unsuspecting readers may assume that only blended or traditional worship services are evangelistically effective. Despite these minor flaws, this is a wonderful book. My only regret is that I didnt read it seven years ago when it was first published.




3. Another winner by Dr. Rainer. He explores the importance of preaching, prayer, Sunday school, and other elements of Church life. Written in an easy and quick to read style, the busy pastor will enjoy this book. It will give the minister of Christ a sea of information to help repair, renew, or begin a focus that will lead to a more effective Church.

4 comments about Finding Providence: The Story of Roger Williams (I Can Read Book 4).

1. I read this book to my two boys, ages 5 and 9. They enjoyed learning about such a great man. Of course, we unlike many Americans, knew something about Roger Williams before we read this book. We are descendents of his, through his son, Daniel. I was very proud to read about such a great man, who did the courageous things that he did at the time that he did them and to be able to call him Grandfather, was a treasured moment. Thank you to the Author for writing the book. What most people do not know is that Freedom of Religion and Separation of Church and State were ideas that he was the first to fight for in America. So whether you are Baptist, Catholic, Muslim or Buddhist, you should Know that the men who wrote the American Constitution, got some of their ideas from a man who lived 150 years before their time; and that he fought for you to be able to worship as you choose.



2. I was elated to find this book, have purchased 10 copies to date for children, cousins, etc. As a 13th generation direct descendent of Roger Williams daughter Mary (later married John Sayles) who tells the simple yet historically correct and fascinating story of her father's banishment from Mass. and how they ended up "founding Rhode Island." This is simple to read for children and interesting for adults alike. I would like to recommend this for all school age children interested in learning more about our American heritage.



3. This is an adventurous book, and it is a true story. I learned that the man who founded Providence is named Roger Williams. It was nice for the kids that it was told from his daughter's point of view. I gave the book three stars because the people in the pictures were stiff and not real looking. I would recommend this book for someone who likes history.



4. I am very impressed with the detail of this book. 2nd - 4th graders are introduced to the Puritans' struggle for religious freedom and their tendency to fall back to old patterns of persecution. Roger Williams and his family are portrayed as the real people they were, making it easy for the ready the empathize. However, the books ends with the comment that the separation of church and state has been secured by our constitution, which is untrue. The separation of church and state is an idea that came through a court decision years after the constitution was ratified.

2 comments about Experiencing the Cross: Your Greatest Opportunity for Victory Over Sin.

1. Blackaby is better known for his book and study guide entitled "Experiencing God," from which he based his title for this book on the cross. If you come to this book, like me, expecting something similar to his previous work, you will be disappointed. Blackaby's book is short on profound insights or even new, engaging ways of interacting with old insights. His treatment of the cross is very basic theology on a layman's level. The style of the book is very propositional with only scant stories and illustrations--not very conducive to producing a touching sense of personal experience. For someone newly exploring Christianity, it may be a helpful book to understand the reason for Jesus' crucifixion. Blackaby's main agenda, however, seems to be trying to regain a sense of the importance of holy living in a Christian culture that sometimes doesn't take sin seriously. While this is a noble goal, and a needful corrective for some, a reading of his book may take many overly sensitive Christians even further from the joy of a grace-covered life that God wants to give them. Blackaby's emphasis will tend to reinforce in that kind of reader the guilt-ridden perspective that keeps them preoccupied with their failings, mourning their part in Jesus' death instead of celebrating his salvation. You can find much better books on the cross-shaped life.



2. We all need to hear this message. We have only one opportunity for victory over sin, and this book deals with it.
   
   Everyone sins right? Well then it must be OK to sin.
   
   No! It is not OK. The fact that other people sin is not a valid excuse. God did not send Jesus Christ to die in vain! By keeping on sinning we are blaspheming the name of God amongst unbelievers.
   
   If all Christians experienced the cross with God the church would become the good example we need to be. We would be the light of the world. But most of all, those outside the faith would have a reason to believe that the Christian faith is alive and real.
   
   We receive an alarming warning from Jesus in Matthew 7:21. Go read it and think about the implications of this.
   
   Experiencing the Cross has the power to make you see the cross of Jesus Christ in a new light. It will set you free to start living as a true disciple of Christ. Buy a copy for yourself, and encourage others to do the same...
   
   Or just buy it for them.
   
   After you have read this book, ask yourself "Where is the evidence that my life has been transformed?" as Henry Blackaby encourages you to do. And be honest!

2 comments about Martin Luther King, Jr. (DK Biography).

1. "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today!" ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
   
   Amy Pastan has created a photographic story with fascinating details and a fresh perspective based on the latest research. Through reading this biography, children will learn about inhumane segregation laws and why racism is wrong. Definition boxes teach children about nonviolent resistance or grassroots movements.
   
   After a trip to India, Martin decided to use Gandhi's nonviolent methods to promote change. This book teaches children that there are ways to change the world without violence and it also shows how resilient you have to be to see change occur in your lifetime. What is really striking about this book is the stories of how students endured such hatred in order to achieve their goals.
   
   Amy Pastan also tells the story of how Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote his famous "Letter from a Birmingham Jail." In this letter he wrote: " Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed."
   
   There are inspiring stories of great bravery as children take to the streets to protest and demand their freedom. As men march with bold signs that read: "I Am a Man," demonstrators start to demand to be respected as a human being.
   
   On the last few pages, the author explains why Martin Luther King's birthday has become an occasion where students learn about civil rights and why many dedicate the day to spiritual reflection or sponsor activities that promote change.
   
   "Our dreams will sometimes be shattered and our ethereal hopes blasted....Difficult and painful as it is, we must walk on in the days ahead with an audacious faith in the future." ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



2. This is an extraordinary book, sharing the human struggles for freedom from oppression, details of "how" to proceed in order for positive change to prevail, and cites incredible examples to teach our children until humanity is viewed equally, rather than judged unethically.
   
   This is a book that would do well for our children to read. The examples of courage, the kind that comes from the heart, and endures no matter how dark appearances seem to be shows that anyone can prevail when truth is sought over might.
   
   The book is inspiring, and a light for all.

5 comments about Essentials of New Testament: Greek.

1. This is a fairly small volume (about 200 pages), but lots of great content. It is organized in a maner that builds on itself and doesn't expect the student to have prior knowledge of the greek language. This is probably the best textbook I had in my entire college experience.
   
   As some of the others have said the examples and exercises are limited. This is true. (Remember, only 200 pages) I definitely recommend the workbook and/or additional resources. (Computer programs are an option for students today--although I haven't personally tried any of them.) This book is a must for any beginning biblical greek student.



2. Learning New Testament Greek is not for the faint of heart. There is a tremendous amount of memorization (besides vocabulary items there are according to some estimates approximately 500 forms of the Greek verb) involved along with a myriad of rules to learn, all of which seem to have exceptions.
   The book eases the beginner into NT Greek with 31 chapters (158 pages of text). The 1st two are alphabet and pronunciation. Basic verbs are next and then common nouns and noun structures. Each chapter has vocabulary items (by the end of the reader will have been exposed to every word used fifty times or more in the GNT) and very helpful practice exercises.
   As one reviewer states the "optative" is not discussed, but, this is in keeping with the books basic approach "to be functional and practical".
   This book is best studied under the tutelage of a teacher but it could be useful to someone doing independent learning.
   The book is only introductory (as are all beginner textbooks). Reading through and comprehending ALL of the book's precepts, the student will only be prepared to BEGIN a study of the Greek New Testament.
   I have read and studied nearly a dozen beginning [New Testament] Greek textbooks including Mounce, Croy, Machen, etc., and believe Essentials of New testament Greek is the best of the bunch.



3. This grammar works very well as a training tool for teaching or studying basic NT Greek. Each lesson is laid out very logically with enough work to help you develop your skill without overwhelming you.
   
   The methodology is very simple. Vocabulary with a simple point and some memorization work to help you grasp the concept for that lesson.
   
   It is easier to teach through than other basic grammars I have looked at, simply because of it's focus.
   
   I would like to say that those who have criticized it for the 8 case system may be correct...but I like the 8 case system because it gives beginning students a stronger intuitive sense that context does drive a lot of meaning in Greek. That is important for students to understand.
   
   It is a great text book, designed to take 2 semesters for an average student.
   
   Learning NT Greek is not hard. You can do it. This text book is one of the better options you have. A different pathway that helps you accomplish the same task is Mounce's Basics of Biblical Greek. I happen to like the approach of Summers a little better. Both of those two Grammars are high on my list. I also recommend FDB (Funk's Grammar) and A.T. Robertson.
   
   Finally, the verb chart is handy to have, but not necessary since they are now standard in most software programs for NT Greek...including BibleWorks 7.0 which I have and love.
   
   I hope you enjoy Summers textbook as much as I have.



4. This was our introductory book for our first year of NT Greek. It was the primary book chosen by our illustrious Greek teacher, who has had over 20 years of teaching NT Greek experience under her belt, so our confidence was strong in her choosing this particular book. In review, it was quite good both in format and its use of simple 'English teaching language.' Although I had to look up such terms as 'imperative' and 'deponent.' Perhaps it was also good in that we had a teacher who was there to answer our questions. However, new readers/students might have problems in trying to teach themselves Greek solely from the use of this particular book. Even with the aid of a software program in addition to using this book, there is without a doubt the bound of questions arising.
   
   Most of the lessons, which were a few pages in length, were constructed from previous lesson(s). There were a total of 31 lessons. The first one started with the alphabet and its proper pronounciation, and the last one ended with a translation exercise of 1 John 3:11-18. Most of what you would study in a foreign language were there in Essentials of NT Greek; verbs, nouns, prepositions, conjugations, tenses, etc. What was missing from the book, which I would immediately add if I was the editor or publisher is a 'parsing guide.' I can not be more helpful than to recommend to the pontential buyer and to student of NT Greek to learn how to parse! Learn to parse, you will thank me!
   
   In agreement with previous reviews, you definitely must get the Workbook/Answer Key Essentials of New Testament Greek: A Student's Guide, because while the exercises are decent (some of them are quirky), you won't know the answers because the book doesn't provide them. The negative critique about the Workbook/Answer Key, however, is that when Summer's book gave a particular translation exercise, for example John 1:1-2, the Workbook/Answer Key did not have an answer, it simply referred to 'John 1:1-2' as the answer, which is basically of no help to the student who might get confuse because there are so many Bible translations, and picking the correct 'translation rendering' becomes almost impossible. Not to mention, counterproductive to what the ultimate goal of studying NT Greek is, translating not only properly but correctly. Additionaly, I personally recommended that you supplement your NT Greek studies with other books. Do not solely rely on just one book, and this goes for learning Biblical Hebrew as well. -



5. I study on my own. This is an excellent grammar book. The book provides clear and succint explanation on basic grammatical rules with illustrated tables for quick review. The tables in each chapter can be referred back for comparison with a new lesson. The exercises on each chapter enable me to apply what has been learned. The student guide provides the answer though there are occassionally minor mistakes such as a city is translated as a church. I have read a couple of other textbooks but I strongly recommends this one.

No comments about What We Believe Together: Exploring the "Shared Convictions" of Anabaptist-related Churches.

5 comments about Morning by Morning (Hendrickson Christian Classics).

1. Every morning,I could meditate in God. I'm lazy but this book make me eager. God give me this book to work hard.....



2. Reading a Spurgeon devotional is like having the perfect dessert after a perfect dinner. Morning by Morning is just such a treat. Spurgeon's eloquence reaches a spiritual level that challenges the reader yet clarifies great truths of the Bible like few others. Like C.S. Lewis, he illuminates without expanding beyond the source. This little volume would make a great gift for any Christian.



3. I chanced upon this daily devotional in a local bookshop. I didn't know it was that good. I just bought it because I needed something extra for the morning before going off to work. As I began going through it, I realised how inspiring, motivating and crystal clear Spurgeon was able to explain some of the things about God. Along the way, it gave me many fresh revelations; things that I accepted previously as a Christian but never really understood why. As mentioned, many of the devotionals were inspiring and motivating. I really felt that God was speaking to me so lovingly through Spurgeon's devotionals. I'm not the only one who felt this way. Many of my friends and colleagues whom I shared the devotionals with felt the same way. Spurgeon's devotionals brought them so much closer to God and made some of them so much more passionate about God. This is definitely the first-choice daily devotional to go through first thing after we wake up every morning.



4. This is the best Christian devotional I have ever read. It is sure to bring you closer to God as you meditate on Charles Spurgeon's writings based on the Bible.



5. This book is a fantastic daily devotional. Charles Spurgeon helps you to grow closer in your walk with the Lord. It is a book that you will look forward to reading everyday.