5 comments about Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent, Member Book.

1. Excellent study. Very easy to follow. No matter where you are in your faith, you will grow as a result of it. Touches on every emotion you could have. Especially great if dealing with difficult people in your life.



2. I got so much from this study of the feasts of the Lord as told in the Psalms of Assent. I also loved writing the Psalms in my own words. As always Beth was so on fire in the videos. You cannot help but grow in your love of God thru this study.



3. Another great Beth Moore study. Not as long as the rest of her studies.



4. Beth Moore Studies are absolutely wonderful. Our all-women Bible Study Group are almost Beth Moore junkies. We have done several of her studies and have never been disappointed. Amazon.com was really quick to send it to me as well. I received mine before others that ordered else where but on the same day. Thank you Amazon.com for the great transaction. I will only order from Amazon from now on and Thank you Beth Moore....keep them coming. The Daniel Study was fabulous too!



5. Another great study by Beth Moore. the shorter 7 week legnth was perfect for us to do over the summer and many in our group are new to Beth Moore so 7 weeks was a great intro.

5 comments about Every Man's Battle: Winning the War on Sexual Temptation One Victory at a Time (The Every Man Series).

1. Very helpful in many ways. I wish I had this one 25 years ago.



2. very into the whole born again thing.....but it still applys to any modern day man



3. I really hope people read this from a womans viewpoint. The thing that gets me heated about this is that this is NOT HOW WOMAN THINK! I wish women would get real with their feelings. This is no shock! If you think women don't have battles exactly like this then you would be wrong. Men get sexual gratification through their eyes. Women get sexual gratification from touch and the pursuit of them. Women know what they are doing when they dress a certain way. Im a married woman and when I see a goodlooking guy I honestly think and wonder how he is in bed. I to tell myself not to go to far with the way I think about that guy. The danger for women is that they want to be touched and they want EVERY man to want them. Its just how we are wired. We are all human so if you think this is just a man's problem then u r wrong! Women who are in touch with their bodies struggle also. So the fact that women are shocked by this makes me think they need to truely evaluate themselves. Sorry if this offends anyone but its the truth!!



4. This book is probably the worst book on the subject of sexual temptation and addiction out there. They copy a lot of material from other authors (Carnes) but change it into something sanitized and useless. If you want to deal with anything beyond the symptoms of temptation or addiction then look elsewhere. Pat Carnes or Mark Laaser are the better choices.



5. I think the authors have some really great ideas and it certainly drives the point home. But, from a Christen point of view, it denies an essential part of the emotion. For those Christen readers, read it for content not specifics.

5 comments about How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth.

1. I want to keep this short. I have a serious problem with this book because of their chapter on differing Bible translations on the market. These authors make no bones about their strong support for and their adoption of (they use this version all throughout their book) the most controversial bible out there: the TNIV which is a bible translation heavily influenced by feminism. They are also fiercely opposed to newer alternative versions that will not cater to cultural feminism such as the ESV, a version in which one can strongly sense their extreme hostility to it in their book. A vastly superior (and unbiased) book is "Grasping God's Word" by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays. I hope this helps you. Again buy the book I mentioned, Grasping God's Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible



2. I recommend this book without reservation. I have used it as a university instructor for years. Fee and Stuart, two of the world's foremost biblical scholars, guide the reader into understanding how to appropriately interpret scripture. They do this through many examples of misinterpretion from the original languages of Hebrew and Greek, as well as cultural misunderstandings of the ancient world. Fee and Stuart also guide the reader to understand the various genres of literature represented in scripture and how to read them appropriately. A companion text to "How to Read the Bible Book by Book" they should be tandom resources in every Bible student's personal library.



3. The title says it all. If you want to read the Bible for all its worth, you, not only read the book, but have to have your own copy. I borrowed the book from the library and started digging into it. There were many valuable Bible verses provided to illustrate and support the important points of the author's view. In order to gain the most from the book, I would need to go through all of these references. Since I did not have the time to do this at one time, I would like to keep a copy on my book shelf. In this case, I would be able to refer to it whenever I need to. So, I decided to purchase my own copy. If you are serious about understanding the Bible, I highly recommend this book to you.



4. The book is an excellent journey into the word of God and will get you pointed in the right direction. Many Christians do not study the word of God in the correct context and this book rectifies a long standing problem in the Evangelical community concerning the interpretation of Scripture. I was concerned about the author's pushing the TNIV as the translation of choice for serious study of the Bible. I would have preferred that they used the NRSV with the TNIV being a strong secondary translation for study. I did appreciate the fact that they encouraged the use of Bible dictonaries and commentaries to study scripture, but I felt that thay should have done a chapter on good study bibles that can aid in understanding the text. I did feel that they interjected their opinions too much in the book and gave us their pet peeves, couched in the language of exegesis and hermeneutics. In the same vein, they did debunk a few misinterpretations on some biblical passages and they allow for healthy dissent. The most important thing is to read the Bible and this book gives a good start.



5. Another book that was required for a course. Another book that would not otherwise have been purchased. Content was OK. It contained some helpful and insightful information.

5 comments about The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore.

1. I like to feel led by Jesus's teaching. I think this book really explains what was going though his head, and how we might attempt to be like (close) to him.



2. What I like most about any book that Deepak writes is his depth of wisdom and his committment to living a contemplative life. One clear sign of this wisdom is his appreciation and agility in being able to contemplate his subject from multiple points of view. Thus, whatever he concludes is born out of this desire for a deep and broad understanding...an intuition to the wholeness of Spirit.
   
   I was raised Catholic, well educated and inspired by the story of God, Paradise, Jesus and his profound love and sacrifice for all Being. A few priests and nuns were also inspiring. Yet for myself and many other baby boomers, the religious culture of our time barely registered on any scale of true Love, Peace or Wisdom. Far more important than what we are told to believe when we are young and open is the energy signature of the environment in which the teaching happens. Unfortunately, our modern Western model of a sane and loving world viewed from within our organized religions offers very little for those of us with precocious natures. We need more than platitudes, dogmas, rules of engagement sourced in fear and hypocracies that anyone with a modicum of insight can plainly see.
   
   I believe that Deepak is more credible than most spiritual teachers in that he appears truly interested in your spiritual unfolding and fulfillment. He is also wise enough to perceive that there are significant resistences and challenges to the heightening of the human awareness of the Christ Consciousness or any enlightened state of being. Deepak has clearly brought Jesus into his own unfolding through his research, contemplation and sharing. Yes...this book is Deepak's interpretation of the meaning and purpose of the Jesus story, the Jesus life and Christ Consciousness. He writes it as he sees and intuits it. I for one, simply resonate with his insight and inspiration. He offers many practical ways that every lover of Jesus can explore their own state of consciousness in a context inspired by Jesus himself, as far as we can know him from the past. No one can make dogma (past) out of wisdom or love (Presence). All Truth is alive and flowing throughout each moment of life and the form of life changes as we unfold. Anyone who is willing to inspire and add to this unfoldment has my deepest admiration for their efforts. I can also consciously appreciate the sign of our times that is found in the merging of the spiritual wisdoms from East and West. Common sense should never go unnoticed. The Third Jesus has added to my appreciation and love for the Spirit we call Jesus. For this I am deeply grateful.
   
   Sundance Burke, Author Free Spirit: A Guide to Enlightened Being



3. Am only about a quarter of the way into this book but it seems well written and resonates well with me. Aside from what has been taught by religious doctrine and supported by many scriptures, Deepak talks about what he believes Jesus really meant when he said many of the things we remember and quote all the time.



4. Third Jesus was thought provoking. Good historical research? No. A threat to Christianity? Hardly. A definitive interpretation of the meaning of the life of Jesus of Nazareth? Certainly not. It does however, give the author's interpretation of some aspects of the life of Jesus as reported in the New Testament. Anyone, including the many bloggers here, who purports to know beyond a shadow of a doubt and with total objectivity who a man who lived over 2,000 years ago was, how he lived each moment, and what that man's exact thoughts were is kidding herself. We cannot say for certain who the person Jesus was or what his life meant. His existence (finite, infinite, or both) has meant a lot to very many people. His life has been interpreted many times in many ways. Chopra, an author who makes a living giving his opinion, explains his own interpretation in Third Jesus. Neither Third Jesus nor Chopra are a threat to Jesus or Christianity. Neither are they definitive explanations for how existence works. If you are of a mind to ponder Chopra's take on Jesus, then Third Jesus is a fun interesting read. If you are not, simply don't read it or stop at the point you no longer enjoy it. Both the glowing reviews and the venomous ones are disturbing for what they imply about the writers. Third Jesus is a philosphical opinion. If you have trouble understanding that, read the Bible and try to do some objective, factual research on Jesus, the Christian church, the origin of the Bible, world history, etc., etc., and form your own opinion. Third Jesus may be thought-provoking but is unlikely to bring anyone to enlightenment or to threaten God, whatever you conceive God to be. I liked the book on CD. I listened to it a couple of times in rapid succession to keep me alert on a long car ride alone. I bought it primarily because I've read some other Chopra books and they always seemed to make me feel good and assume a more positive outlook. For me, Third Jesus is the equivalent of watching someone smile - it makes you more likely to smile yourself - nothing more. Chopra's book got me to think about Jesus and God and that nearly always brightens my day.



5. Deepak Chopra explores the 3 dimensions of Jesus that leads us to our own individual spiritual path and ultimately to the collective consciousness.
   
   We are not to enter the spiritual dimension only for our own sake; this would be self-centered and egoistic but to re-connect with our inner self so that we may inter-connect with one another. This is not only a personal journey but a social journey.
   
   The spiritual goal is to become one in unity with all of creation and become co-creators for a better world for all beings.
   
   This was Jesus' message 2000 years ago. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is the Word made flesh.
   
   Other books for your consideration:
   
   Jesus Before Christianity by Albert Nolan
   A Life of Jesusby Shusaku Endo
   Joshua: A Parable for Today[[ASIN:0824519868 by Joseph Girzone
   Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular Worldby Henri J Nouwen

5 comments about Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light.

1. Saint John of the Cross initiated the term 'Dark Night of the Soul.' It essentially refers to an arrid period in our spiritual journey - one whereby we feel somewhat abandoned by God. God is always there however; we just feel as though He has left us to our own devices.
   
   Many of the great saints and mystics experienced this dark night and Blessed Mother Teresa was no exception. She has been unfairly criticized by many, especially some media sources. They paint a picture of someone who actually did not believe but simply went through the motions - a kind of faith facade. Nothing could be further from the truth. Read this book and see for yourself what she really experienced and how she managed to overcome her anxieties. The Lord Whom she loved and served saw her through it all until the end.
   
   One has to ask themselves logically why a woman of her age and length of service to humanity years would even go into the areas she did. What drives someone to leave a relatively comfortable life and embark into areas totally foreign to them being subject to all manner of inconvenience and potential dangers? Why would anyone ever 'volunteer' for such work as Mother Teresa chose picking up and carrying maggot-infested people from the gutters and taking them to a shelter, albeit a warehouse she was able to obtain, and clean the maggots from them, give them food and drink, comfort and assurance so they could die with dignity?
   
   Critics abound everywhere and do so from the comfort of their air-conditioned dwellings sipping a latte' and knowing that their next meal is in their grasp. They shower with imported soaps, get facials and manicures...yet, they are able to criticize an elderly Nun who is out in the world remaining free of its attractions so as to see in all men and women the Christ she so loved and served. Dark night's incidentally are actually a sign that God has favored someone. It is a test of sorts and in my judgment and that of millions of others, Blessed Mother Teresa passed that test with flying colors.
   
   Read this book and see for yourself the strength and character that was Mother Teresa.



2. This book was picked up on a whim, it was on sale and I, frankly, had never read a book on Mother Teresa. The movie "Madre Teresa" is dynamic and full of hope, but it looked more at the movement than the "pencil in the hand of God" as she called herself. After about one chapter I was hooked. This is a book of sharp contrasts--Mother Teresa knows God is there, she sees His hand, she knows His love, but He seems so silent to her. It was hard to read at times as we walked with her through the "Dark Soul of the Night" (taken from her own letters and the reading by St John of the Cross). You almost wanted to reach into the book and tell her "God is there!" but then you are awakened to the very fact that many of us live the same walk with God. God's silence is so loud, yet we know He is there, even in the darkest corners of our life.
   
   The amazing parts were her "spunk." While she took every answer as a "Yes" or "No" from God, she was not one to let others decide the answer without her sending volumes of letters explaining her rationale for every project, every idea...she almost pestered her superiors, but pester is not the right word. She exhibited passion--a trait not as evident today.
   
   The one thing that I walked away with comes very late in the book and it will really change your life. It deals with a passage she hears read during a sermon or presentation from Psalm 68.21 (or Psalm 69.20 in the Protestant version). Read it in the NRSV...it is a powerful essay in one verse on the state of (or lack of) caring in our world. Her answer to all the sisters (and to the reader) is "Be The One." Be the one for the hurting, be the one who stands in the gap (Ezekiel), be the one for the poor man (Eccl.) and more.
   
   As Mother Teresa reaches the end of her life the book quietly winds down to one simple story at the end. It takes place in a simple village and a simple home (I won't spoil it) but it sums up the entire book and it gives the reader a challenge for a changed life to be lived among the poorest of the poor. Every page is rich in detail. It is amazing so many people ignored her admonition to burn her letters and they kept all the correspondence...which now gives us a legacy. As a non-Catholic myself, I had heard so much rumor of her faith being more Hindu than Christian, more secular than sacred. This book sets the story straight as it takes the very words from the very letters she wrote and she received. An amazing book to have our kids read, too.



3. A Walk Through LifeCome be my light is a great book on how she battled through her darkness and helped many people in all corners of the world. This book has been translated from her original writings and gives you a good insight into Mother Teresa.



4. I was inspired, not scandalized, that Mother Teresa underwent a protracted dark night of the soul. The book may not have the impact it now has on those who knew her media image in another decade or so; one reason the book surprised me so much was that it presented a hidden and totally different portrait from her public persona.



5. First it is important to realize what this book is. It is a compilation of Mother Theresa's correspondence and advice she was given by her closest personal confidants.It was compiled as part of the process of declaring her a saint. We don't know much about what was happening in her world at the time the letters were written. For that we would need to read an autobiography of which there are a number of good ones.There are chronological gaps.
   
   This book is carefully compiled and referenced. It gives a very different perspective of Mother Theresa. The previously available works are authorized biographies and teachings.It is an excellent compilation of the process of spiritual growth.
   
   She truly was a Bodhisattva one who remained in the world to further others spiritual progress and relieve suffering. Through these letters one can can appreciate the depth of her humility, the immensity of her persistence in the face of her person crisis of faith and external obstacles. It is long and not light reading, but reaches to a depth no other work has.
   
   I would recommend this for the serious spiritual student or scholar. It may be too deep and repetitive for the casual reader.

5 comments about Jesus Calling: Seeking Peace in His Presence.

1. This is an awesome daily reflection. I highly recommend it to anyone and will purchase more as gifts.



2. An all time favorite daily devotional and often purchased for a gift.
   Written beautifully as Jesus himself were speaking directly, intimately, lovingly. References scripture for each day for additional reading.
   Simple yet profound, easy to read, comforting, and applicable.
   A true treasure for the journey.



3. This is the best devotional I have ever had. It's truly annointed and I highly recommend it. In fact, I've probably given 30 or 40 of them away and I hear rave reviews from everyone to whom I've given it.



4. 
   I'm always on the look out for a good spiritual book. This one was recommended to me.
   
   While I totally agree with the premise the author is writing about, I don't feel that there is enough variety- kind of repetitive.
   
   I guess I'll give it as a gift to someone. Anyone having a birthday soon?



5. The first time I opened this book, the words spoke directly to my issue. Reading this daily helps me to recognize that Jesus is with me always. If you desire a closer walk with Jesus, this is definitely the book for you.

5 comments about Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith.

1. This book is ok if you are either not a Catholic and curious, or a Catholic who is absolutely clueless about why we believe what we do. I bought this book thinking it would help me in the field of apologetics (should I come across a protestant who attacks Catholic doctrine: perpetual virginity, the Eucharist, etc). What I found, about fifty pages in, was that this was really an intro (and a watered-down intro at that) into the beliefs of the Church. One would be much better off with Karl Keating's "Catholicism and Fundamentalism." Or, if you are really hardcore, either Henry Denzinger's "The Sources of Catholic Dogma," or Jurgens' "The Faith of the Early Fathers" in three volumes. Both Denzinger and Jurgens provide excellent, the best I've come across so far, historical content, while Keating will teach you how to argue what you believe (mostly by presenting Protestant arguments and defeating them with the Catholic). This combination of books will prove very helpful for the Catholic who wishes to defend his faith against vicious anti-Catholic Protestanism--not attack the latter. You may also wish to supplement this with "The New Jerome Biblical Commentary" by Raymond Brown et al.
   
   All that being said, if you have never read anything at all about why Catholics believe what they do, this is NOT BAD. However, you can do better.



2. Dr. Hahn has not just "done it again" as this book far exceeds what he's done in the past. As aptly summarized by other reviewers, the book is partitioned into three sections, each forming an eloquently persuasive apologetic appropriate for different groups: first, for unbelievers; second, for non-Catholic Christians; third, for Catholics themselves - though each of the book's sections has broad appeal and would prove beneficial to anyone reading them.
   
   For instance, in one of the most surprising and impressive passages of the first part of the book, Hahn makes readily understandable the traditional proof for God's existence from motion (sic!). Though Aquinas calls this proof "the most evident," lately, various factors militate to render it "most obscure." Using the metaphor of a train with no engine, Hahn deftly shows that, no matter how long - no matter how many cars are added, the train will not move unless there is a "first mover" (namely, the engine or, with regard to motion in the universe, God).
   
   I highly recommend this book for just about anyone - even high schoolers can benefit from it. It is useful for personal enrichment, for a course (in secondary or post-secondary school) on faith and reason, for an intro to Catholicism course, for parish adult-education programs, to give as a gift to friends and family members, and so on.
   
   This is, by far, one of Dr. Hahn's best works - and that's saying much, since his other books are full of profound insights and fresh, helpful explanations of otherwise difficult doctrines.



3. This book is a worthwhile read. It will take your basic apologetics skills one level deeper. The author really envelops the reader in the Old Testement in a way that is refreshing. Instead of looking soley at the teachings of Christ, the author includes how the Church today is a fullfilment of prophesy and in accordance with the whole book. The beginning of the book is helpful in dealing with other than Christian faiths, atheists and agnostics.



4. I ordered this book because we are going to have a study class in Oct but I have not had a chance to sit down with it. I have other Scott Hahn books and all have been very good.



5. Scott Hahn is an extremely careful writer, who has been very patient to choose the wording for his arguments. The book is well written, easy to read and fulfilled my expectations.
   Speaking from his heart, the author gives an honest report on his view of the protestant faith he once embraced and the Catholic faith he now pursues.
   Having St. Thomas on the cover is a testimony of his intellectual honesty by admitting it is not easy to find the path to belief and salvation.

5 comments about The Apostles.

1. "They are blind and their leaders are blind. And when the blind follow the blind they all fall into the pit." Jesus the Messiah and Lord from the Gospels
   
   Unfortunately and tragically Pope Benedict XVI has done it again. His deception has no limits, which is fitting for a modernist. Joseph Ratzinger has continually denied and still denies the Christological Doctrines of the Catholic Christian faith as defined by the Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church. He does not assent to the Doctrines of the Catholic faith as defined by the Ecumenical Council of Trent against the Protestant heresy and he describes Martin Luther as one of his theological mentors. Finally, on the Vatican website gives approval to biblical modernism which teaches that the Apostles invented the Christian religion from their subjective experiences. His religious subjectivism ends up denying the objectivity of the public Divine revelation of the Christian religion. Deniars of these facts, please research them for yourself and this won't be the end to Ratzinger's heresies but just the beginning. Yet how is he able to deceive people into thinking that he is a Catholic Christian. The answer is that he is a modernist and in fact a moderate modernist as described by Pope St. Pius X's encyclical On Modernism(Pascendi Dominici Gregis) for which on one page they will read "... as a Catholic and on the next page as a rationalist(which includes in contemporary times religious subjectivism)." Unfortunately, the consequences of this grave deception is great as it is a matter of human salvation. "They are blind and their leaders are blind. And when the blind follow the blind they all fall into the pit."Jesus of Nazareth Tragically it is only true traditional Catholics who recognize that we have had only modernist popes starting with Pope John XXIII and consequently refuses to be blind and thereby fall into the pit of a modernist Novus Ordo Construct outside the Historical Catholic Church and which ultimately leads to hell. The only way this situation will change is when a traditional Catholic pope is elected and yes every traditional Catholic is praying and working for this day to come. The day of deception will be over modernists, religious necoconservatives(Our Sunday Visitor), and indultarians. Yes, laus tibi Christe, when the day of deception will be over!Then History will not judge lightly the modernists and appeasers of modernists, the reliogious neocons and indultarians. History and the Lord of history will vindicate their faithful servants who passed on what they have received: the traditional Catholic remnant and the truth about modernism and this great apostasy led by modernist popes will be known and accepted by all. Ratzinger has done it again but not for long! The truth can not be held back!



2. Although I am a Protestant, I found the Pope's book enlightening and interesting. The first two chapters are rich in wisdom, pointing out our blessing of the Lord's very presence as we minister, and the living tradition which the Apostles and subsequent ministers have passed on to us. Throughout this book, the Pope pointed out the greater symbolism of various events in which the Apostles participated. For example, the theological significance of the great catch of fish. He also summarized the theological importance of his points, emphasizing key matters such as what constitutes a good witness: those that compel us to "come and see." His command of the first century evangelistic campaign and the order of events was revealed in an easy to follow manner. He identifies various characteristics of the Apostles and relates them to Christ's overall ministry. Furthermore, he draws from early church writings. Most importantly, the Pope supported his teachings with scripture and flatly stated that we are saved by faith alone. This should be appreciated by both Catholics and Protestants.
   
   Curtis Mosley
   Houston, Texas
   May 25, 2008



3. 
   This book is well-written but its title is deceptive. The early chapters front-load what follows with the theological premises of the Roman Catholic Church so it is less about the Apostles than we might hope. BXVI is known as a scholar, and certainly his scholarly bent shows in what he writes, leaving many people who haven't personally dug into the current scholarship feeling impressed. If one believes in apostolic succession and Christ's entrusting the apostles with maintaining fidelity and truth (and this reviewer does accept this concept), then there are those of us who feel that the mandate for truth has failed. I have to assume that the Bishop of Rome believes what he has written, but the world has changed in that the world of scholarship is open to those of us in the pews. We don't have to accept a distorted and incomplete scholarship. We're no longer illiterates who are dependent upon the Church to tell us what to believe. We can dig it out and weigh its efficacy for ourselves. It cannot be that the Bishop of Rome is unaware of the extensive scholarship, as he has the unfathomable riches of the Roman Catholic Church that would make it easy.
   
   I will only briefly address two overwhelmingly glaring areas. We note that women disciples are discussed in the very back of the book. BXVI lists many of the women, but he is only able to magnify the works of those who are coupled, such as Priscilla and Aquila. He makes no note of the importance that in scripture, Priscilla is listed first. And he manages to get through chapters on St. Paul's co-workers and the chapter on women without mentioning the Apostle Junia (Romans 16:7). The scholarship here is clear: There was one named female Apostle. See Eldon Jay Epp (2005). Junia: The First Woman Apostle. Minneapolis: Fortress Press (available on Amazon).
   
   Then, the gospel material on St. Peter is, as would be expected, seriously selective, reinterpreted and reworked. What is lost is that the meaning of "Apostle" was being fought in the first century, and we know who won out in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Luke carves out a view that the 12 are the only trustworthy witnesses of the Resurrection.
   
   Luke's "twelve" is a select group and it is ONLY in Luke they are specifically chosen FROM a larger group of followers, a group not present in Mark and Matthew [see Luke 6:13]. Matthew uses the term, "apostolic" only once [10:2-5]. Mark uses it only once [6:30]. Luke uses the term 6 times in the Gospel, and 34 times in Luke-Acts. The author of Luke and Acts writes several decades after Paul and adds new requirements for apostleship, limiting it to the Twelve, excluding Paul, James the brother of Jesus, who rose to head the Jerusalem Church, and all female apostles. The restriction of "Apostle" seen in Luke-Acts is not seen in Paul. Luke downplays the functionality of the role or mission of Apostleship and makes it more symbolic.
   
   The preeminence of Peter is not uniform across the Gospels so we can see the struggle for authority that was going on. In 4G, Jesus never specifically chooses Peter as a member of a subgroup of disciples. He does not have any special resurrection appearance until Chapter 21, which is a later add-on redaction.
   
   Contrary to BXVI, Peter is not depicted as the first to see the Risen Christ across the Gospels. Matthew, Mark and John give prominence to Mary Magdalene. It is only in Luke that Peter is gifted with an individual appearance of the Lord [Luke 24:33-34]. In the other three Gospels, Jesus or angelic messengers send Mary Magdalene alone or with other women to proclaim the Resurrection. This is such an inconvenience to Rome that it must be obscured. So, at a minimum, the history as recounted in the canonical Gospels shows that the conflict for authority was going on in the 1st century.
   
   If you want to see some of the available scholarship for yourself, read Ann Graham Brock (2003). Mary Magdalene, The First Apostle: The Struggle for Authority. Harvard University Press (available on Amazon). Based on her PhD dissertation at Harvard, she has very effectively demonstrated in the canonical Gospels, with supplementary non-canonical sources including the Acts of Peter and Acts of Paul, that where Peter is made prominent in the Gospels, Mary Magdalene and the other women are diminished, and vice versa.
   
   The Apostles reads easily if you accept the underlying premises, and if you don't, the book well captures official Roman Catholic views. It is not an unbiased account of the early history of the church. There is good information in this book, but it should not be read in isolation or as an accurate picture of the first century of Christianity.



4. I consider that nowadays Pope Benedict XVI is currently "an universal moral reference" for mankind, the Catholic Church is all over the world the only one of churches growing vigorously among the young and the intellectuals .. The message of Jesus is as fresh as always !!!



5. This book reprints a year's worth of Pope Benedict XVI's weekly addresses at his public audiences where he meditates on the stories of the twelve apostles, St. Paul and other early disciples of Christ. He draws lessons from these that apply to all of us. An excellent and easy read with short chapters that can be read independently.
   
   Caveat emptor: This is the same exact content as "Jesus, The Apostles and The Early Church" published by Ignatius Press. The Ignatius Press version is printed on heavier paper and is a more well produced book for the same price. Buy that one instead! Jesus, the Apostles and the Early Church: General Audiences, 15 March 2006-14 February 2007

5 comments about Why We're Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be.

1. This is a good book to read if you don't know anything about the "emergent" church. It attempts to give a broad overview of the movement and criticizes what it perceives as gaps in its beliefs and teachings while at the same time admitting that there could be exceptions to its criticisms. The one question I did not find answered by the authors is whether the members of the "emergent" church are enjoying the love of God in their daily walk with it's life changing benefits. In other words, is there fruit from this work? It is not unusual for the Holy Spirit to move among us in a "new" way before those blessed develop a theology, but changed lives is an immediate sign that God is part of any movement.



2. I have to admit that I am no fan of the emergent church movement and I must say that when I purchased this book I was looking for a book that would just destroy the emergent movement's false premesis. However, while I was not dissappointed at the critique of the emergent church by Kevin Deyoung and Ted Kluck, I was convicted by their gentleness and respect. 2 Timothy 2:24-25 calls for this and yet this often gets lost when disciples critique movements.
   
   This book was a delight for me to read. It is quick paced, fun reading with deeper chapters by Deyoung (the Reformed pastor) and more experience oriented chapters by Kluck. I felt the balance between critique and love was good throughout the book and both writers admit that not all is bad with the emergents. It is their theology and simply their postmodernism that gets dashed pretty well by both guys. The writers wrestle with Scripture, with emergent authors and speakers such as Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, and many others. The overall tone is one of loving criticalness with a call for discernment from the disciple of Jesus.
   
   Overall I do highly recommend this book for all who have questions about the emergent church. While the book is not as deep as D.A. Carson's work on the emergent church, both Deyoung and Kluck do a great job of presenting a biblical and personal critique of the emergent movement.



3. As a former seventeen magazine reader, most critiques of the emergent movement seemed too "stuffy" to me but DeYoung and Kluck's colorful cover and "rebellious" title drew an a.d.d. girl like myself in. The words written after I opened the cover were steeped in such great truth that I am certain those who are uncertain of the emergent church will find many of their questions answered. I could go into what specifically stood out to me but I'm already bored writing. so I'll stop. grab a post modern cup of coffee and enjoy this great read!



4. DeYoung and Kluck do an excellent job of asking tough questions about the Emergent movement, and yet they do it in a way that is representative of the faith they confess. More congregants need to be asking their leaders... "just where are you leading us?" This book will help them do just that.



5. It's been noted that most emergent tomes are being written by folks in their 30's (or so) while the "rebuttal books" are coming from folks older than that (sometimes significantly so). Here's an exception, and it's not to be easily dismissed. DeYoung and Kluck demonstrate theological maturity and writing prowess beyond their years.
   
   They're fair with the emergents - letting their writings speak for themselves - and their strong and direct (and biblically-grounded) in thei critiques and correctives. They also offer compelling "on-the-street" observations (especially from Kluck's chapters) that gently poke at the weaknesses of the emergents (and their symantic stretches and foibles).
   
   Also, despite the thoroughness of their research, this is a nice and readable book. Well done.

2 comments about Encountering Jesus in the New Testament.

1. The book is like new, it is in perfect condition. I am relly happy with the service



2. The book arrived earlier than expected. It was in very good condition & package.