5 comments about Battlefields & Blessings: Stories of Faith and Courage from the Revolutionary War (Battlefields & Blessings).

1. If I were lost on an island and had only one other book (besides the Bible) I would hope it could be; Battlefields and Blessings. I love the well-researched historical facts coupled with Biblical impact on every page. We live in an awesome country! What a great way to start or finish a long day. I thought I was well studied on the Revolutionary war but...every page was packed full of insights I hadn't a clue. I highly recommend this book for people who love Jesus and have an interest in our country's history.



2. I purchased this book about six months ago and haven't put it down since. OK, I have put it down, but constantly pick it back up. It is there for when I am upset or when I am happy, when I need inspiration or when I feel inspired, and when I want to escape or want to be embraced. There are 365 different inspirational stories - one for each day. To be honest, I have cheated and read several in one day, but that is not a problem because the stories continue to inspire even when re-read. This is not just for Revolutionary War buffs or military war hawks, but for any person who wants to know what inspires Americans in any generation. Thank you, Ms. Cook.



3. Each of these 365 stories pack a big punch. True stories from the Revolutionary War are told with dramatic narrative style, include historial details and deliver biblical insight. Read it and expect to be intrigued and inspired.



4. Author Jane Hampton Cook provides a wonderful history of the Revolutionary War through this book. While it is formatted as a devotional with daily readings, scriptures, and prayers, it can also easily be read as a novel. Ms. Cook gives us a glimpse of what the Founding Fathers faced as they were forced to stand up and live loudly for the cause of freedom. By relying on the Founders' own writings, we get a glimpse into what they thought and felt as they came together to bring the United States of America into being. There are stories here from many of the better-known founders such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin but also glimpses of the lesser-known yet equally important individuals that made up the revolution. She also incorporates a "Sabbath Rest" at the end of each week which features an excerpt of a sermon from the period. A great book for individual or family reading.



5. Jane Hampton Cook does not know she is a magician. Generally, I don't like to read and history is a topic that is low on my list. I thought perhaps I could read this book since it was a gift and it had stories, essays and writings that were short, very short, which is a good recipe for me. But there were a lot of them so I began slowly. Amazingly I was caught up in the sights, sounds, conversation and convictions of the colonists in such a manner that I thought I was there.
   
   But her tools were not secret concoctions and potions, instead she transformed the theater-of-my-mind through the writings, short writings mind you, of the colonists themselves. Not through Op-Eds but by presenting the actual words and thoughts written by those individuals who were experiencing the search of unencumbered life, simple liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
   
   Ms. Cook waved the magic wand of eye witness accounts that revealed the full spectrum of triumph, defeat and the boundless hope of those who demonstrated faith and courage in the revolutionary quest for "a separate and equal station" from England. As I followed the persevering trail of those pioneers of liberty I lost track of the shortness of the stories.
   
   But I digress. You MUST read the book and take the journey - Abra Ka Dabra.

5 comments about The Great Divorce.

1. I first heard of this book in passing by a guy giving a talk on "getting out of hell". An essay on getting over yourself. During that rant he kept making references to this book, so, having nothing better to do with my time, I bought and read it.
   
   A few months ago I doubt I would have gotten any of it. Even now I doubt I understood half of it, but the half I did understand was just amazing. I'm not a Christian, but it made sense in everyday life.
   
   I am a huge fan of parables, of stories with meaning. This is one of the few books I have boughten for the sole purpose of giving to family and friends.



2. In this book C.S. Lewis sets out to present a picture of the nature of heaven and hell through the device of an allegorical journey - by bus! - from hell to a place called the valley of the shadow of heaven. This book reads more like an expose than a traditionally plotted novel. Nevertheless, it's one of the most memorable books I've read. Among the most memorable notions of this book: the dense and material nature of heaven, as contrasted with the ghostly and insubstantial nature of hell; the inability of the damned to be joyful and their ultimate preference for hell over heaven; the surprising characters who come to inhabit each realm (for example, the murderer in heaven, and the mother consigned to hell because she loved her child too much). There are also some interesting bits about salvation operating backwards and forwards in time, and how the best and loftiest angels, if they fall, become the worst of devils. There is a lot to think about in this small book. Well worth it!



3. Great story of imaginary trip to heaven by folks from the other place. Give humorous account of people who find the alternative of living in a heavenly place offensive and insist on returning to hell. Get character sketches.



4. One of C.S. Lewis's most striking traits is his ability to instruct with such a light hand that his touch is almost unfelt. This book is no exception. It lightly leads the reader from one thought to another; it shames, and it uplifts, and it entertains. After I finished it I sat and thought about it a while; it left me with a calm delight. Yes, I saw where I was lacking; but it also left me with the realization that I had a power to change my own future, if I changed some of my wayward behaviors.
   
   It's hard to leave a much longer review about it, in some respects. It is a short thing, but very powerful; I would suggest it to any Christian who wants to examine himself. Lewis seems to see clearly what others never see, and reveals important elements that I would never have thought two seconds about on my own.
   
   Try it. It may bore some readers; for others, it is an inestimably valuable little gem.



5. CS Lewis has forwarded his theory on sin, redemption & punishment with clarity, imagination & his trademark logic & reason - the proof in the book's success is its acceptance by atheist & religious communities alike. Whether you are religious/spiritual or not, Lewis challenges us at the universal level of human nature & this through our most common relationships: neighbors, children, spouses, parents. Lewis suggests that our relationships & attitudes within them reveal who we are & what we are becoming. Indeed, seemingly harmless, little attitudes & habits shape actions & character which then determine destiny.
   
   His vision of Heaven & Hell are credible in as far as they advise us on the benefit and detriment of daily choices. Lewis seems to believe that all sin is never really initially sin - it becomes sin when some attitude consumes us & controls us - Heaven & Hell are merely the continuation and magnification of the attitudes we chose to pursue in life. Righteousness is not a function of religion, but rather a function of true humanity & real life. Indeed he suggests that life isn't life at all without the honesty, humility & forgiveness we are offered & should offer. Qualities & ideals that no one would argue against.
   
   Finally, this book is an explanation of how God's love works. It can be the hardest thing to accept & yet is the greatest thing to accept. Lewis continues to offer the balance of God's responsibility & man's responsibility. He never leaves us enough room to blame anyone else for our choices but doesn't leave us without Divine help. A good book for the Christian Apologist or the person who is simply in pursuit of a better way of being.

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 The God Conversation: Using Stories and Illustrations to Explain Your Faith.

1. This book is a well crafted intro into many of the most famous arguments for the existence of God, and other pressing problems that confound Christians in all ages. It's divided into Seven Section over 11 chapters and an afterthougt. What seperates this book from many other apologetics works is it's heavy reliance upon illustration. In dealing with ehtics it has a sidebar on the movie Munich and how it might be used as an illustration on dealing with that we intuitively know that somethings are morally wrong, etc... The use of a vertical line next to the illustrations makes them easy to find. The book covers The Problem of Evil, Pluralism, The Ressurection, Ethics and Moral Relativism, and the Design Argument, as well as an exceptional 2 pg afterword about listening before you speak with all your new found knowledge.
   
   How useful this book is to you will largely depend upon the type of person you are. If you are an apologetics buff you are not likely to hear too much new in here. Dr. Moreland(I'm assuming) does a good job distilling some of his work against the Jesus Seminar's assertion that Jesus is only a figure of legend, into a more conversational style. The two chapters on the problem were some of the best I've ever seen on the subject in such a short amount of space.
   
   A great book for your average Christian who needs help learning how to defend their faith or why they're rational do believe the way they do. A good quick referesher for those of us who need a brush up on some of the arguments for these subjects. Maybe not useful for those reading Swinburne, Plantinga, and the like.
   
   As a sidenote in case either of the authors read this review. I'm an avid fan of Dr. Moreland, and as such read most all of his books. These last few that he's co-authored with BIOLA faculty members have really impressed me with BIOLA as an institution.



2. Many of us have wondered how to start difficult conversations with family and friends regarding sensitive topics such as religion and faith. This book helps the reader gain insight on how to do just that. After reading this book, I feel more equipped to speak openly and honestly about my faith to all of those I care for. An excellent and easy read and definite for anyone wanting to learn how to share their faith.



3. There are many hundreds of excellent books on Christian apologetics, and J.P. Moreland has authored a number of those. He is certainly one of our top Christian philosophers and apologists.
   
   In his newest volume he teams up with communication lecturer Tim Muehlhoff to offer a somewhat different approach to Christian evidences. Here the authors make the case for sharing Christian truth via stories and illustrations. A number of important apologetics and philosophy of religion themes are discussed, with an eye to reaching others through memorable illustrations and compelling stories.
   
   Topics include God and the problem of evil and suffering; Christianity and other world religions; the case for the resurrection; and the existence of God and the evidence from design. These core topics are helpfully introduced and discussed, but with a view to being user-friendly, both for the apologist and the seeker.
   
   For example, when dealing with the resurrection, one must deal with the reliability of the Gospel accounts. The authors offer a number of reasons why these accounts differ from mere legends. One reason is that the Gospels are not afraid to include embarrassing details, something which legends try to avoid.
   
   Such details include: Jesus referring to Peter at one point as Satan; the cowardly nature of the disciples during the crucifixion; and the disciples initial refusal to believe that Jesus had risen. The authors remind us of the story of the Alamo. This actual event has been excessively glorified and turned into legendary status over the years. True, 185 Texans courageously took on 5,000 Mexicans. But the story has been seriously embellished over time, and contemporary historians have had to peel away the legend from the actual facts.
   
   But the authors remind us that there simply was not enough time for legend to creep into the Easter story. Legends require some amount of time to become established, but the New Testament documents were written so close to the actual events of the life of Christ, that such legendary features could not have taken hold.
   
   Consider another issue related to all this. We know that the Synoptic Gospels were written before the Book of Acts, and we know that Acts was written somewhere between A.D. 60 and 62. This is because two crucial episodes are not recorded there: the fall of Jerusalem and the death of Paul.
   
   As an illustration, consider an account of the World Trade Centre in New York. If one found an undated book about this structure, one could partly determine the dating by what it includes or did not include. If it spoke about how it was built, how massive it is, and how many people work there, but said nothing about its tragic fall at the hands of terrorist, one could reasonably conclude it was written before September 2001.
   
   Many other illustrations, analogies, examples and stories are weaved into the big topics covered in this book. It thus is a very accessible and easy to follow primer on basic apologetics. Of course whenever one is dealing with complex philosophical and theological concepts, some proper intellectual content must be utilised as well. And that is also featured in this volume.
   
   Thus this book is a mix of helpful stories as well as solid reasoning and argumentation. It makes for a nice combination, and should encourage budding apologists to take some first steps in applying these principles and tactics.
   
   Those who find this volume helpful may well want to go back to some of Moreland's more advanced works. For starters, consider his 1987 volume, Scaling the Secular City. For those who want something even more in depth, see his important 2003 work, Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview (co-authored by William Lane Craig).
   
   For the beginning apologist, this might be the first volume to consider. It is both practical as well as intellectually solid, making it a very good introduction to the defence of Christian beliefs.



4. Great Book! Taking part in a Bible Study and this book has been a tremendous help. Lots of great ideas on how to speak with someone concerning God without making them feel that you are "shoving religion" down their throats.



5. The God Conversation is an important book in apologetics and evangelism because it makes ideas-that are powerful in and of themselves, but not always immediately accessible to many people-come alive. J.P. Moreland and Tim Muehlhoff take clear thinking and compelling arguments and then attach them to memorable images and stories. This book will help you be ready to give a defense for the hope within you at the office or a family gathering that is memorable and compelling. A picture is worth a thousand words indeed.
   
   Welcome to College: A Christ-Follower's Guide for the Journey

5 comments about TRUE & FALSE REVIVAL.. An Insider's Warning.. Are Todd Bentley & the Florida Healing Revival for real? What about Gold Dust & Laughing Revivals? How do we tell the false from the true?.

1. After reading all of the comments regarding this book, I will never get this book. The self-righteous, pharisee-like attitude has stop in the Body of Christ. The enemy's biggest strategy is to divide us. You are looking in the wrong place for false prophets. There are plenty of so called churches out there that believe there is more than one way to God, that are for abortion and are advocates of gay marriage. This is where the church is going down the drain, not in people that are sincerely following Jesus and healing the sick. If you are looking for perfection you will not find it anywhere, if you are looking for people who are striving for holiness, Todd Bentley is one of them. I suggest that the author has a dialogue with Todd before publishing anymore harmful material. The enemy just loves us Christians blasting each other to bits on the internet.
   
   It is also interesting to me that most Charismatics have left other denominations and movements to live more powerful Holy Spirit filled lives, at least in their opinion. I do not see them writing books about why I left this movement or that movement.
   
   When people start criticizing the annointed people of God, they are subject to judgment. Judge lest you yourselves be judged. Come on, Body of Christ, get it together, get in unity and address the sins of our society -- the redefinition of marriage, the killing of babies, the "many paths" to God. Walk in love, not slander.



2. This book is a timely message for those seeking true revival. It does not contain a message of "Christian" hype or manipulation that has inundated the Church today. The author has, through his own experience in this false movement, exposed a counterfeit move called the "new wind of revival" and shows through sound biblical teaching the outworkings of true revival that is Holy Spirit inspired. A must read book for all who seek to know biblical truth on revival.



3. This book speaks of things that I wish I had know years ago. Now, I have friends who are lost to deception, or had their faith shipwrecked by the multitude of lies that are infiltrating the church. Lies, spoken thousands of times, begin to sound like the truth. (Consider what happens every election year!) But they still remain lies. And no one on earth is immune to hearing the voice of the father of lies, even those who preach. We are like sheep--we follow whoever will feed us or speak nicely to us. And MANY pastors are leading people down paths that are not biblical. We need the watchman on the walls to speak truth to us, and to point out unbiblical practices that have become commonplace within the church. We are, indeed, destroyed for lack of knowledge. Mr. Strom has done a great job of pointing out truth to us--Thank you!



4. thank you andrew for being a true prophetic voice in a time when truth is so much resisted. why is there such a lack of dicerenment in the body today? it is because of a lack of maturity in the "church", especialy in the leadership!so many are like babys who crawl around on the floor picking up everything they find and stick it in their mouth. true sheperds would be there to protect the sheep but instead you see them laying hands on and giving their aproval to those who are throwing poison in front of them. God help us to have the courage to stand up aginst falsehood in these last days even when that means at times standing alone. thanks agin andrew, our prayers are with you. bro dave



5. This whole Florida "revival" situation is a real dilemma for Christians. Either Andrew is right and Todd Bentley and others are the Pied Pipers, leading men away from the Lord - or Andrew is the one who is misleading people. It is black and white with no middle ground. How do you decide what is right (not who) This could be the biggest wake up call in the history of Christianity. I watched a video of Bentley in action and it was enough for me to doubt. I'd love to believe that the Lord is pouring out his Spirit on people - but compare a healing by Todd with a healing from Jesus. I was on the fence in this matter until today when I read this book. Andrew's is a voice of reason in a storm of controversy. Calling him a self-righteous Pharisee because he reluctantly blows the whistle on a very potential deceptive flank attack of the enemy is a bit extreme. He is not overemotional about this situation but logically lays out the evidence for issuing his warnings. He will not be popular with those with itching ears.
   The problem with this book in my eyes was a lot of repetition from an earlier book. Much of the info on Todd Bentley was already posted on the internet. So I might have wasted some money buying this. I ran into one segment in the middle of the book that might have been worth the price, however. It was a quote by A.W. Tozer about God's specialists who come to reprove,rebuke, and exhort in the name of God. I have recently entered this arena myself and was starting to feel a little hesitant knowing that I will alienate those who have or might have called me "friend." I am resolved now to stand firm with a face of granite despite the naysayers and the one star drive by reviewers.
   Donald James Parker
   Author of Reforming the Potter's Clay and All the Voices of the Wind.
   
   added July 4
   
   I have a confession to make. I wrote the review before I finished the book completely. A few minutes ago I reached the end, which was chock full of warnings about revival in general and America's place in history and the future. Andrew Strom is a voice crying out in the wilderness. He calls for more Elijah's and John the Baptists to arise and preach the truth without fear, compromise and in love. I'd change my rating of this book to a five now - if I could. Unfortunately those ratings are locked in place. (Sorry Andrew - though I doubt Andrew gives a rip of how mankind rates his work. God is his judge, not fickle and capricious and hedonistic mankind). This one is worth the price.

5 comments about Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential.

1. The sheer number of reviews over this book, whatever the rating may be is telling of the book's impact.
   This book jumped out at me while I was browsing in a book store. I was not even in the market for any type of Christian book. The words are very healing to my soul, particularly at a difficult time in my life where I have been struggling with big issues. What I like are the clear and uplifting interpretations that Osteen offers. I think uplifting is the most important part. The fact that the book lays out the message in a clear and simple manner is why I was not able to put it down. Don't mistake simplicity for lack of depth. There is plenty of that here if you do a serious examination of your own life in the context of what he's saying.
   I like that the book reaches me at a "feeling" level, and that is why it is powerful. It touched a knowing and a truth deep inside that I had hidden away for a long time. My guess is that those who are angered by this book, need to go deep into the anger to see what they really are covering up in their hearts. For those who wish to study on their own, there is a reference to Biblical passages at the end of the book, listed by book and verse.
   I'm glad that Osteen has the courage to deliver his message, both in the media and in print amidst the furor and the criticism by those who would still like to burn others at the stake for not thinking the way they do.



2. The Greatest Sales Book Ever Written
   Most people miss the point. In your face selling of any idea, religion, product, or philosophy never works. That's why so many people selling religion fail and why Joel Osteen has the largest church in the country. He keeps his books and his TV ministries "light" as to light the spark in people; a spark that has always been there but needs fuel. That is why Joel has touched more lives and deepened more peoples commitment than others in the same profession. Most Americans are unaffiliated and "un-religious". Most of the negative commentators take an approach of stating their beliefs and then arguing with people. A great teacher or salesman asks questions and gets people thinking. A great teacher and salesman inspires people to take action. They don't slam people with their ideas, they inspire them. As people are touched by Joel and his positive message of hope, many will decide to start studying the Bible and as they do they will naturally become more spiritual and religious. Most people miss this point and never spark anyone to do anything.



3. When it comes to manifesting your heart's desires, this is one of just a handful of currently-published books that identifies and names the true source of an abundant life as God. But what I like best about this book is the masterful way that Joel Osteen tells you what part you have to play in the process -- from affirming your worth, to choosing your thoughts, to recognizing the power of giving. Joel's conversational style makes this book a joy to read, and you will find his many wonderful stories and wise suggestions helpful. No matter what you "think" your current circumstances are, this book is bound to uplift and inspire you. I recommend it.
   
   Steven Lane Taylor, author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat: A Guide For Living Life In The Divine Flow



4. Don't believe the negative reviews. It's obvious they missed the point. God wants us to reach our full potentials. God needs people like Joel Osteen, Ophra Winfrey, and Tony Robbins to inspire us. There's a low percentage of people in today's world that actually are willing to do whatever it takes to become really rich in a positive way. God needs those people to help contribute and give their money away to the less fortunate people in America and other countries. Joel Osteen is trying to get more people to reach their full potentials, so God can use us to help others. Making money isn't the only way I'm talking about. We can also volunteer, and help teach our gifts to other people. Joel Osteen is also reaching people that don't know God and probably people that never read the bible. It takes no guts and leadership skills to criticizes. Maybe you need to read this book again.



5. A lot of people like Joel Osteen's message. I suspect most of those people would rather read his book than the Bible. I agree with one pastor who said that he would not have any problem if Joel Osteen was an inspirational speaker. The problem is that he claims to be a "pastor" who claims to be teaching the word of God. More troubling is the fact that Mr. Osteen never attended Bible college and admitted to his reluctance in taking over his father's ministry. He also admitted that he just "told stories" in his sermons.
   
   "Prosperity theology" is the teaching that an "authentic" religious belief and behaviour in a person will result in their material prosperity. That is, the doctrine holds that material prosperity, health and success in one's personal life, is to be expected as external evidence of God's favor." Wikipedia.
   
   Notwithstanding what others might think, "Prosperity gospel" is not biblical. An "alter call" doesn't make a gospel biblical either. The Chruch of Satan does that too.
   
   I am wary to listen to a "pastor" who doesn't have the credentials, who doesn't believe in preaching the gospel or who's not being moved by the Holy Spirit to speak. Jesus warned, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Matt 7:13-23. Mr. Osteen emphasizes on your life now. He gives a lot of "tips" on how to improve your lives. The emphasis is on "us," not Jesus Christ and his gospel, but on the person. God is being displaced by the human being. This is precisely the message of the New Age Movement. The Bible, however, warns about loving our lives, "He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal."
   
   But Mr. Osteen's emergence (e.g. "The Emerging Chruch") should not be a surprise. Other preachers have come out of the woodwork to preach a gospel OTHER THAN what the Bible preaches. "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8. "A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear." 2 Timothy 4:3.
   
   I guess people buy his books because Mr. Osteen tells them what they want to hear and not what they NEED to hear. That explains why his book was in the New York Times best seller list and 20,000 people attend his Lakewood services. What he preaches is pleasing to the ears of the many. Now, I understand why 2,000 years ago they crucified Jesus. They did not want to listen to what he had to say because it wasn't "pleasing" to their ears. It wasn't pleasing to people's ears then and it isn't pleasing to people's ears now. Hence, the need to listen to Mr. Osteen's more pleasing "gospel." Nevermind that it's not the truth.
   
   I pray that people wake up. Otherwise, Mr. Osteen's message will lull them into thinking that all roads lead to peace and prosperity. That "God wants us to be prosperous, healthy and to reach our fullest potential." It's not about us, Mr. Osteen. It's about Jesus. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.
   
   If God wants us rich and healthy, then there would be no sick, poor Christians. If that is what Jesus intended, he would not have saved the thief on his right hand in Luke 23 who was obviously poor. If that is what God wants, he would have saved the rich man and not Lazarus (the poor man) from damnation in Matthew 13:1. If God wants us to be rich and healthy, then why would he allow Job to become sick and lose all his wealth? If God wants us to be healthy, he would not have allowed King David to become sick, decrepit in his old age as a consequence of his sins. "God is no respecter of persons." Rom. 2: 11. God may be a loving God, but he is also just.
   
   Why would God want us to be rich and warn us about the folly of wealth? "For the love of money is the root of all evil" 1 Tim 6:10. "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36. "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." Matt 19:24. It would not make sense for God to make us rich people and make it harder for us to enter His kingdom. I'd rather be poor and sick in "life now" and enter heaven than be rich and healthy in "life now" and enter hell. Sixty to eighty years of a prosperous and healthy life in this world does not compare to eternity in heaven...or hell.
   
   Jesus came to save people's souls, not to save their pocketbooks. It is a very important topic. Important enough for Jesus to talk about it 1308 times in the Bible. Cardiologist Dr. Maurice Rawlings, in his book, "To Hell and Back," compiled the accounts of patients who have exeprienced clinincal death, saw hell and were resucitated to tell about what it is like in hell. There's a youtube video on this book:
   
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSgH2AHkfkw
   
   It is very unfortunate that Mr. Osteen forgot to tell people that there is a hell....which from what the Bible describes is not a very "pleasant" place.

5 comments about Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics.

1. Craig does a brilliant job in defending the Christian faith. He focuses upon the inner witness of the Holy Spirit. Testimonium sanctum spiritus internum. He focuses upon the absurdity of life without God. And he does a superb job in writing about the historical Jesus.



2. This volume is a tough read. I used it in a research I was doing on the historicity of Christ, esp. his resurrection. It is tough in some places, but the rereading helps. Buy the book!



3. This book is one of the best apologetic primers out there. However, I would highly recommend you seek out the audio version of the book as a companion to or instead of the book. The audio version is fabulously arranged and is not merely a reading of the book, but rather a course in and of itself.



4. An extraordinary work of contemporary Christian apologetics by a premier model of Christian scholarship and thought!
   
   The book's web companion, [...], is helpful for individual and group study and interaction.
   
   If you own the 2nd edition, this 3rd edition is superior, without a doubt.
   
   Thanks you William Lane Craig and Crossway Books!



5. Dr. William Lane Craig has taken a masterpiece and somehow made it even better. "Reasonable Faith" is a tour de force in Christian apologetics. Craig's newest version of "Reasonable Faith" includes updated material regarding the existence of God and other topics. If you have the second edition, the new material is so powerful that it is well worth the price to buy a copy of the third edition. As a Christian, if I could recommend any book ever written on the defense of Christianity, this would be the one. Craig also includes new material refuting the "New Atheists" such as Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris. A must read for believers and those who have read one side of the story, say, a book by Sam Harris or Christopher Hitchens or Daniel Dennett, and who want to be honest with themselves and read the other side of the story... this is your book.

5 comments about The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming.

1. Everyone needs to reflect upon their life at some point. This book is excellent in helping one to see how their journey in life has brought them closer to God.



2. This is an excellent life changing book. Presents the core truth of the Christian Gospel in a way that touches everyday attitudes and struggles. A book so personal and touching you may find that Nouwen is addressing your own unique circumstances. I certainly did. You may find yourself thinking about a new way to live. This book changed my life.



3. This book opened up so many different ideas on the well known story of the Prodigal Son. I loved reading this book. It was my first Nouwen read, and it definitely will get me reading more of his books. If you are not familiar with Nouwen, this is a good first read.



4. "Return of the Prodigal Son" is a wonderful opportunity to hear the gentleness and genius that was Henri Nouwen. The book was originally a talk given at retreat when Nouwen was 57, about 8 years before his death, in the time following his famous service at Toronto's L'Arche Daybreak facility for severely handicapped adults. Nouwen's humility is on display, as are his deep spiritual and psychological insights.
   
   The impetus for Nouwen's reflections was Rembrandt's "Return of the Prodigal Son," painted when the artist was elderly, and following multiple tragedies in his own life. Nouwen's inspiration is less the painting, though, than the parable. His lecture is split into three parts, focusing on the younger son, the older son and the father. Nouwen's take on the parable is Jesus's radical break with interpretations of God that held sway in his own day as they still do in ours. The God that Jesus defines is not angry, vindictive or retaliatory, but completely open in love and forgiveness. While many will agree with this description of the Father, fewer will agree with Nouwen that this image of the Father exists the rest of Holy Scripture (both OT and NT) as well. While many of us are willing to accept Scripture's seemingly schizoid vision of God, Nouwen does not. He is completely committed to the loving father portrayed in this parable. For those committed to the God of condemnation, hell and judgment, Nouwen will be a disappointment (or a challenge). Human beings separate themselves from a God who is always anxious to take them back, teaches Nouwen.
   
   In Nouwen's take on the story, the younger son teaches the journey from dissolution to containment. Dissolution includes dissipation of the kind associated with the younger son in the parable -- insults to parents, arrogance, squandering of resources, immorality. But dissolution extends to other activities and attitudes that spread our energies beyond our capacities. We spread ourselves too thin, spiritually, usually out of a desire to impress those in our lives whom we want to impress or influence. But by recognizing our sonship with God, we realize that we do need to impress of fathers (whether heavenly or worldly) into loving us, allowing us to bring our spiritual energies into containment and focus. The elder son often lives in our hearts alongside the younger son. The elder son's error is in resentment and separation. He cannot rejoice that "this son of yours" has returned from death, whining about his own ceaseless and unrewarded labors. But his error also speaks to a misunderstanding of the Father's love. He feels he will be loved *because* of his obedience (evidently given grudgingly) and has missed that his gift is to have been in the presence of the Father all along.
   
   Nouwen's deep insight into the parable, whose subtlety and profundity become apparent the more listen, is astounding. The parable has the power to heal as well. For any who have felt conflict or hurt in family situations, as has Nouwen himself, the parable points the way toward a recognition of our true place in the world, and in God's eyes. This is not a dewy "I'm OK, You're OK" insight, but can lead to a profound shifting of our existential relationship with ourselves, our parents and our God. What false fronts and defenses we might shed if we truly believed in a God who loved us as beloved children -- no matter how far astray we had gone?
   
   Nouwen's style and delivery belie the intensity of his own struggle and the wisdom of his teaching. Yet the insights continue rolling in, like waves following the passage of a ship, long after the book is over. A fascinating and potentially life-changing book.



5. Henri Nouwen had a truly God-given gift - the gift of explaining timeless spiritual truths in very clear, ordinary language in a conversational and deeply captivating way. His words and his explanations imprint themselves into the memory and stay in the heart, and truly help to change lives. Much of his wisdom surely comes from his own struggles, which he admits to in the book - he personally struggled with depression, pride, desire for success and fame, envy, etc. - common human ailments. He also struggled with feeling unworthy of God, and with feeling distant from God. Yet, he learned to overcome his struggles (though he admits that he is still on a journey), and he describes how.
   
   This is the third book I have read by Neuwen. After reading Life of the Beloved I really didn't think that anything could compare, but this book, if not better, is at least just as good. It is an instantly timeless spiritual classic. The whole book is a reflection on Rembrandt's painting, The Return of the Prodigal Son. First Nouwen reflects on the younger son who came back from a foreign land. Then he reflects on the older son who witnesses his younger brother's return. Finally, Nouwen reflects on the father figure. His insights are deep and beautiful. He leads the reader to a natural and yet incredible insight: that after identifying ourselves with both the younger and older brother, we must realize that rather than being either of these two brothers, we are called to become the father!

5 comments about Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises, and a Revolution of Hope.

1. There will always be, in this sinful world we live in, a need for a "Good Samaritan" to show us how to think and act in reference to those individuals, local communities and nations most find inconvenient and bothersome-----because they offer US nothing immediate------and, in point of fact, need us! The ironic thing, about the Gospel, is that Jesus' singular act of atonement was not for Himself-----but for the "uttermost parts of the earth"(Ps. 2:8)----for community----for the world! McLaren's book serves to open up the World and the Church(two opposites biblically) for a much needed analysis with this powerful theme-----; how can we as The Church be more effective in bearing the testimony of Christ to our community----our world? McLaren's book reminds us of what Jesus did and said-----"Take up your cross daily and follow me"! This, in my opinion, the American Church has not done effectively. Too much of a "come to us" mentality------and not enough outreach! Too much of a repent, get born again and tithe mentality-----and not enough "do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with thy God!"(Micah 6:8). The American Church needs to empty itself of worldliness(assimilation of the world's values regarding prosperity, security and equity) and adopt The Full Gospel of Christ(and I'm not talking primarily of spiritual gifts)-----which is to humbly and sacrificially love others! Thanks Brian!



2. In "Everything Must Change", Brian McLaren eloquently expresses what I've felt about Jesus' message, and the manipulation of that message, since middle school. With historical research, political savvy, and personal experience, McLaren thoroughly documents the ways in which Christianity could lead the way out of war, hunger, poverty, and environmental decay. And how instead power uses biblical interpretation and wedge issues like contraception as "weapons of mass distraction". McLaren is part of a wave, with links (which he acknowledges) to David C. Korten's "The Great Turning -- From Empire to Earth Community". Also see "This Present Paradise", an article by Rita Brock and Rebecca Parker in the Summer 2008 issue of "UU World" magazine. The only frustrating thing about McLaren's book is its lack of an index.



3. Two underlying questions are the reason for this book by Brian McLaren.
   1. What are the world's top problems today and 2. What do the life and message of Jesus have to say about these issues? This is a continuation of Brian's previous book, "The Secret Message of Jesus" about the Kingdom of God and what does it look like today.
   
   Brian traveled around the world in the writing of this book, talking to church, community, business and government leaders, asking questions and listening to answers. Brian is a thinker and makes you consider your faith, the mission of God's people and its practical outworking to personal, community and global issues in light of the model and message of Jesus.
   
   Like this book or not, you will have to think about the global issues that confront us and the relevance of faith and action to these issues. You may not agree with his ideas and his potential solutions but I have been impressed with his thinking and scope that will give us wisdom and keep us better informed in our response.
   
   McLaren challenges us followers of Jesus about what it means to do God's will on earth. His writing on the context of the life of Jesus and his teaching on the Kingdom of God in regard to Rome and its authority as well as the religious leaders of Judaism and those who opposed Rome is so relevant to us today.
   
   I think that Brian has something very important to say to us as people of faith. I believe that Jesus has some critical things to say to us. The question is are we listening and what will be our response?



4. I've been waiting for a book about this. I've asked my pastors: For which party should a Jesus-follower vote? What stance should a Jesus-follower have on war and peace? How far should Jesus-followers go toward feeding the poor and caring for the outcasts? Are Jesus-followers really supposed to be loyal to the economy at the expense of caring for the Earth? And I've been looking for a Christian leader to say something intelligent on the subject, something not firmly entrenched in conventional Christian dogma.
   
   Here it is.
   
   Three dominant social systems are at work in our world society: The Security System (The attempt to keep us all safe through dominating all enemy powers), The Prosperity System (The pursuit of riches at the expense of everyone who doesn't have them), and The Equity System (The attempt to redistribute wealth to make things fair). People throughout history have tried to fix the world's problems by adjusting any combination of these, without success. The problem is that all 3 systems are symptoms of the same Framing Story, and until an alternative Story is provided, our world is doomed to destroy itself. Blame that on The Fall (Genesis 3).
   
   EVERYTHING MUST CHANGE asks 2 overarching questions:
   
   1) What Are the Biggest Problems in the World?
   2) What Does Jesus Have to Say About These Global Problems?
   
   McLaren looks at the ministry of Jesus as it relates to the dominant powers of his day, namely the Roman governmental machine. The machine was oppressive, and so were its rulers, the Caesars. Then Jesus steps onto the scene proclaiming a different Framing Story, that a new Kingdom is here, forgiveness is available to all by following him, love is the new economy, and this new kingdom offers hope for a healed world. The problem, as McLaren sees it, is that "our conventional view has accidentally put Jesus in the very framing story Jesus originally sought to subvert" (83).
   
   If you're looking for a cakewalk read, don't pick up EVERYTHING MUST CHANGE. This book will make you think. In good ways, it will challenge what you think you know about Jesus. Because when it comes down to it, if the Good News of Jesus isn't big enough to fix the enormous global problems we face today (both spiritually and physically), then the News might not be Good enough. Luckily Jesus' wisdom and truth speaks not just about salvation for our personal souls, but also for our very broken systems of the world. Shalom.
   
   --- Reviewed by Jonathan Stephens



5. McLaren has presented an extremely well-researched and clear overview of the gravest issues in the world today, and what followers of Christ should be doing about them. THis book is eye-opening and hopeful, frightening and empowering. It has changed my life, and I bought 5 more copies to share with others.

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

1. For any Catholic who desires to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the faith, this is the book for you.



2. 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.



3. 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.



4. 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.



5. 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.