1 comments about Luther and Calvin on Secular Authority (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought).

1. As with all of these Cambridge "Political Writings" series, this book is perhaps better title "Essential Political Writings" or "Basic Political Writings", for it is far far from comprehensive, in fact it contains only a chapter of one of Calvin's "Institutes" and a small piece by Luther. Yet as is also the case with this Cambridge series, it is an excellent translation with a very good introduction. This is a very useful text and is as essential for academics as it is fascinating for the generally curious. Highly recommended, as long as the buyer does not believe it is a one-stop-shop for the "secular" (whatever that word means in then 16th century) thought of these two reformers with regard to government.

5 comments about Tortured for Christ.

1. This is an excellent little book that tells the remarkable account of Richard Wurmbrand, a Lutheran pastor who was tortured for 14 years in Communist prisons for his steadfast adherence to Christ Jesus. His stories will doubtless move you to tears, but his purpose is not simply to tug at your emotional strings--nor is the emotion without a powerful message. His courageous stand for Christ and the tremendous love that he and so many other Christians displayed to their captors and torturers under the most horrendous conditions is a powerful witness to the all-surpassing love of Jesus Christ that is alive in every believer. Truly only the supernatural love that comes from knowing the good news of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ crucified, could have produced such a love in the face of unrelenting hatred and persecution. Wurmbrand repeatedly shows through his stories and experiences how communism was intent on trying to destroy Christianity, and how some Americans are blind to the dangers of it. The book is very interesting and quick to read--the only downside is the disjointed narrative and flow of the story. This however, is to be expected after all the tortures he endured, and he admits as much.



2. Pastor Wurmbrand's stunning, touching, encouraging and transforming testimony of faith that St. John speaks of in his first epistle, in the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ that indeed overcomes the depravity and atrocties of the Soviet regime. What happened to Pastor Wurmbrand was St. Paul's wish came true, where in the letter to the Philippians he wrote "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering, becoming like him in his death, and so somethow to attain to the resurrection from the dead". The name of Christ is greatly magnified in their suffering through which the message is clear: Jesus Christ is worth living and dying for. No doubt, along with the Apostles and the entire noble heavenly army of the martyrs of the Lord Jesus Christ, Pastor Wurmbrand, with his fragrant aroma of his sacrifice on behalf of his Lord, has joined this "great cloud of witnesses" the epistle to the Hebrews speaks of. Read this book, friends, and know that since we are "surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw-off everything that hinders and sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Amen. (P.S: You can order this book for free from the Voice of the Martyrs, one-per-household)



3. "Tortured for Christ" is one of those books that can really make a Christian think about how much their faith means to them. Richard Wurmbrand's work is at times chilling in its description of man's inhumanity towards his fellow man (Wurmbrand admits that he left out alot of the atrocities which happened to him and others). One brief but memorable scene in the book is where Wurmbrand has a conversation with a man who had suffered under the NAZI government which says something about how many people compare two of the most evil philosiphies in the twentieth century. Sadly, Wurmbrand's opinions on the church in the free West may well have more than a grain of truth.
   This book reminds me of a converstaion I had with a fellow student in an AP European History class who was a leftist. He made a comment about Christianity being the greatest source of mass murder in history. Of course most of those atrocities were caused by either people who went against their faith (if they ever had any) or had more to do with secular economic/imperialist policies (many true christians have been persecuted by false Christians as well). Both the instructor and myself reminded him of the tremendous horror atheism gave the world in the twentieth century (Lenin, Stalin, the Khmer Rouge, etc.) and the staggering death tolls.
   The book is a quick read and is fairly well written despite the fact its author said it had no literary merit. I recommend it to anyone who wishes a glimpse of life under a repressive dictatorship. Amazon sells the book for a reasonably good price.



4. A glimpse of what was, and surely is to come; thumbs up for raw and brutal honesty. This is a book that stretches your mind past the boundaries of "comfortable Christianity", and forces you to ponder how far you, yourself, would be willing to suffer unspeakable horrors for the One who gave His life in place of yours.
   
   
   Carrie Lynn Jones
   Author of It All Began... When Jesus Gave Me Sneakers



5. There's not much I can say about this book that the other reviewers haven't said much more eloquently.
   
   Tortured for Christ is the true story of & by the founder of the Voice of the Matyrs Richard Wurmbrand. Richard Wurmbrand was a Romanian pastor who spent 14 years in Communist prisons, because he refused to stop preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Underground Church.
   
   Mr. Wurmbrand & his fellow Christian prisoners endured months of solitary confinement, starvation, horrible physical tortures, brain-washing and mental horrors beyond your wildest imagination. One man even had his own son beat to death right in front of him. It really opened my eyes to read of these horrors that happened and are still happening in some parts of the world to this day! Before reading this book I had no idea that these horrors happened for things as small as just owning a Holy Bible. Color me naive! It really made me feel blessed to live in America.
   
   Politics aside, this is a story of a tenacious and enduring love for Jesus. Mr. Wurmbrand was a Christian in every sense of the word. He lived to spread the gospel and to help other tortured people. He truly lived a Christlike life. He speaks in the book of his love for his tormentors and he is genuinely sincere. I believe that every Christian and non-Christian should read Tortured for Christ. Even non-Christians, I'm sure would appreciate Mr. Wurmbrands sense of character and his sincere love for his tormentors. I'd recommend this book to anyone!

1 comments about Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service.

1. Dr. Just has been a significant servant in the Lutheran church for liturgical renewal. In the midst of the worship wars, he modified his approach to not being on the defensive, but going on the offensive to correct some misunderstandings.
   
   He previously developed an excellent video series on this same topic, which he now in this work refines it even more and makes it even more layperson focused, as well as adding some other materials he had previously written as well as some new insights.
   
   The title is most appropriately chosen, for it explains the Lutheran take on the subject: our worship is Biblical and apocalyptic. Christ invades earth from heaven in His presence in the holy means of grace. This historically is from earliest centuries of church through same major components now in Lutheran Divine Service: historic five-fold shape of Entrance, Word, Preparation, Sacrament, Distribution; surrounded by ordinaries, hymns; all this for Jesus to be present among us offering his gifts of life, salvation through forgiveness of sins.
   
   There is excellent glossary and full resource of notes and bibliographic materials.
   
   To be highly used and studied by the church catholic.

No comments about A Field Guide for the Missional Congregation: Embarking on a Journey of Transformation.

5 comments about Martin Luther: A Penguin Life (Penguin Lives).

1. I've got to give the book 5 stars simply because Marty, a Lutheran, had me disliking the guy at the end :-). It's a much more balanced biography, for example, than Here I Stand, which I read many years ago. Marty is an excellent writer. He uses words well, chooses good words, and doesn't waste them. Marty's writing is one of the highlights of the book. The book moves quickly, which is unusual for a biography. More than that, I think Marty provides a plausible, unifying theme to Luther's life. He was clearly not a fun guy. He was intense, fiercely competitive, short-tempered, "over the top". Unlike many religious biographies, this one portrays a man who was deeply flawed, who arguably never developed a satisfying relationship with God. To Luther, you either saw things exactly his way, or you were his enemy. If people had to die to get his gospel preached (himself or others), oh well. As with some Christians today, he felt perfect confidence that his way was THE way, the ONLY way, and that everyone else, for better or worse, was going to hell.
   
   As an example of steadfastness and single-mindedness, he's awesome. You've got to admire someone who knew so thoroughly what he wanted to accomplish, and pursued it with a vengeance, come whatever may. But I can't help wondering if in his zeal, he missed the heart of God. Luther seems to have had a hatred for anyone who didn't "get it", anyone who stood in his (and therefore the gospel's) way, be they peasants or Jews. Luther was a positive for the world and Christianity, but clearly a very flawed human being.



2. For a reader looking for a concise, relatively short, introduction to the life of one of Christianity's most important figures, "Martin Luther" by Martin Marty is an excellent choice. This book does a good job of surveying the life and teachings of this founder of the Reformation. Marty presents a balanced picture, neither attacking its subject nor ignoring his faults and shortcomings. He generally presents the facts and lets the reader draw his own conclusions. While not ignoring Luther's sensual appetites, Marty explains how they conform to his theological teaching. Luther's attractiveness to princes but his hostility to the empowerment of peasants is an example of an historical fact which limits the vision of Luther as a champion of "democracy" against the establishment.
   
   At times the book seems to focus on Luther's writings and preaching, but later gets into more personal details. I suspect that this reflects the scarcity of the historical record with respect to some parts of Luther's life. While not delving into an analysis of Luther's impact on the world, the mere recitation of his life's work enables the reader to appreciate the tremendous impact which Luther has had on history. The reader, whether Protestant, Catholic or non-religious, who is interested in either religious or secular history will find "Martin Luther" to an worthwhile read.



3. Not as comprehensive as Roland H. Bointon's "Here I Stand". But it will do the job if your time for Martin Luther is very limited. Marty Martin concentrates on providing the reader with an insight into Martin Luther's inner experience.



4. Martin E. Marty doesn't write like one of the most eminent, respected professors of our time. Instead, he introduces the reader to a man he knows well from his studies at the University of Chicago.
   
   Marty's prose is as clear and powerful as the bolt of lightning which terrified young Martin Luther and prompted him to devote his life to the Lord. This relatively short book does a superb job of introducing us to Martin Luther.
   
   We learn that he was a man of his time and that he didn't want people describing themselves as "Lutherans." As a Luthern myself, a lot of Professor Marty's book came as revelation.
   
   Luther shared a lot of the flaws of his age. He was a man of an imperfect time and place. Yet, imperfect as he was, he took his stand where he thought God wanted him to and therein lies his great achievement.
   
   This is a great book about an important man who lived during a critical period of Western History. If you're at all interested in shaking hands with Martin Luther, this is the book for you.
   
   It opens a window on the man and the time in which he lived and it's superbly written. You needn't be a scholar to understand it and it reads more like a good novel than an important biography.
   
   I like it and gave it five stars.



5. This title is a little short, but the content seems ok on the controversial figure of Martin Luther.

5 comments about Presumed Innocent: A Novel.

1. Here's an absolutely superb book; one of the best mysteries I've ever read.
   A deputy prosecuting attorney (district attorney) has his hands full while his boss is running for reelection. As this is happening, one of his fellow prosecutors is murdered and apparently raped. It turns out the two had had an affair in the not too distant past. There are clues to the murder, but which are red herrings? There are others involved in the investigation, but do any have an axe to grind? Hints of relationships and past activities swirl around like tendrils of fog in a dying breeze. Whodunit . . . and why?
   
   Overall it's a corking good read without any flaws or holes. But it's more than that; it's an oddly disturbing story. I can take a Grisham or Kellerman book, and sit comfortably absorbed into the wee hours enjoying the ride. But Turow gets under your skin and makes you fidgety. You want to put the book down, but you're compelled to keep reading. You can't comfortably categorize good guys and bad guys, things here are all constantly shifting shades of gray. Is the main character a victim or a diabolical killer? Was the victim an innocent, or did she precipitate her own doom? Keep squirming and turning pages as you throw out assumptions and reassess the evidence. You won't be sorry!



2. Presumed Innocent is a must read novel for any legal thriller freaks, because its story illustrated a skillful lawyerly technique, that you will notice on every part of the story.
   
   Scott turow did an amazing job by creating a lot of strong character in this novel, he had succeed bring each character to play an important role to the story, that make the story look so natural, with plenty of surprises and understandable ending.
   
   Further more, the story also contain a lot of moral message, such as law, politics, ambition, scandals, corruption, sex, marriage, friendship and attorney client relationship.
   
   The biggest question is "Who's the murder of Carolyn?"
   I say, "Just read the novel and I promise that the truth is going to be revealed just for you"
   
   Two thumbs up for Mr. Turow!



3. This is a strong, compelling story with a page-turner drive. Though longer than average, it's easy to read and took only a couple of days of concentrated effort to finish, and it was a pleasure to do so. My impression is that the most powerful element of this book is the characters - they are well drawn, with good voices, and consistent through the arc of the story. My only criticism is that some of the strong voices are stereotypical - but, of course, stereotypes come from somewhere.



4. One of Turow's best, if not the best. I have not seen the movie, therefore the ending was a complete surprise.
   I will not repeat what the other Reviewers have written, just wanted to rate the novel as I thought it was truly a 5-Star read.



5. I loved this book when I first read it in paper, so I was going to buy a copy for my Kindle so I could read it again (I gave my paperback to a charity sale), but was dismayed and definitely deterred by the incredibly unresonable out of sight price of the Kindle edition. NO WAY!
   
   Update July 13, 2008:
   I emailed the publisher about the Kindle prices and see today that the two books with the $20+ prices are now priced at $7 for the Kindle editions! Quick response from publisher. So I put both on my Kindle.
   
   Now hoping for equally quick response on getting the rest of Turow's works available in Kindle format.
   
   Moral of Story: If your favorite author isn't available for Kindle, write to both the author and publisher!

5 comments about Our Lady of Fatima.

1. The facts surrounding Our Lady of Fatimas appearance in Portugal is well documented with further light being shed by quick synopsis's by various reviewers here. If you are interested in what happened at Fatima than this dated book will work temporarily because it is complete but lacks up to the moment developments. However, the account serves it's pupose and is a springboard for further investigtion into the various issues tthat are yet to be resolved. The Third Secret remains to this day a major source of controversy especially since Sister Lucia, the last surviving member has passed away. The conclusions you draw will be based on fact and faith but whether the truth has ever been rightfully or fully revealed is something that will require further reading. The Fatima Crusader is a good source of ongoing information on current develpments as is the work of Father Gruner. If you want a basic account of the circumstances surrounding Our Lady of Fatima this is a book for you. This book is a good place to begin if you are interested but I would recommend others as well like "The Devil's Final Battle." This book is like a quite meditation; it is even more important now than when it was written nearly sixty years ago.



2. Wonderful Catholic historian William Thomas Walsh here relates the amazing and true story of the three peasant children who were witnesses to the apparation of Our Lady of Fatima. They were first visited by the Angel of Peace, Archangel Michael. Later, on the 13th of each month, they were visited by the Blessed Mother of God. On the final visitation, October 13,1917, she performed a miracle, witnessed by thousands. It was "the day the Sun danced".
   
   Reading Walsh's beautiful and appealing manuscript, one is taken right back to Portugal in the days of the Great War. We come to indentify with the peasant children, with their awesome spirituality, and their amazing courage. Careful reading of this wonderful book would seem to compel us all to pick up a rosary, to pray, to console, and to work for peace with all our might. In this, the work is timeless; and we hope it will always be read by seekers after the truth.
   
   Walsh ends this magnificent little book by recording his personal interview with the only surviving witness, Lucia, then a nun. The picture is awesome and riveting, this most Catholic of modern historians, this most gentle and humble of sisters. It is quite beautiful enough to change our fallen world. Read this. And be richly blessed by the experience.



3. Or as we could say, "Everything you dont need to know about the true Fatima events". Yes, the old rumor is a conquerer of our crowds, without chances to know the real and original reports about
   Fatima events. Do they really know, ie. that the Portuguese daily press pubished in February 1917 a few reports made by Spiritist groups in Lisbon and Porto ( the major national cities )announced that "in May 13 a great anounce would happen". Well, the catholics believers can not see here a proof for their devotion; by the contrary, the Spiritists don't agree with the official Marian apparitions interpretation and they would not be the promotors of the present Fatima status. So, it's nonsense to think in a conspiracy catholic-spiritist in this preannounce in the portuguese press with 3 months in advance.
   So, the traditional interpretation has to be revised. The believers will have to know the original reports on the phenomena and not pious third-hand slogans that repeat the well known rumor processs in Psychology. Who said that the Marian apparitions never could be understand by Science is mistaken. Try to read
   "Heavenly lights" and "Celestial Secrets" by Portuguese historians Dr. Joaquim Fernandes and Fina d'Armada to learn what happened at Fatima 1917.



4. I bought this book because I love reading about Marian apparitions, and I have always believed in what took place at Fatima in 1917. This book goes into full detail about the children and their lives. It describes their daily life, their family, and the events that led up to the apparitions. It really gives you a clear understanding of what all took place during the apparitions, and give you the true story of what the children experienced and suffered during this time. This book also continues to tell us what happened to the children and fanilies after the apparitions, which was very interesting. The descrition of the Oct. 13th apparition is extraordinary! It will WOW you! This is a terrific book about Fatima. If you want the full story of what happened, then get this book!



5. Here's another great book to read "SISTER LUCIA APOSTLE OF MARY'S IMMACULATE HEART". You can order it at the website "Fatima.org". Remember the frist two messages that were told to the three seers .....From the words and mouth of Jesus and Mary, Russia is going to spread it's errors throughout the entire world and many nations will be annihilated. This is the reason why the Pope must listen to the Virgin Mary's messages, The Holy See must Consecrate Russia to Our Mother 's (Mary) Immaculate heart. If this is not done, there is gong to be a great chastisement from God. For some unknown reason the Pope and his staff feel as though mentioning the word RUSSIA in the Consecretion will offend Russia. We may not be here on earth when the chastisment comes, but this is one of the messages that was given to the three seers to give to the Holy See (Pope). That's why we must Pray the Rosary everyday to change the hearts of those in the Vatican so that the consecration of Russia is completed by the Bishops along with the Pope and lay Persons of the world.

5 comments about Dietrich Bonhoeffer: A Biography.

1. Eberhard Bethge was Dietrich Bonhoeffer's closest friend and the lifelong editor and interpreter of his life and writings. For the first time we now have the completely unabridged biography in a revised and updated English translation. This is not only a classic of twentieth century biography; it also addresses key issues not only of German and European history, World War II, and the Holocaust but also, through Bonhoeffer's theology, the church and modernity. It sharply poses the question of authentic Christian life. A big book and a challenging read!



2. About 20 years ago, I read an older translation of this biography. Then, as now, a reader cannot help but be impressed by the thorough and meticulous scholarship that went into its preparation. Because of its size and scope (900+ pages), it may be somewhat daunting to new readers who may be just now encountering Bonhoeffer. However, given the nature of his literary output (Bonheoffer was still a young man when he died, and many of his ideas exist only in limited or underdeveloped forms), this in-depth look at the man and his motivations by the individual who probably knew him best is essential to an informed understanding of his work. For Bonhoeffer admirers, it doesn't get any better than this.



3. An outstanding, detailed and gripping story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Christian fortitude. Eberhard Bethge's exquisitely detailed knowledge and references about Bonhoeffer's life, from beginning to end is a wonderful tribute to Bonhoeffer. The reader asks the question what possessed Bonhoeffer to pursue the dream of a restive German society with Christianity abounding. Unless one has lived under a dictatorship perhaps this makes one restless. This book provides clear and concise answers.



4. Upon starting this book I knew very little about Bonhoeffer; I had read some of Ethics and I knew of his murder by the Gestapo. Thus, there was something new on every page for me, and despite the book's length it never seemed oppressive in detail. In fact if the author can be faulted for one thing it is his lack of information about Bonhoeffer's courtship and engagement; which is discussed almost as an aside. On every other point though, the author did a wonderful job. His explanations of Bonhoeffer's theology are clear and understandable. Considering that much of what Bonhoeffer took for granted, theologically speaking, is alien to the American intellectual tradition that is a great accomplishment. The book is also a welcome antidote to the conception of 1930's and 1940's Germany as synonymous with Hitler and National Socialism. For even under the totalitarian state there were still men like Bonhoeffer who stood up against the regime



5. Bethge was Bonhoeffer's closest friend and colleague.He devoted his life to bringing Bonhoeffer to the world's attention. This expanded volume, in remarkable ways, weaves together Bonhoeffer's life and his theological insights. In this 100th anniversary of the birth of this 39 year old martyr, this long book deserves careful reading, even my those who have read Bethge's somewhat shorter version published a number of years ago.

5 comments about Luther's Ninety-Five Theses.

1. If you haven't read this you can't call yourself a Protestant. So, pick up a copy today!



2. This text is a concise review of exactly the points Martin Luther raised to confront a corrupt deMedici controlled catholic church. As with the Bible, it's always best to go back to the original.



3. The language of these is not easy to read, but beautiful to consider. We take most of these ideas for granted, or try to make more out of them than was included in these theses. The historical and personal risk Luther took to post these on the doors of his church should inspire and humble us all.
   
   The 95 theses began the reformation of the Christian faith. Up to the point of these writings, the Church had been largely unchecked in her errors. Debates may have stayed private, were it not for a courageous minister. Luther did not intend to leave his beloved church, but hoped to change the ideas and behaviors which distracted her from the word of God.
   
   These were posted on a church, for the church, but their impact has reached to the farthest corners of modern hearts.



4. This book is a few pages long is bound in pamplet form. Contains 95 passages. This really attacks the Catholic church that he saw atrocities in at the time. I got the impression he was trying to say that the Pope is not the iotola of religion.



5. This book is a key document for all those (students, professors, ministers, scholars) who are interested in understanding the Reformation from its very beginning. Which were Luther's (and many theologians' and clerks') demands at the beginning of the 16th. century? The major answers to this question are in this booklet, written by the great Reformer's own hands.

2 comments about The Lutheran Handbook II.

1. `The Lutheran Handbook II' by a large list of contributors, under the auspices of the Augsburg Fortress Press, the publishing arm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) provides evidence that even if we can't say that God has a sense of humor (if you doubt this, read Jonah in the Old Testament) or Martin Luther had a sense of humor, at least contemporary Lutherans certainly have one, in spades.
   
   This is a follow-up to the first volume dedicated to contemporary church culture. This sequel is devoted to a brisk and somewhat lighthearted look at Lutheran theology, a subject about which it is far more difficult to take lightly than `church culture'.
   
   I confess that while this the stated object of the book, the contents do not `religiously' follow that objective. Thankfully, the book is so full of good humor and great information about all sorts of miscellaneous things Lutheran that I can't in good conscience dock it any stars. For the sake of full disclosure, I must tell you I'm a full-blooded, Sunday School teaching Lutheran, so you can take my rating with a grain of salt if you wish. To be sure, this book is far more valuable to a practicing Lutheran than it is to a practicing Catholic or practicing Baptist or other non-liturgically minded Christian. Oddly, it may have a greater interest to a professed atheist or agnostic than to some non-Lutheran.
   
   By far the most interesting thing about the book is the information it gives on all the various flavors of Lutherans in the United States. Up to now, I was familiar with only the ELCA, the Missouri Synod Lutherans and the Canadian branch. It turns out, there are literally 26 different `Lutheran' church organizations, although all the smaller US churches combined are less than 1/20 the size of the ELCA (over 10,000 congregations) plus the more conservative Missouri Synod (over 6,000 congregations).
   
   Thankfully, the book keeps already familiar material, such as Luther's smaller catechism to a minimum, although I suspect most adult Lutherans have long forgotten this stuff, and can stand having a reminder.
   
   The most useful non-theological material is simple but thorough instructions on how to carry out some of the basic lay participatory roles in a typical service, such as ushering, being an acolyte, being a greeter, and reading the lessons. It's amazing how some smaller congregations seem to believe you are born with this knowledge.
   
   Much of the fun comes in the `lists of', including lists of the pagan gods in the Bible, lists of famous Lutherans, lists of great Lutheran musicians (a very important part of Lutheran services. Bach was a Lutheran!!!!), lists of important Lutheran doctrines, and most interestingly, the list of books of the Bible which are most important to Lutheran doctrine (Luther was very big on Paul's letters and the Gospel of John.)
   
   While this book takes Lutheran doctrines very seriously, and never quite approaches the playful irreverence of Kevin Smith's movie `Dogma', the icons of the winking Luther are remarkably similar to Smith's `Buddy Christ'.
   
   This book is a great casual read and enormously helpful for parents who happen to have children in a Lutheran Sunday School. It's exceptionally well bound and in a very nice size for reading at the beach or on a plane, and oh so easy to pick up now and again, since all the sections stand on their own, very similar to the format of the `Worst Case Scenario' books, to which the publishers give credit for their `borrowing' the style.



2. The Lutheran handbook is an easy to grasp information book, outlined to entice the reader to dig further into Lutheran theology and doctrine. Fun for anyone who sits each Sunday in the same pew!