Religion Books

"Harris pointedly asks us to consider that those who do not fear death for themselves, and who also revere ancient scriptures instructing them to mete it out generously to others, may soon have these weapons in their own hands."

So I wonder if Harris is in favor of a pre-emptive military strike on Iran? If so, then he's just like the fanatical Christian George W. Bush. I hope his faith in reason offers some realistic ideas on how to deal with people whose faith is in God.

The message in the book can be best obtained by a clear understanding of the age old and outdated philosophical thoughts and comparing them with the benefits of current knowledge of science and technology. Therefore, a good knowledge of this is essential for a peaceful international living without having to wage wars. But there are many who work against the spread of this knowledge through fear, and are carried away by writings transcribed at various times and declared as holy.

The book analyzes the current conflict between reason, acquired through scientific and technological knowledge, and outright faith in antiquated religious dogmas. It references ideologies as believed and practiced in various places in world. The problems arise when faith in these beliefs are defended and enforced ruthlessly. The reader is provided with ample opportunity with references and lengthy notes to fall back and to improve understanding of the current clashes. This can make it difficult for the reader, who is not well versed in these ideas, to sustain interest in the important message. Consequently it tends to disrupt smooth flow of reading, and can induce loss of interest. A concentrated reading effort is required, and the interested reader should be prepared for this challenge. The flow of text in the book could be improved to make it an interesting piece of composition without using elliptical sentences. That is the writing style of the author. This is not a romantic novel or book of fairy tales.

World problems are not ascribable alone to blind faith. Due to natural genetic makeup of humans, powerful nations want to maintain superiority by inventing smart technologies, by usurpation of raw materials for energy, and control of world economy. This is often supported by resorting to ancient theocratic ideals which so often have clashed with each other. The book conveys a serious and important message to the world of the twenty-first century and beyond. Nobody can stop the dynamic progress and spread of science and technology. The Internet has been a great boon to society. We can "google" as we please, but should also be cautious and wise enough to make the most of the reliable information that we can get from such searches. We might look upon it as the first easy way to look beyond by searching in libraries to establish the credibility of the information obtained. That is fortunate because we do not live in the bygone dark ages when such easy access to knowledge was scanty and forbidden. However, there is enough hatred and bigotry going around. This is depressing. Sam Harris makes a brave effort to enlighten the reader with "The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason (Hardcover)". The future of humanity to aspire and work collectively could be at stake if reason is abandoned.

Thoughtful people are aware that world problems have been largely due to our genetic make up. In the primitive stages of human development, the work horse for sustaining human specie, the brain relied largely on mythological tales, miracles ascribed to pagan gods, and by authoritative and fictional credos. Deities were supposed to control mythically glorious heavens or terrifying hell fires for life after death for reward or punishment. Language development has made it possible to collect thoughts in books and scriptures which have been sanctified by self-anointed theocratic bodies; with the help of contemporary rulers of the times they have succeeded in forcing their views and writings on the defenseless masses deprived of basic necessities of living. Ignorance and fear have been used to propagate, coerce, and enforce theocratic ideas. Dogmatic beliefs are taught to the young when they have not yet reached the age of reason. Delusions of god and devil have been largely due to ideas created and perpetrated through the so called sacred writings sanctified as the unquestionable truth. Opposition has not been encouraged.

Current media, which should be independent, is lacking in its courage of conviction and credibility. Fortunately there are scientist, writers, and thoughtful people who possess good understandings of our genetic structure, science and technology. They have been contributing to understand the need international cooperation for peaceful living. There is much to be done.

Dr. Sam Harris [to be awarded his doctorate in Cognitive Neuro-Science] has revealed the 40 centuries of duplicity of our quasi-magical religious system. Its purpose is to control our minds, hearts and body by appealing to vulgar ignorance and superstition. Without religion, the human species would not be so ignorant ["not knowing"] and stupid ["put the mind in a daze"]. Its purpose to to inflict misery and poverty on the larger groups in any society so a few can live well off the backs of these many. It is animal deceit that came out of the homosexual priesthood of the ancient world (11% of our species is homosexual)!

What Dr. Harris did not state is how difficult it is to root out this falsity in human nature. In our historical record when one vile religious system must supplant another odious system, one merely chops off the noses, ears and tongue, or "cabbage head" to root out the presumed vile contagion. Why cabbage head? No one wants to have sex with such a hideous creature, hence he dies off; and with his death, the old religion goes. This was how the vile, vulgar superstition of Christianity supplanted the Roman State Religion; Islam supplanted Christianity; and Zoaroastrian Persian State Religion was supplanted by Mazdeism!

So mankind will continue to cling to the filthy robes of religion---it is how she hides her moral and legal crimes, and further deceit in business. All the town theives sit in the front pew on Sunday to hide their petty crimes throughout the week against their fellow man. Is this not obvious?

There has been much lucid insights given about Dr. Harris' treatise, most of it inane and self-patronizing. We twin brothers need not add further dribble to this incompetent mass of third-rate ideas. Dr. Harris requires and demands better. He has written a charming, lucid masterpiece! Presently, our time and age are too confused and ill-educated to appreciate his tutelary genius!

The Age of Belief was the 12th-13th Century in Europe. We are an age of dunces who do not understand what religion was, and what is worse, what it is now! It is merely mental sickness and disease in our culture which renders all of us unsafe and unhealthy!

This virulence will only be with us for two more centuries!

Presently, it is data systems, economic systems and mathematical systems that run things, so the dolts in religion can run their sterile rant and fill out minds with their dry, mental rot!

We were disappointed that Dr. Harris did not reveal that Jeshua [or Jesus] had a twin brother, Judas. Our ancient epigraphic Roman Latin records, Aramaic records, Syriac record, Coptic records, Ethioptic records and even Sanskrit records attest to this obvious attribution. When one twin was killed for Jewish moral violation [Jeshua] around A.D. 29/30 by the 'cross of the beast' of Roman penal technique (Jews would have set him on fire or buried him alive by their penal system), the other twin, ran around the countryside for four more years before he also was killed like his twin in A.D. 34. When you are an identical twin, indeed, you come back from the dead to outsiders who do not know you are a twin! In our manuscript traditions this other twin is called "Didymus Judas Thomas" or a variation thereof. Naturally, 'didymus' is Koine Greek for identical twin and 'thomas' is Palestinian Aramaic for identical twin.

We ancient scholars have been sitting on this vulgar truth since the 1860's. We will not release it to the fools in religion until around A.D. 2030. We remind this readership that very few people read Oriental languages and their scripts. They are essentially brain dead. For that matter, who can even read Classical Latin, Classical Greek and Classical Hebrew? Certainly not the blockheads in religion or those human scum who profess they are Bible students.

If we are severe in these matters, it is because we have forty centuries of historical details in our minds. When great misery, suffering and pain are inflicted on the general population, it is always the scoundrels in religion who either perpetrate the crime or give cover to the crime by others (in military or political-governmental structures)!

Dr. Harris has written a morally good book!


Respectfully,


John E.D.P. Malin,
Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer
James F.D.P. Malin,
Vice Chairman of the Board & Chief Research & Development Officer
Informatica Corporation
Executive Division
P.O. Drawer 460
Cecilia, Louisiana 70521-0460

"Fathers of the Silicon Bayou"

Contact Information: InformaticaMalin@gmail.com

P.S. We would be remiss in our duties here if we did not give correct insight into the 'War on Terror.' This too is ancient dupery! Its correct Latin name is 'pura et pia bella' [Latin, "pure and pious wars"]. It is the purpose of the scoundrels in religion who live off the backs of the people to harness terror in our local communities. The religious crowd is even too stupid to manage this simple task!

--

Just read it, it will change the way you view our world. It could change the way you vote for leaders and it could change what you do on Sundays.
The path to a future of world peace is inside the covers of this book if you can open your mind and absorb it. Ignore it at the peril of your children and grandchildren.
Thank you, Mr. Harris

I give this book two stars because it is well written and a compelling argument and yet of ignores the enormous harm that leaders who are anti-religion and/or atheist have brought upon humanity in just the last century alone.

FACT: Mao, Stalin, and Hitler, three leaders who are either atheist or anti-religion, within just a few decades, have killed an estimated 100 Million people or more.
FACT: Together, the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the witch burnings killed approximately 200,000 people.
This doesn't even take into account what atheist leaders like Castro, Kim Jong-il, and others have done in more recent times.

Honestly, the only thing driving people to do these horrible things is a lust for power, and anything else they claim to be doing it for is just an excuse as neither atheistic teachings nor any religion I am aware of condones the killing of innocent people in the name of itself.

It is also true that not one single scientific fact can disprove God's existence, and scientific discoveries and theories such as the big bang seem more and more to support a theistic ideology than an atheistic one. In fact, a significantly large number of atheist scientists have actually been trying fruitlessly to come up with an alternative to the big bang because of this very reason, despite the fact that the evidence supports it enormously.

I am furthermore kind of shocked at the title he chose, when it is clear to any scientist that it requires just as much faith to be an atheist as it does to be a theist.

I am about two-thirds into The Seeker's Guide. I read 10 - 20 pages per day. The subject matter is very interesting to me. However, I'm finding the writing tedious. I often re-read exerpts and have difficulty with Ms. Lesser's personal reactions to everything she has experienced. I find myself wanting to know her experiences but not her evaluation. She's traveled a phenomonal path and I'm anxious to learn about her evolvement, relationships, travels and teachers. Just as I begin to have some vicarious experience, I'm thrown off by another personal opinion she has. I find it distracting. To me, it feels like she wrote more for her personal gratification and not so much to assist the reader in a search for spirituality. Still valuable stuff!

Nicely written, personal and relevant for anyone "seeking" information on spirituality. It doesn't promise anything but makes a compelling case for meditation. Several tips for meditating are offered throughout the book and a variety of specific meditation practices are available to integrate into your life. I liked that the author understands that changing your daily routine to include meditation takes forgiveness and patience. If it becomes an exercise in obligations too early on, one may be easily discouraged.
Well done and enjoyable read promoting meditation as part of a spiritual path.

One Day She'll Darken: The Mysterious Beginnings of Fauna Hodel

I heard about this book..when I heard Oprah Interview Ms. Lessor...I ordered it..I found it to be informative..tying in all the religions..pointing us to our oneness...

This book is extremely hard to read because of the small print--some lines are squeezed together and the print becomes even smaller. The reader needs to be aware that this book is dry and much like a text book. The author concentrates so much time on her lifestory. There are many other books about spirituality that are positive and uplifting for the reader to enjoy.

I am approaching my 50's and one of the first things that changed was my vision. This being such a wonderful book for those in their "wisdom" years, I would like to recommend that it is reprinted and made available in LARGE print. I am really challenged with the fine print and the word congestion on each page. Thank you for the consideration!

I recently completed reading this book, one chapter a day for 30 days.

The author caused me to restructure some of my daily activities. Most of us not longer have to choose good from bad, but rather have to choose best from good.

One thing I changed was learning to text message in order to maintain a more regular contact with my grandchildren. 6 out of 8 of them text, and the other two can't wait until they have their own cell phones.

The wisdom contained in this book has had a positive, life changing impact on my life. The format allows for creative teaching, self assessment, and identification of areas for change.

Forget the hype. This book stinks. It is shallow, self help drivel. The premise is contrived and the biblical content negligible. I couldn't put it down fast enough.

One Month to Live by Kerry & Chris Shook
I am using this book in a small group which reads and discusses topics suggested or at random. We meet every three to four weeks in amembers home. At the first meeting about One Month to Lived we had a lively discussion about a variety of topics that went on for three hours and only covedred the first two days. Some of us have connected to the web site to receive even more benefits. I would recommend this book to everyone who wants to get a handle on living in this busy, topsy-tervy world!

This book is well written and will give new thought to a new Christian and renewed thought to along term Christ follower.

This book obviously already has plenty of praising views, but I read this book and found it so great that I can't live with myself if I don't write a review. Coming from a kid who grieved a traumatic death, this book *IS* the book to buy if you're grieving, want to understand death, or want to find a book to help out a confused friend (no matter what age) who's grieving. It's worth the price.

I am new to the genius of CS Lewis. I read the Narnia series as a kid, but have not read books for years, until recently. This book was deep, and full of the genius Lewis is known for. He expresses the pain of losing his wife, and the questions that those who mourn often work through, but are too guilty to express publically. The work is awesome, and may help some who are going through similar feelings of greif. Skip the aknowlegement at the beginning by Madeline Engle, I am not familiar with her writing, but have heard the name. I am surprised she was chosen to write the aknowlegement, but it is an amusing contrast to Lewis' intellect and spiritual understanding. The aknowlegement exudes an attitude of confidence in spiritual issues, yet reveals a cluelessness and spiritual blindess found largely in todays new age books. It does not belong in a CS Lewis book.

This small book is a blessing to those who have experienced a deep and pressing grief. It shows a bit of the journey C.S. Lewis made through his grief experience. It was a brief, beautiful read.

Although Lewis was, of course, a renowned and devout Christian, this book will speak to anyone who's lost someone with whom they shared real love. All of the questions, angers, and doubts that fill the mind during the numbing time following great loss are shared in the first person, generously, by Lewis. This is, I think, a beautiful, powerful, and deeply healing work.

Originally published under a pseudonym, this short book is a thoroughly reasoned but heart-felt analyzation of grief from the private writing journal of intellectual author and academia giant, C.S. Lewis. The object of his grief is the love of his life, his rare intellectual equal and friend whom he met later in life and fell deeply in love with, making her his wife.

Born Atheist, C.S. Lewis became a committed Christian, but spent part of his journalized pages in honest reflection of his anger at God and acknowledgement of fragile faith while in the throes of traumatic, life-altering grief. He boldly wonders and writes the thoughts and words most familiarly held at some point in the minds of others bereaved over their most beloved and cherished.

From page 23: "Only a real risk tests the reality of a belief. Apparently the faith - I thought it faith - which enables me to pray for the other dead has seemed strong only because I have never really cared, not desperately, whether they existed or not. Yet I thought I did."

After other thoughts about risks and beliefs, this is said, "And you will never discover how serious it was until the stakes are raised horribly high, until you find that you are playing not for counters or for sixpences but for every penny you have in the world. Nothing will shake a man - or at any rate a man like me - out of his merely verbal thinking and his merely notional beliefs. He has to be knocked silly before he comes to his senses. Only torture will bring out the truth. Only under torture does he discover himself."

On page 25, C.S. sees the human side of grieving when others try to console him with spiritual avenues of comfort: "Talk to me about the truth of religion and I'll listen gladly. Talk to me about the duty of religion and I'll listen submissively. But don't come talking to me about the consolations of religion or I shall suspect that you don't understand."

The social leprosy of bereavement is also mentioned on a couple of pages, including this: "Perhaps the bereaved ought to be isolated in special settlements like lepers."

At the end, C.S. Lewis seems to reconcile himself to a conclusion about grieving: "For, as I have discovered, passionate grief does not link us with the dead but cuts us off from them," as he tries to go about cherishing his beloved's every memory with gladness, a smile and a laugh. Not for long, however, is this a workable plan as he writes the next day's journal entry more in line with the natural phases of grief: "An admirable programme. Unfortunately it can't be carried out. tonight al the hells of young grief have opened again; the mad words, the bitter resentment, the fluttering in the stomach, the nightmare unreality, the wallowed-in tears. For in grief nothing `stays put.' One keeps on emerging from a phase, but it always recurs. Round and round. Everything repeats. Am I going in circles, or dare I hope I am on a spiral?"

As do we all of bereavement ask ourselves when finding that as much as we try clawing our way up the spiral, we suddenly lose our grasp, totally at the mercy of our humanness and that quality that never dies - love.

I would definitely recommend this book. I was barely through the first chapter and was absolutely amazed at how much I was NEEDING to read this book. It fit my life perfectly. I love the way she words things and labels things throughout the book. About the time I would think the book couldn't match me any more perfectly, I'd read something that would fit right in once again! I'm not even finished reading it as of yet but I know it's one of those books that I will read many more times in the future! A+ recommendation!

I am so excited about this book. So many women today just don't understand the balance we need to maintain in life as women and Christians. They are unaware of the central ground of being at the feet of Jesus all the while serving in the capacity of the world we live in. JoAnna Weaver does get it and she bears her heart in her book, "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World."

In twelve revelation and scripture packed chapters, JoAnna takes you to the core of what you need to balance it all.... a relationship with Jesus Christ.

You'll be drawn to chapters like: "Lord, Don't You Care?", Living Room Intimacy, and Balancing Work and Worship and those are just a few. I couldn't put the book down. The message is biblical, the concepts are practical, and the way it is written is very personable and you can very easily relate to her.

I have enjoyed this book on my own, with two friends as a study, and also as a book club selection. I've read it twice and have put it on my "short list" of books to read annually. There is so much good information to help me grow in my spiritual walk with the Lord!

Written in a user friendly style. Very motivating with exccellent internal evaluations by the reader, while being gently led by the author. I would definetly reccommend this book for all women.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver is a book that should be on every woman's bookshelf. In today's world that requires more and more of women: working full time, perfect wife and mom, active in church and school, spotless housekeeper, and gourmet chef, Weaver's book is a counterpoint singing the value of rest and taking the time to listen to Jesus. Weaver uses the story in Luke chapter 38 when Jesus comes to visit sisters Mary and Martha at their home in Bethany. Martha rushes around preparing the house and meal for her visitors when she notices that Mary isn't helping at all. Instead, she's sitting at Jesus' feet listening to his teaching. Martha approaches Jesus and asks him to rebuke Mary for her laziness, but Jesus gently reproves Martha for her busyness and explains that Mary is doing just what she needs to. Psalm 46:10's admonition: Be still and know that I am God comes to life through Weaver's gentle teaching. We spend entirely too much time running from one thing to the next without taking the time to worship God and get to truly know him, and so our soul suffers needlessly. This book is a blessing to everyone who reads it!

Where would we be without people that actualy take the time to think and analyze the things we think and do. If you're able to put preconcieved ideas out of your head for a bit you'll find this book a very interesting exersize.
What I was dissappointed in:
There seems to be a broad acceptance of much of the liberal teaching in this book. While our earth care as a society does have a dismal record many of the things being preached (global warming in particular) simply have yet to be proved. Our ability to measure has outgrown our knowledge of history and we seem bent on using our recently aquired ability to measure to drum up support for most anything we can make the numbers infer. Second his acceptance that business is just after another customer and and forgets all about the customer they have is another statement without fact. So many take for granted that because 1% of the businesses do something bad that paints all business with the same brush. I find these types of broad generalizations dissappointing.
While Brian spends much time on the "Security" issue and quotes turn the other cheek passages he really doesn't even attempt to reconcile that view with the "I AM" of the old testament who ordered the Israelites to kill every man, woman and child. I would find it most helpful to have the justice of that placed in context of the New Testament. Taking portions of scripture to prove a point without a full discussion of those scriptures that might cloud the issue seems a bit counter productive.
What I liked:
In short this book has caused me to start a complete overhaul of the way I live my life. Politically I would call myself a conservative but now I'm pretty much ready to throw political labels aside and find a another title. Most of the things talked about in this book I really never thought about in terms of christian responsiblity. What happened outside my city, county, state, etc.. just happened and that was just reality. War is just a reality and there's really nothing I can do about it. Now however, I am forced to take a really hard look at my consuption, earth care, care for my neighbor, even if in another country or unborn, and what Jesus would have me do. Working through this will, over time, change my christian walk completely.

Brian McLaren may be the most widely known proponent for the Emerging Church in the twenty-first century. The first book I read by McLaren is A New Kind of Christian, which I felt articulated my own frustration with modern expressions of church and Christianity. McLaren has become a prolific writer articulating the journey out of the modern trappings of the Western Church. McLaren is an associate in the Emergent Village, a group of Emerging Church leaders. Famed for his radical and sometimes threateningly abrasive tone as he describes modern Western Christianity, McLaren is often reviled by critics of the Emerging Church and Emergent Movement. Retired from the pastorate in Maryland, McLaren recently completed the "EMC" (Everything Must Change) Tour. He now travels, speaks, writes, and learns especially from friends in Latin America and Africa, how to change our "inner ecology" (294) and therefore help create a community freed from the dominant framing story through the viral message of Jesus.

This book is framed with McLaren's two important questions: What are the biggest problems in the world today? and What do the life and teachings of Jesus have to say about these global problems? (45) McLaren seeks the answers to those questions with his underlying thesis that we are beholden to a destructive framing story and that in the gospel of Jesus Christ, "a message purporting to be the best news in the world should be doing better than this." (34) The biggest problems in the world, as McLaren puts forth, are as a result of a "Suicide Machine," an invisible killer, feeding off of and destroying all life and corrupting the Earth's ecosystem. The Earth is a complex ecosystem in which human society is a participant. In as much as our societal machine, including prosperity, equity, and security, is not cooperatively and creatively informed by the good news of the kingdom of God, humankind will accept the curriculum and teaching of an alternative framing story, one which blinds our eyes to the increasing demands and abuse our societal "machine" places on the Earth's ecosystem.

This book shows how Christians have accepted a "gospel about Jesus", but we have failed to accept the "better news", the "gospel of Jesus", which is the message of the Kingdom of God. (83) McLaren only touches the problematic implications and interpretations of Protestant Reformation orthodoxy, such as Predestination. It is difficult for those who live consistently with that theological framework to not ask, "Why, if the Titanic is destined to sink, should we rearrange the deck chairs"? (153) The Bible, McLaren asserts, is not simply a book about how the "Elect" go to heaven and therefore will abandon the Earth, but a "story of the partnership between God and humanity to save and transform all of human society and avert global destruction." (94)

This book begins with our two questions, considers the "frame" of the conventional gospel story, and reintroduces us to Jesus. The first chapters introduce us to an alternative voice, a health care worker from South Africa, who pointed out the "nonsense" of the conventional gospel, how pastors are preoccupied with divine healing, being born again, and tithing. (27) McLaren relates how this kind of "dissatisfaction" with the current circumstance, coupled with a "shared imagination and hope, combine to form an emerging consensus that is spreading across the Global South," the new Majority Church, and emerging Christian leaders are realizing that "if their message isn't good news for the poor...it isn't the same message that Jesus proclaimed." (30) By including the voices of the Global South, McLaren broadens the emerging church discussion, showing the "two sided coin," the "postmodern" side, which is a perspective from the West, and "postcolonial" side, which is the perspective of those formerly dominated by the West. (44) The "way out" of the West's ugly, excessively confident, dominating, and exploitative narrative and the non-West's formerly colonized and oppressed people, is face-to-face meeting, dialogue, and community formation around the kingdom message of Jesus.
McLaren points out that the necessary change in our world is not "cosmetic" or merely a matter of being "relevant to culture." (32) Rather, like the South African health care worker, the necessary change is seen in the contrast between thoughtful young educated people, who are asking the difficult questions about larger societal and systemic injustices, and the typical adherents to the Christian religion, whose ultimate concern is most typically for only private and spiritual matters. The call, that "everything must change," is rooted in the dichotomy between spiritual and natural concerns. Just as Jesus warned his disciples to "beware the leaven," the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees, McLaren warns us of the dangers of "Foundationalism" and "destructive framing stories," combined with the lethal injection of "excessive confidence" in Christian religion most notable since the Enlightenment. (44)

The global problems plaguing the world have been reduced to lists by international agencies like the United Nations (Millennial Goals) and well-meaning Evangelical leaders (i.e. Rick Warren's 5-Point PEACE plan), which still imply on the part of the list-makers a confidence that such global issues can be broken down and solved according to the same Modern Western Framing Story that created the problems. Quoting Einstein, "No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it", McLaren points out some bigger questions. How do we affect global change? How do we get free from the dominant system? McLaren writes of "liberating our imaginations from captivity;" (254) to whom are we captive? ourselves?, some conspiratorial group?, or is it spiritual forces in heavenly places, as Paul reveals? Who are our teachers? What questions might we ask today, which will affect the greatest transformative change and bring the greatest liberty from captivity for our society, and the world? If the idealist Boomer generation Jesus People became complicit to the dominant system, diseased with an ideology that created independent evangelical churches, what will this generation do? Or will the Emerging Church, those communities emerging from Western Christianity and out of the Western, Southern, and Eastern parts of the globe, be flexible enough in this generation to affect a radical reconciliation effort?

Clearly, we need help and we must ask difficult questions to "discern and articulate the alternative narrative of Jesus." (122) For example, why was Jesus tempted in the wilderness? (139) McLaren points out how even Jesus needed to stand against the "Suicide Machine" of the Roman Empire. We must beware of our teachers, and not just their ideas or systems they establish, but the teachers and "system" enforcers. We must ask where we place our faith and how our framing story of conquest causes us to be "driven" (137), the dehumanizing "Theo-capitalism" drive to go faster and faster, producing more and more. (192) Why do we listen to Jesus explanation of the value of our lives in comparison to a sparrow, which therefore has some value, and yet accept a dualist view of the value of an "immaterial" human soul? (138) Does our understanding of the gospel somehow lead to "derangement" (removed from our natural place in the world) and "decomposition" (divorced from what had previously been joined)? Is our spiritual aim the "disembodiment of soul" (standing outside ourselves), and a kind of spiritual ecstasy, like "a drug-induced euphoria or a hypnotically induced trance...(which therefore leaves us) liberated from all duty as embodied, environmented creatures"? (142)
The second half of this book penetrates deeper, examining and re-framing the systems of Security, Prosperity, and Equity. Chris Hedges, war zone journalist with intimate knowledge of the extent of the Security system and our nation's military investments, points out another kind of derangement saying that nations at war "fall into a collective `autism'...and do not listen to those outside the inner circle." (174) McLaren outlines in graphic detail the ugliness of the Security, Prosperity, and Equity systems in the "Suicide Machine" as if he were recruiting members to join a modern insurgency to overthrow, well...everything. Before you join, or toss aside this crazy notion, consider a few more questions we should be ready to answer: Do I believe that war is "simply a continuation of political intercourse"? (167) While he appears very much like he is presenting an argument for Ideological Pacificism, he steps away from that polarizing position to call for "a new dialogue" (176) replacing our craving for security with a passion for justice through "vibrant, reconciled communities". (182)

McLaren calls for a "New Global Love Economy" in the image of "God's sacred ecosystem." (128-131) He calls us to join the "Divine Peace Insurgency" to rebuild our societal system "as a beloved community." (151) He presents an economic plan of the kingdom of God with sustainable development and fruitfulness as the goal, not consumption. (207-9) Rather than completely abandon organized religion, he calls for "Organizing Religion" to strengthen families and communities through "celebrating virtue and training people to practice it." (264) Rather than call for political involvement, which tends to quickly polarize even the least partisan leaders, he calls for a radical believing, "believing the alternative and transforming framing story." (270) Rather than change the political system (not to mention the business, military, and even religious systems), which tends to attract those who change with the political wind, he repeats what Jim Wallis recommends: "Change the wind." This book is a call to activism with resurrection faith. This "insurgency" will not be defeated, but will "move quietly, at the margins, where all revolutions begin." (272) This is the Emerging Church, the maturing upward spiral of God's people with vision (276), those who are disbelieving a "covert curriculum, a curriculum that must be unlearned." (284) This Emerging Church is creating new lesson plans with a common script and a common faith to move mountains of oppressive systems by faith.


The vision McLaren presents in Everything Must Change is a radical restructuring of society. Jesus was constantly teaching, but only lecturing part of the time. He modeled life, crossed cultural barriers, confronted systems of thinking, and fully surrendered his rights to get his message across. This, it seems to me, is a time to re-examine all my models of ministry. One of the greatest implications of this book to my ministry is a shift in my thinking toward radical community as a transformative witness. In the past I have given myself to integrated, holistic, transformative mission "projects," but I have not formed communities, which share vision for sustainable development, reconciliation, and transformation. I'm turning away from the mission approach of transforming individuals to a radical shift of transforming communities.

The implication of this book for the global Church and for my ministry is an invitation to change personally and corporately, to partner with Christians from the West and the global South and East. I may live consistently within my foundational presuppositions, however because those presuppositions of God's nature and activity are different, I can reach very different conclusions unless I consider how much I am serving and supporting a system that is not the kingdom of God. Humankind spars for territory and resources in a closed environment producing a lot of heat, but little benefit for our global neighbors. McLaren is calling for a new ecosystem that nourishes, blesses, and sustains God's kind of life. For those trapped in the destructive ecosystem of liberalism and conservatism, there is a way out. However, it appears that way is frightfully simple, "BELIEVE." Our faith will carry us into a new environment, out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of His dear Son. Like Paul the apostle, who ruthlessly examined all his presumptions as a Pharisee, about God, right and wrong, and the Messiah, we need to ruthlessly examine those bonds that tie us to the "Suicide Machine". Something needs to change and I believe it begins with me.

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.

When Jesus came to earth, most people either followed Him or decided He had to die. That was the radical nature of His message in their culture. Likewise, you cannot dissect and apply His message to our own culture without inciting similar reactions. I see Brian McLaren as more philosopher than theologian. Theologians answer the important questions; philosophers ask them. The problem with many Christians (or religious people) is they feel they must condemn anything they don't 100% agree with. That's what killed the prophets, both ancient and contemporary. They asked dangerous and status-threatening questions. Thank you Brian, for asking the important questions that most of Chistendom is not asking (i.e. what does our faith have to say about the world's most important crises?)

If Brian McLaren wants to write a book about social ills he should do so, but he should leave Jesus out of it. I started reading this book and never finished it because of his blatant twisting of Jesus' message.

The sad part is that he won't accept the real Jesus in scripture and that is the Jesus that will soften a man's heart and therefore, make a difference in the issues of our day.

If you are looking for the best book on expository preaching...YOU FOUND IT!! This was a required textbook for one of my seminary classes, and I absolutely loved reading it. No other book that I have read so far and I've read quite a few about preaching, really explains the "HOW-TO" of expository preaching! I highly recommend this book to all pastors, teachers and laymen.

Introduction

"In this book, I pass on a method to those learning to preach or to experienced people who want to brush up on the basics" (14). So says Dr. Haddon Robinson as he offers this second edition of this classic volume known as Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages. Though first published in 1980, this work is still a staple in homiletics departments and pastors' studies across the world.

Robinson received his Ph.D. at the University of Illinois and serves as the Harold John Ockenga Distinguished Professor of Preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Prior to this position, he served as president and professor of homiletics at Denver Seminary after teaching homiletics at Dallas Theological Seminary for nineteen years.

Summary

Chapter One, entitled "The Case for Expository Preaching," Robinson begins by saying, "This is a book about expository preaching, but it may have been written for a depressed market." In this chapter, Robinson shows the lack of regard for expository preaching in evangelical circles, then outlines the church's need for this manner of preaching and exactly what expository preaching is. Chapter Two, entitled "What's the Big Idea?" displays the importance of an expositor to mine out one main concept or idea. He defines an idea as something which "enables us to see what was previously unclear" (39). He also notes that "an idea begins in the mind when things ordinarily separated come together to form unity that either did not exist before or was not recognized previously" (39).

In Chapter Three, entitled "Tools of the Trade," Robinson introduces three stages in preparing expository sermons: "choosing the passage to be preached" (53), studying the passage and gathering the notes (58), then proceeding to "relate the parts to each other to determine the exegetical idea and its development" (66). Chapter Four, entitled "The Road from Text to Sermon," includes stage four which is "analyzing the exegetical idea" (75).

In Chapter Five, entitled "The Arrow and the Target," Robinson covers stages five and six in the development of expository preaching: "Formulating the Homiletical Idea" in which he encourages preachers to state their exegetical idea in "the most exact, memorable sentence possible" (103); and determining the purpose for the sermon. "A purpose differs from a sermon idea, therefore, in the same way that a target differs from the arrow; as taking a trip differs from studying a map; as baking a pie differs from reading a recipe" (107).

In Chapter Six, entitled, "The Shapes Sermons Take," Robinson helps the preacher decide how to accomplish the purpose of the sermon as well as outlining the sermon (stages seven and eight, respectively). Chapter Seven addresses filling in the sermon outline and, as Robinson states in his title, "making dry bones live" (139). Chapter Eight has the provocative title, "Start with a Band and Quit All Over," which deals with the preparation of introductions and conclusions.

Chapter Nine, entitled, "The Dress of Thought," Robinson notes, "Gift or not, we must use words, and the only question is whether we will use them poorly or well" (184). He helps the preacher in areas such as transitions, clarity of thought, developing a personal style, and the use of metaphors. The last chapter, "How to Preach So People Will Listen," deals with the delivery of the sermon itself. Robinson says that sermons "live only when they are preached. A sermon ineptly delivered arrives stillborn" (201).

Critical Analysis

With engaging writing and timely humor, Robinson seeks to communicate one prominent theme: "expository preaching is the communication of a biblical concept" (35). Even though one would be more persuaded by his thoughts had he served more in the preaching ministry of a local church (he served at Dallas Youth for Christ from 1952-55, then as Associate Pastor at the First Baptist Church of Medford, Oregon from 1956-19581), his principles of preparing and preaching expository sermons are tremendous and will serve the Church of Jesus Christ and his ministers very well indeed.

One of the strengths of this work is its pastoral nature. Preachers are not called to be lecturers and are not simply called to preach the Word of God. Preachers are called to preach the Word of God to God's people. Robinson rightly observes that "we must preach to a world addressed by the TV commentator, the newspaper columnist, and the playwright" (29). In the Preface to the Second Edition, Robinson notes how the culture has changed since 1980 when this work was first published. "Television and the computer have influenced the ways we learn and think. Narrative preaching has come into vogue and reflects the reality that listeners in a television culture think with pictures in their heads" (10). While he may go too far in giving room for narrative preaching, he rightly assesses 21st century culture. This culture is the world in which the expositor preaches. So not only does Robinson note that "as shepherds, we relate to the hurts, cries, and fears of our flocks," we must also understand the external issues to which our people are exposed every hour of every day.

Along with this area of pastoral ministry in connection with preaching, Robinson also gives more room to the role and responsibility of the listener. He notes:

Expositors may be respected for their exegetical abilities and their diligent preparation, but these qualities do not transform any of them into a Protestant pope who speaks ex cathedra. Listeners also have a responsibility to match the sermon to the biblical text. As Henry David Thoreau wrote, "It takes two to speak the truth -- one to speak, and another to hear." ... If a congregation is to grow, it must share the struggle (24).

Robinson notes that the average listener in the pew hopes you will answer this one question: "So what? What difference does it make" (86)? Before this question is in the congregants' hearts, this question must be answered in the study as he asks, "Exactly what is the biblical writer talking about (66)?" The shared struggle starts with the preacher in the study as he wrestles with God to find out his intended meaning.

Another strength in this work is the engaging humor Robinson employs in this volume. While many would consider reading a book on expositional preaching boring (even some preachers may feel this way!), Robinson's use of humor helps hook the reader in order that the reader may approach this material with ease. This example, though mentioned earlier, stands as a great example of opening up the very first chapter with humor: "This is a book about preaching, but it may have been written for a depressed market" (17). In the preface to the first edition, he makes this observation:

If I can claim any qualification, it is this: I am a good listener. During two decades in the classroom I have evaluated nearly six thousand student sermons. My friends marvel that after listening to hundreds of fledgling preachers stumble through their first sermons, I am not an atheist (14).

In another example after he acknowledges his debt to all who have influenced his thinking on expositional preaching, he closes the paragraph by noting, "Since all of these and others influenced me deeply, it is only fair that for weaknesses in this volume they should shoulder a large share of the blame" (15)! This brand of humor disarms the critic and relaxes those who initially approach the topic of expository preaching with any misgivings or fears.

One weakness is a quote located in the Preface to the Second Edition about his view of women ministers, a view which has changed since his first edition in 1980. He notes:

I've also changed my language to reflect my theology. God doesn't distribute gifts by gender. Both women and men have the ability and the responsibility to communicate God's Word. I have always believed that, but the language in my first book reflected a distinct male bias. . . . In this revision I hope I have demonstrated the fruits of my repentance (10).

Robinson's theology is on display when, in an explanation of how our outlines should have development, he plays the part of a listener who asks of the preacher, "What evidence does she have for that statement" (140)? Here again he opens the door for us to peer into his theological framework which allows for women ministers. If Robinson had titled this book, "Biblical Teaching," then the reader would understand the necessity for this revision. Many men and women in our churches teach, but the New Testament sets parameters on who teaches whom and where (1 Corinthians 14:33-35, 1 Timothy 2:11-13). For twenty-seven years however, this book has borne the title, "Biblical Preaching." When Robinson notes that the theology he has is "my theology," this reviewer is troubled by the use of the `my.' For someone who claims to look to authorial intent, the description of his views seems too self-centered. This reviewer believes that his theology has strayed in this area from Scripture.

Conclusion

Robinson excels in bringing a topic which many would deem dry and gives it life by coupling his extensive homiletical and hermeneutical knowledge with picturesque wit. Aside from the one weakness mentioned above, this book is a must-read for every pastor and aspiring preacher of the Gospel.

This is Robinson's highly revered "how to" preaching textbook. He presents a ten-step process of sermon preparation in his typically precise style. No word is wasted. In many respects numerous other books on preaching are building on this one, trying to offer some clarification or slight adjustment. That is certainly not true of all, but of many.

The emphasis throughout is on preaching a thoroughly Biblical message, through effective communication, in a way that is entirely relevant to the specific contemporary audience. The "Big Idea" is central to the philosophy and the procedure of preaching. So the ten steps move from understanding the text to the point of an accurate and clearly defined exegetical idea, through the process of developing the homiletical idea with clear purpose, to the practical matters of sermon shape and effective content. Although there are other books that deal in detail with issues of delivery, Robinson's brief section on delivery is helpfully succinct.

I think it is fair to say that anyone interested in the subject of preaching should have this book. Robinson's combination of Biblical commitment, expertise in communication theory, and renown as a teacher of preaching, effectively blend to make this a very effective book. The book does not deal with everything as fully as one might like, for example it would be nice to have more examples and demonstration of Biblical exegesis. However, this book remains the number one book in its field with good reason!

This review deals with the 2nd edition, a great book made even better.

[...]

This is a great book on expository preaching. While it covers the basics, I believe that it does so in such a way that it will benefit even very experienced preachers. For those who are relatively new to preaching, this tool will foster good habits. For those who are more seasoned, it will sharpen the mind regarding some things that are often taken for granted or done almost unconsciously. The text is well-respected for a reason.

I thought I knew about preaching the Bible before I read this book but relised how ignorant I had been. It helped me to get down to some basic but vital principles of studying and preparation.

A MUST READ!!! I loved the book from beginning. She is very good at expressing things. Yes she can be a little harsh, but she makes you face those lies. I have grown so much since doing the study. I'm in the process of getting copies for my daughter to do on her own. You have to take everything you read with a grain of salt. Don't throw the water out with the baby so to speak. It also helps if you do the study book with it, it explains even more. I didn't agree with everything, but loved it anyways. We can't choose how to live our Christian life except by God's Word. Seek Him even in this book, and He will show you things about the book that will guide you and help you.

This book was a true blessing. I need someone to remind me of what the bible says and don't sugar coat anything. If you are someone who needs to feel that everything you've done is OK, then this book is not right for you. If you want to know how to live a truly blessed, happy and stress free life then start reading it now.

I recommend this book to any christian women who thinks she doesn't have any lies that she is believing about the christian life/faith/marriage, etc. You will be surprised at how many lies Satan has used to discourage you and bring you down. Some of these lies are very obvious, but others will hit you like a ton of bricks. I know so many women who have read this book that you could probably find a fellow christian to borrow it from;-)

Nancy Leigh DeMoss, with startling clear exegesis of what the Bible really teaches about life and how we should live in the reality of a post-fall world are both comforting, encouraging, and constantly challenging. She does not represent a short of "Christianized" post-modernism but faces up to the hard demands of Scripture in every area. I have found the book to be helpful at so many levels to help me regain a Biblical outlook on life instead of simply acting out cultural assumptions and highly recommend it.

On the birth-control issues, again DeMoss bravely puts forth an idea that is radically against our rather self-centered culture. I am not saying that raising children is an easier than it is! But that isn't the point. Children are a blessing, every one of them. It is my tentative theory that before the fall/flood raising children was easier, because lifespans were longer, it was more spread out. today we have the same many kids naturally, but live like 500 yrs less. That means raising children selflessly today is extremely challenging, but God will never give us more than we can handle. God has built the conception of life as the general result of love between a man and his wife. Not that that's the only purpose of sex (expressing love is), but children are a blessing God Himself has generally built as a result. For some people, letting God decide how many children he will bless them with will mean a large family (and I have seen personally how warm and rich such families are. every member of the family adds something, and the parents will say raising such a large family was definitely challenging at times, but so worth it. each member is infinitely precious) The stress of raising a family will mean giving up a lot of our personal plans, will necessitate patience, a good sense of humor, and lots and lots of grace. But when we are weak, God is strong. Don't let cultural assumptions cause you to write off ideas like this and some others that Nancy brings to the light of Scripture.

I bought this book because I thought it was part of a series started by the other book The Lies We Believe and which I liked a lot. From the first chapter on, I regretted the purchase because it was not as authentic to a Christian like me as the other book was. For one thing, the author purports to discuss some supposed lies that she doesn't even have any authority -- not to mention experience -- on. Granted, the book does have some lies that are real lies, but there were quite a few lies that should not have been there. With these types of lies, the author generalized too much, especially in areas she obviously had no knowledge or experience of, so that anyone could be duped into actually thinking the way this author thinks -- which is very bad if you're a seeker (a person who just heard God's Word and would like to know more or someone who is in the process of finding a God- and Bible-believing church to go to).

One of the lies that the book subtly tries to tell you is if not for Eve, Adam would have not sinned and sin wouldn't have entered the world. All through the chapters the author always goes back to how Eve wrongly acted and used an authority not rightfully hers by making Adam eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. There has been quite a bit of Biblical study into that scene where Eve eats the fruit and then Adam eats it, and these Biblical scholars now point to the fact that most statements in the creation part of Genesis have a time lag that is not immediately evident. In the case of the eating of the fruit, Eve ate the fruit but may have not given it at that very instant to Adam. Eve may have served the fruit as part of a meal, or may have casually told Adam to eat the fruit a little later -- in either case without the assumption DeMoss makes that she seduced/enticed/"ordered" Adam to eat it. It is similar to one's wife calling today, "Honey, dinner is on the table, let's eat!" The opening of their eyes may not have happened immediately, too, and may have been a gradual process. In any event, if Eve had truly orchestrated the Fall of Man, the Bible would have been specific about that instead of emphasizing that "through Adam sin entered the world", which is what Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free thinks is not the case -- i.e., sin entered the world through Eve.

To believe that the need to learn to love myself (Lie #8) is a lie is not healthy. For one thing, DeMoss actually says we already have a good sense of self-esteem. If she meant that, then why not just state "I need to have high self-esteem" as the lie instead of learning to love myself? Not everyone is born with "high self-esteem" or a keen sense of self preservation. People who, as DeMoss says, "are plagued with a sense of worthlessness" are usually that way because of something in their life that made them that way. These people would like to kill themselves because they believe they are truly not worth anything (Lie #7). A person can't change the circumstances of his/her birth, childhood, background, past -- all of which have equal chances of making him the person he/she is today. If a person is abused as a child, it would take an extreme miracle for that child to even believe that he/she is lovable, much less for him/her to love himself/herself. This therefore proves that Lie #9 ("I can't help the way I am") is actually true because the accident of birth and environmental background shape what you are, which you cannot help (unless you're God, of course). This brings me to jump to lie #36 ("If my circumstances were different, I would be different"), a general statement that does not take into account that a considerable chunk of humanity would truly be different if their circumstances were different -- i.e., if they had not been abused, or their parents were not alcoholics, or if they had not been born with Down syndrome or cerebral palsy, then they themselves would actually be different.

Another supposed lie is "I have my rights". The Bible itself disproves DeMoss in this, as it is obvious from reading just the Old Testament that even God, in His goodness, recognized that human beings have inherent rights by making provision for those rights to be protected when he gave the various old covenant laws to Moses. For example, God made provision for a person who killed someone by mistake to flee to a place (in safety so others won't go after him) (Ex. 21:12-14, Lev. 24:17, 21b). Furthermore, one witness to a murder was insufficient; there has to be at least 2 (Num. 35: 29-30) because obviously there would be the "your word against mine" at play at a time when there was no CSI or forensics to conclusively determine whether a man killed another. These and other basic human rights has been carried down to our day, and to make a general statement that we don't have rights at all goes even against Scripture. DeMoss should have restated this to "I have no right to demand petty things" or something like that, which is what the list she wrote actually was. Her example of Jonah was an example of obvious eisegesis (among many) that I am just offended she would use him to justify that women have no rights.

Lie #20 ("A career outside the home is more valuable and fulfilling than being a wife and mother") is obviously something the author is not prepared to follow herself but expect the rest of womankind to follow. Here she is with a radio program she hosts and a writing career. I can believe the writing career being a career inside the home, but unless she owns a radio studio, then she obviously is going out to work and thinks it is better than having a husband and kids. (Yet later on she says it's a lie that women have to have a husband to be happy.) Not everyone has the luxury to be able to work in the home. And let's not be hypocritical about this because I have met so many Christians who pretend to be wives and mothers and have careers in their home, during which time they practice said careers, they leave their kids in a Church-run daycare or Christian babysitter from their parish or church. These Christian women are no different from others who have careers outside the home and leave their kids in a secular daycare or with a non-Christian babysitter. Furthermore, since DeMoss is keen to blame women in our culture as the culprits, what about those men who abandon women they impregnate with kids they are not willing to support? Those women can't stay at home else her kids will starve. She has to work because she has no choice (2 Thess. 3:10). It is not just women here who have shaped the culture we are in. Yet DeMoss wants us to believe that if womankind had submitted to the men in their lives from the get go we wouldn't have this kind of culture and society, we wouldn't be working outside our homes because every woman will be happily married with a wife and kids. Additionally, in the Middle Ages women have almost always submitted to their husbands and other authority figures above them and it obviously did not make our society any better than it is today. Additionally, the Church at the time propagated the myth that women were not empowered in the Bible and emphasized the submission so much to the point that women were secretly abused, all in the name of submission. DeMoss should carefully tread in the fine line of submission and not use the name of God, the Bible, and Christianity to justify this, because the Church has often twisted and used this to the detriment of thousands of women both then and now.

And what's this about the size of our family not being up to us to determine? There is no Scriptural basis at all for this. Most of Africa, Asia, and heavily Catholic South America obeyed this mandate, and the world is now heavily populated as a result, taxing those countries' natural resources. Surely when God mandated the human race to take care of the garden, he didn't just mean take care of Eden but also the whole planet? This is a very selfish lie because in DeMoss' ideal world, women would have babies no matter what, and the husband is supposed to be the only one taking care of that brood of maybe 4, 5, 6, 7 children. I can't do that to my own husband. I don't want him to work to death to support us! A woman is not just a baby-making machine while a man is not just a breadwinner. It's very easy for DeMoss to say this because obviously she was born in a rich family: her father had his own business, giving her mother the luxury of staying home to just take care of the house and kids (p. 172), and they were able to later send all 7 of them to private Christian schools (p. 174) even though they could afford to send them to a "private secular school" (p. 173). DeMoss also mentions she had a very sheltered upbringing in her introduction. I believe this is why some of the lies she says are unrealistic because she just lacks the experience or knowledge to know about them. I mean, has she even ministered to Christians in Africa or Asia?

Lie #33 ("I can't control my emotions") sometimes depends on how healthy or unhealthy a person is, and what type of person we are looking at. DeMoss would have you believe that we ought all to be able to control our emotions. Hypoglycemia can cause a person to be irritable, as well as PMS in women, lack of sleep, hypothyroidism in everyone. If the person, however, is not aware he has a medical condition that is affecting his emotions, then he truly will not be able to control them. What more people with more severe mental and physical illnesses? Furthermore, there are certain diseases that can kill parts of the brain, and if those parts deal with how a person expresses emotion, then that person totally will not have control over what he feels. Again, DeMoss is making a general statement from the outside looking in.

This could have been a good book if the author stayed within her own knowledge, experience, and calling. Although she gives a list of further helps in the back of the book (some of which toe the same line as her book), it is easy to notice that she is talking from a shallow understanding of a lot of serious problems and things that are wrong in this world and with humanity, and using eisegesis of the Bible (as opposed to exegesis, hermeneutics, or even exposition) to prove her points. She says she has had a sheltered upbringing. The least she could have done to remedy this was go outside into the world, do some Christian work or something in other parts of the world, before writing this book, in order to understand more than she knows now and be able to write from a real calling and true experience.

I love this book! It is easy to understand and my two homeschooled children love it!

I love this whole series of books-- and so do my children!
This year, my almost 7-year old ASKED for this book for his BIRTHDAY!!!

This is very well written. A great help to helping children understand History. It makes reading about the past fun and enjoyable.

The book was in excellent condition--not even a page bent! Also, it was received sooner than expected. A great purchase all around.

I began with Story of the World Vol. 1 by recommendation of a friend. I think I've enjoyed this volume even more. The chapters are short and are written in a way that holds my son's attention well (he just turned eight). I highly recommend getting the activity book to accompany this. It contains maps, coloring pages, games, review cards, and many suggestions for crafts to illustrate each chapter. There are also comprehension questions, narration, and suggestions for further reading.

My daughter is almost six, and she is not as excited about this series. I think if we didn't have the activity book she would not enjoy history at all. That may simply be because it's not her interest, while my son likes anything non-fiction, but it is also written a bit above her comprehension level. I would wait to use this until at least age seven. My son at this point begs me to read just one more chapter every day.

As for those who've said this is historical inaccurate, I would say that I haven't found a huge margin of error. When I have come across something that contradicts what I've learned elsewhere, I consider it an opportunity to dialog with my kids about it. Or I skip it. I also believe that at this age my focus is to expose them to the idea of history and culture rather than to drill them on historical facts.

This little book has been such a blessing to my life..The Lord continues to speak to me through the message each day. I have given the book to many friends and they then have given it to many more. It continues to touch each life.

This is a wonderful little book. Very helpful. I give the little book to special friends as gifts.

Jesus Calling, is the best devotional I have ever read. It's written in the "first person" as if Jesus is speaking directly to you. And it has scripture references to back it up. It is intimately written and touches my heart deeply every time I read it.

This i a wonderful book--brief devotional thoughts and Scriptures for each day, but always seeming to be targeted directly to me. It's daily messages helped my husband and me through some difficult days with cancer, and they continue to give me stremgth and encouragement now as a widow. I keep a supply on hand now to share with others. They, too, feel the targeting of the messages. Sarah Young has given us a great gift.
Nan Grantham

I am about to order 5 more copies of this book. I have ordered 50 copies of this book just this year. I have them on hand so when God directs me to share with another person in need I can just pull it out and give to them. I so want to find a way to contact Sara Young and tell her the great ministry she has opened up here in Colorado. I have friends and friends of friends who are sharing this book with friends and family. No matter if they are facing cancer struggles, griefs of one sort or another, searching for meaning and purpose, enJOYing their days - this book speaks to the heart of the matter... that Jesus Christ desires a personal and intimate relationship one on one with each of us. What a powerful message. Thank you Sara Young. I encourage you to get 1 or 10 or more and share with your loved ones.