Religion Books

this just wasn't what I thought it would be. I was unable to find the book in a local bookstore and after receiving it i understand why.

And she loved it! She has been wanting to get into the craft for ages and I urchased this book for her and she hasn't put it down yet!

For those looking for true, factual information on witchcraft, this is the book. Put all those other Wicca 101 books down. This is real witchcraft presented by real witches.

For anyone who wants to seriously practice Witchcraft, whether it be in a group or alone, this is a must-have. Janet and Stewart Farrar have given an indispensable resource for rituals, philosophy, and heritage of Wicca. The rituals laid out are descriptive and can be practiced by traditional covens and eclectic groups alike. "Eight Sabbats for Witches" has footnotes giving some very intriguing information. The philosophy is raw and thought-provoking. Subjects such as ethics, sex and the metaphysical aspect of magick is approached wholly and matter-of-factly.
There are those who would feel the Farrars were biased when writing this book, and I find this completely understandable. They were practicing Alexandrian tradition, which to my knowledge is very straight laced and "to the book" in their approach to practice. With understanding of their background, the reader must take the author's opinion with a grain of salt.
Nonetheless, a good bit of their knowledge and experience is written in this book. This book was written before the massive overload of fluff that saturated the new age market, and that's enough reason to give it a serious look. No Wiccan should turn away from this book, because one is sure to get plenty out of it.

This book is very well written but not what I expected. It would be great for those who either belong to a coven or are wanting to join one. I am a solitary so there is more information than I will ever use or need.
EileenDalla

This book is trite, poorly-written, and is premised on harmful misconceptions about the role of so called "gender differences" in a healthy marriage. It was required reading for our premarital counseling sessions and, although we went into it with open minds, we actually thought relying on the advice in this book would be harmful to marriage! Finally, it seems clear that the male author doesn't respect his wife, from the dismissive way he discusses her. Worst of all, the notes page of the book reflects studies that refer not to actual studies but to unsubstantiated claims made by other self-help authors or in other self help books. Skip this one, and if your church requires it, speak up. It's garbage.

Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts is the pre-marital book and companion workbooks our church uses with all our couples who plan to be married. A "season" couple goes through the book with the engaged couple, meeting many times the 6 months prior to their wedding. This mentoring process has proved to be a wonderful experience for both couples, and times together carry on well past the wedding day. The newlyweds now have a couple that have invested time with them, other than their parents, which has been a blessing to them.

I was a little on the fence about this book because I really didnt think it would help. We are not married yet, but this book has helped a lot to see each other out in the open. It has also showed us what the other thinks about us and what we can work on as a couple.

We gave this book as a gift to our college graduates here at the church and it was very well received.

Krista Tippett has the gift of being a thinking person who can draw you in to many points of view without feeling you are betraying your own. Her wisdom and tolerance make you comfortable exploring other faiths, learning to appreciate all the beautiful/complex ways people on this earth find to worship or approach the divine - or not. Her non-judgmental approach puts those she is interviewing at ease to reveal rather than defend their ideas. This book caused me to ponder and that is a good thing.

This woman is so stupid she thinks that Young Earth Creationists claim that Genesis is a science document, and that because it isn't, then it must not have any scientific value. What the Hell kind of moronic logic is that? So if something is not a scientific document, or scientific, it has no value? Well then throw out all those fossils which supposedly prove evolution Miss Tippet. You're stupid and clueless when it comes to religion and science.


Stop babbling your ignorant opinions. Krista, new info for you: Darwin did not come up with "natural selection" on his own, and had to be forced to admit that he got at least part of his theory from THE CREATIONIST EDWARD BLYTHE. Darwin made Blyth's version a godless one. And now Darwin is on a pedastal, because of assumers like you, who love showing off their hearts, to the destruction of others, rather than teaching what is true which leads to eternal life.

Stop learning your own opinions, it leads no where but to Hell.

I read Speaking of Faith without having been familiar with Krista Tippett or her radio program. From that perspective, I found it to be a very interesting exploration of the nature and role of faith and religion in today's society. It seemed to provide a relatively balanced perspective on the issue of dealing with faith on the individual level. Most of all, I could identify with the author's perspective of being a rational, intellectual person who, at various points in her life, struggled to reconcile faith and reason. In short, I found the CONTENT of the book to be interesting and insightful.

However, I did not find the book to be easy to read. The last four chapters (which contain most of the "philosophical" content) are loosely organized in a manner explained in chapter two. Unfortunately, I found that they all felt basically the same and I had a hard time remembering what one had said over another. In addition, the overall writing style is similarly loose, like a stream of consciousness, which makes it very difficult to keep up with the thesis of any given portion of narrative.

Overall, I think it is worth reading the book, if only to open your mind to some possible new interpretations and perspectives on faith. But be prepared to make some margin notes or something, otherwise it may all start to turn into a jumble of noble postulations that don't all stick.

Krista Tippett's spiritual memoir Speaking of Faith traces her experiences first as the granddaughter of an evangelical Christian preacher in Oklahoma, as a young skeptic who turned her faith over to the world of politics during her years as a diplomat in East Germany, and as a woman of faith who sees the important places of religion and spirituality as well as politics in public discourse about how we form our lives personally and as a nation.

Tippett is creator and host of the weekly American Public Media radio program Speaking of Faith, which consists of conversations with persons of various beliefs--Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist...--about the intersection of faith in their daily lives. She is a seeker and a listener, and she has a wonderful gift of including all voices in the conversation and finding a way of conversing that respects the integrity of each faith at the same time it finds some point of entry for listeners who stand outside that belief system. Tippett brings her diplomacy skills to the table here to great effect.

Her book traces her journey from a household influenced by her evangelical Baptist grandfather in Oklahoma, to her life as a diplomat moving between the Germanies of the Cold War in the belief that politics alone could heal divisions, to her return to the US with the belief that politics and faith have equal roles in the conversation about how we live our lives and how we interact with others. Tippett says her experiences made her "a crusader against insufficient questions and answers that stand in, prematurely and destructively, for both justice and mystery."

Tippett's book will leave you with a beautiful new vocabulary:

Humility: As I watched my children move through the world, I began to imagine what Jesus meant by humility. The humility of a Hilda, moving through the world discovering everything anew, is closely liked with delight. This original spiritual humility is not about debating oneself; it is about approaching everything new and other with a sense of curiosity and wonder. It has a quality of fearlessness, too.....

Kindness: Kindness--an everyday byproduct of all the great virtues--is at once the simplest and most weighty discipline human beings can practice. But it is the stuff of moments. It cannot be captured in declarative sentences or conveyed by factual account. It can only be found by looking attentively at ordinary, unsung, endlessly redemptive experience.

Truth: There is a profound difference between hearing someone say this is my truth. You can disagree with another person's opinions; you can't disagree with his experience. What I heard invariably shed some light on an experience of mine, or lit up some corner of another faith that had been closed to me, mysterious and even forbidding. I could never again dismiss one of those traditions of my conversation partners wholesale, because it now carried the integrity of a particular life, a particular voice.

This book read like an extended prose poem. To underline a significant passage would be to underline every line of it. The book refuses sound bytes; it won't be typecast any more than Tippett will typecast her radio guests. To read this book is to read all of it and to walk away understanding this:

"Our public life would not be polarized but enriched and gentled if we began to ask religious people to be genuinely religious--that is, to say,to the core of their traditions, which have mercy and humility from and center, and demand 'faithfulness' as much in how we treat those with whom we disagree as with the positions we hold.

I read this book 8 years ago when we found out we were going to have a daughter. Now with two daughters, what I learned in this book continues to give me guidance as I raise my girls. I think it is so helpful, that I buy a copy for any friends or family who find out they are having a baby girl. The author is a Christian and makes reference to Biblical principles, but it's not too overpowering for non-Christians and the principles are good no matter your religion.

I've read other books by Dr. Leman, and this book I bought for my husband and I ended up reading it, too. He's a great author who really tells it like it is and in this book demonstrates how much of an imprint a daddy makes on his daughter's life. I highly recommend it.

Dr Leman uses his real life family situations to illustrate the positive benefits a father has on his daughters. This book is an easy read. Dr Leman has a good sense of humor which makes it hard to put down. Lots of good suggestions and tips for dads of all ages!

My husband read this book and it has changed how he interacts with our girls. WONDERFUL!! I then gave it to my dad. He LOVES it; he said it is changing his life, how he is looking at things and wants to make things different. He called me after he read the firt chapter and said he had no idea; that he LOVES the book. It is changing our relationship even now...

This book was recommended to me by my brother-in-law who has 4 daughters. I just have one. Most of the chapters were relevant to my situation although it really focuses on the teen and young adult situations the author had experienced. It did open my eyes to other areas of my daughter's life I must pay attention to. The last chapter(Epilogue) was hard to read. I really got emotional about it. It really made me think about the future of my daughter and how to stay involved in it throughout adulthood. I highly recommend it.

This item was exactly as described; it was received in excellent shape and in a very timely manner. I would buy again from this seller without hesitation.

Excellent, cannot say enough about how this man explains the grieving psyche. Moves beyond everything else that is written. Although my loss was not as terrible as his I could identify with everything he said. It is so good to have someone confirm that it is something that we go through and, perhaps more importantly, what we can get through.

Would recommend this to all who have undergone loss in any form.

I am going through a very difficult time in my life and was advised to read A Grace Disguised. This book offers an amazing insight into the grieving process and acknowledges that everyone's healing process is completely unique to them. I felt encouraged and rejuvenated knowing that I could relate to the many emotions experienced by the author and so many others who may also be going through similar scenarios but have had their emotions or actions repressed and even belittled. I strongly recommend everyone read this book because it not only offers personal growth during troublesome times, it also may help guide those who have a friend or loved one experiencing a difficult loss to offer stronger support.

Hace dos anhos fallecio nuestra hija y entre los muchos libros que leimos sobre la perdida este fue el que mas nos ayudo. Se lo hemos recomendado a muchas personas.

After our daugher's accidental death two years ago, my husband and I read many books on grieving and loss. Sittser's book was the most helpful to us in processing our own grief, offering not pithy platitudes, but thought-provoking reflections out of the author's own catastrophic loss. We have bought many copies of this book for friends going through difficult times because it is relevant to those who suffer loss of any kind.

Peggy Reynoso

The book, A Grace Disguised, changed my life. A doctor actually "prescribed" it for me, after the death of my daughter and her fiance. After hearing so many people blunder through callus pharses they hoped would make me feel better it was a great relief to spend time with someone who actually knew how I felt.
Many, in my family, have read this book. My husband's life was changed, as was my own. We have given this book to countless others who are in the midst of grief. We always keep several copies on hand. My husband, who is new to online buying, bought these copies. When they started arriving in Spainsh we were both a little confused. He had somehow gotten over to the Spanish version with out knowing it. We can only deduce that we're about to meet spainsh speaking grievers in need of comfort.
As you can probably tell by reading this, I am not Richard, I am his wife, secretary and best friend.

Bishop Spong's book is well done and well put together. This is a very provocative book and it requires patience and persistance to understand where the Bishop is leading. The first half of the book does a good job of demethologizing Christianity and the Bible. I didn't feel that the Bishop was as clear with the second half of the book. I am a 70 year old Roman Catholic cleric who has taught Scripture for over 35 years. I found that I had to work at this book to understand what the Bishop was saying. I got his message but never experienced the "ah ha" event. I plan to reread it again and see what I found.

Unlike the title suggests, I do consider myself a religious persion. In fact, I am a teacher of theology to people of all ages, but mostly teens. I have also been on a life-long search for the Jesus/God of my imagination, and so, I love to look in all the unlikely places. This book has put much of my search into words and on paper. It is thought provoking and courageous and rattles a lot of cages (one of my favorite pastimes...!) I've also been reading books from the Jesus Seminar, and they complement Spong's studies beautifully. His writing is much more accessible, however.

Teens today are religious, but are unwilling to accept the same orthodoxy earlier generations grew up with. They are ever-searching for an image that works with the new scientific and philosophical studies of the present. These ideas presented by Spong, encourage further discovery on their part and "gives them permission" to ask more and more questions and enter into a lifelong search for themselves. I cannot give them this book, nor even suggest they read it because that would jeopardize my employment, but I can share some of the ideas. We are raising a strong-willed generation and we better be ready to meet them on their own terms. Churches and their hierarchies may change, but faith will continue. From Chaos comes Creation!

Hello to all users of Amazon.com,
I have read John Shelby Spong's book with interest and excitement.
The author is quite obviously very informed on issues of religious beliefs
and customs. At the same time he is extremelly intelligent and open minded
person who has realized that the outdated, superstitious and completely irrational positions of the "faith" based followers of Jesus's teachings ought to be replaced with carefully examined and rational interpretations
of WHAT Jesus was trying to give to people of his time.
For that reason alone, I reccomend this book to anyone, whether religious or non-religious, to read carefully and come to the thoughts which belong to the knowledge of the 21-st century.
Best wishes to the readers - Dan Kustudich

Thank you, Bishop Spong, for stepping out of the "religous box". I'm a baby boomer who has been looking all my life for the Christian experience to make sense. I never thought anyone who was highly educated and a dedicated church leader would ever actually agree with some of my thoughts or answer so many more of my questions. And thank you for your courage.

I'm a huge fan of this book, and I'm reading it for the second time. Spong's analysis of how Old Testament stories and liturgical needs have shaped the Jesus story makes it almost impossible for anyone to think of the Jesus story as literal history.

However, after this debunking process, Spong attempts to paint a picture of "the real historical Jesus", that which can be glimpsed when the layers of myth are peeled away. He finds a Jesus that broke down boundaries of nationality, religion, and race. A Jesus that broke through prejudice. A Jesus that was so fully human that in his life the divine could be glimpsed.

There's a logical contradiction here. If we can't rely on the Jesus story as factual history, how can we rely on it to support the values of tolerance, love, and "being all that you can be"? It seems to me that those are Spong's values. Why does he need to argue that the historical Jesus represented those values? If the historical Jesus really didn't represent those values, which we of cours could never know since there is no historical record, my guess is that Spong would say, "Oops, I guess Jesus wasn't all that I thought he was, but I still believe in those values." If you believe in compassion, love, tolerance, etc., just say that's what you believe in. Why must you sell those values by arguing that they were Jesus' values?

Spong argues that the belief in a theistic God has led to all sorts of racial prejudice and persecution. I find that not a convincing argument. Yes, people who believe in a theistic God have killed Jews and persecuted minorities. However, that doesn't mean the belief itself was the decisive factor. Surely the belief in a theistic God also correlates with many positive statistics as well.

I agree that we shouldn't confuse our definitions of God with who God really is. However, I don't believe the God Spong hints at--a God who is impersonal, who has no consciousness of our every thought, the "Ground of Being", or whatever, will appeal to many people.

Still, it's a book that every Christian should read. And I greatly respect Spong for not just tearing down but attempting to put something new it its place. I'm just not quite ready to buy into his vision of that new item.

This is a great read for anyone who is interested in the field of Psychology or Philosophy or anyone that is interested in Freud, whether an avid reader or new to his works. This book takes an amazing look and analysis of the world of religion and its effects on civilization and the individual, which can still be applied to our present civilization. Anyone who can appreciate the work of great thinkers will definitely enjoy this work. My only complaint is that it is so short.

I decided to buy this book after having seen it referenced by many contemporary thinkers (e.g. Daniel Dennett) in their books. Sigmund Freud, the famous Austrian psychiatrist, writes about mankind's struggle with religion and considers what civilization or society would be like if weaned of it. His arguments - bear in mind this book was first published in 1927 - are of the kind a modern-day informed atheist might secretly wonder. I found myself nodding in agreement with a number of Freud's matter-of-fact observations about religion.

For example, he says that mankind will likely focus their energies and learn to adapt to the (harsh) realities of this life if they withdrew their expectations from the vacuous promises of the hereafter. The style of writing is clear but a little weird at times, especially when he pretends to be another party and questions himself on the ideas being argued. In summary, Freud appears to have believed that mankind, in the not-too-distant future will have found a way to go about his daily life without believing in gods or the supernatural and that science will have a significant role in it. I particularly like the last paragraph of the book which states: "No, our science is no illusion. But an illusion it would be to suppose that what science cannot give us we can get elsewhere."

At 67 pages the size of Reader's Digest magazine (not including the biographical introduction), this little blue book is moderate-level reading for anyone interested in the psychology of religious beliefs. It is also a nice addition to any library. I personally, bought this edition because it is rather difficult to find where I live.

This is a very slim text that addresses some very big issues. I would recommend it as part of any Freud collection and also for any collection on religion. Certainly a requirement that one have at least a primer on Freudian concepts so the nature of Illusion can be placed into some kind of meaningful context.

This book describes religion as a universal mental illness, which says it all. As such, Freud predicts a time when we can rise above it.

"Religion would thus be the universal obsessional neurosis of humanity; like the obsessional neurosis of children, it arose out of the Oedipus complex, out of the relation to the father." If this is true, then Freud supposes that "a turning away from religion is bound to occur with the fatal inevitability of a process of growth, and ...we find ourselves at this very juncture in the middle of that phase of developement."

It is worth reading quickly, as it makes the same few points over and over.

In his 27 Feb 2006 review of Freud's The Future of an Illusion, Roger Schmeeckle misrepresents Freud's explanation (on pages 38-42 of this Norton publication) between Illusion and Delusion.

Roger correctly identified Freud's concept of Delusion as "something that is believed that is not true" -- but then oversimplifies by stating that Freud said an Illusion is "something that may be true or false, but is believed because we want to believe it."

This oversimplification ignores what Freud goes on to say, "Illusions need not be necessarily false - that is to say unrealizable or in contradiction to reality. For instance, a middle-class girl may have the illusion that a prince will come and marry her. This is possible; and a few such cases have occurred. That the Messiah will come is much less likely. Whether one classifies this belief as illusion or something analogous to delusion will depend on one's personal attitude."

The point being, that while the "absolute" truth or falsity of an illusion is debatable - common sense and reason enable us to infer or deduce where the truth actually lies. For instance, it IS possible that the Sun will rise in the west tomorrow (as I am unable to prove something false which has yet to occur), but I would be a fool and utterly devoid of reason and intellect to presume that it will occur.

Roger then asserts that Freud was "not so much atheistic as irreligious." That Freud was irreligious is certain (what atheist wouldn't be) -- but I do not understand how anyone can read The Future of an Illusion and not easily conclude that the author was a confirmed atheist. The entire work is a testament to atheism. Accordingly, it is absurd to suggest that because Freud does not simply state "I do not believe in God" there is reason to infer that he may have believed in one.

Roger continues by arguing that Freud had a "bias" or "prejudice" against religion, whereby Freud's "wish" for there to be no God led him into his own Illusions of atheism. This is quite a stretch and a distortion of Freud's dissertation -- which has at its core the fundamental assertion of reason and the power of the intellect to overcome humankind's infantile and primitive need for "wish fulfillment" in the form of a protective and benevolent God.

And in a final shot, Roger accusing Freud of being a prisoner of his times -- a subject of "materialistic determinism" -- and for not having investigated or being familiar with "the evidence and reasoning of those who defend their own religious belief."

Yet, that Freud was all too familiar with and understanding of the nature and roots of religious beliefs is the hallmark of The Future of an Illusion. That he might have been a "materialistic determinist" is unknown to me -- but that he was a genius as well as great "Humanist" with a profound regard for and understanding of the Human Race seems clear.

A good reference source but Whiston neglected to say which version of the 'Wars of the Jews' he translated. Its obviously the Roumanian version parts of which are suspect since it differs markedly from other versions.

I have read the Bible from cover to cover and Josephus truly gives light to certain things and sayings in the Bible. He also gives a clear picture of the goings and comings of the day, (the music of the decades) so to speak. Truly a serious piece of literature. I love this book and would recommend it for anyone in search of more scriptural knowledge.

The book is wonderful. the only complaint is that the book was sent to someone else in another state and i recieved thier books. It took an extra two weeks to track it down and then pay for the post "again" to get what I paid for in the first place.

Jerry Smith

Josephus is an important proof for the Biblical Account, and an important read for scholars interested in the Jewish wars with Rome, the Destruction of Jerusalem, and other events of the age from an eyewitness.

want to know how Christianity was working when the apostles were still the ones calling the shots? here is a first/second century historians perspective on what was going on in that time

St. Therese has a lot to say to this day and age. Her "Little Way" is so simple and based on love. I have personally found Story of a Soul very useful in my spiritual life. Even though she is a saint, she is very easy to relate to where ever you are in life's journey. It is a book that I certainly will be reading again as it has made such an impact on my life. Saint Therese may be called The Little Flower but after reading this you realise that she is a stirdy little flower made of steel! A lot of people can be put off her by how she is portrayed, as was I before I read about her life in her words. So get to know her!

This book is a great place to start learning about Therese. Includes the full text of the autobiography, and some supplementary material incl. a introduction to the autobiography and life of Therese and some of her letters and prayers. You can get much of this stuff online, but the book is a delight, with many pictures.

Therese is a very special person, and I recommend a familiarity with her beautiful soul.

Excellent book and in her own words unedited. Also a good little book on St. Therese is 'Heart of a Soul'. This book Iam reviewing is A MUST Read.

Rev. Thomas Taylor's early 20th century translation of the memoir of St. Therese of Lisieux, unfortunately republished in 2006 by Echo Library, was made from the only manuscript then available outside her monastery, one substantially rewritten by Therese's sister Pauline, who made seven thousand changes. Scholars interested in the documents which gave rise to the cult of St. Therese may wish to consult early versions of Taylor. I urge those who want to read what Therese wrote to read the third edition of "Story of a Soul" translated by Fr. John Clarke, OCD, and published by ICS Publications in 1976. The Clarke translation, made from the unretouched manuscript written by Therese (an authentic manuscript published in French only in 1956), is recognized as the standard throughout the English-speaking world. No other translation compares to it. The book is enriched by an introduction, afterword, and easy-to-read notes that set Therese's manuscripts in the context of her life, and the index makes it even more useful. Whether you have not read "Story of a Soul" or have read only earlier English translations (Taylor, Knox, Beevers), the Clarke translation will open the world of Therese to you. Don't miss it. You'll find it at Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux, Third Edition

It is a well written, inspirational text. I really liked the historical aspects as well as the religious excerpts. Great book for anyone experiencing an ongoing illness. It helps to put the disease in perspective. :)

What good will it do if you mix truth and error, and present it to a child in the faith to feed on? Why are we doing this to the little ones in the faith ?

One quote from this book says a lot about Rob Bell's attitude towards the Good News of Jesus Christ. Even if he doesn't believe it wholeheartedly, it opens him, his students and followers up to tolerating all kind of future heresies. The history of the faith teaches us that it takes one concession to evil for errors to creep into the church and end up ruining lives. Doctrines are walls to protect the believer. They're neither prison bars nor optional guideposts. Creation in 6 24 hrs days is different than the Virgin birth. You can still have atonement and salvation without 6 24 hrs days creation, but you can't if Jesus had an earthly father!!!! God is His Word, and His Word is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father. We know about Jesus Christ through the historical Christian faith. Hence we can't have God without the Christian faith, because without it we don't have Jesus Christ who is the only way to the Father. While God is beyond all description, we can't be with Him without His historical self-revelation of Himself. He chose to become what He is not by nature, that we may become what we are not by nature (but by grace). If God chose to become man, that men may become like God, then that means that God who is beyond all description chose to confine Himself that we may experience Him. Now Rob Bell wants to downplay the importance of this confined description of God, which is our only means to move from what is limited to what is beyond description. He wants to do away with the bricks of doctrines which guide our way and protect us from wandering aimlessly, the incarnation of God, the voluntary self-confinement of God, His self-emptying, for the God who is beyond description but can never be accessed. He takes away the bricks of historical christianity, the narrow way to heaven, to give you a trampoline to jump on which will never get you up enough to God. God had to come down to you.

I saw it mentioned in one of the posts. Rob Bell relies too much on Rabbinic interpretation that he forgets that the Rabbis rejected Christ and still do. This means that many of his views about the Gospels will be tainted with anti-Christian views, resulting in confused paragraphs like the following on page 17:

"What if tomorrow someone digs up definitive proof that Jesus had a real, earthly, biological father named Larry, and archeologists find Larry's tomb and do DNA samples and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the virgin birth was really just a bit of mythologizing the Gospel writers threw in to appeal to the followers of Mithra and Dionysian religious cults that were hugely popular at the time of Jesus, whose gods had virgin births? But what if as you study the origin of the word virgin, you discover that the word virgin in the gospel of Matthew actually comes from the book of Isaiah, and then you find out that in the Hebrew language at that time, the word virgin could mean several things. And what if you discover that in the first century being "born of a virgin" also referred to a child whose mother became pregnant the first time she had intercourse?"

Throughout the centuries Church fathers and apologists answered definitively these claims. To even speak this way about the apostles, the disciples of Christ and the New Testament reveals hidden doubts in the soul of the author. Even though I know that he's trying to prepare his readers for future "definitive scientific" proofs against the faith, I'd like to remind him that if these claims are true, then there is no need to prepare them for it's better for them to lose their faith in that "lie" and to move on with their lives. But what if the faith is not a lie, as all the faithful throughout Church history found out, and it is the only way for a true relationship with God, and for this reason Satan keeps on slandering it to keep people captive. If this is the case, what is Rob Bell doing exactly ?

If you want a fresh look at the Christian Faith as was always believed, check out the lectures of Cyril of Jerusalem which he gave to the new converts in 4th century Jerusalem. It's free on the web or you can buy the church fathers' volumes here on Amazon.I promise you you'll find all the good things that Rob Bell said in his book (honey) without all the poisons, in fact in those lectures you'll find the antidotes to those poisons. For the Christian faith has been around for so long now that every objection has been answered by the people who actually lived in the early centuries, who spoke the original languages and even died for what they believed.

Rob Bell presents a view of Christ that anyone would be attracted to. His explanation of contemporary Jewish customs and beliefs adds clarity to much of what Jesus said and did. The book challenges your thinking and asks Christians if they are following Christ because they are convinced that it is the best way to live.

Bell gives a fresh take on many key Biblical stories and doctrines, such as Jesus as "Rabbi," bringing Heaven (or Hell) to Earth by our lives, the value of Christian community in collectively interpreting Scripture (which he calls binding and loosing), etc. A very good read. You will learn a lot, think a lot, and be a better Christian after reading this book.

Bell presents the heart of Christianity - the love of Christ and our call to walk in the dust of our Rabbi. A thoughtful, appealing book that makes a great gift to someone searching for Christ's love. A great opening for a discussion about Christ.

this was a very interesting book. i personally really enjoyed reading this book. it made me think a lot about my faith and my persectives on many things. this is definitely a book to wrestle with but in the end, i think it will strengthen your faith, no matter where you are spiritually. i am really glad i purchased this book. its a book you can read many times and get something different from it every time

Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith (Cover Image May Vary)This was a outstanding book for those of us who find out faith of our childhood, now doesnt really serve us in our adulthood. The body of Christ is addressed in a fresh way . This book allows us the ability to question those deeper parts of our faith. THese issues are NOT addressed here in the bible belt.