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inhonoredglory's reviews
341 reviews
De fapt, care este diferența? by Fritz Ridenour
4.0
An excellent book on introducing the concept of comparison religions to the layman. It's main goal is not so much apologetics as it is clarification and definition of each system's beliefs and history. It is interesting how the author often explains the religion's beliefs as if he were defending them from generalists. His main goal is to explain how each belief system differs from Biblical Christian belief, and he does well in explaining beforehand what "Biblical Christian beliefs" are.
But this book was really eye-opening for me, a beginner in comparative religions. The blatant intent of some false religions -- to god your own world one day ("salvation" in Mormonism), to become God by invoking upon yourself His own phrase "I am that I am" (Shirley MacLaine and New Ageism). It just disgusts me.
And the fact that so many religions are looking for a "Messiah" of some sort -- the tenth avatar of Hinduism, the Great Invocation of New Ageism, even a Messiah the orthodox Jews are still looking for, not to mention the countless great prophets that can emerge from Islam and other cults -- make the world so ready for the great deceiver the Anti-Christ which the Bible speaks of.
I have to share my fears from reading this book, and I hope you read it, too, to gain some of the realism I have -- the neo-paganism of Wiccans is influencing the youth through pop culture vampires and witchcraft, the moral relativism of humanism and religious acceptance is eroding absolutes.
Let me share with you something close to my heart, a quote from reading the section on Postmodernism.
"Postmodernism is THE new danger; through it, students can't feel the Nazis are wrong, even though they believe in the Holocaust happened! This is disgusting. The devil is eroding the great illustration of moral absoluteness."
Please read this book to understand the danger our world and the Christian faith is facing in these times of relativism and erosion of all morality and accountability.
But this book was really eye-opening for me, a beginner in comparative religions. The blatant intent of some false religions -- to god your own world one day ("salvation" in Mormonism), to become God by invoking upon yourself His own phrase "I am that I am" (Shirley MacLaine and New Ageism). It just disgusts me.
And the fact that so many religions are looking for a "Messiah" of some sort -- the tenth avatar of Hinduism, the Great Invocation of New Ageism, even a Messiah the orthodox Jews are still looking for, not to mention the countless great prophets that can emerge from Islam and other cults -- make the world so ready for the great deceiver the Anti-Christ which the Bible speaks of.
I have to share my fears from reading this book, and I hope you read it, too, to gain some of the realism I have -- the neo-paganism of Wiccans is influencing the youth through pop culture vampires and witchcraft, the moral relativism of humanism and religious acceptance is eroding absolutes.
Let me share with you something close to my heart, a quote from reading the section on Postmodernism.
"Postmodernism is THE new danger; through it, students can't feel the Nazis are wrong, even though they believe in the Holocaust happened! This is disgusting. The devil is eroding the great illustration of moral absoluteness."
Please read this book to understand the danger our world and the Christian faith is facing in these times of relativism and erosion of all morality and accountability.
Judas and the Gospel of Jesus: Have We Missed the Truth about Christianity? by N.T. Wright
4.0
Incredible! This is the first book I've read inside two hours. Which goes to show for its size. It's a small book and easy to read. I've never read N.T. Wright, but his style and accessibility is easy to feel. The book is not technical, very conversational and honest, and quite informative on the context, modern and ancient, of the newly-found Gospel of Judas. Wright doesn't go into analysis of the gospel's individual text, but he nicely expounds upon the cultural milieu in which the gospel emerged, highlighting the Gnostic sect that changed Biblical villains into heroes and vice-versa. He explains how the early church fathers were not out to promote their ecumenical power, since orthodox Christians were the ones being persecuted, not the quite assimilated Gnostics. No power could be grabbed when the subjects of your power are dwindling through martyrdom. Wright also emphasizes how the modern culture is quite willing to uncritically accept these new Gnostic gospels, with its modern beliefs in self-expression and self-discovery. Very enlightening.
Wright is quite fair in his analysis, and he quotes Pagels and other Gnostic-proponents very often. I learned a lot from the book, and I'm glad I got to read it in such a short time.
Wright is quite fair in his analysis, and he quotes Pagels and other Gnostic-proponents very often. I learned a lot from the book, and I'm glad I got to read it in such a short time.
The Case for the Real Jesus: A Journalist Investigates Current Attacks on the Identity of Christ by Lee Strobel
4.0
There were several great gems in this latest "Case" by Lee Strobel - the refutation of the gospel of Thomas at the beginning, the snappy outline of how Christianity didn't copy from other ancient religions. Both keeper pieces.
There were some eye-opening moments, like the Jesus tradition being a "community effort, not an isolated account running private from one person to the next. Or how James was Jesus' brother: "If I had a brother who was perfect... I'd hate him!" The Arabic method of determining inspiration via the beauty of the piece was shockingly subjective, though more ridiculous was the one relativist who actually believed the world was flat when people believed that way.
Unfortunately, some of the interviewed scholars resorted to some level of emotionalism and a sense of my-word-versus-the-skeptic's sort of debate. That should have been amended, even if the chapters must go longer to hold solid evidence. Strobel should have dug deeper.
Overall, though, this was a nice inclusion by Strobel to his popular apologetic series, and I don't regret buying it. There are great points and good arguments - tainted sometimes with a few hasty judgements.
There were some eye-opening moments, like the Jesus tradition being a "community effort, not an isolated account running private from one person to the next. Or how James was Jesus' brother: "If I had a brother who was perfect... I'd hate him!" The Arabic method of determining inspiration via the beauty of the piece was shockingly subjective, though more ridiculous was the one relativist who actually believed the world was flat when people believed that way.
Unfortunately, some of the interviewed scholars resorted to some level of emotionalism and a sense of my-word-versus-the-skeptic's sort of debate. That should have been amended, even if the chapters must go longer to hold solid evidence. Strobel should have dug deeper.
Overall, though, this was a nice inclusion by Strobel to his popular apologetic series, and I don't regret buying it. There are great points and good arguments - tainted sometimes with a few hasty judgements.
The DaVinci Code: A Quest for Answers by Josh McDowell
3.0
A good little introduction to the fallacies of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. The narrative novel-like format is new and different, although a little forced at times, but that is only natural considering it is a clearly didactic piece of apologetics. The characters sound real enough for the purpose, though one has to wonder the ethics of combating fiction (in Brown's book) with fiction. But there is supported data, of course. I enjoyed the new presentation of basic apologetic material. It was a nice review for me, quick enough to read on a drive to visit family for the Christmas holidays.
The Bible Code by Michael Drosnin
2.0
A very interesting idea. Some of the codes are a little far-fetched; others, quite compelling. Some predictions came to startling fruition; others didn't (especially reading this pre-2000 book in post-2000 years). I started this book in 2009 and came back to it in 2011. I didn't miss much due to the fact that the author repeats himself incessantly. Sometimes I feel like each chapter or portions of a chapter had once existed as independent articles. Not good.
But the most important thing to gain from this book now is an interesting discussion on time and how God would see it, on "free will" and destinies. If God knows everything, wouldn't He see not only our future, but all other potential futures? The Bible Code is an interesting idea, and I do put some stock in the concept, especially with the mathematical odds. But the methods of interpretation seem to me to be very loose, which adds much uncertainty to the results.
But the most important thing to gain from this book now is an interesting discussion on time and how God would see it, on "free will" and destinies. If God knows everything, wouldn't He see not only our future, but all other potential futures? The Bible Code is an interesting idea, and I do put some stock in the concept, especially with the mathematical odds. But the methods of interpretation seem to me to be very loose, which adds much uncertainty to the results.
Faith Under Fire: Stories of Hope and Courage from World War II by Steve Rabey
3.0
Interesting stories, let down by medial writing skills. The intense emotional potential of such tales as near-death scrapes, regret for not caring for one's men, guilt and hatred in a Christian's heart, are not given the poignancy and power that they deserve. The writer organizes each chapter by the individual, yet he jumps around the chronology of each person's life, breaking the flow and power of the story. There were indeed some touching, moving stories, but the overall style deterred me.
But to be fair, this book is a good perspective of some special people from that time. I did learn that mens' WWII experience prompted so much new international evangelism. And I believe the first stories were more in line with my expectations than the later ones.
But to be fair, this book is a good perspective of some special people from that time. I did learn that mens' WWII experience prompted so much new international evangelism. And I believe the first stories were more in line with my expectations than the later ones.
Gettysburg: The Final Fury by Bruce Catton
4.0
A pleasant, brief book on the Battle of Gettysburg, which covers Meade's part in winning the battle and a few other important details some other short accounts may miss. A great overview, very readable and engaging, and paced beautifully with large photos, drawings, and maps. A great read by a renowned historian.
Real Christianity by William Wilberforce
5.0
This is an important book for anyone claiming to be Christian. It strikes the heart of the issue and tells us who profess this faith to reevaluate what it means to be Christian. Namely, it is not just being a moral person. Morality has no value without the sense of God's justice that gives it a foundation. It is not just going to church and talking the talk. Christianity is not an external faith, not a hat you can slap on every Sunday. No -- "Christianity is a religion of motives and principles" (Hannah Moore, quoted in Real Christianity).
William Wilberforce is tough and specific. He states without fanfare, but with understanding, the crux of society's problem -- its denial of God and the Christian faith. It's incredible that his idea, published in 1797, can sound so new and relevant. The modernization of language by Bob Beltz is nicely done, though I've not read the original to compare.
The insights in this book are too many to mention. Read it with an open, honest heart and do not put its words to waste, lest you become as Wilberforce so painfully fears -- a "Christian" who doesn't want to really believe what he professes, a "good person" whose character will crumble and die when the hard forces of life beset him.
Live you life knowing, as Wilberforce states, that "life is short – eternity is forever!"
William Wilberforce is tough and specific. He states without fanfare, but with understanding, the crux of society's problem -- its denial of God and the Christian faith. It's incredible that his idea, published in 1797, can sound so new and relevant. The modernization of language by Bob Beltz is nicely done, though I've not read the original to compare.
The insights in this book are too many to mention. Read it with an open, honest heart and do not put its words to waste, lest you become as Wilberforce so painfully fears -- a "Christian" who doesn't want to really believe what he professes, a "good person" whose character will crumble and die when the hard forces of life beset him.
Live you life knowing, as Wilberforce states, that "life is short – eternity is forever!"