History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill: The Complete Guide to Fats, Oils, Cholesterol and Human Health

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Udo - the man in person
Great Book on Healthy Fats
This book could change your life
The Truth About Fats!
fats that heal fats that kill

Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill: The Complete Guide to Fats, Oils, Cholesterol and Human Health
Udo Erasmus
Manufacturer: Alive Books
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0920470386

Customer Reviews:

Udo - the man in person.......2007-10-13

Sorry, this is more of a review of the author, than the book itself.

Just came back from a 2+ hour seminar. It was supposed to be 90 min, but he spent the first hour on his life history, his flower photography hobby, and philosophy. And I could have sworn there was some metaphysical stuff thrown in there somewhere...all I wanted was to learn about EFAs...

He made a number of contradictory statements such as 'Fresh, Whole, Raw, Organic' as the ideal diet. Then he starts promoting his bottled oil line, which is only 1 of the 4 criteria he just spoke about (organic).
Then he said that the omega oils are 'essential' and that carbohydrates are 'non-essential.'

Hmm.
The brain runs only on glucose, so if carbs are 'non-essential,' we would all be brain dead...

Finally, he stopped talking when some audience members started clapping, as if to clue him in that he was running way over, and to end the lecture, were we finally able to ask questions.
The problem was, he would not answer the questions directly.

One lady asked the same question I wanted to ask:
"so isn't it better to get your omega EFAs from whole foods instead of oils?"
Udo: "Let me tell you a story. Can I tell you guys a story? blah, blah...."

So I rephrased it and asked the same question:
"Earlier you stated that we should seek 'fresh, whole, raw, organic.' So for those who cannot or choose not to eat raw, and have oils in their diet, cooked or otherwise, we should use your oils instead of the commercial oils that are out there, is that correct?'
Udo: "Let me tell you what you should do..."

Long story short, we spent the next 5 minutes about whether he was answering my question or not. So I walked out. And so did others. This guy is a snake oil salesman, I told myself. Defending the oil with his name on it, and his profit sharing. Its just not snake, its flax, sunflower and some other free radical causing dangerous products.

Take care.

Great Book on Healthy Fats.......2007-04-21

Get this book. It has excellent insight on healthy fats.

This book could change your life.......2007-01-15

Udo's book is an answer to health and nutrition issues present in developed countries today. His comprehensive presentation of what exactly happens at the moleculear level with foods that we (inhabitants of developed countries) typically consume puts a unique perspective on what our bodies need. His detailed treatment of trans-fats, essential fatty acids, and other fats and oils makes perfect sense from when it comes to analyzing the claims of the thousands of diet proposals one finds in print and on line. His is a common sense approach, with the premise we are what we "eat, drink, and breath." The acknowledgement that nutritional deficiencies related to consuming "white grain, white sugar, and white fat" is enough to stop and make anyone think about what they are actually putting into their bodies, and what the effects are. With the rise of diabetes and other disease related food consumption on the increase, the warning is stated clearly. Having had grandparents, who ate in a way paralleling Udo's recommendations, that live well into their 90s with minimal health issues, acts as a "proof of concept" for me. I don't want to sound pushy by saying that everyone should be reading this, but give it a try and draw your own conclusions.

The Truth About Fats!.......2006-12-20

This is a magnificent piece of work by Udo Erasmus, a true pioneer of health! If you're looking to be informed and educated about fats and many other components that relate to nutrition of the human body, this is the book for you. What I really enjoyed about this book is that Udo exposes the manufacturing processes that turns healing fats into killing fats. He also explains the effects of these damaged fats on human health and discloses information that enables you to choose health-promoting oils. Healing fats are absolutely required, together with other nutrients, to prevent and reverse all degenerative diseases including heart disease, cancer, and Type II diabetes.

Dr. Matthew Loop

- Author of "Cracking the Cancer Code"

fats that heal fats that kill.......2006-11-10

excellent reading material to explain good and bad fat

Luther and Erasmus: Free Will and Salvation (Library of Christian Classics (Paperback Westminster))

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Best way to read Luther and Erasmus on Free Will
A Worth-While Glimpse into the Thoughts of Luther and Erasmus
Great minds with a big problem: God
Essays on Liberty
Fascinating controversy and theologically enlightening

Luther and Erasmus: Free Will and Salvation (Library of Christian Classics (Paperback Westminster))
E. Gordon Rupp , and Philip S. Watson
Manufacturer: Westminster John Knox Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0664241581

Customer Reviews:

Best way to read Luther and Erasmus on Free Will.......2007-01-04

If you want to understand Luther's Bondage of the Will, then you need to understand Erasmus' Freedom of the Will. This is a convenient way to get copies of both books.

A Worth-While Glimpse into the Thoughts of Luther and Erasmus.......2005-07-08

While I do not completely agree with either of the two views advanced by Erasmus and Luther, this book gives a glimpse into the thinking of these two amazing men. I would disagree with the previous reviewer's opinion that Luther was the winner in this debate. I thought that Luther's beliefs were somewhat rediculous. He claimed that we have no free-will, and are controlled either by God or by Satan. He also claimed that we have no option as to which we will be controlled by. He then proceeded to say that it is our own fault if we are controlled by Satan. Also, he makes the claim that we could sin only because we were tempted. This is a faulty claim. If one can fall only if tempted, how then did the Tempter fall? Who tempted him?

This book also gave an interesting look at the personalities of both men. Erasmus seemed to me to be apologetic for writing something against Luther. He even said that he was sorry if he had misinterpreted what Luther had said. Luther, on the other hand, was (in my opinion) extremely harsh toward Erasmus, called him names, and said his work was worthless.

In conclusion, this is a not a book I would reccomend if you want to make a decision about what to believe about free will (there are much better books for that), but it is an excellent book if you want to see the beliefs of two men who are giants in both the history of Christianity and of the whole western world.

Great minds with a big problem: God.......2003-06-23

This book, LUTHER AND ERASMUS: FREE WILL AND SALVATION, contains some great summaries of the arguments involved. Originally, Erasmus, author of IN PRAISE OF FOLLY (1509) and a great scholar who edited a Greek New Testament in 1516, pictures his philosophical self as the perfect opponent of tyrannical godliness in DIATRIBE ON FREE WILL (1524). Luther was offended, not so much that he was named by Erasmus as a particular kind of fool for God, but that Luther's interpretation of the Bible on this question, ON THE BONDAGE OF THE WILL (1525), based on absolute interpretations which depend on the kind of faith proclaimed by Paul, because "the power or endeavor of free choice is something different from faith in Jesus Christ. But Paul denies that anything outside this faith is righteous in the sight of God; and if it is not righteous in the sight of God, it must necessarily be sin. . . . With men, of course, it is certainly a fact that there are middle and neutral cases, where men neither owe one another anything nor do anything for one another. But an ungodly man sins against God whether he eats or drinks or whatever he does, because he perpetually misuses God's creatures in his impiety and ingratitude, and never for a moment gives glory to God from his heart." (p. 308).

In the history of religion, Martin Luther might be remembered mainly for his opposition to the established church of his time and place. Having been subject to many vows as a monk, he openly rejected certain restrictions that the religious organizations of his day had imposed on those who wished to lead worship or serve communion, and his marriage was a scandal that was altogether typical of the kind of disagreements in that time which survive in some form in the present day. One question of faith that I still find meaningful, in FREE WILL AND SALVATION, is the Bible's comparison of life with military service, as assumed in the first verse of chapter 7 of the book of Job, which Luther uses to explain a similar passage in Isaiah. " `The life of man is a warfare upon earth,' that is there is a set time for it. I prefer to take it simply, in the ordinary grammatical sense of `warfare,' so that Isaiah is understood to be speaking of the toilsome course of the people under the law, as if they were engaged in military service." (p. 267).

As old Europe attempts to secularize itself into an economic empire with minuscule military forces, it seems oddly historical that a few fundamentally religious political movements are being tied to such warfare as exists in our times, a modern age in which terrorism excites the forces of civilization so much that no government or political spokesman that harbors such killers is safe. LUTHER AND ERASMUS: FREE WILL AND SALVATION does not attempt to solve this problem. If anything, this book is just a book that shows how knowledge in the form of books can trap scholars by allowing them to do what the best scholars have always been best at, exhibiting the meaning of states of mind that others usually flee, far beyond the realm of what Job 7:1 in THE JERUSALEM BIBLE asks, "Is not man's life on earth nothing more than pressed service, his time no better than hired drudgery?"

Happenstance, at the end of World War II, picked on Hiroshima, for the purpose of a ten-minute speech, to be a military base, instead of a city, for the announcement of the use of an atomic bomb on August 6, 1945. Most people's lives, the way they live, are more like the city, now, but there is a geopolitical interpretation of world power that allows anyplace to be the Hiroshima of the moment, if the rest of the world wants to see it that way. Luther blames the devil, in FREE WILL AND SALVATION, whenever a man thinks he is choosing to do something on his own, and considering Hiroshima a military base instead of a city in 1945 is the kind of thinking that ought to be considered worthy of the devil, even if Harry Truman was willing to adopt it for ten minutes so he would not seem too far out of step with his military advisers. But the outcry, after dropping a couple atomic bombs within a week back then, started to make it obvious that not everybody was inclined to accept the incineration of cities so lightly. I might even be leaving out something terrible about the nature of the judgment of God, which is the primary topic of this book, because Luther seems so much closer to the nature of Hiroshima than we are, survivors though some of us might be. What makes LUTHER AND ERASMUS: FREE WILL AND SALVATION such heavy reading now is because it makes no attempt to lighten up to match the spiritually and economically commercial nature of our society, which usually considers itself thoroughly artistic or comical, especially in the manner in which people all get along by going along. Half of this book doubts that the world could ever be considered so normal. After a general index (which includes some latin phrases, though the tough latin phrases, like *praeter casam,* are explained in an "Appendix: On the Adagia of Erasmus") of several pages, the Biblical References take most of four pages. Anyone who wondered why Luther thought Christians should be reading the Bible, instead of being spoon fed lessons by officials, should get a load of this. Praeter casam to you, too.

Essays on Liberty.......2001-01-07

Is our will really free or are we predestined? Where do we stand when it comes to our salvation? Can we contribute to the salvation of our souls? Erasmus and Luther argued over what they and their contemporaries thought was the characteristic difference between the evolving Catholic and Protestant positions concerning human nature, namely, the question of the freedom of the will. However, we shouldn't be limited by this ideas, their often heated discourse reveals, as much about their subjective modes of thinking and about the atmosphere of this turbulent period. But in the history of ideas this discourse gains an added significance. It shows some limitations of Christian Humanism and enlightens most of subsequent developments of modern thought. Neither one of them loses we all win! The introductions to the texts are, for themselves, worthy of this price. E Gordon Rupp and Philip S. Watson, offer and impartial analysis of the two men's positions, assuming an important familiarity with the circumstances of the conflict. A great buy.

Fascinating controversy and theologically enlightening.......1999-08-20

I shall preface this review by stating that, in my opinion, Luther wins this debate. Erasmus makes some very good points, but Luther's "Bondage of the Will" contained within this volume is, perhaps, the clearest and most humble presentation of the election of God and its relation to human will that I have ever come across -- to the extent that it rivals John Calvin's "Institutes" itself! I found the arguments convincing and clear, and I found Luther's dedication and submission to the authority of Scripture inspiring.

The Oxford Handbook of International Environmental Law (Oxford Law Handbooks)

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The Oxford Handbook of International Environmental Law (Oxford Law Handbooks)
Professor of Public International Law, Faculty of Law, Erasmus University Rotterdam Ellen Hey
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 019926970X

Book Description

The Oxford Handbook of International Environmental Law takes stock of the major developments in international environmental law, while exploring the field's core assumptions and concepts, basic analytical tools, and key challenges. It is intended to serve as an authoritative and indispensable overview of the field. Although the Handbook focuses on international environmental law, it also examines the subject from a broader policy and theoretical perspective, drawing on insights from other disciplines such as political science, economics, and philosophy. It aims to strike a balance between practical preoccupations and critical or theoretical reflection. Each chapter examines an issue that is central to current scholarly debates or policy development. At the same time, the Handbook is structured as a whole to provide readers with both a 'bigger picture' of international environmental law and a more in-depth understanding of its preoccupations. This approach is particularly important at a time in the development of international environmental law when its fragmentation into increasingly specialized sub-fields obscures unifying themes and cross-cutting challenges. The Handbook consists of 47 chapters in seven parts. Part I sets the stage for the Handbook, identifying overarching issues. Part II offers readers a range of theoretical lenses through which to analyze both the problems facing international environmental law and the solutions it may offer. Part III reviews the treatment of basic issues areas. Part IV analyzes the process of normative development in international environmental law. Part V will assess key theoretical concepts. Part VI examines the roles of various actors and institutions. And Part VII analyzes issues of implementation and enforcement. The Oxford Handbooks series is a major new initiative in academic publishing. Each volume offers an authoritative and state-of-the-art survey of current thinking and research in a particular subject area. Specially commissioned essays from leading international figures in the discipline give critical examinations of the progress and direction of debates. Oxford Handbooks provide scholars and graduate students with compelling new perspectives upon a wide range of subjects in law, humanities and social sciences.

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How free is the man before God?
The Ongoing Debate
The Christian Robot
Required Reading for Pastors
Must have

The Bondage of the Will
Martin Luther
Manufacturer: Revell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0800753429

Book Description

Acknowledged by theologians as one of the great masterpieces of the Reformation, Martin Luther's Bondage of the Will was also Luther's favorite work. Luther responds to Desiderius Erasmus' Diatribe on Free Will with the bluntness, genius, sarcasm, and spirituality that were as much a part of his writing as they were of his colorful personality. Luther writes lucidly on the themes of man's inability and God's ability, man's depravity and God's sovereignty. The crucial issue for Luther concerned what ability free will has, and to what degree it is subject to God's sovereignty. Luther's doctrine of salvation pivoted on this key issue. Is man able to save himself, or is his salvation completely a work of divine grace? This work will long remain among the great theological classics of Christian history. Bondage of the Will was first published in 1525, eight years after Luther penned his Ninety-Five Theses.

Customer Reviews:

How free is the man before God?.......2007-08-12

"De servo arbitrio" is the original title of this Martin Luther's masterpiece. In it, the Reformer explains his theology concerning the limits of man's will before God, differing it from those which preached the full free will or the absence of any possibility of free will. It is a key book for all those who are interested in studying the matters referred to free will and predestination.

The Ongoing Debate.......2007-04-23

I purchased Luther's book for my "Formation of Modern Christianity" class and am in the process of using it to write my term paper on the debate between Erasmus and Luther on the issue of free will. Luther does an excellent job in this book when presenting his case for the bondage of free will by demonstrating that humans are completely depraved and cannot choose salvation, therefore we do not have the free will to do both good and evil, but only evil. Buy this book if you want a clear picture on this ongoing debate, but make sure to also purchase "Discourse on Free Will" to gain a picture of Erasmus' point of view, as well.

The Christian Robot.......2007-03-09

The Bondage of the Will is necessary reading for anyone seeking to understand the roots of Protestant theology. I am a Catholic and found most of what Luther wrote to be poorly based and unscriptural, however, his treatise on the bondage of the will did serve to stress once again the Pauline doctrine of justification by grace alone. This doctrine which teaches that there is nothing a man can do to begin, promote, or accomplish his justification before God, but that justification is initiated, begun, and brought to fulfillment completely through God's grace has been Catholic doctrine from the beginning. Tragically, this doctrine was muddied and distorted by the late Scholastic theology of the "via moderna" - the only theology Luther was really familiar with. Apparently Luther knew very little if any Christian theology pre-dating the 14th Century. The doctrine of justification by faith alone appeared to him therefore as a novelty; something he had "rediscovered." This doctrine, however, is not what the Catholic Church took issue with. It was Luther's insistence that even after justification a man remains totally corrupt. Luther makes plain in this text that even subsequent to justification any good a person accomplishes is done without any human input; all good actions are accomplished by God alone. Luther is very unclear in his explanation of how this occurs. He says man's nature is changed, regenerated, and wills only good after justification, but somehow the man is also evil and deserves only eternal damnation. It is only by the grace of God he is spared this. What part of the man remains evil Luther doesn't clarify. If it is God alone that works the good in us according to our new nature and we have absolutely no ability to reject God's grace and action in our lives (just as under Satan we have absolutely no say in whether we sin since we are then ruled by Satan), we are not only in effect, but in our innermost being nothing more than automatons without any inherent meaning to our existence. Luther makes it extremely clear that in his view man has no free will after justification. He is "free" in the sense that he operates according to his nature, but he has no ability to act otherwise. That man is most free when he acts in accord with his nature has always been Catholic doctrine, but at no time in history did Christianity teach, and nowhere in the Bible does it say man cannot turn away from God or reject his grace. Believing this makes the Bible, indeed the whole of existence, an exercise in futility. Why would Jesus die for men whom he causes to sin necessarily? Why would he have to? Luther says this is part of God's "hidden Majestic will" that we have no right to question. He frequently sites Paul's words in Romans 9:14-25 and 11.33-36 in justification of this attitude, but Paul is clearly speaking in these passages of God's providential guidance of history and peoples - not the justification and salvation of individuals. Luther claims to be in agreement with St. Augustine, but anyone who has read Augustine knows there are scarcely two men more distant in thought. Augustine, as all Christianity, held that once an individual is justified he truly becomes a new creation capable of freely choosing the good through the grace of Christ. This action is done through the power of God's grace, yet it is truly the individual's own action as well. Furthermore, as Paul makes clear in numerous passages, an individual always possesses the ability to reject Christ even subsequent to justification. Although Luther claimed his doctrine of "necessity of immutability" offered consolation to those perturbed by conscience, in reality it creates a universe in which we have no control over our own destiny, all things are determined apart from us, and God damns or glorifies those whom he chooses on an absolutely arbitrary basis. I cannot see how this can be comforting, let alone "good news." Luther holds that simply because God has foreseen all things from eternity that everything happens of necessity. He makes a gigantic blunder in confusing God's eternal vision from outside time with the free operations of persons within time. Simply because we remember something from yesterday, it doesn't follow that we caused it to happen. In the same way, because God sees all things due to his being outside time, it doesn't follow that he caused them directly. He allows men to freely choose to reject his grace. He created us free and desires all men to be saved and offers all men his grace. Luther is absolutely right in saying man can do nothing to save himself - it is all grace, but he can do something to cause his damnation - he can reject this grace when it is offered to him each day of his life. Perhaps it was providential, though, that Luther stressed "grace alone." Much Christian theology had drifted far from this gospel truth. Finally, I found Luther's caustic sarcasm hard to stomach. I'm not a fan of Erasmus (to whom Luther was responding and who did a poor job of defining the Catholic position), but Luther's anathemas and ad hominem attacks detracted considerably from a book that would otherwise have been quite enjoyable to read.

Required Reading for Pastors.......2006-11-06

This fascinating book explores the question of just how much "free will" humans actually have in the light of God's will and sovereignty. With modern man's insistence on their own dominion over their own destinies, it is good and necessary to examine the scriptural evidence to the contrary. The question is, as fallible humans, are we going to place our trust in how things feel to us, or in the infallible, unshakeable Word of God? May we return the glory to Him unto whom it is due!

Must have.......2006-10-07

A must have resource for the serious student of theology on the topic of free will and predestination - two of the most perplexing questions of the Christian faith. This is a collection of responses from Martin Luther to objections raised to his views on the topic. The objections that were raised then are raised now and will be to the end of time. Read Luther's response and search the scriptures yourself to find the truth.

Choosing the Right Fats (Natural Health Guide) (Natural Health Guide)

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Choosing the Right Fats

Choosing the Right Fats (Natural Health Guide) (Natural Health Guide)
Udo Erasmus
Manufacturer: Alive Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1553120353

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This book will introduce you to one of the secrets of life and good health. The essential fats found in healing oils of freshly pressed almonds, flaxseed, sunflower and seasme seeds, hazelnuts, pumpkin, pistachio, and olives all have life-giving properties. They feed every cell, tissue, gland, and organ of the body. In this book Udo Erasmus dispels many of the myths about fat. He tells which oils to avoid and which ones can help normalize your weight. He has advice for athletes who want to improve their stamina and performance. Erasmus shares decades of experience working with oils, developing what he calls a practical ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 essential fats. Includes delicious recipes to show you how to integrate healing oils and fats into your daily meals, naturally.

Customer Reviews:

Choosing the Right Fats.......2006-08-11

This book is a useful and enlightening book as a companion to the author's book on "Fats that Heal and Fats that Kill." He touches on MCFA (Medium-Chain Fatty Acids) but you will not know it since his focus is on the Omega 3 and 6. Lauric acid is referred to but not the fact that it comes from Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. And, that is a shame. There is also the lack of attention to the value of lignans that are contained in well processed Flax Oil, which is a great source of Omega 3.

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A modest disclaimer
A Modest Satire
Perhaps there is hope for us all.
Couldn't finish it!
This fool is too wise

Praise of Folly (Penguin Classics)
Desiderius Erasmus
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140446087

Book Description

A satire on the pretensions of Erasmus's contemporaries in the Church and philosophy

Customer Reviews:

A modest disclaimer .......2005-01-12

"It is not wisdom to be always wise, and on the inward vision close the eyes" That is Santayana's wisdom. To play with it a bit ," It is not foolish always to be a fool, and on the outward shows and games of mankind make endless mockery. For who is the fool in the one place we are all to go?"
I remember reading this work in graduate school. A dutiful plodder wondering why I was not laughing out loud and being so amused. Rather I was falling asleep inside and finding the dull complaints of Erasmus a kind of spiritless exercise in predictable dumping on all things.
Alas, I am usually apologetic about not understanding works generations of mankind consider classics. But in this case I will make a modest disclaimer. This one is not in my eyes a great one, not even a very good one.
And now to another complaint. The great tolerant Erasmus who could see the folly of human greed and vanity and prejudice everywhere was himself quite vain and greed and prejudiced in regard to one very small minority of 'Europeans' who can claim to be the most persecuted people in the history of mankind. Why should I sing the praises of someone who hates me?
The bootsteps of Nazism march to the tune that Erasmus and Voltaire the two great ' liberators' of European mankind sing.
I have no praise for Erasmus folly and his wickedness in this.

A Modest Satire.......2004-05-28

Praise of Folly is what it was intended to be, a modest satire, not a masterwork. Erasmus was an interesting and accomplished man - one of the lights of his age. However, this work, written, basically, on a lark for his good friend, Thomas More, is a little difficult for the modern reader but is still, at times, quite humorous. Unlike the work of Jonathon Swift (many years later) there's little reason to read this unless you're a student of the period.

Perhaps there is hope for us all........2003-03-25

Granted this is pretty dry reading. Erasmus may not be the greatest writer. This does make for a turgid evening if one plans or desires to read it from cover to cover in one sitting. That said, Erasmus rode (if not found himself starting) the beginning wave of the great reformation. In his writings (which bear a not so slight foreshadowing to the great C.S. Lewis) Erasmus gives hope for all of us sinners in the guise of wit. An important addition to any library of classical literature.

Couldn't finish it!.......2003-02-22

Sorry, I tried several times to read this book. I hunted for passages that might interest me. Unfortunately, all I found was [the author] blowing his own horn. But then fantasy and science is about all that interests me. I'm sure someone with a historical bent would find this tale exhilarating.

This fool is too wise.......2003-01-23

To say the book has less than perfect unity in tone, as was written in the introduction, pg xv, is an understatement. The reader is never sure whether it is Folly or Erasmus who is talking. Perhaps for the goddess of Folly, contradictions and inconsistencies are the very follies desired - how are we mortals to tell?

And that is what we have here - all the inconsistencies, as, for example, mentioned in pages xiv-xv of the introduction again, that Erasmus wrote with the learned sophistry he denied schoolmen, philosophers, courtiers, theologians and monks. It's almost like Lao-Tzu and his Tao-Te Ching which includes the famous "The name that can be named is not the eternal name; the Tao that can be named is not the eternal Tao," only to have a later poet, Po Chi-Yi, quip about the 10,000 word effort to say what cannot be said in the first place. Yes, he did say at the end that 'I hate an audience that won't forget,' but that's not a courtesy he proffered to his opponents, of whom the criticism by Erasmus seems caviling, carping and nitpicking. He should have emulated his inpiration, Lucian with his 'philosophers for sale,' and made points simple like that here. It would be unfair, though tempting, to think that Erasmus took Quitillian to heart (pg. 81, 'what can't be refuted can often be parried in laughter') and disguised his voice in silly chaos for what has not been thought out cogently.

So, one is not quite sure whether wasting away a life in idleness, corruption or avarice as priests, bishops and monks are wont to do is the same kind of folly as the folly that comes from the innocence of the simple minded people or children, since Erasmus never quite made it crystal clear. Do we praise folly here but condemn it otherwise - without unity of tone and consistency of the vantage point of the writer, the whole thing just becomes a mess of confusion.

Book Description

In the summer of 1999, Erasmus Kloman and his family chartered a barge and piloted it along the lovely Burgundy and Nivernais canals in France. In "Barging in Burgundy" Mr. Kloman combines a narrative travelogue with practical how-to-do-it instructions. He tells readers what they need to know about taking a barge trip -- including how to determine which barge company to procure, what supplies to bring on board, and how to maneuver the locks encountered on the trip. At the same time, he lyrically describes the romance of travel in Burgundy, its remarkable history, breathtaking architecture, its wines and hearty cuisines. Also included are a list of sites worth a visit, restaurants, emergency numbers, and recipes from the region. This is a wonderful resource guide for adventurous travelers contemplating a barge trip or readers who just want to vicariously experience the beauty and tranquility of a barge trip through the French countryside.

Customer Reviews:

Not Really A Travel Book........2003-08-30

I guess I should've read the other review more closely...
I was expecting a book that talked a lot about barging, with a little bit about history and food/wine. Instead, I got page after page of history and recipes and wine, and barely a mention of either the practicalities (how to rent a barge, navigate a lock, travel through France if you don't speak much French...) or realities (what life is like spending a week on a small boat with 6 other people!) of a barge trip.

The emphasis was most definitely on the 'wining and dining' part of the title, NOT the 'bare boat barging' part.
This one is going back.

Bare Barging in Burgundy:Boating, Exploring, Wining & Dining.......2001-05-02

I bought this book because I have been day dreaming about taking a barging vacation. I would recommend this book for anyone considering renting a barge in France, but has no knowledge of the subject. The book is a great starting point, touching on the basics of barging, without going into too much detail. The reader will get a general idea of what barging is like from the author's one chapter description of his weeklong journey. Although the book is small (a little over 100 pages), it "touches" on the history, places of interest, and the food and wine of Burgundy. It is a great little travel book that really gives you the feeling of France. If the author succeeded in "whetting your appetite" for more information on France (no pun, intended) he does provide a lot of references for further reading.

Discourse On Free Will (Continuum Impacts)

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The Ongoing Debate
Discourse on Free Will
"The Clash of the Theologians"
an inside look at the ideas that made the Reformation
Erasmus & Luther - Smoke- rings for the Blind

Discourse On Free Will (Continuum Impacts)
Desiderius Erasmus
Manufacturer: Continuum International Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0826477941

Customer Reviews:

The Ongoing Debate.......2007-04-23

I purchased this book for my "Formation of Modern Christianity" class and am in the process of writing my term paper on the debate between Erasmus and Luther on the issue of free will. This book does an excellent job of reviewing Erasmus' case for free will and briefly summarizes Luther's case for the bondage of will, as well. Buy this book if you'd like a concise review of this ongoing debate.

Discourse on Free Will.......2002-04-18

Readers of Discourse on Free Will, a written debate between Martin Luther and Desiderius Erasmus, will find one of the early essential philosophical divisions of the Roman Catholic Church. These two theologians debate the heart of Luther's fundamental differences over church doctrine. Never mind issues like indulgences and purgatory (indeed Luther thanks Erasmus for not discussing such "trifles") because Luther's primary argument concerned justification by faith through the grace of God. The book compiled here, edited by Ernst Winter, is a glimpse into the minds of these two influential men.

Winter's editing is a bit suspect, as Erasmus enjoys the first 94 pages while Luther receives only the final 44, but this really gives Erasmus more time to make a fool of himself. Erasmus wonders around raising many points and attempts to connect all into his free will argument, but it is not until his conclusion that he begins to make his point. In section 48, Erasmus confuses free will with grace, on page 56 he refers to a chamber pot to make his point. He makes a weak argument until his conclusion, which takes on the appearance of a lawyer closing his case. Ultimately though, one must consider this: Rotterdam has never been known for its scholars; Erasmus is no exception.

But this is not to say Luther is the "winner" here. The book is somewhat akin to a pre-Reformation version of "Grumpy Old Men." The debate gets personal at times. In two instances Luther refers to Erasmus as "stupid" and Erasmus states Luther is "without reason." This makes for a more interesting read but also shows the limits of each man's patience. This book may not be for everyone, but those desiring to know more about the debate of the Catholic Church will find it has much to offer. THere clearly are two different styles here. Erasmus offers hope for all, true to the elements of Humanism, while Luther's effort is not for the faint of heart. Either way, the reader will be richer for the effort.

"The Clash of the Theologians".......2001-06-26

Desiderius Erasmus and Martin Luther's theological polemic and "Discourse on Free Will" is a wonderful source to understand the thought that classified, diversified, and divided the plain between the classical and orthodox, and the novel and heretical. These view points changed the face of an age - from common belief and good conduct, to individualism and good belief ...with this book you may decide a position for yourself.

an inside look at the ideas that made the Reformation.......2000-05-15

Luther once said that the Catholic Church stands or falls on the question of justification and free will: salvation by faith alone, or must the human soul respond? Get a first-hand peek at what Luther thought of the Catholic Church's teachings, and how Erasmus, a Catholic bishop, replied. Don't think you understand the Reformation or the "protest" inherent in Protestantism until you read this book. This is Luther at his fist-pounding best; but Erasmus is sophisticated, irenic, and penetrating. The key question is: who was right? If you're a Christian, don't decide until you've read this cover to cover.

Erasmus & Luther - Smoke- rings for the Blind.......1999-01-29

A classic intellectual debate in a moderately ponderous translation, demonstrating the timelessness of ignorance , and the futility of religious debate. A great read for the cynical, or the cynical at heart.

The Captivation Of The Will: Luther Vs. Erasmus On Freedom And Bondage (Lutheran Quarterly Books)

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Excellent analysis of Luther vs. Erasmus on free will
A Great Teacher

The Captivation Of The Will: Luther Vs. Erasmus On Freedom And Bondage (Lutheran Quarterly Books)
Gerhard O. Forde
Manufacturer: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0802829066

Book Description

"The Captivation of the Will" provocatively revisits a perennial topic of controversy — human free will. Highly esteemed Lutheran thinker Gerhard O. Forde cuts to the heart of the subject by reexamining the famous debate on the will between Luther and Erasmus.

Following a substantial introduction by James A. Nestingen that brings to life the historical background of the debate, Forde thoroughly explores Luther's "Bondage of the Will" and the dispute between Erasmus and Luther that it reflects. In the process of exposing this debate's enduring significance for Christians, Forde highlights its central arguments about Scripture, God, the will, and salvation in Christ.

Luther recognized that the only solution for humans bound by sin is the forgiveness that comes from Christ alone. Convinced that this insight represents the heart of the Christian gospel, Forde concludes with ten sermons that proclaim the message of salvation through Christ alone while elegantly relating theological inquiry to everyday life.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent analysis of Luther vs. Erasmus on free will.......2006-05-14

Reading Luther's "Bondage of the Will," his answer to Erasmus' critique of his gospel, is a formidable task. If you ever wanted to get the gist of it without doing the labor, this is the book for you. Forde brings to life one of the most important books of the Reformation, literally destroying that last bastion of the flesh, "free will" in the process. This book has been a particular blessing for me, a non-Lutheran. It's brilliant insights into the powerful gospel Luther preached are breathtaking! Also, there an excellent introduction to set the historical stage for Luther's debate with Erasmus.

A Great Teacher.......2005-06-21

Gerharde Forde is a great teacher, and it is a fitting tribute to his life and work that Eerdmans would publish two volumes of his work in their "Lutheran Quarterly Books" series. "A More Radical Gospel" is a longer and equally excellent collection of Professor Forde's work, but this is the volume I kept hoping would come out, because Forde's teaching on Luther's Bondage of the Will is unparalleled, and now, even if you didn't get to sit in on one of his classes, you can at least read the notes.
This book is also a tribute, prefaced and introduced as it is by Forde's epigones, Paulson and Nestingen. Both of these introductory essays in tone and style are indicative of the theological school that has taken root around Forde. It's a small school, often embattled, but also worth listening to.

As for the sermons attached to these Forde volumes, printed sermons can never take the place of the original sermon, but they are a wonderful indication of the way in which Forde's theology was and continues to be for the sake of proclamation.

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