Book Description
This comprehensive study, cosponsored by the Christian College Coalition, addresses questions faced by students in introductory literature courses. It examines literature as a form of human action and argues that the reading and writing of literary works provide vital ways for men and women to act as responsible agents in God's world.
Building upon the doctrine of Creation, the authors show how the reading of literature helps us to be more effective interpreters of the stories and images we encounter daily. They demonstrate that great works of literature open up a realm of beauty and truth and help us gain an understanding of ourselves, God, and the world.
Customer Reviews:
A book about why we read.......1998-03-31
This superb book shows both the limitations and the potential for literature to expand our lives. Discussion is enhanced by reference to numerous literary examples to demonstrate the authors' points. This was one of those books that was so good, I found myself wanting to underline almost every paragraph in agreement. Highly recommended.
Book Description
Unique insights from an atheist’s Sunday-morning odyssey
When Hemant Mehta was a teenager he stopped believing in God, but he never lost his interest in religion. Mehta is “the eBay atheist,” the nonbeliever who auctioned off the opportunity for the winning bidder to send him to church. The auction winner was Jim Henderson, a former pastor and author of Evangelism Without Additives. Since then, Mehta has visited a variety of church services–posting his insightful critiques on the Internet and spawning a positive, ongoing dialogue between atheists and believers.
I Sold My Soul on eBay tells how and why Mehta became an atheist and features his latest church critiques, including descriptions of his visits to some of the best-known churches in the country. His observations will surprise and challenge you, revealing how the church comes across to those outside the faith. Who better than a nonbeliever to offer an eye-opening assessment of how the gospel is being presented–and the elements that enhance or detract from the presentation.
Mehta announced prior to his churchgoing odyssey that he would watch for any signs of God’s existence. After spending Sunday mornings in some of the nation’s leading churches, what happened to the man who sold his soul on eBay? Did attending church change his lack of belief? The answers can be found inside.
Customer Reviews:
A must-read for those interested in how their religion is viewed.......2007-08-29
I found the book I Sold My Soul on eBay a must read for anyone who is looking to impact the nonreligious community.
It's a story of a young man, Hemant Mehta, who decides to auction off his willingness to attend church, synagogue, or temple. The winning bid of $504 by Jim Henderson, propels Hemant into the public's eye. The unique story is picked up by various national media outlets. Jim and Hemant come to an agreement, where in the next year Hemant will attend 15 different churches, observe and fill out a survey that is posted on Jim Henderson's website.
Hemant Mehta also relates his journey of how he left the faith of his childhood, Jainism, and has embraced atheism. As he has embraced atheism he has discovered that there are very few atheists groups that have formed in colleges around the nation. In an effort to right this wrong, he relates how with one other student in his second year at University of Illinois-Chicago, he forms the group, Students WithOut Religious Dogma or SWORD.
About half of the book details his insights gleaned from attending these churches; they range from small churches of less than 100 in rural Dekalb, Illinois to mega-churches of thousands. He not only varies the size of the church, but also seeks out ethnically diverse churches. Most of the churches understandably were in his native state of Illinois, but he did make a couple forays, one to Houston and another to Colorado Springs. On his trip to Houston one church he attends is Lakewood Church the mega-church of Joel Olsteen. In Colorado Springs he attends Ted Hagard's New Life Church while Ted is still senior pastor and has an interesting exchange with Pastor Ted.
At times it was almost like reading a cultural anthropology book, and he's vulnerable enough to explain what it would take for him to believe the claims of Christ written in the Bible. He is always respectful in writing about his experience. The publisher also includes a helpful a small group discussion guide at the end of the book.
Sometimes we need fresh eyes to view our experiences in church.
Armchair Interview says: Hemant Mehta does an excellent job in that.
A Different Perspective from Outside the Pew........2007-08-27
When I was in college I attended a Sunday worship service at a Pentecostal church with a friend. On this particular Sunday, my friend had also invited some non-Christian friends of hers to attend the service with us. I could tell by their reactions during the service that it wasn't like anything they had ever experienced before. After the service, we gathered together for a discussion over lunch. I learned a lot from that discussion and I believe it was rewarding and enriching opportunity for all of us. We learned more about my friend and what she believed and her non-Christian friends learned that even though I shared many of the same beliefs with my friend, we differed in the ways in which we expressed worship to God during a typical Sunday service. Reading I SOLD MY SOUL ON EBAY reminded me of that experience and others like it that I have had in my life.
The book is written by Hemant Mehta, a self-described friendly atheist who offered people the opportunity to "buy" him and send him to church; whoever won the auction would be able to send him to an hour of church for every ten dollars bid. The winning bid was for $504 by author and former pastor, Jim Henderson. Henderson reached an agreement with Mehta where Mehta wouldn't just attend one Christian church, but would attend a variety of churches: small churches, large churches, mega-churches, rural churches, inner-city churches, traditional churches, and non-traditional churches. Mehta posted his observations about his visits on his website and offered to help the pastors and church members make their services more welcoming to non-Christians. I SOLD MY SOUL ON EBAY is a result of Mehta's experiences.
The book is divided into ten chapters, but really has three major sections. In the first part of the book Mehta explains his background, why he became an atheist, how the eBay auction came about, and what atheists in general believe. The second part of the book goes into the detail of Mehta's visits to different churches. He explains his impressions about the places he attended, what went on during the services, and his reactions. In the final section of the book Mehta tells what he believes churches are doing well, what they could do better, and what it would take him to convert to Christianity.
I've known some atheists during my life and have some close friends who are agnostic. However, I still enjoyed reading the first section of the book about what atheists believe. It gave me a different perspective from what I am accustomed. I also enjoyed reading about Mehta's visits to the different churches. Some of his observations are hilarious, some are misguided, and some are insightful.
One of Mehta's biggest complaints is that many Christian churches aren't as welcoming to outsiders as they should be. I don't think many believers realize this and it is helpful that someone from the outside makes the observation. I realize that churches aren't perfect, because churches and even the Church itself is composed of people. We all have flaws, issues, and quirks and even in the most loving environment these things can become distractions. Yet, God uses us despite our flaws. Another observation that I found particularly insightful is how many people who attend church and claim to be Christians really don't seem to know why they do the things they do during services or even why they believe what they profess to believe. As a whole, we can be a terribly ignorant people.
At the same time, there are suggests that Mehta make that I feel are misguided. For instance, several times in the book Mehta mentions that he heard the term "lost" being used to refer to non-believers such as himself. He says that "every time I heard this, I felt insulted." (p. 148). I can understand why Mehta would feel insulted. However, I don't believe that we Christians should stop using the term. Mehta and those who share beliefs similar to his don't feel that they are lost and they don't think they need to be saved from anything. However, a core tenant of Christianity is that those who aren't followers of Jesus cannot receive the gift of eternal life. Those who don't believe are lost because when they die, they will receive punishment in Hell and at the end of time will be thrown into oblivion for eternity. Now, that's not to say that the life of a non-believer has no meaning because Christianity teaches that every life is precious. However, unless a person chooses to follow Christ, they cannot receive eternal life.
Despite these misunderstandings, I SOLD MY SOUL ON EBAY is an especially useful book that Christians should read. It can be quite helpful hearing a different perspective from someone who normally lives outside of the pew.
Thoughtful and Provocative.......2007-08-23
A book about Christianity by an atheist? Another hatched job, right? Actually no. Hement Mehta is not an angry atheist. Yes, he's a nonbeliever, but he's seeking answers. He auctioned off the opportunity for the winning bidder to send him to church,and got more than he planned. He ended up attending a lot of worship services covering a wide range of denominations, and both large and small churches. He plays fair, giving a serious critique of what he saw, what worked for him, and what didn't. Since we approach the subject from different perspectives we don't always agree. I'm coming at it from a basis of faith, while he admits he doesn't have faith in much except himself and what he can prove from logic. We did agree on several things though, and I came away with a stronger conviction of what I have believed for some time, that we Christians need to stop and evaluate what we are doing to show Jesus to nonbelievers. We've come a long way from the simple teachings of the Savior we claim to follow, sometimes going in the wrong direction. Menta asks a lot of questions, and I didn't always have the answer. He made me think about what I believe and why. Sometimes it's good to see what the other side thinks, and we need to remember that people who don't believe the way we do are not always our enemies. I recommend I Sold My Soul On eBay for both believers and nonbelievers.
Excellent read, I highly recommend it.......2007-07-01
I grew liberally Catholic and eventually became a Deist. I knew all about other faiths, but never heard anything about atheists, or anyone else who didn't believe in some sort of higher power. I didn't even meet an atheist till I was 13, and usually what I did hear of them revolved around court cases and the whole "they want to take away our religious rights" line. This book and going to Hemant's online blog (www.friendlyatheist.com)opened a whole world to me-about how many atheists really are (most don't want to "ban" religion, they just don't want it in our goverment or in their faces), what their views are on things, how many of them there are, and how many of the stereotypes just aren't true. If you grew up in a evangelical christian home, you probably haven't heard much about atheists, and what you have heard was probably negative. I highly encourage you to read this book and go to the blog to get a different persepctive: it will open your eyes. You probably won't change your beliefs, but you will at least see what the other side is REALLY like.
What I really love about this book is Hemant's open-mindedness and willingness to talk with people who do not share his beliefs. I wish everyone would do that, the world would be a much better place. I also admire how even when he talks in the book about being dissed on the radio by Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort (embarassments)-he doesn't diss them back, he just explains how he feels in a logical, concrete way, without being antagonistic. He really does come across as much more reasonable than they do.
Anyways, read the book-it's great and well written and has something anyone can learn from no matter what your background is.
Excellent food for thought........2007-06-06
Hemant Mehta, the "eBay atheist" who agreed to go to the churches of choice of the winning bidder, pens this intriguing, often humorous and sometimes disturbing look at today's Christian churches in I SOLD MY SOUL ON eBAY.
Mehta begins by unpacking his own upbringing in the Jain religion, detailing what led him to give up his faith at age 14. As an adult, however, he freely explored the deepest questions of religion. An intellectual and leader in the Secular Student Alliance, he was puzzled at the hostility against his group by Christian organizations. "What were they so worried about, that someone would hear a new idea?" After deciding he wanted to learn more about Christianity, Mehta posted a "send an atheist to his local church" opportunity on eBay --- with surprising results.
For $504, Jim Henderson, author of EVANGELISM WITHOUT ADDITIVES, won the right to send Mehta to church. Mehta attended 15 churches in four states, encompassing a wide range of church communities: from small-town parishes to megachurches. He then filled out a survey for each one and blogged about his visits on his website.
Mehta, who calls himself a "friendly atheist," believes he is part of the demographic that most churches want to reach. "But based on what I have experienced, the things many churches are doing on Saturday night or Sunday morning are not the things that will pull in those who share my mind-set." While attending the churches, Mehta says, "I kept running across a consistent and troubling truth about American Christianity." People of faith, he says, make enemies of those who don't believe in the same God they do by displaying a negative attitude toward anyone outside the religious community.
Another observation: "Any religion that wants to keep people believing should do one simple thing: instead of limiting religious teaching to matters of what to do and how to do it, tell people why they are saying certain words, performing certain rituals, and adhering to certain beliefs." He often found himself confused by traditions or liturgy that he had no background for. Christian readers will wince at some of his experiences (after a scathing interview with Kirk Cameron on the radio, he asks, "...are comments meant to embarrass a guest and a lack of kindness really accurate representations of Christian compassion?")
After detailing several of his visits in four middle chapters, Mehta offers some practical advice to those who want to reach non-Christians. Talk to us (without preaching to us), he writes. Have a conversation with us about a broad range of topics (religion doesn't dominate our thinking). Shorten the singing time.
Pastors and their messages were of primary importance, he says. Preach relevant sermons. Explain why a Bible story has meaning today. Don't talk as if non-Christians are the enemy. Remember to appeal to an atheist's intellect, not his emotions. Offer opportunities to ask questions. Invite someone who is an atheist or agnostic to have a friendly public dialogue.
The congregation is not off the hook. He urges attendees to pay attention in church. "If you don't like church, then don't go to church." Be on time if you respect your church. Get involved in social justice issues in your community --- feeding the hungry, educating the illiterate, assisting the poor. Actions, he says, speak louder than words.
Christian readers looking for the seemingly inevitable conversion scene at the end of the story will be disappointed. Mehta says he went to church looking for answers to the big questions in life, and came away unconvinced that Christianity had them. If any church could have converted him, he believes it was Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. "It was a place where I could think about the message after I left."
In the foreword to the book, author and pastor Rob Bell (SEX GOD, VELVET ELVIS) says that "Lots of people in lots of churches will find this book very helpful in their efforts to put a face on God for the world we live in...prophets can come from the most unexpected places, can't they?" Excellent food for thought. A study guide for small group use at the end of the book will help Christians explore the ideas presented here more thoroughly.
--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
Book Description
Malcolm Muggeridge was one of Great Britain's most well-known journalists and television personalities, having interviewed practically every major public figure of his time. He shocked the world with his conversion to Christianity later in life. "St. Mugg", as he was affectionately known, was clear in his new-found faith: "It is the truth that has died, not God," and "Jesus was God or he was nothing." These wonderful selections of Muggeridge's writings and speeches cover a wide variety of spiritual themes, revealing his profound faith, great wit, and lively writing style. Topics include "Jesus: The Man Who Lives", "Is There a God?", "The Prospect of Death", "Do We Need Religion?", "Peace and Power", and many more.
Customer Reviews:
Fearful Symmetry.......2006-03-22
As editor of the British humour magazine, Punch, and an inveterate journalist, Malcolm Muggeridge was a familiar face in Britain and to a lesser degree, in America, and often in the camera's eye. He is, however, one of the few journalists to wryly realize the irony of that and to comment endlessly on the absurdities of journalism. What poet William Blake called fearful symmetry he found everywhere, and never ceased to delight in racking up endless examples.
By what some might consider a happy accident, he began finding faith at the same time that collared clerics in Britain vocally announced that they were losing it. For a while the clerics' crisis proved newsworthy, but once interest waned, journalists turned to the odd story of one of their own swimming against the stream.
Cecil Kuhne cites as his reason for assembling this 240 page omnibus anthology the unavailability of many of Mugger's works, although many of them are finding their way back into print. While this is a good introduction for those who don't want to track down a half dozen books, it consists entirely of reprinted works, many of which originally appeared in a different form and are therefore somewhat out of context. Jesus: The Man Who Lives, for instance, was initially published in hardback with full color art plates. Jesus Rediscovered, a best-selling collection compiled by Lady Collins, collects musings from various stages of Muggeridge's spiritual journey, and thus seems to contradict itself. Other bits come from Vintage Muggeridge, Something Beautiful for God (his book on Mother Theresa), and Paul: Envoy Extraordinaire. William F. Buckley Jr., on whose TV program Firing Line Malcolm appeared, contributes an introduction, and the epilogue comes courtesy of Sally Muggeridge, president of the Malcolm Muggeridge Society in London (with contact information for those desirous of joining)
Ignatius Press' publication of this title will probably bring Muggers' thoughtful musings and acerbic wit to an audience that otherwise might not discover him, but it would be a mistake to pigeonhole him as a religious writer; you don't need a taste for devotional writing to read Muggers. For a different slant, see Ian Hunter's sampler, The Very Best of Malcolm Muggeridge or the anthology The Most of Malcolm Muggeridge. As Kuhne notes, some of his best books remain unaccountably out of print, namely his two volume autobiography, The Chronicles of Wasted Time, usually published as The Green Stick (vol. one) and The Infernal Grove (vol. two), but sometimes collected as one volume. At any rate, here's a great introduction to the trenchant wit of the tireless commentator who called himself, after St. Augustine, a "vendor of words". Readers dipping into this volume may be led by some happy accident or fearful symmetry to discover these other books and more Mugg.
Book Description
Identifies the major ideas that college and university students will encounter in a basic psychology course and explores connections with Christian belief.
Customer Reviews:
Jean-Jacques D'Aoust, Ph.D. recommends.......2007-01-12
David Myers is well known for publishing some of the best college manuals for general psychology, that are used in a majority of colleges and universities. He is also a devoted Christian. Consequently, his recent book on Psychology Through the Eyes of Faith marks a testimony to his dual commitment to both scientific psychology and the orthodox Christian faith. Highly recommended.
Psychology for the Christian? Not Really........2003-12-21
This book sets out to present psychology through the eyes of faith. However, I found the book dissappointing. In fact, it quite uncritically accepts a rather steep picture of human nature from social and cognitive psychology and then goes on to pepper them up with a few bible quotes. Even free will is challenged. Now, that would be legitimate, but interestingly enough, even in mainstream psychology many of the findings Myers offers as the last truth are challenged (e.g. compare David Funder's research and Myer's stand on the bias-and-heuristics-programme). All in all, I wouldn't recommend this book. It is short, uninteresting and its title offers more than the book offers.
Overall Uses.......2000-03-06
I originally bought this as a textbook for my Psychology of Religion class at Wayland Baptist University. I recommended as a fair view of Psychology for a religious or faith perspective. BE careful that you copy as all pages. 131-159 was missing out of mine 51-80 replaced it.
Overall uses.......2000-03-06
My first copy of this, I bought as a textbook for my Psychology of REligion course At Wayland Baptist University. This is a good book for a unbiased view of Psychology from a religious or faith perspective. Be careful to buy one that has all the pages my original goes 1-130, inserts a previous section of 51-82, and finishes from 160 to the end of the book. Overall, it is a responsible text.
Book Description
Newly Revised
The Council of Christian Colleges and Universities Series
Stressing the biblical message of stewardship, biologist Richard T. Wright celebrates the study of God's creation and examines the interaction of the life sciences with society in medicine, genetics, and the environment. The author brings a biblical perspective to theories on origins, contrasting creationism, intelligent design, and evolution. Highlighting the unique nature of biology and its interaction with Christian thought, Wright demonstrates that Christian stewardship can be the key to a sustainable future.
This comprehensive work, one of a series cosponsored by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, addresses the needs of the Christian student of biology to align science and faith. It demonstrates that the study of biology penetrates to the core of human existence and has much to contribute to the construction of a consistent Christian worldview.
Customer Reviews:
This book should be required reading..........2007-09-05
for Christians studying biology and struggling with conflict between what they believe and what they are asked to learn. I have a dog-eared and valuable (to me) pre-publication copy of the first edition of this book that Dr. Wright himself gave me. I was one of his students many years ago when he taught Ecology and Evolution. That book helped me immensely, although I don't think I ever properly thanked him at the time. We used it in a discussion class my senior year, and it was wonderful to be able to talk with the author, even though I eventually came to my own conclusions on the matter of creation/evolution. It's greatest strength isn't in giving you the answers, because thinking for yourself was always paramount at the Christian college where I met Dr. Wright, but the book makes it clear that these difficulties make it even more important that Christians understand the issues in order to be good stewards. I teach at a secular college now, but I'm still going to recommend this book to my students that are struggling with this issue.
Part Interesting; Part Laughable; Part Offensive.......2007-05-23
Wright's book has a few interesting chapters which are certainly worth serious consideration by college students. His basic approach is to 'bridge' the current academic gap found between the macroevolutionary naturalists who are currently in the majority at the high school and university level, and the creationists and ID proponents who are in the much smaller, but rapidly growing minority. In some areas, Wright shines in this role of mediator. However, in the area where it is most critical, namely the actual origin of man and the Biblical account, Wright plunges the reader into a laughable and ridiculous chasm of compromise that is both unsatisfying scientifically, and theologically. In a few key chapters in the middle of the book, Wright proposes that Adam and Eve could actually have been descendents of some prehistoric and 'prehuman' race that existed prior to the account in Genesis. This early male and female creatures were then plopped into the Garden of Eden by God to become the first fully developed humans! From this first family, the human race came.
This view has so many problems logically--it is almost too difficult to determine where to begin. First, Wright tries to hold on to many of the blatantly untenable and unscientific aspects of evolution. Namely, that by the 'creative' mechanisms of natural selection and mutation alone, humans evolved from 'lower primates'. God may have directed the process...but Wright plants seed of doubt throughout the reading. If macroevolution did in fact occur...is God therefore even necessary ? The creative agent now becomes random chance, natural selection, and mutation of genetic material, not God. This is at the very foundation of current macroevolutionary thought, and here is where Wright tries to build a bridge between evolutionists and creationists. However, this 'scientific bridge' one serious problem: it is impossible! There is not one recorded example in all the history of science where a mutation (brought about by everything from radiation to toxic waste) brought about a 'fitness-increasing' mutation. The idea that being blasted by radiation will bring about any change in the DNA or RNA that could increase the ability of a living creature to thrive in the world should ONLY be found in the comic books (think Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk, etc...), but it is found taught as fact in every secular university in the world, and in many Christian colleges. However, if natural selection + mutation cannot produce an improved species in the laboratory, how could it have happened in the wild ? Of course, the evolutionist simply will say "Time..time--we just need more time and virtually anything is possible." But this is not science--it IS science fiction though.
This is the greatest flaw of Wright's text. He sacrifices Scripture on the alter of academic compromise, apparently in the hopes of building bridges between competing ideas. However, Wright only succeeds in adding confusion to the creation/evolution debate. If Genesis 1-3 is to be doubted, why not also John 3:16 or any other Scripture for that matter. Jesus spoke of Adam being created...never evolved. Since He was there and Darwin was not, why should any writer from a Christian perspective attempt to marginalize what Jesus so obviously taught, wile at the same time give credibility to Darwin's macroevolutionary philosophy ?
An excellent and very unbiased view........2005-12-04
Unlike someone else from Abilene, TX, I found this book to be excellent, and so did all the other people I talked with who read this book for a discussion class. Bias to me is only presenting one view and igoring all the others, which is not what Wright has done. Having investigated thoroughly, he has an opinion, which he presents calmly and respectfully.
Wright's intended audience is Christians who have an interest in biology. Writing from that perspective, he goes to great links to connect with his audience and show that the current animosity between Christians and scientists, which is currently at frenzied levels in our culture, need not be. He thoroughly discusses the idea of worldviews, and how they shape our understanding of the world we live in.
One of the things he does best is calmly tackle issues like evolution, allowing Christians to consider the topic from the reasoned voice of a fellow believer who understands the science well. The book's not just about evolution though. Wright also examines medical, ethical, and environmental issues, all of which involve biology and beg for well reasoned Christian perspectives in our culture.
More than anything else, I suspect Wright's book has enabled hundreds (thousands?) of Christians, whether biology students or simply those interested in the subject, to develop a much stronger and more integrated faith, enjoying God's works in our world.
As a parting shot... For the reviewer that talked of Wright's bias and suggested that Wright's view is that God can be found nowhere else but rural nature, I highly beg to differ. Wright was simply pointing out one place where we've stopped seeing God because we never visit anymore. Romans 1:20 certainly gives a good perspective on this. And speaking of bias, isn't your perspective that we need not be concerned with God's creation in these rural places just that -- biased?
Identifying the struggles for faith integration in biology.......2005-05-06
Biology through the Eyes of Faith [BEoF] attempts to make the reader aware of the struggles that occur with someone who professes a Christian faith (primarily evangelical or fundamental [EC]) with the current understandings of biological sciences and the impact that these science have had in our world. While Wight attempts to be neutral in his approach, as with most people who are passionate with their field of expertise, his biases break through. The reader can sense how his striving for practicing of both good science and being honest to his faith can be accomplished.
BEoF first introduces the reader to passion that someone in biology has for his/her profession. Wright then addresses how this person integrates his/her EC faith structure into biology and where conflicts occur. He addresses the varied EC faith/science integration approaches and attempts to identify the strengths and weakness of each. BEoF discusses many of the areas in biology that the EC community struggles; such as origins, genetic engineering, stem-cell research and the environment to name a few.
BEoF attempts to be fair yet truthful to both science and faith, but Wright's own struggles and biases show through. However, this honest approach to the struggles of faith/science integration help the reader to understand the complexity of the issues and makes them aware that there is not one view accepted within EC communities. Wright's attempt to address where these conflict occur is factual and brief. Here the book turns more philosophical that science oriented. But this is it's purpose; not to be the book on "Truth" or on "Biology", but to show that strongly faith-based individuals must and can address the issues of biology and faith.
If you want a book to support only one viewpoint, this is not the book. If you want a book that gives you the answers to all your questions, you will need to look elsewhere. If you want to read a book that describes the struggle in the EC community and helps to show why they must be a participant in biology, this will be a good read.
Not a good book for discussion.......2004-04-18
This book might have appealed to me under different circumstances. It was required reading for "discussion" class I took and for this purpose it fell short. (I'm sure it wasn't designed for this) This book is terribly biased and even unfactual at times. Granted, Wright throws in terminology for all the different views (that part is factual) but he also has so many unfounded biases that it's hard to take him seriously. ("Is it not absolutely sinful that we who worship God so shut ourselves off from the creation in our cities and suburbs that we cannot even see God's works?") Does Wright think God only exists in rural nature? That's just one of several examples that lead me to this conclusion. I think this book is only good for learning terms - anything else, especially at a discussion level, is pointless.
Average customer rating:
- be prepared to think
- A MUST HAVE FOR THE CHURCH...
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Music Through the Eyes of Faith
Harold Best
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Visual Faith: Art, Theology, and Worship in Dialogue (Engaging Culture)
ASIN: 0060608625 |
Book Description
"Christian musicians know of the obligation to make music as agents of God's grace. They make music graciously, whatever its kind or style, as ambassadors of Christ, showing love, humility, servanthood, meekness, victory, and good example . . . Music is freely made, by faith, as an act of worship, in direct response to the overflowing grace of God in Christ Jesus."
Co-sponsored by the Christian College Coalition, this thought-provoking study of music-as-worship leads both students and experienced musicians to a better understanding of the connections between music making and Christian faith.
"Christian music makers have to risk new ways of praising God. Their faith must convince them that however strange a new offering may be, it cannot out-reach, out-imagine, or overwhelm God. God remains God, ready to swoop down in the most wonderful way, amidst all of the flurry and mystery of newness and repetition, to touch souls and hearts, all because faith has been exercised and Christ's ways have been imitated. Meanwhile, a thousand tongues will never be enough."
Best relates musical practice to a larger theology of creation and creativity, and explores new concepts of musical quality and excellence, musical unity, and the incorporation of music from other cultures into today's music.
Customer Reviews:
be prepared to think.......2007-03-21
A thorough philosophy of the art of music from a Christian perspective.
A MUST HAVE FOR THE CHURCH..........1999-11-02
This book is an exciting and prophetic look at the music of the Church. Whether or not you are directly affiliated with a church music program, you need to read this book!! Harold Best masterfully deals with topics relevant to the Contemporary Church around the world from a biblical, historical, and academic position.
This book is not to equate music with worship, for this is a big mistake that the author intentionally avoids. However, in order to move forward in our thinking and theology of formal community worship, we need to remove music from the discussion and examine it thoroughly on its own. It is at this point that we can begin to see how our worship fits together. Best's book masterfully does this on many levels.
Book Description
Is capitalism Christian? Is there a Christian perspective on business? How should a Christian use power in the workplace? In addressing such difficult questions as these, Business Through the Eyes of Faith demonstrates how God can dwell at the center of one's life even in the secular marketplace.
Here is pragmatic affirmation of the role that committed Christians can play in the business world. The authors stress the connections between Christian principles and good management and provide biblical passages that support their principles and relate them to the practical issues faced by Christian managers. Issues such as employee motivation, workplace communication, business leadership, the role of profit, and social responsibility are all addressed in concrete terms and reinforced by short vignettes, suggested biblical passages to explore, and commentaries from contemporary theorists and practitioners.
Business Through the Eyes of Faith shows that business can and should be a reflection of God's kingdom. It is an invaluable resource for Christian business students, managers, and those who wish to understand the concerns and motives of Christians in the business world.
Book Description
Understanding Japan through the eyes of Christian Faith is a fascinating book, combining Sociology and Christian world view in a systematic manner and simple language. Samuel Lee, has skillfully examined various facets of the Japanese society and culture looking for answers of why Christianity is not widely accepted and practiced in Japan. After dealing the historical background of Christianity in Japan and describing the socio-cultural condition of the nation, the author comes up with strategies and suggestions of how Christianity should approach Japan and suggests that Christianity should be reintroduced in Japan. Understanding Japan through the eyes of Christian Faith is a sociological and spiritual handbook for missionaries, mission organizations, churches, Christian Universities/Colleges and every Christian who is interested in reaching Japan.
Book Description
Integrating faith with introductory Western history, this text provides a Christian perspective on the major epochs, issues, and events of Western Civilization. It details the role of the Greeks and Hebrews, Jesus in history, the Renaissance, and more.
Customer Reviews:
An Important contribution.......2005-08-10
Prof. Wells has written a book that is a must reading for all Christian history teachers at every level of education and for all Christians who aspire to be informed. I note that the work is most beneficial for history teachers because, for the layperson, the historical references to Rousseau, Locke, Newton, and many others moves by very quickly, and it will probably be helpful if one already is familiar with these figures because a lot is not explained.
This is a "no frills" work that brings us to the present historical situation or crisis (the term "crisis" is important to Prof. Wells, and I concur). He shows us that the secular-scientific-humanist world view that is dominant today is, indeed, a new religion that is in opposition to Christianity. The Christian person and the Christian worldview is at a disadvantage in this present historical crisis, but there is hope. Devotion to one's Christian faith can still produce wonderful accomplishments in one's personal activities as well as in the social and political realm. (He gives examples of five great people who have gone forth in the name of Jesus Christ to help a fallen world.) Still, our greatest hope for Prof. Wells is that the "City of Man" was, is, and always will be passing away as the tropism, so to speak, of Western Civilization is always towards "the City of God."
The book is overwhelmingly satisfying, but I have given it four stars instead of five because, insofar as it is aimed to Christian readers as the author states, it could only have been strengthened by quotations from Scripture. Also, the writing might have been more carefully edited in sections. Nonetheless, again, I say to all educated Christians and especially to Christian history teachers: Read this book.
Review on the french translation.......2000-04-04
Putting together God and history is always difficult. I like this book very much for two reasons. 1) The introduction deals with method in history and which place you can give God in historical science. 2) The review of the history of Western civilization(s) is simply great. I don't quite agree with the author's perspective in the introduction, but it is one of the good contributions I have seen on the subject. Studying history of Reformation myself, I found the insights in the book very good and challenging. This book not the ultimate answer to the question God and history, but a good beginning. I'd recommend it to people who study history (whether Christian or not).
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Books Index
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God: A Brief History (Facets)
Introducing Theologies of Religions
Toward a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism
Ways Of Being Religious
The Christian Theology Reader
