Education Books

A Course in Miracles, Combined Volume: Text, Workbook for Students, Manual for Teachers, 2nd Edition

Foundation for Inner Peace

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Total reviews: 332 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

A Course in Miracles begins...
Nothing real can be threatened.
Nothing unreal exists.
Herein lies the peace of God.

As its title implies, the Course is arranged throughout as a teaching device. It consists of three books: Text, Workbook for Students, and Manual for Teachers. The order in which students choose to use the books, and the ways in which they study them, depend on their particular needs and preferences.

The curriculum the Course proposes is carefully conceived and is explained, step by step, at both the theoretical and practical levels. It emphasizes application rather than theory, and experience rather than theology. Although Christian in statement, the Course deals with universal spiritual themes. It emphasizes that it is but one version of the universal curriculum. There are many others, this one differing from them only in form. They all lead to God in the end.

The Text is largely theoretical, and sets forth the concepts on which the Course's thought system is based. Its ideas contain the foundation for the Workbook's lessons. Without the practical application the Workbook provides, the Text would remain largely a series of abstractions which would hardly suffice to bring about the thought reversal at which the Course aims.

The Workbook includes 365 lessons, one for each day of the year. It is not necessary, however, to do the lessons at that tempo, and one might want to remain with a particularly appealing lesson for more than one day. The practical nature of the Workbook is underscored by the introduction to its lessons, which emphasizes experience through application rather than a prior commitment to a spiritual goal:

Some of the ideas the workbook presents you will find hard to believe, and others may seem to be quite startling. This does not matter. You are merely asked to apply the ideas as you are directed to do. You are not asked to judge them at all. You are asked only to use them. It is their use that will give them meaning to you, and will show you that they are true.

Finally, the Manual for Teachers, which is written in question and answer form, provides answers to some of the more likely questions a student might ask. It also includes a clarification of a number of the terms the Course uses, explaining them within the theoretical framework of the Text.

The Course makes no claim to finality, nor are the Workbook lessons intended to bring the student's learning to completion. At the end, the reader is left in the hands of his or her own Internal Teacher, Who will direct all subsequent learning as He sees fit.

Restoring the Jewishness of the Gospel: A Message for Christians

David H. Stern

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Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

To repair what has been broken 5 out of 5 stars.
41 of 42 people found this review helpful.

This short but powerful book contains the parts relevant to Christians from the author's much longer work, The Messianic Jewish Manifesto. Chapter One explores the restoration of the Jewishness of the Gospel versus the alternative of contextualising it. Looking at Christianity and culture, Stern describes the early growth of the church amongst gentiles as Transcultural Judaism. Gentile believers were not forced to adopt Jewish customs although the infant church was entirely Jewish. But not everyone understood the Gospel message in this way: the Gospel got confused with culture and the act of embracing the Saviour eventually came to mean rejecting these Jewish roots entirely. Stern dissects the various forms of evangelism and comes to the conclusion that the restoration of the Jewishness of the Gospel (Type 4 Evangelism) is where Jewish people fit in.

Chapter Two deals with the "whole counsel of God" by investigating the church and Israel in theology and history. Stern discusses three distinct theologies: Covenant, Dispensational and what he terms "Olive Tree." The section dealing with the history of Israel and the church contains two highly illuminating illustrations: The Cultivated Olive Tree and The Cross Sections Of The Tree. Here the exact relationship between Israel and the church is explained with reference to the book of Romans. The chapter includes a discussion of the Gospel as both corporate and individual. The most fascinating part of this chapter is the explanation of the four kinds of scriptural interpretation: Simple, Hint, Search and Secret. Stern provides a thorough refutation of the arguments that God is "finished" with the Jewish people. In debunking Replacement Theology, he emphasizes that the promises to the Jewish nation remain pivotal in biblical religion. The role of Torah in the Gospel is also discussed here.

Chapter Three looks at Christianity as a Jewish religion and makes clear how evil Anti-Semitism is. All thoughts, words or deeds that harm Israel or Jewish people just because they are Jews, violate the spirit of the Gospel. Stern quotes from the Book of Romans to illustrate that the gospel message is especially for the Jew and stresses the importance of evangelisation. But Christians must tread ever so carefully! I cannot imagine anything more absurd, in the light of centuries of Jewish persecution by Christians, than Christians ignorant of the roots of their faith attempting to "convert" Jews. In my personal opinion, in these times it would be more appropriate for Christians to spiritually and materially support Israel. Rather leave the actual task of bringing the message of Yeshua to Jewish people to God and the Messianics. Perhaps that is what Stern means. If so, I agree with him.

The last chapter looks forward to the wonderful blessings that will flow forth when true Christians and the Jews finally embrace one another. Stern makes a plea for Christians to show mercy to the Jewish people. He is not specific about this, but I would imagine this to include support for the State of Israel, opposing Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism, helping Diaspora Jews to make aliyah to their homeland, etc.

The book concludes with a Glossary of Hebrew words and names, an Index of Scripture verses and other early literature, and an index. For further information, I also recommend the books Understanding The Difficult Words of Jesus by David Bivin, Our Hands Are Stained With Blood by Michael L Brown, Yeshua by Ron Moseley and Your People Shall Be My People by Don Finto. May the reader be blessed with insight and understanding.

Editorial Review:

A book the whole Church needs to read! A challenge to conventional Christian ideas! Clear thinking about neglected questions such as:

- What central truth, ignored for 1800 years, must be restored if the Church is to fulfill the Great Commission?
- How are both the Jews and the Church God's people?
- Is there a difference between Jew and Gentile in the body of the Messiah?
- Will God fulfill all of his promises to Israel?
- Does the Law of Moses remain in force today?
- Is the Church antisemitic? If so, what can you do about it?
- Should the Church evangelize Jews today? If so, how?

Surprising answers to these and other crucial questions, along with suggestions for godly action, are given in this exciting and insightful book by an Israeli Messianic Jew, a Jew who trusts Yeshua (Jesus).

Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and Theology

Nancy Jean Vyhmeister

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Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Not Indispensable, But Really Very Good 4 out of 5 stars.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.

Vyhmeister sets out to provide step-by-step guidance to completing all manner of written works for students of 'theology'. By theology, it is really meant any type of Christian religious instruction, not just an M. Div. With this in mind, Vyhmeister largely meets the goal, giving instructions (sometimes often very basic ones) for selecting a topic, organizing a paper, conducting research, etc.

Where this work shines is in the bibliography examples. If you need a bibliography entry for a multi-author, multi-volume commentary, there is an example. Indeed, there are a bewildering variety of examples, many of which I never hope to meet, but I rest in the assurance that I have an example. This work also has a very good, simple process for conducting research, something that is often not taught. Had I followed it, I could tell you where Vyhmeister declares that my papers can become works of art. Alas, I just don't remember!

On the other hand, the section on statistics, graphs and tables, is cursory at best, and any true research effort involving statistical analysis and presentation of same would require a more specialized work. I say this as a warning to users of the book, not as a negative of this work.

Additionally, the work is very helpful if you are entering into theological studies from another career, such as engineering. While not explicit, one can gain a very good understanding of just who theological papers differ from other types of research.

Finally, Zondervan's paper back binding is terrible. My copy showed significant wear after its first reading, and I suspect that it will wear out in short order. That is all the more surprising, considering it is a very useful desk reference. Indeed it even says that it is an "... Indispensable Guide to Writing...". If you really feel that way Zondervan, make a hardback!

Editorial Review:

Nancy Vyhmeister's Quality Research Papers is fast becoming a standard reference textbook for writing research papers in the field of religion and theology. It takes the student from the beginning assignment of a paper through the research phase to the finished paper. This second edition gives improvements and added material for such things as the expanding field of online research and doing church-related research in a professional manner. Resources for doing research are updated throughout the book.

To Know as We Are Known: Education as a Spiritual Journey

Parker J. Palmer

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Total reviews: 28 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Outstanding and transformational! 5 out of 5 stars.
12 of 12 people found this review helpful.

Parker Palmer has created a truly outstanding work with To Know as We Are Known. This work explores the nature of truth, and challenges readers to examine and transform the ways they teach and learn
Palmer's model centers on the premise that truth is neither objective (an object can be manipulated, abused, and co-opted for use to whatever ends we so desire, we do not bear the kind of love that requires responsibility toward objects) nor subjective (subjectivism is the decision to listen only to ourselves in the search for truth, it concedes diversity without calling into dialogue.) Truth is relational. Real truth can only be found in an open willingness to both search out and listen in respect (borne out of non-selfish love) to the subject being learned, the students being taught, and to the future we are creating together.
In order to illustrate the objectivist approach to knowledge, he uses the example of the atomic bomb. He quotes Robert Oppenheimer as saying "The physicists have known sin." The objective way treats knowledge as something self-contained, and takes no responsibility for the outcomes of research or development. He lets the fruits of this way, the example of Hiroshima, stand in stark contrast to a story about 4th century wandering mystics and hermits (the Desert Fathers and Mothers.)
The story is about Abba (Father) Felix, and a group of monks who sought him out for his wisdom. They begged him to give them a word of truth. He was silent for a long time, and then explained that God had withdrawn words of truth from old men, because those who seek them out had no intention of following the truth they received with their lives. The brothers then realized their own intentions and groaned "Pray for us Abba Felix!"
In this example, which becomes a central illustration throughout the book, Abba Felix is not treating truth (in this case religious truth) as an object which he possesses and can dispense to whomever he pleases. Instead, he initiates a relationship with the students, assessing their need- which is not platitudes or gems of wisdom, but a wake-up call- and gives them truth in love that transforms their minds instead of just adding to their store of objective knowledge bits. Palmer describes how this method is applicable not only to religious truth but to all subjects; from treating historical literary figures as friends whose voices need to be listened for in their work, to emphasizing the responsibility to community and future with which scientists need to go about their research.
The style of writing can be a bit complicated at first. This is hardly surprising, as Palmer tells us he has spent his early career writing for Academia. It is, however, well worth the minor effort needed to adjust to the style. Another weakness of this work is the practical application suggestions, Palmer spends only two chapters on them and at that point the book gets less engaging.
Overall, these problems are vastly overshaddowed by the worth of this book. It is transformational, and I wish everyone would read, understand, and be open to its message.

Editorial Review:

This primer on authentic education explores how mind and heart can work together in the learning process. Moving beyond the bankruptcy of our current model of education, Parker Palmer finds the soul of education through a lifelong cultivation of the wisdom each of us possesses and can share to benefit others.

The Original Blue Back Speller (Vocabulary of a Warrior)

Noah Webster

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Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Good but difficult to read 3 out of 5 stars.
13 of 19 people found this review helpful.

This book is very interesting to read but you probably would not want to use it in your homeschool as I was hoping to because the type is small and hard to read This must be because of the way that it was printed or the type or printer that was used, I don't know. This is a shame because it is biblicaly based and very moral and spiritually uplifting reading unlike most of the begining reader material out there. If only it could be reprinted with clearer type.

Editorial Review:

The great American educator Noah Webster first published A Grammatical Institute of the English Language, otherwise known as the Blue Back Speller, in 1783. His goal was to provide a uniquely American, Christ-centered approach to training children. Little did he know that this remarkable gem would become the staple for parents and educators for more than a century and would help to build the most literate nation in the history of the West. Many of the Founding Fathers used this book to home school their children, including Benjamin Franklin who taught his granddaughter to read, spell, and pronounce words using "Old Blue Back."

Un Curso De Milagros

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Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Un Curso de Milagros 5 out of 5 stars.
12 of 12 people found this review helpful.

Un Curso de Milagros me hizo plantearme muchas preguntas sobre mi vida, el mundo, el amor, el odio, el perdon, etc.
Este Curso, nos enseña a ver el mundo de otra manera, en compañía del Guia Interno o Espiritu Santo, y propone un largo trabajo de auto observación continua.
Además, sus extraordinarios y lógicos planteamientos psicologicos me dan la certeza sobre su veracidad, sin dogmas preestablecidos como en muchas de las iglesias y movimientos espirituales actuales.
Un maravilloso libro, un maravilloso sistema, un gran maestro.

Editorial Review:

Since it was originally published in 1975, A Course in Miracles has changed the lives of millions of people around the world. Offering a complete spiritual thought system, the Course provides a path to universal love and peace by undoing fear and guilt through forgiveness. Although written in Christian terminology, the Course expresses a nonsectarian spirituality that transcends denominations and religious beliefs. UN CURSO DE MILAGROS makes these timeless teachings available to all Spanish speakers.

Defending Your Faith: An Introduction to Apologetics

R. C. Sproul

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Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Review of Defending your Faith, by RC Sproul 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

A must for the students who are learning apologetics and those who are aquainted with the suject. RC Sproul submits the subject in a format that is scholerly and readable at the same time. A must read for any who desire to understand what they believe and be able to defend it before those who would oppose it.

One of Christianity's finest scholars - but alas, classical apologetics is a lost cause. 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 10 people found this review helpful.

I have often enjoyed reading RC Sproul's writing. He is intelligent, thorough, and knowledgeable while conveying a sense of engaging warmth. The subject matter he is dealing with however, is a lost cause. The classical arguments to defend the Christian faith all do have holes in them, and Sproul, though he is a brilliant man, has not succeeded in plugging them. This comes down to the simple reality that a truly faulty argument can never be made "not-faulty" no matter how brilliant the scholar is who attempts to make it so. So it is with the various arguments within classical apologetics. For the sake of being concise, I will deal with Sproul's presentation of the cosmological argument. It's presentation is common enough that I assume the reader's general familiarity with it. In defending the argument, he challenges the argument that matter/energy can be eternal. He maintains that even though matter/energy is conserved and constently changing, it the core of it - whatever pulsating stuff matter/energy ultimately is, it cannot be eternal. There is simply no reason we have to accept this as true. The big bang is not regarded by astrophysicists and cosmologists as the "creation" of matter and energy. It is understood as an event in the distant past when all the matter and energy that is within our universe was contained within a singularity which exploded. There is no evidence and no reason to believe that logically prior to the big bang it wasn't also in existence. Indeed, many viable cosmological models presume it was. So matter/energy not only can be eternal, but there is a good scientific reason to believe it is - this is known in science as the law of conservation of matter/energy. (Matter/energy can neither be created or destroyed). A corresponding problem with his argument is the claim that God simply always was and needs no explanation. Why? Because God has "aseity". That's a property which means one doesn't need to have been created. Rather than shedding light on the issue this merely lends a false sense of credibility to the cosmological argument by enhancing an already unecessarily pseudo-sophisticated vocabulary.
I do credit Sproul with not trying to make the cases that evidentialists attempt to make. I also respect that he sees the bankrupcy of fideism and presuppositionalism. Unfortunately, classical apologetics also remain insufficient, as all efforts at Christian apologetics do. The problem is that Christianity contains beliefs that (figuratively speaking) "want" to exist in a realm beyond questionability, as mythology and theism both do. Unfortunately, unlike mythology and theism, Christianity makes assertions that can be challenged and tested according to logic, history, and other disciplines. In the end, Christian truth cannot stand because it's not true.

Editorial Review:

In this primer of apologetic thought, Dr. Sproul affirms four logical principles that are necessary for all real discussion and teaches you how to defend your faith in a faithless world. Using the writings of church fathers and philosophers throughout the ages, he uncovers the common ideologies that work against faith.

Finding God at Harvard: Spiritual Journeys of Thinking Christians

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Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The Boston Globe bestseller!

Ari Goldman's best-selling book, The Search for God at Harvard, chronicled his search for signs of genuine religious faith at Harvard Divinity School. He concluded that God was not very evident at the prestigious Ivy League campus.

In Finding God at Harvard, Kelly Monroe Kullberg reveals a different picture of Christian faith in a secular intellectual setting. She presents the compelling testimonies of forty-two faculty members, former students, and distinguished orators at Harvard. Their candid reflections explode the myth that Christian faith cannot survive a rigourous intellectual atmosphere.

Finding God at Harvard speaks to the emptiness that haunts college campuses across the country an emptiness that only Truth can fill. As Monroe's contributors so vividly show, that Truth is available to everyone.

With contributions from Robert Coles, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Armand Nicholi, Nicholas Wolterstorff, Lamin Sanneh, Elizabeth Dole, Owen Gingerich and Mother Teresa.

Features and Benefits

• The Boston Globe bestseller
• Winner of the ECPA Gold Medallion Book Award
• Contributors include Robert Coles, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Armand Nicholi, Nicholas Wolterstorff, Lamin Sanneh, Elizabeth Dole, Owen Gingerich and Mother Teresa

Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health

Donald S. Whitney

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Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Most Christians desire a deeper walk with Christ. Many are pursuing activities geared to help them grow spiritually. But many believers wonder if they are really making progress. They're spiritually active, but are they spiritually healthy? Would Jesus look at their endeavors (prayer, church attendance, evangelism, Bible study, etc.) and pronounce them spiritually fit? Or does He have an altogether different set of criteria by which He measures their spiritual well-being?

Best-selling author Don Whitney (Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life) is no stranger to activities and disciplines designed to move believers toward a deeper relationship with Jesus. The ten probing questions Whitney poses in this book will help readers look beyond their spiritual activity to assess the true state of their spiritual health. His questions cut to the heart of the matter: Is the reader's character becoming more like Christ's?

There's a difference between being spiritually healthy and being spiritually busy. Don Whitney poses ten probing questions to help you evaluate your growth in important areas of your life.

Coming to Peace With Science: Bridging the Worlds Between Faith and Biology

Darrel R. Falk

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Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Is a thoroughly Christian and biblically informed doctrine of creation compatible with widely held conclusions of modern science, especially biology?For Darrel R. Falk, this is not just an abstract question but one with which he has personally wrestled. A professor of biology, Falk brings together his biblically based understanding of creation and the most current research in biology. The result of his efforts to acknowledge the validity of science and the authority of Scripture is a new paradigm for relating the claims of science to the truths of Christianity. Written with the undergraduate student in mind, this book nonetheless will help anyone who is looking for a place to stand in the creation-evolution debate, fearful that they'll have to choose between intellectual integrity and the faith of the church. Calling for charitable discussions within the church, Falk shows how an original and ongoing interaction of God with creation is fully reconcilable with the kinds of development identified by current biological science.