Education Books - Page 7

Saints and Sinners: A History of the Popes

Eamon Duffy

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

An Informative Window on the Origins of Modern Christianity 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 23 people found this review helpful.

Mr. Duffy does a fine and scholarly job of throwing light on the early days and evolution of Christianity following the deaths of the Apostles.

Though a declared Catholic himself, the author does not shirk his scholarly duty or flinch in portraying the corrupt and sordid turmoil which traditional, institutional Christianity asks us to believe was the historical conduit - now two thousand years long - through which the truth about Jesus Christ and his teachings has been conveyed to the modern world.

With the historical record before us in such credible scholarly works as Mr. Duffy's, who but a total fool could believe for a minute that what we have received from this debauched and corrupt tradition is a trustworthy and dependable rendering of the religion of Jesus Christ?

What reasonable person could believe that any of the outrageous historical shenanigans depicted in Mr. Duffy's book were authorized, empowered and approved by the God of either the Old or New Testatment, or would have been looked upon with favor by the humble Man of Nazarath himself?

By what distortion or corruption of logic and common sense could a person living today be asked to believe that, having traveled long and only lately emerged - if indeed it has emerged - from the very sewer of history, this tradition does, in its many modern institutional varieties and variations, Catholic, Protestant and Othodox, somehow accurately and thoroughly convey to us the mind and will of God and the "good news" of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Not likely, friends.

Ron Jones
Sandy, Utah

Editorial Review:

Encompassing the history of the Papacy, from its beginning to the reign of Pope John Paul II, this text considers: papal authority after the execution of Peter the Apostle; the Crusades; and the Inquisition. It discusses the current concerns of the Papacy - war, abortion and the death penalty.

A Christian's Secret of a Happy Life

Hannah Whitall Smith, Marguerite Gavin

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 42 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Archaic title for a classic work on Christian Spirituality 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

My review is in response to a very "sad" review written from an already established position. The reviewer (I think Tim Challies) gives us what he thinks is the thrust of the book, "What must the Christian DO in his quest for VICTORY?," then offers his simplistic review of Hannah Smith's response, "NOTHING." Challies then sums up Smith's work with his critique of "the man-centered and subjective age in which we live," and puts Smith in this category. This is an amazingly simplistic (and ignorant) summation by an educated person - this is why I think it betrays "an already established position."

Hannah Smith lived in the latter half of the 19th century - the terms "happy" and "gay" had different meanings in common use than what we have today. A better title for this book would be "The Christian's Secret to a Joyful Life," but we cannot retitle the work.

Smith is writing to refute the basic practical theology of her strict Quaker background which apparently leaned heavily on the force of a person's determined will and discipline to gain freedom from sin. Many of us have seen how this emphasis, while possibly effective in the life of one generation, can lead to dead works and dry religion in the following generations that lack the intense affections of the initial leaders and have only been given the "right doctrine" to live by.

Let's allow Hannah Smith to speak for herself;

==========================
The most difficult thing we have to manage is self....In laying off your burdens, therefore, the first one you must get rid of is yourself. You must hand yourself and all your inward experiences, your temptations, your temperament...all over into the care and keeping of your God, and leave them there. He made you, and therefore He understands you and knows how to manage you, and you must trust Him to do it. Say to Him, "Here, Lord, I abandon myself to thee. I have tried in every way I could think of to manage myself, and to make myself what I know I ought to be, but have always failed. Now I give it up to thee. Do thou take entire possession of me....And here you must rest, trusting yourself thus to Him continually and absolutely....

Perfect obedience would be perfect happiness....
Consecration is the first thing....In order for a lump of clay to be made into a beautiful vessel, it must be entirely abandoned to the potter, and must lie passive in his hands. And in order for a soul to be made into a vessel unto God's honor, "sanctified and meet for the Master's use, and
prepared unto every good work," it must be entirely abandoned to Him, and must lie passive in His hands....

Oh, be generous in your self-surrender! Meet His measureless devotion for you, with a measureless devotion to Him. Be glad and eager to throw yourself headlong into His dear arms, and to hand over the reins of
government to Him. Whatever there is of you, let Him have it all. Give up forever everything that is separate from Him. Consent to resign from
this time forward all liberty of choice...
(I cannot find my copy and have used the online version)
==========================

This is far from doing NOTHING. Smith's focus is on the most difficult aspect of living for God - the abandonment of YOUR will. She maintains
that IF you can truly abandon yourself (I do not think this can be done 100% of the time anyway) God will do His work in you. In the past, some
20 years ago when I first read this book, I wondered if Watchman Nee had read Hannah Smith. In his little powerful book, "Sit, Walk, Stand" he
says this,

"If at the outset we try to do anything, we get nothing...For Christianity begins not with a big DO, but with a big DONE." p.14 (Tyndale, 1977)

Maybe Challies believes that Nee also distorted scripture here (I should confess that I am not a fan of everything Nee writes).

Again, Challies: "God calls Christians, not to happiness, but to holiness." Smith's comments on "perfect obedience would be perfect happiness" directly address this accusation. Did Challies really even read Smith's book? It is difficult for me to think so. "The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life" is far from the "self-help psychobabel" label Challies gives to it.

It is true that Hannah Smith did not have a "happy" life. She had some marital issues and an unfaithful husband; she seems to have suffered some
depression; and her theology was not always orthodox - she apparently struggled with the concept of eternal punishment (like Origen!).
Nonetheless, this book by Hannah Smith has remained a Christian classic for a reason - it is challenging and good.

And by the way, Hannah Smith did die in great misery - she suffered from arthritis during the final years of her life.

R.A. Baker
Ph.D. Ecclesiastical History

Editorial Review:

More than a century after its first publication, this small treasure is an uplifting guide to the true meaning of the Bible's message:
We have all been endowed by our Creator with the strength and spirit to move beyond life's difficulties and attain the shining happiness that is Christianity's promise.

The Active Life: A Spirituality of Work, Creativity, and Caring

Parker J. Palmer

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

you said it 3 out of 5 stars.
45 of 60 people found this review helpful.

I believe the words were 'narrow-minded religious zealot,' though I might prefer 'nearly as arrogant as he is ignorant' to describe the previous reviewer. He had nothing interesting or useful to say, and thus decided simply to be mean. I feel no need to defend Parker Palmer; I do, however, feel compelled to rebuke said reviewer, and to hope that his angry demons will be exorcised. If only our poor reviewer spent less time judging, and more time reading (and learning)...

Editorial Review:

The Active Life is Parker J. Palmer's deep and graceful exploration of a spirituality for the busy, sometimes frenetic lives many of us lead. Telling evocative stories from a variety of religious traditions, including Taoist, Jewish, and Christian, Palmer shows that the spiritual life does not mean abandoning the world but engaging it more deeply through life-giving action. He celebrates both the problems and potentials of the active life, revealing how much they have to teach us about ourselves, the world, and God.

For the Children's Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School (Child-Life Book)

Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Common Sense Education 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

For those who are disenchanted with the high pressure standardized-testing mentality prevalent in classrooms today, this book explains the educational philosphy of Charlotte Mason. It is God-focused (Susan is the daughter of Christian apologtic Francis Shaeffer), natural, and relaxed. It is a must-read for any classroom teacher, homeschool parent, or school administrator.

Editorial Review:

For the Children's Sake is a book about what education can be--for your child, in your home, and in your school. It is based first on a Christian understanding of what it means to be human--to be a child, a parent, a teacher--and on the Christian meaning of life. At the same time it is deeply practical. Many of the central ideas have been tried and proven true over a century in almost every kind of educational situation. The ideas are in fact so true that they can be applied equally at home, in different schools, in Africa, in the inner city, and in your own community. But they are also ideas which Susan and her husband Ranald Macaulay have tried and proven in their own family and school experience.

A Family Guide to Narnia: Biblical Truths in C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia

Christin Ditchfield

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 22 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Allows you to view Narnia in a whole new light. 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book opened a new depth to the Chronicles.It expounds on lessons that could be easily overlooked or unnoticed.It draws parallels to biblical stories and values in a very simple and easy to follow way.This book enhanced my Narnia experience.

Good for Parents to use as a Teaching Device... 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is good for parents to read, and then explain how the book compares to the bible to their children.

Narnia's Companion 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Like in life; men and women need companions...this family guide is a MUST for families as a companion for The Chronicles of Narnia.

"Family Guide" delivers what it promises. 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

A Family Guide to Narnia: Biblical Truths in C.S. Lewis's the Chronicles of Narnia offers the reader exactly what it promises. It is an easy-to-use reference guide for Christian families who are teaching their children Biblical truths found in the Chronicles of Narnia series.
It is certainly written in an accessible family-friendly style, and I found it an invaluable resource in the classroom as well!

Editorial Review:

Do you read The Chronicles of Narnia sensing that the stories are full of biblical parallels, even if you re not always sure what they are or where to find them? This user-friendly companion to The Chronicles of Narnia is written for C. S. Lewis readers like you who want to discover the books biblical and Christian roots.

Absolute Surrender

Andrew Murray

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A Favorite 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Right up there near Brother Lawrence's "The Practice of the Presence of God" (free online at the Practice Gods Presence web site) are the wonderful works of Andrew Murray. "Absolute Surrender" is a classic in every sense.

These gifted children of God have a way of restating, enlivening, and magnifying the very words of Our Lord and do greatly glorify Our Father.

Editorial Review:

This book, considered a classic of Christian devotional literature, collects the inspirational sermons of an influential 19th-century preacher and missionary on the challenging matter of how devoted Christians should properly surrender to God. In clear, easy-to-understand language, this 1895 work discusses: . how the fruit of the Spirit is love . how what is impossible with man is possible with God . how believers are kept by the power of God . and more. Seekers after spiritual succor continue to find soulful sustenance and encouragement in this work more than a century after it was first published. A South African of Scottish ancestry, Dutch Reformed Church minister ANDREW MURRAY (1828-1917) was a prolific writer, publishing more than 200 books and pamphlets, including The School of Obedience and The Deeper Christian Life.

Worship Old and New

Robert E. Webber

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Written with understanding and easy to understand 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

Several years ago I asked a youth minister to define worship. The "worship movement" was taking off, and I was a little bit uneasy about the emphasis of emotion over depth in the songs I was hearing. He didn't give me an answer and seemed a bit offended at the question. Oddly, I had no clear definition of worship myself, other than the stock phrases "to bow down" or "to exalt".

Most evangelicals believe in worship. They understand the vague concept that worship means to put God first. But that is about it. And the pattern of worship in many evangelical churches has shifted with the times. What was once and order of service that emphasized three songs and a sermon is often a pattern today of a half hour of contemporary music and a motivational speech. Reverence and awe in worship have, as a result, been lost. Many evangelicals sense something is missing, but can't put their finger on what it is.

Robert Webber has spent many years researching worship with a very calm, balanced and, yes, evangelical spirit. Though he was once a Bob Jones University student and is now within the Episcopal tradition, this volume can be embraced by Christians of virtually any denominational background.

Webber gives us Biblical basis not only for worship attitudes but worship practices and bolsters that Biblical foundation with historical background. He explains where certain practices came from, how those practices were understood by the early church and how understanding of worship has changed across history. What this allows us to see is that Worship has not been entirely static, yet there has been a consistent pattern, one that should be reclaimed even within Free Church evangelicalism.

And there is a gentle patient spirit to the tone. He critiques some recent trends without demeaning those who have embraced them. And he suggests ways Free Church evangelicals and others can adopt a historical pattern of worship without necessarily abandoning cultural relevance or their denominational roots.

The two keys I found most helpful are his suggestion that historic Christian worship has a simple structure where the people of God gather, participate in the ministry of the Word, celebrate salvation in the ministry of the Lord's table, and then are dismissed to live the gospel. This is a recognizable pattern of worship practiced for 2000 years, but is not a straightjacket that prevents creative ways of keeping the pattern fresh.

Webber also has a brief recounting of the history of the word "sacrament", the sealing of an oath or covenant, and how it gradually changed to sacramentalism in the course of the history of the Roman chruch, a shift which caused Evangelicals to react and reject the word sacrament altogether. His simple description and recounting of the history can help restore a sense of reverence to worship as Evangelicals reconsider God's role in the Lord's table and Baptism. Is there anything objectionable in Evangelical thinking to see the Lord's Supper or baptism in the context of the renewing an oath or covenant between God and man? I certainly hope not. And while it may not solve old conflicts between Protestants and Catholics, it can lead to fruitful discussion of differences.

By taking a look at history and biblical roots of worship, I think Webber has done a great service in gently suggesting there is common ground between denominations based in common practices of the whole church across history, if we take the time to see it. It is a gentle stroke on behalf of deeper faith and greater unity and should be welcomed.

Editorial Review:

The revised edition of this book, first published in 1982, comes at a time of self-conscious evaluation by Christians of how they worship on Sunday.

A Catholic Perspective on the Purpose Driven Life

Joseph M., Father Champlin

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Not Quite What I Expected 3 out of 5 stars.
90 of 92 people found this review helpful.

This book, although written well, is not quite what I expected. It is, indeed, just as the title states: "A Catholic Perspective..." It is to be used in conjunction with reading "The Purpose Driven Life." I mistakenly thought that this was a substitute for that book, as I am Catholic and I realize that our faith, although similar, does pose some differences. It is, like I said, a companion to be used while reading Rick Warren's book. I had been hoping that it was its own Catholic version, period. It still made interesting clarifications. Just wanted everyone to know what they are buying.

A Great Unbiased Work 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

I enjoyed the Purpose Driven Book by Rick Warren, but had some questions of how his perspective was presented. I found that this book is well written and supports many of Rick's thoughts and differentiates areas required from the Catholic Church in a way that is not negative to Rick Warren's original work. I really enjoyed this well written book and proud that it didn't take away from original book that has been a guide to help so many. It helps put in perspective that even thou we have difference in faith we are still all Christians with much common ground. As a Catholic I will be looking for other books from this Author going forward.

The Sacred Quest: An Invitation to the Study of Religion (3rd Edition)

Lawrence S. Cunningham, John Kelsay

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Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Great Book to Learn the Fundamentals of Religion 4 out of 5 stars.
12 of 12 people found this review helpful.

The Sacred Quest is a great read for people interested in learning about the study of religion, as it explores the meaning of the "sacred" through different mediums, including the nature and definitions of the words "sacred" and "religion," the appearance and language of the sacred in our daily lives. The authors also explore the many different types of sacred communities and rituals, which gives the reader a "crash course" into many different world religions and cultures. Another interesting aspect which the author delves into are the questions of evil and morality, although I found these two sections to be a little confusing and awkward to understand. Overall, the author does a great job of explaining the terms and ideas presented, and I would recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating subject!

Editorial Review:

For undergraduate courses in Introduction to Religion. This text provides a thematic and comparative approach to the study of religion. The focus of individual chapters gives equal weight to both theoretical issues and to practices as they are reflected in the major religions of the world.

Organic Disciplemaking: Mentoring Others Into Spiritual Maturity And Leadership

Dennis McCallum, Jessica Lowery

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great Primer on Making Disciples 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

For a number of years now I've been working on a practical how-to book on discipleship. Dennis McCallum has beaten me to the punch with Organic Disciple Making. He's written the most practical book on how to disciple people I've ever read.

Time and time again I find myself saying, "Yup, he nailed that one; that's how it works." For example, early on the book covers the subject of modeling and its key role in making disciples. Later it delves into the practical questions of how you counsel and disciple through various issues or how you deal with blocks in their development.

For example McCallum distinguishes the difference between weakness and resistance and the appropriate response of a disciple maker. A disciple struggling with weakness generally needs encouragement, whereas a disciple who is resistant often needs confrontation and possibly discipline.

I loved that the book had a whole section on coaching and I loved that its counsel is both biblically grounded and rooted in the everyday experience of someone who leads 250 home churches. I've read so many books on discipleship and few drill down to address the questions ordinary people have as they struggle to help their disciples grow.

All of us who have committed ourselves to following Jesus and representing his name need to learn how to make disciples. It was the last thing he asked us to do before leaving the earth. If you as a Jesus-follower feel like you need help in learning how to do this in a way that feels natural, do yourself a favor and get Organic Disciple Making.

Editorial Review:

How to promote Christian leadership development through the study of the history of Christianity, including discipleship, mentoring, Christian community, and personal relationships