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.

The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie and The Gospel of Wealth (Signet Classics)

Average customer rating:

Great book for inspiration
Interesting ideas
Great Lessons for the budding Entrepreneur

The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie and The Gospel of Wealth (Signet Classics)
Andrew Carnegie
Manufacturer: Signet Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Andrew Carnegie
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ASIN: 0451530381

Book Description

Here is the enlightening memoir of the industrialist as famous for his philanthropy as for his fortune.

Customer Reviews:

Great book for inspiration.......2007-06-27

I read this book as a recommendation from the book "Success through a positive mental attitude" and it is a good read. It is a bit slow at first and its written in an older style of English. Once you pick up the style though the book becomes very interesting, I often read it before sales calls to motivate myself.

Interesting ideas.......2007-06-19

The autobiography gives a good (but sometimes slight) overview of Carnegie's rise from a bobbin boy to one of the richest men in the world. The autobiography doesn't tell you "this is how to become rich", but instead shows Carnegie's values and approach to the working world. The Gospel of Wealth is an interesting idea: the rich got rich by being the most talented and hard-working and deserve their wealth. Since the rich are the smartest and most talented of us, they should best decide how their money gets distributed so that it will best help all of mankind. If money was given to the poor, instead of put into public works and trusts, the poor would blow it because they don't know how to handle money. If they did, they'd be rich! I like this idea, but rarely, if ever do I see it practiced. The rich aren't always the most talented, intelligent, or hard-working people, rarely do they use their wealth for the public good (unless it's a tax write-off), and most of their money gets passed on to their children. I definitely recommend this book. Try these ideas out for yourself.

Great Lessons for the budding Entrepreneur.......2007-04-19

Andrew Carnegie played the game of life to perfection, which is how he ended up the richest man in the world. He had so much amazing wisdom. He made very wise choices starting from the earliest age up to the end of his life. Many people gain some wisdom as they grow older, but what's even more amazing about Andrew Carnegie is that he was wise even as a child and a teenager. Perhaps his parents and other elders taught him very well. It seems like Carnegie always made the best and wisest business decisions. The few times something went wrong, it wasn't his fault and it didn't set him back much. Lately I've been learning a lot about business, marketing, and success. I've gotten a lot of great advice about success. And when I read Carnegie's book, I got to see all these success principles in action. Carnegie's life is full of great examples of what you should do to be successful as a person and as a businessman.

I've seen some claims that he was just another ruthless robber barron, but I think that is a very unfair depiction. I think he did a great job of leading the steel industry and making sure that it took advantage of the most advanced technology available at the time and did things on the most efficient and secure basis. He had a great ability to get along with people and I believe he did treat people very fairly. And by the time he died, he had given away 90% of his fortune to benefit the world through education, culture, etc. I think that is a large piece of evidence showing that he was a well-intentioned, good-hearted person.

The American Dream vs. The Gospel of Wealth: The Fight for a Productive Middle-Class Economy (The Future of American Democracy Series)

Average customer rating:

Very good, important book
Myth-Buster
Bill Moyers, Senator Hillary Clinton and Alan Blinder loved this book too.

The American Dream vs. The Gospel of Wealth: The Fight for a Productive Middle-Class Economy (The Future of American Democracy Series)
Norton Garfinkle
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0300108605

Book Description

Norton Garfinkle paints a disquieting picture of America today: a nation increasingly divided between economic winners and losers, a nation in which the middle-class American Dream seems more and more elusive. Recent government policies reflect a commitment to a new supply-side winner-take-all Gospel of Wealth. Garfinkle warns that this supply-side economic vision favors the privileged few over the majority of American citizens striving to better their economic condition.

Garfinkle employs historical insight and data-based economic analysis to demonstrate compellingly the sharp departure of the supply-side Gospel of Wealth from an American ideal that dates back to Abraham Lincoln—the vision of America as a society in which ordinary, hard-working individuals can get ahead and attain a middle-class living, and in which government plays an active role in expanding opportunities and ensuring against economic exploitation. Supply-side economic policies increase economic disparities and, Garfinkle insists, they fail on technical, factual, moral, and political grounds. He outlines a fresh economic vision, consonant with the great American tradition of ensuring strong economic growth, while preserving the middle-class American Dream.

Customer Reviews:

Very good, important book.......2007-03-03

I heard about this book from Bill Moyers, he mentioned it several times while speaking at the National Conference for Media Reform in Memphis. When I got back, I went to every single book store in Oklahoma City and none carried it, so I knew this must be a good, intellectual book. After finishing it, I must say indeed it is just that, full of good arguments and history and basically saying "..ok, you have to do this or theres going to be problems". It is very readable and I highly recommend Garfinkel's fine work.

Myth-Buster.......2007-02-23

I agree that this book was insightful and easy to read. More importantly, the information is thorough and paints an extremely cohesive picture of why current tax policy is wrong-headed. It is now almost a principle of faith that lower taxes on the highest earners bring increased investment and thus faster economic growth. There have been no definitive studies done that support this myth. This book debunks the "Gospel of Wealth" contention with real economic numbers and historical survey. Trickle-down theory has been exposed to the light of factual analysis as a benefit to the super-rich.

Bill Moyers, Senator Hillary Clinton and Alan Blinder loved this book too........2006-10-06

Bill Moyers said:
"The American Dream vs. The Gospel of Wealth: The Fight for a Productive Middle-Class Economy is the most important book I've read in years.

It is the clearest, most readable, most insightful, and most powerful account of how the Declaration of Independence and Lincoln's vision of government "of, by, and for the people" are being turned upside down. Garfinkle has sounded the one trumpet that just might wake us up -- if there is still time."

Senator Hillary Clinton said:
"We can choose to chart a wiser economic path by starting with the principles that have inspired Americans from the beginning: Sticking with fiscal discipline, rewarding hard work, investing in our people, and growing a strong middle class.

In The American Dream vs. The Gospel of Wealth, Norton Garfinkle addresses these important economic issues, issues that should be addressed at all levels of government and our society if we expect to maintain the American Dream for future generations."

Alan Blinder, the former Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System said:
"This fascinating guided tour of America's past reminds us of the moral dimension of economic policy - which used to loom large, but which lately has been submerged. Garfinkle's book may help bring it back."

I think every other reader will agree with Bill Moyers, Senator Hillary Clinton and Alan Blinder and will enjoy this book as much as I did.

Gospel of Wealth (Little Books of Wisdom (Applewood))

Average customer rating:

Don't Buy
don't buy - don't buy -
A greedy oppressor of the working man
Inspires the best
Almost wasteful

Gospel of Wealth (Little Books of Wisdom (Applewood))
Andrew Carnegie
Manufacturer: Applewood Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1557094713

Book Description

This classic breakthrough essay by Andrew Carnegie about the responsibilities of those of wealth to use their wealth for the good of society first appeared in the North American Review in 1898.

Customer Reviews:

Don't Buy.......2006-11-04

Just a quick note, the essay is interesting, but it is in the public domain, and a complete text of the essay can be found with a quick google search. Don't waste your money.

don't buy - don't buy -.......2006-09-17

"the gospel of wealth, by Andrew Carnegie" - sounds interesting, but it wasn't. This is the text of a magazine article he wrote. The theme is transfering wealth to future generations by inheritance, foundations, or spending it yourself before you die.

If you buy this book, you will get a razor thin book that is just a few thousand words.

A greedy oppressor of the working man.......2006-01-29

Carnegie gained his wealth by ruthlessly crushing the working man--crushing trade unions, cutting wages in the interest of profit. Yes, he built many libraries, etc. but he still died wealthy, with wealth obtained at the cost of the lives and health of tens of thousands of his employees. This is what American capitalism is built on, and we accept it as gospel truth now, without ever taking a real look at this man!

Inspires the best.......2005-07-20

John D. Rockefeller said this book inspired him. A previous reviewer said he read that it inspired Bill Gates too. It is no coincidence that Rockefeller, Gates, and Carnegie were the three greatest philanthropists in American history. These men have contributed more to America than 10,000 average people could. The following are just some of the contributions of the above three men: Carnegie Mellon, U of Chicago, Spellman College, Rockefeller University, medical advancements, public libraries, medical aid, art donations to museums, etc. They could have been like J. Paul Getty and hoarded the money, but they chose (or choose) to be great men.

The book talks about the responsibilities of wealthy people. Wealthy people have the opportunity to help people who don't have much opportunity and Carnegie writes about the responsibility wealthy people have to them.

Almost wasteful.......2001-12-06

Though this essay has good points, there are also things you must look at; greed. Greed can ultimately leed to things that harm and hurt people.

I agree with the fact that richer people help the economy but I also would like to add that they are very influencial... these rich people get outplayed and others follow. It always matter what kind of person.

Keeping money within your pocket doesn't help at all... and so does this say that. Circulate through the economy, but also circulate through the poor.

Book Description

Is it God's will that believers be healthy, wealthy, and wise? Wise, definitely, but Robert M. Bowman questions those who teach a message of bodily health and financial prosperity through faith. In this balanced book, Bowman examines the word of faith movement by revealing the origins, teachers, and errors of this distortion of Christian doctrine. The faith healing and prosperity gospel aspects of the movement are what appeal to some and turn off others, causing a confusing and sometimes heated controversy.

But the word of faith movement is, Bowman insists, "neither soundly orthodox nor thoroughly heretical." Using the Bible as his touchstone, Bowman helps readers sort through the controversy and distinguish acceptable Pentecostal teachings from distorted offshoots. He guides believers curious about the role of faith in healing and prosperity, and encourages charismatics to pursue a rich, mature, biblically sound Pentecostalism.

Customer Reviews:

Balanced and Systematic approach.......2006-08-20

While I haven't read many books on the Word of Faith movement yet, I believe Robert Bowman's has to be one of the best ones out there. He takes a very balanced and systematic approach to dissecting the historical and theological traditions of the movement. He also does a great job--perhaps one of the best that I've ever seen in any critical work--of not interjecting his personal beliefs in with his analysis. While I'm sure his beliefs affect his analysis (as all of ours do), he does not offer social or personal commentary on his research. This is welcome and helps the reader come to his or her own conclusion.

Of course the question at hand is whether or not the Word of Faith movement is based on some heresy. Bowman argues that the best of Word-Faith theology is grounded in the evangelical healing tradition, but that some of its specific (and signature) doctrines indeed cross the line of being unorthodox if not heretical. He argues that Word-Faith is not a cult, nor do its teachers intend it to be, but that its doctrines as formulated especially by Kenneth Copeland are leading massive numbers of Christians astray. He argues this point well through a number of chapters where he analyzes each doctrinal component as compared with Scripture, as does he weave in how his assessments differ from other commentators' (such as Hannegraff and DeArteaga).

I think his more debatable and less well-argued points come in where he questions some of the faith statements of the larger Pentecostal-Charismatic community. While he is right to leave "no stone unturned" or allow any "sacred cows" to sneak in the back door, I found his biblical assessment of themes such as Christ's nature in the believer, the question of dominion over sickness, and other aspects of the Holy Spirit's indwelling to be more suspect. In no way is he hostile or polemical to charismatic theology per se, but his powerful exegesis prevalent in his other analyses (i.e. the Trinity) is wanting. I was less convinced to be worried about these aspects of the Word-Faith or larger charismatic community.

Anyway, a great read on the subject. Very comprehensive and thoughtful. Takes some time to work through.

Bowman Too Afraid To Boldly Declare Truth........2006-05-10

In his treatment of the Word of Faith movement and the controversy surrounding it, Bowman cites the weaknesses of the Health and Wealth Gospel, but he's too careful not to offend. The Word of God teaches that in the last days false prophets and false teachers shall abound whom we should neither entertain nor bid Godspeed (II John 1:9-10).

However, those of us who are not deceived by the machinations of these false preachers and teachers are to boldly proclaim the truth without compromise. Jesus Himself came not to send peace, but a sword (Matt. 10:34). In fact, chasing the money changers out of the temple was a display of how passionate He was about dispensing with the practice of greed in the church(Matt. 21:12-13). The Word of Faith movement is deeply rooted in meta-physical thought and application, which makes it a cult. No need to be so politically correct, Bowman. Be bold enough to come out and attack these false teachings that are leading millions of people astray, and quite possibly into hell. If he were writing a comparative analysis of religions or churches, then this book would be fine. However, the title implies that he's presenting an expose of what the Word of Faith movement is truly about, how it deceives, and what it is that causes such controversy.

This book would have been much more interesting had Bowman been brave enough to take a position and then defend that position using the truth of God's Word. Instead he plays it too safe and stays in the middle of the road. Bowman contends that the Word of Faith doctrine is neither heretical nor orthodox. Well, I've got news for you, Bowman: A little truth mixed with a little error is still a lie. Don't you know that "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump(I Cor. 5:6)"? The same neither-heretical-nor-orthodox argument can be made of the discourse between Eve and the serpent in Gen. 3:1-5. Satan starts his mix of orthodoxy and heresy with, "Yea, hath God said..." And the leaven in that lump led to the death of the entire human family. When it comes to holiness, either you "is" or you "ain't". There's no option for in-between when it comes to the truth of God's Word. It's an all or nothing type deal.

Of course, we can not condemn the men and women who espouse Health-Wealth-Positive Confession theology which ultimately amounts to the Gospel of Greed, but we must speak the truth, and pray for our brothers and sisters who are obviously misled and deceived. We need to pray that the Lord will give these people repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, and pray that they recover themselves out of the snare of the devil. However, at the same time we should not be too delicate about exposing the lies of Satan that these teachers so vehemently and unabashedly propagate.

I know firsthand that these teachings are aberrant, unsound, destructive and cultic in nature. They teach that every Christian should be rich and if you are not rich, then you don't have faith. They teach that if you are sick and you are not miraculously healed then there is something wrong with your walk with God. They teach that if you are having financial difficulties then either you are not giving enough money to their church or you do not have faith. In other words, if you don't get everything you want from God, if your life isn't a utopia, if you don't follow their formulaic teachings to the letter, then your very salvation comes into question. This doctrine does nothing but consume the believer with guilt and condemnation.

It is so amazing to me how teachers like Ken Copeland, Fred Price and Creflo Dollar teach this blab and grab gospel without any consideration to the sovereignty of God. They've completely taken God off the throne and have replaced Him with Kenneth Hagin. More reprehensible is the notion that "you can write your own ticket with God" (quoting Kenneth Hagin). How arrogant and sacrilegious can one get as to think that the Holy God of the universe is there to cater to you and your materialistic whims and desires. What ever happened to teachings on humility, reverence, self-denial, a life of service, sacrifice and taking up our crosses? This is what the Bible teaches. The Word of Faith teachers are so focused on this temporary earthly existence and all the fine accoutrements of this material world that they completely miss the scriptures about storing up treasures in heaven.

I believe in miracles and healing; I have been healed myself and have seen many others healed. Conversely, I have seen a number of dedicated and loving Christians die of disease; should their Christian walk be called into question because of it? Absolutely NOT! As sure as the sparks fly upward, we will have troubles, trials, tribulations and afflictions, and the immutable guarantee that all of us (Word of Faith or no) will DIE. Kenneth Hagin himself died in a Cardiac ICU Center while hooked up to a ventilator. However, his family and co-laborers tried desperately to keep this fact a secret as it flies in the face of what they teach--that saints of God do not die of disease.

While I believe some of these Word of Faith teachers are sincere in their efforts, albeit sincerely in error, there are others who are con artists and snake oil salesmen who use the Gospel to bamboozle the unsuspecting masses. To be sure it is the easiest way to finance their glamorous lifestyles filled with enormous mansions, fleets of automobiles, and private jets.

The greatest danger of the Word of Faith cult is that it dethrones God, and seeks to make human beings gods unto themselves. In fact they believe that we are in the God class which makes us little "gods." As much as God loves us, the atonement did not deify us...wake up, people--however justified, we are still HUMAN BEINGS. One of the greatest links to meta-physics is the belief that just like God, YOU can "speak" whatever YOU want into existence, and that YOU possess the identical creative power as God Himself. And that YOU can have whatsoever YOU "say". Well, what about what GOD has to say? He's left out of the equation. His control is taken away. These are clearly tenets of New Age/meta-physics and inspired by Satan; all of this confessing what YOU want into existence is what got Satan kicked out of heaven in the first place i.e., "I will be like the most high," etc. (see Isaiah 14:12-14). Word of Faith doctrine never emphasizes our complete and utter helplessness as human beings, our sinfulness and wretchedness when measured against God's holiness, our lack of independence resulting in our need to depend on Him in our affairs, and our need to constantly look to the Blood and the Cross. As subtle as some of this seems to be, the disturbing truth is God is replaced by human agents within the Word of Faith movement, and Bowman should have been bold enough to say so.

Please read this review............2005-08-12

Why does everyone who never sees miracles and healings always believe that the people who do are "of the devil" ? Just because people like Robert Bowman have not allowed God to use them to do the "greater works" that Jesus talked about, doesn't mean that everyone who does do those greater works is a "false prophet". Just because Robert Bowman and his followers have never felt the power of God hit them so strongly that their flesh couldn't stand any longer in God's presence and they fell over backwards, doesn't mean that the people who have are participating in a so-called "false revival".

I know of literally hundreds of people who have been miraculously healed (through the laying on of hands, etc). I know of thousands of individuals who magnify God by speaking in other tongues daily. I know of many people who have been prayed for and the power of God knocked them to the floor. They walked away blessed, or healed, or at least delivered from something that they were dealing with. There are videos available through the ministries of Spirit-filled, charismatic preachers who had people in their congregation to grow limbs that were previously missing (right in front of the congregation!). I have personally heard of hundreds of people who have been healed of blindness, deafness, arthritis, cancer, and even AIDS!.. all through the laying on of hands or through the minister simply speaking to their bodies in the name of Jesus. My own brother was miraculously healed through the laying on of hands by a Spirit-filled minister of the Gospel who spoke to his back and commanded it to be healed in Jesus' name. By the way, this happened at the hands of a Bible teacher that this author would crucify if he heard his "false teachings", or went to one of his "false revival" meetings.

Why do people come up with all these labels, like "health & wealth gospel" anyways? If that's how you want to label us, then so be it. I praise God that He wants me blessed. I certainly don't want to be a part of the "sickness and poverty gospel". Then again, that's certainly not the "Gospel" at all. Forms of death (disease, poverty, sin) are not "Good News". God's will is that it be on earth as it is in heaven. God displayed His perfect will for mankind in the Garden of Eden when He created it with NO sickness, NO disease, NO poverty, and NO sin. Yet many religious folks are preaching that God wants you to be sick because He's "teaching you a lesson". Or that God wants you poor so that you'll "stay humble". Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus was the manifest will of God on this earth. What did He do? He saved ALL who would receive salvation. He healed ALL who would receive healing. He delivered ALL who would receive deliverance.

Stop believing the the man-made doctrines that most of us were taught in "Sunday school" and start believing the Word of Almighty God! He doesn't want you sick and He doesn't want you poor! It doesn't matter how bad religion wants you beat up, busted, and disgusted... stop believing the lies in books like this one and start believing the GOOD News! Stop criticizing and condemning others just because you don't agree with them and get yourself into the presence of God and deal with your hatred for other men of God. Just because you don't agree with someone doesn't automatically mean that they are a "false prophet", "wolf in sheep's clothing", or "demon-possessed". Just because Robert Bowman, Hank Hanegraaff, John MacArthur, Dave Hunt (or some confusion-breeding website) claim that someone is a "false prophet", doesn't mean that they really are! Until you accept this fact, you'll never be able to walk in love toward your brothers in Christ like you should.

Great reseach on this topic.......2005-04-07

This book was a great addition to the word of faith controversy. After reading "A different Gospel" and "Christianity in Crisis", this book give a different view. It labels the movement in the extreme wing of Pentecostalism rather than a cult. Robert Bowman also looks at the works on this subject (those mention above) and trys to show where they are wrong by taking certian people in the movement out of context. I left the book having a strange conclusion about the word of faith movement, which is that they are a cult. While I got that from Christianity in Crisis, and Bowman tries to give a balance view, he gave me more evidence to label them cultic than extreme Pentecostal.

God Bless
Mr. Bowman.

Highly recommended and balanced book!.......2005-03-06

This book is awesome! Very well-balanced in its presentation of the facts and history behind the Word-Faith Movement. I've read Christianity in Crisis and Counterfeit Revival, but I thought this book was tons better.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in doing research on the Word-Faith Movement.

The Gospel of Wealth Essays and Other Writings (Penguin Classics)

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The Gospel of Wealth Essays and Other Writings (Penguin Classics)
Andrew Carnegie , and David Nasaw
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 014303989X

Book Description

Words of wisdom from American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie

Focusing on Carnegie's most famous essay, "The Gospel of Wealth," this book of his writings, published here together for the first time, demonstrates the late steel magnate's beliefs on wealth, poverty, the public good, and capitalism. Carnegie's commitment to ensuring and promoting the welfare of his fellow human beings through philanthropic deeds ranged from donations to universities and museums to establishing more than 2,500 public libraries in the English-speaking world, and he gave away more than $350 million toward those efforts during his lifetime. The Gospel of Wealth is an eloquent testament to the importance of charitable giving for the public good.

The Disease of the Health and Wealth Gospels

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A Taste of 'Fried Ice' [See Review & Booklet for Details]
short but very sweet
An excellent, biblical analysis
Releasing and Thought Provoking

The Disease of the Health and Wealth Gospels
Gordon D. Fee
Manufacturer: Regent College Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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A Different Gospel: Biblical and Historical Insights into the Word of Faith Movement
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Gospel and Spirit: Issues in New Testament Hermeneutics
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ASIN: 1573830666

Customer Reviews:

A Taste of 'Fried Ice' [See Review & Booklet for Details].......2006-09-30

This is a review of the 2006 45-page Regent College Publishing edition. I've read many of the critiques of the so-called "Word of Faith" movement, but only recently read Fee's informative booklet on the topic which is comprised of three articles (not chapters): The 'Gospel' of Prosperity, The 'Gospel' of Perfect Health, and the New Testament View of Wealth and Possessions. I wish I read it sooner since it considers the broader biblical context for the topics of health and prosperity that is lacking in some longer critiques. For the record, Fee doesn't use the phrase "Word of Faith" to describe what he calls the "perfect health" and "wealth" or "prosperity" gospel(s), although most of the names he briefly refers to (Oral Roberts, Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Kenneth Hagin [misspelled 'Hagen']), and the examples of biblical eisegesis he gives, fall within the Word of Faith movement. Fee mentions Robert Schuller in his first article on prosperity, but Schuller more appropriately falls within, or on the fringes of, the broader New Thought movement as does his mentor, Norman Vincent Peale. This movement along with Christian Science - which some conservative Christians call "mind science cults" - also have a health and wealth emphasis but vary widely in their understandings of the Bible, God, Jesus Christ, and salvation. Much of what Fee says also applies to them.

Since Fee is a Pentecostal, Assemblies of God minister who believes in the miraculous gifts of healing for today, he is careful when combating the distorted understanding of the topic. He also refers to the A/G's position paper on healing when discussing the doctrine that healing is available through Christ's atonement. Although I think he has many valuable, and correct, things to say regarding healing, I think he fails to solidly address the underlying concern of many Christians regarding healing as it relates to God's goodness and love for all. He ends his article on The 'Gospel' of Perfect Health by asserting that "the first sentence of a sound biblical theology may well be, God must do nothing" because "He is sovereign in all things and is simply not under our control." But this doesn't negate the belief that God MUST be and do only good. In some sensitive minds this translates - rightly or wrongly - to some healing (physical and spiritual) being available through faith to all who know the truth this side of death because "God is no respecter of persons".

Regarding prosperity and "selfishness", I think Fee could have balanced some of what he says with some of the teachings of John Piper. In his article on The 'Gospel' of Prosperity Fee quotes Gustav Aulen who, in part, asserted: "Every attempt to transform Christian faith into a religion of satisfaction and enjoyment is thereby doomed to failure. Egocentricity masquerading in the robes of religion is excluded." But, according to Piper's Christian 'hedonism', "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." God is glorified in satisfying human needs! Also, in his third article on the New Testament View of Wealth and Possessions, Fee rightly and scripturally points out the dangers of wealth and the value of contentment whatever the circumstances, but this doesn't negate the concept of prosperity as a contented, liberated mindset that can, through financial intelligence, produce wealth for the purpose of meeting physical needs and even funding Christian ministries and socially beneficial organizations. Having said all that, I want to again emphasize the value of this booklet and recommend it highly.

Regarding the title of my review, see the second article where Fee notes that Paul confronted the false theology among the Corinthians who "rejected Paul and his theology of the cross (with its ongoing suffering in the present age)" preferring a 'glorious' Jesus to Paul's 'crucified Messiah'. Fee says: "For the Corinthians that's like saying 'fried ice.' Messiah means power, glory, miracles; crucifixion means weakness, shame, suffering." See the article for more details. In my opinion, and I think Fee would agree, what the contemporary church lacks is a biblical, Christ-centered and liberating theology of suffering (I recommend, for starters, reading Piper's chapter on Suffering: The Sacrifice of Christian Hedonism in his 2003 edition of Desiring God).

short but very sweet.......2003-05-31

Gordon fee one of the best new testament scholars, wrote a short but very helpful little 31 page book on the Word of Faith theology .....Great work for so little book....

An excellent, biblical analysis.......2001-04-14

This is a tremendous little book. Gordon Fee is a world-class New Testament scholar and a Pentecostal. He discusses the "theology" of the health and wealth teachers and preachers and how they take Scripture out of context. With all the imbalances and biblical distortions going on in the Pentecostal/charismatic scene today, Dr. Fee's book is refreshing and much-needed.

Don't miss this one!

Releasing and Thought Provoking.......2000-03-20

This book clearly presents a thorough exegisis on the key proof texts cited to justify the popular Health and Wealth teachings. He makes the point that scripture must mean to us what it meant to its author and his original readers. For example the popular verse "Beloved I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health" was merely John's personal wish for Gaius. That is what it meant then and so what right has anyone to suggest it means anything different today. Gordon Fee also examines healing and whether or not it is part of the Atonement.

Gordon Fee is charismatic and starts of the book almost apologetically.

Book Description

There is fascination and suspicion about the wealthy. Yet there is a dearth of material in which the wealthy speak for themselves about the meaning of their lives. Gospels of Wealth provides such narrative material. This book is a novel venture in social science. It is the first book to have a broad range of wealthy individuals recount their lives in detail, and, importantly, the first to formulate a sociology of wealth that goes beyond conventional, power-elite, Marxist, and status-group theories. The authors begin with an analytical framework for studying the biographical narratives of the wealthy. Next, 12 contemporary Americans directly and vividly recount how financial and spiritual aspects of their lives unfold and invariably intertwine. A concluding section explores rules for interpreting the "truth" of moral biographies and for undertaking a critical assessment of such narratives. The book's theoretical framework and first-person accounts will appeal to general readers as well as researchers in sociology, American studies, philanthropy, economic life, and cultural studies.

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