Customer Reviews:
$200,000 .......2007-09-20
Now that she on her way to divorce she states on her site an emergence, she wants you to send her $200,000 bucks to build a new threshing floor. Too bad she spent Millions on a wedding that didn't take or she could have paid cash for her little emergence. hay wait how much was that wedding ring ??? pawn shop time !
The Threshing Floor.......2007-09-11
The Threshing Floor is an awesome book. Even though I already have a strong prayer life it offered me ways to make it even stronger. Juanita Bynum is truely an anointed woman of God who dont mind allowing the Lord to use her to reach out to others.
The thrashing floor... the Prophetess knows her stuff!.......2007-09-08
This book is a real knockout. This is solid information that will floor you with a punch of truth right to the face. Prophetess knows her stuff when it comes to empowering women and living your faith. And this book proves it. You just can't beat Juanita Bynum when it comes to hearing and the will of God. That's right you too can hear God's will, even if you have to do it with a cauliflower ear. Just like her ex-husband and current business partner Bishop Thomas Weeks, Juanita Bynum pulls no punches! So enjoy this hard-hitting look at the loving, intelligent and sophisticated manual for modern living that is the Old Testament, and don't forget to keep watching Miss Bynum and Bishop Weeks on your TV set! Everytime you tune in, you are giving that old Devil two black eyes! (And remember, if your man is mistreating you, Juanita Bynum would tell you to pack up and leave. But if you have a lucrative business enterprise together, don't go too far. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer, don't you know.)
Great.......2007-09-04
The books were great, great condition just like it was advertised and arrived in a good time frame.
An eye opener.......2007-07-20
To God be the glory. This writing has blessed many in the Body of Christ, including myself.
Often times we don't really understand how to get a prayer through - this writing is a great revelation.
Amazon.com
Closing arguments in the infamous O.J. Simpson trial hadn't even been made when the first O.J. book--the defendant's own, I Want to Tell You--hit the stands, and the ink wasn't even dry on newspaper accounts of the jury's verdict when Johnnie Cochran, Christopher Darden, Mark Fuhrman, members of the Brown and Goldman families, detectives concerned with the case, and even journalists covering the trial hurried into the fray with their own tell-all versions of this latest "trial of the century." So perhaps Marcia Clark, the chief prosecutor in the Simpson case, is a little late to the dance with her offering, Without a Doubt, cowritten with Teresa Carpenter. After all, what more is there to say? Plenty, according to Clark.
In Without a Doubt Clark painstakingly recounts the trial proceedings, from jury selection to final summation, and concludes that nothing could have saved her case, given the prominent role of race in the defense's strategy and the hostile jury who heard it. In Clark's opinion, the prosecution's mountain of evidence should have convicted Simpson 20 times over; that it did not, she says, attests to a judicial system wracked by race and overly impressed by celebrity. Amidst war stories from the trial, Marcia Clark sprinkles plenty of details about her private life before and after O.J., from a teenage rape to her ex-husband's custody suit. Followers of the O.J. case will want to add Without a Doubt to their collection.
Book Description
Without a Doubt is not just a book about a trial. It's a book about a woman. Marcia Clark takes us inside her head and her heart with a story that is both sweeping and deeply personal--and shocking in its honesty. Her voice is raw, disarming, unmistakable. She tells us how a woman, when caught up in an event that galvanized an entire country, rose to that occasion with singular integrity, drive, honesty, and grace. How did she do it, day after day? What was it like, orchestrating the most controversial case of her career in the face of the media's relentless klieg lights? How did she fight her personal battles--those of a working mother balancing a crushing workload and a painful, very public divorce? Who stood by her and who abandoned her? As Clark shares the secrets of her own life, we understand for the first time why she identified so closely with Nicole Brown Simpson, in a way no man ever could. Sparing no one in this unflinching account--least of all herself--Clark speaks frankly about the mesmerizing and controversial personalities in the Simpson case: Lance Ito, Kato Kaelin, Johnnie Cochran, Mark Fuhrman, and Christopher Darden, among others. She also takes on her critics, the "armchair warriors" who scapegoated her after the verdict, and tells us why they were wrong. In a case that tore America apart, and that continues to haunt us as few events in our recent history have, Marcia Clark emerges as the one true heroine, because she stood for justice, fought the good fight, and fought it well.
Also available as a Penguin Audiobook
A bestseller in The New York Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Publishers Weekly, and New York Newsday
TV movie rights sold to CBS
Customer Reviews:
WITHOUT A DOUBT...O. J. IS GUILTY..........2006-10-09
Any reasonable person who listened to the evidence at the so-called "trial of the century" knows without out a doubt that O. J. Simpson killed his ex-wife Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman, the hapless waiter who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Anyone who watched the announcement of the verdict and saw the shock and disbelief on O. J. Simpson's own face, as the not guilty verdict was read, would know that even the defendant knew he was guilty.
The prosecution never had much of a chance, because the presiding judge, Lance Ito, was a bumbling idiot who could not control his courtroom and make sound evidentiary rulings. . Instead, Lance Ito allowed his courtroom to become a three-ring circus. As a career prosecutor, I was appalled at the time at what went on in that courtroom, and Lance Ito's courting of the media was reprehensible. It was also clear that he was awed by and enthralled with the celebrity of the defendant appearing before him. One need only look to the civil trial in the matter to see how an effective judge controlled his courtroom. There, Judge Hiroshi Fujisaki made sound rulings on evidentiary matters and remained in control of his courtroom at all times. Consequently, justice was obtained in the civil case.
This tell all, no holds barred book is a well-written, engaging behind-the-scenes account of the "trial of the century". While Ms. Clark does include some personal information about herself, it is in the context of why she became a prosecutor and makes for a more fully fleshed account of how and why she may have acted as she did under the circumstances. She admits to some mistakes, and probably one of the biggest was having been lulled into a false sense of complacency about the competence of the criminalist assigned to the case, rather than going with her gut instinct to get whom she thought would be the best person for the job. Consequently, she was saddled with criminalist Dennis Fung, who for his incompetence in such a high profile case should have been summarily fired thereafter.
As for the defense "Dream Team", having watched their antics on court TV during the course of the trial, it was clear that they were playing to the media for all it was worth, and the media was lapping it up. So much of what the defense did went beyond what was sanctioned by evidentiary rules and the rules of professional conduct that I was both amazed and appalled. That they got away with this kind of behavior was reprehensible. The only one able to call them on it, however, was Judge Lance Ito, and he failed to do so. The blame, therefore, for all the shenanigans that went on during the course of the trial lies squarely on Lance Ito's shoulders. He definitely gets the prize for one of the greatest failures in American jurisprudence.
Still, one cannot forget prosecutor Chris Darden's ill-advised decision in proceeding to have O. .J. try on the bloodied, weathered gloves found at the scene and at his home, rather than waiting for an exact duplicate pair to be delivered by the manufacturer. In light of the fact that the manufacturer had advised the prosecution that the original gloves would have shrunk as much as fifteen percent due to repeated exposure to dampness and extremes of heat and cold, it was downright stupid for Chris Darden to proceed to have the defendant try them on. While Ms. Clark had counseled Chris Darden not to proceed with this demonstration, but rather, to wait for the new duplicate pair, he did so anyway with disastrous results. As the lead prosecutor in the case, however, the fault for this debacle lies squarely with her on this issue, rather than Mr. Darden, because when you are the lead prosecutor, the buck stops with you. Ms. Clark need look no further than herself for this major faux pas and for the ensuing creation of Johnnie Cochran's famous, catchy sound bite, "If the glove doesn't fit, then you must acquit". Never mind that the new, duplicate glove fit O. J. to perfection!
Notwithstanding the glove debacle, the forensic evidence against the defendant was overwhelming, despite the bungling of criminalist Dennis Fung. Unfortunately, the painstaking forensics case put together by the prosecution was lost under the smokescreen set off by the defense. The "Dream Team" played the race card to perfection to a sound bite crazed media that helped create a public frenzy, no doubt aided by the celebrity of the defendant. The defense team's cries of police mis-conduct and the Fuhrmanizing of the trial was a pulp journalist's dream come true. It was also a travesty of justice, as all the hoopla and media distortion masked what the trial was really about, the savage and wanton murders of two innocent human beings. Moreover, while much has been said about this being a crime of passion that the prosecution tried as dispassionately as possible, one must keep in mind that Judge Ito tied the prosecution's hands in large part, while giving the "Dream Team' an unprecedented free rein.
This book will keep courtroom junkies enthralled with its war stories and sneak peak into the "trial of the century". Ms. Clark gives an excellent analysis of what went wrong, and while some of it may be a bit self-serving, she is right on the money for the most part. This is a riveting, page turning account, and she doesn't hold back any punches. Ms. Clark painstakingly goes through the evidence that was presented at the trial, as well as that evidence that Judge Ito, in his infinite wisdom, did not allow the prosecution to present. Anyone who reads this book will be outraged by the obvious miscarriage of justice, as it will be clear as a bell why O. J. Simpson is, without a doubt, guilty of the murders of Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman.
A No Win Situation - But A Good Book.......2006-07-16
I read four books after the trial. I read the Schiller 1000 page saga, Outrage, the present book and a book on Johnny Cochrane. Each book was different and gives us different insights.
I think it is clear to any reasonable and unbiased thinking person that O.J. did in fact kill Nicole and Ron and it is just as it is clear that Lee Harvey Oswald shot JFK. Also it is clear from the other reviewers that Marcia Clark evokes a certain emotional response that colors their view of the book. If you still think O.J. is innocent then I think that is a personal problem or internal devil that you must deal with but it is not related to reality. As the title says "Without a Doubt" he was guilty.
Johnny made buckets of money as a criminal attorney. Both he and Shapiro could make sums of money in hours that only the rest of us can dream about. Johnny drove a Rolls and Shapiro rubbed elbows with the LA movers and shakers.
Marcia is more like the average citizen, working for the DA's office, probably driving a Chevrolet or Honda. She was a single divorced mother that commutes to work. After the trial she had decided enough was enough, and she wrote the book along with everyone else. And I say good for her! Make a buck or two! Its America.
Now for the book. It is what you might expect. It is the story of her involvement with the trial. It presents some prior background on her life and earlier trials and then goes in detail through the O.J. saga and what it was like from her perspective. I think is a well written book and for the most part entertaining. "Outrage" is a bit more gripping and Schiller's "American Tragedy" longer and more comprehensive. But this book is what we would expect. It deals mainly with her role and it is a solid job. She was basically a civil servant and she was the front "man" facing a raft of America's most famous lawyers including the above mentioned plus F. Lee Bailey. Then to complicate things, the whole mess was presided over by the star blinded Judge Ito. Together they faced essentially 12 black female jurors who loved Johnny and O.J.
Could she win? "Without a Doubt" she could not win, but it was nothing to do with her.
Recommend. 4 stars.
Race Decided This.......2005-06-26
It wouldn't have mattered who prosecuted this case. The jury were never going to convict OJ after the race card was played.
Pretty good account of the trial, and an interesting insight into the author's ordeal in handling such a nightmarish case. She lays into Judge Ito & the cyncical tactics of Cochrane.
You come away doubting that the jury system really delivers justice.
Self Serving and not Informative.......2004-04-18
I have read most of the books written about the O.J. Trial. All have been more about setting forth that particular author's personal/ or political agenda and not about true analysis.
What I fail to find in any of these books is what role did the media play in turning a simple crime of passion into the racial mess that this trial came to symbolize?
This story is simple. Man and woman have a very sick/tormented relationship, where many sick games are played. One day man loses his head and murders woman and the poor guy who comes to her rescue. Man goes to trial. Man goes to jail for a crime of passion. End of story.
Instead the SCLM (So Called Liberal Media) as described in the Eric Alterman's book, "What Liberal Media," enters the picture driven by the almighty dollar and turns this simple crime into the trial of the century simply for the profit margin.
We still trust the media to inform us and they failed miserably as they have done in every important story of our generation. There is no liberal media bias. It's all about the money and polarizing the country to fuel the tragic story of the Simpson case was more important to the Media than actually telling the real story.
They forgot that Nicole and O.J. loved each other and created two very lovely kids together. Race had nothing to do witth it until the media focussed on it.
Marcia Clark lost her case, because she drank the Kool Aid from the media and followed their narrative as opposed to trying the case for what it was a crime of passion.
Excellent and Informative.......2004-02-17
I just finished reading Without a Doubt, couldn't put it down. It is the first book about the Simpson trial that I have been able to read all the way through. It felt truthful and real, there was no exaggeration or grandstanding for effect. If anyone has been involved in the court system at all then they will really appreciate the intensity and importance of this book. Marsha is not self serving or whiny......I enjoyed her honesty about the case and about herself. If she had not written about herself, people would be accusing her of hiding things. I found the book very affirming, as I have been involved in the Victim advocacy system for 13 years and have just left the 'justice' system for work where I can offer my skills without having to be belittled and bashed by the attorneys appointed by the system for the criminals and the abusive parents. Thank you Marsha.
Book Description
Happenstanceâ¦or God’s Great Plan?
She’s the bold, free-spirited type. She’s cute, she’s fun, and she’s following God. She’s Sierra Jensen, Christy Miller’s good friend, ready for her junior year of high school! All twelve books in the popular Sierra Jensen series come together in four volumes to reveal the ups and downs of Sierra’s incredible God-led journey!
Volume Two: Paul’s voice lives in her memory, but now it’s loud, clear, and right behind her in Close Your Eyes . With summer fast approaching, it is Without a Doubt bound to be Sierra’s best yet. In With This Ring, she can’t help but ponder the meaning of first kisses and lifetime commitments.
Close Your Eyes
Sierra Jensen has prayed and prayed for the unattainable Paul, but no answers have arrived yet. She hopes a visit with her classmates to a homeless shelter will take her mind off Paul, but guess what? He’s working there! Finally they talk, and before Sierra knows it, Paul agrees to come over for dinner. Their evening together is perfectâuntil Randy shows up on Sierra’s doorstep! Can things get any more confusing?
Without a Doubt
What could be more fun than a backpacking expedition? Sierra can’t wait to go, especially since things in her life have gotten soâ¦complicated. Paul has moved to Scotland, and Randy is moving into Sierra’s heart. But just when things start to make sense, Sierra is asked out by Drakeâthe gorgeous guy her best friend, Amy, likes. How can Sierra even think about Drake when she knows doing so will hurt Amy and Randy? When a freak snowstorm hits, Sierra suddenly realizes what really matters mostâbut is it too late?
With This Ring
Sierra is on her way to Southern California for the very best reason of all: a wedding! Tracy and Doug’s long-awaited I dos are about to happen, and Sierra is eager to join Christy Miller and the rest of their friends. As soon as she arrives, Sierra discovers that everyone seems to be in loveâexcept for her. That’s okayâ¦she has what she needsâa gold purity ring from her dad and a vow of her own: to save herself for marriage. But when Sierra returns home, she wonders if her best friend, Amy, has settled for less than God’s best. Can Sierra convince her that purity is worth celebrating?
Story Behind the Book
âAfter writing the twelve-book Christy Miller series for teens, a new character showed up on the pages of the final novel. Her name was Sierra Jensen, and she was so compelling as a teenage character that readers began asking for a series about Sierra in order to hear more about her life choices. Our family had just moved to Portland at the time, and I found it easy to picture a sixteen-year-old like Sierra shopping at the local vintage clothing stores, hanging out with friends at a garage band concert, and serving at the homeless shelter on weekends.â
âRobin Jones Gunn
Customer Reviews:
A satisfying read!.......2006-07-07
This collection includes the first three books in the Sierra Jensen series written by Robin Jones Gunn.
Only You, Sierra introduces sixteen-year-old Sierra. Flying home from a mission trip in the UK, Sierra has met several new friends, including Katie and Christy, who readers of Robin's Christy Miller series will recognize. Normally outgoing and adventurous, Sierra is surprised to feel anxiety about her family's move to Portland, Oregon during the time she was away. A new home, new school, and potential new love interest challenge Sierra to reevaluate beliefs about herself that she has long taken for granted.
In Your Dreams finds Sierra watching over Granna Mae for a few days while her family is out of town. While it's difficult for Sierra to see her Granna's memory come and go, what seems to be a simple responsibility becomes more than Sierra bargains for when Granna Mae receives a call saying she needs immediate surgery. Meanwhile, Sierra tries to find a part-time job and wonders why, when she was the most popular girl at her old school, she is having such a difficult time making new friends in Portland.
Don't You Wish takes Sierra and her sister Tawni to spend Easter break at the beach with Christy, Katie, and their friends. When Tawni hits it off immediately with Jeremy, and even Katie pairs off with Antonio, an Italian exchange student, Sierra struggles with being jealous and feeling left out. She wants a boyfriend too. She tries to have fun and even learns to surf. But when Sierra witnesses Christy and Todd, to her the perfect couple, going through a difficult time in their relationship, she realizes everyone has struggles in their life. And she learns, as 1 Tim 6:6 states, that godliness with contentment is the greatest gain.
"Have you ever felt as if you were caught between two lives? The one you're living, and the one you wish you were living?" Sierra asks Christy.
Armchair Interviews says: Readers of all ages will understand Sierra's feelings and be ministered to by the timeless truths God reveals to her throughout this collection.
Book Description
Do you ever struggle with the insecure feeling of not knowing for sure if you'll go to heaven? Is there any way to overcome that doubt? With pastoral love and concern, John MacArthur carefully examines the classical biblical texts affirming the forever quality of salvation, but does not ignore the troubling passages that seem to indicate otherwise. From there he shows how those truths apply to you by presenting eleven biblical tests to help you determine whether you've experienced salvation once and for all. He concludes by showing how you can match up your feelings with your faith and by taking an encouraging look at victory in the Spirit and the promise of God to help you persevere.
Customer Reviews:
Great book to promote doubt and uncertainty!!!!.......2007-05-19
New cover same garbage. I already wrote a review on his book "Saved without a Doubt" elsewhere. If this book is different from his other book "Saved without a Doubt" then I can guarantee that it will still contain the same old heresies.
As the one viewer said that this book will show you why one doubts his/her salvation. Yes, because such bologna and heretical teaching based on the Gospel according to John McArthur will certainly cause one to doubt his/her salvation.
My favorite part of his whole book is what he has to say about the apostolic tests to determine whether you are saved or not. He will tell you that if you pass any of the tests then rejoice and several times makes the statement that no unbeliever can have such an experience. But yet this anti-grace teacher says that it doesn't matter what you experienced in the past because it is what you are experiencing today that counts. So, if you were to pass one of the tests a month ago that he claims that no unbeliever can ever experience but today you are living in sin or unbelief then that proves you were never saved to begin with. Obviously then, an unbeliever can experience each and every experience that he gives in his book. This guy talks out of both sides of his mouth. I would love to ask John McArthur that if a person were to have and experienced all 11 tests one year ago but today he fell into sin and unbelief then is he saved?? I would love to hear him contradict his statements in person as he does in his book that such a person has never truly believed even though he experienced what only a believer can experience according to his own words.
His tests can be passed by any religion. Ask a Jehovah Witness if he/she hates sin??? Ask a Jehovah Witness if he/she enjoys the fellowship of other JW believer's and loves them??? See my point??? Ask a Catholic if God answers their prayers??? I met many that claim such things.
There can be no lasting assurance with such heresy because the experiences of today can possibly prove tomorrow to be false. Saved by faith assured by works is not very compatible as stated by Horatius Bonar. What amazed me is in all of his tests that he gives to determine whether one is saved or not for some reason he never gives a test on whether you believed the right gospel message or not. I think that the gospel message you believed should be the foundation but this guy never mentions it in his tests that he gives. As a free grace believer, I do not believe that those that teach Lordship salvation or that salvation can be lost are saved people. I do believe that saved people do exist in such circles and have embraced such heresy and usually they are the ones seeking to get the assurance they "once" had a while back but will always be disappointed no matter what Lordship book they buy.
If you have not believed the free grace gospel to be saved and do not have assurance of such salvation then you have never savingly believed EVER! If the Lordship gospel is what you originally trusted to be saved then you have every reason to doubt and fear. Doubt is the result of poor teaching and is never a normal part of the Christian life. You can read MacArthur's book a thousand times and you will still be doubting your salvation because his tests begin and end with man and they focus on today and not the tomorrow. And you will be standing pointing your finger at those that claim to be fully assured of their salvation as though they have a presumptuous faith because there can be no way in your minds eye that they can have assurance when they do not try as hard as you. Being a former 5 point Calvinist and a Lordship believer myself, I can tell you that such teaching will make you critical of others and legalistic.
I close with a great argument from 'No Condemnation' by Michael Eaton:
"I have already urged that introspection is implicit in many aspects of the Reformed doctrine of grace in late Calvinism. Now I wish to underline the fact that the most intense introspection follows if many or all of these emphases are combined. If Christ did not die for all, and if it is possible to have a sorrow for sin which is not true repentance, a faith which is not true faith, a possessing of the Spirit which falls short of true regeneration, if despite any and every 'experience' of the gospel there is 'a way to Hell even from the Gate of Heaven', if Paul himself feared loss of salvation, then what remains of the Calvinist's assurance? It has died the death of a thousand qualifications. No wonder a great Calvinist evangelist (Nettleton) could say, 'The most that I have ventured to say respecting myself is, that I think it possible I may get to heaven.'"
So, if you would like to have the assurance of the great Calvinist Nettleton then by all means purchase this book and enjoy doubting your salvation to the very end to be saved.
Oh yeah, salvation is free yet costly???? That is what John MacArthur said which parallels Arminianism (see my review on Life in the Son by Robert Shank). Hey John, I have a free gift for you sir!!! If you continually mow my lawn, wash my dishes, clean my house and so on and if you will endure until the end then I will give you a free gift!!!! Oh yeah, its all of grace and you had no part in earning that free gift so get going on my chores to get it!! Sound familiar??
superb!.......2007-03-09
this is the most insigtful book i have read on salvation and why the believer may doubt! i was also pleasently suprised that it has wonderful practical tips to overcoming such doubt. this book is a must read for anyone attempting to overcome such things!
Undoubtedly a great book.......2006-12-20
Yet another great book by John MacArthur! I am a "fan" of John MacArthur and have read many of his books and listen to his online sermons. I received this book about three months ago and am currently reading it for the third time. John MacArthur uses scripture to explain difficult passages in the Bible concerning salvation and security of it. He has eleven "Biblical tests" that help you decide for yourself where you stand. He is a solid, Biblical teacher and backs everything up with scripture. Definitely read this one!
Book Description
It can be difficult to answer questions about the Christian faith-even for Christians who regularly read their Bibles and attend church. What can they say to a skeptic who questions Christian doctrine or truth claims? What about young Christians who want answers to their tough questions? Without a Doubt covers questions on everything from the doctrine of the incarnation to religious pluralism, from evolution to moral relativism, with rational answers for even the most stubborn skeptic. Chapters contain charts, relevant biblical texts, and outlines to help readers grasp key ideas relevant to proclaiming the gospel to an unbeliever or discussing doctrine with another Christian.
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding Overview of the Rationality of Christianity.......2005-09-05
Mr. Samples has given us a clearly written, well-documented, and deeply helpful book on why anyone should believe the Christian worldview to be true and rational. Books on this topic--Christian apologetics--are fairly plentiful, but few of them are as theologically and philosophy astute as this volume. Unlike many introductory to intermediate level books on this topic, Samples articulates a consistently Reformed approach to Christianity (which comports with my own), even offering a concise but astute chapter on the value of creeds to apologetics. I know of no other apologetics book with such a chapter.
The book is organized around twenty questions broken into three sections: (1) Thinking Through Questions about Faith in God (2) Thinking Through Questions about Faith in Jesus Christ (3) Thinking Through Objections to Christian Faith. Most all the pertinent topics of apologetics are covered, with a few minor exceptions. The two chapters on the relationship of Christianity to other religions are superb and highly pertinent, since this is one of the major issues facing Christians today. (Even so, many texts on apologetics sadly ignore this issue.) His chapter on Blaise Pascal and the wager was much appreciated by this Pascalian! (See my book, "On Pascal.")
Samples says his apologetic method is "eclectic" and simply asks us to discover it as he answers questions. That is allowable, but one wishes for a short statement on his basic means of argumentation. Although Samples' chapter on Christianity and science nicely covers the Christian basis of modern science and the problems with scientism, he says nothing directly about the problems with Darwinism (although has some helpful comments about philosophical naturalism, the philosophy that artificially props up Darwinism) or how one might reconcile Genesis and the deliverances of science.
But these are minor complaints. "Without a Doubt" is one of the best one-volume introductions to apologetics published in recent years. May it become a textbook in colleges, seminaries, and churches around the country and the globe. I am using it as a supplemental text for "Defending Christian Faith" at Denver Seminary.
Concise yet fully informative.......2005-08-13
A critic of Samples writes that there is nothing new in this book and that he is more convinced it is Christianity that is wrong, not atheism. Pardon me, but did this fellow read the book? Samples offers some of the very best in Christian apologetic responses to humankind's most pressing questions. If the fellow was expecting a centerfold with pictures of God, Jesus leaving the tomb, etc., then I'm afraid this is never going to happen. But the evidence is clearly there to show that, while we don't have full knowledge of all spiritual inquiries, the information we do have available very clearly shows that there are plausible answers to even the tough questions. We just don't have easy answers, and this is because we lack omniscience. (Yet even science does not have all the answers, or I ask, "How many planets are there?" Nine, all textbooks say, even the most up-to-date. But could there be 10, as a recent discovery in July 2005 shows? And really, how do we know that there are not 11 or 12 planets?)
While the information in this book is certainly available elsewhere (When Skeptics Ask by Geisler and Handbook of Chrsitian Apologetics by Kreeft come to mind), I believe Samples did a wonderful job by making "Without a Doubt" very understandable. I really believe that the typical layperson should be able to pick this up and, in three weeks (one chapter a night), have better answers to give those who ask these questions (1 Peter 3:15-16). Therefore, I recommend the book, even to the skeptical atheist. But then, if you remain atheistic in your belief system, I would love to see your answers to these questions.
Nothing new here.......2005-06-13
I just got finished reading this book. It was supposed to answer many of the tough questions regarding Christianity, but it failed to deliver to a large extent. Honestly I was trying to be open to the idea that atheism could be wrong, but after reading this book I'm even more convinced that it's Christainty that is wrong. There's no new arguments here, for the existance of god and doesn't answer many of the important atheist's critiques of the theories. They've all been refuted many, many, many times over. When will Christains learn when they have been beaten, or at least get some new ideas?
Outstanding Work -- Accessible But Still Rich.......2005-05-04
Many books attempting to answer tough questions in the Christian faith are either simplistic or too academic. In this book, Mr. Samples has produced an outstanding work which is as useful for the untrained layman as it is for the advanced scholar. The answers are intellectually satisfying, sufficiently deep, and span enough breadth to engage the problems meaningfully and thoughtfully.
This book will give you honest, well-researched answers that fall within all the major traditions of the historic Christian faith. Because it answers many of the questions that skeptics have asked recently and through the ages, this book is useful for non-Christians who really want to know the intellectual basis for many of Christianity's major beliefs. It's also tremendously useful for Christians who have honest questions that they haven't got answered in their own church.
The book is in an ideal format for group study or Sunday school class, and it's easy enough to read to engage anyone from High School on up.
No Sunday School Answers Here.......2004-11-26
In Ken Samples' book, he takes us beyond simple Sunday school answers and takes us to the heart of questions that many Christian's either don't have good answers for or need help articulating such issues to unbelieving friends and family.
Truly a must read book for any Christian.
Book Description
If You're Saved and You Know it...
Do you ever struggle with the insecure feeling of not knowing for sure if you will go to heaven? Is there any way to overcome that doubt?
With pastoral love and concern, John MacArthur answers the second question with an authoritative yes! He carefully examines the classical biblical texts affirming the forever quality of salvation, but does not ignore the troubling passages that seem to indicate otherwise. From there he shows how those truths apply to you by presenting eleven biblical tests to help you determine whether you've experienced salvation once and for all. He concludes by showing how you can match up your feelings with your faith, and by taking an encouraging look at victory in the Spirit and the promise of God to help you persevere.
DR. JOHN MACARTHUR, JR. is Pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and President of The Master's College and Seminary. Known for his dynamic expository preaching, John is heard daily on the "Grace to You" syndicated radio broadcast and has a cassette ministry that has distributed more than eight million tapes. His many books include The MacArthur New Testament Commentary series, The Gospel According to Jesus, Our Sufficiency in Christ, Body Dynamics and Found: God's Will.
THE MACARTHUR STUDY SERIES is designed to help Christians better understand and apply the Bible by better understanding some of its key truths and doctrines.
Customer Reviews:
Misleading title.......2006-08-06
I will be brief since I said plenty comments elsewhere concerning His book The Gospel According to John MacArthur.
John MacArthur gives 11 tests to determine whether you are saved or not. The interesting thing is that none of the test deals with whether or not you have believed the right gospel message but that doesn't surprise me since his gospel focuses on works anyways.
John at his best claims if you pass these tests then NEVER doubt your salvation but says elsewhere that you can never rely on past experiences????????????????????????? He will ask you if you experienced one of the eleven tests and if you did then NEVER doubt your salvation because that is an experience that only a true believer can have but speaks out of the other side of his mouth when he says that you can't rely on past experiences?????????? Basically what he is saying is that if you are experiencing any of those 11 conditions today then you can be certain that you are saved today but who knows about tomorrow.
So even though you pass the test today doesn't mean much since you can fail the test tomorrow and still prove that you were never saved to begin with. His 11 tests can never offer assurance since most people of any denominational faith will claim that they have experienced those things as well in their lives. One of the tests is if you have love for the brethren. I am sure that every person out there can pass that test in any religion. Another is if you have experienced answered prayer. Now how many do you know out there that will claim that? Many. Those type of tests will still make you question if you really do love the brethren or if God really answers your prayers. What do you think will happen to your so-called faith when you are angry with the brethren or if certain prayers continue to go unanswered? People always question whether God really answered their prayers or if it were only coincidence. One might pray for a new job and within two weeks are offered a new job but since we cannot see anything this side of heaven many will question whether God really had His hand in it so how would that offer assurance? John's tests would be like me giving you a test asking if you have lit candles and if so then never doubt your salvation. At first you might jump for joy since you can recall lighting candles but then thoughts will come into your mind as to how many candles do you have to light since I said "candles" and not "a candle." Also, what happens if one stops lighting candles???? This is why he can never offer assurance but will instead breed doubt in your mind.
You can read some of the posts of others in here to see that they do not believe that assurance is 100% certain. SAD SAD SAD. Is that how you want to live your life in complete uncertainty? Then buy this book and be miserable as I was several years ago as I too was deceived by such foolishness.
I find MacArthur teachings and his book on assurance to parallel that of Arminianism. Both say that one cannot be sure of his future but only of today. That means that if you are in the faith today and are living for Christ then you can rejoice but if you are not doing so tomorrow then you need to fear. Both have the same view of repentance and a life of works. Both teach that you must have continual faith to be saved but with slightly different views. The one says that if you were to stop believing then you will lose your salvation and the other will tell you that if stop believing only shows that you never truly believed to begin with. The same is said concerning works too. The book The Other Side of Calvinism by Vance clearly shows the similarity of the 5th point of Calvinism and the 5th point of Arminianism by scores of statments made by both sides of the issue. Even though the 5 point Calvinist would deny that the result of the teachings is still the same and that is uncertainty of salvation.
I hope now that you can see that the title is misleading because you can never have full assurance of salvation believing in Lordship salvation. I learned the hard way so avoid those that despise grace and mix works with it. I recommend Love is Now by Peter Gillquist, Shall Never Perish by Strombeck. Classic Christianity by Bob George. If you are a Calvinist which I am not then read the 5 point Calvinist Horatius Bonar and his book God's Way of Peace or Everlasting Righteousness. You'll discover as I did that the message of free grace is truly freeing indeed!
A great book for the doubting..........2006-01-13
So far, this is the only book by Pastor John that I have given a four star review. The reason is not in the content. The books of Pastor John are always Biblically-based. My problem is with the title.
Pastor John himself has said that he holds the Puritanical view of assurance of salvation. That is to say that the Puritans believed nobody could be 100% sure of their salvation. I would agree with that position. I think that someone can be 99.9% sure but never 100%. Pastor John has said the same thing and it suprises me that he would title his book this way after preaching something different. During a sermon about assurance some years ago, I clearly recall Pastor John singing a different tune. His topic was the thief on the cross and Pastor John said that, "no believer in all of redemptive history has had a greater assurance of salvation." That right there is to say he believes in degrees of assurance to which the thief on the cross stands at the apex. There is always the chance that we can be wrong, even if it is a very slim chance. So this book needs a different title with the same contents.
The 11 tests presented to the reader in this book are very helpful, and it is a true heart to heart conversation with the reader with regards to their spiritual standing before Christ. It is Calvinistic, Non-denominational, and anything but Roman! Which makes this Protestant give this work two thumbs up. Sola Fide!
Saved Without A Doubt - From a Calvinistic Viewpoint.......2005-10-19
I enjoy Dr. John MacArthur's books. He often is willing to take views contrary then most other evangelicals simply because he holds firmly to the truth that only God's Word is to decide truth from error (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In this short book, Dr. MacArthur's takes aim at those who would teach easy-believism but instead turns to the pages of holy writ in 1 John to see what John the Apostle would give to show us what true assurance of our salvation is.
The book has both its positives and weaknesses. The positives are that Dr. MacArthur seeks to stay true to his text. He seeks to build a strong defense for the Calvinistic doctrines of election, eternal security (perseverance of the saints) and ultimate glorification. He does take aim at other Calvinists or Arminians who he may feel violate the text or he simply points out what they might teach.
The negatives of this book are that Dr. MacArthur has trouble it seems balancing his view of eternal security with his view of biblical holiness. While he often seems to embrace holiness, it seems he in turn will embrace the common Calvinistic idea that sin is no longer the issue. It seems that view is hard to find in 1 John (sinning vs. holiness) or anywhere else in the NT.
Overall I give this book a thumbs up. While I don't fully agree with Dr. John all the time, I recognize that he often is willing to stand for truth when the rest of the evangelical church sleeps with the enemy. This book blows away the "saved and sitting" mentality found in many churches today. A great read for all disciples.
Solid Food.......2005-10-18
In a day where many are placated by mush, Dr Macarthur comes thru again with some solid food.
Sola Fide! .......2005-07-05
I have read the book, and am currently teaching a series through it called "Blesses Assurance". The 11 tests are simply an exegesis of 1 John, which many consider a very hard book to understand.
It says that a true Christian can not and does not sin (1 John 3:9). Without a proper exegesis of such passages, in light of the many other NT teachings about faith alone ('Sola Fide') many new Christians avoid such hard passages. Likewise with the lessons found concerning faith and works in the book of James.
I appreciate a clearer understanding from John's book, and my rating shows it. John Calvin said it best, "Faith Alone saves! But the faith that saves will NEVER be alone!"
John, as do I, teach faith alone for justification of sins. But a faith that does not bear fruit is dead. End of story. (James 2)
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Faith Without Doubt
Anna Blundy
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