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 Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst For the Divine

Average customer rating:

essential reading
Fabulous-life changing book!!
Great Book!
The Father Seeketh Such to Worship Him
For those who want more than dry doctrine

The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst For the Divine
A. W. Tozer
Manufacturer: WingSpread Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Meditations | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1600660150

Book Description

Whether you are thirsting for more of God or do not yet know of the "mighty longing after God" that so consumed A.W. Tozer's life and ministry, The Pursuit of God will draw you into a deep, abiding relationship with the One who "nourishes the soul." THis spiritual masterpiece exposes the roadbacks that keep us from fully knowing God, reveals our responsibility of the pursuit, and ultimately leads us into the very presence of God himself.

Customer Reviews:

essential reading.......2007-08-05

I would like to beable to really give a review on this product, but, truly
I took it out of my purse, somewhere and I haven't been able to find the book. It sounded wonderful. And at some point I will order another.

Fabulous-life changing book!!.......2007-07-30

Pursuit of God This is by far the most intellectually and spiritually satisfing book I have ever read. It has changed my walk as a Christian. A.W. Tozer's work is alive, working, and a blessing.

Great Book!.......2007-06-11

This is an excellent reference guide for those serious about walking righteously in fellowship with God. It's not a book meant to be read once, but many times because the subject content is excellent and will provide a fresh perspective with each reading.

The Father Seeketh Such to Worship Him.......2007-06-04

"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." John 4:23, KJV

Every soul exists and was created by God for His pleasure. Adam's fall introduced a breach in man's proper relationship with God; namely, God in absolute lordship, and man in absolute surrender. It is in apprehending that for which we are also apprehended of Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:12) -- in other words, pursuing God who first pursues us -- that this right relationship may be restored.

Tozer has written many precious treasures of truth in this classic work, but I think that the purpose, scope and intent of the book may best be summarized in the following excerpt:

"In our desire after God let us keep always in mind that God also has desire, and His desire is toward the sons of men, and more particularly toward those sons of men who will make the once-for-all decision to exalt Him over all. Such as these are precious to God above all treasures of earth or sea. In them God finds a theater where He can display His exceeding kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. With them God can walk unhindered; toward them He can act like the God He is" (pp. 100-101).

Jesus is the Living Word, and God -- who is forever and ever -- can never run out of new ways to show up in our lives and reveal that truth to us, over and over and over again, and that is what He desires to do.

I was introduced to Tozer's writings in 1981, when I first became involved with the Christian & Missionary Alliance (C&MA) denomination (where officially my membership remains), a denomination with which Tozer was associated during forty-four years of his ministry. Reading Tozer again after all these years was like reuniting with an old friend and mentor.

As a whole, I have found that the C&MA promotes and many if not most members pursue earnestly "the deeper life," unfeigned (as if such could be faked) spiritual maturity. Much of this comes through the continuing influence of the writings of A.W. Tozer (1897-1963) and A.B. Simpson (1843-1919) founder of the C&MA, which during Simpson's lifetime had very close association with the Pentecostal movement.

During all the years of my involvement in C&MA churches (commencing in 1981) I found a church culture that, throughout, was characterized by sweet and deepening fellowship among young and old alike. As just one clear example of this, on November 12, 1982, I lost a child, and upon my return to church, one of the members, a teenage girl with Down's syndrome, took my hand, embraced me, and told me (with obviously sincere emotion) how sorry she had been to hear about my baby (my losing my baby). Even with her limitations, she had more insight than the majority of the hospital staff who attempted to "comfort" with such as, "It's okay, you have three other children at home..." "Not THAT child," my soul responded in grief. God's ministering to me through this girl was one of countless illustrations I could give of how a Tozer-influenced church culture was God-honoring and sustaining, including to me personally.

If you are interested in a deeper walk with the Lord Jesus Christ and want to read something beyond the Bible itself, the writings of A.W. Tozer are excellent, including God's Pursuit of Man Tozer's prequel to The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine. The writings of A.B. Simpson are also excellent.

For those who want more than dry doctrine.......2007-05-12

How Sad is our "Rich Young Ruler" Christianity today.
Tozer helps us see how we've lost our first love.

May God's love touch your heart with this book.

The Theology of the Body Human Love in the Divine Plan (Parish Resources)

Average customer rating:

Theology of the Body -
GREAT !
The fruit of this work has yet to be discovered
A philosophical masterpiece and a "Theological Time Bomb"
Important insights into realist/Christian phenomenology

The Theology of the Body Human Love in the Divine Plan (Parish Resources)
Pope John Paul II , and John S. (FWD) Grabowski
Manufacturer: Pauline Books & Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0819873942

Customer Reviews:

Theology of the Body - .......2005-06-14

Theology of the Body (T.O.B) gives a dynamic vision of the human person. Pope John Paul discusses human sexuality, vocation (marriage, religious life,etc) through the lense of biblical revelation.

PJ II quotes Vatican II in saying that we are the only creatures on earth "that were willed for their own sake" (Lumen Gentium 26). All the other creatures were created for mankind. Humans were commanded to rule the other creatures.

I found T.O.B to be the best exegesis of Genesis. Truly brilliant and amazing. I was so inspired that I am devoting part of my next book on this very topic.

PJ II tells us that Adam and Eve didn't merely want to be equal with God but they sought to usurp their Creator. They were sharing in the love of God and so they weren't inferior to God. However they believed in the word of a creature over that of the Creator and thought they could take God's throne and take His power!

Yes it is a correlation between human sexuality and God. But it is even more than that. It is about the dignity of the Human Person and Psychosomatic Unity of the Human Person. In giving of ourselves so totally we discover who we are. This is what happened with Adam. He was alone and could not identify with the animals until Eve came from His rib (or as the late Pope puts it, his heart - wow!)

Pope John Paull II does not use the word "SEX" as contemporary society does. He uses it to refer to male or female. Personally I think the word "sex" depersonalises a sacred act. Let me explain. The Catholic Church uses the word Conjugal Union. This refers to a union of body and soul and open to the gift or trasmission of life. Ok, so it may be a mouthful, "Conjugal Union" and take a bit to get used to. Let me challenge you to learn it and use it in discussions. Another word used is "Conjugal Love" Doesn't this sound better than making love.
Through Conjugal love the husband gives himself totally body and soul to his wife and his wife gives herself totally body and soul to her husband.

Did you know that through the Eucharist we can receive Conjugal Love. Christ gives himself totally to us, "Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity!" Now this is a really big WOW! This is awesome, inspirational and mind-boggling. Christ unites with us in the Eucharist.

So yes, Conjugal Union is spiritual and so is receiving our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist!

I have a MP3 talk I've given on Theology of the Body which I can send you. It was a brief talk - only 10 minutes + questions given for a "Faith, Revelation and Theology" paper I have just finished studying at our Catholic Theological College. Email me through my website [...] and I will send the MP3 to you. My next book (my fourth) will feature explaining Theology of the Body for lay people.

I am really happy that more and more people are hearing about Theology of the Body and beginning re discover the richness and power behind the writings of Pope John Paul II. Let's continue to read His works and spread the messages he bestows.

God bless

Brendan Roberts

GREAT !.......2005-03-12

Buy this book. Awesome, awesome explanation of
how we are trully to love .

Thanks !

The fruit of this work has yet to be discovered.......2002-12-18

Pope John Paul II has given us one of the best (if not the best) books of modern theology today. This book is a compilation of many weekly addresses the Pope gave in the early 80's. Now compiled into this one work, we can view the absolute genius of the mind of Pope JPII. His insights into humanity, creation, the human person and the body are without equal. In fact, he may be known for this work more than any other when history judges him in the future. He has given the Church new insights into the dignity of the human person, marriage,... and made it challenging to all of us.

If you haven't read any of the Pope's writings, I suggest you start with his encyclicals, and study them hard, before jumping into this work. The Theology of the Body has already started several grass-roots evangelism projects and my guess is that we are only starting to see the fruit this book will bear.

A philosophical masterpiece and a "Theological Time Bomb".......2002-08-29

The Theology of the Body is comparable in depth of thought to the works of Augustine and Aquinas.

The writings speak to a reader at numerous levels: the personal, the organizational, global, sacramental, familial, paternal, maternal, fraternal, vocational, scriptural, anthropological and many others. The beauty is the integration of teachings at and across each level!

The teachings encapsulated within this work synthesize many truths about humanity and Catholic Christianity.

The book's writings shed light on the fullness of Truth revealed in and over the fullness of time. What was implied in the truth of the Gospel is revealed in a more explicit way in the Pope's analysis.

Topics of interest include: the dignity of the human person, the human body in art versus pornography, the intended relationship between man and woman from the beginning - in the present - and future, what the physical human body reveals about the nature of the person and God, the call to Chastity and Modesty, the universal call to holiness, the mystery of Body of Christ, the mystery of the priesthood, celibacy, and the mystery of the Eucharist and much, much more.

The book is a difficult read if you are not familiar with the Pope's method... but well worth it!!

Important insights into realist/Christian phenomenology.......2001-05-27

Those with a philosophical background may regard JPII's leaning toward phenomenology as either a peripheral "quirk" or a departure from traditional (i.e., Aristotelian-Thomist) realism. "Theology of the Body" should dissuade of either conclusion. JPII's approach to phenomenology is foundational to his celebration of human personhood, and totally realist and thus thoroughly compatible with traditional Christian philosophy. The theological significance of JPII's philosophical approach is clearly demonstrated in his phenomenological exegesis of the existential signficance of man's transition from "original solitude" (before Eve's creation) to "original nakedness" (Adam's encounter with Eve). JPII's meditation on how man's personal self-awareness - and thus his personhood - is fulfilled through the bodily disclosure of another person literally "fleshes out" the teaching of the universal Catechism: God is an eternal exchange of Love, in which man is destined to participate (CCC 221). I only regret that the Pope did not develop the analogy implicit in his meditation between the purely relational Personhood of the Blessed Trinity and the nuptial meaning of the human body.

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Persons: Human and Divine

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Consciousness & Thought | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Metaphysics | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Religious | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0199277516

Book Description

The nature of persons is a perennial topic of debate in philosophy, currently enjoying something of a revival. In this volume for the first time metaphysical debates about the nature of human persons are brought together with related debates in philosophy of religion and theology. Fifteen
specially written essays explore idealist, dualist, and materialist views of persons, discuss specifically Christian conceptions of the value of embodiment, and address four central topics in philosophical theology: incarnation, resurrection, original sin, and the trinity.

Communion with God: The Divine and the Human in the Theology of John Owen

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Communion with God: The Divine and the Human in the Theology of John Owen
Kelly M. Kapic
Manufacturer: Baker Academic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0801031443
Release Date: 2007-03-01

Book Description

The Puritan John Owen is best remembered today for his theological writings on high Calvinism, traditional orthodoxy, church polity, and the pursuit of holiness. According to Kelly M. Kapic, Owen is being rediscovered by a variety of people today, including theologians, evangelical ministers, and laypeople interested in classic forms of spirituality. With this diverse audience in mind, Kapic focuses on the concept of communion with God in Owens thought, covering key areas such as anthropology, Christology, trinitarian studies, and the Lord's Supper.

Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: Biblical Perspective in Tension

Average customer rating:

Tough To Wade Through But Contributes Valuably
Not the best book on the subject
An intellectually honest assessment of the issues
Difficult, but worth it.

Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: Biblical Perspective in Tension
D. A. Carson
Manufacturer: Wipf & Stock Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Theology | Judaism | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1579108598

Customer Reviews:

Tough To Wade Through But Contributes Valuably.......2006-12-31

Donald A. Carson is professor at the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a highly respected author with 45 published works to his credit. "Divine Sovereignty And Human Responsibility" is an expansion of his doctoral dissertation at Cambridge originally presented in 1975. Carson struggles with the delicate tension between God's election and man's accountability for his own sin, particularly in light of the doctrines of total depravity and original sin.

The opening page of the book sets the stage for all that is to follow. Carson declares, ""If God is absolutely sovereign, in what sense can we meaningfully speak of human choice, of human will? Must God be reduced to accommodate the freedom of human choice? Does significant human responsibility so lean on power to the contrary that God becomes contingent?" To his credit, Carson also states his theoretical conclusion that he is working towards when he notes that the tension is `not a problem to be a solved, but a framework to be explored.' The book is in part a rebuttal to E.P. Sanders' defense of covenantal nomism, the view that Jews held to salvation by grace.

The book consists of five sections that present historical and textual evidence towards God's election or `merit theology' and where upon the continuum a particular theology lies. He begins with an introduction, and the body of work contains three basic areas of emphasis: the Hebrew canon, intertestamental works, and the gospel of John. Carson concludes with a chapter of theological reflections that summarizes his view of the tension. His conclusion is that the tension is not fully understandable due to God's infinitude and our own lack of same, but he supports his theoretical conclusion with a grid.

There are a number of positives in the book. Carson doesn't use the simplistic appeal approach but instead wrestles with seemingly contradictory data regarding God's sovereignty to formulate his ultimate conclusion. He summarized it better in "The King James Version Debate: A Plea for Realism," however, when he noted that divine sovereignty stands behind both John Calvin and Adolph Hitler but that such sovereignty is asymmetrical - the good is always traceable to God while the bad is not traceable at least not in the way that would make God Himself the author of sin. He also notes properly at the beginning of the work as well as at the end that this particular issue cannot be solved from the human standpoint and must instead be treated abstractly to interact with the existent data. Writing from the Calvinist perspective, he deals with numerous passages regarding free will as well as those dealing with predestination, particularly the prophecy and fulfillment by Judas Iscariot.

The biggest weakness in the book is one that editing will easily fix: there are sections of the middle of the book that are just flat out boring. They are not irrelevant to the immediate question as they help lay the foundation for his conclusion, but some outside knowledge as well as an intimate interest in literature characterizes the portion of the book regarding intertestamental works. One other weakness, though an understandable one, is his emphasis solely on the gospel of John. Perhaps future publications of the work would be improved by the removal of the intertestamental literature and replaced by either other biblical data or even first to fourth century literature. Finally, this was a doctoral dissertation and in many places reads like one, which is fine for those with such scholarly pursuits but will ultimately discourage the layman who really would be edified by this work were it not so `scholarly.'

The apex of the book comes with Carson's `formulation of the tension' of divine sovereignty and free will and the presentation of a diagram purporting to show the actions both of the Creator and His finite creations. Carson's diagram shows God's line going 100% of the way across the bar graph and man's line crossing under God's and going about ten percent of the way across the graph. Carson admits that such a drawing is `crude,' but he is left with the problem of how to communicate his theory of `divine ultimacy.' Carson then closes with the claim that the sovereignty-responsibility tension will affect one's outlook in ministry.

Where I disagree with Carson is not so much in his central thesis, which even he concedes is theoretical at best, but in the notion that this is an effort that any of us should aspire to attain. All of us may formulate a theory of divine ultimacy but none of us will ever be able to explain God's side and His ultimate role with the exception of what He has chosen to reveal. Perhaps it is better that we simply accept that sovereign election and human responsibility are theological aspects that will never be solved with any degree of certainty this side of glory.

Make no mistake: Dr. Carson's work is an admirable and noble attempt, but I believe it to be ultimately a futile effort in terms of an actual formulation. His research is impeccable, and his response to Dr. Sanders both enlightening and necessary. And his points about the sovereignty of God in John's gospel demonstrate both a passion for God and a passion for evangelism. But once the effort is made to describe how two complementary concepts exist, Carson is limited as are all of us by his finitude.

Carson's framework to be explored avoids simple categorization by acknowledging the tension he seeks to formulate and attempting to not view that framework through a predetermined theological grid. Whether Carson succeeded at this will probably be left open to question depending upon one's prior convictions. He makes no secret of his mainstream Calvinist views, but he is also willing to critique some forms of determinism in the construction of his framework.

In the end, however, I don't know if the attempt at sound reasoning employed by Dr. Carson will exceed the dogmatism and zeal of the modern-day Augustinians or Pelagians. It is a simple fact that most theological discussions will ultimately shed more heat than light.

Not the best book on the subject.......2005-05-02

What do you get when a biblical scholar writes a book on a difficult theological topic? Not a very good book. Carson attempts to explain the divine sovereignty-human responsibility tension in Scripture and early Jewish literature. He goes over the Old Testament, Apocrypha, Pseudopigrapha, DSS, and a host of other Jewish literature. According to Carson, as Judaism progressed in time human responsibility became more emphasized and merit theology began to develop (though DSS can be seen as an exception). He basically refutes E. P. Sanders' view that early Judaism was a highly grace oriented religion with no concept of "earned" righteousness (though he agrees with Sanders that early Judaism did not totally put aside God's grace in the salvific process). The section on how the OT and early Jews understood the tension is slightly informative. It can provide students some information on how early Jews formulated the tension between grace and merit. The more interesting (and more useful) sections of Carson's book is how the Gospel of John formulates the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility (chap. 12) and the theological implications of his study (chap. 13). Carson argues that John keeps the tension in balance (though not totally solving the dilemma) by positing BOTH divine sovereignty and human responsibility in people's actions. He argues that John, following the OT, does not see the logical incoherence of holding both concepts at the same time (i.e., humans are commanded to believe and obey even though God is sovereign over all human actions). The last chapter (13) pretty much summarizes all the points made in the book. What is interesting is that Carson does not come to a firm conclusion on the matter except to conclude that this tension is a lot more complex than the human mind can process. One wishes that Carson can push this matter a bit further - but, again, he is not a theologian or philosopher but a biblical scholar. In the end, what Carson comes up with is a compatibilist (Calvinist) concept of divine sovereignty-human responsibility (in contrast to the more classical Calvinistic model promoted by the likes of Charles Hodge). Overall, the book is useful in some respects. However, because this was Carson's doctoral dissertation at one point the reader will find the reading a bit difficult at times.

An intellectually honest assessment of the issues.......2003-05-15

In this book (based on his dissertation) Carson surveys the literature from the time of Moses through the apostles and into the Christian era, examining attitudes toward these two topics frequently posited against each other in Christian thought: divine sovereignty, through which God ordains what will come to pass, and humans' responsibility for what they choose to do. This survey helpfully includes old and new testament biblical sources, but also deuterocanonical and other apocryphal sources, contrasting the development of rabbinic and christian thought over that period. (Carson writes with a protestant christian pressuposition). He closes his book with an honest assessment of the tension between these two axiomatic points of doctrine.

The book is divided into 5 sections:
- Introduction - chapter 1
- Tracing the issue in the hebrew canon - ch. 2 - 3
- Tracing the issue in 'intertestamental' works (including deuterocanonical and other works from that period proper, and rabbinic literature into the christian era) - ch. 4 - 10
- Analysis of the issue in the writings of John - ch. 11 - 12
- Theological reflections given all of the above - ch. 13

Each section is undoubtedly immanently accessible to people familiar with the subject domain. I found the second section very eye-opening, as other works I have read have exclusively focussed on biblical (non-deuterocanonical) sources: it was "tough slogging" to follow the academically oriented text, but rewarding to do so. The review of the new testament works of John, in contrast, is more accessible to any Christian who has thought about this subject, and it also is rewarding for its well-reasoned interpretation. I would heartily recommend chapters 12 and 13 as being well worth the value of the book to anyone not willing to endure the more challenging first 11 chapters.

Intellectual honesty characterizes the work. Carson's conclusions are well argued, dispatching various simplistic "answers" to the tension between the two doctrines (from "hyper-pelagian" to "hyper-calvinist" and many in between) by demonstrating how they reshape rather than resolve the apparent conflict; typically, they address the issue at one point but fail to follow through the logical implications. Carson himself does not end with a tidy, simple resolution to the tension; rather, he:
* clarifies what the bible clearly teaches about these two doctrines (remember my comment above about Christian Protestant perspective), and
* clarifies what presuppositions this apparent conflict challenges.
The reader is left with a renewed appreciation for how one should be humble about the conceptual frameworks we on all have on which we try to structure our understanding of such teachings.

Carson focusses on God's sovereignty from a "purpose", contrasted with a "directly causal", perspective. The only point in the book I find weakly supported is that he defends an asymetry in divine sovereignty between election and reprobation, and generaly causality of good vs. evil. He includes minimal argument; here's hoping he will might explain that position (Dr. Carson, if you reading this, how about an article in 'Modern Reformation' magazine?)

To challenge Carson's work, anyone that wants to take him on must demonstrate how an alternate understanding is more compatible with the biblical texts, rather than demonstrate how it is more compatible with one's presuppositions or how it leaves one with a more "comfortable" answer.

Note, for an easier read that includes an over-view of the conclusions reached here without many of the supporting arguments, consider reading Carson's also excellent book "A Call To Spiritual Reformation" - chapter 9 in particular.

Difficult, but worth it........2002-04-30

Wow. This book is amazing, it is actually his dissertation, so it is extremely hard going, but if you can make it through, your whole view on the tensions between God's divine sovreignty co-existing with the absolute responsibility of man for his actions will be changed.

Being With God: Trinity, Apophaticism, and Divine-Human Communion

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Being With God: Trinity, Apophaticism, and Divine-Human Communion
Aristotle Papanikolaou
Manufacturer: University of Notre Dame Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0268038317
Release Date: 2006-02-24

Book Description

"Being With God is an exceedingly important and well-written book on Orthodox theology of the Trinity. It not only explains the work of two major contemporary Orthodox theologians; it also lends vital insight into the nature and character of contemporary Orthodox theology in general." —Vigen Guroian, Department of Theology, Loyola College in Maryland

"This is a splendid work of hard-won insights into crucial figures in the development of contemporary theology. Aristotle Papanikolaou makes an original contribution that will be of great interest not only to students in the area of Eastern Orthodox theology but to anyone studying Christian anthropology, metaphysics, trinitarian thought, or comparative theological method." —Mark McIntosh, Department of Theology, Loyola University of Chicago

The central task of Being With God is an analysis of the relation between apophaticism, trinitarian theology, and divine-human communion through a critical comparison of the trinitarian theologies of the Eastern Orthodox theologians Vladimir Lossky (1903-58) and John Zizioulas (1931-), arguably two of the most influential Orthodox theologians of the past century. Aristotle Papanikolaou shows how an ontology of divine-human communion is at the center of both Lossky's and Zizioulas's theological projects. He also shows how, for both theologians, this core belief is used as a self-identifying marker against "Western" theologies.

Book Description

Explains the links between the Bible and ancient Sumerian texts, probing the age-old question of the relationship between humanity and its creators.

• Challenges scientific maxims of the basis of human life.

• Draws fascinating parallels between the leaders of the Anunnaki (from the 12th planet) and Yahweh.

• A comprehensive new look at the history of man.

• First time available in hardcover.

In Divine Encounters Zecharia Sitchin draws on basic Judeo-Christian texts to analyze the creation myths, paralleling Biblical stories to the myths of Sumer and Mesopotamia in order to show that humanity did not evolve without assistance. Sitchin daringly hypothesizes instead that Enki, one of the leaders of the Anunnaki from the 12th planet, created humanity as a "primitive worker." Furthermore, Sitchin suggests that the extraterrestrial encounters of today demonstrate the continued interest of the Anunnaki in the Earthlings they created.

Customer Reviews:

Divine Encounters.......2007-01-12

Another great book by Zachariah Sitchen,This one has a lot of previous material but I have read all eight books of his Earth chronicles and they are all very mind boggling.

Is doesn't matter at all whether it`s science, it still may be true..........2005-08-06

All books by Mr. Sictchin are very good and unusual, IMHO. But this one in a way surpases them by far. I shall not go into a detailed description of the contents but the last chapters of the book have striken me with their unorthodox approach and analysis. I shall give just one example - the meaning of the Hebrew word 'olam' (world, universe): this word appears a lot in the Bible, both by itself and in two strange combinations 'le-olam' ('for ever'!? what's the connection?) and 'me-olam' ('never') - this ethymology always looked queer to me - and here comes Mr. Sitchin and makes this 'space-time' connection simple and clear.
And at the end Mr. Sicthin tries to find out who really was the God of the Bible - and arrives to a conclusion you would never expect!

riiiiiiiiiiiiight.......2003-08-22

Oh--the Tower of Babel was a spaceport and Noah was clued in by aliens who sat up in a spaceship while the world was flooded. Now it all becomes SO clear.

The best thing about Sitchen's....er..."work" is that I always sleep great after reading it. I always sleep best after a good laugh.

Some original ideas and probably a nugget of uncommon truth here and there, but this is otherwise one of the most ridiculous books I've ever read.

more good stuff.......2002-01-06

Sitchin comes through with another good book. More influence from the Annunaki.

Partial Theories..........2001-08-21

Great book with partial theories...only if he would continue to explain everything up to modern times. I don't understand how some people's intelligents were insulted, seems to me the same person who never read any of these books by Zecharia Sitchin keeps putting them down.

Customer Reviews:

Stunning!.......2007-07-17

this book is pure genius. yes... western philosophy has underated the importance of the heart... the seat of love. a truly wonderful book. i feel very guilty giving it four stars, but his emphasis is on focusing on others as the object of love, kindness etc etc and says little about love for oneself. one cannot love others unless one cherishes and loves oneself.

hildebrand's analysis of the different human emotions and moods is dazzling. his teacher husserl (the founder of phenomenology) was understandably left almost speechless by the first essay in this book. another nice thing about it is that there arn't too many big words, but a dictionary is needed from time to time.

my own view on love is that when we focus on the person we love, there is a oneness or unity. love is the ultimate dissolver of subject object boundaries. love is very oneness itself and without love, oneness is just not possible. the purpose of union is love.

hildebrand looks critically at post romantic pragmatism and you can tell that he had a problem with kant (and would with modern day objectivists).
he argues that in order to truly appreciate the object (person one is talking to) one must do so holistically. engaging and aware of ones emotions. knowledge of pheremones and body language imply that emotions are important. if you wish to suppress emotions (unless you are a very sensitive person) you favour the unemotional robot.

kant said that good deeds should be detatched from emotions. ie a neutral but practical gift. hildebrand argues that a gift is more sincere if offered with genuine emotion. we as humans should not follow in the footsteps of plato, aristotle and socrates in ignoring the emotions and their importance, but rather should be influenced by... not controlled by, the heart. the ancients in their veneration of reason have denied affectivity (emotion and mood) as a crucial part of being fully human.

this book is not perfect... but then, i would rate it as possibly the second most important book i have read during the past four years.

a wonderful and quite literally stunning book of insight... buy this book, underline it and study it. if you cant buy it, borrow it!

love flakey xxx

Incredible book on affectivity.......2007-05-16

Most of western philosophy has attributed two spiritual aspects to man: rationality and volition. As a result, the heart has been downplayed as being part of the animalistic, and thus lower, side of man. Von Hildebrand, however, saw that there are aspects of the emotional life that are truly spiritual in nature and they cannot belong only to man's animal nature but must be attributed to his spiritual side. In a convincing and beautiful way, von Hilderbrand examines the different types of affectivity in man in "The Heart" in this groundbreaking look at man's emotional side. At the end of the book he examines God's love and provides some deep mediations on the Sacred Heart, the heart that so loved man to death on the Cross.

Divine Truth or Human Tradition?: A Reconsideration of the Roman Catholic-Protestant Doctrine of the Trinity in Light of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures

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Great book...for Jehovah's Witnesses
Divine Truth or Human Tradition
Divine Truth or Human Tradition, by Patrick Navas
Fantastic and thorough exploration of the Trinity!

Divine Truth or Human Tradition?: A Reconsideration of the Roman Catholic-Protestant Doctrine of the Trinity in Light of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures
Patrick Navas
Manufacturer: AuthorHouse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1425948324

Book Description

In Divine Truth or Human Tradition? the author examines the viewpoints and Scripture expositions of prominent evangelical scholars and apologists; including popular author and debater Dr. James R. White (author of The Forgotten Trinity), John MacArthur (President of The Master's Seminary), Wayne Grudem (author of the widely-read Systematic Theology), Robert Bowman Jr. (author of Why You Should Believe in the Trinity), Robert Morey (Founder of California Biblical University and Seminary and author of The Trinity, Evidence and Issues), R. C. Sproul (President of Ligonier Ministries), Robert L. Reymond (author of Jesus, Divine Messiah and A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith), and others. According to what has long been considered mainstream Christian "orthodoxy," the doctrine of the Trinity (the idea that the one true God is-in the ultimate sense-a divine being made up of three co-equal and co-eternal persons) is not only central to the Christian faith, but absolutely necessary for one to accept in order to be counted as a true Christian and be saved. Such a demand on a Christian's faith has come across as strange and perplexing to many, especially so in light of the fact pointed out by one respected Trinitarian: "[The Trinity] is not clearly or explicitly taught anywhere in Scripture, yet it is widely regarded as a central doctrine, indispensable to the Christian faith. In this regard, it goes contrary to what is virtually an axiom [that is, a given, a self-evident truth] of biblical doctrine, namely, that there is a direct correlation between the scriptural clarity of a doctrine and its cruciality to the faith and life of the church." (Millard J. Erickson, God in Three Persons, p. 11. Emphasis added) Understandably, this fact has raised questions in the minds of Christians and truth-seekers alike ever since the doctrine was first decreed as mandatory to confess in the late 4th century. Many Christians have wondered: How can a doctrine that is no

Customer Reviews:

Great book...for Jehovah's Witnesses.......2007-06-29

I would give a hearty "amen" to the other reviews...if I was a Jehovah's Witness. I'm not sure how Navas can provide an answer to Bowman and Komoszewski's book Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ when it hasn't even been published yet. Having read an advance copy, I can tell you that Bowman and Komoszewski have offered a far stronger case for the historic and orthodox teaching for the deity of Christ than Navas.

Divine Truth or Human Tradition.......2007-03-23

In this book, Patrick Navas provides a very even handed and thorough critique of the doctrine of the Trinity. Gratefully, at no point within his book did I feel that Patrick resorted to disingenuous rhetorical tactics in order to persuade. Rather, I found his arguments to be both well-informed and well-reasoned, and his overall approach to the topic to be quite charitable.

While Patrick does share some of his own thoughts on the matter, he mainly appeals to the research of well-known and respected evangelical scholars. He repeatedly demonstrates how these scholars concede, not only that the doctrine of the Trinity is foreign to the NT, but also that the classical proof-texts for a Trinitarian interpretation are far from conclusive.

Finally, even though his book is principally devoted to addressing the falsity of a Trinitarian interpretation, throughout his book, Patrick shows himself to have a greater incentive than mere doctrinal persuasion. He writes, "In whatever way a Christian understands certain portions of Scripture that may be considered ambiguous to some degree, such will not change the fact that the Christian life should be characterized first and foremost by our loving God with all that we are, and by loving our neighbor as ourselves, in imitation of the way that God loved us, manifested in the sacrifice of his Son for our sake."

Divine Truth or Human Tradition, by Patrick Navas.......2007-03-12

This is an excellent well thought out investigation of the doctrine of the Trinity. It's origin, development and basis in Scripture. A tremendous amount of research is presented. For anyone wishing to read a very through examination of this doctrine, this is a must have book. Believers and non believers are going to find it hard to ignore the evidence presented.

Fantastic and thorough exploration of the Trinity!.......2007-01-29

Having researched this doctrine and read dozens of books, I have to tout Navas' book with a whole heart. This book shows years of intense research, coupled with a love for truth and a humble heart. Navas presents the arguments of Trinitarian apologists, many who conceed the doctrine of the Trinity is not only man-made but entirely unscriptural. He appeals to logic, reason, and most importantly, to the Holy Scriptures, which, to all Christians, should be the touchstone of all truth. He tackles the small handful of questionable scriptures in their Biblical and historical context, showing how they all harmonize with the one truth--that Jesus never claimed to be God and is never portrayed as one person of a mysterious three-person godhead.

I dare anyone who is a believer in the Trinity, or does not really know what that doctrine truly teaches, to be brave and venture into this book. I cannot imagine anyone who reads this work with an open mind and heart, along with prayer and humility, could come away unchanged. It is crucial we understand just who Jesus Christ is, what he taught about his own God and Father, and how we Christians can worship his Father "in spirit and truth." And Patrick Navas does a beautiful job explaining, solely from scripture, how we can do that faithfully.

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