Religious Books > G Religious Books

Advantages: A good introduction to the crusades.
Disadvantages: Mr Tyermans writing style.

I had this book bought for me as a Christmas present and I must admit I was looking forward to learning a bit more about the crusades. And in all fairness this is a great book for understanding the background and causes of what Urban II launched in 1096 AD. It's also a useful guide for the internecine conflicts of the crusader states and the surrounding Arabic kingdoms. I, for one, had never really understood the politics of the region and was surprised ...
...issue in the region. It also brings to the readers attention the sacrifices of all the crusaders, the financial and personal hardships they and the families they left behind had to endure. The intrigues of the Byzantine Emperors, the Venetian trading cartels and various other princes and Lords all come to life in this large and illuminating tome. Another aspect that surprised me was the attention to detail that he brings to the lesser known Northern ... Read review

Advantages: Short and direct, to the point
Disadvantages: A book for scholars and experts

...this means is that the God we experience as the Trinity and who impacts our salvation (the 'economic' Trinity) is not a distinct or different entity from the metaphysical being of God (the 'immanent' Trinity). Rahner states that being an incarnationalist, believing that God became human in the form of Jesus, does not in and of itself imply anything about one's trinitarian concept. God is triune in Godself, and what appears to us in three forms or ...
...emphasis on the self-communication of God and the self-possession of God. Self-communication is not merely a verbal expression, nor is it always understandable. Ultimately, the Trinity remains an Absolute Mystery, and much of God's self-communication in Father, Son and Holy Spirit remains incomprehensible to us intellectually. One is reminded here of Dorothy Sayers' book 'Creed or Chaos', in which she described the Trinity thusly: 'The Father incomprehensible, ... Read review

Advantages: Easy to read and understand
Disadvantages: Not everyones cup of tea yet

The Good news Bible is another translation of the Bible from the Greek and Hebrew texts into English, it is an easy to read version, that is quite simple to understand. In comparisson to other translations, it is quite good, however, one feels the effort used for versions such as the New International Version, or even the New Century Version of the bible is somewhat lacking, however, this version has spoken with its sales, as one of the best selling ...
...News for Modern Man\', the Good News Bible was a bestseller from its first publication, providing a unique combination of accessibility and faithfulness to the best Greek and Hebrew sources. It has earned the respect of a wide range of scholars for its accuracy and reliability, and because it is easy to read and understand it is suitable for people of all ages. Retaining the tried and trusted Bible text and Annie Vallotton\'s famous line drawings, ... Read review

Advantages: Important messages
Disadvantages: A tough read, a narrow audience (unfortunately)

...and the recognition that the God of compassion holds all people as sacred and worthy of dignity as creatures made in the image of God. `Ethical prophecy must be theocentric,' Burrow states, and this element of God as the centre is made apparent through Walker's deep religious convictions and understanding of the Bible. God's impartiality and recognition the worth of every human being is thoroughly biblical. That human beings belong to God alone, ...
...the liberation theological idea that God has a preferential option for the poor, and that to do justice in a prophetically ethical manner, one has to be `unashamedly partisan in favour of the socio-politically least of God's people.' Burrow states that preaching and teaching must not only include, but must emphasise the importance and value of all persons to God, and (in what is perhaps the most dis-comforting parts of the book), calls for well-meaning ... Read review

Advantages: Great new translation, interesting art
Disadvantages: Sometimes the art and text don't seem to work well together

Perhaps the phrase, be careful what you ask for, should have been coined for this early story. In the books of Samuel, the nation of Israel essentially 'comes of age', and enters the arena of other nations by forming a central hierarchical structure. The politics of Israel was interesting at this point. From the time of the Exodus (after Moses and Joshua) to the time of Samuel (some 400+ years later, if the Biblical account of years can be trusted ...
...in doubt), Israel had no central authority, no hierarchy. The people lived in a mostly agrarian culture, with small farming, flocks and herds as the norm. Cities were rare, and generally despised. For instance, the Philistines and the Egyptians were both known primarily as city-dwellers, and both were considered enemies in many respects. Israel was guided by judges, who recognised God as King. This, however, was unsatisfactory to the people of Israel. ... Read review