Religious Books > M Religious Books

Advantages: -
Disadvantages: -

...facts as the number of Magi are in doubt, then what else have we taken as read regarding these mysterious visitors. Author Adrian Gilbert decided to find out and his researches have resulted in this book. Gilbert takes the view point that even if there was no actual visit by these Magi at the time of Jesus birth, after all three out of four gospel writers fail to mention it so Matthew may have added it into his account to add importance to the event, ...
...with links back to the Magi priests of the Bible. Along a thread that takes us through the Sufi and the Zoroastrian beliefs and into even more secretive places, Gilbert makes good account for the fact that the wise men of the bible were part of a secret spiritual path that is still to be found, though not easily, in the world to day. Although the book is examining the mystery schools and secretive religions of the Middle East, it is as much a history ... Read review

Advantages: passed the time
Disadvantages: deeply perplexing

I read this while I was in hopsital waiting for James to make an appearance. It was a loan from my father, I read it because it was there. I mention this because it does actually make for an important context. If you are considering reading this book, ask yourself this one vital question. Do you know who G.I. Gurdjiieff is? If the answer is no, you will find the book tricky because firstly our writer does start from the assumption that you know ...
...much to enlighten his readers if they should happen not to know. Secondly, if you don't know who he is, it isn't easy to get a handle on why the book might be interesting. I suspect therefore, that if you know all about him this will be quite an interesting read. I didn't know who he was when I started the book, and I came out at the end so little the wiser that there isn't much I can share with you. He's a bloke who travelled a lot, dabbled in ... Read review

Advantages: A good book for preachers and church-goers
Disadvantages: A narrow audience appeal

'Make the Word Come Alive' is the fourth volume in the Channels of Listening series, a Lilly Endowment funded study to learn how people listen to, understand and respond to sermons in different churches. The study involved a diverse collection of people, congregations and scholars at my seminary and elsewhere. The first three volumes have been published over the last year or so, and include 'Listening to Listeners', 'Hearing The Sermon: Relationship ...
...Hear In Sermons'. With this particular volume, the data collected is used to identify shared elements. 'The twelve chapters of this book lift up twelve qualities that many listeners find appealing in sermons.' The purpose is to advise preachers to help them provide more effective sermons. To be sure, there are far more than twelve elements to a good sermon. However, those listed here are the ones that most consistently were mentioned across the board ... Read review

Advantages: written in plain English
Disadvantages: Can be tough going at times

...benefited from a classical education mythology was a bit of a mystery to me, years spent watching open mouthed as some spotty faced student on University Challenge not only got the starter for ten but the main course and pudding to had served to emphasise this gap in my knowledge. What I did know about mythology was provided by watching Jason and the Argonauts on a Sunday afternoon. One day while loitering in Ottakers trying to stretch out my lunch ...
...some of the terminology. Mythology and the Cradle of Civilisation This section is extremely useful for any beginner as it begins by defining what actually constitutes a myth and the many ways in which myths have been adopted into mainstream culture. What I found very useful was the warning that due to the nature of mythology many versions of stories exist with characters bearing many different names. It also served to highlight how many nations ... Read review

Advantages: Nontraditional
Disadvantages: Nontraditional

...to recognise the limitations on more traditional ways of thinking about God, and realising the value that can be gained in expanding horizons on the way God is seen in symbol, and referenced in language. The second section shows various examples of the use in all these ways. Inclusive language need not be overpowering or heavy-hitting. It can be as simple as some of the following suggestions: If the text reads 'God...he made the heavens', it could ...
...the Present, and literally infinitely more -- More than Words goes through an interesting parallel of themes and symbols to combine for comparative and contrasting images of God. The book also gives general guidelines for preparing a service, making this a useful text for those without formal liturgical training. From small gathering prayer services to larger liturgies which include music and 'props', this book works through the construction of a ... Read review