Religious Books > R Religious Books

Advantages: An interesting approach to early Christian studies
Disadvantages: none

...professors when I was studying religious studies at Indiana University in the early 1980s. He has since moved on to Emory University, which is definitely I.U.'s loss. Johnson has been one of the more prolific and studied historian/theologians of this generation. This recent book, 'Religious Experience in Early Christianity: A Missing Dimension in New Testament Studies', shows much of the way he thinks and some of what he considers important in Christianity. ...
...approach to the examination of religious experience. 'This is neither history in the strict sense of the term, nor is it theology. That's the whole point: we need a new way of looking in order to see what we can't otherwise see.' Johnson argues that there has been a comfortable agreement between scholars and clerics toward a more sanitary, orderly, control-able way of examining religious phenomena, which is only natural considering, particularly ... Read review

Advantages: up-to-the minute story, ageless
Disadvantages: none

I first read this book when I was in my teens and it's content has never left me. The true story of Nicky Cruz will always leave an impression on the reader, because of the transformation that occurred in the author's life. From living the life of degradation, violence, and hopelessness, Nicky comes out on the other side through a guy called Dave Wilkerson who cared enough for Nicky and his mates, to persist in sharing the Gospel of Christ, no matter ...
...content portrays an image that some teenagers and indeed, anyone, who may be facing similar situations today. The book remains relevant and potentially life-changing for the reader. This book is a great evangelism tool, sharing the love of Christ and how He can change lives and give hope in a hopeless society. ... Read review

Advantages: Insightful, interesting, new perspectives
Disadvantages: None

...true that much speech about resurrection is quite devoid of meaning; it is also true that much speech consists of cliches which conceal self-centered and therefore idolatrous forms of faith. Of these dangers, Rowan Williams is keenly aware; they are implicit in the character of the term resurrection as 'an ultimate metaphor'. -------- Much of the language of Jewish and Christian scripture is metaphor, some of it explicitly so (parables, for instance), ...
...literally). Williams takes the resurrection as the ultimate metaphor that has the power to make things real. This reality is not just something that happened once upon a time, in a land far far away, but something that is real for us today, something present in our own lives and spiritual beings. There are aspects Williams does not specifically address. This is not a Jesus Seminar text, in search of the 'real' Jesus -- it is not looking for a newspaper-ish ... Read review

Advantages: An eye-opener for the western Christian.
Disadvantages: None whatsoever!

This book is absolutely excellent. This is one of the best books that I have ever read!! Personally, I believe that every Christian needs to read this book, so that they can understand the plight that Asians have in preaching the gospel to their own people. It highlights the need to allow Asians themselves to be trained to go in the mission field, as opposed to sending missionaries from abroad to do the job. It makes a lot of sense, because Asians ...
...The author of this book is a genuine Christian with a zeal and a great love for the lost. His testimonies are absolutely breath-taking. This book will change your whole way of thinking about your walk with God. This book shows Christians who have all of life's comforts in the Western world, that there are parts of the world which need help from the West. The point being that, as we are rich in materials, we should share them with our less well off ... Read review

Advantages: Interesting history
Disadvantages: -

...and Hudson, `the story of religion in America is the story of many religions, some claiming large memberships, some numbering only a few followers.' It involves issues of geography, ethnography, and pluralism both comfortable and conflicting. This continues into the present time, as issues of nationalism and globalism enter into relationship with the continuing diversity of religious identity and expression in the United States. The text begins with ...
...look at the role of religion in politics at the time of the American Revolution as well as the attitudes of different churches toward independence. Included here is a brief discussion of the situation with regard to the unwilling immigrants who brought aspects of their own religious traditions from Africa. The second section surveys the new nation as it grows and spreads from east to west, including a strengthening and realignment of denominations, ... Read review