Christian Book Reviews and Critiques

Science

Eschatology (End times)

Bible/Philosophy

Cults

Science

Book Review: Science and Human Origins

Science and Human Origins is the recent book by the Discovery Institute on human origins. Although the Discovery Institute tends to stick to intelligent design without defining the Designer, this offering seems to be aimed specifically at Christians. In fact, the final chapter is entitled, "The Science of Adam and Eve." Is Discovery siding with the creationists or just attempting to market to a larger audience? More...

Book Review: Hidden Treasures in the Book of Job Hidden Treasures in the Book of Job: How the Oldest Book in the Bible Answers Today's Scientific Questions

Numerous commentaries have been written on the Book of Job, although most deal virtually exclusively on issues of human suffering and the sovereignty of God. Dr. Hugh Ross of Reasons To Believe has written a book that examines the science content within the book of Job and how it explains creation. People often forget that God Himself addressed Job about His creation in chapters 38-41. More...

God is Great, God is GoodBook Review: God is Great, God is Good: Why Belief in God is Reasonable and Responsible

Editors William Lane Craig and Chad Meister have assembled a collection of the best scholars in Christianity to put together God is Great, God is Good: Why Belief in God is Reasonable and Responsible, one of the best books at refuting the claims of the "new atheists." Authors include William Lane Craig, J.P. Moreland, John Polkinghorne, Michael Behe, Alister McGrath, Gary Habermas, and others. The result is a comprehensive refutation of the arguments of the new atheists, and a thorough apologetic for the existence of God. More...

Who Made GodBook Review: Who made God? Searching for a theory of everything

"Who made God?" is the standard question of the new atheists. However, Edgar Andrews' latest book, Who made God? Searching for a theory of everything, is not another cynical atheistic diatribe. Although Andrews has a pile of initials after his name (BSc, PhD, DSc, FInstP, FIMMM, CEng, CPhys), he is a witty, engaging author and theologian, in addition to scientist. Although Andrews takes on the new atheists, the main thrust of Who made God? is an apologetic of how the Bible fits into modern science (or how the Bible predicted the discoveries of modern science). More...

Beyond the Cosmos: What Recent Discoveries in Astrophysics Reveal about the Glory and Love of GodBook Review: Beyond the Cosmos: What Recent Discoveries in Astrophysics Reveal About the Glory and Love of God

Hugh Ross, president and founder of Reasons To Believe, has published an updated, third edition of Beyond the Cosmos, originally published in 1996. Beyond the Cosmos is based upon biblical theology and the scientific theories about string theory and extra dimensions of space and time. The book does not require a degree in science to understand, but it does require the reader to think deeply about the content that is being explained. If you are a Christian who is content with "the Bible says it, I believe it" then this book is not for you. However, if you want to understand biblical principles at a deeper level and take your faith to the next tier, you will want to read this book. More...

Creating Life in the Lab: How New discoveries in Synthetic Biology Make a Case for the CreatorBook Review: Creating Life in the Lab: How New discoveries in Synthetic Biology Make a Case for the Creator

Fazale Rana, Reasons To Believe's biochemist scholar has written a timely book, Creating Life in the Lab, that examines human attempts to create artificial life forms in the laboratory. With Craig Venter's announcement of having created an artificial bacterium, news sources have been busy speculating what is next. In a world dominated by science and technology, it is good for Christians to know what is happening on the cutting-edge of science and how it applies to Christianity. More...

The Moral Landscape by Sam HarrisBook Review: The Moral Landscape by Sam Harris

Sam Harris has a new book, The Moral Landscape, whose subtitle claims, "How Science Can Determine Human Values." If you buy the book because of the subtitle, you will be extremely frustrated and disappointed. Instead, Sam Harris has produced the ultimate book that "preaches to the choir" (in this case, the atheistic choir) in order to attempt to shore up what is undoubtedly one of the weakest aspects of atheism - the determination of moral values. More...

More Than a Theory: Revealing a Testable Model for CreationBook Review: More Than a Theory: Revealing a Testable Model for Creation by Hugh Ross

In the fourth book of his testable creation series, Hugh Ross (Reasons To Believe, RTB) examines the entire sweep of creation as a basis for a testable creation model. If you are interested in getting started with the RTB creation model, this is the book with which you should begin your reading. More...

Why the Universe Is the Way It IsBook Review: Why the Universe Is the Way It Is by Hugh Ross

In a slight departure from their usual books on a testable creation model, Hugh Ross (Reasons To Believe) takes on the big "why" questions about the universe and why God created in the way He did. This book represents a continuation of Creation As Science with more emphasis on how biblical theology fits with what we know about the characteristics of the universe and life on earth. Hugh Ross' latest book is an excellent integration of biblical theology with the latest scientific evidence that supports the Christian worldview and the Bible as God's revelation to humanity. More...

The Cell's Design: How Chemistry Reveals the Creator's ArtistryBook Review: The Cell's Design: How Chemistry Reveals the Creator's Artistry

Fazale Rana (Ph.D. in chemistry), vice president of research and apologetics at Reasons To Believe, has written a new book, The Cell's Design: How Chemistry Reveals the Creator's Artistry, that attempts to show that cellular biochemistry points to the existence of the Creator who designed it. Whereas most intelligent design books attempt to show the existence of design by demonstrating the existence of irreducible complexity, Dr. Rana examines the cell's biochemistry with broad strokes of how everything works together with such marvelous fidelity. So, even if a single piece or line of evidence might be dismissed as a statistical outlier, the weight of evidence makes a powerful case for design by a Creator. Each chapter begins with an analogy from the art world that relates to the topic at hand. Apparently, Dr. Rana is quite an art enthusiast. More...

Intelligent Design 101: Leading Experts Explain the Key IssuesBook Review: Intelligent Design 101: Leading Experts Explain the Key Issues

Intelligent Design 101 is a short, good introduction into the arguments for intelligent design theory from leaders in the field. If you have hesitated to buy one of the more specific books on intelligent design because of fear of getting lost in the technical discourse, this is a good way to get introduced to all the areas of discussion without getting bogged down in too many technical details. Once you have finished this book, you will be ready to take on some of the more detailed aspects of the theory, with an understanding of the basic concepts and issues. More...

What's So Great About ChristianityBook Review: What's So Great About Christianity by Dinesh D'Souza

With the recent onslaught of books written by atheists to attack Christianity, best selling author, Dinesh D'Souza has come back with a comprehensive response to them all in his newest book, What's So Great About Christianity And the rave reviews have been pouring in:

More...

God's Undertaker: Has Science Buried God?Book Review: God's Undertaker: Has Science Buried God?

John Lennox, professor of mathematics and philosophy of science at Oxford University has written a book in reply to the New Atheists, which addresses the question of intelligent design in the universe. Lennox's background is readily seen in his writing, which primarily consists of philosophical arguments against many of the arguments by atheists such as Richard Dawkins. Lennox excels in destroying some the pitiful "logical" and philosophical arguments of Dawkins. Most of the book is spent giving an overview of intelligent design, including design in the universe, earth, biology, origin of life and the genetic code. Lennox covers the basics of the science behind intelligent design quite well in a concise manner (the book is less than 180 pages long). He doesn't get bogged down in the highly disputed areas of intelligent design, such as biological design and irreducible complexity. Lennox records some amazing admissions by secular scientists. More...

Book Review: Creation As Science: A Testable Model Approach to End the Creation/evolution Wars

Creation As Science: A Testable Model Approach to End the Creation/evolution WarsReasons To Believe's third in a series of books proposing a testable creation model takes on the origin and design of the universe. Previous books, Origins of Life: Biblical and Evolutionary Models Face Off and Who Was Adam?: A Creation Model Approach to the Origin of Man, examined the origin of life on earth and the origin of mankind, respectively. Creation As Science develops a biblical creation model and compares the predictions of this model compared to a naturalistic model, young earth creationism, and theistic evolution. This biblical creation model is divided into four main areas, the origin of the universe, the origin of the Solar System, the history of life on earth, and the origin and history of mankind. More...

Book Review: Why We Believe What We Believe: Uncovering Our Biological Need for Meaning, Spirituality, and Truth

Why We Believe What We Believe: Uncovering Our Biological Need for Meaning, Spirituality, and TruthRobert Walmann, the co-author of Andrew Newberg's (professor of Radiology and Psychiatry) new book, Why We Believe What We Believe, wrote me asking that I review his book. This book is a sequel to Newberg's book, Why God Won't Go Away. The new book has strengths and weaknesses, but, should be of some interest to those who have an interest in spiritual matters and human behavior. The book is primarily written to address the question of how the brain works so that we arrive at what we believe to be true. Neither author is a Christian, as can be evidenced from the many jabs directed at Christians and Christianity scattered throughout the book. However, the book cannot be said to be non-spiritual, since New Age and Far Eastern religions seem to receive little or no criticism (co-author, Mr. Waldman seems to be into New Age-type spirituality), and are actually endorsed. Likewise, atheists may not be entirely comfortable with the content, since it clearly challenges their cherished belief that that have no beliefs. More...

Book Review: The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief

The Language of God : A Scientist Presents Evidence for BeliefFrancis Collins, the former head of the Human Genome Project, has written a book presenting his case for belief in theism. Although Collins presents much of the evidence supporting a Christian worldview, he discounts nearly all of it, rejecting the origin of life as requiring any input from God. Collins goes on to reject creationism, relegating virtually all of Genesis (other than Genesis 1:1) to being "poetic" and "allegorical." Another chapter is devoted to criticizing intelligent design, indicating that it is a "God of the gaps" approach "ironically on a path toward doing considerable damage to faith." Collins proposes that God designed the universe with such precision that humans would be the end result. Thus, although Collins believes in ?quot;theistic evolution," the only part he accepts as being theistic was the original design of the universe. Although Collins calls it "spiritually satisfying" and "intellectually rigorous", I think most believers would find it biblically troublesome and scientifically irrelevant. More...

Book Review: Peril in Paradise: Theology, Science, and the Age of the Earth

Peril in Paradise: Theology, Science, and the Age of the EarthMark S. Whorton, Ph.D. has written a book written for Christians that examines creation paradigms on the basis of what the Bible says. Many Christians assume that the young earth "perfect paradise" paradigm is based upon what the Bible says. In reality, the "perfect paradise" paradigm fails in its lack of biblical support and also in its underlying assumptions that it forces upon a "Christian" worldview. Under the "perfect paradise" paradigm, God is relegated to the position of a poor designer, whose plans for the perfect creation are ruined by the disobedience of Adam and Eve. God is forced to come up with "plan B," in which He vindictively creates weeds, disease, carnivorous animals, and death to get back at humanity for their sin. Young earth creationists inadvertently buy into the atheistic worldview that suffering could not have been the original intent of God, stating that the earth was created "for our pleasure." More...

Book Review: Who Was Adam?: A Creation Model Approach to the Origin of Man

Who Was Adam?: A Creation Model Approach to the Origin of ManAre humans just advanced apes or have they been specially created in the image of God? Publications by scientists almost never ask the question, whereas publications by theists seldom examine the scientific data that relates to the question. However, two scientists raised in non-Christian homes, Fuz Rana (Ph.D. in chemistry) and Hugh Ross (Ph.D. in astronomy), have written a new book (Who Was Adam?: A Creation Model Approach to the Origin of Man) that examines the question of human origins by comparing biblical and evolutionary models. More...

Book Review: Origin of the Human Species?

Origin of the Human SpeciesDr. Dennis Bonnette offers a philosophical analysis of the theory of evolution with particular application to human origins. Dr. Bonnette presents evolutionary theories (both theistic and non-theistic), along with creationists' explanations. Dr. Bonnette, being a Roman Catholic, defends the traditional Roman Catholic interpretation of human origins from the book of Genesis. Although he does not take an official position on the superiority of any one theistic model, his book seems most compatible with an old earth creationist approach. The book describes a "natural" or "philosophical" species, as a group of biological species that is functionally similar. More...

Origins of Life: Biblical and Evolutionary Models Face Off

Origins of Life: Biblical and Evolutionary Models Face OffProbably the single most potent scientific argument against atheism is the problem with a naturalistic origin of life. This very problem led me to become a deist as a biology major at USC in the early 1970's. The problems for atheists have gotten no better since that time. In fact, the last 30+ years of research have turned up even more problems than those that existed when I first studied the theories. Fuz Rana (a biochemist) and Hugh Ross (an astrophysicist) have teamed up to write the definitive up-to-date analysis of the origin of life. The book examines the origins of life from the perspectives of chemistry, biochemistry, astronomy, and the Bible. A biblical creation model is presented along side the naturalistic models to help the reader decide which one fits the data better. This is an excellent book to give to your unbelieving friends, since it presents a testable creation model that is clearly superior to any naturalistic model.

Should Christians be Environmentalists?Book Review: Should Christians be Environmentalists?

Dan Story, author of the book, Should Christians be Environmentalists?, is a former agnostic, turned Christian. Soon after becoming a Christian, Story felt compelled to write Christian apologetics materials. Some thirty years later Story has written his first work on environmentalism from a Christian perspective. It is probably good Story took so much time to get back to his environmentalist past, since he is now firmly grounded in biblical theology, so that he handles the topic with the skill of a seasoned apologist. The book is not so much a to-do list of things Christians can do to care for God's creation as it is an apologetic to the Church to become leaders in the field of creation care. Story's target audience is Bible-believing Christians, since there is a biblical emphasis throughout the book. More...

Eschatology (End times)

Book Review: The Origins of Left Behind Eschatology

The Origins of Left Behind EschatologyMany Christians believe that the prevalent pretribulation rapture interpretation of the end times has always been the historic position of the Christian church. The Left Behind series of books and movies have captured a large audience of Christians, most of whom have never studied the Bible's prophetic scriptures in depth. Since eschatology (end times theology) is a fascinating topic, the Left Behind series has had a huge influence on the prevalence of belief in pretribulation rapture theology. Now, David Malcolm Bennett has written a comprehensive examination of how this theology began, in his new book The Origins of Left Behind Eschatology. The book is based upon Bennett's doctoral thesis on the same topic, which explains the length of the book - at just over 400 pages. However, the text is not just a dry scholarly exercise, but is an important examination of the origins of a popular Christian eschatology. More...

Book Review: Left Behind Answered Verse by Verse

Left Behind Answered Verse by VerseLeft Behind series of books is a popular account of end times events told through fictional characters. Although the books are fiction, their authors wrote the books with the intent to influence the theological thinking of the Christian masses, as suggested in their last novel:

"Jerry and I felt uniquely led of God to take on this challenging task of presenting what we believe is the truth of end times prophecy in fiction form. Our prayer was that it would take admittedly complex and often confusing elements of Scripture and help them come to life in your eyes. . . . we believe what we have portrayed here will happen someday."

David A. Reed is concerned about the theology presented in the Left Behind books so much so that he has written a book, Left Behind Answered Verse by Verse, examining the theology from a biblical standpoint. More...

Book Review: The end Times Passover

The End Times Passover: Etymological Challenges to Millenarian DoctrinesThe End Times Passover: Etymological Challenges to Millenarian Doctrines is the first of two books by Joe Ortiz's on end times events and prophecy. Both books refute the prevalent pre-tribulation rapture scenario, although this book focuses more on the rapture and the New Jerusalem. At just over 500 pages, the topics are covered in much detail. To his credit, Mr. Ortiz quotes long passages of scripture and commentaries, so that readers know that nothing is taken out-of-context. More...

Book Review: Why Christians Will Suffer "Great Tribulation"

Why Christians Will Suffer "Great Tribulation"Why Christians Will Suffer "Great Tribulation" is Joe Ortiz's sequel to His book, The End Times Passover, which is reviewed separately on this site. Mr. Ortiz makes the point that "The" Great Tribulation is actually not mentioned in the Bible. The definite article "the" is not part of Matthew's description of end times tribulation events. So, Christians will suffer great tribulation in the end times, although it will vary from the tribulation the saints have received throughout recorded history only by degree to which the saints will be persecuted. Many Bible teachers are claiming that end times Christians will escape tribulation and be raptured prior to these events (often referred to as "pre-tribulation rapture" or "pre-trib rapture"). Since Christians are not destined for wrath, why would God put us through great tribulation? More...

Book Review: Earth Turns Heaven: The End and Beyond

Earth Turns Heaven: The End and BeyondEarth Turns Heaven: The End and Beyond by Maria Vatsa is written from an interesting perspective. Although it was submitted to me as scientific examination of creation and beyond, it might more aptly be called A Brief History of God's Time. Although Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time was mentioned in the introduction, I didn't really get how that applied to the book until I read to the end of the book. Earth Turns Heaven is a sweeping examination of God's plan for the creation - from the beginning of time until the end of time, and beyond. As such, it is not really an examination of the science, but an examination of the Bible from beginning to end, since scripture is quoted extensively. More...

Book Review: Who Will Be Left Behind and When?

Who Will be Left behand and When?Dave Bussard has written a theological examination of the eschatology promoted in the Left Behind books. The Left Behind series has been very popular with Christians. This fictional account of end times prophecy promotes the pretribulational rapture interpretation of Jesus Christ's return. According to this interpretation, Jesus will return to earth twice - once in an imminent, silent rapture of the Church, and second in judgment of the earth. In Who Will Be Left Behind and When?, Dave Bussard examines the teachings of the Left Behind series in light of what the Bible says. It does an excellent job of presenting specific pretribulational rapture teachings, including scriptures cited by proponents, and explains what those biblical passages really say in context, and what other relevant scriptures say about that specific teaching. Written in a highly readable style, this book is the perfect introductory comparison of pre-trib vs. pre-wrath rapture interpretations. At only 161 pages, this book presents the issues in an easy-to-understand style that will keep your interest to the end. Once you have a basic understanding of end times prophecy, you might want to consider Before God's Wrath, published through Strong Tower Publishing.

Philosophy/Bible

Book Review: Rise of the Time Lords: A Geek’s Guide to Christianity

Rise of the Time Lords: A Geek’s Guide to ChristianityRise of the Time Lords: A Geek's Guide to Christianity is a new book, written by Michael Belote, a self-described Geek who has always wanted to find a way to satisfy his science fiction/engineering Geek side with his Christianity. Belote's book is an examination of Christian theology using an amazing array of clever examples from the worlds of engineering, science, and science fiction. Geeks tend to think that theology is boring, But not any more! More...

7 Truths that Changed the World: Discovering Christianity's Most Dangerous IdeasBook Review: 7 Truths that Changed the World: Discovering Christianity's Most Dangerous Ideas

Kenneth R. Samples is the resident philosopher and theologian at Reasons To Believe, a Christian think-tank primarily devoted to science apologetics. Samples' latest book, 7 Truths that Changed the World, is an apologetic for the Christian faith's central beliefs and values. The New Atheism movement says that Christianity did indeed influence philosophy and morals, but that those ideas are harmful. Is it true that the ideas of Christianity are bad for people? Ken Samples takes on the question of Christianity's "dangerous ideas" and says, "If as a Christian you find that these dangerous ideas don't rock your worldview, then maybe your faith has become far too safe." Samples' book is organized into seven main sections (one for each "dangerous idea"), consisting of two chapters each.  More...

Four Views on Divine ProvidenceBook Review: Four Views on Divine Providence

The extent of divine providence in the lives of people has been a contentious issue among Christians. However, the Bible clearly teaches both predestination and free will. Does God predestine everything or only certain things? If God predestines everything, then are we responsible for the sin we commit? Four Views on Divine Providence presents the views of four prominent theologians (Paul Kjoss Helseth, William Lane Craig, Ron Highfield, and Gregory Boyd) advocating the positions, "God causes all things," "God directs everything," God controls by liberating," and "God limits his control," respectively. The really good thing about the book is how each author critiques the other's arguments. More...

God Is Not "Fair"Book Review: God is Not "Fair"

God is not fair! It is the common complaint for the majority of people undergoing intense suffering or loss. If this describes you or if you are still struggling with life's unfairness that happened to you many years ago, Joel Freeman's book God Is Not "Fair" is for you. Written from Dr. Freeman's perspective of being a pastor with a Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling, God Is Not "Fair" examines the question of suffering from both the Bible and personal experience. Freeman is a talented writer, who uses his knowledge of the Bible, his experience in pastoral counseling and years of serving as a senior pastor to address the practical ways to deal with suffering in light of God's love and justice. More...

The Evolution of GodBook Review: The Evolution of God by Robert Wright

Robert Wright, a former "Christian," and author of The Moral Animal, has written a new book, in which he purports to show that the concept of God has evolved along with mankind. Wright believes that the concept of God will continue to evolve until He becomes a complete patsy and all humankind will live together in harmony. Yes, it is the classic "religion is bad" and "atheism will save humanity" story. For having been a "Christian," Wright's handling of the scriptures is actually worse than that of either the LDS or Watchtower faiths, as we shall see. More...

Book Review: The Faith: What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters by Charles Colson

The Faith: What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters To the general public, at least to those old (or historically literate) enough to remember, the name, “Chuck Colson” conjures images of politics, the Nixon presidency, the Watergate scandal and prison. To most believers, however, Colson is best known for his first book, Born Again, his radio broadcast, BreakPoint, his internationally renown Prison Fellowship, and the numerous subsequent theological best sellers that followed his dramatic conversion in the 1970’s that come. Co-authored by Harold Fickett, this latest book, The Faith, will no doubt be added to the list of contributions he will be best known for. It is one of his most in depth works to date in this call to bring the church back to its roots of Biblical orthodoxy and the tenets of the Christian faith. Yet, far from being just another dry systematic theology the authors accomplish this goal through the use of inspiring stories and personal experiences as they list and defend 12 of the major core doctrines of the faith. More...

Book Review: Greater Than You Think: A Theologian Answers the Atheists About God

Greater Than You Think: A Theologian Answers the Atheists About GodThomas D. Williams, holding advanced degrees in Philosophy and Moral Theology, has written a book, Greater Than You Think, that primarily takes aim at the theology presented in books by atheists Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion), Sam Harris (The End of Faith) and Christopher Hitchens (God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything). Being a theologian, Williams delights in showing how Dawkins and Hitchens seem to know almost nothing about Christian theology - instead, inventing a straw divinity in the place of the real God of Christianity. In addition, instead of citing real scientific evidence to support their claims, the new atheists rely upon anecdotes and the antics of fringe believers to "show" how messed up religion really is. More...

Book Review: The Irrational Atheist: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens by Vox Day

The Irrational Atheist by Vox DayVox Day (pen name for Theodore Beale) has written a new book The Irrational Atheist, which takes on authors Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion), Sam Harris (The End of Faith) and Christopher Hitchens (God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything). Day, a gaming programmer and member of Mensa, is simply brilliant in his analysis of the writings of the new atheists. For the most part, Vox Day sticks to dissecting the logic and sources atheists use to support their new "theology." More...

Book Review: There Is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind by Antony Flew

There Is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His MindProfessor Antony Flew and co-author Abraham Varghese have written a book, There Is a God, describing Flew's "conversion" from atheism to deism. Although Flew grew up as the son of a preacher, the problem of evil and Flew's academic studies led him to disbelieve in God's existence. More...

Misquoting Jesus: Does Bart Ehrman Prove the New Testament is Corrupt?

In his best selling book, Misquoting Jesus, Dr. Bart Ehrman, a well known New Testament scholar and critic, seeks to show that the New Testament is a corrupt document changed through the evolutionary process of scribal alteration, early Christian theological apologetics, and poor scholarship. Since he contends that if God had set out to write a book, he would have preserved an uncorrupted and inerrant work, Dr. Ehrman seeks to show that the New Testament is riddled with errors. By showing it is riddled with errors, Ehrman seeks to prove that the Bible is not the inerrant word of God, but strictly a human book reflecting human hopes, dreams and aspirations. This paper reviews his arguments and rebuts several of his claims. More...

Book Review: A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test

A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview TestEver since I attended a Reasons To Believe conference in 2000, I have been fascinated with the approach Ken Samples has taken for testing worldviews for truth. The wait is finally over and A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test is now published. One of the long-term goals of Reasons To Believe has been to provide a comprehensive, testable Christian creation model, and A World of Difference adds a philosophical piece to that testable creation model. Specific worldviews that are examined in detail include naturalism (a completely secular worldview), postmodernism (a skeptical worldview), pantheistic monism (Eastern mystical worldview), Islam (a radical monotheistic worldview), and Christianity. More...

Book Review: Soul Wisdom: Practical Soul Treasures to Transform Your Life

Soul Wisdom: Practical Soul Treasures to Transform Your LifeI don't usually review books on New Age or Eastern spirituality, but since Simon & Schuster sent me an unsolicited copy of Soul Wisdom, I figured I would take a look. The first sentence caught my attention: "The purpose of life is to serve." I thought that this book might be different from the usual "do this and you will get what you want" approach of most spirituality books. However, to my disappointment, instead of advocating true service to humanity, this book says that you can provide "universal service" merely by chanting and getting "Divine Downloads" by reading the book. Not only that, but you can make yourself well and get all the money you need using the same technique. Of course, since this is a book series on "Soul Power," the author will probably benefit financially through all those "downloads." More...

Cults

Book Review: The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore by Deepak Chopra

The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore by Deepak ChopraIn his book, The Third Jesus, Deepak Chopra attempts to show that Jesus Christ was teaching what is now known as Buddhism/Eastern Mysticism. This claim can only be accomplished by twisting and/or redefining what Jesus said. Mr. Chopra takes this one step further by questioning whether or not Jesus Christ said anything that is recorded in the New Testament, and draws from Gnostic writings for support as to what He supposedly said. He needs to appeal to these extra-biblical documents to help prop up his theology, because if the author doesn't use those documents his argument will be even weaker, if not collapse completely. By doing so Mr. Chopra is clearly displaying an unhealthy dichotomy, by questioning whether or not the New Testament accurately records Jesus' life and words, and yet quoting apocryphal works as if they have more authority. More...

Book Review: Captives of a Concept (Anatomy of an Illusion)

Captives of a Concept (Anatomy of an Illusion)Don Cameron, as a former member of a Body of Elders of Jehovah’s Witnesses has much experience with the Watchtower Society. According to Cameron, "The concept that still holds millions of Jehovah's Witnesses captive is their belief that the Watchtower Society is God's chosen organization to teach them what he wants them to believe; that all of God’s directions to mankind comes through this one 'channel of communication.'" Don Cameron goes on to show that the teachings of the Watchtower have changed since 1919, therefore making the basis upon which they were chosen as God's organization (their "correct" teaching) to no longer be valid.

Even with overwhelming evidence that the Watchtower is not God's organization, members are unwilling to even examine this evidence for fear of being disfellowshipped. However, Cameron suggests that Christian "students" ask them to teach them about the history of the organization. Surprisingly, information about the Society's history is contained in their current 750-page book, Jehovah's Witnesses -Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, from which Jehovah's Witness can teach themselves the truth about the Watchtower Society, based upon appropriate questions from their "student." I encourage you to get this book and use it to help your local Witnesses out of their false religion. More...

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Last Modified September 14, 2012

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