Philosophy & Religion
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by Matt Chandler (Get the Book)
Defining marital love as the mingling of souls, Chandler (The Explicit Gospel) proceeds to chart a course through the narrative poetry of the Song of Solomon. Using the Old Testament's "book of love" as guide, Chandler leads couples (and singles looking for love) along the path of "a gospel-centered marriage," through the stages of attraction, dating, courtship, engagement, marriage-all the way to sitting on the back porch with the grandkids around. The book's advice is unapologetically counter to prevailing notions of love, dating, and marriage, firmly entrenched in a complementarian and neo-Calvinist view of sexuality. Chandler's vision of God's design will leave many people wondering if they can aspire to such heavenly standards in earthly relationships. Still, he is gentle with his rebuke, giving relevant, humorous, and eminently practical advice. Conservative Christians will find Chandler's words on continuously kindling the fires of love hopeful and helpful. Others may also glean some advice from a guy who sounds like he is there in the trenches with you. --Publisher's weekly
by Jennifer Michael Hecht (Get the Book)
Hecht (New School Univ., NYC) offers an interesting, well-crafted history of Western philosophical thought on suicide. Unlike most other books on the topic, this one defends two longstanding (but often forgotten) arguments against suicide: that we owe it "to society at large," and "to our future selves" to "stay." The persuasive force of these arguments is bolstered by limiting the context to "despair suicide," but not necessarily to "end-of- life management." Thus, most of the contemporary biomedical debate over physician-assisted suicide is avoided. Critics will point out that both arguments assume that the collective and individual benefits of "staying" necessarily outweigh the future costs. Hence, many critics would argue that suicide is inexorably contextual and not amenable to "one-size-fits-all" arguments. This book is recommended for a general audience, especially those who may be vulnerable to despair suicide. For a more rigorous book that covers the deep philosophical issues associated with suicide, see Michael Cholbi's Suicide: The Philosophical Dimensions (CH, Mar'12, 49-3784). --Choice
by Michael Shermer (Get the Book)
Despite the Twin Towers terrorist attacks and the Rwandan genocide, Shermer discerns moral progress in the last quarter century. Evidence of that progress inheres in statistics limning a global decline of lethal violence and a global proliferation of the rights of women, ethnic minorities, homosexuals, and increasingly even animals. Shermer attributes this progress to the triumph of scientific reasoning and the retreat of religious dogma. To be sure, Shermer is more willing than some New Atheists to recognize that faith can foster volunteerism and generosity. But he still regards piety as a retrograde social influence, incapable of leading the way into an enlightened future. That future, he assures readers, is already unfolding as secular thinkers promulgate a rational morality premised on the principle of interchangeable perspectives, granting special privileges to none but affording equal protection to all. What Shermer calls his protopian theorizing will persuade few who draw their moral precepts from scripture, tradition, or group loyalty. But at a time of widespread cultural ferment, such theorizing will spark keen interest. --Booklist
by Hubert Wolf (Get the Book)
As if the current controversies brewing in the Roman Catholic Church aren't enough, a church historian reaches back in time, unearthing a religious scandal of epic proportions. When German princess Katharina Von Hohenzollern joined the convent of Sant'Ambrogio in Rome in the mid-nineteenth century, she became privy to the convent's salacious secrets, including heresy, sexual abuse, and bizarre lesbian initiation rituals. Eventually perceived as a threat by other convent members, especially Maria Luisa, the convent's beautiful but deranged mistress of novices, she became a target for murder. After surviving several poisoning attempts, she made her escape with the assistance of her cousin, the bishop of Edessa and a confidant of Pope Pius IX. In this meticulously researched account, Wolf unravels the case, the ecclesiastical inquiry, and the aftermath of this disgraceful episode. Religion, sex, and politics reader interest should be high. --Booklist
by Christian Piatt (Get the Book)
Any book, not least an ostensibly Christian one, that announces its plan to "piss you off" promises to be provocative. Piatt (PregMANcy) delivers on his disconcerting promise as he calls out Christianity for what he sees as its "seven deadly scandals" (pride, certainty, lust, greed, judgment, fear, and envy) and invites everyone to imagine a more humble, faithful, loving, charitable, merciful, courageous and just future. Piatt pulls no punches in his postmodern verdict against Western Christianity, and his analysis of the "post-Christian" moment should touch a nerve among progressives and traditionalists alike. Piatt is an expert at deconstructing false precepts, false practices, and prejudices of all sorts. Still, while he criticizes Christendom's mistaken sense of cultural hegemony, he leaves too many of his readers of faith standing foundationless and asking nervously, "Now what?" That may be exactly what the author wants. Instead of offering pat remedies to Christianity's ills, he invites readers on a Kerouac-style journey of faith on the road with others who are preoccupied with similar questions and are comfortable living, and dying, with them. --Publisher's Weekly
by Sarah Napthali (Get the Book)
What do motherhood and the concept of self-reliance have in common with Buddhist philosophy? In a familiar, conversational style, Napthali, a mother and a Buddhist writer, thoughtfully explores this question, teaming Buddhist teachings (e.g., to be truthful, compassionate, and tolerant) with the ordinary experiences of mothers. She aims to convey the message that developing inner resources will help women nurture themselves so that they may parent wisely and well. With simple instructions for meditative practice and a one-minute breath meditation, the author guides busy women in the art of transforming their lives in the midst of chaos. She asks good spiritual questions, too-the real strength of the book-e.g., How am I interpreting a given situation? Am I upset due to unsolved family issues? One criticism is a lack of illustrations. Ultimately, what readers learn is that treating our children as though they are respected parts of ourselves hastens compassion toward others in our inner circle, rewarding us with less isolation and loneliness in our daily lives. For all public libraries in a category bridging self-help and comparative religion. --Library Journal
by Alain Badiou (Get the Book)
Alain Badiou (1937- ) is one of the most high profile and controversial philosophers writing in France today. A leading light in the generation of thinkers who come of intellectual age in 1968, his work deftly draws on a wide range of intellectual traditions and thinkers from Plato and Lucretius, through Heidegger to Lacan and Deleuze.Now available in the Bloomsbury Revelations series, Infinite Thought is a vivid demonstration of that range. Here Badiou introduces his own thought on the full gamut of intellectual concerns, from politics, psychoanalysis and art to truth, desire and the definition of philosophy itself. As well as Badiou's reflections on the fall of communism and the 'War on Terror', the book also includes an interview with the author. (summary)
by Gerard Russell (Get the Book)
Russell (coauthor, Paktika Provincial Handbook) has lived and traveled throughout the Middle East for more than a decade, working at British embassies in Baghdad and Kabul. His work led him to explore remote areas of Iraq and Afghanistan, among other countries, observing religious rituals and interviewing practitioners of small sects, curious about what has enabled them to survive for thousands of years in spite of isolation and persecution. The author is fluent in both Arabic and Farsi and his mostly solitary travels brought him to seek Zoroastrians in Iran, Kalasha in Pakistan, and Copts in Egypt, as well as Ezidis, Mandaeans, and Druze in Syria and Iraq. Russell succeeds in creating a rich, humanistic study highlighting cultural diversity and historical continuity and change. While he describes the theology of the groups, he is more interested in the creative ways they have explained the universe and defined their communities. The author regrets the harsh aspects of modernization and the growing intolerance in the Middle East that may result in the dispersion or extinction of these believers. VERDICT A fascinating and gracefully written study of minority religions, recommended for its appreciation of cultural richness and variety. Russell's portrayal of religious creativity both past and present contrasts, sadly, with the brutality and chaos in current headlines. --Library Journal
by Henri J. M. Nouven (Get the Book)
We have many distractions that keep us from focusing on God. Spiritual disciplines are key to creating space for God in our lives, Henri Nouwen says. Let this beloved writer mentor you in the disciplines of solitude, community, and ministry. You'll gain new insights and learn how to become a Spirit-filled follower of Christ. Nouven was born in the Netherlands in 1932. An ordained priest and gifted teacher, he taught at several universities including Notre Dame, Harvard and Yale. He was a missionary in Peru. He died of a heart attack in 1996. (Publisher)
by Timothy Keller (Get the Book)
The founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan has created a definitive book on Christian prayer, in the tradition of his previous bestsellers (The Reason for God; The Meaning of Marriage). This study will be equally beneficial to seasoned followers of God and those simply seeking information on the topic. Keller's own desire for a deeper prayer life prompted him to study what prayer is and how to pray. As he finds inspiration in current thought, the Psalms, and Reformation theology from Augustine, Luther, and Calvin, Keller balances erudite concepts with easy-to-understand information and practical application, showing that prayer is not only a conversation but also an encounter with God that seeks intimate knowing. Citing the Lord's Prayer as a model for coming face to face with God, he contemplates prayers of meditation, praise, and forgiveness while addressing confusing subjects like the Trinity, praying in Jesus' name, and why people need to pray at all. He distills his findings into 12 "touchstones" by which the effectiveness of prayer life can be measured, and includes outlines for how to get in the habit of daily prayer. --Publishers Weekly
