Robert F. Taft. Beyond East and West: Problems in Liturgical Understanding. Edizioni Orientalia Christiana Pontifical Oriental Institute (2001), Edition: Second Revised and Enlarged Edition, Paperback, 318 pages.
Book Review: Beyond East and West: Problems in Liturgical Understanding by Robert F. Taft11/10/2012 Robert F. Taft, a catholic priest, is a liturgical scholar and theologian of Christian rites of the East and the West. This book is a collection of essays by the author published previously in other journals. To be honest, this is not an easy book to read, but if you are interested in gaining insight of the Byzantine and Orthodox rites, this book is a good starter. I, as a Protestant Christian, particular enjoy the chapter on "liturgy as theology."
Robert F. Taft. Beyond East and West: Problems in Liturgical Understanding. Edizioni Orientalia Christiana Pontifical Oriental Institute (2001), Edition: Second Revised and Enlarged Edition, Paperback, 318 pages.
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Right at the beginning, the author says, "This book is for people brand new to the New Testament." Just by scanning the table of contents, readers would discover that the book provides a quick overview of the New Testament story -- Jesus (chapter 4), the early church (chapter 5), Paul (chapter 6), and the letters of Paul and others. The book is not a survey of the New Testaments books, nor a bible study guide; rather, it presents the background for a proper understanding of the organization of the New Testament. While there are controversy in research and understanding (for example, the authenticity of Paul's letter, and the intent of the Book of Revelation, etc.), the author does not shy away from stating his own view. Over all, this book is helpful in providing an updated research in the understanding of the background of the New Testament. The questions for discussion at the end of each chapter are good guides for serious bible readers and probably college level students. P.S. I received this book from the publisher through the Early Reviewer program at LibraryThing.com Ronald J. Allen. Reading the New Testament for the First Time. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (2012), Paperback, 216 pages. Reading Bruce Wilkinson's The Prayer of Jabez brings mixed feelings. On the one hand, the author encourages Christians to dream big and aim high for the Lord. This is good teaching, no doubt about that. Christians would be a blessings to the people around us if we have the assurance that the Lord indeed blesses us daily and tremendously. Therefore we should boldly ask the Lord for His blessing. On the other hand, however, we do have to recognize that God does not always answer our prayer with a "yes" -- even for ministry opportunities. Whether a prayer is answered with a "yes" or "no", the decision is ultimately in God's hand because He is sovereign. From a human standpoint, this is mystery. I am glad that the author does mention sin as a barrier. Without that chapter, his views as expressed through this book would have been seriously one-sided. Even with such a mention, the book nevertheless shows obvious signs of "prosperity theology." Bruce Wilkinson. The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life. Multnomah Publishers (2000), Edition: 1st, Hardcover, 93 pages. In this short book, pastor and author Chuck Swindoll shares his journey of "getting deeper" with God. Four decisions, each leads to its respective discipline, are essential in this growth: the decision to reorder one's private world leads to the discipline of simplicity; to be still, silence; to cultivate serenity, solitude; and, to trust the Lord completely, surrender. I appreciate Swindoll's reaffirming reminder. Good teaching. The challenge to the readers is -- how do you respond? Charles Swindoll. Intimacy With the Almighty: Encountering Christ in the Secret Places of Your Life. Word Publishing, Inc (1996), Hardcover, 80 pages. ISBN: 0849913330
又四十年by王長新
A must read for those who are interested in the recent history (1900-1970) of the Chinese church, particularly the often tense relationship between the house church movement and the official "Three-Self Church." Wang Ming-Dao (1900-1991) was a well-known and important evangelist and pastor of a house church in Beijing in the 1940s and 50s. He suffered under the Communist regime and was imprisoned for decades because of his faith in Christ and his non-conformist stand with the Three-Self Church. The author (same surname, but not related to Wang Ming-Dao) was a disciple of Wang. The author visited Wang secretly in 1990 and spent three weeks within him and his wife. He collected first-hand, primary information about Wang's life in prison and after his release. Wang Ming-Dao wrote an autobiography about his first fifty years. This book is primarily about the forty years thereafter. In the first edition of this book (published in 1997), real names of the living characters were disguised in order to protect them from retribution of the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese government. In this revised edition (published in 2010), the author revealed the real names of the characters involved. It should also be noted that there is an English edition on the 1997 version of this book published in England. 王長新[Stephen C. H. Wang]. 又四十年[Wang Ming-Dao: The Last Forty Years]. Scarborough, Ontario: Canada Gospel Publishing House Inc., 2010. Paperback, 337 pages. ISBN: 978-0-9867758-0-2 |
AboutI am a book lover. In addition to reading, I catalog my books at LibraryThing.com and write reviews occasionally. On this page you will find my book reviews and other blog contents. You may search my book collection below. Links (if available) in each individual blog will take you to the Amazon.com site. Archives
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