This book is a gem. It should find its way into the hands of every person doing ministry in the Church. Michael and Kenneth Himes have written a book that needed to written some time ago. They have helped Catholics to see that Theology is a not a remote and abstract human science confined to the academy. It is rather and exposition and a praxis of the Gospel addressing the "signs of the times." But they go beyond this too! They demonstrate how the foundational dogmas and doctines of the Catholic faith connect with the realities of public life. That is faith cannot be neutral and disconnected from public life but is called to bring the vision of the Catholic way of life into the discussion of the polis as to how policies are to be shaped and effectuated in the light of the dignity of every human person.

This book deserves wide readership among clergy and laity alike. I would especially recommend it for all deacon candidates.

According to the entry from the "Encyclopedia Galactica" (116th Edition published in 1020 F.E. by the Encyclopedia Galactica Publishing Co., Terminus), Hari Seldon is the father of psychohistory, transforming the field from a set of vague axioms into a profound statistical science. However, it has always seemed to me that Isaac Asimov's creation simply did for the future what historian Arnold Toynbee did for the past. It was Toynbee who popularized, if not originated, the idea that history has cycles, an inevitable process of rise and fall that is evidence by every historical society from the ancient Summerians to the Soviet Union. Of course, Asimov does more than simply extend Toynbee's lessons about the past into the future, for while historians wait with great patience for the past to unfold itself, scientists have a pragmatism that aspires to much greater efficiency.

Consequently, Asimov begins "Foundation," the first book in what was once one of the pivotal trilogies in science fiction but has now become a crossover of epic proportions with all of the Foundation/Robot/Empire novels written by Asimov (and others), deals with the end of the Galactic Empire. For 12,000 years it had ruled supreme, but now Hari Seldon can see the writing on the wall. After the Empire falls will come a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that would last 30,000 years (I think the proportions are roughly the same for the periods of the Roman Empire and Europe's own dark age). Under the guise of preserving the accumulated knowledge of the Empire, Seldom receives permission to establish the Foundation, a sanctuary for the best minds in the Empire on the edge of the galaxy. However, his true purpose is to shorten the interregnum.

"Foundation" then continues in a series of separate but connected parts, each taking place long after Hari Seldon has died and each representing what becomes known as a "Seldon Crisis," a pivotal moment in which a choice needs to be made at a fork in the road: the right choice and humanity takes one of Seldon's predicted shortcuts. Four such episodes are presented in "Foundation," dealing with the Encyclopedeists, the Mayors, the Traders and the Merchant Princes. However, as you work your way through the original "Foundation" trilogy, continuing the story in "Foundation and Empire" and "Second Foundation," do not expect the pattern of predictability to be maintained. After all, that would be predictable, and while Asimov was interested in logic (evidence by his Robot stories), that has little to do with predictability.

Isaac Asimov remains one of the giants of what we can now refer to as "early" science fiction, and the "Foundation" trilogy, like his Robot stories, are required reading for anyone interested in the origins and growth of the field. Eventually Asimov got around to writing both a prequel ("Prelude to Foundation") and a couple of sequels ("Foundation's Edge" and "Forward the Foundation") to his original trilogy, and while you can read them in this "correct" chronological order, I would still argue for reading them in the order Asimov originally wrote them. This is not so much because what happens in the prequel is clearly informed by what happens in the "later" books, but because I think the trilogy loses something from a full-formed Hari Seldon. In "Foundation" he is a major figure, but a minor character. At least get through the original trilogy before you pay attention to he man behind the curtain.

Mr. Evans is a philosopher and Mr. Berent is an historian. Together they wrote this book a decade and a half ago to address hazards inherent in Christian "fundamentalism." More specifically to address the issue of biblical inerrancy. A fundamentalist is described as someone who maintains "that respect for the Bible requires the belief that it is inerrant, that is, free from error of every sort. Holding that belief, most but not all people who call themselves 'fundamentalists' often view the Bible as representing the very Word of God, dictated to writers who were Divinely preserved from error.... Doubts about the truth of any Biblical claim are seen as immoral if not Satanic" (p. xviii). The authors do not clearly distinguish between those who would consider the Bible as inerrant within the confines of each text's literary type and intended purpose and those who would hold all texts inerrant in a literalist dictation fashion. Either group, however, would find this book challenging their view of the Bible.

The major focus of this book is to show that the Bible is not infallible but affected by historical and cultural limitations in wisdom and knowledge. The authors maintain that "this book is written not to discourage either faith in God or reverence for the Bible." In fact the authors claim, "we are not 'secular humanists', nor are we 'fanatical liberals.' We believe in God and love the Bible. Our chief purpose in writing this book is to further the pursuit of truth..." (xviii). Later they maintain that "God has, indeed, provided mankind with an excellent source of inspiration and guidance in the form of the Bible" (p.30). Yet, what exactly they believe about God is never clarified nor what they consider excellent about the Bible. In fact their pursuit of truth is such that two noted atheists, Steve Allen and Isaac Asimov, can compliment the book with a forward and introduction respectively.

The book is divided into twelve chapters, an appendix, and some suggested readings. The chapters include: a presentation of the claims of some former fundamentalists (members of Fundamentalists Anonymous) that their religious instruction led to views that caused psychological trauma; a presentation of relevant teachings from evangelists Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell; five chapters pointing out "particular implausibilities or inconsistencies" in Scripture that arise when approached as inerrant; a chapter on conjectured historical influences on biblical authors; and finally a chapter (at four pages, tied for shortest with the first on what is a fundamentalist?) on "Unlocking the Wisdom of the Bible." The latter, by the way, gives no insights from Scripture but is simply a concluding call for "genuine questioning" of the Bible so as to recognize the misguided nature of viewing "the Bible as 'perfect' or 'inerrant'..."in order to make the wisest possible use" of it.

For the authors the Bible is very much a fallible book. It contains a pre-scientific cosmology and endorses some archaic moral positions that violate justice and decency. Even Jesus, while having some admirable traits, is portrayed in the Gospels "at times as narrow-minded, vindictive, discourteous, ethnocentric, and even hypocritical" (p.60). What, then, is the value of this book? Well, for those with an axe to grind against Judaism or Christianity it can supply lots of ammunition and leave them feeling intellectually and morally superior. For the "fundamentalist," for whom the book is intended, it might instigate a serious reappraisal of any smug or simplistic view of biblical inerrancy and interpretation. The authors' comparatively polite manner can have the effect of being hit by a mace under a crocheted wool cover. Sadly, I think the book's readership more likely to be of the former type rather than the latter. People tend to read according to their predilection. I would definitely not recommend it for those of fragile faith. But for those open to critical inquiry it is a very good critique of Scripture from a rationalist perspective.

There are no lies - as Gimpel knows- everything that can happen has happened, or is dreamed about at night - as Gimpel tells his faithless wife Elsa, in this classic tale by a Nobel winning author. Gimpel is born in the backwater town of Frampool, and there he is deceived-by the Rabbi, his neighbors, his wife, even himself-until one day Gimpel meets the "Evil One" and that sets him off on a path of wandering that leads him far from Frampool but, - as Gimpel says (to paraphrase) "this is not the real world-but one step away from the real world - and once there - Praise God- even Gimpel cannot be deceived.

Dr. Block takes us on a tour of the Ancient Near East, comparing Israel and Yahweh to the neighboring gods and religions.

Using this book, one will be able to gain a working familiarity with some of the more common religious thought forms of the Bronze and Iron ages. A major conclusion of his work is that Yahweh is distinct from all the other gods in that he cares for a people while all the other gods care only for their lands. Yahweh is the electing God of love and mercy.

For gaining a better understanding of the Old Testament world, books such as this are indispensable. Block is a master teacher who knows how to systematically present ancient texts and beliefs. In the end he arrives at a profound restatement of Yahweh and His relation to Israel, resulting in a summary exposition of Ezekiel 8-11. In that text we discover how the Glory of Yahweh leaves the temple and heads east to leave Jerusalem and depart from Israel. This movement is explained in the Babylonian context where gods often leave temples when they are dragged away by captors. Yahweh, however, is unique in that his departure is voluntary and under his own power, for he is doing with the other gods can not and do not do. My summary can not do justice, you really need to get the book and read all the details for yourself.

The book is divided into five basic chapters that can each be read in one sitting. As a result, I found myself reading this book in less than a week -- and with little effort, which is good for me being that I am slowest of all readers. That is, I did not find myself spending all my free time reading, but the pages evaporated into the past as quickly as they appeared: the reading was over before I realized what hit me.

I have spent a good amount of time reading Ancient Near Eastern material, and I feel like this treaties has been the most pleasant and enjoyable. One critique I would give, which is really a wish and not a critique, is that it would be nice if there were a chapter on the New Testament. I would like to see Block develop his theme in relation to Jesus, who is the Lord of the New Exodus. Jesus is the "Yahweh-Saves" Man, and it would be wonderful to see how Block would incorporate this into his overall scheme (in my mind, the idea is perfectly complimentary to Block's present thesis, and I'd like to read the good professor's take on the matter). Where Block does not develop the theme, I recommend reading "God Crucified" by Richard Bauckham (available on Amazon), or "The Challenge of Jesus" by N.T. Wright, esp. chapter 5, also available on Amazon.

El Golem tiene todos los ingredientes que necesita un relato para funcionar, pero en este caso, además, está escrito por Singer. Esto significa que el cuento está bellamente narrado. Singer cuenta de manera simple aún las historias más complejas.

Whether you believe in the Golem or not, Gershon Winkler's book is enchanting. The tales he weaves, which help us to see the Maharal (Rabbi Yehuda Loewy) in a more human role, are full of Jewish folklore and kabbalistic references.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I wish there was a second volume with more stories about "Yossele Golem" and The Maharal's Prague.

The Greeks; A Great Adventure is a well rounded history documentation of ancient Greece that tells about the 7 wonders to Alexander the Great to the Roman Empire. It tells about scientists, philosophers, and mathematicians such as Plato, Hipparchus, Archimedes, Plutarch, ect... It gets to the point of wars and leaves out biased opinions. It's a great 307- page book by a great science fiction writer-Isaac Asimov. I wish it was still in print so I could give the one back to my school library that I have had for one year...

Guides for an Age of Confusion contrasts and compares the views of two great Jewish thinkers, exploring the social and religious issues confronting modern Jewish people and considering the evolution of Jewish religion and rituals in the face of modern times. What evolves is an excellent portrait of Jewish life and times.

Resulta necesaria una explicación de la Biblia? Es el único libro que satisface todas las necesidades espirituales del hombre. Necesita presentación alguna Isaac Asimov? Consulte el sistema de Amazon, y descúbralo. Este libro le permitirá conseguir el camino, si se ha extraviado y no consigue el regreso... Recomendado!