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Book reviews for "Antschel,_Paul" sorted by average review score:

Decision Traps: The Ten Barriers to Brilliant Decision-Making and How to Overcome Them
Published in Hardcover by Doubleday (October, 1989)
Authors: J. Edward Russo, Edward J. Russo, and Paul J. H. Schoemaker
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A simple but high value management tool book
A comprehensive outline of the major 10 decision traps from decision psychology aspects.

I benefit a lot from the book's reminder on those "traps" which I have also committed some.

A good value book.

A must for anyone making strategic decisions
This book is excellent for anyone who is required to make strategic decisions. It will give you a clear framework for stepping back and making sure that you understand the problem that you are trying to solve and that you are considering all appropriate solutions to the problem.

very useful
I am so happy because I can tell you my idea about this book. This book is very useful when I must make decision. I will never forget the trap,then I think I will be able to make better decision.


Dreamcrafting: The Art of Dreaming Big, the Science of Making It Happen
Published in Paperback by Berrett-Koehler Pub (February, 2003)
Authors: Paul Levesque and Art McNeil
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This book is helping me make my dream come true.
This book works. It is a down to earth guide that has already had an impact on me. I followed the process and found an answer I've always had trouble with...how to fit my dream of starting a business into all the responsibilities I have as the mother of two boys.
What's practical about Dreamcrafting is that being busy is taken into account. Giving gifts to my future self, time relaease motivators, being my own nay sayer...just a few of the really great suggestions. Living with one foot in tomorrow makes so much sense. After reading the book, I realized that I was being hooked to yesterday (fear).
I'm referring this book to friends and by writing this review (a first for me) I guess I'm recommending it to you. Dreamcrafting is easy to read but more importantly really practical and exciting to implement. I've transformed what was a cloudy fantasy into a well defined dream that's on its way to becoming a reality. I'm feeling better about day to day commitments because I've let go of many things that weren't really necessary. And like the book promised, I'm starting to grow by letting go.
Once my dream was focused, the proposed next steps just fell into place. So far so good.

Dream Crafting
Dream Crafting gave me EXACTLY what it said it would on the cover of the book! Not only does it help in defining a precise dream, but gives you the basic 5 skills to achieve it. Like most everyone else, I have read several books on dreams, goals, and how to achieve them, but I really ENJOYED this book. It was not a chore to "get through", nor does it confuse the issue either, making the reader struggle to get anything out of it. Dream Crafting not only covers all the basics, but goes SEVERAL important steps further! It imcompasses total issues that I didn't realize were missing until I read it! Has your life drastically changed since the last book you've read on dreaming big, the how, what and why?? Are you any closer to YOUR dream since reading it???? I sincerely urge you to read one more book on the subject! DREAM CRAFTING! It covers it all..and goes further than that by drawing YOU into the equation.

Dreamcrafting
Very insightful & Motivating!
What a wonderful book during these trying times!
With an ever so changing world around us, this book sheds
light on the inner abilities that lay within us all.
I feel rejuvinated and have the skills and "know how" to accomplish my goals, my dreams. Kudos extended to authors, Art & Paul for a wonderful illustration filled with honesty, humor and most of all the 5 macro skills to unleash the power that lay within us all. I highly recommend this to everyone and anyone who has a passion to live life to the fullest! This book would serve as a wonderful gift for all occasions.


Eusebius, the Church History: A New Translation With Commentary
Published in Hardcover by Kregel Publications (October, 1999)
Authors: Eusebius and Paul L. Maier
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Beautiful Book
I would like to give this book 5+ stars. Not only is the content of this book outstanding, but the book itself is a work of art - beautiful pictures and thick slick pages. I would gladly pay $.. for this one. Do yourself a favor and add this one to your collection.

Wonderful, exciting, great resource
This ia a great resource for anyone wanting to study early Christian church history. The pictures are awesome, and there are lots of them and maps too! The commentary on what Eusebius wrote is well done, translation is great. Very easy and exciting reading just to sit down and read.

One of the best resources for a christian
Until just recently, I was unable to find a modern translation of Eusebius, but Maier's translation fits very well in my sphere of undersanding early church writings.

While early on in "The History of the Church" Eusebius extensively quotes from Josephus, Ireaeus and other early historians, later on, he uses more and more personal observation and experience. His extensive reliance on other writers should indeed not be considered a negative thing, but a positive for the reader, thus demonstrating that writers like Josephus are clearly to be trusted with accuracy.

For a christian, "The Church History" offers inside information on the beliefs of the early church, beliefs that in many cases differ from the contemporary, 21st century american church. A few examples are:

"Papias supplies other stories that reached him by word of mouth, along with some strange parables and unknown teachings of the Savior, as well as other more legendary accounts. Among them, he says that after the ressurection of the dead there will be a thousand-year period when the kingdom of Christ will be established on this earth in material form. I suppose that he got these notions by misunderstanding the apostolic accounts, not realizing that they had used mystic and symbolic language. For he was a man of very limited intelligence, as is clear from his books. Due to him, however, many church writers after him held the same opinion, relying on his early date: Irenaeus, for example, and any others who adopted the same views." - Church History 3.39 - Eusebius talking about the writings of Papias, saying that Christ reigning on earth in a material or flesh form is a mistaken belief and an unknown teaching of the Savior

"Such was the reward for the guilt and impiety of the Jews against the Christ of God. It is worth appending to it the infallible prediction of our Savior regarding these very things in this prophecy:

Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For at that time, there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. [Matthew 24:19-21]" - Church History 3.6 - Eusebius clearly saying that in Matthew 24 Jesus was indeed talking about the destruction of Jerusalem, not about the end of the world

"Those who wish may trace precisely from Josephus's history the disasters that overwhelmed the entire nation, especially how the residents of Judea were driven to the limits of suffering; how many thousands of men, women, and children died by the sword, famine, and countless other forms of death; how many famous Jewish cities endured horrors under siege; and in particular the terrors of those who fled for refuge to Jerusalem as an "impregnable fortress". They can study all the details of the entire war and how in the end the Abomination of Desolation, declared by the prophets, was set up in the very temple of God, celebrated of old, when it was utterly destroyed by fire." - Church History 3.5 - Eusebius saying that the entire Matthew 24 was fulfilled when Jerusalem was destroyed, and ended with the Abomination of Desolation setting itself up in the temple before it was burned to the ground

"The Church History" is a great resource, and a must buy for every studious christian.


The Fairy Ring
Published in Paperback by Llewellyn Publications (August, 2002)
Authors: Anna Franklin and Paul Mason
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The Fairy Ring- a great card set
The Fairy Ring is a wonderful set of tarot-like cards. They are beatifully illustrated and the book is written so it is easy to understand. It's really quite fun to do. I really enjoy this set and know that you will, too.

Ask the Fairies for Personal Guidance & Advice
THE FAIRY RING consists of a gorgeous book and deck of divination cards that are similar to Tarot cards, and are divided into four seasonal suits of Spring, Summer, Autumn, & Winter. The beautifully designed cards give one an immediate sense of the wonder of entering the fairy realm, and are truly stunning to behold. THE FAIRY RING book provides enchanting stories of each character that explain the divinatory message imparted in every card reading. I particularly enjoyed reading the story about Queen Oonaugh, where she cleverly helps Fin MacCool avoid a fight with a giant called Cucullin by recommending that Fin pretend to be his own baby when the giant shows up at his home.

In addition to a court of thirteen fairies representing each season (with a Lady, Knave, King, Queen, and Ace), there are eight fairy festival cards (Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Midsummer, Lughnasa, Herfest, Samhain, and Yule). It's easy to sense at a glance which fairies are good to work with and which are not, since each card conveys through use of color, expression, and lighting the feelings being described. THE FAIRY RING book further clarifies which fairies are helpful and provides advice regarding how best to obtain help from them (such as Habetrot, Asrai, the Sea Mither, Brownies and Leprechauns), and which fairies are best avoided because they are known for being treacherous, illusory, or inaccessible (such as the Changeling, Will o' the Wisp, or Jenny Greenteeth). For those who need a little help asking the fairies for guidance, nine different divinatory spreads are provided, along with a sample reading for the Fairy Market spread.

If you already feel an affinity for fairies and are willing to read through the stories and divinatory meanings for each card, this deck will quickly become an invaluable aid. I received meaningful guidance and advice from THE FAIRY RING deck after using it twice!

Classical Beauty!
It seems the more Anna Franklin and Paul Mason (Sacred Circle Tarot) work together the more we are rewarded! These two have the gift of a unique and magical bond! "The Fairy Ring" is a mastered oracle set of classical beauty for all of us diviners who feel the connection to the Fairy folk.

Ms. Franklin, a practicing pagan and high priestess, has spent more than twenty years collecting and exploring fairy lore and legends. Her time at this pleasurable occupation has been spent commendably, for she offers us a deck where each card has its legend or lore, divinatory and reversed meanings, ways to work with each fairy - or whether it is wiser not to work with them.

The cards are split into the four seasons called the courts, which I find a huge plus for not only those of the fae path but also for hedgewitches whose day to day lives are also lived by the seasons and elements. Along with the four suits of court cards, there are also the eight major fairy festival cards. This I have not seen before and I enjoy working with these as well. There are nine spreads, a sample reading and a guide for meditations for the cards. All in all, the book was written for the basic reader and is very user friendly.

Mr. Mason is truly a visionary. Using photography and artistry together, he blends the cards into a beautiful masterpiece that is his own signature. Bringing fantasy, imagination, illusion and desire into the cards, he has managed to create symmetry of grand proportions!

The Fairy Ring is one of grandeur, from the beautiful fairies to the distorted ogres, and all in between. You will want to work with the oracle on a daily basis to give you the divine inner wisdom that you seek! Anna Franklin and Paul Mason, together, have created a treasure in The Fairy Ring.

M.L. Benton, Publisher, Echoed Voices
Copyright © October 2002


Fangs of K'aath
Published in Hardcover by United Publications (01 April, 2000)
Author: Paul Kidd
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One of his best yet!
Paul Kidd has done himself PROUD with this work of his. The characters are believeable, and the entire world is one spun to where you can find yourself falling into easily, with an ending that will most likely suprise you. Paul Kidd I still rank with the likes of Jaques, Tolkein and Lackey. Even if you're not into the idea of 'furries', at least give this book a try, you won't be sorry.

Possibly the best (fictional) book I have ever read.
My Friend in Utah recomended this book to me. I was kind of skeptical at first but he assured me that it was great. After only the first couple chapters I was hooked. The first 3rd of the book alone make it worth reading. what great characters! A fantastic story in every aspect. I must find more of Paul Kids books. I recommend this book to everyone. If you read it, Im sure you will love it. Probably ment for people over the age of 14 or 15.

Fantastic
This is the second book of Paul Kidd's that I have read. The other being A Whisper Of Wings, and I have to say that he surpasses that work with this book. This book had me caring for the charaters in the first couple of pages, something other books fail to accomplish even at the end of the tale. The story is fantastic: weaving in magic, love, war, and political intrige seamlessly. This book takes you on quite an emotional ride, and is not for the feint of heart. I really cannot say enough for this title, or for the author. Don't miss out on this book, you will miss out on a treasure.


Do I Have To Give Up ME to be Loved by GOD?
Published in Paperback by Health Communications (October, 1999)
Authors: Margaret Paul and Neale Donald Walsch
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A Blueprint for Transformation
Dr. Margaret Paul's latest book provides a blueprint for integrating spirituality into daily life. Unlike many other self-help books, Do I Have to Give up Me to Be Loved by God? takes on the deeper and more challenging questions that speak to the attachment to old patterns and resistance to change that so often prevents genuine transformation. Dr. Paul provides the reader with practical tools, offered in a step-by-step process that is designed to neutralize the negative conditioning that blocks the ability to access spiritual connection. She offers a model that if conscientiously followed will lead not only to the kind of self-acceptance that is the goal of psychotherapy, but to the deep and profound spiritual connection that is the goal of all religions.

Six Steps in Search of Self
Dr. Paul's illuminating new book, DO I HAVE TO GIVE UP ME TO BE LOVED BY GOD? looks at the disconnection we feel within and with others as a result of (in the broadest sense) "spiritual abuse" that we have suffered. As Dr. Paul says, "Giving children anything other than love and compassion is spiritual abuse because all unloving behavior toward children creates an ongoing problem in their relationship with God. Any behavior that teaches children that they must be different (smarter, more polite, more obedient) IN ORDER TO BE LOVED [emphasis mine] by God -- or by their parents -- is spiritual abuse. Any behavior by an adult which disconnects a child from God is spiritual abuse. And any behavior that undermines a child's belief in God as an infinite source of love and compassion and wisdom that is always available to that child is spiritual abuse" (p.18). I particularly liked learning more about the false beliefs we have about God and our relationship with whatever term we each use to name our Higher Power. The Inner Bonding definition of loving intrigues me: Loving behavior is that which contributes to our own and others' spiritual and emotional growth. Often, what looks loving is just codependent, and in our addictive society, much confusion results when we act out the belief that if others really loved us, they would do what we want. If you read this book, you will learn about a new way of looking at behavior -- not in terms of judgment (a major controlling device of many religions) -- but in terms of the good reasons that parts of us have for our behavior. Life, according to Dr. Paul, is a journey about learning and loving for everyone, not about hellfire and damnation and the chosen. I know that just about every person on a journey thinks that s/he has just the right tools and resources for healing and personal empowerment, but in my experience there are few, if any, approaches and processes that are as encompassing, simple yet profound, practical, and portable as the Inner Bonding process. DO I HAVE TO GIVE UP ME TO BE LOVED BY GOD? builds on Dr. Paul's other 6 books that have so much to teach about one's relationship with self, others, and Spirit. Yes, there are many books and people and therapies and techniques out there promising us love, success, happiness, etc., but my whole world -- self, family, friends, career, spirituality -- is different because one of Dr. Paul's books literally dropped in my path 8 years ago. We live in times that are often filled with much conflict and pain, but also have so much potential for soul growth with new ways of learning to bring the best of ourselves to ourselves, to others, to the planet. Margaret Paul's work is a powerful tool for transformation. You owe it to yourself to read this book!

Tools to Turn Your Life Around, Batteries Included!
I have been using Margaret Paul's tools consistently for over 9 years. If you have parts of your life that you want to change, you can choose to use this simple set of tools every day and change your life profoundly, often faster than you could have imagined.The tools are simple enough that you can teach children how to do them. Yet powerful enough that unwanted patterns that have persisted for a lifetime can lose their power and go away.

The other thing that comes with using these tools is, that by implementing the connection process, one seems to be able to draw on deep, limitless power. I know of no other process that brings the same sense of innate strength that helps you persist and carry out the tasks that need to be done to transform your life. Thus batteries are included.

What will make the difference here, is whether you can make a time every day to work the six simple steps Margaret presents. It doesn't take a lot of time. It takes consistency and growing an awareness to know when it's time to use the simple tools. Once you get the basics down, it's something you can do driving in your car, waiting in line at the grocery store, or lying in bed at night before you go to sleep. For me it's become as natural as eating and breathing. Her latest book ties together all her earlier works and focuses on the spiritual dimensions of this connection process. One does not have to believe in God to do this work, or FOR IT TO WORK. I can guarantee that. I've seen many people use the tools without focusing on the spiritual aspects. I can also tell you that if you value or seek a realtionship with God/a Higher Power, this connection process will greatly enhance that relationship. Personally, as I have been able to work with and deepen the connection process, I have directly experienced God to a greater and greater extent in my everyday life.

Do I Have to Give Up Me to Be Loved by God is a beautiful work for those that want to heal the parts of their lives that hurt. For those that want to take that a step further and reap the spiritual rewards of this connection process, this book is a wonderful guide.

For those familiar with Dr. Paul's work, this book takes it deeper. I had wonderful Aha's, as the lightbulbs turned on deep in my being. This book describes the tools, that if practiced with consistency, can be the best gift you ever give yourself!


The Ghost in the Atom : A Discussion of the Mysteries of Quantum Physics
Published in Paperback by Cambridge Univ Pr (Trd) (September, 1993)
Authors: Paul Davies and J. R. Brown
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High standard radio program.
BBC program consisting of interviews with eight well known physicists about the quantum theory.
Although the achievements of most of the interviewed (Alain Aspect, John Bell, John Wheeler) are more extensively explained in other books by themselves or others, these direct dialogues give the authors an excellent opportunity to summarize their work and to reflect on that of others.
I was particularly impressed by the interview with Rudolf Peierls, where he interprets the 'many universes' (multiverse) theory of Everett as 'possibilities' or as a 'dictionary of possibilities', rather than 'universes'.
Not to be missed. Congratulations to the BBC.

Great Introduction to a Fundamental Philosophical Conundrum
We live in an awkward time. Our understanding of the universe is based on two theoretical models, quantum theory at the atomic scale and relativistic theory at the astronomical scale. Despite valiant efforts, physicists have been unable to unify these two highly successful theories.

Quantum theory itself is based "on a profound and disturbing paradox that has led some physicists to declare that the theory is ultimately meaningless." And yet no experiment has contradicted the predictions of quantum theory. Physicists agree that quantum theory "correctly describes the world to a level of precision and detail unprecedented in science". The problem is philosophical, not technical.

I highly recommend "The Ghost in the Atom" as an excellent starting point for exploring the fascinating implications of quantum theory. P. C. W. Davies (physicist) and J. R. Brown (BBC producer) offer us an intelligent examination of the conflicting and controversial interpretations of this fundamental theory.

"The Ghost in the Atom" begins with a brief exposition (about 40 pages), titled "The Strange World of the Quantum", that summarizes quantum theory and introduces the interpretation problem. A remarkable set of interviews follow: eight noted physicists describe with enthusiasm, even passion, the bizarre implications of quantum theory as they see it.

Alain Aspect, a French experimental physicist, describes his 1982 experiment that challenged our view of reality by apparently confirming that non-locality is an attribute of our universe.

John Bell, a theoretical physicist at CERN, is known for his Bell's Theorem that provided the basis for Aspect's experiment. He discusses whether free will might be an illusion, suggests that we revisit Einstein's theory of relativity, and states that he is "quite convinced that quantum theory is only a temporary expedient".

John Wheeler, Director of the Center for Theoretical Physics at UT Austin, largely agrees with the conventional Bohr interpretation (also called the Copenhagan interpretation) and argues the importance of the conscious observer in the quantum measurement process.

Rudolp Peierls, who formerly held the Wykeham Chair of Physics at Oxford, objects to the term "Copenhagan interpretation", as it suggests that there is more than one acceptable interpretation. He considers other interpretations to be largely speculation.

David Deutsch, Research Fellow in Astrophysics at both Oxford and UT Austin, argues strongly for the many-universes interpretation. He is a proponent for objective reality.

John Taylor, Professor of Mathematics at Kings College, London, argues for the ensemble interpretation (or statistical interpretation). By abandoning any attempt to describe individual systems, he contends that there is no need to associate the collapse of the wave function with the presence of a conscious observer during the measurement process.

The final two physicists, David Bohm and Basil Hiley, both argue that a "hidden variable" interpretation involving a "quantum potential" can accommodate Aspect's non-locality and maintain objective reality.

"The Ghost in the Atom" is quite exceptional and I easily give it five stars. The quantum theory overview alone, as others have pointed out, is worth the price of the book. The interviews are fascinating.

What should you read next? I highly recommend another exceptional book published by Cambridge University Press, "Quantum Physics: Illusion or Reality?" by Alastair Rae. It is more difficult, but does not require mathematics.

Coming from the physicists themselves
There are many books on the topic. Firstly, this one is an excellent text which dwells less and less into abstractness and stupid analogies except for such a nature of the theory itself. It succeeds in presenting the ideas in a as precise thinking/language as possible.

Then, it presents views of many important physicists in their own words. So you are not limited to or biased by one particular view.

A very insightful book. I am amazed with the clarity of thought these people have. All of them.


The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses
Published in Library Binding by Bt Bound (October, 1999)
Author: Paul Goble
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The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses
The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses is about a young girl who struggles to find a friend in her tribe but finds herself to be very close with the wild horses that graze near her tribe. One day a thunderstorm comes and scares the wild horses off and she feels lost. The leader of the wild horses comes to her one night and asks if she wants to be one of them and she excitedly answers yes leaving her home and family behind her. Many children can relate to this book if they feel as though they have no one to confide in but there pets or different animals. Kids that are socially impaired would benefit from reading this book along with any child who has an interest in reading a good book.

Beautiful art.
Paul Goble transcends perfection. Any artist, or anyone who loves art, will want to look at this book again and again...

Simon & Schuster recommends the book for ages 5 to 8, but any child approaching or in his or her early teens would be enchanted by the simplicity of the artwork and the way it so powerfully conveys the story the words tell. Even adults will enjoy this poetic picture book.

Wonderful Book!
My daughter and I just love this book. The illustrations are simply beautiful and the story is enchanting. This was one of the first books my daughter read by herself. We have read almost all of his wonderful books.


Glass Hearts
Published in Hardcover by Academy Chicago Pub (July, 1999)
Author: Terri Paul
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A book where opposites coexist.
An enchanting, and enchanted, one of a kind book. The setting -- Transylvania in and around World War I -- is part fantasy, but mostly fairly grim reality. One of the greatest achievements of this book is how it creates an atmosphere in which fairy tales and war realities feed off each other. Almost all the characters came vividly to life for me, especially Serene, the young heroine, who goes through a series of adventures reminiscent of those of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. A sterling addition to the field of magic realism

A compelling tale of a compelling time.
I was fortunate enough to receive a review copy of this story...fortunate, because this is without doubt one of the most endearing, enrapturing books I've read in a decade. This tale of young Serene goes far beyond the effects of WWI on a Jewish family in a small eastern European village. The upheavals of everyday life make war almost a distant thing -- until it enters the town itself. And it's all seen freshly, through the eyes of a young girl. Like all young children, Serene sees her world as a mixture of fantasy and reality. This metaphor of Old World crashing and fusing with New is crafted magically by the author. The narrator's imagery and portrayal of a culture rooted in this region of the world (which remains so poorly understood by our dominant American culture) should resonate strongly with ANY reader who hasn't forgotten how near the spirits of his immigrant ancestors really lurk. This is not just Serene's story. This is OUR story -- the story of every child uprooted from the Old World and thrust into the New. Like the buttery Papa melting away in the book's opening line, this magical tale will melt your heart for young Serene...and for your own immigrant ancestors who lived their facet of this story.

What a wonderful story! I couldn't stop reading!
This heartwarming tale of a young child caught in the throes of a family in crisis was the best thing I have read in a long time! I loved the viewpoint of Serene as she deals with the results of her Jewish family's struggle with heavy debt and then with their upheaval as World War I forces them from their home. In spite of her family's troubles, Serene's heart remains strong. This story is air-brushed with magic and mysticism, and I predict it will be some time before I find another I love as well.


The Gnostic Paul: Gnostic Exegesis of the Pauline Letters
Published in Hardcover by Fortress Press (October, 1975)
Author: Elaine H., Pagels
Amazon base price: $10.95
Average review score:

Fascinating, Fulfilling Read
Elaine truly brings a new understanding to the writings of the apostle Paul through cross-referencing with Valentinian texts and orthodox apologetic arguments against such texts. All in all, the reader comes away with new insight into Christian Gnosticism and what it means to be "the elect".

A fascinating read that has enriched my life. Buy it and enjoy....

Contributes toward 2-level model of Christianity
I'm surprised this book does not summarize the distinctions it constantly makes between the two main conceptions of Christianity according to the Valentinians' reading of Paul.

This book has a lot to offer for the Christ-myth theory. The book explains the Valentinian gnostic reading of Paul's early epistles. "Jews" means literalists, the uninitiated, lower Christians. "Greeks" means spiritualists, the initiated, higher Christians. Paul encouraged the higher Christians to feel united or married with the lower Christians.

The book would greatly benefit from a 2-column listing of the ideas the Valentinians associated with the higher and lower Christians. As a philosopher and theorist of ego death who is looking for a rational reading of the Christian scriptures, I agree with everything that falls into the group of ideas the Valentinians associated with higher Christians, and I disagree with all the ideas that fall into the group of ideas the Valentinians associated with lower Christians.

The two sets of doctrines -- the book The Gnostic Paul divides the religious ideas as follows, from the Valentinian reading of Paul's early writings:

HIGHER, ESOTERIC CHRISTIANITY
"Greeks"
The religion of Heresy
Early Paul
The Truth, wisdom, enlightenment
The initiated, adults
A secret mystery is revealed to some apostles, but not to other apostles
The sacrament of apolytrosis (apo- can mean after-, post-, and separate redemption) in addition to common eucharist
Redemption
Spiritual freedom from moral codes -- but metaphysical determinism/fatedness, predestined election
Reject idea of responsible moral agency and idea of our culpability of sin/guilt
The apple was a gift of gnosis
All blame is placed on the Ground, not us
No death on the Cross (it was mythic and could be seen as a pseudo-death)
Sacrifice is mythic, mental, conceptual, a mental experience
No bodily resurrection
Mythic Christ
Belief in higher and lower Christians (with a principled respect for the lower)
No point in moral-reward heaven or moral-punishment hell
We are spirits, controlled by God

LOWER, EXOTERIC CHRISTIANITY
"Jews"
The Orthodox religion
Peter, The Church Fathers and their forged later Paul
The Lie, error, darkness, foolishness
The uninitiated, children
No secret mystery; all apostles have authority through simple ordinary seeing of miraculous resurrection
The common eucharist, only
Salvation, baptism
Spiritual enslavement to morality -- with delusion of free will and choosing faith oneself
Belief in responsible moral agency and our culpability for sin/guilt
All blame is placed on us
The apple was bad
Jesus died on the Cross
Sacrifice is bodily, bloody, magically effective, physical
Bodily resurrection
Supernaturalist Jesus
Disbelief in higher level of Christianity -- to obtain unity and harmony of the Church
Moral-reward heaven and moral-punishment hell exist, for the responsible agent/soul
We are souls, controlled by ourselves

Each point I listed above should have page references to Pagel's book to prove that the ideas break out this way in her book.

An important reason why Christ-myth scholars should read this book is that Pagels shows how to read the scriptures in a 2-valued ambiguous way, where the meaning deliberately toggles between two distinct readings. It's not just that Paul was misinterpreted; Pagel's treatment seems to indicate that Paul deliberately wrote in an encoded, ambiguous way that flips between the two conceptual systems. If people were confused, it is because Paul meant for them to be confused and carefully chose his words so that they could support both readings: literal and spiritual. The epistles were written as encoded mysteries and should be read as such.

The most remarkable thing presented repeatedly in this book is the idea that the Pauline writings intentionally withheld the higher view from the uninitiated. Pagels never ventures to explain why. Perhaps the Valentinians wanted to protect and preserve the delusion of the ego just as we protect children. This problem extends beyond the Christian mystery-religion; the Greek mystery religions forbade, by punishment of death, publically revealing the things shown in the mysteries. There were political reasons to veil a deterministic belief system, because cosmic determinism has been used to justify an oppressive status quo ("I was meant, fated, and divinely ordained by Necessity to dominate you") rather than democracy. So the Pauline writings were deliberately written in a way that would be read in a supernatural, Literalist way but could be read as a non-supernatural, mystery-religion, mystic allegory.

Know God better
If you are open minded you will like this book. Also if you are open minded you will like An Encounter With A Prophet. If you are closed to new spiritual truths or a firm believer in Christian dogma (the same thing really) avoid both books they will just upset you.


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