As someone working on a theology of the cross where the "power of God is perfected in weakness," I look for others writing on the same topic. This small, extremely readable book put so much together in such a small package that it is hard to rate the book highly enough. There really is nothing absolutely new here, but McGill has prayed through things to the center, and as a result, his writing reflects a really new coherence, brilliance, and perspective. You've heard it all before, but then again, it is all new --- and it is all incredibly compelling! One thing which is particularly helpful is his comparison of the Gods of Arius and Athansius. Two entirely different paradigms of God's power are at work here. It is a wonderful way to approach the debates involved. Also, McGill's understanding of the demonic will resonate with modern readers. Above all, however, McGill provides a theology which makes real sense of suffering, and introduces the God of Paul and John, et al, in a way which contrasts sharply with the absolutely powerful God so many espouse by mere reflex. A really great (and fast!) read.

This is a book that can completely change the way you think about life. McGill takes you slowly through an argument that makes the most difficult problem of our time seem simple. There is nothing wild or speculative here and nothing that hasn't been around for the last two millennia. It's the way McGill puts it that make the difference. I would put this book on my top five list for the last decade.

There are many books that recieve five stars; there are few books that are truly important. This book, a mere 130 pp. ranks right up there with The Brothers Karamatzov as a book that changed my life. As the title of the book suggests the topic is suffering --pain, sickness and violence. McGill ties in such disparate elements as modern jounalism, the parable of the good Samaritan, and a fourth century theological conflict to answer the question "What kind of God is there?" The answer is surprising.

The late Paul Ramsey continues to speak to our situation today. This book, originally published circa 1950, provides an outstanding introduction, not simply to Christian ethics, but to Ramsey's way of thinking. Especially thought-provoking is the section "What the Christian Does Without a Code."

This fascinating look at the basic tenets of Christianity is both powerful and enlightening. It should be required reading for anyone studying ethics or theology as well as christians who want to come to a greater understanding of their religion and faith. Particularly noteworhty is the chapter called "Christian Love in Search of a Social Policy" which discusses, among other things, the concept of rights in the framework of compassion. This book has helped me come to a deeper understanding of my own faith and values and has transformed my perspective on a number of issues.

I wanted to share the wonderful experience of watching the metamorphous of frog eggs with my daughter. After the eggs hatched, I realized I needed more than my verbal explanation for my 4 year old -- how do these "little fish" turn into "frogs" Mommy? I ordered 3 books and this one was the best! It combines a wonderful story of a little girl asking her grandmother questions with sketches and real photographs. I am ordering more copies for friends and next year will share a copy of the book along with some frog eggs. PS - For great tadpoles, never use tap water. Rain water or pond water will provide the best environment. And the tadpoles *love* fresh spinach.

The books says that the author is a professor of ethics in upstate New York. The good news is that he doesn't write like a professor! At least most of the professors I know. I was able not only to understand what he was saying, but to mentally dialogue with the work as I went along. The book is about Paul Ramsey, the late ethicist from Princeton who was a prolific writer who also believed that one's religion could be a positive force when thinking about moral issues. I read a good deal of books on ethics and postmodernism, and I found the author's presentation of Ramsey a refreshing change from some of the densely-packed (and nearly impossible to understand) volumes I've recently plowed through.

McKenzie covers Ramsey's views on medical and political ethics, and traces his thought back to his Protestant roots. Besides the references to relevant issues like cloning, I guess what I liked the most was the author's final chapter where he made the case that Ramsey's way of doing ethics is a good fit for religious or spiritual people talking about morality today. You don't have to check either your brains or your religious tradition at the door. This is a good read. I do recommend it.

Edwards advances the idea that in every snapshot of human life, we make decisions in accordance with our nature and disposition. Free will is compatabilist in that we have no autonomy other than to follow our greatest desire in any given instance. Not only does this exposition rule out the chance for true virtue--some good thing we do which we might not have done--but Edwards also has a hard time explaining how God is not the author if evil, given that human decisions are consistently determined according to a divine decree.

This is truly one of the greatest works written. Daniel Webster wrote: "The Freedom of the Will" by Mr. Edwards is the greatest achievement of the human intellect." The London Quarterly Review wrote about this work: "His gigantic specimen of theological argument is as near to perfection as we may expect any human composition to approach. He unites the sharpness of the scimetar [sic] and the strength of the battle-axe." A former President of Princeton said that Edwards was "The greatest thinker that America has produced."

This wonderful work is a good tool in learning of the greatness of Christ's grace, in overcoming our minds and hearts, and loving us to the uttermost. This should be in the library of every Christian family.