it was ok, but i am not very sure on how to cast the spells. it has a good, but confusing, background. the spells are good, but I am not sure if all i say is the words given or if there is something i should knwo, not given in the book. i expected different.

In an environment where 'what we do is religion and what they do is magic' attitude, these compilers prefer to speak of 'ritual' as a less value-ridden word and since the spells relate to that sphere of life we call 'religion' the sub-title may be a more appropriate description. There are 135, dating from the first 1000 years of Christianity, in English, with notes and written originally on papyrus, parchment, rag paper, pottery or bone. There are love spells, healing spells, sexual spells, protective spells, spells to drive out demons, spells for a good singing voice or to silence a dog, and curses. A book for specialists.

With so much interest in things magical (from card games to Harry Potter) and mystical (from Celtic chants to Zen monastic biographies) I have been surprised that this book is not better known, and yet it remains, despite a prestigious university press pedigree (Princeton University Press) and marketing by one of the powerhouses of publishing (HarperCollins, their HarperSanFrancisco division here) a relatively unknown text. Not perhaps coincidentally, many of the texts contained herein were, for most of Christian history, relatively unknown. Indeed, it is virtually unknown that, in many parts of Christendom, magic was not only tolerated, but expected of the priestly class; miracles, after all, often seem magical events, much to the chagrin of rational theologians who try to explain them metaphorically, symbolically, or any way other than as Houdini-esque happenings.

In particular, the Coptic Christians, who were concentrated mostly in Egypt, spreading (as all Christians were wont to do) throughout the Roman and non-Roman world from a centre not too far from Alexandria, one of the major cities of the world of the time. The Coptics never really died out, but always remained a strange Christian aberration from orthodoxy on the fringes of East and West. The texts contained in 'Ancient Christian Magic: Coptic Texts of Ritual Power', by Marvin Meyer and Richard Smith, come from these people.

These texts contain the whole slate of magical utterances -- rites, spells, amulets, curses, recipes. The magical practices contained herein include a spell for protection against headless powers, an invocation to a thundering power to perform every wish (shades of the 'Prayer of Jabez' here), an amulet to protect against the mischief of evil spirits, and even an erotic spell for a ma to obtain a male lover (lest we think that modern controversies in the church have no historical bases or parallels).

Lest we think that the magical period of Christianity was only in the remotest of history, this collection includes texts as early as the first century after the time of Jesus to the twelfth century -- more than half the span of Christian history. Almost all texts are from Egypt, centre of the Coptic and Gnostic communities.

The users of these texts, the authors contend, had the same disdain for 'magic' as traditional Christians have for 'magic' today -- magic is usually assumed to be alien, evil, something dark and probably demonic. Yet, these texts were used in much the same way, with an intention rooted in Christianity that somehow would serve to make the practice acceptable, even holy.

Within this text are 135 Coptic texts. They originated in Old Coptic, Greek, and Gnotic texts. This volume combines them in three sections.

Ritual Power in Egypt
These texts come from various sources, manuscripts held in museums all over the world, including the Great Magical Papyrus of Paris, texts from Cairo, Berlin, Cologne, Amsterdam, Florence, and Oslo, and of course, the Nag Hammadi collection.

Other interesting texts in this section spells for seeking vengeance, spells for ascending through the heavens, spells to drive out demons and various amulets and prayers.

Coptic Texts of Ritual Power
Most of these texts are individual constructs; i.e., spells or curses from a particular person to a particular person or need. However, many are templates, with placeholders or blanks to be filled in later. Often these (perhaps a precursor to indulgences later) were for sale. There are spells to help a woman conceive, and spells to help a woman avoid pregnancy. There are several spells and charms to woo a woman; there are several curses directed at barreness and impotence. Life was harsh!

Coptic Handbooks of Ritual Power
This section consists of masters and collections, like the cookbook from Cairo, and the hoards, portfolios and books of spells held at other major museums. 'In a world where ritual dominated the resolution of most crises in life, these handbooks seem to have been a prized component of private collections and the mainstay of temple libraries ' Many of these collections were loose-leaf collections, and sometimes short on Christian imagery. 'While this neglect of Christian traditions might suggest that the handbooks' owners worked independently from the monasteries, it may also reflect the type of language and symbolism that worked in the villages beyond the monasteries.'

Unlike our sense of magic as being something devious or sneaky, in fact magic has more often intended to be useful and practical. Thus, these rituals were meant to invoke power and meaning into the lives of those using it .

Addendum
A joy of a book will have a bibliography, an index, and appendices that give further guidance. This book magically has much here to commend it. It does lack an index, which is less critical here than in many texts, but one would hope that a future edition would have one.

The appendix contains previously unpublished Coptic texts from the Beinecke Library at Yale. These are annotated but not translated, so brush up your ancient languages for this one. Thirty pages of textual notes expand the translations in the earlier sections. A good glossary is provided, which is useful for this and other Coptic and Gnostic texts. The bibliography is a gem, and one could devote years to follow-up research based on the hundreds of items contained herein.

The book is not lavishly illustrated, but it does have original drawings, a few photographic representations, and original language sections that enhance the readability. This is a book which is both scholarly and fun, interesting and educational. Mysterious combination, indeed!

This books is filled with lots of advice, although most everyone will already know what is being said. It certainly doesnt hurt to get a good reminder now and then though.

I found The Romantic's Guide, also written from a Christian perspective, to be a bit more unique, creative and inventive. And it has ideas for both men and women. Get them both.

What a wonderful book. This book has changed my marriage. I will recommend it to everyone I know. Debra has written truth that I have yet to find anywhere else and I have done a lot of looking. My husband and I feel like newlyweds again. Thanks Debra White Smith!!!!!!!!!!!!

Springer and Smith put an exciting and personal spin on youth ministry for today! Their 7 principals of effective ministry are right on target for any youth minister wether just beginning or well seasoned! Pick it up today and tell them Angie sent you!

A heartfelt effort to reach young people and remind them that they don't have to make the mistakes that others did before them. It is easy to read for kids of all ages, takes them at any level and lifts them up to a higher standard, one in which the teenager feels like they can acheive. Adults should read this book with their children. Thanks to the author for his honesty!

Every chapter of this book needs to be pondered. It does not read like a novel--and should not--but each chapter made me eager to read the next, so applicable to contemporary life are the author's insights. The way the author correlates passages of the Bible with life experiences and principles, makes sense. Thank you.

I've always known that as a Christian I need to give back to God in gratitude, but I hang on to 'my' stuff pretty tightly. This book emphasizes that giving is about worship of God and moves me from being earthbound in my thinking and lifestyle to focusing on life as a Heavenward journey and laying up treasures there. This is an excellent review of Christian stewardship for anyone who claims Christ as Lord of their life.

As a small town family doctor I sometimes get the feeling that 'adolescence' and 'tragedy' are linked words. Annette Smith offers a hopeful and enjoyable antidote to the angst that, perhaps not unjustly, grips many parents wishing the best for their daughters in an age so often unfriendly and even exploitive of their particular vunerabilities. Approaching her subject with the hands of an experienced nurse, the voice of an experienced mother, the heart of a pastor, and the eye of a writer she offers what I would like to prescribe to my patients parenting teen girls - practical advice on how to enjoy the relationship of focused, yet not overbearing, intentional parenting. Not another 'parent guilt' book but rather a timely and reassuring answer to the "what now?" raised by teen culture analyses like 'Reviving Ophelia'.

As a Christian, maybe you have reached a place where you feel stagnant. You are not on fire for the Lord like you were when you first accepted Christ in your life. Well, this book is for you. Poppy Smith is an "encourager", providing helpful ways to climb out of a spiritually empty life.

The book is split into ten chapters, with the first chapter titled "View Life As An Adventure." Poppy carries the "adventure" theme throughout as she parallels Christian life to Abraham's, Hebrew patriarch, journey of faith. Chapters like "Depend on God's Strength, Not Your Own" or "Consider Conflict as an Opportunity to Grow" are highly recommended. Self-reliance and conflict are two factors that really cause a Christian to pull away from God.

This is a wonderful resource - easy reading and you can return to individual chapters as reminders when you feel yourself slipping again. Scripture and study/discussion questions included within the chapters as well as the end of the book are great for further application.

--- reviewed by Ty for Christian Bookshelf