Compilation of essay's discussing the theology of Hell
350244
With the recent renewing of the questions of Universalism, Annihilationism and Conditionalism I was looking for a book that would answer the questions that are being raised by Rob Bell's new book, "Love Wins."  I believe that this book with it's grouping of essay's is a great tool for we in the Protestant Evangelical Conservative realm to be able to address and answer many of the questions that Bell's book is raising.

This text was drawn together by Christopher Morgan and Robert Peterson in 2004 as a way to present material to their students at the California Baptist University and Covenant Seminary.  Because it is a collection of essays it doesn't always flow well from chapter to chapter, nor is the writing consistent, some writers are easier to read than others.

It also seems as though many of the writers were responding to a book by "Fudge" where he is articulating his views of annihilationism.  But overall the book is well documented, takes you through the subject in a good orderly manner and gives plenty of evidence for why there is a Hell, why there is eternal punishment and why God is not a cruel, bigoted, tyrant who enjoys watching people in torment.

The Chapters of the book detail how they work through the subject, they are;
1. Modern theology: the disappearance of Hell (Albert Mohler Jr)
2. The old Testament on Hell (Daniel I. Block)
3. Jesus on Hell (Robert W. Yarbrough)
4. Paul on Hell (Douglas J. Moo)
5. The Revelation on Hell (Gregory K. Beale)
6. Biblical Theology: Three Pictures of Hell (Christopher W. Morgan)
7. Systematic Theology: Three Vantage Points of Hell (Robert A. Peterson)
8. Universalism: Will Everyone Ultimately be saved? (J. I. Packer)
9. Annihilationism: Will the Unsaved Be Punished Forever? (Christopher W. Morgan)
10. Pastoral Theology: The Preacher and Hell (Sinclair. B. Ferguson)

If you are a conservative who believes the Bible is God's word that gives us teaching on Heaven and Hell you will find this book very useful.  If you are one who wants to believe the age old teaching of Universalism you will find in this text why mainline conservative denominations disagree with you.

Enjoy this text and please read both it and Rob Bell's book with very open minds asking the Holy Spirit to show you the truth as you read.
283538
This book is a collection of essays presenting opposite views on various problems in metaphysics. These include problems about abstract entities, laws of nature, modality, personal identity, time, persistence, free will, mereology and metaontology.
Each section includes two essays, each presenting and defending a prominent view on the topic, though some sections do not canvass all views. While the essays address opposing views, they don't always contend directly with each other, and there are no subsequent replies from each author, in contrast to some other "debates" books.
The authors are significant contributors in their areas, and their contributions here are excellent. They are original, and written carefully and clearly. The book is nicely organized, and includes a brief general introduction as well as very brief introductions for each section.
This book will be of great interest to upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in philosophy as well as professional philosophers working in metaphysics. This is an impressive contribution to the series and to the field.
410583
This book is a work of art, where the author is not shy on giving us all details about why hell is real, supported by innumerous biblical passages that he referred inside his text.

He tries to answer four basic questions, in a total of 12 chapters. His questions are: If Hell is Real... Why Don't I Believe It? Why Am I Afraid To Admit It? How Can I Get Serious About It? How Can I Help Others Avoid It?

So he tell us his story, how come he did not believe in hell until four years after becoming a pastor, when through reading and studying he concluded that hell is real and he started an apocalyptical urgent campaign to spread the word, without sugar-coating the message.

For me it shows clearly that if we care about a non-Christian friend, we should be willing to take the risk of losing a friendship than allowing this friend going to hell for not telling him the naked truth about the salvation plan of our God.

I recommend this book to the permanent library of any serious Christian reader who is concerned about salvation of non-Christian people.

This book was written by Mr. Brian Jones and it was published by David C.Cook in August, 2011 and B&B Media Group were kind enough to send me a copy for reviewing through their blogger book review program.
563033
Fr. Foley's "Saint of the Day" is on the whole a faithful, well-written collection of brief essays concerning saints and feast days.  Each entry is approximately two pages, and includes a "Comment" by the author and a "Quote" from a source like a document from Vatican II.

It is only in the author's comments that things occasionally go awry, generally due to the author's somewhat progressive sensibilities.  For instance, St. Thomas Aquinas is awkwardly described as a "towering example of ... inclusiveness."  Likewise, the entry for Ss. Perpetua and Felicity compares their martyrdom to the murder of Anne Frank during the Holocaust.  Yet young Anne wasn't killed for her beliefs, but for her "race";  Nazis were quite happy to kill Jewish converts to Christianity.  That doesn't make Anne's death any less tragic, but it does make the comparison rather forced.

To his credit, however, Fr. Foley also includes a reference to Vatican II's call for Gregorian Chant and polyphony in his entry for St. Cecilia.  This martyr from the Roman era is the patron saint of musicians and a favorite of liturgically-orthodox Catholics.  Similarly, he includes a generous quotation from G.K. Chesterton in the entry for St. John Bosco.

That feast days like the Presentation, the Annunciation, and the Most Holy Name of Jesus are also included makes "Saint of the Day" even more useful for liturgical catechesis.  Fr. Foley's prose is suitable for high school students and adults, and the book is a good choice for a Confirmation gift.
3577226
In this conclusive collection of the four most accepted views on the perseverance of the saints, the contributing authors have not only approached their respective view, but have beautifully expounded upon such view.  In this collection of writings, we gain insight into other views and interpretations.  This work will encourage the reader to ponder and seriously contemplate what he believes by synergizing other schools of thought into one volume.  God does not operate in a vaccuum, and thus a clear understanding of His salvific plan is, I feel, an impossibility if we only approach the subject from one slant.  The compilation forces us to step outside of our own indoctrination and view salvation with an open mind.  To predetermine that one view of salvation is proper, and all others are inaccurate is ludicrous.  Why do we believe what we believe?  This book, and more specifically, it's contributors, set out clearly why they adhere to one particular view of salvation, and I feel that each of us would benefit by following thier initiative.  If one knows not why he or she adheres to a particular view on salvation, I submit that there belief is not a genuine contemplative belief, but a "monkey see monkey do" theology.  The authors are to be commended for their work contained in this volume.  The responses to each view are concise and poignant, and I feel that every reader will come away from this book with a greater respect for each view, and a renewed sense of devotion to their own.
3255245
This is a collection of essays written from the point of view of a variety of  Unitarian Universalists. Each essay addresses an individual view, and can be read in any order. This book offers an excellent introduction for people who want to know more about the Unitarian Universalist Church, or for those looking for a liberal spiritual home that welcomes all beliefs and all people.
4878338
Many of the essays in this compilation are thoughtful, interesting, well written, and  thought-provoking. I did find that the quality of essays is uneven    some philosophers overlooked details from the show that would have improved their argument.  One of my favorite essays questioned whether Dexter is truly a psychopath due to evidence that he does care about Deb, Rita, and even some of his coworkers.  I do feel this book is worth a read as I did like it and I think the philosophical concepts are accessible.
2095890
The diversity of essays allows one to consider several ineresting means of traveling a spiritual journey.
2319094
This book is a collection of sixteen of Stead's articles from 1961-83. One should be at least a little conversant in philosophy, logic, semantics, and patristic theology to be able to plow through his dense style which employs much Greek and also Latin and German. Of course the articles are meant for scholarly journals or conferences so you have to expect that. But if you aren't aware of the context of the article it can be overwhelming.
I appreciated his penetrating questions. He certainly doesn't allow any superficial answers and isn't afraid to search for answers, even if, like the Trinity, we can't comprehend it after all is thoroughly thought through.
In addition to his erudite and careful scholarship, his love for Christ and his trust in the Bible as God's authoritative Word still shines through (in certain articles).
Most articles are around 15 pages.
I really enjoyed his style of thought and writing.
4477724
I only wish that this book wasn't so expensive.  I wouldnt have a copy myself except for the fact that my parents got me a copy for Christmas after I put it on my wish list.  I spent the next few days reading the essays here with great interest and found the majority of them to be well-written and insightful.

The rather lengthy introduction by the editor, Mr. DiPaolo, is the most personal of the essays.  He describes his transition from a conservative to a liberal Catholic.  In his stories of discontent with priestly sermons that seem to shut out more than gather in and his joy in his reexamination of artists like C.S. Lewis and Madonna many open-minded Catholics will find a mirror of their own experience.  (His analysis of Madonnas Like a Prayer video is particularly compelling, though I am not a fan of her or the video.)  This leads him on to a closer look at many other writers, musicians and movies, some of which are covered in some depth by other writers in this collection.

Like any book that gathers different authors together, there is varying quality in the writing; however, most of the authors here do an excellent job.  There is analysis of Dante, Greene, Wilde, Hopkins, Waugh and Dorothy Day.  We also get a look at movies directed by Kevin Smith as well as Rosemarys Baby, The Godfather, and Star Wars.  As a big fan of Kevin Smith, I was happy to see his work taken seriously.  I also liked the suggestions of Dantes rebelliousness and liked the idea of how he would re-work the Divine Comedy with popes and other people of today.  However, I was particularly taken by Thomas Aiellos comparison of the cold war themes of Rosemarys Baby to the anti-Catholic themes of the nineteenth century novel Awful Disclosures of the Hotel Dieu Nunnery of Montreal by Maria Monk.

On the other hand, I was more disappointed by Kathryn Inskeeps look at Gerard Manley Hopkins poem The Blessed Virgin.  Even if you see the influence of homosexuality in Hopkins workwhich I, admittedly, dontI think the connections she makes through this to the Virgin and the Eucharist are tenuous at best.

Still, in a collection such as this, theres bound to be a sour note or two for any reader.  But they are few and far between here.  This book is a must read for anyone who is interested in thinking more deeply about Catholicism, in particular, how it is reflected in book and movies.
1335153
This is a strong collection of essays from Professors of Philosophy at mainly American universities (2 from UK). Having been brought up myself in a totally non-religious household in one of the most non-religious countries in the world, it puzzled me for a long time how people could believe in any god in the face of a complete absence of evidence for the proposition. So, I found the first part of the book, Journeys, particularly interesting. The writers, who were raised in religious households and communities explain how they came to abandon their faith after they had been exposed to philosophy lectures and become aware that there was no reason why they should not apply the same standards of critical thinking and requirements for evidence to their religious beliefs as they did to any other area of enquiry.

In the second part, Reflections, the essayists address in depth some of the reasons why belief in god is not only incorrect but is also morally bad, Simon Blackburn makes the observation that, to any neutral observer, the beliefs of the major monotheistic religions are no less patently absurd than the beliefs of  the Heavens' Gate cult who thought that the Hale-Bopp Comet (or an alien spacecraft accompanying it) was going to transport them to the hereafter, subsequent to their mass suicide.

George Rey makes the point, with reference to any proposition under consideration, including the existence of a god, that 'Absence of evidence is evidence of absence'. I don't know if that's original or not, but what a succinct quote to add to one's repertoire!

Particularly forceful is Elizabeth Anderson's contribution 'If god is dead, is everything permitted?', which shows clearly how human morality predates the monotheistic religions and how it exists in spite of religious influences, not because of it and how, in fact, following all the dogma in publications such as the old testament should actually be considered evil.

I would say that any religious apologist who could read these essays and not accept their validity is in total denial of reality.
1021819
Christopher Hitchens, that outspoken, but eloquent denunciator of religious belief has put together a wonderful collection of writings by others who doubt the existence of God, or in some cases, argue for the implausibility and immorality of the Judeo-Christian God.

For those of us who don't really desire to spend our valuable reading time reading mounds of books by David Hume or wouldn't have any idea how to find essays and writings of limited exposure, Hitchens provides an extrememly valuable resource.  The writings are long enough to provide context for the writings, but concise enough to be able to put together in one volume.  An amazing feat.

For those of us non-believiers who feel rather isolated and lonely, it is refreshing to read such articulate and powerful cases from so many individuals of varying influence.  This is a book to read, keep, and mark up and bookmark.  A sincere thanks to Christopher Hitchens for putting together this marvelous book.
2264908
This is a beautifully presented NT with detailed and informative commentary. Essays draw upon scholarship, the Fathers, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
903725
This fantastic compendium of snippets of essays, fictions, speeches, and poetry written by thinkers from 1490 B.C. to 1998 imagines what the world could be. The visions are diverse: serene and tormented, heavenly and horrific.

Exploring works from Plato in 360 B.C. to Michio Kaku in 1998, by political figures from Abraham Lincoln to Adolf Hitler, and by philosophers from Thomas Hobbs to Karl Marx, provides a chronological narrative of how utopian ideas have changed over time and been influenced by the events of their times and the  thoughts of other writers.

The editor John Carey provides analysis that helps put the reading into historical context and in view of what is known of the author's life. His comments are objective and useful, but not dispassionate.

Recommended for: anyone interested in utopian (or dystopian) literature as a reader or writer and for anyone working for social change.

Read this: if you have works by the authors of famous utopian/dystopian works on your reading list such as Francis Bacon, Edward Bellemy, Elizabeth Corbett, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Yevgeny Zamyatin, Samuel Butler, or Marge Piercy. The anthology also provides some insight into the utopian thought of writers including Oscar Wilde, Charles Dickens, W.B. Yeats, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Voltaire, and John Milton.

Notable: "Sanctuaries for Sadists," The Marquis de Sade's version of utopia, Philosophy in the Bedroom, 1795 (notably disturbing); "Samoan Fibs," Coming of Age in Samoa, 1929 (Margaret Mead was lied to); "Women in Cages," Swastika Night, 1937 (Katherine Burdekin imagines the Nazi regime's enslavement of women); and "What Women Want," a sampling of women's responses when asked the question in 1995 at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women.

Quotable: "To watch the corn grow, and the blossoms set; to draw hard breath over ploughshare or spade; to read, to think, to love, to hope, to pray -- these are the things that make men happy; they have always had the power of doing these, they never will have the power to do more. The world's prosperity or adversity depends upon our knowing and teaching these few things: but upon iron, or glass, or electricity, or steam, no wise. And I am Utopian and enthusiastic enough to believe, that the time will come when the world will discover this." --  "The Really Precious Things," John Ruskin Modern Painters, 1856
208580
Volume Three of Geisler's Systematic Theology weighs in about a pound or two (just like the other three books), and comes in at around 600 pages.  It is divided up into two main parts.  Part One is on Christian anthropology and the nature and doctrine of sin.  It is a small part of the book, consisting of about 150 pages.  The second part is the study of salvation, or soteriology.  Here is the brunt of this book, dealing with the nature, evidence, origin, assurance of salvation, along with a significant treatise on atonement theories, and the conditions and contents for salvation.  Also, there are some chapters devoted to the exclusivism/inclusivism/universalism debate, and some chapters devoted to Geisler's "moderate Calvinism" and how it differs from Calvinism on issues of atonement.  One can see that Geisler is really not a fan of what he  calls "extreme Calvinism" throughout this work.

As I say in the title, this is a must have for anyone studying systematic theology.  Some things I like about Geisler's work are the structures of his books and his thoroughness in discussing a lot of different positions on any issue.  Be prepared to read through a lot of headings and subheadings in this work - moreso than other systematic theologies I've read.  His treatment at the end of each chapter consists of a section of quotes from Church thinkers throughout history that buttress his arguments.  These are nice as well, though sometimes a bit repetitive.  I don't have any big problems with this work.  Just to note a couple of issues for me personally:  I am not a fan of Geisler's writing style.  I really don't think he's that great of a writer.  He's not a bad writer - it's just that he's not that great.  He's too terse in many places and he's often very repetitive.  At times I think he's overly complicated when I don't think he needs to be and at other times he's too simplistic, seemingly just throwing out proof texts to stop any further debate on an issue (at least that's what it seems like to me).  After reading numerous works by Geisler I'm still wondering why he calls himself a 'moderate Calvinist.'  If we're going to use these measuring degrees with our theological labels, I would call Geisler a 'slight Calvinist' or a 'Teensy-Weensy Calvinist.'  But these probably seem like very nit-picky complaints.  And to some degree there are.  Still, this is an easy five star rating for me.
2707029
The author surveys recent thought about the suffering of God and, along the way, develops his own ideas of divine suffering.  Fiddes notes at the outset that theological statements throughout the history of the church have tended to support a view of God as unmoving, unchanging and unsuffering.

Today, however, at least academic theologians emphasize their strong conviction that God does suffer.  The author attempts to offer a coherent notion of a God who both suffers and yet can fulfill divine purposes.  The view he offers understands God as freely choosing to be self-limited, to suffer change, to be affected by time, and experience death, while remaining the living God. The author is especially influenced by process theological conceptions, but, in the end, the position he takes is his own; it is not in line with "orthodox" process thought.

Four major contributions have been made to the present debate about whether God suffers.  The first, represented by Jurgen Moltmann, understands the suffering of God as being derived from the theology of the cross.  The nature of God is revealed in the cross of Jesus as God participates in human history.  A second major contribution comes from American process philosophy.  In this vision, every participant, including God, is bound in a network of mutual influences with others.  This means that divine suffering becomes central to divine action.

The third dominant contribution to the present debate on the suffering of God comes from the mid-20th century "Death of God" theological movement.  Finally, those whose sympathies remain with classical theism continue to exert some influence in the debate.  "A theology of a suffering God needs to weave all four of these strands into a pattern, or to use another image, it must stand where four ways cross" (15).  The chapters in the book explore the four major contributors to the current debate upon divine suffering.

In a chapter Fiddes titles, Why Believe in a Suffering God, he proposes four reasons why this theme is especially important in contemporary theology.  First, it is difficult to understand what it means to say that God is a loving God if God does not suffer.  Second, if the cross of Jesus Christ is central to Christian theology, this implies a notion of a God who is affected by the world and its experiences.  Third, the problem of human suffering, itself, calls for a Creator who suffers along with creatures in pain.  Finally, the scientific and natural view of existence supports the idea of an interactive deity.

I recommend this book.

Thomas Jay Oord
3287055
This is a wonderful collection of Prof Feser's articles which brings together in one volume, his best essays on neo-scholastic philosophy.  The Aristotelian-Thomistic framework illuminates various subjects: mind-body problems, natural law and ethics.  Feser writes in such an intelligable manner, that it is open to all interested readers, both academic and laymen.  It was Feser's books and articles that cemented my own growing theism, and his essay on Natural Law, property rights and taxation, convinced me to abandon my previous strict libertarianism, for a view more in line with Catholic social doctrine. His refutation of atheism and defence of an immaterial mind is truly eye opening.

I can highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to experience a real intellectual discourse.