Radical and Thought Provoking
349323
While many may find Benatar's thesis hard to accept on an emotional level, it's difficult to find fault with his pragmatic argument.  At the very least, this fascinating book will stimulate thought and conversation.
3876288
This book offers a solid answer, exploring the urge for safety in numbers throughout human history. It's a great way to remind yourself of your own power when you are surrounded by pressure to defer to a group. Barzilai weaves modern neuroscience and philosophical traditions in highly original ways. One beautiful sentence sums it up for me:Its exciting and almost chilling to think about the first humans daring to trust their own minds.
Alas, when you trust yourself, you can end up with conclusions that threaten the group consensus around you. It can be hard to resist groupideologies that appeal so effectively to your inner mammal. At those times, its great to read a book like this to remind yourself that nothing is wrong - this is the human condition.
I disagree with the authors presumption that the world is on the verge of collapse. Our mortal brain has seen a world on the verge of collapse since the beginning of time.
Language gave humans the ability to put the brakes on our mammalian impulses and generate alternatives. But the world is less predictable than we would like, so thinking for yourself can lead to disappointment. An alternative is to rely on the thinking of individuals who represent themselves as justice seekers. That feels natural if everyone around you is doing it. We hate to think of ourselves as herd followers, but the seers competing for your allegiance can represent this as a virtuous concern for the greater good. In the name of compassion and open-mindedness, you can end up in a herd that runs toward pagan collectivism. You can forget that theres an alternative if everyone around you is doing the same.
This books is a powerful reminder of the alternative. It shows how competing philosophical traditions have animated human progress since the dawn of the written word. It calls into question the postmodern consensus that has lead so much scholarly writing in the direction of pagan collectivism. I was thrilled to find another point of view on offer here, since so much of the writing around me repeats the currently popular view that we should not hold ourselves responsible for our own actions. I especially liked the historical perspective on the human tendency to follow a priestly class that entrenches itself by proclaiming its connection to the divine. Todays priestly class, academics, are encouraging you to renounce your trust in your own objectivity and trust them instead. Dont do it until you read this book.
4550769
Riveting account of a native Minnesotan who lived an unpretentious and humble radical life. Two of the best lessons from the book are how limited human knowledge is and how any sensible person can understand the world in a radical way without resorting to arcane academic jargon. This book has a place in anyone's library who wants to challenge orthodox ways of thinking and to embrace a politics that goes beyond legislation.
4132608
Here is a science fiction with philosophical undertones. Is there God after all? Is it a waste of time worshiping IT when there are serious human conditions that needs to be dealt with: issues such as poverty, pollution, sickness and so on. In exploring such thought provoking questions, the writer has opened up controversial issues that have disturbed free thinkers throughout ages. At the end of the day, who do we rely upon for our lifes solutions, is the crucial paradox of our existence.

The book concludes with the protagonists notion of universal love. Life's rewards lie in transforming the lives of people in grief and distress. A noble intent indeed.
2554110
I was drawn to this book by its wonderful title and the recognition that I'd collected a number of quotations by its author without really knowing anything about him.

I found this book to be something of a curate's egg. In places it uses language to develop ideas in a really clear way. In other parts the language and structure of the description seems to make the ideas rather impenetrable. On balance, however, the ideas win through.

(Having found out a little more about R. Buckminster Fuller I have learned both that this is one of his more accessible volumes, and that his other books may well be worth the challenge.)

It is a book with some wonderful ideas, not least the one captured in the title, that the Earth is a spaceship travelling through space escorted by the Moon and following its mother ship, the Sun. Though written in the 1970 this metaphor, or perhaps its simply a realisation, provides a framework which encompasses many of the problems of sustainable living we are currently grappling with.

Equally the book has some very vivid and enlightening imagery with which to entice the reader to see and begin to challenge their current paradigm. It for example begins with a story of Global Pirates which is used to describe the recent history of western civilisation, its creation of empires and the division of the world into those that have and those that have not. In a dozen pages or so it describes our current paradigm for how the world works and some of the key characteristics of our environment and the thinking this has created.

For example our understanding of need and scarcity, the role of nationality, the use of knowledge. I found the description very thought provoking and began questioning many of the assumptions that drive my, and possibly our current behaviour. He outlined the assumptions that there will always be shortages of resources and food, which underpin a view of haves' and have-not's and our need to protect what we have, often at much greater cost than sharing what we have.

This is a thought provoking book, which though in parts challenging, is concise enough to warrant some re-reading. The ideas may shake your understanding and beliefs, which may be one of the most powerful ways of enabling change.
4511067
This is an extremely important book for humans.  It is a radical book in the sense that it will challenge your favorite dictums yet if you allow the author to speak to you, another Author, will speak to you and your life will be forever changed and transformed.  I heartily endorse this text and its author.
4093120
I am not ordinarily a history buff, so I approached this book a bit perfunctorily. But the breadth and radical boldness of its ideas--its wholly fresh and frightening (!) interpretation of the origin of violence in human nature and culture--kept me bolted to my chair from  first page to the last.
This book is full of BIG IDEAS with big consequences. Everybody concerned with terrorism, antagonism, ostracism violence--whether domestic, international, military or psychological--does well to check this out. Almost best of all: the writing moves fast and elegant; the points hit hard. There is no jargon at all in these pages, no academic pomp or pundit-like pretension, just spare, tonic prose and intrepid thinking about (possibly) the most important subject in the world right now. Read this!
3103534
A Womanist Ethic of Incarnation is an excellent read! Most of the ideas in it are wholly original while others are extended and critiqued with fresh vigor and new analysis. The text was a pleasure to read slowly and Marshall Turman has shown herself to be a creative and rigorous voice in Womanist Ethics. I think this book should be read alongside other classic texts in American religion and black studies because it seamlessly explores patristic history, examines the myths of the social gospel, challenges Du Boisian assumptions, and takes Benjamin Mays and the mystique of black male moral managers to task. Afterwards, Marshall Turman argues for an a-priori radical subjectivity that does not leave the identity of people of color in a constant state of reaction to the white gaze.  Without question, order this text. It is definitely a "must read" and, even more than that, it's a "must discuss."

- J. Calloway
2271000
The Future of Love is a collection of essays by one of the leaders of the "Radical Orthodoxy" movement. RO is not a new theology, but rather a new mode or interaction between theology and the contemporary world. In theological matters it is remarkably "orthodox" which will anger both atheists and "liberal" Christians. In social and political matters it is remarkably "radical" meaning that it takes positions that will anger conservatives of all kinds, both political and religious. When you make almost everybody mad, you must be on to something right.
The author assumes you know contemporary theology and philosophy before you read any of the essays, so readers should be aware of this. Also, it would be best to read some of his other books first, or Jame A. K. Smith's Introducing Radical Orthodoxy. That said, Milbank is brilliant and anyone interested in his perspective would enjoy this collection of essays.
4195555
If you've ever had any questions about truth, religion, or why we are here, this is a great book for you. The honestly in this book is radical. I love the heart of the author and the way he communicates his knowledge. I will definitely be reading more of his books very soon! Because the truth to mater is this book is amazing lots of learning.
2569633
With great skill and sensitivity, Adam Dorfman exposes you to many cutting-edge discoveries that challenge current scientific thinking. I especially enjoyed his critical analysis of contemporary science in light of history and politics. He reminds us that nothing should be accepted based solely on authority because we should not accept science as a religion. Science at its best is a method of critical thinking open to all for finding truth, whatever that turns out to be.
4871744
I chose to read this book because I wanted to take advantage of the publisher's Blogging for Books program and it seemed to be the most promising title available.  I wasn't expecting much besides a free book and an opportunity to blog about it.  Little did I know that the truths within would set my mind reeling and my heart yearning to live out my beliefs in a radical way.

From a literary stand point, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream is well-written and well-documented and at the same time personal and passionate.  I appreciate the organization and the fact that the author provides endnotes for scripture and other references throughout the book.  David Platt thoughtfully guides us to see how we've allowed the American Dream to reshape our view of Christianity and then lays before us a bold challenge to rediscover and embrace the Biblical expectations that God has for us.

Surprisingly, this book contains no breakthrough ideas or new-fangled interpretations.  Each point that is made is one that well-read Christians will have encountered before in the Bible.  What makes Radical unique and powerful is not that David Platt has anything new to say, but rather that he is actually saying it.  His straight-forward, no-nonsense approach to sharing the very basic truths of the gospel force us to examine exactly what we believe and how those beliefs shape our lifestyle.

Platt debunks common Christian cliches ("God hates the sin, loves the sinner" - nope), challenges our sincerity (are we worshiping the Jesus of the Bible or ourselves?), and makes convicting comparisons (slavery of yesterday to present-day materialism).  He also reminds us of the simplicity of our purpose: to make disciples of all nations; to "plainly, humbly, and quietly focus our lives on people," and suggests practical ways in which to live out this purpose.

Perhaps what caused me to appreciate this book the most is the fact that the author and his church are daily walking the talk.  After learning that God expects his people to care for orphans, Platt's church took it upon themselves to make sure every child in their county had a loving home.  They contacted the appropriate agencies and found that there were 150 kids on the foster care waiting list.  In response, 160 families from The Church at Brook Hills adjusted their lifestyles and welcomed children into their homes through foster care or adoption.

Radical is a quick read, but not necessarily an easy one.  If your heart is at all open to God, you will be challenged and inspired to action.  I highly recommend it and would love to discuss it with you, so please...read on!

Disclosure:  I received this book free from the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group's Blogging for Books program. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
286306
Reviving and updating the literary genre of the dialogue, Worlds in Conflict considers the answers provided by different intellectual traditions - Christianity, Judaism, Atheism - to foundational theological and philosophical questions.  It is free-wheeling and far-reaching, examining in turn the notion of the "Chosenness" of Jews, the veracity of Holy Scripture, the sources of anti-semitism, Jewish ties to the Holy Land, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the theological proposition that Christianity supplanted Judaism (as bearers of the Novum Testamentum), the internal contradictions of atheism and secular humanism and much, much more.

Written with verve, Worlds in Conflict is a fascinating product of a passionate and agile scholar who thinks as deeply as he does broadly.  It is wildly original as well; I've never read anything quite like it!
1715010
Beautiful flow with new ideas developing upon conventional wisdom at every turn. Example after example from culture, proverbs, and experience which flow seamlessly with fresh and memorable insight. Dr. Fred speaks with a voice that is delicate and respectful, yet authoritative. He justifies his logic/conclusions with thoughtful and thorough consideration. It caused me to stop and think; my husband and I had a number of extended conversations about the book as we considered its new and enlightening perspectives.

Dr. Fred speaks of John Lennons Imagine in this way, but I also found that it reflected the way that I found Dr. Fred to write the book: [it] works because it does not preach. It merely invites. Its a protest song, yet its not mired in anger or blame. Ultimately, this is an inspiring message of optimism and hope as he invites us to come to terms with conventional notions but imagine a new reality that could be so much greater than what the current church is today. Suffice to say, this was one of the most thoughtful and inspiring books I've read.
2799085
Rob Bell is one of those guys who makes you think and doesn't shy away from tough questions.  In this book he has merged the coffee table book with difficult questions, resulting in something that is new, fresh and thought provoking.

In a series of short comments he takes the reader through the relationship between creativity, suffering Beauty, Christianity and living.  He doesn't offer three steps to overcoming whatever, but invites the reader to ask his/her own questions and to think.  This combined journey should give the reader some handles.

The photographs are well chosen and work well with the text.  This is an excellent book and frankly it beats the family Bible on the coffeetable.  It will give persons the opportunity to start conversations and for that is well worth it.  Highly recommended
674610
I was intrigued by the blurb of this book, there is something that intrigues me about Biblical interpretations and the study of the concept(s) of God and when that is mixed with politics it makes for some very volatile arguments and fascinating reading.

Naturally America is the setting for the Second Coming, with its polarised and well publicised leanings of both the political and the religious sort.  With such subjects on offer, I didn't have a clear idea about how the story would be structured or if I would miss some of the points due to my Anglo nature.

I neednt have worried on either score, its very much a book where the plot is threaded through a series of set piece scenes, which are the platform for discourses of theological and social arguments.  A lot of which will be familiar to anybody who has had thoughts on the subject for any length of time..  That is not to say there is nothing new in the book, putting age-old arguments into a modern-day context meant I did pick up some new thought paths and other reflections.

The crucial element of the book is that both messiahs are written to be believable, in fact I found each of the arguments very convincing and makes you consider the choice of words more closely.  The author keeps a neutral tone throughout, adding even more uncertainty to who is telling the truth.  It is fun to see how both players communicate in the 21st century as well as the Biblically named characters and their occupations which raise a smile.  There is enough satire in here to break up the well written arguments and stop the book becoming too much like an essay.

I don't imagine that this is a book for all Christians as there is a fair amount of swearing  which is something prevalent in the modern world so adds that element of realism  and some of the book is downright sacrilegious as well but there is enough thought-provoking material contained herein to perhaps forgive the odd transgression should anybody be offended.

I did find that the odd piece of evidence didn't quite stand up to my scrutiny but then again that is part of the enjoyment of a book like this, to weigh up the arguments and expand your thinking, even if you have no Christian leanings whatsoever the philosophy of the ideas is still going to intrigue you. I also found the switching to the war in heaven bits a little distracting but that is a minor complaint for a book which invites the reader to think, to be critical of what is in front of him or her and that is how it should be.
2458101
This was my introduction to the writing of Zygmunt Bauman.  I am researching ethics and this book was unusual, thought-provoking and fully relevant in a way that other titles were not.  This book got me thinking in new ways about ethics in our modern world.  His insights into our world also changed the way I see the world around me.