Product Description
Award-winning author Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda profiles the lives of three young Catholics whose lives were destroyed in the Oklahoma City bomb attack in April, 1995, celebrating their lives and their deep Christian faith. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Touching tribute

I bought this book because I have a huge interest in Tim McVeigh and the OK Bombing.Also because one of the 3 peoplewritten about in the book is Julie Marie Welch, a 23 year old Social Security interpreter who planned to be a Spanish teacher.
Julie is definitely one of the best known bombing victims and I always found her to be pretty interesting.
The 3 people profiled in this book wrere chosen for the book because their strong Catholic faith and how they applied and lived that faith in everyday life.The other 2 victims written about are 28 year old Mark Bolte, a environmental engineer for the HighwayAdministrationfrom Arkansas and 33 year old Valerie Koelsch , a native Oklahoman who worked at the credit union.Each chapter is named after a line from the prayer of St. Francis , which is a really nice idea and works well with the theme and structure of the book.
Each chapter has a section on each of the three and the sections are composed with writings filled withmemories and experiences about each person from family, friends, co workers, teachers, fellow parishioners and pastors.
All 3 have 3 or 4 pages of pictures of them in the book,donated by friends and family.
I enjoyed reading about the faith and life of each person.
Mark Bolte and Valerie Koelsch didn't receive as much publicity as Julie Welch , I think because Julie has a wonderful father who has been very active since the bombing in speaking to the press both about his daughter and his strong opposition to the death penalty.So this book gave them a lucid voice.
Finally, the thing that I loved most about the book is that this book showed no seething hatred for Tim McVeigh, nor gleeful anticipation and enjoyment of his death. That was incredibly refreshing becausemost of the time when reading anything writtenby anvictim's family thats what you got/get.
In fact the book spoke a few times about a family members efforts or desire to eventually forgive Tim and I thought that was awesome.

Their Faith Touched Me
Reading about three young people who were killed in a terrorist act doesn't sound very inspiring. But Their Faith Has Touched Us isn't about terror or tragedy. Instead, it's about how each one of us makes an incredible difference, no matter how old we are, what we do for a living, or even how long we live. Without getting bogged down in sentimentality or saccharine, Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda paints a vibrant story of love and passion for life with the lives of these three young people.

Small Things With Great Love
As I sit here to write a short review of this book, I realize that I will be sifting through these stories and recollections for some time.Initially you may want to read this book to gain an insight into the Oklahoma City bombing and the extent of its tragedy: these are only three of the 168 lives lost that day, a multiplication of loss that leaves one reeling.

But Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda's book is not only about loss--it is not even mainly about loss.Instead, it is a telling of the gifts these three young people were to those around them.This gathering of recollections is, in turn, a gift to all of us beyond the circle of Valerie's, Mark's, and Julie's immediate influence.

Through this book, Valerie's, Mark's, and Julie's lives speak a profound truth to us: it is not always our calling to do great things, but we are all called to do little things with great love.In this book, friends and family treasure the "little" things these three did in their daily lives.Their stories come together in a beautiful mosaic of caring and compassion.

Inevitably, readers will find themselves wondering: what impact do we have in the lives of others?In the rush of our daily lives, how might we do little things with great love?If we were to die today, what would the people in our lives cherish about us?

Our reflections and answers to these questions are the gifts that Valerie, Mark, and Julie still offer us.I thank Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda for being a channel for those gifts.

A Gift to Us All
It is so easy to avoid real life today, losing ourselves in the latest fiction or subject of interest, but when we do choose to encounter it, the rewards are usually great.So it is with Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda's gift to us all, "Their Faith Has Touched Us."For those who are willing to make the journey, Maria brings to life the beauty of three young Oklahomans who were killed in the tragic bombing of the Murray Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995.Through the eyes of those who knew and loved them we too learn to know them and to sense the deep loss.It is a sad and hopeful book at the same time, inspiring true respect for the people, faith, and values that helped form three such memorable, and missed, individuals.Some books we read for distraction, some we read for information, and some we read because they enrich us at our very core.Maria's book we read to be enriched.

Their Faith Has Touched Us
"Their Faith Has Touched Us" teaches us about abundant life revealed in the face of horrible tragedies which occurred in the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.Of the 168 people killed in the blast (171 counting the unborn), the remarkable lives of threeyoung, Catholic, adults are memorialized and celebrated.Author, Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda, covered the bombing as a reporter for the Catholic News Service.In her introduction, she describes in vivid detail, the terror-filled moments after the attack and our nation's reaction to the devastation.The true message of this book, however, lies in its author's extensive collection of tributes to the lives of these three young adults, Mark Allen Bolte, Valerie Jo Koelsch and Julie Marie Welch. In this collection of poems, letters, thoughts, and narratives, provided by their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, co-workers, teachers and friends, we encounter the extraordinary persons in Mark, Valerie and Julie, who, through living an "ordinary" way of life, fulfilled the commitment of their Catholic faith.

Author, Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda collects heartwarming depictions of these separate lives from their respective families, friends, and co-workers and profoundly entwines the stories in the context of the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi, "Prayer for Peace."The result graces the reader with the distinct message that Mark, Valerie and Julie, through their zest for life, laughter and pursuit of God, not only found happiness in their young lives, but provided everyone they touched with a special gift of wonderful, happy memories. One is also reminded here that when facing the daily struggles of life, God, through His Son,is present during every precious moment, granting His faithful ones peace, love, joy, hope, and strength for healing, until the day they are called to see the face of Christ.

I first read "Their Faith Has Touched Us" in early 1998, shortly after it was published.As a native of Oklahoma City, and a Catholic, I was deeply moved by the stories of Mark, Valerie and Julie.While I will never fully comprehend the level of personal loss that their families and friends experienced, I shared in the pain of that horrible day and the many days, weeks, and months that followed.In re-reading "Their Faith Has Touched Us" in the year 2000, I recognize that as time goes on, the loss of these precious lives will never fully be recovered.However, their inspiration has made a substantial impact on my commitment to my daily walk with God.Valerie Koelsch would have been 38 years old this year, the same age as I.I hope to carry on the legacies of Mark Allen Bolte, Valerie Jo Koelsch, and Julie Marie Welch, who will remain forever young.Their faith, indeed, has touched me.

-Anna Jordan, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ... Read more

Product Description
Contains more than 700 phrases to jump-start teenagers to talk and think about their favorites. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

SO SO
This book wasn't what I thought it was...
but for what it is worth I looked through it and now feel like I should drop it off in a church youth box...

Super Fun
When you're blowing up with your friends this is a handy little book to have around.Any lull in the conversation can be solved with a Name Your Favorite.

Great book written by a X-ian
This is a great book. It has 700 questions and at least 600 are very interesting and I will use them with my firends and students. Becuase of seperation of church and state (and thank God there is), I will never ask them the silly religious questions, but besides the fact it has religous questions (all X-ian mind you, nothing about favorite religion or any other religion), it's still good. I would recommend it to thinking more about yourself!, getting to know someone else better! getting them to know themselfs better! or simply starting conversation! I hope you like it if you buy it. If you are a believer, you'll probably will like it more. Lastly, hope this review didn't offend anyone, just a point of view from a solid agnositc. ... Read more

Product Description

In your possession, you have a powerful key -- a key that unlocks heaven's door and grants you instant and free access to the throne room of God. What is this key? Quite simply, it is repentance -- the kind of repentance that will change your life and cure your problems.

Regardless of where life has taken you, God stands ready to take the mistakes of your past and create for you an incredible future. In the pages of this revolutionary book you'll find out how.

Is there a yearning deep in your heart that nothing can satisfy -- a craving for something more?

This revolutionary book will help you explore that yearning and will powerfully demonstrate that this unsatisfied need is a part of every heart that is not yet one with God. As you receive God's gift of repentance, you will find peace, fulfillment, and a new beginning.

The process is simple to start and is clearly explained inside these pages. As you bring your broken heart to God, He will fill your life with blessings galore:

• Peace

• Fulfillment

• Purpose

• Direction

• Meaning

• Satisfaction

All this can be yours as you learn how to accept God's powerful gift of repentance and open your heart to all that He has for you. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Repentance--Not what you might think!
Have you ever had an experience where a book practically jumped off the shelf, begging for you to purchase it: kinda like a neon light flashing before your eyes? Well, that's what happened with me and this book. I didn't really understand why I needed to buy it. By the time I reached the end of the book, I understood that our hearts are comparible to a garden.God or Jesus is the Master Gardener, but we need to tend to our gardens--our hearts---our spiritual matters---especially through repentance.If we don't, thinks like bitterness, resentment and anger begin to crop up in our lives like ugly weeds, taking over our garden and strangling the good.This book was like an informative bright light which shone down on my heart, helping me to realize that examining my heart is a gift I give to myself, that my garden might flourish.

Our Country's Need For Repentance
Ifound this book moving and interesting. Our country needs to repent. I thought this book did a good job of presenting this need and the value of it. Repentance brings freedom. ... Read more

Product Description
Les achats comprennent une adhésion à l'essai gratuite au club de livres de l'éditeur, dans lequel vous pouvez choisir parmi plus d'un million d'ouvrages, sans frais. Le livre consiste d'articles Wikipedia sur : Shawn Bradley, Dirk Nowitzki, Detlef Schrempf, Chris Kaman, Christian Welp, Patrick Femerling, Casey Schmidt, Mithat Demirel, Jens-Uwe Gordon, Tim Nees, Adam Waleskowski, Drazen Tomic, Ademola Okulaja. Non illustré. Mises à jour gratuites en ligne. Extrait : Shawn Paul Bradley (né le 22 mars 1972 à Landstuhl, Allemagne) est un joueur américain de basket-ball de 2,29 mètres aujourd'hui retraité des Dallas Mavericks en NBA. Né en Allemagne de l'Ouest, Bradley a grandi à Castle Dale, Utah, aux États-Unis et a la double nationalité. Bradley, après avoir évolué une saison avec l'Université Brigham Young, est considéré comme un véritable espoir NBA . Lors de la draft NBA 1993, il est ainsi sélectionné en deuxième position. Lors de sa première saison avec les Philadelphia 76ers, Bradley est un contreur décent, mais avec des capacités offensives limitées, avec seulement 3,5 shoots par match. Bradley manque de dureté physique par rapport aux pivots de sa génération et a la réputation d'être inconstant et pas assez agressif en défense. Il est aussi réputé pour commettre de nombreuses fautes (4 en moyenne par match en moins de 30 minutes de temps de jeu). Après deux années aux Dallas Mavericks, Bradley commence à avoir des problèmes aux genoux. Sa production commence à décliner, et après que les Mavericks eurent acquis Erick Dampier en 2004, Bradley se retrouve sur le banc la plupart du temps. Il annonçe sa retraite des rangs professionnels en juin 2005. Bradley a évolué sous les couleurs de l'Allemagne. Lui et son coéquipier Dirk Nowitzki étaient membres de l'équipe nationale d'Allemagne qui termina troisième du Championnat du monde de basket masculin 2002 à Indianapolis, Indiana. Pour pouvoir participer à ce tournoi, Bradley r...http://booksllc.net/?l=fr ... Read more

Product Description
Everyone wants a vibrant, wholehearted love in their marriage. This book is a tremendous resource to make that happen in every marriage. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

The Wholehearted Marriage
The Wholehearted Marriage is excellent material for those preparing to marry, newly married, those in mid-life, and those who have passed their Golden Anniversary, as have my wife and I. We have both read it, continue to refer to it, and have given more than 35 copies (obtained through Amazon) to other couples.It is informative, insightful, inspirational and downright entertaining.

Just Another Book on Marriage
Before reading this book, I was initially very surprised by the subtitle: "Fully Engaging Your Most Important Relationship." Isn't a person's relationship with God even more important than his or her marriage relationship? After digging into the book, this does indeed appear to be an oversight. I doubt that either author would argue that marriage is more important than the divine-human relationship. However, such an obvious theological blunder on the cover of this book really tainted my perception of it.

Nevertheless, this book turned out to be quite helpful. It focuses heavily on the heart. Most men will have a natural aversion to all this mushy talk about the heart, but the authors immediately attempt to blow away such notions with an unconvincing illustration in the introduction. However, instead of a persuasive argument that real men need to consider these things, they left the impression that they are... wimps. Similarly, I found the authors' attempts to engage the reader through illustration and example to be somewhat lacking throughout the book.

With that said, the practical and detailed instructions in this book for improving marriages are excellent. My wife and I really enjoyed spending some time with this book and working through some of the recommended exercises.

Therefore, I recommend this book more for marriages that are semi-strong but could be stronger, than for marriages that are falling apart.

Read this before reading his DNA of Relationships books
Unlike a different reviewer I think the title The Wholehearted Marriage: Fully Engaging Your Most Important Relationship ACURATELY describes the focus of the book. Unfortunately that person's negativity towards anything that mentions a spiritual perspective stopped him from reading what the author (a PhD in Psychology who is actively involved at two relationship counseling centers with high success rates) is saying... Your heart HAS to be open and engaged before ANY steps towards an improved marriage will work. I have been to one of Greg Smalley PhD's "DNA of relationships" seminars with Rob Paul PhD and would say that this book belongs in the top five of all relationship books...Not that it covers such a vast number of subjects so much as this IS a critical first step.
Having been married (for a short while) to an individual who's heart was fully self focused and being now married to a woman who is working at opening her heart (she bought the book). I can attest to the importance of the concept described in this book... spiritual or otherwise.

The DNA of Relationships (Smalley Franchise Products) by his Father, Gary Smalley PhD or The DNA of Relationships for Couples (Smalley Franchise Products) by Greg Smalley PhD and Rob Paul PhD will be much more usefull if you read The Wholehearted Marriage: Fully Engaging Your Most Important Relationship first.

Book Title is Misleading
I purchased this book because I didn't feel like my wife was "engaged" in our relationship. (To be fair, I'm sure she would have said the same about me.) But when I started reading the book, it was full of Bible quotes and scripture references. If the book is going to rely on the authors' religious beliefs----and regligious biases----to establish a reference for being engaged in the marriage, the title or subtitle should have said so. I'll let this be a lesson to me to always read excerpts before buying a book on line. But, I'm glad I only wasted $10 on it-----I'll mail it to my brother who is a minister.

Loving & Living Wholeheartedly.
I got this book for free on a website, with the only reason being I had to read and review it. Being newly married, I was looking forward to reading a book about marriage, because I know that getting encouragement and reading and learning about other's experiences could only be a help. I know there are many books out there about marriage and it's hard to find the right one you want to read, because who is to say it will be a help you or not?

Many people know Gary Smalley, the writer of over 28 books on marriage and other topics, but now is son Greg Smalley is following in his footsteps to write books, and bring marriages together. Greg Smalley, co-authors this book with Shawn Stoever and together they make a great team! Their humor lights up the pages and makes for fast reading, and the things they share really make the book become real. They give personal life stories, tons of examples, and really share their hearts on the matter of living and loving whole-heartedly.

Not only did I learn about marriage and what it really takes to make a great marriage, but I learned a lot about myself. This book shows that no marriage is perfect, but every marriage can have the chance to last a lifetime. It just starts with the heart! Come along this journery and discover things you never knew about your spouse, your marriage, and yourself!

[...] ... Read more

Product Description
Our Legacy is a book about a young man, Mathew, who lived in the northern territory of Colonial America during the French and Indian war. After the death of his parents by the Huron, he finds himself lost in the woods. He eventually comes across Red Hawk, a native elder of an ancient tribe. Mathew soon learns the ways of the woods, survival, and the simple truths of life. He finds there is a deeper meaning to Red Hawks teachings that he must discover for the survival of humanity. ... Read more

Product Description
Announcing the Kingdom provides a comprehensive survey of the biblical foundation of mission. It investigates the development of the kingdom of God theme in the Old Testament, describing what the concept tells us about God's mission in creation, the flood, and the covenant with Abraham. It then describes God's mission through the nation of Israel during the exodus, at Mt. Sinai, and through the kings of Israel. The book then examines God's mission as Israel is sent into exile and the stage is set for the Messiah's coming. Finally, the book considers the fulfillment of the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ and the church. It examines Jesus' parables and ministry, his proclamation of God's kingdom among the nations, and the work of the Holy Spirit through the church. Announcing the Kingdom is the product of Arthur Glasser's more than thirty years of teaching and has been used by thousands of students at Fuller Theological Seminary.Now revised by Glasser's colleagues, this study provides mission workers and students with a new understanding of their calling and its biblical foundation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Great book!
It was actually a gift for my father, who is a seminary student. He needed it for his discertation. Her really liked it a lot. It was worth the money! :)

A Must Read for Every Believer
This book clearly outlines how God has been working, is working, and will continue to work to redeem Mankind.The authors demonstrate, as reflected in the subtitle "The Story of God's Mission in the Bible," that God's redemptive plan began with Old Testament prophets and the Nation of Israel.His Plans culminates with Jesus Christ of Nazareth and continues with His Church."Announcing the Kingdom" is an excellent companion to the textbook (a Reader edited by Winter and Hawthorne) used in the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course.Every Believer should take this course; every Believer should read the book by Glasser, et. al.

The Most Thorough Book on the Kingdom of God!
Having read 5 well-published books within a timespan of 3 months on the subject of the Kingdom of God, this book was the most thorough and thought provoking.It's one downfall is the author's propencity to be sidetracked from the main subject at hand and his use of secular humanistic venacular.Besides these, it is very comprehensive and a joy to read yet not written for one's first book on the subject.If looking for an introductory book, look into Roberts's book entitled: God's Big Picture.

Kingdom is Relevant
i thought that the book was a great introduction to the idea of the kingdom of God and its role in the entire Bible. The book was written in a scholarly fashion, but was accessible to anyone with Biblical knowledge. It sets a great foundation for anyone who is serious about critical Biblical interpretation and especially the influence of the Kingdom of God on the Bible. It brought me great insight and appreciation to what the Bible discusses about Kingdom and its power in my own life.

Excellent, comprehensive book on the theology of missions
Although a long read, it's an excellent book on God's mission from Genesis to Revelation. Included in this book are many insight addressing issues in modern missions today such as ethics and strategy. Would make a great text for a biblical theology of missions class. Great for the seminarian, possibly challenging to the layperson. ... Read more

Product Description


Have you ever felt that there was something missing in your life?!

Have you ever wondered what life was all about? What is my purpose? Have you ever asked yourself what true happiness is and how can I obtain it? Minster Shawn E. Booker brings to life those questions in this riveting new book "Fastforward to the beginning". This book deals with the feeling of incompleteness we all feel during our life time. By "diggin' up the root to kill the weeds" in our lives we can begin to put our life's patterns in prospective. Why do we think the way we think, act the way we act, say the things we say and feel the way we feel. Geared towards steering you to a closer relationship with God as opposed to a religious experience, which is Gods original plan for man, this book is a must read! ... Read more

Product Description
While millions of Americans were defending liberty against the Nazis, liberty was under vicious attack at home. One of the worst outbreaks of religious persecution in U.S. history occurred during World War II when Jehovah's Witnesses were intimidated, beaten, and even imprisoned for refusing to salute the flag or serve in the armed forces.

Determined to claim their First Amendment rights, Jehovah's Witnesses waged a tenacious legal campaign that led to twenty-three Supreme Court rulings between 1938 and 1946. Now Shawn Peters has written the first complete account of the personalities, events, and institutions behind those cases, showing that they were more than vindication for unpopular beliefs--they were also a turning point in the nation's constitutional commitment to individual rights.

Peters begins with the story of William Gobitas, a Jehovah's Witness whose children refused to salute the flag at school. He follows this famous case to the Supreme Court where he captures the intellectual sparring between Justices Frankfurter and Stone over individual liberties; then he describes the aftermath of the Court's ruling against Gobitas when angry mobs savagely assaulted Jehovah's Witnesses in hundreds of communities across America.

Judging Jehovah's Witnesses tells how persecution--much of it directed by members of patriotic organizations like the American Legion--touched the lives of Witnesses of all ages; why the Justice Department and state officials ignored the Witnesses' pleas for relief; and how the ACLU and liberal clergymen finally stepped forward to help them. Drawing on interviews with Witnesses and extensive research in ACLU archives, Peters examines the strategies that beleaguered Witnesses used to combat discrimination and goes beyond the familiar Supreme Court rulings by analyzing more obscure lower court decisions as well.

By vigorously pursuing their cause, the Witnesses helped to inaugurate an era in which individual and minority rights emerged as matters of concern for the Supreme Court and foreshadowed events in the civil rights movement. Like the classics Gideon's Trumpet and Simple Justice, Judging Jehovah's Witnesses vividly narrates a moving human drama while reminding us of the true meaning of our Constitution and the rights it protects. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Judging Jehovah's Witnesses by Shawn Francis Peters
I believe the author did an excellent job of writing about Jehovah's Witnesses and perceiving them as the human beings they are.It is most challenging for an author to fairly and justfully write an historical account of a group of people who could be catagorized as one of the most hated religions on the face of the earth. Jehovah's Witnesses are the first to recognize this in quoting scriptures such as John 15:19 and many others. (Jehovah's Witnesses are still suffering horrendous and brutal persecution in many countries around the world.) There is not so much neutrality in Peters' writing as to not express fellow feeling for a people suffering horrific physical and psychological brutality.At the same time there is not so much favor or bias towards Jehovah's Witnesses so as to cover over their human foibles.The story is an important one to tell well and without prejudice. Peters has achieved this. This is a courageous story of faith and the fight for the freedoms of religion and speech, securing these for all Americans through decisions of the Supreme Court.This paved the way for the Civil Rights Era to come soon after. This is also enlightening historical research.History doesn't change but how we interpret it can change.There are a few good lessons emphasized in this story. A couple are, "Do not judge lest ye be judged." (not directly quoted in the book) and any time we dehumanize another group of people (societally speaking) danger follows and any time we dehumanize another group of people, we are dehumanizing ourselves.

I encourage my students to study a group of people with whom they have negatives issues.I encourage them to find how the group perceives themselves and how they interpret the world around them without outsiders' interpretations and judgement (to develop an ethnography). In doing so with the goals of developing tolerance for differences, for the student to learn more about themselves and how they think by finding out how others view them, to find what is human by seeking human universals and to also overcome the fears of the unknown. Although this book was not written by one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I do believe there are enough facts and interviews with Jehovah's Witnesses that it could be used for the purpose of gaining a better understanding of a group of people little understood by the world at large. Not only might you re-think Jehovah's Witnesses but you just might re-think how you think.

Jehovah'sWitnesses and Supreme Court
Excellent reading, unbiased , reflecting deep research and dedication of the author to tackle an unpopular subject with such grace and candor ,writing about the legal matters like it is a bestselling topic . He created a book that is hard to put down once you readits first five pages.

A Book Everyone Should Read
Peters has touched a raw nerve in the history of the United States. This book explains how wartine hysteria caused otherwise law abiding people to commit some of the worst atrocities against a harmless peace loving people, whose only crime was serving their God.
This book shows the courage that Jehovah's Witnesses displayed against unspeakable conditions. It is truly faith inspiring and VERY SOBERING.If people think that atrocities regarding religious persecution can only happen in places like Nazi Germany or Russia, think again.
I also recommend "Armed With the Constitution" by Merlin Owen Newton.

Jehovah's Witnesses and the US Supreme Court
Very accurate chronology of the Supreme Court cases that not only spotlighted a religious group, that could have destroyed them; however, the court's visible determination to protect the Constitution turned the situation around to protect freedom of speech and religion for everyone.

Religious Persecution In the United States Of America
Many people believe that religous persecution has rarely or not occured in twentieth century U.S.This book makes it clear that there has been alot of religous persecution in the United States during the twentieth century.I found it very interesting that the Ku Klux Clan not only persecuted certain ethnic groups, but Jehovah's Witnesses as well, regardless of thier racial background.However the Author does not have an accurate view of certain Jehovah's Witnesses practices such as disfellowshipping. He should have researched further. ... Read more

Product Description
Is believer's baptism the clear teaching of the New Testament Scriptures?What are the historical and theological challenges to believer's baptism?What are the practical applications for believer's baptism today? Volumetwo in the NEW AMERICAN COMMENTARY STUDIES IN BIBLE &THEOLOGY (NACSBT) series for pastors, advanced Bible students, andother deeply committed laypersons addresses these compelling questions.

Indeed, Believer's Baptism begins with the belief that believer's baptism (asopposed to infant baptism or other faith proclaiming methods) is the clearteaching of the New Testament. Along the way, the argument is supportedby written contributions from Andreas Kostenberger, Robert Stein, ThomasSchreiner, Stephen Wellum, Steve McKinion, Jonathan Rainbow, Shawn Wright, and Mark Dever. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Good at points, mostly off-target
Overall this is an interesting book, but misses the mark.The chapter on Paul's doctrine of baptism was excellent, and I appreciate the honesty in letting difficult texts speak without embarassment (Gal 3, Rom 6).That is, not making baptism passages talk about something other than water, which is exactly what the NT church would have understood them to say.

The oft-repeated argument that children are not mentioned among the baptized is legitimate and weighty, but in a decent-sized tome like this, one expects interraction with other arguments as well.For instance, the Old Testament speaks of inter-generational dealings between God and man.Isaiah, Jeremiah and the Psalms are filled with such references.The argument that paedo-baptists come with is, What happened to the children?Where did these promises go?Baptists are looking at the NT and saying, "Where are the children?"Paedo-baptists are looking at the NT and saying, "Where are children dismissed?"Unless you're a dispensationalist, you would expect a sort of basic continuity between the Old Covenant and the New in how God deals with families.This is not really addressed in the book.

Moreover, Mark Devers' chapter on when to baptize is a travesty.He argues that mid to late teens is an appropriate time.It seems to me that children are pretty much grown up by that point, and so you are saying, in effect, that church membership, communion, church discipline, pastoral oversight, are adult matters.To his credit, Devers doesn't say there should be an age limit, but seems to prefer a case by case basis approach.Nevertheless, he suggests that the time to drive is also an appropriate time to take responsibility in church matters.For a pastor whose ministry has been instrumental in restoring the value of church membership, not merely for spiritual "health," but for one's very salvation, it seems rather out of place for him to minimize the value of membership for young professors.Communion, discipline, pastoral oversight--apparently these are adult matters, and unnecessary for one's spiritual development and maturity.

tremendous study on baptism
The book "Believer's Baptism" is tremendous study on the subject of baptism. It has 10 chapters written by famous Baptist theologians. The purpose of this books is to show that believer's baptism is the true biblical and historical baptism. The book discusses baptism in the Gospels, Acts, NT epistles, patristic writings. Also other chapters touch the baptismal doctrine of Anabaptists and Stone-Campbell restoration movement. The chapter by Mark Dever is very good and practical. The book interacts graciuosly with Reformed theology on infant baptism. If you want a good collection on the issue of baptism buy this book and Paul K. Jewett "Infant Baptism & the Covenant of Grace".

Thorough, Well-Written Study of Baptism
This is a well-written study of baptism, but it does not succeed in disproving infant baptism.The spirit in which it is written is very Christ-like.It focuses largely on the covenantal theology of Reformed and Presbyterian churches.In the end it fails to show that the Abrahamic covenant ended at the cross.This is a very important consideration.The concept of baptism being the sign of the NEW covenant of Jeremiah 31, although consistent with Baptist theology, is essentially unfounded.[...]

A Strong Case for Believer's Baptism
What is the biblical case for believer's baptism? What biblical support do paedobaptists point to for their belief in infant baptism? What is the relationship between the old and new covenants? What did Alexander Campbell, one of the first voices of the Restoration movement, actually think about baptism?

These questions and more are answered splendidly in Believer's Baptism: Sign of hte New Covenant in Christ. A host of well-known Baptist scholars have collaborated to provide a resource for all who seek to better understand the biblical underpinnings for believer's baptism.

The book begins with three important New Testament scholars mapping out the New Testament teaching on baptism. Andreas Kostenberger writes about baptism in the Gospels; Robert Stein describes baptism in Luke and Acts; Tom Schreiner treats baptism in the epistles. Throughout the summary chapters, the authors maintain a steadfast commitment to taking the text seriously and demonstrate a willingness to question popular assumptions about believer's baptism.

Steve Wellum writes a chapter on baptism and the relationship between the covenants that is well worth the price of the book. The force of the paedobaptist argument comes from a misunderstanding of the nature of the two covenants. Wellum persuasively argues against infant baptism and shows how the practice stems from a misinterpretation of the different covenants.

Steven McKinion shows that infant baptism was not accepted as commonly and widespread in the early church as has been assumed. Archeological evidence shows that most early baptisms were by immersion. Many of the church fathers argue against infant baptism. Others argue for it, demonstrating that the issue was debated, not settled in the first few centuries. This chapter takes away one of the main arguments of paedobaptists for infant baptism: the historical practice.

Shawn Wright tackles the logic of Reformed paedobaptists and pokes holes in the Reformational view, showing how Zwingli's divorcing of faith from baptism was an innovation, never believed by anyone before that period in history. A.B. Caneday offers a helpful summary of the Stone-Campbell doctrine of baptism. The churches of Christ and the Christian Church are less united on baptism than one might think. Finally, Mark Dever ends the book with helpful suggestions on practicing baptism in the local church.

There are times when the authors disagree with each other (appropriate age, immediate baptism, etc.), but each writer seeks to filter his understanding of baptism through a rigorous study of Scripture. Believer's Baptism is one of the most important books on the subject to come out in recent years. It belongs on every pastor's library shelf.

Excellent work that creates important questions
This is a marvelous study of the subject of baptism written for the pew member, the scholar, and everyone in between.It is written by Baptists for Baptists to encourage a return among the Baptist people to a biblical position on the purpose and result of baptism, namely, that baptism brings the forgiveness of sins to those who submit to it in faithful obedience to the gospel message.

I hope this book finds a wide circulation among its intended audience and others who sincerely desire to know what the Bible teaches on this vital subject. ... Read more

Product Description
An engaging study of black Catholics, their contributions to the Catholic Church, and the challenges they face. Editor: M. Shawn Copeland Publisher: Orbis Books Format: Paperback, 228 pages ISBN: 9781570758195 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Black Catholic
5/2/09 The bookstore(online) which reviewed "Uncommon Faithfulness:The Black Catholic Experience" list it as being "an engaging study of black catholics, the black catholic(s)'s contributions to the catholic church, and the challenges the black catholic(s) face".The bookstore online alsostates "these essays describe the experience of black Catholics in this country since their arrival in North America in the 16th Century Until the Present Day"..Besides the preceding sentences , the rest of "that particular bookstore online's" summary gave also what's to be gleamed in the current and future goals for "those with uncommon faithfulness" of the black race in the Catholic Church and its Catholic Comunities to the catholic church and the black communities. A real browse inside of the book would possibly have up my rating a notch, but based on my reading of a summary ,a "Rating of 3"reflects my view of "it sounds interesting and enlightening" but unsure without seeing its Notes(bibliography,sources,index) of "how factual and enlightening".5/2/09 abj ... Read more

Product Description
VeggieTales
Personalized Mission Possible Adventure Series (6 books)

D'Shawn's name is inserted throughout each story making D'Shawn the hero in each book!

#1 - Island of the Care-a-Beans
Let D'Shawn be the star in this exciting VeggieTales Mission Possible series with Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber!

Every child wants to be the star in their own adventure! In this new, VeggieTales Mission Possible series, D'Shawn gets to be the star in every book! In this first exciting story, D'Shawn will jump on board the "Get Up'n Go Machine" and learn the importance of caring about others.

The Island of the Care-a-Beans is in danger of sinking into the ocean! Bob the Tomato is worried silly. Larry the Cucumber is looking for a superhero. But all this adventure really needs is D'Shawn!

And this is just the beginning!
In the next Mission Possible, the "Get Up'n Go Machine" is off to an all new place! Only this is an underwater adventure filled with mystery and...Seaweedles? That's right! See what happens next in book 2, Jellyfish Jam

The best part of each Mission Possible is that D'Shawn will get to be the star in each adventure! It's fun! It's exciting! It's VeggieTales!
... Read more

Product Description
VeggieTales
Personalized Mission Possible Adventure Series (6 books)

D'Shawn's name is inserted throughout each story making D'Shawn the hero in each book!

#4 - Jurassic Playground
You won't believe the fun that awaits when D'Shawn joins Bob and Larry on this rather unusual playground. But beware! It's not all fun and games. There are a couple of BIG bullies on this playground. Our heroes have been given a very serious assignment by Mission Control:
To teach these bullies to spread nice words and to encourage others.

It's Mission Possible Adventures filled with prehistoric fun!

Through it all, there's a lesson to be learned: It is much better to build one another up with kind words than to tear each other down.And the adventures don't end here! In the next Mission Possible Adventure, your child will land on a snow-covered Island for an adventure of the frozen tundra! See what happens next in book 5, Snow Clones ... Read more

Product Description
VeggieTales
Personalized Mission Possible Adventure Series (6 books)

D'Shawn's name is inserted throughout each story making D'Shawn the hero in each book!

#2 - Jellyfish Jam
The Seaweedles are in a sticky jam! In this brand-new VeggieTales Mission Possible Adventure, D'Shawn can be the brave Mission Commander, leading Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato on a voyage to the bottom of the sea.

Their mission?
To save the Seaweedles from the ruthless, jelly-flinging jellyfish! They'll need every bit of bravery they can muster as they face jellyfish, an octopus, a shark dentist, and lots of sticky peanut butter and jelly.

But through it all, there's a lesson to be learned:
When we're afraid, God always sticks by our side.
And the adventures don't end here! In the next Mission Possible Adventure,
D'Shawn will blast off to the Deep Space Ice Cream Shop where trouble is brewing.
See what happens next in book 3, AstroNuts

So buckle your seat belts and let VeggieTales carry you to faraway places, from the depths of the sea to the heights of the stars. The lessons learned will carry your child even further.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

From a Woman's Perspective
A wonderful book!Written for fathers and sons but can easily be adapted for use by mothers and daughters.God may not call all daughters to become wives and mothers.They too need to be prepared to face the wilderness of this world.

I want my sons to become strong and Godly men.With their father's guidance and using the principles described in this book they will become "mighty men of God".The hardest part for me, and for any mom, will be letting go of the little boy.But we have to release them to God to be used for His service.

If you are a father looking for a way to help your son become a man, this is the perfect book.Mom's should consider this book not only to prepare their daughters to a possible life without a husband but also to help daugthers recognize a Godly man when he comes into her life.

Deborah Moomaw, Virginia

A GREAT BOOK
WHAT A GREAT BOOK! This is not only for fathers and sons. The lessons of this book are two fold. They teach you exactly how to prepare yourself for wilderness survival as well as arming yourself with things you need to survive an un Godly world. I highly recommend this read to anyone, not just fathers with sons. WHAT A GREAT BOOK.-Chris Ryman, Woodstock Virginia ... Read more

Product Description
Minister Shawn Ousley has been putting his thoughts into writing since the age of 14. Over time the content of his writings evolved and the purpose of the writings changed. This collectionof poems, ponders, and prayers was written to express the changes that take place in aperson as a result of a personal relationship with God. 1 Corinthians 13:11 states: "WhenI was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when Ibecame a man, I put away childish things." Not only must a person grow physically, butthey must also grow mentally, and spiritually. There are many struggles and pains thatcome when you are a follower of God. The poem, "Use Me", is a statement to God, asking God to use him to spread the Word. "This Game We Play", is a conversation that a sinner may have between a fellow sinner and with sin itself. Minister Shawn Ousley prays that you enjoy the reading of this book and that God bless you. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Where Were the Amish Men?
This is a moving account of the murder of five Amish school girls in October 2006 by Charles Roberts, a deranged killer. The two authors grew up Amish, leaving only when they became adults, so they provide an excellent account of why the Amish responded as they did, with forgiveness rather than anger. Just keep in mind that this book is not the Amish perspective on the tragedy. It is the perspective of two people who understand Amish beliefs and who write about them from a psychological and sociological perspective. They describe the modern psychological benefits of Amish forgiveness with more skill than they explain the deeper religious motivations that underlie them. These were, after all, men who chose to leave the Amish faith. They are understanding outsiders, but they are outsiders.

Unfortunately, I have the same grating frustration with the events this book describes as I do with the Rwandan genocide and with the 1999 Columbine massacre. Something that is clearly wrong--passivity in the face of violence and evil--is described as if it were a supreme good rather than a tragic failure. I described my frustration earlier in my Amazon review of a film on the Rwandan genocide. I'll describe it again here.

The best illustration what is right came over two thousand years ago when Greece faced death and enslavement from an invasion out of the East. The men of Greece are said to have left for battle with the words of their mothers, wives and daughters ringing in their ears. They were to return "with their shields or on them." The first thing an ancient soldier did when in breaking and running was to cast away his heavy shield. Returning with their shields meant that they had defeated their foe. Returning on their shields meant that they had been wounded or died in a battle that they had won. (If they'd have lost, their bodies would have been left on the field.) In short, the women of Greece were telling their men they had a responsibility to protect their families whatever the cost.

I will be blunt. Why were all ten victims shot by Charles Roberts and all five who died girls? The little one-room schoolhouse wasn't a school for girls. There were about as many boys present as girls, some as old as twelve. Those girls died for two reasons. First, because Charles Roberts, in his perverted grief over the death of his daughter, intended to target girls. And second, because the boys in that school did nothing to stop him, meekly doing as they were ordered, leaving the classroom and standing outside as the tragedy unfolded.

That's why I captioned this review, "Where Were the Amish Men?" These boys growing up to manhood in the Amish faith had not been taught that they had a role they could not avoid, the responsibility of the stronger sex to protect their little sisters and the young girls in their neighborhood. And that responsibility was not lessened by the fact that acting meant facing danger and even death. Amish men are certainly excellent farmers and businessmen, what some women call 'good providers.' But they're of little value when evil comes knocking.

In short, while the authors clearly want us to be impressed by the Amish faith they left behind. I'm not. The Amish have grossly overemphasized one virtue, forgiveness, while wholly neglecting another of greater importance, our responsibility for the lives and safety of others. If those Amish boys had been properly raised, taught to become men when men are needed, that little Amish community would have had far less to forgive. Yes, one or two of the boys might have died as they attacked the 200-pound Charles Roberts en masse, but they would have bought precious time for all the girls to escape and, once the girls were safe, all but perhaps one or two of them could have made their escape, leaving Roberts with no one to kill but himself.

The Amish have made a tragic mistake, one that is now centuries old. There is evil in this world, genuine evil that must be fought, defeated and destroyed. We can't delegate all that responsibility to those who respond to 911 calls. The same Jesus who talked about forgiveness also told his disciples "let him who has no sword sell his robe and buy one." Evil and violence must be met with courage, strength and, yes, counter-violence. Forgiveness is necessary after the fact. But it is not enough.

--Michael W. Perry, Untangling Tolkien: A Chronology and Commentary for The Lord of the Rings ... Read more