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Saturday, August 1, 2009
Review of Christianity in Crisis by Hank Hanegraff
I am a book reviewer for Thomas Nelson publishers... The book I have received lately is "Christianity in Crisis" by Hank Hanegraff.
Full disclosure - I am a practicing Greek Orthodox Christian.
Mr. Hanegraff presents a well-written impassioned explanation of his view of the "fall" of Christianity today, specifically by evangelism. Unfortunately, he starts out with how the "Word" of God is being twisted by the prosperity ministers - those you see on TV. While I agree in principle that getting most of your religious information, advice and instruction from TV is dangerous and has caused some serious rifts between groups, I do not agree that the Bible is a literal representation of the Word.
He begins his tirade against the prosperity preachers by saying "error begets error" and "heresy begets heresy". Basically upbraiding these preachers because they follow more of a "words create reality" format. Meaning that Preachers such as Joel Osteen and Rhonda Byrne encourage their followers to follow the "if you think it, you can do it and it will become reality".
While I, myself am not comfotable with TV evangelism in any way - preferring the more traditional Sunday service rites attended in a church, I am a bit more open to think that if this will bring some people a measure of comfort that they cannot get elsewhere then it is worth it.
My major complaint of Mr. Hanegraff's writing is that he consistently refers to the Bible as the literal Word. In my opinion, this shows an extreme lack of research and knowledge of the wonderful history and biography of the Bible. If you take the Bible simply as it is, you will understand that most of it is comprised of letters written from from of the Apostles to a community or another group. These epistles are not then, the true and literal word of God, they are individual expressions of faithful men using the same avenues that the properity teachers currently do - without the glitz and glam.
The Bible, and those documents that came before it, are individual expressions of their views on faith - gentle coercion by example and thoughtful discourse. Over the centuries the Bible has endured many transformations and translations. Something is always lost going from one language to another, as are ideas turned round so as to make them more palatable to the intended audience.
It is also a compilation of epistles and psalms which have been moved around a bit, some taken out, others left in as the political or religious politics of the day held sway or broke down. My prime example is the number of different versions of the Bible as it exists today: The Bible began from the Torah, then there are the initial translations from latin into Greek and Aramaic. Then the books were arranged in to the Septuagint. Then came the Masoretic Texts (The Tanakh) wherein the Jewish scholars of the time introduced vowels into the translation which sometimes required the selection of an interpretation, since some words differ only in their vowels—their meaning can vary in accordance with the vowels chosen.
The Torah and the early books are, quite simply, the written down oral traditions of the rabbis and early leaders of the church. The use of numbered chapters and verses was not introduced until the Middle Ages and later. The system used in English was developed by Stephanus.
Early manuscripts of the letters of Paul and other New Testament writings show no punctuation whatsoever. The punctuation was added later by other editors, according to their own understanding of the text.
I shall not delve further into this history to spare the reader, they re many resources to consult on this matter should you wish further information.
Suffice to say that the oral traditions survive as they did from the beginning and each person of the faith continues this practice by changing it to suit the apparent needs of the faithful.
Basing his "crisis" squarely on the advent of new oral traditions and new versions (KJII, NIV, e.g.) starts the unwary reader down a path of outrage and prejudice, both of which are primarily founded in ignorance.
It is well-written and presents it's context well, but I do not recommend this book for the mainstream as the author intends. This book would be better served to be read and studied by those involved in liturgical studies.
Full disclosure - I am a practicing Greek Orthodox Christian.
Mr. Hanegraff presents a well-written impassioned explanation of his view of the "fall" of Christianity today, specifically by evangelism. Unfortunately, he starts out with how the "Word" of God is being twisted by the prosperity ministers - those you see on TV. While I agree in principle that getting most of your religious information, advice and instruction from TV is dangerous and has caused some serious rifts between groups, I do not agree that the Bible is a literal representation of the Word.
He begins his tirade against the prosperity preachers by saying "error begets error" and "heresy begets heresy". Basically upbraiding these preachers because they follow more of a "words create reality" format. Meaning that Preachers such as Joel Osteen and Rhonda Byrne encourage their followers to follow the "if you think it, you can do it and it will become reality".
While I, myself am not comfotable with TV evangelism in any way - preferring the more traditional Sunday service rites attended in a church, I am a bit more open to think that if this will bring some people a measure of comfort that they cannot get elsewhere then it is worth it.
My major complaint of Mr. Hanegraff's writing is that he consistently refers to the Bible as the literal Word. In my opinion, this shows an extreme lack of research and knowledge of the wonderful history and biography of the Bible. If you take the Bible simply as it is, you will understand that most of it is comprised of letters written from from of the Apostles to a community or another group. These epistles are not then, the true and literal word of God, they are individual expressions of faithful men using the same avenues that the properity teachers currently do - without the glitz and glam.
The Bible, and those documents that came before it, are individual expressions of their views on faith - gentle coercion by example and thoughtful discourse. Over the centuries the Bible has endured many transformations and translations. Something is always lost going from one language to another, as are ideas turned round so as to make them more palatable to the intended audience.
It is also a compilation of epistles and psalms which have been moved around a bit, some taken out, others left in as the political or religious politics of the day held sway or broke down. My prime example is the number of different versions of the Bible as it exists today: The Bible began from the Torah, then there are the initial translations from latin into Greek and Aramaic. Then the books were arranged in to the Septuagint. Then came the Masoretic Texts (The Tanakh) wherein the Jewish scholars of the time introduced vowels into the translation which sometimes required the selection of an interpretation, since some words differ only in their vowels—their meaning can vary in accordance with the vowels chosen.
The Torah and the early books are, quite simply, the written down oral traditions of the rabbis and early leaders of the church. The use of numbered chapters and verses was not introduced until the Middle Ages and later. The system used in English was developed by Stephanus.
Early manuscripts of the letters of Paul and other New Testament writings show no punctuation whatsoever. The punctuation was added later by other editors, according to their own understanding of the text.
I shall not delve further into this history to spare the reader, they re many resources to consult on this matter should you wish further information.
Suffice to say that the oral traditions survive as they did from the beginning and each person of the faith continues this practice by changing it to suit the apparent needs of the faithful.
Basing his "crisis" squarely on the advent of new oral traditions and new versions (KJII, NIV, e.g.) starts the unwary reader down a path of outrage and prejudice, both of which are primarily founded in ignorance.
It is well-written and presents it's context well, but I do not recommend this book for the mainstream as the author intends. This book would be better served to be read and studied by those involved in liturgical studies.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Killer Angels
Was just reminded by my brother that I need to check out "Killer Angels" about the civil war - especially in and around Gettysburg - my daughter and I have made the trek to his home in DC several times but this will be the second time we go to Gettysburg. We are very much looking forward to it! Starting to plan our museum visits as well....it is soooo fun out there. Going to check out some histories of Alexandria too. Any suggestions?
Hello!
Wow - another long time.....the perils of having a blog along with tweeting and facebook and online gaming! LOL Having fun though and that's the important thing. Found a neat site that dovetails to me very well - anyone who knows me, knows that I consume books. Well, this site offers an opportunity to read books and give my humble opinion.....at least this way it'll get down semi-permanently instead of floating through the air and in emails to my friends and family about what I've read. They love to know because it helps me recover from my stroke and let's them know what I've read so that they don't buy it for me! LOL - the librarians shiver when I walk into the door carrying mt cloth bookbag to load up.
Working on some political books now - just want to read them to see what they have to say. Reading O'Reilly's "Bold Fresh" and "The 5,000 Year Leap - Principles of Freedom 101" recommended by Glenn Beck.
Yes, I am a fan of FOX and am a conservative, fiscally and otherwise. :)
Will start posating reviews of other books I've read here too - please add your comments or questions as you wish
Working on some political books now - just want to read them to see what they have to say. Reading O'Reilly's "Bold Fresh" and "The 5,000 Year Leap - Principles of Freedom 101" recommended by Glenn Beck.
Yes, I am a fan of FOX and am a conservative, fiscally and otherwise. :)
Will start posating reviews of other books I've read here too - please add your comments or questions as you wish
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
I know, long time - no post. Well, I keep forgetting that this is here and is safe from those who have stalked me before. Part whining, part confessional, part getting it out of my system so that the blackness can go away.
Rough week, last week - my grandmother died. Actually she was my step-grandmother. And I knew it - even when I was only eight years old, I knew I didn't belong. No matter what I tried to do or how good I tried to be, I was never good enough. I still tried to love her and my step-grandfather because I so desperately wanted to be in a real family. My mother and father divorced when I was four(this was at the time when divorce and single mothers were NOT looked upon as something that was common). My father remarried a year after the divorce to a Greek woman. I thought it was great because there was a big family to come visit every summer and people who would want to take care of me and miss me when I was gone. Yeah well - stupid kid - you see people once a year, they know nothing about you and what happens to you when you go back home. They have their own lives and you live too far away and with a crazy woman who never lets you on the phone. Anyway, all abuse aside...nobody knew what anybody else did, because I was never with anybody long enough for them to really see me. Even my husband of thirteen years never really saw me.
All I wanted was to belong and be cared for. I think that's all anybody really wants, yes?
I came to this sudden realization after a week with my "so-called" family for her funeral and some of the other must-do activities. What I saw\and heard and felt disgusted me.My vague feelings of discontent and thoughts percolating all these years at the back of my head came hard into focus.
My step-mother treated me the same way her mother treated her (the grandmother that died last week) - never anything that you really wanted unless you saved up your own money to buy it and it could still be taken away, never to return. Clothes that were always unfashionable (boys' Sears & Roebuck jeans with boys plaid shirts) and never fit right. Not being a small chested woman since puberty occurred, being compared to her lack of curves constantly made me feel fat and ugly. I now realize that was a complete lie - okay, I wasn't a great beauty but neither was I hideous. Had someone given me a little guidance, my high school years would have been much more enjoyable. Her mother (grandmother) had done the same thing to her and her sister. Definitely nurture and not nature here - my Aunt is not like this at all! She is loving and caring and has come out swinging lately in my defense.....finally a piece of family. Her daughters, my cousins are also doing the same. Ah, acceptance is so sweet!
So, what brought on these realizations? Seeing my step-mother at work on her family up close and personal as an adult. Utter disbelief at her actions which would have earned me slaps, groundings and loss, she did without compunction. Her mother wasn't even in her grave and the viewing hadn't even occurred when my step-mother was going through the jewelry and giving my aunt crap about who got which pieces! Completely cold, calculating - unfeeling...she was doing this in front of her father as well.Her father who had just lost his wife of 62 years and was preparing to go to her viewing.
Okay more later, this is exhausting.
Rough week, last week - my grandmother died. Actually she was my step-grandmother. And I knew it - even when I was only eight years old, I knew I didn't belong. No matter what I tried to do or how good I tried to be, I was never good enough. I still tried to love her and my step-grandfather because I so desperately wanted to be in a real family. My mother and father divorced when I was four(this was at the time when divorce and single mothers were NOT looked upon as something that was common). My father remarried a year after the divorce to a Greek woman. I thought it was great because there was a big family to come visit every summer and people who would want to take care of me and miss me when I was gone. Yeah well - stupid kid - you see people once a year, they know nothing about you and what happens to you when you go back home. They have their own lives and you live too far away and with a crazy woman who never lets you on the phone. Anyway, all abuse aside...nobody knew what anybody else did, because I was never with anybody long enough for them to really see me. Even my husband of thirteen years never really saw me.
All I wanted was to belong and be cared for. I think that's all anybody really wants, yes?
I came to this sudden realization after a week with my "so-called" family for her funeral and some of the other must-do activities. What I saw\and heard and felt disgusted me.My vague feelings of discontent and thoughts percolating all these years at the back of my head came hard into focus.
My step-mother treated me the same way her mother treated her (the grandmother that died last week) - never anything that you really wanted unless you saved up your own money to buy it and it could still be taken away, never to return. Clothes that were always unfashionable (boys' Sears & Roebuck jeans with boys plaid shirts) and never fit right. Not being a small chested woman since puberty occurred, being compared to her lack of curves constantly made me feel fat and ugly. I now realize that was a complete lie - okay, I wasn't a great beauty but neither was I hideous. Had someone given me a little guidance, my high school years would have been much more enjoyable. Her mother (grandmother) had done the same thing to her and her sister. Definitely nurture and not nature here - my Aunt is not like this at all! She is loving and caring and has come out swinging lately in my defense.....finally a piece of family. Her daughters, my cousins are also doing the same. Ah, acceptance is so sweet!
So, what brought on these realizations? Seeing my step-mother at work on her family up close and personal as an adult. Utter disbelief at her actions which would have earned me slaps, groundings and loss, she did without compunction. Her mother wasn't even in her grave and the viewing hadn't even occurred when my step-mother was going through the jewelry and giving my aunt crap about who got which pieces! Completely cold, calculating - unfeeling...she was doing this in front of her father as well.Her father who had just lost his wife of 62 years and was preparing to go to her viewing.
Okay more later, this is exhausting.
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