Focusing on internal developments in Imperial Russia; this book provides even-handed coverage of the period; with thorough attention to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Political history is balanced with a clear vision of social and economic change.
#895225 in Books Westminster John Knox Press 2006-07-01 2006-07-21Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .54 x 5.51l; .76 #File Name: 0664231179246 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Prophetic and even timelier; seven years down the roadBy Trudie BarrerasThis review is to correct a false impression of my own that I'd ALREADY reviewed this amazing and important book. Actually; I purchased my first copy of Griffin's extremely valuable theological documentary in 2007. At that time I wasn't reviewing for ; but I cited and referenced it numerous times in various writings of my own. I also shared it with various friends and relatives; which led to the necessity of purchasing a second copy. It would have been at the time of this second purchase that I apparently thought I'd submitted a review; but obviously I did not. That second copy; too; has currently disappeared; so I re-purchased it yet again; and THIS time I'll be sure to formally post my opinion.Although published in 2006; this book becomes ever timelier. While the Bush-Cheney administration is no longer in charge; it has now become painfully clear that our high hopes for a change in style with the advent of the Obama-Biden tenure were vain indeed. There is still an atmosphere of extreme secrecy; as reaction to the recent revelations about the NSA's massive data mining operations; and the continued use of clandestine CIA operations and oppressive tactics both on domestic and foreign soil; testify.For me; what makes Griffin's writing most relevant is indeed the fact that it is theological; not political. He establishes the motivation for what may very well have been a false-flag operation designed to justify the spurious "War on Terror" and provide the impetus for the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan squarely on the imperial ambitions of the "neocons" who are the driving force in much of American politics. And it has become more and more obvious since the publication of this book that the repressive tactics set in motion at the time of the 9/11 attacks are being visited more and more viciously not only on the alleged perpetrators of these events; but also on American citizens who have the temerity to challenge the "official story".In the next-to-last chapter; titled "The American Empire; Demonic Evil; and 9/11"; Griffin raises some extraordinarily vital concerns. I'd like to quote just one brief paragraph; that in my opinion beautifully sums up the issue; which as I said is becoming ever more relevant as time passes and a new administration shows no signs of rejecting or revoking the policies spawned by the events of September 11; 2001:"But the violence of 9/11; along with the official narrative thereof; distracted our primary attention away from the relation between humanity and nature and forced it back to human-vs.-human issues. Given the fact that much valuable time has been lost since the attacks - time that might have been used to slow global warming before it is too late - this dimension of 9/11 may turn out to be the most destructive from the divine perspective. The very fact that this foreseeable possibility exists makes 9/11 an extreme example of the demonic." (p. 183).Now; from the perspective of seven more years down the road from the publication of this book; one begins to see the full prophetic impact of Griffin's writing. It is my profound prayer that as the Internet and Social Media continue to bring the questions raised by Griffin and others into our awareness; we may indeed begin to have a genuine awakening concerning the dangers of American imperialism that this book so clearly explains.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. 9/11 as "Demonic Revelation"By Dennis P. McMahonHaving already become familiar with the overwhelming amount of evidence indicating beyond a reasonable doubt that 9/11 was an inside job; I skimmed Part I of David Ray Griffin's "Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11;" which concludes by saying that what is needed now is (a) for the American people to be informed of 9/11 Truth; through the churches; and (b) that Christians should take the lead in exposing the truth about 9/11. While I most certainly recognize that all of the American people should become aware of what 9/11 is all about; I cannot wholeheartedly agree that Christians should necessarily take the lead with regard to advancing 9/11 Truth. However; it would be most welcome if Christians (Jews; Muslims; and everyone) would participate in the effort to spread the word about 9/11 Truth; and consider the guidance that Professor Griffin provides in Part II of this excellent work.At the beginning of Part II (in Chapter 7); Professor Griffin discusses Jesus and the Roman Empire in ways that I had never before seriously contemplated; even though I was raised as a Catholic; attended Catholic schools; and (as an adult) undertook a two-year independent research project in search of the "historic Jesus." For example; Professor Griffin analyzes the "anti-imperial gospel of Jesus" by pointing out that in Jesus' "The Lord's Prayer;" Jesus asks that God's will be done; "on Earth as it is in Heaven." Over the course of my life; I must have recited The Lord's Prayer thousands of times without ever considering the political implication of doing God's will in Rome. But as is obvious now after reading Professor Griffin's interpretation of this prayer; Jesus' goal of having God's will be done on Earth was diametrically opposed to Roman authority; and thus made Jesus a revolutionary force.Professor Griffin also presents Mark 12:17 in a whole different light. There; Jesus said that it was acceptable to render unto Caesar the things that were Caesar's. But; as Professor Griffin notes; with authority; that for Jesus and other Jews of his time; everything belonged to God and nothing belonged to Caesar. Thus; with his ambiguous remark; Jesus was in effect saying "Render nothing unto Cesar;" and again espousing a revolutionary spirit.In Chapter 8; Professor Griffin discusses the divine and demonic in theological terms. In so doing; he advances the theory that once demonic power has emerged; it has its own power and cannot be unilaterally controlled or eliminated by God. Thus; in contrast to what is to this day routinely taught in Catholic schools; Professor Griffin asserts that God is not omnipotent. Nor is he merely standing by and allowing all the evil in the world to happen. In fact; God simply lacks the power to subdue evil; according to Professor Griffin. I found this view to be oddly attractive. That is; in a way; it is more comforting to believe that; rather than being a passive bystander who; absent compassion; chooses to allow evil to inflict horrific pain and suffering on humanity; God simply is not powerful enough to subdue evil. To be sure; supportive arguments can be made for each of these concepts; however; it is difficult to argue with Professor Griffin's position that in the world today; "a real battle" is going on between good and evil; "with the outcome still undecided." Thus; I would agree with the subtext running thru "Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11;" that we need to shed our complacency; and spread the word.In Chapter 9; Professor Griffin presents a convincing argument that Jesus' negative evaluation of the Roman Empire applies to the American Empire. In so doing; Professor Griffin supports his thesis with examples of U.S. foreign policy implemented in Iran; Guatemala; Greece; Indonesia; Vietnam; Chile; Iraq; etc.; to the point where those new to this type of discussion may start to wonder; "How did I not see that America is an imperialist nation before?"As a result of American imperialism; Professor Griffin argues that we are left with "global apartheid;" where 18 million people die every year from poverty-related causes (like starvation)--11 million of those victims being children under the age of 5. As America is pretty much in control of the world's economic situation; Professor Griffin concludes that "the American empire is evil; and in fact the principal location of demonic power in our time."Additional evidence for Professor Griffin's thesis is represented by America's amassment of nuclear weapons; global warming and the government's apparent disdain for the environment; and of course the false flag/treasonous attacks of 9/11 which Professor Griffin newly interprets as a "demonic revelation;" i.e.; a revelation of the demonic nature of American imperialism which seeks to approach omnipotence.Professor Griffin concludes his insightful work by stating that learning the truth about 9/11 should lead "the church" (which apparently means all Christian churches) into a process of reflection and action (even though the process of reflection and action could be followed by any socially progressive anti-war group; and individuals as well).Specifically; says Professor Griffin; the church should reflect on: (1) the blackout of objective reporting about 9/11 in the mainstream media; (2) the Downing Street memo revealing how the Bush administration decided to "fix the intelligence" about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction in order to start an illegal war; (3) chronic "American exceptionalism;" a quasi-religious belief which has deluded Americans into thinking that their country is devoted to spreading freedom and democracy; while the truth is that America is creating global apartheid; (4) Jesus' message that God's will is to replace the present reign of demonic values on Earth with a reign of divine values in which; for instance; all people would have their daily bread; and (5) nurturing Christian faith.Suggested actions that Professor Griffin would have the church undertake include (1) efforts to bring about a "great reduction" of the military budget which; in real terms; currently consumes 68% of the Federal budget; (2) educating the public about the corporate control of the media; (3) supporting the public financing of fair and meaningful elections; (4) striving for a global democracy; and (5) disassociating the church; "fully and explicitly; from America's imperial project."For churches heeding Professor Griffin's call to reflection and action; the challenges most certainly will be formidable; as they would be for any 9/11 truth seeker; especially given the citizenry's engrained belief in American exceptionalism. However; the truth must be told--by Christians and all others who choose to accept the responsibility to spread the word. In meeting this responsibility; those who spread truth should become empowered by the idea that the spirit of Jesus will support them in their efforts; as Professor Griffin convincingly establishes in "Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11."0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Read this Book. It's important!By JAY BREMYERFive stars means you loved it and I can't really say that's quite how I feel; but 5 stars it deserves. I profoundly respect it. Griffin is a deep scholar with courageous dedication to pursuing the truth in every aspect of the life we're living together. Read this book. Be shook up. Consider what is required of us as citizens knowing that we're routinely lied to and manipulated by the powers that be. Read this book. You'll never again see the world in the way you used to.
