New Testament scholar N.T. Wright reveals how we have been misreading the Gospels for centuries; powerfully restoring the lost central story of the Scripture: that the coronation of God through the acts of Jesus was the climax of human history. Wright fills the gaps that centuries of misdirection have opened up in our collective spiritual story; tracing a narrative from Eden; to Jesus; to today. Wright’s powerful re-reading of the Gospels helps us re-align the focus of our spiritual beliefs; which have for too long been focused on the afterlife. Instead; the forgotten story of the Gospels reveals why we should understand that our real charge is to sustain and cooperating with God's kingdom here and now. Echoing the triumphs of Simply Christian and The Meaning of Jesus; Wright’s How God Became King is required reading for any Christian searching to understand their mission in the world today.
#966474 in Books Rodney Stark 2008-12-02 2008-12-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.24 x 6.00l; 1.14 #File Name: 0061626015496 pagesDiscovering God The Origins of the Great Religions and the Evolution of Belief
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Surprisingly GoodBy D. KingThis is my first Rodney Stark book and first book in the genre of religious archeology. I was quite taken by it and am determined to try another book from this author.What I especially enjoyed was Stark's "objectivity" (if you can call it that) of applying a business model to the subject of religion and exploring the question; "Why did religion X thrive and religion Y wane?" Stark emphasizes the dynamic and paradoxical nature of human belief -- the logical tenants of monotheism conflicts with emotional needs for love/security/etc. and hence the appeal of polytheism and ascribing human characteristics to the cold; distant monotheist god. Stark asserts people join faiths not strictly for theological reasons but especially for social and economic reasons. While I don't agree with everything he writes; I think his basic ideas make a lot of sense.Stark reviews the historical origins and basic beliefs of all the major religions; which he discusses respectfully. I enjoyed learning more about Buddhism; Confucianism; and Islam. His discussion of early Christianity was interesting too. Stark claims to be agnostic but I wonder -- he seemed to favor Christianity/Judaism by concluding it was the only major faith-based culture that could have led to modern science because the theology of Creation implies man can ultimately understand God's handiwork.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Eye OpeningBy M. MorrisI love this book. It's basically the history of religion. Whether you choose to see Stark's view or not is up to you and for me was irrelevant to my enjoyment of learning about the history of religion. It was fascinating to learn about all the different religions and how they grew out of each other. My personal take-away from this book was very different than the author's; although I was open to considering his points.I was surprised to find that the author also lives in Corrales; It's a small community (only a few square miles) so hopefully I'll meet him at some point. To the author I'd like to suggest he put this on Audible. It's free to do so; and profitable; and the book is very long; so it would reach a whole new crowd. Also I'd like to listen to it.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A Rollicking Review of Religious DevelopmentBy R. KernRodney Stark's dual trademarks of thoroughgoing feistiness and incisive historical analysis are on full display in "Discovering God."Much of the book is a swift-moving and thoroughly interesting history of worldwide religious development. Relevant sociological ideas; data; anecdotes; previous scholarship and scathing criticism of many academic truisms are sprinkled throughout; with the most controversial elements--Stark's opinions on what may count as authentic; revealed religion--coming in the final chapter.Perhaps my greatest "discovery" in the book was his observation (just one of very many well-argued points) that religious plurality in a society actually increases overall religious participation and intensity. In other words; people are more engaged religiously when there are lots of options in the religious marketplace. State-sponsored religions needn't focus on outreach or the needs of the masses; they already have a monopoly. But when churches or other religious groups have to support themselves; only zealous; effective groups will attract enough faithful to survive. This leads to a society (such as the modern United States) filled with many successful denominations that together keep the population engaged--and each other hard at work.Whether or not one agrees with Stark's conclusions (which many other reviewers have focused on; so I won't reiterate here); "Discovering God" is both fun and fascinating. His writing reminds me of sitting in on a provocative university lecture; the kind where the professor's convictions and the truth are passionately presented as one; and where you are enthralled even as you disagree.
