Karen Armstrong; bestselling author of A History of God; skillfully narrates this history of the Crusades with a view toward their profound and continuing influence. In 1095 Pope Urban II summoned Christian warriors to take up the cross and reconquer the Holy Land. Thus began the holy wars that would focus the power of Europe against a common enemy and become the stuff of romantic legend. In reality the Crusades were a series of rabidly savage conflicts in the name of piety. And; as Armstrong demonstrates in this fascinating book; their legacy of religious violence continues today in the Middle East; where the age-old conflict of Christians; Jews; and Muslims persists.
#118761 in Books Luke Timothy Johnson 2004-08-17 2004-08-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.20 x .68 x 5.50l; .63 #File Name: 0385502486336 pagesThe Creed What Christians Believe and Why It Matters
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Revisiting the Christian FaithBy Robert D. OdumThis is a very well written scripturally and historically based explanation of every statement of faith recited in the Nicene Creed. Johnson explicates not only the meaning and significance of the belief elements of the Creed; but also the scriptural history and the early Christian church history of why and how each statement came to be selected for this fundamental document of Christian faith.I particularly appreciate how the author captures the modern Christian mind; especially in its frequent failure to concentrate on the meaning of the words we recite at each Mass celebration. His honesty here is humbling and encouraging; making the reading of his book an especially rewarding experience. He acknowledges the challenge to faith the Creed represents while explaining its richness and clarifying as much as humanly possible the nature of the triune God that Christians are called upon to worship and obey. Many sections of the book also capture the marvelous phenomenon that was the vigorous growth of the Church so soon after the ignominious death on the cross of its Founder.This work is a treat for the restimulation of a Christian faith that might be languishing from years of neglect or thoughtless habit and routine. I highly recommend it.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. An excellent read.By Audre'I belong to a liturgical church and have known the Nicene Creed since I was a little girl in church listening to the grown ups recite the words. I think Mr. Johnson did a wonderful job exploring the background of the words and intent of those words; the history behind the words. What can never be explained; of course; is the feeling; the knowledge; the sense of correctness one feels when one; in church or alone; recites these words. The Nicene Creed is the holy history of the Christian.The author; Luke Timothy Johnson; does a great job of making the Creed accessable to those folks not raised with the Nicene Creed and gives some moments of reflection to those of us who were.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great resource that breaks down the Nicene Creed and gives ...By JohnGreat resource that breaks down the Nicene Creed and gives an explanation of each component. If I remember correctly; Johnson is from the Catholic faith tradition; but he really does a great job leaving out sectarian bias. HE STICKS TO THE SCRIPTURES AND ITS THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE! I highly recommend it to anyone trying to gain more theological insight (with a bit of historical information) on the Nicene Creed. It is very accessible and not bogged down with a lot of "hard-to-understand" theological terminology.
