Christianity for Dummies

Book Description

Get to know the beliefs and practices inspired by Jesus Christ

Discover what it means to be a Christian and follow the gospel

Curious about Christianity? This friendly guide helps you understand the basic teachings of the Christian faith, exploring the common ground that all Christians share, the differences among the major branches, the key events in Christian history, the key theological issues, and the many ways Christians live out their faith in today's world.

The Dummies Way
* Explanations in plain English
* "Get in, get out" information
* Icons and other navigational aids
* Tear-out cheat sheet
* Top ten lists
* A dash of humor and fun

Discover how to:
* Express the core essentials of Christianity
* Appreciate the life and teachings of Jesus
* Understand why the Bible is central to the faith
* Respect the unique roles of the Trinity
* Explore controversial issues among the branches

Customer Reviews:

The Author.......2007-03-25

I just thought I should make some clarification concerning the issue of "fundamentalism" and "bias". As I note in the book's introduction, "Christianity" sounds like a generic enough word to define, but even this term can mean radically different things to different people both inside and outside of the Christian Church. Therefore, when I speak of Christianity, keep in mind that I am using the term in three respects:

(1) "Mere" Christianity. Christian author C.S. Lewis used the term "mere Christianity" to describe the core essentials of the Christian faith that any believer, regardless of their background, could agree to. Christianity For Dummies focuses on this common ground across the Christian Church, be it Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox. However, many important differences of belief do exist among these branches of the Church that can't be swept under the table. So when there is disagreement on a given topic, I attempt to point out these differences along the way.

(2) "Historical" Christianity. When I refer to "Christianity", I speak of Christian beliefs that have historically been upheld by the Church for some 2,000 years, not the latest fashionable flavor of Christian teaching that may be in vogue for the moment.

(3) "Biblical" Christianity. Christians have always maintained that the Bible is the literal, inspired, and authoritative written word of God. Following in this mold, this book will consider the Bible as being the legitimate "instruction manual" for Christians and "bottom line" for matters pertaining to the Christian faith.

So, rather than being "fundamentalist" and "narrow", I am simply embracing the orthodox historical/biblical teachings of the Christian faith that have been affirmed since the early New Testament church.

Finally, concerning the issue of bias, any author brings to a book his or her background, experiences, and a given set of beliefs. From the outset, I make it clear in the introduction that I am what could be described as an evangelical Protestant believer. However, my overriding goal for the book was to be unbiased, fair, and respectful towards all branches of the orthodox Christian Church (Protestantism, Catholicism, and Eastern Orthodox).

I hope these points help to clarify some matters raised in a couple earlier reviews.

Rich Wagner, Author

Too Biased.......2006-09-12

I am not a christian, and bought this book to learn more about the faith. Although this book does provide a basic outline of christian beliefs, the author lets his personal bias slip into his writing much too often. There are numerous passages where he says something to the effect of "many christians believe this, but it doesnt make any sense". So if you want a fair and unbiased book outlining christian beliefs, I would recomend that you look elsewhere.

Should be called "Fundamentalist Christianity for Dummies".......2006-04-05

Having been raised a christian, I was suprised by what I read in this book. Several times I asked myself "you mean christians believe that?" The author assumes that fundamentalism is mainstream christianity and occasionally throws in some information about Catholicism, Orthodox religions and non fundamentalist religions almost as an aside. Very one sided and disappointing. There must be something better out there.

Good Book.......2006-03-20

I'm a Christian and this book tells many facts about christianity. I read about a third of the book and i find it very useful to build faith. even if u r not a Christian, u can just learn about it. also, it answers a lot of life problems.

I thought the "for dummies" part was just a gimmick.......2005-08-25

Rather than being a well organized explanation of what Christianity is and of what Christians believe, this book is a rationalization of Christian faith that anyone with even rudimentary critical reading skills can dissect. The increasingly stupid analogies and pop-culture references combine to make the condescension unbearable. This book truly is for dummies.

The Perfect Wagnerite, Ring Resounding, and Richard Wagner (3 Vol Time Life Set)

Average customer rating:

The Perfect Wagnerite, Ring Resounding, and Richard Wagner (3 Vol Time Life Set)
Bernard, John Culshaw and Robert W. Gutman Shaw
Manufacturer: Time Life Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000L9X8F4

Wildlife Policies in the U.S. National Parks

Average customer rating:

Essential study of wildlife policies in the national parks, but recommendations are weak

Wildlife Policies in the U.S. National Parks
Frederic H. Wagner , Ronald Foresta , Richard Bruce Gill , Dale Richard McCullough , Michael R. Pelton , William F. Porter , and Hal Salwasser
Manufacturer: Island Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Public Policy | Government | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Conservation | Environment | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

General & Anthologies | Hunting & Fishing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

General | Conservation | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Wildlife | Conservation | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Outdoors & Nature Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Sports Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 1559634049

Book Description

This volume presents the results of a five-year study of wildlife-management policies in national parks. It synthesizes interviews with individuals inside and outside the National Park Service, provides a comprehensive review of published and unpublished literature, and draws on the collective experience of the authors with various units of the system over the past three decades. Among the topics examined are:

the structure and history of the National Park System and Service
wildlife "problems" in the parks
the role of science in formulating policies and in management
recommendations for changes in policy formulation, management, and scientific research procedures

Customer Reviews:

Essential study of wildlife policies in the national parks, but recommendations are weak.......2007-09-06

This report was originally commissioned by The Wildlife Society to make recommendations for managing wildlife in the national parks. TWS was disappointed with the result, and the authors decided to publish it on their own instead of trying to satisfy them.

It's an excellent review of the history of wildlife management in the national parks. Originally, wildlife were an afterthought because the parks were built around monumental scenery. After that, many people started to think of some species of wildlife as part of the scenery too, such as bears in Yellowstone or Yosemite. Eventually, wildlife became a featured part of some parks such as Isle Royale or the Everglades. In all parks, wildlife faces threats external to the park such as pollution or exotic species, as well as internal threats from tourism and other national park service goals.

The authors review these issues very well, and this book is one of the central texts for any review of wildlife in the parks. However, they shrink back from making any strong recommendations. As scientists, they tend to feel more comfortable with recommendations of the form, "If your goal is X, then your policy should be Y." They are less comfortable talking about what the policy goals should be, and the authors did not see this book as the place to make radical recommendations about decommissioning roads, removing tourists, or the like.

They also don't really confront the political problems involved in park policy. These include the interests of concessionaires and gateway communities, hunters in the region around each park, congressional pork, the political interests of the National Park Service, and the self-interest of scientists who work in parks (such as the authors!). While they mention these issues, they don't really confront them as either obstacles or opportunities to their preferred policy, in large part because their policy recommendations are pretty weak themselves.

Though this book is essential if you want to understand wildlife in parks, those limitations are an important weakness. It deserves 4.5 stars but I'll round up because I'm in a good mood.

Average customer rating:

Practical Intelligence in Everyday Life
Robert J. Sternberg , George B. Forsythe , Jennifer Hedlund , Joseph A. Horvath , Richard K. Wagner , Wendy M. Williams , Scott A. Snook , and Elena Grigorenko
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Mental Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Cognitive Psychology | Behavioral Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0521659582

Book Description

This path-breaking book reviews psychological research on practical intelligence and describes its importance in everyday life. The authors reveal the importance of tacit knowledge--what we have learned from our own experience, through action. Although it has been seen as an indispensable element of expertise, intelligence researchers have found it difficult to quantify. Based on years of research, Dr. Sternberg and his colleagues have found that tacit knowledge can be quantified and can be taught. This volume thoroughly examines studies of practical intelligence in the United States and in many other parts of the world as well, and for varied occupations, such as management, military leadership, teaching, research, and sales.

Average customer rating:

The real Wagner

My Life, Volume 2
Richard Wagner
Manufacturer: BiblioBazaar
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1426411898
Release Date: 2007-02-04

Product Description

1850-1864

Customer Reviews:

The real Wagner.......2007-07-30

Today, with all the hyper PC attitudes running rampant and making otherwise sensible folk rewrite history and demonize great men of the past, it might be difficult to see Wagner as what he really was: a multi-talented man, a Renaissance man, a great man and a good family man, a man admired equally by Yeats and Mahler, a vegetarian, a democrat, a man of rare integrity, a creative man, an entertaining host and a well-liked guest. Yeats wrote that Wagner represented the acme of German symbolism in poetry and drama; Mahler, that there was only Beethoven and Wagner. Indeed, while Wagner's musical genius has never been in doubt, his dramatic and poetic genius has sometimes been underestimated, mainly by those with, at best, the German of a ten-year-old native speaker and no understanding of 19th century poetry or drama. Let's be clear here: Wagner's influence on subsequent writers and poets was quite considerable. Everybody from Thomas Mann to T.S. Eliot gave their nods to him.

In this brilliantly narrated book, Wagner gives a complex and accurate picture of the 19th century, and one that the PC crowd doesn't want you to know about. (Ask yourself, why do only a couple of obscure small presses publish Wagner's autobiography, while every university press has its own politically correct Wagner book out, each of which sells quite nicely and is little more than a comfortable exercise in character assassination?)

This is the second of two volumes published by BiblioBazaar, and is a good edition.

Richard Wagner: His Life, Art, and Thought (Panther Books)

Average customer rating:

A Scholarly work on Wagner's music and thought

Richard Wagner: His Life, Art, and Thought (Panther Books)
Ronald Taylor
Manufacturer: Academy Chicago Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

A Scholarly work on Wagner's music and thought.......2007-05-31

A standard biography followed by a discussion of his work, showing how it is grounded in his intellectual and spiritual development. An interesting and valuable work, perhaps a bit difficult for those not well-grounded in philosophy. Especially valuable for his relationship with Nietzche and his influence on Wagner's own prolific literary works. A scholarly work for musicians well worth reading.

Average customer rating:

Wagner tells his own story.

My Life
Richard Wagner
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

The Wagner Operas

ASIN: 0306804816

Customer Reviews:

Wagner tells his own story........2007-08-03

Monumental both in creativity and egotism, Richard Wagner drafted an autobiography that is amazingly accurate with not too many exaggerations by the author. If one wants the composer's insights on the various encounters he has when bringing his music to life, this is one book you must read. At times it is tediously detailed but the "devil is in the details." It is impossible to understand the man and his world without reading this personal insight. He was, above all other things, one of the foremost musical geniuses that changed the face of opera forever. The consummate Wagner student must, at some time in his study read this book, cover to cover.

Yellowstone's Destabilized Ecosystem: Elk Effects, Science, and Policy Conflict

Average customer rating:

Poorly written but convincing response to Douglas Houston's book on Yellowstone's elk

Yellowstone's Destabilized Ecosystem: Elk Effects, Science, and Policy Conflict
Frederic H. Wagner , Wayne L. Hamilton , and Richard B. Keigley
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Science | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0195148215

Book Description

Wagner, one of our most distinguished wildlife biologists, is a strong critic of ecological practices in the national parks. This book provides an assessment of the ecological history of Yellowstone's northern range, since before the park existed, showing the impact of US Park Service policies
on the health of the areas they oversee. He demonstrates that elk had been historically rare throughout the region and that overgrazing by elk has seriously degraded the landscape and altered the structure of the area. This is a major contribution to reconstructing the ecology of this region over
the course of the past 500 years. It is also a critique of US Park Service management policies and their stewardship of the nation's most cherished natural areas. Wagner's book will generate substantial attention and debate both in the scientific and policy/management communities.

Customer Reviews:

Poorly written but convincing response to Douglas Houston's book on Yellowstone's elk.......2007-10-09

The National Park Service (NPS) is mandated to preserve these parks for future generations as well as to manage them for the enjoyment of current generations. Sometimes there are trade-offs, and this book examines one: is Yellowstone managing its elk herd for the benefit of the ecosystem, to preserve the nature of the park for future generations, or to satisfy today's tourists with a picture of elk eating the lawn at Mammoth Hot Springs?

Hint: the elk are eating the lawn.

The NPS denies that anything is amiss, despite a long controversy in the literature over its policy of "natural regulation." Briefly put, the NPS maintains that there are not too many elk because they will be naturally limited by their food supply. Critics argue that, even if elk are eventually limited by their food supply, they will inflict serious damage on the ecosystem when they stabilize at a very high number.

In this book, Wagner provides a very thorough reassessment of the NPS position reflected in Douglas Houston's The Northern Yellowstone Elk: Ecology and Management (1982). Wagner acknowledges that elk population reached an equilibrium level, and that it seems to have been limited by its food supply. However, the equilibrium population was much larger than any of the advocates of natural regulation had expected, and it had much more serious ecological effects than advocates have been willing to admit.

Wagner convinced me - - but read both books and make up your own mind.

Unfortunately, Wagner is a hard book to read because it's written poorly. He does not organize material effectively. He leads with reevaluations of small points, builds to a larger conclusion in most chapters - - but some chapters don't really have a conclusion worthy of the name. Some chapters have introductions to the topic and controversy, others jump right in to the science. He really needed the strong hand of an editor here, someone who could force him to give the big picture first in each chapter, and then move to the scientific reasoning and evidence to back up that overall vision. It's a testament to the quality of the underlying science that this book persuades despite the poor presentation.

Average customer rating:

My Life
Richard Wagner
Manufacturer: Kessinger Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Book Description

On the other hand, I tried to strengthen myself by again working energetically at Lohengrin. While doing this, I proceeded in a manner that I have not since repeated. I first of all completed the third act, and in view of the criticism already mentioned of the characters and conclusion of this act, I determined to try to make it the very pivot of the whole opera. I wished to do this, if only for the sake of the musical motive appearing in the story of the Holy Grail; but in other respects the plan struck me as perfectly satisfactory.

On the Advantage and Disadvantage of History for Life

Average customer rating:

Something to note
Unique and startling
Recommended
presenta el peligro que un exceso de erudión de historia

On the Advantage and Disadvantage of History for Life
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
Manufacturer: Hackett Pub Co Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

History & Surveys | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0915144956

Customer Reviews:

Something to note.......2005-12-14

This book is very good, as usual from Nietzsche. I'm not going to fully review it however, but rather point out something the previous reviewers didn't. This work is in fact one of the four "Untimely Meditations"; as such it is included in all editions of that work by Nietzsche. So I strongly suggest that you buy a copy of the complete set rather than just this one.

Unique and startling.......2001-01-03

This book is different than Nietzsche's well-known major works. It does not explicitly examine the nature of morality, the master/slave relationship, or related questions. Instead, it questions the relationship of historical knowledge to life in the present. By "present", Nietzsche does not mean some specific century or decade, but rather the present we perpetually find ourselves in as human beings.

Nietzsche asks: given that we always live in such a present, why do we want or need historical knowledge? Animals live without a historical sense: they do not reflect on the past or contemplate their future -- they simply live from moment to moment in the eternal present that humans perpetually avoid. And generally, Nietzsche notes, animals seem happier than human beings: more spontaneous, more cheerful, less given to morbid and resentful states of mind.

Given these differences, should humans abandon the study of history and try to live in the present like animals? No, says Nietzsche, this relation to history is the true source of human uniqueness and achievement. The question is not "Should we study history?" but rather, "What history should we study, and in what amount?" The answer, says Nietzsche, is history that gives us a proper appreciation of life's difficulties and the struggles that have preceded us, but which nonetheless spurs us to creative action in the present. We should never study history for history's sake; rather, we should study it with a view to understanding and surpassing our present.

This is a short, powerful volume, dense with ideas but astoundingly clear.

Recommended.......2000-12-01

A great primer on the problems of history and a great introduction to a brilliant mind.

presenta el peligro que un exceso de erudión de historia.......1998-11-27

he leido 6 capítulos. Es un tema interesante para abordar el estudio de la historia. Para Nietzcshe la historia es indispensable pero hay que saber tener el punto de equilibrio para que sea util para la vida: demasiada historia anquilosa. La tradición tiener un limite de utilidad; el exceso mata la vida y la dinamica de la vida; pero la absoluta carencia imposibilita entender el mundo en el que se vive.

Customer Reviews:

A classic scholarly biography.......2001-11-13

Samson Occom And The Christian Indians Of New England is a classic scholarly biography written at turn of the century by a Congregational minister. This reissued paperback is introduced by Margaret Connell Szasz, professor of history at University of New Mexico and author of Indian Education in American Colonies 1607-1783, and editor of Between Indian and White Worlds: The Cultural Broker. She correctly categorizes Love's biography of Samson Occom as "fin de siecle, a work of its time," and she describes Occom as an intellectual giant, a "cultural intermediary (who) strode across the cultures of his time and place (p.xv)."

Both Mohegan and Christian, Occom dazzled Euramerican contemporaries with his intellectual sermons, calm demeanor, and impassioned requests for educational support for Indian students. Crucially instrumental to the founding of Dartmouth College, which was to be "Fro the education and instruction of Youth of the Indian Tribes in this Land in reading, writing, and all parts of Learning which shall appear necessary and expedient for civilizing and christianizing children of pagans as well as in all liberal Arts and Sciences; and also for English Youth and any Others," he nevertheless became disillusioned when his fundraising efforts were used by his partner Mr. Wheelock to be subverted for a college that served English rather than Indian students. This was to be but one of many betrayals in the life of Samson Occom.

Szasz concludes that Love, in his biography of Samson Occom "in some instances...belied his times by demonstrating a degree of understanding about Occom's world view that moved beyond mainstream attitudes toward American Indians (p. xxv)." The biography contains a valuable impetus to contrast to the present day ethnographic biographer who would theoretically present Occam more from a native viewpoint for analysis. An example would be Occam's conflicted role in 18th century Modegan society. In this and other areas, Love's Samson Occom highlights further truths to be mined for. It is a mirror of our Western emergence from Eurocentrism.

There is much to be gained from further study of Samson Occom. One additional resource suggested is The Sprit Of The New England Tribes (1986) by William Simmons. The search for cultural continuity is a valuable theme for today's ethno-historian/biographer. Samson Occom And The Christian Indians Of New England is a challenge and a piece of the puzzle that remains tantalizingly uncompleted. May it teach us to examine, question, or perhaps recraft entirely our cultural assumptions today as well.

Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books