Showing posts with label Book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book review. Show all posts
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Book review: The Church of Facebook
See my review of Jesse Rice, The Church of Facebook, published at Denver Journal.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Book Review: "The Deniable Darwin" by David Berlinski
This is a collection of writings which have been previously published, many, but not all of which, address Darwinism and Intelligent Design. All the essays concern science.
The inimitable David Berlinksi, mathematician and literary stylist, is a free thinker--not in the common sense of skeptics who revel in denying religion on principle, but in the sense of assessing arguments on the basis of evidence, not on the basis of mere consensus or social pressure. He long ago found Darwin evidentially-challenged and began to say so--cutting against the grain. He continues to say so, and so educates his readers in critical thinking and good writing. May his number increase.
If you are tired of the stereotypical and monotonous defenses of Darwinism and denunciations of intelligent design that clutter and litter the press, read this important book. If you read nothing else, consult, "The Deniable Darwin," an essay in Commentary that rocked the readership in 1996.
By the way, Dr. Berlinksi is neither a Christian nor a practicing Jew. But even if he were one or the other (or a member of any other religion) it would make no difference for the force of his arguments. To think otherwise is to commit the fallacy of poisoning the well
The inimitable David Berlinksi, mathematician and literary stylist, is a free thinker--not in the common sense of skeptics who revel in denying religion on principle, but in the sense of assessing arguments on the basis of evidence, not on the basis of mere consensus or social pressure. He long ago found Darwin evidentially-challenged and began to say so--cutting against the grain. He continues to say so, and so educates his readers in critical thinking and good writing. May his number increase.
If you are tired of the stereotypical and monotonous defenses of Darwinism and denunciations of intelligent design that clutter and litter the press, read this important book. If you read nothing else, consult, "The Deniable Darwin," an essay in Commentary that rocked the readership in 1996.
By the way, Dr. Berlinksi is neither a Christian nor a practicing Jew. But even if he were one or the other (or a member of any other religion) it would make no difference for the force of his arguments. To think otherwise is to commit the fallacy of poisoning the well
Friday, June 19, 2009
Book Review of "The Problem of Evil" By Peter Van Inwagen
Paul Raynor, a recent graduate from Denver Seminary with an MA in Philosophy of Religion, has reviewed Peter Van Inwagen's book, The Problem of Evil at Denver Journal.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The Trouble with Paris: Book Review
My review of The Trouble with Paris by Mark Sayers is now up at Denver Journal.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Review of Mark Levin, Tryanny and Liberty
Tyranny is growing like a weed today, but it is masked by euphemism and the supposed need to avert economic catastrophe. It likewise poses as pragmatism, when, in fact, it is insinuating despotism throughout our civil government. The euphoria over Obama can only be explained on the basis of massive ignorance and massive credulity.
Part of the answer to our plight is to return to first principles, the truths that animated the founders of America--and they are conservative, not liberal. Mark Levin knows this history and brings these titanic ideals to bear on our present situation. The goal of just civil government is liberty, not comprehensive control. Statism is the enemy of liberty, and is a form of political idolatry wherein the state (not God, the individual, family, church, and so on) is taken to be the ultimate provider and protector and regulator of society.
Levin, while an often acerbic radio host known for high-pitched denunciations of his clueless callers, is neither petulant nor strident in this book. He rather makes arguments deeply rooted in history, our American history, which so many, to their peril, either forgot or never knew (thanks to public--read statist--education and the stupor brought on by popular culture).
Levin illustrates the move toward tyranny in the philosophy and policies of Barack Husein Obama, the most statist president in the history of our Republic. If you oppose Obama's ideology, don't just complain or pine away until the next election: education yourself in the principles that lead to liberty and human thriving that are articulated in this vital book. Moreover, read some established classics in this genre such as Bill Buckley's Up From Liberalism" and Barry Goldwater's, The Conscience of a Conservative. And do so...before it is too late.
Part of the answer to our plight is to return to first principles, the truths that animated the founders of America--and they are conservative, not liberal. Mark Levin knows this history and brings these titanic ideals to bear on our present situation. The goal of just civil government is liberty, not comprehensive control. Statism is the enemy of liberty, and is a form of political idolatry wherein the state (not God, the individual, family, church, and so on) is taken to be the ultimate provider and protector and regulator of society.
Levin, while an often acerbic radio host known for high-pitched denunciations of his clueless callers, is neither petulant nor strident in this book. He rather makes arguments deeply rooted in history, our American history, which so many, to their peril, either forgot or never knew (thanks to public--read statist--education and the stupor brought on by popular culture).
Levin illustrates the move toward tyranny in the philosophy and policies of Barack Husein Obama, the most statist president in the history of our Republic. If you oppose Obama's ideology, don't just complain or pine away until the next election: education yourself in the principles that lead to liberty and human thriving that are articulated in this vital book. Moreover, read some established classics in this genre such as Bill Buckley's Up From Liberalism" and Barry Goldwater's, The Conscience of a Conservative. And do so...before it is too late.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Two New Book Reviews: Fear of Knowledge and Icarus Fallen
1. Ian Colle, a 2009 Philosophy of Religion Masters Degree graduate from Denver Seminary, has published an excellent review of Fear of Knowledge: Against Relativism and Constructivism by Boghossian at Denver Journal.
2. Jeremiah Heiser, a 2009 Master of Divinity graduate from Denver Seminary, has published a first-rate review of Icarus Fallen: The Search for Meaning in an Uncertain World by Chantal Delsol in Denver Journal.
2. Jeremiah Heiser, a 2009 Master of Divinity graduate from Denver Seminary, has published a first-rate review of Icarus Fallen: The Search for Meaning in an Uncertain World by Chantal Delsol in Denver Journal.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Doug Groothuis review of "The Case for Civility" by Os Guinness
The Denver Post finally published my review of The Case for Civility. They edited out some comments about relativism, sadly.
Parts of this significant section were cut out:
Unlike tolerance, civility, on the contrary, requires knowledge and courage. Guinness argues that civility is a higher virtue than mere tolerance, which easily devolves into apathy and indifference. Civility is not the fruit of relativism, which despairs of objective moral knowledge.
Nevertheless, I hope my short review will encourage many to read this important book.
Parts of this significant section were cut out:
Unlike tolerance, civility, on the contrary, requires knowledge and courage. Guinness argues that civility is a higher virtue than mere tolerance, which easily devolves into apathy and indifference. Civility is not the fruit of relativism, which despairs of objective moral knowledge.
Nevertheless, I hope my short review will encourage many to read this important book.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
The Way of the Heart
The Way of the Heart by Henri Nouwen is a small, but profound work on the spirituality of the desert fathers and mothers. Although written by Roman Catholic priest, I found nothing offensive to Protestants such as myself.
It outlines the stories of Egyptian believers who fled the corruptions of ancient culture to learn solitude, silence, and deep prayer. They then returned to participate in live in a different and higher mode. Our frenetic and unhinged culture needs solitude, silence, and prayer. Christian leaders are too often dragged along by cultural themes and rhythms that fit not the gospel way. For these reasons, I recommend The Way of the Heart.
I suggest you read it in one sitting, by yourself, with prenty of time for reflection and prayer.
It outlines the stories of Egyptian believers who fled the corruptions of ancient culture to learn solitude, silence, and deep prayer. They then returned to participate in live in a different and higher mode. Our frenetic and unhinged culture needs solitude, silence, and prayer. Christian leaders are too often dragged along by cultural themes and rhythms that fit not the gospel way. For these reasons, I recommend The Way of the Heart.
I suggest you read it in one sitting, by yourself, with prenty of time for reflection and prayer.
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