Reader Views

Family Likeness

Article first published as Book Review: Family Likeness by Wilson Awasu on Blogcritics.
 
“Family Likeness” by Wilson Awasu is a book with tremendous biblical content along with stories from today from which to learn and grow. Awasu obviously has great knowledge of the Bible and the beliefs of Christianity from the facts and stories he has shared in this book.

In “Family Likeness,” Awasu offers modern-day Christians an opportunity to look within their selves to see if they are living up to the standards set by Jesus Christ. He cites example after example of Jesus’ life and how he practiced prayer, love and trust among other traits. Awasu puts an original spin on fundamental principles of spirituality by describing “dumb prayers” as being useful and productive, especially when you least expect it. He also shares real life experiences from his personal life and the lives of others regarding “dumb prayers” and the power they have. Awasu also describes God’s love as “outrageous,” going on to say that it’s sufficient, selfless and sacrificial. The adjectives he uses to describe love and prayer are unconventional, but he explains in great detail how these words are applicable.
 
This book offers many direct quotes of scriptures from the Bible, which makes for a good reference book for anyone interested in studying the principles discussed more deeply. I enjoyed the heart-warming and touching stories sprinkled throughout the book. The author has had many powerful spiritual experiences, particularly with prayer, that he shares.

I recommend “Family Likeness” by Wilson Awasu to anyone looking for biblical references to the principles of prayer, love and trust along with other general spiritual principles. This book is absolutely geared for individuals practicing the Christian faith. The stories the author shares from the modern world coincide with the biblical stories of ancient times, which give guidance to the modern day Christian.


Family Likeness
Wilson Awasu
Outskirts Press (2012)
ISBN 9781432779153
Reviewed by Christine Watson for Reader Views (1/13)

Twelve Foundation Stones of the Scriptures

Article first published as Book Review: Twelve Foundation Stones of the Scriptures by Elmer Mulhausen on Blogcritics.
 
For many people, reading the Bible is a serious challenge, and studying it would be out of the question. The mix of various genres, themes, styles and authors stretches even the most astute reader. Therefore having a simple book that guides one through the Biblical story can be helpful. Elmer Mulhausen bravely attempts to produce just a tool with his self-published, 232-page paperback titled, “Twelve Foundation Stones of the Scriptures.”
 
The tactic of “Twelve Foundation Stones of the Scriptures” is to endeavor the giant task of retelling the Bible story thematically, from Creation to the Second Coming of Christ. The author uses “twelve stones” – which equal twelve chapters – each stone being a specific theme. Normally Mulhausen catches the main point and works it out in his simple reworking of the story, peppering each page with verses from the “Holy Bible, New International Version” (1984). He also sprinkles into each chapter poems that he and a close relative have penned. There is even a “Responsive Worship Prayer or Litany Prayer” printed on page 69-71.
 
The author’s style of writing and explanations are very simplistic, which can be a benefit for some readers who find the Bible baffling, but also he can be too unrefined. Mulhausen refuses to be sidetracked by issues like evolution, leaving them wide open with a “whatever!” manner. There are times when his declarations show a deficiency in basic Bible knowledge. For example the author announces that he finds “no descriptions of angels with wings” (11) and completely misses passages like Isaiah 6 verse 2 where angels (seraphim) are described as having six wings, two to cover their faces, two for covering their feet, and two with which they fly. He also has a very naïve view of Israel and the church.
 Overall, I am glad that the author took the plunge to try his hand at studying the Bible. And I am pleased he organized his survey to benefit himself and others. I do think he needs to read deeper and for a longer time, keeping to his thematic method, and then return to rethink his book in places. Some readers may find “Twelve Foundation Stones of the Scriptures” by Elmer Mulhausen a helpful initial exercise in trekking through Scripture.


Twelve Foundation Stones of the Scriptures
Elmer Mulhausen
AuthorHouse (2012)
ISBN 9781477202050
Reviewed by Rev. Dr. Michael Philliber for Reader Views (10/12)

Don’t Be A Foolish Virgin!: Confessions of a Foolish Virgin

Article first published as Book Review: Don't Be A Foolish Virgin!: Confessions of a Foolish Virgin by Sharon D. Watts on Blogcritics.
 
In “Don’t Be A Foolish Virgin: Confessions of a Foolish Virgin,” the author Sharon D. Watts shares her personal story of how she reclaimed her relationship with God, after she felt that she stepped away from it.  She takes us on her journey to rediscovering her faith and in turn she also finds, “love, peace and happiness.”  She discusses and offers pictures that show how she finds confirmation of God’s love for her through beautiful signs in nature.  She includes many of her own beautifully written poems that are also very inspirational.  Biblical quotes are also interspersed throughout the book to back up her thoughts. She also gives many examples of how people who have figured prominently in the Bible sinned against God.  As with most of us, Ms. Watts had to learn that she was fully deserving of God’s love.

 Ms. Watts turned frustrations that she was experiencing into profound revelations as she realized that God must experience the same with us as we do things that separate us from our relationship with Him. We do this through disobedience, self-will, confusion, stubbornness and mainly sin.  She provides an extensive list of the ways that we can sin, and biblical passages to support why they are sins.  She makes a valid point in that society has done a lot to blind us to what sin really is.  We are so surrounded by it that we seem to have become numb to it. I especially agree with this in regards to the sin of gossip.

At the end of the book is a very detailed fifteen-page self-assessment questionnaire for the reader to complete.  This assessment addresses areas of sin, and by filling it out it helps us determine what areas we need to address in our lives so that it can help us heal our relationships with God if we need to.  If a reader has been away from the Bible for a while, they will find this book to be very helpful in getting them back on track.  I think that “Don’t Be a Foolish Virgin!” by Sharon D. Watts is a great resource for people of all ages who are seeking to improve their relationships with God.


Don’t Be A Foolish Virgin!: Confessions of a Foolish Virgin
Sharon D. Watts
AuthorHouse (2012)
ISBN 9781477256350
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (9/12)

Launch Out Into the Deep

“Launch Out Into the Deep,” by Acacia L. Slaton, is not your typical inspirational book. Within the first few pages, the reader realizes with a pang deep within, that Ms Slaton addresses many real life questions with straight talking advice and no nonsense answers.
Through this book, the author shows the reader that though the world is frightening, and one in which there are problems around every turn, there is hope.  Trials and tribulations affect each of us at one time or another.  But in “Launch Out Into the Deep,” the author deals with these trials in a frank, honest way and gives some easy to understand advice on living a Christian life while facing situations that are all too real in society today.  With everyday language that all ages can relate to, and a contemporary tone in its attack on the difficult moments we face within our lives, “Launch Out Into the Deep” offers hope when it seems all hope is lost.
 
Sprinkled within this book is the simple, yet heartfelt poetry of Aaron L. Slaton.  Though this poetry is far from the polished, perfectly rhyming poetry many have grown used to reading, it is the type of poetry that will grip the reader and cause him to take pause and contemplate how this writer could put into words so neatly, situations the reader is in fact struggling with at that moment.  With poems written such as “God is in Control”’ the reader is not only faced with difficult questions but is also shown compassion and support through the inspirational words and message within.
 
This book is far reaching, in that it appeals to and covers subjects from forgiveness, loving oneself and sexual promiscuity, to problems both adult men and women encounter within their lives, despite where they live or what they do.  Grief is addressed within the pages of this book, as well as confusion over having a spouse or a loved one who does not believe in Christ.  The problems of being single and alone and the temptations that are faced daily are also discussed with unaffected speech and counsel which readers of all ages can understand and utilize as well.
 
This is an inspiring, interesting, and thought provoking book, causing this reader to stop on more than one occasion and closely examine my life and how I apply Christianity in my everyday life.  It is a book that is informative and full of knowledge without being “preachy” in its tone.  The frank, down to earth advice is refreshing and is certainly advice that will easily appeal to every reader who opens this book searching for answers within.
 
I would recommend this book for many people; those who need some direction and guidance, those who need real life answers and last but not least, for those who are wondering where Christianity fits within their lives.  With it’s easy to read style, inspirational, soul searching poetry and timely subjects within, “Launch Out Into the Deep” is a book that will provide inspiration and answers in a world that is as full of doubt and deception as our world is today.  I urge readers of all ages to pick up this book and take a journey within its pages.  It may well be the path you have been searching for all your life.


Launch Out Into the Deep
Acacia L. Slaton
Xulon Press (2005)
ISBN 159781704X
Reviewed by Susan Pettrone for Reader Views (10/06)

Hollywood and Catholic Women, 2nd Edition

Article first published as Book Review: Hollywood and Catholic Women, 2nd Edition by Kathryn Schleich on Blogcritics.

In 1992, Kathryn Schleich began her study of how Catholic women are represented in Hollywood with her Master’s thesis which was titled, “Madonna, Tramps, and Redeemers: The Portrayal of Catholic Women in Hollywood Films.” In 2003, Schleich published a follow-up to this study which was titled, “Hollywood and Catholic Women: Virgins, Whores, Mothers and other Images.”  This 2012, 2nd edition of “Hollywood and Catholic Women” is a continuation of her research to see if there have been any positive changes.
 
In this 2nd edition, the author discusses eighteen films and two television series which were produced between 1943 and 2008.  The first part discusses “Nuns and Virgins” on film. The movies discussed begin in 1943, with “The Song of Bernadette,” and continue through to “Doubt,” which was released in 2008.  The second discussion covers “Mothers, Tramps and Even Some Good Girls.”  The movies reviewed begin with “The Quiet Man (1954),” and go through to “Return to Me (2000).”  The third part covers “Crime Fighters and Mob Wives – A Sampling of Catholic Women on the Small Screen.” This section analyzes two television series, “Saving Grace,” and “The Sopranos.”  Each film or television show provides a synopsis and an analysis of how Catholic women are portrayed in the show.  This also includes a lot of discussion about the virgin/whore dichotomy. 

It is very interesting to note that both Hollywood and the Catholic Church still have patriarchal systems in which women have lesser roles.  There continues to be a deeply ingrained attitude of fear, mistrust and hatred towards women.  The Catholic Church has degraded and repressed female members throughout history. This is also reflected in Hollywood when Catholic women are portrayed as victims, aggressors and whores.  Schleich feels that television is beginning to make more positive strides towards improving women’s roles.  There has also been a small improvement in the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council; however, it appears that both the Church and Hollywood still have a ways to go.
 
As someone who had a very strict Catholic upbringing and attended several years of Catholic school, I found “Hollywood and Catholic Women,” to be very thought-provoking and unsettling.  Reading the synopsis of the films, several of which I had seen, I was amazed at how much I have accepted to be as a “normal” representation of women.  When I read the analysis, however, my eyes were really opened and I realized that what I had accepted as normal was actually still fairly demeaning to women.  Fortunately, this was not the case in every film, yet it definitely was for the majority.  I think that “Hollywood and Catholic Women,” by Kathryn Schleich is a very valuable, well-researched resource that should be read by all Catholic women. It would definitely make an excellent choice for women’s reader groups.  It is highly enlightening.


Hollywood and Catholic Women, 2nd Edition
Kathryn Schleich
iUniverse (2012)
ISBN 9781469782188
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (5/12)

Five Steps to Draw Closer to God

Article first published as Book Reivew: Five Steps to Draw Closer to God by Doranda Jacques on Blogcritics.

Doranda Jacques writes to encourage her readers to grow spiritually while they develop a deeper relationship with God in her book “Five Steps to Draw Closer to God.”

The book is made up of five chapters. Each chapter opens with a spectacular awe-inspiring color photo creating a sense of quiet and peace. This is followed with the introduction of practical key points which develop an important scriptural principle designed to nurture a unique concept of spiritual growth which will lead to a more meaningful understanding of the fullness of God’s love and purpose.

A summary of the key points of each chapter helps the reader assimilate the narrative as well as capsulizing the material for focus, application, and determining personal action steps. This is followed with a checklist to ensure that the steps are incorporated in daily practice and experience. Provision is made for recording personal notes. Selected scriptures are included to reinforce these truths. A thought-provoking prayer is provided for contemplation and reflection.

Additional features in the book include:

• Practical notes on being tested in the process of drawing closer to God
• Thoughts on evaluating yourself in the process
• A section for recording your personal reflections in journal form
• A clear presentation of the Gospel for those unsure of their relationship with God

The book is designed as a devotional study rather than a theological discourse, however, Doranda Jacques’ writing is Biblical based and are true to the scriptures. The format of Doranda Jacques’ “Five Steps to Draw Closer to God” provides for a concise, yet comprehensive, plan leading to a deeper relationship with God which can be adapted for inclusion with any existing plan of devotional reading or Bible study.


Five Steps to Draw Closer to God
Doranda Jacques
CreateSpace (2012)
ISBN 9781453816189
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (3/12)

Five Steps to Draw Closer to God

Article first published as Book Reivew: Five Steps to Draw Closer to God by Doranda Jacques on Blogcritics.

Doranda Jacques writes to encourage her readers to grow spiritually while they develop a deeper relationship with God in her book “Five Steps to Draw Closer to God.”

The book is made up of five chapters. Each chapter opens with a spectacular awe-inspiring color photo creating a sense of quiet and peace. This is followed with the introduction of practical key points which develop an important scriptural principle designed to nurture a unique concept of spiritual growth which will lead to a more meaningful understanding of the fullness of God’s love and purpose.

A summary of the key points of each chapter helps the reader assimilate the narrative as well as capsulizing the material for focus, application, and determining personal action steps. This is followed with a checklist to ensure that the steps are incorporated in daily practice and experience. Provision is made for recording personal notes. Selected scriptures are included to reinforce these truths. A thought-provoking prayer is provided for contemplation and reflection.

Additional features in the book include:

• Practical notes on being tested in the process of drawing closer to God
• Thoughts on evaluating yourself in the process
• A section for recording your personal reflections in journal form
• A clear presentation of the Gospel for those unsure of their relationship with God

The book is designed as a devotional study rather than a theological discourse, however, Doranda Jacques’ writing is Biblical based and are true to the scriptures. The format of Doranda Jacques’ “Five Steps to Draw Closer to God” provides for a concise, yet comprehensive, plan leading to a deeper relationship with God which can be adapted for inclusion with any existing plan of devotional reading or Bible study.


Five Steps to Draw Closer to God
Doranda Jacques
CreateSpace (2012)
ISBN 9781453816189
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (3/12)

I Want To Know My Future

Article first published as Book Review: I Want To Know My Future by Linda Dipman on Blogcritics.

Elizabeth thought she had the ideal life - a wonderful loving husband and great kids and faith in God. What she didn’t know was all of that would be tested when she and her husband Eric got a divorce. Eric was highly involved in their church and presented himself as an upstanding citizen and loving husband, but behind closed doors he was totally different. He seemed intent on getting revenge on Tori, his wife’s good friend, as he thought they were having a homosexual relationship. He was embarrassed about the relationship and started turning the church against Elizabeth and Tori.

Tori had her own set of problems as she got an emergency divorce from her abusive husband Alan. Not only had Alan verbally, emotionally and physically abused her, he did the same to their son. Due to the abuse Alan inflicted on his son, there was some concern the son might have a learning disability or brain damage. But Alan wouldn’t do what the courts asked him to do in getting his son evaluated.

Even though Elizabeth and Tori were doing all they could to get custody of their children, they realized that they were fighting a corrupt court system and an intoxicated judge. In one final desperate attempt, Tori and Elizabeth decided to run away with their children. All this did for them was land them in jail and irritate their ex-husbands even more.

Both Elizabeth and Tori were tired of fighting the system, their church and their parents, so they turned to God to let it be in his hands. Each and every time they were tested, God found a solution for them. God spoke to them in a variety of ways, always ensuring them that he had made them into the people they were and no one else had the power to do that. Elizabeth took the spoken words of God and studied the messages, read her Bible and learned how God chose to make some with homosexual lifestyles.

Once readers start “I Want To Know My Future,” by Linda Dipman, they will not be able to put it down. It is fast paced, keeps your interest and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Through the book, when Elizabeth is going through a crisis or tough times, God speaks to her by saying “My ways are not human ways. Trust in me. God has spoken.” “I Want To Know My Future” isn’t just about leading a different lifestyle; it is about how God hears prayers and guides all his children through life.


I Want To Know My Future
Linda Dipman
Outskirts Press (2011)
ISBN 9781432773526
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (1/12)

The Easter Jesus and the Good Friday Church: Reclaiming the Centrality of the Resurrection

For Christians there is a central set of defining, distinctive, unbendable, tenets. One crucial portion of those dogmas focuses on Jesus, who he is and what he has done. The chief assertion is that Jesus, after his crucifixion, rose from the dead. This becomes the event through which everything about Jesus is interpreted, from his birth to his burial and beyond. To lose or lessen this principal declaration is to undermine, and eventually, negate Christianity all together. That is Gregory S. Athnos’ point in his new work, “The Easter Jesus and the Good Friday Church: Reclaiming the Centrality of the Resurrection,” an easy to read, 230-page paperback, written for Christians and non-Christians alike.

Athnos begins “The Easter Jesus and the Good Friday Church” with three very strong chapters, explaining the reasons he wrote the book, why the resurrection of Jesus is crucial, and how it needs to regain a central place in the Church’s life and liturgy. The first chapter unfolds the author’s personal experience growing up in church, and the specific event that launched him into explicating the resurrection of Jesus. The second chapter challenges the Christian reader by asking if we really believe in the resurrection. It takes no faith to affirm death; we have seen it in our families, televisions, newspapers and magazines. But no one has seen someone resurrected from the dead, impossibly walking out of a tomb after being dead for three days. This requires faith! The third chapter is a convincing portrayal of how none of the original disciples expected Jesus to be raised from death; in fact, they were completely caught off guard by his death. The evidentiary value of this chapter is immense.

After making a good strong case for the resurrection of Jesus and why Christians need to give it equal air time, the author then marches his readers through the New Testament’s repeated proclamation that Christ has risen. The main point of these middle five chapters is to show that the cross without the resurrection is meaningless. Athnos does a fairly decent job working through passages of Scripture, opening up for his audience how deep and prevalent is the message of the resurrection of Jesus. There is a lot of indispensable work done here, and most Christians would benefit by reading their way through these chapters.

But I must qualify my statement above. In his zeal to stir up Christians to re-centralize the resurrection of Jesus, Athnos oversteps himself several times. Hopefully two examples will suffice out of several I could give. The first is in regard to “Witness.” The author makes the claim that in the Book of Acts, the word “witness” is solely “resurrection centered” (67). The problem is that in Acts 10.34-43, “witness” refers to bearing testimony to the life of Jesus (34-39), also to the resurrection of Jesus (40-42), and testifying that by believing in Jesus there is forgiveness of sins (43). Yes the resurrection of Jesus is central (without it the cross is meaningless), but “witness,” or martyr in the Greek, is about more than testifying of his resurrection. The word “witness” is Jesus centered; who he is, what he did, and what we gain by believing in him.

A second example arises from his use of the New Testament. When the author quotes passages of the New Testament he inserts bracketed explanatory phrases. Many of these are helpful and very useful, but there are several that go beyond and damage the passage. As an example, when Athnos claims that “Gospel” only means “the good news of the resurrection of Jesus.” He then quotes 1 Corinthians 15.1-4, and adds this phrase to the word “Gospel” there in verse 1. By doing this, he strips the Gospel to only the resurrection, when Paul is clearly emphasizing that the Gospel is about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. By shrinking the word “Gospel” down to only the resurrection, the author undermines his own position later of the fusing together of Death-Resurrection.

I have only given two examples of this significant overstepping that is done in “The Easter Jesus and the Good Friday Church.” But it happens numerous times, in ways that begin to damage the author’s credibility. I understand his zeal and I am wholeheartedly onboard with his point. But the overstepping and overstating was disappointing.


The final chapter tackles how the resurrection of Christ ought to affect and aid the believer. If the Father really did raise Christ from the dead three days after he was slaughtered on the cross, then that same power is available to believers in overcoming sin, living transformed lives, and bearing their own “cross.” The intent of chapter nine is to encourage and motivate.

“The Easter Jesus and the Good Friday Church” ends with five appendices where Athnos provides some alternative liturgical tools to turn the Lord’s Supper into a Resurrection Eucharist. The reasoning behind this resurrection Eucharist is laid out in the first appendix. There the author unfortunately builds his case on several “may-haves,” assertions of things that “may have” been true, that are nevertheless unfounded historically and biblically. These appendices were a bit of a let down.

The major, essential point of Gregory Athnos’ book “The Easter Jesus and the Good Friday Church” is spot on! The resurrection of Jesus must be affirmed, declared and announced in the church all year long. The author’s readable style makes the topic accessible to the untrained reader, whether Christian or not. With the qualifications mentioned earlier, I still recommend “The Easter Jesus and the Good Friday Church.”


The Easter Jesus and the Good Friday Church: Reclaiming the Centrality of the Resurrection
Gregory S. Athnos
Outskirts Press (2011)
ISBN 9781432774509
Reviewed by Rev. Dr. Michael Philliber for Reader Views (12/11)

Breaking the Bonds of Adult Child Abuse: A Biblical Textbook on Abusive Narcissistic Families, How They Operate, and How to Deal With Them

In her book “Breaking the Bonds of Adult Child Abuse” Sister Renee Pittelli explains narcissism, narcissistic behavior, sociopaths, and abuse as a personality disorder. She helps the reader recognize and understand the nature of these abusive relationships and offers practical principles and approaches for dealing with narcissistic family members.

Sister Pittelli uses many illustrations for her own experiences of being verbally abused by her birth parents, of how they used exploitation, criticism, and manipulation to intimidate and control her both as a child and as an “adult child.”

She also describes dozens of case studies, personal stories, and testimonies of survivors who have moved on from being victimized by abuse, humiliation, betrayal, and abandonment to build normal intimate relationships, fulfilling happy lives as they apply the practical principles, examples, and scriptural admonitions and promises set forth in the book.

I found the chapters on abandonment, limits, and boundaries, especially informative, describing reasons for abandonment, the abusers motivation, and in providing important counsel for gaining respect, setting and maintaining limits, and learning to say “no.”

Sister Renee Pittelli’s credentials as a victim’s advocate, an Adult Child Recovery Mentor, an established author, and founder/director of a ministry dedicated to counseling the victims of Adult Child Abuse are validation of her qualifications to author this material.

The sheer volume of the book (630 pages) may be intimidating for the average reader; however, the comprehensive nature of the text including the well-chosen Biblical references with practical application makes this a fitting resource as a text for counseling ministries, lay counselor or mentor training.

The book is well organized, formatted with significant thought-provoking lists, well balance Scriptures and applications. Sister Pittelli’s writing is articulate, psychologically sound, and theologically accurate, culturally relevant.

“Breaking the Bonds of Adult Child Abuse” is an important resource, it serves as a reminder to the victimized reader that they are not alone in being victimized. This is a significant book to be read, processed, assimilated, applied, and re-read.


Breaking the Bonds of Adult Child Abuse: A Biblical Textbook on Abusive Narcissistic Families, How They Operate, and How to Deal With Them
Sister Renee Pittelli
Outskirts Press (2011)
ISBN 9781432766566
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (12/11)