Mark Allan Powell's Chasing the Eastern Star is an excellent book! Powell's purpose is to explain the purpose and method of reader-response criticism as it relates to biblical studies.

The last part of the book, uses the method of reader-response criticism to examine the story of the magi in the Gospel of Matthew. He reaches some surprising conclusions regarding the magi.

Powell's book is worth reading for the scholar, preacher, or educated lay person. He explains the potentially boring and difficult concept of reader-response criticsm in a very witty and lively manner. The only wittier bible scholar around may be Stephen Moore (read God's Gym to see what I mean).

Now that I have finished the adventure of reading Chasing the Eastern Star, I am ready for more biblical adventures regarding the bible and reader response criticsm.

In Chemistry And Medical Debate, Allen Debus (Morris Fishbein Professor Emeritus of the History of Science and Medicine, University of Chicago) offers an erudite and engaging discussion of the chemical philosophy of the followers of Paracelsus and van Helmont as it affected the development and practice of medicine. Professor Debus articulately describes the complex relationship of chemistry to medicine in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries by way of providing the reader with a clear and accurate understanding of the background to modern chemistry. Chemistry And Medical Debate is an impressive work of outstanding scholarship and a highly recommended, core contribution to the study of the history of medicine.

Ernest Thompson Seton was the founder of a youth organization based on American Indian Culture. His group, the Woodcraft Indians, was an inspiration for the Boy Scouts, and Seton became one of the main leaders of the BSA. His many works have long served as an inspiration to many. This is the first biography on him in a long time and is well deserved. It is unfortunate that his many works are today ignored.

I enjoyed reading "The Choir Invisible" because in an age where "The Right Thing To Do" is an antique, and "Play now pay later" philosophy reigns supreme , it's good to see someone have the courage of their convictions. Totally enthralling!!!!

Christ in Christian Tradition:
Since Adolph von Harnack's great work on History of the Dogma, there is no parallel for this ever-growing and most established reference in Chrisological history and development of Doctrine of the Person of Christ. This review covers only volume 2, part 4: The Church of Alexandria With Nubia and Ethiopia
Fr. Grillmeier reevaluates the alternative Orthodox, albeit mystical, Christology of the great Alexandrines: Alexander, Athanasius, and Cyril. With the help of the able academic Dr. Hainthaler expouds, not only the defense of Severus of Antioch, and Theodosius of Alexandria (in house arrest at Constantinopole) but also the arbitration of his colleague the colorful grammarian , scientific theologian , the genius Johannes Philoponus.

Whast is new in theology?
Aloys Grillmeier is revealing in this volume new sources made available by two great Coptologists; Prof. Tito Orlandi and Dr. Hans Quecke, who supported this great work in service of a better understanding of the schism that divided the One Holy Universal Apostolic Church. For the very first time a Christology of Shenute of Atripe, and his Disciple Besa the Archimandrite of the White Monastery are briefly reviewed for the first time.
The legendary story of faithful Nubia (in Coptic : Land of Gold) and holy Axum (Ethiopia) are treated at some elaboration, that was only attempted by the great Utah U. historian A. S. Atiya. Thus this work consecrated not only time but also space, as the Orientals are used to say.

Book Contents:
Part One: Alexandrian Christology in Greek:
Section I: Christology of the patriarchs;
1. Timothy Aerulus in rejection of Chalcedon
2. The struggle between Pro and Anti Chaledonians
3. Theodosius, Spiritual heir of Severus of Antioch
4. Two hierarchies: the Copts and Melkites
Section II: Christology of the Scholars:
1. The poet Nonnos of Panopolis
2. Two Alexegites: Ammonius and Olimpiodore
3. John Philoponus, Alexandrian Philosopher and Theologian
4. Cosmas Indicopleustes

Part Two: The Province of Coptic Christology:
1. A new source for Shenute: Founder of Coptic Christology
2. Besa: Archimandrite of the White Monastery
3. Christology in Coptic liturgical prayers

Part Three: The Cross of Christ over Nubia

Part Four: Christ in a new Messianic Kingdom of Ethiopia

Concluding Epilogue:
This great book, 430 pages of ecclesiastical agony and Christological ecstasy, work of great Christian Scholars who in search of truth discovered the treasures of Alexandrian and Coptic faith. John Meyendroff says in his Epilogue of Imperial Unity and Christian Divisions "Actually, it becomes increasingly embarrassing to use the term 'Monophysite' to designate these ancient Churches.' After less than a decade this work was translated into English to dogmatically support Fr. Meyendroff and all the blessed Dyophisite Chaledonians.

Further Readings?
1.A History of Eastern Christianity
by Aziz Suryal, Atiya

2.Imperial Unity and Christian Divisions: The Church, 450-680 Ad (Church History ; 2),
by John Meyendorff
3.The First Seven Ecumenical Councils, their history & theology
by Leo D. Davis,SJ

Allen has put together one of the most important Christian philosophical works of the twentieth century. His explication and argument of the Christian faith in a postmodern world is a must read for Christians and non-Christians alike. I highly recommend it!!!!!

This is a must book to own for anyone interested in Christian Rosenkreutz. This great and mysterious personage felt it to be his mission to make it possible for every human being, no matter where he stands in modern life, to rise to spiritual heights. This book contains the definitive collection of materials about true Rosicrucianism as it has manifested itself in the course of history. There are copies of many prints that can be utilized as art work for the 21st century.

I've spent the last year daily exploring the wonderful territory that is von Balthasar's theology. From the Glory of the Lord through Theo-dramatics. McIntosh takes you directly to his heart. There are other helpful introductions and guides, but none captures the beauty of his work with such skill, precision, and depth. Don't even try to tackle von Balthasar without this book.

This is an excellent review of the evangelical tradition by a well informed Harvard-trained scholar.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I'VE READ WHEN DEALING WITH THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE SETTLING OF THE WEST,ESPECIALLY PENNSYLVANIA. I READ IT ABOUT 35 YEARS AGO, THEN, LAST YEAR, REALIZING MY OLDER FRIEND HAD A COPY OF IT, READ IT AGAIN. IT WAS EVEN BETTER THE SECOND TIME AROUND AS I'VE BEEN DEEP INTO BOOKS ABOUT OUR COUNTRY'S EARLY SETTLEMENT. I LIKED IT SO MUCH I DECIDED TO BUY IT FOR MY BROTHER FOR IS BIRTHDAY. AS IT IS NOW OUT OF PRINT, I PURCHASED A USED BOPY (WHICH WAS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE FOR A BOOK 60 YEARS OLD), AND MY BROTHER IS DEEP INTO THE BOOK NOW AND ALSO LOVES IT. I REALLY FEEL IT SHOULD BE RE-PRINTED AND BROUGHT TO THE COUNTRY'S ATTENTION AS IT SEEMS SO MANY PEOPLE ARE INTO OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY AT THIS POINT IN TIME.