This book, LUTHER AND ERASMUS: FREE WILL AND SALVATION, contains some great summaries of the arguments involved. Originally, Erasmus, author of IN PRAISE OF FOLLY (1509) and a great scholar who edited a Greek New Testament in 1516, pictures his philosophical self as the perfect opponent of tyrannical godliness in DIATRIBE ON FREE WILL (1524). Luther was offended, not so much that he was named by Erasmus as a particular kind of fool for God, but that Luther's interpretation of the Bible on this question, ON THE BONDAGE OF THE WILL (1525), based on absolute interpretations which depend on the kind of faith proclaimed by Paul, because "the power or endeavor of free choice is something different from faith in Jesus Christ. But Paul denies that anything outside this faith is righteous in the sight of God; and if it is not righteous in the sight of God, it must necessarily be sin. . . . With men, of course, it is certainly a fact that there are middle and neutral cases, where men neither owe one another anything nor do anything for one another. But an ungodly man sins against God whether he eats or drinks or whatever he does, because he perpetually misuses God's creatures in his impiety and ingratitude, and never for a moment gives glory to God from his heart." (p. 308).

In the history of religion, Martin Luther might be remembered mainly for his opposition to the established church of his time and place. Having been subject to many vows as a monk, he openly rejected certain restrictions that the religious organizations of his day had imposed on those who wished to lead worship or serve communion, and his marriage was a scandal that was altogether typical of the kind of disagreements in that time which survive in some form in the present day. One question of faith that I still find meaningful, in FREE WILL AND SALVATION, is the Bible's comparison of life with military service, as assumed in the first verse of chapter 7 of the book of Job, which Luther uses to explain a similar passage in Isaiah. " `The life of man is a warfare upon earth,' that is there is a set time for it. I prefer to take it simply, in the ordinary grammatical sense of `warfare,' so that Isaiah is understood to be speaking of the toilsome course of the people under the law, as if they were engaged in military service." (p. 267).

As old Europe attempts to secularize itself into an economic empire with minuscule military forces, it seems oddly historical that a few fundamentally religious political movements are being tied to such warfare as exists in our times, a modern age in which terrorism excites the forces of civilization so much that no government or political spokesman that harbors such killers is safe. LUTHER AND ERASMUS: FREE WILL AND SALVATION does not attempt to solve this problem. If anything, this book is just a book that shows how knowledge in the form of books can trap scholars by allowing them to do what the best scholars have always been best at, exhibiting the meaning of states of mind that others usually flee, far beyond the realm of what Job 7:1 in THE JERUSALEM BIBLE asks, "Is not man's life on earth nothing more than pressed service, his time no better than hired drudgery?"

Happenstance, at the end of World War II, picked on Hiroshima, for the purpose of a ten-minute speech, to be a military base, instead of a city, for the announcement of the use of an atomic bomb on August 6, 1945. Most people's lives, the way they live, are more like the city, now, but there is a geopolitical interpretation of world power that allows anyplace to be the Hiroshima of the moment, if the rest of the world wants to see it that way. Luther blames the devil, in FREE WILL AND SALVATION, whenever a man thinks he is choosing to do something on his own, and considering Hiroshima a military base instead of a city in 1945 is the kind of thinking that ought to be considered worthy of the devil, even if Harry Truman was willing to adopt it for ten minutes so he would not seem too far out of step with his military advisers. But the outcry, after dropping a couple atomic bombs within a week back then, started to make it obvious that not everybody was inclined to accept the incineration of cities so lightly. I might even be leaving out something terrible about the nature of the judgment of God, which is the primary topic of this book, because Luther seems so much closer to the nature of Hiroshima than we are, survivors though some of us might be. What makes LUTHER AND ERASMUS: FREE WILL AND SALVATION such heavy reading now is because it makes no attempt to lighten up to match the spiritually and economically commercial nature of our society, which usually considers itself thoroughly artistic or comical, especially in the manner in which people all get along by going along. Half of this book doubts that the world could ever be considered so normal. After a general index (which includes some latin phrases, though the tough latin phrases, like *praeter casam,* are explained in an "Appendix: On the Adagia of Erasmus") of several pages, the Biblical References take most of four pages. Anyone who wondered why Luther thought Christians should be reading the Bible, instead of being spoon fed lessons by officials, should get a load of this. Praeter casam to you, too.

Is our will really free or are we predestined? Where do we stand when it comes to our salvation? Can we contribute to the salvation of our souls? Erasmus and Luther argued over what they and their contemporaries thought was the characteristic difference between the evolving Catholic and Protestant positions concerning human nature, namely, the question of the freedom of the will. However, we shouldn't be limited by this ideas, their often heated discourse reveals, as much about their subjective modes of thinking and about the atmosphere of this turbulent period. But in the history of ideas this discourse gains an added significance. It shows some limitations of Christian Humanism and enlightens most of subsequent developments of modern thought. Neither one of them loses we all win! The introductions to the texts are, for themselves, worthy of this price. E Gordon Rupp and Philip S. Watson, offer and impartial analysis of the two men's positions, assuming an important familiarity with the circumstances of the conflict. A great buy.

I shall preface this review by stating that, in my opinion, Luther wins this debate. Erasmus makes some very good points, but Luther's "Bondage of the Will" contained within this volume is, perhaps, the clearest and most humble presentation of the election of God and its relation to human will that I have ever come across -- to the extent that it rivals John Calvin's "Institutes" itself! I found the arguments convincing and clear, and I found Luther's dedication and submission to the authority of Scripture inspiring.

This collection of writings, first jointly published in 6 volumes in 1898, will introduce you to, and make you acqainted with a brand new Person, the Lord Jesus, and to a brand new Realm, that of the Heavenly Kingdom of the risen One. Precious food. Once you've tasted it, you won't find the like anywhere else, no matter how hard you look and how diligently you search. Still unmatched.

Read the other two critics, I wholly agree with them.

By the way, this Loizeaux Brothers Edition in one single volume is absolutely top notch. If you want to get something really worthy, that will accompany you for the rest of your life and hopefully even beyond, get yourself a copy of these collected writings. They're worth much more than what you could ever pay for them.

I have read one of CHM's Misc. volumes on "The All Sufficiency of Christ" and its insight into the scriptures was food for my soul. I truly know that this author had a deep passion towards understanding how Jesus Christ, and his work accomplished on the cross, is peculiarly revealed on every page of The Holy Bible. CHM's work in bringing these pictures/types(symbolism)out from the pages of Scripture will give new meaning and encouragement to the Christian reader to more fully explore the Old Testament for another glimpse of the Great Prophet-Priest-King. Please do read this author's work for the good of your soul!

Mackintosh's works set forth, in luminous detail, the innermost convictions and heartfelt feelings of any true servant of God. In this dispensation of God's grace, no serious Bible student may leave this treasury unread, for it draws the heart heavenward as perhaps no other work ever has. It is obvious that the writer had not only a deep and abiding love for Christ, but a thorough-going understanding of the personal application of most of the key doctrines of scripture. A must for any who would mature in their experiential knowledge of Christ. C.H.M.'s unfolding of truth in terms of its application to the life of the individual is unparalleled. (This reviewer made the mistake of putting Mackintosh aside for 15 years because of outside pressure to read him. ...it was a serious blunder, FORTUNATELY corrected!)

Excellent biography of Stanley, who had an incredible life. He was illegitimate, abandoned by his mother, put into a work-house, and had an all-round awful childhood until meeting the kindly fellow in America who adopted him. But the meat of the book is Stanley's three major trips in Africa: to find Livingstone, to explore and continue Livingstone's work, and to relieve Emin Pasha. Each involves amazing hardships and adventures and Farwell does a wonderful job of giving lots of detail and colour as he relates these exciting trips. Worth reading by anyone who has an interest in Burton but isn't sure what to turn to next.

This is one of Farwell's earliest works. I think I have read everything he has written and I am always amazed at the high quality and readability. This book is about Henry M. Stanley, and Africa through his eyes. Farwell refuses to allow modern prejudices to enter into the story. Stanley is unique - emotionless yet idealistic, shy yet driven. Read this book not only to find out about the man, but for the incredible adventures. For an excellent 1 volume history of African exploration, read Africa Explored by Christopher Hibbert.

Henry M. Stanley was the first human to cross equatorial Africa. And he did it roughly four times, fighting beast, insects, disease and the most violent, primitive peoples ever encountered by an explorer. This account of his entire life is fascinating: raised in a Scottish orphanage, adopted by a New Orleans merchant, fought in the Civil War on the side of the South, journalist and -- all training for the hardships of his true calling -- explorer. On his first trip he finds Stanley to deliver the famous quote -- two more trips each more astounding than the preceding are to follow. He retires as a hero of the British exploration community. This book is a gem, well written by an author who rightly reveres deeply his subject. This is a must read for anyone who enjoyed "Undaunted Courage." Stanley is 20 Lewis and Clark's rolled into one man. Maps are good for a paperback.

The actual marriage of Anna Maye Potts occurs on p.200 of this absorbing and wonderfully grounded novel. After much disappointment and hope, Anna and Louie finally become man and wife, and they make love for the first time in a motel room in Atlantic City, where they have chosen as the destination of their honeymoon.

This love scene is among the best I've seen in any work of fiction. We view the entire episode through Anna's eyes, a woman inexperienced in sex and craving for tender love. She feels that "the joy and freedom was lost to the suddenness and his bruising kiss, his angry struggling with her bra;" she notices that "the room was too visible and the light too harsh." The man she is in love with has a "lurid grin" on his face; when his shirt is off, she sees his "shaggy chest and gray, as he undid and stripped off his pants." There does come a point, though, when "the rudeness had turned to grace," and he strokes her back and kisses her when he sees her tears.

There is nothing sentimental in this almost brutal depiction of sexual desire and loneliness. As in the rest of this truly remarkable book, love always comes with heart-wrenching costs, and happiness always demands painful personal sacrifices. I read this book in a café in a single afternoon, identifying with Anna Maye Potts without any reservation, and was completely captivated by the story. There was deep empathy in my heart after I finished reading; it was as if the gravity and compassion the author showed in the novel also illuminated my own life, and I was sharing his anger, sorrow and, yes, also love, for this imperfect world and our imperfect lives.

The gritty realism and shattered lives of the characters here make this an outstanding debut novel. Henry delves deep into these mundane lives, slowly unearthing the humanity and complexity in characters exhausted by their day-to-day doldrums. This blue-collar odd-couple romance has zero by way of sap or senitment and was a genuine pleasure to read.

This is a great book in the tradition of Hardy, Zola, Norris and Dreiser. Alcoholism, adultery, violence and dialogue worthy of Chandler make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the American working-class experience. The power of the unspoken and even the unsayable is so strong between all these characters, but especially the two lead characters, who struggle under major personal burdens without whining about them. Reminds me of Cather, but also Carver, although a different milieu here. The only novel I've ever read where the protagonist in tough times is a woman working in a factory. No sugary ending -- you really wonder whether trouble is not as much ahead of these two as it was behind. Terrific piece of American realism, get it and read it.

I bought this book for my nephew and the entire family has enjoyed his singing the pages, he had it memorized in no time and he is only 2 years old!!! I would recommend this book to anyone with young children, not just for their enjoyment but for the entire family.

I remember reading this book back in kindergarten and the first grade. It was the first book I ever learned to read. I loved this book so much that I read it until I had it memorized. It's too bad the original cover is not printed in this edition. I'm going to pass this one down to my cousin, Adam, whose only 4. Hopefully, we can continue the tradition so this will be his first book he ever learns to read.

Merle Peek does an excellent job at getting kindergarteners to be actively involved in this book. I am currently majoring in Elementary Education and I did a bulletin board on this book and everyone loved it! My professor said this was a classic color book. The book is about Katy, it's her birthday and all her friends wear different color clothing to her party. From yellow sweater to green sneakers to pink hat, this book has all the basic colors. This was a song that was written into a book, so it's very rhythmic and is easy to follow. The song is on the back of the book, so all children can enjoy! I loved it and would recommend it to all beginning readers!! Try and read it, what do you got to lose?? I give this book five stars!!

I have enjoyed this bible very much. highly recommend. it was written when religion acutally meant something and people cared and loved each other and worshipped Jesus Christ, not because they had to,but because they understood the gospel and the beauty of it.
Matthew has written superb commentar which is a joy to read
and really helps open the scriptures.

Matthew Henry's commentary brings to life the basic and not so basic truths found in this sacred book. He also offers introductions and themes for each book. Written in the poetry of the old English(KJV), the historical stories we have come to love come to life. This is a great text for the "baby" christain and the adult as well.

The Matthew Henry Study Bible is an excellent integration of the well-known and long-uitlized Matthew Henry Commentary of the Whole Bible. Every idea is explained so very well. I have used this Bible for personal Bible Study, for preparing sermons, and now that I am working with Yokefellows Prison Ministry, this Bible has been a great help in answering the many, thought-provoking questions the inmates ask. I have used several other study Bibles that I probably should not name here. But not one of them comes close to being as helpful and as comprehensive as the Matthew Henry Study Bible.

Raymond Aron was unique among intellectuals: at once a journalist and scholar, he was a prolific writer on, and noted expert in, a huge aray of subjects from philosophy to military strategy to economics. As it turns out, his life was also fascinating: he was a classmate and best friends with Sartre before becoming his great adversary during the post war debates on Marxism, was in London for the French resistance during the war, and became a television personality late in life.

In French, Aron writes with a grace and clarity that are astonishing. Now I have finally read his memoires, one of the last things he wrote. When you compare any contemporary intellectual to him, they simply can't measure up.

Simply put, Rayomd Aron's memoir is proufound and interesting. Those who want to affect society in terms of knowledge should read this book. Aron just before his death tells us what intellectual ethics is, how unconscious intellectuals can be far from mass, and why we need philosohpy to understand society. Through the entire of the book, there is a specter of Sartre who used to be Aron's "little comarade" but turned out to be his ideological enemy. In contrast to a Sartre's monstrous genius who declined a Nobel prize, Aron commits himself as a humble humanutarian. This book is a critical review of the French intellectual history.

Raymond Aron is one of the most interesting intellectuals of this century. His writing is deeply appealing. He is not just telling the political history of the century he lived. The pages are like a wave that drifts from the right to the left inside the parties, from his childhood to poetry, passing through comunism, nazism, the wars, the fall of the ideologies, till reach the decade where the giant (USA) starts its fall - the seventies. He throws you into the political sense, into the racionality of the inteligentsias throughout Europe. It's not just about past, present and future. It's a different history. It's a guest for reason, it's a guest for the most challinging steps of man.

Seek this book. I've read books on presentations for 40 years and teach public speaking across America. This is the most insightful book, in fact the very best book I've ever read, period. The psychological savvy into groups, the chapter on graphics and visuals, the hundreds of little tips and techniques is unmatched. His emphasis on meeting the audience's needs is brilliant. I've been using Boettinger's ideas for more than 20 years they've helped me earn more than a million dollars and still no author has matched his fluent style, novel-like descriptions, and breath of knowledge. Search and purchase.

I've read books on public speaking and making presentations for 40 years. I've been a priest, trainer, speech coach for Microsoft, speech writer for a Supreme Court Chief Justice in Washington State, and coach of people who appear on television. Moving Mountains is so insightful that I have passed on Boettinger's ideas for the past 20 some years. No one source has more insights into human nature, graphics, and persuasion and is written in lush, practical language. Simply the best book I have ever read. Period.

If it comes back into print - buy this book! Moving Mountains was written long before Microsoft Powerpoint and similar presentation programs became popular, so it focuses on style, content, and knowing your audience. Tips include how to present a pre-draft of an external presentation to your management (don't have totally polished copy - leave room for them to make their mark), and how to salvage a hopeless presentation the night before (re-write the text so it focuses primarily on "you"). This book is worth a wait. See if it comes back into print - or (gasp) head for your local library. Very highly recommended

I got my copy of Old Houses in a book store bargain bin several years ago. What a find it was! The houses in this book are honest about their age; no fancy restorations here (but do we really need another book like that anyway?). This book gives you an unusual glimpse of the old houses that don't make the magazine covers. In these houses the plaster may be crumbling, the wallpaper peeling, or the decorating may be hopelessly out of date. In addition to the haunting photography you will find interesting stories about the houses and their families. If you're into historic preservation and you like your old houses "as found" check this book out. This is one I go back to over and over.

This is such a great book! It embodies the beauty of preservation. Most people would rip out all that old plaster and dated plumbing. I'm thankful that there are people out there preserving our rich history in these lovely old structures.

I discovered this book two summers ago at my local library and have checked it out innumberable times. It has brought back many memories of my great-grandmother's and my grandmother's houses. It has also given me great decorating ideas, the main one being to see the beauty in the age which houses acquire. I have finally bought the book so that I can enjoy it forever and will use it as a guide in living with and appreciating my own home's story. A great read, a wonderful photography book, and a great way to experience the history of old houses.

I read this book, and discovered a whole new world of struggles and stories of times past. Many of us take for granted all of the knowledge that has been passed down through generations and generations. This book will teach you to value all of this knowledge, and realise what it would be like to start from scratch. I recommend this book for children and young adults over the age of 7. Grownups will also enjoy!

I really suggest this book to people about age 7 who are interested in the prehistoric past. The story is set some 50,000 years ago when mankind was just beginning to use primitive tools. One of the reasons I suggest this book is because they discover things that we would consider everyday like fire etc.

I really suggest this book to people about age 7 who are interested in the prehistoric past . The story is set some 50,000 years ago when mankind was just beginning to use primitive tools. One of the reasons I suggest this book is because they discover things that we would consider everyday like fire etc