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A person's beliefs determine the way he will live his life and consequently the relative happiness he will experience. Some of the following books give insights to belief, faith and philosophy. To order click on title:
The Blood and the Shroud: New Evidence That the World's Most Sacred Relic is Real (hb,320pp), by Ian Wilson is a well balanced review of the misty facts surrounding the Shroud of Turin. The Shroud, through carbon dating had been proclaimed a 13th century hoax in 1988. New evidence reveals that the test could have been off by over a thousand years due to bacterial residue that is common to such artifacts. He also shows that historical documentation proclaims the existence of the shroud at least as early as the 5th century, and forensic studies show that a 13th century forger could not possibly have known anatomical facts that are inherent in the image of the Shroud. This fascinating study has been hailed by historians and scientists alike as a reasoned study of the Shroud. 
The Rise of the Islamic Empire and the Threat to the West (hb), by Anthony J. Dennis is a timely study of the Islamic fundamentalist movement in the Middle East and North Africa and what it means to the rest of us. This fact-filled and readable analysis traces the history of the Islamic movement and illustrates its tendency for a unified political movement of the Arab world. Mr. Dennis believes that US policy makers have much to ponder in their dealing in the region, including the possibility of an irrational nuclear Jihad, not a far fetched notion considering advances in technology in the region coupled with the mineral resources centered there. Recent events in the region, from the problems with Iraq to the rebellion in Algeria make this book a must read.
A recent newsletter contained a fascinating interview with Mr. Dennis. He discussed the current state of affairs in the Middle East, what the future holds and what the US can do about it. Subscribe now to make sure you get in on future issues. Our interview with Mr. Dennis can be read on-line at The Conservative Monitor. Patrick Glynn in his book, God: The Evidence: The Reconciliation of Faith and Reason, discusses the influence that science has had upon faith and how, in recent years, it has tended to reinforce faith. Ideas about mechanical determinism were dispelled with the advent of relativity and quantum physics. The big bang theory has led cosmologers to the conclusion that there was indeed a beginning to the universe. Even more intriguing is the notion that natural laws have a tendency to produce life to a certain end and if those laws had been any different life would be impossible. All this leads to the conclusion that there is an intelligence and purpose behind everything.
Gerald L. Schroeder has played with many of these same ideas but goes a step further in applying science directly to the Bible in The Science of God: The Convergence of Scientific and Biblical Wisdom.
Just As I Am: The Autobiography of Billy Graham, by Billy Graham (736pp, hb). Other inspiring works by Billy Graham include: Billy Graham: The Inspirational Writings: Peace with God, The Secret of Happiness, Answers to Life's Problems, by Billy Graham (hb). This is a compilation of three best selling works by the great man himself. Breakfast With Billy Graham: 120 Daily Readings, by Billy Graham (120pp, hb). A word of encouragement on every page. A great way to start the day. In Faith or Fear: How Jews Can Survive in a Christian America (hb, 237pp) Elliott Abrams explains how Judaism, with its emphasis on family and tradition, has been one of the stabilizing influences in modern society. Unfortunately the Jewish population and Jewish culture in America is shrinking every year. Mr. Abrams, an assistant secretary of state during the Reagan Administration, sees this decline of Jewishness as a result of a parallel decline of religious zeal and the replacement of religion by a secularization of Jewish life. He urges Jews to rediscover their faith, and rather than fear the "Religious Right" (as some seem to do) take them as an example of where Jews themselves should be headed. The Case Against Divorce (pb), by Diane Medved. This is a primmer by the renown clinical psychologist that helps individuals recognize marital troubles before they become serious and points up ways to work the problems out. She shows how divorce is not healthy for the individual or for society. |
