Despite the title, this is not about faith healers or miracle cures, but instead compiles scientific studies of the impact of religious life on physical and emotional health, interweaving these with a multitude of personal stories in support of research findings. Koenig is director of Duke University’s Center for the Study of Religion/Spirituality and Health, which has conducted more than 50 studies of the relationship between health and traditional religious faith and practice. Among the center’s findings are that people who practice a religious faith tend to have a sturdier sense of well-being than do nonbelievers, possibly due to their more stable marriages and stronger families. They also have healthier habits, are better able to cope with stress, are less likely to suffer depression, have lower diastolic blood pressure and stronger immune systems, are hospitalized much less often, and live longer, healthier lives. But simply having faith that the universe is ruled by a benevolent God who hears prayers and performs miracles is not the whole story. According to research cited by Koenig, health benefits are derived directly from frequent attendance at religious services and active involvement with a supportive congregation. In story after story, he illustrates the role played by faith and religious practice in the lives of individuals beset by onerous physical and emotional problems. Both for those who are already religious and for others who are not, he concludes with practical recommendations on how to achieve the health benefits of faith and commitment for oneself or for an ailing loved one. The wealth of illustrative stories collected by Koenig makes this a highly readable summary of current research on the place of religion in health.
Pub Date: April 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-684-85296-9
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1999
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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