by Robert N. Smith ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 6, 2018
A visually appealing treatise hampered by a lack of references.
A book that looks at theology and cosmology through the fullness of time.
Smith (God’s Plan of Creation, 2014) offers a worthwhile companion to his earlier work, illustrating many of its key points while also covering additional material. In this slim volume, he attempts to explore history from a cosmic and theological perspective. He describes all of creation as coming, both materially and spiritually, from the “One God”—the maker of a vast system of heavens and universes, as well as the creator of advanced spiritual beings to rule over them. These sentient entities, the author says, have the freedom to stay in heavenly realms as angels or to explore the vast universe; every human being, he says, is such an entity. Smith also states that he believes that these beings exist far beyond Earth: “Anyone that thinks God in all His wisdom would create such a vast creation and only put living people, like us, on this small and insignificant planet…is on a great ego trip.” Uninitiated readers of this work will likely be lost in a maze of unfamiliar terms and ideas, which he discusses without references of any kind. After a thorough introduction to his concept of cosmology, for example, the author launches into a complex timeline beginning “Approx. 20 trillion years ago” and ending at the start of Jesus’ ministry. Despite the timeline’s length, however, a large part of it specifically concerns Jesus, whom the author identifies as a manifestation of “Christ Michael,” the ruler of the local galaxy. Throughout, Smith provides numerous, uncited details of Jesus’ life that aren’t recorded anywhere in traditional sources, including the names and birth dates of his siblings, his devotion to playing music, an accident that he suffered in a sandstorm, and a teenage girl named Rebecca who wanted to marry him. Overall, Smith’s work is intriguing, and his use of graphics often makes his ideas more accessible and even entertaining. However, traditional Christian readers will question some of the book’s more fantastical—and unfortunately, uncredited—claims.
A visually appealing treatise hampered by a lack of references.Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5462-2212-5
Page Count: 124
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2018
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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by Timothy Paul Jones ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2005
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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by Ryan Holiday ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2019
A timely, vividly realized reminder to slow down and harness the restorative wonders of serenity.
An exploration of the importance of clarity through calmness in an increasingly fast-paced world.
Austin-based speaker and strategist Holiday (Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue, 2018, etc.) believes in downshifting one’s life and activities in order to fully grasp the wonder of stillness. He bolsters this theory with a wide array of perspectives—some based on ancient wisdom (one of the author’s specialties), others more modern—all with the intent to direct readers toward the essential importance of stillness and its “attainable path to enlightenment and excellence, greatness and happiness, performance as well as presence.” Readers will be encouraged by Holiday’s insistence that his methods are within anyone’s grasp. He acknowledges that this rare and coveted calm is already inside each of us, but it’s been worn down by the hustle of busy lives and distractions. Recognizing that this goal requires immense personal discipline, the author draws on the representational histories of John F. Kennedy, Buddha, Tiger Woods, Fred Rogers, Leonardo da Vinci, and many other creative thinkers and scholarly, scientific texts. These examples demonstrate how others have evolved past the noise of modern life and into the solitude of productive thought and cleansing tranquility. Holiday splits his accessible, empowering, and sporadically meandering narrative into a three-part “timeless trinity of mind, body, soul—the head, the heart, the human body.” He juxtaposes Stoic philosopher Seneca’s internal reflection and wisdom against Donald Trump’s egocentric existence, with much of his time spent “in his bathrobe, ranting about the news.” Holiday stresses that while contemporary life is filled with a dizzying variety of “competing priorities and beliefs,” the frenzy can be quelled and serenity maintained through a deliberative calming of the mind and body. The author shows how “stillness is what aims the arrow,” fostering focus, internal harmony, and the kind of holistic self-examination necessary for optimal contentment and mind-body centeredness. Throughout the narrative, he promotes that concept mindfully and convincingly.
A timely, vividly realized reminder to slow down and harness the restorative wonders of serenity.Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-525-53858-5
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Portfolio
Review Posted Online: July 20, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
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