Reincarnation: The Missing Link in Christianity

Finished this book by Elizabeth Clare Prophet today. Really enjoyed this one! Ms. Prophet really seems to have done her homework before writing it - the bibliography and notes are quite lengthy and varied.

The book starts off a little oddly, but soon shifts over to something more cohesive and even almost scholarly (but not stuffy). I found it to be actually quite a page turner. Some very interesting points are made throughout the book to support Ms. Prophet's thesis that reincarnation was probably a belief held by many early Christians, and Jesus may have even preached on this subject, if only indirectly.

I did think that some of Ms. Prophet's logic was a bit weak in spots - especially early on in the book - but she did tie things up pretty well as the book progressed. The ending was perhaps a little less than satisfying, but still appropriate.

Even if you don't believe in reincarnation and don't think you ever could, the book makes for interesting reading. I highly recommend it.

1984

Finished George Orwell's 1984 yesterday. I had never gotten around to reading it before this. Great and profound.

Surprisingly, I saw a lot of parallels between my own experiences and what goes on in the book. That was more than a little scary.

The whole thing about DOUBLETHINK was especially unsettling. People today do use this all the time - especially in the media. Not a good thing. Maybe if more people read this book, they would realize what they are doing and stop. I know I will be on the lookout so as to avoid being guilty of this myself.

If you haven't read 1984, then get hold of a copy and read it. If you have already read it, then read it again.

Boston Visit

I went on my first trip to Boston this past week. Had a great time. It was like being in a clean NYC. Lots of history and wonderful used bookstores.

A New Christianity for a New World (NCNW)

I just finished the book NCNW by Bishop Spong. I do recommend it. It starts out a little slow and rambles a bit at the end, but there are great insights to be found in it, especially in the middle part. The book is a follow up I guess to his earlier book, Why Christianity Must Change or Die.

A fundamentalist would probably not like NCNW, as it sets most doctrine that a fundamentalist would hold dear on its head. Liberal Christians may be a little shocked by some of the statements in the book, as I know I was in a few places, but I believe that Bishop Spong is sincere and writes from the heart, so he deserves a hearing.

I found much in the book that I agreed with like ideas on the nature of Jesus. Some ideas I will have to think about some more like those on evil and on God. Others I don't know what to do with exactly.

Give it a try and see what you think.