**This review might offend some people. If you get offended after reading this then please do not leave a rude comment. I will simply ban you and delete your comment. Thanks**
This book was really good and worth taking the time to read. It may be long, about 400 pages but I enjoyed it very much. This book was about the history of religion and how it came to the force it is today. It talked about Hinduism, Buddhism and the bible. I found the history of the bible the most interesting and skipped over the rest of the religions. To me personally the bible has a big impact on my life and how I live my life so I liked alot of what the author had to say about the bible and how it impacted his life.
The author mentions on page 22 that one of the problems people have with the bible is that they feel it is irrelevant to today. That is far from the case. If only people would actually live how the bible tells us today then they would have a happier life. GOD gives us commandments to follow because they protect us from harm and it helps us be safe. I also like what the author says on page 30 how GOD is our shield and protects us when we put him first in our lives. The bible says "Put on all the armour which God provides, so that you may be able to stand firm against the devices of the devil.”—EPHESIANS 6:11"."We stand firm against Satan by being motivated to serve Jehovah and to lead clean lives that will prevent our becoming a morally contaminating influence among Jehovah’s people. With accurate knowledge of God’s Word, we can puncture and cut down false teachings, exposing their lack of logic and, in particular, their conflict with the Holy Scriptures.We do this not out of pride but out of humility and love for God, truth and our fellowman."
On page 33,34 I also agree with what the author says. On page 33 he mentions how we must honor our civil authorities. The author says"The bible says that we must honor and obey civil authorities." On page 34 talks about how the Gov't today cannot save us. Only the Gov't of God can save us. To quote the author" We knew our freedoms were from GOD, not the Gov't's generosity.""Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs. His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish.”(So, any programs for betterment that rulers institute soon pass into the hands of others and are frequently abandoned.)"No matter who the ruler is, he will still be part of this world that lies in Satan’s power. “The God of heaven will set up a kingdom [a government] that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.”: “He [Jehovah’s appointed king, Jesus Christ] will deliver the poor one crying for help, also the afflicted one and whoever has no helper. He will feel sorry for the lowly one and the poor one, and the souls of the poor ones he will save. From oppression and from violence he will redeem their soul, and their blood will be precious in his eyes.” (His concern for such people when he was on earth—his healing them, feeding multitudes, even laying down his life for them—shows that he will truly be the kind of ruler foretold in the prophecy.)Government by God is the only real solution to the problems of mankind."
On page 68 the author agrees that GOD created the earth and everything. On page 79 some people the author says do not know the meaning of prayer. The author says "While some Christians do use the names of Jesus or Mary as mantras, according to the bible, prayer is a rational conversation with God. Talking to GOD is possible only if the Creator is a person. Because the Buddha denied the existence of GOD, his followers developed spiritual rituals that involved mindless, mechanical prayer." The only way to truly have a relationship with Jehovah GOD is to pray to him in the name of son's Jesus' name.
Some people might find the history of how the horseshoe was made on page 102 and history of how the crusades started on page 120. On page 151 it mentions how the word congregation and assembly was started which I find very interesting.
I like what the author says on page 182. He says" God implies that we are to walk with Him, not follow the traditions and counsel of rebellious men. To make a difference one must life differently." I agree with this statement. People who claim to be Christian need to be different from the world. People should be able to see a different on a Christian acts, dresses, talks etc. Also on page 207 the author says what the bible clearly states that the meek will one day inherit the earth. And on page 280 the author agrees with the bible that the only reason to get a divorce is because of adultery and not any other reason.
On page 291 the author talks about how baptism is different when you are an adult then when you get baptized as a child. When you are a child, you have no say in the matter. Once you become to get to know GOD as an adult, you get baptized to cleanse yourself to make a dedication to Jehovah.The author says "Biblical Christians- who encouraged, even required, children to take personal responsibility for their spiritual lives-shaped the social ethos of America. Each person had to find GOD and live in a personal relationship with him.Knowing GOD as one's heavenly father changed the nature of family relationships on earth." The last good point in on page 381 which is the history of why we swear on the bible in court.
Overall I like the history of the bible, the authors opinions on the bible. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy learning about history and the truth about the bible and what is really states.
Notes: When I was quoting the author, I used his statements in quotes and said I was quoting the author. There are some other quotes in there as well and those are from my Watchtower CD Rom that I use as one of Jehovah's witnesses.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”