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hopalenik
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| Posted: March 19 2009 at 2:07pm | IP Logged
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My mother is coercing me to read this book. But I have no time for anything that isn't on my reading list right now unless it is really worth the time. Any thoughts on this book?
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Holly
Mom to dd 10, twins dd and ds (transplant as baby that failed 05/09, permanent dialysis patient) 8 , dd 5 and dd 3 1/2 and dd in Feb 2009. 2 I hope to meet in heaven.
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stellamaris
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| Posted: March 19 2009 at 2:14pm | IP Logged
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I began it at the request of a Catholic friend who wanted to be able to discuss it with Protestant friends (my husband and I do a lot of apologetics at our parish). I will tell you the truth, it was so poorly written and had such a low view of God that I couldn't get through it. My husband did finish it, though, and these are his comments:
The Blessed Trinity is not properly or respectfully portrayed.
God the Father is not a woman!
It discounts the necessity of "religion"--indicating that you only need a private relationship with God.
He felt the author was sincere and tried to communicate some Christian truths, but in his effort to be relevant he crossed over into some heretical positions.
Why does your mother feel this would be a good read for you? For myself, I'd rather read the writings of the saints any day.
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Caroline
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Lisbet
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Someone gave this to my husband and asked him to read it. He really tried to, but he couldn't stomach more than half of it. He said it was irreverant and just weird.
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Marybeth
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I read it. If you don't have time, skip it. I do have to say for a bestselling book it is pro-marriage which is nice to see.
I didn't care for how they portrayed the Trinity. I get they why and author's creative license, but it made me feel uneasy. Also,its too much "my god and your god" philosophy which is exactly why I homeschool!!!. No definite truths or rules. God comes to you how you need God to be. Not you come to God because you need God.
Sorry, my two-year old has not napped today. I keep getting interrupted. Please let me know if I can clarify anything.
Marybeth
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stacykay
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I have a friend who has been strongly urging me to read this book and raving about it. But, just based on things she has said, I have been leery. That is why, just yesterday, I was excited to hear our local Catholic radio host, Al Kresta, discuss this on his show, Kresta in the Afternoon. He was asking folks to call in and discuss the book, just to see if there was enough interest to do a longer segment on it. Many people called.
In a nutshell, here is what most people said:
-Interesting book that could be seen to bring people closer to God.
-Didn't like that the Holy Spirit is depicted as a woman.
-Book completely dismisses the traditional aspect of Church, ie. going to Church, which, of course, Catholics would have a real problem with.
-Many expressed concerns that a lukewarm Catholic would read this and end up falling away from Church, or that it would give them a "license" to not attend.
-One lady said the book's description of Our Lord, Jesus, made her picture a guy in jeans and flannel shirt, kind of laid back.
-A few said they picked it up to read it, got annoyed with it, put it down, came back to it, read it, and felt their initial discomfort with it was warranted.
Al said it isn't an exegesis, just fiction like some of C.S. Lewis, but another caller said that yes, it's fiction, but that C.S. Lewis fiction was grounded in more truth.
I think in reading any of these religious fiction books one always has to have in the back of their mind that it is just that, fiction. Too many seem to pick up these books (I am thinking DaVinci Code, which I did read, but barely,) and take them as the Truth. I remember seeing Oprah talking about DC with someone as if it were fact. So, I guess I am rambling now, but that was the gist of the discussion. Oh, Al Kresta does plan on having a longer show on it. Don't know when, but will post if I find out. You can listen over the web.
Hope this helps.
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
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hopalenik
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| Posted: March 20 2009 at 8:34am | IP Logged
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Thanks for the replies. This is what I anticipated the book to be and I keep strongly discouraging my mother on the topic. However, her good formation from 50 years ago has long been forgotten...
I will try to find ways to quietly downplay this issue...I just gave my parents Lord of the World by Hugh Benson (several priest compared Obama to the mysterious figure). It is a real Catholic book and pretty exciting.
Holly
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Holly
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crusermom
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I read the whole book and really didn't like it. It came across to me as hokey and weird. And not very well written either. It was a very quick read - is there a particular reason she wants you to read it? It might be worth it so you can discuss it with her. That is, if you have the time.
Mary
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stellamaris
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crusermom wrote:
It might be worth it so you can discuss it with her. That is, if you have the time.
Mary |
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I agree with Mary that a good reason to suffer through reading this book would be to discuss it with your mom. Maybe God can use this as a way to help her understand better the truths of the Faith, since you mentioned she is a little weak on these. It would take some time and thought to clarify the problems and present the opposing truth. Also, as has been mentioned, she might scoff and say, "It's only fiction!".
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Caroline
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kozimom
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| Posted: March 20 2009 at 2:48pm | IP Logged
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My dh tried to read it recently and couldn't stand it. Thought it was very poorly written.
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EmilyC
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Interesting. My MIL, who I have always considered a very strong Catholic, was just raving to me about this book. She said it was awesome, and that she thought I'd enjoy it. I had not really heard of it, so I said maybe if I have any kind of reading time in the near future, I'd borrow it from her. Now I'm thinking I'll just skip it.
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Kristie 4
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Our priest, Orthodox, has strong feelings about the irreverance of this book.
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