C. Johnson

A tour de force on many levels

Revisado: 10-15-24

I listen to Owen's YouTube channels. This book is not only extremely informative about the religion but he shows Christians just how important it is to really obey Jesus's words and actions. I am a Christian...seeing the affects of doing the opposite of what Jesus taught is sobering and humbling. How often have I judged others? How many opportunities to show someone Jesus have I missed due to my own ego...stupidity...pride? Owen's ode to Sue had me in tears.

Owen, I know you're an atheist...but I definitely heard Jesus speaking thru you a message I really needed to hear. Thank you!

Your book helped make sense of the actions and personality of an ex JW I knew years ago. Unfortunately he went right while you went left. He used the skills he learned as a JW to brow beat, manipulate and intimidate others (myself included) to his political and far right views. I had no idea what he was doing to me...your book has she'd light on it.

I'm so glad you did the reading! Your passion for this comes thru so well and made this one of the most engaging books I've listened to. Sometimes I forgot I wasn't listening to one of your videos lol!

This is a book I will be listening to again (I also have the print version), there is so much to think more deeply about.

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A way thru the morass

Revisado: 03-18-23

I've been reading books on the cultural context of the Bible, how the authors of the books and the people the books were written to would have understood what was written. This boom does the same and accomplishes cutting thru the polemics, on both sides, concerning Genesis and science.

This book is refreshing not only in showing the reader how we misunderstand Genesis 1, but that the misunderstanding is the foundation for the angst and rancor religious people have had towards science and secular scientists towards religious people. The author also does a great service pointing out that the true animosity between the 2 groups is due to metaphysical beliefs being presented as science, a problem on BOTH sides.

The extremes of both sides will dislike this book and reject it, but for the many of us NOT at the extremes, this book offers a way forward that respects both science and belief.

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Could have been better with one change...

Revisado: 02-09-23

First what's good: the voice performances are terrific! I highlight Phil Morris as Paul, whose reading helped me understand Paul much better (Paul's writing can be run on and dense). And Levar Burton's reading of the Gospel of John was superb. In particular, his reading of the passion brought tears to my eyes...I've never heard it like that before. But all the voice performances were great.

What's bad: starting with Corinthians, the reading is suddenly broken, here and there, with a gospel song. It's jarring and frankly broke my concentration on listening to the epistles. Placing songs between the end and start of a new book would be fine, but breaking in on the hearing of God's word...not good. Perhaps in a future release they could remove these songs from within a book and place them at the end.

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Interesting, but...

Revisado: 09-07-22

The author never gets to the why then still be a Christian. If his hypothesis is correct, then the new testament, the gospels are just sermons (for want of a better word). What did Jesus actually say and do? What did he actually teach? Why should I believe in a total myth? I didn't get answers to any of that. Buddha's teachings have been more faithfully recorded and they can help a person be kind, compassionate, loving without the rigamarole.

It's an interesting hypothesis but in the end it's all academic.

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wonderful!

Revisado: 08-11-22

very engaging and informative! I had no idea of the flaws in science due to dogmas held. I sincerely hope that the ideas proposed by the author will become a reality...it will make science so much more interesting and truthful.

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Fascinating!

Revisado: 08-05-22

I've been struggling for awhile now as Christianity simply wasn't speaking to me anymore, yet, atheism didn't either.

I've found Buddhism to be a great middle way, but even so, some of the teachings (at least of some teachers) concerning "I" and afterlife seemed to fall short as well.

If matter and energy can't be created or destroyed, then what happens to me, to any of us, at death? We are each unique...no 2 people are exactly alike (I can say the same about animals). So what happens? That unique energy that is my personality must go somewhere.

This book put into words what I had been contemplating. Such fascinating stories! And an antidote to the shortcomings of materialism. This book not only gave me a path forward but also hope...and joy...and a new way to engage with others and the world.

For me, this book helped me to appreciate how Buddha was pretty spot on about a lot of things, but not everything...but I think the Buddha is quite pleased to be corrected!

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Wow!

Revisado: 06-30-22

There is so much to meditate on in this book. It is what I needed. As I've let go of my Christianity (the religion), atheism, while it makes good points, for me, was lacking in the areas surrounding death. I don't believe you are annihilated, but neither do I think the Christian heaven is real either.

this is the middle way.

I will be re reading this many times. So much to ponder.

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I learned a lot!

Revisado: 03-04-22

Highly recommend! Sharon's narration is so calming! I'm not Buddhist but this explained Metta wonderfully and in a way I could understand.

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my favorite book, narrated most excellently!

Revisado: 11-23-21

This is a book I have read, and now listened to so many times. It is a book every Christian should read. The narration was fantastic!

It is a book that gives much food for thought to any Christian, and nudges, each time it is read, to truly following in His steps.

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Tim Curry is great for a great story!

Revisado: 11-04-21

I love this story and the narration my Tim Curry was excellent! it really sparked my imagination!

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