Julie

I Listened, I rejected, I tried more, but stopped

Revisado: 06-28-24

I started listening based on the title and subtitle. It got into white captivity of the church and lack of minority speakers in pastoral conferences. I almost stopped, but the author also spoke of the growth of the minority church. But I thought, let me continue on, maybe there will be more causal explanations for the growth of the minority church. After it got into the problems of individualism with Americans versus a collective systemic view of sin with Americans, I had to stop.

It's not that I necessarily reject everything the author is stating, especially in the example experiences provided, but I reject the cause and attributions of the problems and the lack so far of solutions. When the author spoke of the pastor that gave an impassioned sermon, but then concluded with voting Republican, that is not a problem with white people or republicans or individualism. That is a heart issue with who is in charge, God, and who is the answer to the problems of this earth, Jesus. When the author spoke of the person asking a pastor about how to approach the personal sin of individuals who were clearly making racist statements and that pastor dismissed the individual concern for the wider corporate sin that allows impoverished neighborhoods leading to segregation and neighborhoods, the author agrees with the pastor about the failure to address the corporate sin. But I look at that person asking the question, and he was left with nothing. No solution, nothing actionable that can be done at that corporate level.

The author continues to attribute and state positions about a race to which he is not a member. The author could probably even make some valid points about the American culture, for which he IS a member, without imposing guilt on the readership. That's why I picked up the book in the first place; it was intended to be about western culture, which I think the author forgets has huge minority populations in Europe. I am especially confused by the insistence of collective guilt when the author describes the severe negative impact of the guilt that was imposed on him by his absent father. He was only able to step out of the self-imposed guilt when he was able to recognize that God wasn't keeping score of his failures. He doesn't seem to see the parallels of personal salvation being a method for changing a society.

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Excellent, well-researched book, Biblical

Revisado: 07-20-23

I have read previous books about the Nephalim, but they used a ton of material from the apocrypha, specifically Enoch. But this author went into extensive detail about the fallen angels and their descendants using the Bible and historical commentaries about the Bible. Other books come off as fringe and filled with speculation, but this book laid out a solid foundation, included cross references, and built evidence to support the battle of good and evil in plain sight in the Bible. The narration by the author himself was on par with the best professional narrators out there. I especially liked how the author used commentaries from the 17th, 18th, 19th, and early 20th century, rather than late 20th and 21st century books because it illustrated the fact that this interpretation of scripture is not new, but potentially newly compiled in order of the storyline. You also didn't have to be a biblical scholar to understand, but the author leaves you plenty of references to verify and explore.

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An attack on other eschatological authors

Revisado: 11-16-22

I had to return the book. I tried to power through, but this book just throws contempt and disdain at two particular authors of books on the events of Revelation. If there were good points where other authors' explanations of end times events fell short, those points were lost in the scoffing.

I don't completely agree with the particular explanations of any single person's interpretation of end times events, including the two attacked authors, but that is why I wanted to read this book, to fill in some of the gaps. But it seemed like the author forgot God in the writing of this book; he focuses on knowledge and research, rather than praying for wisdom and understanding from God through the Holy Spirit.

Whatever the exact events of Revelation, only God knows at this point. I will say the Left Behind series that this author attacks so much served an important purpose in many people's lives, including my own as a teenager: it was the first introduction I ever had about the end times and the book of Revelation. The accuracy or inaccuracy wasn't key, it was the draw to find out more. It lead to my study of many books of the Bible where I was able to form different ideas than those strictly presented in that fictional series. I believe that God uses prophecy to reach people, not just to be academically studied.

From 2 Timothy 2:14‭-‬19 LEB:
Remind people of these things, solemnly urging them before the Lord not to dispute about words. This is in no way beneficial and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, a worker having no need to be ashamed, guiding the word of truth along a straight path. But avoid pointless chatter, for it will progress to greater ungodliness, and their message will spread like gangrene, among whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have deviated concerning the truth by saying the resurrection has already taken place, and they are upsetting the faith of some. However, the solid foundation of God stands firm, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Everyone who names the name of the Lord must abstain from unrighteousness.”

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Easily the most depressing book ever

Revisado: 11-12-22

This book has zero hope. It is just about the anticipation of death. It is a well-written book, but just dreary and mundane. Would the Aussies really sit by and do nothing and accept the inevetible? As an American, I don't relate to these characters.

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I waited for something to happen...

Revisado: 10-16-22

I didn't dislike the book, but I kept waiting for something to happen. It was very idyllic and extremely convenient. I wanted a challenge to arise, something to make the argument for the decisions they made, rather than conveniently always choosing the best solution and magically everything working out exactly as intended. By the end, I felt the story was intended to be a push for a particular style of society, but I was left feeling "that just seems so fake." I at least appreciated that farming after the end of the world was not trivial, but several details, like magically finding chickens in a coop after 3 months alive is not possible. Nor finding a dog alive in a house after three months having only a couple roasters of water left for it. I won't listen to the book again, but it was definitely a different kind of book that I don't necessarily regret listening to.

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A much needed book for our times

Revisado: 11-09-21

The author does a great job of pointing back to basic moral and human characteristics that are so important to being good, upstanding citizens. The lack of prudence in America today is easier for adults to ignore, but the strong influence of sex, drugs, and general filth for kids is seriously harmful and we must work to stop it. This book was a great reminder of my values and it pushes me to stand for them always.

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Worth the Listen

Revisado: 09-15-21

I'm not sure where to start...this is a unique book. This book is a biblical thesis crossed with a true crime movie crossed with a romance novel.

The author clearly is trying to present both an argument for pursuing better biblical understanding by connecting biblical fact with science and presenting possible answers to hard questions that can tie the Bible and science/life together. I appreciated the delicate balance the author took in presenting possible non-conventional interpretations of scripture while holding fast to the core gospel message that salvation is through Jesus alone. I didn't agree with all of the possibilities presented, but the presented ideas were clearly made in good faith to start conversations.

I think one of the most important points in the book was that the current approach to faith among the younger generations isn't working. This book demonstrates an approach where asking questions about God and the Bible are ok and encouraged. Personally, it was my questioning everything that led me to Christ and it was a stubborn, judgemental church that drove me away in the first place. I think this book is an important read, even if it's a bit cheesy at times.

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Good book, may be easier in print

Revisado: 06-17-21

The book covers a lot of numbers relative to Hebrew letters. It would be easier to absorb everything by physically looking at the letters and numbers in print. I might go get the book and study it further.

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Not scripturally sound

Revisado: 05-19-21

This book is written based on personal interpretation of bible verses without scriptural or historical backing. I don't think the author prayed on these interpretations before writing them for the world. Yes, the world is going downhill, even moreso now than at the time of the author's writing, but allocating certain parts of prophecy to specific events in America and from a purely American perspective is not sound. I'm afraid the author is the one being deceived.

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Goosebumps

Revisado: 05-10-21

I had goosebumps while listening to this book. That had to be one of the most unique books/messages I've ever heard. America needs to hear this message.

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