Two Words, One Answer.
supposed
 33 Questions About American History You're Not Supposed to Ask $25.95 If you think that white rich people are always right and we should always blame someone else for their mistakes - this book is for you. I purchase this book after seeing on youtube Mr. Woods very convincing speech about reasons of recent financial crisis, so the first chapter I read from Mr. Woods book was "Did capitalism caused the great depression". In 6 (six!) pages Mr. Woods "proves" that without any doubts the great depression what caused by "government intervention". Accidentally before reading Mr. Woods book I finished reading J. K. Galbraith "The great crash 1929" where he points to other reason for the Great Depression - to my knowledge Mr. Galbraith is much better economist then Mr. Woods. Tons of articles and books where written about The great Crash, still the brightest economists have doubts - but Mr. Woods have no doubts - his 6 pages answer all questions... Other chapters of Mr. Woods books are the same - it not Unions and organized labor created safe work environment, decent salaries or 8 hours/day workday - it was an action of white rich people. Did Iroquois Indians influence the US constitutions? Of course not - how can colored people influence white rich people? Even if Franklin points to Iroquois example, even if Iroquois leader where invited to colonists conferences where they explained the nature of Iroquois treaty - it is simple impossible that colored people influenced white rich people. In my opinion - the book is waste of time and waste of money  Not the Way It's Supposed to Be : A Breviary of Sin $22.00 The basic premise of the book is that the shalom of God has been vandalized. The peace that is God's design for creation and redemption has been unkept. Sin is defined as "a culpable and personal affront to a personal God," a God who "hates sin not just because it violates his law," but "because it violates shalom, because it breaks the peace, because it interferes with the way things are supposed to be" (13-4). Sin is something beyond just a breach of law, but a "breaking of the covenant with one's savior," an act more deeply at odds with God, with all of creation, and with one's very being (12). Building on this theological standpoint, the rest of the book is a depiction and analysis of the different manifestations of sin, the effects of sin in the human life-on an individual and global scale-and the ways humanity tries to evade sin. Plantinga poignantly explains the idea of sin in relation to corruption, thereby unveiling a truth about God's design of creation. "God orders things into place by separating and sorting them. At the same time God binds things together" (29). The pattern for life consists of "distinction and union and distinction-within-union that would give creation strength and beauty" (29). The inherent strength and beauty of the universe was weakened and trashed at the fall. Union was severed. Distinctions were smudged. During this discussion, Plantinga shares a story about a Rabbi who was made to preach naked to German soldiers to illustrate how mockery tries to despoil human dignity (32). This is one of many deft portraits of sinfulness that Plantinga paints. However, a hearty portion of his examples come across as shock-value tactics to win ethos with his readers at the expense of digression or irrelevancy. For instance, in the chapter on the progress of corruption, Plantinga is begging the question of character within a culture that is progressively pursuing corruption: "If rap stars publish albums filled with unlyrical desires to bust vaginal walls, to break women's backbones, and to force fellatio on "bitches" until they "puke," what wreckage might such grunted depravity leave in its wake?" (71). This question is posed after already addressing cycles of sin through a depiction of gang rape, described as, "to rape a young girl and then to stand on her neck to assure she is dead" (65). Granted, these are truthful, modern-day instances that display the depraved corruption of American culture. Within the context of the passage, these seem to be more a pandering to the emotions of the reader in an effort to draw them in than a methodical and measured illustration to help the reader gain a greater understanding of the idea Plantinga is communicating. When describing a perfect world, or a person who practices spiritual hygiene, he wanders away from the concrete to the ambiguous, leaving the reader with only the ambience of his words being applicable to the topic (35). Yet, in part, it is for this very reason that Plantinga comes across so provocative and intriguing.. His use of the shocking, mingled with eloquence and ornate wording, weaving the practical and the theological together in an almost poetic fashion, creates an atmosphere for the reader to indulge in what is written. The theological medicine is saturated with spoonfuls of sugary words. At best, this provokes thought; at worst it could be a cheap attempt to buy the reader's attention. Plantinga follows his point on corruption by delineating different ways in which sin kills, and how they lead to one another. First is perversion. Perversion is when a thing has been twisted for a different use than the one for which is was designed. This leads to the sullying of a thing-making it unclean. This defiling happens through an addition of something-like the third person of an adulterous relationship added to a marriage-or through the division of something-like the division of loyalties between all of those involved in a marriage with an adulterous partner (45-7). Eventually, all disintegrates. Even within this death and dissolving, corruption and sin is fruitful, and multiplies. This all ties in with the vandalism of Shalom; a reproducing extension of the bond-rupturing and wrongly-unifying act of rebellion against God's design and peace. Addiction, resentment, pride, and destruction are also explored and traced to the breaking of God's peace. Though the book is a total one hundred and ninety-nine pages dedicated to sin, it is still titled a "breviary" in the sense that it stays with sin as seen in relation to God's peace, and only details different types and aspects of sin. It does not penetrate into the origin of sin, consequences of sin before Christ verus after, or how sin affects salvation. Still, Plantinga's book is very helpful because it brings the reader back to a look at sin. Plantinga writes in the preface that today the word "sin" is only used as a joke or a description on a dessert menu (ix,x). This encouragement to remember the meaning of "sin" and its reality is needed. Even more, Plantinga admonishes the reader not to turn a cold shoulder to the vandalism of shalom, but to have a lifestyle that works to repair it (196). By starting with the peace of God and thus reminding the world of the disgusting depravity of sin and its grip on humanity, the reader is lead to the excellence of God's grace. This is one of the most important contributions the book makes. Plantinga started with the intent to "renew the knowledge of a persistent reality that used to evoke in us fear, hatred, and grief," and to renew the "integrity of creation" and to lead the reader to "the beauty of grace" (xiii). He does so artfully and with due cause, "For the sober truth is that without full disclosure on sin, the gospel of grace becomes impertinent, unnecessary, and finally uninteresting" (199)  Breastfeeding: What's A Dad Supposed to Do? $60.00 Studies have found that the father is THE most influential factor in the mother's feeding decision. Researchers also found that fathers of bottle-feeding infants had less knowledge of breastfeeding, including the benefits for the infant. Breastfeeding: What's A Dad Supposed to Do? is the newest video for DADs ONLY! Let s face it! Breastfeeding is not exactly a guy topic. So what do you get when you bring together an award-winning guy producer, a guy narrator and 12 guys willing to talk about the benefits of breastfeeding and cost savings? A great video all future dads need to view! Besides, it s a guy video, so it s fun to watch! This educational video is divided logically into four segments: Five Great Reasons to Breastfeed Here's some reasons that dads can appreciate: best first food for newborns, great health benefits for baby AND mother, higher child IQs -- plus huge cost savings for the family Common Concerns for New Fathers Dr. Pamela Jordan has studied fathers for over 20 years. She has heard every concern, myth and excuse NOT to support breastfeeding. She discusses the Big Three with tact and humor. Dads also sound off about these excuses. What Dads Can Do to Support Moms Besides changing a dirty diaper, there are a host of things that Dads can do to help support the breastfeeding mother. Great advice is given by our Dads. Encouraging Words from Real Dads You will hear some very touching comments from Dads who have been there and want to encourage you to do the same. Their comments may surprise you! |
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