Charts of Cults, Sects, and Religious Movements Rating :
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28 of 29 people found the following review helpful.
Worth the money for checking out nonorthodox groups
By E. Johnson
House goes over 19 different quasi-Christian religions and, although I have not read very much yet, initial appearances show that he appears to have done a very nice job. He lists the different viewpoints of these religions and then contrasts them with "Orthodox" Christianity. He uses original sources to support himself so that it's not just his opinion, but rather the opinion of the group's leaders. Certainly some may come in and disagree about certain nuances regarding the way he lays out the orthodox position (i.e. a Catholic or Greek Orthodox layperson may not see eye-to-eye on salvation and justification through faith alone), but House gives verses from the Bible to support himself. He also uses expert resources to check his work and make sure his arguments were not faulty. I will keep this reference near-by, and when I have a question about a particular group's teaching, I will be sure to see what this has to say.
I do have two complaints: First, the book is so big (350 pages, 8.5 x 11 format) and, with the pages getting flipped back and forth, I'm scared the spine may not hold out. I'm wondering why the publisher didn't use a metal ring spine to make it easier to lay the book flat and help it withstand the constant paging back and forth. Also, what about the Boston (discipleship) movement? I would have liked material on this growing group. However, I can't lessen my recommendation of the book despite my complaints.
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
Not charts, but just outlines
By ErikJon
The whole purpose of buying a book like this is to convert the information into a visual format, such as into chart form. Nevertheless, you can see from the samples that much of this book consists of ordinary outlines, not of charts at all. The author's "Charts of the New Testament" on the other hand, is quite good, and is almost entirely composed of charts in visual form, such as one would use on an overhead projector, to help the students to visualize the material taught.
Let us remember that Zondervan is in this business to sell books, more than to help readers learn. Just as the "Dummies" series is nothing more than a marketing strategy for a series of how-to books written by unrelated authors who pay the fee to use the name, likewise not all these Zondervan books of the "Charts" series are created by the same authors or for the same noble purpose, but mainly to identify themselves with the successful series, and to sell. Be careful before you buy.
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful.I needed a good book on cults and this one delivered
By Angel Doll
I just started Ministry School and we were given a World Religions assignment for a presentation within two weeks of starting classes. I could not find any comprehensive information on Alamo Christian Ministries. I searched on the internet, even went to the website however, I was still information deficient. I found this book when I googled Tony Alamo and Alamo Christian Ministries. I looked inside the book on this website, ordered it, read it, created my presentation and it went extremely well because I was sufficiently prepared. As of yesterday, another student has asked me to use the text for their presentation which is coming up. I really liked the book. I highly recommend it.
Product Description
When you want well-organized, essential information on one of the many cults, sects, and movements that dot today's religious landscape, this collection of charts is invaluable. It gives you both the overview and the on the most significant groups, starting with facts about history, membership, worship practices, leaders, and publications for a given group. From there, you'll find the group's doctrinal position presented in its own words, together with the orthodox view for comparison. Groups covered include: Alamo Christian Ministries, Association for Research and Enlightenment, Christadelphians, Christian Identity Movement, Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, Church Universal and Triumphant, A Course in Miracles, Eckankar, The Family/Children of God, Freemasonry, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mind Science groups, New Age Movement, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, Rosicrucianism, Unification Church, United Pentecostal Church, Urantia Foundation, and The Way International.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #515456 in Books
- Published on: 2000-06-01
- Released on: 2000-06-03
- Original language:English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 10.94" h x8.43" w x.91" l,1.60 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 352 pages
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