Issue

Most Liturgical scholars own a copy of Dix's 'Shape of the Liturgy.' The reason is that Dix is perhaps the most thorough and erudite liturgical scholar of the 20th century. 'Shape' is a classic that has fundamentally shaped most Protestant and Catholic denominations. To the person not familiar with 'liturgy,' it means 'work of the people,' and is the way in which Christians have traditionally worshipped. It is a common worship, in which the worship of various separate churches is similar, but varies by time of year, and with the local culture.

Dix starts with an introduction to the Liturgy; then he moves on to the performance of the Liturgy. Then he begins his historical quest, in which he attempts to find the roots of the liturgy in the Biblical documents, moving into the pre-Nicene time period. It was in the very early pre-Nicene times that the Eucharist came to consist of a four-action shape: offering, thanksgiving, fraction, and communion. He discusses the Eucharistic prayer, the local traditions, the meaning and theology of the Eucharist, consecration theology, sanctification of time, and the ceremonial. He then discusses the completion of the shape, and the use of variable prayers. Then he covers the medieval liturgy, the Reformation liturgies (with particular attention to Anglican issues), and a call for renewal.

Overall, Dix's work is monumental. Sometimes, it is a bit too monumental. The work is 764 pages long. Much of what he says could be condensed into probably 200 pages effectively. However, his attention to detail is marvelous: he has read every Church father writing 2-3 times! Dix is partly responsible for the rediscovery of Liturgy in most mainline Churches, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church to the United Methodist Church. His research into early liturgies has demonstrated the Jewish nature of many Christian liturgies. I highly recommend this book. However, a little patience is needed to get through the entire book.

"Everything old is new again" seems to have impacted the Christian Church in the 21st Century. With the "rediscovery" of the richness and depth of the ancient forms of worship, the reprint of this classic on liturgy is very welcomed.

Dom Gregory Dix, an Anglican scholar, began a short presentation of the shape of liturgy that by his own admission became an expansive examination of how the Church has worshipped over the centuries. The research is outstanding and the general usefulness of the book is amazing considering the length to which the author has gone to verify his conclusions.

This outstanding work is a key for those theologians, pastors and priests seriously interested in the worship of the church through the ages. A serious layman can obtain much from the book as well.

I absolutely love this book. In fact, I am online here trying to find copies to send to all women family members and friends! I honestly have not read one book all the way thru in years, BUT, I have read this one in a week and a half. This is saying a lot-the stories grab your attention. Each story is quirky and you'll find yourself laughing out of your seat!
Enjoy this book don't let it slip you by!

If you are looking for a healing of your soul and heart, then I suggest this book. I laughed so hard at most of the stories I woke my husband up and couldn't stop roaring! This book will heal a place inside of you that may have been lost for a few weeks or a lifetime. Laughter is truly the best medicine. This is A MUST READ!

Being a Shia and an avid student of Shiaism, it has always been a frustration for me to read books which are written by half-baked authors who don't even bother scratching the surface of a religion and its ideals and write about it.

I have read several books by authentic Shia scholars from Iran and Iraq. Some of them are very good books, but unfortunately, are not always available to readers in the desired translation and presentation.

I, being a student of this religion and a practising Shia, would highly recommend this book, for anyone who really wants to gain an insight into the religion. Very balanced views, without any prejudices and biases and a "zoomed out" view of shiaism, which despite the breadth it covers, does not neglect the "Depth" and is a complete book in every respect.

My compliments to Syed Hussein Nasr and all contributors of this book, for completing a "complete" and "correct" picture.

I have read many books written on Shi'sm by crank theoretician 'scholars', but this book is an exception. Usually books written by scholars of religion are not worth reading, mainly due to the fact that Scholarship and religion do not mix. But a few seem to be an exception to this general rule and Mr. Nasr and a few others such as Corbin and Chittic are among them. Usually these so called Scholars of religion are as ignorant as they are arrogant as the following comment by one of the 'critics' would indicate. Mr. Fathi of the Middle east Journal tells us ' At least half of the subjects discussed in the book are highly abstract and hair-splitting fine points unlikely to be understood even by a university-educated Shii in Tehran, let alone by an American or British reader'. Apparently Mr. Fathi had hard time understanding the book, and due to inherent self flattery, he is under illusion that everyone else from Tehran to England and America wouldn't 'comprehend' the context of the book either. Not everyone would subscribe to Mr. Fathi's arrogant and self-glorified approach, but one has to remind these geniuses that we are not living in dark ages anymore( as surprising as this might be to these people) and contrary to Mr. Fath's misconception, people are very intelligent and capable of understanding ' abstract' topics. One should remind Mr. Fathi that just because one person has hard time understanding ' abstract', doesn't mean that the rest of the world shares that inability as well.

While the size of the book may be small, the message it sends could not be louder. Ms.Miller tells of a young, clumsy high school student who finds self-confidence in the kindness of her shop teacher, Mr. Brown. The story gives hope to young children, and sends the message that with work they can achieve almost anything.I recommend the book to children from ages 8-12.

"The Shop Teacher" by K.E. Miller is a beautiful book. It is the story of a teacher who helps a child to believe in herself. I would recommend this book to ages 7 and up, and a lovely aspect of the book is that it is small like "Harold and the Purple Crayon." The kids I know love the book because it's small and cute and portable, and it just becomes the favorite bedtime safety book of the children I babysit. The author also does not seem concerned with dumbing down the book for children. It is just a descriptive, folksy gem.

Other than that, everything seems to wrap up nicely for this book. I love tall heroines, and ah the layers of family-related emotional depth. Usually the misunderstandings in a story are annoying, but this book keeps them understandable. You can see actual rational for them, instead of a desperate grab to think the worst possible.

Skirting the Issue is what happens when a hard-core feminist meets a good-time charmer. I was laughing from the first page and could not put the book down until I finished it. Samantha Baldwin, who goes by "Sam," is a top saleswoman for a hotel chain. Sexy Josh Crandall is her old-time rival who has just quit his job as a salesman to start his own consulting firm. Sparks fly when his first assignment is for her company. He talks her boss into sending her to a boot camp for recovering feminists while she is working for a promotion. This short funny book touches on serious women's issues, including the question "Why is it the woman that always has to sacrifice her career?" This book is another winner by Heather MacAllister.

We can't assume that we will be able to support our programs simply because we do good work. Each non-profit has to closely examine how it is funded and how it expects to be funded tommorow and the day after. Brinckerhoff gives a great outline here on how to think like an entrepreneur and start your organization thinking like a business instead of a charity. If you're looking for pro-active means of moving your non-profit forward, then this book is a must. It's practical, straightforward and honest. Best of all, Brinckerhoff is readily available to talk to you via email from his website. If you have any questions about what you've read, you can go straight to the author for clarification.
This is a must have book for non-profit managers.

This book is a must for every not-for-profit executive director, financial officer, board member, or business manager who is thinking about starting or expanding a mission related enterprise.

I will recomend it to all of our clients. I manage the Urban Enterprise Fund, a revolving loan fund with a mission to provide capital and management assistance to companies (nonprofit or for-profit) that create jobs for the hard-to-employ.

Doctor Gollatz has put into this book the answers to a plethora of questions, which are frequently asked about health reform. He has performed a great deal of research, and come up with a book that can be understood by both professionals and laymen. I rate this book an excellent read for those interested in our Health Reform problems.

Dr. Gollatz takes on the multifaceted problem of healthcare reform. The context is geared to the both the professional and the layman. It gives various approaches to reform and examines the consequences that can arrise from each approach. He leans toward the use of Medical Savings Accounts at the end because it leaves the ultimate choices to the patient. This book is a well written find.

This very readable new book is one of importance for active lay people as well as clergy. It honestly confronts the issues facing the church in our time and puts them in the context of the church's long history of reform and struggle to respond to the new reality presented to each generation. Although written by an Episcopalian, it is written for the whole church. Don't miss it! We will be discussing "The Songs of the Mothers" for years to come.

I have recently had the pleasure of reading Bishop Joe Morris Doss's book The Songs of the Mothers. Rarely have I had such an interesting and enlightening experience. Bishop Doss writes in the Southern style of a Faulkner or a Morris and has the flow of a novel. He presents a clear and concise view of theology without being tedious. A thoroughly enjoyable read, and destined to be required reading for all those studying for holy orders; I regret that The Songs of the Mothers wasn't available to me during my studies for the Episcopal priesthood.

The Venerable Charles G. McCarty, D.D.
Anglican Archdeacon of Louisiana

This is a fabulous book and exactly what I was looking for. I'm also thrilled that it has an accompanying CD that matches exactly. I am leading a seder this year for a church group who has never heard any of the songs before, so I wanted the traditional melodies, easy to follow sheet music, and easy guitar chords. This is perfect! I'm so pleased.

"SONGS OF THE SEDER fills a great need.... a gem of a book."

You don't need to be a believer in physics to appreciate this book. The insights into the vagaries encountered along life's journeys are very beneficial. This is a category I never thought I'd explore, but Fred Rawlins shows sensitivity and perspective that are valuable to any one. Plus, it's a great story!

A highly insightful, mature and thought-provoking work. This is a book that shouldn't be read as a novel. Each page should be studied; the thoughts and concepts internalized. While drawing on extremely difficult personal circumstances, Mr. Rawlins effectively discusses and promotes the thought of individual "free will" - the true enabler to achieving life's goals.

Additionally, Mr. Rawlins successfully distinguishes between being religious and being spiritual, and the commonality of the Ten Commandments among all the major religions - a much neglected subject in all of our churches today. Finally, Fred Rawlins "takes on" organized religion with startling insights on church wealth, the man-made rules, rituals, requirements, demands and "dogma" that frequently tend to diserve and ignore those that need spiritual help the most.

Good reading.