Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: God

  • Creating God: The birth and growth of major religions

    Creating God: The birth and growth of major religions

    Creating God: The birth and growth of major religions is a massive read, but well worth the time spent to marvel at the past and present concept of God; religion as we know it in the world of today and religion as it was being created for many and vast reasons.

    God as an etheric entity is considered as the basis of all belief that goes back to the earliest of cultures but as time has marched onward the concept of one entity, God, has been explored and spread into many religions, creating a deep and firm belief in many of the major religions that influence people, drive politics and offer abiding hope when all else appears to have failed.

    Award winning author Robin Derricourt takes the question, ’What do we know about how and where religions began, and how they spread,’ exploring this through three major monothestheistic faiths, looking at their archeology and history to recreate the rise and fall and rise again of these singular faiths.

    Zoroastrianism has a history that predates most, which still has a following today. Then along came Judaism and Christianity followed closely by Islam and then Mormonism, the most recent and consistently growing religion of our times. The one thing all these religions have in common is a prophet who claims divine intervention with God. This unshakeable belief laid the foundations of these and many other religions, many that have long since faded into history.

    But what particular thing is it that has led to the rise and rise of these major faiths: what supports them and more importantly, what is their effect on the followers of these religions. Sensitively written the journey towards building a faith that has remained is fascinating, as there are many aspects that have to be considered to be able to have a relatively comprehensive understanding of what drives people, what forms beliefs and in many instances is ‘religion’ used as a means of controlling people, to using people for a greater or lesser good.

    If you are a student of Theology, History or simply someone who enjoys discovering much about the history of humanity, the good, the bad and the indifferent and where the fundamental beliefs that form a part of our society and bloody history were formed, Creating God is a very good place to begin.

    Fascinating, well researched and very readable Creating God is not a light read but one that is very worthwhile.

  • Storybook

    Storybook

    Gerald Krampl has a biography that spans many years, wrapped around his love for music and the magic, peace and healing that can be created for a moment or longer in time, which brings with it many emotions, visions and concepts.

    His latest work Storybook has been created from stories in his own mind that span a wide range of topics and it is his wish, as the music comes into existence, to also form stories in the mind of the listener that are filled with charm and enjoyment.

    Should you enjoy reading the titles of the tracks as they are played, they may offer a hint of Krampl’s storyline or lead to the creation of your own storybook. Alternatively, simply let the music flow and enjoy the simple, elegant beauty of solo piano in the neo-classical /new age style.

    The Falcon of Chastelain is an interesting and slightly thoughtful piece that acts as the first story, which is perhaps based on Châtelaine de Vergi, an anonymously-written short 13th century romance of courtly love in Old French reminiscent of Knights in shining armour and their beloved, or something entirely different, such is the enticement of creating your own Storybook.

    Thoughtful once again, is Caves Gold, but also couched in a little mystery and awe as felt when exploring the wonder of underground caves; places that have kept their beauty and secrets for many long years.

    A four part piece God’s Spell, set out in Acts, allows a journey to be undertaken into whatever realm chosen; Tempest, a strong, determined piece representing a storm breaking all about, Relief, gentle and peaceful after the majesty of the storm is beautifully portrayed; Resumption positively dances off the keyboard before Prostration offers thanks for a safe delivery and homecoming.

    Pearlfisher is representative of a previous work, thus titled and also one of solo piano. Moving further into the work is the quirky piece Hail to the King of Fools, which offers the imagination unlimited scope, particularly in theses trying times, followed by the final piece Comes A Time Thereafter, a piece full of happiness and sunshine, almost a waltz which is pure pleasure and romance, captured in sunlight and joy.

    Storybook is a delightful, romantic and elegant solo piano compilation that tells a story, Gerald Krampl’s and yours. Perfect.

  • Absolute Proof

    Absolute Proof

    Long before Absolute Proof became a manuscript, Peter James received a phone call from a man claiming to have been given absolute proof of God’s existence. James was told by this gentleman that he was assured that he, Peter James, would help him be taken seriously.

    All stories have a point where the germ of an idea grows into a reality and in this case, and almost 29 years later, Absolute Proof is the end product of this singular phone call.

    We met Ross Hunter an investigative journalist trying to patch up a marriage which has taken a battering, earn a reasonable living as a freelancer and hold his somewhat abstract life together, as he and Imogen are expecting their first child.

    Some years before this event though, Ross was made aware of a very different spiritual perspective on life, when his twin brother Ricky was killed in a terrible, freak accident; an event which was to shake him to his very core, leaving him wondering, searching for answers, for many years to come.

    A phone call from Dr Harry F. Cook, almost not answered, began a quest for truth, and a sensational front-page story, trying to ascertain whether the information given to Dr Cook was true, or just another fanciful story put about by religious zealots. Dr Cook claims he has absolute proof of Gods’ existence, proof, which in the wrong hands could change the course of the world forever, in all the wrong ways, and will certainly challenge the very foundations of the world’s major religions.

    Cook lets it be known that should Ross Hunter undertake the task of working with him, it would be dangerous and could be deadly; but whatever the result there would be consequences which would have lasting ramifications for established religion.

    Somehow the word gets out that there may indeed be proof that Joseph of Arimathea, when he fled to Britain, had bought with him a chalice, suggested to be the last vessel Jesus had drunk from before his crucifixion, and that this chalice was hidden at Glastonbury; The Holy Grail!

    From that moment on both Dr Harry F. Cook and Ross Hunter are placed in danger. When Cook is found dead, murdered, Ross begins to realise that people will stop at nothing to discover the truth about the existence of God.

    The quest rages across London, Glastonbury and rural England eventually leading to America where Ross meets a down and out of luck magician, Michael (Mike) Delaney, a man of mystery and magic, a man who holds some of the answers.

    Absolute Proof will cast a spell as the pages turn, leaving the question to be answered, Does God exist?

    A brilliant novel from the pen of award winning and highly acclaimed author Peter James wrapping around a story that could very well be absolutely true!

  • The Divine Human, The Final Transformation of Sacred Aging

    The Divine Human, The Final Transformation of Sacred Aging

    John C. Robinson certainly has the creds to be able to talk about spirituality, religion and the psychology that underpins the many various philosophies that we are guided by, as we travel our pathway through life. Having spent most of his working life teaching, studying or consulting in this area of what could easily be called mysticism, he ventures a giant step forward to pose a question: what if, as we at various ages, contemplate that mystery called GOD only to discover that perhaps, after everything is stripped away that we are already divine.

    OK you say, this is a far-fetched possibility that is either completely out there, or makes an incredible amount of sense. If you look at the stages of life we pass though, each stage bringing with it a differing belief about religion and spirituality, until one reaches the final or the third stage of life that there is serious consideration given to exactly what is ‘divine’ and how is this relevant to the God figure prevalent in all religions and spiritual beliefs worldwide.

    In this ground breaking work Robinson shares his own beliefs in this matter, experienced on a very personal basis, to allow you to discover something he has known for most of his life, that ‘we are all divine, we are all God’.

    Interesting is it not, that when you really begin to look at what this is all about, it is very difficult to refute the point that perhaps Robinson is onto something rich and wonderful here; something that makes a good deal of sense if you truly take the time to sit and relate to what you are discovering, as you take each chapter of the book, one step at a time.

    As this is more than just another discourse by a learned person, at the end of each chapter there are Journaling Questions to encourage you to take what you are reading seriously. In case you get a little overwhelmed by the information, he has thoughtfully added a Conclusion to each of the chapters to clarify what has been read.

    Robinson talks about negativity and how that makes you feel, the barriers that are set up by either yourself or your religious beliefs, to prevent you understanding fully the divine person you already are; There is a wonderful chapter on Dissolving the False Self which will resonate deeply with people seeking a new pathway in spirituality as will Being in the Divine World.

    Beautifully written and presented, ending with the final chapter devoted to I Am God this is a work that once read, studied and understood, will definitely change the quality and understanding of the life that you will choose to undertake as you deepen your ability to become a divinely conscious being.