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Rating: 
Summary: DIFFERENT AND INSIGHTFUL
Review: I strongly recommend this book to those who are interested in
or involved with Christian, Jewish, and/or Tao outlooks.The author and editor take the position that Jesus and Lao Tzu
represented 2 separate philosophical disciplines that branched
from the same originating river (GOD). This is,to my way of
thinking, quite extraordinary,considering the vast differences
of East and West histories and cultures, and communication. It's too bad that this book is not in more people's hands (and lives!). You get 3 basic things from the book: 1) An excellent overview of Jesus' and Lao Tzu's teachings,
and how they relected on each others', as presented
in the preface. 2) A breakdown of all the teachings into 9 catagories;
1 catagory per chapter. Each chapter comprises many paired
quotes from each teacher; you be the judge to just how similar
they are to each other. 3) A Commentary section following the 9 chapters/topics
that is well worth having all by itself. Tremendous insight,
backed up by the referred to precious chapters. If all the above isn't enough, and it is, the binding
ends with a fine list of recommended books for furthur
study. Again, if you are a serious Jew, Christian or Taoist
(or seeker of deeper meaning in life) I think you should
have this as one of your key reference books. P.S. Jesus' sayings in the book are just Jesus' sayings
alone, not mixed up with what disciples and clergy added
to the Gospel from their vantage points.
Rating: 
Summary: Helps understanding between Taoism and Christianity
Review: Of corse all Taoists in America and Europe are influanced or affected by Christianity... it is woven into the fabric of our society. This is why is is good for a Taoist to read this book. It will bring him/her some "comfort" with regard to Christianity, and help them to understand the nature of Jesus, thus, understand more about their Christian neighbor. "Liberal" Christians will probably enjoy this book as well... and may even begin to regard Lao Tzu as a bit of a prophet :)
I would recomend it as a gift from Taoist to Chrisian or Christian to Taoist.... NOT as a "conversion" tool, but as a tool for mutual understanding. Although I enjoyed seeing the parallels... I thought that some of the sayings did not really match very well as far as their actual meanings, also I was suprised by some of the verses that were *not* included... there are some better verses that show the simular intents of Lau Tzu and Jesus than some of the ones chosen by the Author.
One might do better to read the Tao Te Ching and the "words in red" of the new testiment for his/herself! However, if you can't be bothered to do that, this book is a nice quick referance and a nice teaching tool. I wish there was a Lao Tzu and Muhammad book.. I'd like to see what would be made of that! :)
Rating:
Summary: Best of the Series So Far
Review: The 3rd book in the "Parallel Sayings" series tackles the greatest differences yet between 2 religious 'founders': Lao Tzu, the enigmatic hermit who preached to no one and actually wrote his own legacy (Tao Te Ching) at a gatekeeper's request before disappearing from society and Jesus, whose parables of love and social reform were recorded in the Gospels and have converted about 1/3 of the world's poplulation 2 millenia later. This book deviates from the first two by including short commentiaries on each of the parallel sayings in the back of the book. The commentaries add something and I think that including, at the very least, historical backround and some additional context for the sayings gives some perspective which will hopefully be adopted in later books.
Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Best of the Series So Far
Review: The 3rd book in the "Parallel Sayings" series tackles the greatest differences yet between 2 religious 'founders': Lao Tzu, the enigmatic hermit who preached to no one and actually wrote his own legacy (Tao Te Ching) at a gatekeeper's request before disappearing from society and Jesus, whose parables of love and social reform were recorded in the Gospels and have converted about 1/3 of the world's poplulation 2 millenia later. This book deviates from the first two by including short commentiaries on each of the parallel sayings in the back of the book. The commentaries add something and I think that including, at the very least, historical backround and some additional context for the sayings gives some perspective which will hopefully be adopted in later books.
Highly recommended!
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