The Power of Partnership: Seven Relationships That Will Change Your Life

Rating:
Summary: Not for Christian's
Review: Although I applaud seemingly non-Christians for looking to the bible for truth. Many do not understand it. Here is a paragraph extracted from the "Spirituality" chapter, with a response from my Christian men's group - you can respond to me at [e-mail].

QUOTE from Book.
A. How can we make sense of the biblical commandment 'Thou shalt not kill,' when passage after passage contradicts this commandment? In Numbers 31 and Deuteronomy 20, we are led to believe that God approves of massacres of whole populations. In Leviticus 20:9, we are told that children who curse their parents must be killed. B. How do we take biblical passages approving of slavery (Leviticus 25:44-46) and even of a man selling his daughter into slavery (Exodus 21:7)? C. What should we make of Jesus' teaching that we should love one another and live in peace, when in Revelations 12:19 angels pour out 'the wrath of God upon the earth,' and terrible horrors are unleashed on everybody - except the chosen 'hundred and forty and four thousand,' who, according to chapter 14:3, 'were redeemed from the earth'?

Response:
A. This centers on the subject of murder, not killing. Murder is an act of violence from one person against another with the motivation for the act erupting from emotion or sinful impulse. That is quite different from 1) wars of defense, 2) capital punishment, and 3) divine pronouncements of "war on God's enemies". The latter three derive from national survival or from an indisputable source outside the personal motivating factors. If someone attacked your wife, and the only way to save her was a counterblow that would kill the offender, then this is not from those motivating factors. Is killing but not murder.

B. Slavery in those times and social conditions (in the sense of the biblical reference) was really more like long term employment to pay a large debt. We call it "indentured servitude". If one has a home mortgage today, it is really no different. Truly...ask anybody who has a big mortgage and a required big job to pay it.

C. Jesus was not a kindly suntanned carpenter who loved kids and told us all that if we just get along all will be well. He said "I come NOT to bring peace on earth, but a sword". God's message is very tough to those who think along the lines of this question. Its just the way that it is.

God is the sovereign creator and king of the universe. We owe every breath we take to Him. His ways are higher than our ways, and He is not subject to the laws impressed upon mankind because He is the author of right and wrong. "The wages of sin is death". God says what He means and means what He says. His absolute righteousness demands punishment for sin, yet in His righteousness He has made a way of salvation for those of us that truly understand his intent: "...its your kindness that leads us to repentence". He is a savage lover.

Rating:
Summary: Not for everyone, but you'll grow if you read it anyway.
Review: This book chews on a big chunk of food for thought. But be forewarned. There are political generalities in The Power of Partnership that will please Progressives and turn off Conservatives. However, regardless of your leanings, read it anyway. Many of the greatest business minds use the power-of-partnership concept to maximize profits. Can we even count the number of effective partnerships that a wildly successful company like Microsoft has going for it? It's certainly hard to count all of Bill Gates' money. Understanding partnerships is definitely good for business. It's also good for much much more. Eisler insightfully guides us through seven key relationship areas that highlight the great value of building strong partnerships. This book may very well frustrate you, but it also might change the way you think about almost everything.

Rating:
Summary: Transformation in Action
Review: This book provides a practical guide for people who are concerned about the direction of our future. It can help anyone interested in making personal and social changes that will model for and teach the children of tomorrrow how to relate in partnership with each other and our planet. I recommend this book to anyone that would like guidance and help in creating a culture of peace.