An Introduction to A Course in Miracles

Rating:
Summary: Bold Balderdash: Silliness Introduced as Theology
Review: "Introduction to A Course in Miracles" simplifies an overwhelming three volume set of theologically skewed ideas. These ideas aren't well-founded in the long version; they aren't well-founded in this introduction. And, the book manages to insult thinking Catholics and Protestants in the process.

The connections "A Course" has desired to make with Christianity is only the loosely, most fallible kind. While Williamson would not say this is Christianity, I think she'd say it is consistent with Christianity. It isn't.

For the new age believer, buy this book. For the Catholic or protestant, don't get buy this. You'll simply feel your intelligence and spirituality insulted, and that the authors belittle you because you believe in one God in Christ.

I do not recommend "Introduction to A Course in Miracles." It is remarkably deep in superficial new age thinking, offering only confusion to society.

Rating:
Summary: Stay Away from this. Read the Bible instead!
Review: After reviewing the material in this book, presented to me by a co-worker, I was quite appalled that she held any credence to this material. It is far from the word of God and presents the opinion and idea that man is more the focus than the Lord.

Definately not a book with a Christian perspective.

Rating:
Summary: Stay Away from this. Read the Bible instead!
Review: I have found this book very helpful in being something of a brief over-view of "A Course In Miracles." I have given this book to three people, all as an attempt to "explain" what the Course is (as opposed to wanting to "convince" them to read the Course). None of the people I gave this book to ended up becoming students of the Course (not that I know of - one friend has remained skeptical of the Course [if not verging on hostile]), but they at least had a little "mental slot" for what the Course is. They at least knew what I was talking about when I said "The Course says..."

The Course is a very complex theory of spiritual psychotherapy that can at times be overwhelming even for "students" (to be a student simply means you read the book). So, how then does one explain the "basis" for what the Course is to a non-student? Why, they give them this book.

Now, if one is a student of the Course I would suggest going beyond - far beyond - this book and turning to the work of Kenneth and Gloria Wapnick. But if one is simply curious as to what the Course is, and where it came from, I would recommend reading this book. I'm sure you will find it as helpful and brief - very brief! - as I did. And the price is very nice.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Introduction to A Course
Review: I have given out dozens of copies of this book over the last few years and the book has always been gratefully received. A Course says there is no order of difficulty in miracles. This brief book is the best simple introductory work on A Course available and a bridge to those of my friends who want to know what I am studying (I am a student of A Course) but who do not feel they have the time for an in depth treatment of the subject. A "must read" for any student of A Course and for inquirers at all levels. Buy several copies to have available to give to your friends. You'll be glad you did. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: The Course without fear
Review: The above reviews reflect the fear that pervades Christian and religious dogma throughout time. These are NOT real reviews of this book. This book is wonderful and for the INEVITABLE stidents of the course.

I am a archeological theology major, what those reviews do not realize is that the course is EXACTLY what the original writings of Chrisitianity say. They have just misconstrued Jesus' words and now their fear is speaking.

When you know the truth of your own religion then you should state your belief...until then do not speak from positions of ignorance.

I recommend this book highly to anyone (Including & especially) all Chrisitian denominations for relief from an inacurate account of a dualistic God who spouts nothing but fear. The Bible is corrected in the course by the author the Bible should have been written by in the first place. Not the apostiles but Jesus himself. He is not spouting dogma as the fear of the apostles in the bible, he is speaking love.

This fears many Chrisitians (it doesn't have to) who do not understand the course at all. In fact, if they would go back and read their own reviews they could see the obvious fear, dogma and hate in them. Jesus promoted love, compassion and understanding for ALL people and beliefs even within the bible. So what happened to it here on Amazon? I will ask them "How is your life...good or filled with judgement and grief? your reviews state the judgement. Another small reflection of the crusades and the inquisition. Traditional fear-filled Chrisitianity has failed many of us (and growing immensely) because it is skewed and filled with innacuracies. THIS IS A FACT. There are people who study in detail, Jesus, Buddha and all religions of the world through time who know WHAT WAS REALLY said.

Little children, do not defend the parables of the Bible, open your hearts and use your minds. Learn, not from some TV evangelist or some minister (they ALL say different things about different parts of the bible. This was something we had to research while in school). Learn from your heart, not from your fear. It is obvious those earlier reviews are coming from a place of fear.

Rating:
Summary: The Course without fear
Review: The above reviews reflect the fear that pervades Christian and religious dogma throughout time. These are NOT real reviews of this book. This book is wonderful and for the INEVITABLE stidents of the course.

I am a archeological theology major, what those reviews do not realize is that the course is EXACTLY what the original writings of Chrisitianity say. They have just misconstrued Jesus' words and now their fear is speaking.

When you know the truth of your own religion then you should state your belief...until then do not speak from positions of ignorance.

I recommend this book highly to anyone (Including & especially) all Chrisitian denominations for relief from an inacurate account of a dualistic God who spouts nothing but fear. The Bible is corrected in the course by the author the Bible should have been written by in the first place. Not the apostiles but Jesus himself. He is not spouting dogma as the fear of the apostles in the bible, he is speaking love.

This fears many Chrisitians (it doesn't have to) who do not understand the course at all. In fact, if they would go back and read their own reviews they could see the obvious fear, dogma and hate in them. Jesus promoted love, compassion and understanding for ALL people and beliefs even within the bible. So what happened to it here on Amazon? I will ask them "How is your life...good or filled with judgement and grief? your reviews state the judgement. Another small reflection of the crusades and the inquisition. Traditional fear-filled Chrisitianity has failed many of us (and growing immensely) because it is skewed and filled with innacuracies. THIS IS A FACT. There are people who study in detail, Jesus, Buddha and all religions of the world through time who know WHAT WAS REALLY said.

Little children, do not defend the parables of the Bible, open your hearts and use your minds. Learn, not from some TV evangelist or some minister (they ALL say different things about different parts of the bible. This was something we had to research while in school). Learn from your heart, not from your fear. It is obvious those earlier reviews are coming from a place of fear.

Rating:
Summary: Sanity Saver
Review: When my 3-vol. book "A Course in Miracles" arrived, I eagerly began reading the Text, and after finishing the first chapter, was also sampling parts of the Workbook for Students as well as the Manual for Teachers. Seeing great promise in all of this and wanting it all immediately would provide much more frustration than I was already feeling because "A Course in Miracles" is long, and presented in small methodical steps which also induces much soul-searching. All very wonderful, but time consuming, and when one is hungering for a "quick fix" or wondering where it'll all lead to, it gets your head spinning. So two days later when my copy of "An Introduction to A Course in Miracles" arrived, I read it cover to cover and now feel very satisfied! This short book could stand on it's own, giving a very readable and easily understandable synopsis of the Course which made me feel more in tune with what I had already read, and more ready to be able to start applying its' ideas now. I know that I'll be keeping the "Introduction to ..." right with the "Course ..." because I'll want to reread it periodically to take a break from the more intense work of the text, and to keep a lighter overview of it in mind! It already has been, and I'm sure will be a 'sanity saver' for me!