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Rating: 
Summary: ENGAGING, HOWEVER, READ WITH CAUTION!
Review: Dr. Bosch is a Biblical Apologist who has been researching Postmodernism and Mormonism while living in Utah for the past ten years. Addressing five-hundred years of Church History as it relates to the original teachings of Christ, alleged to have changed, is a major undertaking. Reducing it to 347 pages, including appendices, a glossary of terms, footnotes, and bibliography is an even greater feat. This translates to less than a page and a half per year. The Christian Conspiracy begins with an engaging outline of unfolding historical events that sets the stage to present a changing Christianity that does not align with its early roots. It goes on to analyze the changes, and then proceeds to make recommendations to find one's way back to God. Dr. Moore's discussion and references primarily involve the Roman Catholic tradition, with a few comments about other communities of faith within Christendom. Moving between traditions can occasionally confuse the reader, particularly when talking about the Church before and after the Reformation. At times the various traditions are treated as one. This treatment of the subject gives a distorted historical and chronological perspective of events. Based on the book's content, perhaps a more accurate title would be "The Roman Catholic Christian Conspiracy." The explanations of the changes to the original "Christian" teachings and how they were altered is not new. Many have presented these propositions through the years. The principal flaw of this type of approach is the failure to distinguish between opinions vs. dogma, and "declension" vs. tolerance. It is one thing to have an opinion about a topic. It is another to allege that the opinion is doctrine. A cursory review of Early Christian Doctrines by J.N.D. Kelley, and History of the Christian Church & The Creeds of Christendom by P. Schaff, among others, makes this point clear about the pre-Nicene Church Fathers' opinions. Declension (deviation) from Christ's teachings makes those that do so no longer a follower of Christ (Christian). Regardless of what they allege to be, it would be a dichotomy to do so. Anything out of context simply becomes a pretext. Readers seeking an accurate understanding and balanced treatment of the subject, particularly when historical and Biblical references are used, would be wise to read this book with a few handy references nearby. For example, Dr. Moore poses a question about the incident found in John 9:2 to make a point (p. 183). However, when giving the answer, he fails to quote v. 3 which does not support his conclusion. Some arguments are used to advance ideas without much/any support. One of these arguments states, "difficult to determine" (p. 177), nevertheless, this does not stop from building a theory on a vague foundation. Another says, "it is not the purpose of this review to state that...is taught in the Bible" (p. 184), nonetheless, proceeds as if it is taught. Another acknowledges "a belief in...though on a somewhat less substantial basis..." (p. 183). These, and other, statements are speculative, uncertain, and tenuous. Arguments based on silence and distortion fail to prove their hypothesis.
Rating:
Summary: ENGAGING, HOWEVER, READ WITH CAUTION!
Review: Dr. Bosch is a Biblical Apologist who has been researching Postmodernism and Mormonism while living in Utah for the past ten years. Addressing five-hundred years of Church History as it relates to the original teachings of Christ, alleged to have changed, is a major undertaking. Reducing it to 347 pages, including appendices, a glossary of terms, footnotes, and bibliography is an even greater feat. This translates to less than a page and a half per year. The Christian Conspiracy begins with an engaging outline of unfolding historical events that sets the stage to present a changing Christianity that does not align with its early roots. It goes on to analyze the changes, and then proceeds to make recommendations to find one's way back to God. Dr. Moore's discussion and references primarily involve the Roman Catholic tradition, with a few comments about other communities of faith within Christendom. Moving between traditions can occasionally confuse the reader, particularly when talking about the Church before and after the Reformation. At times the various traditions are treated as one. This treatment of the subject gives a distorted historical and chronological perspective of events. Based on the book's content, perhaps a more accurate title would be "The Roman Catholic Christian Conspiracy." The explanations of the changes to the original "Christian" teachings and how they were altered is not new. Many have presented these propositions through the years. The principal flaw of this type of approach is the failure to distinguish between opinions vs. dogma, and "declension" vs. tolerance. It is one thing to have an opinion about a topic. It is another to allege that the opinion is doctrine. A cursory review of Early Christian Doctrines by J.N.D. Kelley, and History of the Christian Church & The Creeds of Christendom by P. Schaff, among others, makes this point clear about the pre-Nicene Church Fathers' opinions. Declension (deviation) from Christ's teachings makes those that do so no longer a follower of Christ (Christian). Regardless of what they allege to be, it would be a dichotomy to do so. Anything out of context simply becomes a pretext. Readers seeking an accurate understanding and balanced treatment of the subject, particularly when historical and Biblical references are used, would be wise to read this book with a few handy references nearby. For example, Dr. Moore poses a question about the incident found in John 9:2 to make a point (p. 183). However, when giving the answer, he fails to quote v. 3 which does not support his conclusion. Some arguments are used to advance ideas without much/any support. One of these arguments states, "difficult to determine" (p. 177), nevertheless, this does not stop from building a theory on a vague foundation. Another says, "it is not the purpose of this review to state that...is taught in the Bible" (p. 184), nonetheless, proceeds as if it is taught. Another acknowledges "a belief in...though on a somewhat less substantial basis..." (p. 183). These, and other, statements are speculative, uncertain, and tenuous. Arguments based on silence and distortion fail to prove their hypothesis.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book That Needed To Be Written
Review: I don't know if I can say much more than the other reviewers have already stated here. Many people may get the wrong idea from this title. This is not written like those government conspiracy books. He's not setting out to attack Christians. Moore wants you to know what happened as Christianity developed. In the material before the first chapter, he states that this is not a history book on Christianity. However, it does come across as a history book. Some readers may have trouble with the way the book is organized. It does make sense, but you do need to go back and forth between pages if you want to follow everything. The main text makes many references to material in the appendix. It's not really written to be read from the first to last page like most books. I still recommend this book. There are things presented in this book that need to be known. Read it and decide for yourself. He's not going tell you what to believe. Moore presents the situation. Take that information and choose what works for you. Some people may not be ready for what is said here. You have to choose what works for you.
Rating: 
Summary: The Christian Conspiracy
Review: I spent several years researching the Early Christian Period the hard way: reading numerous books, reseaching old archives, reading translated letters of the patristic period, and reviewing more than one source of information about the Church Councils. How I wish I had had David Moore's work first! He condensed the arcane into the readable. This one work will give you a concise, condensed, easy-to-grasp overview. You can then follow the threads wherever they take you, if you wish to go deeper. As the title implies, it does not seek to reinforce the Biblical Worldview that has been corrupted by the Church, and most certainly by the Fundamentalists in our current political milieu. It should be required reading for everyone who professes to follow Jesus Christ.
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Summary: Sorry wrong book. I haven't had the pleasure yet.
Review: Please delete this review.
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Summary: INDISPENSABLE TOOL
Review: This book will be an indispendable tool for anyone who wants to go "behind" the distorted theology of the fourth century Church to a more authentic Chritain message. It is a useful companion to the work of the Jesus Seminar and the courageous contributions of those who, like Bishop John Spong, are making thier voices heard today as the Christian belief system we inherited falls into dysfunction. It will likewise serve the needs of students of A COURSE IN MIRACLES, who are open to the authentic voice of Jesus in our time.
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