Real Cie Reviews: The Biblical Clock

Genre: 

Religious History/Religious Studies/Judaism

Rating: 

Four out of Four Stars for Online Book Club

Five out of Five Stars for Amazon

Disclosure:

I received a free copy of this book for review purposes.

If readers purchase the book through the above link, I earn a small commission from Amazon.

This post is a duplicate of my review on Amazon.

This intense, scholarly volume offers well-researched theories for resolving the discrepancies between the scientific timeline of the Cosmos and Biblical literalism which postulates that the Earth is only a few thousand years old. Reading the book as an agnostic who became disillusioned by Christianity (or, more accurately, by those who call themselves "Christians" while being mean-spirited and judgmental) when I was in my late teens, I at first thought I would be entertained and nothing more. However, this book offers rich selections of studies from Jewish scholars, presents fascinating moments in Jewish history, and explores the Holy Kabbalah, which, in simple terms, is a map for understanding the Cosmos.

While the book did not return me to my former status as a believer, I nonetheless feel that it was a very worthwhile read and would recommend it to anyone interested in religious and metaphysical theory or the study of Judaism.

~Cie~

The Dalai Lama - Interfaith Dialogue

Rather than follow the path of the New Atheists, The Dalai Lama choses to embrace religious faiths. Even though he is not religious himself he recognises that, even with their faults, many of them historical, religion is not going to go away despite the rise of militant atheism.

What is so astounding with the Dalai Lama's approach is that he promotes the positive side of religious faiths thereby presenting the good rather than the bad. Obviously, he is fully aware of what has been going on in the name of religion but by taking the Buddhist path his efforts in bringing together a united front centred around The Golden Rule is slowly bearing fruit. He is managing to not only de-construct New Atheism's argument but also to defeat those who would usurp faith for their own purposes.

The Golden Rule - Karen Armstrong

The Challenges of Modern Orthodoxy by Dr. Barry Freundel

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Note: I am not Jewish, and I don't claim to understand all that is being discussed or the importance it might have to an Orthodox Jew. I was raised in a liberal Catholic household. I ended up an agnostic who believes in a higher power but doesn't claim to understand its nature. In my search for what truths there may be, I have enjoyed studying various faiths.

What the Rabbi discusses in this video seems to me to be more cultural than having to do with particular spiritual beliefs. He discusses the need to find common ground and the need for evolution within the culture. Extremism benefits nobody, and his arguments seem well thought out. The video is long, but I found it worthwhile.

~Wanda~

The Torah: Mishpatim