Immaculate Assumptions: All the Stuff You Heard About the Bible That Isn't True

In a society increasingly ruled by secular humanism the notion that the unseen, unable-to be-seen-spirit world rules the natural seems almost quaint especially since modern men only want solutions not ideas. But increasingly the data of reality and science makes this more probable than not.

If we do the radical thing, accept the Holy Bible as truth whether we understand it or not, we can join theology with the movement of history as a spiritual exercise. This book is not about religion; religion is the day-to-day practice of faith. This book exposes the assumptions we have about faith and practice which keep us from learning and realizing truth in our daily lives.

My Take:

There is a lot of misinformation spread around concerning the Bible, God, faith, the path to salvation, the life and eternal security or lack thereof of the believer. In a hard-hitting, fireside-chat voice, Cornelia Scott Cree exposes 35 commonly heard heresies and untruths concerning the faith, backed with scripture and wit.

With a clear view on scripture based on a lifetime in the Lord's service, Cornelia lays down foundational principles by dissolving misconceptions that lead entire denominations astray.

Content:

Even though this is a non-fiction book on theology, figured I'd better put a bit about the content in here.

Language:

G - Squeaky clean.

Adult Content:

PG - There's some discussion of homosexuality, gender identification, and sex trafficking, rape.

Christian content:

Um, it's a book about theology. It's principally Christian in content and nature. I have a few points where I may differ concerning the answers to a few of the questions, especially in regards to commentary and extrabiblical references in #15, Once Saved, Always Saved. But for the most part, the book is spot on in its treatment of the gospel, of faith, of the Spirit. Of the inaccuracy of the Word of God. Of the deity of Christ. I will just suggest that you be grounded in the Word and sober-minded.

Final analysis:
Cornelia has created a timely, witty and relevant quick read here that clearly presents biblical answers to common misconceptions concerning the Christian faith. The anecdotal stories and sometimes sarcastic commentary cause me to imagine her standing over me with a wooden spoon ready to give me a whack. An example of this is her declaration that she would soon expect Millennials to identify as cocker spaniels, referring to recent gender confusion.

While I found most of this short book to be meat, and entertaining, I will end with a note that there are a few places where I differ, and while I am not a qualified theologian, I expect these might take the reader through some bumps. There were also some ramblings which caused the pace through this to be a bit slow for my liking. So, a relatively well-researched and well written and entertaining read. Four Stars!

About the Author:

God said in Jeremiah 1:12 "I will watch over my word to perform it." At no time has He said "I will watch over the word of a TV anchor, the President or a movie star, or even you and me. Only His.

"So I scoured the Bible to affirm how modern events verify His words. It is an inductive study, truthful and untainted for 4,000 years and my books and other writings are not about a church or what any man says, but what God says and means to come true. So you can see the future in the Bible too."

Cornelia Scott Cree studied the Bible especially in the original Greek, plus Latin for vocabulary and etymology, French, and Chinese; she wrote her Master’s degree thesis on theological sign language and finished one-half her doctorate at University of South Africa. She had a private school classical education, attended Smith College and other universities and colleges as well.

On TV Churchill's grand-daughter said the following. "Hitler made you believe he could do anything. Churchill made you believe you could do anything." As an author of Christian books my mission is to make you believe God can do anything.

She has an unusual work history, as a print journalist for a scientific, business and tech newspaper, as a wallpaper hanger and many years working with inmates and victims. She has three grown children, three grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. Except for those years spent in the foreign mission fields of China and the Philippines, in Texas and her youth in the Eastern USA she lived most of her adult life in North Carolina.

Please visit http://www.americanthinker.com/ to read her other articles and blog posts.

Waynesville, Maggie Valley, North Carolina 2017 桃李

Reviews Wanted: An Author's Guide to Effective Networking with Book Bloggers

by Kasey Giard

Many small press and indie authors struggle to market their books. Book review bloggers are a valuable asset to an indie writer because they get the word out to readers and other reviewers, helping to generate far-reaching buzz about books they love. Reviews Wanted will show you how to successfully build relationships with book review bloggers and generate excitement and reviews for your books while introducing them to new readers with tips from a veteran book review blogger and author of over four hundred book reviews.

My Take:

And now, as Monty Python is wont to claim, for something completely different.

I'm taking a pause on my review-blogging journey to review this book about review blogs and getting reviews from bloggers, written from the perspective of a review blogger. Whew.

I'd suggest anyone who wants to get reviews for their books, from an indie and small-press perspective, to pick up a copy of this book. It's inexpensive, it's quick, and it's packed.

It covers topics such as identifying your genre and your audience, the importance of choosing or creating a meaningful and attention-getting cover, well-written marketing copy, the importance of a professional author website, and other things, even before contacting book bloggers.

Kasey also helps the reader-author choose the 'right' book bloggers to market their book to, to prevent confusion, wasted time, and possible bad reviews. She discusses pitfalls and warning signs in reviewers, to help you avoid pain and loss in your review process. She covers researching the bloggers, the review site, and the importance of following the blogger's guidelines, how to craft a good submission email, and how to build the all-important relationship with a blogger.

Because frankly, if the blogger liked your book but you didn't follow the rules, came across as rude or unthankful, chances are they will give your next submission a pass. Conversely, if you are professional and build rapport with the blogger, chances are they will be much more likely to review your next book as well.

Final Analysis:

This is a well-written 'fireside chat' with a book reviewer for predominantly indie and small press authors. It covers, from stem to stern, the basics for getting your book reviewed, and getting those reviews posted where it counts.

From my perspective as a reviewer, I'd love for submitters to read it simply because it will ease the process. And help the authors understand the issues behind getting their novel reviewed.

About the Author:

It won’t surprise you to learn that I enjoy reading and writing, or that I’m a Christian parent concerned with the content in books my daughter reads at home and in school. What you might not know is that I am a total sucker for a story about a good guy who has to make some tough choices and nevertheless does the right thing. I love happy endings but also enjoy a good tear-jerker if there’s some good that comes to someone out of all that sorrow and suffering.

I have two sisters. One saves me from fashion blunders. If I’m wearing something cool, it probably used to be hers or she bought it for me. I like to think this is payback for our entire middle school lives in which she sneaked into my room to swipe my clothes before I woke up for school in the morning. My other sister saves me from poor music choices. She tries, anyway. If I’m listening to something too trendy or annoying, she’s probably hanging her head in shame while simultaneously composing complex, emotive, super-hip tunes on drums, bass, or guitar. (Yeah, she’s THAT girl. Don’t hate.) I also have one brother who keeps us all laughing. I mean, with him. Usually.

When I’m not reading or writing, I might be found geeking out over video games with my husband, carefully cultivating an appreciation for Cary Grant and classic movies with my daughter, outside planting herbs or building a butterfly garden, snuggling with my adorable cats, or perhaps out on the water chasing down a fish or two with a fly rod. In addition to blogging, I write contemporary YA and harass my very patient, wonderful critique partners on a regular basis.