5 comments about Young Man Luther: A Study in Psychoanalysis and History (Austen Riggs Monograph, No 4).

1. This might've been a worthwhile study if Erikson had not watered down his Freudianism. For example, Luther displays numerous traits of what Freud would describe as an anal personality: not only was he angry and uptight, he was obsessed with farts, butts, and feces. Does Erikson pursue this angle? Not consistently. Instead, he suggests renaming the anal stage the "independence stage" and compares Luther to a typical adolescent. This sort of watering down in endemic here.
   
   Erikson focuses on the notion that Luther went through an identity crisis. Unfortunately, Erikson's notion of an "identity crisis" is so bland and general that it is hard to imagine anyone who has not gone through such a crisis, and thus it says little about Luther in particular. Further, Erikson's ambiguity about Luther becomes annoying as he constantly swings from criticizing his behavior to defending him as a supposedly great man. He frequently gets off track and explores side issues.
   
   Finally, Erikson's understanding of the Reformation is limited at best. He blindly accepts every anticlerical cliche about the Catholic Church, and offers simplistic versions of German history and politics. On the other hand, he does offer occasional insights and throws out some spicy tidbits about Luther's private life. A curious mix of purience and dullness which left me wishing for what might have been.



2. This is Erikson's breakthrough work in psychohistory. He reads the inner conflicts of Luther and connects them convincingly with great historical events. In this particular case he chooses a historical figure whose violence in some way undermines and contradicts the very religious vocation his life is built upon. Erikson shows how the revolutionary Luther in conflict with his own violent father and himself turns against the world of corrupt medieval indulgence- laden Catholicism and uses his own personal energy and story to create a powerful change in history, the Reformation.
   This is an admirable piece of theorizing and research combined and a fascinating read.
   
   
   



3. The father-son relationship Erikson explores here is very interesting. The most convincing aspects of his analysis are those most closely based on Luther's own writings, such as Luther's deep paralyzing dread at celbrating his first mass in front of his earthly father, as he mediates on behalf of that same father with his heavenly father.

   Erikson's spirit lives on in the same tension found in "Amadeus," where Mozart confronts his father's same brand of wrath--suspecting that his son is wasting himself in something unproductive and immoral.

   Erickson probably is speculating, in the manner of an archaelogist, when he broods about what Young Man Luther may have witnessed around the house in his violent father's relationship with his mother.

   Psychiatrists need this kind of book. Taking on the really big personalities helps them understand the rest of us. Helps them use all the gears on the 18-speed; lets them press all the buttons they will never need to service the only vital end of the market for shrink services: the troubled youth market, the only one with the cash to invest in the counseling arts. Before you're too far gone for anyone to care about.

   Perhaps it also helps the rest of us to escape, to focus on something we don't know much about, and aren't very good at: but to be satisfied anyway. Ibn Khaldun said that was a particular affliction of academics. That's the good news: if you can't bear this book, maybe you're a really talented academic with a bright future. The rest of us are just reading it in an attempt to find meaning in our latest airplane flight. We're developing a fear of facing the pilot on the way out, since he's such an imposing father figure. Then we realize he's repeating cheesy little "good byes" and our confidence returns--he's not challenging us at all, he's one of us. Amen.




4. Granted, Erikson's book makes for a great read, but lacks any real credibility. This book, along with his book on Gandhi, demonstrate that one can read anything into people when seperated by time and space. Take everything you read with a grain of salt. There are many more Luther bios that are more accurate and useful.



5. Erickson's work is intelligently written and is perfect for stimulating the first year history graduate student towards broadening his or her thoughts on history and historical figures. That said, the work is also a tedious read that at times is little more than a pedantic stream of the author's consciousness. In the end, one does not really feel that much has been learned about the inner life of Luther, or about his time and place. A worthy work to be sure, but certainly also a minor one of limited value.

No comments about Martin Luther King: The Inconvenient Hero.

No comments about Short Life of Christ (Highlights in the Life of Christ).

4 comments about Spurgeon Gold.

1. You have to get this book. And get more copies for your friends. If you have any concern for the lost and sparking concern in others for the lost you will read this book.



2. This book really gets you to want to share your faith. It reminds us of just what the fate of the unsaved is and how imperitive it is for them to repent. Well done.



3. Charles Spurgeon has a unique Blessing for communicating how to allpy what God is telling us in the Bible.
   
   This is a valuable resource.



4. A delightful compilation of the best representatives of Spurgeon's wisdom and expositions of how to use God's Law (Ten Commandments) in evangelism.
   There is little original writing by the author other than his preface. However, Ray has provided some commentary after certain quotes which does not serve to detract the reader from Spurgeon's topics. This is a smart approach to this collection. Spurgeon was such an inspired rhetorist, gifted with an imcomparably rich vocabulary that demands little or no explanation, which is a testament to Spurgeon's ability to preach to all levels of human intellect. There's not much to expound on the fact that all mankind is under the curse of sin having violated God's holy standard and the need for salvation from eternal damnation through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on Calvary.
   A required edition for anyone involved in evangelism.

5 comments about Sanctifying the World: The Augustinian Life and Mind of Christopher Dawson.

1. This book came as a complete surprise, and I have to admit that when it arrived as a Father's Day present, I found that the publishing house sent it by mistake. When notified by my wife, they told her to keep it...free.
   
   I don't know if this book will Sanctify the World, but I know it confirmed me in the work that I have been engaged in during the past four years---trying to help bridge the chasm that exists within my little section of the vineyard.
   
   I felt the Holy Spirit speaking through this book from the outset and I commend Bradley for his evenhanded treatment of an enigmatic man whom 95 out of 100 Catholics alive today have probably never even heard of. I have not met a priest, sister, or layman in the past week (20 or so queried) that recognized the name. This first taste of Christopher Dawson has moved me to greatly desire to read more.
   
   By today's standard of success/failure, Dawson's life seems a dismal failure, and yet isn't that the way of the prophets and saints?
   
   He speaks to humanity in 2008 and seems to have known all along what this "end state" of western culture would look like. Like Aldous Huxley's extended vision in The Brave New World Revisted, Christopher Dawson predicted a de-humanized, overorganized world that would be arrayed against the Eternal City of God, Incarnate in the Catholic Church. They arrive at this conclusion from different persectives (humanist vs. Christian humanist) but as G.K. Chesterton would say, that is a sure indication that they are both glimpsing at the Christocentic truth, the center of all that is.



2. As the title of Professor Birzer's book suggests, this biography chronicles more of Christopher Dawson's spiritual life than his social life--Dawson was a shy man anyway. No doubt Birzer does devote significant pages to Dawson's external life (the first two chapters deal especially with the early material influences on Dawson--factors such as Dawson's birthplace and family, his travels and his associations with such people as Frank Sheed, Victor Branford and the LePlay House and the Order group), but Birzer cites Dawson's social life only to transition the discussion to Dawson's intellectual development. Emphasizing Dawson's intellectual life over his social life is probably a wise approach anyway, since Birzer is not trying to reintroduce Dawson as an historical figure for antiquarian interests but as an intellectual still resonant in our own time.
   
   The most interesting part of Professor Birzer's book is his explanation of Dawson's Christian humanist view of history. According to Birzer, Dawson believed that God's "Divine economy of grace"--that is, God's universal plan for man's Salvation--accommodates not only every individual but also every culture. Thus, the West is not the exclusive cradle of Christianity but an inclusive source, as it contains elements of other cultures, too. Birzer insists that this view is Augustinian, and the evidence is convincing, especially when we read Dawson's many misgivings with Thomism's "eurocentric" views.
   
   Professor Birzer's book should make a significant contribution to Dawson's revival in the 21st century. It presents a judicious reading of this underestimated historian and should be a required companion to Dawson's works.



3. Forgotten by some and unknown to others, Christopher Dawson's extraordinary mind comes to life in Birzer's thorough and insightful book. Dawson was a writer and thinker for writers and thinkers and (somewhat unexpectedly) also for artists. In an age of propaganda, Dawson proclaimed the truths that the ideologues chose to ignore, suppress and in many cases destroy.
   
   Keenly aware of the horrors of totalitarian government, yet also aware of the dangers of "totalitarian" free-markets, Dawson recognized the reality that humanity thrives not as a manipulatable mass or a disinterested collection of free agents, but as a culture. In Europe this culture had Christian roots that grew out of the ashes of the Roman empire. That culture developed over the course of centuries. Dawson realized that though it took many generations to mature, culture could only be sustained by a people willing to live up to it's ideals and truths. And it could be destroyed in an instant by those seeking only the "new" and who somehow considered its past as of little consequence.
   
   Dawson took up the challenge of trying to sustain and nurture Christian culture at one of its darkest hours. Like Chesterton, Dawson's insight and understanding is pertinent now more than ever. His influence can clearly be seen in the works of Eliot but more recently in the works of Pope John Paul II. For artists in particular, Dawson reminds that the power of poetry, paint and music does not aimlessly spew from the fountain of individual whim, but blossoms from the rich soil of works, and indeed the very lives, of those whose world we inherit.
   
   Bradley Birzer has done a great service by resurrecting the story and the ideas of Christopher Dawson. Highly recommended to historians, theologians, philosophers and artists alike.



4. The wonderful writings of Christopher Dawson are virtually forgotten now.
   "Sanctifying the World" brings them to life once again, a resurrection of a keen mind and thoughts that modernists should read.



5. Bradley Birzer's Sanctifying the World provides an authoritative and comprehensive appreciation of Christopher Dawson's achievement. Meticulous researched, painstakingly documented, and gracefully written, Birzer's assessment of Dawson's life and work deserves a wide readership. The book's thorough bibliography alone makes an invaluable contribution to any serious effort to grasp Dawson's place in historical scholarship in the twentieth century. Historians seeking to understand the contours of Christian thought in the ideological wasteland of the twentieth century owe a debt of gratitude to Birzer for his labors. Scholars in particular concerned with the ongoing debate over the historical and normative relationship between Christianity and culture cannot afford to ignore this volume.

5 comments about Tolkien: Man and Myth.

1. I read this book not knowing what to expect. A great pick for Lord of the Rings fans because it gives a deep insight into the man and the beliefs of the man who wrote such a great trilogy. I recommend for anyone that is a fan of Tolkien and anyone who would like to learn more about the religious themes behind his writings.



2. Joseph Pearce's biography on J.R.R. Tolkien is a short, yet fully engrossing and insightful read about one of the greatest literary minds of anytime. For those who disagree with my statement, imagine a man who not only rights a fantasy, but creates a new world even to the extent in creatng a language, and yet, thoroughly entertaining and teaching his readership. Pearce's book delves into the reasons why Tolkien developed the art he did while avoiding teh overly Freuden' psychological pitfalls of reading too much into the subject.

   There are no deep secrets here, just good common sense by listening to Tolkien's life, letters and writing. One gets to pierce Tolkien's Middle Earth and his Roman Catholic life and how is religious faith ineteracted with everything he did, from his marriage to his friendships. This is not a re-hash of facts and show-and-tale sensasonalism, but instead, a look into the man and the true nature of myths. An outstanding read!




3. If you have never read a biography of J.R.R. Tolkien, purchase this one. Biographies often tend toward the overly factual without great attention to the question of "Why?" What motivates the subject of the biography?

   Here we find that J.R.R. Tolkien was motivated in life and in his work by his Catholic faith. He used the power of creative myth to demonstrate his truths. These two concepts are Pearce's theses regarding Tolkien. This are not difficult theses. Tolkien wore his faith on his sleeve and he was very direct and forthright in stating that the Lord of the Rings is indeed a Catholic work.

   What I found very refreshing about Pearce's biography is that it is colored throughout by the influence of Tolkien's friends. These men (Chesterton, C.S. Lewis etc.) had an immediate and lasting impact on Tolkien's work and his world view. Giving the details here would spoil the biography for you, however.

   To that end, I recommend you pick this book up. It reads quite quickly and is far from difficult in its purposes and intent. You will not be disappointed if you are even the slightest bit interested in Tolkien, the man with the myth.




4. When choosing which biography to read on Tolkien, I chose this one because the author seemed to have great respect for Tolkien...so great that he was willing to take on the intelligentsia of England. As Pearce explains, in 1997 a poll was done in England to see what the best books of the century were. When "Lord of the Rings" turned up on top, the literary critics all over England (as well as the professors) were up-in-arms. They thought the craze for this work had come and gone. They thought that Tolkien only had a small, cult-like remnant left to his following (Tolkien's official biographer being among these scoffers). They condemned this work on many fronts.

   And so another poll was taken...and another. But, no matter who did the poll and how, "Lord of the Rings" kept turning up on top. What horrified the "experts" even more was that Tolkien himself was voted as the best author of the century. What could possibly be contained in his works that led to such unanimous support from the people and such criticism from the experts?

   That is what Pearce explores in this well-crafted biography. And, if you like Tolkien, you have to admire Pearce's approach from the beginning. He knew that Tolkien despised pop-psychology type biographies that tried to analyze an author's works based on his upbringing and life's events. Thus, while giving a sketch of Tolkien's life, Pearce respects Tolkien's wishes to not be dissected psychologically.

   Rather, Pearce took on the rather large task of helping laymen understand how Tolkien's faith - a particularly Catholic faith - influenced his writings. When I first read "Lord of the Rings" myself, I wondered how one man (Tolkien) could come up with all the depth expressed in this work. (For instance, I was in awe of the depth of the idea that Sauron could never anticipate Frodo's journey to DESTROY the ring because Sauron was so evil that he couldn't anticipate selfless acts.) What Pearce helped me realize was that much of the depth came from Tolkien's reading the likes of St. Augustine and other church fathers. I believe that Tolkien himself would say that he stood on the shoulders of Giants in order to get anywhere near the understanding he portrays.

   In addition to such fascinating accounts of how Tolkien's faith manifests in his work, Pearce has a particular knack for addressing subjects that a reader would be curious about...without ever going too far. In this book, he writes about such things as Tolkien's marriage, his work, his experience in WWI, his friendship with C.S. Lewis, his critics, and his advice to his son when his son was getting disillusioned with the church. In all these things, Pearce gives you a full picture while retaining a delicacy for the the people involved.

   As someone who wanted an overview of Tolkien and an understanding of how his faith intersected with his life and work, I felt I had found the perfect source in Pearce's book.




5. The further I delved into Tolkien: Man and Myth, the more I realized that calling it a "biography" is a misnomer. I came to this conclusion because only a minor portion of the book presents biographical information. Instead, the book could better be described as a work of "apologetics". Apologetics, in its most classic sense, uses writings and examples to both clarify a philosophy and refute critical comments about that philosophy. This method is exactly what Pierce employed to near perfection in Tolkien: Man and Myth. Pierce uses the writings of Tolkien and others to refute the criticisms of Tolkien's works. In the process, he provides the reader with a thorough understanding of the philosophy that shaped Tolkien's writings, how Tolkien arrived at this philosophy, and how it influenced his interactions with others. The result is a deeper appreciation for Tolkien's efforts.

   Pierce deserves much credit for using the writings of the "man" to dispel many of the "myths" surrounding Tolkien and his books. By taking an apologetics approach to Tolkien's life and works, Pierce provides the reader with a better understanding of his subject than any standard biography could provide. Consequently, Tolkien: Man and Myth is an essential work for anyone studying the life of this literary giant.

5 comments about Finding God in the Questions: A Personal Journey.

1. If you are a serious student of the debate over the existence or non-existence of God, you don't want to waste your money on this book. Dr. Tim seems like a very nice man but he is no philosopher. The best part of this book is the bibliography - and I really do not believe that Dr. Tim read all of those books. If he did he obviously lost consciousness every now and then. He states a main argument every so often but then like all true believers he dismisses it with a wave of his crucifix or bible. This book is a freshman endeavor at its best. Get yourself a copy of the Impossibility of God if you want to get some serious research on this subject.
   I made the big mistake in my career in philosophy in trying to learn philosophy at a college of Catholic priests - it was a total waste of time - as is this book.
   If you would like to read something that reaffirms your want-to-believe notions then Dr. Tim is your man.
   It is nevertheless complimentary to Dr. Tim that he even gave such matters the little serious thought. Greater religious leaders than him did considerably less.



2. I was given this book by a believer and read it, basically, on a dare.
   
   There were several passages that made me laugh out loud, but I'll give you only the most ridiculous. At one point Johnson says, "[t]he distance between planets in our solar system is about 30 million miles, just the right distance for stable orbits."
   
   This is apparently an argument that someone positioned the planets, ignoring I guess the uncountable number of other stars where that might not be the case. And one could say that it also misses the possibility that our system ejected other planets while it was forming and--hey, if you're going to go to the trouble of designing a star system for life why bother with the other (uninhabitable) planets at all? And you DEFINITELY wouldn't want to fill it with dangerous asteroids and comets.
   
   But nevermind all of that for a moment and just consider the basis for his claim. It's incorrect. The planets (not counting Pluto, just to be pedantic) average 395 million miles apart. That's an average--some are much closer to each other and some are much farther away. This can be determined in seconds with a google search and a calculator, so it certainly makes one wonder how much effort Mr. Johnson put into checking his facts. And it also makes me doubt that Mr. Johnson did all of the calculus necessary to determine that such a configuration is "just right for stable orbits."
   
   If you find this book to be at all convincing, then I sincerely feel very sorry for you.



3. FINDING GOD IN THE QUESTIONS: A PERSONAL JOURNEY - An accessible (i.e., plainly written) spiritual autobiography of ABC News medical editor, Dr. Timothy Johnson (an ordained minister prior to medical school). Dr. Johnson asks the big questions (e.g., who are we? Who was Jesus? Is God in control?), and humbly submits the answers he has arrived at after a lifetime of pondering. This 2004 book is a meditative and rewarding read.



4. Dr. Timothy Johnson is best known as a medical expert for ABC news. What many people might not be aware of is that he is also a minister, having graduated from the seminary forty years ago. In "Finding God in the Questions," he attempts to dig deeper into his own beliefs and how he has come to them. He is also attempting to integrate the spiritual and secular aspects of his life in a more meaningful way. Perhaps as a means of doing that, he is donating all his profits from the sale of this book to organizations that serve the poor and disadvantaged.
   
   Section One deals with "Does God Exist?" Dr. Johnson relies heavily on scientific evidence to make his case for his belief in an omnipotent intelligent being. One often comes across those who believe that science and faith are incompatible. For those who believe, however, an examination of our physical world only serves to reinforce that belief. At times, his scientific inquiry can be somewhat intense for those without scientific backgrounds. To his credit, he does tell readers they can skip those few pages of his book without losing the point of his book.
   
   Section Two focuses on "What is God Like?" Dr. Johnson offers a brief history of how the Bible came to be and then turns his attention to what one can learn about God by studying Jesus. He encourages people to read the Bible with fresh eyes, to simply sit down and read the four Gospels straight through as if it was your first experience with them (for some, it may very well be.) He believes many people will be surprised by what they find there. For example, Jesus says nothing against homosexuality, but preaches heavily against divorce. He speaks strongly against the accumulation of material possessions, yet many Christians seem to make this their prime goal in life. Also, "Jesus clearly shows more sympathy to the outcast and to the sinful than he does to the righteous and formally religious." Johnson then goes on to discuss Jesus' parables and miracles. Lastly, he investigates the Resurrection, coming to the conclusion that it was indeed a physical resurrection.
   
   The last section is "What Difference Does it Make?" In this section, Johnson explores the way faith should manifest itself in our lives. He studies the Sermon on the Mount and the high standard it sets for our lives. He acknowledges that one must leave space for mystery, and that the questions will never be completely answered in this lifetime. Yet, he encourages readers to follow Jesus' example, not because it will bring us "comfort and ease and even financial reward. The truth is that Jesus himself never painted such a rosy picture. . . . The only gift he promised for sure is that if we attempted to follow his teachings, we would be closer to the heart of God than we would otherwise be."
   
   Overall, Johnson's inquiries will resonate with many. He brings his journalistic mind and medical knowledge as well as his theological background to investigate these questions. Time spent with "Finding God in the Questions" is put to good use.



5. Dr. Johnson met with a Men's group and I was inspired by his
   talk to purchase his book. The book is extremely helpful
   in my personal journey with Jesus. I wholeheartedly recommend
   this book and if you get a chance to see Dr. Johnson in person,
   don't miss him.

4 comments about Life in Paradox: The Story of a Gay Catholic Priest.

1. This is not the kind of book that offers therapeutic or even informative insights, but it serves as a soothing companion to anyone struggling with a love-hate relationship with organized religion. Murray acknwledges well his rage with key players in the institution; I would have liked to heard his experience of standing at the edge of the abyss of mystery, and why he chose to embrace the Mystical Body of Christ in the first place. A good read but left me wanting more.



2. First the confession. Twenty-eight years ago, Paul received me into the Roman Catholic Church and, although we've not kept in touch very well since I left Washington in 1984, the Paul I knew then comes alive in this incredibly honest book. In the years I knew him, the paradox of being gay and Roman Catholic was not so painful as it is today after the long papacy of John Paul II.
   
   What I find most authentic is the way Paul tries mightily, for so long, to hold together those two central aspects of his being. Carl Jung observed that it is in holding the tension of the opposites we encounter in life that the soul conceives a third, not previously imagined possibility. This takes a great deal of courage, but it is the way we grow.
   
   Paul's book portrays wonderfully his process of trying to hold those opposites together in all their awful tension and the book itself is evidence of a third thing now emerging, in which Paul -- no matter what the hierarchy does in response to his memoir -- realizes and claims himself fully as both gay and Catholic.



3. Father Paul Murray shared the contents of this epic new work with the Congregation of Washington, DC Dignity after Mass on Sunday 6/29/08.
   
   An appendix contains correspondence between the Archdiocese of Washington and himself suggesting that some of the views contained in strictly academic teachings constituted heresy, especially regarding 'same sex unions.' Issues associated with Father making himself available on a web based service called 'rent-a-priest' were also faulted.
   
   As a FORMER member of both the Maryland & DC Bars and having been thru numerous disciplinary proceedings [many, many years ago] myself, my concern is that the Catholic Church need not press the Father too much because perhaps even more than in attorney disciplinary proceedings, the church seems to hold all the cards in a deck that has been stacked long, long ago.
   
   Inasmuch as Father grew up as an Episcopalian and there is a long history of priests switching between these two faith traditions, he was asked why he simply did not choose to become an Episcopalian priest, to which he responded that his heart was essentially with the Roman Catholic tradition.
   
   It appears that at least prior to the publication of this epic book, that the Roman Catholic church was 'taking its time' in dealing with these issues, but will that continue now?
   
   As a GLBT catholic, [T] in this instance, my concern for Father Murray is his 'long term' vitality, for while the personal journey so well articulated in Life in Paradox has only strengthened his realization of truth in the life of Christ, does this open the floodgates of the reality of a threatened, repressed and compromised ecclestial hierarchy within the Roman Catholic tradition?
   
   An excellent read and extremely informative.



4. Father Paul Murray writes a personal story involving great personal pain and abandonment by the Church he loves and serves. It is a gut wrenching story told with complete honesty. I can identify with Father Murray because I am a gay man and a Roman Catholic who has been treated by the institutional Church as "TAINTED GOODS". Every Gay and Lesbian and Transgendered Person who is Spiritual should read this book. These are stories that must be told. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to understand the pain of being a Gay Person in the Roman Catholic Church.

3 comments about In God We Trust: Stories of Faith in American History.

1. This book is written for Jr. High readers; however, even adults can gain much knowledge from it. It contains well-researched facts about the U.S.A.'s spiritual heritage. I bought several to use as gifts.



2. My nephew enjoyed receiving this book as a gift, with its prominent picture of Abraham Lincoln on the front, along with other famous Americans. Many of these stories cover the same individuals he is studying in school. It is always nice to let children read outside books. All the Americans discussed have made true contributions to our young republic, and serve well as role models. A recommended book for any public or private library.



3. This book is a treasure - it seems to be one of a kind! It provides a coupling of American History and people of Christian faith. The very short stories about fifty people from 1000 through 1900A.D.(from Lief Ericson through Katherine Lee Bates), are factual, brief, and interesting with colorful illustrations. My four-year old son loves this book to be read to him, especially at bedtime. Although (and I am guessing) this book was probably intended for middle-school aged children, I believe it is terrific for all ages----even myself!--as I have not only "brushed up" on my memory of American History, but have also learned a great deal from reading this book. It is non-offensive to any age group. For parents who want to give their children an early start in this subject matter (especially those who are home-schooling or following the Glenn Doman approach to educaation----this is outstanding and a must for your home library.) I hope the author produces more books of similar quality!

1 comments about Mimosa: A True Story.

1. I was so encouraged by this little book and so thankful the LORD had Amy Carmichael share the awesome way God revealed His love and character to Mimosa. What a rich and really priceless example of a woman's faith and what God does when we trust Him enough to look to Him alone for our life needs. The grace He gives for all He calls us to... what a precious and beautiful story exhibiting God's power and Shepherding love for his child in a dark Hindu culture.