God Speaks Again: An Introduction to the Baha'I Faith

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Summary: God Speaks Again: An Introduction to the Baha'I Faith
Review: A member of the national Baha'i governing council in the United States, Bowers is the architect of an information campaign to bring the Baha'i tradition before the American public. For his first book, he has analyzed responses to the Baha'i message and tailored its presentation to the contemporary audience. This new introduction holds up well beside such standard introductions as J.E. Esslemont's Baha'u'llah and the New Era (1923), John Ferraby's All Things Made New (1957), John Huddleston's The Earth Is but One Country (1976), and Douglas Martin and William Hatcher's The Baha'i Faith (1985). Whereas the other books were organized around principles and teachings, Bowers has taken the positive step of using the life of Baha'u'llah as the main organizing principle for his discussion of Baha'i scripture, theology, and spiritual life. He places the divine Messenger at the center and shows the religion emerging from him just as Christianity emerges from Jesus. The main criticisms involve the use of lengthy quotations and occasional references to individuals who are not named until two paragraphs later. While not an academic work with new historical findings, this book is an effective and reasonably balanced overview of this growing world religion by a believer. Recommended for public, college, and religious libraries.-

Rating:
Summary: An Engaging Book
Review: From the moment I read the first sentence I was captivated by the Ken Bower's style of writing and the material he presented in his new book, God Speaks Again. In a simple, engaging style he presents the Baha'i Faith in a way that people who have never heard of the Faith or people who have been Baha'is for a long time will learn something new and find, perhaps, answers needed for living in the world today. Unlike many books on religion Ken Bowers lets the subject speak for itself, he doesn't preach, he doesn't attempt to convert the reader. The historical information and facts that he wove into his narrative, added to enjoyment of the book. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in religion or who is interested in learning about the Baha'i Faith.

Rating:
Summary: An Engaging Book
Review: From the moment I read the first sentence I was captivated by the Ken Bower's style of writing and the material he presented in his new book, God Speaks Again. In a simple, engaging style he presents the Baha'i Faith in a way that people who have never heard of the Faith or people who have been Baha'is for a long time will learn something new and find, perhaps, answers needed for living in the world today. Unlike many books on religion Ken Bowers lets the subject speak for itself, he doesn't preach, he doesn't attempt to convert the reader. The historical information and facts that he wove into his narrative, added to enjoyment of the book. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in religion or who is interested in learning about the Baha'i Faith.

Rating:
Summary: An easy and enjoyable read
Review: This book is one of many introductory books on The Baha'i religion. But it is the first one I have seen that read like a story. I read 40 pages before I could put it down to get a cup of coffee. Excellent and very accurate. It is filled with facts, but written as a very compelling novel. I am sure you will enjoy reading it.

Rating:
Summary: Stunning
Review: This is an outstanding introduction to the Baha'i Faith, for the followers of all religions or no religion. The book is eminently readable. The assertion from "Publishers Weekly" that "God Speaks Again" is "...at times becomes proselytizing, even preachy-quotes from Baha'i writings are sometimes whole pages in length..." is at best misleading and at worst a misrepresenation of what the author wants to convey. Would it be considered "proselytizing" (i.e., being needlessly pushy) for a book on Christianity to quote the Bible, or for one on Hinduism to quote the Bhagavad Gita, for example? The Baha'i Faith is an emerging global religion, and Bowers only seeks to acquaint us with the vast respository of original writings from Baha'u'allah.

Furthermore, at the end of the book, the author clearly states that "in the end, each of us must decide for ourselves whether Baha'u'allah's claims are true." How can such a statement be considered "preachy?"

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Summary: For better understanding the Bahai faith
Review: Written by a member of the national governing body of the Bahais of the United States, and a prime mover behind a multi-million campaign to introduce Bahai beliefs and practice to millions of Americans, God Speaks Again: An Introduction To The Baha'i Faith is simple presentation of Bahai tenets for readers of all religious and cultural backgrounds. Explaining the origins of the Bahai way through the teachings of the prophet Bahaullah (1817-1892), whom Bahai worldwide regard as the Messenger for God for the modern day, God Speaks Again presents Bahaullah's vision that there is but one religion and that all messengers of God, from Abraham and Zoroaster to Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad, have progressively revealed its true nature. Exploring the ramifactions of a single, unfolding Divine plan, hampered not by the tireless work of God's messengers but rather by the failings of human beings who are the source of religious divisions and prejudice, God Speaks Again is an absolute "must-read" for better understanding the Bahai faith and its spiritual message.