Origen was the most influential Christian theologian before Augustine; the founder of Biblical study as a serious discipline in the Christian tradition; and a figure with immense influence on the development of Christian spirituality.This volume presents a comprehensive and accessible insight into Origen's life and writings. An introduction analyzes the principal influences that formed him as a Christian and as a thinker; his emergence as a mature theologian at Alexandria; his work in Caesarea and his controversial legacy. Fresh translations of a representative selection of Origen's writings; including some never previously available in print; show how Origen provided a lasting framework for Christian theology by finding through study of the Bible a coherent understanding of God's saving plan.
#167335 in Books Steven Johnson 2016-11-15 2016-11-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.13 x 6.38l; 1.58 #File Name: 0399184481336 pagesWonderland How Play Made the Modern World
Review
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful. A good read with an oversold thesis that isn't quite up to par for a fine writerBy sienWonderland : How Play Made the Modern World (2016) by Steven Johnson is an interesting read about the impact of how luxuries and amusements have had on history. Johnson wrote a superb book called ‘How we got to now’ that had a limited number of key inventions that he says lead to the modern world. Wonderland is similarly constructed.The book looks at shopping; music; taste; illusion; games and public space. The chapter on shopping looks at how the development of shopping fed growth. When looking at music the fact that humans like music and the importance of automatic players is described. Taste concentrates on the importance of the spice trade. Illusion looks at spiritual shows and finally Disney. Games looks at Chess and early computer games. Public space describes pubs and other public spaces.Johnson is a fine writer and a lot of the information in the book is fascinating. His descriptions of the mechanical works of Iranian engineers is amazing. However; the book is undermined in that the main thesis running through it is oversold. The book is worth reading for a well written and interesting diversion though.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Be prepared to think about PLAY in new waysBy Mary-Anne J. BoyceThis book puts a whole new spin on the concept of "play"- taking it well beyond childhood or leisure games. As in Johnson's other books; this book guides the reader on wonderful journeys through history - social; political; technological - and you end up in some surprising locations. This book got me thinking about "play" in many different ways - and the outcomes that "play" had for our present and may have for our future. This is my third book by Mr. Johnson-- all are well written; researched; and worth reading.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Well-written and enjoyable; but not a book about playBy Douglas C. MaynardThis is the first book I've read by Steven Johnson; and I enjoyed the way he traced the development of major technological and cultural innovations back to roots which were less utilitarian and more aesthetic or even hedonistic. But with the possible exception of the chapter on games; most of the book is not about the role of play in shaping society; so much as the impact of the human appetite for novel; surprising; and pleasurable sensory experiences (e.g.; the visual displays of upscale shopping venues or phantasmagoria; the tactile pleasures of cotton; the taste of nutmeg).
