Some Reviews of In Search Of The Loving GodOBSERVER QUARTERLYSummer 1998
In Search of the Loving God: Resolving the Past Trauma of Christianity and Bringing to Light Its Healing Spirit, by Mark Mason. This book should be in the library of any person who is seriously interested in the history and development of religion and spirituality. Mark Mason tells us little about himself other than that he is currently a member of Self-Realization Fellowship. It is also clear from references in the book that he comes from a fundamentalist religious background. In any event, Mr Mason's skills as both researcher and writer are such that I was unable to put the book down once I started it. He makes what could be a very dry topic not only readable, but also highly relevant to someone who is attempting to move beyond surface spirituality to a level of deep understanding and growth. His book is divided into two parts. The first gives a very comprehensive, and eye-opening, history of the Bible and Christianity as a religion. He shows incredibly clearly how and why the church strayed from the teachings of Jesus and what that means to the church today. The second section shows how the Bible and its teachings are relevant to seekers in today's world. He describes Bible passages that teach us about reincarnation, a simple lifestyle and free will, and he includes wonderful and affirming interpretations about what hell and the book of Revelation really means.
Mr Mason ends with a strong statement about unifying all religions, and shares with us his insights about how to best come to a personal knowledge of God in our daily lives.
Religious books are abundant in Northwest
BY DAN HAYS There are many who think that just living in the Pacific Northwest is a spiritual experience. This comes from the belief that living so close to "wilderness" somehow makes people closer to God. [brief review of 4 books: 1 Evangelical, 3 about angels] All four of these books are based, in varying degrees, in Christianity as we know it today. Mark Mason takes a different direction in his "In Search of the Loving God: Resolving the past traumas of Christianity, and bringing to light its healing spirit." This book sets out to prove that modern Christian churches are based neither on "The Bible" nor the teachings of Jesus, but on doctrines intended for purely secular manipulations, primarily the purpose of consolidating political power within the hierachy of the church itself. Mason says that Christianity as practiced in its recognized sects is a deception, a distortion of the message given in "The Bible." His book sets out to guide the reader toward what he perceives to be the central truth of the universe: that the creator is a loving god, and that the churches that preach fear and threaten punishment and damnation to those who do not abide by the truth as they see it are, frankly, just plain wrong.
"In Search of the Loving God"
URL: http://www.netport.com/rainey/revu.html REVIEWER: Al Rainey
In Search of the Loving God The main idea of this book is that all religions should search for the Loving God, not the god of fear and hate as formulated by medieval religion. To this end, the author presents clear and acceptable ideas that should be incorporated by all religious aspirants. Holy Books are holy because they transmit a certain power to the readers. In this day and age, it is better to read and accept the unfoldment according to one's understanding and needs. God reveals His mysteries to those who are attuned to accept them. The problem with the book, In Search of the Loving God, is the pesher account of the Virgin Birth and speculation about the Virgin Mary. The Archdiosese will not be pleased with this dialogue. What about Elizabeth and Z? Although the author does not mention these fine people, they are important factors in the birth of Jesus Christ. The speculation on the Virgin Mary should be omitted. Don't touch that! That is the rule. All religions have sprung from that One Eternal God which is the Source of all. The churches should always bear this in mind as they proliferate their dogma into the world. Oftentimes, as the author stresses, the teachings of the present-day churches will contradict the 2000 year-old teachings of Jesus Christ. Mr. Mason presents a good cure for this stagnation and contradiction. This book is highly recommended reading and may be purchased from Publications Services, Inc. by calling 800-460-6690. To read sample chapters from the book, go to the author's website.
In Search of the Loving God The author askes the question: Why is Christianity stagnating in a time when there is so much interest in spiritual things? He then goes on to point out that Christian doctrine has little to do with the Bible and that the church that existed 2000 years ago has no resemblance to Christianity today. This book is the nemisis of Christian fundamentalism because it points out the true history of Christianity and where today's doctrines actually came from. And, of course, he deals with the Bible/reincarnation controversy. Every so-called Christian should read this book.
On Being Jewish, Christian, Spiritual For Jew and Christian alike, a small publisher, Dwapara Press (1313 Lincoln St., Suite 705, Eugene OR 97401) has published In Search of the Loving God by Mark Mason, an excellent review of the world's major faiths with an emphasis on Christianity. As the new century dawns, all the major faiths will undergo transformations, based on their long histories. Mason's scholarly book is an important guide to those on a spiritual quest.
BOOKS NEW & NOTEWORTHY Western Traditions IN SEARCH OF THE LOVING GOD: Resolving the Past Traumas of Christianity, and Bringing to Light its Healing Spirit by Mark Mason. $16.95, 0-9658477-4-8, Dwapara Press, 800/460-6690. The modern dilemma facing Christianity is the splitting apart of Pentecostal Christians, who believe in the miracles of God and the power of the Spirit but often turn to fundamentalism, and the more liberal and socially concerned Christians who look askance at conservative religion. Mason, whose own spiritual path is grounded in Yogananda's Self-Realization Fellowship, offers a convincing argument using historical sources to show that the Bible is not primarily a book of history but a profound text of inner development, and that the Bible's message was tragically distorted as Christianity became a state religion and wedded itself to outward power. The second half of the book offers guidance for turning to a loving Christianity that may become a willing partner in the marriage of East and West, and includes the Biblical evidence for reincarnation and the role of meditation in knowing and loving God. -AM
In Search of the Loving God by Mark Mason (Dwapara Press, 1313 Lincoln St., No. 705, Eugene, OR 97401, 382 pages, $16.95)
Eugene resident Mason looks at 2,000 years of Christianity, quoting sources as wide-ranging as Bertrand Russell and the Bible. He concludes that the religion's history is marked by political ambition, cruelty and many mistakes, and that the modern Christian church has stagnated. He suggests, however, that a reformation is under way.
(Ian D. Baynes, B.V.Sc., M.A.P.S.)
(Part of an e-mail from Kaya Stasch, counselor)
(Part of an e-mail from Kaya Stasch, counselor)
In Search reads like a combination mystery, history, and Bible commentary all rolled into one. Read it for its enlightening view on Scripture and revealing stories of the church's history. May the Spirit use this book to reach many people with its hopeful message for the future of Christianity. If you're on a quest for spiritual or historical truth, In Search of the Loving God has an intriguing story to tell. Mason supports his enlightening interpretations with extensive research and cultural/historical understanding. His conclusions challenge each of us to a personal path of transformation and discipline. (Joy Wells, Educator)
Thank you for sending me chapters one, nine, fifteen and nineteen of your manuscript, IN SEARCH OF THE LOVING GOD. Obviously a great deal of study and reflection support your writing. Further, there is a "tone" to your writing that is calming and reassuring. Your intention to present a God purified of the foibles and frailties ever-present in human religious effort and consciousness is a praiseworthy task. I was particularly interested in your reflections on the role of the Inquisition in condemning witches. (Terry Sweeney, best-selling religious author)
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: This letter is to draw your attention to a book written by Mark Mason titled In Search of the Loving God. This book is of timely importance as we observe the ever increasing phenomenon of the Christian Right movement in the United States. In Search of the Loving God begins with an overview of church history and how it leads into developments taking place in the political arena today. This overview is well documented and is explained in such a manner that the reader can grasp complex concepts with considerable ease. Mr Mason then leads the reader into a discussion of the impact of New Age concepts on the fundamentalist Christian heritage. Finally, the reader is presented with a workable solution to the problems of fundamentalism and its view of the apocalypse. This is an excellent book and Mr Mason gives us a working concept of how Christianity can incorporate Eastern philosophy and still remain true to its purpose. I strongly recommend this book for publication because I believe it will find a wide reader audience. Sincerely, John Lawrence (Book Reviewer for International Journal of Comparative Sociology)
(E-mail from John Lawrence, Lecturer in Social Studies, University of Oregon, and book reviewer for the International Journal of Comparative Sociology)
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