Bethany House April 2006
Reviews
Kate E. Schmelzer, Campus Life and Ignite Your Faith magazines
If you're like most Christians, you've often wondered how Christianity compares to other ways of understanding both the spiritual and physical world. Now you can find out in Blah, Blah, Blah: Making Sense of the World's Spiritual Chatter. With a style that's clear and understandable, author Bayard Taylor shows how biblical Christianity is uniquely different from Animism, Naturalism, Cosmic Dualism, Pantheism, and Relativism. Along with discovering how Christianity compares to other worldviews, you'll also learn how your own religious worldview is affected by television, movies, music, and what you're taught in school.Donna Eggett, Christian Book Previews.com
A great deal of good information resides in these pages -- clear explanations of such widely differing ideas as Transcendentalism, Henry David Thoreau's beliefs, Karma, and where unclean spirits fit into all this. Taylor does not put Christian individuals on a pedestal, but instead points out past and present problem areas, along with selfish, harmful behaviors. He includes clear descriptions of the games other worldviews like to play with Christians. Comprehensible definitions of philosophical verbiage are sprinkled throughout, including Taoism, relativism, post-modernism, and deconstructionism. Contemporary issues such as PETA and The DaVinci Code are considered.Cory Bennett, Founder and President of the Smoky Mountain Home Education Association (Knoxville, TN) and the Foundation for Educational Leadership
All this is done with humor, sympathy, humility, and a lot of research. Taylor holds a M.Div., works in Christian publishing, and is a lecturer on worldviews. Many and varied quotes embellish the narrative, but the Bible forms the foundation. Interesting illustrations and sidebars clarify the subject and draw the reader's attention.
Written to attract the young adult, Blah, Blah, Blah has much in it that will help Christians trying to survive in today's society. This book caught my interest, giving me a great deal of food for thought, along with clear instructions and suggestions for immediate implementation.
(full review found at http://ffel.org/Articles.aspx, click on Blah, Blah, Blah):
Understanding worldviews has become very relevant... Before Blah, Blah, Blah came along it was difficult to find materials that make this complex subject understandable...Dan Panetti, attorney and Worldview Director at Prestonwood Christian Academy (Plano, Texas) at The Arena, the online alumni resource for the school (excerpted):
The title, art work and content of Blah, Blah, Blah make it abundantly clear that this is not your average book on worldviews. It communicates with high school and college students whose world is awash with ideas and diversions competing for their time and attention...
Blah, Blah, Blah also speaks to adults... While the book excels at clarifying complex worldview concepts, those who have had previous worldview training will find plenty of meat in the final chapters where the author explores some of the more complex applications of worldview ideas...
I encourage every parent to gift their high school junior or senior with a copy -- and pick up and extra copy for yourself!
An excellent resource to prepare people for evangelism and engaging the culture around them. Taylor. . . points out to the reader that every person is a "walking billboard" for their particular worldview and that it would be advantageous for students to learn more about worldviews which stand in opposition (or even competition) to the Biblical belief and life system. Taylor [explores] how these various worldviews address particular questions of life. . . The book challenges Christian students to "take every thought captive to Christ" and begin to think critically and Christianly about the world around them.Marvin Olasky, professor of journalism at the University of Texas at Austin, a leading columnist with Creators syndicate, and Editor-in-chief of World magazine (Asheville, North Carolina):
Bayard Taylor's Blah, Blah, Blah: Making Sense of the World's Spiritual Chatter (Bethany House, 2006) is deliberately lightweight, an easy-to-read apologetic that might break through to high-school and college students resistant to theological terminology. (Nov. 11 issue, p. 48)Dr. Olasky also said in an email: "I hope a lot of kids read Blah."Tim Challies of discerningreader.com and challies.com, a Canadian pastor and the go-to guy everyone in North America wants to have review their books, deigned to read Blah and review it. His conclusion: Blah is "well worth reading."
Written and presented in a way that will appeal to teens and college students, but will not drive away adult readers, Blah Blah Blah covers an important topic. This book will equip Christians, and primarily young Christians, to deal with the culture around them. It will help prepare Christians both spiritually and mentally to face a world that is increasingly post-Christian.Catherine Savard, redacteur en chef of Campus Internet Ministry, Canada, has put a notice for Blah, Blah, Blah on their website. She also says this about Blah at amazon.ca:
Bayard Taylor's book on worldviews is invaluable for both postsecondary students and those who work with this age group. A wider audience would not be hurt by taking a look at this very accessible volume. A main virtue of this book is that it is very approachable and fun to read while bringing much needed intellectual clarity to the subject of understanding worldviews. Many Christians will find their understanding of how to interact with those outside the faith improved by grasping the contents of "Blah", whether their task at the time is evangelism, submitting a paper for school or just generally getting along in life with people who think differently than they do. It's definitely worth the investment!Gregg Cantelmo of KPXQ AM 1360 radio (Phoenix) on his website "A Look @ Books" says (excerpted):
Instead of fearing other people's views, Taylor challenges young Christians to join with him in unmasking the presumptions, assumptions, and hidden agendas of competing worldviews and offering reasons for the consistency and truth of the biblical one. This is a smart, witty, and fun plain-sense approach to sometimes difficult concepts. Written with pop culture references and simple language this is a great guide for twenty-something's and older to be equipped in their faith. It will help thoughtful Christians seeking to deepen their convictions, cut through the spiritual chatter, and gain wisdom in knowing how to "give the reason for the hope within you" (1 Peter 3:15). For chapter discussion questions and a lot of other helpful material go to blahblahbook.com. [Hey! You're already there! -BT]
