Astrology and Psychic Phenomena [Paperback]

Andre Kole (Author), Terry Holley (Author), Alan W. Gomes (Series Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1998 | Series: Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements

Astrology, Tarot cards, Ouija boards, spiritism, psychic healing, palm reading, and old fashioned fortune telling (now called psychic consulting) -- all these are popular in America today. Psychic hotlines are heavily represented on television, with testimonials to their amazing ability to give people accurate details about their past and predictions about their future. Are psychics indeed gifted with supernatural powers? Andre Kole and Terry Holley show convincingly how the success of these and other paranormal phenomena depends on deceit and slight of hand rather than on genuine supernatural powers. This is an age when countless groups and movements, new and old, mark the religious landscape in our culture. As a result, many people are confused or uncertain in their search for spiritual truth and meaning. Because few people have the time or opportunity to research these movements fully, the Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements series provides essential information and insights for their spiritual journeys. The second wave of books in this series addresses a broad range of spiritual beliefs, from non-Trinitarian Christian sects to witchcraft and neo-paganism to classic non-Christian religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. All books but the summary volume, Truth and Error, contain five sections: -A concise introduction to the group being surveyed -An overview of the group's theology --- in its own words -Tips for witnessing effectively to members of the group -A bibliography with sources for further study -A comparison chart that shows the essential differences between biblical Christianity and the group -Truth and Error, the last book in the series, consists of parallel doctrinal charts compiled from all the other volumes. Three distinctives make this series especially useful to readers: -Information is carefully distilled to bring out truly essential points, rather than requiring readers to sift their way through a sea of secondary details. -Information is presented in a clear, easy-to-follow outline form with 'menu bar' running heads. This format greatly assists the reader in quickly locating topics and details of interest. Each book meets the needs and skill levels of both nontechnical and technical readers, providing an elementary level of refutation and progressing to a more advanced level using arguments based on the biblical text. The writers of these volumes are well qualified to present clear and reliable information and help readers to discern truth from falsehood.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Fast, informed answers to the challenges of false religions This is an age when countless groups and movements, new and old, mark the religious landscape in our culture. As a result, many people are confused or uncertain in their search for spiritual truth and meaning. Because few people have the time or opportunity to research these movements fully, the Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements series provides essential information and insights for their spiritual journeys. The second wave of books in this series addresses a broad range of spiritual beliefs, from non-Trinitarian Christian sects to witchcraft and neo-paganism to classic non-Christian religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. All books but the summary volume, Truth and Error, contain five sections: A concise introduction to the group being surveyed An overview of the group's theology--in its own words Tips for witnessing effectively to members of the group A bibliography with sources for further study A comparison chart that shows the essential differences between biblical Christianity and the group Truth and Error, the last book in the series, consists of parallel doctrinal charts compiled from all the other volumes. Three distinctives make this series especially useful to readers: Information is carefully distilled to bring out truly essential points, rather than requiring readers to sift their way through a sea of secondary details. Information is presented in a clear, easy-to-follow outline form with menu bar running heads. This format greatly assists the reader in quickly locating topics and details of interest. Each book meets the needs and skill levels of both nontechnical and technical readers, providing an elementary level of refutation and progressing to a more advanced level using arguments based on the biblical text. The writers of these volumes are well qualified to present clear and reliable information and help readers to discern truth from falsehood.

From the Author

André Kole is associated with Campus Crusade for Christ International. He lives in Tempe, Arizona

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310489210
• ISBN-13: 978-0310489214
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,449,840 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Occult > Cults & Demonism
  • #75 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Theology > Philosophy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent reference book for study of psychic phenomena., June 30, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Astrology and Psychic Phenomena (Paperback)

Kole and Holley, both professional magicians with over 60 years combined experience in illusion, tackle the questions surrounding the authenticity of psychic phenomena and astrology. This is a great study guide with easy-to-reference passages from their years of research. The authors present their evidence against that of the "pro-psychics" for a well rounded view of the issues. It's short but packed with solid research. Highly recommended.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, but the disappointment is in the product, not the business, May 21, 2008

By 

William W. Duvendack (St Louis MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Astrology and Psychic Phenomena (Paperback)

My book arrived quickly and in excellent condition. The book seller I got it from handled things professionally and expediently. However, the product itself was a disappointment. Not only is it written ffrom a space of fear, but it's research is out of touch with 21st century America. The only criticism I have about the book itself (and the bookseller) is that, if it is a skeptic's guide, then that should be listed on Amazon as well as the title. There's nothing more annoying than anticipating a book with a title like that, and then finding out that it is slanted and ill-researched. I like this book seller, and will continue to do business with them as the situation arises, and on my end I will do more research, since that is truly where the mistake was!

2 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fundamentalism Undermining Its Own Premises?, July 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Astrology and Psychic Phenomena (Paperback)

Kole and Holley set out to undermine belief in astrology and psychic phenomena, but do so through methods that are incommensurate with their own worldview. I applaud evangelical Christians who are willing to listen to scientific discourse on these matters, and realise that replicability and research design are good guides for public policy. However, the methodological problem here is that we only have a priori opinion and skewed interpretative communities that provide us with evidence of the existence of Christ. We only have their word for it that the historical entity in question was capable of supernatural feats,and no direct evidence that was the case. I do not accept the existence of those alleged miracles, and neither would most of the Skeptical sources that are cited. The fundamentalist belief in miracles needs to be held to stronger Lockean standards of empirical proof, which the authors admirably provide for astrology and "psychic phenomena."