Ecumensus: The Next Vision [Paperback]

Clifford Mark (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 23, 2008

When Jesus the Nazarene physically left this earth almost twenty centuries ago, he promised he would "remain" until the end of the age. Most have placed the end date of that age at around AD 2012-and it is fast approaching. As this era of the model called "church" comes to a close and evolves into the next, the questions raised with increasing frequency are, What will characterize the next era? What will the spiritual template look like? What new understandings will drive it forward?In Ecumensus, Clifford Lane Mark has imagined the spiritual forces behind the next 2,000 years. Larger than our current knowledge, unlimited by our existing beliefs, and unfettered by our tribal traditions, the Ecumensus posits the spiritual understandings required to thrive in new circumstances, succeed in ever-changing conditions, and propel ourselves forward with forethought and intent into an age with higher concentrations of people, knowledge, power, and passion.Captivating and full of hope, Ecumensus is a vision story that will lead us to the next understandings and show us the ultimate collective destiny of all human beings.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Clifford Lane Mark graduated from college in 1973. When Mark was sixteen, his minister could not answer his spiritual questions and encouraged him to seek elsewhere. For forty years Mark has made searching his life. Ecumensus is the result of that search and the shared wisdom of those he has encountered along the way.

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (June 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595462197
• ISBN-13: 978-0595462193
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,023,266 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars I heard the author being interviewed on the Unity Church radio network, July 4, 2009

By 

T. Webb "fellow seeker" (Houston, Tx USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ecumensus: The Next Vision (Paperback)

The man knows his truth! It may sound cliched, but if you liked The Celestine Prophecy, you'll love this book. Mark really has a knack for developing his characters, and you'll get to know them intimately. And his description of the New Mexico landscape is so vivid that you'll want to go there soon or maybe you'll feel like you're already there!

The story involves an eclectic group of individuals who join together to plan an upcoming meeting of the world's great spiritual teachers. These enlightened masters will decide on how mankind is to spiritually evolve over the next 2,000 years.

Mark keeps the reader captivated with humor, romance, great storytelling, and illuminating spiritual truths. I won't give away the ending, but it's unforgettable. The only drawback in my opinion is that he focuses so much attention on the planning stages that he has to perhaps cut short the exciting final part of the story where the meeting actually takes place. Maybe there's a sequel planned...

By the way, I knew the author had a firm grasp on the ways of the heart and the spirit when one of his characters puts in a Van Morrison CD into the car player as he and his partner are headed for a romantic weekend in the mountains!

I highly recommend Ecumensus!

4.0 out of 5 stars Visionary Fiction, January 30, 2009

By 

Entertainment Enlightenment - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ecumensus: The Next Vision (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book, there are moments of brilliance that kept me wanting to know more. There are elements of mystery, romance, and fantasy. At times it was a real page turner for me, but others it stalled out on insignificant details, repetitive ponderings, or a lack of depth due to too many story lines. I kept envisioning the cast of Monty Python standing behind the author shouting "Get on with it!". Fortunately the story does get back on track after these lulls.

I found the spiritual content in the book to be interesting and enlightening. Most of the time it was well integrated into the story, but occasionally it would be a bit dry or preachy. It is a visionary work that includes all the major religions in hopes of finding unity.

Entertainment: 4 stars
Enlightenment: 5 stars

4.0 out of 5 stars A Perspective Alteration, January 5, 2009

By 

Karen Kibler - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ecumensus: The Next Vision (Paperback)

Reading "Ecumensus: The Next Vision" is a thought-provoking, mesmerizing experience. As a faithful Christian, I found the perspective and interpretation of the universe's religion presented by the author to be a captivating accompaniment to my own beliefs, allowing expansion of what I accept to be truth and elaboration of what I accept to be possible. It would be impossible to read this book and not feel an alteration in your world of thoughts.