Customer Reviews

Great Christian Thinkers Francis and Bonaventure

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This book really was a dull read because it was poorly researched and wriiten. Rout's attempt at explaining the process of Franciscan mysticism in two pages is laughable and any discerning mind can see that he lacks any intellectual or spiritual depth. This is another example of the slim volumes biographies of philosophers which emerged in the 1990's as ameans to appeal to the general population.

Although the author is a noted theologian this work really did not satisfy the criteria for a complete study of the subject. The biographies were shallow and the examination of mystical experience laughable. It reads like a Sunday school book of 'inspiration' for 13 year olds with 'religious feelings'.

Every page of this easy-to-read book is inspiring and worth taking a highlighter to! I loved the prayers and quotes that were included; they showed the sensitivity and compassion of these two wonderful saints. A beautiful book for sure!

Father Paul Rout's small study of these two seminal figures in Chrisitanity leaves the reader feeling that more is needed. It is a short and fragmented study which may have amounted to something if more time and effort were put into the scholarship.

It seems to be an outline for what could be a great study. However, the current work amounts to rehashed lecture notes.

Paul Rout's attempt at capturing the essence of Francis and Bonaventure fails in several key area. The tone of the book is pedantic and misses out at capturing the totality of the mystical process which the two saints in questions went through.

It also is somewhat muddled in its expository section. It is obviously a 'feel good' book intended to proffer the deep mystical insights of thinkers to the New Age crowd.

If it were more thought out it might have had some redeeming qualities, hiowever, it misses the mark. Poor reasearch plain and simple.

I liked this book. After reading to much thin and "happy" Christian literature thats suppose to have some deep thinking and analysis behind it, this book was a nice read. It may not meet the needs of some Dr. or Phd's needs but easily covers much of what the thinking layman needs. Its well written and thought provoking. It makes you think. It covers its material well and begins one's adventure into Christian philosophy/soc.

Rout's work is well researched and well written. A good study of an interesting topic.

In this book Rout - a self proclaimed Gay priest - tries to suggest that both Francis and Bonaventure were gay. How could he much such accusations? Perhaps is is merely projecting his own lifestyle. I have nothing against gay people but Rout's insightsa are unfounded.

How the publishing world here in Great Britian can allow such hodge-podge to be distributed is beyond the reckoning of the educated mind. Mr. Rout is irresponsible in his treatment of both of these religious figures and offers a mere journalistic account of their ideas and beliefs. Perhaps Mr. Rout should undertake some elementory class in basic writting skills and in the methods of academic scholarship. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS NON-SENSE!

Rout's book is simply the *best* summary of the lives, thoughts, and actions of Francis of Assisi and his second-generation disciple and expositor, Bonaventure. With clarity and agility, Rout traces the lives of both men, showing the former's charismatic personality and the latter's scholarly excellence and how both used their gifts in spreading the good news of God's love in Jesus Christ to the people of their time. Since Bonaventure is the systematic theologian and was the most significant early Franciscan to give shape to Francis' wisdom, Rout concentrates on his writings and thoughts a great deal, but in no way excludes the life of Francis nor its profound impact on people to this very day. Rout's final chapter on Francis encounter with the Sultan as the basis for modern ecumenical dialogue is excellent. There is simply nothing about this book not to like. It is short and to the point, doesn't get lost in theological jargon, is accessible to anyone, and is profound in its reflections on the experience of God these two had and how it relates to living a Christian life today. As an admirer of both, I highly recommend this book to anyone else who does, and who believes there is more to medieval theology than Thomas Aquinas!!