Customer Reviews

The Urantia Book: Indexed Version with free Audio Book on DVD (Can only be played on a computer with a DVD drive.)

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The Urantia Book is a matchless handbook for spiritual growth and exploration -- for life transformation. This edition is the original and the best.

I found The Urantia Book in 1980 as a high school student. I had a worldview marred by misconceptions, fears, and an ignorance of life's spiritual essentials. After spending some time with the book, I found that I was not only beginning to see the world differently, but also myself, and thus, was becoming a new person. It gave me a way to remake my life and actually become a bit more alive each day.

The Urantia Book has taught me that it is my right to approach God simply through the sincerity of my heart and the effort of my will. I do not need to join any human institution or follow any human being to be close to God. I know that if I truly make an effort to pray and listen, grow and work, forgive and serve, then I will experience the full joy of personal contact with God - the Father of the universe.

I know through the wonderful example of Jesus as portrayed in The Urantia Book, that I can overcome anything and that, in him, I have a loving, understanding and sympathetic brother by my side. I know that humankind is designed for greatness. I know that every act of good helps me grow and is never lost or forgotten, despite appearances. I know that the Spirit of God lives in me and will always be there to guide me.

I know that each day is a new beginning.

I know all of this and so much more, all because I know The Urantia Book.

It's a winner.

An earlier reviewer referred to the text as "God given," and I agree. One feels gifted by God in the reading of this book, something I can still say after 30 years of its companionship. Many who are spiritually alive (or seeking to be so) will find their inner "truth resonators" vibrating soundly when they read this text, no matter which edition they read. A beautiful quality of this book is that no one needs to "tell" you if it is true or not. You will recognize its truth on a soul level, or not.

There was a time when some considered this text "stolen" from the Foundation, but I pray such perceptions continue to heal and become reconciled. Commendably, the Foundation safeguarded the process of shepherding the contents into book form (publishing it in 1955). Much later, they sued for copyright, but lost. At the time of that lawsuit, some readers put alot on the line financially, in order to protect public access to the book and its contents. One such person is Kristin M., who was ultimately forced into bankruptcy by the court costs, losing her home, etc. (Her portrait hangs in tribute, in my inner gallery of spiritual heroes.) Many selfless acts were made then, because the privilege of access is just that important. Now (happily), the contents are available on line--for free!--in both print and audio versions, and in a growing number of languages.

Anyone who brings "eyes to see" to the material recognizes that the book was given to all of humanity for the benefit of all of humanity. It's a text which has the potential to change lives, and even nations, if sincerely applied. Book distribution by both publishers is an act of service toward all seeking expanded truth. A unique aspect of these two publishers is that no one is looking to earn profit from making these books available. As non-profits, the publishers function with exceptionally low operating expenses. All proceeds are funneled back into making the book widely available--including meeting requests to translate the book into even more languages.

This is the first time that the index and the text have appeared in one volume. This is a handy feature for quick look-up, such as when readers are gathered for a study session. Questions will invariably pop up then, and the index speeds the process of locating cross-references. [For in-depth personal investigation, I do tend to rely on the separate and larger "Concordex," as well as a reference called the "Paramony," which correlates Bible verses to book contents.] To those whose labors of love produced the many types of indexes available, including the one in this edition, I publicly offer my thanks! Over-all, this particular edition feels more user friendly to me than past editions, due to its index, as well as its trimmer size and lighter weight.

Of course, the particular edition utilized is not nearly as important as the contents, which are the same in all editions. As a general resource, this text uplifts the paths of religionists from many perspectives. Its contents are not designed to promote or start a new religion, but rather are intended to support one's search for a life of transcendent meaning (including a personal connection to our Creator). No matter which edition is preferred, this profound book needs to be discovered (and likely will be) by those who are hungry for spiritual liberation.

As a long time student of the Urantia papers, this new edition published by Uversa Press is a welcome addition. Both publishers (The Foundation and The Uversa Press) have maintained the highest standards possible in remaining true to the original text. The only significant difference between these publications is in the formatting and referencing. This new edition by The Uversa Press is printed with two columns for easier reading. More importantly, this edition includes the long awaited and much needed INDEX to the Urantia papers. Now readers can easily search the papers by Word, Name or Topic. In addition, the text is now numbered by Chapter, Section and Paragraph for faster referencing. And for scholars, an Appendix has been included citing word or punctuation modification from the original 1955 text to this new edition.

The Urantia Book contains the stories, the cosmology, and the theological perspectives which inevitably will be a fundamental part of the Christianity of the future.

The traditional Christian stories and classic theological perspectives are expanded and developed in this remarkable book. The story of Adam and Eve, the rebellion and fall of Lucifer, the development of the Hebrew scriptures and the Bible, the life and teachings of Jesus, the atonement doctrine, an understanding of life after death -- all of these key elements of the Christian experience are developed in remarkable detail in The Urantia Book. Not since the days of the Aquinas synthesis in the 13th century has such a comprehensive integration of Christian thought been achieved.

The Christianity of the future will embody the perspective contained in The Urantia Book. Why? Because this perspective integrates scientific insight, highly regarded philosophic viewpoints, and widely accepted Christian theologic understandings. In the normal course of intellectual evolution the integration articulated in The Urantia Book is inevitable if Christianity is to continue as a relevant influence in the 21st century. In a reading of The Urantia Book today, the results of this integration may be experienced, much to the satisfaction of sincere spiritual seekers struggling in today's post-modern environment of intellectual and theological turbulence.

For example, readers interested in theology will be intrigued by the manner in which the text integrates traditional trinitarian theology with process theology -- producing a robust platform from which additional theological and philosphical perspectives may be developed in the future.

Readers who may not have such a deep interest in theology but for whom the story of Jesus is important will find that The Urantia Book contains a spiritually compelling biography of Jesus which will help them tremendously in solving many of the practical issues which emerge in the course of their daily spiritual struggles.

Christians who already have a personal relationship with Jesus will recognize him living anew through the story in this book. Readers who are new to an understanding of Jesus will discover a meaningful chronicle of spiritual adventure -- remarkably free of contemporary religious dogma -- in the detailed narrative of the way in which Jesus lived his life.

Readers who have already become familiar with The Urantia Book will welcome this Uversa Press edition which contains a 300+ page comprehensive index complemented by a unique numbering system in which every paragraph in the text contains its own ID number. This greatly facilitates serious study of the text and will be welcomed by anyone who desires more than a superficial reading of its cosmology and teachings.

In addition, this particular edition is printed in a double column format making reading much easier than in the original text in which the sentences stretched across the entire page, leading to much quicker fatigue and frequent difficulty in finding the continuation of the sentence on the following line.

As a reader who has been exploring this text for more than 35 years, I am extremely pleased to see this much improved edition available on the market. The Uversa Press edition of The Urantia Book makes it easy for sincere truth seekers to experience today the text, the insights, and the spiritual delight which inevitably will be a fundamental part of Christian experience in the future.

Finished around 1934 but not published until 1955, the Urantia book has a depth and clarity that is sometimes missing from our traditional books of revelation. It must be remembered that the authors claim to use as many existing words and concepts as possible (1930's) and yet I find it to be consistent with such newer material as The Seth Books and others. It emphasises the Judeo-Christian tradition and at times it may seem to be a bit "conservative" but it clarifies many of the "distortions" that arose in the Christian faith after the time of Jesus. Its a bit like a cool old dictionary or encyclopedia---a great reference book for evaluating other, newer stuff. It emphasises the highest ideals of humanity. Everyone should at least be familiar with it and read it with an open heart before forming an opinion.

This book contains the best biography of Jesus ever written. If you love Jesus and long to know more about him, you will love this book.

This edition is the only edition in print to include a comprehensive index making it easy to find favorite passages and explore topics of interest. Separately published Urantia Book indexes start at $19.95 and are not as good as the one that comes with this book. It's like getting two books for the price of one.

In my experience, this Book rests at the top of the list of those amazing books that change your life for the better. I've been studying The Urantia Book for over thirty years. It consistently raises my thinking on spiritual values, my relationship with God, our Father, and my place in the scheme of history and society. The world is in upheaval, and so is religion. I'm grateful to have found a consistently inspiring Book to base my personal religion upon, and a stepping stone to bolster my faith and my salvation. Jesus has become not only real and personal, but his story makes all life more meaningful, and our striving for a better life more uplifting. I love it!

This edition of The Urantia Book is the best ever! For the first time the book includes a complete index!!! It's an indispensable resource for a book of this size and complexity. It also contains a universal referencing system that allows for greater ease of study. Whether you currently read The Urantia Book or are just looking into it for the first time, this edition is the one to buy because it allows you to explore the book topically.

Technically, this book is best due to its two column text, adherence to the first printing,and the index. But more important is the awe of relief that such a work exists which so certainly satifies my search for God with a coherent description of the universe and its diverse and numberless personalities. My appreciation of Jesus has enriched my life immeasurably. This is a book that is continuously enjoyable and never grows stale.

As a reader of C.S. Lewis, Mark Twain and other masters of the English written language I am in awe of this book. I have been reading it daily for almost 5 years never failing to find something new. The format and index of this production of the Fellowship has helped me get back to ideas and cross reference. I can't say this book changed my life yet but every day my life is changed a little by the truth and beauty contained within. It is not easy reading and is not written for the post literate mind, so it's not for all tastes. It may be for you.