"The Magic of Thinking Big" is a popular self-help book written by David J. Schwartz. In this audio book, Schwartz emphasizes the importance of developing a positive mindset and thinking big in order to achieve success and happiness in life. The audio book presents practical strategies and techniques that can help individuals overcome their fears and limitations to reach their full potential. Schwartz believes that our thoughts have a powerful influence on our actions and outcomes. By thinking big and believing in our own abilities, we can create a mindset that is conducive to success.
By thinking big and believing in our own abilities, we can create a mindset that is conducive to success. One of the key ideas conveyed in the audio book is the concept of "self-fulfilling prophecy." According to Schwartz, our belief in our own abilities greatly influences the actions we take to achieve our goals.
Is Christianity a Bloody, Pagan Religion?
Ask Pastor Tyler: Often I will have people ask amazing questions via email, text, or in person. So, I will occasionally turn them into blog posts for those interested. I’ve found that so many of us are all thinking about the same things.
Today’s question is this: Christianity seems to be a very bloody religion. Is animal sacrifice (to the gods) a pagan concept that Christianity ripped off?
As Christians, we sing a lot about the “blood of Christ.” Some of these songs as famous favorites, but the imagery is still a little strange: “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. . .Oh precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow. . .” Or:
“There is a fountain that I see//Filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s vein//The sinners, sinners plunged beneath that blood//Lose all their guilty stains.”
That last one is particularly odd; a “fountain of blood” sounds more like a horror flick than good news to modern ears. Although these songwriters probably took the image a little far, the picture and visual of blood does come from the Bible, like 1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” And Ephesians 2:13: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
As my friend asked me recently, does this make Christianity a bloody, barbaric, pagan religion?
On the surface, because the ancient culture of the Bible is so different from our own, many things in it can seem primitive and pagan. But if we look closely at Christ’s death, we’ll see that it’s very different from these ancient religions. There are some clear contrasts with paganism and Judeo-Christianity.
For example, pagan gods are often hungry, needy, volatile, and demanding. They’re moody and they need constant blood. And their bloodlust is not just limited to animals, pagan gods often demanded infants, children, or adults. Human blood. And the gods need people to feed and serve them. In fact, this is paganism’s “chief end of man”: to pacify the gods and serve them forever.
But in Christianity, God makes humans to be in relationship with them. When that relationship gets broken, and things go off the rails, God eventually comes down to us, in the person of Jesus, and serves US through a sacrifice. In Christianity, God doesn’t demand blood, he becomes human and gives of his blood (sacrifices his life).
In this, Christianity isn’t very bloody at all! Only one person dies. He gives his life voluntarily, taking all the sin, suffering, and evil onto himself. In this way, Christ’s death is less pagan, and more like the stories we all love and remember. So many stories and books and movies demonstrate that this theme means so much to us as humans, like in Harry Potter or Stranger Things. I would argue that these myths that deeply resonate with us point to the source of these myths, a God who sacrifices himself for us. In this, it’s not so much the blood itself that forgive us. There’s nothing magical about it. But blood is a powerful piece of life, and of death. When we say “the blood of Jesus” forgives us, we mean that Jesus’ substitute and sacrificing his life is what brings us forgiveness.
Now, when some people think of a bloody Christianity, they might be referring back to the Old Testament. But even before Jesus, Judaism (Old Testament) is also very different from paganism.
A) One fact that often gets missed is that animal sacrifice, in the Old Testament, sometimes function as a BBQ. A party. Simply enjoying some good meat with family and friends. Yes it's bloody, in the same way that a butcher shop is bloody. Not a bad thing if you clean up well.
B) Also, as mentioned above, God commands animal sacrifice, unlike the surrounding cultures which killed humans. God is moving his people in a different direction (eventually ending all sacrifice with Jesus).
C) Sometimes these sacrifices are meant to show the seriousness of a moral failure, highlighting the principle that our actions affect those around us. In this ancient culture, these signs and symbols were hugely important. But Christianity put a stop to these practices.
Christianity is definitely still strange, and as Russell Moore has argued, we should keep it that way. Our culture is desperate for the transcendent and true. We should explain Christianity in the vernacular (common language), without religious clichés, but still in a way that keeps the central message (which is a strange one). But remember, Christianity was just as strange back then as it is now. God breaks in on both paganism AND progressivism, rattling pre-modernity, modernity, and post-modernity. So, #KeepChristianityWeird, but also in a way that’s historically reliable and culturally understandable.
Frank Dunkle serves as a professor and Coordinator of Ambassador Bible College. He is active in the church's teen summer camp program and contributed articles for UCG publications. Frank holds a BA from Ambassador College in Theology, an MA from the University of Texas at Tyler and a PhD from Texas A&M University in History. His wife Sue is a middle-school science teacher and they have one child.
If we have a positive mindset and think big, we will be more likely to take the necessary steps to make our dreams a reality. "The Magic of Thinking Big" also emphasizes the importance of setting high goals and expectations. Schwartz argues that setting big goals expands our horizons and encourages us to push beyond our comfort zones. By setting high expectations, we are more likely to achieve greater success and fulfillment. The audio book also provides practical advice on developing effective communication skills, building confidence, and overcoming the fear of failure. Schwartz encourages listeners to surround themselves with positive and supportive people who can help them on their journey to thinking big. Overall, "The Magic of Thinking Big" audio book offers valuable insights and strategies for those who are looking to transform their lives and achieve their goals. It serves as a reminder that success is not just about talent or luck, but rather about cultivating the right mindset and taking action. By embracing the power of thinking big, individuals can unlock their full potential and create a life of success and fulfillment..
Reviews for "Rewiring your brain for success with big thinking audio programs"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was disappointed with "The Magic of Thinking Big" audio. The concept of thinking big and setting high goals sounded intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The narrator's voice was monotonous and lacked enthusiasm, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the examples and strategies provided were generic and repetitive, offering little practical guidance. Overall, I found the audio to be uninspiring and not worth the time.
2. Tom - 1 star - I regret purchasing "The Magic of Thinking Big" audio. While the title promises great things, the content fails to deliver. The narrator's voice was grating and made it hard to concentrate. Moreover, the ideas presented were overly simplistic and lacked depth. The audio felt like a series of cheesy self-help clichés, offering nothing new or insightful. Save your money and look for a more substantial and engaging audiobook on personal development.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I struggled to get through "The Magic of Thinking Big" audio. The narrator's tone was condescending, making it hard to take the material seriously. The advice provided, such as "Believe in yourself," felt superficial and lacked practicality. The audio lacked depth and failed to provide meaningful strategies for achieving big goals. Overall, I found it to be a disappointing and unhelpful listen. I would not recommend it to those seeking substantial personal development resources.
4. Michael - 2 stars - "The Magic of Thinking Big" audio fell short of my expectations. The narration was dull and lacked energy, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the content felt outdated and focused more on motivational clichés than offering tangible strategies for thinking big. The examples provided were unconvincing and failed to resonate with me. Overall, I was disappointed with the audio and would not recommend it to others looking for practical advice on goal setting and personal growth.