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Fire on the Horizon: A Meditation on the Endowment and Love of Atonement
Blake Ostler, author of the groundbreaking Exploring Mormon Thought series, explores two of the most important and central aspects of Mormon theology and practice: the Atonement and the temple endowment. Utilizing the insights of Soren Kierkegaard, Martin Buber, and others, Ostler offers further ruminations on what it means to fall from our relationship with God and once again have at-one-ment with Him.
138 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 24, 2013
This is a book that I'm going to need to read again when I can focus and concentrate more on the deep meaning behind the series of essays presented. My college philosophy class only barely prepared me to understand some of the deep and poignant thoughts and images Blake was sharing. The book deserves five stars but the one removed reflects my own lack of connection with the book. Although only 119 pages, this book is not a quick and easy read. It deserves time to sift, ponder and meditate.
Perhaps the next time I read it I will be led to focus on the applicability of the essays. For this first reading, it was simply a difficult task to elevate my thinking into Blake's world of philosophy. I recommend the book, but only if you have some background in philosophy. I am sure there are some who will disagree, insisting the book was written for the layman and everyday member of the church. I disagree. You've got to come at this book with some serious preparation of temple attendance and years of pondering the atonement and the sacrament. Blake himself noted that he spent twenty years going to the temple "bored out of my gourd" (intro - page x).
One of the best things I took away from this first reading was my introduction to Martin Buber and his focus on the "I-Thou" relationship. This theme permeates the book. It has become a paradigm shift for me already. I look at every person differently now. People are not things or objects. Everyone I meet is a "thou," worthy of my love without judgment or prejudice. I am empowered by this new realization. There is less threat and more child-like open curiosity in meeting new people. Thank you Blake, for extending my readings of Kierkegaard, Kant and Descartes. I am glad now that I paid attention in my philosophy class. You have added so much to their thoughts.
Perhaps the next time I read it I will be led to focus on the applicability of the essays. For this first reading, it was simply a difficult task to elevate my thinking into Blake's world of philosophy. I recommend the book, but only if you have some background in philosophy. I am sure there are some who will disagree, insisting the book was written for the layman and everyday member of the church. I disagree. You've got to come at this book with some serious preparation of temple attendance and years of pondering the atonement and the sacrament. Blake himself noted that he spent twenty years going to the temple "bored out of my gourd" (intro - page x).
One of the best things I took away from this first reading was my introduction to Martin Buber and his focus on the "I-Thou" relationship. This theme permeates the book. It has become a paradigm shift for me already. I look at every person differently now. People are not things or objects. Everyone I meet is a "thou," worthy of my love without judgment or prejudice. I am empowered by this new realization. There is less threat and more child-like open curiosity in meeting new people. Thank you Blake, for extending my readings of Kierkegaard, Kant and Descartes. I am glad now that I paid attention in my philosophy class. You have added so much to their thoughts.
April 11, 2020
There some very nice thoughts. It is readable philosophical approach to the atonement.
April 18, 2014
Here is what I appreciate about this book-
-It's clearly an act of love and devotion by Blake. More personal and devotional than most of his other philosophical works. I could sense his personal investment and caring in the writing. He draws heavily on Martin Buber, who is not your typical philosopher of religion, but left a lasting mark on devotional thinking.
-Its focus on the LDS endorsement is something I'm personally ready for and intrigued by.
-It's got enough interesting ideas to make the read rewarding. Example: Adam and Eve's first sin was NOT eating the fruit - it was running away from God when they saw their nakedness!
-It's a short and quick read, in spite of its philosophical depth.
The book didn't have the resonance of some books on the atonement - e.g. writers like C.S. Lewis or Phillip Yancey. Still it's something I can easily recommend to people seeking insights into the value of the LDS temple experience. Another book book along these lines is Wendy Ulrich's The Temple Experience. That one moved me enough to get me back to the temple after a significant furlough!
Thank you Blake for your caring and your faith!
-It's clearly an act of love and devotion by Blake. More personal and devotional than most of his other philosophical works. I could sense his personal investment and caring in the writing. He draws heavily on Martin Buber, who is not your typical philosopher of religion, but left a lasting mark on devotional thinking.
-Its focus on the LDS endorsement is something I'm personally ready for and intrigued by.
-It's got enough interesting ideas to make the read rewarding. Example: Adam and Eve's first sin was NOT eating the fruit - it was running away from God when they saw their nakedness!
-It's a short and quick read, in spite of its philosophical depth.
The book didn't have the resonance of some books on the atonement - e.g. writers like C.S. Lewis or Phillip Yancey. Still it's something I can easily recommend to people seeking insights into the value of the LDS temple experience. Another book book along these lines is Wendy Ulrich's The Temple Experience. That one moved me enough to get me back to the temple after a significant furlough!
Thank you Blake for your caring and your faith!
December 21, 2022
My favorite book I’ve read on the Church. Few have described the atonement and temple and their significance better than Blake Ostler.
January 2, 2015
A brief philosophical look at some aspects of the Atonement as it is symbolized in the LDS temple ceremony and the ordinance of the sacrament.
Short and deep! This material will need to be studied more than once in order to be grasped. Although I have to struggle to understand Ostler at times, I always feel lifted up by his writings. He makes me want to know more, try harder, and be better.
Good stuff!
Short and deep! This material will need to be studied more than once in order to be grasped. Although I have to struggle to understand Ostler at times, I always feel lifted up by his writings. He makes me want to know more, try harder, and be better.
Good stuff!
January 14, 2024
This definitely had some great insights and broadened my view on many topics in the gospel, especially the story of Adam and Eve. I love it when someone points out to me a new idea or insight about something which I think I already know pretty well. It makes me realize that I really don't know as much as I think. I love this because...well...mysteries, the unknown, and pieces of the puzzle coming together are all very exciting and make life pretty dang interesting.
Some ideas I loved in the book are:
1) Early Christian ordinance practices
2) I-Thou relationship
3) General insights about the Adam and Eve story (a lot of these which blew my mind)
4) Understanding what a commandment from God is (using the Latin root)
5) Some Kant
6) The length of the book
More books like this please.
Some ideas I loved in the book are:
1) Early Christian ordinance practices
2) I-Thou relationship
3) General insights about the Adam and Eve story (a lot of these which blew my mind)
4) Understanding what a commandment from God is (using the Latin root)
5) Some Kant
6) The length of the book
More books like this please.
July 2, 2017
This book gave me insight into ego, judgment, repentance, a change of heart, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the sacrament, the endowment, and becoming Christlike like nothing I have ever read before. The author enlightens words and scriptures to make sense of what our ultimate goal is of fulfilling the two greatest commandments. I HIGHLY recommend this book.
April 12, 2019
Some very interesting essays - a good introduction to the philosophy of Martin Buber, whom I have read of but never read. I appreciate Ostler's helping a non-philosophy student like me grasp the concepts. And the linkages to the temple will have me thinking for a long time.
October 29, 2021
The author draws on philosophy to explore the atonement and the temple endowment. This is a book I think I need to read more than once to plumb its depths.
December 27, 2024
The concepts of reconciliation, relationships, and forgiveness are all beautifully explored in this book. The book explores the meaning of the atonement firmly within a temple context
February 5, 2015
I was given this book from a friend. Thanks Trent.
The first half of the book will appeal to those with a philosophical bent, that like to think about the meaning of life through the eyes of Kant, Kierkegaard and Descartes. This was pretty pretty tough reading for me.
The second half of the book is comprised of short chapters that in a careful and insightful way re-examine the story of the Garden of Eden and the messages and meaning of what we read there. I was very impressed with the depth and original thought that Ostler shared in these chapters. Finally, the final chapters focus closely on how the Atonement and ordinance of the Sacrament have meaning to believers. This was the most thrilling part of the book.
This is a short book that I plan to revisit from time to time to glean additional insights from.
The first half of the book will appeal to those with a philosophical bent, that like to think about the meaning of life through the eyes of Kant, Kierkegaard and Descartes. This was pretty pretty tough reading for me.
The second half of the book is comprised of short chapters that in a careful and insightful way re-examine the story of the Garden of Eden and the messages and meaning of what we read there. I was very impressed with the depth and original thought that Ostler shared in these chapters. Finally, the final chapters focus closely on how the Atonement and ordinance of the Sacrament have meaning to believers. This was the most thrilling part of the book.
This is a short book that I plan to revisit from time to time to glean additional insights from.
December 24, 2013
Most of this book is really good, but the last 30 pages in particular just blew me away. Ostler's reflections on what the atonement really means made me really think hard about what the atonement really means to me. This is a wonderful book that I would recommend to everyone. It is a book that I should read a few more times to really absorb everything that is discussed. Some of it can be difficult to digest if you don't have at least a basic background in philosophy, but I found it to be accessible enough.
January 3, 2015
I was thrilled to realize that Blake Ostler had written a 'shorter' book and that it included in its title many words that I've been noticing and pondering recently. There is real depth here, with application of principles and acknowledgement of our striving and (yet) imperfect condition. I've read many of Gaskill's symbolism books and this one takes it a step further in analysis and possible meaning. It is well suited to read a chapter at a time between elements of worship and invites the Spirit to assist in understanding. Highly recommended as a reread and aid to personal meditation.
June 23, 2013
A beautiful book in multiple ways. Easily accessible & highly recommended.
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July 31, 2017Reading this little book was a real spiritual experience for me. What really stood out is the way Ostler emphasizes the idea of spirituality and worship as a relationship between two persons--that God want us to know Him.
I will likely revisit this at some point because there is a lot here--too much for my little brain, perhaps. But it is not dry or academic; in fact I would occasionally get emotional as I read.
Ostensibly about the temple endowment, Ostler's book doesn't exactly address that ceremony and covenant directly, but more obliquely and impressionistically. But I do feel like it has impacted my temple experience in positive ways.
Recommended for LDS people who dabble a bit in intellectual theology like me.
I will likely revisit this at some point because there is a lot here--too much for my little brain, perhaps. But it is not dry or academic; in fact I would occasionally get emotional as I read.
Ostensibly about the temple endowment, Ostler's book doesn't exactly address that ceremony and covenant directly, but more obliquely and impressionistically. But I do feel like it has impacted my temple experience in positive ways.
Recommended for LDS people who dabble a bit in intellectual theology like me.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews