Five Classics

by Truman G. Madsen

This handsome volume brings together for the first time five favorite books by widely acclaimed author and scholar Truman Madsen: Eternal Man, Four Essays on Love, Christ and the Inner Life, The Highest in Us, and The Radiant Life.

In Eternal Man we gain insights into the nature of the premortal life and the immortality of man. These profound doctrines are discussed in the context of philosophical questions, including those involving the Creation, suffering, and freedom.

Each of the essays in Four Essays on Love discusses a different aspect of love. These essays include 'Joseph Smith and the Sources of Love,' 'How to Be Loved and Beloved,' 'The Language of Love at Home,' and 'Human Anguish and Divine Love.'

Powerfully written, Christ and the Inner Life helps us know the Savior and apply his atoning sacrifice to our everyday living. Brother Madsen teaches that Christ's way is a way of sacrifice, self-denial, and discipline, but also of adventure, fulfillment, and joy.

In The Highest in Us we learn to recognize and strive for our godly potential. The sacrament, conscience, sacrifice, and the temple are all discussed in these terms.

The Radiant Life explores many gospel topics, such as prayer, love, and forgiveness. Filled with scholarship as well as personal examples, this book helps us live the radiant life.

Recognized internationally for his scholarship and impressive academic credentials, Brother Madsen is perhaps best known for his ability to teach and explain profound truths in a way that reaches the heart. Five Classics by Truman G. Madsen offers the best of Truman Madsen in one collector's edition.

Published: October 2001
Pages: 528

Genres: Religion, Lds, Nonfiction, Church

433 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Truman Grant Madsen was an American professor of religion and philosophy at Brigham Young University (BYU) and director of the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. He was a prolific author, a recognized authority on Joseph Smith Jr., and a popular lecturer among Latter-day Saints. At one point, Madsen was an instructor at the LDS Institute of Religion in Berkeley, California.

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A warning--the Kindle version of this put out by Deseret Book is agonizingly poorly done. Footnotes just break into the text in the middle of sentences and so forth; it's like they just dumped straight OCR of the book into Kindle format and then published.

That frustration aside, Truman G. Madsen is great. This book is essentially a collection of collections, so it doesn't come together into a unified whole especially well, but it is good for what it is.

[Michael D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Audiences…

For the first audience:
Those who are members of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints, this book should be a revered reading in your home. Truman Madsen explains and expounds on many gospel principles.

For the second audience:
Any Christian, this book will be a companion to any C. S. Lewis book in your library. Well written, scripturally accurate, and quoting some of the best Christian and Jewish minds in history.

Please consider this book HIGHLY Recommended!!!

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truman Madsen is a brilliant and inspiring speaker and writer. His ability to bring difficult or abstract doctrines to a comprehensible and practical level is his gift. Not only is he well read, but his knowledge makes up his character.

This book is a compilation of five of his famous writings. I have been inspired by each and have been stretched in my understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madsen addresses LDS doctrine clothed in the tightest of academic philosophical rhetoric. But the power of his message comes through the sometimes heady wording in full force.
He is extremely well versed in his medium and doesn't shy away from meeting classical dilemmas with the human approach of a man struggling to apply the model of Christ. He is quick to apply a system of pragmatic action in the face of often purely academic debates.

Very refreshing, extremely inspiring.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as the title explains, this book includes 5 classics:

Eternal Man
Four Essays on Love
Christ and the Inner Life
The Highest in Us
The Radiant Life

Every one of these books is a jewel, a treasure you won't want to miss. Madsen's writing uplifts and motivates. His chapter "Twenty Questions" from Christ and the Inner Life is one of my favorites for self-examination.

[Terry Earley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madsen is a master. Too bad the books in this anthology are mostly out of print. I picked it up in order to re-read "Eternal Man". My copy was long ago damaged in our flood or lent out never to return. Now I am glad I was able to read the others collected here.

Again, he made me think and feel about the purpose of life and our eternal relationship with God and our families.

[goddess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too philosophical. Not only did I skip half the first chapter, but I didn't even finish it. I guess I was expecting more, and just found it kinda blah. I decided I'd rather read something that I can get into. It's a decent read; just not what I'm looking for right now.

[Courtney Nicholls · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is excellent! great reference book!

[Kaylynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me want to be better.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very philosophical, but I would expect nothing less from a philosophy professor. Outstanding viewpoints. Very poetic writing. Held me mesmerized. Not light reading.

[Sharman Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of things to think about. The writing wasn't always concise, but I loved his ideas.

[Kyra]

Very cerebral. It's taking me a long time to finish.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book filled with some interesting perspectives on a large variety of gospel topics.