Magi: A Novel

by Daniel L. Gilbert
 
A short novel expanding the story of the Magi who come to visit the infant Jesus. Well written and well researched, with lots of historical and cultural references to help frame the story. Has a surprising end that does not actually contradict the Gospel of Matthew, but is the first time I've encountered such speculation (I won't divulge more at this point and spoil it for other readers).

At first I found the unfamiliar names a bit confusing to keep track of, and the first couple of chapters were a bit of work to get through, but once the Magi start their trek to Jerusalem the story moved along nicely (and perhaps by then I had gotten used to the names).  Overall an enjoyable read which also helped me understand elements of the Magi story more deeply.

Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife

by Eben Alexander, M.D.
 
After reading the Newsweek magazine article about Dr. Alexander I thought I would get the book. I wasn't disappointed, the book provided much more detail and analysis of Dr. Alexander's unique experience. Not so much a "proof" of heaven as it is an example of the mystery of life and a glimpse into a bigger universe than we can even imagine. This book is almost two books in one - one book telling the story of a medical mystery - the bacterial attack on Dr. Alexander's brain and then his complete recovery.  There has been nothing like this before, his is an unusual and unique case.  The second book would be the recounting of his experience while in a coma, the Near Death Experience (NDE) that he has - a highly detailed account of Dr. Alexander's experience of life beyond the body.  As he reminds the reader on many occassions - what he experiences while in the coma is something his scientific and medically trained mind could not explain - yet something that was real, more real than this life.

I thought of C.S. Lewis' concept of Shadowlands as I read Dr. Alexander's account.  I am amazed that Lewis (both in The Last Battle, and in The Great Divorce) seemed to understand something that Dr. Alexander experiences. It makes me wonder where Lewis got the inspiration from.  This book ends strongly with some of the best chapters in the latter part of the book.  I'm sure it will be hotly debated in the coming months, but I like its insistence on the mystery that surrounds us - real as real can be, but unseen and little known except for those fortunate to have had a glimpse of the larger realm.

Praying in the Messiness of Life: 7 Ways to Renew Your Relationship with God

by Linda Douty

This short book contains a lot of good practical tools and techniques for one's prayer life.  Linda Douty is not breaking new ground in this book, but rather reminding us of things we already know but easily forget or set aside, or giving us a new perspective on an activity we already do that we maybe didn't think of as prayerful.  One example: in the chapter on Praying with the Senses wrote about the Camera as Prayer Tool, "A camera lens can reveal a microcosm of the world's wonder as the eyewitness to intricate design, human emotion, or a simple landscape. Allow your camera to become a channel of prayer as it captures a snow-capped mountain or a single smile."  I have often felt that photography was a spiritual experience for me, and now Ms. Douty has given that experience a new framework.

I also appreciated her reflections on Intercessory Prayer, where she concludes, "Intercessory prayer isn't about manipulating God's will; it's about placing ourselves and those for whom we pray in the loving Presence that never abandons us, no matter the circumstances."  Overall a worthwhile book, best read in small bits, reflecting on each portion before moving to the next section.

Saint Julian

by Walter Wangerin Jr.

A unique novel fleshing out the life of the ancient legend of Julian the Hospitaller, set in the period of the Crusades. More violent than any other Wangerin book, but spiritually honest and hopeful. I couldn't help but think at times while reading this novel that on one level it was an autobiographical text. This is not to say that Walter Wangerin Jr. lived a life similar to Julian, but the recognition of our total dependance on God's grace, and how we can unintentionally hurt those around us, especially those who love us - this seemed to resonate as words from Wangerin's own life experience.

As I read this book I thought it similar to another novel about an ancient saint, the novel Godric by Frederick Buechner, also a recounting of the life of a flawed saint. Both books remind us how God can use we flawed, imperfect, and indeed sinful, humans to be God's hands and feet in this world. There is no life so lost that it cannot be redeemed by the God of severe mercy.

The Celtic Way of Evangelism: How Christianity Can Reach the West Again

by George G. Hunter

This book has renewed my interest in evangelism, that is, in reaching the people in the culture around me.  George Hunter shows how the expansion of Christianity among the Celtic peoples has relevant lessons for us today. I have long appreciated the early Celtic Christian church, and after reading this book my appreciation has only deepened. Thanks to Chris Roberts who initially lent me his copy, which after reading a couple chapters I knew I wanted my own copy to mark up. Indeed this book is filled with highlighting, lots of significant insights, lots of quotable comments.  Perhaps the most significant thing for me was the author showing how elements and attitudes from early Celtic Christianity can find a place in our current context.  George Hunter put into words many of the things I have thought or felt as I reflect on bringing the gospel to the 'neo-barbarians' that make up much of western society currently.  I think this book should be read by any clergy or lay person who wonders how the gospel might be taken beyond our sanctuary walls.

Love's Immensity: Mystics on the Endless Life

by Scott Cairns

This American poet takes writings from Christian mystics throughout the centuries and reworks portions of their writing with fresh working.  Some of these grabbed my attention, others seemed difficult to grasp (perhaps due to the original material), but overall a worthy read, especially when taken in small doses.

The range of mystics is very wide, from the well known such as Saint Francis of Assisi, Meister Eckhart and Julian of Norwich, to the lesser known such as  Evagrios of Pontus, Saint Dorotheos of Gaza and Saint Nil Sorsky.  I only wished I had known some of this material in its original form so that I could compare with the reworking done by Scott Cairns.  The readings did seem fresh, at least in terms of language, and yet I believe Scott held true to the original tone and intention of the mystics.

Here is one example that I particularly liked from the book, one of the places where the poet uses the phrase that becomes the book's title:

The Death of Death

Put fear aside. Now
   that He has entered
into death on our behalf,
   all who live
no longer die
   as men once died.

That ephemeral occasion
   has met its utter end.
As seeds cast to the earth, we
   will not perish,
but like those seeds
   shall rise again - the shroud
of death itself having been
   burst to tatters
by love's immensity.

The original writing was from Saint Athanasios (c. 298-373).

Church in the Inventive Age

by Doug Pagitt

A realistic look at options Christian churches have in our current context - which Pagitt calls the "inventive age".  Rather than give a lot of answers, Pagitt points in certain directions and asks questions that provoke thoughtful reflection.  According to Pagitt, the inventive age gives churches a great opportunity to find new ways to interact with the world around them, and one size does not fit all.

Doug Pagitt examines the many changes going on in churches in the North American context, and then tries to determine what is behind those changes and what such changes mean for Christian communities.  This book is from a series on the inventive age.  After reading this provocative and enjoyable book I look forward to others in the series.

The Prague Cemetery

by Umberto Eco

A long, and sometimes confusing novel about late 19th century European history, confusing because it was hard to follow all the espionage and counter-espionage, secret societies and movements. Perhaps if I knew my European history from this era better I would have found the book more engaging. As I was the only aspect of the book I truly appreciated was its portrayal of how antisemitism was expanded and promoted and used as a political tool in the lead up to the 20th century.

I found Eco's use of the double narrator plot device somewhat pretentious and the conclusion of the mystery anti-climatic. This is not to say I didn't enjoy the book on some levels, but I would hardly call it "magnificent" as apparently the Sunday Times did.  I picked this book up in a Paris train station book store, it seemed an appropriate choice because we were heading to Prague that very day.  I was surprised when the story opened in the very part of Paris we had just stayed in during our vacation there (the Latin Quarter).  The book revealed some of the roots of antisemitism, but I still I think I learned more about that from our guide in Prague when we walked about the old Jewish Quarter. While there we took a peek in the Cemetery referred to in this book, but unfortunately we didn't actually go it - when I think back on that opportunity now I wish we had taken the time to go inside the cemetery and look around more closely.

Finally I think I didn't enjoy this book as much because none of the characters are really anyone worth rooting for, they are all rather despicable people - and I get weary of reading endless depravity.

Paris Revealed: The Secret Life of a City

by Stephen Clarke

I picked up this book in a Paris train station as we waited to board a train for Prague.  I only wish I had found this book before visiting Paris, rather than at the tail end of our time there. A fun look at some of the unique characteristics of Paris and its inhabitants. Written by a British author and humourist who has lived in Paris for many years and filled with keen observations that only an outsider who is really familiar with the subject can provide.  I particularly enjoyed the first part of the book with its look at Paris' pavements, metro and history.  It explained a lot of what we saw and experienced in our week in the city of light.  The second half of the book was still entertaining but not as relevant to our experience.

Juno Beach: Canada's D-Day Victory June 6, 1944

by Mark Zuehlke

A detailed account of Canada's involvement in D-Day. This is a piece of Canadian history that I think everyone should be more aware of. Having visited the Juno Beach Centre in France (where I picked up this book) I have developed a greater appreciation of the sacrifice of the young Canadian men in the push to liberate France from the Nazis. I also have a more vivid understanding of the horror and human cost of war.

Sometimes the details were overwhelming, trying to keep all the various military terms and troops sorted out in this large work, but Mark Zuehlke was also able to weave in many individual stories and incidents to keep the material interesting. I was proud of Canada when I finished the book, not because I glory in war, but because what the Canadian troops accomplished that day was astounding, and yet is little known in public memory.  I learned, for example, that even though the Canadian troops were last to land, and faced the most fierce resistance (other than what the American troops faced at Omaha beach), the Canadian troops pushed the furthest inland.  The Canadian troops were the first to accomplish one of the military objectives set forth that day, in spite of huge losses of soldiers on the Juno Beach.

Looking back on our recent European trip, I wish I had read this book before visiting the Juno Beach Centre, and I wished we had had more time to spend there.  Thanks to this book, Juno Beach is more than a vague idea of something that happened in World War II, and for that I am grateful.

Jesus' People: What the Church Should Do Next

by Steven Croft

I borrowed this book from my brother James, who read it as part of his work on a Doctor of Ministry degree.  I wish I had my own copy for there were many passages I wanted to highlight.  While little that is in this book is new, Steven Croft has put his reflections on the life and ministry of the Christian Church in the 21st Century in a clear, concise and articulate manner worthy of some time and attention.  Right off the bat I appreciated the way that Steven refuses to participate in the blame game, looking for reasons the church has failed or is failing.  Instead he focuses on what it means to be fruitful, and how that might look different than corporate success.

Bishop Croft sets forth four tenets in this book: 
1. We are navigating through a time of great change and to navigate well we need to rediscover Jesus Christ as the compass and centre of the Church’s life.

2. We need as a Church to reflect the character of Jesus to our society. But what does this mean?

3. We are called as a Church to do what Jesus did: to build up the Christian community and to change the world. It is neither one nor the other but both.

4. We will only have the strength to change ourselves or others if we are deeply rooted in Jesus. But how should that happen?

Each of these 4 points is examined carefully, and I was both affirmed and challenged in my ministry in each of these sections.  This book is a valuable resource for any church leader seeking to a compass to the future.

The Realms Thereunder

by Ross Lawhead

Ross is the son of one of my favourite authors of fiction Stephen R. Lawhead.  This book is the first in a series called "The Ancient Earth Trilogy" of which the second book will come out in January 2013.  What that means is that I will now have to wait to find out how the story will progress, in many ways this book felt like a prelude - a way of introducing the characters and plot line, but not much was resolved by the conclusion of the book.  This is the danger of reading such series - one gets hooked into storyline only to be forced to wait for resolution for months or even years.  It is for this reason that usually I don't start a series until all the books have been published, however I made an exception in this case because this book is set in Oxford, and we were visiting there this summer.

As for the book itself, it was certainly entertaining and incorporated some novel elements, but I do not think Ross write quite as skillfully as his father Stephen.  I did find it entertaining, but at times I felt the mixture of contemporary attitudes and ancient setting (in a fantasy world) a little to jarring, or simply unbelievable.  I will read the rest of the series when it comes out, but Ross will not replace Stephen as my favourite Lawhead author.

A New Pile of Books

I have just returned from a month long vacation in Europe with my family.  While there I purchased a number of books (my idea of souvenirs), many of these coming from Blackwells Book Store in Oxford, England.  These books were shipped home, and were waiting for me when we arrived back in Regina after our European Adventure.  Many of these books will show up on this blog in the coming months I'm sure, but one I would like to mention that won't show up here otherwise is the Fully Revised Fourth Edition of The New Oxford Annotated Bible (New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha).  While in University and Seminary my primary Bible was The Oxford Study Bible (Revised Standard Version), and I thought it was time to get an updated version of this helpful resource.  The new version is heavier than the original, which I suspect means more annotations and commentary.  I thought it appropriate to get this Bible while actually in Oxford - that city of deep Christian history and significant theological scholarship.

The Becoming of G-d: What the Trinitarian Nature of God has to do with Church and a Deep Spirituality for the Twenty First Century

by Ian Mobsby

Ian is the Anglican Priest at the Moot Community, a fresh expression of church in London, England.  This is a creative and vibrant group that I visited three years ago.  In this fascinating volume Ian explores how a renewed understanding of the Trinity can lead to insights about what it means to be the church today. He examines aspects of the emerging church and mixed economies of churches with a keen eye that sees our ancient future possibilities. His passion for faith, Christian community and the Trinity ring clear on every page.

He Ascended Into Heaven: Learn to Live an Ascension-shaped Life

by Tim Perry and Aaron Perry

Ascension often gets neglected as Christians reflect on the meaning of Jesus' life and the implications of that life for our own living - this book sets out to bring the Ascension into the conversation.  The authors look at the meaning of the Ascension from a number of angles and bring some fresh insights to consider.

I found this book to be a helpful condensation of theological themes connected with the Ascension.  I particularly appreciated the connection between the crucifixion and ascension, and the understanding that what was started on the cross was concluded in the clouds - that the ascension turns the cross into a victory.  I also appreciated how the authors were able to show how ascension is found throughout the New Testament, not just in Luke and Acts (not directly, but as a recognition of who Jesus is).

The Sacrifice of Jesus: Understanding Atonement Biblically

by Christian A. Eberhart
 
A little book with some big ideas, packed with an overview of how sacrifice is presented in the Bible, and how it applies to the saving work of Jesus.  Bottom line, this professor at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon suggests that to limit sacrifice to Jesus' death is misunderstanding the function of sacrifice in the Hebrew scriptures.  It is more about offering something pure, costly and pleasing to God than the taking of a life.

In this book Christian Eberhart first gives a detailed overview of sacrifice found in the Hebrew scriptures, which makes it quite clear that death was not the primary element functioning in these ancient rituals (especially when considering Cereal sacrifices).  Then he examines how the New Testament talk about the saving work of Jesus and what makes such salvation possible.  In conclusion Dr. Eberhart writes "Most important is the discovery that, according to the New Testament, Christ's entire mission and life have salvific value. New Testament soteriology does not focus exclusively on the death of Jesus but includes his life and mission."  Some important insights to consider in a culture that has trouble accepting the concept of sacrifice "as it seems to convey death, violence, and the image of a vengeful and implacable God."  Some ideas worth considering as we seek to proclaim the gospel in our current culture.

The Boy Who Met Jesus: Segatashya of Kibeho

by Immaculée Ilibagiza (with Steve Erwin)

Not quite sure what to make of this book. The dramatic story of a peasant farmer boy from a remote region of Rwanda who had visions of Jesus. Jesus gives this boy messages to share with the world, similar to some girls from the same region having visions of Mary (a modern equivalent to the Marian apparitions in Lourdes, France - 1858, or Fátima, Portugal - 1917). These visitations happened in 1982 in the small village of Kibeho, Rwanda. The account is fascinating, but I'm not sure why God would use such a method to proclaim a message that is (for the most part) already recorded in the Gospels.  That being said, I still found it hard to put down, and some of the unexplained aspects of the story make me curious - for one thing, how would an illiterate boy from a pagan family, who had never been in school, never set foot in a church, never seen a Bible, how could such a person be able to speak so skillfully about theological matters?  Those who were sent by the Roman Catholic church to investigate the verity of the apparitions concluded that they were real, that the children, including Segatashya, were telling the truth - something miraculous was taking place.

Perhaps the most forceful impact of the book is its cautionary tale of what happens when people do not love others has God has commanded.  In a little more than a decade after Segatashya had his visions and shared Jesus' message with a wide audience (his messages were broadcast on radio and crowds of 30,000 would crowd into Kibeho when the visitations were to occur), the lack of love and understanding led to the genocide for which Rwanda is infamous today.  In the end the message delivered by Segatashya was a simple one, so simple that a child could understand it - we are to love God and each other, to return to living the way God intended, to pray constantly and in this way prepare for the last days.

Intuitive Leadership: Embracing a Paradigm of Narrative, Metaphor & Chaos

by Tim Keel

I started this book months ago, it was recommended by my brother who read it as part of his Doctor of Ministry studies.  For whatever reason I never got too far into the book, it kept getting set aside as other things took higher priority.  Then a few weeks ago I was able to really dig into this book, and I am very grateful that I did.  It is fill with great insights into what leadership means, and indeed what church means, in the 21st century.  A call to creativity and intuition, and allowing ministry to be shaped by one's context rather than by programs and structures developed elsewhere (in place or time).


Tim Keel leads a church that is part of the "Emerging Church" movement. They have sought to be intentional in shaping their community of faith in an honest and creative manner that does not neglect the past, but is not bound to it.  One of the best things about Keel's book is that he resists the temptation to create a program based on what happens at Jacob's Well (his church in Kansas City, Missouri) that can be transplanted into other churches.  That would defeat the whole premise of his book which is to encourage leaders to respond to their own environments with creativity and intuition (which he says is an important way God's Spirit leads us).

My copy of this book is filled with highlighted passages, and I'm sure I will return to this volume time and again to remind myself of the wisdom and insights Tim Keel has shared, and to reaffirm my commitment to use the gifts of creativity and intuition in my role as a church leader.

Embracing Grace: A Gospel for All of Us

by Scot McKnight

In this book McKnight uses the concept of Eikon (a Greek word meaning "image" which Scot uses to mean "image of God") to explore the question "What is the Gospel, this good news that God has sent to us?"  McKnight provides a balance to the evangelical over-emphasis on a God of judgment with this picture of grace and good news.  Scot has a nice way of explaining theological ideas in terms that an average person can understand, and his examples from life are relevant and in some cases touching.  I particularly enjoyed the chapters titled "Diminished by Exclusion" and "Enlivened by Embrace" - a message the church needs to take seriously today.

Celtic Christianity: A Sacred Tradition, A Vision of Hope

by Timothy Joyce

A comprehensive overview of Celtic Christianity, from its beginning in the early 5th century to its transformation in the second millennium.  An introduction to the uniqueness of the early Celtic Church, with its holistic approach to faith and life. I learned much more than I might have expected in this book - especially the history of how the early form of Celtic Christianity was transformed over the centuries into the very rigid and traditional Irish Catholic Church.  I appreciated Joyce's way of approaching this material as a theologian and historian, a poet and a sociologist.  Once I started the book it was actually hard to put down, not so much because there was a fast moving plot, put simply because I was gaining so much insight and understanding throughout the whole work.  I found the book to be inspiring as well, at the end I felt both hopeful, and committed to be more intentional about weaving more of Celtic Christianity into my own experience and ministry.

Testing Scripture: A Scientist Explores the Bible

by John Polkinghorne

The more I read of John Polkinghorne's work, the more I admire his way of thinking and writing.  In this book Polkinghorne applies what he calls his 'bottom-up thinker' approach developed as a scientist to examining the development and content of scripture.  I particularly enjoyed the early chapters where Polkinghorne explains his understanding of the development of religious thinking and divine revelation.  He writes "I believe that the nature of divine revelation is not the mysterious transmission of infallible propositions which are to be accepted without question, but the record of persons and events through which the divine will and nature have been most transparently made known."  Here Polkinghorne articulately states an understanding of inspiration that I have come to understand.  That is just one example of many such gems in this little volume.  Highly recommended.

Kicking at the Darkness: Bruce Cockburn and the Christian Imagination

by Brian J. Walsh

I was introduced to Bruce Cockburn back in 1980 and have been an big fan ever since. In seminary I wrote a paper analyzing the Christian themes in Cockburn's lyrics (to that stage), thus I was curious about what Walsh would do in this book.  What I discovered didn't disappoint, Walsh has written an in-depth look at the Christian themes present in Cockburn's body of work.  I appreciated Walsh's way of weaving images (like dance, light, darkness) together with interpretations of Cockburn's lyrics, creating new insights into Cockburn's songs.  I particularly enjoyed his elaboration on one of my all time favourite Cockburn song's "A Life Story" (which is one of Cockburn's shortest songs lyrically speaking).  I would recommend this book to any fan of Bruce Cockburn's music, or even to non-fans, there is much to ponder in this work.

Dialogue With a Skeptic

by Thomas Howard

Perhaps when it was written (1974) this seemed a witty and creative attempt to explain Christianity, however current skeptics don't sound much like the one voice in this book.  There were parts I thought still had merit, but much of it seemed dated, but not because of cultural references, rather because of the tone of the writing.

Earthy Mysticism: Spirituality for Unspiritual People

by Tex Sample

This book turned out to be quite different than I expected.  Instead of theological ideas being batted around in a theoretical context this book was a collection of personal stories from the life of Tex Sample, all with some kind of spiritual point. The stories were powerful, funny, touching and always memorable. A delightful read in so many ways.

The Lion, the Mouse and the Dawn Treader: Spiritual Lessons from C.S.Lewis's Narnia

by Carl McColman

Being a huge C.S. Lewis fan, I'm a sucker for any books that explore Lewis' writings (such as the amazing Planet Narnia by Michael Ward).  This book is a delightful read that reveals an underlying current in Voyage of the Dawn Treader... it really is about the Christian Spiritual journey.

Haile Gebreselassie: The Greatest Runner of All Time

by Klaus Weidt

An overview of this amazing Ethiopian athlete's life and accomplishments, however I was hoping for more of a biography of this fascinating hero.  This is not the greatest book of all time, but it does cover some of the significant points of Haile's amazing story (which is still being written, apparently Haile will run in the Marathon at the London Olympics - I will be watching!)

Woman, Love and Basic Rights According to the Qur'an

by Prof. Dr. Bayraktar Bayrakli

A gift from some congregational members who had the translator of this book as a tour guide in Turkey last year. Shows a more progressive approach to Islamic understanding. The English wasn't always easy to follow, and the cultural and religious differences also made this a bit of a tough read, but there were many new understandings I gleaned from this book.

Christmas: Festival of Incarnation

by Donald Heinz

Recommended by my good friend Paul Sartison. Excellent writing - an inspiring, enlightening and challenging examination of Christmas throughout the ages. I now have a deeper appreciation for what Christmas has been, and what it can be.

The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil

by Philip Zimbardo

My son's psychology professor recommended this book. A fascinating and thorough exploration of the role of circumstantial environment in evil behavior in humans. Looks at how 'good people' can get to the point where they engage in torture, genocide and other evil acts. Ends with a look at heroes, those who do manage to stand up to wrong, and confront evil.

The Book of Negroes

by Lawrence Hill
 
A fictional account of the African slaves in the Americas that is hard to put down, and hard to read at times, realizing how badly humans can treat one another.

Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle

by Chris Hedges
 
In light of current events in the United States I found this book an important, sobering read. Some of the chapters were disturbing to read, and the overall content of the book is enough to make a person mad. Thankfully Hedges ends on a somewhat positive and hopeful note. A call to action, to disgard distraction and get to work changing our world (particularly in North America).

The Big Book of Christian Mysticism: The Essential Guide to Contemplative Spirituality

by Carl McColman

A well written overview of Christian Spirituality. A volume filled with wisdom and insight, one I will return to in the future I'm sure.

Heaven's War

by Micah Harris & Michael Gaydos

A graphic novel with Charles Williams, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein and Aleister Crowley as characters. One of the few graphic novels I have ever read, and similar in tone to Charles Williams novels (which are a bit unusual to say the least).