by Devin Brown
This
book was lent to me by a parishioner who knows I like Tolkien and
Lewis. I thought it was a nice summary of various themes related to
Christianity that show up in Tolkien's work. Didn't learn too much new,
but enjoyed the overview none the less.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Friday, November 27, 2015
Van Gogh: The Life
by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith
A big book, that took me a long time to read, but compelling and revelatory. I have come to a much fuller understanding of the artist whose works I am attracted to. I was surprised to learn of his early desire and attempts to become a preacher. I was saddened by his inability to maintain the approval of his family, and how he so often sabotaged the very thing he desired. I marveled at how he found a new approach to art in spite of (or perhaps because of) his difficulties in life. It was worth the effort of working my way through this well written, thorough and thoughtful volume.
A big book, that took me a long time to read, but compelling and revelatory. I have come to a much fuller understanding of the artist whose works I am attracted to. I was surprised to learn of his early desire and attempts to become a preacher. I was saddened by his inability to maintain the approval of his family, and how he so often sabotaged the very thing he desired. I marveled at how he found a new approach to art in spite of (or perhaps because of) his difficulties in life. It was worth the effort of working my way through this well written, thorough and thoughtful volume.
Monday, November 23, 2015
Opening Heaven's Door: What the Dying May Be Trying to Tell Us About Where They're Going
by Patricia Pearson
A compelling, if a little uneven, collection of anecdotes, research and personal experience exploring the meaning of dying beyond a purely biological reality. Some of the material in this book I have had people share with me personally, but other insights were new and inspiring.
A compelling, if a little uneven, collection of anecdotes, research and personal experience exploring the meaning of dying beyond a purely biological reality. Some of the material in this book I have had people share with me personally, but other insights were new and inspiring.
What Do Christians Believe?
by Malcolm Guite
A concise overview of Christianity, looking at the faith both doctrinally and historically. I've been looking for a book that was comprehensive, balanced and readable to use in the Christian Ethics class I teach at Luther College. Finally, after years of looking, I have found what I've been looking for in Malcolm Guite's book. The best insight from the book - using the Lord's Prayer as a summary of sorts for the Christian Faith. This is better than using the Apostles' Creed simply because it uses the words of Jesus as the starting point rather than words about Jesus (and the Father and the Spirit).
A concise overview of Christianity, looking at the faith both doctrinally and historically. I've been looking for a book that was comprehensive, balanced and readable to use in the Christian Ethics class I teach at Luther College. Finally, after years of looking, I have found what I've been looking for in Malcolm Guite's book. The best insight from the book - using the Lord's Prayer as a summary of sorts for the Christian Faith. This is better than using the Apostles' Creed simply because it uses the words of Jesus as the starting point rather than words about Jesus (and the Father and the Spirit).
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Flight to Heaven: A Pilot's True Story
by Capt. Dale Black
This book was lent to me by a parishioner because she knew I liked books about NDEs. It is certainly an inspiring story, though most of the book dealt with the plane crash and miraculous rehabilitation from that, and only a few chapters actually covered the NDE. It was a quick and enjoyable read.
This book was lent to me by a parishioner because she knew I liked books about NDEs. It is certainly an inspiring story, though most of the book dealt with the plane crash and miraculous rehabilitation from that, and only a few chapters actually covered the NDE. It was a quick and enjoyable read.
Monday, October 19, 2015
The Spiritual Brain: A Neuroscientist's Case for the Existence of the Soul
by Mario Beauregard and Denyse O'Leary
I think the book is more a refutation of those scientist's who function purely from materialism than it is proving something, nevertheless some interesting information and interpretation of current research. Suggests that mystics reveal something about the nature of human life and our place in the universe, something that can not be explained away easily as a product of the brain.
I think the book is more a refutation of those scientist's who function purely from materialism than it is proving something, nevertheless some interesting information and interpretation of current research. Suggests that mystics reveal something about the nature of human life and our place in the universe, something that can not be explained away easily as a product of the brain.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
War: The New Edition
by Gwynne Dyer
A comprehensive overview of the subject of war. Dyer looks at the origins of war, its history and development, and its meaning for human civilization. It is both fascinating and disturbing. Thankfully it ends on a somewhat hopeful note, but not before describing the horror of 'total war' - primarily illustrated by the two World Wars of the Twentieth Century.
A comprehensive overview of the subject of war. Dyer looks at the origins of war, its history and development, and its meaning for human civilization. It is both fascinating and disturbing. Thankfully it ends on a somewhat hopeful note, but not before describing the horror of 'total war' - primarily illustrated by the two World Wars of the Twentieth Century.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Take This Bread: The Spiritual Memoir of a Twenty-first- Century Christian
by Sara Miles
Perhaps the most interesting and unexpected conversion story I've come across. But as interesting as the conversion was, it is what follows that was both impressive and inspiring. Sara understands Communion to be more than a rite safe in the sanctuary, but rather a meal that transforms the sanctuary, and the people in it, to be servants of others. How she lives this out is inspiring.
Perhaps the most interesting and unexpected conversion story I've come across. But as interesting as the conversion was, it is what follows that was both impressive and inspiring. Sara understands Communion to be more than a rite safe in the sanctuary, but rather a meal that transforms the sanctuary, and the people in it, to be servants of others. How she lives this out is inspiring.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Integral Christianity: The Spirit's Call to Evolve
by Paul R. Smith
A challenging book in the sense that Smith pushes the definition of Christian to a point that is beyond my comfort level - however such discomfort is often how we grow. There was much about this book I appreciated, such as the evolution of religion from Tribal, to Warrior, to Traditional, to Modern, to Post-modern and finally to Integral. I like his call to a radically inclusive religion, and a recognition of the divine within (made in the image of God) but was unsure when that began to sound like new age teaching of the late 20th century. Much to think about and digest, and probably merits another reading.
A challenging book in the sense that Smith pushes the definition of Christian to a point that is beyond my comfort level - however such discomfort is often how we grow. There was much about this book I appreciated, such as the evolution of religion from Tribal, to Warrior, to Traditional, to Modern, to Post-modern and finally to Integral. I like his call to a radically inclusive religion, and a recognition of the divine within (made in the image of God) but was unsure when that began to sound like new age teaching of the late 20th century. Much to think about and digest, and probably merits another reading.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
The Fatal Tree
Book 5 in the Shadow Empires Seriesby Stephen R. Lawhead
This concluding book in the series did a decent job of tying everything together (though there were a few loose strands, easy enough to happen with such a large cast of characters and so many plot lines interweaving). I enjoyed the speculation that science will one day prove that "There is no such thing as coincidence". An imaginative approach to what recent findings in quantum physics could suggest.
This concluding book in the series did a decent job of tying everything together (though there were a few loose strands, easy enough to happen with such a large cast of characters and so many plot lines interweaving). I enjoyed the speculation that science will one day prove that "There is no such thing as coincidence". An imaginative approach to what recent findings in quantum physics could suggest.
The Rapture Exposed: The Message of Hope in the Book of Revelation
by Barbara R. Rossing
A lively book that does two things, first it completely destroys the 'rapture' theory still too prevalent in Americanized Christianity today, and second it sets forth a sound interpretation of The Book of Revelation. This book helps us see John's apocalyptic writing as a source of hope, comfort and challenge, rather than fear, chaos and future fortune telling.
A lively book that does two things, first it completely destroys the 'rapture' theory still too prevalent in Americanized Christianity today, and second it sets forth a sound interpretation of The Book of Revelation. This book helps us see John's apocalyptic writing as a source of hope, comfort and challenge, rather than fear, chaos and future fortune telling.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
When God Talks Back: Understanding the American Evangelical Relationship with God
by T.M. Luhrmann
Looking at contemporary Evangelicalism, primarily through the lens of the Vineyard church, Luhrmann explores the spiritual life of these modern Christians. Using insights from psychology, anthropology and history Luhrmann shows how people develop a faith that not only believes we can talk to God, but that God talks back - even about the mundane things of life. A sympathetic and yet scientific examination of this form of Christianity.
Looking at contemporary Evangelicalism, primarily through the lens of the Vineyard church, Luhrmann explores the spiritual life of these modern Christians. Using insights from psychology, anthropology and history Luhrmann shows how people develop a faith that not only believes we can talk to God, but that God talks back - even about the mundane things of life. A sympathetic and yet scientific examination of this form of Christianity.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
The Shadow Lamp
Book 4 in the Shadow Empires Seriesby Stephen R. Lawhead
A lot of books I've been reading lately delve into quantum physics, including this imaginative tale by Lawhead. There is one more book in the series, which I will read soon - and then I will know better how I liked these books. So far, so good.
A lot of books I've been reading lately delve into quantum physics, including this imaginative tale by Lawhead. There is one more book in the series, which I will read soon - and then I will know better how I liked these books. So far, so good.
What We Talk About When We Talk About God
by Rob Bell
A post-modern exploration of the concept of God. Rob Bell is an effective and creative communicator, and there is lots to chew on here. However there are also lots of unfinished thoughts, loose threads so to speak. But as a conversation starter, as a thought provoker it is excellent.
A post-modern exploration of the concept of God. Rob Bell is an effective and creative communicator, and there is lots to chew on here. However there are also lots of unfinished thoughts, loose threads so to speak. But as a conversation starter, as a thought provoker it is excellent.
Change of Heart
by Jodi Picoult
An inmate on death row starts to exhibit Christ-like characteristics and quotes the Gospel of Thomas without apparently knowing it. The daughter of a Jewish rabbi who has lost her faith in God, but not in the justice system, and a Roman Catholic priest who rides a Harley and doesn't know what to make of it all. Quite the mix of characters exploring the question of spirituality, redemption and human potential - an enjoyable page turner, but not without some flaws.
An inmate on death row starts to exhibit Christ-like characteristics and quotes the Gospel of Thomas without apparently knowing it. The daughter of a Jewish rabbi who has lost her faith in God, but not in the justice system, and a Roman Catholic priest who rides a Harley and doesn't know what to make of it all. Quite the mix of characters exploring the question of spirituality, redemption and human potential - an enjoyable page turner, but not without some flaws.
Rumours of Glory: a Memoir
by Bruce Cockburn
This book helped connect the dots and give context to lyrics by my favourite Canadian singer/songwriter. But also challenging and enlightening in terms of a clear perspective on the way the world works. And of course there is the personal story of which I only knew a little. A compelling read.
This book helped connect the dots and give context to lyrics by my favourite Canadian singer/songwriter. But also challenging and enlightening in terms of a clear perspective on the way the world works. And of course there is the personal story of which I only knew a little. A compelling read.
Island of Knowledge: The Limits of Science and the Search for Meaning
by Marcelo Gleiser
Being a non-scientist I found this account of science's search for knowledge fascinating, but also difficult to fully grasp at times. In the end I was left with the conclusion that there is more mystery in the universe than we can even imagine.
Being a non-scientist I found this account of science's search for knowledge fascinating, but also difficult to fully grasp at times. In the end I was left with the conclusion that there is more mystery in the universe than we can even imagine.
Religious Nuts Political Fanatics: U2 in Theological Perspective
by Robert Vagacs
An overview of the theological content of U2's lyrics, drawing connections between Bono's words and the writings of theologians like Walter Brueggemann. For any U2 fan this book helps connect the theological dots in the larger picture of U2's music.
An overview of the theological content of U2's lyrics, drawing connections between Bono's words and the writings of theologians like Walter Brueggemann. For any U2 fan this book helps connect the theological dots in the larger picture of U2's music.
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