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.