by Diarmaid MacCulloch
This
book is essentially a compilation of essays and articles that
MacCulloch has written over the years, and subsequently seems somewhat
disjointed. Some chapters I enjoyed and appreciated, others were simply
tough to get through. The majority of the book is about elements of the
English Reformation, and these parts were far to detailed to be of
interest to me. He does make clear that the Anglican Church really
doesn't belong to the Protestant Reformation or the Roman Catholic
church, but formed in an ongoing tension between the two. I was
disappointed in this book since I had high expectations from reading
some of MacCulloch's other works.
Sunday, January 28, 2018
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Kierkegaard: A Single Life
by Stephen Backhouse
This book has singlehandedly sparked my interest in reading Kierkegaard. A concise but thorough overview of Kierkegaard's life and writings, making the complicated Danish philosopher and theologian more understandable. After reading Backhouse's book I find myself thinking that Kierkegaard has as much to say to our current age as he did to the Danish culture of the 19th century. I also see some interesting parallels with Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Backhouse doesn't assert this, rather it is a conclusion of my own making). Now to tackle a book by Kierkegaard rather than about him.
This book has singlehandedly sparked my interest in reading Kierkegaard. A concise but thorough overview of Kierkegaard's life and writings, making the complicated Danish philosopher and theologian more understandable. After reading Backhouse's book I find myself thinking that Kierkegaard has as much to say to our current age as he did to the Danish culture of the 19th century. I also see some interesting parallels with Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Backhouse doesn't assert this, rather it is a conclusion of my own making). Now to tackle a book by Kierkegaard rather than about him.
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Age of Discovery: Navigating the Risks and Rewards of Our New Renaissance
by Ian Goldin and Chris Kutarna
A brilliant analysis of how our current circumstances parallel in many ways the time of the renaissance, both with advantages and its dangers. I enjoyed getting a better understanding of the renaissance through the comparisons with contemporary conditions. I particularly appreciated the concluding chapter which looked at how to move forward in the best possible manner (magnifying flourishing genius and mitigating flourishing risk). Written by two Oxford academics, I took pleasure in knowing that one of them (Chris Kutarna) is originally from this neck of the woods.
A brilliant analysis of how our current circumstances parallel in many ways the time of the renaissance, both with advantages and its dangers. I enjoyed getting a better understanding of the renaissance through the comparisons with contemporary conditions. I particularly appreciated the concluding chapter which looked at how to move forward in the best possible manner (magnifying flourishing genius and mitigating flourishing risk). Written by two Oxford academics, I took pleasure in knowing that one of them (Chris Kutarna) is originally from this neck of the woods.
Monday, November 13, 2017
A Wrinkle in Time
by Madeleine L'Engle
I came across a movie trailer for an upcoming cinematic treatment of this book a couple of weeks ago - I thought I should re-read the book in advance of the movie version's release. A delightful read, to be sure, and one filled with a few surprises that I had forgotten. Madeleine L'Engle loved to play with language, and that can be seen throughout this short novel. Even though its protaganists are children this should not be limited to being considered a children's book. The themes are deep and profound. Even though it was written 55 years ago it still seems relevant, we still live on a shadow planet.
I came across a movie trailer for an upcoming cinematic treatment of this book a couple of weeks ago - I thought I should re-read the book in advance of the movie version's release. A delightful read, to be sure, and one filled with a few surprises that I had forgotten. Madeleine L'Engle loved to play with language, and that can be seen throughout this short novel. Even though its protaganists are children this should not be limited to being considered a children's book. The themes are deep and profound. Even though it was written 55 years ago it still seems relevant, we still live on a shadow planet.
A Beauty
by Connie Gault
I read this novel because it was written by the wife of a musician in one of the bands I play in. Fulled with colourful and complex characters, and evocative language I was drawn into the world of the Canadian prairies during the 1930s. At one point the novel jumps 30 years ahead, and suddenly I found myself in an environment I recognized, small town prairie life of the 1960s. Beautifully written, quite enjoyable.
I read this novel because it was written by the wife of a musician in one of the bands I play in. Fulled with colourful and complex characters, and evocative language I was drawn into the world of the Canadian prairies during the 1930s. At one point the novel jumps 30 years ahead, and suddenly I found myself in an environment I recognized, small town prairie life of the 1960s. Beautifully written, quite enjoyable.
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Brand Luther
by Andrew Pettegree
The long subtitle of this book is: How an unheralded monk turned his small town into a center of publishing, made himself the most famous man in Europe – and started the Protestant Reformation. That pretty well sums it up. A unique look at the history of the Reformation through the lens of the printing industry. Many surprising insights were gained about this period of history from reading this book, a testimony to Pettegree's research and writing skills. His concluding account as to why Luther's reformation did not establish itself more widely was the most concise and astute explanation I have come across yet. A book about books worth reading.
The long subtitle of this book is: How an unheralded monk turned his small town into a center of publishing, made himself the most famous man in Europe – and started the Protestant Reformation. That pretty well sums it up. A unique look at the history of the Reformation through the lens of the printing industry. Many surprising insights were gained about this period of history from reading this book, a testimony to Pettegree's research and writing skills. His concluding account as to why Luther's reformation did not establish itself more widely was the most concise and astute explanation I have come across yet. A book about books worth reading.
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation
by Richard Rohr with Mike Morrell
I find I need to read Richard Rohr in small bits, quite simply because there is so much new thinking and shifted perspective required to follow Rohr's line of thinking and revelation. This book lays out the meaning and implications of the doctrine of the Trinity in a non-academic yet deeply thoughtful approach. Some of Rohr's ideas are unorthodox, but not unsupported. I consider Richard Rohr a modern mystic, and with most mystical literature, like most poetry, he requires reflection and expansive thinking to understand what he is saying, but it is worth the pondering.
I find I need to read Richard Rohr in small bits, quite simply because there is so much new thinking and shifted perspective required to follow Rohr's line of thinking and revelation. This book lays out the meaning and implications of the doctrine of the Trinity in a non-academic yet deeply thoughtful approach. Some of Rohr's ideas are unorthodox, but not unsupported. I consider Richard Rohr a modern mystic, and with most mystical literature, like most poetry, he requires reflection and expansive thinking to understand what he is saying, but it is worth the pondering.
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