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.
Friday, November 27, 2015
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.
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