What are you current reading? or What are your current reading goals?

I'm currently reading a biography series entitled Makers of the Modern Theological Mind and a book by each theologian. I've made it thourgh the Bonhoeffer and Karl Barth Biography and Life together by Bonhoeffer.

I've got Reading With God by David Foster sitting on the shelf. I keep starting it, getting so far, and deciding I ought to try this out before I read any further and then not doing anything more with it.

Biblical:
God's empowering presence

An Introduction to the Old Testament Poetic Books

Programming:
agile web development with rails

rails recipes

css mastery

pragmatic version control: using subversion

Fiction:
the elder gods

Well, I'm reading Beyond the Sacred Page, which is fiction, but it does deal with the English translation of the Bible. It's quite a good book. I'm rather enjoying it. It's interesting to see the way people worshipped and how they understood "religion".

Almost finished with The People Called Quakers by Elton Trueblood

Am re-reading two of Richard Elliott Friedman's books, Who Wrote the Bible? and The Hidden Face of God. The former is still the best introduction to the consensus on the documentary hypothesis in the Hebrew scriptures (a view I'm far more comfortable with than I am with the equivalent as re. the N.T.); the second is a re-title of The disappearance of God (same book, different name) and is a meditation on why and how the figure of God seems to withdraw from the scene as the O.T. progresses. His later sections are on responses to this withdrawal in later history, and make a curious combination with the first part. I like all the sections, but I go back and forth on how relevant I think they are to each other and how convincing in themselves. The middle one (on Nietzsche and Dostoevsky) is quite good; for my money the last ("Big Bang and Kabbalah") is the weakest.

Just finished reading God: A Biography by Jack Miles and really enjoyed that, especially the sections on Genesis and Job. There is material in there that sounds like what you are mentioning in The Disappearance of God. I have read the first Friedman book and am now moved to seek out the second, thank you. I'm also reading Crossan's The Historical Jesus: The Life of a Mediterranean Jewish Peasant and The Birth of Christianity, and recently finished Misquoting Jesus by Bart Ehrman. I guess I'm on a roll here, lol...
for various reasons, I'd recommend any of those books, I really enjoyed all of them. Crossan's books are the toughest plowing, though.

I read God: A Biography long enough ago to make it worth re-reading. I have the follow up: Christ: A Crisis in the Life of God in my TBR pile. I'll read them both when the second one makes its way to the top.

I am currently reading Debating Calvinism, and ongoing debate between Dave Hunt and James White. It's a great read, but must say that White blows Hunt out of the water - it's hardly fair.

I just started reading Savior or Servant? Putting Government in Its Place by David W. Hall. Drawing upon thousands of Bible verses and hundreds of thinkers, Hall is attempting to define the role of the state.

Also, I'm currently re-reading Andrew Murray's Humility. If a Christian desires a true walk with Jesus Christ, I recommend this book heartily. A Christ-like life is not possible without true humility. This book gets to the heart of the matter.

Hi,
Dipped into Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places by Eugene Peterson again today.

Just blogged a snippet about it.

Greetings,

Hey all, first message here :).

I'm currently reading My Life by Golda Meir, a very interesting book that gave me new insights into Israel, its history and politics, and the life of Golda Meir herself, both in her role in Israel's politics and her personal life.

What interests me most about this book is the point of view. Obviously, it can be considered pro-israel, but contrary to most Israel-centered books I've read, it's does not have a religious slant. It's sad to see that many of the issues she wrote about in 1975 are still major issues now.

Next to that I'm reading Beloved by Toni Morrison. So far, a great but cruel book.

I've got a few longer term reading projects going: The Gospel of John, Volume 2 by James Boice which I am reading as I work slowly through John's gospel - also I'm reading Mark Dever's Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made though I've not given it much time lately. My other long term project is Holiness by J.C. Ryle - I'm reading through this with an elder in my church. At the rate we are going, we'll be in it for most of a year.

Medium term projects are Saints and Sinners: A History of the Popes and Esther and Ruth (Reformed Expository Commentary). Short term project is The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald.

I try to keep my current, recent past, and future reading updated here: http://bookpress.wordpress.com/. I'm way behind on reviews though - still working through my January reading.

Currently I am reading God Centered Biblical Interpretation, by Vern Poythress. This is in addition to several commentaries on Leviticus.

I am currently reading Sanctorum Communio by Bonhoeffer, Upgrade 10 Secrets to the Best Education for Your Child by Swanson and Genesis by Brueggemann. I am also slowly working my way through all of the works by N.T. Wright and Childs.

Are there groups for individual authors? Would that be a good thing to set-up or is that redundant to book related discussions?

There's a C.S. Lewis group...

I don't think there's a limit to groups you can, or should make.

I just started Adventures in Missing the Point by Brian McLaren and Tony Campolo. The Emergent church movement makes me think, but is it just another gimmick? "Spiritual" Religiousity for the 21st century? Or is it really authentic? any thoughts?

I've just finished reading Blue Like Jazz. It is not the longest book ever written but I found it interesting because the author geets away from cliches about the Christian faith and reworks some of the basic themes that we all regard as important so we can look at them in fresh ways.

Message edited by its author, Aug 30, 2006, 5:06pm.

I read Blue Like Jazz. I also read a couple of Donald Miller other books, and thought that while Blue Like Jazz was very good, Searching for God Knows What spoke volumes to me.

I am currently reading Knowing Scripture by R.C. Sproul and will be starting C. S. Lewis The Problem of Pain.

Message edited by its author, Aug 31, 2006, 3:09pm.

Jenniferb - I've been researching the Emerging Church a lot, lately -- see my blog if you want more on that. :o)

I just bought Blue Like Jazz and would really like to some day own Searching For God Knows What, too.

Currently reading "The Complete Idiot's Guide to The Reformation & Protestantism" by James S. Bell and Tracy Macon Sumner. Great book -- highly recommended!

Next up: Postmodernism 101 by Heath White.

I'm getting through The Anglican Understanding of the Church at the moment. Not a long book, but a heap to think about. I also need to start skimming through Celebrating the Anglican Way before too long. Whew!

Recently finished a book that's out of print the persecutor, an amazing autobiography of a former Soviet agent. Find it through used books on Amazon and you won't be disappointed.

I also recently read Passing Through Paradise which moves Christian fiction beyond most of what's available in bookstores. It shows real Christians with real problems.

Thanks for the heads up on Blue Like Jazz guys. I ordered it having picked up the comments here, and read it in last night. Absolutely great stuff, thanks again. As for the rest of my current reading, I've just started my ordination training, so the list is rather long, but Paul: Fresh Perspectives by N T Wright is the stand out so far.

I just joined this group and am trying to figure things out here. I'm reading 1 Kings and the Gospel of John, along with the Believer's Bible Commentary and Halley's Bible Handbook. Also reading Les Miserables which has some very thought provoking theological ideas in it.

Currently I am reading A Jewish Understanding Of The New Testament by Rabbi Samuel Sandmel. It is a very interesting book. It was written in the 1950s but still in print. Rabbi Sandmel deals with his topic very sympathetically (sp). I have learned a great deal from this book on the jewish environment at the time of the early church.

I am also in the middle of Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology by Eugene H. Peterson, and Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster. Both of which I like.

I recently read Genesis, Job and Exodus but got bogged down in Leviticus.

I was brought up a United Methodist but have since moved to an area where there is no local church. Instead I am attending the local Anglican church. So I am also reading books such as Welcome To The Book Of Common Prayer, Welcome to Sunday: An Introduction to Worship in the Episcopal Church, and Why I Am a United Methodist. It is interesting how much you learn when you step out of your normal environment. I began asking questions such as "Why do they do this?" which leads to questions like "If this group does it this way, why did we do it that way?" Learning and growing... I love it.

Message edited by its author, Dec 14, 2006, 4:57pm.

Currysue,

I have heard of Sandmel. He was mentioned in a recent lecture that I was apart of for his article on parallelomania. I am looking forward to reading him soon, I have only heard good things.

If you are looking for a nice evangelical commentary to aid in your reading of Leviticus; check out Gordon Wenham's work in the N.I.C.O.T. or Allen Ross' work.

parkersmood,

I have taken your suggestion and am ordering Allen Ross' book on Leviticus.

If/when you read Samdel's book A Jewish Understanding Of The New Testament I would love to discuss it with you.

Thanks,
Sue

Currently reading... A more profound alleluia and rereading An introduction to Christian Worship. When not distracted with these bits for worship committee, I'm distracted by H L Royden's classic, Real Analysis.

--JA

Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."

....Mark 7:13

>>Message 17: jenniferb read
>>I just started Adventures in Missing the Point by Brian McLaren >>and Tony Campolo. The Emergent church movement makes me >>think, but is it just another gimmick? "Spiritual" Religiousity for the >>21st century? Or is it really authentic? any thoughts?

I agree with you. The Emergents are helping to challenge church in its current fixation on modernity. However, the movement so far is more about deconstructing the current practices in order to make way for new and more authentic ones. In my opinion, I think that the obvious benefit behind this is that it helps us (american churches) recognize our shortcomings. This will then help us to rearticulate our faith in our new context so that we can embody what it means to be followers of Jesus in each and every particular context/culture.

One great thing about McLaren in particular is his generous spirit. Rather than attempt to destroy the other, McLaren is careful to pick up on the good that each tradition is bringing to the table (even eucharistic table if you will). He affirms what is good and helpful and challenges that which is not. However, you will always find a spirit of love in all that he says--you cannot say that much about many of his opponents who regularly throw around heresy language and even (if you can believe it) demonic language to describe him! Anyway, McLaren has alot to show us about being open to learn from all, and discerning where the Spirit is present in the other.

The other thing that I think is especially helpful about the emergent strain of thought is that it tends to focus on being "missional". It recognizes our place in God's missio dei and calls authentic believers to reach out holistically to the whole world and witness to the kingdom of God in our midst.

I for one am excited to see what comes of the open space that has been created by this deconstructionism. It may be too early, but I am anticipating a constructive sort of theology to help challenge the church to really be the "body of Christ" in our post-modern world.

I have to believe that this movement is borne of the Spirit given its spirit of reconciliation and faithfulness. I don't think it is a gimmick, but rather faithful people asking the "tough questions" that none of us want to ask ourselves. Ron Sider deals with this in "Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger" when he says that most of us are much like the Mafioso's Wife. We know there is something going on that we ought to ask about so that we can be informed to make moral decisions regarding them. However, most of us, even while we know that there are problems that exist are more content to not ask the questions, so that we think we somehow avoid the responsibilty for action. But Sider posits that when we know there is something 'going on' that deserves attention, and we do not ask, so that we do not have to deal with our responsibilty, we are just as guilty as if we knew the scope of the problem and refused to deal with it. In fact, our refusal to investigate is concomitant with our refusal to act and borne out of a desire to make things comfortable rather than right. All that said, I think the emergents are asking the questions that no one wants to deal with. (Where copernicus asked the question what if the earth is NOT the center of the universe, the emergents are asking "what if the church as we know it is not in the center of God's plan? What should we do in order to be faithful?"

Certainly maintaining the status quo just won't do. So where do we go from here?

Message edited by its author, Jan 2, 2007, 10:47pm.

I just got my copy of A Cloud of Witnesses: Ten Great Christian Thinkers and "I Believe": Exploring the Apostles' Creed both by Alister McGrath.
They are two of his easier (non-academic level) books, after these I hope to work my way through Constructive Theology: A Contemporary Approach to Classic Themes.

Currently reading:

Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey

Just finished:

Moses by Charles Swindoll
If I Gained the World by Linda Nichols

Message edited by its author, Feb 12, 2007, 7:07pm.

I'm reading Tower of Shadows, by Drew C. Bowling... it's not so bad, a little fluffy perhaps...

I'm just starting Augustine: A New Biography by James J. O'Donnell. Absolutely fascinating how he takes the saint out of Augustine and shows him both in his culture and outside of his subsequent veneration by both Catholics and Protestants.

Currently reading two books:

1. An Introduction to Christian Apologetics: A Philosophic Defense of the Trinitarian-Theistic Faith by Edward J. Carnell
2. A History of Apologetics by Avery Robert Cardinal Dulles

both books are required for my class I'm taking (Philosophy 351: Christian Apologetics).

A really good and balanced book on the topic of modernity and postmodernity and where the church fits in to those two worldviews is Truth and the New Kind of Christian: The Emerging Effects of Postmodernism in the Church by R. Scott Smith

I felt that Smith did a good job of trying to balance out the Pros and Cons for both positions. He talked about the benefits of each view as well as the pitfalls that the church can run into if it takes one idea to an extreme and to the total exclusion of the other. It's a short read - probably a primer really - on the topic, but it does give you a foundation on which to start a discussion and pursue more in-depth study.

Shawn

About to read House by Frank Peretti, who's one of my favorite authors.

Recently finished Monster also by Frank Peretti

Currently reading When I don't Desire God by John Piper. So far, it's pretty good, and the copious C.S. Lewis citations are great :).

A Concise History of the Catholic Church, along with Diplomacy for the Next Century, and The Last Match.

I normally read one book at a time, but started a test to read more books at the same time. 2 fiction, 2 non-fiction, though I haven't gotten to four books at once yet. When I finished the first fiction book, I started a new one. Still need to add that second fiction book to make four books at once.

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis Great book, under appreciated.

Message edited by its author, Mar 24, 2007, 7:25pm.

I am reading The heart in pilgrimage: Christian guidelines for the human journey by Christopher Bryant. I had read her novel The Heartbreaker, about a month or so ago. The "Heartbreaker" deals with a male prostitute who finds Christ through the benefit of the St. Benet's healing center in the City of London. The "Heart in Pilgrimage" takes a Jungian approach and deals with prayer. The noteworthy poem, "Prayer" of George Herbert is his guide for getting into the various aspects of prayer. This book is part of the Library of Anglican Spirituality edited by Susan Howatch.
-- Bob Campbell

Message edited by its author, Apr 18, 2007, 11:23am.

I am busy with the following books:
Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners
Eldest
Brothers, we are not Professionals
Hell's Best Kept Secret

I have become hooked on books by Francine Rivers.... recently I just finished The Atonement Child and Redeeming Love.

Just finished "Truth and Tolerance," by Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI). Even though I am a Protestant I can certainly appreciate Pope Benedict's skill as a theologian and his analysis of many of the challenges that all Christians must face in engaging people of different faiths in meaningful dialogue.

Message edited by its author, Jul 17, 2007, 10:04am.

I've been reading The Cross and the Crescent: Christianity and Islam from Muhammad to the Reformation by Richard Fletcher. This book explores the relatinships, both good and bad between the two faiths. I find the writing to be quite lucid.

The Secret Magdalene by Ki Longfellow.

Institutes of Biblical Law, by Rushdooney and the Institutes of the Christian Religion by Calvin. I have just finished the Olivet Prophecies by Capt.

Olivet Prophecies is certainly an obscure book. I looked it up on worldcat and the closest library to me on Long Island that has it is Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

A Two-Part Invention by Madeleine L'Engle. This is a heartfelt journey of pain, love and faith. The story of her marriage and her husband's struggle with cancer. It reminds me of C.S. Lewis's struggles and his openness about grief, anger, and joy. L'Engle is painfully honest and transparent here. Wonderful thought on God's will, suffering and the results of suffering.

>52
What a tribute to her life.

Message edited by its author, Sep 16, 2007, 3:28pm.

i'm currently reading Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson and find it phenomenal.

15> I am currently reading Sanctorum Communio by Bonhoeffer

What do you think of it thus far? Any opinions from anyone else who has read it?

Here's my morning list:
What Jesus Demands of the World by John Piper
Jeremiah, Lamentations (NIV Application Commentary) by J. Andrew Dearman
Lunchtime reading:
The New Testament and the People of God by N. T. Wright
Evening reading:
The Church of the Other Side by Brian McLaren

Blue Genes by Paul Meier, M.D.. I am loving this. It is something which everyone should read because there are so many misunderstandings about mental illness out there, especially in the Christian community.

I'm going through My utmost for His highest with the Sunday School class I teach. This will be my first time all the way through without stopping, and I'm really enjoying it.

I am currently studying Bible Study Methods by Rick Warren. The book encourages you to read and apply the Bible in different ways. An inspiring book which I am sure will show me new insights into the Bible.

I am also reading Prayer by Philip Yancy. A fantastic and insightful book although it requires a long time to read it!

I've been reading the pilgrim's progress and just finished a new kind of Christian and leadership and self deception. Once I wined my way through pilgrim's progress I'm going to read mystery of mar saba and unholy war.

Psalm 23 right now and hoping to move on to something new if I can finish it by tonight.

I just finished reading: Praying with the Church: Following Jesus Daily, Hourly, Today by Scot McKnight. How lay people can pray the daily office of the church.

I am also reading The Wonder worker by Susan Howatch. This is a novel about an Anglican healing ministry in London and some of the conflicts and challenges of those who run St. Benet's Center.

I'm probably going to get shouted down on this one, as I already have been by many people I know, but I am not a big fan of the Emergent Church movement...it asks a lot of great questions, but I have a problem with a lot of the answers they are coming up with, since many of them are not biblically based and some go against what the Bible teaches. I have not read any Brian McLaren, but have sat under Rob Bell and read some of his books and interviews and not been impressed. If you are interested in pursuing the subject, I highly recommend a sermon by Mark Driscoll, a proponent of the Emerging (not emergent) church movement, on the Desiring God John Piper website. Not only does he cover this topic thoroughly, but he is entertaining to listen to as well.

Msg 63 is in response to msg 17, by the way.

just finished reading Mark Noll's Turning Points, which is quite a useful potted introduction to church history. Some chapters were more riveting than others, but he's generally a good writer and helpful in seeing why these events (obviously a subjective list!) were significant.

#63 I got interested in your distinguishing between emerging and emrgent, so I googled and came up with a Christianity today article from February of this year:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007...


Scot McKnight, of whom I made reference in #62, wrote the article. He sees five "streams" flowing in the emerging church:
prophetic
post-modern
praxis-oriented
post-evangelical
political

Phyllis Tickle plans to speak on this subject on Long Island, December 5 & 8, 2007. She is calling it "Emergent Christianity."

Message edited by its author, Oct 2, 2007, 2:43pm.

Let's take this emerging, emerged, emergent, discussion over it's own topic.

emerging, emerged, emergent- the topic

Message edited by its author, Oct 2, 2007, 3:05pm.

I've finally made it to the last chapter of The Story of Christian Theology by Roger Olsen, a rather large tome but what a great introduction to theology. Can anyone recommend which of Karl Barth's works best outlines his theology?

I'm reading The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian for a Bible Study I lead. We are loving it. I'm also still trying to finish When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada. I am also working my way through The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell for a Sunday School class that I'm attending. My next book will be Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray.

# 68. I guess I'd have to suggest Dogmatics in Outline, sometimes called the "Cliff's notes" to Karl Barth. Although, personally, I didn't really respond to Barth until I read a section of Church Dogmatics, part IV, "The Doctrine of Reconciliation", chapter 14, called "Jesus Christ, The Lord as Servant." You can find it online at starting at http://agios.us/barth/B59-1-1.html . I'd be interested to know what you think of it.

I'm reading A History of Christianity by Kenneth Scott Latourette. Took it home from our church's library (which is under renovation) and didn't notice for a while that it's 1,500 pages. "Gaa!" I said, overwhelmedly. But Latourette is a phenomenally good writer. I'm up to the early Scholastics (Anselm, Peter Abélard) and I feel like I'm learning a lot. Fuller review to follow on the book's page, but probably not for a couple of months.

I recently started Isaiah and also John Piper's When I Don't Desire God...I've only read a couple of chapters, but have already been greatly encouraged, as I usually am by his books. After that, I'll probably read The Death of Death by John Owen.

Did you like The Secret Magdalene? I was blown away by it. Can't wait for anything else she writes.

Required readings for my Spring Semester course "Ancient Christianity":

"City of God" by Saint Augustine
"Lost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and The Faiths We Never Knew" by Bart D. Ehrman
"Church History in Plain Language" by Bruce L. Shelley

Message edited by its author, Jan 10, 2008, 4:10pm.

I managed to buy that set of books for $29 a long time ago. I've read Paul Tillich, Karl Barth, and Reinhold Niebuhr. Thanks for the reminder. I need to go back and read the other volumes. It's a pretty good resource.

I just found this group and this is my first post here. Currently, I am reading the following:

The Reformation by George L. Mosse Its an older book, part of the Berkshire studies in Eurpoean History.

The Spirit of Protestantism by Robert McAfee Brown

Message edited by its author, Feb 29, 2008, 1:43pm.

I just picked up What Jesus Meant by Garry Willis... almost done, but I'll turn it around and read it again, very thought-provoking and reaffirming...

I have just picked up 'God' Waugh, and am about half-way through Radiance: A Spiritual Memoir by Evelyn Underhill. She wrote Mysticism, Practical Mysticism, Mystics of the Church, Worship, Concerning the Inner Life, etc. in the early 20th century.

I am a member of the Angican Book Club. The spring selection came this morning, Imitating Jesus. I had the finished a biography of William Wilberforce, the winter selection

I got a copy of "the Simple Faith of Mr. Rogers" for Christmas and finished it in a weekend....not heavy duty theology by any means but a great example of someone living the faith. God bless him...

I have started reading Frederick Quinn's To Be a pilgrim: the Anglican ethos in history. This is a book from the library, but I may want to own it. It has selected readings from each century and is very well put together. Written in 2001, so it doesn't deal with the most current controversies in the Episcopal Church.

Message edited by its author, Mar 11, 2008, 4:28pm.

I was currently reading The Secret Magdalene by Ki Longfellow, but I just finished it. Since I wish I could still be reading it, I consider it "current." I'm currently thinking about it and currently wondering when I can start all over. But I thought I ought to mention it has zero to do with Christianity since neither Yeshu or Mariamne are Christians. Christians did not exist in their time. Underlying the story, which is amazing, it is, though, original Christian thought, ideas that didn't make it past the death of Yeshu by many years. Wonderful wonderful book.

Message edited by its author, Apr 8, 2008, 12:25pm.

Currently reading Orthodox Prayer Life by Matthew the Poor. He was a wealthy man who went off into the desert in Egypt to become a hermit and stayed there for 55 years until he died in 2006. Highly intelligent and based on deep experience.

I agree with Starryeyes about The Secret Magdalene. Although it's a version of what could have been the life of the woman who is now known as Mary Magdalene, it's not really a Christian novel. It's a work of deep spirituality. I also agree it's a wonderful novel in termsn of character and story, and the theology is simply amazing.

Although only 56 own The Secret Magdalene, it's average rating is 4.88 and that is very high. It also has garnered 8 reviews. That is impressive also.

Currently reading The Nature of God by Arthur W. Pink

The Acts of the Apostles.

The Spirit of the Liturgy by Joseph CardinalRatzinger, the current Pope. The theme of liturgy as play has come through, the idea of "exitus" and "reditus", and the moral association.

Westminster Abbey by Richard Jenkyns is part of the "Wonders of the World" series from Harvard University, semi-brief historical guides to some of the great buildings, not particularly pictorial.

Currently reading -- for the second time in a month -- Bridal Intercession by Gary Wiens.

Suffering and the Sovereignty of God by John Piper.

I'm currently reading and preparing book reviews of: Neglected Voices: Peace in the Old Testament by David A. Leiter and The Purple Crown: The Politics of Martyrdom by Tripp York. Both are published by Herald Press.

Message edited by its author, May 26, 2008, 9:54am.

I am also reading NT Wright's books at the moment. His trilogy on Christ is really clear, systematic and thoroughly argued. It has challenged me to revisit interpret my interpretation of many familiar texts. I have also read his popular commentary on the book of Hebrews, which is amazing because he writes with such a breezy freedom compared to his academic tomes. I thought that it was the sort of commentary any Christian would love to read, although he clearly isn't attempting to provide a scholarly work. I am also reading Ben Witherington III, whom I rate highly as again a strong academic but also someone who writes exceptionally well. I'm reading his commentary on Mark and his work "The Paul Quest". There's a Durham link in there somewhere...These guys are both so prolific they deserve discussion threads all of their own! I'm new to LT, and find it reassuring that others seem to like similar books.

"The Emergent church movement makes me think, but is it just another gimmick?"

Personally, I see it as just another form of liberal Christianity. I think "post-modern" Christianity can lead to some theologically dangerous places.

Amen to Phil76 and BubbaCoop.

I'm currently reading:

~ True to Life: Why Truth Matters by Michael Lynch
~ The Real Jesus by Luke Timothy Johnson
~ Theories of Religion: A Reader, ed. by Seth Kunin
~ The Time is at Hand by Charles Taze Russell
~ Christology of the Later Fathers, ed. by Edward Hardy

I think that's it right now. Not very many, compared to some of the past couple days. I've kept my "50 book challenge" thread quite busy lately.

I have just finished reading:
Prayer is a place : America's religious landscape observed by Phyllis Tickle. Most of the book is about her days at Publishers Weekly and the process of moving more religious books into the mainstream of American publishing. She also discusses a little of emergent Christianity. Most of this book is autobiographical. (she lives in West Tennessee.) I had read earlier her more theological book, The Great Emergence: how Christianity is changing and why, and did hear a lecture by her on this (see Msg 66).

My copy of Surrender: The Heart God Controls by Nancy Leigh Demoss arrived today. I'm excited to get into it, and will do so tonight.

I just finished Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan, which was amazing. Beautiful book.

A knitting pattern!

I am trying to read The Gagging of God by D.A. Carson. This book is a little tough for me

Were you trying to get a Touchstone for The Gagging of God by Donald A Carson?

I have just finished Quiet Talks on Prayer by S.D. Gordon which I recommend to anyone looking for a revitalization of their prayer life. See review on librarything.

S. D. Gordon sure has a high rating for his books, 4.6. Maybe I should look up Quiet Talks on Prayer.

The Gospel of Ruth, by Carolyn Custis James.

Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer and just ordered The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven Scott

The Bible The Biography by Karen Armstrong - excellent!

Message edited by its author, Jan 6, 2009, 8:21am.

Also rereading some of the documents of Vatican Council II - Lumen Gentium, Gaudium et spes, Unitatis redintegratio, Nostra aetate.

I'm reading Prayer: a history by Philip Zaleski and Carol Zaleski. I'm in the second part of the book, Heart in Pilgrimage (Touchstoned another book I read a while ago and also good, both using quotes from George Herbert). This is divided up into the Refugee (think the de profundis psalm), Devotee (angelus), ecstatic (Teresa of Avila), contemplative (Cloud of Unknowing).

Due to acclaim accorded The Secret Magdalene by Ki Longfellow, I read it. Worth every laudatory word.

The Secret Magdalene has a rating of 4.77, enough to put it in the top 25 star rated works in LT.

Currently reading: (1) Anthology of Classical Myth: Primary Sources in Translation, edited by Stephen Trzaskoma; (2) the complete works of Menno Simons; (3) Articles of Faith by James E. Talmage; (4) The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins; and (5) From the Maccabees to the Mishnah by Shaye J. D. Cohen.

Ecospirit, a rich collection of essays on creation spirituality and ecological theology (definitely not to be confused with creationism!). Skip the introduction, incidentally, unless you like deep philosophical jargon - the rest of this thick book is very readable.

Just finished:
The One Percent Doctrine by Ron Sukind.

True Riches by T.R. Arthur: on the internet.

Starting The Epic of Kings by Ferdowsi: on the internet.

Reading the Institutes of Christain Religion by John Calvin daily reading on the internet.

Expository Thoughts on the Gospels by J.C. Ryle on the book of John.

Right now I'm reading Feminine appeal : seven virtues of a godly wife and mother by Carolyn Mahaney. It's a wonderful book that is revolutionizing the way I look at how God made me. It is well-written and full of scriptures and gracious wisdom from a woman who has obviously thought through and lived this topic.

Message edited by its author, Jan 15, 2009, 10:20pm.

I have finished I Stand at the Door, the Advent sermons of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Very illuminating and turns my mind back to God. Has anyone else read it?

# 115

I think that I Stand at the Door by Edwin Robertson is a difficult book to find. Only four people in LT own it, it wasn't listed in Worldcat (which means virtually no library owns it), and Amazon in the U.S. shows it as an unavailable import. Perhaps, you could tell us a little something about it, and where you were able to get it.

#116 vpfluke:
AbeBooks.com has two books available one for $6.07 and the other for $6.84 if you want to purchase it.

I'm currently reading, among other things, The Episcopal Church - Its Teachings and Worship by The Rev. Latta Griswold, M.A., December 1951 printing ©1917 Morehouse-Gorham Co., NYC, NY

{I did the Touchstones bracket thingy for both title and author, but the thingy doesn't seem to work for me.}

Message edited by its author, Jan 24, 2009, 4:37pm.

I was able to get the author Touchstone: Latta Griswold (I didn't bother with the honorifics).
I used a colon for the work Touchstone: Episcopal Church: its teaching and worship, and it worked. Sometimes, if only one work is in LT (or the second copy hasn't properly been cached yet), the Touchstone doesn't work.

In any case, as an Episcopalian, this seems like a potentially interesting book. Have you read more recent books on the Episcopal Church? and I wonder how the one by Griswold compares. How much does the Episcopal Church of 1917/1951 compare with the one of 2009?

I did a combining effort and there are now three copies shown in LT, including the one with the the subtitle: "Instructions given at the Chapel of the Intercession, New York, for churchmen and confirmation classes." This version came out in 1916. Then the 1917 one alluded to, which went into three editions. So, probably the older one evolved into the newer one. The Worldcat record is a bit of a jumble. There are 50 copies of the various versions of this book, but only two in public libraries (New York Public - non-circulating, and the other in Asbury Park, New Jersey); the rest are in university and seminary libraries. I have a feeling this was a popular book on the Episcopal Church at one time, even if most libraries no longer own a copy.

Message edited by its author, Jan 24, 2009, 11:42pm.

Right now I'm reading Way of the Master by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron. I'm about a third through it after a few days. Good stuff.

I am currently reading Huston Smith's The Soul of Christianity. Smith comes at it, although having written extensively on world religions, from a traditionalist background (a la Rene Guenon et al).

Still working on Articles of Faith, but I've finished everything else I mentioned in Message 111 (except for Menno's stuff, which I set aside).

Currently also reading:
Philosophy in Christian Antiquity by Christopher Stead
How Things Might Have Been: Individuals, Kinds, and Essential Properties by Penelope Mackie
Notes on the Early Stalcop Family in Delaware by Harry G. Staulcup

#123

Are you planning to write a review of Articles of Faith? There aren't any yet in LT, and only one useful one at Amazon.

I just started reading:

The Divine Drama Discovering your Part in God's Story by Kurt Bruner

Donald Miller Jazz Notes Improvisations on Blue Like Jazz

Message edited by its author, Jan 28, 2009, 11:38pm.

Anam Cara (Spiritual Wisdom from the Celtic World) by John O'Donoghue.

I began reading it years ago but it got packed away somewhere during one of my perennial relocations and I've just found it and started reading it again.

I'm reading Colorado Wings by Tracie Peterson. Its really interesting.

I'm re-reading The Window of Vulnerability by German theologian Dorothee Soelle. It made a deep impression on me when I first read it, probably nearly 20 years ago, and I still find it fresh and inspiring, despite it being a little dated in some details.

I'm currently reading Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline in prep for an upcoming Seminary class on Spiritual Formation. I'm really struggling with what appears to be Foster's loose quotations and interpretations of the Scripture, deviations into what I call the "HUH?!" category and just overall lack of Biblical support for some principles he lays out. But then, out of nowhere, he'll shock me and bring what he's talking about squarely back to God's word. So, I'm going to ride this roller-coaster to the end, but I can't honestly say that I'm enjoying every turn at this point. Can't wait to start class so we can discuss this book with the prof and other students.

#129

Does Richard Foster's being a Quaker have any effect on how he uses scripture? My pastor several (3) decades ago tried to get me to read a Celebration of Discipline, but I never did.

Hi vpfluke---very good question. I think it does. When I mentioned my concerns to two of our Deacons' this morning at breakfast and that Foster was/is a Quaker, one of them commented that the Quaker tradition does have a lean toward the more loose use of Scripture and a potential over-interest in looking for the experience perhaps over the written Word of God. I do have to say that Foster makes some excellent points along the way, it's just the deviations toward confusing points that concern me.