Stimulated by an excellent recent sermon on Rev. 21 from Burge, I'm hoping to re-read parts of CS Lewis' 'The Great Divorce', especially the sections that appeal to the imagination in conveying qualities of the fulness of the kingdom - the renewed creation in its enhanced and 'super-charged' mode. Are people aware of other creative and evocative portrayals of the fulness of the new creation - heaven on earth?
I'm reading 'God, Gays and the Church - Human Sexuality and Experience in Christian Thinking' ed. Lisa Nolland, Chris Sudgeon and Sarah Finch.
Finding it challenging and informative. The best thing about this book is that it seems to have a great balance, and input from the Christian Gay community, and Christians struggling with same Sex Atraction. These are voices that I haven't really heard alot from.
As a Mom, I'm currently reading some practical wisdom by Ross Campbell & Gary Chapman entitled "Parenting your Adult Child". There's a followup book by the same author (2007) called "Help your Twenty Something Get a Life". Before I launch into that one though, I shall enjoy reading "The Great Divorce" which has been purchased some time ago, but never actually read. Praise God for this blog, my first! Thanks Tim
Hey Lorna - great to hear from you (feel free to pass the word around other St. Matt's folk).
I'm often asked what books to recommend on parenting issues, so I'm interested in your impressions of the one by Campbell and Chapman - their other writings have been helpful, so I suspect there is some good material in this one. Parenting is SO different at different stages, but I guess there are also some underlying values and principles that apply, regardless of age.
Have just started 'Breath for the Bones - Art, Imagination & Spirit: Reflections on Creativity & Faith' by Luci Shaw (forever grateful to the late Sue Penberthy for introducing me to this author..), and will soon be reading 'My Seventh Monsoon: a Himalayan journey of faith & mission' (given to me a year ago). I'm also looking forward to getting my hands on 'Surprised by Hope' by Tom Wright - once Tim has finally finished the last few pages!
I'm being a little overambitious in my reading plans over summer with a few books I'd love to get through ... but I do plan to finish reading 'How Long O Lord' by Don Carson on evil and suffering in the world - a book full of big concepts to wrap my little mind around, but I enjoy Carson's uncompromising theological stances balanced by a pastoral perspective. He leaves the reader to make some connections which can be frustrating, but a good mind workout. Also planning on reading the controversial 'The Shack'...
Ross Campbell has written several helpful books on parenting and I've always appreciated the bible based wisdom. Now he addresses parents of gen x and gen y and discusses how we can continue to be a positive influence on our young adult children. I'm still a fair way off grandparenting but this topic is covered too! I would highly recommend it as a great addition to the home library.
"I think Wright has significantly changed his predominant paradigm from his previous 'return from exile' motif, to something much more far-reaching - but more of that anon."
Tim, I look forward to your comments on this. Like many evangelicals, I respect Wright for his historical scholarship but think he's over-egged the cake in a few places. 'The Great Divorce' is a wonderful book - but not safe for bishops! (Like Aslan - good but not safe.)
Looking for comfort after losing a loved one, I have been reading CS Lewis 'The Problem of Pain'. I was quite taken by his description of the period when man did live in absolute obedience to God, before the fall. Have any of you any knowledge of this author, Matthew Fox? I ask because the book "Original Blessing" has been recommended to me by a minister of the United Church here in Canada.
Hi Lorna, Glad to hear you are exploring CS Lewis, and especially 'The Problem of Pain' - it is insightful and challenging in good ways. In regard to Matthew Fox, I haven't read much of his works - mainly extracts. However, I would note that he is certainly controversial and contends for views that differ significantly from accepted views within the church, and his line of thought in regard to the 'fall' and original disobedience is viewed with concern by many - myself included.He certainly needs to be read critically, and in my view he is especially inadequate and weak in diagnosing the human condition. But I do not claim to speak with any great authority regarding Fox, and as I say I have only read extracts.
After gleaning a bit more of Matthew Fox's ideas (he seems to be on a very personal quest rejecting some gospel teachings) I have sidestepped him in favour of Henri Nouwen and Thomas Merton. I will start with "Finding my way home", then "Return of the Prodigal Son" and finally "The Inner Experience". By then I should be back on Australian soil and my reading will have to slow down again I suspect. Pity.
I've just completed my first book in I don't know how long! Admittedly it was only 150 pages short,but I generally find Alister McGrath a stimulating read.
The book is called 'The Journey' and is written for newish Christians encouraging them not just to understand about their faith but to appreciate the value and depths of it. In other words it concerns their spiritual development.
Using the familiar story of the exiled Israelites McGrath uses ideas of remembering and anticipating as methods for exploration and often encourages use of the imagination. He also draws on biblical themes such as creation, doubt, exile, redemption, fear and failure.
What I like about the way he writes is that he also nearly always includes helpful excerpts or cameos of historically influential Christian greats, and sometimes lesser known ones, Suzanna Wesley being a case in point for this book.
An inspiring read which 'engages the heart as well as the mind.' Very useful for new converts.
Hi all . . . I have just finished a delightful find by Dietrich Bonhoeffer "Life Together". On the ministry of silence and listening with purpose: basic premise if you don't listen to people, you won't be listening to God either. I enjoyed it immensely and will be lending it out to my friends who are also excited by the notion of building community and pastoral care.
16 comments:
Stimulated by an excellent recent sermon on Rev. 21 from Burge, I'm hoping to re-read parts of CS Lewis' 'The Great Divorce', especially the sections that appeal to the imagination in conveying qualities of the fulness of the kingdom - the renewed creation in its enhanced and 'super-charged' mode. Are people aware of other creative and evocative portrayals of the fulness of the new creation - heaven on earth?
I'm reading 'God, Gays and the Church - Human Sexuality and Experience in Christian Thinking' ed. Lisa Nolland, Chris Sudgeon and Sarah Finch.
Finding it challenging and informative. The best thing about this book is that it seems to have a great balance, and input from the Christian Gay community, and Christians struggling with same Sex Atraction. These are voices that I haven't really heard alot from.
As a Mom, I'm currently reading some practical wisdom by Ross Campbell & Gary Chapman entitled "Parenting your Adult Child". There's a followup book by the same author (2007) called "Help your Twenty Something Get a Life". Before I launch into that one though, I shall enjoy reading "The Great Divorce" which has been purchased some time ago, but never actually read. Praise God for this blog, my first! Thanks Tim
Memoirs of an ordinary pastor... by Don Carson about his dad.
Hi Zane,
I haven't had a chance to read 'God, Gays and the Church', so I'd be interested in your impressions at some point.
FYI - Lisa Nolland has quite a punchy blog herself - you can find it by googling 'Lisa's Lookout'
Hey Lorna - great to hear from you (feel free to pass the word around other St. Matt's folk).
I'm often asked what books to recommend on parenting issues, so I'm interested in your impressions of the one by Campbell and Chapman - their other writings have been helpful, so I suspect there is some good material in this one. Parenting is SO different at different stages, but I guess there are also some underlying values and principles that apply, regardless of age.
I'll be reading NT Greek cue cards!
The intensive starts 2 February.
Have just started 'Breath for the Bones - Art, Imagination & Spirit: Reflections on Creativity & Faith' by Luci Shaw (forever grateful to the late Sue Penberthy for introducing me to this author..), and will soon be reading 'My Seventh Monsoon: a Himalayan journey of faith & mission' (given to me a year ago). I'm also looking forward to getting my hands on 'Surprised by Hope' by Tom Wright - once Tim has finally finished the last few pages!
I'm being a little overambitious in my reading plans over summer with a few books I'd love to get through ... but I do plan to finish reading 'How Long O Lord' by Don Carson on evil and suffering in the world - a book full of big concepts to wrap my little mind around, but I enjoy Carson's uncompromising theological stances balanced by a pastoral perspective. He leaves the reader to make some connections which can be frustrating, but a good mind workout. Also planning on reading the controversial 'The Shack'...
Ross Campbell has written several helpful books on parenting and I've always appreciated the bible based wisdom. Now he addresses parents of gen x and gen y and discusses how we can continue to be a positive influence on our young adult children. I'm still a fair way off grandparenting but this topic is covered too! I would highly recommend it as a great addition to the home library.
"I think Wright has significantly changed his predominant paradigm from his previous 'return from exile' motif, to something much more far-reaching - but more of that anon."
Tim, I look forward to your comments on this. Like many evangelicals, I respect Wright for his historical scholarship but think he's over-egged the cake in a few places.
'The Great Divorce' is a wonderful book - but not safe for bishops! (Like Aslan - good but not safe.)
Bengola
Looking for comfort after losing a loved one, I have been reading CS Lewis 'The Problem of Pain'. I was quite taken by his description of the period when man did live in absolute obedience to God, before the fall. Have any of you any knowledge of this author, Matthew Fox? I ask because the book "Original Blessing" has been recommended to me by a minister of the United Church here in Canada.
Hi Lorna,
Glad to hear you are exploring CS Lewis, and especially 'The Problem of Pain' - it is insightful and challenging in good ways. In regard to Matthew Fox, I haven't read much of his works - mainly extracts. However, I would note that he is certainly controversial and contends for views that differ significantly from accepted views within the church, and his line of thought in regard to the 'fall' and original disobedience is viewed with concern by many - myself included.He certainly needs to be read critically, and in my view he is especially inadequate and weak in diagnosing the human condition. But I do not claim to speak with any great authority regarding Fox, and as I say I have only read extracts.
After gleaning a bit more of Matthew Fox's ideas (he seems to be on a very personal quest rejecting some gospel teachings) I have sidestepped him in favour of Henri Nouwen and Thomas Merton. I will start with "Finding my way home", then "Return of the Prodigal Son" and finally "The Inner Experience". By then I should be back on Australian soil and my reading will have to slow down again I suspect. Pity.
I've just completed my first book in I don't know how long! Admittedly it was only 150 pages short,but I generally find Alister McGrath a stimulating read.
The book is called 'The Journey' and is written for newish Christians encouraging them not just to understand about their faith but to appreciate the value and depths of it. In other words it concerns their spiritual development.
Using the familiar story of the exiled Israelites McGrath uses ideas of remembering and anticipating as methods for exploration and often encourages use of the imagination. He also draws on biblical themes such as creation, doubt, exile, redemption, fear and failure.
What I like about the way he writes is that he also nearly always includes helpful excerpts or cameos of historically influential Christian greats, and sometimes lesser known ones, Suzanna Wesley being a case in point for this book.
An inspiring read which 'engages the heart as well as the mind.' Very useful for new converts.
Hi all . . . I have just finished a delightful find by Dietrich Bonhoeffer "Life Together". On the ministry of silence and listening with purpose: basic premise if you don't listen to people, you won't be listening to God either. I enjoyed it immensely and will be lending it out to my friends who are also excited by the notion of building community and pastoral care.
Post a Comment