 |
|
| Author |
Message |
| westcoast frame of mind Moderator |
 What are we reading this Summer? |
Posted Jul 17, 2009; 11:56 am |
|
I’m always curious about what people are reading, why they are reading it and what’s on their what I’m going to read next list. So I’d love to hear what people are reading this summer as well as what their typical daily reading consists of. So here goes for me:
I skim the Vancouver Sun with my a.m. coffee – spend more time with it on Saturday’s.
Most mornings spend a few minutes reading the Bible. Right now I’m in Genesis.
My professional day spent reading police reports, PO’s client logs, and other Reports.
During my breaks at work I tend to read NT Wright’s: Jesus and the Victory of God. I’ve read the first of the series and almost bought the next of the series on Jesus’ resurrection but decided to hold off till I’m done with the Victory book. I’ll often read a bit of the Victory book in the evening (more of it during the wknds). I read the MB Forum  and a few other Forums (i follow a Southern Baptist Forum where young seminarians hang out. I'm convinced the US influence will continue to impact the Canadian and hence the MB scene). For Throne Room reading I have the Herald and National Geographic (try to get that picture out of your head James I read the Herald cover to cover paying special attention to my favourite contributor  )
Also reading less heavy material (I bet many of us have more than one book on the go at a time): Fee’s ‘How to Read the Bible for all its worth’ (2003 3rd edition) and Wright’s Judas and the Gospel of Jesus. I thought Fee’s work would be a nice quick review. Wknd and Summer vacation reading usually includes mystery writer’s Lawrence Block and James Burke.
On my what I’m going to read next list: Kenneth Bailey’s ‘Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes’ is sitting on my book shelf waiting to be read. And I plan to continue with Wright’s series – so that will be his Resurrection book. I’ll probably read some of Fee’s work. His work on the Holy Spirit sounds interesting although, in a lecture I heard him say it was 900 pages so that sounds like a bit of a bite. I also bought his ‘How to read the bible book by book’ another entry level type book but since I’m a Fee fan I wanted it on my shelf. Eventually, I’ll check out Borg, Brueggermann.
Why I’m reading all this stuff:
My Bible and theological reading are for my spiritual development pure and simple. My hopes for the theological works I’m going through and the ones on my list is that my understanding, experience and walk with Jesus will deepen. My MB Forum reading and participation on it has given me a deeper appreciation for the MB conference – I feel more at home.
I’m amazed at the volume of written material that I am exposed to on a daily basis. And would love to hear what other people are willing to share!!! |
|
|
|
| roadrunning Member Joined May 9, 2008 315 posts |
| reading |
Posted Jul 18, 2009; 12:31 pm |
|
Hello WCFOM,
I just finished reading "Genuine Authentic" the biography of Ralph Lauren, "The DaVinciCode" (for the first time without having seen the movie), "Interactionism" (a scholorly piece of work on symbolic interactionism), "Jesus and Empire: The Kingdom of God and the New World Disorder" by Richard Horsley, Ted Peters and M. Hewlett's "Evolution: Creation to New Creation".
I am currently reading "The Future of Religion" (Richard Rorty and Gianni Vattimo), and rereading C.A. M. Hermans, et al "Social Constructionism and Theology", Kenneth Gergen's "Towards Transformation in Social Knowledge"and Thomas Merton's "Care of the Soul".
I read my Bible regularly - large sections throughout the scriptures at any one time. I like to read to see how the various authors of scripture deal with theological ideas. I also read the scriptures for personal reasons.
The Herald is a regular part of the throne room for me as well (as is Architectual Digest). |
|
|
|
| thursday Member Joined May 6, 2009 94 posts |
| summer reading |
Posted Jul 19, 2009; 8:20 pm |
|
Thanks West Coast for starting this thread, it's already given me good ideas for reading.
In regards to fiction, this summer I have maintained a Russian theme:
"Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
"Anna Karenin" by Leo Tolstoy
For non-fiction/theology I have read/am reading:
"Making the Best of it: Following Christ in the real World" by John Stackhouse
"Befriending the Stranger" by Jean Vanier
"The New Christians" by Tony Jones
All of which I have thoroughly enjoyed. The highlights for me have been Anna KArenin and Befreinding the Stranger. Vanier has quickly become one of my favourite theologians. If anyone hasn't read any of his works, I highly recommend it. 
Of course my daily readings also include a skim of the MB forum and the Globe and Mail. I usually skim the Herald--the highlight of which is James Toews' monthly contribution |
|
|
|
| westcoast frame of mind Moderator |
| |
Posted Jul 22, 2009; 4:55 pm |
|
Thanks for responding Roadrunning / Thursday. I hope others will also.
Thursday: I haven't read Stackhouse's 'Following Christ in the real world' although i have listened to the lecture series (course) on the same subject prior to him writing the book. I'd be interested in reading what you think of the book. Anabaptists take a bit of a licking from Stackhouse.
I've been reading Wright's JUDAS and the GOSPEL OF JESUS (2006) only about 150 pages and written at an accessible level. I want to give it a plug.
If you are like me, you've watched TV shows called 'the Pagan Jesus' (egyptian origins of Christianity) or 'the Gospel of Judas.' Perhaps you've wanted to hear/read a Christian response. It seems like there are more and more TV shows along this line (Da Vinci Code).
About a month ago, I watched a show called 'the Gospel of Judas' about a newly discovered gnostic manuscript. So when i saw Wright's book at the House of James (abbotsford book store) for 5.99 I picked it up - it was in the cheap section. IMO, Wright gives a great overview of the gnostic movement and clearly spells out the how the gnostic Judas manuscript comes out of a worldview completely different and antithetical to the Judaic/Christian worldview. For example one chapter is titled: 'Spinning Judas: The New Myth of Christian Origins.' Casting doubt on the integrity/motivation of the Church fathers/early church community seems like a common theme in all these books/tv shows.
TV Shows attempt to show how these gnostic manuscripts/movements capture the 'true Jesus' who shows us we must look within for the divine spark etc. (not exactly New Age mystecism but in some ways similar).
Anyway, I like Wright's historical approach to the gnostic movement (its not your basic apologetic book) and have just telephoned and had two more copies put aside for me. I intend to give them to my adult children (along with a copy of 'Simply Christian' written by guess who). It seems to me that having good material such as Wright's can be a great resource for people who may be troubled by what they see/watch. |
|
|
|
| Ryan Member Joined Jul 22, 2008 26 posts Location: Nanaimo, BC |
| |
Posted Jul 23, 2009; 10:23 am |
|
Very interesting thread thus far—I always enjoy reading lists for the new ideas they provide!
I try to read more fiction than usual in summer so I'm re-reading a couple of novels this month:
Jose Saramago, Blindness
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude
For nonfiction, I'm reading these:
John Stackhouse, Finally Feminist
Darrell Johnson, Discipleship on the Edge
Joel Green and Mark Baker, Recovering the Scandal of the Cross
On the horizon:
Winifred Gallagher, Rapt
Dragan Todorovic, Diary of Interrupted Days
I also subscribe to The Walrus and National Geographic so I try to read those whenever I get a chance. From the "closer to home" file, a good friend sent me Vancouver area pastor Dan Unrau's books a couple of weeks ago (Rogues, Rascals and Rare Gems, Saints, Sinners, and Angels) so I've enjoyed reading them as well!
Incidentally, I've noticed several people reading Stackhouse's Making the Best of It. If anyone's interested, I reviewed this book for the current Direction journal. I didn't find him to be too hard on Anabaptists, although he definitely does have his criticisms. I did review it during the closing stages of writing my MCS thesis at Regent though (which he was supervising), so perhaps there was a bit of self-interest involved in giving him a (mostly) favourable review |
|
|
|
| Sudsy Member Joined Sep 23, 2003 2833 posts |
| The Power of Local Cross-Cultural Ministry |
Posted Jul 30, 2009; 1:53 pm |
|
I'm currently reading a very interesting book called 'you don't have to cross the ocean to Reach the World' by David Boyd.
Here is a quote - 'The local church must take ownership of the Great Commission, that is, to reach all ethnic groups within its sphere of influence. This will require a major shift in our thinking'.
Boyd draws a comparison of the Jerusalem church in Acts to the church in Antioch. Jerusalem seems to resemble many of our current western churches that stay within their comfort zones and more internally focused. Not very flexible or good at reaching out to all ethnic groups in the local community and take them in as part of the family. Antioch with a focus on the harvest. Flexible and ethnically united and able to reach out into a multi-cultural community. Boyd suggests we need to be like the Antioch church and the discipling of 'all nations' is 'all cultures' that we see in our local communities. Our country is a mission field rapidly growing with immigrants (strangers/aliens as scripture speaks of) and we must make them part of the family of God with no restrictions.
Another quote - 'What the Church needs are mature, experienced and culturally sensitive people who will commit themselves to invest in a particular church to raise up a generation of people who have the ability to change the ethos of the church so that mission becomes the main task at home.'
He goes on to say that it won't be all about raising monies for foreign missions but rather it will be about doing mission at home, with the natural outcome of church planting in our connected communities. We must nurture the immigrant and reach the stranger among us.
Just getting more into the 'how to' part of his book but I think he has hit on something key in that we need to become multicultural congregations. This will require letting go of some of those areas of distinction that are a hindrance to this kind of growth. Seems like this may be a huge challenge for some of the Mennonite churches in our area. IMO, I think our local church has come a long way in this regard but we still have a long way to go. |
|
|
|
| rudyhiebert Member Joined Oct 2, 2003 481 posts Location: Abbotsford BC |
| Summer Read |
Posted Aug 7, 2009; 8:50 am |
|
| Having an answer to this question keeps my reputation as a quasi-elite member of my circle of friends intact. Many of my aquaintenances that would ask this of me listen to classical music, drive clean Volvos and go to church. I have an answer for them, only if they ask. This summer it's "Today Matters" by J. Maxwell. I agree, it's a self help book and why would I read something that I can let the wind turn its pages, you may ask? In short, without telling you too much what it's about, there still are some decisions in life that I made way back and am still learning how to manage. Did you notice, "some decisions"? This will remind me of those that I've overlooked. Perhaps postponed might be a better way of saying it. The wind just turned another page. |
|
|
|
| McDLT Moderator Joined May 14, 2004 1451 posts Location: Toronto |
| |
Posted Aug 8, 2009; 12:37 pm |
|
I've been reading Agatha Christie books (not sure but think I've read about 25 out of 77). Good, nice, easy reads for me. I've also started reading Walter Wink's The Powers That Be, although I'm finding it very difficult to get into; perhaps because it's summer and I enjoy lighter reading in the summer.  |
|
|
|
|
|
