Tag: book reviews

Towards Dawn we March ever So Slowly

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends! A few words on a couple of books. I shall not be overly verbose this day, I swear.

51. The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss. Oh Rothfuss. Leaving us hanging, are you? As I neared the ending of this one, I felt a few pangs of sorrow, knowing it is most unlikely we get a concluding book to this trilogy. Alas, but still I enjoyed reading this one, even knowing not all the questions shall be answered! I love how Rothfuss writes and this story continues Kvothe’s tale in all its glory and grandeur. I don’t like this one as much as the first book, perhaps partly because I feel this book stumbles a bit when Kvothe leaves the University. The first third or half of the book at the University is a delight to read, even if possibly it could have been drastically cut simply to move the plot along. The University portion really isn’t necessary to the story. But you know what? I don’t care. As someone who loves all the world-building in-between-filling prose of the Wheel of Time, I can’t hate the fact that Rothfuss takes time to simply show Kvothe’s continued growth at the University. My favourite parts are simply the times Kvothe is spending with his friends in all their ridiculousness. More of this. Less high drama please. I wrote a good bit more about the plot but then realised I really don’t want to summarize the whole book and erased all of it. At the end of the day, I do enjoy reading this one, but really don’t like how the author’s view of sex permeates the latter portions of this book and turn Kvothe into someone who it’s hard to root for. I’m much more on Denna’s side by the end of this, feeling a bit hurt and cast aside by the Kvothe she always felt she could count on. Still a beautiful story well told, even if he probably could have used a better editor to hustle along the plot. We may never get book 3, but at least we always have these first two. I honestly don’t really care about all the big questions – Chandrian, Amyr, Lockless box, Four-Plate Door, Kote/Kvothe mystery, etc. Honestly, I think Rothfuss shines most at the small moments – friends around a table at the tavern playing cards…music soaring through the air as Kvothe plays an old song and everyone sings along…Kvothe on a windy night gently conversing with a moon-bound girl. Rothfuss excels at these intimate scenes with characters you care about. I think Rothfuss should just tell Kvothe’s adventures at the University and forget all the rest of it. Would be a better tale, methinks.

52. The Trellis and the Vine by Colin Marshall & Tony Payne. This book is fine. I have had it on my shelf for a while and thought I may as well read through it. I confess I struggle with “church tactic” books and this one was no exception. I know such books and discussions are necessary. And there’s not really anything wrong with this book, per se. I think I just find myself wearied by books putting forth the newest, latest-greatest discovery of how to do church ministry right. I’m doing this book a disservice. The authors are humble and acknowledge the lineage of church-growth trends and fads and attempt to make it clear that due to the multiplicity of church locations, styles and cultures, it is certainly impossible to impose a one-size-fits-all approach on a local church. Still yet, the book at the end of the day doesn’t contain that much that is new. Yes, discipleship is crucial at a local level. Yes, future leaders and gifted contributors should be identified and encouraged. And I appreciate the authors making it clear that all growth in a church (both spiritual and numerical) depends on the grace and power of God. Of course God does use means and the authors are attempting to put forth a strategy of disciple-making that they feel best fits the New Testament context. But at times, it feels as if the authors are attempting to make the verses they cite say more than they actually do. Even so? This is not a bad book. It is important to remember that local churches should attempt to minister to the people in their midst and part of such will be raising up the next generation of leaders. There were a few times I felt uneasy and that the authors were almost implicitly giving permission for church leaders to ignore the weaker and less-than in favour of the “people to watch out for”. That’s not entirely fair and I do understand any leader has to make hard decisions on how to spend their time. Still yet? Books such as this just give me a little twinge of unease at times. I thank God for his work in the church and that whatever the latest trend du jour is, he will continue to build his church. We must not be passive ourselves and we must press forward to encourage and build up our fellow saints. But always and forever, we lean on our Lord Jesus Christ and worship Him. One of the best things a church leader can do is model what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and proclaim his beauty and majesty in ways that make it impossible for outsiders to ignore the strangeness and radicality of the church of God. I’m grateful for books such as this that attempt to highlight ways churches have found profitable to glorify Jesus Christ and make Him known. But just know there is no one cookie-cutter way, there is no one tactic that can be deployed blindly in all circumstances and find success. Only through ceaseless seeking of Christ and utter reliance on the Holy Spirit can we in faithful witness strive. We set our hands to the plow and we know we are not alone.

Considerations

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A few thoughts on a few latest reads. Peace and love, my friends.

49. The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis. As always, Lewis is a profitable read here. This small volume is one I’ve had my eye on for some time and grateful I finally got the chance to read it. Lewis always makes me think, and this book was no different in stimulating various pathways down which my thoughts danced. Every time I finished reading a few pages, I felt like putting this book down simply to consider and ponder what I had read. What is this book on about? It could at times be thought of as Lewis attempting to address the rising tides of post-modernist thought. Or it could be said that this is Lewis attempting to uphold the standard of the real and the true and the beautiful, as he so often does. At the end of the day, I would argue that this is Lewis attempting to write a philosophical work grappling with the core truths of this world and creation in which we live and attempting to do so without explicitly defending Christianity or even theism as such. Yes, he in text acknowledges himself as one who is a Christian and holds to this faith as what he believes is true. But as Lewis is so fond of pointing out the truth kernels at the bottom of all true myths, so Lewis here points to the underlying beliefs and statements found in various forms throughout the ages which show us ever so clearly that there is something true in the heart and conscience of every man, no matter how we attempt to degrade and mar it. And Lewis also attempts to highlight the utter uniqueness and glory of man – something that we now see as a bit crude if not outright chauvinistic. Nature is not truly agnostic after all, Lewis would argue. Instead all points to a core and utter reality that is perhaps not quite able to be grasped in its totality, but still glimpsed at from various angles for those who have the eyes to see. I have rambled on about this book long enough and fear I have not done it justice. This is a book that makes one think, and for that I am grateful.

50. Humble Roots by Hannah Anderson. A wonderful delight of a book, bracing in its clarity and sparkling in its beauty. I have had this book on my shelf for years(!!) and yet never quite got around to reading it until now, to my shame. Many thanks to Julie for recommending it to me who knows how many years ago. For truly, this book was good for my soul. I found myself eagerly waiting for the next opportunity I had to read a chapter and I daresay I will find myself re-reading this one for many years to come. This book is an odd hodgepodge at times. Each chapter has a bit of a framing device using the author’s experiences and memories in rural Virginia – usually highlighting a fruit or flower or some such. This could be seen initially as a bit distracting from the main message of humility yet…perhaps I was viewing this book in the wrong lens at first and perhaps my view was a bit narrow! I was thinking “Ah, this is a book about humility, and will have lots of Bible verses and discussion on Christian truths.” And well…this book is about humility. And it is fairly saturated with Christian truths. And also? This book contains so many beautiful reflections on the truths we see proclaimed in the created beauty that we see around us and even in the every day mundane. So yes! This book is about the beautiful and the mundane, the glorious and the common, the divine and the created. This book is about what it is to be humble before God, truly understanding who we are and who God is. This book is about toil and labor and about trust and rest. This book is about looking to Christ in all his glory and beholding Christ in all his humanity and recognizing that in Him we have found our way to God. This book contains so many gorgeous ponderings on the every day and was a help and an aid to me in being able to step through the day with the understanding and confident belief that God walks through us in the midst of all the muck and mire in which we find ourselves and that no matter what comes, our God is with us still. This book firmly points to the sovereignty of God and the frailties of man, yet not without acknowledging the call that comes to us to walk in obedience and toil and labor before our God yet understanding that the burden is not on us to accomplish the miracle of bringing seed to fruit. Very grateful for the simple and beautiful ways the author has of highlighting a truth and making it sing in the heart. Of course it does not hurt that so many of the authors and works the author cited are also some of my very favorites (Andrew Murray, Wendell Berry, ML Jones, and many more). I would recommend this book to anyone who feels tired and weary and in need of rest. This book points to the one who can bring true rest to our souls. Oh how good it is to ponder the one who is the Resurrection and the Life and the one who is our hope and our song and yes even our salvation!

Astonished

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A few little thoughts on a few little books this lazy Saturday.

45. The Gold at the Starbow’s End by Frederik Pohl. A collection of sci-fi stories by Pohl, this was a random free pick-up from an airport’s donation shelf. Win! I enjoyed a few of these stories but have to confess that Pohl’s style just may not be for me. Felt a bit dated and though some of his concepts were interesting, the tone was a bit overly cynical and the mood a bit dour. Not for me.

46. Bionicle #1: Rise of the Toa Nuva by Greg Farshtey, Carlos D’Anda, Randy Elliott. Right so throwback time! Reading this little graphic novel (less of a graphic novel and more of a compilation of the first few Bionicle comics) just filled me with all the nostalgia. I remember reading these comics back when they first came out when I was a kid, believe back in 2000-2002 or so? So reading this now was an exercise in happiness and warm sentiment, to be sure. But I do have to confess that I think I really only enjoyed this for the fond memories. Because of the way Bionicle lore and story was unfolded, these comics felt a bit scattered and partial at times, only telling small snippets of story. The rest of the story was told in some of the games and online resources that were out at the time. So I did not entirely remember all the interlude bits and found myself a bit confused! But hey ho, the art was still as gorgeous as I remember and reading this just made me smile. I still remember the wonder I felt at reading that first comic, watching a world come to life before me in all its mythic glory. And I will always fondly remember this franchise for the part it played in my own development. Not sure if I’d be a writer today if it were not for my first fumbling attempts exploring the Bionicle mythos back in the day!!

47. Silas Marner by George Eliot. A wonderful book. As soon as I started reading this book, I sighed in satisfaction, realizing anew how much I love Eliot’s writing and how beautifully she tells a story. This is a simple story in a simple setting, but oh is it told well. While at times Eliot can get a touch overly didactic and the narrator’s voice can intrude a bit more than I would like, I still love how Eliot treats characters and so beautifully shows how the decisions we make in our life affect the meandering course of our precious souls. There are some powerful moments in this one and some moments that made me smile for the beauty and truth contained therein. One of the minor characters unveils her philosophy around chance and providence in a way that made me lift my head and ponder as the simple statements she made in dialect contained some of the most powerful and encouraging truths I’ve read in fiction in a long time. I really loved this one. And I would strongly recommend it as a great introduction to Eliot to anyone who’s not read her yet. It’s so short in comparison to some of her others!

That Peculiar Summery Shade of Green

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends! It is Memorial Day and while I’m grateful to not have a full day of work, Dani and I are both a bit saddened that our sick and weary bodies are keeping us from enjoying a proper day off. Ah well. I had a nice little walk when I woke up this morning (walking the MKT trail before 7am is always fun – you see the real ones!) and Dani and I went for a grocery store run a few hours back, but apart from that? We have had a most lazy and quiet day. I guess that’s good? My chest congestion continues to linger and annoyingly enough I’d even guess I have a small fever just now. But someday I pray my body shall recover and I will feel healthy again. Someday! I’d also like to write something creatively. Perhaps after I dash off a couple quick book reviews. It made me happy yesterday to write a little prose, as feeble as it is at times. Ah writing always relaxes and invigorates my mind. I need more such sessions. But as I seem to be rambling on without end, let me talk a bit about a couple books and then we shall see if my rambling extends to more poetical endeavors.

43. The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie. It had been far too long since I’d read a Christie, and after finding a few new ones I’d not read before at local used book shop, was hankering to dive right in! This one scratched the itch and it made me happy (albeit confused) as I read. Christie is her usual masterful self in this one. All new characters in this – not a Marple or Poirot to be found! – and I enjoyed as always the little window into 1920s Britain. The slang is always amusing and I don’t know, I just enjoy seeing the interactions between the young men and women in this – made me realize that things haven’t changed that much in the past 100 years! The mystery was solid too – though I did get a little suspicious partway through and half-guess the villain, it wasn’t by any means obvious. Typical Christie finish here, with plenty of twists and turns and very satisfying denouement. Glad I picked this one up.

44. A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L’Engle. In the mood for something homey and real and encouraging, I grabbed this from the shelf as it’d been a while since I’d read it. It was exactly what the doctor ordered. Full of L’Engle’s typical mix of the mundane and the ethereal, I found myself quickly engrossed in this tale of a young girl growing up one summer as all changes around her. I love the family dynamics in this one, I love the conversations, I even somehow love the various interactions Vicky has with her 3(!!) suitors, even though I think I remember that annoying me first time around. I do love how L’Engle writes dialogue and back-and-forth conversations about serious matters. Though I don’t always agree with some of the particulars of L’Engle’s theology, I love how she asks the questions and truly engages with the possibilities raised by this broken wounded world we live in and a God who is real. This book also has L’Engle’s penchant for the strange and beautiful as we vicariously thrill through Vicky as she swims with dolphins and touches the faint after-images of the divine touch on creation’s weave. This book isn’t perfect and there is one character in particular I really don’t quite like – oh Zachary Gray! – but at the end of the day reading this book was a comfort and joy to me. We need more books like this in the world.

One More Year

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello dear friends!! A few short thoughts on a few books read recently. I don’t want to write much here as I’m hoping to write a bit more creatively later on. As always, we shall see.

39. Notes from the Underground and The Gambler by Fedor Dostoevsky. It has been far, far too long since I’ve read words penned by Dostoevsky and reading these two novellas really made me realize how much I’ve been missing out. I don’t truly know what it is about how Dostoevsky writes but when he writes scenes, you really feel them. His prose is exquisite, his scenes imaginative and oh boy the characters. I’m not going to belabor my thoughts on these two stories, but they are magnificent and weird and wonderful in all the best ways. Both of them have a sense of sublime tragedy that is hard to capture yet Dostoevsky does it so well. There is humour galore (please don’t ever call Dostoevsky dull or boring) and there is plenty of the absurd. There are moments where I almost physically cringed with the raw emotion being displayed on the page. In particular I loved the interactions between the narrator and Liza in “Notes on the Underground” – beautifully, beautifully depicted. Also in “The Gambler”? Every moment with Grandmother was a riot and a wonder to behold. Again, I’m not sure what it is about Dostoevsky and his writing that captures my heart so, but I do love reading him. Yes, these are tragic stories and a bit grey and grim at times. Yet there is still heart there, if painfully it beats.

40. Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri. A collection of short stories set in Rome, I enjoyed these in the moment but I’ll confess now that I’m not certain how long they shall stick with me. The writing is technically proficient but something about the stories themselves left me a bit cold. I may just not have been in the proper mood for them, who can tell? The prevailing themes are strong – marital tensions/dissolution/aging, living in a foreign land as a stranger yet not, racial animus and racism writ large – yet even with those themes being solid in and of themselves, the stories felt a bit stark and bare at times, feeling a bit too carefully crafted. Ah well, like I said, I did enjoy these in the moment for the most part.

41. Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante. Another novel in the Neopolitan series by the brilliant Ferrante. Yet as much as I can acknowledge the craft in this one, I think this is a turning point novel for me. Don’t think I can read another. Very possibly I said this about the last one, but this time I think it’s true! Possible spoilers ahead, so read with care if not wishing to be spoiled. Anyways. The cast of characters in this one grows ever larger and while some times I struggled to remember who was who, the character list at the beginning helps with such. As always, any scene with Lila in it simply sings. I think the author knows this and deliberately deploys these scenes as needed, as her writing of the character sizzles with warmth and realness. Elena Greco, as typical, is a bit more of a boring character, but the fascinating thing here is that I think the author realizes this and even nods to such, attempting to show Elena buck against the norms and silken cords that bind her tight. Elena is always struggling to fight her own feelings of inferiority and is not helped by the many in her life – even her own husband! – who think she’s really rather second rate. It’s fascinating for the author to choose to depict her main character so and I think it’s really rather clever, even if it does come across as making Elena the duller character in pretty much any of her interactions with anyone else. Still yet, this book is eminently readable and as before, all the Lila scenes are fire – not to be missed. But this book ended in such a way that made me very angry and though I could argue that it only makes sense for it to have ended how it did, I abhor marital infidelity and the depiction of such…even if it seems warranted or even the right thing to do to abandon a spouse and children, I couldn’t quite wrap my head around Elena’s actions here. She’s impulsive and destructive and while I suppose we could say it only makes sense living with a husband who seems so neglectful and dispassionate, there is no way I can justify her leaving her family for a stupid affair of the heart. Nino is his father all over again (as I believe is pointed out) and I simply raged to see that Elena gets taken in by him so easily. Perhaps Nino actually does feel for her – as seems to be the case – yet even so? Two families wrecked just so that two people can indulge their feelings for one another. I loved hearing Lila tear into Elena and perhaps the last book in this series will show how these choices only lead to further destruction and misery. Perhaps, yet I don’t even want to find out. I knew this series got grimmer by the book yet I thought I could handle it. Ah well, perhaps not. I hate unfaithfulness.

42. Enjoying God by Tim Chester. A simple book on how we can grow in our enjoyment of God and communion with Him in the every day hardships and mundanities we face. I greatly enjoyed this one. Yes it is simple at times, but maybe we need that? This book had so many good reminders of how we ought understand who God is – in the three persons of the Trinity – and how we ought understand our relationship to Him – union with Christ and therefore relationship with God in true fashion – and then how we ought live and breathe to grow closer to our God in the everyday. I confess my full theological nerdery and say that my favourite chapter by far was the chapter at the end where the author dug into some of John Owen’s writings on communion with God and really went deeper on what it means for us for our union with God to be the foundation for our communion with him. Superb writing and fantastic summary of John Owen (not easy to do!). This book was good for my soul.

Seven Hills

James HoganLeave a comment

A Sunday evening and possibly some reading awaits. But firstly, re-capping of previously done reading! Yes yes more books I’m sorry. I really shall attempt to write something properly at some point. Some day. But for now…

36. Men and Women in Christ by Andrew Bartlett. I’ve been reading this for the past month or so now and just now finished it this afternoon. I have been pondering its contents and most likely bothering some of my friends with thoughts and questions spawned from aforesaid pondering. Anyway I shall attempt to not write over many words because I don’t think my thoughts will be worth the reading. Why did I read this one? I think I saw someone else recommend it at some point and the summary intrigued me and so I picked it up. It’s been on my shelf for a few years now and so I finally decided to read it. And my conclusions? Mixed. Firstly, my biases. I have most certainly grown up in the complementarian tradition and have almost entirely listened to preachers and read books believing such. Quick definition – I would define the basic “complementarian” position as one that believes men and women have different roles in both the family and in the church, without diminishment of either’s personhood or worth. The counter “egalitarian” position is one which sees no divine restriction on any roles in family or church and believes that men and women can serve whichever roles they are gifted for. Those definitions are my own, stated baldly. There is much nuance and many variations on each. That disclaimer given, back to the book.

I was intrigued by this book because the author stated that he was attempting to approach this debate from a fresh perspective, grounded in Scripture and without being beholden to previous traditions. I appreciated a number of things about this book, though I did not agree with all of the author’s interpretations and conclusions. Firstly, I greatly appreciated the honor and reverence with which the author approached both God and His Word. He did not want to come to conclusions simply because of cultural milieu or pressures. Instead of approaching this debate with the end-result being pre-determined, the author genuinely sought to understand what God has to say about the roles of men and women in His Word. Secondly, while I have grown up in the traditional church model – men and women have different roles in the home; women are restricted in roles in the church – I also have been growing ever more aware of the way that history and culture have perpetrated abuses on women and have harshly demeaned and belittled the worth and dignity of women throughout the ages. And the institutional church does not have clean hands in this matter. This author does a fantastic job of pointing out God’s view of women – those who bear his image and are called by Him to proclaim his gospel – and making it clear that God does not love women any less than he does men. Thirdly, I was very appreciative of the way the author attempted to honestly and carefully present the opposing viewpoints, avoiding straw-manning and presenting the strongest views and statements of each side of the debate. I much appreciate this intellectual honesty, something sadly lacking in most of the furor over this topic. Fourthly, I greatly appreciate the love this author has for God, His Word and His church, and how he longs that this discussion might be something that leads to further unity the church. Fifthly, I greatly appreciate how the author does acknowledge the difference between men and women and even acknowledges there is a special role in marriage that men play that women do not.

I have already written more than I planned to, but while I have stated what I appreciated, what did I not appreciate? Well simply, I was not persuaded by the author’s interpretations of several of the key passages. The author has a habit of making very firm statements on validity or lack thereof of certain conclusion statements and then carrying the framework he has built in certain passages over to other passages. I.e. – if he has decided there are grounds for saying that Paul teaches mutual authority and submission in 1 Cor 7 and Ephesians 5, then obviously Paul would not be contradicting himself by his instructions to women in Colossians or Ephesians 5. If one disagrees with the former, then one will struggle with the latter conclusions, as I did. At times, there is a bit of a “house of cards” effect. If you agree with the author’s conclusions, then yes, you will agree with the author’s conclusions. If you don’t, then the reasoning appears circular at times. I’m being a bit harsh and I am not saying the author is being deliberately disingenuous. I don’t believe he is – I just do not feel his interpretive framework holds together. There is a bit of built-in bias leaning towards egalitarianism and I believe the author is swayed in that direction by degrees. That said? His argumentation was not poor and there were some rather conclusive chapters on passages of Scripture that I’d not heard before. Particularly appreciated the chapter on 1 Cor 14 – it solidified my believe that this passage should not be used to restrict women in the church. The chapter on 1 Cor 11 was also useful. I didn’t agree with everything, but I did appreciate the fact that he pointed to the cultural background and made a fairly convincing argument for Paul talking about hair-styles – not hats! The chapters on 1 Timothy (crucial chapters for this debate) did not convince me. I appreciated the author’s attempts, but as much as I did understand his argument that the flow and purpose of 1 Timothy points to the 1 Tim. 2 passage being targeted to particular women who were leading others astray, this does not seem to me a clear reading of the text. Taking on board the author’s later comments that not all Scripture is particularly clear or easy to read on its surface, I would still argue that Paul could not have worded 1 Timothy much more confusingly if he simply meant to restrict certain false teacher ladies from stirring up mischief. The author gives much weight to “Timothy would have known what Paul taught on such matters” or “Titus knew Paul’s teaching” – my rough paraphrases, not direct quotes – and I think at times the author over-complicates the plain reading of the text. Yes yes, the dreaded “plain reading of the text” argument can be mis-used, this I have no doubt. Yet for all the author’s reasonings, I was not convinced. I also struggled with the author’s thoughts on Ephesians 5. While I agree with the author that there is no divine command given men to “lead your wives”, the implicit force of the various household passages throughout Scripture do point to a hierarchical perspective on marriage. The horror. I appreciate the author wants an explicit statement (honestly, I wish there was one too, simply so that this debate could be forestalled!). But I do believe that if Scripture is read in its entirety, the difference in roles in marriage for men and women cannot be denied. Much like the mysteries of the trinity or soteriology, there is not one proof-text verse or passage that can be pointed at to decide the matter.

That all being said? I’ve written far too much and I’m making myself stop now. This book made me think far more about this topic than I have previously and I’m grateful for such. It can be helpful to read books written from an opposing perspective to one that you yourself hold, and I’m thankful I read this one. Has it changed my mind? Not entirely. Yet, it has made me think differently about several passages in Scripture and also think more about the roles of women in the church. I do believe many churches have wrongly kept women restricted as they restrict that which God has not restricted and I believe a grave disservice has been done to my fellow sisters by putting boundaries up that God has not put in place. And if anything, reading this book has reminded me that this is not a “first-order issue” and I should not think one less of a Christian or child of God if we disagree in this matter. Grateful for this author’s reminding me of his glorious salvation that has been offered to all who believe on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, men and women alike, and the “not yet” that we look towards when we shall all worship our Lord with joyful praise.

37. The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield. A delightful little book of short-stories, I really shouldn’t have enjoyed this one as much as I did. The writing was a bit dated and not exactly the height of English literature. Yet? I think I loved it simply because it is a picture into a time now past. I picked this book up a while ago at a used book shop, I’m pretty sure just because it is a copy from 1922 and I love old books. This one is nice and old and musty and I love it so. Yet the contents? They were better than expected. I honestly did not know this was a book of short stories at first and was very confused when the “chapter” changed and all the characters did too! But these short stories were delightful, even if times there was a bit of a bitter edge to them. The author writes with a tinge of the melancholy and some of these stories made me almost cry. Yet for all that, these stories were about people. They felt ever so human. Even more than a hundred years ago now, with all the dated language and slang, these stories rang true.

38. When We Get It Wrong by Dominic Smart. Reading this one again simply because I wanted to read an encouraging book that would remind me of Christ and his mercies. This book was a refreshment to my soul and it made me smile as I read to consider what it means to be in Christ and how this bears on my everyday life. There are some true gems in this book and quite grateful for how God blessed me in reading such. Oh how wonderous it is to ponder and meditate on God’s love for me and that I am ever always His! I do love how Dominic takes us through the story of Peter’s tragic fall and most surprising redemption and how it is a picture of how God too deals with us his children. This book is a wonderful corrective both to those who think we must continually earn God’s favor and to those who think our Christian lives ought be ones of ease. Surely we wouldn’t say those things out loud but often we live as though we believe such. And so we crumple when we sin and we fall apart when storms blow upon us. Instead ought we go to Christ in simple humility and trust, knowing that our lives here may yet be toilsome and weary, yet we know to whom we belong and we find joy in being children of God, fearing not when trials come and running to Jesus when we fall. In the midst of this turbulent world and our oft-more turbulent thoughts, let us always, always consider Jesus.

Redwoods

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Hello friends! A wet day outside and so alas no walk this Friday evening. But I suppose that means perhaps a few thoughts on a few books? I shall be brief, as I’d rather more reading time and more time with the Dani!

33. Looking for Alaska by John Green. Right, so I remember reading this book probably about 10-12 years ago? And I know I much enjoyed it then. Now? Well, less so. I wonder if that’s due to growing up or finding the book pretty fundamentally depressing or just finding certain things less amusing now than previously. Whatever the reason, this book didn’t do it for me this time. I found the author’s voice a bit annoying – narrator’s voice I suppose but it felt authorial – and while some of the adventures of the gang were fun to read about, all the rule-breaking, smoking, drinking, havoc-causing got a bit old by the end of it. Then of course, this book does take a turn later on that hits brutally and never feels like it really resolves, as much as the author tries to show the growth of his main character. I believe this book is slightly autobiographical (at least the author is pulling a bit from his past) and so it’s hard to criticize what I didn’t like over-much. There are some great set-pieces in this book and the author knows how to spin a story for sure! But at the end of the day, as much as the characters are vivid and well drawn and the writing is very serviceable, I didn’t enjoy this one like I remember enjoying it way back in the day. Maybe if you’re a teen or in your twenties, this will resonate or twinge your nostalgia positively. For me, reading this just made me a bit sad. I think there is some veiled commentary on self-destructive behaviour and what it can lead to, yet this book felt more self-indulgent than introspective. I’m probably being a bit harsh as not every book needs to be moralistic and I certainly don’t want preachy. Yet this book felt pretentiously haughty without a moral core supporting such. Ah well.

34. The City of the Sun by Brian Stableford. Another Daedalus mission book that I apparently forgot I had purchased! Found it hidden on my bookshelf before a trip and eagerly grabbed this for a plane read. It was serviceable but sadly is probably the worst Stableford I’ve read. The core mystery on the planet visited by the Daedalus crew was pretty easily sussed. Not many surprises here. Though the author still writes a good story, this one felt almost dull by the time it resolved. Also a little anti-Christian/religion message that irked me a bit, though I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised – Stableford’s writings have definitely hinted at his bias against organized religion before. Still for all that hot air, this book wasn’t terrible. Just not great.

35. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. Oof. What do I say about this one? Picked it up in LAX to read on the plane and I read it over the course of the next few hours. One cannot go through life without hearing of this book and though I had been led to believe this book was not for the faint of heart, I had read a book recently that had praised it highly and so I felt it was time to give it a go. Worth it? Maybe? It is well-written, no doubt. There is a claustrophobic air about this one – yes you feel trapped as if you breathing the stalest of air. Perhaps as if you were encased in a bell jar. Ha ha. But really, I’m grateful that I read this, though I must certainly warn others that this book is not for the faint of heart. There is much in this book that was disturbing and hard to read. I would like to think that what Esther Greenwood goes through in this book was a rare occurrence, but sadly from what I know of history, that is likely not so.

This book is acclaimed as one of the vanguard works of the feminist movement and I suppose I can understand why that is so. Yet I believe to think of this book as purely a feminist one misses the mark a bit. Yes, this book exposes what it is like to live in a world tailored for men. Yes, this book exposes the overwhelming angst felt by one living in a world that felt as if it could not answer for what one longed. Yes, this book highlights the casual cruelty and wickedness of men who feel as if it’s their right to take what they believe is their due. But also? This book is so deeply personal. From reading a bit of Plath’s biography at the end, it is quite clear how much of this book is modeled after events that took place in her own life. There’s a reason Plath’s mother was so keen to block publication of this book. So this book is one that is Plath’s very own story spun out into literary form. And if anything, this book unmasks the sheer loneliness and confusion that descends upon one who feels as if there is nothing the world can do to relieve her pain. There is an incident in the book right before Esther goes back home that feels almost as if it is an instigating incident for her cracking apart and spiral down. Earlier yet, Esther is confronted with her lack of forward drive and paralysis into mediocrity as she is grasping for all yet holding onto nothing all at the same time. And so Esther is violated from within and violated from without. Her identity is what? A tool to be used and abused without anything of worth to distinguish herself from the plebeian horde. It is probably overly simplistic to say that her breakdown is caused by a simple trauma. Yet Esther was already at the edge, was she not? She needed only a push.

Ah I’m talking about this book far more than I meant to. I’m glad I read this one, but I would very much hesitate before recommending it to others. It’s a tough read. Pick it up with caution. If anything, reading this book just reminded me how fragile we are as humans. We are beautifully and wonderfully made, true. Yet we groan now in these vessels which feel incomplete at times. We are not our own yet we so strive and in this striving we rage and cry. There is a veil between us and the real – shall we not long for its removal just as Esther gloried in the lifting of the bell jar? I pray for compassion and for grace.

Slow Down If You Please

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A few thoughts on a few books this lovely grey Wednesday evenig.

29. The Apostolic Fathers in English edited by Michael W. Holmes. I had forgotten I had this one on my shelf! It has sat there for a few years now without me sparing it even the slightest thought. Finally though. It was time. I’m glad I read this work. What is it? Well, it’s a compilation of some of the earliest (non-canonical) writings of the early church fathers. We have works by Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp…the early-church manual “The Didache” and others. It was extremely fascinating to read words that had been written so recently following the life of Jesus Christ, even as the church was forming and coming to be slightly more structured and even as certain doctrinal elements were yet rather fuzzy. I think it important to read this with a discerning mind, especially if one reads – as I did – with the belief that the canon of the New Testament was divinely ordained by God and that these writings are not part of it. So are the words I read divinely inspired? I would say not. Yet still these writings give a glimpse as to the thoughts and beliefs of certain ones in the early church and I’m grateful for that. Some of the writings were truly fascinating and encouraging. Funnily enough I found the Epistle to Diognetus the most edifying! An apologetic for the Christian faith addressed to one who did not yet believe, I found it a clear and well-structured proclamation of the gospel. Some of the writings were a bit more odd. The Shepherd of Hermas? Yeah, that’s an odd one. I don’t quite know what to make of it and it made me uneasy at times. And some of the letters of Ignatius made me quirk an eyebrow, especially with his emphasis on the primacy of the bishops and their standing in the place of God. Hm. And I did note with sadness a vein running throughout many of these writings on the emphasis of works and holy living with a bit of a neglect on the work of Christ and what that work means for those who are his. Legalism and formalism already creeping in a bit. How quickly did errors accrete, even in the early church! So if you read this, read it with discernment and care. I would still heartily recommend this to anyone interested in theology and the early church. It’s a fascinating read and well worth the time taken.

30. Tiger by the Tail by Alan Nourse. An old slim paperback I found on my shelf, it’s a collection of old-school sci-fi stories, just what I was in the mood for! Yet…the stories weren’t anything much to write home about. These stories definitely felt in the vein of silly 50s/60s sci-fi, even reminding me a bit of Asimov’s lesser stories at times. I know this is technically “Golden Age” sci-fi, but I just didn’t think these stories were that great. There are better old sci-fi collections out there.

31. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. Finally. I’d been hearing about this one for a while and dismissed it figuring it was not my speed. Well, a friend finally lent it to me this past week and I knocked it out in a couple nights. Did I like it? Yes and no. It’s remarkably well crafted and the writer has a strong voice, to be sure. It’s a fun read!! But I probably won’t be continuing this journey. Even though I’m a bit curious how Carl and Donut’s journey progresses, I don’t think I can bring myself to read another one. I may have liked this book a lot more 10 or 15 years ago, I don’t know. If you play (or have played) video games, you would probably love this. I did appreciate the game references and it felt very Borderlands-esque (even the humor! especially the humor!) and the characters are strong. And I’ve heard the series only gets better. But! This book is just a bit too crass and profane, a bit too violent and dark…and…though I appreciate what the author is doing and it is a rather fun read, I just don’t need this in my head. So shutting it down after one. I wonder if this is a sign I’m just getting old? Or perhaps more weary of certain things I once found funny. Anyway, I do get the hype and I understand why this series is loved. Just not for me.

32. The Paradox of the Sets by Brian Stableford. Every time I read a sci fi novel by Stableford I find myself happy and pleased and wondering why I don’t read more by him. The author is wildly imaginative, wonderfully nerdy (especially on the subject of biological/ecological subjects!) and decently philosophical. This book is in a series that I have read a few books of before and technically this is the last one, but it didn’t really matter as the story is pretty stand-alone. It’s a mystery of sorts and I enjoyed trying to figure out what was really going on as the narrator attempted to discover the secrets of the final colony world on their mission. Well-written sci-fi goodness. Full approve.

Resurrection Day

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Happy Sunday, friends. I have a few minutes as I sit and relax here at Laura and Caisson’s…an Easter banquet is being prepared and there is much work to do to prepare, but thought I’d grab a few moments (some of the only few I’ve had without anything else that must be done!) to write a few words on latest books. Of necessity, I do believe I will write fewer words than is my custom and may possibly not ramble as much as I usually do. Small victories. But why bother writing so many words when I can spend time with some of my most favourite people in the world? Now Caisson sits on the couch holding little Shiloh as she sleeps and Laura prepares a flour-less chocolate cake and Dani is resting in our room so…I suppose I will allow myself a moment or two to write.

22. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. This is a ridiculous and absurd romp. I had never read Fforde before but heard that this was a tale for the literary minded that don’t mind something a bit off the wall. And you know what? This one delivered. I found it absolutely hilarious. A bit irreverent at times and a bit more profane than I would have liked, but the humour was absolutely top notch. A lot of the jokes rely on a bit of knowledge of literature but in my mind, that made this book all the more superior. Mind you, this book is not for everyone. You may need to suspend your imagination a wee bit.

23. Grandpa’s Stolen Treasure by Lois Walfrid Johnson. Being back at Laura and Caisson’s means I get access to old childhood books once again. This was a quick breezy read, made all the more enjoyable by the memories summoned up as I read a book I probably haven’t opened in 20+ years. This one is probably not one of the stronger ones in the series. As Laura and I discussed, we enjoy the books that take place around the homestead and not in new cities. This one took place in Duluth which was interesting but…not quite as fun a setting as the farm and its environs. Still, a good tale well told and it is hard to find good children’s books so…would heartily recommend this to the younger crowd!

24. The Runaway Clown by Lois Walfrid Johnson. Book 8 of the Northwoods series, a fun story. Probably not the strongest of the series and the premise is stretching a bit much on the idea of Anders and Kate’s mystery solving skills, but you know what? Still worth a read. I particularly liked this one for the strong Christian themes and wisdom interspersed throughout. From Papa giving Kate dating/marriage advice (!! – also very solid and relevant even today!) to Kate standing up for her faith even when it sabotaged her friendship with her crush. Also, Kate sharing the gospel with her friend and praying with her!! Truly beautiful. This is one of those children’s books that is Christian but not weirdly so. It feels like a real family with a real faith loving a real God.

25. Mystery of the Missing Map by Louis Walfrid Johnson. Book 9 of the Northwoods series. A fun story with a few new characters thrown in. Probably not the best of the series, but I still found it enjoyable. It was odd reading this and having absolutely no memory at all of the plot (and continually being surprised by it!) yet little snippets here and there sparked my memory – “I remember this line!”. I’d forgotten whole characters yet I remembered reading certain turns of phrase. Funny how the memory works.

Through Peril Shall Ye Find Your Salvation

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Just two more this night!

20. The Gospel According to Jesus by John MacArthur. Well been a while since I read this one! I have a long relationship with this book, having first read it I believe in either late high school or early college. Probably early college. And God mightily used it to work in my life and convict me of sin and show me what it meant to follow Jesus. So for that reason alone, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for this book, ever so grateful how God used it to draw me closer to him. I read it now and it hits a little different, surely. I am in a much different place and recognize it a bit more for the polemical work it is. It is a bit of an intra-camp discussion with MacArthur gently (and sometimes not so gently!) chiding the so called “free grace” movement and the attacks on what became known as “lordship salvation” with these attacks at time accusing MacArthur and his adherents of preaching another gospel, a gospel of works. MacArthur is very much pointed in this book, addressing one theologian in particular in his attacks on lordship salvation. We are a bit removed from this controversy now and even reading this book reminded me of how Christian history (and even evangelicalism) has very much moved on. Not to say that this book isn’t still needed though! Just be aware that this is a book written in a very particular period of American evangelicalism (even more specifically – American evangelical dispensationalism) and addresses a visible church that faced different issues and sins that it faces now.

Looking past all that, I still think this is a useful read for two reasons. Firstly, as a polemical work, it does demonstrate how it is useful and even necessary at times to confront others in the faith who may be leading others astray away from the true gospel. MacArthur is clear at the end that he is not fond of controversy and there are many more minor issues that he will not engage in debates because of the fact that they are issues far afield from the gospel of Jesus Christ. But MacArthur does feel that this “lordship salvation” issue directly bears on what it means to be a Christian and feels called to confront those who are giving ones false assurance of salvation. Secondly, this book is helpful to me even now as I consider my Christian faith and meditate on what the gospel is. What does it mean that Christ came to earth and called men to follow Him? What does it mean that Christ lived and died and rose again and that a message of death and rebirth has been proclaimed to all who would hear? What does it mean that even now Jesus knocks at the door and calls us to come to him that we may have rest for our souls? And what does the gospel lived out look like? What does it mean for one to be “saved”? Can we be saved to eternal life and our lives then proceed in this world as if nothing has really changed? This book was at times challenging but at times comforting as I considered Jesus. At the end of the day, I am counted as a child of God for nothing that I have done. I confess Christ and my life is reborn in dazzlingly glorious colour and nothing will ever be the same. I am saved to life eternal because of the righteousness of Christ. And in that joy and as I abide in Christ, I cannot help but walk this pilgrim way delighting in the law of God and seeking to be holy before my God. Oh the riches of God’s grace! All glory be to Christ.

21. The Man on the Middle Cross by Alistair Begg. A wonderful little gospel tract. This booklet seems to be doing the rounds this Easter season, with at least two churches that I know of using it in the lead-up to Resurrection Sunday. I grabbed one a few weeks back from the table at the back of church and just this morning read it through. It is short and a quick read and to one who has been a Christian for a while, there is nothing new. Still yet. It is wonderfully encouraging to consider the gospel anew and to read these three stories that Begg retells. He does a beautiful job of re-telling the stories of the Samaritan woman, the forgiven paralytic, and the thief on the cross. This is certainly a book aimed at one that does not know Christ, but one that is possibly (hopefully?) seeking to understand who this Jesus is. I wonder how a non-Christian would find this. I can certainly state that it encouraged me to read it this day. The last story brought tears to my eyes, as I considered the thief at the gates of heaven and pleading naught but the words of Jesus. What a joy it would be to hear those words from Jesus, that promise that I might be WITH HIM in paradise that day. Oh my heart melted considering such. I cannot wait for the day when I too walk through heaven’s gates. I don’t care for any golden streets or harps or such. I simply want to be with my Lord.