Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel My rating: 2 of 5 stars I feel decidedly artless for not having appreciated this famous tome from highly acclaimed author Mantel, Hilary. I found it extremely difficult to read: first, because of the innumerable, intricately-related characters, many referred to with several names/titles, who weave themselves unannounced in and out…
Even the first chapter has a good question: How do you think Jesus would treat Moses, Mohammed, and Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) if they came to a crosswalk together?
It took a while, but I’ve finished it now. I was a bit previous in my earlier judgement. Schneier has realized there are moral aspects to the question of trust. Nevertheless, I’m still rather disappointed in the book. There are a few penetrating insights and provocative assertions: Defectors are endemic to all complex systems (p. 32)…
I have listened to this as an audiobook and hardly dare to say anything which might sound negative about such a distinguished author or this book in particular. It is totally biblically based, expounding many passages very literally, but reinterpreting others metaphorically (e.g. “all things” in Rom. 8:32); I have trouble with that kind of ambivalence….
Just started this. It’s about trust, especially as applied to security issues in the physical, social and digital worlds. Bruce Schneier is a very clever and thoughtful observer of society with an ability to not overlook the wood for the trees. He dares to ask fundamental questions and suggests answers. Which means I’m all the more surprised to…
This is a good book for those who still believe the Gospel is just abut getting me to heaven. Based on a rather imaginative elaboration of Paul’ statement in 1.Cor. 15, Scott McKnight argues that the Gospel is in fact God’s story with Israel, culminating in the story of Jesus, who fulfilled his plan. The…
I’ve gone for an oldie again: a 30-year old book by Genevan doctor Paul Tournier. He’s a bit exasperating at times, because he lets himself get side-tracked and thinks laterally. But he has a great deal of experience through listening to countless patients and has acquired a lot of wisdom. Tournier made a name for himself through…
A one-time dear friend of mine sent me the following links as “must watch!” They make me weep inwardly. 1. Christian Palestinianism from the 2011 Berean Call Conference Paul Wilkinson is a soft-spoken, gentle young English junior pastor of a small Church near Manchester. His voice and attitude is very compelling (although speaking in the US and dressed…
How refreshing to read a compact, no nonsense book in which the great Bible teacher/apologist – I remember him well from my student days in London – “considers eight characteristics of Christian discipleship which are often neglected and yet deserve to be taken seriously.” John Stott makes no attempt to be sensational and refrains from embellishing…
A brave book, shocking for traditional Evangelicals! Rob Bell dares to question our understanding of God, heaven, hell. This is ’empirical theology’, picking out impressions of God’s character and plan from the Bible, rather than expounding specific passages. In fact, he points out that by emphasizing specific pet texts many believers end up with a…
A good, honest, inspirational book. Brian McLaren dares to face the real struggles involved in experiencing God in daily life and cultivating a vital relationship with him. The first parts (Spring and Summer) made sense for me, the rest resonated less. I had the impression the latter chapters floundered a bit, trying to discover a…
A very unusual book, disturbingly radical, but gentle and optimistic. Not a logically developed idea but a collection of thoughts, experiences and stories expounding the idea that Jesus really is advocating a totally different way of living – scorning fame, riches, success – in this crazy, corrupt world. Community, renunciation and sharing for the sake…