Es war als sängen die Engel

****
In an effort to brush up on the 'ole German vocab, I devoured this translation of James C. Whittaker's "We Thought We Heard the Angels Sing". A pretty fun read, chronicling numerous miracles during their horrible 3 weeks adrift in the Pacific ocean, and the author's subsequent conversion. While the narrative of a few days did drag along (especially when contrasted with the miraculous days), the book was very short (126 pages) and overall well-written.

A Rabbi Talks with Jesus - Jacob Neusner

***

Interesting premise, as a Rabbi constructs a theoretical conversation between himself and Jesus using the texts in Matthew and a little bit of respectful imagination. Although he decides in the end not to follow Jesus' teachings his perspective is a great reflection for any apologetically minded Christian. The Rabbi claims his rejection really boils down to his view that Israel's nationhood was not prominent enough in Christ's Kingdom message, that he was too focused on the individual's role. I thought however that the Rabbi's rejection of Jesus as God and his dependence on Man's works were the root of his contentions. If man's work to keep the torah's commands is a sufficient way to achieving  God's kingdom on earth, we don't need Jesus as Messiah and if Jesus is not God, how would his "fulfillment" of the torah have any more authority than any other pontificating Rabbi. But Neusner doesn't delve at all into the issue of Christ's deity, and issue I would love for him to have more fully addressed. Nonetheless his carefully constructed arguments are informative for anyone who wishes to see inside the mind of an unantagonistic yet uncoverted Jew. 

A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini

***

Worth a read if you want to be entertained, and don't mind a repeat of the themes of Kite Runner. Hosseini really is a splendid story teller and the book "goes down" as smooth a cream. I think I may have enjoyed Kite Runner a little more because of the dynamic cast of characters and change of settings, which were lacking in this subsequent work. Also the plot and characters seemed more developed in Hosseini's first novel, possibly the result of the former's longer "gestation" period. Overall still worth the time, but don't expect the same quality Hosseini delivered with Kite Runner.

Ecclesiastical History of the English People - Bede

***
Non-History geeks beware, this is not a book for the faint of heart. A primary text through and through, a lot of cultural change has occurred in the last 14 hundred years since its composition and even more in the several hundred since the genesis of the events recorded. Bede attempts to chronicle the origins of the church on the Island of England (focused mainly on the southern portion) from the letter from King Lucius to Rome requesting to be made a "Christian"  up to Bede's lifetime, during which the church was relatively established. It is interesting to observe the issues of importance in that day - the Date of Easter, the superiority of virginity/Monastic lifestyle etc. While Bede's perspective does seem idealistic the material allows you to grasp the general feeling of culture during those centuries now so far away.

Behind the Screen - Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film, and Culture - Edited by Spencer Lewerenz and Barbara Nicolosi

***
I liked this book. It was a refreshing re-think of our response to Hollywood, and a surprising prospective on what a better, more meaningful interaction might be. Very interesting reading. Pete had some initial objections to the guy who wrote chapter 2 - so we're both re-thinking that chapter, it's very refreshing to have new ideas to think though. I was beginning to think that everything anyone was advocating was totally hackney! The book makes be want to have a series of movie nights, on movies suggesting in the text followed by discussion and "letters to the editor" (ie movie producers). Anyone in??

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling

***
Another entertaining treat. Not as spellbinding as the original. The novelty of an idea, can only be novel once I suppose. This book explored more deeply the possible "dark" side of Harry. I have been informed by Potter fans that this trend continues, but also brings greater depth of thought to the series... I guess I shall see the next time I have the time to pick them up again.

Sex God - Rob Bell

***

My first introduction to Bell's work, this book was very approachable, entertaining and enlightening. I especially liked the chapters on Angels and Animals (comparing the extremes of "denying our sexuality or being driven by it") and Under the Chuppah - maybe I'm just partial because I got married under one :) While he had lots of interesting points to make and just as many interesting allegories and anecdotes to illustrate those points, I would hesitate to call this book ground breaking - I know, I have high standards. But it would be a great book to introduce the Christian perspective on Sex to someone - possibly teenagers?? Someone with those thoughts more on the brain whilst reading Sex God might have to confirm that thought. Overall I'm glad I read it, but probably wouldn't suggest it to someone who had a solid grounding in the subject already.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J.K. Rowling

****
I was lucking enough to score a British Version (the americanized version is called "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone") from our good friends Nate and Lindsey who are currently too busy playing with their cuter-than-words puppy to miss it much. But on with the book review... I was typically captivated by the charming prose and lovable characters. The pages drip with colorful and lively imagery, a real sweet treat. But there is definitely the sense Rowling is trying to dig deeper with the seemingly cosmic battle of evil and good, all resting on a 10 year old boy's shoulders, witch though he may be. I was not as disturbed as other Christians by the portrayal of "Magic" as both good and evil. Maybe I've been conditioned by C.S. Lewis' Narnia a bit too much. Overall a delightful read.

Addicted to Mediocrity, Contemporary Christians and the Arts - Franky Schaeffer

***
Whether this book struck me as a sermon to the choir because Christian society in general has embraced Shaeffer's message or just because it is one of my pet causes and I have surrounded myself with its sympathizers is still unclear to me. Written in an easygoing, approachable style (for those of you anticipating the philosophical apologetics of Shaeffer senior, another tree must be found up which to bark) I found the illustrations insightful yet they seem to scream of the 80s era and (in my "humble" opinion) provide a ironic example of exactly the type of art Shaeffer is sermonizing against; one must only glance at the cover art to witness this phenomena. Despite its apparent contradictions the book has a valuable and applicable message. If you don't feel like you've already been beaten over the head with it, it will definitely be worth the couple of hours it takes to digest its contents.

The Diamond I Wear is Within - Lynn Gibson

****
Timely wisdom for all women (not just the single ones!), this book is terrifically real and insightfully scriptural, a pleasure to read. Having personally known some of the women featured in the book gave it a richness and depth to the situations addressed. The cultural dynamic assumed by its conversations will be very understandable to those who have experienced a similar environment, but may be mystifying to others. Cultural differences aside, the biblical truths exposited in the book will be profitable to all who care to ponder and apply them.

Technopoly, The Surrender of Culture to Technology - Neil Postman

***
This book was interesting. Amazingly pertienant dispite the technological advances since it's publication (1992). Some of the themes which caught my attention were: science as another "religion" (not exactly Postman's words), the "solution" of education, and what is lost when technology is gained.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"whenever we need a revolution, we get a new curriculum" - Lawrence Cremin pg. 185
"Take the great narratives of religion seriously and do not beliece that science is the only system of thought capable of producing truth." pg. 184

The Brothers Karamazov - Fyodor Dostoevsky

Peter: **

Just finished The Brothers Karamazov.  That was a long book!  Its character development and depth are both heralded as exemplary types that defined a genre, but I disagree! :-)  I found the characters flat and incongruent, and it was difficult to empathize with their insanity.  The plot meandered aimlessly, trying to add secondary shade to our heros and villains, but instead they left the reader in a quagmire of superfluous details, orthogonal to the main plot, which was introduced 3/4 of the way through the book!

Black Like Me - John Howard Griffin

Julie: ****

Intriguing look into the experiences of a man who walked both sides of racial discrimination in the 1960's deep south. Although the current landscape of racial issues has softened, at least on the surface, it is crucial to understand the history of the issue. This work was ground breaking at the time and still has much insight to offer almost 50 years after its initial publication.

Peter: ****

An interesting and novel idea, whose only detriment was its overly conversational and unedited prose.  I was fascinated by his unique perspective, and couldn't help but wonder 1) how this experiment would have fared in 2007, and 2) had he continued the experiment for years rather than months, what further insights would he have gleaned?

Purple Cow - Seth Godin

***
Good book, can however be summarized easily. Seek out the innovators and early adaptors and market to them... market by being extra ordinary (more than just very good, or maybe not even "very good" just different or unique) and go after the nitch market.

The Return of the Prodigal Son - Henri Nouwen

****
After years of hearing his quotes from John Hanneman I buckled down and read this oft suggested book. It was surprisingly approachable after all the fanfare and I really enjoyed the transparency of Henri Nouwen. I must admit in a world chock full of hackney Christian "insights" it was a delightfully fresh look at one of Christ's most famous parables. I especially liked the last few chapters... his thoughts on forgiveness have really convicted me.

More Than a Numbers Game: A Brief History of Accounting - Thomas A. King

****
A great summary of US accounting history, followed by its major short-falls including accounting for inflation, intangibles, debt, and options. Reporting earnings and the latest accounting controversy SOX are also covered. After discussing the many loopholes and workarounds available to dishonest managers the book concludes that "the only workable solution is for corporations to select CEOs with impeccable integrity." Not earth shattering news but the journey which reached that conclusion was interesting and informative.

The Sacred Romance - Brent Curtis & John Eldredge

*****
Very encouraging and inspirational. Main themes: the importance of the heart and story, God as our romancer, the seduction of our adversary and lesser lovers, how to live with the passion and "wildness" that God intended - in the light of the hope of heaven: the grandeur of the scope of our greater story.

Let Me Be a Woman - Elisabeth Elliot

****
Notes from Elisabeth to her daughter as she prepares for her upcoming marriage. Covers womanhood and marriage, also touching on singleness. I was encouraged by her words but was also struck by notes of "discipline to holiness" philosophy. My favorite quote from the book was actually Elisabeth quoting her husband Jim - "Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living".