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.