Book Reviews and cultural conversations
Posted by tom | May 21, 2005*updated post*
That's right book reviews and cultural conversations are coming soon to our neighborhood. The initial project is posting your top 2-3 books for engaging 'the real world' of following Christ and a brief statement as to why (no more than 2 sentences). These books, alongside the Word of God, are ones that 'make you who you are today.' I would include,
1. J.I. Packer's Knowing God enabled me to 'behold God' and step into His mission. Alongside N.T. Wright's concept of the Biblical Story, this has provided an overarching sense of theological direction.
2. Leslie Newbigin's The Gospel in a Pluralist Society opened up to me the re-contextualization of the Word of God in post-Christendom.
3. Jerry Sittser's A Grace Disguised provided language for our family to draw close to God and the People of God during our loss of Elise Faith at 22 weeks. The piece continues to serve as a helpful framework as we've faced a variety of challenges including the irratic nature of my health, baby Eden's complications, and the intensity of life lived on this earth.
Below are some possible categories for book reviews, some books will fall into several categories. Let me if you have some to add/loose/consolidate:
Perspectival & Vocational Guidance including the application of the Biblical Story & Worldview Concepts
Arts & Culture (including biography, fiction, music, performance, visual)
Bible Study Resources (including Commentaries/Reference/Bible Studies)
Business & Leadership
Christian Living/Devotion
Church & Mission (including Apologetics, Church History, Missions)
Family, Home, Neighborhood, and Relationships
Education
Humanities & Social Sciences
Medical Sciences (including bio-research, pre-med, nursing, sports/recreation)
Natural & Research Sciences
Religious Studies, Theology and Philosophy
Understanding the University (Higher Education)
Later in the summer, these will be transferred over to a forum location on which I will continue a personal library cataloging/reviewing endeavor spun out of CMU's undergrad chapter several years ago. This will include Amazon-esque book summaries and reviews.
In addition, film, cultural, and higher education conversations will be part of the larger forum. Such is the dream, now we move toward the reality. That's all for now. Please send some books that have guided you and would be a blessing for others to reflect upon.
