Although for some of us who are headed back to school there is very little summer left, I decided to give my recommended summer reads. None of these are extremely long, nor do they have sequels. After a battle with myself, I removed the "classics," figuring most people would rather read casually this summer... I've included a warning about any objectionable content, so you can be well informed :)
The Hot Zone by Richard Preston. This is an intriguing book about stopping the outbreak of an exotic "hot" virus in America, a virus that kills 9/10 of it's victims. What makes it scarier: It's all true! I just bought this non-fiction book yesterday, and have already read more than half of it. It is one of the most exciting books I've ever read, and definitely the most exciting work of nonfiction I've read. I highly recommend it to those who are not overly squeamish.
Caveat: There are some four letter words found in the dialogue. Also, the victims of this virus do die gruesomely because of the way the virus destroys their organs. I have been fine with it so far, but some who are more squeamish than me might not want to read this.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. One of my all time favorite works of historical fiction. This poignant book is set during WWII, and is narrated by death, although the book focuses on Liesel, a young orphan girl whose foster parents hide a Jew. I've read this novel twice, and after each time reading it, I've felt that I could start over again that instant and read it again. I don't want to give any more away, so I will just say this is an absolutely beautiful book, and you won't regret reading it!
Caveat: There are sad things that happen in this book. It is not a tragedy altogether though. There is a bit of swearing, but most is in German.
Thr3e by Ted Dekker. This is a fast paced suspense novel, but it isn't very scary (if you want scary, read Adam by Dekker. Really good!) A man receives a mysterious phone call saying he must confess his sin or his car will blow up in 3 minutes. This plot deals with good and evil, and anyone who is interested in theology or psychology should find it fascinating.
Caveat: There is the normal violence that comes with mystery novels, but nothing excessive or gory.
The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson. One of my all time favorite books. The autobiography of the man who felt called to go to New York City as an evangelist and start a street ministry. One of the few books I can read over and over. This book is short, but packs in so much; it's anything but dull!
Caveat: None, other than the fact that it deals with gangs and so must mention drugs, violence, etc.
Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein. (This is the obligatory fantasy/sci-fi book. I don't read much of the genre, but I figured I needed to include at least one) This is my Dad's favorite work of sci-fi, which I read a long time ago. It's an interesting story about an actor who is hired to impersonate an important leader in the galaxy.
Caveat: None that I remember.
Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller. This is a fresh look at Christianity presented in the form of humorous essays. It is an easy, fun, thought-provoking read :)
Caveat: As with any book about theology, this might be more liberal or more conservative than what you believe. I'm not presenting it as the gospel truth, but it raises some excellent points, especially the chapter about Jesus and the "Lifeboat" chapter.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
"The Medium is the Message"
First, read this article:
http://www.pluggedinonline.com/read/read/a0004706.cfm
Like it or not, technology has profoundly influenced our culture. I just finished reading Jane Austen's Persuasion today and was thinking about how our culture has changed so much in terms of friendships and relationships. Myspace and Twitter have taken the place of letter writing and parlor visits; texting has replaced many phone calls. Our world has gotten more connected, but our connections are shallower. I'm not bashing technology, but it needs to be put in it's place, and certainly not glorified.
I have often wondered how technology has affected our faith. The article mentions "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," a sermon by John Edwards from which we read excerpts in English class. One does not hear many sermons like it today:
"There is the dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God; there is hell's wide gaping mouth open; and you have nothing to stand upon, nor any thing to take hold of, there is nothing between you and hell but the air; it is only the power and mere pleasure of God that holds you up.
You probably are not sensible of this; you find you are kept out of hell, but do not see the hand of God in it; but look at other things, as the good state of your bodily constitution, your care of your own life, and the means you use for your own preservation. But indeed these things are nothing; if God should withdraw his hand, they would avail no more to keep you from falling, than the thin air to hold up a person that is suspended in it."
Wow. Compare that to a typical sermon today, and you will definitely notice the difference. (I am not saying one is better than the other, but I think it's interesting to note the differences in both style and content). Another effect of our culture is our shortened attention spans. Sermons today are at most an hour, Edwards' sermons were often several hours long. And there wasn't kid's church, where one could play games and do crafts. Children sat quietly through the long sermons with their parents. Today, in our internet browsing culture, we have trouble reading through the Bible in a year (I'll admit I've never done it) and instead rely on reading a couple verses somewhat-daily in a 1-minute devotional. In the sermon I heard on Sunday, the pastor said that many Christians are turning to a "Jaccuzi Jesus." They go to church to relax and feel warm and bubbly, but not to be challenged or made uncomfortable.
I'm not trying to be legalistic, but I think it is fascinating to consider the implications of technology on Christianity. At risk of repeating the article, I will stop here and just ask, what do you think of the article? Do you think the changes our culture has undergone are for the better or worse? Do you think the changes Christianity has undergone have been for the better or worse?
http://www.pluggedinonline.com/read/read/a0004706.cfm
Like it or not, technology has profoundly influenced our culture. I just finished reading Jane Austen's Persuasion today and was thinking about how our culture has changed so much in terms of friendships and relationships. Myspace and Twitter have taken the place of letter writing and parlor visits; texting has replaced many phone calls. Our world has gotten more connected, but our connections are shallower. I'm not bashing technology, but it needs to be put in it's place, and certainly not glorified.
I have often wondered how technology has affected our faith. The article mentions "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," a sermon by John Edwards from which we read excerpts in English class. One does not hear many sermons like it today:
"There is the dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God; there is hell's wide gaping mouth open; and you have nothing to stand upon, nor any thing to take hold of, there is nothing between you and hell but the air; it is only the power and mere pleasure of God that holds you up.
You probably are not sensible of this; you find you are kept out of hell, but do not see the hand of God in it; but look at other things, as the good state of your bodily constitution, your care of your own life, and the means you use for your own preservation. But indeed these things are nothing; if God should withdraw his hand, they would avail no more to keep you from falling, than the thin air to hold up a person that is suspended in it."
Wow. Compare that to a typical sermon today, and you will definitely notice the difference. (I am not saying one is better than the other, but I think it's interesting to note the differences in both style and content). Another effect of our culture is our shortened attention spans. Sermons today are at most an hour, Edwards' sermons were often several hours long. And there wasn't kid's church, where one could play games and do crafts. Children sat quietly through the long sermons with their parents. Today, in our internet browsing culture, we have trouble reading through the Bible in a year (I'll admit I've never done it) and instead rely on reading a couple verses somewhat-daily in a 1-minute devotional. In the sermon I heard on Sunday, the pastor said that many Christians are turning to a "Jaccuzi Jesus." They go to church to relax and feel warm and bubbly, but not to be challenged or made uncomfortable.
I'm not trying to be legalistic, but I think it is fascinating to consider the implications of technology on Christianity. At risk of repeating the article, I will stop here and just ask, what do you think of the article? Do you think the changes our culture has undergone are for the better or worse? Do you think the changes Christianity has undergone have been for the better or worse?
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