Thursday, March 29, 2007

More Reading

Here’s a lot of what I’ve been reading the past 90 days or so. I’m not a literary critic (and don’t want to be) so I don’t really go into detail but I did include a comment or two about each one.

With Head and Heart (autobiography of Howard Thurman) by Howard Thurman
What can you say about a black man growing up in the South in the early twentieth century… with all the disadvantages that he had… and still becoming such an amazing minister, philosopher and educator? His life touched people of all races, cultures and faiths. I’m so glad I stumbled upon this man and his writings.

The Growing Edge by Howard Thurman
A collection of sermons preached by Thurman. A couple of my favorite quotes from these messages…
“To get at God at the core of His greatest one must first get into the core of himself at his least, for no one can know God who has not first known himself. “
“It is a wonderful thing that inherent in the life process are limitations, so that though new things start growing and old things also stop growing.”

Sex God by Rob Bell
Chapter six of Sex God entitled ‘To Die For’ is an extremely important chapter for any engaged or married couple. OK, it’s important for anyone who is considering relationships. So that’s pretty much everyone.

Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
I blogged about this previously a little. Search for keyword “Karamazov” or “influence” if you want.

A Search for What is Real & A Search for What Makes Sense by Brian Mclaren
Previously this was one book… a very big book I would guess. Probably a good idea that they are now split up. I think Brian McLaren is a very important Christian author to be aware of. These books are written not to tell people what to believe but are more like guides in learning how to believe. Where as “The Case for Faith” by Lee Strobel would be a modern approach to figuring out what to believe. These books (and a lot of what McLaren writes) would be more of a post-modern approach.

Plan B, Further Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
Oh, boy, don’t read Ann Lamott if you are republican, never curse, don’t like san francisco, and in general don’t want to be stirred up a little.

Various short stories by Mark Twain, Leo Tolstoy and Ernest Hemmingway

The Bible by God
It’s good.

2 comments:

paige said...

just want to say. new kid on the block. no Bible is good, looking to broaden my reading span. not a lit. what kinds of books are good to read for someone following the way. currently reading thomas merton. is he good. i am a shepherd. whatever that is. looking forward to comment. PAIGE

Jonathan Foster said...

Thanks for writing... not sure what you mean by "no Bible is good" so if you want, clarify that, but i would definately suggest 'Velvet Elvis' by Rob Bell. I think Brian McLaren is another important author to be aware of. If you want to continue the catholic theologian author reading you won't go wrong with Henri Nouwen. Finally, I would encourage anyone and everyone to be familiar with the writings of CS Lewis. He's arguably the most influential 20th century Christian writer. Thanks! Hope this helps.
Jonathan