books in may

My Names Is Asher Lev, by Chaim Potok

I loved this.  Although it took me a bit to really get into the story and its characters, it had the same feel to me as A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.  The coming-of-age.  The setting, to some degree.  But since I have such a love for Judaism and the Jewish culture (especially in America), and as one who believes in Jesus as Messiah, Asher's story resonated with me on a deeper level.  The fact that his Crucifixion was far more offensive to his family and community than his nude paintings gives great insight into their morality.  It's sad.  And beautiful.  For a thinker, I highly recommend this book.

A Room with a View, by E.M. Forster

Yawn.  I'm so sorry - I wanted to enjoy this book.  I wanted it to be dripping with wit and sarcasm and a more scathing insight into the upper class of England during that time.  I wanted The Importance of Being Earnest.  Alas, what I was given was a bland narrative with sometime engaging and intriguing and real characters, and hints of wittiness.  I didn't finish this one, but knew what was coming.  I suppose the end justifies the boringness of the earlier chapters, but I don't care about Lucy and George in the slightest.

What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality?, by Kevin DeYoung

Such an informative read.  DeYoung really nails the reader with his knowledge and expansive research.  Do not read if you are looking for something other than simply what the title states -- what the Bible has to say on the topic.  There is less pastoral heart here (except in the later chapters); he rather focuses on the interpretation of controversial passages.  If you want to know biblically what to think about homosexuality, read this.  If you don't hold the Bible to be an authority, or know you will disagree with his conclusions anyway, I probably would not recommend it.  

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, by Laura Hillenbrand

Oh my goodness.  Kevin and I watched this movie the weekend before Memorial Day, and by the end of that following week, I had finished reading the book.  A few that I've talked to about it didn't care for the screen adaptation, but I think it was well done and actually spot on with casting and focus.  Obviously, it's long.  Both the movie and book dwell on Louie's horrific experiences and anguish, rather than on his ultimate redemption and the forgiveness he finds for himself and his captors in Christ.  The book delves far more into this.  Louie Zamperini was an incredible, seemingly indestructible man.  PLEASE READ THIS BOOK.  

An Outline History Of the Wesleyan Church, by Lee M. Haines

Maybe the most boring thing I've read since graduating college (when I was forced to read so many uninteresting books and articles for classes).  However, as my husband is now employed by a Wesleyan church, and I have no experience with the denomination myself, I thought it wise to get to know our new roots a bit more.  So, in that regard, I definitely feel I have a grasp on where the denomination came from, what Wesley himself actually believed and taught, and how the denomination morphed and grew and changed throughout its some odd 200 years of existence.  I just could've done without the record of presidents and leaders and Sunday School initiatives and periodicals.  

recent additions

I have an addiction to buying books.

I just hafta.

My recent finds at a local thrift store:

The Chosen, by Chaim Potok (have already read)

Davita's Harp, Potok

The Book of Lights, Potok

The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Mitch Albom (have already read)

The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger

The Search for God and Guinness, by Stephen Mansfield (currently reading)

Sarah

Sarah, by Marek Halter

This was a quick read for me (I enjoyed it immensely, and it was rather shorter than the other books I've attempted lately).  The first book in the Canaan Trilogy, by French-Jewish author Marek Halter, is an imaginative retelling of the story of Sarah, wife of Abraham.  Though it departs somewhat from the biblical tale (he paints a picture of Sarah as a princess from a neighboring kingdom to Abraham, rather than Abraham's half-sister, as the Bible indicates), the perspective of early civilization, idol worship, and the thorough torment of barrenness put flesh to the story I've heard untold times.  Cliche, I know, but the Genesis story comes to life.  Sarah is given a personality.  Abraham, too.  And he's not perfect.  

Read this if you're interested in historical fiction, if you enjoy retellings of biblical stories with biblical characters, and are just in the mood for a light read with a slightly feminist edge. 

my husband loves me :)

Through the Bible

 

Because we'll be leading our youth group through a survey of the Bible, Kev and I have begun to read through it chronologically.  I put together a plan last summer, and enjoyed it immensely, so we thought we'd give it a go!  Feel free to steal/use/judge if you so desire!  It's so good (and important!) to be able to trace the actual narrative of the story, rather than passages out of context and order, etc.  Will check in and give my thoughts once in a while.  :)  Enjoy!

• Genesis 1-11
• Job 1-42
• Genesis 12-50
• Exodus 1-40
• Leviticus 1-27
• Numbers 1-15; Psalm 90
• Numbers 16-36
• Deuteronomy 1-34; Psalm 91
• Joshua 1-24
• Judges 1-21
• Ruth
• 1 Samuel 1-20; Psalm 11, 59
• 1 Samuel 21-24; Psalm 7, 27, 31, 34, 35, 52
• Psalm 54, 56, 120, 140-145; 1 Sam 25-27
• 1 Samuel 28-31; Psalm 18
• Psalm 121,123-125,128-130; 2 Sam 1-4
• Psalm 6, 8-10,14,16,17,19, 21; 1 Chron 1-2
• Psalm 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87; 1 Chron 3-5
• Psalm 73, 77, 78; 1 Chron 6
• Psalm 81, 88, 92-93; 1 Chron 7-10
• Psalm 102-104; 2 Sam 5; 1 Chron 11-12
• Ps 133, 106-107; 2 Sam 6; 1 Chron 13-16
• Ps 1-2, 15, 22-24, 47, 57, 68, 74-76, 79
• Ps 89, 96, 100-101, 105, 132; 2 Sam 7; 1 Chron 17
• Ps 25, 29, 33, 36, 39; 2 Sam 8-9; 1 Chron 18
• Ps 20, 50, 53, 60; 2 Sam 10; 1 Chron 19
• Ps 65-67, 69-70; 2 Sam 11-12; 1 Chron 20
• Ps 32, 51, 63, 86, 122; 2 Sam 13-15
• Ps 3-4, 12-13, 28, 55; 2 Sam 16-18
• Ps 26, 40, 58, 61-62, 64; 2 Sam 19-21
• Ps 5, 38, 41-42; 2 Sam 22-23
• Ps 30, 95, 97-99; 2 Sam 24; 1 Chron 21-22
• Ps 108-110; 1 Chron 23-25
• Ps 127, 131, 138-139; 1 Chron 26-29
• Ps 37, 71, 94, 111-118; 1 Kings 1-2
• Ps 72, 119; 1 Kings 3-4; 2 Chron 1
• Song of Songs; Prov 1-15
• Prov 16-24; 1 Kgs 5-6; 2 Chron 2-3
• 1 Kgs 7-8; 2 Chron 4-5
• 2 Chron 6-7; Ps 136
• Ps 134, 146-150; 1 Kgs 9; 2 Chron 8
• Prov 25-29; Ecclesiastes
• 1 Kgs 10-11; 2 Chron 9; Prov 30-31
• 1 Kgs 12-14; 2 Chron 10-12
• 1 Kgs 15-16; 2 Chron 13-17
• 1 Kgs 17-22; 2 Chron 18-23
• Obadiah; Ps 82-83; 2 Kgs 1-11
• 2 Kgs 12-13; 2 Chron 25
• 2 Kgs 14; 2 Chron 25; Jonah
• 2 Kgs 15; 2 Chron 26; Isaiah 1-4 
• Isaiah 5-8; Amos
• 2 Chron 27; Isaiah 9-12
• Micah; 2 Chron 28; 2 Kgs 16-17
• Isaiah 13-27
• 2 Kgs 18:1-8; 2 Chron 29-32; Ps 48
• Hosea
• Isaiah 28-39; 2 Kgs 18:9-19:37
• Isaiah 40-48; Ps 46, 80, 135
• Isaiah 49-66
• 2 Kgs 20-21; 2 Chron 33; Nahum
• 2 Kgs 22-23; 2 Chron 34-35; Zephaniah
• Jeremiah 1-37
• Jer 38-40; 2 Kgs 24-25; 2 Chron 36
• Habakkuk; Jeremiah 41-52
• Lamentations; Ezekiel 1-8
• Ezekiel 9-48
• Joel; Daniel
• Ezra 1-6; Ps 137; Haggai
• Zechariah; Esther; Ezra 7-10
• Nehemiah; Ps 126
• Malachi

• Luke 1-2; John 1; Matt 1-2
• Matt 3-4; Mark 1; Luke 3-5
• John 2-5; Mark 2
• Matt 12; Mark 3;
• Matt 5-13; Luke 6-8; Mark 4-5
• Matt 14; Mark 6; Luke 9; John 6
• Matt 15-18; Mark 7-9; John 7-8
• John 9-10; Luke 10-17
• John 11; Matt 19; Mark 10
• Matt 20-21; Luke 18-19
• Mark 11-12; Matt 22; John 12
• Matt 23; Luke 20-21
• Mark 13-14; Matt 24-26
• Luke 22; John 13-17
• Matt 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18-19
• Matt 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21
• Acts 1-14; James
• Acts 15-16; Galatians
• Acts 17-18; 1 Thess; 2 Thess
• Acts 19; 1 Corinthians
• Acts 20; 2 Corinthians; Romans 1-3
• Romans 4-16
• Acts 20-28; Colossians; Philemon
• Ephesians; Philippians
• 1 Timothy; Titus; 1 Peter
• Hebrews
• 2 Timothy; 2 Peter; Jude
• 1 John; 2 John; 3 John; Revelation 1-11
• Revelation 12-22

Born to Kvetch

Currently reading Born to Kvetch, by Michael Wex

Yes.  I love all things Jewish.  Little did I know I would so enjoy the Yiddish language (in all its moods, of which there are many).  This book is more linguistically-driven than I thought it would be, and while it can be a bit dry in places, the overall effect is delightful.  Yiddish is a language that developed not necessarily out of necessity, but rather for the mere amusement of its speakers.  Yiddish is a past-time: a lifestyle born out of adversity, created for the purpose of making light of any and every situation.

I'm about half-way through this read.  Check back later to see a full review!

Constantine's Sword Review

Constantine's Sword: the Church and the Jews,

by James Carroll

What a fascinating journey it's been.  I sped-read the last forty pages because I just wanted to be done with the thing, but don't let that foster the idea that I wasn't completely absorbed in what Carroll had to say about life, history, and religion.  Because I was.  For the past two months, it's been nearly all I can think about.  So.  Where to begin in this review.

To sum up, as he neared conclusion: 

I had come here with my three questions.  The first:  How did the history of Christian antisemitism contribute to the Holocaust?  The second:  How did the Church abet, or oppose, the Holocaust as it unfolded?  And the third:  How does the Church today negotiate that layered past, both the deep past of antisemitism and the recent past of the Holocaust? (536)

While I by no means agree with everything Carroll had to say about Church history - particularly of the early Church - I can appreciate his call to reform.  Though he writes from a purely Catholic standpoint, we Protestants certainly must fall under his criticism.  Listen to what he has to say about the lack of Catholic repentance for their part (or silence) in the Shoah:

The Final Solution has refused to remain unadjudicated in institutions everywhere.  If Bayer, Swiss banks, the Louvre, owners of apartments in the Eighth Arrondissement, the Ford Motor Company, the US Treasury Department, and the New York Times are made to confront their relationship to this unfinished business of the twentieth century, so with the Catholic Church.  If Argentina can repent, as its president did in June 2000, of having offered refuge to Nazi war criminals, why can't the Vatican repent of having helped some of those same war criminals escape to Argentina?  (555)

What he proposes is reform.  A Vatican III, as he calls it.  Because there is no place for a cross at Auschwitz.  There must be something wrong with the Church as we know it.  "At bottom, what [is] so urgently required of the the Catholic Church [is] a change in what is said, thought, and believed about Jews" (551).  What he says here, on page 560, summarizes not only the highlights of the book as a whole (emboldened), but the measures necessary for true reform within the Church:

The possibility of human recovery from the tragedies of the past adheres, permanently, in the future.  Thus, in addition to anti-Jewish texts, a Vatican Council III would take up the unfinished questions, perhaps even in the order of the chronology we followed, of power (Constantine, Ambrose, Augustine), of Christology (Crusades, Anselm, Abelard), of Church intolerance (Inquisition, Nicolaus of Cusa, the ghetto), of democracy (Enlightenment, Spinoza, modernism), and only then of repentence (Holocaust, silence, Edith Stein).  As this book has demonstrated, the Church's attitude toward Jews is at the dead center of each of these problems, and a fundamental revision of that attitude is the key to the solution of each problem, too.  

Unfortunately, his suggestion extends beyond our reinterpretation of beliefs about the Jewish people. Even further, he suggests we amend what we believe about Jesus, and by extension, the entire world: believers and non-believers alike.  Rather than emphasize Jesus' crucifixion, which places the blame on the Jews who had Him killed, focus on His life of love and service - "a hope for all!" - which demonstrates that the world is already loved and accepted by God.  While his agenda of pluralism is by no means a new doctrine, it is no less disappointing.  He sacrifices integrity with the Scriptures, understanding of the altogether Jewish purpose and role of Jesus as Messiah, and the role of the Church in the life of the world.  As it is said in 1 Corinthians, and is evident here in Carroll's work:

For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 

but we preach Christ crucified, 

a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles.

(1:22-23)

This work was enlightening: I don't think I ever learned as much Church history from Eddy Field as I did James Carroll.  If content matter such as this could be considered a "delight" to read, I would be the first to say it.  Dense, yes, but so beautifully and honestly portrayed.  Ultimately, I disagree with so many of Carroll's fundamental beliefs; and consequently, his conclusion.

However, I agree the conversation here needs to take place.  Let this be a call to the Church to reform not the measures he proposes, but a revitalization, a return to truth: our Messiah calls us to love our neighbor paired with the insistence that only through Himself is salvation found, and the Apostle's heart's desire and prayer for his people.  A sensitivity must be ever in our words, but urgency and confidence as well.  This is the gospel.

Constantine's Sword

Currently reading Constantine's Sword, by James Carroll.

Briefly, it deals with the relationship between the Church and the Jews throughout history (as you can imagine, it's rather long), and the culmination of that 'relationship' in the Shoah (or, Holocaust).  His argument is intricate, well-researched, and though he himself was a priest, incredibly honest.

I have fallen in love with the way this book is written - nonfiction, history... but you might not realize it at first blush due to Carroll's mastery of the English language.  While I may not agree with all of his conclusions (particularly in his dealing with the early Church and the Reformation), I have found the book to be rather eye-opening and challenging for me, as a believer.

Nearly finished, Carroll is currently dealing with the beginning of Hitler's rise to power, and the foundation of anti-semitism the Church has inadvertently laid for the Nazis to build upon.  Fascinating, scary stuff.

Check back for my final thoughts once I've finished!!