Reading – Page 3 – Apprentice 2 Jesus

Do not read a book for YOUR argument

I am finishing Paul: A Biography by N.T. Wright and my oldest son was looking at it briefly. He mentioned a guy he knows doesn’t call himself a Christian but says the Apostle Paul is the one that is relevant. Not even Jesus, who was to the Jews only. I advised my son to putContinue reading “Do not read a book for YOUR argument”

Reflecting on 2021 Reading

I was curious about the books I read over this year, so I checked my list to reflect on what I read (or listened to). Some folks don’t count “listening” as “reading.” I disagree. I wouldn’t have any fiction in my life without being able to listen.

Deep reading

I am handicapped in my reading. Over the years I have allowed the short attention span of media and the internet and social media drain my ability to read deeply. It is hard work and I’ve too often allowed myself the bad habit of skimming and skipping.

Race and trauma

There is no such thing as race. None… Scientifically, anthropologically, racism is a construct — a social construct. And it has benefits. Money can be made off of it, and people who don’t like themselves can feel better because of it. It can describe certain kinds of behavior that are wrong or misleading. — ToniContinue reading “Race and trauma”

Repeated lies of Christian nationalism

This is the era in which I grew up. Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority. Right to Life. Republican Party. God bless America. All rolled into one. Over the years I began to extract myself from that. Remnants remain and I will probably always be picking out small roots that fiercely remain. Kristin Kobes DuMezContinue reading “Repeated lies of Christian nationalism”

In the (current) age of deconstruction, a cry of my heart

“Whatever version of Christianity we way we’re over is not the true Christian faith. I still long for a place where God reigns, and I still need the Spirit’s power.” — Mandy Smith, Unfettered

The paragraph that broke me

I am far more able to slowly make my way through Eugene Peterson’s biography than most other books because I have to stop and repent so often.

I will not cease to call for repentance

A year ago there was hope. The shock of Ahmaud Arbery’s mugging, then Breonna Taylor, and then George Floyd provided a time when there was hope that white evangelical America was actually listening. I loaned out books. I bought books for others. I invited folks into conversation. Then… well, we got tired. White fatigue setContinue reading “I will not cease to call for repentance”

Things to remember in February

Books this year

I had a smaller goal for reading this year, but then just kept on reading. I also listened to books on Audible since I was driving quite a bit at particular times of the year. I was able to read more widely this year than probably ever before. More female authors. More authors of color.Continue reading “Books this year”