|
|
|
| The Pastor's BookshelfIf I have an addiction, it's to books! I read a lot: fiction, autobiography, theology, and Biblical commentary are my mainstays. I usually have several books going at once, and I subscribe to about 6 different periodicals. Here are three current or recent favorites. I've been through "Divinity and Diversity: A Christian Affirmation of Religious Pluralism" (by Marjorie Suchocki) twice now because I thought it was so potentially helpful. According to Suchocki, diversity isn't just something God tolerates, it is something integral to God's plan and purposes and way of working in and through the world. "To Begin Again: The Journey toward Comfort, Strength, and Faith in Difficult Times" was a gift to me from Judi Patterson. Written by Rabbi Naomi Levy, it is both honest and encouraging. The many true stories she includes of people's lives and challenges are inspiring. I picked up "The Rapture Exposed: The Message of Hope in the Book of Revelation" when I was at the Annual Conference. Author Barbara Rossing teaches New Testament at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. She is able to distinguish what the Bible really says about our future from the distortions and fabrications that are currently being given so much credence in certain popular fiction series. I think this is a very important book for Christians to read, so that we can all become more clear about what's in the Bible and what is not in the Bible. One of my favorite authors is Louise Erdrich. Her most recent book is about her own lifelong obsession with books. She writes books, reads books, makes pilgrimages to famous libraries, and owns a bookstore. After pondering the question "Books: why?" she finally concludes, "So I can talk to other human beings without having to meet them. So that I will never be alone." We who follow Jesus already know we are never alone. Still, it's also a great gift to have the companionship of books. Happy reading! Pastor April |
|
|