Paradigm shifting. This reframes my approach to missions, church, and life. How often we forget that the words of Matthew 28:19-20 are directly commanParadigm shifting. This reframes my approach to missions, church, and life. How often we forget that the words of Matthew 28:19-20 are directly commanded to ALL of us as Christians! Why do we still live in uncertainty of where God is calling us to go in career, life, relationships, etc, etc etc, when it has been made abundantly clear exactly what we are called to do: Sharing the good news of Christ's death and resurrection and to make disciples of ALL NATIONS.
What an exciting, freeing, glorious way to live!
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Also very practical guidelines of our first world struggle with the 'American Dream' and living the 'good life'. Helpful reframing our theology of money and possessions as well—God has blessed us with abundance so that we may take that excess bless others in need. The letter in the last chapter is a must read.
I enjoyed it. Scrivener's intro into each chapter always hooks you in. There were a couple of chapters that really stood out to me—especially the firsI enjoyed it. Scrivener's intro into each chapter always hooks you in. There were a couple of chapters that really stood out to me—especially the first couple: equality, compassion, consent. The dignity of human life, the preciousness of a girl, the sanctity of our bodies. How Scrivener points out very well that the society humanity once lived in had very very different sentiments.
I, confessedly, enjoyed it a bit less towards the end. (I felt less invested in those topics) But the last chapter "Choose Your Miracle" was a banger! Take this quote from Jordan Peterson:
"I've got the choice of believing two impossible things. I can either believe that the world is constituted so that God took on flesh and was crucified and rose three days later or I can believe that human beings invented this unbelievably preposterous story that has stretched into every atom of culture. And it isn't obvious to me that the second hypothesis is any easier to believe than the first. Because the more you investigate the manifestations of the story of Christ the more insanely complicated and fear reaching it becomes."
What an impossible faith we believe in! And isn't that faith so unbelievably beautiful beyond all imagination? Beyond the shadowlands, beyond the veil, it is the real, true, strong stuff that can sustain life, joy, eternity, and so much more. (I got too excited and woke the Lewis in me... AHA)
Thank you Colin for lending it to me. Sorry it's being returned with a couple of scuff marks. I tried to be hypervigilant. Alas!...more
Allegorical narrative on authority, submission, and leadership in the midst of brokenness in the context of church. It's writtColin lent me this book.
Allegorical narrative on authority, submission, and leadership in the midst of brokenness in the context of church. It's written in the perspective of David following the story between him, Saul, and Absalom.
Allegories require a very specific mindset that I was much too tired to put on when reading this. I think I can only make connections to my own personal church experience insofar that I can think clearly about what the heck happened a year ago (and I still don't think I can). So I think it is partly my weakness that I'm unable to find clarity or comfort through this past the first half of the book. But it may also partly be my (perhaps Tolkien-ish) dislike of allegory (not that I've read many allegories and I actually liked Pilgrim's Progress so...).
Anyways despite my 'meh' reflections post-read, I actually am somewhat fond of it. Gene Edwards write with a familiar touch of pastoral wit marked with a winsome warmth and gentleness as he breaks into storytelling to make a point. It really is experience distilled. (I actually thought very fondly of a friend, Josh's, way of sharing. He also loves explaining theological points in thoughtful, well-crafted, stories. I'm still very fond of that kingdom-story in his explanation of the gospel).
Biographies never cease to stun me (not that I've read very many). It reads vicariously as with the pace of fiction but edifies with reality. Those whBiographies never cease to stun me (not that I've read very many). It reads vicariously as with the pace of fiction but edifies with reality. Those who write biographies—the dedication to which one must put into their craft—are amazing. Santamaria, especially, has written a very well-researched and passionately put together biography of Joy Davidman. Because of that I cannot give this book any less than 5 stars. This is a wonderful, wonderful book. (Even though I'd put 4 stars for enjoyment. Parts of this book was AGGRAVATING.) As I read the acknowledgements, a wistful thought of being a biographer myself did flit into my mind... :)
Joy Davidman and Lewis' love story captured my imagination ages ago in Ms. Vaudrey's Bible class. Closing the unit on one of Lewis' books, The Great Divorce (or Mere Christianity—I can't remember), we spent the last class watching Shadowlands. I would go on to watch the movie at least 3 more times in the following years.
But as with the commitment of a passionate fan, I wasn't content to limit my scope of the Lewis world to that movie. I had so much fun reading Douglas Gresham's memoir, Lenten Lands and Patti Callahan's Becoming Mrs. Lewis. Stumbling across Joy's sonnets sustained me as I dealt with my own bouts of romantic yearnings. But Santamaria's provocative biography of Joy Davidman. This hit different. The thoroughness of the biography opened my eyes to the raw intensity of Joy as a human. Joy's crass and bombastic nature overwhelmed me. She could be, to put frankly, monstrous. Selfish, stingy, prideful, and manipulative. My eyes bulged when Santamaria recounted Joy's extravagant shopping sprees in England (even demanding more money!) as her then-husband back home wrote of how he was barely keeping their family fed with the little they had left. I'm still left a bit aghast at the rawness of this biography. But even then, I was captured by the narrative of Joy's story. And I knew I didn't dislike her—my heart had already long before been drawn towards her. Just look at Lewis's A Grief Observed. How can you not love her!
Deeply flawed, deeply beloved, and relentlessly pursued by God. As a fellow Goodreads reviewer put it so poetically: "The one impossible to get along with, yet loved by the greatest apologist of the 20th century."...more
Keller's biography lit up my mind. It filled me with delight and longing. Delight as I learned about the wealth of influences that came to shape KelleKeller's biography lit up my mind. It filled me with delight and longing. Delight as I learned about the wealth of influences that came to shape Keller's mind (and heart); longing as I yearned for the same influences to shape mine.
I want to be more involved in campus ministries and learn how to embrace interdenominational contexts whilst standing firm in my convictions. I want to read voraciously from Edwards to Lewis and Van Til to Stott. I want to find a community to share in study and friendship. I want to imitate women like Kathy and Boyd, so sharp and on fire for God but also so grace-filled and humble in how they serve.
This biography casts a vision for a life well lived. Keller is undoubtedly before the throne of God: Well done, good and faithful servant!
I especially enjoyed how the so many references I've picked up on over the years as abstract worlds and concepts were solidified as lived experiences and histories of communities and people being brought together. There was a gleeful giddiness as I made connection one after another. (Like WOW R.C. Sproul officiated the Kellers' wedding!?) There is a homeyness within the Christian world where things are small enough for the occasional overlap. :) ...more
I find the unfolding motif of Christ and his bride (the Church) to be one of the most beautiful imagery that parallels reality. Romance, love, dating,I find the unfolding motif of Christ and his bride (the Church) to be one of the most beautiful imagery that parallels reality. Romance, love, dating, marriage, and intimacy–these are all but foretastes to our ultimate marriage to Christ. Ryken elaborates on this often disregarded reality through his commentary on Song of Songs. ...more
Read the first part of three books Mortification of SPINNNN Such a good book study. Honestly the best I've had. What a group! Read the first part of three books Mortification of SPINNNN Such a good book study. Honestly the best I've had. What a group! ...more
Read it with an advent reading group Was a bit skeptical at first with the guy's background ahaha but it was ok Read it with an advent reading group Was a bit skeptical at first with the guy's background ahaha but it was ok ...more
I read the book very quickly–much less thoughtfully than my favorite authors perhaps I like the book a lot! It was such a lovely story to get lost in bI read the book very quickly–much less thoughtfully than my favorite authors perhaps I like the book a lot! It was such a lovely story to get lost in but I don't think I enjoyed it as much as they did :( It's always very sweet getting back into fairy tales though, I can see why growing up I'd be addicted to stories like this. I still like MacDonald's The Golden Key the best though!...more
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