Wonderful concept, could use some serious editing. Both major and minor issues including repeating paragraphs in close proximity (pp. 14 & 15), citingWonderful concept, could use some serious editing. Both major and minor issues including repeating paragraphs in close proximity (pp. 14 & 15), citing David of the lion's den in the Bible (it's well known to be Daniel), and inverted words that change the meaning of the sentence ("cannot" should be "can" on page 28....more
So fun... like a younger Nancy Pearl (in fact, this might have gotten five stars from me if it weren't for all the language... I can handle a little, So fun... like a younger Nancy Pearl (in fact, this might have gotten five stars from me if it weren't for all the language... I can handle a little, but sheesh, that much isn't even shocking anymore, just exhausting).
I loved the first 3/4 the most, with the "Dear" letter format. The last section added a bunch of titles to my TBR, but I kinda wish the editor had just insisted that was a separate book, later, when Spence was an established writer-librarian with a following, because she's gonna be....more
Good, but a surprisingly small percentage of this was actually talking about reading, as most of us think of reading (i.e. books as opposed to technicGood, but a surprisingly small percentage of this was actually talking about reading, as most of us think of reading (i.e. books as opposed to technical manuals, legislation, etc.). A better title might have been 'Conversation for the Common Good' because books were a small means to an end to start conversations, and while I don't at ALL disagree with him that that would be the goal, I think anyone who picked up this book is likely already on board, so spending 100+ pages convincing of the WHY seemed excessive. I was expecting more specifics, so once he got around to those, they were very good. I numbered 17 or so great ways to integrate reading into church/cultures/communities, but all contained in chapter nine, the last chapter.
I can't wait to read Rod Dreher's upcoming Benedict Option, as I have a feeling it will explore the themes touched on in this book.
His explanation of Lectio Divina was simple and clear, and he points to Eugene Peterson's Eat this Book as another (which I can concur is excellent).
I did have some minor theological/literary quibbles with him throughout. (1. Women in the pulpit. While I disagree with his conclusion, it was his poor ARGUMENT that I found lacking. I've heard dear ones who I disagree with make convincing arguments for why Paul didn't mean what he said in Corinthians, but Smith's logic was flawed and poor here. 2. That we could/should participate in a church without sharing major convictions. Minor convictions I would agree with, but the examples he gave would be more along the lines of Tier 2 level for me (see Al Mohler's Doctrinal Triage model), and would likely be prudent reason for parting doctrinal, though not Christian, fellowship. 3. He states that fiction "excels in depicting particularities" and not abstractions and I will disagree with him there. It excels at telling stories of particular places and people IN ORDER to generalize about the human condition.)
I haven't read his Slow Church but I have a strong feeling that might have been a fuller version of this. Skip this one and only read chapter nine and you'll get what I suspect most picking up this book hoped to gather - the HOW more than the why. Still. If you're interested in your church beginning a reading program of sorts, but the leadership isn't keen, I suspect this would be a good way to convince them of the merits....more
Completely charming. It will mean infinitely more if you've already read 84 Charing Cross Road, but it is even better than 84CCR.Completely charming. It will mean infinitely more if you've already read 84 Charing Cross Road, but it is even better than 84CCR....more
I deeply love language. There's no denying Eugene Peterson is a fantastic writer - gorgeous and clear prose. This was truly a book I wanted to take inI deeply love language. There's no denying Eugene Peterson is a fantastic writer - gorgeous and clear prose. This was truly a book I wanted to take in as a fine meal. So much practical wisdom and contemplative inspiration.
But what really made the book shine for me, was his third section on The Company of Translators. While I appreciate his translation/paraphrase The Message as a devotional tool, I have always been firmly in the a word-for-word camp when it comes to translating the Scriptures. I believe I still do agree more with the merits of a word-for-word translation for in-depth study, but Peterson makes a strong case for why a paraphrase translation also serves an important purpose in the study of God's word in our lives.
A takeaway from this book for me is to do my next book study (the gospel of John) with more than one translation before me, to see all the nuanced refractions of the language.
This would be an excellent book to give to anyone who is of the outdated "King James Only" camp, as it rationally explains the strengths and weaknesses of each method of Bible translation/interpretation, while still expressing great affection for the KJV. Along with giving some fascinating archaeological history of how we got many of our English translations. This section alone was worth the price of admission, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the pastoring process that lead him to begin translating Galatians, and then the entire Bible in what we know have as The Message....more
Ignore the saccharin title. This book is full of great book suggestions. Not a terribly novel lot (no pun intended), but a good reminder to add them tIgnore the saccharin title. This book is full of great book suggestions. Not a terribly novel lot (no pun intended), but a good reminder to add them to my never ending books to read list.
If you're one of those who is often searching for a next great book to read, this is a good resource....more
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