Reading and Readers

It’s not that I forgot my anniversary, it’s that I didn’t want to appear empty handed. And that is why I waited until I published a book review episode before I record this annual anniversary episode. But I couldn’t remember which year it was. Fourth year or fifth year? I had to look it up.

“Is Francis Schaeffer a rationalist?” is a question that should only interest people who already know him. But, even though I don’t really know the man or his work, I found a defence of his apologetics helpful in thinking more precisely and more lovingly. If only all of us were as passionate for God, for people and for the truth.

Everyday Theology: How to Read Cultural Texts and Interpret Trends edited by Kevin Vanhoozer, Charles Anderson and Michael Sleasman. Book Review.
Tolkien Dogmatics: Theology through Mythology with the Maker of Middle-earth by Austin M. Freeman. Book Review.
Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson. Book Review.
Silence by Shusaku Endo. Book Review.
Silence and Beauty by Makoto Fujimura. Book Review.

After many long years, I finally ticked one book off my great books list. Instead of reading excerpts and quotes and never being sure whether they were taken out of context or not, I have read for myself John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion.

In a list of books to read before I die, Augustine’s The City of God would rank high on that list. I tried reading it 20 years ago, but I didn’t manage to get very far. Over the years, I considered taking it up again, but... 1,000 pages! I needed a big reason to start this big book. And this year, I found that reason.