Books You Enjoy

[CVShooter]

I recently finished Vine Deloria's book GOD IS RED. While mostly an indictment of Christianity here in America, it was also a good discussion on the idea of sacred places and sacred land. I was struck by how similar some of his thinking was to how I felt after spending a semester in Jerusalem -- that American Christianity bears little resemblance to the Christianity of first century Judea. Ripped out of its geographical context, it hardly makes any sense to me. He comes off very strong and even sarcastic at times. But given the history of Christianity in America as it relates to Native Americans, he's certainly justified in having some strong feelings against it. I don't think many of you would agree with him. But I'd recommend it regardless as a way to challenge yourself. After all, we can't expect to get better at anything without some challenges from time to time -- religion and spirituality are included. I appreciated his views of religion in place (geographical and cultural setting) and his criticism of New Age faux-native spirituality.

I then started rereading HEARTSBLOOD: HUNTING, SPIRITUALITY AND WILDNESS IN AMERICA by David Petersen. Petersen describes himself as "Earthiest" (an Edward Abbey word) or "neo-animist." I'd put myself squarely in that camp as well, if I had to choose one. It's a great read.

So rather than debate the finer points of Christian doctrine, please share what books you have recently enjoyed or that have been meaningful for you in some way as it relates to your faith or faith tradition. We'll assume that you already enjoy reading your faith's sacred texts (Torah, Bible, Quran, Lotus, etc.). What else have you been reading & what makes it meaningful to you?

As a plus, we can't argue with what you enjoy reading. It's just what you enjoy for whatever reason.

[2761377]

having not read the book "God is Red" I cannot comment specifically on it's content.

It is clear, however, that America was colonized by Western Christians with very judgmental beliefs, professed in the name of Christ. It is not surprising an impartial observer would notice their doctrinal departure from the teachings of Christ.

furthermore, it is clear that modern "Christian" evangelicals abjure the worship of Christ as practiced in 1st century Judea.

[mossy]

yeah i read that book for some class i had back in college, can't remember if it was for a sociology or philosophy class. good book.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

The left thinks the last book any of us has read was the Yellow Pages.

[RAMCLAP]

I recommend "The Divine Conspiracy" by Dallas Willard.

[eta34]

I will check it out, Ramclap. I looked at my goodreads list and I marked it to read about 5 years ago. Will move it up the list. Thanks.

[billvau]

Two recent, non-commentary reads...

"A Man in Christ" by James S. Stewart from 1935. Biblically-sound / biblically-supported with exceptional insights into Paul and what he believed vs. how the church has "systematized" him and ignored his most fundamental doctrine.

If you really want to go deep and academic read Ernest Best's doctrinal thesis in book form (very hard to find) called "One Body in Christ: A Study in the Relationship of the Church to Christ in the Epistles of the Apostle Paul." Fascinating biblical insights into the Corporate nature of our Union with Christ.

[Rizzo]

Autobiography of a Yogi - Paramahansa Yogananda

[Alan Block]

Zealot By Reza Aslan

Two thousand years ago, an itinerant Jewish preacher walked across the Galilee, gathering followers to establish what he called the “Kingdom of God.” The revolutionary movement he launched was so threatening to the established order that he was executed as a state criminal. Within decades after his death, his followers would call him God.

Sifting through centuries of mythmaking, Reza Aslan sheds new light on one of history’s most enigmatic figures by examining Jesus through the lens of the tumultuous era in which he lived. Balancing the Jesus of the Gospels against the historical sources, Aslan describes a man full of conviction and passion, yet rife with contradiction. He explores the reasons the early Christian church preferred to promulgate an image of Jesus as a peaceful spiritual teacher rather than a politically conscious revolutionary. And he grapples with the riddle of how Jesus understood himself, the mystery that is at the heart of all subsequent claims about his divinity.

Zealot yields a fresh perspective on one of the greatest stories ever told even as it affirms the radical and transformative nature of Jesus’ life and mission.

[CVShooter]

Looks like a good read.

Kind of reminds me of the old song by The The (early 80s). One of the lines says something like:

If the real Jesus Christ were to stand up today,
He'd be gunned down cold by the CIA

[CVShooter]

I'm in a few chapters and have to say that this is a great book. I'd say it's pretty close to an undergraduate degree condensed into a single book and with much more flow as a story. Awesome recommendation!

[Red-Osier]

Muscle and a Shovel.

By Michael Shank

https://www.michaelshankministries.com/product/muscle-and-a-shovel/

[Sailormilan2]

My GF just finished the God Shaped Brain, and she really liked it. So, now she's reading the God Shaped Heart.
I haven't read either of them, so I'm not in any position to comment either way.

[Walles]

I really like the book Vanity Fair

[Xanthippus]

My books usually consist of historical analysis, history of war, psychology, philosophy, and the Bible. There are so many commentaries on the Bible, I don't bother with them anymore. Right now, I'm reading a book on Greek Eastern Orthodox dogma, because my wife is Greek Orthodox and I honestly don't know as much as I should about it.