Free Book!

And I am named in it!!!!!! (in the preface/acknowledgements)

A couple years ago a seminary prof asked if I would pre-read a book he was writing and comment on the accessibility of the writing.  And now it has come out, DOn sent me a copy this week.

Contemporary Christologies looks at 15 post-WW2 writers in terms of their Christology and Soteriology and Atonement Theory.

I will read it as a whole some day (pre-reading was a chapter at a time) but I greatly enjoyed the book in chapter form.  Atonement theory is an area of interest and growth for me.  And this fleshed out various options.

As it happens I am reading chapters for another book by Don.  It is also on Christology, an introductory piece.  It also has been good thus far.

I endorse and recommend this one!

Book 11 of 2010

Nice thing about travelling is more time to read.  Although  to be fair I have been working at this one for a while (reading a couple chapters a week between other stuff).

I liked this book.  It was a nice mix of practical with theoretical and theological.  One of my desires is that we in the church remember that one of the blessings we offer is that we are still a truly intergenerational community -- a relative rarity in the world today.  And this book helps in exploring the implications of that.

The one quibble I had was that I kep getting the feeling that the authors were envisioning a worship that really hasn't changed much in form and structure.  There appeared to be a desire to keep worship fairly "traditional" (whatever that means) and just make the traditional worship more "generation friendly".  The biggest sign of this was one chapter when the author wote that children can and should learn the classic hymns of the faith while older generations can learn newer music.  Why only add the "should" in one part of that unless your bias is showing?

This book deserves to be read and discussed within a community so that the community can ask where they are and how it speaks to where they may need to go.  Maybe an idea for next winter.....

House Hunt Successful

AT supper tonight I got a call fromthe realtor that our offer had been accepted.  We get possession on July 7.  THose who know me on FB can find other pictures but here are a couple:

Book 10 of 2010

While packing up some books I came across this one and realized that while I had scanned through part of it when I got it years ago I had never read the whole thing.

And since I was travelling this weekend it seemed a good time to read it.

At best I would give it a mixed review.   Berton's strength does not appear to be in comedy and satire.  There are some really good sections, some rather bad ones and a lot that is passable.  And you would really think that a journalist/pop historian would know that 1999-2000 was NOT the millenium change.

Friday Five -- Let's Get PAcking

Some of my Blogging comrades are heading on a cruise.  Alas the only travel in my near future is not nearly as exotic (but far more costly) -- house hunting next week.  And so the RGBP FRiday Five focusses on packing.
1) Some fold, some roll and some simply fling into the bag. What's your technique for packing clothes?  Generally I roll.  SOme things don't roll well (sweaters for example).  Mind you if it is a short trip and I am prepping quickly the toss in the bag option comes into play.

2) The tight regulations about carrying liquids on planes makes packing complicated. What might we find in your quart-size bag? Ever lose a liquid that was too big? GEnerally it is not a problem because I put my shaving kit, which contains a bottle of shampoo, in checked luggage and only take a backpack or the laptop as carry on.  However the last time I only travelled with a carry on bag I forgot and ended up giving away the shampoo.

3) What's something you can't imagine leaving at home?  Largely that depends on the nature of the trip.  But in the end most things can be either managed without or replacements bought.  I guess my wallet and id would be the most irreplaceable

4) Do you have a bag with wheels? Nope.  I do usually use my travel backpack and if needed I can unzip the compartment and use the straps.

5) What's your favorite reading material for a non-driving trip (plane, train, bus, ship)?  Pretty much depends on my mood the week preceding the travel.  But often I choose something light and "mindless" over something heavier.

Book 9 of 2010

Most years the United CHurch Publishing House puts out a lenten devotional resource.  I generally buy one (in fact there are several of them that I just donated to the church library). This year's focused on issues around money and our attitudes towards same.  Each day includes a verse or two of Scripture, a reflection, a prayer, some journalling questions and a couple of hymn suggestions.

A Strange Faith

In many ways Christianity is a faith with some very strange aspects.


Our central symbol is a tool of execution (not a plus sign as the prosperity gospel folks seem to think).  Our central faith observance includes the story of a man who was condemned to an excruciating, tortuous (sp???) death for suggesting that God had another plan for the world.

And then there is the end of the story....


Tomorrow morning I will stand in front of a congregation and proclaim some of the strangest things.  I will tell them that life is stronger than death.  That peace is stronger than violence.  That ideals are stronger than pragmatism.  That love is stronger than fear.  That justice is stronger than greed.  Despite all the evidence to the contrary all those things are true -- in the end.


It is a statement of belief that defies the evidence.  Just as it defies the imagination to talk about and empty tomb and a Risen Christ.  But we are a resurrection people.  We are a people of hope.  The cross is not the final word.  God still has a plan for how the world can be and that plan can not be stopped.  Surely it can be delayed.  People can and do work against it.  But it can not be stopped.  In the end, in God's time, you simply can't stop the kingdom.

Thanks be to God!  Hallelujah!