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leswag97's reviews
233 reviews
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
4.0
“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” is an excellent children’s book, and even though it is not technically the first book in “The Chronicles of Narnia” saga, from a chronological viewpoint, it was the first of the seven stories written and published by C. S. Lewis, and it introduces the series’ primary characters: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy.
It is through the eyes of these four children—specifically Lucy and Edmund—that we see the world of Narnia, and it makes it all the more exciting, new, and fresh. Lewis obviously has certain points he is seeking to make through the work, and he has specific intentions as well, but ultimately, the story is exactly that: a story—about bravery, childlike belief, growth, and the conquering and victorious nature of love and life over hate and death!
The climax of the narrative is not even the winning of the war against the White Witch at the end of the book, but is more so, the surprising resurrection of the great lion Aslan. For Lewis, it is not a battle fought by children—perhaps, an echo of the Children’s Crusade, and even of the World Wars?—but the defeat of death itself that is to be praised and revered. Lewis beautifully explains this profound spiritual and psychological truth through the mouth of Aslan when he says, “Death itself...start[s] working backwards.”
It is through the eyes of these four children—specifically Lucy and Edmund—that we see the world of Narnia, and it makes it all the more exciting, new, and fresh. Lewis obviously has certain points he is seeking to make through the work, and he has specific intentions as well, but ultimately, the story is exactly that: a story—about bravery, childlike belief, growth, and the conquering and victorious nature of love and life over hate and death!
The climax of the narrative is not even the winning of the war against the White Witch at the end of the book, but is more so, the surprising resurrection of the great lion Aslan. For Lewis, it is not a battle fought by children—perhaps, an echo of the Children’s Crusade, and even of the World Wars?—but the defeat of death itself that is to be praised and revered. Lewis beautifully explains this profound spiritual and psychological truth through the mouth of Aslan when he says, “Death itself...start[s] working backwards.”
The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
3.0
“The Horse and His Boy” was the only of the seven works of “The Chronicles of Narnia” that I had never read in its entirety until now. It is one of the weaker works in the Narnia saga, as its primary purpose is seemingly to make Narnia bigger than itself, expanding its borders to places like Archenland and Calormen. While “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” and “The Silver Chair” seem to work towards this same end, as well, both of them do it in a way much more engaging, and with more twists and turns than “The Horse and His Boy.”
Yet, it is still an enjoyable read, and the subtle role of Aslan throughout the narrative—as he shows up in many unknown and unseen ways along the journey—speaks a deep theological truth of the ever-presence of God, even (and especially) when we are the least bit aware of it.
Yet, it is still an enjoyable read, and the subtle role of Aslan throughout the narrative—as he shows up in many unknown and unseen ways along the journey—speaks a deep theological truth of the ever-presence of God, even (and especially) when we are the least bit aware of it.
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
3.0
This enjoyable and easy-to-read book about the end of the world and about a weapon worse than the atom bomb highlights Vonnegut’s dismal view of reality. The fictitious religion in “Cat’s Cradle”—Bokononism—is theological, but is both deistic and nihilistic in nature. The proverbs of Bokonon riddled throughout the book show the inner-connectedness of all things, but also to the meaninglessness of all things, too.
Much of Vonnegut’s pessimism resulted from his time in World War II and the atrocities he witnessed. Throughout the book, the futility of human violence and war, and the brutal way in which humanity interacts with one another, is presented purely as evil and twisted. A few ironic and poignant moments in the narrative point to the false ways in which we cope with and even glorify war and battle, and I found these little nuggets rewarding—along with the many humorous outtakes and mishaps in the story!
Much of Vonnegut’s pessimism resulted from his time in World War II and the atrocities he witnessed. Throughout the book, the futility of human violence and war, and the brutal way in which humanity interacts with one another, is presented purely as evil and twisted. A few ironic and poignant moments in the narrative point to the false ways in which we cope with and even glorify war and battle, and I found these little nuggets rewarding—along with the many humorous outtakes and mishaps in the story!
Reappearing Church: The Hope for Renewal in the Rise of Our Post-Christian Culture by Mark Sayers
4.0
I read through this book quickly, as it is easily digestible. Yet, while it is an easy read, its truths and insights are important and impacting, leaving me with not only much to think about, but much to do.
I appreciate Mark Sayers’ ability to critique and yet hold out so much hope for both the Church and culture. He truly has evaluated our moment in time and history, drawn connections between the time now and the times of the past, while still believing that real renewal and revival can happen!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking change in the Church and in the culture around them. It is convicting and practical, requiring a response of its readers.
I appreciate Mark Sayers’ ability to critique and yet hold out so much hope for both the Church and culture. He truly has evaluated our moment in time and history, drawn connections between the time now and the times of the past, while still believing that real renewal and revival can happen!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking change in the Church and in the culture around them. It is convicting and practical, requiring a response of its readers.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
3.0
I read this book for the first time in the last week leading up to Christmas, finishing it on Christmas Eve, which made the story all the more magical. Already being familiar with the story from popular tradition and movies and plays, the storyline was not as new or exciting as it may once had been, but it is still a classic, and a must-read for the holiday season! Dickens is an excellent writer, poetic and funny, as well as inspiring. This short work proves his skill as a storyteller.
Enneagram and the Way of Jesus: Integrating Personality Theory with Spiritual Practices and Biblical Narratives by A.J. Sherrill
3.0
This short booklet is a helpful tool for the purpose of spiritual formation and discipleship. Especially in the West, where the emphasis on spiritual practices and apprenticing the way of Jesus only goes as deep or broad as Scripture reading and attending a Sunday morning service, A.J. Sherrill's brief work serves followers of Christ in aiding them to discover not only more about their personality, their self, or Enneagram Type, but even more so, he uses the Enneagram as a means to a far greater end: discipleship.
Rather than sitting comfortably with a "one-size fits all" mentality when it comes to discipleship and becoming more like Jesus, Sherrill has realized that the Body of Christ is diverse, and therefore, the ways in which we commune with God and that we are transformed more into the likeness of his Son are diverse as well. For Sherrill, the Enneagram is a helpful way to lead followers of Christ into greater self-awareness and self-understanding, not for that sake alone, but rather to help each apprentice of Jesus know their strengths, weaknesses, vices, and virtues better, in order to better set themselves up for success in the journey of becoming more like Christ.
While the first half of the book looks at briefly at what the Enneagram is, how to "type" oneself, and what the implications are for each specific Type, the second half integrates the self-understanding that comes from the Enneagram with the biblical narrative and a host of spiritual practices. Truly, the second half of the book is where the true "gold" of Sherrill's work lies. For every Enneagram Type, he creates a connection between the Type and a biblical character or narrative; ultimately, he gives helpful insight into what practices or spiritual disciplines are most helpful for each Type. He does so by labeling a practice (or for some, multiple practices) as "downstream" or "upstream"; downstream practices are ones that a specific Type would find easy, enjoyable, and life-giving, while on the other hand, an upstream practice could prove to be a more difficult practice for any given Type, but will serve each person in transformative ways. Finally, Sherrill also draws each Type's attention to the season (or day) in the Church Calendar that would be the most helpful or important for that Type.
If you are at all interested in the Enneagram, then this book would be extremely helpful, especially in seeing how this personality theory could help us in our walks with Christ, in becoming more like him. If you are like me, in that you have not given the Enneagram much thought or consideration, I still would encourage it as a resource, because all members of the Body of Christ are unique, serving different functions, and experiencing God in a host of ways. If anything, it will be helpful in your interactions with others who are experiencing health and help from the Enneagram, and could aid you in the process of disciple-making.
Rather than sitting comfortably with a "one-size fits all" mentality when it comes to discipleship and becoming more like Jesus, Sherrill has realized that the Body of Christ is diverse, and therefore, the ways in which we commune with God and that we are transformed more into the likeness of his Son are diverse as well. For Sherrill, the Enneagram is a helpful way to lead followers of Christ into greater self-awareness and self-understanding, not for that sake alone, but rather to help each apprentice of Jesus know their strengths, weaknesses, vices, and virtues better, in order to better set themselves up for success in the journey of becoming more like Christ.
While the first half of the book looks at briefly at what the Enneagram is, how to "type" oneself, and what the implications are for each specific Type, the second half integrates the self-understanding that comes from the Enneagram with the biblical narrative and a host of spiritual practices. Truly, the second half of the book is where the true "gold" of Sherrill's work lies. For every Enneagram Type, he creates a connection between the Type and a biblical character or narrative; ultimately, he gives helpful insight into what practices or spiritual disciplines are most helpful for each Type. He does so by labeling a practice (or for some, multiple practices) as "downstream" or "upstream"; downstream practices are ones that a specific Type would find easy, enjoyable, and life-giving, while on the other hand, an upstream practice could prove to be a more difficult practice for any given Type, but will serve each person in transformative ways. Finally, Sherrill also draws each Type's attention to the season (or day) in the Church Calendar that would be the most helpful or important for that Type.
If you are at all interested in the Enneagram, then this book would be extremely helpful, especially in seeing how this personality theory could help us in our walks with Christ, in becoming more like him. If you are like me, in that you have not given the Enneagram much thought or consideration, I still would encourage it as a resource, because all members of the Body of Christ are unique, serving different functions, and experiencing God in a host of ways. If anything, it will be helpful in your interactions with others who are experiencing health and help from the Enneagram, and could aid you in the process of disciple-making.
The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church by Gregory A. Boyd
4.0
Gregory Boyd's "The Myth of a Christian Nation" finds itself in the good company of many other notable works on similar topics. While Boyd pulls from these works, and while his work might be viewed as a "beginner-friendly" introduction to the subject, I would posit that what makes Boyd's book so helpful and also unique is that it is pastoral in nature. This is not surprising considering that Boyd is a pastor, and that all of the questions he is confronting and/or asking in this work are ones he initially was forced to confront and/or ask in a community and congregation of believers, some of whom agreed with him, and others who did not. In fact, the Church setting, and the implications of certain held beliefs and convictions as they are enfleshed in the Body of Christ, is the primary reason Boyd gives for why he decided to write this book. Thus, while "The Politics of Jesus" by John Howard Yoder is a must-read, and Preston Sprinkle's work on non-violence, "Fight," are both works which I have found personally important and helpful in my journey of resisting Empire and Violence, Yoder approaches the conversation from a deeply theological and philosophical point of view, and Sprinkle does so from the perspective of a biblical scholar; Boyd writes from his viewpoint of being a pastor, which allows for him to speak candidly but also lovingly and pastorally. His heart bleeds through in the pages of his work.
"The Myth of a Christian Nation" is a reasonably short book, and I sped through it faster than expected, but Boyd does a great job of addressing problems, asking questions most would never think to ask within the American Church, and showing how the example of Christ and his followers provides us with a better way. He opens his book with the foundational setting of two alternative kingdoms, two "rules" that are in opposition to each other: the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of God. Boyd consistently refers to the kingdom(s) of the world as the "kingdom of the sword," wielding "power over" authority; the kingdom of God, though, is the "kingdom of the cross," exercising "power under" authority, which looks a lot like self-sacrificial love and Jesus on the cross. It is from this foundation that Boyd builds his argument in favor of the Church not confusing or synthesizing the ways of Caesar with the ways of Christ.
Boyd shows how from the perspective of history, America is (and has been) far from being a "Christ-like" nation, and that this myth has dangerous and evil ramifications, for both the Church and for non-Christians alike. What history has taught us is that if the kingdom of God is merged with the kingdom of the world, there will be bloodshed and a compromise of the cross of Christ. Indeed, Jesus has shown us a better way of relating to the world. Because Boyd is a pastor, he does not shy away from practical implications of Christ's teachings or from many questions he has received since voicing his opinions on these matters; in fact, the entire last question focuses on his responses to specific questions that have been voiced against him and his views. This is a great entry into the discussion about the ways of Christ and his followers, and the ways of the kingdom of the world. I would also highly recommend reading this book in tandem with the two aforementioned books on similar subjects: "The Politics of Jesus" by John Howard Yoder and "Fight" by Preston Sprinkle. I know of countless other works that speak on the subject, but these two works are ones I have interacted with directly and that I have found very helpful.
"The Myth of a Christian Nation" is a reasonably short book, and I sped through it faster than expected, but Boyd does a great job of addressing problems, asking questions most would never think to ask within the American Church, and showing how the example of Christ and his followers provides us with a better way. He opens his book with the foundational setting of two alternative kingdoms, two "rules" that are in opposition to each other: the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of God. Boyd consistently refers to the kingdom(s) of the world as the "kingdom of the sword," wielding "power over" authority; the kingdom of God, though, is the "kingdom of the cross," exercising "power under" authority, which looks a lot like self-sacrificial love and Jesus on the cross. It is from this foundation that Boyd builds his argument in favor of the Church not confusing or synthesizing the ways of Caesar with the ways of Christ.
Boyd shows how from the perspective of history, America is (and has been) far from being a "Christ-like" nation, and that this myth has dangerous and evil ramifications, for both the Church and for non-Christians alike. What history has taught us is that if the kingdom of God is merged with the kingdom of the world, there will be bloodshed and a compromise of the cross of Christ. Indeed, Jesus has shown us a better way of relating to the world. Because Boyd is a pastor, he does not shy away from practical implications of Christ's teachings or from many questions he has received since voicing his opinions on these matters; in fact, the entire last question focuses on his responses to specific questions that have been voiced against him and his views. This is a great entry into the discussion about the ways of Christ and his followers, and the ways of the kingdom of the world. I would also highly recommend reading this book in tandem with the two aforementioned books on similar subjects: "The Politics of Jesus" by John Howard Yoder and "Fight" by Preston Sprinkle. I know of countless other works that speak on the subject, but these two works are ones I have interacted with directly and that I have found very helpful.
The Unvarnished Jesus: A Lenten Journey by Brian Zahnd
3.0
Brian Zahnd's 46-day devotional through the season of Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on Holy Saturday, is helpful, insightful, and overall enjoyable. I have not successfully read through an entire devotional book before, as I am not usually that interested in, but I appreciated this one. The season of Lent is important, and it's the most difficult season we encounter in the Church calendar. This book is a helpful companion during the Lenten journey. It can be rather simplistic at times, and Zahnd does not shy away from discounting and discrediting opposing viewpoints and hermeneutical approaches to the passages he reflects upon. Ultimately, this should not be surprising, given the title of the devotional, "The Unvarnished Jesus"; Zahnd's goal is to strip away the build-up and the lacquer that has covered up the portrait of Jesus he finds in Scripture, and this will ultimately lead him to make claims some might find different or surprising.
Analog Church: Why We Need Real People, Places, and Things in the Digital Age by Jay Y. Kim
4.0
I first heard of Jay Y. Kim and his book "Analog Church" from a podcast interview, and I was immediately hooked by his thoughts and the thesis of his book. Little did I (or anyone, for that matter) know that it would be released and that I would have the chance to read it while in quarantine, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this unprecedented time, all churches, whether big or small, Catholic or Protestant or Orthodox, are required to meet virtually and in digital ways, for the sake of the most vulnerable of our communities and for the sake of the world. That being said, it is incredibly ironic that this book about "Why We Need Real People, Places, and Things in the Digital Age" was released to the public when we could not meet in person, could not fellowship with our church communities, and could not partake of the Eucharist consistently together.
Rather than viewing this current moment in culture and history as evidence that Kim's thesis for his book that we are in need of embodied and incarnational community in our churches is wrong or misguided, however, I realized that I now understand and agree all the more with Kim's work. For the past month, I have not been able to meet with my Church face to face, we have not been able to pray for one another in person, share meals together, or partake of the Eucharist together. While I believe these are good decisions we are making, to make sure that we take care of people during this time of disease and contagion, it proves to me that the Church is an embodied reality, as our God is an embodied reality in the person of Jesus, his suffering and death is an embodied reality in the Bread and the Wine of the Lord's Supper, and the mystery of our salvation and life out of death is an embodied reality in the waters of Baptism.
This extended time of digital connection has taught me that while our digital spaces and our technologies are helpful means to an end, they can never be an adequate substitute for the real thing: incarnation. We should allow the digital age to serve the growth of the kingdom, rather than crafting the Kingdom in a way that ends up serving the digital age that is much more comfortable and convenient. When we approach the Kingdom of God and the Body of Christ in purely digital ways, we begin to approach the beauty of the gospel and the work of the Church as individualistic, disembodied, private, and consumeristic. Kim does an excellent job at laying out the implications (both positive and negative) that the digital age has on Christian worship, the Church community, and our understanding of Scripture. This book is incredibly helpful, and should be heeded by the Church worldwide, but especially in the West, where we have blindingly followed after the digital age in an attempt to be relevant.
Kim's work is very pragmatic, and much of it is written from his first-hand experience of leading churches in Silicon Valley. I would have appreciated there to be more of an emphasis on what theology, Church history, and the Bible say about this subject. His last chapter focuses briefly on the Eucharist, and while it is good, I would have appreciated more of a focus on the Lord's Supper, as I believe it has a lot to say about this specific subject. In the same way, I think it would have been helpful to point to the theology of incarnation, not only in the person of Jesus but also in his united Body of believers; all of our individual bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, coming together to build a much bigger temple for God's Spirit. Kim's book is much needed, and I would recommend it to anyone in the Church, but most especially to Church leaders; I pray it changes the ways in which we approach the Church and the monumental task of shepherding the flocks with which Jesus has entrusted us.
Rather than viewing this current moment in culture and history as evidence that Kim's thesis for his book that we are in need of embodied and incarnational community in our churches is wrong or misguided, however, I realized that I now understand and agree all the more with Kim's work. For the past month, I have not been able to meet with my Church face to face, we have not been able to pray for one another in person, share meals together, or partake of the Eucharist together. While I believe these are good decisions we are making, to make sure that we take care of people during this time of disease and contagion, it proves to me that the Church is an embodied reality, as our God is an embodied reality in the person of Jesus, his suffering and death is an embodied reality in the Bread and the Wine of the Lord's Supper, and the mystery of our salvation and life out of death is an embodied reality in the waters of Baptism.
This extended time of digital connection has taught me that while our digital spaces and our technologies are helpful means to an end, they can never be an adequate substitute for the real thing: incarnation. We should allow the digital age to serve the growth of the kingdom, rather than crafting the Kingdom in a way that ends up serving the digital age that is much more comfortable and convenient. When we approach the Kingdom of God and the Body of Christ in purely digital ways, we begin to approach the beauty of the gospel and the work of the Church as individualistic, disembodied, private, and consumeristic. Kim does an excellent job at laying out the implications (both positive and negative) that the digital age has on Christian worship, the Church community, and our understanding of Scripture. This book is incredibly helpful, and should be heeded by the Church worldwide, but especially in the West, where we have blindingly followed after the digital age in an attempt to be relevant.
Kim's work is very pragmatic, and much of it is written from his first-hand experience of leading churches in Silicon Valley. I would have appreciated there to be more of an emphasis on what theology, Church history, and the Bible say about this subject. His last chapter focuses briefly on the Eucharist, and while it is good, I would have appreciated more of a focus on the Lord's Supper, as I believe it has a lot to say about this specific subject. In the same way, I think it would have been helpful to point to the theology of incarnation, not only in the person of Jesus but also in his united Body of believers; all of our individual bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, coming together to build a much bigger temple for God's Spirit. Kim's book is much needed, and I would recommend it to anyone in the Church, but most especially to Church leaders; I pray it changes the ways in which we approach the Church and the monumental task of shepherding the flocks with which Jesus has entrusted us.
Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire
4.0
“What could be more important than to live and work with the oppressed, with the ‘rejects of life,’ with the ‘wretched of the earth’?” (133) writes Paulo Freire in his classic work "Pedagogy of the Oppressed." As I finish this book, I know it will be one that I return to throughout my life; it is a dense book, but it is a crucially important read for anyone who has a desire to work with the oppressed or the downtrodden in their struggle for human existence in our world.
I believe this book is especially helpful for those who might consider themselves "allies"--those who are not of the lower class or the marginalized group, but are perhaps lost in the middle or a part of the "dominant elite," but who have a strong desire to fight with the oppressed for liberation and justice. Freire encourages these allies to not approach this fight from the viewpoint of fighting FOR, but fighting WITH the oppressed; allies must stand in solidarity with the oppressed and the marginalized. Freire writes, “Attempting to liberate the oppressed without their reflective participation in the act of liberation is to treat them as objects which must be saved from a burning building" (65). Rather than objects, Freire encourages for the oppressed and those who stand in solidarity with them to view them as Subjects, who can, in fact, change and transform reality.
What I found very helpful in Freire's work is his emphasis on the dehumanizing nature of oppression, not only for those who are oppressed, but also for the ones oppressing. The oppressed are dehumanized, but so are the oppressors, for it is dehumanizing work to dehumanize another. It reminds me of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that "no one is free until we are all free." And as aboriginal activist Lilla Watson says, "If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."
I believe this book is especially helpful for those who might consider themselves "allies"--those who are not of the lower class or the marginalized group, but are perhaps lost in the middle or a part of the "dominant elite," but who have a strong desire to fight with the oppressed for liberation and justice. Freire encourages these allies to not approach this fight from the viewpoint of fighting FOR, but fighting WITH the oppressed; allies must stand in solidarity with the oppressed and the marginalized. Freire writes, “Attempting to liberate the oppressed without their reflective participation in the act of liberation is to treat them as objects which must be saved from a burning building" (65). Rather than objects, Freire encourages for the oppressed and those who stand in solidarity with them to view them as Subjects, who can, in fact, change and transform reality.
What I found very helpful in Freire's work is his emphasis on the dehumanizing nature of oppression, not only for those who are oppressed, but also for the ones oppressing. The oppressed are dehumanized, but so are the oppressors, for it is dehumanizing work to dehumanize another. It reminds me of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that "no one is free until we are all free." And as aboriginal activist Lilla Watson says, "If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."