I read this because Professor Timothy Shutt of Kenyon College recommended it in an audiobook lecture as a great way to see what life was like in the provinces of the Roman Empire; because it’s the only surviving ancient Latin novel, and a rare documentation of life in the lower classes; and for the story … [Read more…]
It’s reassuring how much archaeological evidence there is supporting the Bible’s history. Fun fact to know and tell: There were seven key crops in Bible times, namely wheat and barley; grapes and figs; and olives, pomegranates, and dates.
This book illuminates very well the Catholic-versus-Protestant approach to Biblical interpretation — and my proclivities are indeed Protestant (my notes say there’s a good example on page 81). I found the book very engaging — both the specific subject matter (do Catholics focus too much on Mary?) and the window it provides on the theological … [Read more…]
I listened to the audiobook; it’s excellent. It really covers the waterfront: Answers atheists and criticizes them and their mindset, in addition to including Christian apologetics and discussing why being a Christian just makes your life better.
Some good nuggets: The ancient critics of Christianity did not deny that Jesus existed; only recent critics have done that (75-78). John Stuart Mill argued that that a bunch of fishermen could not have made up Jesus’ wisdom (92); but that at least confirms Christianity’s wisdom, does it not? And Herbert Hoover said man needs more … [Read more…]
Lewis regards MacDonald as his “master,” but in the preface acknowledges that sometimes MacDonald’s writing is not all that great (and so, by the way, I have not read beyond these selections). MacDonald seems to me to be more of a mystic, which is not really my cup of tea — but why should every … [Read more…]
This biography of C.S. Lewis by one of his stepsons is a short and enjoyable read. It doesn’t really offer any insight into his work, but it does make clear what a selfless man he was (and not just with Joy, but also with Janie More, Warnie, and others). Not very well edited; sometimes it … [Read more…]
This close reading of Mark is very good, though it drags a bit toward the end. The author says C.S. Lewis is his “favorite author”; he cites N.T. Wright, too. And he says that a key way to cultivate faith is to pray for if (cf. 56). “And straightway the father of the child cried … [Read more…]
A really good book, an intelligent and close reading of the texts surrounding the Resurrection. I wonder if C.S. Lewis ever said anything about it; he and the author were both Brits writing about the same time and on similar journeys. How could the motley crew of disciples — poor, persecuted, not well-connected, in leaderless … [Read more…]
Just to add a bit to what I wrote re Vintage Muggeridge elsewhere on this site: Muggeridge notes (49) that it’s hard to argue that Jesus would be big on “social justice” political reform when he deliberately refused to get involved in any secular government issues. He is, as I noted, a big fan of … [Read more…]