What Are You Reading?

[Sandie90]

Re: What Are You Reading?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dyoll_73</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ShellyBelle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dyoll - I recently read excerpts from Age of Reason and Common Sense. Really enjoyed the AoR and I'm inspired to go out and purchase it.

Right now I'm reading Letters to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris and Whiteout by Ken Follett - both great books! </div></div>

Shelly,
If you haven't yet, read those works by Dawkins and Hitchens to complete the 'trilogy.'

Question: Paine definitely sounds like a Deist. What do you think his views might be if he had lived in 'the age of Darwin' - so to speak? </div></div>

Dyoll - I'm about half way through Dawkins "The God Delusion". I haven't read Hitchens as yet although I've watched some of his debates.

Re: Thomas Paine I would say that he was a Deist with very strong anti-religious sentiments. If he had been alive during the Darwinian era I think his commentary on the nature of man, the church and all religion for that matter would have been even more caustic or unsparing. Just from the excerpts I’ve read so far from “Age of Reason” and “Common Sense” it seems he’s quite clear on his feelings towards the Establishment and religion. Perhaps his views on revealed religions and embracing of deism and a more natural theology… “My own mind is my own church” may have morphed into humanism or possibly even atheism.
All speculation of course but my quick take on an interesting and thought-provoking question. I’m one of those people who read several books at a time (since my list of “must-reads” is so long) so when I finish AOR I’ll give you a more thorough response.

[Mutty]

Re: What Are You Reading?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: coolmugs</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Last day events by Ellen White very interesting book </div></div>

The Seventh Day Advantage lady who got hid in her head?

[jedi1]

Re: What Are You Reading?

The Book of Proverbs again...and through the Bible in a year. Read everything else so I figure may as well go back to the source book again and start all over. My mom inspired me after I observed her finishing it during the holidays. May the Lord help me to keep on task. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70384-praying.gif[/img]

Oh sorry...HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]

[foolya]

Re: What Are You Reading?

Maybe I am too young to categorized Christian modern prints on the store shelves as trash. It's doesn't matter how hard I tried I can help but get sick when I read contemporary writing or listen to the songs.

Has any one read George Fox autobiography? I noticed he visited JA too. That book really open my eyes to the deteriorated spiritual condition of organize religion way back then. Fox writing led me to believe that the spiritual power seen in ACTS could be manifested in us today.

[Diplomat]

Re: What Are You Reading?

"Unlocking the Mystery of Depression - A Psycho-Theological Explanation on How It Happens, How It Is Prevented, and How it Is Healed" by Dr. Clarence Duff.

This book is the author's attempt to provide the missing key he believes is badly needed to unlock the truth behind our vulnerability to depression. It presents an integrative and balanced approach, not only on the understanding of human nature and vulnerability, but also regarding prevention and healing.

An excellent read so far.

[Dyoll_73]

Re: What Are You Reading?

God's Problem: How the Bible fails to answer our most important problem - suffering by Bart Ehrman, distinguished professor of religious studies at UNC - Chapel Hill.

I would recommend it to CEW.

[Diplomat]

Re: What Are You Reading?

Thanks. Can you provide a synopsis? The author's name is familiar to me and I'm definitely interesting in his perspective on that subject.

[Dyoll_73]

Re: What Are You Reading?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CEW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks. Can you provide a synopsis? The author's name is familiar to me and I'm definitely interesting in his perspective on that subject. </div></div>

CEW, I've just started reading it after listening to Ehrman in an interview recently. I've become a fan of his, having read most of his books over the years, and decided I would get the book.

So far, this is what I've gathered-
Bart Ehrman classifies the Biblical understanding of suffering into three categories:
(a) The classical view (the prophetic view) - your suffering is a consequence of having done something bad, and its a punishment from God.
(b) Redemptive - there is a higher, noble purpose to your suffering.
(c) Apocalyptic - suffering is placed within the larger cosmic battle between good and evil, and God will ultimately destroy evil and bring an end to suffering.

The author finds these explanations simply inadequate when confronted with the suffering he observes as he looks around him and in the world. The author finds these explanations morally unacceptable with respect to, say, the starving children in the third world. It seems to be a personal journey of faith (and ultimately the lack thereof): from a naive view of God as all-powerful,just and compassionate, who takes great care of his creation, to one of agnoticism. I suppose, like me, he does not ascribe a theological or cosmic purpose to suffering, but rather sees it as a human creation - whether the consequences of our own actions (cause and effect), or "man's inhumanity to man" - and simply accident.

[Diplomat]

Re: What Are You Reading?

Great [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img] As you know, Ehrman is an agonistic who abandoned (within the last 10 years or so) Christianity for a number of reasons including 1) he was unable to reconcile the New Testament and what he deems it's inconsistencies with other manuscripts of the day, and 2) the problem of suffering. I did manage to find an online review of the book in question, and will definitely be reading the book, primarily because he's dealing with a subject that's the basis for my grad thesis.

[Dyoll_73]

Re: What Are You Reading?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CEW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Great [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img] As you know, Ehrman is an agonistic who abandoned (within the last 10 years or so) Christianity for a number of reasons including 1) he was unable to reconcile the New Testament and what he deems it's inconsistencies with other manuscripts of the day, and 2) the problem of suffering. I did manage to find an online review of the book in question, and will definitely be reading the book, primarily because he's dealing with a subject that's the basis for my grad thesis. </div></div>

That's why I thought you would be interested in the book.

[H_O]

Re: What Are You Reading?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CEW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Reading is a passion of mine, so in between the million and one things I do, a book or two is always close by. I recently completed The Letters of Paul: Conversations in Context by Calvin J. Roetzel, and have just started Chuck Swindoll's The Mystery of God's Will. As Chuck is one of my favorite authors, I'm sure I'll be enjoying his delving into this rather intriguing subject.

What are you reading? Alternatively, what have you read lately? What is/was the book about?
</div></div>

HO, seeing as this thread is addressing a specific matter, kindly refer to a new thread with these type of comments. Thanks! SR

[Diplomat]

Re: What Are You Reading?

Now reading Myles Munroe's The Power and Purpose of Love & Marriage. Excellent read [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

[fOrTyLeGz]

Re: What Are You Reading?

Im reading Miranda July's super book of short stories called No One Belongs Here More Than You.



Here's a cool video of her http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UBtwWYY4uw

A review of No One Belongs Here More Than You from Powell's Books. http://www.powells.com/biblio/18-9780743299398-0

[rudemonk]

Re: What Are You Reading?

JJ Hurtak, Keys of Enoch...

utterly fascinating read...

I mean check these guys out, lol...how do you compete with a david bowie mullet like that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lceP2Zy5GE

[Diplomat]

Re: What Are You Reading?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: monk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">JJ Hurtak, Keys of Enoch...

utterly fascinating read... </div></div>
I stand to be corrected, but I thought you were opposed to the idea of our having free will (one of the arguments in the book). Also, does it not talk about a reconciliation of faith (spirituality) and science?