Witches Abroad: Finished this. The Fairy Godmother gets captured by the mirror. The sexual innuendo is too much for me in this book - it gets irritating! But it's not as bad as the next one in the series, if I remember correctly. There's funny and there's stupid. But there is plenty that is funny and clever, so still worth reading!
Total Church: I ought to be making proper notes. I'm going to have to go back over what I have read. Recently - the church's involvement with the marginalised - I'm interested to see how they take this further (so as not to be patronising). And also church is mission and mission is church. We shouldn't see either as an individual activity.
Hebrews 10-13: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope that we have". Yes.
Showing posts with label Pratchett. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pratchett. Show all posts
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Friday, 8 May 2009
7 to 8 May (Jenny)
Witches Abroad: by Terry Pratchett. Amongt other thing a trial for those who have committed crimes against 'narrative expectation'.
Total Church: The importance of sensitive, but intentional evangelism. People are often drawn to the Christian community before they are drawn to the Christian message. Very true - only that community is not often present in a meaningful way. No doubt the book will go on to explore this. The danger is that we 'create community' and do not look for ways to express the community that exists by definition in the body of Christ. This is where my Masters dissertation goes, so I have too much to say!
Hebrews 7 & 8: More about Jesus as the ultimate high priest.
Total Church: The importance of sensitive, but intentional evangelism. People are often drawn to the Christian community before they are drawn to the Christian message. Very true - only that community is not often present in a meaningful way. No doubt the book will go on to explore this. The danger is that we 'create community' and do not look for ways to express the community that exists by definition in the body of Christ. This is where my Masters dissertation goes, so I have too much to say!
Hebrews 7 & 8: More about Jesus as the ultimate high priest.
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
1-6 May
Brisingr: I began reading this book, very conscious of the negative reputation Paolini has in many literary circles, but I'm convinced that the book is underestimated. Although the prose is sometimes a bit stilted, Paolini deals well with any of the cliches of fantasy fiction. At a loser look, much of what appears to be unoriginal is in fact rather thought-provoking. I'm not sure I enjoyed his exploration of religion, though.
King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table: I'm reading Roger Lancelyn Green's version of the story. I think it is one of the most tragic accounts of the story that I've read, constantly foreshadowing Arthur's death and the fall of Logres. It does seem to be fairly consistent with the older stories, which many of the newer retellings lack.
The Science of Discworld: This book encouraged me to think more scientifically than I have in a long time. Chapters alternate between Unseen University with it Pratchettian parody of academia and entertaining explanations of science from quantum theory to biology, where Pratchett is assisted by Stewart and Cohen. I enjoyed the Discworld more than the science, partly because I am lazy and partly because at times it didn't seem entirely coherent, but I am glad I read the book.
King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table: I'm reading Roger Lancelyn Green's version of the story. I think it is one of the most tragic accounts of the story that I've read, constantly foreshadowing Arthur's death and the fall of Logres. It does seem to be fairly consistent with the older stories, which many of the newer retellings lack.
The Science of Discworld: This book encouraged me to think more scientifically than I have in a long time. Chapters alternate between Unseen University with it Pratchettian parody of academia and entertaining explanations of science from quantum theory to biology, where Pratchett is assisted by Stewart and Cohen. I enjoyed the Discworld more than the science, partly because I am lazy and partly because at times it didn't seem entirely coherent, but I am glad I read the book.
Monday, 4 May 2009
4 to 5 May (Jenny)
Witches Abroad: 'Your average witch is not, by nature, a social animal as far as other witches are concerned. There's a conflict of dominant personalities. There's a group of ringleaders without a ring. There's the basic unwritten rule of witchcraft, which is, "Don't do what you will, do what I say." The natural size of a coven is one. Witches only get together when they can't avoid it.' Some people would say that this describes Methodist ministers. Does coven=synod?
Meet the Brown Bomber: by Simon Gqubule and about Rev Seth Mokitimi. An inspiring story about somebody who made his life count - more on my blog!
Total Church: by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis. I've been waiting for the chance to read this and had it all year. I must now read it for my Masters. So I'm hoping to do two chapters a day. I like the authors' premise - we need to find a new way of doing church. I'm also starting to get a bit sceptical of all the new ways that people propose! But this comes highly recommended, so we'll see. The intro has stuff that supports my Masters thesis - church needs to be word centred and mission centred (pg 16). Having studied it a bit already, I find their argument in chapter 1 a little bit - um, not quite there. But I agree with the principle.
Hebrews 2&3: Jesus was made perfect in suffering. And Job. And maybe phase 1's. Also 'let none of you have sinful, unbelieving hearts'. Lord give me a right heart.
Meet the Brown Bomber: by Simon Gqubule and about Rev Seth Mokitimi. An inspiring story about somebody who made his life count - more on my blog!
Total Church: by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis. I've been waiting for the chance to read this and had it all year. I must now read it for my Masters. So I'm hoping to do two chapters a day. I like the authors' premise - we need to find a new way of doing church. I'm also starting to get a bit sceptical of all the new ways that people propose! But this comes highly recommended, so we'll see. The intro has stuff that supports my Masters thesis - church needs to be word centred and mission centred (pg 16). Having studied it a bit already, I find their argument in chapter 1 a little bit - um, not quite there. But I agree with the principle.
Hebrews 2&3: Jesus was made perfect in suffering. And Job. And maybe phase 1's. Also 'let none of you have sinful, unbelieving hearts'. Lord give me a right heart.
2 to 4 May (Jenny)
Witches Abroad: By Terry Pratchett. I'm rereading this. All about 'narrative causality'. Pratchett with a unique take on 'the power of story'.
God is Closer Than You Think: How's this? 'Internally, most of us want to experience the feelings of God's presence; a deeper sense of peace and assurance, a stronger surge of joy, a clearer word of guidance. Is it even possible for the practice of the presence of God to become a thinly veiled pursuit of emotional comfort?' (Page 179).
James 5: Perseverance in the face of suffering. Oh yes.
Hebrew 1: I've just done a series of this in a Bible Study, so Hebrews is still quite fresh to me. Jesus is greater than the angels. Actually, Jesus is God. Well, Jesus is awesome!
God is Closer Than You Think: How's this? 'Internally, most of us want to experience the feelings of God's presence; a deeper sense of peace and assurance, a stronger surge of joy, a clearer word of guidance. Is it even possible for the practice of the presence of God to become a thinly veiled pursuit of emotional comfort?' (Page 179).
James 5: Perseverance in the face of suffering. Oh yes.
Hebrew 1: I've just done a series of this in a Bible Study, so Hebrews is still quite fresh to me. Jesus is greater than the angels. Actually, Jesus is God. Well, Jesus is awesome!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)