Reading in South Korea
I took 9 books with me, but only read 3 1/2. I know, I know… I’ll do better next time.
Open SecretsThanks to Matthew Freeman for the recommendation. The Open Secret was a great read of Lischer’s “memoir of faith and discovery.” One of my favorite quotes from the book takes place when Lischer (the pastor) first arrives at his new church and has a get together with some of the older men in the community.
Finally, at what I am tempted to call a lull in the conversation, Bertie fixed me with his cagey blue eyes and asked offhandedly, “Pastor, will you have a beer?”
Everyone looked at me, and with only an extra second’s hesitation - just enough to make it an unnatural response - I said, “Sure.”
Bertie went to a refrigerator filled with Budweisers. He selected exactly one bottle, opened it, and brought it too me. The seven old men watched me intently as I drank it. “You’re not having one?” I asked.
“Naw,” Bertie replied in a tone that seemed to ask, “What kind of man would drink a beer at two in the afternoon?” His eyes almost smiled as he said it.
The point of the exercise? The new pastor is either one of the boys or a moral slacker. I left knowing I had been tested, but unsure of my grade.
Anarchy and ChristianityThe question I am posing is the more difficult because fixed opinions have long since been reached on both sides and have never been subjected to the least examination. It is taken for granted that anarchists are hostile to all religions (and Christianity is classified as such). It is also taken for granted that devout Christians abhor anarchy as a source of disorder and a negation of established authority. It is these simplistic and uncontested beliefs that I propose to challenge. But it might be useful to say where I am coming from… I am a Christian, not by descent but by conversion.
A provocative book that is worth reading if you are willing to be stretched.
The Wounded HealerA book I have read a couple times before, but keeps me coming back with quotes like this…
A Christian community is therefore a healing community not because wounds are cured and pains are alleviated, but because wounds and pains become openings or occasions for a new vision. Mutual confession then becomes a mutual deepening of hope, and sharing weakness becomes a reminder to one and all of the coming strength.
Intuitive LeadershipI’m not finished yet, but it has been really close to what I’ve experienced in planting the Well. I’ll write a review of it when I done.
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I’ve read both the Anarchy one and Wounded healer, I liked both. I definately agree with alot of what Ellul says but he did pull me out of my comfort zone on more than one occasion.
Faith,
I agree, Ellul has a way of doing that. In what ways did he pull you out of your comfort zone?
peace,
b
He mentions the importance of non-violent solutions (which I stongly agree with) but also mentions that if one is going to go the non-violent route then they are under an obligation (of sorts) to protest. I agree…yet…I’m not much of a plaque carier/slogan chanter. Protests have a tendancy to become violent even if they don’t start out that way, so I tend to stay away from them while always thinking ‘I really aught to be there’. Also, maybe it was my imagination, but he seemed to imply that killing is ok as long as it is the killing of a bad leader (ie Hitler). I guess I see his point but I could never suport this. I believe that if at all possable killing should not be done. My only exception would be if I was being attacked and in the process of defending myself I happened to kill someone by accident, but it should never be on purpose.