Stuff to Read
All rights reserved.
Inclusion of a book on this list is not to be taken as an endorsement of the opinions of the author nor of the
veracity of its contents. All inclusion means is that I read or sometimes listened to the book, enjoyed it in some
way and found its contents useful in some way. In most cases, I annotate the book to let you know what I
thought of it in general terms but I am not really writing a summary or précis. In all cases, think for yourself,
please. The books are presented in no particular order. I've read a good many books in my day. These are
just the most recent along a particular theme, Christian Thought. I'll add more as I remember them or as I read
them. I like talking about books and would be interested in your impression Visit the blog:
www.thetornveil.com to share your ideas.
veracity of its contents. All inclusion means is that I read or sometimes listened to the book, enjoyed it in some
way and found its contents useful in some way. In most cases, I annotate the book to let you know what I
thought of it in general terms but I am not really writing a summary or précis. In all cases, think for yourself,
please. The books are presented in no particular order. I've read a good many books in my day. These are
just the most recent along a particular theme, Christian Thought. I'll add more as I remember them or as I read
them. I like talking about books and would be interested in your impression Visit the blog:
www.thetornveil.com to share your ideas.
The Body of Christ, Watchman Nee
A compilation of a series of writing on the topic of the Body of Christ. He talks about being conscious of being part of the Body of
Christ and what he thinks that consciousness will engender. Sometimes his opinion comes off as rather dogmatic but if you open
your mind, you can see that his view is more esoteric than fundamentalist. An interesting read and I've decided to pick up some
other works of his. I read this one but will listen to a few others.
Christ and what he thinks that consciousness will engender. Sometimes his opinion comes off as rather dogmatic but if you open
your mind, you can see that his view is more esoteric than fundamentalist. An interesting read and I've decided to pick up some
other works of his. I read this one but will listen to a few others.
A Life of Unlearning, Anthony Venn-Brown
The first person account of author Anthony Venn-Brown's struggle to reconcile his pentecostal faith orientation and his same-sex
attraction. The book can be very emotional at times and Christians will find themselves rooting or hoping for results that will
surprise them. I was actually afraid to read this book fearing it would hit too close to home since I share both sides of Mr
Venn-Brown's conflict, that of being a pentecostal minister and being gay. The thing that struck me most was that without any
vindictiveness or bitterness, he addressed the glaring juxtaposition of an organization dedicated to the Love and teachings of
Jesus with their behavior and treatment of others. Well worth the read. A updated version of this book is available. I read the first
one.
attraction. The book can be very emotional at times and Christians will find themselves rooting or hoping for results that will
surprise them. I was actually afraid to read this book fearing it would hit too close to home since I share both sides of Mr
Venn-Brown's conflict, that of being a pentecostal minister and being gay. The thing that struck me most was that without any
vindictiveness or bitterness, he addressed the glaring juxtaposition of an organization dedicated to the Love and teachings of
Jesus with their behavior and treatment of others. Well worth the read. A updated version of this book is available. I read the first
one.
The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus, Peter J. Gomes
Doesn't the title just get you? Mr Gomes has, in my opinion, touched on the essential quality and truth that the Gospel of Jesus
should be good news for everyone who hears it. It is an amazingly simple, straight forward book that touches the soul and
elevates the spirit. I got this book from a Methodist School teacher who was reading it with is class.
should be good news for everyone who hears it. It is an amazingly simple, straight forward book that touches the soul and
elevates the spirit. I got this book from a Methodist School teacher who was reading it with is class.
Inner Christianity, Richard Smoley
A rather interesting look at the ideas surrounding esoteric, mystical Christianity. He looks at the historic development of esoteric
Christian thought and its various forms from the Gnostics to St. Teresa of Avila and discusses the ideas behind the things they said
and wrote. He seems to lump it all under gnosticism and depending on your perspective, you might or might not find that
offensive. His position is rather unbiased but because we are so used to discussing such things as heretical movements, the
reader may see a bias that is really not there. Loved it.
Christian thought and its various forms from the Gnostics to St. Teresa of Avila and discusses the ideas behind the things they said
and wrote. He seems to lump it all under gnosticism and depending on your perspective, you might or might not find that
offensive. His position is rather unbiased but because we are so used to discussing such things as heretical movements, the
reader may see a bias that is really not there. Loved it.
Christianity: The First 3000 Years, Diarmaid MacCulloch
It's not a typo. It really is 3000 years. I picked it up because I was curious about the extra thousand years and what I found was a
fairly frank and objective history of Christianity with all it's intricacies and intrigues. The wonderful thing about this book is that it
lacks the two kinds of bias that usually plague books about Christian history. Either the history is written from the perspective of a
particular tradition and therefore contain the bias of the sect or denomination that sponsored it, or it carries the cynical, hyper
critical bias of people who call themselves scholars but are really bitter atheists. To me, this was achieved the perfect balance.
fairly frank and objective history of Christianity with all it's intricacies and intrigues. The wonderful thing about this book is that it
lacks the two kinds of bias that usually plague books about Christian history. Either the history is written from the perspective of a
particular tradition and therefore contain the bias of the sect or denomination that sponsored it, or it carries the cynical, hyper
critical bias of people who call themselves scholars but are really bitter atheists. To me, this was achieved the perfect balance.
Misquoting Jesus & Interrupting Jesus, Bart Ehrman
Does the bible really say what we think it says? In Misquoting Jesus, Ehrman introduces the reader to the scholarly discipline of
textual criticism. Easy to understand, the book should be on the reading list of ever serious Christian who wants to understand the
bible. In Interrupting Jesus, Ehrman continues his presentation with some of the real conflicts that bible scholars know about but
most Christians never hear about.
textual criticism. Easy to understand, the book should be on the reading list of ever serious Christian who wants to understand the
bible. In Interrupting Jesus, Ehrman continues his presentation with some of the real conflicts that bible scholars know about but
most Christians never hear about.
Normal Christianity, Watchman Nee
Quite simply the best study of the Book of Romans that has ever been published. I think this book should be a must read for every
Christian and if I were teaching a "new members" class for a church, I'd want to use this book.
Christian and if I were teaching a "new members" class for a church, I'd want to use this book.
What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality, Daniel A. Helminiak
A very honest and fair discussion of the topic as it is found in the scriptures and frankly should prove a comfort for every gay
Christian who has struggled with reconciling his or her faith with his or her sexuality
Christian who has struggled with reconciling his or her faith with his or her sexuality
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