Markings

This book by Dag Hammarskjöld is one I've read for this blog before, hence the link afore going to my prior post about it. But I stand by that it is a masterpiece of personal spiritual reflection, in poetry & prose, and well worth a read.

   I would recommend using this book as a text for lectio divina, as it embodies almost perfectly the union of the via activa and the via contemplativa, and with Dag's deep insight into both such would be a fruitful exercise (one which I will admit I didn't undertake on this reading, instead just ploughing through it in one sitting).

Gospel & Revelation

This book is the third and final instalment in Graeme Goldsworthy's gospel trilogy, which seeks to show how the core essential message of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection echo throughout the whole Bible. This one is specifically concerned with the final book of the Bible, that is - Revelation.

   Okay, this is my third and thus final post about this trilogy (all three of which I've read in a single day! can you believe that?) so I'm obliged to give some proper actual reflections above a mere perfunctory description.

   I'll be honest, I didn't get much from these books. Theologically and biblically they are thoroughly sound, and there is much pastoral-ish content here that I found edifying as reminders of what I believe - but that's it, I don't feel like I actually learnt anything new reading these three books. I suppose if you're a new Christian with an underdeveloped theological lens and an ignorance towards the holistic nature of the Bible you may benefit greatly from these three books. But I was hoping for something a bit meatier and came away disappointed. Maybe that says more about me than it does Goldsworthy... I do think there is a lot of pastoral value in what is written here, but it's far from as directly applicable as, say, a Tim Chester book. So, potential recommendation for new or exploring Christians as to the integrated unity and purposiveness of the Bible, but if you've already read the whole Bible and a systematic theology or so you're probably not going to get much out of this. Which isn't to say it isn't edifying - it deepened and strengthened my faith in many corners - but intellectually pretty flat. Sorry, Graeme.*

* I actually was very enthusiastically lent this by my dad, who said it was a very formative book for him when he was studying theology at uni, so... sorry dad too, I guess? I think your mind works more pastorally while mine philosophically. We have seen evidence of this in our ongoing shared reading.

Gospel & Wisdom

This book by Graeme Goldsworthy is the second in his trilogy exploring the applicability of the gospel to the entirety of the Bible, here focusing on the books of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. I found much of his expounding on the nature & purpose of wisdom pretty interesting, but for deeper reflections you're going to have to wait until my post about the final book of this trilogy.

Gospel & Kingdom

This book by Graeme Goldsworthy is the first in a trilogy of gospel-centred expositions of the Bible, exploring how the narrative & legal segments of the Old Testament can only be truly understood in the context of Christ. As with all of my posts about series of books this first one is perfunctory & I will give my proper deeper reflections in the last one.

Nonviolence

This book by Mark Kurlansky is a history of the dangerous idea contained within its title. After a foreword from the Dalai Lama himself, Kurlansky explores the history of nonviolence & its sociopolitical impacts - from Jesus & Buddha to the American Revolution & the early Quakers to Gandhi & Martin Luther King Jr. As a relatively short book this is far from comprehensive, but it is expansive, and gives a profound & well-put portrait of this nonviolent ethic into historical & moral context. Well worth a read for anyone interested in the nature of power & how to resist it with a clear conscience.

Anarchy & Christianity

This book by Jacques Ellul is about as provocative as its title suggests. Ellul's goal however is not to simply proselytize anarchists into Christianity or Christians into anarchism, but to deeply & incisively explore how the perspectives & praxis of each can inform & support the other in remarkably fruitful ways - and I think he profoundly succeeds in this endeavour.

   After a very helpful introduction laying out his intent for the book, the contents go as follows. Part one examines anarchism from a Christian standpoint - firstly making the case rather cogently why anarchism is the most biblically consistent political (or antipolitical, in any case) philosophy, before going on to examine & answer some of the historical & metaphysical problems anarchists have with Christianity. Part two then delves into the Bible itself to unpack the anarchist tendencies either explicitly contained or latent within its subtext; from the Hebrew scriptures, to the teachings & ethics of Jesus, to the books of Revelation & 1st Peter, to the writings of Paul. Finally there are three appendices: summaries of Karl Barth's & Alphonse Maillot's commentaries on Romans 13:1-2; a consideration of the situation for conscientiously objecting Christians under Roman rule; and a personal testimony from Adrien Duchosal of why he finds such fruit in being both a priest and an anarchist.

   Overall this is a very thought-provoking book, both sociopolitically & theologically - and I would highly recommend it to Christians skeptical of that wackiest & most chaotically diverse of philosophical standpoints. You never know, you might see something new. I certainly did, and I've been a Christian anarchist since my teens. It's also very short & readable.