Summer Reading, Perhaps?
Three Borgs, a Wink and a Couple of Mertons
There seems to be a trend in modern media to suggest books for summer reading. Why is it that people are more ready to read in the summer than at other times? The weather? The thought of the paperback on the beach? Who knows.
I thought I might share some books which have nourished my spirit and challenged my thinking.
Marcus J. Borg, The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith (San Francisco: Harper, 2003).
For some time I have been looking for a book which introduces Christianity to folk who do not merely want the clichés; folk who already think deeply and are searching for God. I think this book is it.
Marcus Borg (ed.) The Lost Gospel Q: The Original Sayings of Jesus (Berkeley: Seastone, 1996,1999).
Most scholars have been convinced for a long time that the earliest of the four gospels is Mark. They are also fairly sure that, though Luke and Matthew both used Mark to write their gospels, they also had access to another tradition “Q.” This remarkable little book has the 82 sayings of Jesus, which make up Q, in a new translation. To see the sayings of Jesus in this way, without redaction and contextualization, is very powerful. I have found these sayings of Jesus a great source for meditation.
Marcus Borg (ed.) Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings (Berkeley: Seastone, 1997,1999).
Another remarkable collection of sayings demonstrating the similarity of ideas in Christian and Buddhist traditions. Not just good for meditation, but also provides food for thought on “God in all,” “All truth is God’s truth,” “All in Christ.”
Walter Wink (ed.) Homosexuality and Christian Faith: Questions of Conscience for the Churches (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1999).
Sixteen brief essays by people of faith grappling with the issue that has threatened to divide the church. We have used this book in the Lindisfarne School of Theology and Christian Leadership. The combined argument is unassailable. Read . . . and be prepared to be challenged!
Thomas Merton, Mystics and Zen Masters (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1961, 1967).
Essays by one of the twentieth centuries giants of the inner life; ranging from the English mystics, to the Shakers, to eastern mysticism.
Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation (Boston and London: Shambhala, 1961, 2003).
Simply a wonderful series of meditations, very close to the heart of the way God is leading us in Lindisfarne.
Enjoy,
+ Ab. Andrew
Three Borgs, a Wink and a Couple of Mertons
There seems to be a trend in modern media to suggest books for summer reading. Why is it that people are more ready to read in the summer than at other times? The weather? The thought of the paperback on the beach? Who knows.
I thought I might share some books which have nourished my spirit and challenged my thinking.
Marcus J. Borg, The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith (San Francisco: Harper, 2003).
For some time I have been looking for a book which introduces Christianity to folk who do not merely want the clichés; folk who already think deeply and are searching for God. I think this book is it.
Marcus Borg (ed.) The Lost Gospel Q: The Original Sayings of Jesus (Berkeley: Seastone, 1996,1999).
Most scholars have been convinced for a long time that the earliest of the four gospels is Mark. They are also fairly sure that, though Luke and Matthew both used Mark to write their gospels, they also had access to another tradition “Q.” This remarkable little book has the 82 sayings of Jesus, which make up Q, in a new translation. To see the sayings of Jesus in this way, without redaction and contextualization, is very powerful. I have found these sayings of Jesus a great source for meditation.
Marcus Borg (ed.) Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings (Berkeley: Seastone, 1997,1999).
Another remarkable collection of sayings demonstrating the similarity of ideas in Christian and Buddhist traditions. Not just good for meditation, but also provides food for thought on “God in all,” “All truth is God’s truth,” “All in Christ.”
Walter Wink (ed.) Homosexuality and Christian Faith: Questions of Conscience for the Churches (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1999).
Sixteen brief essays by people of faith grappling with the issue that has threatened to divide the church. We have used this book in the Lindisfarne School of Theology and Christian Leadership. The combined argument is unassailable. Read . . . and be prepared to be challenged!
Thomas Merton, Mystics and Zen Masters (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1961, 1967).
Essays by one of the twentieth centuries giants of the inner life; ranging from the English mystics, to the Shakers, to eastern mysticism.
Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation (Boston and London: Shambhala, 1961, 2003).
Simply a wonderful series of meditations, very close to the heart of the way God is leading us in Lindisfarne.
Enjoy,
+ Ab. Andrew