The Lost Virtue of Happiness - Moreland & Issler

I think that Moreland and Issler are able to make Dallas Willard's discipline concepts more accessible to the regular person. It is clear that this book was influenced by The Spirit of the Disciplines. I also really appreciated Moreland’s openness and honesty about dealing with his own depression. It has caused me to reconsider my attitude about that subject.

Another noteworthy point comes from an idea that C.S. Lewis described in Surprised by Joy. He (Lewis) talked about not being able to find joy if that was the goal. Joy is something that comes as a byproduct and not as the end itself. This concept is further discussed in the Happiness book. Society has made happiness something different than what it was in ancient times. Happiness is now pleasurable feelings and is very self-centered. The happiness that Moreland and Issler talk about is deeper and not self-focused. This book was truly worth reading.

Seventh Son - Orson Scott Card

A friend recently leant me Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card. To date, I have read Ender’s Game and Speaker for the Dead, and I have enjoyed them both. Seventh Son is about an alternate America where magic is practiced. The setting is in the late 1700’s / early 1800’s in the Frontier. Apparently, this is the first of six books, and from what I have read about them, they are pretty good. This first book did start somewhat slowly, but it did keep my attention. I have read some comments saying that it would have been better if Card had written fewer but longer books in this series. I have to disagree. I like being able to complete a book without a huge commitment. When I have time, I will read the next. I do not think I will buy this series, but I will borrow it from friends or the library.

An interesting thing I encountered in this book is Card’s perspective on religion. Actually, I cannot really say it is his perspective, because I have not yet seen where he will take it. However, it does appear that he portrays western style religion as stupidly closed minded while witches and people with special powers are really good. Is this something like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s view on spirituality sneaking into his fiction?

Amusing Ourselves to Death - Neil Postman

I found this book to be extremely thought provoking. As western society has moved to an age of entertainment, we no longer have the same capacity for intellectual discourse. Everything needs to be presented in an entertaining way - news, religion, everything. Postman does a great job at defining the problem, but is not willing to suggest that we break away from the medium that binds us. On a interesting side note, he incorrectly prophesies that computers are an overrated fad that will not materialize.

The Purpose Driven Life - Rick Warren

So, I was not planning on commenting on this book, except a friend asked what I thought about it. I read this book almost two years ago, and I have to say I was disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I think it has some merit. I know, I know, it was instrumental in that woman leading her captor to Christ. It has been instrumental in many people's Christian walk. I have even heard people say how life changing it was. I'm still disappointed. It is Christianity light, not to mention that when it really could have gone deeper, it didn't. At one point when Warren is talking about a deeper spiritual life and spiritual disciplines, he says something like "if you are interested in this subject, see appendix 2." I thought, great, this is where he is going to recommend people like Willard or Foster. Does he? No. He recommends a purpose driven Bible study, purpose driven journal, purpose driven action figures, etc.

I think this is a good book to start with, but there is so much more. There are some really amazing books about a deeper walk with Christ. I fear that if this is what the church is looking to for depth, then we are sadly lacking.

This turned out to sound more negative than I intended.

Black - Ted Dekker

I can't say that I am a fan of "Christian" fiction. I think a work should stand on its own. What I mean is books and music should be enjoyed because they are good, not because they fall into a particular genre. With that said, I have to say I really enjoyed Ted Dekker's Black. This is the first book of a trilogy with the main character switching between two worlds. This may sound somewhat hokey, but Dekker makes it work. The story begins with Tom being chased by some questionable characters looking to collect on a debt, and he is injured in the process. As Tom goes unconscious, he wakes up in a different world altogether. Then for the rest of the book (and series) he switches back and forth between both worlds. It gets to the point where you don't really know which world is real or if they both are. The book is somewhat allegorical, but if you are the type of person who likes one to one connections between the characters and the people they are supposed to represent, you may be disappointed. I think Dekker does a great job using the medium to present familiar ideas in a new context, and thus make them fresh again.

The Gift of the Jews - Thomas Cahill

Interesting book, however I disagree with some of his conclusions. Cahill looks at the influence of the Jewish people in world culture. He begins with the Sumarian civilization and moves on from there. In the end he says it is unreasonable to accept the God depicted in the Bible. I thought his analysis of God's judgment on Saul versus David weak. Cahill seemed to think that the decision to punish Saul for something so minor as sacrifice at the wrong time is no reason for ripping the kingdom out of his hands. It seems to me that Cahill is presupposing the impossibility of God being real, and therefore, impossible to actually look into the heart of men. Isn't that ultimately what separated David from Saul? Certainly David was no angel. Overall, I thought the book was insightful, although I wonder at the level of detail of research and free representation of commentary as fact.