June is the month I review what I’ve read in the past year, and write myself a wee essay on why certain books were important and worth the investment of time and energy
This year, several make the list of ‘Glad I Read You.’
Stanley Hauerwas, Mathhew. A Theological Commentary. The first book I blogged on – and persuaded some people to buy – hope no one was disappointed. A readable commentary is no fair achievement – readable and specific to both the text and its contemporary meaning makes it refreshingly sharp. Compared to other anodyne ‘application’ commentaries, this is astringent salt that stings and heals.
John Swinton, Raging with Compassion. An immensely helpful approach to evil and suffering, not as problems to be solved, but as human experiences to which we respond with strategies of resistance. This is theology made practical, pastoral practice made theologically secure.
Barbara Brown Taylor, Leaving Church. An honest, spiritually alert and pastorally gentle account of this Episcopal priest and renowned preacher, following God’s call out of church and into seminary.
David Hempton, Methodism. Empire of the Spirit. The best analysis of denominational growth and decline I’ve read, and the social and contextual pressures that influence such patterns. Hugely important as an example of historical analysis clarifying the ecclesia-babble and exposing the self-concerned survivalism of contemporary strategies for growth in North Atlantic America and Europe.
Jurgen Moltmann, The Trinity and the Kingdom of God. Third reading of this (for class seminars), and although I’m not prepared to sell out completely to the social model of the Trinity, Moltmann shows why it is an attractive and essential emphasis in a contemporary understanding of the Christian doctrine of God. In class we listened to Moltmann’s testimony in a lecture he gave several years ago – I was deeply moved by his debt to Ayrshire miners who welcomed a young German soldier while he was building roads near Cumnock – the place where I spent my first 10 years of life. Maybe I walked on a road Moltmann laid – theologically I’ve enjoyed walking along some of the theological paths he has laid since.
Hans Kung, My Struggle for Freedom. Ever since reading his On Being a Christian, I’ve followed Kung’s developing thought and writing. Nothing has ever bettered that book – but this volume one of his autobiography describes the formation of a brilliant mind, and gives remarkable insight into the machinations of Vatican II ( from Kung’s perspective of course). As in many autobiographies, Kung can’t avoid making himself the hero – and others the villains, which preserves a theological autobiography from tedium.
This is also the time of the year when I make a modest list of the books I intend to get through before next June – if the Lord don’t come and the creek don’t rise. The list isn’t started yet – except in my head. Any suggestions?
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