tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post7108124022517025932..comments2023-11-03T05:46:44.728-04:00Comments on RevGalBlogPals: Ask the Matriarch — Building LibrariesStephanie Anthony/She Revhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10089531643725874239noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-89408758586619540162008-02-17T18:44:00.000-05:002008-02-17T18:44:00.000-05:00Arriving late here...for a church "returnee" who i...Arriving late here...for a church "returnee" who is attracted to Christianity but encumbered by rhetorical baggage from past encounters with the church I'd recommend <I>Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith</I> by Kathleen Norris, which tackles various words and phrases of "Christianese" in a fresh way. I am also a big fan of that 60's chestnut <I>The Gospel According to Peanuts</I> by Robert Short -- a very good introduction to Christian theology, using the "Peanuts" comic strip. For newbies a little afraid of the Bible and unsure about beginning a devotional life I'd recommend Kelly Fryer's <I>No Experience Necessary.</I>LutheranChikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02685566332651377907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-85108902296911840902008-02-16T16:56:00.000-05:002008-02-16T16:56:00.000-05:00love what PPB advised us :)I've started reading no...love what PPB advised us :)<BR/><BR/>I've started reading novels again this year (last year of seminary) ... next year I'll be studying hard again - so this has been a lot of fun and I've felt like I've used parts of my brain I haven't accessed for a while!seethroughfaithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041055467020894063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-60142816846170384852008-02-15T09:03:00.000-05:002008-02-15T09:03:00.000-05:00Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg.Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg.Rev Dr Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11607665272056430039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-12741792341400465672008-02-15T07:51:00.000-05:002008-02-15T07:51:00.000-05:00Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense, by...Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense, by N.T. Wright. An appealing basic book, though I don't think it would convince anyone who isn't already open to the possibility that Christianity does make sense.Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15874279169293689003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-89443808821473835762008-02-15T05:31:00.000-05:002008-02-15T05:31:00.000-05:00As an intro to Christianity how about a copy of Eu...As an intro to Christianity how about a copy of Eugene Petersons The Message- making the Bible come alive, or Brian McLarens two new books, A search for what makes sense, and A search for what is real.Sallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01759963926280667938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-8876332164368835912008-02-15T00:18:00.000-05:002008-02-15T00:18:00.000-05:00Oh, and for the kiddo. I have a short bibliograph...Oh, and for the kiddo. I have a short bibliography called "Books to Encourage & Celebrate Your Preschooler’s Spirituality" that I put together a couple of years ago. If you want a copy of it, email me at psalm46bestill at gmail dot com.Jennifer Garrison Brownellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10170014214291920971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-26719523563914270562008-02-15T00:15:00.000-05:002008-02-15T00:15:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jennifer Garrison Brownellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10170014214291920971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-49871052581084104852008-02-14T23:55:00.000-05:002008-02-14T23:55:00.000-05:00ditto PPB.And for an intro to Christianity that is...ditto PPB.<BR/><BR/>And for an intro to Christianity that is more on the liberal end of things, I really recommend <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Affirmations-Vision-Future-Christianity/dp/0787985783/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203051223&sr=8-1" REL="nofollow">The Phoenix Affirmations.</A>Jennifer Garrison Brownellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10170014214291920971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-682567180200783172008-02-14T22:19:00.000-05:002008-02-14T22:19:00.000-05:00Christianity 101 - Christian Believing - Westerhof...Christianity 101 - Christian Believing - Westerhoff and Holmes - can still find used copies - incarnational faith<BR/><BR/><BR/>Carl Dudley- Making the Small Church Effective- old but good - basic premise is love themAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287169546184325690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-31686384185394895362008-02-14T19:31:00.000-05:002008-02-14T19:31:00.000-05:00New to Christianity: (1) "30 Days to Understandi...New to Christianity: (1) "30 Days to Understanding the Bible" by Max E. Anders, and (2) "What the Bible is All About" by Henrietta C. MearsRev SShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14661507940053055640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-42173789616333056202008-02-14T18:08:00.000-05:002008-02-14T18:08:00.000-05:00OH my - PPB you must have done a brain scan on me!...OH my - <BR/>PPB you must have done a brain scan on me!!!<BR/><BR/>I am so SOOoooo tired of dry as a dog biscuit theological tomes.<BR/><BR/>But I also put all those other books on my wish list so that my beloved spouse can shop with confidence. (What can I say? wish lists are for a reason!!!)<BR/><BR/>thanks, all<BR/>DebDebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07077252518911858612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-32621496440370762442008-02-14T17:41:00.000-05:002008-02-14T17:41:00.000-05:00I am quite a fan of Gordon Lathrop's "The Pastor: ...I am quite a fan of Gordon Lathrop's "The Pastor: A Spirituality" (http://www.augsburgfortress.org/store/item.jsp?clsid=181856&productgroupid=0&isbn=0800638018)<BR/>- there are excerpts on google books, if you google it. <BR/>Of course, I am not yet a pastor, only a seminarian, but it is a book I look forward to reading and re-reading.parodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15454972767684196711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-26357142977777004112008-02-14T16:33:00.000-05:002008-02-14T16:33:00.000-05:00I ordered "The Presbyterian Handbook for Pastors" ...I ordered "The Presbyterian Handbook for Pastors" the other day. The first one, "The Presbyterian Handbook" is just like what reverend mother says about the pastor's version. Informative and fun. <BR/><BR/>For first-year pastors, especially if preaching regularly, I highly recommend Barbara Brown Taylor's "The Preaching Life" and Jana Childer's "Birthing the Sermon."Rev Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04441988001400641628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-41678587029639834572008-02-14T15:56:00.002-05:002008-02-14T15:56:00.002-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Diane M. Rothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07749136181846671327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-23703510806362936002008-02-14T15:56:00.001-05:002008-02-14T15:56:00.001-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Diane M. Rothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07749136181846671327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-42961187517026816102008-02-14T15:56:00.000-05:002008-02-14T15:56:00.000-05:00I like what PPB says about novels, poetry, etc. a...I like what PPB says about novels, poetry, etc. and agree with that. Especially with regard to preaching in a narrative style, rather than in an academic style. (this is NOT the same as reading for sermon illustrations).<BR/><BR/>I loved all of Gerhard Frost's books even before I was a pastor, and find myself coming back to them again and again. Unfortunately, most of them are out of print. I like: Bless My Growing, Homing in the Presence, Seasons of a Lifetime, Journey of the Heart.<BR/><BR/>I also like The Competent Pastor, although I didn't know it when I was starting in ministry.<BR/><BR/>As for Beginner's (Bible 101) books, wow, good question. I think we need something like this.Diane M. Rothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07749136181846671327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-16769702530502226742008-02-14T13:38:00.000-05:002008-02-14T13:38:00.000-05:00There is also a "Lutheran Handbook for Pastors" an...There is also a "Lutheran Handbook for Pastors" and may even be a "Christian Handbook for Pastors."<BR/><BR/>(There's actually a whole Lutheran series--Lutheran Handbook, Lutheran Handbook Two, Lutheran Handbook for Pastors, and a Lutheran Handbook on Marriage--all set up like reverendmother says about the Presbyterian ones.)<BR/><BR/>These are light-hearted and fun, with some practical things included.Silenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10269153674584521816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-78835878443208288872008-02-14T11:39:00.001-05:002008-02-14T11:39:00.001-05:00FOr new/exploring faithful:GOd for Beginners is on...FOr new/exploring faithful:<BR/><A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/God-Beginners-Ralph-Milton/dp/1551450798/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203006915&sr=1-4" REL="nofollow">GOd for Beginners</A> is one option that comes to mind. <BR/><BR/>Another is <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Christianity-Beginners-Ralph-Milton/dp/0687034698/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203006915&sr=1-1" REL="nofollow">Christianity for Beginners</A> by the smae author.<BR/><BR/>Ralph has a relaxed, easy to access style (with a bit of irreverance mixed in at times)<BR/>--<A HREF="http://followingfrodo.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">Gord</A>Riverview Unitedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07161860851822689606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-62296628003747016532008-02-14T11:39:00.000-05:002008-02-14T11:39:00.000-05:00I'd like to weigh in on the first question--as a t...I'd like to weigh in on the first question--as a teacher and not a pastor, I don't have much to say about the second one.<BR/><BR/><I>Mere Christianity</I> is great, but some people don't relate to it very well, since it is a very rational/logical look at Christianity. I haven't read <I>Celebration of Discipline</I>, but from experience with Foster's <I>Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home</I> I would guess that it balances out Lewis' rational approach.<BR/><BR/>Some great authors include Henri Nouwen and Jean Vanier, who both start from the anthropological perspective: who am I, and how do I relate to the world and God? Vanier's <I>Becoming Human</I> is beautiful in this way.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I enjoy historical pictures of great Christians. A good book that speaks of great women in the history of Christianity is Carol Lee Flinders <I>Enduring Grace: Living Portraits of Seven Women Mystics</I>.Sister Juliet, RSCJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11340665039183368313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-19500138128620295092008-02-14T11:36:00.000-05:002008-02-14T11:36:00.000-05:00I would also add magazines to the novels and poetr...I would also add magazines to the novels and poetry etc.--but not Christian Century or Homiletics Digest. Well, those if you want--but what I mean is titles like The New Yorker, The Economist, Time/McLeans/Newsweek/name your newsweekly--things that make you think, tell you about the world in general, that open your mind beyond the local church, church concerns and the place you live. I especially like The New Yorker for that because the articles include humour, current political events, history, biography, poetry, book and movie reviews--just a bit of everything.Rainbow Pastorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16294525557328362313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-45093085970166472712008-02-14T11:19:00.000-05:002008-02-14T11:19:00.000-05:00I totally agree about the novels and poems.Though,...I totally agree about the novels and poems.<BR/><BR/>Though, I just saw a book in the Westminster John Knox catalog called the Presbyterian Handbook for Pastors. It appears to be a real nuts and bolts book, but funny and playful. I haven't read it but it contains lots of practical topics, from "Ten Things They Didn't Teach You in Seminary" to "How to Respond When you Forget a Parishioner's Name." <BR/><BR/>Probably some non-presbies would find it useful too.reverendmotherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07457532866087494676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-34772012855287378342008-02-14T11:05:00.000-05:002008-02-14T11:05:00.000-05:00Sorry I didn't get these in fast enough to include...Sorry I didn't get these in fast enough to include on the post. <BR/><BR/>I liked "Letters to a Skeptic" by Greg Boyd. It is a series of letters from Boyd's unbelieving father, and corresponding (ha, no pun intended) letters from Boyd.<BR/><BR/>It is an apologetic, of sorts, but because it is taken from real letters comes off quite readable and layperson friendly--even though Greg Boyd is one brilliant individual..Dorcas (aka SingingOwl)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15626748280614018533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-36758144553256544022008-02-14T11:03:00.000-05:002008-02-14T11:03:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Dorcas (aka SingingOwl)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15626748280614018533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-3720540056138982022008-02-14T10:56:00.000-05:002008-02-14T10:56:00.000-05:00I love ppb's answer. Reading novels, after several...I love ppb's answer. Reading novels, after several years of purely academic reading, was a great joy to me in my first parish. I even started a book group, and this got me reading fiction regularly, at least one book per month. It re-opened my horizons of heart and mind!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08235049965406944684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-27567996830388159822008-02-14T10:42:00.000-05:002008-02-14T10:42:00.000-05:00These have been formative for me.a. The Art of Pa...These have been formative for me.<BR/><BR/>a. The Art of Pastoring: Contemplative Reflections by William C. Martin<BR/><BR/>b. The Awakened Heart: Opening Yourself to the Love You Need by Gerald May<BR/><BR/>c. A Hidden Wholeness by Parker PalmerElaine (aka...Purple) https://www.blogger.com/profile/09439199680556347830noreply@blogger.com