Lately

I’ve been reading and listening to a variety of things lately — books, audiobooks, and podcasts. It’s curious how my reading habits have changed from one book at a time, read with single-minded commitment, to several among which I rotate. I seem to be populating my mind with different voices to supply the conversation I need. Do we read, at least in part, out of loneliness?

Two recent reads are Peter Enns books:

The Sin of Certainty, about the difference between trust in God and “correct” beliefs about him, is part memoir, part critical engagement of the way faith is “done” in the evangelical tradition I’ve grown up in. For those with a curious and persistent faith, this is an encouragement because it puts a finger on some of the questions that go unanswered, and the asking of which is not encouraged, in that tradition.

How the Bible Actually Works, also by Enns, presents the hypothesis that if we look at how the Bible actually behaves, we find it doesn’t fit the characterization of being an instruction manual with clear, unambiguous and consistent practical guidance for living. Rather it’s a book that models and insists upon the development of wisdom in its readers by compiling centuries of Christian experience with God.

I’ve been listening as well to the Bible for Normal People podcasts in which Peter Enns and Jared Byas interview various people about the Bible and different Christian traditions. A few of my favorites so far include interviews with Richard Rohr (contemplative perspective), Rob Bell, Barbara Brown Taylor, and Brad Jersak (Orthodox faith). There are plenty of other conversations, but these are a few faves. Altogether this project gives me a place to belong spiritually, where I can think and explore questions without being judged. It has been stimulating to my growth as a Christian and my engagement with the Bible and with God.

I’m reading/listening to two books/audiobooks which further comment on what appears to be my consuming interest in matters of faith these days: Richard Rohr’s Falling Upward, and Bruce Shelley’s Church History in Plain Language. My daughters and I are listening to Susan Wise Bauer’s The History of the Ancient World as a deeper, more detailed take than their Biblioplan ancient history curriculum has been able to provide this year. In a radically different direction is Tilly, a short work of fiction by Frank Peretti that was recommended to me by a friend from church. It deals with the topic of abortion, distressingly on my mind lately as a result of some of the radical legislation advocated in my state and others. The book builds on an intriguing basic idea, but it leaves so many unanswered questions that seem necessary to developing the story that I found it unsatisfying.

Finally, I have a few books I’ve been drawing from professionally as I try to meet my community college students where they are. I think I’ll save them for another post. There’s not a whole lot of variety in my reading these days, is there? Sometimes I feel stuck in a “good-for-you” books rut and long for a mere page-turner — I just don’t know where to turn. Maybe a gripping novel is just around the corner — I hope so! Meantime. . .