Bookshelf

So, here's what I'm reading at the moment.

Miroslav Volf, Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace. (Zondervan, 2005)
Almost finished with this one, and it has been excellent. Blending theological reflection on St Paul and Martin Luther with family experiences in Eastern Europe and the USA, Volf writes urgently and simply about the importance of giving and forgiving to Christian Faith. Basically a primer on the Christian life from the vantage point of these two practices. Easily approachable and persuasive.

E Byron Anderson, Worship and Christian Identity: Practicing Ourselves. (Liturgical Press, 2003)
Just begun this one, but it speaks to the place of worship in contemporary United Methodist circles. A bit more dense theologically, but still drawing on the experiences of everyday Christians, especially from case studies of two congregations. A favorite topic for me.

Alister McGrath, Dawkins' God: Genes, Memes, and the Meaning of Life. (Blackwell, 2005)
Again, barely started. Reading this for our monthly theological bookgroup. Takes on Richard Dawkins, the brilliant scientist and vivid atheist. McGrath has a PhD in the sciences and is also a theological scholar, so he's the perfect author for this book. More on this soon.

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline. (Hodder & Stoughton, rev 1989)
Leading a weekly study of this book. Foster is an excellent teacher of spritual practices, and this book includes the basics. It's proving to be quite valuable for this small group of congregation members.

Andrew Smith, Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth. (Bloomsbury, 2005)
Smith's postmodern search for the meaning behind America's Apollo missions to the moon puts on a human face as he meets with the men who actually flew to, walked on, and returned from the moon; he also recalls the turbulent late 60s & early 70s from his own memories. An interesting perspective, written by an American expatriate for a British audience.

Terry Pratchett, The Truth. (Corgi, 2001)
Another Discworld novel, that special blend of fantasy and satire. Pratchett is to fantasy what Douglas Adams was to sci-fi; always good for an intelligent laugh. This one satirizes the newspaper industry.

Juan, what about you?