PT Media Picks: Books

See also a review of the film The Golden Compass

The accidental theologian?

Killing the Imposter God: Philip Pullman’s Spiritual Imagination in His Dark Materials

by Donna Freitas and Jason King (Jossey-Bass, 2007; 224 pages; $17.95, paper)

Is it possible that outspoken British atheist Philip Pullman’s trilogy His Dark Materials is actually not anti-Christian, but rather expresses complex theological principles? That is the premise of Killing the Imposter God, a book by Donna Freitas, a religion professor at Boston University, and Jason King, a theology professor at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa.

The authors are well aware of the intense controversy surrounding Pullman’s work. In the introduction to their book they delicately try to defuse some of the opposition by addressing some of Pullman’s public atheistic comments. But they also make this bold statement: “We see Pullman’s trilogy as a powerful example of how a self-professed atheist has created what could be read as a contemporary Christian classic.” They then proceed to dissect the characters, plots and settings to support their views.

Freitas and King — who admit that they love Pullman’s books — are very thorough in tackling even some of the more controversial topics, such as the “killing of God” and the existence of “daemans” (“souls” attached to people that are animal-like in appearance). They draw parallels between other classic works and show how Pullman — perhaps unintentionally — incorporates aspects of Christian theology and ethics throughout his books.

The authors divide their book into three sections. The first examines Pullman’s basic thoughts and beliefs about God. Part Two looks at his ethical views of good and evil and his passion about freedom, creativity and love. Part Three considers his ideas on liberation and salvation. There is also a section on “Building the Republic of Heaven.” Plot summaries of all three books are provided as a valuable refresher or initial introduction.

The current controversy about His Dark Materials, heightened by release of the film The Golden Compass, based on book one of the trilogy, may not change any minds on either side of the issues. But in Killing the Imposter God Freitas and King have provided a well-reasoned interpretation of Pullman’s underlying themes and concepts. Pullman’s readers will have to decide for themselves if he is an “imposter theologian.”

—Jeff Friend, Largo, Florida

Christmas story

Magi

by Daniel Gilbert (Paraclete Press, 2007; 164 pages; $17.95, hardcover)

Make sure you have a map of the Middle East handy as you begin to read this very small but timely novel. If you have always wondered where “We Three Kings of Orient” were actually from, this novel fills in the blanks. It reads like an adventure story with historical grounding. The author — a teacher at Tennessee Wesleyan College in Cleveland — grew up with a love for Bible stories and astronomy. Gilbert spent about a decade researching history to write this fictional “back story” to the journey of the magi. A quick read, this novel will appeal to anyone interested in stargazing and historical adventure.

—Bev Rehfeldt

Spiritual scrapbooking

Pages of Faith: The Art of Spiritual Scrapbooking

by Sharon Sheridan (Morehouse, 2007; 133 pages; $24, hardcover)

The Scrapbooking Journey: A Hands-on Guide to Spiritual Discovery

by Cory Richardson-Lauve (SkyLight Paths, 2007; 160 pages; $18.99, paper)

Scrapbooking is a form of storytelling, memory keeping and interpreting. Around for years, it took new form and energy in the 1980s with the introduction of specialty papers, labels, albums and stickers. More than just a way to preserve family photos, scrapbooking places those photos into a context shaped by the artist. The rich visual pallet of the scrapbooking process very quickly lends itself to the spiritual self-discovery already identified in journaling. Two books published this year examine the role scrapbooking can play in faith development.

The Scrapbooking Journey by Richardson-Lauve, takes an open, introspective approach to scrapbooking as a spiritual growth process. Richardson-Lauve’s chapters each focus on themes such as community, celebration and awareness. She tells personal stories, includes examples of her own approach and lays out clear suggestions, both practical and inspirational, of projects that will guide her readers into their own journey and product.

Pages of Faith is explicitly Christian and community centered. Sheridan, an Episcopalian writer, sets her book firmly in the context of scrapbooking history, beginning her time line with the Greek and Roman empires. Sheridan offers guidelines, with suggested liturgy, for forming a scrapbooking group in the congregation as well as for creating scrapbooks that celebrate the life of the congregation. 

Both books include helpful information on how to get started with scrapbooking. The Scrapbooking Journey may appeal more to an individual scrapbooker who wishes to examine her or his own life story however it reveals itself. Page of Faith may serve a group of scrapbookers who wish to explore their life and faith together.

—Anitra Kitts, a member of Rose City Park Presbyterian Church, Portland, Ore.

New edition of a classic

The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher's Life

by Parker J. Palmer (Jossey Bass, 2007; 245 pages; $27.95, hardcover)

In case you missed this classic the first time around, here is an updated and enhanced 10th anniversary edition of the part memoir and part spiritual wisdom book by Quaker educator Parker Palmer. He writes a new foreword, looking back on 30 years of teaching in high schools and colleges, and also projecting forward his hopes for ways teachers — in all walks of life — can nurture their own inner journeys and provide quality education for their students.

The foreword includes a thoughtful evaluation of the much-talked-about “No Child Left Behind” mandates guiding education in public schools today. The body of the book is the same one that educators and readers of spiritual literature have been raving about for 10 years, including stories of Palmer facing his own fears as a teacher and looking deep into his soul for guidance. As a bonus, the anniversary edition includes an audio CD with a 45-minute conversation between Palmer and some colleagues at the Center for Courage & Renewal. A great gift for anyone you know who enjoys reflecting on the spiritual path of teaching.

—Teresa Blythe

Spirituality for the intellectual

Tracing the Footsteps of God: Discovering What You Really Believe

by C.S. Song (Fortress Press, 2007; 157 pages; $18, paper)

Why is it so hard for some mainline Christians to talk about what we believe? Frequently it’s because we’ve left theology to theologians. Here is a book to bridge that gap. A respected Reformed Tradition theologian — C.S. Song, professor of theology at the Pacific School of Religion and past president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches — challenges Christians to think through and articulate their beliefs.

Song asks questions such as, “What about beginnings and endings?” He is not interested in us coming up with the correct answers, but in getting us to wrestle honestly with the questions. Wondering about all the interest today in spirituality? Check out Song’s chapter on “What Is Spirituality?” for a description that will satisfy the intellect and nurture the spirit. This small book would make an excellent study guide for an adult education class at any Presbyterian church.

—Teresa Blythe