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PT Media Picks: Books |
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Spong
on Bible's 'terrible texts'
Sins of the Scripture: Exposing
the Bible's Texts of
Hate to Reveal the God of Love
By John Shelby Spong (HarperSanFrancisco,
2005; 315 pages; $24.95, hardcover) |
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If you're
not a fan of liberal Episcopal Bishop Shelby Spong, bear with
us for a moment. While this new book is classic Spong in many
ways—getting in the face of Bible literalists and shouting
them down—it transcends rancor and ends with nothing
but love.
Employing his vast knowledge of the latest
Bible scholarship, Spong names a host of what he calls "terrible
texts" that have been misinterpreted by mainline and
fundamentalist Christians alike through the years. Proclaiming
that "bad theology creates bad ecology," he explains
his takes on Paul's "homophobia" and the
appeal of the text "Spare the Rod," in an effort
to rescue God's good name from some misused Scriptures. |
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That approach may or may not
appeal to you. However, if you disregard this book because
Spong has some issues with thorny Biblical texts, you'll miss one of the most powerful
and readable essays ever produced on the topic of how Scripture
came into being. Section 8, "Reading Scripture as Epic
History," ought to be required reading in adult Christian
education classes everywhere.
Spong makes the case for letting go
of questions about whether any particular miraculous or hard-to-explain
event in the Bible actually happened, instead reading Scripture
as epic history to "seek the experience behind the
explanations and to ask whether or not that experience was
real."
Reading Scripture through that lens is helpful, especially
in the case of texts that seem so violent and hateful that
they give us chills. This is a useful and beautiful book.
—Teresa
Blythe |
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Christianity:
the upside
What Has Christianity Ever Done For Us?
By Jonathan Hill (InterVarsity
Press, 2005;
189 pages; $24, hardcover) |
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Did you know there are more
Roman Catholics in the world than Muslims? That fact is one
of a plethora of truths, stories and insights in this delightful
book.
Oxford University-educated author Jonathan Hill has written
a superb account of the profound impact Christianity has had
on Western society. Writing in a lively and witty style, Hill
covers major events in church history from an original perspective
and uncovers little-known stories that illuminate the connection
between Christianity's rise and the progress of Western culture. |
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The book
is further enriched by magnificent pictures illustrating Hill's
eight major themes: culture and thought; the arts; the landscape;
education; the individual; society and the world; a way of
life; changing the world; and what will Christianity do for
us?
In a day when the church is often blamed for doing harm,
it is refreshing to read about important instances when Christians
got things right.
—Richard Hasler, a retired Presbyterian
pastor,
living in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio |
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Memoirs
of a Holy Land trekker
Where God Was Born: A Journey by Land
to the Roots of Religion
By Bruce Feiler (William
Morrow, 2005;
352 pages; $16.95, hardcover) |
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Parade magazine journalist
Bruce Feiler continues the spiritual journey he began with
his best-seller Walking the Bible by exploring Biblical stories
as they relate to religion today.
Starting out in ancient Jericho, Feiler ruminates
on how Joshua and the Israelites captured the city, then moves
to the site of the first Temple, tracing the kingdoms of David
and Solomon. His journey also takes him to Iraq—during
the war—as he follow the steps the Israelites took into
Babylonian captivity, during which they began to cement their
faith by developing their own identity and writing about their
experience of God. |
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Throughout his travels, Feiler keeps
in mind the universal importance of religion and its integral
force in the Middle East. He savors its complexity, with
rituals and beliefs arising from many cultures to build up
a community of believers. As he travels, Feiler reaffirms
his own Jewish faith and begins to perceive his role as an
active partner in God's creation.
This is an excellent, well-researched and thoughtful read;
it will help Christians understand the roots of Middle Eastern
culture and belief.
—Judith Klamm, Southminster
Presbyterian Church,
Prairie Village, Kans. |
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Gay
marriage for the greater good
What God Has Joined Together? A Christian Case for Gay Marriage
By David G. Myers and Letha Dawson Scanzoni
(HarperSanFrancisco,
2005; 192 pages; $17.95, hardcover) |
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This book offers a new perspective
on the current debate about gay marriage, contending that marriage,
in general, is good for society. The authors argue that permanent
coupling stabilizes society to its economic benefit, provides
a stable environment for children and satisfies the human need
for belonging.
Authors Myers and Scanzoni oppose alternatives
to marriage (such as cohabitation, domestic partnerships and
civil unions) because they don't provide the same societal
benefit as marriage. They believe that because marriage is
so good for society, and less-permanent couplings are less
so, all people should be allowed to marry. |
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Citing study after study from conservatives
and liberals alike, the authors show that sexual orientation
does not affect the stability of a relationship or the well-being
of children. And they cite similar studies indicating that
children's
and adults' economic, emotional, and physical well-being
are harmed by divorce, single parenting and other less-permanent
couplings.
This is a compelling argument for political
reform. Scriptural arguments are presented in exploring the
nature of marriage and society and human nature, including
sexual orientation. Many well-regarded studies support their
assertion that marriage is good for children and society.
Myers and Scanzoni examine the arguments for and against
marriage for all couples, concluding that, ultimately, the
main issue is strengthening marriage for society's
benefit.
As the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
enters a "season
of discernment" regarding sexual-orientation issues,
this book should be required reading for its thoughtful and
non-partisan approach.
—Deborah Matthews,
youth minister at University Presbyterian Church
in Tempe,
Ariz. |
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