drew moser: Recent Reads...

journal : : field notes

24 May 2007

I'm way behind on my book reviews, but the beauty of a blog is that there are no deadlines.

Mudhouse Sabbath, by Lauren Winner

Great lil' read on how Jewish elements of faith can inform and correct Christian spirituality. Great writing, yet very readable.

Flirting with Monasticism, by Karen Sloan

An interesting look into Catholic Monasticism by a evangelical/emerging/presbyterian. Nothing too deep or profound here, but a nice primer on the movement. As a guy, I found the 'love story' that weaves the book together to be a bit too much, but it does provide the metaphor for the author's entire experience with monasticism.

Daughters of Islam: Building Bridges with Muslim Women, by Miriam Adeney

I read this book for an Islam class I'm currently taking. If you are looking for a helpful perspective on ministry to Muslim women, this is THE book to start with. Full of stories that cover the depth, breadth, and diversity of a woman's life the Muslim world, anyone working with Muslims would benefit from reading this book. Since I don't have any interaction with Muslims at present, I found the book very interesting, but hard to apply at present.

Christianity at the Religious Roundtable, by Timothy Tennent

Written by the prof for my Islam class, this is a great in depth look into the differences in worldviews of the world's major religions. Set up at a hypothetical 'roundtable,' I was initially skeptical. Too often in such hypotheticals, the author usually panders down to caricatures and straw men fallacies of the opposing viewpoints. Tennent is extremely careful to represent every angle fairly and with respect. For those of us isolated here in America from Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims, this is a great look into what sort of respectful, engaging conversations Christians would (and should) have with other religions.

Blood Brothers, by Elias Chacour

Having spent 4 months in the Holy Land in college, I'm fairly sensitive to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. I've come to a few conclusions about how Christians should view the issue:
1. Don't make a judgment until you go and see the land and get to know the people personally.
2. Understand that the issue is vastly more complex than you or I can imagine.
3. Read Blood Brothers.
4. Pray for PEACE, for crying out loud!
5. Don't let bad eschatology inform your view.

Blood Brothers is absolutely essential reading for Christians who think they have their view on the Israeli/Palestinian situation figured out. Written from the perspective of a Palestinian Christian, it's a voice that is often silenced in the debate. So often we frame this issue as a Jewish vs. Muslim issue. We forget that there is a Christian Arab minority that deserves more support from global Christianity than either 'major player'. I'll stop my rant here before I get all worked up... Read this book. It's a sane, Spirit-filled voice for PEACE and reconciliation in the land.

If I had 10 thumbs (that would be freaky) I'd put them all up in favor of this book.

Labels: books, islam, judaism, monasticism, peace, world religions