Reading

I have not updated my reading list. While on vacation read C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces, the retelling and reinterpreting of the Cupic and Psyche story in such a way as to present earlier Lewis' themes - the longing of a glorious, spiritual reality signifies its reality; redemption comes when we are brought to truly knowing who we are as sinners. For me, Lewis is the standard for writers, both fiction and nonfiction. I can pick up any book at any page, enjoy the fine craftsmanship and be stimulated to deeper thought.

I then continued my reading of Tenth members with Bruce McDowell's Muslims and Christians at the Table (co-written with Anees Zaka). The strengths of this book are: clear, well organized presentation of Islam, practical guidance for developing relationships, and (most importantly) a balanced, gracious attention to Muslims. It neither demonizes Islam, nor overlooks its defects, but takes the concerns and needs of our Muslim neighbors seriously and charitably.

Am now reading Justification and the New Perspectives on Paul, by Guy Waters, a formed Tenth member while attending Westminster and now teaches biblical studies at Belhaven College. The first seven (I am in six) chapters present a study of the sources from which the New Perpectives teachings have developed. The last two offer a critique. Will report.

Am also reading Grimm's fairy tales, which along with needing a PG-13 rating for children, have, for the most part, been underwhelming in excitement. The end of most stories leave me asking, "That's it?" They seem more like story-lines meant to be filled out for complete stories later.