Making our history one step at a time
I took @trent_clegg 's book recommendation and read this beautiful interpretation of the story of Joseph in Egypt. I had some philosophical differences of opinion, but this reflection on forgiveness is a worthy one.
When it comes to Enos, Jarom, and Omni less is more. Sharon Harris has done more with these little books than I thought possible. Harris makes theological space in these pages for those on the edge of the inside of Mormonism, and in an Ozymandian take reminds us that spirituality isn't measured by your real estate on the gold plates.
Spencer's "First Nephi" has given me a chance to be reconciled to Nephi, and for that I am grateful. Despite all our efforts to make Nephi a symbol of perfect obedience-- for better or worse-- Spencer shows us a human side of Nephi you may miss otherwise.
A double book review: "Not in God's Name" by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and "The Book of Lemuel" by Mette Harrison. Both challenge dualistic interpretations of scripture that separate a righteous Us and a wicked Them.
What I would give to have a Sunday School lesson taught by Lowell Bennion. Bennion refers to the OT as "the least known and least understood of the standard works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints", and this is his attempt to help address that. My favorite part: the prophets' insistence on justice for the marginalized: "relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow."
According to Huntsman, the gospel of John was designed to read yourself into the text. The Samaritan woman at the well, Nicodemus coming to the Lord in the night, Thomas's doubts-- all were meant to highlight the different routes we take coming to Christ.
Peter Enn's new book is simultaneously entertaining and thought-provoking. Herein, I reflect on how Enn's book informs a Latter-Day Saint perspective. #harperonepartner #wisebible #howthebibleactuallyworks
Rating: 5/5 G. K. Chesterton was an Anglican who converted to Catholicism later in life, and also one of the most prolific writers to have ever lived. He also has a running at becoming a Catholic saint here. Chesterton, along with C. S. Lewis, are my two favorite authors, but I'm having to hunt down... Continue Reading →
I read this interesting exchange between the Israelites, Moses, and the Lord this morning on my scripture study. It involved at heart what I would call a "democratic" rebellion against Moses as the representative of the Lord, and it had some pretty harsh consequences (I just include excerpts here, but a few people get swallowed... Continue Reading →
I came across this title in my Goodreads feed, and the title seemed very compelling to me: The Bible Tells Me So: Why Defending Scripture Has Made Us Unable to Read It. The first half of the title reflects a common approach or expectation of the Bible among Christians, and one I am also familiar... Continue Reading →
History Engineers 