This book will challenge your faith

 
I had heard a lot of hype about this book and it was on the best seller list. I put it on hold at the library and it came available at the end of October.  I am torn over how I feel about it. In the first chapter, the author states that it is difficult to know much about Jesus apart from the gospels, but that he planned to portray Jesus from the standpoint of the historical times.  He then picks and chooses which parts of the gospels to believe as accurate and which parts to see as made up by the authors at a later date to match the theological case they are trying to make. The book has challenged me to think of Jesus in a new way. I have always taken it for granted that the Bible is true. There is still a lot of conflict over the dates of the gospels and authorship.  I have heard many sides including this book and this lecture (https://vimeo.com/58113932 19:39-25:00). One part that I still need to look into is the nativity story and the historical accuracy. I know there are scholars on both sides who want to be right (that Jesus is or isn't God), so I feel it is tricky to tease out the truth. At the library booksale, I got a book containing the extra biblical works written about Jesus long after his death. I plan to read these to supplement my knowledge on what different groups have believed about Jesus over time. I feel I need to research this stuff on my own as it's hard to simply trust someone else's research knowing their biases.

Kabul 24

I completed another fall read lent to me by the leader of my life group. We were talking about missions and fears and doubts and she offered me this book to read by Henry O. Arnold and Ben Pearson.  Apparently, it's also a film.








I was not super impressed with the writing, but the story was good and even more amazing that it is real. I very much admire those who love God and the Afghan people so much that even after being treated horribly and living through such a frightening situation, went back to help the people because they are confident that it is the right thing to do. I am continually amazed at how cruel people can be to other people. It is so frightening.  But I am equally amazed at the courage of some who are willing to follow God's call at any cost.

Fall reading

I am keeping the fall reading list short in case other things come up (and as there is always Hokie football to capture my attention).  I also need to read through some of the magazines I have lying around the house so that I can finally get rid of them without guilt.

1. Heaven Without Her by Kitty Foth-Regner
This book was given to me after leaving Life Group last week. I had mentioned something about not being a fan of feminism and it triggered the host to hand me this book. I feel obligated to read it so I can return it ASAP. I'm not sure it is one I would have picked up on my own.
2. Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
I bought this one at the library booksale this spring.  It has been recommended to me by many friends so I am anxious to read it. I hope it continues to motivate me to do something to help others in poverty.
3. Fall of Giants by Ken Follett
This one came from Mom & Dad's. I think they got it for Christmas. I LOVED Pillars of the Earth (I couldn't put it down and the story stayed with me when I wasn't reading) so I am excited to see if I like more of Ken Follett's books.
4. The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller
This one looks like a quick read (in case I'm getting behind by the end of the fall months). I picked it up at the spring book sale too.