For the love of reading

[JonC]

JonC

Here is our resident book lover

I suspect the comment an insult because I enjoy reading (I hope I'm not alone in this), but it raises some questions.

We have discussed music and movies, but what about books.

I enjoy reading Christian books and Christian history. But I also enjoy biographies, poetry, the classics, and general fiction.

Are there secular genres that Christians should avoid? What about particular books?

 

[Deacon]

Okay, I’ll bite but if this turns into a bashing thread I’m out.

I’ve always been a voracious reader.
When I was younger I was quite discriminating.
I stayed away from theology that challenged my core beliefs.
I chose books that built up my faith.
Once in a while I found myself reading a book that I knew was theologically wrong and I’d set it aside.

One exception however. I had questions dealing with theology and how it interacted with science.
I’ve read hundreds of books on the topic and it wasn’t until recently that I could say I had some resolution to my questions.
This driving obsession lead me into a variety of research avenues, learning how to study the Bible effectively, learning Hebrew and a bit of Greek, reading about inerrancy, etc.
Perhaps I developed the ability to discern err by investing so much into this one topic.

As my faith grew so did my ability to stretch boundaries.
I can read books that once were challenging (with the knowledge that I am steadfast in the faith).

Rob

 

[JonC]

Okay, I’ll bite but if this turns into a bashing thread I’m out.

I’ve always been a voracious reader.
When I was younger I was quite discriminating.
I stayed away from theology that challenged my core beliefs.
I chose books that built up my faith.
Once in a while I found myself reading a book that I knew was theologically wrong and I’d set it aside.

One exception however. I had questions dealing with theology and how it interacted with science.
I’ve read hundreds of books on the topic and it wasn’t until recently that I could say I had some resolution to my questions.
This driving obsession lead me into a variety of research avenues, learning how to study the Bible effectively, learning Hebrew and a bit of Greek, reading about inerrancy, etc.
Perhaps I developed the ability to discern err by investing so much into this one topic.

As my faith grew so did my ability to stretch boundaries.
I can read books that once were challenging (with the knowledge that I am steadfast in the faith).

Rob

I think that is a reasonable way to approach reading other views. There are some books I would recommend to any believer, but others that I would only suggest to mature Christians (solid doctrine) trying to understand other views.

What about secular literature?

 

[JonC]

As far as my preferences go, I like reading fantasy ("junk food" reading). I also enjoy T.S. Elliot and W.B. Yeats.

Fairly recently I read a few books about the Irish potato famine. And "Smart Baseball" for the 3rd time.

 

[Reformed1689]

And "Smart Baseball" for the 3rd time.

What is this?

 

[Reformed1689]

@JonC is this the right book? https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Baseball-Behind-Ruining-Running/dp/0062490222

 

[agedman]

I typically enjoy westerns that are historical fiction and also from a Christian perspective.

I also like the history channel and documentaries on historical figures.

Couple years ago, I came across Dean Jones doing Acts.

I had not previously encountered such story telling and it was (imo) extremely well presented.

He did some other work, but I haven’t looked at them.

Ray Vander Laan has some videos that I think some on the BB might consider reviewing.

Those of you who are not familiar with “Temple Grandin” might watch this to help with misconceptions concerning those on what is referred to as “the spectrum.”

Does anyone remember the work done with Walter Cronkite, “You Were There”?

 

[Deacon]

What about secular literature?

I’m a avid Sci-fi reader. If I like a book I’ll read it over and over.
Unfortunately today’s Sci-fi has been over taken with trashy vampires and zombies. I hate getting halfway through a novel and finding out it’s zombies again.

Frank Herbert’s Dune is my favorite. It has an amalgamation of strange religious themes, “the Orange Catholic Bible”, the Bene Gesserit’s Missionara Protectiva, the Zensunni (a mix of Sunni Islam and Zen Buddhism, and of course, the great sandworms, Shai-Hulud, a manifestation of God.

I collect novels with religious themes or characters. I have perhaps two shelves various books. Some I like, others I’d never read again.

Rob

 

[alexander284]

I’m a avid Sci-fi reader. If I like a book I’ll read it over and over.
Unfortunately today’s Sci-fi has been over taken with trashy vampires and zombies. I hate getting halfway through a novel and finding out it’s zombies again.

Frank Herbert’s Dune is my favorite. It has an amalgamation of strange religious themes, “the Orange Catholic Bible”, the Bene Gesserit’s Missionara Protectiva, the Zensunni (a mix of Sunni Islam and Zen Buddhism, and of course, the great sandworms, Shai-Hulud, a manifestation of God.

I collect novels with religious themes or characters. I have perhaps two shelves various books. Some I like, others I’d never read again.

Rob

I recall the "Big Three" in Science Fiction were Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Robert A. Heinlein.

 

[Deacon]

Asimov’s Foundation series is great. Some theological themes in it but he was generally anti religious.
I recently saw the Amazon series with the same name and wondered if the producers even read the book. It was awful!

Rob

 

[alexander284]

Asimov’s Foundation series is great.
I recently saw the Amazon series with the same name and wondered if the producers even read the book. It was awful!

Rob

I'm not surprised. Do you happen to recall the TV miniseries on NBC (back in the late 1970s) starring Rock Hudson, based on the Ray Bradbury book "The Martian Chronicles?"

 

[Deacon]

I'm not surprised. Do you happen to recall the TV miniseries on NBC (back in the late 1970s) starring Rock Hudson, based on the Ray Bradbury book "The Martian Chronicles?"

Vaguely, it didn’t make much of an impression.

Rob

 

[alexander284]

Vaguely, it didn’t make much of an impression.

Rob

Yes, that was Ray Bradbury's reaction to it, as well. Lol

 

[alexander284]

I’m a avid Sci-fi reader. If I like a book I’ll read it over and over.
Unfortunately today’s Sci-fi has been over taken with trashy vampires and zombies. I hate getting halfway through a novel and finding out it’s zombies again.

Frank Herbert’s Dune is my favorite. It has an amalgamation of strange religious themes, “the Orange Catholic Bible”, the Bene Gesserit’s Missionara Protectiva, the Zensunni (a mix of Sunni Islam and Zen Buddhism, and of course, the great sandworms, Shai-Hulud, a manifestation of God.

I collect novels with religious themes or characters. I have perhaps two shelves various books. Some I like, others I’d never read again.

Rob

As far as Frank Herbert's Dune novels go, I enjoyed reading the original trilogy: Dune, Dune Messiah, and Children of Dune.

 

[Deacon]

Dune is a classic, his others….not so much. too much dialogue, not enough action.

Rob

 

[JonC]

Dune is a classic, his others….not so much. too much dialogue, not enough action.

Rob

I have never read Dune. I considered picking it up last month but didn't. I grab it today.

 

[agedman]

Dune is a classic, his others….not so much. too much dialogue, not enough action.

Rob

Closest I came to science fiction was the Tom Swift series.

Jules Verne was good, too. Around the world in 80 days, 20,000 leagues under the sea, Journey to the center of the earth. from earth to moon,....

It is neat to see how those "inventions" took the form of reality.

As a child, who would have thought of eating seaweed?

The sea depth had yet to be plumbed, Lock Ness critter was real, the space was ether, moon a dust cloud, and communism and socialism were evil.

Now the sea depth have been explored, Lock Ness critter is fake, space is filled with junk, moon has footprints, and communism and socialism are praised and desired by America.

Science fiction is ...... ok, i guess.

I prefer westerns. Horse, cowboy, bad guys, maid in distress, and hats. Can't forget the hat. Every kid was a cowboy in my day. Now every kid is a ......

 

[alexander284]

As far as early science fiction goes, I recall being fascinated by the novels written by H.G. Wells.

 

[Deacon]

My frequently read shelves.
I’ve worn some volumes out and had to re-purchase them.

The latest addition was “The Fault in our Stars” by John Green.
Difficult to read having a young grandchild with cancer.

Rob

 

[JonC]

My frequently read shelves.
I’ve worn some volumes out and had to re-purchase them.
View attachment 6071
The latest addition was “The Fault in our Stars” by John Green.
Difficult to read having a young grandchild with cancer.

Rob

Hey....I have the same Tolkien book.